Daily Times of Nigeria

AMCON: Sustaining a first-rate performance ÏÏÏIn today’s world decision makers rely

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Business Editor

heavily on one essential factor when it is time to deliberate on the fate of any event,

person or institution and that factor is performance.

According to the Business Dictionary,

performance can be defined as the accomplishment of a given task measured against Continued on page 20 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

dailytimesng

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

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.181

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 26th August 2015.

DANGSUGAR

6.34

0.30

4.73%

FCMB

2.12

0.04

1.89%

NESTLE

917.69

-48.29

-5.26%

TOTAL

146.88

-5.12

-3.49%

VITAFOAM

5.75

0.12

2.09%

WEMABANK

0.9

0.03

3.33%

MOBIL

143.5

-6.50

-4.53%

DANGCEM

165.15

-3.90

-2.36%

Boko Haram leaders picked in Lagos, Enugu g6

TRIBUTE: MY REAL EGBON IS GONE,

FG to g12 review import policy on rice, fish, others

BY FIDELIS ANOSIKE g15

Graft suspect, Audu wins APC Kogi guber ticket g 12

Ï ƅƅƑ ƆƗ Ƈ MơƠƄ ƅ ƐƏ ƅƐ ƅ ƌ

NBA vows to expose corrupt judges, g6 lawyers

Jonathan’s ex-ministers, FG trade tackles over performance, anti-graft war g6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Illegal migration to Europe

N

o one can deny the fact that the world today is facing a crisis of epic proportions brought about by the unending flow of illegal migrants to Europe. Every day brings news of stranded humanity aboard distressed boats in the Mediterranean Sea. On several occasions, illegal migrants have been rescued and taken to refugee camps in Italy and other southern European countries of Greece, Spain and Portugal. Many thousands have perished in turbulent seas. However, as the human tragedies unfold, the world watches with increasing alarm at the hostility towards these migrants by citizens of potential host countries.

According to statistics, most of the migrants are from Syria, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries - fleeing from wars and grinding poverty. Sadly, many of them die during the journey while those who do not get asylum are deported back to their home countries.

Incidentally, what makes this tragedy even more shocking is the unconscionable trafficking in persons it has spawned.

Never has the world seen such scale and complexity of human migration since the Second World War. The tragedy is even worse among Africans as they are left at the mercy of smugglers who are exploiting the political vacuum in Libya to transport them across the Mediterranean to Italy and other Baltic states. Before reaching Libya and the Mediterranean coast, they traverse the continent by the thousands, suffering untold miseries, causing havoc at borders and leaving officials to choose between haplessness and brutality.

So far, more than 270,000 of these illegal migrants have reached Europe’s shores this year, more than in the whole of 2014, itself a record year.

Efforts to end the nautical tragedy by force – by banning migration, or by cracking down on people-smuggling, or, even refusing to rescue drowning migrants – have only succeeded in driving migration further underground; raising both the cost and demand for

passage on illegal boats, and increasing net numbers of undocumented migrants, as well as the danger they face.

The most insidious notion is the one that holds that these Africans migrants are starving villagers escaping famine and death. The point must be made, however, that this assumption is false.

The true picture is that many of these illegal migrants are urban, educated, and middle-class. Puzzle is why should such people risk all they have at home for the uncertain and perilous journey across the Mediterranean? Humanitarian organisations believe that what motivates them to face hardships and even death is the belief they have about the streets of Europe being paved with the proverbial gold.

In other words, there are “migration networks” that communicate information about employment, small business, housing and migration opportunities.

On account of this, illegal migrants tend to choose their destinations not in line with culture, language or history, but according to the economic success of their host country and the likelihood of entering the system on arrival. Therefore, studies have shown that Africans who get onto the boats are often not escaping from something awful, but running toward a specific, chosen opportunity, in employment or small business.

Even when a small minority are said to be facing hardships resulting from wars and famine, it is imperative that governments on the continent make their countries conducive for citizens, in order to stem the tide of illegal migration. It is a shame that while many African countries are blessed with abundant mineral and human resources, the pervasive culture of corruption is leading to increasing poverty and destitution among the populace, who see no other way out of their predicaments than risk their lives to cross the treacherous Mediterranean Sea to Europe in rickety boats. We are of the view that something drastic must be done by African leaders to end this perverse spectacle of shame which the increasing incidence of illegal migration is bringing on the continent.

L-R: DailyTimes publisher, Fidelis Anosike ,Ndidi Emefiele, a creative artist ,Peter Okoye of P-Square, Miss Oyinye and Val Ozigbo MD of Transcorp Hilton , during an art exhibition at the Abuja Hilton...on Thursday

Before Borno puts another set of youngsters on harm’s way Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎOrdinarily, it is heart-

warming that the Borno State Government has at last decided to reopen public schools around Maiduguri, the state capital, next month (September).

The schools have been closed for several months following incessant attacks

by Boko Haram insurgents.

The decision, according to state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima, is in view of the relative peace with Maiduguri metropolis.

There is no doubt that the reopening of the schools around Maiduguri

metropolis is long overdue, however when it is remembered that it was principally the negligence of the Shettima-led administration that made the abduction of over 200 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents possible, then the excitement at schools around Maiduguri reopening this September is subdued with trepidation setting in among parents and guardians whose wards study in the affected schools.

The abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls not only drew global condemnation but was one of the issues for which the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was heavily criticised.

Words On Marble :

Unfortunately, many failed to lay the blame squarely on the doorsteps of the Borno State Government which clearly had oversight on secondary schools.

So, before another set of students are put on harm’s way, the Borno State government should ensure that watertight security in and around the schools is put in place. The government should also avoid rushing to reopen the schools if agencies responsible for security in the state are not on the same page with it.

There is no need to rush to reopen the schools if doing so will endanger the lives of students in Maiduguri and other parts of the state. Nigeria hardly needs another round of mourning.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Group Managing Editor

Chief Operating Officer

Editor

Noel Anosike Afie Braimoh

Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription

Molara Wood

Ifeanyi Emefu Ifeoluwa Isijiola Konnie Agu

Yinka Olujimi

More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Ben Murray Bruce

Festus Keyamo

Mohammed Sani Zoro

“If we must really defeat terrorism, education must attract a larger share of Nigeria’s budget than security”.

“Whether it is publicly or quietly, the end product is to recover the loot”.

Whatever Nigerians want in this season of change, we will do because we are conscious of our integrity and want to live by example.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

End to insurgency in three months possible, if…. – Cardinal Okogie Segun Adio

ÏÏÏ

The former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, on Sunday, said an end to insurgency in the country would be possible if functional equipment were made available to the security agents to fight with.

He made the statement in Lagos while speaking with journalists at the 25th priestly ordination an-

niversary of Col. Charles Iroegbu, a reverend father, at the Tamandu Barracks.

While reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to service chiefs to end insurgency in three months, Okogie said that there were some factors to consider for insurgency to end within the period.

“Three months will be possible provided that the equipment are there and functioning, if the soldiers

are well trained and ready to fight,” he said.

He added that the insurgents were also human beings like everyone and we could take them down with determination and prayers.

The Cardinal advised Iroegbu that he should continue with his good works, adding that the good Lord that had led him so far would continue to lead him.

General Officer Commanding, (GOC), 81 Divi-

sion, Isidore Edet, also congratulated him, adding that God would continue to bless and help him.

Iroegbu, while thanking everyone for coming to celebrate with him, said he never regretted joining the Nigerian Army, adding that he was proud to be a soldier.

Senior military officers both retired and serving personnel, senior Catholic members were present at the ordination anniversary.

5 News

PDP denies sponsoring aspirants within APC Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏ

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Kogi State has faulted a recent claim by one of the aspirants of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) purporting that it was sponsoring some aspirants within the APC fold to seal the said aspirant’s chances.

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bode Ogunmola, the PDP described the claim as baseless and mischievous, insisting that

Niger sets up panel on 100 days in office Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏ A committee on the

Motorists on a failed portion of the Benin-Auchi highway at Okueka village in Benin ...on Sunday

Editors back Buhari’s war on terrorism, corruption ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Guild

of Editors (NGE) has expressed its support for President Muhammadu Buhari, in his drive to end terrorism and stamp out corruption in the country.

The group said the step, so far taken by Buhari was a pointer to the fact that the country would soon return to sanity again.

These were part of the communique issued by the group after its 11th Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC), held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

They, however, advised that the fight against corruption should be total and not selective.

The communique read in part: “The media will remain steadfast in objec-

tive reportage of events in the country, as well as be facilitators and agents of the positive change that Nigerians desire. That Nigerians must unite to build a nation that is prosperous and secure, irrespective of political, ethnic and religious differences.

“That government, at all levels, must carry the mass media along in planning and execution of critical developmental policies and programmes. That the steps taken, so far, by the President Buhari-led government to tackle terrorism are commendable and urges Nigerians not to politicise or ethnicise the war against the scourge, stressing that much more must be done by all stakeholders to ensure that ev-

ery part of country is secure.

“That the present administration’s war against corruption is commendable but that every effort must be made to ensure that it is not selective. Every Nigerian must support the battle to eradicate the monster, which has adversely affected the country.”

The Vice-President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, who was Special Guest of Honour and represented at the three day meeting, by Dr. (Mrs) Folashade Yemi-Esan, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, called on the Nigerian media to support the change agenda of the Buhari administration. The group also commended Buhari for appointing two past

presidents of the Guild, Mr. Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu, as Special Adviser and Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, respectively.

The Guild also convened a Special Convention at which the recommendations of the Standing Committee that the vacancy created by the appointment of Mr. Adesina be filled.

Accordingly, the erstwhile Deputy President of the Guild, Mallam Garba Deen Mohammad was elected substantive National President of the Guild.

Subsequently, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, formerly Vice President (West), was elected Deputy President while Mrs. Funke Egbemode was elected Vice-President (West).

successful celebration of one hundred days in office of the present administration in Niger State has been set up.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Shehu Umar Danyaya, was to the effect that the aim of the celebration was to avail the government the opportunity to assess the situation of developments, as well as realign the priority areas in delivering their campaign

the said aspirant should reasses his public rating and wake up from his world of self - delusion.

He said the party had no reason to throw away a whopping N150 million to sponsor aspirants against him, even when it was obvious that the said aspirant had lost political credibility and relevance.

The PDP spokesman said it had more serious issues to contend with than devoting resources on a politician, whom, according to him, was now in the Stone Age. promises to the people of the state using available resources.

He further explained that though one hundred days in the tenure of any administration was not a realistic measurement of its achievements, but a pointer to policy direction of the administration.

Danyaya stressed further that, the administration of Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello had seen the one hundred days as a veritable avenue for improving the fortunes of the citizens and called on all Nigerlites to continue to have an abiding faith in the administration, adding that governance was a human enterprise, which made sense only if it focused on the betterment of the populace.

Umahi, Indian business executives meet Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏ Ebonyi Sate Gover-

nor, Dave Umahi, has taken his drive to move the state forward a step further by meeting with Indian business executives and manufacturers in Lagos.

Umahi led a delegation of his cabinet members to the meeting after visiting some stands at the Indian exhibition in Eko Hotel and Suites.

At the parley, which also had the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ajjaunpur Ghanashyam, in attendance, the governor appreciated India’s developmental strides.

“India has, no doubt, done well in all sectors, especially science and technology; medicine and

industrialisation. With its huge population, it amazing that India is noted as a global player,” the governor said.

He added that it was the desire to see what Indian manufacturers were showcasing that made him and his team head straight for the exhibition venue from the airport in Lagos.

Umahi

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Boko Haram leaders arrested in Lagos, Enugu, others Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏThe

Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday it had arrested 20 prominent commanders of the Boko Haram sect accused of orchestrating several deadly attacks.

This is even as at least 68 persons were killed and several others injured when members of the sect invaded Baanu Village of Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State at the weekend.

The DSS said arrested persons were “notable commanders and frontline members” of the sect and were arrested in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe states between July 8 and August 25 this year.

The DSS also said it had arrested those suspected of coordinating attacks earlier this year in the northern

cities of Potiskum, Kano and Zaria, as well as the central city of Jos, adding that a number of them had made confessions.

“This followed the rounding up of notable commanders and frontline members of the notorious group from different parts of the country,” DSS spokesman Tony Opuiyo said in a statement.

Providing an unusual level of detail, the DSS said one of those arrested, Usman Shuaibu, had confessed to leading a team of nine members of the sect which planned several attacks. Others were accused of ordering attacks, preparing bombs and strapping explosives to suicide bombers.

“The arrest of Usman Shuaibu, aka Money, and the core members of his cell, stemmed the spate of bombings by the extremist

sect,” said Opuiyo.

“Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks,” he said.

Opuiyo said the geographical spread of the arrests suggested the sect members were moving beyond their usual targets in states in the North East part of the country to other states, including Lagos.

“The sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the state and in fact, other parts of the country,” the DSS spokesman said.

“The arrest of these confessed terrorist elements

has however helped in no small measure to avert devastating attacks in the area,” he added.

On Saturday, the DSS said it had uncovered a spy cell run by militants at the international airport in Abuja apparently aimed at selecting targets for attack.

Speaking on the 68 persons who were killed when members of Boko Haram sect invaded Baanu Village of Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, a resident of the area, Yuram Musa who fled to Maiduguri, the state capital, said the insurgents who came on horses at about 8:30 pm on Friday started shooting sporadically.

He said: “We have to flee into the bush and hide and after they left we return back to pick some of our belongings. I counted 68 corpses some were slaughtered while others were shot. The

Member Award Committee of Nigeria Sales Excellence (NISE) Dr. Ade Yusuf (left); Chairman, Dr. Dele Sobowale (2nd left); Mr. Joseph Mfom Edem (right) and Assist. Registrar, Institute of certified sales Professionals ICSP, Bar. Bucky Fabelurin (2nd right) at the unveiling of ICSP Sales Excellence Awards, held in Lagos...recently.

NBA vows to expose corrupt judges, lawyers Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Bar As-

sociation (NBA) said it will henceforth expose corrupt Judges and lawyers as its contribution to the current anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The association said that the fight against corruption was critical to national development and it would partner with gov-

ernment in this regard towards achieving a positive attitude against corruption among the bench and the bar.

NBA also called for revocation of all previous oil block licences, just as it advocated for an increment of the 13 percent derivation paid to the oil producing states to 30 percent.

These were contained in a communique issued by the NBA at the end of its 55th annual general confer-

ence in Abuja.

Reading the communique, NBA President, Mr. Austin Alegeh (SAN) with Afam Osigwe, General Secretary, stated that while the NBA supports the ongoing war against corruption, there must be proper investigation of cases and transparent management of recovered assets by the various anti-graft agencies.

NBA further noted that the political will to fight corruption should also in-

clude proper funding of the anti-corruption agencies.

The NBA recommended the rejuvenation of the Niger Delta for peace, security and social economic development as well as the continuation of the Amnesty Programme.

In addition, it recommended that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) be properly funded as it is important to Continued on page 16

number of those killed are worrisome as the corpses littered the village”.

“The Government has to do something fast if not they will continue to wreak havoc of innocent citizens, as every surrounded villages which are 5 killometres away from Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai have been taken over by

the insurgents, as most of them are residing around the area.

Confirming the attack on the Baanu village, the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, while addressing parents of the abducted Chibok girls over the weekend said the insurgents killed 56 persons in Nganzai village.

Jonathan’s ex-ministers, FG trade tackles Egena Egena and Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏMinisters who served

in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday urged the Federal Government to stop what they called media war against them.

While stating that the Jonathan administration did its best for the country, the former ministers decried what they referred to as a “concerted effort” to ridicule them.

In response, however, the government reaffirmed its decision to pursue its anti-graft war to a logical conclusion but pledged to be fair to all.

The statement, issued by former Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar O. Suleiman, “For and on behalf of: Ministers under the Jonathan Administration,” read: “We, the Ministers who served under the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, have watched with increasing alarm and concern the concerted effort by the Buhari administration and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to condemn, ridicule and undermine the efforts of that administration, in addition to impugning the integrity of its individual members.

“While we concede that every administration has the right to chart its own path as it deems fit, we nevertheless consider the vilification of the Jonathan administration, to be ill-intentioned, unduly partisan, and in bad faith.

The effort that has been made to portray each and every member of the Jonathan administration as corrupt and irresponsible, in an orchestrated and vicious trial by media, has created a lynch mentality that discredits our honest contributions to the growth and development of our beloved nation.

“We are proud to have served Nigeria and we boldly affirm that we did so diligently and to the best of our abilities. The improvements that have been noticed today in the power sector, in national security and in social services and other sectors did not occur overnight. They are products of solid foundations laid by the same Jonathan administration.

“Contrary to what the APC and its agents would rather have the public believe, the Jonathan administration did not encourage corruption, rather it fought corruption vigorously, within the context of the rule of law and due process. For the benefit of those who may have forgotten so soon, it was the Jonathan administration that got rid of the fraud in fertilizer subsidies, which had plagued the country for decades. This helped to unleash a revolution in agricultural production and productivity.

“It was also the Jonathan administration that supported the institutional development of strong systems and mechanisms to curb corruption in the public service and plug revenue leakages. These included the development Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31 , 2015

7 News

APC, PDP trade tackles over economy, anti-graft war Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threw verbal jabs at each other on Sunday over corruption and record of performance.

The governing party, in a statement by its spokesman Lai Mohammed listed what it called new cases of looting by the PDP from which power was wrested on May 29.

However, the former ruling party accused the APC of politicizing war on corruption, adding that the new party in power lacks the capacity to create and manage wealth.

According to Mohammed, the corruption mess that characterized the PDP administration was so pervasive that until it is cleaned, Nigeria will not be able to actualize its potential. ''Those who would rather give comfort to the looters by dismissing the media exposure of looting cases as mere hell-raising should realize that no sane person can be silent in the face of what is unfolding as the worst cases of brazen stealing of public funds in Nigeria's history,'' he added.

The APC stated: ''On Aug. 16th 2015, we listed some instances of the breath-taking looting of the treasury by some officials of the immediate past Administration.

Today, we bring three more heartrendering cases to the attention of Nigerians. We will not relent until closure has been brought to this issue,'' it said, listing the new cases as: - A mind-shattering 2.2 billionUS-dollar arms scandal.

- A 6.9 million-dollar fraud by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Jonathan, committed under the guise of buying three mobile stages for the President.

- A 2.5 billion-Naira scam involving the rent of house boats.”

He continued: ''While those charged with handling these cases are finalizing the details of bringing the suspects to justice, our immediate concern is the attempt by the PDP, under whose umbrella the looting took place, to blame the Buhari Administration for the mess and then infer that things have been worse in Nigeria in the past three months under the APCled federal government than in the 16 years under the PDP. This is totally provocative, shameless and uncharitable. ''They say we are yet to fulfil our campaign promises to Nigeria, but they have forgotten that if only the PDP/Jonathan Administra-

Buhari

tion had not stolen Nigeria blind, there would have been more than enough money to give school children in Nigeria not just one but three meals a day and even pay 5,000 Naira to 50 million most vulnerable Nigerians, not just the 25 million we promised in our manifesto.''

Despite what it described as the almost daily discovery of cases of corruption under the Jonathan Administration, the APC assured Nigerians of better days ahead, pledging that all its campaign promises would be kept because of the commitment and determination of President Buhari not only to cleaning the Augean Stable but also ensuring purposeful governance for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He continued: ''It is clear to all Nigerians that the debilitating impact of 16 years of PDP's misrule cannot be reversed in just three months. It is an obvious truth that it is always easier to destroy than to construct, but nothing will stand in the way of the Buhari Administration's commitment to improving the quality of life of Nigerians and making our country to function again''.

It said that a major clog in the wheel of faster progress for the new Nigeria under President Buhari has been the discovery that “the pot housing the commonwealth has been licked dry by the looters of yesterday, hence the need to work meticulously to recover the looted funds and facilitate the delivery of good governance that will manifest in abundant jobs, strong economy and improved welfare and security for Nigerians.

APC said while the PDP, “ever steeped in the pursuit of lies,” presents the recently released

Jonathan

data on job creation and economic growth as 'clear signals' that President Muhammadu Buhari is failing Nigerians, “the disgraced party mischievously omitted the fact that those numbers are basically a manifestation of the disastrous final days of President Jonathan’s failed economic policies.| He continued: ''The PDP omitted the fact that these numbers measure job creation and economic growth for the second quarter of 2015, which covers April to June 2015, a period in which President Jonathan was in office for two months while President Buhari was only just settling in to discover even more of the mess left for him to clear. No one in his or her right mind will hold someone more accountable for actions in just one month and exonerate another who was in the same office for two months. ''Since the PDP has become insular to global events, the APC will also like to educate the party that every country in the world is struggling to adjust to the effects of a global downturn at the moment. Only very few countries, if any, are growing as fast as they did, in say two years ago. From China, India, Russia, South Africa, to Ghana, Malaysia and Brazil, every country is feeling the effects of a sustained slowdown in global growth. ''The APC will also like to categorically say that it supports the policies of the CBN in its quest to ensure greater transparency in the Forex market and eliminate currency substitution in our economy. The CBN’s policy to stop cash deposits of foreign currency is in line with global best practices and has led to a drastic reduction in the BDC exchange rate for the Dollar, the party said.

It commended Nigerians for showing absolute understanding and faith in the leadership of President Buhari to change the way that Nigeria has been misruled in the last 16 years, and assured that, in the days ahead, the painstaking efforts of the President will manifest even more than Nigerians have already witnessed.

The PDP, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. said it expects the present administration to be serious about the fight against corruption by ensuring that all corrupt persons are brought to book, especially those who, as major beneficiaries of corruption and sleazes associated with themselves and their allies, believe they now are now safe, as members of the APC. The party stressed further that it has noted the deliberate resort to diversionary blackmail and overused excuses by President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government to shy away from providing answers to the salient issue of unprecedented damage it has done to the nation’s economy in its 90 days in office.

The opposition party noted that APC and the Buhari-led government, rather than hide their heads in shame for poor performance in the last 90 days that has resulted in the sudden economic retrogression, the worst ever experienced by the nation, have continued to grope and look for excuses.

According to the PDP statement, "discerning minds were appalled that instead of providing answers to issues of economic retrogression, the Presidency and the APC have resorted to wild allegations and insults to attempt to cover their ineptitude and divert attention from their list of bogus prom-

ises which they have no intention to fulfill.

“The PDP has severally expressed its support for a holistic fight against corruption and we have challenged the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute all corrupt persons irrespective of ethnic and political affiliations. We are therefore appalled that instead of getting serious with the challenges of governance, the APC is bent on inventing excuse for its crass incompetence to create and manage wealth, to the detriment of the nation.

“We challenge the APC and the Presidency to be honest enough to respond to issues instead of resorting to propaganda. Is the so-called mess clearing an answer for the adamant stance of the APC and President Buhari in running a government without a cabinet and precise fiscal policy direction, a strange totalitarian approach that have taken serious toll on the economy and the polity in general?

“Is it an answer to the resort to constitutional violations, abuse of financial regulations, halting of development projects and the pervading uncertainty that resulted in the retarding of domestic and foreign direct investments with attendant avoidable losses to Nigerians?

“What has the APC and the Presidency to say to the official report by the National Bureau of Statistics that while they are busy celebrating imaginary achievements, the economy is running aground with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plunging with about 2.35%, with job creation dropping by 69 percent under their watch?

“Are we not already experiencing the consequences of abuse of rules such as the foisting of foreign exchange transaction restrictions in violation of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring And Miscellaneous Provisions Act, otherwise known as Decree No. 17 of 1995?

“What is the APC-led government’s answer to the report by Fitch Rating, which alerted that Nigerian banks and other businesses in the sector are now at risk following the economic slowdown occasioned by the incompetence of the President Buhari-led APC government? “Why have the government and the APC refused to provide answers to the recent depleting of funds inherited from the previous administration without recourse to appropriate statutory arms of government, while no corresponding improvement has been witnessed in the economy?

8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Politics

Æ sNasir el-Rufai: Saint or Sinner?

He saved N1.2 billion in two months – Uba Sani UBA SANI, one of the former Special Advisers to former President Olusegun Obasanjo is now the Special Adviser, Political to Governor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State. Sani had served El-Rufai as one of his political aides when he was the FCT minister. In this interview, he bared his mind on El-Rufai’s policies condemned by some people and lauded the performance of his principal which he said saved over N2billion in two months for the state. He described measures taken by the Governor so far as people oriented programme and painted the picture of critics of his principal as people seeking cheap publicity. VICTOR JIBRIN was there. EXCERPTS:

Recently Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s policies, particularly his resolve to demolish and recover government properties that have been occupied by some individuals is creating a lot of tension in Kaduna State. What is the true situation now?

I think the issue of recovering some lands that belong to schools and hospitals in the state is a very straight forward one. You will recall that during the campaign, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i promised he was going to make six things his priority, namely education,

health, agriculture, infrastructure, security, youth and women empowerment. These sectors are the most important issues for this government. That is the reason why when he assumed office we believed education, which is the bed rock of any society, should be given full attention. So, he decided to first of all create an enabling environment for our secondary school students in the state. To get a full picture of the situation, we went round all the secondary schools and even some primary CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Uba Sani

His attitude to govt is inhuman – Shehu Sani SHEHU SANI, a Human Rights activist in Nigeria, is a Senator representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly. In this interview with VICTOR JIBRIN, he bemoans the situation of Nigeria and of course the action of his state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as it affects the people. While endorsing the approach of President Buhari towards addressing the economic and security problems facing the country and pledged the resolve of the Senate to partner with the presidency in the onerous task of cleaning up the mess, the embittered Senator viewed the demolition of housing infrastructure in Kaduna with condemnation, a development which he described as inhuman. EXCERPTS: Now that the dust arising from conflict of interest in the National Assembly has settled down, how prepared is the senate to settle down for business?

It is an atmosphere of calmness in the senate now. Nigerians are expecting much from the national assembly in terms of performance of our functions and most importantly, the role the senate can play in the change agenda of President Muhammodu Buhari’s administration. Nigerians have voted for change and they expected change in their lives - change in the political sphere, change in the economic and social spheres.

