NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 30th March 2015.
EXCHANGE RATES Currency
Buying(NGN)
Central (NGN)
GAINERS
Selling(NGN)
LOSERS
US DOLLAR
196
196.5
197
MOBIL
156.95
9.00
5.73%
FO
213.62
-11.27
POUNDS STERLING
292.1184
292.8636
293.6088
TOTAL
165
6.26
3.79%
CADBURY
37.27
-1.96
-5.26%
140
-1.19
-0.85%
126
-1.00
-0.79%
EURO
213.4244
SWISS FRANC
213.9689
203.7846
204.3044
214.5133
DANGCEM
159
6.00
3.77%
NB
204.8243
NESTLE
805
4.46
0.55%
GUINNESS
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TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.76
ENUGU
KANO
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MAIDUGURI
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Buhari in clear lead Ï `ƑƋƈ ƍ ƏƐƕ Ɠ Ɛ ƏƆ ƑƋƐ Ƈ E è 1 ƌƄƆè ƇƈƒƆ Ɛ ƆƏ ƅ ƅƆƋƋƆƗ Ï Rƍƍ ƈƐƈ ƋƋƆ Ɔ ƇƏ ƑƗ ƈ ƊƓ 9Ƅ ƌè & Ƒ Ƒè Ɛ ƆƏ Lateef Ibrahim ƄƑƉ
ÏÏÏWith
the results of 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) declared, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
INSIDE
Life&
TIMES Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Isi Atagamen Transiting from modeling to fashion
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PHOTO: AFP
Grooming tools for men
X4
XT Exclusive
Rivers imposes curfew as PDP, APC hold counter protests 6
UK to use Ribadu’s fresh evidence against Ibori
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:
Poster!
WOLVES
Youth career 2000–2003:
VINCENT KOMPANY
CAF CONFED CUP MATCH THREATENED p29
L2
P
L4
P
Vincent Kompany Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany April 10, 1986 (age 28) Uccle, Brussels, Belgium 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Centre back Manchester City 4
Anderlecht
Senior career 2003–2006: 2006–2008: 2008–Present:
Anderlecht Hamburg Manchester City
National team 2002: 2002: 2004–Present:
Belgium U-16 Belgium U-17 Belgium
ABOUT VINCENT KOMPANY Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany, born April 10, 1986, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for and captains both English club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at centre back and defensive midfield. In the 2011–12 season he was awarded the captaincy of Manchester City, leading his club to win the Premier League that season, their first league title in 44 years. He is also chairman of Belgium D3B Division club BX Brussels, as well as owner-operator of two Belgian Sports Bars named Good Kompany. Kompany began his professional career at Anderlecht, spending three years at the Belgian club before moving to German Bundesliga club Hamburg in 2006. In the summer of 2008, at the age of 22, he completed a transfer to his current club, Premier League side Manchester City. He has since established himself as an integral part of the Manchester City squad and is one of the bargain buys of the revolutionised City era, blossoming into one of the Premier League’s best centre backs. Kompany was included in the Premier League Team of the Year for two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 as well as being included in the 2014 team, and won the Premier League Player of the Season in 2012. He has been described as one of the best defenders in world football, and is known to be a physically strong centreback, with excellent aerial ability, and mobility, as well as good technique and distribution. He is also a very accurate tackler and excels at anticipating his opponents.
X5
QUOTES BY
“
VINCENT KOMPANY I have made a lot of progress. But I still have a lot more to show and bring to this club. I am definitely looking forward to the future and looking long term...” “We want to be the best we can and once we start winning trophies, this obsession people have with the money we earn will stop. We will achieve, we will win things - that much should be obvious to everyone. But the owners aren’t just investing in the team, they are investing in the whole club, the training facilities, the stadium, the fans and the city of Manchester itself. They know how important City are to the people of Manchester and there is much more going on at the club than just creating a team. –Vincent Kompany
”
VINCENT
X4,5
KOMPANY
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Ngozi Okafor London
ÏÏÏWhen
his assets forfeiture trial in the United Kingdom begins on April 13, former Delta State GoverCONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Dangote introduces 42.5 grade cement in Senegal
17
UTNNERS GHO IN CHASE FOR STERLING X8
DREAM TEAM AAG clash moved to Lusaka p28
Murray stuns Giraldo at Miami Open p31
2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
s
Editorial Protecting the Nigerian consumer
T
he increasing rate of consumer rights abuses in the country is becoming something of a national embarrassment. This development has led to consumers no longer getting value for their money. The situation is more even more pronounced in the telecommunications, aviation, banking and power sectors of the economy. For instance, those making phone calls still contend with drop call, unsolicited texts/messages, poor network and credit wipe-off. In the banking sector, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) still dispense error cases with prolonged resolution period, including unexplained debit on customer accounts among others. Such shenanigan in the aviation sector, include flight cancellation and delays without notice, while damage and loss of baggage without compensation has remained the norm. The same goes for the power sector, where outrageous estimated billing is now order of the day, while nonprovision of transformers and meters, wrongful disconnections and inadequate/ erratic electricity supply are becoming the rule rather than the exception. These malaises are also creeping into the consumers of satellite television services, where consumers have to grapple with regular disruptions, poor service delivery and lack of redress for complaints. That is why we are calling for massive consumer awareness to sensitise product users of their rights. It is a truism that when companies act unethically, they break the trust that they have built with consumers, leading to anger and frustration. For long Nigerian consumers have been exploited by service providers through
withholding of adequate information from them. These come in the form of high prices, substandard quality, adulteration of goods, duplicate articles, lack of safety devices and poor or inadequate after sales service. Reasons for such exploitation are that a lot of consumers are either illiterate or ignorant and therefore do not understand their rights. Moreover, they are lack organisation, which has put them at the mercy of unscrupulous business enterprises. Increasingly, the marketplace has been flooded with duplicate products that make it difficult for an ordinary consumer to distinguish between genuine ones and the imitation. Over the years, Nigerian consumers have had no significant protection from the overwhelming abuses and exploitation by business operators, who largely are not complying with international best practices. This has resulted in consumer apathy and lack of willingness to seek redress for any wrongdoing. Definitely, when awareness is low among consumers, end user activism gets a short shrift. Unfortunately, the protection Act of 2004 has not enhanced the status of the consumer. Even with a substantive consumer law, consumerism has failed to materialise in the country due to lack of proper sensitisation. That is why we are supporting the Director-General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki for coming up with a strategy to prosecute recalcitrant businesses in the courts as a way of seeking satisfactory redress on behalf of dissatisfied consumers. We believe this would not only save consumers from the sharp practices of business outfits but also keep them under watchful eyes of the law.
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Social media: How long will this abuse continue? Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏThe abuse of the social
media in Nigeria came to a head at the weekend, when before the collation of votes ended in most states, many people were already posting the results on various social platforms, heightening the need for regulation on the communication channels in Nigeria. The abuse so rattled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that its chairman, Attahiru Jega, on Sunday, had to urge the public to disregard the results being bandied on
the social media and other channels. Jega not only described such results as fake but also warned purveyors of fake election results to desist from such as they would run foul of the law in the process. Also on Sunday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the figures being circulated in the social media as results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in some polling booths and advised Nigerians to totally disregard them. No doubt, the embrace of the social media by Nigerians is welcome but the abuse of the channels especially in
Words On Marble :
dailytimesng
this election period has gone further to misinform rather than inform Nigerians. The abuse, in some instances, contributed to heating up of the polity. This ought not to continue. For the abuse to be stemmed, there is urgent need for government agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) among others to spearhead massive reorientation of Nigerians on the use of the social media and other channels to foster unity, peace and development in the country. Social media and other communication channels must not be used to drive a wedge between Nigerians, spread rumours, or cause tension in the land.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
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Publisher
Fidelis Anosike
Group Managing Director
Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects
Chief Commercial Officer
Deputy Editors
Noel Anosike
Doyin Awomosu
Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor
Editor
Yinka Olujimi
Tunji Okegbola
Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh
Acting Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Lateef Ibrahim
Group News Editor
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Segun Adio Okay Osuji
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Andrew Ekejiuba
Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo
Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
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The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Rosa Luxemburg
Aristotle
Sojourner Truth
Without general elections, without unrestricted freedom of press and assembly, without a free struggle of opinion, life dies out in every public institution, becomes a mere semblance of life, in which only the bureaucracy remains as the active element.
A flatterer is a friend who is your inferior, or pretends to be so.
That... man... says women can’t have as much rights as man, because Christ wasn’t a woman. Where did your Christ come from? . . . From God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with him.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Buhari leads as INEC releases results Continued from page 1 All Progressives Congress (APC) was in a clear lead over incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday evening. The formal declaration of the remaining results continues at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega. But the PDP and the APC complained of electoral malpractice in some states where they lost. With the declared result, General Buhari won in 10 states with
about 12 million votes, while President Jonathan led in eight and the FCT, garnering about 10 million. While Jonathan has scored the required 25 percent votes in 15 states, Buhari secured it in13. There could still be a reversal of fortunes when the votes of some key southern states are announced on Tuesday. The states that were declared on Monday, and which were won by the APC were Ogun Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kwara and Kaduna. Those won by the PDP were Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo
Flooded Ijoko, Sango Ota, Ogun State… on Monday
and Plateau. In result, the PDP won in the following states; Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Nasarawa, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Plateau and Imo. On its part, the APC won the following; Ogun, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara. In the FCT, while the PDP had 157,195, the APC polled 146,399. In Ondo state, PDP garnered 251,368 to APC’s 299, 889. The others are Osun (PDP 249,929, APC, 383,603), Kogi (PDP 149, 987, APC, 264,851), Enugu (PDP 553, 003, APC 14,157) and Ogun (PDP 207,950, APC 308,290). It also includes Ekiti (PDP
176,466, APC 120,331), Oyo (PDP 303, 376, APC 528, 620), Nasarawa, PDP (273, 460 APC 236, 838), Abia (PDP 368, 303, APC 13, 394), Anambra (PDP 660, 762, APC 17, 926), Jigawa (PDP 142, 904, APC 882, 988). The rest are Kaduna (APC 1, 127, 760, PDP 484, 085), Kano (APC 1, 903, 999, PDP 215, 779), Katsina (APC 1, 345, 441, PDP 98, 937), Kwara (PDP 132, 602, APC garnered 302, 146), Akwa Ibom (APC 58, 411, PDP 953, 304), and Imo (APC 133, 253, PDP 559, 185). However, the PDP has written a petition to INEC seeking the cancellation of the results of seven states over what it termed electoral malpractices. Addressing journalists Monday in Abuja, the Deputy National Chairman of ruling party, Prince Uche Secondus gave the seven states as Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi. He added that the demand was based on concrete facts collated by field agents of the PDP. Secondus said that the petition was sent to INEC through its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the affected states. Secondus who alleged that in the seven states, under aged were allowed to vote in contravention of the Electoral Act, also alleged that voting took place late in the night in those states. He stated: “In Kano and some of these states in the North, majority of voters were under-aged. Continued on page 6
Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE
INEC official arrested for illegally collating results in Delta ÏÏÏA member of
staff the Independent National Electoral Commission was arrested on Monday at the commission’s office in Asaba for violating INEC’s rule on collation of results. The INEC worker, who served as the electoral officer for Ndokwa East Local Government Area, was taken away by policemen in a van after he admitted to collating the results for the local government area against the rule of the commission. The electoral officer came to the state collation centre at INEC, Asaba, to present the result of Ndokwa East without the collation officer for the local government, whose job it is to present the result. When he was queried by the state Collation Officer, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, the electoral officer said the collation officer for the local government did not show up and due to pressure from party agents, he was forced to collate the results alone in the presence of party agents and security operatives. The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anidi Ikowak, who was infuriated by the explanation, declared the results collated by the electoral officer invalid. The REC said according to INEC’s rule, the electoral officer is not permitted to do the job of the collation officer and faulted the electoral officer for not calling him to report the situation.
Kidnapper of judge’s wife to die by hanging
Buhari wins overwhelmingly in Bauchi
ÏÏÏA Delta State High Court sit-
Daniel Jolly Bauchi
ting at Ughelli in Delta State has sentenced one David Tamarakpo Pade to death by hanging for armed robbery and kidnapping a woman. The kidnapped woman, Mrs. Roli Awala, is wife to a retired judge of the Court of Appeal. The court also sentenced two of his accomplices to a total of 19 years in jail with hard labour for the same offence. The court, presided over by Justice Ebiowe Tobi, found the three accused persons guilty on various counts, while delivering its verdict amidst tight security for the trial that lasted several hours. The court proceedings were, however, intermittently interrupted by several sounds of explosives, which were later discovered to be sounds of traditional canon fired to herald the arrival of party leaders
to a campaign rally held very close to the court premises. The convicted kidnappers included an acclaimed herbalist, Moses Omiovwobese. He bagged two years in jail for accessory on grounds that the kidnapped victim, 54 years old Mrs. Roli Awala was rescued from his shrine by the Police. He was discharged and acquitted on the other four-count charge, while first accused, a 39-year-old Happy Opute, driver to the retired Court of Appeal Jurist, Honourable Justice A. P. A. Awala, was found guilty only on the count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was slammed with seven years jail term with hard labour. The second accused person, David Tamarakpo Pade, was not that lucky as he was sentenced to death after being found guilty of four of
the five count charges, including that of armed robbery. An Assistant Director from Delta State Ministry of Justice had told the court that the three accused persons with two others now at large, on or about August 5, 2009, at Ireden Crescent, GRA Warri, within the Warri Judicial Division, kidnapped one Mrs. Awala and held her for six days before she was rescued. He also told the court that they robbed the victim, her husband and daughter of their mobile phone and Honda salon car, while armed with a gun. The kidnappers were said to have asked for an initial ransom of N50 million, but later reduced it to N25 million before she could be released. The court, however, discharged them on the count of demanding property with menace.
ÏÏÏThe All Progressives Congress
(APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has recorded an overwhelming victory from last Saturday election. According a release from the state INEC, the APC presidential candidate polled 932, 598 votes to defeat his opponent of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan, who got 86,085. This shows that the APC presidential candidate won with overwhelming 846, 513 votes gap in the state. Declaring the result in Bauchi, the presidential collation Officer Professor Mohammed Hamman Faruk, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere in Gombe State declared General
Buhari Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the contest. Daily Times gathered that out of the 2.9 million registered voters, only 1, 039,775 cast their votes while 19,437 votes were rejected. Further statistics showed that of the total vote cast, only 1,020,338 votes cast were valid, where a total of 1,094,094 voters were accredited during the election exercise in the state.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
5 News
Mark impressed with election conduct Mark
Tom Okpe Abuja
ÏÏÏSenate
President, Senator David Mark, said he was highly impressed with the conduct of the just concluded presidential and senatorial election. Speaking to newsmen at Otukpo after his accreditation, he expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters, peaceful con-
duct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff and the electorate. He appreciated the cordial atmosphere in his polling unit, judging the election as an important one and advised that everybody should be calm with a lot of patience, pointing out that every Nigerian eligible to vote must vote and the votes should count. Mark stressed the consciousness of people as regards the election, and so nobody was ready to cause trouble.
A cross section of party supporters at the Independent National Electoral Commission national collation centre, awaiting the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly election results, in Abuja...on Monday.
Troops rescue women, elderly locked up by terrorists in Gwoza Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏTroops on cordon-and-search
Fashola
Panic in Lagos Secretariat, as Fashola sends civil servants home
operations in Gwoza, Borno State, have released a number of women, the elderly and children, who were locked up by fleeing terrorists. Gwoza was recovered from the terrorists last week by the troops, who have since embarked on cordon-and-search exercise, along with mop-up operations in the town. A statement by the Director of
the on-going mop-up operations in Gwoza. The facility, which is being used for the manufacture of various types of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), is still being carefully dismantled of dangerous materials. Massive destruction of infrastructure and property, including blowing up bridges and burning houses like the emir’s palace, have also been noticeable. Troops are also carefully removing land mines placed in vari-
ous parts of the town. In Bama, also in Borno State, troops on routine patrol in the suburbs of the town, on Monday morning, recovered a large number of rifles and various arms believed to have been abandoned by the terrorists, who fled the area when troops were advancing to flush them out, recently. Bama was liberated on March 16 by troops, who has since been dominating the town with aggressive patrols to defend it against any further terrorists activities.
Polls: AU, ECOWAS observers meet Jonathan Egena Egena Abuja
ÏÏÏInternational
Kayode Adelowokan
ÏÏÏMembers of staff of Lagos
State Civil Service at Alausa, Ikeja, were hurriedly sent home on Monday, for security reasons. The move, which was said to have emanated from Governor’s Office, was linked to fears of attack on the government offices by unknown assailants or hoodlums, who could taken advantage of the situation of the country to hit at the government. As the workers left, the Alausa Secretariat’s armed policemen were seen in strategic places all over the area. Meanwhile, every attempt to speak with the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, on the development, has proved abortive.
Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said: “The freed hostages, some of whom are so weak, are being given medical attention, while others are receiving necessary care, pending the arrival of aid agencies. “Some of them are also providing useful information for the intelligence in aid of troops operations in the area,” he revealed. In another development, a building, which had been converted to a bomb-making factory, had been unearthed by troops, in the course of
Jonathan
Dino Melaye wins Kogi West
observers, on Monday afternoon, met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, just as collation of results of the presidential election was underway in Abuja. The observers, who spoke through former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour, commended the country for a successful voting exercise, which they adjudged as peaceful and transparent.
ÏÏÏThe Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the former House of Representatives member, Mr. Dino Melaye, as the winner of Kogi West Senatoral district seat. He scored a total of 41,126 votes to defeat the incumbent Senator Smart Adeyemi, who polled 38,148 votes to come second, while the arrowhead of
They briefed Jonathan on their findings during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Kuffour told State House correspondents that: “We have been in the country with our groups observing the elections. We have come to a point where, from what we have seen, we concluded that the elections have been peaceful, transparent and credible up to yesterday (Sunday). “We appreciate that the processes are not yet complete, till the results are declared. Then, of
course, the aftermath of the declaration,” he observed. Kuffour, who commended the leadership of the country for the peaceful conduct of the polls, urged Nigerians to remain calm as the results were announced. “But we have come this far and we wanted to give an interim report to the authorities that mandated us to come, and to the world, and to Nigerians in particular, to let everybody know that Nigeria, so far, has been at peace with the process.
Yagba agenda scored only 26,198 votes. In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial district and former Senator, Mohammed Ohiare, has won the seat by polling 55,776 votes, while the PDP candidates and former chairman of Okene Local Government Area, Mr. Hammed
Salihu Ogembe, polled 42,738 votes to come second in the fiercely contested election. It was also reliably gathered that the APC candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar Abdullahi, defeated the incumbent Senator Attai Aidoko Ali, by polling a total of 98,994 votes. The PDP candidate, who gave his opponent a good fight, scored 88,984 votes.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
UK to use Ribadu’s fresh evidence against Ibori Continued from page 1 nor, James Onanefe Ibori, will be confronted by fresh evidence from former chairman of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu, whose attention is currently taken up as Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State may be unable to attend the trial in person. But the Crown (prosecutors) say Ribadu’s fresh evidence would be used against the former Governor who is currently serving a 13-yearsentence for money laundering in the UK over charges to which he had pleaded guilty. Mr Anthony Pitts, the judge in charge of the £89m confiscation of
assets hearing, disclosed on Monday that he had to put a surgical procedure on hold, to be available for the aborted hearing when it starts again on April 13. The Southwark Crown Court judge revealed this in courtroom 14, when the pre-hearing sitting took place at 9.30. The court was also told prosecutors would not call back Ribadu to come and give any evidence again. However, they will rely on the extra witness statement he had given them - after his appearance at the same court last year. Monday’s sitting, though lasting not more than 90 minutes from half nine, was quite dramatic and perhaps a shape of things to come when the £89m case kicks off. As soon as Pitts took his seat,
proceedings were swiftly opened by the Crown (prosecution), Esther Schutzer-Wisemann, who on telling the court that the hearing would last between six and eight weeks, was interrupted by the judge, who said: “I was told six weeks,” adding: “I have an operation which I should be having now, but I pushed it back till the end of the six weeks,” in order to close the chapter on the case. Apparently sensing that the case might go beyond the six weeks, the judge then informed both sides of the bench that: “I’m not pushing it back any further.” Perhaps shocked by the disclosure, Schutzer-Wisemann, pledged that the prosecution would try to stick by the six weeks which had initially been communicated to
Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana (2nd left) during a protest calling for the cancellation of the election in Akwa Ibom at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters Uyo...on Monday
Rivers imposes curfew as PDP, APC hold counter protests Faith Adebambo, Port Harcourt
ÏÏÏA
dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed Rivers State on Monday as tensions ran high over the presidential and National Assembly election, the state government. While some female members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) organized a street protest demanding the cancellation of the election result, a counter protest was organized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Commissioner for Information Ibim Semenitari said the lockdown, from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am was “to prevent the breakdown of law and order because of the tense political situation”.