We are coming from a 16 years journey of corruption, waste, ineptitude and so the Buhari administration is confronted with a number of challenges as could be seen in insurgency in the north eastern part of Nigeria and pervasive corruption all over the country. The national assembly will work in tandem with the executive to ensure the reconstruction of Nigeria and also to ensure that our government lives up to expectations of the common people.

From his antecedent, the dream of President Buhari is to reconstruct the economy of Nigeria. For posterity, how prepared is the national assembly to assist him realizing this

el-Rufai dream?

Well, the national assembly’s agenda is the agenda of Mr. President. First of all therefore, ours is to help him do his job diligently by ensuring honest and sincere performance of our oversight functions and to make laws for

Shehu Sani good governance in Nigeria. We also hope to partner with the executive arm of the state to see to the smooth running of governors.

And like I said, we will perform our oversight functions to ensure that the government is accountable in terms of what it does and

what it should do. The national assembly as it is today is not a collection of saints and angels but there are appreciable number of men and women of principle and vision who have been tested and trusted over the years. Consequently, I am of the belief that

the 8th national assembly will be fundamentally different from the 7th national assembly. For the basic fact that the leadership of the country has changed, there is a new spirit, new order, new thinking and new dream for a new Nigeria.

None of you (both old and new members) in the national assembly is new to the problems of Nigeria socio-economically. With the change occasioned by the last general elections, it is the dream of Nigerians that Nigeria bounces back again. What are the enabling laws in the making for investors to make their impacts in the reconstruction drive of this administration?

What we need to understand is that Nigeria’s economy is facing a lot of challenges. With the dwindling oil price leading to declining of the nation’s oil revenue and the very fact that we are heavily indebted as a nation, the challenge before the new administration requires serious efforts towards rescuing our Naira, increase our foreign reserve and diversifying our economy. The senate have noted and observed the dire situation of Nigeria’s economy. So far, a motion has been raised on the need to rescue our Naira which includes CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

9 Politics

el-Rufai has no human heart – Shehu Sani CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

conceiving and implementing innovative economic ideas that will put our economy back to shape and give our country a sense of economic direction. When we are back from recess, the issue of diversifying our economy will be in the front burner. We will advise the federal government on how to block all the loopholes that have continued to drain our economy and paralyze this country.

Some Nigerians are of the opinion that privatization of government owned concerns carried out over the years have not lived up to expectation.

What is your reaction?

Privatization has been a very controversial issue in the sense that there are many people who think that without privatization the economy will not run. Those with this school of thought are those on political right and those who believe in capitalist policies that will see to private ownership and divestment of government interest in business, commerce and industry. To me, I believe that the state has a role to play in terms of controlling and protecting our economy with a view to giving the country a sense of economic direction. Privatization in Nigeria has simply become a wholesale auction of a collection of our national assets to a very few individuals. You can see what happened in the oil industry. They collected licenses to build refineries and for over a decade, they have refused to do so, rather they are waiting for federal government... so that they can buy at a giveaway price. Now they have taken over the distri-

el-Rufai bution of power, yet the promise to improve electricity supply by those who took over the business has not come to fruition. What I can say in this sense is that we are still young an economy to open ourselves to the outside world.

The Nigeria economy needs to be protected. We cannot open our economy for persons from outside to come here and loot us. When you check all those who are called foreign investors in Nigeria, they are mostly those who came over to this country without any kobo.

When they come, they just go to our bank to collect loans to invest and then pack away the profit

Shehu Sani back to their country. Most of them are involved in business that adds no value to our technological drive. Many of them run bakery, restaurant and gym and then call it foreign investment. Even importers of cars are called foreign investors. Look, for a meaningful growth and development, we need to protect our automobile industry, textile industry and construction firms. We can open up for expertise and foreign capital.

However, we must not allow our country to be continuously raped by multinational who do not add value to our economy and our lives.

It appears you are in agreement with some Nigerians that are viewing the already privatized companies with condemnation. Thus, will you consider revisiting the exercise with a view to taking them back again?

Yes. I agree that we recover all our properties sold outrageously.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is going to recover all the stolen assets. Assets that were fraudulently privatized should be recovered. We sold our NITEL at a give a way price. We sold the distribution aspect of our electricity supply without even the company

adding one transformer. From experience therefore, we must not sell our refineries. We must recover our collective heritage/ assets. Most privatizations were simply done to sell up public firms to families and friends of people in position of authority or political power.

Our major problem why we are not succeeding as expected in this country has nothing to do with human and material resources but corruption. Why do you think some people are afraid of capital punishment which is believed to be the only solution to this problem hampering our growth?

Political orientation in the last two decades of Nigeria is that in which people categorize public service as self service whereby people see public office as an opportunity for self enrichment and aggrandizement. The Muhammadu Buhari administration is a new thinking, new spirit and a new direction for Nigeria and Nigerians. People voted him-in because of his incorruptibility and the belief that he has the spirit and the capacity to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. We cannot make any meaningful progress and achieve anything much without in anyway taking positive actions that will better the lots of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Are you therefore subscribing to capital punishment against corruption?

I am not sure I can subscribe to capital punishment. I am not talking as a senator or public commentator but I am talking to you as a former prisoner who has been to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

el-Rufai, the Messiah Kaduna needs – Uba Sani CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

schools too. You see, government’s effort was to ensure that our children have the best education this time around. We realized that the first thing we needed to do was to give them a very conducive environment.

Though the government has started making positive impact in many other areas, nobody is talking about them. People were busy making a lot of noise on the demolition. I expected people to commend the government on some of the things we have started doing, that are positive when it comes to educational development in the state.

What are some of these things you are talking about?

As I speak to you now, nobody is talking about the move by the government of Nasiru El-Rufai to provide all the junior and senior secondary school children in the state with free and customized Tablets (computers). The Tablets will have all schools’ syllabus, WAEC past questions and answers, text books ranging from English, Mathematics, and Sciences to Social studies and so on. Again, nobody is also talking about free uniforms. They are not talking about the free education that this government has introduced from primary to Junior Secondary School. They are not talking about the free feeding for

Uba Sani

primary school that we are about to start. We realized that the state also needs quality teachers; so after providing them with these things, they need to have quality teachers and in doing that, the government has decided to send the teachers for training and increase their salaries, which will be one of the best in the country.

Besides that, when we visited some of the primary schools in the state we discovered that in most schools’ pupils sat on bare floor, during school hours. No chairs, no tables. But as I talk to you now, we are working hard to see that all the primary schools in the state have chairs and tables when they resume in September. Most importantly we

have recorded tremendous success in the area of security in the State.

Before we came on board, Cattle Rustling was rampant. There were mysterious politically-motivated killing in many parts of this state.

Now crime rate is going down seriously. Insecurity has been reduced to the barest minimum because you now have leader who is more sensitive to the problems of his people. You now have a leader with viable solutions to the challenges of insecurity in Kaduna State.

Many of our so-called critics do not want to comment on insecurity because they would have no concrete criticism to make.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Critics are seeking cheap publicity – Uba sani CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

What specific challenges did you discover while going round Secondary schools in Kaduna?

If you visit most secondary schools in Kaduna State today, you will see private houses almost attached to school dormitories and some people also built their houses right inside school premises. In our days, we excelled because we had a conducive learning environment.

Are these problems in both private and public schools?

No. All these anomalies happen only in the public schools. You cannot find it in private schools, and we are therefore determined to clear this mess. Taking all these things into consideration, the governor promised that he was going to provide all these facilities and create a conducive environment in our public schools to give the children of the poor a sense of belonging. The governor’s idea is to provide equal opportunity for the children of poor to excel in life by having qualitative education in Kaduna State. The governor promised that he will make sure the children of the poor have the same facilities in their public schools as obtainable in the best private schools in the country. That has always been his dream and his manifesto during the campaign and he is set to achieve that. So, he decided to take this tough decision.

It was surprising when people were complaining about the demolition at the school in Zaria. The truth of the matter is that we have been to the school and if you go there you will discover that some people just went into the school premises

el-Rufai and erected buildings of all types; without minding the negative effect that their action would have on those learning in that school.

Obviously, the danger is that you cannot restrict the influx of visitors to the school premises at odd hours, because of the people living in the premises. This kind of thing does not happen at the private schools because they regulate entrance into the school premises and that gives the children enough time to concentrate on their studies. Now, we are saying enough is enough. Remember, it is not just about the governor but his determination to support less-privileged children in order to have access to good education.

But as the governor tries to achieve this, very few but vocal people have embarked on campaign of calumny, trying to discredit the gov-

Uba sani ernor by misinforming the general public about the good intention of the governor. They deliberately refused to mention the reasons behind their actions. Take for example, the issue of Alhudahuda College in Zaria. Even before the governor took the decision to demolish those houses, some of the ex-students of that school led by people like Hakeem Baba Ahmed had once gone to the media and complained about the massive encroachment of the school premises. The same thing happened with Rimi College, Government College etc. The people of Kaduna have complained severally in the past but none of the past governors had the political will to do the right thing, to save the children in those schools. It was so because none of them took education as their priority.

The public is somehow confused that those opposing your government policies are members of your party, the All Progressives Party (APC). What would you say is responsible for this?

I think anybody whether in APC or any other party who decides to attack the government’s intention in implementing this programme that is purely aimed at helping the children of the less-privileged to have good education, may be basically because his children are not even schooling in this country talk-less of being in the public schools. All these people making noise, I can bet that their children are not in public schools. Their children are in private schools; some are even abroad, so they don’t care about what happens to the children of the poor.

They are only talking because they want to score cheap political points but I am sure that the general public has understood their agenda and nobody will believe their stories because they have nothing to lose; but we have, we are in government and we have responsibility to help the poor and the less-privileged and we know what our people want and the government of Nasir El-Rufai is ready to provide those services to the people.

A prominent member of the APC in the state once accused Governor El-Rufai of implementing programmes that are anti-masses in the state; that the governor stopped Ramadan feeding, sharing of essential commodities during festivities; cancelled government sponsorship of Muslims’ and Christians’ pilgrims to holy lands in Mecca and Jerusalem respectively.

What is your take on this?

Whoever is saying that is just being mischievous. Let me tell you something. Yes, we were voted in by the masses of this state, precisely the beggars, hawkers, the physically-challenged and the general public but it is not the intention of Nasir El-Rufai to leave them in the situation we met them. These comments are nothing but mischievous. What they are saying is that we should allow the beggars to continue begging till the end of their lives, but if you ask them whether they would want their children to go begging, they will tell you no. I challenge anybody who is saying we should allow these people to continue begging, to tell me whether their own children are begging.

el-Rufai’s attitude to government is inhuman – Shehu Sani CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

prison and lived with people who were condemned to death. So, I have to be very cautious about recommending capital punishment until our judicial system is reformed to see that those who will go to prison are those who are actually guilty of the offence against them. We can’t do a lot about corruption in that direction but we need to stop it and to do that, we need to block all loopholes that will become crack to which corrupt people can exploit. Secondly, we must also ensure accountability in the way we run government and institutions of government.

This is very much necessary.

Thirdly, once we have effective anticorruption agencies and even the police, many things will fall in

line. Our judicial system should be reformed in such a way that issues of corruption will be given serious attention but at the same time there is the need to observe the fundamental right of accused as guaranteed by our constitution.

Last time the presidency came up with the issue of reconstructing the north east destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents, there were divided opinions. What is your position on this issue?

We did discussed it extensively when a motion was d about the situation in the north east. What we have generally agreed was that there should be some relieves for victims but war and reconstruction cannot go hand and hand because as you are rebuilding one bridge, another one is blown up

and then you continue to rebuild it. In this case, we said the first order is to restore peace and order in the north east after which we can talk of reconstruction. We cannot pump in money for reconstruction while war is going on there. I think that is not the best.

Today, you are wearing two caps. By virtue of your elective position, you are a chieftain of APC in Kaduna State and a household name human right activist. How will you react to developments in Kaduna in the wake of El-Rufai administration as affects the people, particularly in the area of demolition of housing infrastructure?

My position is an ideological one. If you come into government, there are a number of things you need to do. Such things include

education, health, economic empowerment, infrastructural facilities, security, transportation and housing accommodation etc. but why must demolition be the first priority? If you want to demolish houses of people, you need to verify the authenticity of how they got such places. From there, you also need to think of compensation or providing alternative place where they will live. Every house accommodates at least a father, mother, children and other dependants.

And so, Governance should have human face. El-Rufai’s attitude to government is inhuman. It is without human face. He parades himself as someone who has brain but he doesn’t have human heart. In my own thinking, we were voted in by the masses of our poor people and Kaduna is

not an advanced state like Abuja.

Nigeria of 2015 is not Nigeria at 2007. Most people you see with their houses now is not because they are rich. Most of them spent their last card to have a roof over their head. That is why his agenda of demolition attracted public outrage and anger against him. I have also publicly spoken against him so that clearly, the masses of the people will know where I stand and where he stands. It doesn’t matter whether we are in the same party. In fact, APC should be a party where people are publicly free to speak. We are not a cult organization whereby you have taken blood oath not to speak, say what you see and not to criticize anybody. We are in an open political party whereby it democratizes people to air their views.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

11 Politics

Appointments: Buhari has not violated Federal Character principles – Member, Federal Character Commission

President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to probe the administration of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has been described as a right step in the right direction. In this interview, a former member of the House of Representatives who is now a Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State on the board of the Federal Character Commission representing Ondo State on the board, Hon. Abayomi Sheba, implored Nigerians not to misconstrue the intention of the president which he said was designed to promote probity and accountability in governance. Excerpts: As a member of the Federal Character Commission, what is your reaction to appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari because some people felt the appointments were lopsided in favour of a section of the country?

So far, the President has acted well as an experienced administrator by going for the best hands. The appointment of Service Chiefs were purely based on merit. It was devoid of political considerations and ethnic or primordial cleavages. He has not acted contrary to the laws of the land because, less than five per cent of the available appointments has been filled.

Even as it is, there is no geopolitical zone that is not represented. By the time all the appointments are harvested and made, no state in the Federation will be left without representation.

Has the President breached any provision of the law on appointments made so far?

Not yet, because appointment into all the available vacancies in the present administration has not been concluded. Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies”. This section was amplified by the provisions in Part 1 (C) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended and made justiceable by the Federal Character Commission (Establishment ,etc.) Act Cap F7 LFN 2004. Ministers , Executive Directors, Board members , etc. are yet to be appointed. Consequently it will preposterous to draw any conclusion now.

Abayomi Sheba How can fears of the people be allayed that the President has not shown bias in his actions regarding appointment?

The fears of our people can only be allayed by the President through strict adherence to the letters of the 1999 Constitution as amended and all the extant rules and laws that governs appointment to public office in Nigeria. As I said earlier, the President is not a novice, he knows the law and I am sure he will apply it as it is and not as it ought to be.

How can the present crisis rocking the National Assembly be amicably resolved?

My appeal to the principal actors and all the dramatis personae in the National Assembly imbroglio is for them to toe the path of constitutionality and respect the supremacy of the Political Parties that sponsored them. There is no provision yet in our constitution for independent candidacy. Hence the parties must be respected

Buhari as it’s the norm in advanced democracy. Take for instance in South Africa, Thabo Mbeki was asked to step down as President by his party, the ANC, and he complied. Parties should be strengthened so that they can maintain discipline.

How can the present crisis rocking the National Assembly be amicably resolved?

The time to work hard is now.

They must forget all the bickering and move on with the job they are elected to do. To whom much is given, much is expected. There are so much to be done. We need laws to tackle corruption, insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, etc. The electorates are tired of the infighting in the House.

They should get back to the business they are elected to do and that is legislating for good governance and the well being of Nigeria.

What is your reaction to the President’s failure to constitute cabinet more than two months after assuming

office?

The President has not breached any law on this. I am sure that he’s taking his time to have a full grasp of what is on ground before assigning roles to people. When President Obama was first elected, it took him almost seven months before appointing his cabinet. Ditto President Yar’adua in 2007 appointed his ministers almost three months after inauguration. It is better to understand fully what’s on ground before constituting the cabinet than coming in with wrong people.

In any case, the President has promised to do this in September. So let’s wait for him. Nigeria this time around deserves the best.

The president has declared his intention to probe the immediate past administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, what is your view on this?

If we must reckon with what we are reading about the last administration on the social media, I think the era must be

probed. How would Ministers be stealing over one million barrels of crude oil per day? If it’s true, it’s scandalous and cruel.

The probe should however be targeted at recovery of our stolen wealth and patrimony.

Culprits should be punished according to the laws of the land to serve as deterrent to others.

Salaries and allowances of the nation’s lawmaker have been described as outrageous with some people suggesting a slash in the salaries, what is your opinion on this?

On salaries of NASS members, sincerely speaking nothing is wrong or outrageous with the salaries as proposed by RMFAC. The problem is the bogus allowances injected into the budget when preparing the budget. This must be discouraged by this administration. Nigeria must rise again, because change has come.

What is your advice to the president regarding the issue of corruption, how can it be checkmated?

We must be able to identify the holes and leakages in the system and plug them. While I urge the President to reward hardwork, industry and good behavior, sanctions must be meted out to any act of impunity and any antisocial acts. We must also strengthen all the anti corruption agencies in the land, and review outdated anticorruption laws.

The recent bail-out to states by the federal government has been attracting mixed reactions, what is your view on it?

It’s a right step in the right direction. Kudos to Mr President.

Even Greece was given lifeline recently by the EU. So nothing is wrong with that. But it’s important that States must make judicious use of the money and it must not be diverted. It must be used for the purpose which it was granted. States must also diversify their Internally Generated Revenue mechanism so that they will not always go cap in hand to the federal government.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Graft suspect, Audu wins APC Kogi guber ticket Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏFormer

Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on Sunday received the nod of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek a return to the office he had occupied twice.

He is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged contract scams totaling N10 billion.

After a landslide victory at the election primaries of the party, Audu pledged to repeat the feat at the com-

ing election in the state.

He also pledged to run an all-inclusive government and invest in critical infrastructure for the benefits of the state.

In the result of the primaries, declared by the chief returning officer and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Audu polled 1,109 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alh. Yahaya Bello who scored 703.

Audu was governor of the state from 1991 to 1992 and from 1999 to 2003, on the platforms of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party,

(ANPP) respectively.

He later made three unsuccessful attempts to stage a comeback to the office, called the Lugard House.

Earlier in his address, el-Rufai commended both delegates and aspirants for their peaceful conduct and urged them to sustain the tempo.

He called on Audu to ensure that he harmonises his position with other aspirants who contested with him to ensure victory for the party in the November governorship election.

Congratulating Audu on behalf of other aspirants,

Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who came second, promised their loyalty to the party, assuring that they would work as team to ensure victory for the party and the candidate.

On March 7 this year, an Abuja High Court admitted the testimony of a banker, Uchenna Agagara, in evidence against Audu, in the corruption trial.

Agagara, who was a prosecution witness, told the trial judge, Justice Adegbola Adeniyi, that “several millions of naira totaling about N926 million” was lodged into the Diamond Bank account of

Leader of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Umar Gulani (right); Mr Kopshak Gomwalk (middle) and Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Al-Hassan Barde during the ground breaking ceremony and contractual handing over of the site in Shendam LGA of Plateau… at the weekend

Bulkom Nigeria limited, “between May 29, 2001 and July 23,2003” when Audu was Governor of the state.

The EFCC also accuses Audu of stealing money from the First Bank account of the Directorate of Rural Development of the state and was lodging it into the Diamond bank

Plc account of Bulkom Nigeria Ltd, a company alleged to have handled most of building projects during his tenure.

Audu is being prosecuted alongside a former Director General of the Directorate of Rural Development in his administration, Alfa Ibn Mustapha.

FG to review import policy on rice, fish, others ÏÏÏThe

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mr. Sonny Echono, has said that within the next three years, the Federal Government will review the import policy on staple food items such as rice, fish and wheat into the country.

Echono, who disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Uju HassanBaba, described the current import policy on staple foods as “unfavourable,” adding that it would ensure that Nigeria was self-sufficient in food production before the restriction of the importation of these food items.

According to a statement from the ministry on Sunday, Echono said, “the ministry would in the next three years seek the review of the current unfavour-

able policy by the Federal Government which allows the importation of staple food items such as rice, wheat and fish into the country.”

He also stressed the need to link Nigerian farmers to the market, adding that it was one of the critical factors that would determine productivity and incomes of farmers as well as promote exports through value addition.

The statement noted that the ministry and the NIPC had resolved to partner in the promotion of strategic investments in the agricultural sector.

Echono underscored the need for attraction of more investments in the sector and explained that Nigeria had comparative advantage in the development of agricultural sector in view of its vast arable land, huge population and markets.

Continued on page 16

Jonathan’s ex-ministers, FG trade tackles over performance, anti-graft war Continued from page 6 of the Government Integrated Financial Management Platform, The Single Treasury Account (TSA), and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Management Systems (IPPIS), in addition to the biometric registration of civil servants and pensioners which saved the country over N100 billion paid to ghost workers and ghost pensioners.

“To ensure greater transparency and integrity in the oil and gas sector, the Jonathan administration ordered

investigations and put mechanisms in place to check the theft of Nigeria’s crude oil. It was also under the Jonathan administration that a Nigerian Content policy was introduced, which opened up that sector to Nigerians in a manner that was not previously the case.

It was also the Jonathan administration that mobilized and secured the support of our neighbouring countries to ensure a robust multinational response to the menace of terrorism and insurgency, resulting in notable advancements in the fight

against terror. President Jonathan personally initiated the collaboration that led to these advancements and ensured that Nigeria provided the needed financial support for the Multinational Joint Task Force.

“It was the Jonathan administration that repaired and rehabilitated over 25, 000 kilometres of our nation’s roads.

Nigeria also became a profitable and preferred investment-friendly destination. It was under President Jonathan, for example, that Nigeria’s electric power sector be-

came more competitive and attractive to local and foreign investments.

“The same administration promoted the rule of law, free speech, fundamental human rights, and a robust freedom of information regime. Women’s rights to participate in public life and the Federal Character principle as well as other Constitutional principles were also respected. In every respect, our administration promoted inclusive governance and encouraged all stakeholders including the private sector to play key roles in the transfor-

mation of Nigeria.

It should also not be forgotten that the Jonathan administration strengthened electoral institutions and created a peaceful environment for democracy to thrive. On this score, it is sad and ironic that the chief beneficiaries of that same legacy are the most vociferous today in condemning President Jonathan and his team.

“Perhaps the new administration and the APC would be sincere enough to publish the details of the hand over notes they received.

“In addition, the Buhari

administration should be fair enough to acknowledge the good works of the Jonathan administration.

No administration can be either completely bad or completely good.

“President Jonathan’s achievements in moving this country to greater heights deserve to be duly acknowledged. We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to build on these achievements.

“We also urge him to press on with the anti-corruption fight, but in a fair and non-partisan manContinued on page 16

13 International

Daily Times Nigeria Monday August 31, 2015

38 girls, women killed in Swaziland auto crash

Dead bodies on the back of a truck near Swaziland's capital Mbabane on Saturday after tens of girls and young women were killed in a crash while traveling to a famous traditional festival Friday.

ÏÏÏ At least 38 girls and young women were killed in a crash while travelling to a famous traditional festival in Swaziland, a rights group said on Saturday.

About 20 others were injured when the truck they were in collided with another vehicle on Friday, the Swaziland Solidarity

Network said in a statement. The young women and girls were allegedly travelling on the back of an open truck, the rights group said.

Police in Swaziland, a small mountainous country of 1.4 million people bordering northeastern South Africa and Mozam-

bique, discouraged reporting on the accident, said the group. Photographers were prevented from taking pictures at the scene, said a Swazi journalist who insisted on anonymity for security reasons.

A high-ranking police officer contacted by The Associated

Press refused to comment, saying the matter was related to the ``highest authority,'' and so no details could be disclosed to the media.

"You don't hide a death,'' said Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the Swaziland Solidarity Network. Members of the Swaziland Defense Force alerted the rights group to the accident, Lukhele said, adding that he expected the death toll to rise.

The females were travelling on a highway between the Swazi cities of Mbabane and Manzini, when the truck carrying them smashed into another vehicle and was then hit in the rear by a second truck, the Times of Swaziland reported.

"We were about 50 on board the first truck that smashed into the Toyota van,'' said Siphelele Sigudla, 18, a survivor quoted by the Times of Swaziland.

The girls and young women were on their way to the Swazi king's royal residence for the annual reed dance. About 40,000 participate in the eight-day ceremony in which they sing and dance, often bare-breasted, as they bring reeds to reinforce the windbreak around the royal residence, a government website said.

Tropical storm Erika kills at least 20 in Dominica

ÏÏÏ

A tropical storm heading across the Caribbean has killed at least 20 people on the island of Dominica, with dozens more missing.

Tropical Storm Erika caused floods and mudslides that have set the country back 20 years, its prime minister said.

Erika later hit the Dominican Republic and Haiti with high winds and heavy rain but experts said it was weakening.

A state of emergency has been declared in the US state of Florida, where the storm is expected on Sunday.

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a televised address late on Friday that hundreds of homes, bridges and roads

S’ Sudan rebels accuse army of violating ceasefire

had been destroyed.

Media caption Tropical Storm Erika has brought heavy rain and flooding to the eastern Caribbean and there's more to come. Darren Bett reports.

He said: "It is with heavy heart that I address you, you can well imagine the hell that it has been for me since I heard of the passing of Tropical Storm Erika and the damage it has done to our dear people and beloved country. But we all have to pull ourselves together.

"The extent of the devastation is monumental. We have, in essence, to rebuild Dominica."

Mr Skerrit asked residents to share their resources as foreign aid trickled in.

"This is a period of national

ÏÏÏ

South Sudan rebels on Sunday accused the army of violating a ceasefire, just hours after it came into effect, by bombarding their positions along the White Nile river.

"A military convoy, two barges, seven gunboats has been moving from Bor to Panijar. Whenever they see our positions on the banks, they shell," said rebel spokesperson Dickson Gatluak

tragedy,'' he said.

"Floods swamped villages, destroyed homes and wiped out roads. Some communities are no longer recognisable."

At least 31 people on the island of 72,000 people have been reported missing, according to officials with the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency.

Island resident Shirley James said electricity and water supplies were gradually being restored but shops were still closed.

"We could see the utter devastation as we made our way through river debris, rockslides and landslides on the way to collect water," she said.

"Driving into town is now pos-

sible but not advisable."

In Puerto Rico, Erika knocked out power to at least 150 people. It caused more than $16m (£10m) of damage to crops including plantain, bananas and coffee, AP reported.

"The cessation of hostilities started at midnight on Saturday but the government has broken it.

They are not committed to it," he added.

The spokesman added that the rebels would on Monday report the situation to the regional eightnation IGAD bloc which helped broker the pact.

Neither the South Sudanese government nor the army were imme-

diately available for comment.

President Salva Kiir on Wednesday signed a peace accord, already signed by the rebel chief Riek Machar.

The ceasefire aimed at ending a brutal civil war in South Sudan came into effect on Saturday evening, hours after fresh clashes between government forces and rebels, which sparked concern for the hard-won peace deal.

Skerrit

Six dead, dozens hurt in Saudi fire

ÏÏÏAt least six people were killed

and 105 injured in Saudi Arabia on Sunday when a fire broke out at a residential complex housing employees of oil giant Saudi Aramco, authorities said.

The fire started in the basement of a tower in the eastern city of Khobar, the kingdom's civil defence said on Twitter.

It added that several of the injured were in "critical condition" and that the casualties were from "various nationalities," without giving details.

Photographs published on the civil defence website showed plumes of black smoke rising from the windows of one of the buildings.

Authorities said that residents of nearby towers were evacuated as helicopters took part in the firefighting operations. Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company in terms of crude production and exports, released a statement confirming the fire at the residential complex, adding that the incident was being investigated.

35 workers killed in air raid on Yemeni factory ÏÏÏAbout 35 workers were killed

in a Saudi-led coalition air strike on Sunday on a factory in a northern Yemeni town, medical officials said.

Officials said the air strike hit a drinking water factory in Abas, in the north-western Hajja province, which is controlled by Houthi rebels.

Coalition airstrikes also hit a military base and a technical school in the town, the officials said, but all those present in the factory were civilians.

Saudi Arabia and mainly Gulf Arab allies have been pursuing an air campaign against the Houthis since March in support of President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, who is currently based in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Rights groups have criticised the Saudi campaign for what they say are repeated strikes in or near populated areas.

The Houthis and the loose alliance of militias who oppose them on the ground have also been accused of indiscriminate shelling of residential areas.

The strike came as reinforcements of pro-Hadi troops supplied by the coalition with tanks and artillery were reported to have arrived in the province of Marib, east of the Houthi-controlled capital.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Tribunal admits more exhibits against Amosun as Isiaka, PDP call final witness

Turkish investors express business interest in Aba

Segun Adio

Sunday Nwakanma

ÏÏÏNot minding stiff

opposition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State State, the State Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital on Saturday granted an application seeking to tender more exhibits.

Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka had approached the tribunal challenging the victory of Amosun which they said was

fraught with irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws. The Petitioners wanted elections in 9 local councils cancelled and declared Isiaka the winner of the election.

The applications, dated 18th August, 2015 was brought pursuant to section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and paragraphs 41 (8), 45 (4)(5) of First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010.

Among other prayers, the application sought an order granting leave to the Petitioners to file and use as evidence to maintain the Petition, the Sworn Witness State-

ment of last witness, Benjamin Ibikunle and Report of Inspection of election materials carried out on the order of the Tribunal.

Opposing the application, Counsels to the 1st - 3rd Respondents, Dr Olumide Ayeni, George Oyeniyi and Oluwajare Ogunnaike respectively said the witness was not listed amongst the witnesses to be called and that allowing the application would amount to amending the substantive petition through the back door.

In his reply, Counsel to the petitioners Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) said the Tribunal would be over ruling itself since it was the same

court which granted the order of the inspection.

Sighting Omidiran vs Etteh, 2011 and Aregbesola vs Oyinlola, 20019, Oyeyipo also submitted that the evidence and facts obtained in the course of the inspection were necessary to be brought before the court to maintain the substantive petition.

While granting the application, Chairman of the three man panel, Justice Henry Olusiyi maintained that the Tribunal was satisfied with all facts put before it by the Petitioners adding that the case of amending the petition does not arise.

IEDPU disburses N1m bursary to 120 indigent students Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (middle); Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (3rd left); his wife, Mrs. Okowa; Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left); Sen. James Manager (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs. Manager during the burial ceremony of Sen. Manager's father, Pa Manager Emiemokumor at Ogbein-Ama town, Bomadi L.G.A., Delta State… at the weekend.

MMIA Customs generate N20b in six months Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏ•The

Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service disclosed at the weekend that it has generated over N20.111 billion as revenue from its operations between January and July 2015.

Apart from the huge revenue collection for the last six months, the Lagos airport command of Nigeria Customs Service also said it collected over N5.209 billion in the month of July being the highest revenue collected by the airport unit since its formation .

The public relations officer of the Lagos Airport Command, Thelma Williams disclosed this in an interview in Lagos .

Williams said First Bank Nigeria Plc has been designated as the bank for the collection of import

duty which is processed using the Passenger Electronic Baggage Entry System ( PEBES) .

The duty payable, she said is calculated based on the tendered invoice value of some items.

Williams said over N179 ,326,833.00 million have been collected by the Command at the international wing of the Lagos airport between January and July 2015 as revenue accruals on informal trade alone.

The huge amount she said would have been lost save for the devotion and eagle eyes of Customs officers deployed at the arrival halls of the Lagos International Airport.

Williams said the huge revenue capture was achieved as evidence of the diligence and hard work of officers and men of the command in the period under review .

She attributed the huge revenue as part of ongoing reforms as well as the diligence of officers of the MMIA command in the discharge of their responsibilities as it affects trade facilitation duty collection and the enforcement of prohibition .

The stride by the Airport Customs Command , Williams said will be sustained with the cooperation of stakeholders in the aviation and allied sector, just as the she urged industry players to partner with Customs to achieve its goal of trade facilitation and revenue generation for the nation .

She clarified that where invoices are not available for this collection passengers are referred to the valuation unit where imports are assessed using valid data in the system.

Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union (IEDPU), Central zone yesterday awarded bursary to 120 indigent students in Ilorin Emirate.

Yesterday's event was the first phase of the IEDPU's bursary scheme with a total budget of N2million.

The sum of N1million was distributed to indigent final year students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions to help them finance their project works or pay SSCE fees.

Speaking at the event, IEDPU national president, Alh. AbdulHamid Adi said the union has earmarked N3million for educational development of the Emirate.

He said the sum of N1million was distributed to five community schools owned by the union as grant in aid to improve their infrastructure.

"The remaining sum of N2million was allocated to the four zones of the union to be distributed as bursary to indigent students in their areas of jurisdiction,"he stated.

He said they embarked on the scheme because of their conviction that" a well educated child through an enabling environment will not get involved in criminality and cultism, which is seriously affecting the age-long peace and harmony in our community.

The chairman of IEDPU, Central zone, Alh. M. B Olohundare thanked the parent body for magnanimously released N2million for the bursary

Umuahia

ÏÏÏA 7-man team of

investors from Turkish business community, weekend expressed their readiness to invest invest in Abia in the areas of developing an industrial city, leather and garment industries.

Speaking while on courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Umuahia, the leader of the delegation from Turkey, Mr Abdullah Basci who is the chairman of Konsaid-Konya businessmen and industrialists Association, Turkey, said that they were in the state to interact with the Abia trade mission delegates to Turkey and identify their areas of business concern before their arrival in Turkey.

He said the visit was an interaction between the Turkish group and the Abia business community as well as to meet with the privatepublic partnership and investment promotions team of the state government.

NSCDC fumes over engagement of unfit security outfit to police oil pipelines Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has kicked against engagement of unofficial security outfit for monitoring of oil pipelines in any part of the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, the Kwara state commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Augustine Obiekwe, said such forces should not even be funded by government.

This is just as the corps confirmed arrest of five oil pipeline vandals, including five vehicles with vandalised oil products along Jebba and Asa local government area between June and August 2015.

"The truth is that we don't need such forces to even be funded by government because such fund should be channelled to the regular agency like the civil defence that is created specially for antivandalism and prosecution of vandals. At best, we can use them as volunteer informants. That's just how we can use these OPC and all these unofficial hands", he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

15 Opinion

Tribute to Prof. Ade Adefuye: My real Egbon is gone

I Fidelis Anosike

t is with tears in my eyes that I pen this little farewell piece to my Daddy, my Friend and Role Model, Professor Ade Adefuye, until the final call Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

I got a call at an unusual time from Dr. Jean Bailey, in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2015. It was exactly 2.56 a.m. I looked at my phone, was too tired and sleepy to take the call.

Another call woke me up later, about an article of interest on the Business Day Oped pages. And as I was talking with a good friend he suddenly exclaimed: Adefuye is dead! It’s on TV! Wow, just like that and it sticks…

Thank GOD for a life of service as a Christian. In all things, we thank our Almighty GOD for life and for death also…

I wrote about death a while ago, when we lost our dear friend Onyeka and his family to the Dana air crash, that death can’t be a bad thing…

But how do we explain this? I spoke to His Excellency on Saturday, as I couldn’t see him when I visited Washington DC last week. He was full of life and boisterous as usual.

“Fidelis, I’m coming home soon. I hope you are ready for me…”

Late Adefuye

A man of unimpeachably good nature. A man of kindness. A true and passionately patriotic Nigerian in every sense of the word…

An accomplished teacher, diplomat and brother that could make anything happen as long as it had the capacity to foster

friendship and promote Nigeria…

A man that was ready to go to any length to EXPLAIN Nigeria...

A great Nigerian, our heritage and Goodwill Ambassador has gone to rest...

Her Excellency and the

children he left behind, please take heart, for as you know better than all of us, Ambassador Adefuye died doing what he loved - so we can say: He Died Well. And he will surely now be at the right hand and bosom of Our Lord. No words of mine or billions to follow from this can do justice to The Man, Adefuye. As a trail-blazer, a professor by his mid-20s, a teacher of men and women of repute – in your usual style, you have gone to prepare a place for YOUR people in the celestial realm; to defend us, to appeal to The Creator on our behalf, to do whatever is necessary for YOUR people to be okay.

When we lost Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, we were both so sad. Now you’re gone too.

Say me well to Amb. Ashiru, Elias Mordi Anosike and all our faithful departed, till we meet to part no more. Meanwhile, we shall protect and uphold your legacy.

GOD will surely bless you.

Good night to a damn good man.

Buhari’s appointments: Southeast should rather forget it

F

Temple Chima Ubochi

rom the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests, you cannot subvert your neighbor’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own (Carl Schurz) On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida justified the coup that removed Buhari, as the head of state, in these words: “Regrettably, it turned out that MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to issues of national significance. Efforts to make him understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria required recognition and appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual perceptions, only served to aggravate these attitudes”. One can say now, without fear of contradiction, that IBB was right then, because, Buhari has remained the same until today. Instead of Buhari defeating the Boko Haram sect within three months, as he promised he is interested in appointing only northerners into positions of authority. Ironically, the same Buhari was crying in 2003, 2007 and 2011 that the governments of those days were marginalising the north in appointments. Buhari’s conduct in office so far has been opprobrious. On fighting corrup-

tion; Buhari vowed to fight until he kills the menace before it kills Nigeria, but has got no mettle to stand up to the looters and get them into jail, because, he’s not clean himself.

During the elections campaign, some of us warned that Buhari remains an ethnic bigot who has learned nothing from his old age and experience.

Some critics called us all sorts of names. Now, Nigerians are seeing the points we were making. We noted, that Buhari has no agenda for Nigeria, and only wants to rule to settle old scores, and nobody listened. Now, Buhari has brought his vindictive and parochial tendencies to the fore. He has been ruling all alone, and had refused to appoint ministers. What he has been doing is to set one probe panel after another without a minister of justice; he set up an economic team without a minister of finance; and he has been travelling all over the world without a foreign minister. Fani Kayode has said that “NIGERIANS WANTED ‘’CHANGE’’ AND NOW WE HAVE GOT IT. NO ONE SHOULD COMPLAIN BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT OUR PEOPLE WANTED. THOSE OF US THAT WARNED THE COUNTRY THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN WERE INSULTED AND

LAMPOONED. NOW WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR CHOICE FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS”.

What is disturbing is the impunity Buhari employs in ruling Nigeria. Buhari came into office with a lot of goodwill, but, he has betrayed that. Now, plethoras of criticisms are beginning to pile up on his desk. President Buhari has made some appointments so far, but what is upsetting is the lopsidedness. When Buhari became president, some of us who opposed his candidacy based on his past records gave him the benefit of doubt. However, Buhari seems worse as a democratically elected president than as a military dictator. Why would Buhari be appointing only northerners into positions of authority in a country of 170 million people from six regions?

Now, Nigerians have started speaking out, after keeping quiet for so long in order not to be antagonistic to Buhari. Now his party, APC, is complaining the appointments that favour only northerners. Those northerners with conscience are also worried that the lopsidedness might overheat the polity and cause more harm to the government. Now, many Nigerians cannot understand whether we have a northern government or a government of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. I cannot wait to hear Buhari apologists and how they can justify this huge mistake. This is not how Nigeria will survive. In fact, Buhari might hasten the demise of Nigeria, if he continues this way, unless he implements the report of the national conference. We warned that Buhari has been a bigot as he favoured the north during his reign as military head of state. As chairman of PTF, 70 percent of all projects and appointments went to the north. Even then, he refused to visit Abia State, when the state cried for help due to the deplorable condition of roads there, but, during the last campaign, he went to Aba and even received a chieftaincy title there.

The political party that got Buhari elected is now complaining, as the Punch Newspaper tells us “there was an outrage in the ruling All Progressives Congress over the announcement of new appointments.

According to party officials, “The President does not consult before making most of these appointments and I can tell you that Nigerians are going to term the party and the President as a northern party and the President of Northern Nigeria”.

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Jonathan’s ex-ministers, FG trade tackles Continued from page 12 ner, in line with due process, and not as a political witch-hunt.

The various lies and fabrications being peddled by some self-appointed spokespersons of the administration may entertain the unwary, but such sensationalism may achieve the unintended effect of de-marketing our country within the international community. All such persons playing to the gallery for

whatever gains should be called to order. The namecalling of members of the Jonathan administration and the trial by news media should also stop.

“We encourage President Buhari to continue with the probes, but this must be in strict accordance with his oath of office to treat all Nigerians equally and with the fear of God. “We have reserved our comment until now, in the fervent hope that once

the euphoria that may have inspired the various attacks on the past administration wears off, reason will prevail.

But we are constrained to speak up in defence of the legacy of the Jonathan administration, and shall do so again, for as long as those who are determined to rubbish that legacy, are unrelenting in their usual deployment of blackmail, persecution, and similar tactics.”

In response, the Presidency described the for-

mer ministers as the country’s latest trade union formation, and urged its members to do a bit of self-reflection on the sort of government they handed to President Buhari.

According to the Presidency, such a reflection would help them to determine for themselves if it would have been right for any incoming government, not just this one. to ignore the issue of the brazen theft of public assets, perhaps the first of

L-R: Managing Consultant, Resort Consult Limited, Mr. Femi Ekundayo; Guest Speaker, Mr. Henrii Nwanguma; President/ Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), Mr. Yemi Akeju; Director General/CEO, IoD, Mr. Victor Banjo and Chairman, IoD Abuja, Chief Rex Onyeabo during the 2015 Evening of IoD held at Ikoyi, Lagos…at the weekend Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

NBA vows to expose corrupt judges, lawyers Continued from page 6 open up the region, build the roads and provide other infrastructure.

Still on the Niger Delta, the communique recommended for the revocation of all previous oil block licences and Oil producing communities be considered in the allocation of oil blocks.

The NBA also urged that multinational companies should return their head offices to the area of operation in line with the local content law.

On enhancing ethical

standards in the legal profession, the NBA resolved to sanitize the legal space to curb fake and those who collude with lawyers to undermine the profession as well as strict observance of the rules of professional ethics.

The NBA recommend that Rule of law and democratisation should be taught as a core course in all universities; and undermining the rule of law by lawyers shall be a specie of professional misconduct for which a lawyer shall be sanctioned.

It also recommended a

review of the Legal Education Act and the whole system of training and enrolment of lawyers. e.g, instruction and training for a minimum number of ethical courses should form part of the criteria for admission into the law school and call to the Bar. On access to justice, the association resolved to champion the coordination of Pro Bono services at all levels under the NBA Probono program.

In addition, it said mechanisms towards attaining a positive change of attitude by legal practitioners with

respect to Pro Bono service shall be pursued by the NBA and in this regard, legal practitioners are called upon to provide ready Pro Bono services to the indigent.

It therefore recommend an improved funding of National Human Rights Commission and Legal Aid Council will greatly assist Access to Justice.

That all concerned agencies, associations and NGOs saddled with the responsibility of Pro Bono services should step up awareness campaigns towards the general public.

its kind we have ever seen in this country.

A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said the earlier statements made in this regard that there was no witch hunt or malice against anyone in the pursuit of the county’s stolen assets still stand .

It said: “This war against corruption knows no friend nor foe. There is no intention to deny anyone of their good name where they are entitled to it and that President Buhari reserves the highest regards for the country’s former leaders including Dr Jonathan Goodluck who he continues to praise to the high heavens for the way and manner in which he accepted defeat in the last election.

“That singular action remains a feat that has earned the former president and Nigeria as country befitting commendations all over the world, the latest coming from Mr Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations who visited a week ago.

“For the purpose of emphasis, the issue of fighting corruption by President Buhari is nonnegotiable. It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social systems which suffered destruction and severe denigration under the last administration.”

The statement added: “President Buhari would not be deterred or blackmailed into retreat and surrender.

“No one in the PDP can accuse President Buhari of undermining the economy when all they handed over to him was at best, a tottering economy hobbled by corruption and the absence of due process.

“Things have become worsened by the continuing fall of oil prices, which is expected to fall even further with the imminent full return of Iran to the market.

“All he has been doing while around is to put things together, organizing to defeat Boko Haram, paying outstanding salaries, cleaning up the mess left behind, improving security and restoring our relationships with neighbors and the world.

“So what are former ministers afraid of in these things? Have they become a new trade union?

“Let this collection of ex-VIPs allow the President the peace he needs to handle the reconstruction of the economy and the nation in a manner that most serves Nigeria’s best interests.”

According to the statement by Shehu also President Buhari did not need those types of distraction presented by the so-called association of former ministers.

FG to review import policy on rice, fish, others Continued from page 12 He pointed out that the main target of the ministry was to guarantee food security for the country as well as export food items to other countries in the West African sub-region.

In her reaction, HassanBaba called for the reestablishment of synergy that had existed over the years between the commission and the agriculture ministry.

She said there had been an increase in the demand

of market information on agricultural activities in Nigeria by foreign investors, adding that a desk officer from the Ministry should be posted to the NIPC’s one-stop shop.

The NIPC boss further disclosed that the commission would organise stakeholders’ forum on promoting investment in the agricultural sector, noting that the ministry had a critical role to play in order to ensure the success of the proposed forum which comes up in Abuja soon.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Business Times Æ s

17

Devalue Naira to save economy — Experts Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Business Editor

Measures to save the naira from devaluation following the downturn of oil prices in the global market, which has wiped out the country’s external reserves may eventually have more weighty consequences for the local currency, experts warned over the weekend.

Presently market forces and price mechanisms are dictating unfavourable terms for the naira, terms which the government continues to resist by rolling out several stop gap measures, which analysts believe is necessary but not sufficient to uphold the naira from losing further value in the

nearest foreseeable future.

According to experts, sentiments cannot change the tide for the naira which is tethering on the last strands of options available to the country’s Central Bank and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Speaking to journalists in Lagos over the weekend, Mr. Jurgen Hecker, a financial expert and media trainer from France commended the Federal Government for the way and manner it has handled issues regarding the devaluation of the naira by resisting and insisting that devaluation must be done on the nation’s terms.

Hecker quickly pointed out that no one but market forces of

demand and supply are behind the pressures been piled on the naira, he warned the federal government to accept the terms earlier than later as it may cause the country to pay a higher premium at the next Euro auction yield.

“It is a very uncertain proposal that Nigeria would win. What it takes to save the naira has been completely depleted and so in the end the market will win,” he said.

Also endorsing this position was renowned Nigerian economist, Bismarck Rewane, who posited that fixing the nation’s refineries though necessary, was not sufficient as the problem has escalated beyond that.

He said that the federal government was still in a grief stage

where it is difficult to accept that devaluation is unavoidable, however he noted that it will only be a matter of time before the currency will capitulate.

“Cancellation of NNPC oil agreements are good but not sufficient. There is a clear difference between stock of wealth and flow of wealth; stock can finish but flow will continue. Saying that the recovery of stolen money will give us more is false, because that is stock and it will finish. We need to face up to proper economic decisions,” he said.

He said that the government had been in denial for such a long time marked by first taking everything out of its savings in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), then

going to the Bond market to borrow, next owed contractors and then finally owed salaries.

Conceding that devaluation of the naira would lead to inflation, the economist argued that it was important to accept the fact that a natural by-product of growth is inflation. “If you decide to avoid inflation, the economy will not grow. From 11cents we now spend 32cents to service debts because our exports have dropped.”

“If we don’t devalue, the market will wait until we do, if you don’t do the right thing at the right time the outcome is costlier.

Sooner or later currency will adjust. You cannot create a synthetic situation. The scarcity of dollars is caused by hedging.”

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode (2nd Left) being presented with an appreciation plaque by the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem (c); President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Remi Bello (r); 1st Deputy National President of NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson and Director General, Emmanuel Cobham at NACCIMA 3rd Quarter Council Meeting in Lagos on Friday.

President Biya commends Dangote on new 1.5mmt cement plant, private jetty

Charles Okonji

President Paul Biya of Cameroon, on Thursday commended Aliko Dangote, President and Chief executive of Dangote Group for his massive investments in cement plants across Africa.

He gave the commendation while commissioning the 1.5million metric tonnes per annum Dangote Cement Grinding Plant in Douala, Cameroon.

Philemon Yang, Prime Minister, Republic of Cameroon, who represented President Biya, at the commissioning ceremony, also laid the foundation stone for

a 200m jetty in Base Elf area, Port Autonome De Douala.

He lauded the Dangote group for investing in Cameroon which he said is consistent with his government’s policy of inviting industries to contribute to the growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He added that Dangote has shown the willingness to play a significant role in the industrialization of the country.

He stated that the new cement grinding plant and jetty were clear indications that Cameroon is open and welcome to investments from Nigeria and Africa, stressing that as a liberal econo-

my, the country supports investment from the private sector.

In his address, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote described the plant as “our largest Greenfield project in a neighbouring country with which we not only share a boundary but also a long history of brotherly relationship dating from our colonial days. Owing to the rich culture and history that we share, we have a better understanding of Cameroon.”

He disclosed that due to the warm welcome given to Dangote Cement, the company has decided to begin work on the second

phase of the plant, which will see the doubling of its capacity from the current 1.5mmtpa to 3.0mmtpa.

He said, “Our desire to increase our investment with the Phase 2 project is based not only on the fast growth rate of the Cameroon economy, but also due to the warm welcome extended to us and the enabling environment created by the government of Cameroon.

“Our choice of Cameroon for this multi-million dollar investment is quite strategic. Cameroon is the largest economy in Central Africa and is well endowed with abundant natural resources.

The country also enjoys political stability, adequate security and growing infrastructural development. In addition, President Biya has created an enabling environment that has continued to attract investors both from within and outside the African continent.”

The Group’s president stated “The desire to ensure that Africa becomes self-sufficient in cement production informed the signing of a $4.34 billion contract on Wednesday with Sinoma International Engineering Company Limited, a Chinese construction giant, for the construction of 11 new cement plants in 10 African countries, and Nepal in Asia.”

Energy18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Buhari

Build strong systems not individuals- DG, LCCI urges Buhari The Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Muda Yusuf has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to put emphasis in building a strong system that will outlive his administration instead being autocratic.

Mr. Yusuf made the assertion during the just concluded National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) 2015

August conference.

The statement was in response to words making the rounds that President Buhari is allegedly running an autocratic and not a democratic system of government.

According to Yusuf, President Buhari’s delay in coming out with a clear cut policy is affecting the private sector, especially the Oil and Gas Industry.

OPEC assures oil slump gains in 2016

As oil prices slides below $50 per barrel, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has assured a better picture come next year.

According to a report from International Energy Agency, supplies outside OPEC are expected to contract in 2016, reducing to

He stressed that instead of the President to run a one-man show in the administration of the country thereby focusing the attention on himself, he should take priority in appointing various ministers to run the parastatals.

“One of the biggest problem of the private sector is the nonavailability of Buhari coming out with a clear policy with respect to the Oil and Gas Industry. The emphasis should be on building a strong system that will stand even after he is no longer there instead of building just one person. So what happens when he is no longer there?” he said.

Yusuf also stressed that the present administration should create an enabling environment for business to thrive.

“Presently, Nigeria is not very conducive for business so, we are looking up to him to create a healthy environment where everyone can do business and make profit,” he said.

Also, he urged the President to also focus on important aspect of the economy such as education and health.

200, 000 barrels a day.

“To declare their policy a failure is a pretty big leap,” said Greg Sharenow, who manages $15 billion as executive vice president of Pacific Investment Co. “I don’t think you could view Saudi and OPEC’s business plan and model as being a six- or 12-month view. In

NNPC should compete not regulate- MD, Mobil Nigeria Chairman and Managing Director, Exxon Mobil Nigeria, Mr Tunji Oyebanji has said the National Nigeria Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should work as an effective competitor in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry and not as a regulator.