The state government-backed APC alleged vote-rigging by the ruling PDP with the connivance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some 2,000 female APC supporters attempted to register their complaints with electoral officials in the state capital, Port Harcourt, but were allegedly teargassed by police, according to the Agence France Presse (AFP). Armed police and soldiers were said to have prevented the women, who were all dressed in black, from entering the offices, forcing them to disperse and reassemble at the government headquarters. “What happened today was unprecedented,” said APC women leader Victoria Nyeche, adding:
“The police teargassed and injured some of us during a peaceful protest at INEC. “All we want is a fresh election because what happened on Saturday was a fraud,” she added. A South African non-governmental organisation, Pan African Women Projects, which observed the elections in the state, expressed anger at the teargassing of the protesters. “We saw the women being teargassed and we don’t think it was a right thing to do because under the 1995 Beijing conference, women have the right to peaceful protests without any form of molestation or violence,” said Eno Ben-Udensi, from the group. “We are going to write what happened in our final report on the conduct of the election.”
the judge. Ibori’s defence, led by Ivan Krolick, then opened from their side by accusing the Crown of not following what he claimed was an order by the judge. He told the court that the prosecution had not given an indication of which part of the trial evidence they were going to rely on. He also accused them of not giving a “disclosure of all the evidence we had asked for.” As if pleading for the judge to compel the crown to signpost them, Krolick said:” they haven’t told us which evidence they will rely on. “Were the case to proceed ,” and he quickly noted that: “I’m not asking for an adjournment ,” the problem for them is: “we will have 66,000 pages to deal with.” Seeing that the judge was not shifting ground nor intervening, Krolick disclosed: “ I’m not asking for an adjournment , but that - the judge make an order - by Wednesday of this week, they tell us what they intend to rely on.” Krolick repeatedly tried to get the judge to compel the Crown to tell them which of the 66,000 trial evidence they would be relying on to no avail. He reminded the Pitts again that they weren’t asking to be spoon-fed by the Crown, but that; “all we want them to say is what they’re going to rely on in these proceedings.” Continuing, he said: “We don’t
ask for things which are not necessary,” and the reason for the request is because “we can’t cope with the enormous -quantity of trial evidence.” Apparently frustrated that the judge was doing nothing as he continued his address, the defence counsel then said: “I ask that the Crown be ordered to comply with the - said - order made against them,” to signpost their evidence. The Crown then responded, reminding the court that “the Crown has always said over a year and a half ago that they will rely on all the trial evidence.” Moreover, “it is not necessary to tell them which of the evidence “we’ll be relying on. What matters is that they are all available in court.” However, she revealed that three policemen would give evidence. The Crown’s lawyer also noted that:”since Mr Ribadu gave evidence to you last year and was cross-examined by all parties, they won’t be bringing him back for reasons, including cost and perhaps, his own availability. But “what the Crown intends to do is they will ask your honour to read the notes,” and also the fresh evidence he gave them afterwards,” he said. At that instance, Krolick stood up, asking if the Crown intended to use the “fresh evidence,” of Ribadu. The prosecutor replied “we will.”
Buhari in clear lead Continued from page 4 Voting also took place in the night and you know that in the night rigging can take place. “We have completed our reports from Kano state chapter.” Secondus maintained that the alleged malpractice was perpetrated in connivance with the officials of INEC . He said: “We want to put the entire world on notice the evil plans of the main opposition, the All Progressive Congress, APC, in their clandestine meetings of releasing unauthorised election results by the INEC to the members of the public. “The sole aim of this is to be misleading Nigerians and the international Community through their propaganda machinery. We believe in the rule of law and the electoral law as amended. “As we speak, our state chapters have submitted their petitions to the state Resident Electoral Commissioners and their on their way to Abuja to submit
similar ones at the Commission’s Headquarters to its Chairman, Professor Jega because we are being guided by law. “In kano State, specifically, we are all aware that voters turned out en masse to vote but regrettably, majority of them turned out to be under aged voters. We have evidence. Voting also took place at night for rigging, Our state chapter has already petitioned the REC about all these malpractices”. “In Gombe,similar thing happened. There were insurgency attacks on voters and electoral officers and people ran away for their lives but at the end of the day results were procured in favour of the APC,” “Similar scenario played out in other states mentioned earlier. In view of this, we are calling for the total cancellation of the Presidential election results in the seven states”, he declared. In Rivers State, Jonathan is believed to have won a massive 95 percent of the vote.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
7 News
Military seizes card reader, others from Boko Haram members ÏÏÏThe
Nigeria Army in Gombe on Monday foiled what would have been a major attack by fleeing members of the Boko Haram. In the encounter, a card reader was found and seized from the insurgents. For about an hour, the soldiers engaged the insurgents in gun battle at a military check point in Dukku in the early hours of yesterday. The insurgents on Saturday attacked villages in Dukku and
Nafada councils and disrupted election processes killing no fewer than twenty persons, including INEC ad-hoc staff, policemen and civilians. Parading one of the captured insurgents and three corpses of his colleagues at the 301 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army on Monday, spokesperson for the regiment, who insisted on anonymity, said the military succeeded in killing three of the insurgents and captured one alive.
Other items recovered from the insurgents are a Hilux van, a smart card reader machine belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), three boxes of assorted ammunition, one FM riffle and a pair of police uniforms, among others. He said, “The success was recorded in the early hours of Monday, (00:30 GMT) when the gunmen attempted to attack a military check point at Dukku but
our men overpowered them,” the spokesman said. He urged the general public to remain calm, as the military was ready to protect lives and property in all parts of the state. “We thank the general public for cooperating with us. If we continue to get useful information from the public, we will wipe out any person or group that tries to breach the peace of Gombe and Nigeria at large,” The spokesman said.
Owerri
ÏÏÏGovernor,
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo, when some unidentified men shot at Fadahunsi. According to him, a vehicle was initially noticed trailing Fadahunsi prompting his convoy to run into the PDP secretariat for safety. He said, “But as he was being rushed into the premises of PDP secretariat, some armed men alighted from the vehicle and fired several shots at the car conveying Fadahunshi. “He barely escaped being hit by the bullets. Fadahunshi was in
company of the state chairman of PDP, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa and other party leaders when the attack took place. They had visited the INEC office because of the delay in announcing the winner of the senatorial contes.” Meanwhile, INEC on Monday returned the incumbent senator representing Osun East, Babajide Omoworare, as the winner of last Saturday’s poll. Omoworare polled 101, 352 to defeat the PDP candidate, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunshi, who polled 99,166 votes.
Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has called for the cancellation of the results of the presidential election in six councils of the state over alleged malpractice by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okorocha, who addressed newsmen on Monday at the Government House, Owerri during which he accused chieftains of the PDP in the state of using thugs to terrorise voters, said councils like Oru East, Ohaji/ Egbema, Ngor Okpala, Aboh Mbaise and parts of Owerri West not only witnessed rigging but also abduction of agents of rival political parties who were manhandled by soldiers acting on the orders of the federal government. “Armed soldiers were used by the PDP as aides to the collation officers and there was no collation of results at the ward levels as prescribed by electoral act and all the collating officers and presiding officers were directed to go and submit their results at the LG level from where they collected all the results from the booths in the presence of soldiers, Okorocha said.” The governor also alleged that 250 students of the “Rochas Foundation College who duly registered for the election and were issued with PVCs were arrested by soldiers and held hostage at Ogboko on trumped up charges and prevented from voting.
and National Assembly elections acted appropriately. NDI also commended voters’ enthusiasm, and determination of Nigerians to ensure the emergence of the leadership of the country through peaceful, transparent and credible election.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson (rtd) who served as an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from 2009 to 2013, stated this on behalf of NDI team at a news conference on Monday in Abuja. “The delegation recog-
nises that Nigerian voters conducted themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner on election day and urges politicians across the spectrum to recognise and respect public manifestation of citizens’ commitment to the democratic process.”
Joe Ogbodu Warri
ÏÏÏHundreds of
Security agencies, military acted properly during poll –NDI
Okorocha rejects results in six councils Val Okara
Ogboru, OmoAgege protest alleged poll manipulation members of the Labour Party (LP) including the governorship candidate of the party, Chief Great Ogboru and Delta Central Senatorial District candidates, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege on Monday stormed the Ughelli office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in protest of alleged manipulation of results for the national assembly election in the area. The LP chieftains who stormed the local office of the commission alongside their supporters alleged that INEC officials had tempered with the fingers from various polling units for the senatorial district. Sources said that a heated argument between agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic party, (PDP) and those of the LP over the development would have led to brawl but for the intervention of security agents who dispersed them with tear gas.
Okorocha
A cross section of Peoples Democratic Party supporters jubilating over the electoral success in Rivers State… on Monday
Osun: Senatorial candidate escapes assassination, INEC returns Omoworare Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo
ÏÏÏSuspected
gunmen allegedly attacked the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Osun East, Prince Francis Fadahunshi, late Sunday evening. The attack reportedly occurred in front of the Osun State Secretariat of the PDP, spokesperson for Fadahunsi Campaign, Sola Olowoye, said. According to him, the convoy of the PDP candidate was returning from the head office of
Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏOne of
the election monitoring groups, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), has said that security agencies that provided security during last Saturday’s presidential
8
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Politics
ArchBishop Okoh
s
PRESIDENTIAL POLLS: Some adhoc staff compromised –Head, Anglican delegation
Kwasu Alhamdu As anxiety mounts on the release of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, more facts are coming out on the impartiality of the election umpires. This is coming as one of the accredited observers for the 2015 general elections, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, alleged that some presiding officers and ad hoc staff had been compromised
during the presidential election. The cleric also described as unimpressive the voters’ turnout and expressed concern that the number of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) released to voters was not commensurate with the number of votes cast. Speaking with journalists at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lagos State, the Director of the Civil and Political Affairs, Anglican Diocese of Lagos
Mainland, Venerable Folarin Shobo, said many voters had yet to trust the electoral system because they felt that their votes would not count. Shobo, who also observed the conduct of the electoral exercise, said the poor turnout was unexpected of Lagos residents. He said: “Many people have not been able to collect their PVCs and people are lackluster to respond. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
ELECTION FLASHPOINTS:
Rivers lives up to its billing Right from the word go, even well before the election period, Rivers State has stood up, along few other states as red light zones in the ongoing 2015 polls. It was then no big deal when the D-day came and things were not different from the projections. Immediately words filtered out that the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi had an altercation with the military which restricted his movement on Election Day, there were spontaneous reactions that Rivers was only living up to its billing. If one takes into cognisance his encounter with former Commissioner of Police in the state, Matthew Mbu, now AIG in Lagos, even when the elections had not even started, which was a kind of dress rehearsal, this one would not be considered all that strange except the angle that the governor dared the military to
Surprises galore as PDP loses Niger, Jigawa while Jonathan wins in Nassarawa
shoot him which they expectedly did not. For over two years, the state had been in a sort of war with Amaechi and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nyesom Wike leading different camps trying to outdo one another in every area they can take advantage of. The ding dong affair was to later snowball into what we had last Saturday with threats and counter threats of shooting between the military and security aides of the governor. Expectedly, the development affected the conduct of the election in the state with allegations and counter allegations from the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Already the APC has sent a petition to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) asking CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Last Saturday’s presidential election has continued with its strings of surprising results across the country. Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu surprisingly lost his senatorial dream as the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared the
Amaechi
elections in the state. Aliyu, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum was one of the PDP governors who had issues with the party and President Goodluck Jonathan over his second term shot at the Presidency. He alongside his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido later retraced
their steps back into the PDP, promising to support Jonathan in their states. However, the results have proved that they were no match for the invincibility of General Muhammadu Buhari’s electoral machinery that swept the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Aliyu
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
‘INEC staff compromised’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
“There is apathy on the part of Nigerians to voting. One of the factors is they still do not trust the system. Many voters still believe that their votes will not count. ‘Why do I need to waste my time?’ they say. “Though people may say the turnout was large, it was not commensurate with the permanent voters cards on the streets.” Shobo said: “As the Director of the Civil and Political Affairs, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, I visited 52 churches to conduct voter education. “The response was not commensurate with what we expected. What the voters have done is to express their sentiments– emotional, poverty, religious and tribal. So, voting was not done based on the conviction and assessment of contestants. “Some of the ad hoc staff are not faithful and sincere. They were compromising, forgetting that they are also Nigerians and that once these general elections are over, their citizenship reverts and the immunity they enjoy expires. “So, they are supposed to assist INEC as citizens that have been so privileged to be among those who would use their Godgiven intellects to put the system right.” The election observer noted that INEC had spent a lot of money to train ad hoc staff and therefore questioned the reluctance of ad hoc staff to attend the training. “How did INEC come about the 700,000 ad hoc staff ? When they were called for training,
9
Politics
International Observers laud polls Foreign Observers who monitored last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections have lauded the exercise. The ECOWAS Observer Mission (EOM) described it is acceptable meeting the criteria of being free and transparent. The declaration was made by the mission’s head and former President of Ghana, John Kuffour, in Abuja. Kuffour expressed satisfaction with the commitment made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders in the electoral process. He observed that the turnout of voters was generally high with a laudable participation of women and young people who displayed commendable level of patience and discipline. “Security agents were present at most of the polling stations and on patrols in and around the cities as peaceful atmosphere prevailed in most parts of the country,’’ he said. The mission also noted that INEC officials demonstrated
good knowledge and compliance with voting procedures. He also noted that agents of the major political parties, including All Progressives Congress, (APC) Labour Party and the People Democratic Party, (PDP) were in attendance in most polling units. “The process of counting at the polling stations and the subsequent collations at designated centres were successful and in accordance with the Electoral Act. “Some of the challenges the mission observed during the exercise included the late arrival of INEC officials in many polling stations and malfunctioning of Card Readers across the country,’’ he said. Kuffour further said the elections were still ongoing in some affected polling units were elections had been extended by one day. He said the mission also observed that there was insufficient and/or non-availability of electoral materials in some polling units which led to delay in accreditation and voting processes.
Alex Badeh how many of them responded?” he asked. He, however, urged the electoral body to begin preparations for 2019 general elections on April 13, 2015, so as to make things better. Shobo praised INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for introducing innovations aimed at putting the nation’s electoral system on a progressive path and called on stakeholders to support the initiatives.
“Some of the ad hoc staff are not faithful and sincere. They were compromising, forgetting that they are also Nigerians.” Kuffour
“There is apathy on the part of Nigerians to voting. One of the factors is that they still do not trust the system. Many voters still believe that their votes will not count. ‘Why do I need to waste my time?’ they say. Shobo praised INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for introducing innovations aimed at putting the nation’s electoral system on a progressive path and called on stakeholders to support the initiative.” Jega
Politics 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
for the cancellation of the polls on the claims that election did not hold anywhere in the state contrary to the claims by the opposition PDP which is claiming victory in the controversial polls. Already, the Greater Together Campaign Organisation, (GTCO) (campaign outfit of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the state, has made a startling revelation of how the PDP manipulated last weekend’s election with the help of INEC officials in the state. According to reports from the state, 40,000 incidence forms were sent to Oyigbo Local government of the state. Ibim Semenitari, Director of Communications, GTCO explained that: “They gave it out at 6:30pm on Friday but stopped when the APC Agent complained about it. He was however asked to leave the INEC offices at about 11:30 pm. We believe that they may still give out the incidence forms they have printed as these forms will over-ride the thumb print identification. “Already 120,000 incidence forms were to be sent to Port Harcourt LGA; 80,000 sent to Obio/Akpor and 50, 000 for Ikwerre LGA. The incidence forms are one of the ways PDP used to rig the elections around the country and especially in the South South and South East where the voter numbers are not as high as in other places,” she said. Besides, cars were allegedly seen moving into the Rivers State INEC office to pick up incidence forms. There was a white Honda Accord vehicle seen driving into the INEC office and leaving with incidence forms. “Mr. Benibo Jack from Abonnema was said to have called to brief the Situation Room with regards to the Akuku Toru incident where INEC materials released to three wards namely 15,16 and 17 were hijacked by some unknown boys.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Rivers: Still a flashpoint “For over two years, the state had been in a sort of war with Amaechi and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nyesom Wike leading different camps trying to outdo one another in every area they can take advantage of.” “Mr. Jack was able to intervene with the materials of ward 17 in the hands of the hijackers accompanied by the DSS and EO. He recovered the materials of ward 17 and handed them over to the police, precisely to Inspector Gabriel Rebecca at the Abonnema Police Station. “There has been an attack on the house of Opobo/Nkoro Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Loveday Jaja. The attackers moved to destroy his house and hurt him but he was not at home. They have been thumbprinting sensitive materials . “Another person, Alafagha Oko-Jaja, had his head broken and was profusely bleeding. It was not certain he would survive as a result of the attack. “Opobo with barely 30,000 votes is the home town of the APC Governorship candidate,
Wike Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, as well as the Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah. Already, the army has been going around the community harassing people while Chiefs in Kalaibiama are compelling voters to vote for the PDP presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. They say it was an order from General Minimah,” the group further alleged. “At about midnight, Mr. Adokiye Iyaye reported that the PDP led by Evans Bipi, a House of Assembly candidate on PDP ticket, in company with Army and Police personnel took over INEC
office in Ogu/Bolo. “Supporters of APC in Ogu/ Bolo were beaten up and arrested. Chief Jonah Tamuno, APC party leader in Ogu/Bolo, confirmed that the combined team of soldiers and police broke into his house and arrested TamunoTonye Arimaka. Also beaten up and arrested at INEC office were APC Ogu/Bolo party agents including Christian Nyingiyikabo, Samuel Iyaye and Michael Oruwari. “Evans Bipi and the combined team of military and police have been moving from house to house terrorizing the com-
munity and beating up APC supporters. Many persons have fled the community. Some had to leave by sea in the wee hours of yesterday morning,” the GTCO added. Already, the state chapter of APC has called for the immediate suspension of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs. Gesila Khan, for colluding with the PDP to rig last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State. According to a statement APC CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Shock as PDP loses Niger, Jigawa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
north clean of vestiges of the PDP in most parts of the north as the APC won in the two states contrary to bookmakers projections. But surprisingly again, it was in the APC state of Nassarawa that President had an upperhand where he defeated Buhari to the second position.
Earlier in Bauchi, there had been reports that PDP chairman Adamu Muazu lost in his ward but he was quick to put on his twitter handle that contrary to reports, he delivered his ward and state to his party. Imagine the embarrassment of the national party of the most powerful party in Africa loosing to the opposition?
Jonathan
Aliyu
Lamido
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
11 Politics
Day Labour Party stormed Ibadan with Mega Rally Ibadan, the capital city of old Western Region literally went agog last Thursday as thousands of members of the Labour Party led by the National executives stormed the city for the Party’s Campaign Mega rally held at the historic Mapo Hall. The carnival-like rally which had its floats traversing through Mokola, Oke Ado, Molete, Oja Oba, Idi Arere and others ended up at Mapo Hall where members of the party from the 33 local government areas of Oyo state gathered to be part of the epoch making event. Apart from the large turn out of the people at the rally, the events also witnessed a unique way of audience participation in a political setting as reigning artistes including Small Doctor, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Taiye Currency, Omo Banke, Mukaila Olose, and many others thrilled them with nice lyrics and Jokes. Some of the observers and political analysts at the events described the events as mother of all rally as there have never been a rally that pulled such crowd in Ibadan in the last 15 years. “Even no government in power including the present one has ever pulled this kind of crowd”, Adewumi said. The National chairman of the Party while addressing the mammoth crowd expressed satisfaction with the reception given to them in Oyo. His words: “I am really impressed, this kind of reception really gave me confidence and raises my hope that LP will win over 80 percent of political office in the coming
election in Oyo State. I am encouraged with this crowd”. Speaking on Alao Akala, the party’s governorship candidate, the party chairman said: “We have no doubt that Alao Akala will deliver Oyo State for Labour Party and he will run the government in accordance with the party manifesto which already encompasses, welfare of workers, women and youth empowerment, infrastructural development and provision of basic amenities that will reposition the state into its normal lane”. The state chairman of the party, Hon Gbenga Olayemi who called for a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives to unfavourable government policies said: “Labour Party draws its strength from the failure of the APC-led administration in the state, the formation of LP is a combination of the aggrieved PDP and APC who have parted ways with Gov. Ajimobi due to his inability to provide quality leadership for the state. “We worked against Alao Akala in 2011 because we felt he is not good for the state but shortly after the inauguration of the new government, we realised that we have misled the people Oyo State by mobilising them to vote for Sen. Ajimobi because he has failed the people and now we have deserted him and moved to Labour Party and settled for the candidacy of Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala because of his antecedents and contributions to the growth of the state’. Hon Olayemi also reinstated
Akala the commitment of the party towards the well being of the electorate saying: “We, in the Labour Party believes Alao Akala will run a purposeful government that will correct all the anomalies of the outgoing government of the All progressive Congress, (APC) and restore a better life for our people”. Otunba Alao Akala while addressing the crowd said his coming back into the government as governor is “to liberate the people from the shackles of poverty,
mis-governance, lies and oppression. Since the inception of this administration, it has been woes and cries from the downtrodden masses. “I want to say unequivocally that Labour Party shall liberate you from this act of oppression, Labour Party as you all know comprises principled people whose main objective is to provide succor to the downtrodden masses, create Jobs for the teaming masses, provide infrastruc-
tures to make life meaningful and provide security for lives and property to enhance and ensure comfortable living,” he stressed. The former governor who also unveiled his 13-point agenda said: “As you have entrusted me with the mantle of leadership to lead the Labour Party in the state as its gubernatorial candidate, I hereby reiterate and emphasise that I shall always subject myself to the fear of God. In the implementation of the 13-point agenda as was the practice during my first tem. I am convinced that this principle of ruling with the fear of God enabled us to record our modest achievements which endeared us to the hearts of the teaming masses of Oyo State”. While receiving the flag of the party, he said: “As I have by the grace of God received the Flag of our great party for the guber election scheduled to hold on April 11, I hereby make a solemn promise to provide alongside with my deputy, Sharafadeen Alli, the much needed qualitative leadership to enable Labour Party record a resounding success in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. We remain committed and loyal to the cause of our great party and it is our belief that all the party faithful will demonstrate their love, commitment and loyalty to jointly take our great party to victory to enable us to create and establish an enduring legacy that will sustain the distribution of democracy to our good people in Oyo State”.