Mr Oyebani made the above statement when asked to speak on the topic: Deregulation of the Petroleum Products sector (fuels): A key to sustainable development at a conference held recently in Lagos.

According to him, for Nigeria to have a sustainable downstream sector, NNPC should rather join the competitive train instead of being the regulatory body.

“Deregulation of prices in the Oil and Gas industry is the key to growth in the industry because it pre-supposes market forces as the determinant of prices rather than a decision to fix price by administrative fiat,” he said.

Continuing he said, “As much as we appreciate the job of

NNPC regulating the prices of oil, the Corporation should also join the competitors so that fuel prices can be competitive to allow marketers sell at their own production prices. Allowing everyone to sell at their production prices will stop adulteration”.

He also pointed out other ways to having an excellent downstream sector such as Liberalized Pricing, large scale investments, competitive landscape, technology tools, support services (more job opportunities), safer trucking and operations, anti-monopoly legislation, consumer protection and product quality.

When speaking on the impact of subsidy and distortions he said, the main beneficiaries of Subsidy should be the Nigerian consumers.

He however stressed that oil and gas marketers should also be considered as the sale margin has remained unchanged in almost 8 years thereby discouraging investment.

the long-run, what you are going to see is lower non-OPEC supply higher demand and great market share for them. ”OPEC in November 2014, diverged from its traditional policy of adjusting supply to manage prices, announcing it would maintain output to defend its position in the market. That

decision has been tested by the collapse in crude, which has since plummeted more than 40 percent amid a global supply.

OPEC’s share of the world oil market slide to the lowest in a decade last year as surging output from U.S shale wells eclipsed gains in fuel demand.

Warri refinery suffers operational collapse Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has shut down Warri refineries, the Corporation made the move Friday, August 28, stating that it was due to operational challenges.

However, according to Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, the refinery is expected to be reopened for operations on Tuesday.

According to him, the decision to shut down the Warri refinery was taken because there was insufficient crude oil in the system.

“They are supposed to have at least a 25-day sufficiency in the supply of crude. So because of the depletion in the volume of crude they have had to temporarily shut down. “It was shut down on Monday. This is a temporary measure and it should be up and running

by Tuesday.”

The NNPC, had a few days ago, stated that after proper evalua-

tion and in line with the terms of contract for the delivery of crude oil to the nation’s refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna, the Corporation has cancelled the current contract due to exorbitant cost and inappropriate process of engagement.

The NNPC had stated that this measure is aimed at reducing cost and strengthening the operational efficiency across its value chain. As a stop-gap measure, the NNPC said it has engaged NIDAS Marine Limited, a subsidiary of the NNPC, to provide crude delivery service on negotiated industry standard rate pending the establishment of substantive contract. The NNPC, however, explained that it resorted to the delivery of crude oil to the refineries by marine vessels following attacks on the Bonny-Port Harcourt refinery pipeline and the Escravos crude pipelines by vandals and oil thieves resulting in the complete unavailability of the pipelines in 2013.

Warri refinery

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 24, 2015

19 Interview

You don’t use government, public funds to run private airlines — NAPA Scribe

Saidu

Alhaji Razaq Saidu is the Secretary General of Nigeria Aviation Professional Association, (NAPA), in this interview, speaks on plans for a national carrier in the aviation sector and other touchy issues affecting the industry and the possible ways out. Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo On national carrier There is the need for a national carrier to checkmate the encroachment of foreign airlines into our domestic passenger market. This is part of our agenda.

The carrier must be floated in conjunction with a reputable company that has the technical knowhow and the Federal Government to have minority shares.

Majority shareholding through the Nigerian Stock Exchange to be publicly held.

The national carrier we envisage must not be owned by one family and or one man as it is today with most Nigerian registered airlines’ If we say we want flag-carrier instead, which of the present airlines is strong enough or has track record of performance ? We tried it with Air Nigeria, it failed.

We need a strong national carrier to checkmate the encroachment of foreign airlines into domestic market which had hitherto robbed local airlines of passengers. Foreign airlines should only be allowed one entry and exit point in the country, that is Lagos only and allow Nigerian local airlines to feed the foreign airlines in Lagos with passengers from hinterland.

In effect, what we are saying is that government should cancel the multiple entry granted foreign airlines by Ministry of Aviation as it is not in the best interest of Nigeria-first, as regards security of our airspace and secondly

on the economic side, it robs Nigerian registered airline of passengers on the domestic market.

On autonomy of regulatory agency If the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recognises the putting in place of an autonomous regulatory authority by all contracting member States of ICAO, of which Nigeria is one, which brought about the establishment of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and has worked to earn Nigeria the US FAA Category 1 Safety Status under Dr Harold Demuren’s management of NCAA after which he was politically removed. To us having a supervisory Ministry of Aviation negates the spirit of an autonomous regulatory authority as propagated by ICAO. That autonomy resides in NCAA. Why then do have Ministry of Aviation, which is a duplication? It is an anti-thesis. All oversight functions and regulatory functions are the responsibilities of NCAA. On non-reconstitution of board of directors Again, this is in bad fate. For the Board of Directors of the parastatals to have been dissolved over a long period without replacement.

The Ministry refused to recommend the reconstitution of the Boards as required by law so as to have direct control of the agencies and interfere with the day-to-day administration of the parastatals.

This is so because the Ministry see the Boards as stumbling blocks in getting what they want from the parastatals such imposition of outsiders with little or no experience on aviation at all to the detriment of those already in the system.

Worst still they are given higher positions and fat salaries over and

‘‘In effect, what we are saying is that government should cancel the multiple entry granted foreign airlines by Ministry of Aviation as it is not in the best interest of Nigeria-first, as regards security of our airspace and secondly on the economic side’’ above the Condition of Service of the agencies. This is why the productivity of the staff has been sliding over the years because the feel that no matter how hard they work with expectation of getting to the peak of their chosen career, outsiders would always be brought in to be their bosses.

In a nutshell, we are not just clamouring for the autonomy of NCAA and other agencies also in the recruitment and promotions of their staff without interference, we have reasons for saying so.

In addition, the officials in the Ministry do not want the Boards in place because of the way they tampered with the money that accrued into the BASA Account and various other unorthodox practices.

This and other reasons was why we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to merge aviation with the Ministry of Transport as department under this ministry with a permanent secretary or just a director.

All the directors should thereafter be transferred to other ministry or be made General Managers or Heads of Department. What are they directing in the Ministry of Aviation, when we have Directors in all the agencies in both the regulatory and service provider agencies?

They are directing ‘rubbish’ and ‘non-sense’ into their pockets.

They are directing indiscipline and corruption. That is why we want the ministry to be repositioned and merged with Ministry of Transport.

On indebtedness of airlines The Ministry of Aviation has all along encouraged accumulation of huge debts by airlines to service providers. Officials in the Ministry always arm-twist the agencies by not allowing them take necessary steps aimed at recovering their debts. There must be a way that the debts must be defrayed. There was a time that ‘pay as you go was introduced by NAMA. But one of the airlines with the largest debt portfolio is Arik Air. It’s an example of bad operator in this country. Government should stop the idea of bailouts for private airlines.

I don’t see the rationale behind using public fund/ government money to run private business.

I have not seen a country where private business is run at the expense of government, more so when such an outfit is owing government agencies huge debt, refused to pay rents on the expanse of land it is occupying and does not pay taxes, disallowed Aviation Security men of FAAN on its premises and all sorts of things unchecked.

On cost of airlines’ operation I know that the present government is desirous of doing some-

thing about it, especially the high cost of Jet-A1. I heard President Buhari saying something like that and promised doing something on Aviation when he met with a select group of businessmen during his recent trip to the US. However if you look backward, you will see that lots of airlines have folded up not as a result of cost of operations but due to mismanagement. Most of their owners have money but lack the skill to manage an airline.

Today, out of those in operation, Med-View is quite different because the top and middle level managers are made up of skilled manpower, having been well grinded in airline operations/ management while they were working in the government liquidated Nigeria Airways.

Those that run Med-View are professionals. However, airlines like FirstNation and Dana need encouragement, I agree, but....... you cannot just carry government money and give them like that. It was done before to Air Nigeria and the money went down the drain through diversion and the airline eventually folded.

You all know the person involved. Government should learn from this. Once they are given free money, they divert it to their other businesses other than aviation and start building expansive mansions abroad, amass chieftaincy titles all around the town.

On passenger service charge The 5% Passenger Service Charge (PSC) does not belong to airlines which now forms part of their indebtedness. It is service tax collected from passengers and it ought to be paid promptly to government through the appropriate government agency. It is criminal for airlines to keep the PSC so collected in their vault or treat it as part of their indebted.

Money 20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

AMCON: Sustaining a first-rate performance

Chike-Obi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

preset known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost, and speed. It is further regarded in a contract, to be the fulfilment of an obligation, in a manner that releases the performer from all

liabilities under the contract.

Institutions are established in a society to bring about structured interventions and development, however the failure or success of every institution depends on those manning it. Con-

sequently a critical evaluation of the performance of an institution cannot be done in isolation of those persons mandated with its responsibility.

In the case of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which until about two weeks ago was under the leadership of pioneer managing director and chief executive, Mustafa Chike-Obi whose tenure lapsed in June 2015, analyst believe its impact has sufficiently justified its creation.

Established as a bad bank, AMCON an offshoot of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banking sector intervention, was assigned clearly defined objectives of buying up non-performing loans (NPLs) from the banks, re-capitalising them, and finding buyers to run them in a transparent manner.

It currently has over 12,000 bad loans in its portfolio and has continued to pursue the recovery of the debts. It has sold bonds worth over N4.7 trillion in the course of its operation. It is the largest financial institution in the country today, with assets valued at about N5 trillion.

It is to Mustafa Chike-Obi’s credit that the banking crisis was resolved in a commendable manner with the lowest pos-

sible loss of depositors’ money and at no cost to the national treasury. Indeed, the laudable achievements of AMCON and the stabilisation of the banking sector could be largely credited to the careful consideration and steady implementation of its mandate by Chike-Obi. Today, all the NPLs in the banking industry are below 5 per cent, a feat that has engendered public interest in the industry. Also, the risk management of banks today is far better than it used to be. This is given the background that many of these loans were loans that had been deemed lost or irrecoverable by the banks.

It is on record that the recovery of NPLs everywhere in the world takes a very long time, with the best recovery rate seen so far being 57 per cent achieved by the Malaysians. In the case of the United States of America, after the Resolution Trust Company of America bought loans from the SMEs, all those loans were transferred to Deposit Insurance Corporation after the five-year period and many of those loans still exist till today.

AMCON has restructured over 50 percent of NPLs it got in terms of value, with the implied recovery rate of the restructured loans at over a 100 percent.

During his screening for the AMCON job in 2010, Chike-Obi promised to stick to the three cardinal objectives of the corporation: acquiring the toxic loans, managing them, and disposing the acquired assets at

Sterling Bank trains financial journalists Adesola Akindele As part of its capacity building initiative across all sectors of the economy, Sterling Bank Plc at the weekend facilitated a training programme for financial journalists.

The programme was aimed at enhancing the participants’ understanding of key developments in the economy.

Mr. Jurgen Hecker, a financial expert and media trainer from France and Mr. Bismarck Rewane, a renowned economist presented papers during the event.

Topics covered include Sovereign Debt, Bond Market operations, Exchange & Interest rates dynamics.

The Bank in a statement signed by the Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola said the training programme was facilitated to equip financial journalists in the country with current trends in the global finan-

cial world to serve as reference when analysing issues affecting the economy.

His words: “We all know the importance of qualitative reporting and accurate in-depth analysis of economic issues especially developments in the Banking sector. For this to happen, there is a need to equip the journalistsreporters and editors alike with adequate understanding of economic developments”.

The Bank said the choice of Hecker and Rewane was based on their rich experience in financial journalism and the economy respectively.

Part of the statement reads: “Mr. Jurgen Hecker is a journalist and media trainer currently working at the Agence France Presse (AFP), an international news agency. His experience in financial journalism and training that spans about two decades, has seen him hold responsibilities as Finance Editor and Bureau Chief for the AFX financial news sub-

sidiary; Bureau Chief for Northern Europe and Deputy Chief of the Television service in AFP. He has also previously worked at the BBC and the Reuters Financial News Service in London. He teaches journalism at the SciencesPo Journalism School and has previously taught at the American University of Paris.

Mr. Atilola also assured that Sterling Bank will continue to invest in capacity building in various sectors because the national economic development prospects of any country is hinged on adequate capacity at all levels and across all sectors in the country.

Sterling Bank Plc. is a leading commercial bank in Nigeria and one of the country’s fastest growing banks. Originally incorporated in 1960 as NAL Bank (the country’s first investment banking franchise), it acquired the operations of the erstwhile Equitorial Trust Bank in November 2011 in pursuit of its growth and expansion plans.

Adeola, Sterling Bank MD

a profit. So far, he has successfully kept to his promise and forestalled major crisis in the banking sector.

Out of the three banks – Enterprise, Mainstreet and Keystone Banks – acquired by AMCON, two have been sold to worthy buyers. AMCON has also restructured and recovered substantial percent of NPLs it acquired. In the process, the corporation has admirably balanced maximum recovery with minimum disruption of viable businesses, helping to save a lot of employees’ jobs.

AMCON under Chike-Obi can be said to have performed creditably well as there is no bank today that is burdened by NPLs. All the banks are fully capitalised up to regulatory standards and AMCON has ensured that the processes of doing all of these are at the minimum possible cost. That requires maximising recoveries, minimising expenses and maximising disposal of assets acquired.

Today, banks are strong, they can lend. The banks were able to lend to power industry. Planes are flying, economy is growing – AMCON has been a big part of it.

It is our hope that that the new management team – led by Ahmed Lawan Kuru (managing director), Kola Ayeye (executive director), Eberechukwu Uneze (executive director) and Aminu Ismail (executive director) – would consolidate on these achievements and take the corporation to the next level.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

21

Daily Times Advert Rates Colour

Sizes

Rates

Vat

Sizes

Rates

Vat

Sizes

Rates

F/PAGE

532,350.00

26,617.50

10”X6

505,732.50

25,286.62

6”X3

114974.83

5,703.74

H/PAGE

303,439.50

15,171.97

10”X5

324,252.34

13,780.72

6”X2

76,049.94

3,802.49

Q/PAGE

163,431.45

8,171.57

10”X4

421,528.04

21,076.40

5”X5

158,437.36

7,921.86

14”X5

516,379.50

25,818.97

10”X3

337,222.43

19,861.12

5”X4

131,839.81

6,591.99

14”X4

268,517.34

13,425.86

10”X2

131,839.81

6,591.99

5”X3

95,062.36

4,753.11

14”X2

296,551.80

10,327.59

9”X6

455,159.25

22,757.96

5”X2

63,374.94

3,168.74

FPS 6”X3

873,388.02

43,669.40

9”X5

379,375.23

18,968.76

4”X2

50,699.95

2,534.99

FPS 6”X2

582,257.81

29,112.89

9”X4

303,500.18

15,175.00

3”X3

43,874.94

1,864.68

BPS 6”X3

861,432.81

43,071.64

9”X3

21,0126.15

10,056.30

3”X2

29,249.98

1,243.12

BPS 6”X2

565,621.87

28,281.09

8”X6

404,666.92

20,233.34

2”X2

19,499.98

828.75

ROP2”X6

198,096.61

9,904.84

8”X5

337,222.43

16,861.12

1”X2

9,749.99

414.37

FPS 2”X6

582,257.82

29,131.09

8”X4

269,777.95

13,488.89

1”X1

4,875.00

207.19

BPS 2”X6

565,621.87

28,281.09

8”X3

186,801.63

9,340.08

BPS 2”X2

349,354.69

17,467.73

13”X5

479,495.25

23,974.76

8”X2

124,522.05

6,226.10

13”X2

164,774.84

8,238.74

7”X5

295,069.63

14,753.48

EARPIECE 2”X2

365,990.62

18,299.53

11”X5

463,680.84

23,184.04

7”X4

206,551.80

10,327.59

CENTRE SPREAD

1,497,234

74,861.71

11”X4

370,424.87

18,521.24

7”X2

88,724.91

4,406.24

DOUBLE SPREAD

1,330,875.00

66,543.75

11”X2

139,424.87

6,971.24

6”X4

186,801.62

9,340.08

DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2)

665,437.50

33,210.97

Black & White

Vat

Sizes

Rates

Vat

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

16

10”X2

124,611.09

6,230.55

31

6”X2

44,240.63

1,880.23

11,473.80

17

9”X6

343,369.19

17,168.45

32

5”X5

119,813.65

6,990.68

6,244.75

18

9”X5

286,789.47

14,339.47

33

5”X4

94,554.69

3,133.71

390,511.26

19,525.63

19

9”X4

229,536.51

11,476.82

34

5”X3

55,300.74

2,350.28

14”X4

312,409.60

15,620.48

20

9”X3

155,328.68

7,766.43

35

5”X2

36,867.18

1,566.86

14”X2

157,994.09

7,899.79

21

8”X6

306,019.70

15,300.98

36

4”X2

29,493.75

1,253.48

7

13”X5

362,617.60

18,130.88

22

8”X5

204,028.39

10,201.46

37

3”X3

33,180.45

1,410.17

8

13”X2

124,601.51

6,230.07

23

8”X4

204,032.45

10,201.62

38

3”X2

22,120.32

940.11

9

11”X5

350,647.44

17,532.37

24

8”X3

141,263.20

7,063.16

39

2”x6

48,173.99

2,047.39

10

11”X4

281,818.05

14,090.90

25

8”X2

76,631.55

3,831.57

40

2”X2

14,746.87

626.74

11

11”X2

105,440.15

5,272.00

26

7”X5

223,003.40

71,115.12

41

1”X2

7,373.44

313.37

12

10”X6

383,460.20

19,123.01

27

7”X4

157,994.09

7,699.67

42

1”X1

3,686.72

156.69

13

10”X5

320,067.93

16,003.39

28

7”X2

51,614.05

2,193.60

14

10”X4

255,041.86

12,752.09

29

6”X4

173,871.36

4,618.40

15

10”X3

191,666.80

9,583.34

30

6”X3

66,360.90

2,820.34

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

1

F/PAGE

402,589.59

20,129.47

2

H/PAGE

229,476.11

3

Q/PAGE

124,895.04

4

14”X5

5 6

S/N

Political

Colour Rates

Vat

Sizes

F/PAGE

532,350.00

22,624.88

H/PAGE

303,439.50

12,896.18

Q/PAGE

163,431.45

6,945.84

Sizes

PHOTO SPLASH 100,000.00

4,250

Pictures & Captions 1

F/PAGE

35,437.47

1,506.09

Classified Advert 1

Classified

3,675.00

1

Per 1000 copies

24,500.00

1,041.25

2

Handling charges for the 1st 50,000 copies

71,662.50

-

(LAGOS) IFEANYI - 08086296714 (ABUJA) FEMI - 08033550468

DOUBLE SPREAD

774,210.94

32,903.96

44

DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2)

387,105.47

16,451.98

Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Black & White)

Black & White

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

Rates

Vat

1

F/P

341, 583.13

F/PAGE

402,589.69

17,110.06

2

H/P

206,155.46

10,307.77

H/PAGE

229,476.12

9,752.74

3

Q/PAGE

112,334.62

5,616.73

Q/PAGE

123,595.04

5,252.79

4

10”X2

55,476.05

2,357.73

5

8”X2

44,380.56

1,886.17

6

7”X2

38,832.99

1,650.40

7

6”X2

33,282.11

1,414.49

8

5”X2

27,736.42

1,178.80

9

4”X2

22,187.85

942.98

Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Color)

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

1

F/P

451,680.17

22,584.00

2

H/P

272,602.27

13,630.14

3

Q/PAGE

146,822.62

7,341.13

Colour

-

Loose Insert

43

10

PLEASE CONTACT

11

3”X2 2”X6

17,079.15

16,640.27

707.21

33,283.03

471.54

(BOTTOM STRIP)

12

2”X2

11,094.96

471.54

13

1”X2

5,547.58

235.77

14

1”X1

2,773.79

117.89

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

Public Notice 22 CENTRAL PROGRESSIVE CLUB OF LAGOS This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Ogundare Ademola Josua - President 2. Amuda Mufutao Adio - Vice President 3. Abodunrin Augustine Olut - General Secretary 4. Oyalakun Oludotun Clement - Treasurer 5. Akindele Mumuni Ayomo - Member 6. Agoye Ojo Jubril - Member 7. Omotayo Abiodun Olushola- Member The Aims and Objectives Are: 1. To promote unity among members 2. To give back to the society

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

RIGHT DECISION DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

APOSTLE FRED ANWANSEDO FOUNDATION

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

The general public is here by notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1 Mr. Bode Seun 2. Mr. Makinde Fatai Olayiwola 3. Miss Saidu Oluwatunminiun Ruth 4. Mr. Adediji Dele Ezekiel

The Trustees are: 1. Anwansedo Sunday Bezaleel - Chairman.

2. Larry Alfred A. - Secretary.

3. Anwansedo Friday.

The Aims and Objectives Are: 1. Eradication of corrupt youthful engagements and combating the crime among the youth through an effective awareness and counseling,

Aims and Objectives.

1. Development of the growing needs of the fatherless, widows, neglected and providing succor to the society by empowering human capacity development.

2. Human capacity development in the urban slums, resettlement colonies, villages and rural areas.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, and Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, and Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary.

FILM RENTALS AND MARKETERS ASSOCIATION OYO NIGERIA

WINNERS SHAREHOLDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE HOLY GHOST BATTLE AND INTERCESSION MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Oyetunde Olumide 2. Mrs. Oyeniran Oyetundun 3. Mrs. Ojo Romoke 4. Gold Oyetunde 5. Mr. Oluokun Kehinde

TRUSTEES: 1. Eromonsale 2. Lucky Daniel - Chairman 3. Ajao Jumoke - Secretary 4. Ikahokhuele Augustine Ose

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Salawudeen Mufutau 2. Ayinde Ajibola 3. Adeleke Gabriel 4. Nasiru Lukuman Aim and Objective: 1. To foster unity among members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja. Within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

WONDERFUL TRUTH MINISTRIES This general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Pastor Charles Chiemeka Madueke 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Sandra Evbusogie Madueke AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Osunkoya Dolapo Olayemi

Aim and Objective: 1. To foster unity among members.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Christ all over the world.

2. To take care of the welfare of its members.

3. To establish Local Branches for the propagation of the Gospel worldwide.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARRISTER OKEWU EMMANUEL O.

PATRIOTIC GENTLEMEN’S CLUB

GOOD SHEPHERD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION OJODU

This general public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Adewale Adeniyi Balogun – Chairman 2. Olusesan Mayokun Daini 3. Adeleye Adefemi Michael 4. Sonoiki Owolabi Taofeek 5. Aliu Mutairu – Secertary 6. Akanimodo Kehinde Adekunle 7. Akindele Adegoke AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To improve the quality of life of Nigerians 2. To promote active participation of Nigerians in policy formulation Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

This general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Mr. Linus Odey – CHAIRMAN 2. Mr. Evbota Samuel - Secretary 3. Mr. Wale Akinola - Treasurer 4. Mrs. Laide Adeyemo - Member AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To foster unity among members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

ILUPEJU ESTATE LANDLORD ASSOCIATION

THE OTUOFUOBI BROTHERS CLUB

CONGOLESE PEOPLES ASSOCIATION IN NIGERIA

The Association wishes to notify the general public of the appointment of new trustees and the amendment of the constitution of association.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission,for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission,for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Mr Amechi Ezeani - Chairman 2. Mr Okoye Chimezie - Secretary 3. Mr Okechukwu Odimegwu - Treasurer 4. Uche Alinonu Tony - Member 5. Mr Emmanuel Umeh - Member

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Bongese Botolo Mila Fidele. - President.

2. Pepe Mansanga Makiese - Secretary.

TRUSTEES 1. Mr. Oyewumi Ademola Tajudeen 2. Mr. Samson Babafemi Babajide 3. Dr. Shonubi Folasodun Adebisi 4. Alhaji Ghanni Mujab Akangbe 5. Felicia Oyekanmi 6. Abiola Rafih Ogundiye

The Aims and Objectives are:1. To promote and protect the welfare of members.

2. To encourage and preserve the culture of congolese people.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To bring together the residents of ILUPEJU ESTATE and to promote the spirit of good neighborliness amongst them.

2. To promote the welfare and general well – being of all the residents of the Estate.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:To promote togetherness, unity, peace and progress among every member of this club

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate Affairs Commission,plot 420,Tigris crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: Barr. Innocent John Ukwetang. 08037978991

HOUSE OF JUDAH INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

NIGER BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL INITIATIVE

WALK IT OUT FOR HEALTHY LIVING INITIATIVE

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission,for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act No.1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE :1. Pastor Judah Kehinde Bolarinde Solomon 2. Pastor/Mrs Grace Eniola Solomon 3. Evang. Abiodun Mary Popoola 4.Deacon Segun Ogunbiye Olalekan - Treasurer 5. Deacon Nelson Israel Miedi - Fin. Sec. 6. Evang. Olajide Samuel Odunitan 7. Efeya Patience Oluwatoyin - Secretary 8. Joshua Mayowa Solomon 9. Joseph Waidi 10. Ayomide Solomon

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Busari Nur-D-Din Temitayo – President 2. Muhammad Aminu Sheikh 3. Abdulrahman Hadiza Kere 4. Galadima Nathan Danladi

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel 2.To pray for peace in the world Any objection to this application 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: Efeya Patience

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote literacy 2. To promote education and culture 3. To promote reading habits Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: OLANIRAN AKINTUNDE, BLACKFOUNT LAW PARTNERSHIP, 27, ABEOKUTA ROAD,AGO TAYLOR, B/S, ODO-ONA, APATA, IBADAN

This general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Adekoya Abimbola Julius 2. Adekoya Vivian Emecham 3. Olatunji Muideen 4. Egberongbe Olalenkan Kareem AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote and emphasis the importance of exercise in health care delivery 2. To create awareness on the prevention, control and management of diseases Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Kaduna chopper crash: Buhari commiserates with victims’ families ÏÏÏ

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the families of the seven people that died in a Donier 228 aircraft crash on Saturday in Kaduna State on Saturday.