No more at ease in Rivers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
listed the irregularities that surrounding the election in the state over the weekend, citing Mrs. Khan as the major culprit. The statement signed in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, read: “For Mrs. Khan to have removed the INEC result sheets in all the polling units in the State with the intention of rigging the polls is a very serious criminal offence”. The election was disrupted even before it started when APC leaders including Governor Amaechi requested to see the
INEC results sheets before being accredited which INEC officials said were not available. According to them, “Mrs. Khan should not only be suspended but should not be allowed to conduct the April 11 Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, as well as the Presidential and National Assembly elections when rescheduled”. The party commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for acknowledging the party’s petition on the polls in Rivers State, noting that “We are very convinced that if our case is thoroughly investi-
gated it will be confirmed that the State REC, Mrs. Khan, compromised her office and tarnished the good image of INEC”. The state APC also defended the action of its Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in requesting to see the INEC result sheets and other sensitive materials for the conduct of last weekend’s polls. The party said: “The Governor took that step as we were aware that the State REC had traded off the result sheets to PDP to write the results as they deemed fit. Amaechi wanted to prevent a situation whereby people would
queue to vote while PDP and INEC would write a different result not reflecting the true voting pattern in the State. “It is sad that the PDP leadership in Rivers State could be so callous to arm the youths in order to kill and maim Rivers State people because of election. We know that Rivers people are peace-loving buy arming some of the youths at this time does not do anyone any good because it may be difficult to retrieve some of these arms from these youths later, thereby constituting a serious security challenge.
Amaechi
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, March 31, 2015
Anxiety as whereabouts of Edo APC chieftain remain unclear Titus Akhigbe Benin
ÏÏÏAnxiety has gripped family
members and friends of the Edo State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Usman Mogaji, whose whereabouts are still unknown while they allege being harassed by soldiers. His family members also alleged that soldiers from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Auchi, arrested the party chief ’s son, cousin, cook and security man and have held them incommunicado since Sunday. Counsel to Mogaji, Hilary Oshomah, who was in Benin City on Monday, to formally report the incident at the state Police Command, told newsmen that the soldiers were allegedly acting on instructions from their Commandant and a top politician, who came with soldiers to supervise
the “disruption of the election”. According to him, Mogaji’s offence was that he mobilised voters to resist the attempt by the suspected politician, who he identified as Chief Raymond Dokpesi. Oshomah alleged that Dokpesi was behind the travails of his client, adding “He came with soldiers and Brigadier General Odidi, Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME), Auchi". He alleged further that “incidentally, he (Odidi) is a kinsman of Raymond Dokpesi. When they went to Mogaji’s house, fortunately for him, he got wind of it and hid in the rooftop of his building, where he watched as they (soldiers) brutalised members of his (Mogaji) family. “The security man was mercilessly beaten, while they insisted that he must disclose where his boss was, but, they left with the
promise that they were coming back and, actually, on Sunday, they returned in the early hours of the morning and, with the development of the previous day, Mogaji did not sleep at home. “They returned with 40 fully armed soldiers, broke into the house as they shot the door down to gain entry, vandalised the property, smashed doors and windows, the pellets are there, and at the end of the day, they, forcibly, took away members of his (Mogaji) family, including the security man, son, who just returned from Sweden, the cook and cousin. “They took them to their barracks, where they subjected them to marathon beating and torture and at the end of the day, threw them into the guard room, where they are still being held, for no offence, other than that they should produce their father.He alleged further that the soldiers claimed that they "have instruction from
Dokpesi
above to get him (Mogaji) dead or alive.The latest information is that they have even sent a message to the Otaru of Auchi, that they were aware that Mogaji was taking refuge in the palace and that he should give himself up and as today, over 40 soldiers still occupy his house.” He demanded that “the rights and privileges should be respected, they should vacate his property and his wards and children being detained should be released, unconditionally”.
L-R. District Overseer Foursquare Sango, Rev. Ayomide Abraham; representing the General Overseer, the District Overseer, Foursquare Ketu, Rev. Elkanah Olayinka Oluwagbesan;0 Pastor-in-charge of Elerinko Foursquare, Rev. Emmnuel Kayode Adesina and Rev. Tolulope Abraham Ayomide during the 10th year anniversary of Foursquare, Elerinko Sango… on sunday
Buhari wins in Ondo 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏThe
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State, on Monday morning, declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner of the presidential election. The State Collation Officer, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, who announced the result, said Buhari polled 299,889 votes, while the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan polled 251,368.
Jump ship now, Oyo APC tells opposition supporters ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has advised followers of the governorship candidates of other parties to jump out of what it called their sinking ship ahead of the April 11 governorship election. Other major opposition parties contesting the election in the state include the Peoples Democratic Party, Accord Party and Labour Party, with Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala as respective candidates. APC, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Monday, by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, said that the dismal outing of the parties and their candidates, had clearly portrayed them as paperweight politicians.
Ekweremadu retains Enugu West senatorial seat Moses Oyediran
Enugu PDP denies alleged polls rigging Moses Oyediran Enugu
ÏÏÏThe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as false, baseless and diversionary, the call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the cancellation of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election results in Enugu State. The state chapter of APC had alleged that “the State Resident
Electoral Commissioner (REC) and security agents connived with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the elections in favour of the PDP”. In a statement, signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Dr. Okey Eze, PDP stated that “Enugu is the home base of the PDP in the entire South East geo-political zone, since the inception of the party in 1998, and its popularity in the state is formidable and has grown
beyond bounds over the years”. Eze noted that the landslide victory recorded by PDP in the state was never a surprise to anybody, it was a true reflection of the party’s stronghold in the state and maintained that the accusation by the APC, was only an attempt to have flimsy excuses for their failure. The PDP spokesman condemned ‘the brazen act of insensitivity and crass desperation” by the APC in spreading false allega-
tions against the PDP, the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents, over an election that was transparent, peaceful, free and fair to the satisfaction of, virtually, all stakeholders. He said that no amount of smear campaign, blatant lies and unfounded accusations against the PDP by the APC would affect the popularity and acceptability the party enjoyed in the state.
Enugu
ÏÏÏDeputy
Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has won the senatorial election in Enugu West Senatorial zone of Enugu State. The Returning Officer for Enugu West 2015 Senatorial Election, Prof. Fab Onah, announced the results as follows: APC, 2314; AD, 186; APGA, 425; PDP, 120,075; UDP, 57 and UPP, 15. Toby Okechukwu was also declared winner for Awgu Aninri Federal Constituency, having polled 65,929 to beat his closest rival, Nwangbowa Ikechukwu of APC who got 1,357.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Liberians hold Constitutional Review Conference ÏÏÏA National Constitutional
Review Conference opened on Monday in the central Liberian city of Gbarnga. A committee charged with reviewing the country’s 1986 constitution has been soliciting suggestions from the public for possible amendments. They include the terms of office for the President, Vice President, legislators and justices, as well as superintendents of the country’s 15 political subdivisions. Under the current constitution, the president and vice president serve six-year terms, senators serve for nine years, and members of the House of Representatives six years. Counselor Gloria MusuScott, chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee, said many Liberians want changes in the terms of office of their elected officials. “One of the proposals to be considered is where the people had said nine years are too long for a senator to be in office.
Ebola survivor Finda Fallah sits in front of her new room in West Point, Monrovia.
So, it should be reduced to six years, the senators from nine to six [years], members of the House of Representatives from six to four [years] and the president and the vice president from six to four years. That is almost a national consensus,”
she said. Scott said Liberians also want their local government officials, including county superintendents, district commissioners, and mayors to be elected and accountable to the people they serve.
Under the current constitution, much of the power to appoint resides in the hands of the president. She said Liberians also want traditional leaders, or chiefs, elected according to the tradition of their respective areas.
DR Congo chief reaches stardom after return to roots
ÏÏÏRacism and
the financial meltdown kept Congolese master chef Christian Yumbi down and out in Belgium. Back at home, the gourmet innovator has finally won the stardom he fought for. "I did my best (in Belgium): I studied, opened my own business, married a Belgian woman, and spoke Flemish. But despite all that, I always felt like a foreigner there," said Yumbi, who in 2014 won the pan-African television contest "Star Chef". Because he drove a flashy car, Yumbi said he was frequently
stopped by the Belgian police, "who would ask me whether I was a football player or a drug dealer". Despite his masters degree from the prestigious Ritz Escoffier cooking school in Paris – which he financed by washing dishes – none of his Belgian employers ever appointed him a top chef. "I was good, but it was practically impossible to become chef because I am black and African... Unsettled, frustrated and tired, I struggled to survive," said Yumbi, 40. Refusing to give up, the food
lover took out a $20 000 loan in 2014 to open his first restaurant in Belgium, which he named "Re-Source". Yumbi was inspired by the so-called slow food movement that aims to preserve traditional cuisine and steer clear from fast food. "It was like going back to the source, that's where the name 'Re-Source' came from," he beamed. Two years later, "Re-Source" earned a mention in the influential French restaurant guide Gault & Millau, but the 2008 financial crisis hit
Yumbi's project hard. Heartbroken by both the crisis-fuelled loss of clientele and the racism he kept facing, Yumbi finally gave up, packed his bags and went home. Yumbi went home to his native city of Lubumbashi in southeastern DR Congo, but quickly found he would be better off moving to Kinshasa. In a country where millions barely have anything to eat, the chef re-opened "Re-Source" in the upscale Gombe area, where most restaurants are owned by better-off expatriates.
Mozambican president elected head of ruling party ÏÏÏ
Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi was elected head of the ruling party Frelimo on Sunday, allaying fears his predecessor was planning to cling to power behind the scenes. Nyusi took over at the helm of the party from Mozambique's ex-president Armando Guebuza, Frelimo spokesperson Damiao Jose told reporters, ending weeks of uncertainty. He was elected with 98.4% of the vote at the annual congress
of the supreme decision-making body of the Marxist-Leninist party, which has ruled the former Portuguese colony since independence 40 years ago. Guebuza, 72, was succeeded by 56-year-old former defence minister Nyusi as leader of the southern African nation in January following an October election. Guebuza was not eligible to run for president as he had served a second and final term,
but he could have stayed on as party head as his mandate was not due to expire until 2017. Seen as a Guebuza protege, Nyusi represents a changing of the guard at Frelimo, which has been headed by former freedom fighters since independence in 1975. Although Mozambique remains one of the world's poorest countries, it has posted a seven percent average annual growth rate in recent years.
Nyusi
13 Africa Another Kenyan minister quits over fraud probe
ÏÏÏA
fifth Kenyan government minister vacated her post on Sunday, three days after President Uhuru Kenyatta said officials cited in a report by an anti-corruption watchdog should step aside pending investigation. Kenyatta's spokesperson said Lands Minister Charity Ngilu had acted in line with the president's instruction that anyone criticised in the confidential report should move aside, regardless of rank. Kenyatta has promised to take personal charge of fighting corruption, seen as a major obstacle to business and law enforcement and as a deterrent to investment in Kenya. On Saturday, ministers in charge of Energy and Petroleum, Transport and Infrastructure, Labour and Agriculture and Fisheries also stepped aside. Other cabinet ministers have been asked to temporarily handle the workload of the five. Kenyatta made the fight against graft a priority on taking office in 2013, but critics say he has so far failed to rid his government of corrupt officials.
S’Leone ends anti-Ebola lockdown after three days ÏÏÏSierra
Leoneans were once again allowed to leave their homes on Sunday evening after the government announced the end of a three-day nationwide lockdown aimed at preventing a resurgence of the deadly Ebola virus. During the curfew period which was ordered by President Ernest Bai Koroma and ran from 06:00 on Friday until 18:00 on Sunday - some 26 000 volunteers went door-to-door to check for sick people and raise awareness about the disease. Officials at the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) said locals had overwhelmingly complied with the lockdown, the second time in six months the country's six million residents were told to stay indoors over Ebola concerns. The focus this time was on hotspots in the capital as well as areas in the north and west of the country."The campaign went well and we are pleased over the level of compliance," the head of NERC's Situation Room, Obi Sesay, told AFP.
Foreign 14
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Saudi-led air strikes continue in Sanaa '
Houthi fighters inspect the damage caused by air strikes on the airport of Yemen's northwestern city of Saada, a Houthi stronghold near the Saudi border, on Monday
ÏÏÏ Air strikes from a Saudi-
led coalition continued overnight and into Monday in Yemen following a pledge by Arab leaders to press their military campaign until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels surrender. Warplanes targeted the capital, Sana'a, and other areas on the fifth day of airstrikes in support
UN Chief, Ki-moon in Baghdad for talks ÏÏÏ
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Baghdad Monday for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other top officials. He is also due to meet President Fuad Masum, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi. The U.N. mission in Iraq announced Ban's arrival on Twitter but provided no details of the agenda of the talks. Iraqi forces are battling to retake the city of Tikrit, the government's largest military operation yet against the Islamic State jihadist group. The fact that Baghdad is receiving military assistance from both the United States and Iran, however, has created tensions, internally and internationally. Ban flew in from Egypt, where he attended an Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh dominated by Saudi-led military action against Yemen's Huthi Shiite rebels.
of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who asked for help last week saying the Houthis had rejected efforts for peace. The Houthis took over Sana'a in September and in recent weeks pushed south to the port city of Aden, where Hadi fled to last month in order to try to govern. He left Yemen for Riyadh last
week. Arab League SecretaryGeneral Nabil Elaraby said Sunday that Hadi's "legitimate government" must be restored. "We need to take the necessary steps to confront them and we have seen this done practically as Yemen was sliding into chaos," Elaraby said as an Arab summit ended Sunday in Sharm el-Sheik,
Egypt. Leaders at the summit also agreed to create a joint Arab military force to deal with security threats and terror groups in the region. The details must still be worked out in a process that is expected to take months. Previous attempts to create a unified command in the divided Arab world have failed.
Iran targets ex-president’s son in selective corruption probe
ÏÏÏIn
hard-line regimes, punishment can sometimes be dealt out under the guise of sweeping out corruption. Such appears to be the case in Tehran where the regime had punished the son of a prominent ex-president, who analysts say is being targeted for supporting the political opposition, the Green Movement. Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, the 45-year-old son of former Iranian President Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, faces three prison terms totaling 15 years on corruption charges. “Yes, it seems very clear that the prosecution of Mehdi Rafsanjani was politically motivated, both to repress the Green Movement, and, as an indirect attack on his father,” Mark Fitzpatrick at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London told VOA via e-mail.
While Western analysts say there is evidence of corruption in the case, they also say that corruption in Iran is widespread and how punishment is handed out depends on the wishes of the regime. Crackdowns against illicit activity are selective – largely due to political affiliations, analysts say. “Corruption is endemic in Iran,” Fitzpatrick said. “It [Iran] ranks in the bottom quarter of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, well below China. And like China, the anti-corruption campaign is used for political purpose against opponents and rivals.” Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejie is quoted by state media as saying the son’s convictions are for fraud, embezzlement, and unspecified “national security matters.” The sentences, announced March 15, come after several years
of investigation into the businessman’s activities, which Western reports say included a trail of bribery. Probes were launched against him in 2012, when he was held for three months before being released, and again in 2014, before the convictions were issued. Along with getting jail time, Rafsanjani was also fined, ordered to surrender assets to the state, and barred from holding political office.
Rafsanjani
ISIS group beheads eight in Syria ÏÏÏ The Islamic State terrorist
group released a new video Sunday showing its fighters cutting off the heads of eight men described as Shi'ite Muslims. The eight men were said to be beheaded in the central Syrian province of Hama. Blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs, the men are seen being led forward in a field by what appear to be teenage boys. They were then handed over to a group of fighters. A boy wearing a black uniform is seen handing out knives to the fighters before the hostages are killed. The video was posted on social media. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in the United Kingdom said the video appeared authentic. An Islamic State fighter speaks in the video, calling the hostages "impure infidels" and saying the military campaign against the Islamic State will make the group stronger.
Putin’s letter to Arab Summit triggers strong Saudi attack
ÏÏÏ Saudi Arabia accused Rus-
sian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy on Sunday, telling an Arab summit that he should not express support for the Middle East while fuelling instability by supporting Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad. In a rare move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced that a letter from Putin would be read out to the gathering in Egypt, where Arab leaders discussed an array of regional crises, including conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya. "We support the Arabs' aspirations for a prosperous future and for the resolution of all the problems the Arab world faces through peaceful means, without any external interference," Putin said in the letter. His comments triggered a sharp attack from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. "He speaks about the problems in the Middle East as though Russia is not influencing these problems," he told the summit right after the letter was read out. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia have been cool over Moscow's support for Assad, whom Riyadh opposes. The civil war between Assad's forces and rebels has cost more than 200,000 lives in four years.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
15 Opinion
Ihedioha’s legacies at 50
G Austin Uganwa
olden age is one milestone usually celebrated by many with profound fanfare and passion because it marks a critical turning point in one’s life. To Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, this long established aphorism is not any different as he attains 50 years. But then for someone who has accomplished so many feats in politics and public service within a short life span, Ihedioha has a lot to cheer and celebrate. Ihedioha’s golden age commemoration is remarkable in various ways. It coincides with the period he is contesting for governorship in Imo State. His victory, predictably on the heels of this milestone would open yet another uncommon but largely striking chapter in his life. Born into the family of late Pa Green Ihedioha on March 24, 1965 at the Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Council of Imo State, Ihedioha had a humble beginning. This was particularly so because he grew up under the tutelage of disciplined parents who held education and strict religious obligations in high premium. Thus, they brought young Emeka up to be a devout Christian, to have voracious appetite for education and growing thirst for selfless service. These attributes have had a far-
reaching effect in shaping Ihehioha, accounting for his astronomical growth and success in public service and politics. At 50, Ihedioha has amazingly held several strategic political positions through appointments and elections. Ihedioha began his political apprenticeship when Third Republic Deputy Senate President, Senator Legogie appointed him Press Officer in 1991. Following military interregnum that resulted in the demise of that Republic, Ihedioha returned to private practice, firming up his First Page Public Relations outfit. He later joined People’s Democratic Movement that merged with other political associations to form the People’s Democratic Party. He emerged in 1999 as the Special Adviser on Media Relations to the then Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo. The tenure of his boss was short-lived and terminated in 2000 following his unbridled pursuit for the independence of the legislature, which consistently put him in collision with the Presidency. Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, later appointed Ihedioha Special Assistant Political Affairs. At 50, Ihedioha has achieved so many feats with several legacies to attest to. He contested and won his first election in 2003 to represent Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Representatives. Interestingly, Ihedioha has won
three consecutive elections, resulting in his 12-year stint in the House. Far more amazing is that his positions in the House have been on a steady progress. During his second tenure in 2007, South East House caucus elected him Chief Whip. Four years later, his colleagues unanimously endorsed him without dissension in 2011 as Deputy Speaker. Although this piece is not principally fashioned to compute the many projects Ihedioha has brought to the state and South East zone, the record of his road infrastructure, electricity projects, education facilities, water projects, hospital facilities is significant and verifiable. For instance, Ihedioha got NDDC to award contract for Okpala-Igwuruta Road, linking Imo to Rivers with the first phase costing N4.2b; facilitated award of contract for the dualization of Owerri-Elele (Omayelu) 35-kilometre road at N23b. He also attracted contract for the design of the famous 63-kilometre Mbaise Ring Road cutting across three local councils Driven by the desire to build human capital to propel socioeconomic development in Imo state, he has at various times organized empowerment programmes for Imo journalists, youths, women and even graduate engineers. His guiding principle is respect for the rule of law and frankness with his “word being his bond”. He has promised Imo people that one of his
cardinal objectives when elected as Governor would be the restoration of rule of law in a state Governor Rochas Okorocha has unfortunately enthroned lawlessness, civil dictatorship and disobedient to court decisions as the order. His 7-point agenda contains well articulated framework fashioned robustly to correct Okorocha’s many anomalies and set the state on the path of education rebound and socio-economic development and prosperity. Free qualitative education; integrated health care delivery and free primary health; urban renewal; industrialization; local council autonomy; mechanized agriculture are some of the cardinal programmes Ihedioha has severally promised to bequeath to Imo when elected. At 50, Ihedioha is set to lead Imo. His pedigree, profound public service experience, legacies, accomplishments, inspirational leadership style, sincerity and well based, results-oriented programmes for Imo place him over and above all other candidates in the race for Imo Government House. The real gift Imo indigenes would bestow on this man of vision is to commemorate his golden age celebration by voting him in to preside over the affairs of the state. It is only incontrovertible that such is a plausible and wise decision which Imo would benefit inestimably.
Election: Lessons, plans and execution
I Pat Utomi
n my management consultant mode I am associated with a global strategy-consulting Group, Palladium that grew out of the work of Harvard Business School Professors Kaplan and Norton. There the execution premium is buzz. In a few days the elections will be history but if we do not now think execution premium mindset, no matter who wins, we may have taken the huge trouble and costs of this campaign and elections would be in vain. An imperative of post-election after these troubles, means whoever wins must be quick off the starting block prepping for an execution premium. There are many reasons to be quick off the block, and a few things that are critical to be reflecting on now, to make a Usain Bolt surge forward. Among the first considerations will be healing. No one can make progress governing a country where significant parts of the population are alienated. The
2015 campaigns were extremely divisive. I have lived through every election in post-Independence Day Nigeria. None, in my view, has been more divisive. To bring enough healing, no matter who is declared elected, will involve great skill. That skill needs to be deployed quickly. Also quite important for effectiveness in the years that follow, is financial conservation, to make the short term tolerable. The election has been unbelievably costly. From my experience, I can hazard a guess that on a per capita basis it would be runaway tops spend campaign in the world. Despite the shambolic fundraisers, most know the much of the money came either from government treasuries directly or from businessmen who will get a return on their investment in multiples from government contracts. The consequence has been empty treasuries around the land. This means the need in the short term to find resources to resuscitate activities in MDAs. Without such, things can deteriorate so quickly
and mar the implementation of any game plan. Goodwill for recently elected government, the honeymoon, is usually significant, but can run out fairly quickly. It is important therefore to move on major initiatives during the first 100 days. Had the elections focused more on issues rather than personalities, hate speech and the abuse of opponents, there would already be enough consensuses to facilitate receptive grounds for execution. Much will have to come now from massive selling, drawing on the best from society to build confidence in the will to implement. Here, much can be learnt from how Henrique Fernando Cardoso in becoming Finance Minister of Brazil, brought together Brazil’s finest young economist with the assurance he will go for the consensus in spite of his life long career position as a ‘Dependista’ calling from de-linking from global capitalism. The consensus favoured globalisation and Cardoso used his credibility with the Brazilian people to urge the
acceptance of that track, the policies brought the huge inflation and many challenges of the economy to a slow down and the resumption of new growth. It was no surprise that Cardoso became president and foreshadowed Brazil’s ascendancy to global economic powerhouse status. One great value from the 2015 elections including even the name calling is that they have caused awareness to be heightened. People are more likely to hold governments accountable, going forward. Many have come to be frustrated with the kind of candidates on offer and what the issues should be. The elections also threw up the need to manage differently, institutions that should be insulated from or supported better to hold up the system. The umpire, INEC, and the security services are good examples. The building of institutions and legitimacy of regime will be enhanced by their getting early reform attention as part of making commitment to better ways forward, transparent.
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority nets N15bn income in 2014 Augustine Aminu, Abuja
Dangote
Dangote introduces 42.5 grade cement in Senegal Charles Okonji Dangote Group has raised the scale of standards in Senegal’s construction sector, with the introduction of the higher quality 42.5 grade cement into the African country. The company rolled out products from its $300 million Cement Plant in Senegal amidst excitement by the country’s government for creating 5,000 direct employment. The giant stride of Dangote in the establishment of the cement plant marked the single largest investment by an African in Senegal. The Senegalese government pledged support and protection for the company to enable it achieve optimal production capacity. Commending Dangote, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, Katyen Jackden and Senegal Director of Mines, Ousmane Cisse commended the doggedness of the Group Chairman on completing the plant despite the various setbacks. Speaking in Dakar during the official commencement of production at the plant, the Senegalese Director stated that the county with Dangote as the
single largest investor in the country, urging other African entrepreneurs to emulate the business insight of Dangote. In his address, Luke Haelterman, the Country Head of Dangote Cement, noted that Dangote Cement offered the best choice for consumers as it is the only 42.5 grade high quality cement available in Senegal market, adding that the commencement of production will boost the housing sub sector of the Senegal building industry. Haelterman noted that the entrance of Dangote cement into the Senegal market has altered the equation in the cement market, saying that the company has targeted the exportation of its product to Mali with the tune of two million tonnes per annum. ‘’Senegal with a population of 14 million people is a market with ever growing demand for cement because quite a lot of constructions are going on. There are two existing cement plants before Dangote came on board. “Today, Dangote has become the biggest and best because we remain the only company producing the 42.5 grade, which is better than what we met on ground, which is the 32.5 grade”,
he added. Nigerian Ambassador explained that Dangote has through his investments in African countries built Bridges of friendship across nations, fostering unity and integration among African countries. According to her, Dangote Cement has done Nigeria proud with the commencement of production and that she was happy that Dangite Cement has been instantly accepted in the marker because of the high quality grade. She noted that Dangote Cement needs all encouragement needed to flourish, adding that her office would be willing to help in that regard In his presentation, the Director of Sales and Marketing, Serigne M. Dieng said that Senegal with 14 million people and a growing GDP of +4 percent as of 2013 has cement market of 3MT per annum and a consumption rate of 230kg. He expressed satisfaction that Dangote cement was accepted immediately it got to the market, adding that aggressive awareness embarked upon by the company exposed the consumers to the 42.5 grade which was not known to the majority.
Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), in a very impressive performance for 2014 notched N15billion in generated net income against a dismal N505 million for the preceding year (2013). Mr Uche Orji, The Managing Director, announced this while addressing newsmen on Authorities Financial Year report on Monday in Abuja. ``Total revenue during the period stood at N7.2 billion, up from N1.96 billion. ``Change in fair value of assets was at N10.5 billion as opposed to a loss of N19.5 million during the 15 month period ended December 2013,’’ he said He said investment securities grew from N45.1 billion to N118 billion during the period. He said that borrowing which stood at N1.4 billion as at end of 2013, was fully liquidated while the authority invested N13.6 billion in subsidiaries and its associate as at the end of the financial year 2014. The subsidiaries, he said, include NSIA Motorways Investment Company and KG Brussels as well as a stake in Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company were consolidated in the authority’s book. He said that the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the financial year was N167.5 to a dollar. ``Our strong financial performance during the period in review came primarily from investments in secondary interests in private equity, developed market long only equities and return hedge fund investment,’’ he said
Orji
He said the operating performance was recorded against significant headwinds generated by sustained global financial crisis, weak demand, rapidly declining oil prices and a turbulent local operating environment. Orji said that in the year under review, the NSIA ranking under the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Transparency Index (SWFI) was upgraded to nine points out of 10 from the previous forth position. This new rating, he said, translated to a leap from global joint 33 to global joint second position, out of 51 Sovereign Wealth Funds ranked by SWFI. ``It also made us the only African fund to be ranked,’’ he said. He said that the outlook in 2015 remained volatile as European Central Bank commenced a quantitative easing programmed and the Swiss Central had upgraded its currency against Euro that led to significant swings in major currencies. He assured the authority would diversify strategy for future generations and stabilisation funds, adding that the major focus would be on domestic market, especially in the power sector. ``We believe that the recent devaluation of the naira presents both challenges and opportunities in the domestic market. ``From our position as investors, we have seen incredible buying opportunities and we expect that infrastructure fund will become increasingly active in the domestic market as we take advantage of short term price dislocation,’’ he said.
Maritime 18
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Operators call for resolution of PIB, NOSDRA conflicts
Chime faults absence of FTZ in South-East
Industry stakeholders have called for a thorough amendment of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA Bill currently before the National Assembly, to remove any conflict between it and the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Among the stakeholders, were officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and oil majors, represented by the Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS, of the Lagos Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, LCCI. The stakeholders, who spoke at a Roundtable in Abuja to gather inputs for the NOSDRA bill, also noted that many provisions in the bill have already been addressed by the PIB. The Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, while assuring that the bill will soon be passed, said that because the bill will be a regulatory instrument, the Committee has ensured that it covered the spectrum of interests and impact the bill will probably have. Also speaking, the House of Representatives counterpart noted that the bill will likely be passed by the House in the current political dispensation, adding that where this was not possible, it will be within the view of the next assembly to pass. According to the House, “We are seeking to ensure that a favorable environment is created for all, due to the fact that if the environment is not conducive for International Oil Companies, IOCs, they won’t be able to operate. On its part, the DPR advised the National Assembly to look at areas of conflict between the NOSDRA Act and the PIB, so as to streamline the issues when considering the NOSDRA Bill.
Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime has faulted Federal Government’s reluctance to approve a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) for the South East geo-political zone despite its huge commercial and industrial potentials. Chime, who made the observation recently noted that the South East is the only the geopolitical zone in the country without a Free Trade Zone (FTZ). He stated this on the sidelines of the 26th Enugu International Trade Fair, which ended recently, lamenting that it remained unfair that out of the 35 free
Bello,
world’s first methanol powered ferry
Methanol could be Maritime fuel of the future Stories by Funmi Coker Available indications has suggested that the maritime transport sector could very well be relying on methanol to power ferries and vessels, this is as the Stena Germanica, the world’s first methanol powered ferry, reentered service on March 26 after a couple of months’ intermission. To mark the occasion two inauguration ceremonies were held, one on Friday the 27th in Kiel and the second one the next day in Gothenburg.
Chime
“We are very enthusiastic about methanol’s possibilities and it has the potential to be the maritime fuel of the future. We want to pursue change and development in the shipping sector and, with the Stena Germanica, our environmental impact will be completely different to what the industry has seen before,” CarlJohan Hagman says. The conversion of the Stena Germanica was carried out in Gdansk, Poland, at the Remontova shipyard and it started up at the end of January and contin-
ued until the end of March. The project has received support from the EU’sMotorways of the Seas and has had a total cost 22 million euros. Methanol is a biodegradable, environmentally friendly and cost efficient fuel that reduces the emissions of sulphur and particles by 99 percent. The ferry’s fuel system and engines have been adapted in the shipyard in a collaboration between Stena Line and Wärtsilä. The technology is called dual fuel – methanol is the main fuel, but there is the option
trade zones in the country, none was cited in the South East. The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Jude Akubuilo, said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved, in principle, the establishment of the facility for the people in the zone and urged him to give effect to the oral approval. He said that the state government was waiting for the Federal Government to officially communicate the approval of the facility that would be sited between Enugu and Anambra states.
to use MGO, Marine Gas Oil, as backup. “Stena Line is steering a sustainable and particularly environmentally friendly course. We are proud that the route between Kiel and Gothenburg was chosen and that we are part of this outstanding pilot project,” says Dr. Dirk Claus, managing director of Seehafen Kiel GmbH & Co KG. In a related development, MAN Diesel & Turbo demonstrated a two-stroke methanol engine( ME-LGI concept) at its Research Centre in Copenhagen in front of
“We want to thank President Jonathan for this wonderful infrastructure and for his kind approval of the Enugu Free Trade Zone. “We plead that, as a matter of urgency, his formal approval be communicated to us so that the South East will have the first of such facility,” he said. Political, professional and investment groups in the eastern zone have equally made repeated appeals to the Federal Government to expedite approval of the Enugu FTZ, saying the facility would boost the industrialisation drive of the region.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Shell lists drawbacks in oil sector transformation As robust as Federal Government’s current transformations in the energy sector may appear, the Shell Group has identified a number of challenges undermining the success of the reforms. These are security, crude theft and pipeline vandalism, as well as funding, fiscal stability and predictability, lease predictability and a host of others. Shell said that these factors are not only increasing the industry’s operating costs, but also stalling further investments for greater economic benefits. The Vice President, Nigeria and Gabon, Shell Upstream International, Mr. Markus Droll, identified the challenges while speaking on, “The Journey Towards’ Transformation,” at the just concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference, NOG 2015, in Abuja. He said: “We still need better security for workers in the oil and gas industry. As I speak, a considerable part of our operations are under strict security limitations. We still need a more effective counter-strategy against oil theft and sabotage. While we have directed even more resources to try to counter this menace, it has become a bigger problem compared to a year ago. The methods employed are even more brazen than ever. “We still need better funding for capital projects and to clear pending payments on expenditure. We are very concerned about what impact the much lower oil price will have on 2015 funding. We still need more predictability around leases; if we
19 Maritime
CMA CGM takes container shipping size to new dimensions The world’s third largest container line CMA CGM is taking container shipping size to another level with a recent 20, 000 teu capacity ship orders. The company just recently posted a 43.2 per cent jump in net profit in 2014 to $584m, as it finalises orders for the largest containerships yet ordered. In continued proof that scale is beneficial in mainline container shipping profit growth of 43.2 per cent, last year far outstripped volume growth of 8.1 per cent as the line handled 12.2m teu last year. Revenues in 2014 were up 5.3 per cent at $16.7bn. Breaking the recent record with its 20,000 teu capacity container ship orders by Mitsui OSK Lines and Evergreen Group, the French line said it was finalising orders for a trio
of 20,600 teu newbuildings to be delivered in 2017. The yard was not disclosed. Early this year the Oceans Three Alliance with United Arab Shipping Corp (UASC) and China Shipping Container Line (CSCL), both of which have newbuildings in the 18,000 teu – 20,000 teu class being delivered. CMA CGM will take delivery of six 18,000 teu ships this year, three of which it owns. “CMA CGM’s performance in 2014 was extremely robust. By combining operational excellence, disciplined financial management and innovation, we have delivered strong growth in results with one of the industry’s highest margins and an even healthier balance sheet,” commented M. Rodolphe Saade, CMA CGM group vice chairman.
Droll
increase certainty around leases, then investment becomes easier to attract. “And we still need fiscal stability and predictability. This remains key in ensuring investors of all sizes can commit confidently, government revenues can be forecast reliably, and a capable service industry is maintained with a steady work load. As it stands, investors in Nigeria face very tough fiscal conditions.” Optimism about the future Droll disclosed that Nigeria’s enormous oil and gas resources
is one of the major reasons the Shell Group remains optimistic about the country’s economic future, saying that its optimism and continued investments in the country is being fuelled by current reforms in the petroleum industry as well as the re-prioritising of energy issue across the economic value chain. Apart from the nation’s growing gas sector, he noted that with the way issues were now being handled, “Nigeria will continue to develop, diversify and grow its economy.”
NPA, Shippers Council bicker despite FG’s pronouncement Despite Federal Government’s declaration of the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, as the Port Economic Regulator, there is still disagreement between the Council and the Nigerian Ports authority, NPA as to the constitutionally recognised body for the function. The disagreement between the two government agencies resurfaced at the recently concluded awareness seminar titled
“Monitoring and Compliance with Concession Agreements, Eight Years Post Concession,” organised by the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. While the NPA and some of the terminal operators seem to favour the performance of that function by the Port Authority, the Shippers council insisted that as the appointed federal government regulator it has the
statutory right to perform the duty. Matthew Egbadon, principal partner, Highfliers Solicitors, in a paper presented at the seminar, explained that the Concession Agreement empowers NPA to act as the regulator until a substantive one is appointed. However, some representatives of terminal operators at
the function said that they can only recognise NPA as the port economic regulator. Darbney Shallholma, Director Commercial Shipping Services of the NSC, said it is not right for NPA to undertake the duty of monitoring as it is a party in the agreement and therefore cannot perform the duty. Shallholma noted that there is no clear definition of who the regulator is in the 2006 conces-
sion agreement and the ambiguity has left room for some form of disagreement as to who the regulator should be. She further noted that the appointment of the Shippers’ council as the port economic regulator by the Federal Government is not an anomaly, since the agreement has provision for the action from the beginning.
ICT 20
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
MainOne enters infrastructure partnership with EMC, Microsoft Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The transition to cloud based services in Lagos is coming into fruition as the Lagos Infraco, Main One, plans to offer pervasive fibre and is launching Infrastructure as a Service with EMC and Microsoft. Main One’s independent data centre in Lagos was launched in mid-January this year. It has 600 racks and is adjacent to its cable landing station in Lekki. According to Ms. Funke Opeke, Main One’s Chief Executive Officer, “Interest globally has been phenomenal” but it hasn’t yet sold a lot of racks. Nevertheless, it is aiming the facility at three categories of customers. The most obvious category is banks and businesses that are putting more of their
business online.” In order to do this, they have a need to step up their data centre infrastructure and also require a back-up facility for their growing data centre: “We’ve had a bank at the cable landing station for two years and they’ve moved to the new data centre.” Some visitors to the new data have been sufficiently impressed with the new facility that they are considering making it their primary data centre. The second categories of customers are tech companies that need to be able to offer data centre services as well as connectivity and connections to other networks. In due course, as with Teraco in South Africa, the data centre is likely to become a significant meet point for a variety of different operators: “We’re the best connected data centre.
All the large operators and ISPs are connected with us and we connect to as many as 10 major operators. We’re becoming a meet point.” Indeed Main One is partnering with two of these tech companies – EMC and Microsoft – to launch an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) product in April. This includes things like private clouds, virtual LANs, cloud hosting on virtual servers and virtual data centres:”We’re currently running a couple of pilot customers and want to be able to offer this for e-commerce companies in Nigeria.” The data centre sector in Nigeria is a combination of proprietary facilities run by mobile operators and ISPs and independent facilities. There are currently two main independent facilities, Main One and Rack
IBM’s supercomputer may replace Call Centre staff Indication has emerged that Wastson, an International Business Machine (IBM)-powered supercomputer may be used to replace telcos call centre management staff, banking, healthcare, e-commerce and other service providers due to the high cost of executing business, shortage of experts, and other issues in Nigeria. Debbie Botha, senior managing consultant at IBM, mooted the idea while speaking at ITWeb Business Intelligence Summit 2015 in Midrand, stressing that Contact centres can overcome some of the challenges they face by tapping into the power of Watson. He explained that Watson is an artificially intelligent computer system capable of answering questions posed in natural language. In January, 2014, IBM launched the IBM Watson Group, ten months later the Group announced the availability of the cognitive-infused Watson Explorer, which has provides organizations the ability to quickly use natural language processing capabilities and data exploration to discover valuable business information in both structured and unstructured data.
Botha
According to Botha, Watson presents opportunity for contact centres in a world where clients are sharing more information on social media platforms. “Clients expect to be served wherever, whenever and however they choose to interact, and they are growing frustrated with the lack of personalised interaction from contact centres, yet companies are still struggling to take advantage of the changing opportunities presented by big data,” he said.
Botha said traditional approaches to engaging with customers come up short today, adding that globally 270 billion calls are made annually to call centres, costing $600 billion. Speaking on the capabilities of the system, Muyiwa Moyela, external relations leader, Central & West Africa at IBM, said that unlike traditional search solutions that fail to provide context, trends and relationships, Watson Explorer can help professionals find and understand the information they need to work more efficiently, gain more insights from their unstructured content and realize their objectives of improving business outcomes. Muyiwa revealed that in the present world of cognitive computing, Watson can act as an expert next to the call centre agent all the time with a 360 degree view of the customer. “The world of cognitive computing cuts across health sector, weather information management, telecoms, among others, but I don’t know at the moment what telcos in Africa are thinking about call centre management. Over there in Europe, they are actually machines that coordinate call centre management,” Mayiwa added.
Opeke
Centre, the former is in Lekki and the latter in Ikeja. But as Opeke observes: “Two data centres do not an industry make so we continue to collaborate. If someone wants to make
us their primary data centre, then they can back up at Rack Centre and vice versa.” MTN is also upgrading its data centre but beyond that there are only relatively small facilities.
Davebrook opens Nigeria’s first online newsroom Davebrook Digital PR Services (davebrookPR), has announced the unveiling of Nigeria’s first online newsroom services, which is a digital platform designed to connect businesses in Nigeria with national and global publicity opportunities. DavebrookPR online newsroom is a product of independent research; working with various clients over a 10 month period where it discovered a clear need by businesses to communicate beyond the known traditional boundaries of print and online. Business communication as at today needs immediacy of the news, through strategic audience targeting. According to DavebrookPR Chief Strategist, Adesida Oluwaseun, “The era of cumbersome approach to syndicating business communication is now over with the application of intelligent and interactive applications. Therefore, at the click of a button you could push your business messages to over 10,000 special interest journalists across Nigeria and in select countries especially in Ghana, South Africa, UK and United States of America.” He disclosed that Nigerian companies have global advertising ex-
posure but critical and timely key messages are currently limited in reach and scope, stressing that this is the void that DavebrookPr has come to fill, with support services which includes, Enhancement Solutions, logistics, MediaVintage, with branded newsletter for all registered clients as a free service. Daily Times learnt that this service is in partnership with select media houses in Nigeria and some countries with the key consideration that most of the media partners have audience pedigree that aligns with clients’ expectations especially in the area of Telecommunications, Banking, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing and FMCGs.
Oluwaseun
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
s
Cartoons from our Archives
1889 Eiffel Tower opens 1889 On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower was dedicated in Paris in a ceremony presided over by Gustave Eiffel, the tower’s designer, and attended by French Prime Minister Pierre Tirard, a handful of other dignitaries, and 200 construction workers. In 1889, to honor of the centenary of the French Revolution, the French government planned an international exposition and announced a design competition for a monument to be built on the Champ-de-Mars in central Paris. Out of more than 100 designs submitted, the Centennial Committee chose Eiffel’s plan of an open-lattice wrought-iron tower that would reach almost 1,000 feet above Paris and be the world’s tallest man-made structure. Eiffel, a noted bridge builder, was a master of metal construction and designed the framework of the Statue of Liberty that had recently been erected in New York Harbor. Eiffel’s tower was greeted with
1492 Jews to be expelled from Spain
In Spain, a royal edict was issued by the nation’s Catholic rulers declaring that all Jews who refuse to convert to Christianity will be expelled from the country. Most Spanish Jews chose exile rather than the renunciation of their religion and culture, and the Spanish economy suffered with the loss of an important portion of its workforce. Many Spanish Jews went to North Africa, the Netherlands, and the Americas, where their skills, capital, and commercial connections were put to good use. Among those who chose conversion, some risked their lives by secretly practicing Judaism, while many sincere converts were nonetheless persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish Muslims, or Moors, were ordered to convert to Christianity in 1502.
scepticism from critics who argued that it would be structurally unsound, and indignation from others who thought it would be an eyesore in the heart of Paris. Unperturbed, Eiffel completed his great tower under budget in just two years. Only one worker lost his life during construction, which at the time was a remarkably low casualty number for a project of that magnitude. The light, airy structure was by all accounts a technological wonder and within a few decades came to be regarded as an architectural masterpiece. The Eiffel Tower is 984 feet tall and consists of an iron framework supported on four masonry piers, from which rise four columns that unite to form a single vertical tower. Platforms, each with an observation deck, are at three levels. Elevators ascend the piers on a curve, and Eiffel contracted the Otis Elevator Company of the United States to design the tower’s famous glass-cage elevators.