The President, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Ismail Aliyu, said the crash was a sad event, not only to the Armed Forces but to all Nigerians.

Said he, ``We want to, on behalf of the Federal Government, extend our condolences to all of them. May the almighty God forgive their sins. The President has the passion and zeal to address the challenges, in the Airforce, Army and Navy. ``The President is committed to repositioning them to withstand any challenges to global standard. It is a sad incident, we should take it from God because God made it their last day.

We should always pray when our time is up to die in peace.’’

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, said

a committee will be set up to unravel what happened.

According to the CDS, ``So that proactive measures can be taken to stop future occurrences,’’ he said.

The team visited the scene of the crash and the families of the victims to commiserate with them.

Other members of the visiting team were the General Officer Commanding 1-Division, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Oyebade; Air Officer Commanding Training Command, AVM Alkali Mamu; Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim and other military officers.

ÏÏÏ Seven communities

were on Sunday flooded in Demsa and Numan local government areas of Adamawa, following heavy flow of water from Kiri dam in the state.

Kiri dam is in Guyuk Local Government Area.

The dam, from the Gongola River, is about 30 kilometres length and 15 kilometres wide.

Alhaji Haruna Furo, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), made this known in an interview in Yola.

Furo said that the most affected areas were Bilachi, Bali, Mbongado, Dwam Sabo and Kabawa in Demsa area while Imburu, Hayin Gada and Gbalang were affected in Numan Local Government Area.

His wprds, `` The state emergency team together with top state government officials had visited some

Buhari

Seven communities submerged in Adamawa flood affected communities. And after cross examination, we are going to resettle them in secured and conducive rescue camps,’’ Furo said.

He said that the state government had started making contact with various relief organisations for immediate response and rescue mission.

Furo also confirmed that no life was lost in the incident but that thousands of people had been rendered homeless.

Member representing Demsa Constituency in Adamawa State Assembly, Mr. Lumsun Dili, who was among the officials that visited the affected areas, said that over 12,000 people were affected in Demsa area.

Dili said that thousands of farmland, houses and

ELIORA AKUNNA EBERECHUKWU ELIBE

I,

formally:

Akunna

OSHINOWO OLAMILEKAN OLATOMIWA

I,

formerly

known

as

Taiwo

Eberechukwu Elibe: now wish

Micheal Tomiwa now which to be

to be know as Eliora Akunna

known and address as Oshinowo

Eberechukwu Elibe. All former

Olamilekan Olatomiwa. All formal

documents remain valid and

document remain valid, general

general public should take note.

public take note

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

23 News

FRANKLIN KANAYOUME I, formerly known and addressed as Franklin Kanayoume now wish to be known and addressed as Franklin Kanayoume. All former

documents

remain

valid. General public take note.

domestic animals were submerged and lost in the flood.

He continued, “My fear is that there is possibility of cholera outbreak in the affected communities. Infact, we have hired about three huge engine boats to start evacuating the victims, “ Dili said.

According to him, about

additional 15 villages may be affected if necessary measures are not put in place to prevent flooding in the area.

He, however, expressed concern that, as a matter of urgency, government should respond to the needs of the victims to avoid the outbreak of sanitation-related diseases.

Flooded Jimeta, Yola

IN CAR AUDIO SYSTEMS DEALERS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees.

1. Ani John Friday.

2. Arinzechukwu. Chinedu.

3. Okoye Christopher.

4. Umeaku Basil Anayo Aim and objective.

1. To protect the welfare of member.

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

Signed. EZINWA B. UKOHA. ESQ. 08033577077

FEED THE HUNGRY INITIATIVE, NIGERIA

THE REALM OF HIS GLORY COVENANT FELLOWSHIP

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C 20, LFN 2004.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified, that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration, under Part ‘’C’’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOUNDATION ARE:(1) Prophet Malachy Nwedo Chekwube.

(2)Chiemerie Ogbuke.

THE TRUSTEES ARE1. Pastor Yinka Adesanya - Chairman.

2. Mrs Olabisi Duduyemi 3. Mrs Oluwatoyin Oluwaseyi Akinyamoju 4. Barrister Helen Onyemarechi Nwaowe - Secretary

DELIGHT OF ANGELS PROPHETIC HEALING MINISTRY, ENUGU NIGERIA

Aims and Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To heal those in Spiritual bondage.

Any objection to the Registration should be sent to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: JERRY O. OKO ESQ

ZUBA BEER SELLER ASSOCIATION

Objectives: 1. To provide food for the hungry and the needy in our society.

2. To help the hungry and the needy to sustain themselves through Skill acquisition trainings.

Any objection to the Registration should be sent to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Vincent Odje

CHRIST ASSIGNMENT EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990

Trustees.

1. Mrs. Felicia Okpos Nwakwud.

2. Mrs Hannah Jerome.

3. Miss Grace Okoh.

4. Mr. Eze John Ikechukwu.

5. Mrs Juliana Okoro - Secretary

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Paul Olugbenga Folorunso - (Founder).

2. Samuel Akande Folorunso - (Treasurer) 3. Aina Olugbenga Adewunmi - (Financial Secretary) 4. Christiana Oluwakemi Folorunso (General Secretary).

5. Adaranijo O. Bolaji

-

Chairlady

Aim and objectives.

1. To promote, empower and encourage hardwork and unity among members.

2. To ensure members to take advantage of togetherness and each achieves more.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.

2. To worship, serve god and fulfill great commission of Jesus Christ as set forth in Mathew 28:19-20.

3. To minister to the needs of the members and others as the church is able to do so.

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

Signed: Secretary

Any objection to this registration should be addressed to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: JAMES OLORUNWA FASUYI (080226299990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Kalu Uchenna Kalu - Chairman 2. Bro. Dickson Ude. - Secretary 3. Pastor Frank Umunah Ibe. - Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to all Nation and people.

2. To prepare believers for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 3. To hold fellowship and congregational Worships.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

GTL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA LIMITED (RC: 662859) No 6/8, Obagun Avenue, Matori, Lagos State

WINDING-UP FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 GTL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA LIMITED RC: 662859 SPECIAL RESOLUTION At the extraordinary general meeting of the above named company held on the 21st day of August 2015 at the registered office of the company the following resolution were duly passed.

1.

RESOLUTION TO WIND UP That GTL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA LIMITED be and is hereby voluntarily wound up.

2.

APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR That Barr. Vincent Odje of 86, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja be and is hereby appointed as Liquidator for GTL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA LIMITED for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the company.

Dated this 21st day of August, 2015

GANDHI PINAKIN DIRECTOR

HUSSAIN KHALID DIRECTOR

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Concentrate on legislative matters, Shagaya tells Useni Chijioke Kingsley

Jos

ÏÏÏFormer Senator John

Shagaya has advised the senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, to concentrate on legislative functions that would improve the standard of living in his constituency.

Shagaya, who is also former minister of Internal Affairs also cautioned Useni against interfering in to private issues that does not concern him, and focus on how to contribute

immensely to national discourse that would attract development to his constituency.

Shagaya said, on Sunday, in Jos, while reacting to the comment made by Useni on a private memo he communicated to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on the state of National Assembly Election Tribunal in Plateau State.

Shagaya said “my advised to Useni is to apply his energy to legislative functions on the floor of the Red Chamber. It is most un-

fortunate that Useni had to comment on a private and personal letter addressed to a political party leadershipthat he is not a member of and that the letter was not copied him.

“As a responsible Nigerian and a man of honour who has been a senator before Useni, I will not join issues with him as he shall not be the last senator from Plateau South. He is only but number five in line of past senators from the Southern Senatorial District.

It could be recalled that Shagaya who contested the

recently concluded Plateau South Senatorial Election under the Platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), had dragged Useni of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos.

Useni

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade; his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda; immediate past governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke and his wife, Mrs. Imoke during a thanksgiving in honour of the latter in his country home… at the weekend

Group enlightens youths on HIV/Aids, drug abuse ’Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏA

non-governmental organisation known as Development Initiative for Young People International (DEVIYOP), has enlightened youths, mostly students on the dangers of the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease and drug abuse.

Speaking at a programme, held in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs. Kemi Orunko disclosed that the objectives of the programme was to reduce to minimum level of all sorts of unproductive habits among children and youths.

She said unproductive habits, such as drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, school drop-out, cultism, armed robbery and other risky practices, expose them to HIV/AIDS and other health problems.

“The organisation assists and moulds the life and characters of youths, creates and brings to the awareness of our youths the effects of HIV/AIDS and other abuses in our society,” she said.

She revealed that the organisation had two staff, 20 vulnerable children, two orphans and five partial orphans who are now undergoing various formal education, training and re-

habilitation services.

Orunko stated that her experience when growing up spurred her to establish such a humanitarian body to reach out to the poor and indigent ones in the society, and reiterated that her special interest was in the young ones, so as to ensure that they were give the wherewithal for a bright future.

She enjoined the members of the society that are more privileged to extend hands of fellowship and support to the disadvantaged and needy in the society, urging the politicians to desist from amassing public wealth for personal aggrandisement, but to af-

fect the lives of the poor positively.

The Guest Speaker at the event, Debo Okunrinboye, who also represented Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA), enlightened the students and youths on the dangers of the disease, its causes and prevention measures.

He noted that it could be transmitted through transfusion of infected blood, sexual contact (unprotected sexual contact), sharing of unsterilised sharp objects like razor, blade, clipper, needle, while emphasising that the most common transmission was unprotected sexual intercourse with affected persons.

Ekiti disburses N144m vehicles, housing loans to teachers Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti

State Government has disbursed a sum of N144 million as vehicle and housing loans to 712 teaching and non-teaching staff in the state teaching service.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Chief Toyin Ojo, who made this known, in Ado- Ekiti, said N63million of the amount was disbursed as car loans to 257 teaching and non-teaching staff according to their grade levels.

According to him, the vehicle loans ranged from N250, 000 to N1million for benefitting teachers on grade level 7to 16 while ju-

Group faults Sagay’s appointment

by Buhari Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏA

pressure group known as Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) has passed a vote of no confidence on the person of Professor Itse Sagay, as the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti- Corruption.

The group said this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Ad-

Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressive Congress (APC) in Adamawa State is mourning as it has lost a council chairman to stroke, and blamed the government for not coming to the victim’s aid.

Mr. Shedrack Gajere, who was the APC party chairman for Lamurde, died while awaiting the constitution of caretaker committee, for the local councils in the state.

The Secretary of the APC in the local government, Mr.Lawson N. Ignatius, was the one disclosed Gajere’s demise to newsmen.

Gajere according to him, died while recuperating from stroke, which saw the

nior, non-teaching staff from Grade level 1 to 6 received N70, 000.

Ojo disclosed that the balance of N81million of the amount was disbursed as first and second tranche of staff housing loans to 455 teaching and non-teaching staff in the state teaching service. Ojo, who recalled that Governor Ayodele Fayose last month approved the disbursement of N119 million as car loans to 623 workers in the State Public Service, in spite of the prevailing paucity of fund in the state, explained that the gesture would reduce the burden of obtaining bank loans with its attendant high interest rate among the beneficiaries. eniyi Sulaiman, which a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo, on Sunday.

He premised his argument on the role Sagay played in saving Osun State governor, Mr. Ruaf Adesoji Aregbesola, from investigation on allegations of corruption.

The activist condemned Sagay for insisting that Justice Folahanmi Oloyede should be removed from the bench by National Judicial Council (NJC).

Sagay had earlier joined the call that Oloyede be disciplined by NJC for publicly making allegations of corruption against the governor.

Adamawa LG APC chair dies of stroke deceased hospitalised at the state specialist hospital Yola.

“The cold hands of death has finally snatched away our chairman Mr. Shedrack Gajere, who, until his demise was the chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Lamurde local government council. Burial arrangement has been fixed for this weekend. We urge you all to pray for the repose of his soul, and that his legacy as a loyal member of the party, who laboured to entrench firmly, the APC in Lamurde will continue to endure,” Ignatius said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

L-R: Chibok resident in Lagos State, Mohammed Yahi Maina; former Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Wale Edun; Yemi Kuti; member, House of Representatives, Jide Jimoh; Human Right Activist, Ayo Obe; Human Resource Executive, MTN, Amina Oyagbola and others during the campaign for the release of the Chibok Girls, held in Lagos…at the weekend Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Ooni stool: Ife youths kick over Obasanjo's alledged interference Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏA

group, called The Cradle Youths, has advised king makers not to be influenced by some prominent personalities thronging into the city to mobilise support for contenders, who want to be next Ooni.

The Co-ordinator of the Ile-Ife based group, Mr. Kunle Elusayo, told journalists, in Ile-Ife, barely 48-hours after the visit by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the kingmakers in Ile-Ife. It would be recalled that Obasanjo had visited the kingmakers on Friday, and appealed to them to choose a competent person to suc-

ceed the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II. He also urged the kingmakers to follow strictly the laid down rules and procedures for the appointment and selection of a new Ooni.

Justifying his commemoration visit, Obasanjo said, “I was in this palace ten days before the demise of kabiyesi and he told me how the Yoruba race was margnalised in the scheme of things. He also told me to ensure that the Yoruba race got its own share of things in the country.”

But the Ile-Ife youths leader described Obasanjo’s visit as an “interference”, saying that regardless of his purpose of visit, “the

kingmakers must not be influenced.”

Among the tradition and custom, that Elusayo insisted must be followed was to avoid the abomination of making princes, who are already conferred with a chieftaincy title in Ile-Ife palace Ooni.

According to him, it was wrong to offer and receive any chieftaincy tittle regardless of the prestige and ovation associated with such tittle because the recipient was a prospective king.

He explained that being a prince placed one at an advantage ahead of any chieftaincy tittle and such cannot be compromised.

He specifically stated

that only those who were not prince were given chieftaincy tittle and Chiefs don’t qualify to be Ooni of Ife. He said, “We urge the kingmakers not to be influenced by prominent personalities. We can see that wellknown individuals have interest in who emerges as Ooni. Recently, Obasanjo visited which is strange and is an interference. The king makers should place the love of Ile-Ife and the prestigious throne of Ooni at heart and not influence or interference.

Elusayo lamented that position could make people twist their tongue and begin to invent traditions that are not existing.

Lagos takes campaign against gender-based violence to traditional rulers Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏThe

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), at the weekend engaged traditional rulers on sexual and gender- based violence and their role as responders, in furthering its campaign against the criminal act.

The Co-ordinator of DSVRT, Mrs. Titilola VivourAdeniyi, who led the team to the meeting, which had the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu and 30 other royal fathers in attendance said as traditional rulers, the counsel they gave to victims of rape, defilement and domestic violence and their family members could go a long

way in making or marring a case.

She said, “This engagement is premised on the Governor’s desire to engage members of the community and relevant stakeholders on these crimes, enlighten them on the impact on the victim and the society, and in most communities where these acts are being perpetrated, the first responders are usually traditional rulers.

“There have been several instances where victims have said that traditional rulers and other opinion leaders, whom they held in high regard, had convinced them in settling their matter out of court. The fact that

these are crimes and the decision to discontinue a case can only be taken by the Attorney General was reiterated at the meeting.”

She said as first time responders, the royal fathers were given protocol responses to rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. “In instances of domestic violence, the response should not be to ask victims to return back to the home where the abuse has occurred, but rather refer them to a safe haven (e.g. shelter home, or a trusted family member). Whilst for rape, the first step should be to refer the victim to the hospital where the victim can be treated and the evidence

of the crime preserved.”

Vivour-Adeniyi said the traditional rulers were also given resource materials in the form of posters and stickers, which, they promised, would be shared out in their domains.

“It is believed that after this engagement, we would begin to see an improved partnership with traditional rulers, especially as regards reporting of these crimes, an improved community response in handling reports and ultimately, a reduction in the commission of these crimes as community members will now know that outof-court settlements will no longer be permissible,” she said.

25 News

Leprosy mission spends N50m in Niger

Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Leprosy Mission Nigeria, on Sunday, said it had spent N50 million between 2013 and 2015 to execute projects in the affected communities in Niger State.

Its Operation Manager, Mr. Sunday Pius Ogbu, disclosed this to journalists, in Minna, while briefing the National Co-ordinator of the mission, Mr. Allen Ekstedt and Programme Manager, Mr. Leif. Martin, on the activities of the Leprosy Referral Hospital, Chanchaga.

Ogbu said that the N50

million was spent in carrying out numerous activities in four communities affected by leprosy.

The communities affected are Kuta in Shiroro Local Government Area, Sarkin Pawa in Munya, Zachinta in Paikoro and Chanchanga local government areas.

He said that the mission had, during the three years under review, embraced advocacy and communication, adding that under the arrangement, media workshop was organised for practising journalists.

Ogbu however stated that three years rolling support plans for leprosy-affected communities in the state commenced 2013 and would end in December 2015.

No agreement with Buhari on appointments – Cleric

Pita Chikwem

Minna ÏÏÏThe Anglican Bishop of Minna Diocese, Rev. Daniel Yisa, on Sunday, said that there was no agreement on appointments and urged Nigerians to allow President Muhammadu Buhari to choose people that could move the country forward.

This came on the heels of criticism from some geographical regions that they were being marginalised by the recent appointments made by Buhari.

Yisa said during a press conference to mark the Silver Jubilee anniversary of Minna Diocese of the Anglican Church of Nigeria that since there was no agreement on appointments or constitutional guidelines,

it would be unfair to blame Buhari.

According to him "you do not know the kind of contributions these persons (appointees) have made to the success of the party (APC) and, or to the individual that won elections.

"Was geographical appointment part of the agreement from the beginning?

Was there any agreement?

Was it documented? So, on what grounds do you take somebody up when there is no agreement?

Buhari

FRSC gives accident prevention tips during rainy season Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo ÏÏÏThe Osun State Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Muhammad Hussain, has said that there was a need for motorists to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before embarking on any trip during the rainy season.

Hussain, while receiving a Leadership and Excellence Ambassador Certificate and Medal Award from the Nigeria Peace Magazine, Port Harcourt, Cross River State, explained that lack of maintenance was responsible for crashes on the roads.

Among the tips, he gave

were that motorists should ensure that their vehicle’s tyres, brake pads, brake lights, rear lights, pointers, wind shield wipers and blades, including the headlights were in good working condition, during and after the rainy season.

He added that motorists should always turn on their headlights and wipers and reduce their speed whenever it rains.

Hussain, who dedicated the award to the entire state appreciated the management of Nigeria Peace Magazine for presenting the award to him, saying, he would continue to double his efforts towards the development of humankind.

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Amb. Adefuye was a dedicated, hard-working man, says Okonjo-Iweala

800 witnesses ready to testify in Rivers guber tribunal

Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja

Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer Minister of Finance,

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described the late Nigerian ambassador to the United State, Prof.

Ade Adefuye, as a very dedicated and hard-working man, who represented the country with sterling patriotism and passion.

She said that Adefuye was much respected in the diplomatic community for his strong intellect and deep knowledge of Nigerian and African affairs.

She explained that her close

interaction with Adefuye, in the course of her job as Minister of Finance showed his dedication to the task of helping diplomats and investors understand Nigeria and appreciate the many positives aspects of the country.

Adefuye, she disclosed, participated robustly in many sessions with investors, especially on infrastructure and agriculture financing.

The former Minister of Finance added that Adefuye was always ever ready to speak up and defend the country whenever necessary.

Okonjo-Iweala said in Abuja

that “I received the news of the passing away of Ambassador Ade Adefuye with great sadness.

He and my husband developed a warm friendship in Washington.

“He was a very dedicated and hardworking man, who represented the country with sterling patriotism and passion.

“I interacted closely with him in the course of my job as Minister of Finance and I saw, firsthand, his dedication to the task of helping diplomats and investors understand Nigeria and appreciate the country’s many positive aspects.

“And, of course, he was always ever ready to speak up and defend the country whenever necessary.

He also had a great sense of humour and, during tense moments, Ambassador Adefuye could be counted upon to say something to relieve the stress.

“A strong family man, he took great pride in his wife and children, who always stood by him and gave him strength.

“Our thoughts are with the Adefuye family at this difficult time and we pray that the memory of his worthy life would comfort and strengthen them in their grief.”

Umahi laments incessant loss of lives on accident Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Ebonyi State, Engineer Dave Umahi, has expressed dismay over the death of about 20 people in an accident on the Ezillo section of the Abakaliki-Enugu Highway on Friday afternoon.

Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emma Anya, noted that information available to him showed that the accident was caused by overtaking and called on motorists to avoid being in a haste while driving.

He also called on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to deploy more of its men on the highways in Ebonyi State to check reckless driving, especially by commercial vehicle drivers.

The governor’s view came barely two weeks after the killing of 14 people on the Afikpo-Okigwe highway, directed the Commissioner for Health to move to a hospital in Enugu where some survivors were taken to.

The governor wished the survivors quick recovery. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of departed and asked God to grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.

Umahi

Andrew Orolua

ÏÏÏThe

contending parties in the Rivers State governorship poll have told the Election Petition Tribunal that 800 witnesses would testify on the petition filed

by Dakuku Peterside challenging the election of Governor Nyesom Wike.

Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), counsel representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peterside told the tribunal, at the weekend, that he had 200 witnesses. Chief Chris Uche (SAN) said he would be calling 400 witnesses on behalf of the electoral body, while Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who is representing Governor Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said he had 200 witnesses.

They disclosed this just as the tribunal fixed September 3 for the petitioner to open his case.

The tribunal had on Friday, last week, refused the request of the APC and Peterside for an order to compel the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the scanning of the ballot papers used during the election.

NAF probes Saturday's Dornier-228 aircraft crash Andrew Orolua Abuja

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose (middle); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo (left) and Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe during the New Yam Festival at the Ewi’s Palace in Ado-Ekiti… at the weekend

A’Ibom tribunal watch video of expert analysis of thumb prints Andrew Orolua

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal, at weekend, watched the video analysis of how forensic examinations were carried out on the election materials, particularly thumb prints used for the April 14 governorship polling in the state.

The forensic report and the video clips were presented to the tribunal by Salisu Abubakar, a forensic expert engaged by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana in the prosecution of their petition.

Justice Sadiq Umar while ruling in a motion by the petitioner, on Thursday, permitted the experts to show the video clips be-

cause they were pleaded in the petition and in their statement on oath.

Justice Umar dismissed the objection raised against the video show by Governor Emmanuel Udom and the PDP on the ground that the video would not, in any way, raise new issues outside the petition or prejudice the defendant in the petition.

The tribunal, however, did not allow oral evidence from the expert led by one Salisu Abubakar who prepared the forensic report on the ground that they did not make a plea to that effect in their statement on oath.

In his testimony after the video, Salisu claimed that they were experts in information and communication technology and ana-

lysing finger prints analysis was a component part of information and communication technology (ICT).

He told the tribunal that a person with a good knowledge of computer could effectively carry out finger-print analysis as they did in their report.

The witnesses admitted that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not allow them to have access to its data base, his team had to use other technological means to detect the multiple voting.

Meanwhile, the election materials comprising ballot papers, voter registers and results sheets, used for the April 11election, have been moved to the custody of the tribunal for inspection by the tribunal.

ÏÏÏThe

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has set up an investigation panel, headed by an Air ViceMarshal, to unravel the cause of the crash of Dornier-228 aircraft, in Kaduna, on Saturday.

An Abuja-bound aircraft, with call sign NAF030, crashed into a house at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, soon after taking off at about 6:45a.m. from the Kaduna Military Airfield.

Abubakar, who aborted his official trip to Port Harcourt, on Saturday, following the accident, visited the site, in the company of Air Officer Commanding Training Command, Air Vice-Marshal Alikali Mamu, and said the panel should begin work with immediate effect.

A top official of the Air Force, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said that though no casualty was recorded on ground, there were no survivors among the passengers onboard the aircraft. Bodies of the passengers have been recovered with help of fire fighters, who also curtailed the fire at the accident site from spreading to other buildings within the vicinity.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

20 die in Enugu-Abakaliki road accident Jacob Mbam

Abakaliki ÏÏÏNo fewer than twenty persons were killed in a motor accident, which occurred on the Enugu-Abakaliki express road on Friday.

An eyewitness said that the victims died on the spot.

He further said that the accident involved two commercial buses, travelling in opposite direction on the ever-busy express road.

He noted that one of the buses

attempted to overtake a smaller vehicle going to Abakaliki, but the driver didn’t see an oncoming bus from the opposite direction, which resulted in a fatal head-on collision.

Some travellers stopped to take the injured and the dead to a nearby hospital – the Annunciation hospital in Emene, Enugu state.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), in Ebonyi state, Mr. Charles Aborchi, confirmed the

accident.

“Our officers responded, instantly, on receiving the news of the crash and led the evacuation of the dead and injured,” Aborchi said.

“I advise motorists to shun reckless driving as it has caused the wasteful loss of life on the roads.

He said that excessive speeding made drivers struggle to apply sudden brake and this causes deaths when the brake fails.

Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja ÏÏÏFormer governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on Chief Timipre Sylva to contest the December 5, 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Also, Tinubu has charged the people of Bayelsa State to ensure that Sylva became the next governor of the state, so as to place the state on the right path.

Tinubu said: “I want him (Sylva) to contest the governorship election because of his proven leadership qualities and our belief that he can bring change to the state.”

Tinubu, who met Sylva at his Abuja home, not only endorsed him as the party’s consensus candidate for the December 5, 2015 governorship election, but commended him for his contributions to the development of the party in Nigeria, particularly Bayelsa State.