1776 In a letter dated March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, John Adams, urging him and the other members of the Continental Congress not to forget about the nation’s women when fighting for America’s independence from Great Britain. The future First Lady wrote in part, “I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” Nearly 150 years be-
Daily Times March 31, 1961
Abigail Adams urges husband to “remember the ladies” fore the House of Representatives voted to pass the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, Adams letter was a private first step in the fight for equal rights for women. Recognized and admired as a formidable woman in her own right, the union of Abigail and John Adams persists as a model of mutual respect and affection; they have since been referred to as “America’s first power couple.” Their correspondence of over 1,000 letters written between 1762 and 1801 remains in the Massachusetts Historical Society and continues to give historians a unique perspective on domestic and political life during the revolutionary era. Abigail bore six children, of whom five survived. Abigail and John’s eldest son, John Quincy Adams, served as the sixth president of the United States. Only two women, Abigail Adams and Barbara Bush, have been both wives and mothers of American presidents.
1991
Warsaw Pact ends
After 36 years in existence, the Warsaw Pact—the military alliance between the Soviet Union and its eastern European satellites—came to an end. The action was yet another sign that the Soviet Union was losing control over its former allies and that the Cold War was falling apart. The Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955, primarily as a response to the decision by the United States and its western European allies to include a rearmed West Germany in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO had begun in 1949 as a defensive military alliance between the United States, Canada, and several European nations to thwart possible Soviet expansion into Western Europe. In 1954, NATO nations voted to allow a rearmed West Germany into the organization. The Soviets responded with the establishment of the Warsaw Pact. The original members included the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bul-
garia, Czechoslovakia, and Albania. Although the Soviets claimed that the organization was a defensive alliance, it soon became clear that the primary purpose of the pact was to reinforce communist dominance in Eastern Europe. In Hungary in 1956, and then again in Czechoslovakia in 1968, the Soviets invoked the pact to legitimize its interventions in squelching anti-Communist revolutions. By the late-1980s, however, antiSoviet and anti-Communist movements throughout Eastern Europe began to crack the Warsaw Pact. In 1990, East Germany left the Warsaw Pact in preparation for its reunification with West Germany. Poland and Czechoslovakia also indicated their strong desire to withdraw. Faced with these protests—and suffering from a faltering economy and unstable political situation—the Soviet Union bowed to the inevitable. In March 1991, Soviet military commanders relinquished their control of Warsaw Pact forces.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
23 News
Buhari sweeps Shagari LGA PDP Federal House of Representativeselect for Ajeromi/ Ifelodun, Barr. Odichinma Orji {middle}, jubilating with her supporters at her office in Ajegunle, Apapa… on Monday
Ogun APC kicks against Kashamu’s victory Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏThe Ogun State chapter of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) has kicked against the victory of the Ogun East Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s election, Prince Buruji Kashamu, saying that the election was marred by gross irregularities, inducement and intimidation of voters, manipulation and falsification of results. Addressing the press in the party secretariat at Olorunsogo, Abeokuta, the Deputy DirectorGeneral of Senator Ibikunle Amo-
sun Campaign Organisation, Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, on behalf of APC in the Ogun East National Assembly election, said the party would use all legal means to challenge the victory of the PDP in the district. He said the party had been “compelled to make public our position on some of the unfortunate occurrences, which made the results in some of the constituencies not reflective of the true wish of our people.” The APC said: “We are particularly compelled to notify the entire world, through various media, of the undemocratic practices that attended the elections in the zone.
“The APC, hereby, categorically states that the election in the zone was marred by gross irregularities, inducement and intimidation of voters, manipulation and falsification of results. “The results that were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) do not reflect the wishes of our people in the zone. “We, therefore, reject the results, particularly the one from the East. We want the entire world to know that results as announced by the INEC reflected pre-determined, manipulated and fictitious figures forged by a rigging machinery of PDP led by Kashamu.
Death toll rises in Ubah, Obiejesi clash Doris Nnabuenyi Awka
ÏÏÏFour
persons were feared dead and 23 others sustained varioius injuries in a physical show-down between Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, the co-ordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), and Earnest Obiejesi, at Ihiala Council Area of Anambra State. According to an eyewitness account, Ubah stormed a collation centre on Sunday, with his supporters from Nnewi Federal Constituency, and allegedly bounced on Obiejesi, accusing him of working against the ambition of
President Goodluck Jonathan. Apparently taken aback by Ubah’s action, Obiejesi insisted that the area had concluded voting for the president, hence no reason for the attack on him. But tempers ran wild when supporters of the duo took on themselves, while security operatives fired gun shots sporadically, hitting four persons, who were rushed to Evans Specialist, Ozubulu, where they died. However, over 23 others, including two policemen and an Independent National Electoral Commission ad-hoc staff, were also injured in the fracas. Daily Times learnt that vehicles
belonging to Obiejesi were attacked by Ubah’s supporters and that he narrowly escaped from being attacked. Irate youths of Ihiala, however, took on Ubah’s supporters, saying that he cannot come all the way from Nnewi to cause trouble in their town. According to one Ifeanyi Mbakwe, who is a lawyer: “Our brother, Obijackson, is a staunch supporter of President Jonathan and he has contributed to the President’s campaign. Ifeanyi Ubah, by his action, has shown that despite his business savvy, he lacks the discipline and decorum demanded by politics.
ÏÏÏ The All Progressives Con-
gress (APC) Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, swept Shagari Local Government Area in a landslide victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan. The Shagari lacal council in Sokoto State had a total registered voters of 61,344, and 38,715 of the total registered were accredited to vote. A total of 26,696 representing 70.1percent of the votes of the accredited voters, voted for APC presidential candidate, while the PDP presidential candidate scored 6,396 representing 16.5 percent of the accredited votes in the local government. The remaining 13.3 per-
Buhari
cent of the votes were shared amongst the other presidential candidates.
INEC ad-hoc staff compromised – Head, Anglican delegation Kwasu Alhamdu
ÏÏÏOne of
the accredited observers for the 2015 general election, the Director of Civil and Political Affairs, Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Venerable Folarin Shobo, said on Monday, that some presiding officers and INEC ad-hoc staff had been compromised during the conduct of Saturday’s presidential election. It also described as unimpressive the voters’ turnout, and expressed concern that the number of permanent voter cards released were not commensurate with the number of votes cast. Speaking with journalists at
Moses Oyediran Enugu
ÏÏÏA lawyer and candidate of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Chukwuka Utazi, has been declared winner of the Enugu North Senatorial zone of Enugu State, in last Saturday’s election. The Returning Officer for Enugu North 2015 senatorial election, Prof. Edwin Igbokwe, announced the results as follows: PDP 42, 257; All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) 10,574; APC 8,354.
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lagos State, Shobo said many voters distrusted the electoral system, because they felt that their votes would not count. Shobo, who also observed the conduct of the electoral exercise, said the poor turnout was unexpected of Lagos residents. He said: “Many people have not been able to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs). “There is apathy on the part of Nigerians to voting. One of the factors is they still do not trust the system. Many voters still believe that their votes will not count. ‘Why do I need to waste my time?’,” they say.
Utazi wins Enugu North Senatorial zone Also, IK Ugwuegede,an engineer, has been declared winner for the Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, having polled 64,420 to beat Ifeanyi Asogwa of APC, who got 4,244.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
NGO urges women to be nation builders
Ugoma Adegoke
ÏÏÏCo-Founder of The Life House, Ugoma Adegoke, has urged women to be nation builders and develop ways of making life better for their families. She said this at the fifth edition of Woman Rising programme held at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.
CHRISTS’ INTERDENOMINATIONAL BIBLE MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES: 1. Pastor Oluwatosin Kolawole Oladoke 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Rhoda Omobola Oladoke 3. Pastor Olusesi Johnson Osibote 4. Pastor (Mrs.) Oluwaseyi Rachael Apena 5. Deaconess Felicia Omotunde Bolaji
-
President
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost souls. 2. To plant churches and create missionary outreach worldwide. 3. To establish a central prayer centres to mobilize leaders of ministries and saints interdenominationally to pray for a continued monumental global evangelism. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Trustee
HISGRACE WORTHLIVING FOUNDATION The general public is hereby informed that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Aderigbe Felix Adeniyi 2. Adewumi Babalope Isaac 3. Johnson Omotayo Ojo Fati 4. Olanipekun Oluwole Micheal 5. Adedina Olumuyiwa Olumide- Secretary 6. Adeyanju Olarewaju George 7. Adewole Oladotun Felix 8. Aderibigbe Hellen Funmilayo 9. Ojeleye Bolanle Adegoke The Aims and Objectives are:Visit to orphanage and motherless babies home Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication. SIGNED BY: - Secretary
POSITIVE MARRIAGE INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE
The annual programme celebrates the International Women’s Day with thoughtprovoking issues and this year’s event, held at the weekend, was hosted by Kemi “Lala” Akindoju and Aderonke Adebanjo. Adegoke said “We are delighted with the crop of
great women who joined us for this year’s event and we are positive that women, across the country, have been inspired. Our women should get more involved in politics, learn how to be nation builders and hardworking, so that life can be better for them and their
OPEN HEAVEN CHRISTIAN CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES: 1. Mr. Oyebola Olamide Oladimeji 2. Mr. Abiola Adekola Sadiq 3. Mr. Oyebola Olusegun 4. Mr. Jemilua Samson Busuyi 5. Mrs. Alayerogun Morenike
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General Overseer
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To preach Christ Love, fellowship, respect and peaceful co-existence amongst members. 3. To deliver the oppressed, heal the sick and set the captive free. 4. To organize seminars, conferences, workshops, faith clinics and training centres to enhance the spiritual growth of the people in the Lord. 5. To undertake missionary/evangelistic work in Nigeria and the whole world. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria within 28 days of this publication.
families”. The event, since inception, had hosted guests including Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education; Mrs. Oyenike Okundaye, a world-acclaimed artist; Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of Chief M.K.O. Abiola and human rights
heroine, Kudirat Abiola; Rolake Akinkugbe, an oil and gas investment banker, pianist and songstress; Tonye Garrick, Bunmi Thomas, Irene Bill and a host of other female musicians.
THREECHI DEVELOPMENT TRUST This is to inform the General Public that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company And Allied Matters Act,1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Chinedu Okonkwo -( Founder) 2. Emmanuel Nnalue Okonkwo 3. Chinelo Nkiru Harry - Brown 4. Chinedu Okonkwo Jnr 5. Chidubem Okonkwo 6. Chigozie Okonkwo THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:To render assistance to the members. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja,within 28 days from the date of this publication. SIGNED BY:- Trustee
Signed: Trustee
RAPHAEL OLUSOLA LEWIS FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Toluwalope Onuwe 2. Kehinde Lewis-Akhigbe 3. Moses Johnson Onuwe AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To undertake the sensitization of Nigerians on the major public health challenges such as sickle cell, cerebral palsy, diabetics Malaria 2. To undertake through education, the genetic counseling of Nigerians in the area of sickle cell and to cater for indigent families with sicklers. 3. To create a data base for effective contact tracing and containment in epidemic/pandemic situation. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Emenike Ubiaru (Solicitor)
ORESOWAPO CLUB The general public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Shelle Kamoriat Bolajoko 2. Alh Abass Tajudeen Femi 3. Shelle Oluwatoyin Iyabode AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To foster unity among members. 2. To encourage social equity and understanding among its members. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Straight Path Consulting
BIFFO CHARITY FOUNDATION
SANHEDRIN FOUNDATION OF AFRICA
The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Abifarin Kayode Gabriel 2. Habib Rahman Babatunde 3. Werneke Isabella Sybille 4. Rotimi Abifarin
1. Zunny - Abu Monica Toritseju 2. Ayobanjo Oladunni Juliet 3. Oyinbo Temisan Oghogho 4. Chinenye Jeanne Ifeduba 5. Thomas Stella Onyinyechi
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To teach the couples how to keep peace, love and unity in their marriages. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Straight Path Consulting
END TIME CHRIST AMBASSADORS MISSION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named mission has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. Names of trustees. 1. Owoola Temitope Emmanuel - General Overseer. 2. Emmanuel Funmilayo. 3. Elechi Godson Onyebuchi. 4. Onuoha Amarachi Longinus - Secretary. 5. Nnaji Emmanuel Emeka. 6. Onuoha Edith Eniye - Financial Secretary. 7. Imade Bose - Treasurer. 8. Ode Oluwafisayo Raphael. 9. Owoola Oluwasegun. Aim and objective. 1. Expanding the kingdom of God on earth . 2. To shepherd souls to eternal home. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Secretary
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Helping and giving aid to the poor ,the sick, old persons and persons with disabilities. And to cater for the poor for charity purposes. 2. To provide decent living and recreational centres and homes for elderly citizens, giving money, food and providing assistance and shelter to people who are in need, homeless, destitutes, orphans, widows and internally displaced persons as a result of natural disasters. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Secretary
DIVINE ANOINTED EAGLES INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. Trustees. (1)Apostle Great Meshach Itama Ebhodaghe(chairman board of trustees) (2)pastor mrs ufuoma Itama (secretary board of trustees), (3)Evangelist Ese Ughwubrusi (church administrator) (4)Mr Richard Otomewo. (member board of trustees). Aims and objectives. 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ to all nations. 2.To win souls for Christ. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Trustees
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mazi Ukwu Elijah Fidelis. 2. Amarachukwu Ukwu Ignatia. 3. Stella Ukwu Chinwendu. 4. Josephine Adesuwa Ukwu. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To educate the general public on good governance. 2. To promote the political and social activities of the country. 3. To assist the less priviledge of the society. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Secretary IBRAHIM KABIRAT BOLANLE
OLUJUMU ADEPEJU ADENIKE
I, formerly known and addressed as Iride Kabirat Bolanle now wished to be known and addressed as Ibrahim Kabirat Bolanle. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniran Adepeju Adenike now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olujumu Adepeju Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Adenrele Mekuleyi Olusegun Adegborioye now wished to be known and addressed as David Adenrele Olusegun Adegborioye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Ngige, Nwogbo, Umeh bow out as PDP sweeps Anambra polls Okechukwu Onuegbu Enugu
Ă?Ă?Ă?The
All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has lost his re-election bid to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer, Hon. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife. Hon. Ekwunife polled 101,548 votes to outsmart her closest rival and National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor
Umeh, who garnered 77,129 votes, even as Sen. Ngige of APC got only 20,850 votes. Announcing the result early Monday morning, the INEC Returning Officer, Dr. Pius Okoye, attested that the poll was free, fair and credible. While collecting her result sheet, Ekwunife, described the outcome as an expression of people’s choice, and pledged to offer her constituency quality representation. However, the party agents of APGA and APC, who refused to append their signature on the elec-
tion result sheet, charged their teeming supporters to remain calm as they would take the matter up to the court of competent jurisdiction. The APGA party agent, Chief Chikodi Anara, further accused the INEC Returning Officer of manufacturing the figures of the election in collaboration with PDP, in order to favour Hon. Ekwunife. In a related development, the result declared by the INEC Collation Officer for Awka North and South Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Kenechuk-
Ihiala indigenes frown upon Curfew: Bauchi govt INEC office invasion hospitals Ă?Ă?Ă?Indigenes of Ihiala candidate, were alleged to Government Area of have invaded the collation under lock Local Anambra State have con- centre with armed police-
Daniel Jolly Bauchi
Ă?Ă?Ă? Following the recent
24-hour curfew imposed by Bauchi State government in some part of the state including the metropolis, the stay-at-home has taken its toll on health institutions, fire service and other emergency services as workers refused to report for duty. A visit to Domiciliary Clinic in Yelwa, within the metropolis as at 9:00 in the morning of Monday, the gate was under lock and key with no nurses or health attendants anywhere to be found as a handful of patients were seen standing by the gate hoping that it would be open later in the day. One of the pregnant women at the gate, Mrs Hannatu ILiya, lamented that she came out early so that she would be attended to in time but to her dismay the gate was locked. On the curfew, she said: 'I know that security personnel, health workers and fire services were exempted but what could be the reason for their abstaining from duty.� Mrs Iliya, who wore sad face added that she has no option rather than to go back home.
demned in strong terms, the invasion of the collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state by suspected agents of notable party stalwarts from the state. It would be recalled that a free-for-all fight broke out last Sunday at the headquarters of Ihiala Local Government Area, which served as collation centre for Ihiala Federal House of Representatives, thereby, leading to injuries of about five people. The Daily Times gathered that because the collation of the result could not be concluded on Saturday, it was shifted till Sunday. While collation was ongoing on Sunday, Chiefs Olisa Metuh, Andy Uba and Emeka Anohu, PDP House of Representatives
men and thugs. It was further gathered that when it became obvious that the invaders were altering the results in favour of Mr. Anohu, Dr. Azudialu objected and insisted on the use of actual vote figures properly collated by INEC. Azudialu’s insistence thus sparked the crisis. In the commotion that ensued, some policemen and thugs in company of the invaders began to shoot indiscriminately especially at Azudialu’s vehicle. Azudialu managed to escape with his bullet proof car, but some other members of his team were not as lucky as they escaped with bullet wounds and are now receiving treatment in hospital in the area.
Kwasu Alhamdu
Ă?Ă?Ă?
wu Agajelu, showed that the Honourable member representing the Federal Constituency at National Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwogbo of APC, lost out to his PDP counterpart, Hon. Anayo Nnebe. According to the result, Hon. Nnebe of PDP emerged victorious with 22,762 votes while the APGA candidate and Anambra State former Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Godson Ezenagu came second with 22,130 votes against Hon. Nwogbo of APC, who gathered only 5,663 votes.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Badagry, on Monday, stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office to protest the result of the House of Representatives announced by the electoral body. The protesters were however stopped by security men near the INEC office from entering the compound where results were being collated. They chanted provocative songs and carried placards while demanding for the cancellation of the result in Ward E of the Badagry council. Chief Setonji Kosheodo, leader of the protesters and House of Representa-
25
PDP protests result of Badagry Federal constituency tives candidate of the PDP in the area, told newsmen that INEC should not have admitted the controversial result from the ward. "We want INEC to strike out the result from the ward as it was manipulated and election did not take place there. "The presiding officer had gone ahead to announce the result despite our protests and had submitted same for collation. "Ward E is a border area. A lot of manipulation took place there," he said.
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Law 26
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Law
s
Increasing Justices of Supreme Court, panacea to delay – Omolemen Chief Macdonald OmijieOmolemen read law at the former Bendel State University now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State and was called to the Bar almost three decades ago. 50 years-old Omolemen, holds two Master’s Degree in International Law and Diplomatic Analysis (MLS) and LL.M in Maritime and International Commercial Law from the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos. He spoke on the judiciary, the general elections and the election petition tribunal. PETER FOWOYO, met him. What is your assessment of the nation’s judiciary, I mean how will you compare the judiciary of those days to the modern day judiciary? Well, I don’t think there is any difference between the old and the new but, I want to say the new has improved a lot. Unlike the long hands the old was using now, we have recording sys-
tems and all important gadgets that have made the job easier for the present day Judges. We also have improved courts with air-conditions unlike those days, it was not like that and I want to say that some of the Judges are so hardworking that even when there is no light they still work without fans but, it is being made more conducive than before for the present day Judges. I think they are trying. The judiciary is not corrupt, I wonder what they are talking about, apart from the few cases you hear about and if you want to juxtapose it with the executive arm of government, you will discover that judiciary is far better than the two other arms of government. What I feel needed to be done is to extricate the involvement of politicians in the appointment of Judges like the appointment of State High Court Judges is under the control of governors and the god fathers meanwhile the Chief Judge, his apparatus and the Nigerian Bar Associa-
Omolemen
“The Supreme Court is a constitutional court, it is the last hope of the common man, I don’t see why some matters should go there and others shouldn’t go there.”
tion are supposed to be more involved in the appointment of judges. With the involvement of politicians you find situations where mediocre are made Judges which is not supposed to be. About the upper courts, in those days, Justices of the Supreme Court were appointed from practice. I remember the time when the late Chief Rotimi Williams SAN, was approached to come and become Justice of the Supreme Court. I also knew when one time Chief Judge of Lagos state, the Late Justice Adefarasin was approached as a CJ of a State High Court to become Justice of the Supreme Court. I think the way they were appointing Justices then is far better than now. The elevation from one court to another does not actually explain that that character is competent, the system should
expand beyond that, we all know who is good like in our legal practice, we know who is sound and lawyers that are equally hardworking, I think they should look at that aspect. I believe if the judiciary has a clear cut independence from the executive they will be able to do their things in their own way without the involvement of the executive. There are claims that the Supreme Court undertook extra ordinary processes of accelerated hearing on some political matters, such processes are said to be a departure from the lack of judicial activism concerning the poor who are imprisoned endlessly without trials. Do you share such view? I think the Justices of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
IBAHRI calls for protection of lawyers in Pakistan following the Gbolahan Gbadamosi The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns unequivocally the murder of lawyer Samiullah Afridi on 17 March 2015, who was reportedly shot dead in an attack by unidentified assailants while on his way home in Peshawar, Pakistan. In 2013, Samiullah Afridi
stated that he had received several death threats from militant groups and various organisations. For his own safety, and that of his family, he fled Pakistan briefly. It is believed he was targeted due to his involvement representing Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi (no relation), who, it is alleged, ran a false vaccination campaign aimed at gathering DNA sam-
ples from the Abbottabad compound where the then wanted leader of al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, was in hiding. It is believed that this DNA campaign assisted the United States intelligence agency, the CIA, in their search for, and subsequent assassination, of bin Laden. The ensuing trial of Dr Afridi concluded in May 2012, with him being sentenced to 33 years in
prison. Commentators are convinced that Dr Afridi was not convicted on the DNA samples allegations, but rather as punishment for what is perceived as aiding the CIA. The sentence was overturned in 2013. He is currently awaiting a new trial. In 2014, Mr Afridi stopped representing Dr Afridi due to the numerous death threats he had received.
IBAHRI Co-Chair Hans Corell commented: ‘The IBAHRI is extremely shocked and saddened by the reported death of Mr Samiullah Afridi. The attack on lawyers in Pakistan in the course of their profession is a matter of grave concern. It weakens the justice system which should guarantee the inCONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
27 Law
Omolemen: Supreme Court needs more Justices CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Supreme Court need to be increased because of the quantum of cases that is there now. I am not saying Supreme Court should be in all states, it can continue to be in Abuja but the number of Justices should be increased since we are so federal character conscious, by the time we make a system whereby three, four Justices are from a state, the number of Justices will increase and the workload will be reduced. The idea of giving preference to political matter is good. For example, if there is a political case that affects the presidential election and is not resolved within a stipulated period, it can lead the country into serious crisis; I think that is why it was made to be like that. I have a matter there since three years now and I’ve not heard anything from them, we’ve completed our pleadings, filed our final written address but, up till now, we’ve not got any hearing notice from the apex court and when I enquire I was told mine is not a matter of urgency, it bothers on customer and bank relationship and that in due course of time, I will hear from them. But, between you and I, it is too long perhaps in other countries where things are better structured, it will not take more than six months to dispense with the matter, not to talk about matters that has to do with life or fundamental rights. Judiciary should be given independence, restructure itself to get the best out of it that is what the executive should try and do and not keep treating the judiciary as their baby because of the fear that if the judiciary
Do you think all matters should go to the Supreme Court or only constitutional matters should be allowed to get to the apex court so as to reduce the volume of work? The Supreme Court is a constitutional court, it is the last hope of the common man, I don’t see why some matters should go there and others shouldn’t go there. Like I said before, if the numbers of Justices are increased, I believe we will get a desire result. I know as a matter of fact that they are under staffed, if you look at their judgment, it is not a child’s play, they go into the nitty gritty of every matter and each Justice will write his or her own judgment, in a situation when they are concurring they will still have something to say, if you see the records of appeal that emanates from the High Court to the Court of Appeal and then to the Supreme Court, you will know that it’s not a child’s play for somebody in that age to be able to go through all of that in a month is not easy. The only way out is to increase the number of Justices just like they’ve expanded the Court of Appeal that matters no longer delays there anymore. I remember there was a time we had a matter at the Court of Appeal that was pended for more than nine years now, our matter was disposed of within 18 months, it is because of the
murder of Samiullah Afridi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
dependence of lawyers in the discharge of their professional duties without any improper restrictions, pressures or interference. These developments are particularly worrying in light of recent reports of the attempted murder of human rights lawyer Shahbaz Gormani in December of last year.’
sity could be increased to that why not the Justices? Supreme Court Justices don’t go into adjudications, adjudication ends at the court of first instance, what they do is that they look at areas where injustice has been occasioned, you filed your notice of appeal, your brief of argument, the other party replies, fix a date for adoption. The stress is not with friction between parties, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court looks at areas where justices have been miscarried and prevent that though it is not easy but, that argument is not very sound. You don’t acquire experience; people that earn the experience are those that should be there. That argument to me is not tenable.
does not depend upon them, judgment will not favour them and such ideology is more with the state governors. A critical assessment of that area should be made so that things can move on properly.
Afridi
Omolemen restructuring so such a restructuring should have been done to the Supreme Court as well, with that, matters can be disposed of expeditiously or we go back to how the Americans operate theirs. In America, each state has a Supreme Court, if you don’t accept the verdict of the Supreme Court, you can now move the case to the Federal Supreme Court but in most cases, litigants after getting to the state Supreme Court will accept the verdict but, I think the best way is to increase the number of Justices and staff of the Supreme Court and the judiciary should be allowed to have its
Two groups claims responsibility for the death of Mr Afridi: Jundullah; and Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA)
own autonomy. The executive should learn to leave the judiciary alone; the problem with the judiciary is with the executive, nothing else. There are suggestions that the age limit of justices at the Supreme Court should be reduced to enable them perform optimally and effectively. Do you share this view? The older the wine, the sweeter. In legal practice whether at the Bar or on the Bench it is like that. I would rather suggest that they should increase it to 75 years if the retirement age of a professor in the univer-
On 3 December 2014, Mr Shahbaz Gormani, a lawyer defending a university lecturer against blasphemy charges, was attacked by several gunmen at his residence. Mr Gormani had taken over the case after previous counsel Rashid Rehman, a prominent human rights lawyer, was shot dead on 7 May 2014. In March 2009, the IBAHRI conducted a fact-finding mission in Pakistan to
Contrary to the constitution that prescribed 180 days to end all electoral matters, some lawyers are saying it is too short. What is your view? It is not too short that time if everything is operative to its optimal then that time is more than enough for any matter to move at the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and terminate at the Supreme Court. Anytime longer than that could lead to anarchy just imagine increasing the time to a year, 366 days, what will happen to the people? It means the country will end up having interim regime because the constitution spelt out the time a government is supposed to hand over power to another government, I think that time is alright, I don’t know what people calling for extension of that time have in mind. 180 days is just enough for the matter to start and terminate without any problem.
examine the independence of the country’s judiciary. The report, A Long March to Justice: A report on judicial independence and integrity in Pakistan, outlined political interference, corruption, a lack of accountability, flawed judicial appointment procedures, shortcomings of court infrastructure and a lack of training for legal professionals as major hindrances to justice.
ExtraTime 28
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
NIGERIA’S
AAG CLASH N
igeria will now take on Zambia in a qualifying match for the 2015 All Africa Games in Lusaka after the home team moved the game from Ndola. Both teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg match in Abuja a week ago. The second leg match will be staged at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday, April 12, after it was originally slated for
MOVED TO
LUSAKA Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The overall winners of this matchup will advance to the football
Nigeria U-23 star, Etebo Oghenekaro
event of the 11th AAG to be staged by Congo-Brazzaville between September 3 and 18.
Ford Motors light up Eko Atlantic Polo Tournament Andrew Ekejiuba
T
he Ford Motor Company, through its dealer, Coscharis Motors, showcased a range of its vehicles at the just concluded Eko Atlantic beach Polo Tournament, which held at Eko Atlantic Beach, Lagos, where some of the nation’s
most experienced polo players competed in a four-day tournament with the Lagos Polo team emerging winners. The vehicles included the all-new 2015 Mustang, the full size cross over utility vehicle, Ford Flex; the super fuel economy SEDAN Ford Fusion, and the compact cross over, Ford Escape.
Customers and guests at the event had the opportunity to experience the vehicles through test drives and oneon-one interactions with the sales team. “Ford is a brand that loves sports!” said Felix Mahan, Brand Manager, Coscharis Motors. “Ford has been involved in many sporting activities
worldwide including the European Championship, International Lawn Tennis Tournament, and Formula One”. The game of Polo is one of such sports loved by our priority audience and as such, we decided to be a part of the biggest Polo tournament by bringing closer to them the cars they
love to drive”, he said. On the co-sponsorship of the Polo Tournament, Mahan said, “Ford identifies with laudable projects geared towards the development of sports in Lagos State. We are establishing an emotional connection with our customers by tapping into their passion for the game of polo”.
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
N
igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Warri Wolves, are in danger of missing their trip to Ethiopia ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup match against Dedebit FC this weekend. Supersport.com has been informed that the Warri club could miss the trip to Addis Ababa as their financier, the Delta State government, is yet to release fund meant for the trip to the East African nation. Sources at the club disclosed that the management of Wolves had submitted their budget for the trip to honour the second leg, first round clash with Dedebit FC earlier this month, but have received no words from the different ministries in the state we have to go through on the matter with less than seven days to the date of the match. Wolves officials are, however, worried that they could be faced with hiccups in planning their plan since they are yet to make arrangement for their team’s flight to East Africa. Wolves won the first leg against Dedebit FC 2-0 with Oghenekaro Etebo and Gbolahan Salami scoring the goals. This month Dolphins were thrown out of the Confederation Cup by CAF for failing to arrive in time for their match at Club Africain.
29 ExtraTime
WOLVES
!
CAF CONFED CUP MATCH THREATENED
Warri Wolves line up before a match
Ogun FA mourns Adeola’s passing
Anyansi-Agwu T to meet with Siasia, Okon
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hairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, will, this week meet with Head Coaches of the U-23 National Team and the Senior Women’s Team as regards crucial qualifying matches for the 11th All Africa Games’ football tournaments. The Super Falcons drew 1-1 with their Malian counterparts in the first leg of their only qualifying fixture in Bamako on March 21 and wait to host their opponents in Abuja on April 5. Siasia’s Dream Team faltered similarly, holding Zambia’s U-23 side to a 0-0 at the National Stadium, Abuja on March 22, and will travel next
Anyansi-Agwu
week for the return leg at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on April 4. Anyansi-Agwu knows how painful it could be for the teams in question to miss out on the All Africa Games. He is a ranking member of the NFF Executive Committee, meaning he was there when the two teams failed to make it to the 10th All Africa Games in Mozambique in 2011. That year, the Falcons lost to Ghana’s Black Queens while the Dream Team was ejected on the away goal rule by Ghana’s Black Meteors, losing 0-2 in Kumasi after winning the first leg 3-1 in Benin City.
he Ogun State football fraternity has been mourning the death of Pa Joseph Akanbi Adeola, a former chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, who passed away on March 19, at the age of 76. Pa Adeola was chairman of the Ogun State Football Association for eight years (1998-2006), before he was elected Executive Vice Chairman under the chairmanship of Architect Tunji Bolu (2006-2011), and also served as a member of the executive board in the present dispensation under Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, until his death. He started as a sports officer in the old Western Region, serving as Secretary of the Western Region FA under the respected Chief Lekan Salami (1971-1974), and moved to Ogun State when the State was created in 1976. Pa Adeola served as Secretary, Ogun State Football Association between 1976 and 1978, and was pioneer Secretary of Gateway Football Club when the club was formed in 1987, after his retirement.
NFF directs State FAs on Federation Cup
T
he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has instructed the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT to comply with a directive to stage their State Federation Cup final matches this weekend. “We have outlined a programme for the 2015 Men and Women Federation Cup competitions and we don’t want anything to derail us. All the final matches of the State competitions must be held either on Saturday, April 4 or Sunday, April 5,” Ruth David, Head of NFF Federation Cup Unit, said. Already, the play/off round of this year’s Federation Cup competitions has been fixed for April 18 and 19, while the Draw for the National finals
Amaju Pinnick, NFF boss
will hold in Abuja on April 30. The grand finale of this year’s competitions will take place on August 16.
ExtraTime 30
Golf Times
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
With Teddy Okiemute
MOANDA OPEN:
Woods drops out of
golf’s top 100
T
OLAPADE,
WILLY TOP CONTENDERS
O
rganisers of the 2015 Moanda Open in Gabon have noted two of the four Nigerian entries for the 2015 edition as top contenders of the annual international championship. Sunday Olapade, rising from his maiden win on the Nigerian PGA Tour at Otukpo in Benue State a fortnight ago, has been given a look-in along with former Nigeria number one, Gift
Willy, who finished runner-up in the last three editions of the event. “The Nigerian players are a strong force in this region,” says Leon Paul Lobo, a member of the organising committee of the event. No Nigerian player has won the Moanda since 2010 when late Ali Abdullahi won the event on his debut appearance with a six-shot margin and equalling the course record on the
in Florida for golf getaway
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Chukwudi Okoro, Basiru Bakare from Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate, Lagos. The top six finishers at the event will card home; $10, 000; $6,000; $4, 000; $2,000; $1,600 and $800 respectively. Togo’s Agbavon Kosivi who won the event in 2011, three-time Nigeria Tour leader, Emos Korblah and Gabonesse star Brice Moukagni are also rated for the 72 holes championship.
Awoseyi
Obama resident Obama kicked off the spring season on Saturday with a weekend golf getaway in Florida at the resort where he once caused a stir by playing with Tiger Woods. During his stay at the Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, less than 50 miles up the coast from Palm Beach, Obama planned to be out of public view, with no official events scheduled. First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha were not on the trip. Two years ago, Obama played 18 holes at the Floridian with Woods and practiced with Woods former swing coach.
final day. Ghanaian’s Vincent Torgah has made a treble win since 2012 and will be making a strong title defence appearance when the event tees-off from April 2—5 at the Manga Golf Course, nestled in the huge CAMILOG’s manganese in Moanda. Other Nigerian players in contention for the title include in-form UBTH Golf Course assistant professional,
Gift Willy in action
iger Woods has struggled for form since undergoing back surgery three months ago. For the first time in his illustrious career, Tiger Woods is no longer considered one of the world’s top 100 golfers. The 14-time major champion, who has spent a total of 683 weeks at the top of the sport’s official rankings, has now dropped to 104. Woods is currently sidelined with injury –a recurring theme in recent years – and last played on the PGA Tour in early February. The 39-year-old says he remains hopeful of participating in the year’s first major, the Masters at Augusta that begins on April 9. Woods’ 2015 has not gone to plan. He shot a career worst round of 82 at his first tournament of the year in Phoenix before withdrawing from his second at Torrey Pines due to injury. In February, he announced he was taking an indefinite break from golf, saying his play was “not acceptable for tournament golf.” Most recently, he skipped the Arnold Palmer Invitational –a tournament he has won eight times – and said he hoped to be ready for the Masters. Woods has four green jackets among his haul of major titles, all accumulated in a nine-year period between 1997 and 2008. His last significant Tour victory came at the Bridgestone Invitational back in 2013, but he has rarely threatened in recent major championships.
honoured by top golfers This time, the president’s partners were expected to be a few friends who are his frequent golf guests. Obama flew to the airport in Fort Pierce before making the short trip to Palm City. Like last time, the White House arranged for the reporters covering the president to wait at a separate location on the property where Obama won’t be visible. Obama’s policy generally is not to allow reporters to observe him. He has made a few exceptions when he’s golfed with prominent figures, including House Speaker John Boehner, former President, Bill Clinton and the leaders of New Zealand and Malaysia.
I
keja Golf Club captain, Jibola Awoseyi, has said that he was thrilled when members and friends of the club took to the greens in his honour. Awoseyi, whose tenure came to an end as the club’s captain, observed the week-long activities with the caddies taking turns on the course, with a gala night rounding off the event. In attendance were golf professionals and club-based counterparts, as well as veteran golfers, all took part in the competition. Later, lady golfers and guests had their day on the course, while a special captain’s kitty was later held. Speaking ahead of the competition, Awoseyi thanked all golfers, for their support since he took over as the captain of the club. He said it has been a wonderful experience, ascribing his success to the overwhelming support of the members and urging members to give same support to his successor. “I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. It’s been wonderful being captain here. I have enjoyed the presence of the elders and the young ones. Of course, without them you can’t achieve much,” Awoseyi said. “It is not about me, but about the members. I couldn’t have done anything without them,” he affirmed.
Awoseyi
Daily Times Nigeria
Tennis
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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31
ExtraTime
MURRAY
ndy Murray dismantled Colombian Santiago Giraldo’s hard-hitting game to claim his 499th career win and reach round four at Open. Miami the The Briton, seeded third, won 6-3 6-4 and will play South Africa’s 15th seed Kevin Anderson in the
last 16. Another victory would make Murray the 46th man in the open era to reach 500 match wins. Fernando Verdasco beat Rafael Nadal 6-4 2-6 6-3, while women’s top seed Serena Williams beat Cici Bellis 6-1 6-1. Murray, 27, lost heavily to Giraldo in Madrid last year but made amends in Miami, where he lives and trains for much of the year. The Scot attacked his opponent’s second serve from the outset, breaking in game six on his way to the first set and then powering 4-0 clear in the second. There was a late revival from the now freeswinging Giraldo, who saved two match points and broke serve at 5-2 and saw off another two at 5-4. It delayed Murray but did not derail him, and the world number four finally sealed victory at the fifth attempt thanks to a net cord.
SWEEPS PAST GIRALDO IN MIAMI
Murray
Khan
Cricket
CWC 2015:
Motorsport
to Hughes
Vettel pays emotional tribute to Schumacher
Clarke dedicates win Boxing
Khan A
mir Khan has hit back at Kell Brook after the IBF welterweight champion challenged him to a title fight in June, claiming that he would love to “shut him up”. Brook retained his belt for the first time on March 28, making light work of mandatory challenger Jo Dan in front of a passionate home crowd at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield. In what was his first bout since being stabbed in the leg while on holiday in Tenerife in September 2014, as the 28-year-old set the tempo early and forced his durable Romanian opponent to retire on his stool prior to the start of the fifth
hits back at Brook
round. Following the one-sided contest, in which Dan was sent sprawling to the canvas on no less than four separate occasions, promoter Eddie Hearn laid down the gauntlet to Khan by insisting that he give the public what they want by agreeing to a lucrative summer match at Wembley. Brook echoed those calls and goaded his fellow Briton, claiming that he was ‘delicate around the whiskers’. Such a statement appears to have angered Khan, who has responded by questioning the quality of Brook’s previous opponents and accusing him of disrespect.
C
aptain Michael Clarke dedicated Australia’s fifth Cricket World Cup (CWC) title to his former team-mate Phillip Hughes. Batsman Hughes died at the age of 25, after being struck on the neck by a bouncer in Sydney in November. “I’m sure everybody on this stage will say we played this World Cup with 16 players,” said Clarke after his team’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand. “Hughes used to party as good as any of them so I guarantee we’ll celebrate hard tonight.” After Australia bowled out New Zealand for 183, Clarke led from the front with 74 as the hosts knocked off the runs in 33.1 overs at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. Clarke, who read a moving eulogy at Hughes’s funeral, batted with a black armband carrying the player’s initials in his final one-day international.
Vettel
S
ebastian Vettel paid an emotional homage to Michael Schumacher for providing the inspiration for his maiden victory with Ferrari. Four-time world champion Vettel was highly emotional as he stood on top of the podium, after taking the chequered flag in the Malaysian Grand Prix in only his second race with the Maranello marque. Not since Schumacher’s last triumph with the Scuderia at the Chinese Grand Prix in 2006 have the German and Italian national anthems been played back to back to hail such a combined Ferrari success. For Vettel, it was the realisation of ‘a dream’ sparked by his hero Schumacher who won five of his seven titles with
Ferrari, but who suffered life-changing injuries following a skiing accident 15 months ago. “The team has been phenomenal, welcoming me the first day,” recalled Vettel. “I remember when the gate opened in Maranello it was like a dream coming true. “I remember the last time I was there was as a young kid watching Michael over the fence driving around in the Ferrari, and now I’m driving that very red car. It’s incredible. “Of course, when I grew up Michael was my hero, and for all of us - and I speak for all of the kids at the go-kart track at the time in Germany - we looked up to him.”