His words, “It is time for Bayelsans to unite and support a per-

27 News APC ticket: Tinubu endorses Sylva for Bayelsa guber election son, who can effectively enhance unity, provide opportunities for all and lead the people in a different direction.”

He expressed total and unreserved support for Sylva’s aspiration to clinch the party’s ticket and governorship seat.

The former Lagos State governor mandated APC leaders and members in Bayelsa State to support his choice, adding that, “If you (Sylva) want change, if you're unhappy with the direction of Bayelsa State, then you must join the governorship race and change the state for the people.”

Sylva

Why Buhari should appoint farmer as Agric minister - NCGA Mokolade Michael Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe Nigeria Cassava Growers

Cross section of intending Muslim pilgrims during the 1st 2015 International Hajj seminar held at Med-view Airline Head office in Ikeja, Lagos… on Sunday

Group backs Buhari on Centenary City

Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency and 13 other civil society groups have thrown their support behind President Muhammadu Buhari, for endorsing the Abuja Centenary City Project, saying that it was a proof of the possibility of government succession without project abandonment.

The groups told a news conference, in Abuja, on Sunday, that truncating the $18.5 billion project would have had grave consequences for the economy, in addition to creating credibility problems for the country, as foreign investors would have concluded that Nigeria had no culture of honouring agreements.

The Executive Coordinator of the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, Comrade

Ikpa Isaac, who spoke on behalf of the groups commended Buhari for approving the project initiated by his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, despite efforts by a few individuals to confuse the issue, because of their own selfish interests.

“We are particularly pleased with Mr. President’s endorsement of this project, which is estimated to create about 250,000 more direct jobs in the Federal Capital Territory and about half a million indirect jobs. This potential to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our teeming youths has always made this project of interest to us.

“We see this step as a clear testimony to the readiness of President Muhammadu Buhari to continue with projects that have direct impact on the citizenry.

We appeal that he looks dispassionately and critically into other

inherited programmes of the past administration with a view to further expanding those that will create additional employment for youths.

“The same consideration should be applied to businesses and individuals that genuinely acquired land in the Federal Capital Territory, under the former administration after following due process. This is because these smaller concerns and individuals are also creating thousands of employments that could be lost in the event of revocations.” Isaac said.

Buhari

Association (NCGA) has stressed the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a professional farmer as the Minister of Agriculture.

The Vice-President (South West) of the association, Dr. David Ogunsade said the agriculture sector needed a professional for the country to enjoy the benefits rooted in the sector.

He also enjoined Buhari to ap-

point the Minister of Agriculture from the South, saying a large percentage of farmers are from the region.

Ogunsade, who blamed the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the poor welfare of farmers in the country, noted that farmers were not treated well during his administration.

According to him, “all the promises given by Chief Obasanjo were not fulfilled by him. Nothing was benefited by the farmers during Obasanjo’s era despite he being a farmer.”

Arochukwu/Ohafia road worries Rep, calls for probe Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏWorried

by the dilapidated condition of Arochukwu /Ohafia federal road, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Mr. Uko Ndukwe Nkole, on Saturday, called on the federal government to extend its corruption fight to the contracts that had been awarded for the construction of the federal road.

Speaking to newsmen, in Arochukwu, after a tour of some roads under his constituency, Nkole harped on a need for the fed-

eral government to revisit the contract for the road and that Buhari should probe on all the contracts awarded for the construction of the road from the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) era till date.

Speaking on behalf of Akanu/ Ania group of villages, a community leader, Mazi Jideofor Kanu, said the transportation of farm produce in commercial quantity from Ohafia, Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, Ututu to other neighboring communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States had been dislocated, wondering when the traumatic experience encountered on the road would end.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Our Heritage Æ s Till art transforms ordinary woman, children, I keep working –Nike Okundaye Approaching the septuagenarian bracket, art matriarch, Nike Okundaye remains a woman of many parts.

The occasion was an exhibition which has just ended in her Lekkibased ultra-modern Gallery recently.

Conspicuous throughout the hours the event lasted, with high profile collectors, was Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, adorned in her dark adire and a traditional gelede cap to match. As the exhibition progressed, she could be mistaken for one of the many young female workers as she vacillates and welcomed new visitors with the Yoruba traditional greeting – ekaabo.

Without the use a microphone, her voice was loud and clear to the gathered, collectors, artists and art aficionados, who simply called her Mama (adire). So much for a woman, who recently celebrated her 63 birthday and whose only sign for such advanced years remains a sharp mind and a more calculated steps. That is the Nike Okundaye, a woman popularly known in the country for her arts and culture promotions. For years, that has been her identity card (not to say) that she also holds the traditional title of of Yeye Oba of Ogidi-Ijumu land, But unknown to many, the Ogidi-Ijumuborn, batik-maker is also a woman of many parts, as a chart after the exhibition unveiled an accomplished woman who, driven by an inner passion for arts and for the less- privileged, has equally done an impressive lot to put young artists on their feet. One of such is an outreach training facility set up in Ogidi town, Kogi State, which has trained local woman on the art of spinners, weavers and dyers in the women’s co-operative that Nike developed. The inspiration came as a result of many of her global travels.

She said “I saw a need to empower women economically, because I believe that economic empowerment is the key to other things. Once a woman is empowered, she will be able to get the type of livelihood she deserves.’’

Mrs. Okundaye added: “When I looked back on the hardship that women suffered I was touched. So that was why I decided that I was going to set up a place in Ogidi, where local women can learn skills, so as to empower them, via a vocational workshop where women can be trained, so that they can generate income. Since we started, I am happy that many women from different parts of the country have passed through the place and today, many of them are happier for it.”

The idea is also because I have realised that government cannot do everything for the citizenry, therefor, a need for nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and

private sectors to step.”

The vocational school produced over 60 women recently.

Okundaye will tell whoever cared to listen that women should see themselves as under dogs of the society. “I believe what we are doing is to empower our people and help them build self-esteem.’’

Aside setting up her Lekki-based, ultra-modern gallery, Mama adire has also established an art and culture research centre at Piwoyi village, Abuja, with an art gallery and a textile museum, the first of its kind in Nigeria, which has been providing functional platform for research into Nigerian traditional textile industry in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She is also the founder of Nike Art Productions Limited, which she incorporated in 1994, Nike Art Gallery Limited, which she incorporated in 2007 and the Nike Research Centre for Art and Culture Limited, which she incorporated in 2007. Also in 2007, Nike founded the Nike Art and Culture Foundation with some notable eminent Nigerians as trustees, with the main aims and objectives of fostering Nigerian cultural heritage.

Although with no formal or little education, except that garnered by dint of hard work, Mrs. Okundaye rose to fame through her exploits in the arts.

Born on May 23, 1951, Mama Adire, as she is fondly called, all over the world, attended St. Michael’s Primary School, Ogidi, but her education was terminated in primary 6, because of lack of funds. To many young girls in such a circumstance, not being able to continue schooling would, have most probably, led to early marriage and an abridgement of destiny. But it was not so with Mrs. Okundaye, as she took up the challenge, determined to explore to the fullest the destiny that awaited her.

She went ahead to teach herself English at home as a way of navigating the pathway to a better life.

Principally educated in art by her great grand-mother, the late Madam Ibikunle, with whom she lived after the death of her mother and grand-mother. Her great grand-mother was a weaver and an adire textile maker/dyer. Watching her great grand-mother and helping her out in the art of adire processing, Mrs Okundaye walked up the line to become an expert in the art, as well as in dyeing, weaving, painting and embroidery. Steadily building on what her great grandmother had taught her, Mrs Okundaye went ahead to develop her own unique style and technique in textile design, and painting as well as how to effectively present them for exhibition.

Okundaye

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

29 Our Heritage

The colourful Ijele Masquerade , performing at a cultural event in Anambra state.

Anambra, discover the pride of state A visit to Anambra state, South East Nigeria reveals why the State is known as the home of hospitality. Bounded

by Imo and Abia states on the south, Benue and Kogi states on the north, Delta state on the west and Enugu state on the east, Anambra state can best be described as the home of enterprising individual in Nigeria. In all sectors of life, the State has produced distinguished personalities such as the first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Anambarians are widely known to be very resourceful and hardworking people. The people are friendly and sociable. They show great respect to visitors and those who came to live and work among them.

The language spoken is Igbo but English is widely used and a visitor can make himself understood even in the humblest hamlet if he can speak pidgin English.

Some of the cultural endow-

ment of the State includes the Ogbunike cave which is located in Oyi Local Government Area. The cave is about two to three meters high and several meters wide, and it extends several meters inside, branches into several tunnels and contains a spectacular waterfall.

Another notable tourist centre is the Nanka/Agulu erosion site which is a deep and extensive gully erosion site covering several square kilometers and about a hundred meters deep. It is located in Aniocha Local Government Area. A journey across Anambra state yields rewarding insight into the cultural life of the Ndigbo. There are many experiences and attractions for a visitor and it can be grouped into natural scenic attractions, historical attractions and cultural attractions. Agulu Lake which is a fairly large natural lake situated in a deep river valley. It is located in Aniocha Local Government Area and has potentials for sports,

fishing, and boating racing, picnics although presently it is used for only fishing, and irrigation.

Other cultural and tourism potentials in the State include Obudu lake located at Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area. It is expected that the lake should be used for activities such as relaxation, trade fairs, Mmanwu festivals, and other activities the communities may wish to have at the centre. Other historical attractions can be seen in the museums at Nri, Enugu Ukwu and Igbo-Ukwu.

The Nri museum is the most significant as an ancient town in Igboland with abundant cultural artifacts. Also the Odinani museum which was formally run by the University of Ibadan as a research centre attracts a lot of foreign visitors to the state. Cultural attractions manifest in the form of Mmanwu festival which is usually celebrated at state by various towns.

Adefuye, others honored at TAMPAN day festival It was a day to remember recently in Lagos when the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Somolu/ Bariga chapter rolled out drums to honour some of its patriarchs and other individual who have contributed to its growth.

TAMPAN which prides itself as a leading theatre body in Lagos lays claims, not only to being on the vanguard of the motion picture industry but to a rich legacy in discovering and developing creative talents.

In celebration of that feat, the organisers rolled out drums in honour of some of those who contributed conspicuously to their achievement of reckoning.

Among those honoured with various awards were 10 people who have distinguished themselves in the body’s history.

Some of the recipients of the awards include Senator Anthony Adefuye, who was honoured with the TAMPAN fathers icon award, Chief Sesan Adio (King of comedy) Pa Felix Olufowobi (Apase Ajeweje itage TAMPAN) Others includes, Gbadegbesin Adeyemi (Olori Akeweje Itage), Femi Onileagbon (Award of excellence) Mrs Toyin Adewunmi (Award of excellence) Chief Kehinde Oseifa (Apase oluomo itage), Lateef Ekundayo Ade Ogo(Award of excellence) Akande Olawale and Chief Rasheed Akinola.

The colourful event which held at the Somolu local government hall was marked by artistic performances and tributes. There were cultural displays as well as fashion parade. In attendance were dignitaries from both the theatre and motion picture industry in Lagos.

In his opening remark, the Lagos State President of TAMPAN Otunba Debo Alexander, while expressing the organisers’ appreciation for the wonderful contribution those being feted made to the growth of the Bariga/Somolu TAMPAN generally, explained that the essence of the awards was to show recognition to the body’s founding fathers.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Features Æ Lessons from Lagos state’s war against youth unemployment ‘‘After failing to secure a job Tolu set up a little shop but proceeds from her sales quickly vaporised left with no job and no capital for business she ended up seeking vocational skill acquisition and today, she is training to become a certified hairdresser’’ Ambode

Contributed by Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Charles Okonji and Joy Ekeke A place where opportunities and youths abound, yet unemployment reigns, is a place devoid of strategic management of resources and doomed for crime and restiveness. Such a place is not hard for any Nigerian to imagine, because it actually exists and we live in it.

Daily Times findings have however shown that an interesting 17-year old scheme in Lagos exists which provides ample opportunities for youths seeking gainful employment, the question is how successful has it been?

Perhaps you live in Lagos and you ply the Ogba-Agege axis, then you may by now be familiar with seeing mature youths clad in black and white uniforms and probably concluded that they are students of a learning institute of some sorts and of course continue minding your business, which is what everyone is expected to do in Lagos.

Taking a bus ride with one of the students Tolulope one fateful day, provided just the ample opportunity for interaction and to one’s greatest shock, behold Tolu was a university graduate! Then what was she still doing with a

school uniform five years after graduation? From there the story began to unravel.

This was no ordinary school, it was a vocational school instituted by the Lagos state government for women development but has since been restructured as a strategic institute for battling youth unemployment.

After failing to secure a job Tolu set up a little shop but proceeds from her sales quickly vaporised left with no job and no capital for business she ended up seeking vocational skill acquisition and today, she is training to become a certified hairdresser, which she believes will guarantee her a steady source of income. As she said, “my skills will always be a part of me, unlike my capital which got exhausted, my training will be my new capital and it will always be intact.”

Vocational skills acquisition is the future of job creation experts have also agreed.

A unique kind of school Women Development Centre was established as an agency under the Lagos State ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

17 in number they are spread across almost all the Local government areas of the state you will find them in Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Surulere, Egbeda, Mushin Igando, Ojo etc, Each centre is unique in its own way and offers specific pro-

grammes at the Agege centre, which is actually the pilot centre, eight courses are on offer such as catering and hotel management, Sewing and Fashion design, textile design, Art, bead and soap making are together, hairdressing, photography, adult literacy, barbing and computer training.

Daily Times discovered that the training durations also vary and this affects the intake period – for programmes that run for one

year admission is usually in January while the six months programmes accept students in July and the nine months programme starts in September.

Computer training, photography, barbing and textile fall under six months while the other ones are 12 months or 9 months.

Sewing and fashion is 12 months including a 3-month industrial attachment.

Instructors keep regular tabs

on students during industrial attachments, while the students themselves fill out a log book on their activities.

The progenitors The initiative was set up in 1998 by the then military Governor, Col Buba Marwa for fees of N5,000 – N10,000. However during the second term of former governor of Lagos State Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu, it became free including forms.

A token fee of N250 for obtaining the form was however reintroduced by Mrs. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the then commissioner for women affairs and later deputy governor under the regime of former governor Babatunde Fashola, to stop people from collecting more forms than they needed.

Apart from the form fee, admitted students are also expected to buy their own materials for practicals, and this has proven to be an area of challenge for most students who basically have no one to cater for them.

Good Samaritans Daily Times gathered that some Non-governmental organizations, (NGOs) do come around the centres in search of indigent students who cannot afford practical materials, obtain their information and not only help them acquire these materials, but go as far as setting up shops for them on graduation and this entails paying rent and buying them sewing machines, hair dryers or whatever machines required to ply their respective trades. Truly a great country with good people one must say.

Funding for graduates Besides the good work of these NGOs, graduates that have issues of raising funds are recommended by the centre to the Lagos state Micro Finance institutes. Lagos state has a micro finance bank that can empower them, they are encouraged to form cooperatives – a group of five to ten, so they establish their businesses from the loan. Through these interventions, some of them are now salon and fashion house owners.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

31 Features

War against youth unemployment: The Lagos example “Unfortunately our country is a country where we believe so much in certificates but people are now seeing that the only way we can stop youth unemployment is by vocational skills acquisition and gradually we are getting there.”

Marwa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

The students Kayode chose to study catering because he enjoys cooking and wanted to commercialise his passion, despite the fact that he already knows how to cook, he confesses that coming to the centre made him realise that he didn’t know much, “I’ve been here for about a month and I have come to realise that there are a lot of things I didn’t know, really everybody is a learner, I have also come to learn different methods of doing some other things I knew, so I have to just compile everything together. I have a wonderful instructor Mrs Olaoluwa, she is patient to listen to our questions and teaches us to gain understanding.”

Kayode before coming to the centre had gone elsewhere to acquire professional catering knowledge, but unfortunately he couldn’t afford to pay the over N100,000 required by the private catering institute. He was lucky however to have been directed to the WDC by a friend whose friend had graduated from the centre’s hairdressing department.

“I was told when the form would be out so I waited until then and eventually I got the form, after the interview, some of us were selected, some others were disqualified, so here am I getting quality knowledge free of

charge,” he beamed.

Kayode informed Daily Times that from early childhood he has had to struggle by himself to make ends meet, “I am the one sponsoring myself from childhood, so for me this is a very great opportunity, anytime I think of it, it just leaves me speechless, I really thank the Lagos state government for this initiative.”

Today he says he has turned into a kind of advocate on the street seeking unemployed boys to come and acquire a vocational skill that would help them make a living and give their lives a sense of purpose.

Daily Times also spoke to students in the fashion department, who disclosed that they are trained in the making of both male and female clothes.

Unlike what obtains in most fashion houses where young girls go for apprenticeship and are subjected to humiliating treatments by their mentors, a student at the centre disclosed that in the centre, learning is conducive because they are regarded as mature people and are treated with dignity.

A Business Studies HND holder from Lagos state polytechnic and an indigene of Ogun state, Kehinde said the learning is quite intense covering all aspects of fashion designing and sewing.

After I graduated, I knew exactly what I needed was to acquire a vocational skill that would help

me set up my own business and that is why I am here today. We have masters and even PhD holders here and they are still learning.

Another HND in computer science graduate Bimbo, found herself in the fashion department because of her love for colour combination and interestingly she revealed that the centre was far advanced than the standard out there.

“Before I came here, I used to be amazed at how wonderful my tailors made my clothes, but coming here I suddenly started seeing the errors in most of those clothes my tailors made for me, before now I really couldn’t spot them,” she said.

According to her, the learning is so impactful that even before one graduates it is possible to have carved a niche out there with just the little practical knowledge being acquired.

Augustine, an indigene of Lagos State is also currently enrolled for training at the Centre in the Computer Science department.

Said “I learnt about the school from a friend of mine who told me that I should obtain a form for admission and that the tuition is free, so I became interested and I did exactly as he told me, now I am a student of the school,” he admitted.

He has NECO and NCE certificates, and has been in the school for a period of six months, according to him, “I have acquired so much knowledge and I can be boastful that I passed through this school. From now if I have the opportunity of managing my own computer centre, I think I would perform excellently.”

These are just a few testimonies of the impact the initiative is having in the lives of youths and the multiplier effects are also there to be counted.

Sourcing trainers Some of the trainers are sourced from the ministry of education and are civil servants, however other instructors like the hairdressers for example are established professionals who are contracted to train students at the centre for agreed contract terms.

Impact Daily Times gathered that between 800 and 1000 graduates are rolled out from the school every year ready to start earning incomes on their own.

Speaking on the important role of the initiative, a ministry official who does not want his name on print noted that “Unemployment is a big challenge in this country, youth unemployment is on the high side and that is the problem we are facing in this

Tinubu

country. Also you can see that we are having a big problem of youth restiveness in the country and if all the states can start doing what we are doing in Lagos state, this problem would be solved.”

Speaking further our source said, “Unfortunately our country is a country where we believe so much in certificates but people are now seeing that the only way we can stop youth unemployment is by vocational skills acquisition and gradually we are getting there.”

Daily Times learnt that Lagos state accounts for about 50 per cent of students’ and states of origin and nationalities cuts across Abia state, Adamawa States, Akwa Ibom , Anambra state, Delta state, Edo state, Imo state, Cross River state, Kano state, Lagos state, Ogun state, Kadunna state, Enugu state, Kwara state and even foreigners from Gambia and Guinea.

Winners The biggest winners are the individuals who recognise the golden opportunity free vocational training represents. The second winner is the state government which is trying to build a secure and empowered society and thirdly the society that would benefit from the professional services of the graduates as opposed to quacks who parade themselves as technicians and skilled artisans.

According to the state official, the centre at Isheri trains refrigerator technicians, electricians, furniture makers, shoe makers and leather workers while in Badagry they have mat weaving, farming etc, “in addition to some of the courses we do there. Most of these traffic lights you see

were done by the Isheri students and Lagos state government buys from them.”

Losers It is common to hear idle people complain year in and year out that their problem is not having the money to pay someone to teach them a trade, whereas here is a place where vocational skills are taught free of charge. Second category of losers are those who without trying, have concluded that you must know someone up there or at least be an indigene to access opportunity. Unfortunately for them, foreigners who have summoned up more courage hand shown enough determination have been admitted and trained at the centre and are now doing well for themselves.

The third category of losers are states and local governments that are yet to fashion out ingenious initiatives to empower their youthful population and are consequently losing the fight against rising crime waves and insecurity in their localities.

For those still scheming and waiting for employment in the state ministries and local government councils, here is a good advice: it is better to get a vocational skill now and earlier the better.

It is no longer news that governments now go a borrowing cap in hand to pay salaries.

Indeed, while you pass these mature youths wearing black and white uniforms and wonder why such a grown up guy/babe should still be wearing uniforms, what you don’t understand is that they are strutting their way out of poverty, unemployment and disillusionment in a very dignified manner for all to see.

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

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

dailytimesng

g Features g Business

Sterling Bank trains financial journalists

Lessons from Lagos state’s war against youth unemployment

P30

P20

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.181

g News

Tropical storm Erika kills at least 20 in Dominica

g Politics

His attitude to govt is inhuman – Shehu Sani

P8

P13

Price: N150

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD. LAGOS: Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

ABUJA: 44, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng.

EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI email: editor@dailytimes.com.ng. adverts@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948.

News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotline: 09039647808, 09033765031

Justice Oloyede and Osun skelewu orchestra

By Ifeoluwa Laroosin

‘I am propelled by the desire to see the pains of my fellow human beings ameliorated and to possibly, help take away the reproach of our state as “a bankrupt” and “a failed state”, - Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi Yinka Odumakin

ÎÎÎ Dear

readers, Kindly permit me to yield this page today and next week to a succinct analysis of the economic and social crisis brewing in our dear state, Osun. Expect my thoughts on the courageous words afterwards.

It is well over one year since the governorship elections in Osun state. The campaign was fierce and contested. Omisore-led PDP

in Osun state identified the urgent need for a ‘Rescue Mission’, calling for prosperity and development that leave no one behind. On the other hand, Rauf Aregbesola celebrated his ‘achievements’ in four years, dancing from local government to local governments of chants of ‘Aregbe l’ekan si (Aregbe once again). The rest of the story is history, as the electoral commission declared him winner of the elections and the Supreme Court based on the evidence before it has asserted that victory. Our votes, whether they counted or not, is not the matter of the moment.

Beyond the campaign and our one vote, there is a valid expectation that the commitments of the elections and the denial of all the campaign allegations of Omisore’s PDP will play themselves out in good governance and sustained progress. Sadly this has not been the case. Civil servants and pensioners have not been paid. The allegations of reckless financial management and fraudulent pro-

curement practices are not false. Federal allocations were received and diverted to personal purses and indeed many of the proposed infrastructure touted during the campaign are nowhere to be found. The N8.4 billion Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) is in no longer in any institution in the state. The school feeding programme and the perverse ‘OYES’ initiative are all gone with the wind of ‘skelewu dancing’. So bad is the situation that Osun state has been described as being in a humanitarian crisis, with religious organizations and many local charities as well as private donations directed at its citizen’s. Although the Governor had on national television asserted that he has no solution, he hangs on to power, converting his sacked commissioners to consultants and continuing his lavish ‘skelewu dancing’ at his daughter’s wedding which he chose to hold in Lagos, far away from his people in Osun State!

One lady did have the

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

LAGOS

Low 23°C High 30°C

Low 23°C High 31°C

Low 24°C High 30°C

KADUNA

IBADAN

ILORIN

Low 21°C High 29°C

Low 22°C High 31°C

Low 22°C High 29°C

moral courage to speak out and stand tall! Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi in a letter to the House of Assembly, raised several issues that she as both a citizen and leader in Osun state felt that the elected in the state assembly need to pay attention to. Prior to petitioning the State Assembly, Justice Folahanmi had tried without success to have audience with the Governor to discuss her many concerns. Several appointments were reneged.

In her petition, Justice Folahanmi asserts ‘I verily believe, that the desired power, prestige and good image for our country that the majority yearns for can only be achieved when we all cooperate to fight ineptitude, corruption, greed and abuse of entrusted power in governance. I am also convinced of the fact that loving one’s brethren means doing that which will benefit them, which includes having them corrected and/or punished if they refuse to understand and persist in acts which

are damaging to others beside themselves’. It is indeed widely acclaimed that evil persists, only when supported by the silence of good men.

Highlights of Justice Folahanmi’s petition include (please note that this is not an exhaustive list): i. Failure of the governor to pay 8-11 months of pensions,salaries and allowances to workers while personally enjoying outrageous emoluments and perks of office. ii. Borrowing beyond the capacity of the state to repay iii. Embarking on bogus and extravagant projects to siphon state resources Since she has raised these issues, Justice Folahanmi has been the object of attack and not reward.

Rather than the EFCC inviting Rauf Aregebsola to respond to these questions of large scale fraud and financial mismanagement, it is Justice Folahanmi that has been under perverse scrutiny, in both her official and

personal space. Leading legal luminaries who should protect public accountability have called her to question in the most bizarre of all the interventions .The State Assembly has denied her, and the general public access to the response of the Governor. It matters not whether the petition is written by the Governor’s political adversaries or not.

The important thing is that we all know that Osun state and its people are in dire straits, workers and pensioners are unpaid and the Governor should be held to public accountability.

Justice Oloyede has articulated the grave situation of the state. A response in the public space is required, as well as action where appropriate. Freedom of Information is a mirage without responsibility to answer and obligation to act. We all would like to know. ....To be concluded.

Ifeoluwa Y. Laroosin sent this contribution from Ede,Osun State

R E P O R T KANO Low 23°C High 35°C

BENIN CITY Low 14°C High 25°C

P/HARCOURT Low 21°C High 25°C

CALABAR Low 23°C High 27°C

ENUGU Low 23°C High 31°C

WARRI Low 23°C High 29°C

Life&

Times Monday, August 31, 2015

Saheed

Balogun On making impactful movies

L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

We need to start making

movies that will impact on society

–Saheed Balogun Isaac Oguntoye

Life&

T E A M

You’re the president of The Movie Ambassador. What is the association all about?