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Wanted: Strategic plan for oil sector ÎÎÎOil is first and fore-
Eke Uchechukwu
most a commodity. As a commodity, oil is the largest traded commodity in ton miles globally. Besides being commodity, oil also had been variously describe as “a weapon, a strategic asset, a course and a maker and spoiler of fortunes. Crude oil prices like prices of other commodities are controlled by the forces of demand and supply. Thus, like other commodity markets, the crude oil market is cyclical with prices falling and rising in response to changes in demand as well as OPEC and non OPEC supply. Such crude oil price cycles often vary from a week to several years. Currently global oil prices have been falling steadily since June 2014. OPEC daily basket price for instance, declined by 54.4 percent from $110.30 per barrel Monday, 23 June 2014 to $50.30 per barrel Monday, 23 March 2015. This oil prices slump generally attributed to market oversupply arising from shale oil boom in the United States and OPEC’s uncharacteristic refusal to cut production is reversing the
economic fortunes of oil exporting and importing nations. The falling crude oil prices have turned the economic stress which high oil prices imposed on oil import dependent nations led by the United States into economic fortune while turning the fortune of export dependent nations led by Russia into economic doom. Following the oil price crash, the economies of oil import dependent nations have been expanding accompanied by sharp growth in job placement. On the contrary, the economies of oil export dependent OPEC nations have been contracting, going through a period of local currency depreciation, high inflation and unemployment. It is therefore not surprising that oil import dependent nations who are benefiting from the low oil prices would want the situation to continue, while OPEC nations whose economies are undergoing severe stress, look up to a very quick price recovery. The question being asked is: how soon will global crude oil prices
rebound? Any attempt at providing an answer to this question that focuses on the immediate roles of OPEC and the U.S in this oil price slump but ignores a critical review of their remote causes, will not suffice. In carrying out its mandate, the IEA formulated an emergency response strategy which focused on four supply and demand side countermeasures. On the supply side the strategy involved member nations implementing a strategic Petroleum Reserve capable of holding equivalent of at least 90 days stocks. The other supply side measure required member nations to increase domestic production of oil. The United States which alone accounts for about 20 percent of world oil consumption went a step further than other OECD member nations who would be satisfied with just a reduction in their oil dependence, to declare and pursue a policy of complete energy independence’ through which she sought to be self-sufficient in energy production and by so doing wean herself from
imported oil. Though the American energy independence aspiration was described and derided as “ambitious”, the U.S nonetheless remained resolute and consistent in pursuing the policy to its logical conclusion. Thus as the green energy revolution raged on in many OECD nations the U.S aggressively pursued the development of her shale oil and gas resources. The development and deployment of expensive Hydrolic fracturing or frackning and horizontal drilling technologies, both products of advanced research, are currently making it possible for U.S companies to increase shale oil and gas production. Currently the U.S has not only achieved self-sufficiency in oil and gas production but is looking forward to exporting to other countries. The U.S has thus switched side from the world’s largest oil importer to zero oil importing, oil self sufficient and may be soon to oil exporting nation if a law in place banning oil export is lifted. OPEC member nations must wake up to
above reality, that this price slump is different from others previously and that their competitors the OECD are now in control. Like the OECD in 1973/74 OPEC should move quickly to fashion out measures to mitigate the impact of this deadly oil prices slump on their economies and currencies. The OECD may have called on their technological ingenuity to overcome their energy supply problem that has created the present problem for OPEC. OPEC on the other hand is not technologically endowed and therefore must look inwards at their economic management systems for solution. Member nations must seize this opportunity to aggressively implement the three D strategy of Diversification, Deregulation and Discipline. There is no better time than now to vigorously embrace economic diversification, oil and gas sector deregulation and fiscal discipline in OPEC member nations. Dr Uchechukwu is the Deputy Director, Training, PTI drucheeke@yahoo.com
Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528
Life&
TIMES Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Isi Atagamen Transiting from modeling to fashion Grooming tools for men
L4
P
L2
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Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday March 31, 2015
I always dreamt of becoming a fashion designer Isi Atagamen
Nkarenyi Ukonu
ettes from the past decade with a the most sought after model when modern/futuristic twist. I did model and it was so much fun
Isi Atagamen is a fashion designer and fashion enthusiast. The ex-mod-
Are your designs mainly for model anymore but when I see modmale or female? els these days I smile because I know I design mostly female clothes but I how they feel. What would you consider your greatest achievement?
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How did your interest in fashion design metamorphose? It all started at a very young age when I used to take out sketches from daily newspapers which had sketches of dresses so I could sketch the exact same thing in the book. I had a pretty quiet childhood till my teenage years when I started dancing in church concerts and events with notable dance groups. While doing all these I always had my dream inscribed on my mind, to become a fashion designer as I often told my mother then. So shortly after graduating, I set up my fashion label, Isi Atagamen Fashion Label and I began to make my own clothes. I have continued to hone my skills by following current trends, fashion forecasts, major local and international designers in fusion with my personal inspiration and blend. I also ensure that I always keep my potential customers in mind. So far, I have been credited for my sharp, chic tailoring which possesses a feminine edge, multi-functionality and considerate approach to wearable design. My designs are versatile, creative and sometimes sically ready to wear pieces although I am not limited to that alone. In simple terms the Isi Atagamen Fashion Label represents class, strength, attitude, uniqueness. Did you acquire any formal education for it? Oh yes. My high school and University days in Lagos unveiled more about my sincere passion for fashion which forced me to study at the LISOF Art and Design College in South Africa. How many collections have you had since you started designing? Four collections so far. The recent collection was shown at the Entourage Charity event organized by actress, Suthat includes a few summer pieces and others that you can wear towards the end of the year and into cold climates. The collection featured different silhou-
your design pieces from your modelling days? say experience; the experience I have gotten in life generally has helped me to become who I am today, it has formed to a large extent, my personality and modelling was one of those experiences.
everything in my life as an achievement, good or bad. They are all experiences that I see as a lesson or a victory. That I am alive each day is an achievement because it gives me another opportunity to conquer, to try and get better, get closer to my goals and be a greater individual.
Where do you get the inspiration to get creative? mind; we create it ourselves and give Life inspires me. Everything in life it the power or size that it has. It is said is a source of inspiration; from ani- that what you fear most will come to you and so for that reason I refuse to decades, eras, love and movies. The be afraid of anything. whole idea is not getting things mixed up but focusing on that one special If you could go back to a thing that gets your attention and fas- moment in time, what would it cination at a given time of creativity. be? I look only to the future and what it Who do you look up to in the brings. The past has brought its victofashion world? Quite a lot. People like Christian I went through it, yet it stays there. Dior, Chanel, Viktor&Rolf, Lanre DaSilva Ajayi, Deola Sagoe and a few others. What does style mean to you? For me, style means to express How is life as a young yourself and tell people who you are entrepreneur? without saying a word. Style is making a sentence through your garment thing. You get to learn faster and try in an appealing way that will be interto get enough knowledge on how esting to others either to emulate or to deal with people and the various tactics they come with mostly in situ- am. ations where you have older people working under you. The main idea is Besides your label, do you learn the art of balance. favour high end designer labels? I favour every form of fashion that What drives you even in the face is beautiful. Passion, love and drive. Once you Any tip on how to break into the have a passion for what you do, it Nigerian fashion industry? keeps you going despite the odds. Carve a niche for yourself, believe in what you are doing and never be partner that makes you happy makes distracted. it even easier. It is said that once you love what you do, you never work a Where do you see your brand in day in your life. Finally drive, which is the next three years? the goal, the energy that just keeps For it to become an international you going and helps you grow with each study, acquisition of knowledge and obvious improvements. There are endless possibilities so As a former model, what was who knows! your modelling days like? It was a great feeling being one of
Life&
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Isi Atagamen Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday March 31, 2015
L3 Relationship
She needs it, just as you do! Ngozi Ndubisi Ngozindubisi2013@yaho.com Do you know gone are the days when women keep the activities of the bedroom in the bedroom? Some to share their intimate moments with their friends, at women forums even with their opposite friends. Because Women are starting to complain and are embolden to do so by the society, churches, media, internet etc. women have had it with covering for their men while on the other hand, their men make fun of them in the company of their friends. I picked up quite a number of complains our women are making concerning the bedroom. During our last church forum a lady stated plainly “Our husbands are getting it wrong and we must either speak out now or go elsewhere for satisfaction.” “True, true” rang out all around me even from quarters I thought all was very well. This song by Ray Parker Jr. “A WOMAN NEEDS LOVE (JUST LIKE YOU)” readily came to my mind. Like -
just like you do. He ended with you might just come back early from work one day and…. has changed, she needs it more than you do. I remember reading some time back, that women from the age of 50 years are sexier than their counterparts. So husbands here are some of the complains of your wives:
is built enough she will not tell you what she wants. Try to notice how she responds to your touch and react accordingly. If you sense that she is tensing up when you touch her or try to move her body in a certain way, it could be that you are being too rough or that she is ticklish, so be gentler. If, on the other hand, she seems completely unaffected by
Skipping Foreplay
volume and shake things up a bit.
experienced a moment so passionate that wasting time on foreplay was
Moving Too Fast Practicing restraint in bed will only get her hotter, making her want you even more, and will inevitably lead to a mind-blowing sexual experience for both of you. So learn to pace yourself and enjoy all the moment
you should. However, getting caught up in the heat of the moment is quite different from pouncing on her out of nowhere and cutting straight to the chase on a regular basis. Sometimes, as simple as a caress, a sensual kiss or a suggestive whisper in her ear can mean the difference between a night she will never forget and one she immediately wants to forget. Ignoring Her Body Language Although a woman may initially be too shy to tell you exactly what she wants in bed, her body language will
happier.
ous side and are willing to try new things in bed with their spouse once they trust he will not label them a whore. Some husbands actually want their wives as whores in bed. You just have to go easy with her. Until she wraps her head around the idea, she will hesitate. If you force her to, she might hate you and hate herself for doing your biding. Try introducing new positions and your fantasies slowly but surely, start with the simpler ones and work your way up to the dandier ones. This way, you will both enjoy it and
Lack of Spruce! Some men can be lazy or forgetful clean. How can she go down on you,
Trying Too Many Things At Once Most women have an adventur-
Disrespecting Despite what you see in porno movies and, to a lesser extent, on to be disrespected in their matrimoand accommodating before you get
carried away and call out derogatory names thinking it will excite her. Before you completely lose her and If you are really into these sorts of things, make sure you married a woman who is too, and be sure to run your fantasies by her before marriage and not just spring them on her because you are now married.
fore falling off to sleep. The more she climaxes the better for you. Most before you do. If you want your woman to keep coming back for more and not being able to keep her hands off you, do the needful, be the amazing lover
The Love Dare Week 4:
Day 21: LOVE IS SATISFIED IN GOD The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire.
THE DARE
Intentionally make time today to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one chapters; chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him and help you love.
Day 22: LOVE IS FAITHFULL I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.
THE DARE
Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, “I love you. I love me in return.”
Day 23: LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS Love bears up under everything; believes the best in all; there is no limit to love, and love never fails.
THE DARE
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.
Day 24: LOVE vs. LUST The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but love lives forever.
End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. lowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed— today—and replaced with the sure with His perfect love.
Day 25: LOVE FORGIVES What you have forgiven, if you have forgiven anything, do it for the
sake of Love and the presence of Christ in you.
THE DARE your mate of, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive you” each day, you must ask Him to help you “forgive your spouse and others” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison for too long. Say from your heart today, “I choose to forgive;” and truly forgive.
Day 26: LOVE IS RESPONSIBLE When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
THE DARE
Take time to pray through your forgiveness, and then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel and enjoy total peace.
Day 27: LOVE ENCOURAGES Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
THE DARE
Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has
Cartoon
so hard on them about it. Promise assure them of your unconditional love.
Send Your Questions, Experiences And Stories To: ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com
Men’s Trend L4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday March 31, 2015
Essential grooming tools for the discerning man Nkarenyi Ukonu Regardless of what beliefs you hold about the importance of appearance, you need a collection of tools to ensure that you are looking your best. Caring for your apnine, it just means that you care about the kind of impression you give out, especially if you want it good. For this reason, your vanity cabinet should contain the basic necessities for hygiene and health, with each serving its own distinct purpose. The nail clipper You do not want women sniggering at your chipped or jagged nails so use nail clippers not only toe nails as well to keep them looking neat. Every pair of clippers also has a nifty tool from under its enclosure which serves both as a
them smooth after a fresh cut and assist in removing any dirt. The nail brush Want your hands to look younger, more professional and presentable? Then invest in a nail brush. It is another necessity that is often overlooked. Get a cheap one for the shower and incorporate it into your bathroom routine, or get a wooden one with lasting bristles to use before you go out. The tweezer Regardless of what some may say, a uni-brow (hair right above the eye and on the forehead) does not signify masculinity or a careall people can see when they try to look at your eyes. So do yourself a favor and groom your eyebrows using the tweezer. Get a good pair that will do the job effectively.
They are put there for a reason,
The nose hair trimmer Nose hairs are natural but So look, and look often. Any protruding from the nose should be taken care of immediately. It also comes handy for plucking hair sticking visibly out of your ears. You can either get the electric or the manual one depending on how well you are able to maneuver with it. The razor The use of a razor is historical but still has a great purpose. There are several areas though that many tend to miss when they shave; right below the nose, the wisps above the lip, on the sides of the lip, on the Adams apple and on the sides of the neck. Not usually detected by people but in the unclean this looks. No matter what your facial hair style is, these areas need to be maintained with the use of a razor.
front. The facial hair groomer Facial hair needs to be groomed daily regardless of what your facial style is because facial hair grows quick. To keep it looking even with no strays poking out, get a good pair of scissors or the electric version. Just as you would shave, every morning, trim, buzz, or taper your facial hair including also ignore the back of your neck. Always use the groomer to bring down the stubble of hair on your neck at least once a week. The body hair groomer ming chest hair, arm hair, leg hair, or foot hair appealing. But you could at least trim the hair around your genitals. Once it seems like a lot of hair to you, it is probably time to trim it down. Having said that, whatever suits you, makes you is how you should proceed on this
A brush and a comb
these two tools to maintain it and keep it well groomed. A small or wide tooth comb is all that is needed depending on the volume of your hair. You can also invest in a gentle but still perform some scalp massage without much risk of yanking valuable hairs out in the tive at lubricating your hair with the natural oils from your scalp.
Keeping it clean For all these items, make sure you properly clean them with rubbing alcohol or soap and water, both before and after use. This will help the lifespan of the tool as well job; preventing jagged edges, cuts, discomfort, or unwanted blemishes.
Hair brush
Pocket comb Manual razor
Electric shaver
Nail Clippers Facial hair groomer Philips body hair groomer nailbrush
Wide tooth comb Toiletry bag Nose and ear trimmer
The tweezer
che, t mousta Well kep d nostrils beard an
s ye brow eezed e w t ll e W
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday March 31, 2015
L5
Kiddies World L6
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday March 31, 2015
Nkarenyi Ukonu
Fun Facts
Know your heros/heroines
Because of the unusual shape of their
Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo
day. -
and see for yourself.
Values Do you have this virtue -Honesty? What is honesty? Honesty is when you speak the truth and act truthfully. An honest per-
true. Examples of honesty:
Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Hannah Idowu Dideolu on their wedding day in 1937
true.
how a situation really happened.
Word play
any other action that you would hide
Birthday math trick
after this that travelled to the UK for further studies at the University
(Hons.). He later studied law at the University of London and was on a head.�
Chief Obafemi Awolowo
he used to spread nationalist con-
scraper in Africa: the Cocoa House.
-
dents.
-
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe
speed it up.
-
-
Federal Executive Council in the
Follow the steps properly with a calculator. press equal at the end of every step.
-
Step-1 Step-2 Step-3 Step-4 Step-5 Step-6 Step-7 Step-8 Step-9 Step-10 Step-11 -
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday March 31, 2015
L7 Teen’s World
Parents-children relationship By Ngozi Ndubisi
ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com Train a Child in the Way He Should Go This passage was misinterpreted by some parents in one of our work shop to mean – train your children in the way they should go – FIRSTLY: The emphasis is on “training a child”: in other words, each
is the way you bring them up. For example: Kemi and Ada are sisters. You tell kemi, “Kemi sit here till I come back” she sits still, but in order to get the same reaction from Ada you might need to add some words like “Ada if you get up from your seat before I come back, you will be punished and no games for you.” This will get Ada
the same result.
SECONDLY: Be a parent, before being a friend. You confuse your kids when you tell them what not to do and when they do it, they are not reprimanded but in another instance they be the disciplinarian before being a friend to condone their misdemeanor(s).
Try this out with your kids and share with us the outcome. xx
Opeoluwani Akintayo and Mutiat Alli
Top 10 music chart
Nigeria
Movie and Music Chart
Top 10 music chart
Top 10 movie chart
International
English
1- Wizkid-Ojuelegba 2- Falz Ft. Yemi Alade- Marry Me 3- Iyanya- Finito 4-Kiss Daniel – Woju 5- Phyno- Yayo- (New Entry)
1- Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars Funk
7- Korede Bello- God Win 8- Olamide- Falila Ketan 9- M.I Ft Moti- Bad Belle
5-Hozier Take Me To Church
1.Agogo Eewo 2.Omo Ghetto 3.Jenifa 4.Alakada 5.Ewatomi 6.Irin Ajo 7.Inioluwa
8-Omi Cheerleader
9.Arinzo 10.Baba Darijiwon.
Butter (New Entry)
Uptown
Top 10 movie chart
International 1.Home (2015) 2. Get Hard 4.Cinderalla (2015) 5. It Follows
8. Run All Night 10. The Gunman
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday March 31, 2015
Showing on
Showing on
113 M-Net Edge Africa
125 FOX
12:45
13:40
Tue, 31 Mar | 13 LV
Tue, 31 Mar | 16 L
101 M-Net West
118 Telemundo
120 BBC Entertainment
154 AfricaMagic Family 124 E!
L8 Television
128 SONY MAX
Tech Times
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
s
TT 1
NITDA and the issue of a Protected National Database Infrastructure The 2015 Nigerian general elections are under way. The presidential and National Assembly elections may have been concluded. But there are other non-political implications of the electoral process. The electoral process has seen the introduction of some level of critical Information Technology (IT) deployment and uses. INEC, over the years, coordinated citizens’ enrolment on electronic platforms. Citizens’ personal data and biometrics were captured. INEC therefore has a very large database of close to 70million Nigerians. The card readers, when they functioned well, were simply accessing the INEC database by reading data contained in the embedded chips. INEC is not alone. But because it is the center of attention of Nigerians today its IT deployment calls attention to certain grave implications to citizen’s rights and protection, among other issues. More big data is similarly held in NIMC’s database. Much of that data is similar to what INEC collects. They are personal data of citizens, including their biometrics. NIMC’s data may not be in reference for election purposes, but they are still citizens’ personal data. The National Population Commission (NPC) holds large citizen data. Again, similar to what INEC and NIMC hold. So also does the Nigerian Immigration Service and several other government Agencies. Each of these institutions has a reason to collect, process and hold citizens’ personal data. For instance, INEC needs the data to manage elections, NIMC needs same
data for identity management purposes. Although the data are somewhat similar, each of these institutions spends billions of tax payers’ naira on the infrastructure and personnel needed to collect the same personal and demographic data. The fact that all these are citizens’ personal data and biometrics throws up grave issues of privacy, rights, obligations and legal protection in a digital environment. The matter is made even more grave when one considers that the data is held in a manner that is not only storable but can also be processed, retrieved, transferred, communicated and used or consumed by third parties. There are Central to all these issues is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the regulator for the IT industry. The Federal Government set up NITDA to be its advisor on national IT projects, infrastructure and systems. The Central Bank of Nigerian plays a similar role for the finance sector. NNPC plays same role for oil and gas industry. But in the case of Information Technology, it is very doubtful that any of these data holding institutions actually received clearance from NITDA or at least its technical advice. Such technical advice would normally cover areas including the suitability and interoperability of software systems and the infrastructure proposed for deployment. It would include checks and tests on equipment and products. It would include a reverse engineering process to ensure that the systems are of the required standard, good for the Nigerian environment and generally fit for purpose. The technical advice of NITDA
Jack, DG NITDA
would give confidence that the security of the country would not be compromised. The most worrisome of the implications of collecting and processing citizens’ personal data is the fact that it is not based on any legal framework for the process. Such a legal framework would have been a Data Protection Act of the National Assembly or, in the least, a Regulatory Guideline on Data Protection from NITDA. A Data Protection law or guideline, as a framework regulation, would specify and protect the rights of parties. It would create offenses and prescribe penalties for breach of its provisions. Even though the Evidence Act has been amended to give primary evidentiary weight to electronic evidence, it is doubtful that an aggrieved citizen who has suffered any kind of injuries from the actions of any of the data collecting institutions can bring an action seeking redress against any of the institutions. Furthermore, the platforms on which data is being collected and processed are not under any national interoperability standard. It really would have been a lot more cost-effective if a data interoperability standard was being used for data collection, storage and interchange. Herein lies the relevance of NITDA. But to put the point at rest first, the cost-effectiveness, would work in such a way that all the institutions would not need to erect their own infrastructure for data collection. Billions of naira
would be saved for the education and health sectors. A national database would contain all the data collected in a way that would be interoperable with the systems in NIMC, INEC, NPC, etc. That data interoperability standard exists in NITDA but needs to be given effect without further delay. The role of NITDA would be to issue a regulation and a compliance framework on the implementation of the Data Protection Guidelines which it also developed a couple of years ago. In the absence of such a regulation and compliance process for both the Data Protection Guideline and interoperability standard, the Nigerian citizen is virtually unprotected against any unwholesome act of data collecting institutions. Worse still, the country may be deploying technology without a national IT strategy being led by its Chief Advisor, NITDA, on technology. The absence of a fool-proof strategy is recipe for disaster! The development of a National Database which is interoperable with second level institutional database infrastructure under a legal framework is long overdue for Nigeria. If we agree that the use of technology can be instrumental to credible elections (as in the case of the use PVCs and card readers), a similar argument is tenable for the use of existing technology for law enforcement and integrated e-government services. An integrated database infrastructure is the foundation for integrated Government-to-Citizens (G2C)
service. NITDA holds that key, as the nation’s prime IT Agency and implementing organ for the National e-Government Master Plan. Five things, which are clearly within the purview and mandate of NITDA, are necessary and urgent. The first is a Data Protection Regulation (either by an Act of Parliament or as a NITDA regulatory guideline or both) to create a legal framework for data mining and management. The second is a Data and Semantic Interoperability standard to guide how data is collected, stored and exchanged among data collecting and processing institutions. The third is a legally protected and interoperable National Database Infrastructure to integrate all of citizens’ data in a manner that is accessible to service institutions and law enforcement agencies. The fourth is a national Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to guarantee transactional authentication, non-repudiation and information assurance during electronic interchange of data. The fifth is the development and issuance of a compliance framework by NITDA for all of the four initiatives. Some of these documents and processes have been initiated in one form or another but it is well within the powers of NITDA to make them see the light of day. Inye Kemabonta. Email : inye@technologylaw.com.ng
Tech Times TT 2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
NBC engages UK firm to provide common set-top-box system Stories by Tony Nwakaegho
Mekwane, CEO Microsoft Nigeria
Microsoft plans to use technology to empower young people Microsoft said it is out to raise the hope of unemployed youths across Africa, especially in Nigeria through the use of its flagship platformcloudprenuer. Director, Small, Midmarket Solutions and Partners for Microsoft Nigeria Limited, Wemimo Adeniyi, made this known at a press conference in Lagos recently, adding that was high time to empower the youths and accelerate development, thereby ending unemployment through the use of technology. According to him, the programme aligns with the organisation’s objectives of harnessing talents and investing in youths who are passionate about technology which will in turn enable the young Nigerians to contribute significantly
to the economy of the nation and the continent. “The initiative would make a lot of meaning, drive capacity building, elevate standard of living and help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in the area of technology,” he said. The project which is being carried out in partnership with Fate Foundation and Maramentor, is expected to help grow new businesses and existing businesses in three years. In a related development, Microsoft announced that it would no longer provide support for one of its products- Windows 2003, which was launched in April 2013, beginning from July 14, this year. The chief technology officer, Olayinka Oni while speaking about the life-end for Windows
2003, for the organisation, said that the package is no longer a safe heaven for users, adding that it was normal for the organisation to announce the life-end, since it would no longer provide security, updates, contents and other features for the package. “Things are changing rapidly and we want our users to move to any of our new packages which would guarantee their security, allow them to compete globally, reduce cost and comply with global standard” Oni said. On his part, the firm’s Business Group Director, Cloud Enterprise, Oluyomi Alarape, said that there wouldn’t be a shift on the decision of the organisation over the product life-end, stressing that “users still have till July 14th to migrate and we are doing our best to ensure awareness.”
National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC) has engaged the services of Inview Technologies Limited, a UK based Software Company, for the provision of a national Common Set-TopBox system. The NBC made this known sequel to the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and the software company. According to NBC, the agreement, will see Inview Technologies Limited in collaboration with MTS Communications Limited, a consortium of Nigerian Broadcasters, present the software for the provision of key services, such as collection of annual Digital Content Access Fee (DCAF); Conditional Access System (CAS); Electronic Programme Guide (EPG); Push Video-On-Demand on DTT; Interactive Advertising and carry out audience measurement amongst other added services. Inview Technologies specialized in advanced EPGs for digital TV; interactive broadcast, and IP services and solutions for PayTV; analogue switch off market and their TV platform allows television broadcast and internet content to be concurrently accessible to the viewers. Essentially, NBC said the agreement would help it give birth to the national Set-Top-Box platform that will enable commonalities for all digital television services in the country.
Thirteen Companies were said to have originally bidded for the digital TV System, which comprised Set Top Box (STB) software and Integrated digital TV (IDTV) Broadcast Services designed to deliver a national Common STB/DTV Control and Consumer Access Fee Mechanism; and Critical Additional Services Over the Digital Terrestrial and Satellite Networks in Nigeria. However, Director General NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba in his remarks, described the event as the peak of many months of consultation and decisive steps taken towards the digital switchover in Nigeria. He emphasized that the Commission through this agreement wish to create the biggest TV platform in Nigeria and around the African continent.
Mba, DG NBC
SmartCity: NGBA, AHK meet promoters to explore areas of collaboration The Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) and German Delegation of Industry and Commerce (AHK Nigeria) delegation recently met with the promoters of SmartCity Innovation Hub in Lagos to explore areas of collaboration. The SmartCity Innovation Hub is an A-grade technology development infrastructure promoted by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal
Ministry of Communications Technology with the aim to bring technology, government and society together in order to promote the culture of innovation and the competitiveness between allied businesses and knowledge-based institutions. The delegation to the meeting which comprised of Mrs. Jennifer Anoyika, Chief Operating Officer, NGBA and Mr Andre Roenne, of AHK Nigeria were received by Sir Demola Aladekomo, Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc, the holding company for SmartCity CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 3
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
NCC begins processes of 2.6GHz Spectrum licensing Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has commenced the processes of the licensing round for the 2.6GHz Spectrum band, which was suspended last December for administrative reasons. Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, made known the resumption of the process in Abuja and called on interested parties to look up the Information Memorandum (IM) on the Commission’s website and be guided accordingly. The IM defines the process that the Commission has decided to adopt for the licensing of 2x70MHz paired spectrum available in the 2.6GHz band. It also provides information on the Nigerian telecommunications market, details of the spectrum to be made available, pre-qualification process, the auction process and indicative timetable among others. Director, Spectrum Administration of NCC, Austin Nwaulune, said the 2.6GHz spectrum has been influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband services to subscribers in consonance with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan of 2013-2018. Nwaulune noted that the spectrum band is vital for both new entrants and incumbent operators, adding that “the Commission arrived at this after wide
Juwah
consultations with relevant industry stakeholders to determine the best way to issue the spectrum. “Based on these and observations of developments in the international licensing trends, the Commission has decided to license the available 2x70 MHz slot in slots of 5MHz to be aggregated by applicants through the spectrum auction process,” according to the memorandum. The spectrum, according to a statement signed by the Direc-
tor of Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, would be offered on technology neutral basis, but that for the purpose of rollout, the Commission would follow the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendation, setting aside spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for the provision of advanced wireless broadband services. The reserved price for the 2.6GHz spectrum is pegged at $16 million for a lot of 2x5 MHz.
SmartCity: Stakeholders meet to explore areas of collaboration CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 2
Innovation Hub. Commenting on the visit Sir Demola Aladekomo said “We are delighted to meet with the Nigerian-German Business Association and the German Delegation of Industry and Commerce to discuss possible areas of collaboration and market linkages with their global network of partners.” Chief Operating Officer, NGBA, Mrs. Jennifer Anoyika applauded the SmartCity Inno-
vation Hub project and assured of the commitment of NGBA and AHK Nigeria to support it. “Through our strong network of members and partners, comprising of German, Nigerian and Nigerian-German owned enterprises in Nigeria, as well as German companies interested in the Nigerian market, NGBA is willing to lend support to the SmartCity Innovation Hub project because of its potential to transform Nigeria into a prosperous, productive and innova-
tive nation,” Anoyika said. The SmartCity Innovation Hub, which upon completion is expected to be the Nigerian equivalent of the Silicon Valley in the United States of America is located on 48 hectares on the Lekki-Epe axis within same vicinity as the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) and proposed development areas of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki International Airport, Deep Seaport Project, and Dangote Petrochemical Project.
TT 3 Tech Times
Dearth of Bandwidth stalls NgREN university project Nigeria research and educational network (NgREN) initiative meant to fuel further research and education community in Federal universities is being stalled after eight months of the launch due to the dearth of bandwidth and the cost of the delivered bandwidth. Federal universities are said to be battling with getting cheaper bandwidth capacity and efficient network infrastructure from NgREN to fuel further research and education. Investigation by Daily Times indicated that the cost of the delivered bandwidth has compounded the challenges because the price of bandwidth was supposed to be 40 per cent off the market price, but presently bandwidth is sold at market price. NgREN is an initiative of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in collaboration with the Committee of Vicechancellors (CVC), the Nigerian University System (NUS) and the Ministry of Communication Technology to provide network services and applications to promote linkages and collaborations between the research communities and leverage technology to promote new trends and innovative ways of teaching and learning. Source at NgREN revealed to Daily Times that NgREN is expected to deliver to the connected universities 155 millions of bits per second (mbps) equivalent to Synchronous Transport Module, level 1 (STM-1), incidentally, some of the universities in the country are getting 70 per cent while others get as low as 10 per cent. Transmission issues that source disclosed are responsible for their inability to deliver to some connected universities as much as they deliver to others, adding that NgREN was working hard to address the challenges, while members have made move to access Tertiary Educational Trust Fund (TETF) to pay for the bandwidth. Daily Times learnt that under its first phase the bandwidth was supposed to be made available to 27 foremost federal universities in Nigeria and their over one million students and staff. However, it is expected that the future phases of the project will see to the deepening of research and education content through the collaboration with global research and learning content providers, while expanding the network to include all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of
education in the country. NgREN is said to be holding partnership talks with Bandwidth Consortium, which is the brain child of Nigerian ICT Forum on in the areas of technical capacity at the universities. Operations Manager, Bandwidth Consortium, Dewole Ajao revealed that when the partnership is accomplished the Consortium which aimed at making bandwidth readily available and cheaper for research and higher institutions of learning in the country will be responsible for training network engineers that will be running NgREN network at various universities and resolving internal networking issues at the institutions. According to the Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, (IXPN), Mohammed Rudman the idea of NgREN is aimed at improving collaboration effort among lectures in different universities for research purposes as well as sharing of resource personnel and Information Technology (IT) equipment, adding that it will also make it easier for a university that does not have data centre engage with another university that has it. In his words: “It will guarantee security communications among connected universities as such communications will not pass through the global internet.”
Okojie, NUC Exec. Sec.
Tech Times TT 4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Ericsson raises stake on 5G ahead 2020 launch Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Ericsson and increasing number of mobile network operators, equipment vendors, research organizations and even government at the 2015 Mobile World Con gress, (MWC) held in Barcelona, Spain, showcased brilliant solutions, especially in preparation for next generation technology called 5G in 2020. Industry watchers have predicted that 5G will do a lot better than 4G in terms of video, faster download times and denser network coverage. Majority of vendors had also predicted a 100 to 1,000 fold increase in network capacity. Again, the technology some experts said will also have to come to terms with a new challenge due to the fact that much of the world’s spectrum in lower frequency bands is used up, remaining the higher frequency spectrum that can only carry traffic over shorter distances. It is said that Spectrum will still increase the upgrade to 5G, in accordance with time line to complete 5G standardization by 2020. Ericsson and increasing number of mobile network operators, equipment vendors, research organizations and even government are locked in discussions
on 5G and its key enabling technologies. However, Ericsson presentation held sway at the MWC 2015 as the company demonstrated a wide range of the world-leading technologies and solutions that enable the Networked Society whereby everything that can benefit from being connected will be connected. According to Ericsson Chief Technical Officer, Ulf Ewaldsson, the company has been in the fore front in all generations of mobile networks, adding that “Today, we are mapping out a new trail while leading the industry evolution towards 5G.” He maintained that 5G is an evolution rather than a revolution, stressing that “It will enable higher data rates everywhere. It will bring support for very low latency and very high reliability, and the possibility of low cost devices with ultra-high reliability. It will enable the Networked Society to be realized to its full potential.” He explained that 5G will also help realize the vision of basically unlimited access to information and sharing of data anywhere and anytime, for anyone and anything. “The aim is for 5G networks to be highly efficient, faster, support more users, more devices,
Vestberg, CEO ERICSON
more services, and new use cases without a corresponding impact on cost or carbon footprint. These are the requirements of this new generation of mobile communication”, he added. On his part, Ericsson Chief Executive Officer, Hans Vestberg told the gathering that Ericsson will deliver to the promise of 5G, adding that company has the state of the art technologies to deploy 5G to
the increasing number of operators already approaching change maker in the networked society. Daily Times learnt that 5G performance in commercial mobile network is expected in 2020 even though Ericsson has already achieved speeds of 5 Gbps in live, over-the-air demonstrations of the company’s pre-standard 5G network technology. One of the hurdles that next generation 5G mobile communications will need to overcome, according to Ericsson experts is the predicted levels of traffic which may be 1,000 times that of today. Another part of the hitch is the billions of devices that will be connected to networks, some of which may be mission critical. These devices, experts from Ericsson said may not generate a significant amount of traffic individually, but together their traffic is significant and their design is lightweight with an emphasis on low-energy consumption. It would be recalled that Ericsson at the MWC showed worldleading technology, service capabilities, and innovations. Experts are confident that Ultra-lean design, spectrum flexibility, allocations; and low latency are the technologies that will support future demand of 5G.
IBM, Ponemon predicts BYOD rises, mobile phone high risks IBM and the Ponemon Institute have released a report that brings to the fore the increasingly popularity of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for organisations and the challenges that arises when employees connect to unsecured networks or download insecure apps from un-trusted sources thereby leaving their phones vulnerable to malware. The report read in part the Ponemon Institute’s findings that even apps from trusted organizations and available in traditional app stores can carry enormous risks. According to the Ponemon study, though most employees are ‘heavy users of apps,’ over half or 55 per cent state their organization does not have a policy
which defines the acceptable use of mobile apps in the workplace; a large majority 67 per cent of companies allow employees to download non-vetted apps to their work devices; 55 per cent of organizations say employees are permitted to use and download business apps on their personal devices (BYOD). IBM, which operates one of the world’s broadest security research and development, and delivery organizations has therefore introduced a new mobile threat management (MTM) technology into its IBM MobileFirst Protect offering (formerly MaaS360) to defend against cyber-criminals taking advantage of this immense opportunity. According to IBM, using ad-
vanced cyber-threat and intelligence technology, IBM MobileFirst Protect Threat Management automatically detects suspicious activities on mobile endpoints, as well as stops malware the moment a device is breached. The firm explained that the device which is delivered through the cloud and updated over-theair is a technology that equips organizations to be well-armed at all times against rapidly evolving and sophisticated threats and attacks. IBM MobileFirst Protect Threat Management currently provides automatic and highly intuitive protection against would-be hackers, who are increasingly targeting corporate and personal mobile devices
(BYOD) used for work. The offering’s of new threat management technology built by IBM Security integrates the flexible power of cloud, the comprehensive control of enterprise mobility management, and the most sophisticated defense tools yet created against malware and mobile fraud. IBM’s security platform provides the security intelligence to help organizations holistically protect their people, data, applications, and infrastructure, offering solutions for identity and access management; security information and event management; database security; application development; risk management; endpoint management; next-generation intrusion protection among others.
Rometty, IBM CEO
X4
XT Exclusive
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Poster!
WOLVES
VINCENT KOMPANY
CAF CONFED CUP MATCH THREATENED p29
Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:
Vincent Kompany Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany April 10, 1986 (age 28) Uccle, Brussels, Belgium 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Centre back Manchester City 4
Youth career 2000–2003:
Anderlecht
Senior career 2003–2006: 2006–2008: 2008–Present:
Anderlecht Hamburg Manchester City
National team 2002: 2002: 2004–Present:
Belgium U-16 Belgium U-17 Belgium
ABOUT VINCENT KOMPANY Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany, born April 10, 1986, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for and captains both English club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at centre back and defensive midfield. In the 2011–12 season he was awarded the captaincy of Manchester City, leading his club to win the Premier League that season, their first league title in 44 years. He is also chairman of Belgium D3B Division club BX Brussels, as well as owner-operator of two Belgian Sports Bars named Good Kompany. Kompany began his professional career at Anderlecht, spending three years at the Belgian club before moving to German Bundesliga club Hamburg in 2006. In the summer of 2008, at the age of 22, he completed a transfer to his current club, Premier League side Manchester City. He has since established himself as an integral part of the Manchester City squad and is one of the bargain buys of the revolutionised City era, blossoming into one of the Premier League’s best centre backs. Kompany was included in the Premier League Team of the Year for two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 as well as being included in the 2014 team, and won the Premier League Player of the Season in 2012. He has been described as one of the best defenders in world football, and is known to be a physically strong centreback, with excellent aerial ability, and mobility, as well as good technique and distribution. He is also a very accurate tackler and excels at anticipating his opponents.
X5
QUOTES BY
“
VINCENT KOMPANY I have made a lot of progress. But I still have a lot more to show and bring to this club. I am definitely looking forward to the future and looking long term...” “We want to be the best we can and once we start winning trophies, this obsession people have with the money we earn will stop. We will achieve, we will win things - that much should be obvious to everyone. But the owners aren’t just investing in the team, they are investing in the whole club, the training facilities, the stadium, the fans and the city of Manchester itself. They know how important City are to the people of Manchester and there is much more going on at the club than just creating a team. –Vincent Kompany
”
VINCENT
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KOMPANY
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
S R E N N UOT G IN H CHASE FOR G N I L R STE X8
DREAM TEAM AAG clash moved to Lusaka p28
Murray stuns Giraldo at Miami Open p31
X2
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
EXTRATIME
PERSONAL INFORMA Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:
Vincent Kompany Vincent Jean Mpo April 10, 1986 (ag Uccle, Brussels, B 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Centre back Manchester City 4
Youth career 2000–2003:
Anderlecht
Senior career 2003–2006: 2006–2008: 2008–Present:
Anderlecht Hamburg Manchester City
National team 2002: 2002: 2004–Present:
Belgium U-16 Belgium U-17 Belgium
KOM
L ATION
y oy Kompany ge 28) Belgium
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
EXTRATIME ABOUT VINCENT KOMPANY Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany, born April 10, 1986, is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for and captains both English club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at centre back and defensive midfield. In the 2011–12 season he was awarded the captaincy of Manchester City, leading his club to win the Premier League that season, their first league title in 44 years. He is also chairman of Belgium D3B Division club BX Brussels, as well as owner-operator of two Belgian Sports Bars named Good Kompany. Kompany began his professional career at Anderlecht, spending three years at the Belgian club before moving to German Bundesliga club Hamburg in 2006. In the summer of 2008, at the age of 22, he completed a transfer to his current club, Premier League side Manchester City. He has since established himself as an integral part of the Manchester City squad and is one of the bargain buys of the revolutionised City era, blossoming into one of the Premier League’s best centre backs. Kompany was included in the Premier League Team of the Year for two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 as well as being included in the 2014 team, and won the Premier League Player of the Season in 2012. He has been described as one of the best defenders in world football, and is known to be a physically strong centreback, with excellent aerial ability, and mobility, as well as good technique and distribution. He is also a very accurate tackler and excels at anticipating his opponents.
X3
QUOTES BY
“
VINCENT KOMPANY I have made a lot of progress. But I still have a lot more to show and bring to this club. I am definitely looking forward to the future and looking long term...” “We want to be the best we can and once we start winning trophies, this obsession people have with the money we earn will stop. We will achieve, we will win things - that much should be obvious to everyone. But the owners aren’t just investing in the team, they are investing in the whole club, the training facilities, the stadium, the fans and the city of Manchester itself. They know how important City are to the people of Manchester and there is much more going on at the club than just creating a team. –Vincent Kompany
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VINCENT
MPANY
X4
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME Dunga backs Firmino to play for ‘any club’
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razil coach Dunga believes Arsenal target Roberto Firmino has the potential to play for any club in the world. The attacking midfielder scored the winning goal at the Emirates on Sunday as Brazil overcame Chile 1-0 to claim their eighth straight win since the World Cup. Firmino is one of the players to come into the squad since last
ARSENAL summer’s tournament after impressing for German side Hoffenheim. Arsenal have been linked with a summer swoop, while fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested. And as speculation grows about Firmino’s future, Dunga says the Brazilian has the talent to play anywhere in the world.
Firmino
A M O R CHASE
Szczesny
R U O V A F OUT-OF
Y N S E Z C SZ has been linked with rsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny Roma. side A ie a possible move to Ser been out of has al tion rna The Polish inte nge er Arsene We r and could favour with Gunners manag irates this summer. be on his way out of the Em monitoring the situation According to report, Roma are replace veteran Morgan De with interest as they look to at the end of the season. Sanctis who will quit the club d in the Arsenal starting Szczesny has been replace y recent weeks and was onl line-up by David Ospina in o Eur last inst Ireland in their on the bench for Poland aga 2016 qualifying match. smoking earlier on this The 24-year-old was caught d orte to have been furious season and Wenger is rep over the incident. for an exit out of Arsenal Szczesny is said to be looking most likely destination. and Roma appear to be his
A
Sterling
Arsenal plot shock move for
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STERLING
rsenal are preparing a surprise summer move for Liverpool and England winger Raheem Sterling. Talks between Sterling and Liverpool over a new deal have been shelved until the end of the season after the 20-yearold rejected the club’s £100,000-a-week contract offer. It was reported that Arsenal could be set to test the resolve of both the player
and the club, but are only one of a number of interested parties, with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all keeping tabs on the latest developments. Sterling’s current £35,000-a-week deal at Anfield is set to expire at the end of the 2016/17 campaign, and the club could be forced to cash in on their star man should he continue to reject the chance to extend his stay on Merseyside.
Walcott set to compete for England shirt
A Walcott
rsenal winger Theo Walcott has insisted he is happy to fight for his place in the England team amid increased competition under Roy Hodgson. Walcott has suffered extensive injury problems since January 2014, missing almost a full year after he was injured against Tottenham Hotspur and suffering a second problem that ruled him out for a month shortly after he made his return for Arsene Wenger’s side. The 26-year-old has struggled to hold
down a place under Wenger thanks to his lengthy injury-enforced absences and faces heavy competition at international level as well, but is ready to prove he deserves a place under Hodgson. “Bring it on,” Walcott said when asked about the fight with the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck. “Competition is always going to be there anyway. I’ve been there from 17-years-old and I’ve managed to get through it now and then.”