The Movie Ambassador (TMA) is an association though which we as movie makers want to use to rebuild and rebrand the Nigeria movie industry and ourselves as individuals. The association is founded by God, the man who says yes when people say no. He used people like actor, Kunle Aford and myself to make things happen and a lot of fellow actors have come on board to help the association achieve its vision.

As the president of the association, what are the aims and objectives of the association?

If you look at the history of our movie industry from the early 60s/70s, there were series of movies shot with international standard. In the early 80s, there were improvements on the movies made and we kept growing. We moved from shooting movies with 35mm cameras to celluloid cameras. This was in the era of the Ogundes, Ayanmos, Aiyes and Baba Salas. They all set a good standard, shooting movies you can show in any cinema anywhere in the world. But in the 90s, it was the era of home videos, it was the lowest grade of movie making ever. And we sat we are the giant of Africa and our production kept growing in the midst of mediocrity.

Are we the giant of Africa by mere words of mouth or by our poor standard in movie shooting. So we decided we needed a medium through which we can pressure the government to help structure our movie industry. Look at the GDP of Nigeria, a little over one per cent and Nollywood has the highest percentage after petroleum and coal yet we still do not have the structure. Entertainers are the face and voice Africa and we should be able to lead by example. It is a big shame to watch American movies and you see them get actors who

He is an actor, film-maker, movie director and producer, who has done remarkably well for himself in the movie industry. He is presently the co-founder and the president of The Movie Ambassador, an association meant to correct some negative norms within the Nigerian movie industry. He speaks exclusively in this interview, revealing the rationale behind setting up the association and sundry issues.

aren’t even Nigerians to act as Nigerians. I was watching a Yoruba movie one day and rather than get a Yoruba actor, the character bastardized the language. I wondered if the person was a real actor. I consider that a big slap on my face; a misrepresentation of our culture. That is part of what The Movie Ambassadors are trying to build. We want to grow the brand to the point where it should be. If you look at South Africa today, they shouldn’t be where they are today if not for Nigeria. That’s what structure does. It is not by giving out MON or the likes. Give us that right thing that will sustain our tomorrow.

There is this allegation that you’re trying to use the TMA to intimidate the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).

How true is this?

Very funny. The question I ask myself about the association I belong to, TMA, is, do we have the vision, a mission, do we really know what we want? I’ve never seen any movie association asking the senators in Abuja, or the members of the House of Representative which law or bills they have passed on the entertainment industry. It is not all about campaigning for a governor or the chairman of a local government because if you ask my fellow entertainers who the Senator in-charge of the committee for entertainment, they would not likely know. It is because we don’t count much interest to these things. As far as I am concerned, all these various associations are one. Each one has a vision but the Federal Government has the power to make us and to give us a voice. If they can give the ministry of petroleum a voice, give the ministry of agriculture a

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

voice then they should give us a voice as well. The censors board is just an ordinary parastatal. Isn’t that a shame? The industry that is bringing you the highest GDP has no structure.

How has it been running the affairs of TMA? We have done quite well. When we started, we had a lot of people coming to our aid to give us ideas about how to go about it. We called on our colleague who is a member of the House of Representative, Rotimi Makinde. He was the first person we paid a courtesy visit to then. We went to the Senate and the Lagos State House of Assembly to talk to them on what we want them to make happen for us. We had a twoday meeting with them. Secondly, we tried to charge all our members to be partakers of life insurance.

We signed some agreements with some insurance companies in other to put a structure in place.

On health issue, we’ve organized various health forums where we invited health practitioners to give talks on health issues we should be aware of. On the business angle, we’ve brought speakers to educate us on how best we can move our do better business with our craft. And several other things we have done as an association too numerous to mention.

Is The Movie Ambassador a Yoruba group?

It is not a Yoruba group or an Hausa or Igbo group. If you have ever done anything in the movie industry, you are qualified to become a member of the group. We have four cadres; the platinum cadre where we have the likes of Oga Bello, Wale Olaiya, Peter Edoche, Jide kosoko, and other veterans. Then there is the Gold cadre for actors like Ogogo, Continued on

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Pfromfrom

L3

P

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

L3 Interview

We need to start making movies that will

impact on society

Continued from

Pfromfrom

L2

P

Kunle Aford, myself and others on my level.

We also have the silver cadre to accommodate the younger generation of movie makers and finally, the bronze cadre who are the juniors who are just coming into the industry. You see if you don’t create room for learning, to garner experiences, we will keep messing and muddling things up. That you launched a movie today doesn’t automatically make you a movie producer. When I was asked to be the president of TMA, I asked them why me, what do I know? But they insisted. They said, “You did the first one cast movie in the whole of Africa. You did a movie on ankara and received some endorsements. These and a few more shows that you’re capable.” I accepted and my agenda as the president is for every member of the association to be able to something that will ultimately impact on our society, either as an actor, producer, director etc. I’ve never seen one person produce a movie on the solution to the country’s security issues, agriculture issue and the likes. We need good detective movies that will change lives, help give police officers clues on how they can easily conquer the criminal world. When I produced the movies Eti-keta and Ankara, it was just my own way of telling the whole world the beauty of our culture. I produced the movie You or I and I brought a white man who spoke Yoruba so well. My message was simply to tell people that if they are mocking someone who can’t speak English properly, they should equally mock white men who aren’t fluent in the Yoruba language. In essence I want us to be proud of our language. The Chinese are doing their movie in Chinese and the whole world is watching, the Indians are doing same and the whole world is watching. Who are we as Nigerians? We don’t know. Wrong English, bad phonetics, we are just in the middle. Basically, all I am saying is that to be a member of TAM, you should have represented us well in the entertainment industry.

Why hasn’t anyone thought of producing movie along that line?

I cannot blame anyone for this lack of insight.

Things will happen at the right time and I think this is the right time. We are all looking for a way forward, that is why we came up with the name The Movie Ambassador. We want to have a rethink and move things forward.

You talk about making good movie and it is a well known fact that those who finance movie projects sometimes influence the

–Saheed Balogun kind of storyline they want.

The structure of TMA will show you the way it should be done. Let me give an example; we have one law in TMA now, that if you do a movie that has to do with all these standard I have mentioned here you will have the logo of TMA on it, just to tell the world, that this is what an ambassador should do. So we are ready to encourage executive producers, movie marketers who are ready to learn and move forward. For instance, if you are a fantastic producer, fantastic movie marketer, if you are not ready to move with time, a moving train like somebody said does not stop, it can’t wait, it has to go, that guy who has brought in millions, if he cannot recoup his money back, the other guy who wants to bring billion will not come in and indirectly we are dead. So, the blue print and structure of TMA is bring your money, you will be get it back by doing the kind of movies TMA stands for. We look properly before we fly; we look at the producers, the marketers etc.

If you are ready to be a part of the change, you are one of us.

What does it take to become a member?

You have to see us in TMA. I don’t want to go to divulge anything but if you can read, with what I have said so far, you should be able to see the criteria yourself. You must be BPI (Black powerful and intelligent), you must be ready, it has nothing to do with how many years you have spent in the industry.

If you have something good upstairs come and help move this country forward If you can think deep, think well, think straight, not be selfish and be ready to abide by the rules, then you are a member of movie ambassador. It is not only by doing movie and getting known, it is by doing a movie and securing your tomorrow with your legacy.

Once you tell anybody you are a citizen of United states, they will doff their hat. If you say you are a British citizen, they look at you with respect. My dream and that of the entire TMA is to be able to bring the joy and pride of being a Nigerian entertainer.

So many negative things have been said about the association being a means to just defraud members.

What is your take on that?

No response, time will tell. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but by our actions, you will know. I am not ready to fight anybody or begrudge anyone. I will maintain my standards regardless. My own is, are we

ready to move forward? Instead of battling A, the best way to tell me that I am not doing well is to give me a fantastic structure that will beat my own, that is the best way instead of running me down. We have one rule as a movie ambassador and all the movie producers accepted that and that is that, no conscious promotion of products in movies if it isn’t paid for. You must seek counsel before using any product in your movie because we use some product in the wrong way and product owners will just overlook it. That should stop. So look at my structure, have I delivered, have movie ambassadors been able to do things well?

Answer sincerely before you start criticizing.

Whatever anybody says, no problem but TMA structure as a whole will speak for itself. There is a difference between individual thinking and association thinking.

All I am for is to have a good structure for the entertainment industry Are you working on any movie that will explain your aim better?

Yes as a TMA president, my first movie will be an example of all that I have been saying. I have three movies now, I have the Independent Boy which has to do with Nigeria’s independence. Did we do the right thing by asking the white to go? If they had stayed, would we still have been battling with all the problems we have now? Who is at fault? Is it our leaders? The movie will attempt to answer all of that. Independent Boy has to do with how country is today.

What is the perception of the way the whites see us, the way other countries see us. I made a statement that we blacks we are BPI (Black powerful and intelligent). I embraced my language, a white man, no matter how much you speak to a white man, they will still tell you they can’t hear you, so let them speak to me and let me say I can’t hear them as well. I did a movie on The Rider. It is all about the motorcycle (Okada). The government is trying to stop its use. Are they doing the right thing? Do we really need them?

Can we do some other things that can make people stop the okada business? Has the government provided other means of livelihood for these riders? I am just trying to do movies to correct my certain anomalies in the society. In the movie You and I, the whole essence is for us to embrace our indigenous languages because we all are at fault as to why our indigenous languages

are fast dying. Children will learn English in school, watch American film in the evening, you speak to them in English and at the end of the day you raise a child who can’t speak his/her language.

There is this belief that Nigeria is the third largest movie producing country in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood.

What is your take on that?

I believe America is first, India is second while we are third. So, that means we’re doing movies more than the Chinese people.

In terms of quantity, home video quantity, give it to us but in terms of international quality, celluloid quality, we may be number 19 in Africa and not the world.

What is your advice for the upcoming entertainers who want to be members of TMA? My little advice is for them to respect their elders, pray well and be ready to learn.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

L5 Nutrition

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

HigH blood pressure and diet

Bananas: Bananas are a great way to add potassium to your diet. Adding foods that are rich in this mineral to your diet is better than taking supplements, and it’s easy. Slice a banana into your breakfast cereal or oatmeal, or take one to work every day for a quick, easy, and inexpensive snack.

Judith Frank-Edet

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, a few smarteating strategies can help you prevent further blood pressure spikes and possibly even reduce your blood pressure. Making a few easy swaps, such as looking for reduced-sodium or trans-fat free options and increasing your intake of calcium, magnesium, and potassium will cut your risk of stroke and heart attack nearly in half. It’s important to remember that eating with hypertension isn’t about deprivation. Instead, it’s about eating smart and healthy for your body.

Here are some foods to try.

Leafy greens: Foods high in potassium give you a better ratio of potassium to sodium.

Improvements in this ratio can help with lowering blood pressure. Leafy greens like lettuce, fluted pumpkin, spinach are high in potassium. Try to opt for fresh greens.

Garlic:

This pungent seasoning can do more than just flavor your food and ruin your breath.

Garlic has the ability to lower your blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to relax and dilate.

This lets blood flow more freely and reduces blood pressure.

Onions: Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke. In a research study published in the Journal of Nutrition, subjects with hypertension experienced a decrease in their blood pressure by 7mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic as opposed to those who were taking placebo, a medicine used to calm patients.

Dark chocolate: It’s important to stress Potatoes: Potatoes are high in both potassium and magnesium, two minerals that can help to lower your blood pressure.

They are also high in fiber, which is necessary for an overall healthy diet.

that this is dark chocolate, and you won’t get the same benefits from eating milk chocolate, especially not the kind found in many shops or supermarket.

The antioxidants in dark chocolate will help fight off free radicals.

The trick is limiting yourself to a small daily portion, and not over-consuming it. Eating more of it does not increase the benefits so keep portions in check and go for the longterm approach and daily intake.

Skimmed milk: Skimmed milk is an excellent source of calcium and is low in fat, another important element of a diet for lowering blood pressure. Swap out your higher-fat milk for skim milk, or if you don’t care for milk, eat more low-fat or non-fat yogurt. Just avoid those that are high in sugar.

Coconut water:

Foods to avoid

Salt: Salt and sodium are the worst villains when it comes to living with high blood pressure and heart disease. The dietary guidelines for most countries suggests that people with hypertension limit their daily sodium intake to just 1,500 milligrams.

Currently, the average Nigerian eats more than twice that amount, or about 3,400 milligrams a day. Even before some people taste their food they order for salt.

Canned tomato products: As a rule, tomato products are problematic for people with hypertension. Canned tomato sauces, pasta sauces, and tomato juices are all high in sodium culprits. A cup of tomato juice comes in at 650 milligrams of sodium. Try and avoid them.

Sugar: You likely already know that excessive sugar intake has been linked to increased cases of weight gain and obesity.

But did you know that high sugar intake is also linked to high blood pressure? Sugar, especially sugar-sweetened drinks, has contributed to an increase in obesity in people of all ages. High blood pressure is more common in individuals who are overweight or obese.

Chicken skin and packaged foods: People with hypertension should avoid saturated and trans fats. Chicken skin is high in saturated fat. Full-fat dairy, red meat, and butter are, too. Trans fats are created in a process called hydrogenation. Liquid oils are infused with air to make a solid oil. Trans fats are found naturally in small amounts in fatty meats and dairy products.

Instant noodles: Instant noodles may be a quick fix when you are hungry but it adds about 14 grams of fat to your day and 1580 MG of sodium. This is not advisable for hypertensive people.

Coffee: If you have hypertension, now may be the time to stop your coffee habit. Your morning cup (or cups) of coffee can actually cause a temporary spike in blood pressure.

If you’re a regular coffee drinker, this may be contributing to your hypertension. In fact, any caffeinated drinks may cause an increase in your blood pressure—this includes soda drinks or caffeinated tea.

Alcohol: When it comes to high blood pressure, alcohol is a double-edged sword.

Small to moderate amounts of alcohol may actually lower your blood pressure, but drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure, even for people who only drink occasionally. According to the Mayo Clinic, having more than three drinks in one sitting can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. Repeated drinking can lead to long-term blood pressure problems. Alcohol can prevent any blood pressure medications you may be taking from working effectively.

In addition, alcohol is full of calories and can lead to weight gain. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have high blood pressure. Alcohol just needs to be done carefully.

Berries: Berries, especially blueberries, are rich in natural compounds called flavonoids. Though they are not home grown, they are sold in Nigeria. One study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming these compounds may prevent hypertension, and possibly help to reduce high blood pressure as well.

Beans: Beans have a direct

impact on your blood pressure, creating favorable conditions for healthy levels. They do this by helping your body in at least three different aspects, due to the Vitamin C content they contain, their fiber content, and also potassium, which has perhaps the most direct effect. You simply can’t go wrong by eating beans.

Coconut water is found inside the shell of green, unripe coconuts that retains its natural benefits in organic and raw form. It contains potassium and magnesium, both of which relate to regular muscle function, and of course, the heart is a big giant muscle. While there have been some limited studies on the effect of coconut water on hypertension, many people report anecdotally that it has helped lower blood pressure. In studies, it seemed to particularly affect systolic blood pressure, or the force that takes place when the heart pumps blood away from it. If you don’t have a problem with coconut water, it may prove to be a solid remedy for you.

Buzz Byte L6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Brymo gears up for album release

….signs deal with international label

Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun

‘SOO Live The Dream’ lights up Edo State

Come September, the People of Edo state will be serenaded with the debut of a new reality show. Tagged ‘SOO Live The Dream’, it is a musical talent hunt show aimed at youths from Esan North East / South East Federal Constituency in Edo State. This sole aim of the new reality show powered by Hon. Barr Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, a law maker from Edo state, is to give youths within his constituency a life time opportunity of kicking starting their career in music. While speaking to journalists at a press parley, Hon Ogun opined that ‘SOO The Dream’ is all about promoting gainful employment and socially acceptable enterprise among youths in his area and to curb the sudden mass migration of able bodied youths from his area who die on a daily basis in their quest to travel to Europe through the Mediterranean sea. He hopes to save the lives of youths from his place through such schemes and also re-direct their focus into areas that could change their lives for good. CEO of Dihoo Records, Morgan Diwise Uwadileke, during the briefing said he is looking forward to the next artiste that will be signed on to Dihoo Records from the reality show. The reality show is billed to hold from 17th to 20th September in Edo state and judges like Elcee McEdwards and Monique D Vibes who have seen it all within the entertainment business will be on ground to ensure the right candidate makes it through to the final stages. The winner of the show is expected to walk home with a grand prize of 200,000 naira and an all encompassing record deal with Dihoo Records, partners in the show, while the first and second runners up gets 150,000 naira and 100,000 naira respectively, with each of them being assisted in recording two singles that will kick start their music careers. The show is open to persons between 18 to 30 years and must be from Hon Ogun’s constituency in Edo State.

New Video

Alert

SKIBII –SAMPU

Like his other colleagues in the industry, the September album release buzz just got fiercer as talented music act, Brymo has disclosed plans to release his first international album in September titled Trance.

The new album release date was released shortly after a new record deal was signed with American label, TMG. In a statement released

by Brymo’s manager, Lanre Lawal, the record company will distribute the new album all over the United States.

‘Oklahoma based Record Label & Music Publishing Company, TMG set to release Brymo’s first International album titled Trance. Fans and music lovers in the United States will be able to buy physical copies of Brymo’s albums in music stores.’

With the announcement, he has added his name to the list of top music acts to drop albums in September including Wizkid, Davido, Iyanya and Brymo’s former label mate, Jesse Jagz.

Ali baba

Olamide

Ali Baba Slams NBC on Olamide’s Bobo song Veteran comedian, Ali baba has questioned the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’s timing of the ban imposed on the video of rapper Olamide‘s hit song Bobo.

According to the NBC in its list of 18 songs and videos banned from airplay, those affected had vulgar lyrics and/ or obscene visuals. However, in a swift reaction, the comedian believes the delay by the NBC should be a source of

concern for Nigerians. Alibaba said, “I just heard that some songs were banned from airplay. Wait o, if it took NBC how many months to know the contents of a song were not fit for public consumption, then we should worry.“ He went on to make mockery of the situation by saying, “Songs that I have heard Pastors singing sef. People even ‘shakiti’ in church during praise and worship.“

DJ Exclusive

Pepenazi, Pasuma, Chidinma others ignite Ibadan

Five Star Music star, Skiibii, just fresh out of fake death scandal is out with the visual for the smashing tune Sampu.

Bryno

Top entertainers led by Fuji Act, Pasuma Wonder, led the Ibadan leg of the Star Trek Music show which held recently at the Amusement Park, Samonda, Ibadan with electrifying performances by top stars that include Wizkid, Chidinma, Presh, Base One, Sound Sultan, Young Grey C, Wande Coal, May D, Pasuma, Joe EL, DJ Xclusive, DJ Nana, Pepenazi, Gbenga Adeyinka and many others.

Pasuma

Pepenazi thrilling fans Additional story by Patrick Chilaka

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

L7 Buzz Byte

Mutiat Alli

ON

Set

Behind the scene of Ileke recording

Movie title: Undercover Lover

Artiste: Lizzy Anjorin Directed by: Prodoo

Produced by: Spicylee Tee Films

Produced by: Lizzy Anjorin

Location: Lekki

Location: Ikeja, Lagos

Cast: Victoria Egbuchere, Kelechi Udeh, Alex Ekubo, Lilian Afegbai, Fred Aminu, chris Biyibi, Kiki Ifeanyi,

Chris Biyibi on set Music rapper, Q-dot and Lizzy Anjorin Lizzy Anjorin during the recording

Music producer, Prodoo, Pasuma and Lizzy Anjorin

Movie title: Ghost Lover Produced by: Obinna Onyemelukwe Cast: Junior Pope Odonwodo, Vivian Oyakhire, Dammy Eke, Felicia Fredd, Elvis Chibuikem, Jerry Williams Kelechi Udeh and Victoria Egbuchere

Location: Asaba

Felicia Fedd and Elvis Chibuikem

Jerry Williams in thinking mood

Dammy Eke and Felicia Fredd

Vivian Oyakhire and Junior Pope Odonwodo

Elvis Chibuikem and Dammy Eke

Victoria Egbuchere and IK Ogbonna

Movie title: Internal Heat Cast: Onii Micheal, Onyinye Okafor, Stephen Odimgbe amongst others.

Location: Asaba

Lilian Afegbai

Oyinye Okafor and Stephen Odimgbe

Onii Micheal and Onyinye Okafor

Onyinye Okafor handling a pistol

Ifeanyi Kalu and Celine Dumas

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, August 31, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

152 Channel

140 AMC Channel

Mon, 31 Aug | 16

Mon, 31 Aug | 16

15:54

19:00

Aka Childless Widow. A widow suffers terrible hardship after she is branded a witch. Desperate to clear her name, she goes on a spiritual journey.

Mercy Johnson, Winfred Chinyere. (2014) Okey Zubelu Okoh, Ifeanyi Ogbonna.

101 M-Net

00:40 I Origins 02:55 All Is Lost 05:00 Carte Blanche 06:00 The Big Bang Theory 06:30 Hawaii Five-0 07:30 Suits 08:30 Goddess 10:30 Playing House 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 America’s Got Talent 13:00 Royal Pains 14:00 Proof 15:00 The Whispers 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Goldbergs 17:30 America’s Got Talent 18:30 Madam Secretary 19:30 Revenge 20:30 State Of Affairs 21:20 State Of Affairs 22:15 Carte Blanche

L8 Television

118 Telemundo

00:30 Cruel Love 01:20 Cruel Love 02:10 Cruel Love 03:00 Cruel Love 03:50 Cruel Love 05:20 Elena’s Ghost 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 For Love And Justice 17:50 Cruel Love 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 For Love And Justice 22:00 Cruel Love 22:50 Husband For Hire

‘S1/E2 - So Close, Yet So Far’. Explore the very beginning of the plague that led to the zombie apocalypse depicted in ‘The Walking Dead’ with new characters and storylines set in the city of Los Angeles.

120 BBC Entertainment

00:05 Friday Night Dinner

10:25 Call The Midwife

00:30 Friday Night Dinner

11:25 Call The Midwife

01:00 Friday Night Dinner

12:20 Top Gear

01:30 Friday Night Dinner

13:15 Come Dine With Me

02:00 Friday Night Dinner

14:10 Live At The Apollo

02:30 Friday Night Dinner

15:05 The Weakest Link

03:00 Jonathan Creek

16:00 EastEnders

04:00 EastEnders

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

04:30 EastEnders

17:10 Pointless

05:00 QI

18:00 Celebrity MasterChef

05:30 QI

19:00 Celebrity MasterChef

06:05 QI

20:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA

06:35 EastEnders

21:00 Mrs Brown’s Boys: Xmas 2013 Special

07:05 Antiques Roadshow 08:00 The Weakest Link 08:50 The Chase 09:40 The Cube

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Exposed 00:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:00 Tattoo Nightmares 01:30 Total Recall 03:20 Exposed 03:50 Exposed 04:25 Exposed 05:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 05:50 World’s Wildest Police Videos 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 Whaddyado

21:30 Mrs Brown’s Boys: Xmas 2013 Special

07:30 Hole In The Wall

22:05 Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow

08:30 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

155 AfricaMagic World

08:00 Sports Gone Wild

09:30 Extreme Reality Clips 10:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 12:00 Video Zonkers 12:30 Whaddyado

154 AfricaMagic Family

13:00 Hole In The Wall 13:30 Sports Gone Wild

01:00 Music Block

13:30 Star Gist

02:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

14:00 Goge Africa

14:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

03:00 Good Morning Africa

14:30 Rolling With Faith History

15:00 Extreme Reality Clips

04:05 Jara

15:00 Lies That Bind

15:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos

04:45 Save The Day

15:30 Lies That Bind

05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa

16:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

07:00 Star Gist

00:00 Music Block

13:00 Music Block

01:00 Good Morning Africa

14:00 Music Block

17:00 Kumwesu

02:00 Music Block

15:00 Star Gist

07:25 Redial

17:25 Mashariki Mix

03:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

15:30 Star Gist

08:30 Coco Bill

18:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti

04:00 Jacob’s Cross

16:00 Star Gist

08:45 Coco Bill

18:30 Kakibe Ki

05:00 Good Morning Africa

16:30 Star Gist

09:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti

19:00 Tinsel

06:00 Soul On Fire

09:30 Kumwesu

19:30 Star Gist

09:00 Good Morning Africa

17:00 Knorr Taste Quest TV Show

20:00 Karma

10:00 So Wrong So Wright

18:00 I Love My Country

10:00 Good Morning Africa

20:30 The 5 Brides

10:25 Jara

19:00 So Wrong So Wright

21:00 Goge Africa

19:30 The Great Servant

12:00 Music Block

11:00 Jacob’s Cross 12:00 Jacob’s Cross

21:25 The Great Messenge

13:00 Tinsel

21:30 A Dead End

11:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Hole In The Wall 17:30 Sports Gone Wild 18:00 Whaddyado 18:30 Extreme Reality Clips 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Code Red: The Rubicon Conspiracy 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 22:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos

–MBISIOGU g X6

MAN n g i s y t i C n a UNITED M E N INTEREST Y U R B DE

g X7

,AMAECHI MORTON

g X4,5

Morton

Name: Morton 30, 1989 (age 25) Born: October Country: Nigeria Sport: Athletics Hurdles Event: 400m Medal Record ships African Champion Novo (400 m hurdles) Porto Gold: 2012 (4×400 m relay) Porto Novo Gold: 2012

Personal on Informati

Poster!

Amaechi

He set an indoor best of 46.23 seconds over 400 m in January 2011 and was fifth in that event at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

He ran a time of 49.43 for third at the Pac-10 Championships and improved one position at the NCAA Outdoors, taking second place in a season’s best of 49.08 seconds.

The 2012 collegiate season saw Morton develop his skills further. He ran a near-personal record (48.95) to win the Pac-10 title and also came second in the 110-meter hurdles. He went undefeated in the 400 m hurdles for Stanford that year and won the NCAA title with a best of 48.79 seconds.

At the 2012 African Championships in Athletics he won the continental gold medals in both the 400 m hurdles and in the relay. Given that he had achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, he was selected to participate for Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Amaechi Cristian Morton (born October 30, 1989) is an American-born track and field 400-meter hurdler who competes for Nigeria.

He was the 2012 400 m hurdles gold medallist at the NCAA Championships and the African Championships. He has a personal record of 48.79 seconds for the event.

Morton was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a Nigerian mother of Igbo descent, Nkem Sabena Obiekwe and he holds dual American/Nigerian citizenship.

He attended Riverwood High School and while there he broke the school records in the 400 m hurdles and the 400-meter dash, as well as finishing second at the 2008 USATF Junior Olympics.

He gained an athletic scholarship at Stanford University and began competing for the Stanford Cardinals in 2009.

Responding to the advice of Patience Itanyi (a Nigerian Olympian), Morton opted to compete internationally for his mother’s native Nigeria.

In his first year at Stanford, he ran a personal best of 50.11 seconds for the 400 m hurdles, breaking the school’s 28-year-old record.

He came third at the Pac-10 Conference final and was a semi-finalist at the NCAA Championships.

In July, he travelled to Nigeria and came second in the 400 m dash at the national trials (running a best of 46.10 seconds). He was chosen for the 4×400-meter relay team and helped Nigeria reach the 2009 World Championships final, where they finished eighth.

Returning to collegiate competition in 2010, he set a personal record of 48.94 seconds in the hurdles to finish second at the Pac10 Championships, then earned his first AllAmerican honours with a third place finish at the NCAA Outdoors.

AMAECHI MORTON About

I’M INTO SPORTS PHILANTHROPY TO CURB YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT X4

EXTRATIME

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

Monday, August 31, 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Leone Stars hit Lagos for AFCON qualifier

g X2

NEYMAR DENIES

g X7

X2

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

EZEONWUKA TASKS OLISEH ON NEW LOOK EAGLES Andrew Ekejiuba

T

he proprietor of Rojenny Games Village, Oba, Anambra State, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has called on Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, to be transparent in his invitation of players to the national team.

He told Extra Time in a telephone interview that the country cannot afford to witness further failure in the ability of Super Eagles players to rise to the occasion when representing the country in a major soccer tournament.

“The Super Eagles coaching crew headed by Sunday Oliseh should work assiduously towards giving Nigerians a rock-solid team.

“Our country is blessed with abundant talented footballers, but our national team coaches find it hard to go round the country to unearth these future stars.

“Oliseh should borrow a leaf from Clemence Westerhof who went round Nigeria and got players from the local league whom he turned to superstars within few years.

“If feel this is an opportunity for Oliseh to improve on what Stephen Keshi achieved with the team, so

Leone Stars hit Lagos for AFCON qualifier

Leone Stars of Sierra Leone line up before a match.

Andrew Ekejiuba

T

he delegation of the senior national team of Sierra Leone, known as Leone Stars, will arrive Lagos today for Sunday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Matchday 2 clash with African champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

Extra Time gathered that the Leone Stars delegation will be made up of 32 persons and to be led by President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Isha

Johansen, and they will fly into Lagos aboard an Air Ivoire flight and stay at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

Sunday’s clash between the Leone Stars and the Elephants at the 23,000 – capacity Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will be the first time that Nigeria will host a competitive football game involving two other countries in her territory.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) began the necessary moves to get Government approval for the

hosting after a request by the Sierra Leone Football Association, which was supported by CAF. The ban on Sierra Leone from hosting international football matches following the outbreak of the ebola virus pandemic in 2014 is yet to be lifted, compelling the Leone Stars to play ‘home’ matches away from home.

The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, champions of Africa, are expected in Lagos on Wednesday.

TORNADOES RETURN TO TOPFLIGHT Pita Chikwem Ezeonwuka that the credibility of our home-based coaches will remain untarnished,” he said.

Ezeonwuka however added that next month’s AFCON qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam is a must win if Nigeria is sure of participating at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Minna

T

he Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna on Saturday evening defeated visiting Mighty Jets of Jos 2-0 in the Week 13 of the Nigeria National League and gets promotion to Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Kayode Agboola, wearing jersey number 11 scored the opener for Tornadoes in the

11th minute of the first half.

Samson Adeleye wearing jersey number 9 for Tornadoes converted a penalty kick for his team 45 minutes to the end of second half after a player from the Mighty Jets brought down an opponent in the vital area.

Tornadoes head coach, Abdulahi Biffo dedicated the victory to his players, saying that they have been playing well since the beginning of the season,

“With the three points from this match we will be promoted to NPFL,” he enthused.

Meanwhile, Coach Adeyemi Dairo of Mighty Jets blamed the defeat to poor officiating. He said throughout his 30 years as a coach the officiating was the worst he had ever seen.

Tornadoes was topping their group with 20 points before the victory, while Mighty Jets had 13 points, placing 4th position.

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

SPECIAL FEATURE

NWANKWO:

Celebrating Nigeria’s Soccer Ambassador!

Andrew Ekejiuba

A

lot may have been written in the sporting media about Nigeria’s Soccer Ambassador, Friday Nwankwo, but in this concluding part of a two–part interview Extra Time had with him in his office in Lagos it became pertinent to celebrate Nigeria’s foremost FIFA/NFF Football Players Agent who contributed immensely to the development of our round leather game in the past.

Fondly called ‘Kujah’ by soccer fans, Nwankwo has revealed his plans to commence a programme to assist in raising big stars for the senior national team following the poor results recorded by the Super Eagles in recent time.

He began the interview by taking Extra Time down memory lane on how he embraced football and his subsequent journey to stardom as, football players’ agent.

“I began playing football when I was in primary school in Ogbomoso, Osun State, before moving to St Paul’s Methodist School, Sokoto, from where I played for Rivers FC of Sokoto. It was from Rivers FC that I moved to Amicable Insurance FC of Lagos.

“However, while I was developing interest in football, I was also a strong supporter of Rangers of Enugu and Stationery Stores of Lagos. Then, I used to wear the T-shirt of Rangers and the cap of Stores during matches involving both teams because I really loved what both teams stood for in Nigerian football. “Matches between these two clubs were fiercely contested and if there is any problem among the fans, nobody nears me because I supported both sides.

“My interest in football made me own a Bureau de Change and when I travel the players send their money to my account for me remit for them back home.

“As FIFA players’ agent I never regretted doing business with Julius Aghahowa, Kanu Nwankwo and the biggest of them, Daniel Amokachi.

“When Amokachi was in Everton he always invites me to their matches such that he made me have access to the players’ dressing room and every member of Amokachi’s family knows me very well because I’m honest to them in all our transactions.

“At the national team level, all the players in the team that qualified Nigeria for Japan/ Korea 2002 World Cup, when Oliseh was the skipper of the Super Eagles, gave me an award because of my honesty. Even when the then Rivers State governor, Peter Odili, hosted the players for qualifying for the World Cup they handed every dime to me to share for them, which demonstrated the level of trust the players had on me.

“As a serious football agent, I do also move around to check all my players especially if they fail to play in two or three matches because I want to know the problem and

solve them immediately. But the problem with Nigerian players is that they envy themselves too much which is not good for the development of our game. They will play in a club and they hardly talk to each other which is very bad.

“Thank God Oliseh is back and for sure he knows the players that behave this way and he will use his wealth of experience to unite the team for greater productivity.

“From my past records, I worked with every player in the national team; Jay Jay Okocha was my Best Man during my wedding and I happened to be his Godfather at his wedding too. That was how close we are till date,” he began.

Nwankwo further took a swipe on the present generation of players that are in the habit causing disaffection in the national team and failing to help their parents or dependants back home.

“I want the present crop of players to be united and truthful. As their manager, even to call is a problem because as soon as this generation of players sign a contract of about $500, 000 to $800, 000 they stop calling their manager and that is why many of them are falling since there is no agent around to help guide their career rise.

“The most painful attitude of our modern day players is that some of them earn good money abroad and back home they still derive joy in seeing their mothers fry akara or their parents living in one room. I made it as a point of duty to my players to always assist their families with their God-given wealth.

“However, not all the current generation of players are bad; Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Emmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie and John Mikel Obi are good role models who are straight forward in their transactions.

“For example, if I tell you how many people Taribo West helped while playing in Italy you will appreciate him as a true role model that our present day players should emulate.

“In fact, if I’m the president of this country I will make Taribo Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy because he impacted positively into the lives of those street girls from Nigeria in Italy. He built a church and made them to be educated so that they can become meaningful citizens to the society. He provided accommodation for them, fed them and bought wears for them to put on.

“Today, we have average players in our national team because for one to progress in life he must have good character and God helps those who do not forget the person who helped them to climb to the top.

“Personally, I never forgot people who helped in molding my life and I feel our players should do same too. My first trip abroad was made possible by an army officer whom I helped changed his car tyre that got flattened on the road. When the officer was posted to France, he made sure I visited him in that country and I stayed three months with him. He financed my journey!

“I like helping people and that is why God

Nwankwo

“Whatsoever I achieved as a football players’ agent is by the making of our Almighty God. I’m one agent who does not take pleasure in announcing to the world through “When Sanni Toro was the Secretary General of the NFA, Jim Nwobodo as Sports the media about Minister, Segun Odegbami as board member and late Omeruah was the NFA boss, players I manage.” ofweNFA played champagne football and we won has been merciful to me and helped me rise to my present status in the society,” he stressed.

When asked to reveal the identities of the players that passed through him as their agent, Nwankwo declined, saying: “Whatsoever I achieved as a football players’ agent is by the making of our Almighty God. I’m one agent who does not take pleasure in announcing to the world through the media about players I manage.

many crucial matches. During the era of the aforementioned people I had a minimum of seven or eight players I managed making the Super Eagles starting line.

“All those players I managed played for a longtime for the Super Eagles, however, our football began to dwindle during the time of Sani Lulu as NFF boss and Taiwo Ogunjobi as Chairman of Technical Committee who suddenly turned himself to a football players’ agent.

“Now that Amaju Pinnick is the NFF boss, I’m coming back with my programme to help resuscitate Nigerian football. As Nigeria’s

Friday Nwankwo (middle) with Kanu Nwankwo (left) and John Utaka (right) Soccer Ambassador I’m coming back strongly to assist the NFF take our football back to the top by providing top class players to the national team.”

He further tasked the NFF to go back to the records, so that they can work closely with those soccer agents that have contributed positively to football development in Nigeria.

“I want to tell the NFF that they should go back to the records of those agents or individuals who managed those players that brought honour in the past to Nigeria and find a way to integrate them into the scheme of things.

“They should not just open their doors to people who have nothing to offer to our football development because there Continue on page X8

,AMAECHI MORTON

He set an indoor best of 46.23 seconds over 400 m in January 2011 and was fifth in that event at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

He ran a time of 49.43 for third at the Pac-1 0 Championships and improved one position at the NCAA Outdoors, taking second place in a season’s best of 49.08 seconds.

The 2012 collegiate season saw Morton deve lop his skills further. He ran a near-personal recor d (48.95) to win the Pac-10 title and also came second in the 110-meter hurdles. He went undefeated in the 400 m hurdles for Stanf ord that year and won the NCAA title with a best of 48.79 seconds.

At the 2012 African Championships in Athle tics he won the continental gold medals in both the 400 m hurdles and in the relay. Given that he had achieved the Olympic qualifying stand ard, he was selected to participate for Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Amaechi Cristian Morton (born October 30, 1989) is an American-born track and field 400-meter hurdler who competes for Niger ia.

He was the 2012 400 m hurdles gold meda llist at the NCAA Championships and the Africa n Championships. He has a personal recor d of 48.79 seconds for the event.

Morton was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a Nigerian mother of Igbo descent, Nkem Sabe na Obiekwe and he holds dual American/Nigeria n citizenship.

He attended Riverwood High School and while there he broke the school records in the 400 m hurdles and the 400-meter dash, as well as finishing second at the 2008 USATF Junio r Olympics.

He gained an athletic scholarship at Stanf ord University and began competing for the Stanf ord Cardinals in 2009.

Responding to the advice of Patience Itany i (a Nigerian Olympian), Morton opted to comp ete internationally for his mother’s native Nigeria.

In his first year at Stanford, he ran a perso nal best of 50.11 seconds for the 400 m hurdl es, breaking the school’s 28-year-old record.

He came third at the Pac-10 Conference final and was a semi-finalist at the NCAA Championships.

In July, he travelled to Nigeria and came secon d in the 400 m dash at the national trials (runn ing a best of 46.10 seconds). He was chosen for the 4×400-meter relay team and helped Niger ia reach the 2009 World Championships final, where they finished eighth.

Returning to collegiate competition in 2010 , he set a personal record of 48.94 secon ds in the hurdles to finish second at the Pac10 Championships, then earned his first AllAmerican honours with a third place finish at the NCAA Outdoors.

About

rton Name: Mo (age 25) ber 30, 1989 o ct O : rn Bo eria Country: Nig tics le Sport: Ath Hurdles m Event: 400 rd Medal Reco pionships m a hurdles) African Ch ovo (400 m N o rt o P 2 1 m relay) Gold: 20 ovo (4×400 N o rt o P 2 1 Gold: 20

l a n o s r Pe n o i t a m r Info

X4

EXTRATIME Monday, August 31, 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

X5

Amaechi

Morton

EXTRATIME

X6

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW Festus Uzoma Mbisiogu is one of the few football-loving Nigerians that have contributed immensely to the development of the beautiful game in the country. In this exclusive interview with the Sports Editor of Extra Time, ANDREW EKEJIUBA, he speaks on his passion for the round leather game, his journey into football philanthropy, partnership with Papillo FC of Owerri and the way forward for football development in Nigeria. Excerpts:

C

an you take us down memory lane on your involvement in sports?

I have great passion for sports and I remember also that when I was growing up I played football. My love for the round leather game really shaped my mind into being passionate about using the game to impact positively into the lives of our youths.

I remember that when I was an active footballer, my fans nicknamed me Finidi because they said I played like him. So, when I grew up I decided to go into football philanthropy to support our youths and give them a new lease of life. I felt that as a businessman this is a way of contributing my quota towards sports development in Nigeria.

I began my journey into football philanthropy when I supported Heartland Football Club of Owerri a few years back to break the jinx of 18 years of continuous failure to lift the then FA Cup, now Federation Cup. I recall that two and half years ago I promised the team that I will give them N500, 000 for each goal they scored in the final of that Federation Cup match and luckily for Heartland, they scored just a goal and I made the said amount of N500, 000 available to them.

Since then, I have extended this gesture by assisting in my own little way Papillo FC of Owerri which was established three to four years ago. I have been donating jerseys and all the necessary kits to the club till date.

The main reason I was contributing all these to the club and football in general is that we have been recording high unemployment rate especially among our youths and I want to impact positively into their lives through football, especially those of them that cannot be able to further their education.

I felt that if the youths are encouraged this way by the private sector our country will be free from criminality. Also by keeping the youths busy through sports, crime rate will be reduced and all the problems

“I felt that if the youths are encouraged this way by the private sector our country will be free from criminality. Also by keeping the youths busy through sports, crime rate will be reduced and all the problems associated with unemployment will be a thing of the past”

I’M INTO SPORTS PHILANTHROPY TO CURB YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

–Mbisiogu associated with unemployment will be a thing of the past.

On the issue of Papillo FC, when I saw what Kanu Nwankwo was doing in Imo State where I hail from (Ideato South LGA), I had no option than to support him in this regard and I want to use this opportunity to call on some of our businessmen like Aliko Dangote and owners of other multinational companies to join hands to help lift football development in the country.

You can see that most of the crimes committed in most parts of the world are committed by the youths and there is need to curb this cankerworm.

I’m glad when I learnt that Ifeanyi Ubah now owns a club, which simply means that millions of our youths that pass through the club will be positively affected and it is good for football development in Nigeria.

You sound so passionate about football, why is that it is only football you support instead of other sports that are begging for attention?

Like I told you earlier, I’m passionate about the round leather game because when I was growing up I played football and that alone helped shape my mind

towards contributing my quota to the development of the beautiful game. In future I will surely look at other arms of sports to see how I can assist them.

However, if other businessmen can come in and support other sports that will be appreciated because we need such in Nigeria.

Do you have the ambition of owning a club in the near future?

Actually there was a time I and Kanu Nwankwo proposed having a joint venture of running a football academy in Imo State and that discussion is still ongoing as of now. I chose to merge with Kanu because he knows much about sports and I want to also join my ideas with him so that our football development will be taken to the next level.

Although, I maybe passionate about owning a club in the near future, but my joint venture with Kanu comes first!

Last time we imported artificial grass from China because there is a football field Kanu owns and we hope to lay this artificial grass on it in order to kick-start the football academy. I may join Kanu to make the football academy big or kick-start my club, but my final decision

in this regard is not yet clear.

Still on football, do you think Sunday Oliseh has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of the Super Eagles for good as head coach?

For sure Oliseh will deliver in his new task of rebuilding and repositioning the Super Eagles because he has been in the game for long. Having been in the terrain as a footballer and now as a coach I think he is well equipped to take Nigerian football to the next level. He is well respected in the game worldwide and this is an opportunity to impart his wealth of experience to the future generation of Super Eagles.

Stephen Keshi tried his best when he was in the saddle and he achieved a lot with the Super Eagles and I feel that this is the time for Oliseh to improve on whatsoever Keshi achieved.

My little worry is about the commitment of the players under the new dispensation. I want the present crop of players in the Super Eagles to tow the lines of Kanu and others who served Nigeria well in football because they put the country first before personal gains. Our players should concentrate on how to make the

country proud under Oliseh and other things will be taken care of.

I also want to advise Oliseh to concentrate on how to build a rocksolid Super Eagles team for Nigerians than listening to so many comments coming from him. He has not played any match for now and he must be careful about the pitfalls ahead since football is played in the field and not outside.

Oliseh should be open, transparent and must put aside favouritism in his selection of players for the Super Eagles because that is the only way he can succeed.

To the players, they must see every invitation to the Super Eagles as the highest honour bestowed on them to serve the country and they should endeavour to serve the country well by winning matches.

Recently Oliseh did say that we do not have big stars any longer in the Super Eagles and this may be a big problem, especially towards repositioning the team. Do you agree with him?

I disagree with him because as a coach he cannot be saying such. I recall that when Clemence Westerhof was in charge of the Super Eagles he picked players from our local league, especially those of them who were doing well and trained them to stardom. It is the duty of Oliseh to fish out these stars in our league and train them in such a manner that they will play as a team and win games. Big names don’t play football instead it is the strategy the coach adopts that delivers good results. So, Oliseh must carve a niche for himself by tapping into the big stars from our local league and turn them into world beaters!

On August 12, 1989, we lost Sam Okwaraji in that crucial World Cup qualifier against Angola and some stakeholders of Nigerian football are still bitter that the late midfielder dynamo has not been immortalized properly. What is your reaction to this assertion?

A few weeks back I read about the plight of Okwaraji’s mother and I felt Continue on page X7

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

EURO TRANSFERS

NEYMAR

Man City complete

DE BRUYNE

swoop

denies Man United interest

N

eymar has dismissed speculation linking him with a move from Barcelona to Manchester United.

The Brazil forward is said to be the subject of interest from the Premier League club, although both Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and United manager Louis van Gaal have refused to comment on the rumours.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, meanwhile, has indicated his club will enter into negotiations over a contract extension for the former Santos star.

And, speaking after a 1-0 La Liga win over Malaga on Saturday, Neymar said: “I know nothing of Manchester, I’m outside of all this and don’t listen to it.

“I am happy in Barcelona and the fans of Barca can be calm.”

Neymar, who moved to Camp Nou in June 2013, scored 39 goals last season as Barca won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

K

Neymar

De Bruyne

evin De Bruyne has returned to the Premier League after completing his big-money move to Manchester City from Wolfsburg.

Belgium playmaker De Bruyne moved to the Bundesliga club in January 2014 after failing to break into the first-team picture at Chelsea.

However, the 24-year-old will have another crack at the top flight in England after joining City on a sixyear deal.

De Bruyne shone for Wolfsburg last season, scoring 10 goals and assisting a remarkable 20 as the club finished second in the Bundesliga.

He also scored in the final as Wolfsburg beat Borussia Dortmund to win the DFB-Pokal, and was subsequently voted German football’s player of the year.

Speculation that De Bruyne would sign for City had been rife for months, and he has now become Manuel Pellegrini’s latest recruit in the transfer window.

‘I’m into sports philanthropy to curb youth unemployment’ Continue from page X6 sad. However, in answering your question I feel nothing is too big when compared to someone’s life, but the truth remains that Nigerians must do more to immortalize Okwaraji, though I have not taken the time to investigate about what government has so far done for the family and his dependants.

Some stakeholders have called on government to rename the National Stadium in Lagos after him, but 26 years after his demise nothing of such has been done. Are you not worried?

My suggestion here is that aside National Stadium, Lagos, a very big public facility or edifice should be named after him because this will go along way in encouraging and motivating upcoming soccer stars to put in their best why representing the country in major soccer competitions.

My worry however is that future generation of Nigerians are gradually forgetting Okwaraji and what he stood for because no big edifice has been named after the late Nigerian soccer hero and this should be addressed by government.

As a businessman, can you frankly

tell our dear readers what you have gained by supporting football?

(Laughs) I want to say that I did not go into sports philanthropy to gain something, but as a passionate football-loving Nigerian I owe it as a duty to contribute my own quota to the development of our country’s football.

I feel as a businessman that it is a way of fulfilling my Corporate Social Responsibility to the citizens of my country and also supporting government in tackling high unemployment rate in Nigeria.

There are so many companies supporting sports in Nigeria; do you support the call by some stakeholders of sports to grant these companies tax rebates or waivers as a way of acknowledging their efforts and saying thank you for supporting sports development in the country?

On tax rebates, I’m yet to see anywhere such is practiced all over the world. I think that may be done when such a company is producing their products locally and exporting them abroad. Like in China, whatever products you produce and export to other countries, you get 10% tax rebate. The aim here is to encourage exportation which tends to bring in more foreign exchange that helps to

stabilize the economy of the country.

No wonder that three out of every ten families in China are into production.

Today China is the highest exporter of finished products in the world.

On my part, aside from supporting sports, I have tried by drilling as much as possible boreholes in IdeatoSouth Local Government Area of Imo State where I come from as a way of alleviating the plight of my people. I did it because I wanted to compliment the good job Governor Rochas Okorochas is doing for the people of Imo State through the provision of good roads.

And since my people trek a long distance to fetch water I had to come in to help them out in this regard.

I have been able to drill up to 20 boreholes and each of them cost up to N2million.

I want to state emphatically that I’m not doing all these for political reason, but as a way of contributing my quota to the Corporate Social Responsibility to the community and country where I do business.

What I expect government to do as a way of saying thank you to the companies contributing to sports development and especially those companies that are into production is to make sure we have steady power

supply with low tariff and good assess roads to where our companies are sited.

Finally, what’s your advice to our sportsmen and women towards giving Nigerians credible representation in major sporting competitions and companies who are yet to contribute their quota towards sports development in the country?

Let me begin my advice to companies doing business in Nigeria and I want to say that I’m impressed by Ifeanyi Ubah’s move to support sports development in Nigeria following his acquisition of IfeanyiUbah FC of Nnewi and I want more companies to emulate his footsteps.

I also want to give kudos to Glo, Airtel, MTN, Etisalat and several banks doing business in Nigeria for their contributions toward sports development in Nigeria and charge them to do more.

I sincerely want to also call on Alhaji Aliko Dangote to invest in sports in Nigeria, though his activities has been more on alleviating the plight of indigent persons, but investing in sports will help him to touch many lives and provide employment to the teeming future generation of Nigerian youths.

Mbisiogu To the sporting media, I want to commend their effort towards informing, educating and entertaining Nigerians with their reports. May God give you guys the strength to do more!

Finally, to our sportsmen and women, I want them to remain disciplined and put in more effort at bringing more glory to the country through their Godgiven talent because to whom much is given much is expected.

X8

Monday, August 31, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

G N I T A R B E L CE NIGERIA’S SOCCER !

R O D A S S A B AM

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal Bournemouth 1 - 1 Leicester Aston Villa 2 - 2 Sunderland Chelsea 1 - 2 Crystal Palace Liverpool 0 - 3 West Ham Man City 2 - 0 Watford Stoke City 0 - 1 West Brom

Continue from page X3

are many Nigerians who worked hard to reposition our football in the past. We have had great achievers like Alhaji Sanni Toro and Alhaji Aminu Maigari. If you ask Toro about the role I played during the Atlanta ’96 Olympics as the Vice Chairman of the Welfare Committee for the Super Eagles he will confirm my story.

“We need people who are ready to contribute positively to the development of Nigerian football and not people who are carrying calculators moving about seeking for positions as NFF board members,” he added.

On his dream NFF and the new look Eagles, Nwankwo said: “As far as I’m concerned Amaju Pinnick is okay, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi and Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu are good. Anyansi’s contribution to the success story of Enyimba is still there for all to see and he has brought his experience to the national level which is commendable.

“However, with the coming of Sunday Oliseh as Super Eagles head coach I think they will have the magical wand to turn around our football. Failure to do this, I will say our local coaches has failed us and I suggest that we should look elsewhere to get quality coaches that will tinker our national team.

“For now, we do not have the players that we can be drinking champagne and watch them play and win crucial matches with ease.

Oliseh is now building a new team and our stake is that we should support him and NFF to achieve success. Perhaps in two or three years’ time we shall begin to reap the positive results from Oliseh and the Eagles.”

Speaking on the quality of football and playing pattern Eagles should adopt, the widely travelled soccer agent recommended a playing style that will give us results while playing at away or at home.

“I want to respond by saying that if we are going to play an away match, we should prepare for massive attack and massive defence and if we are playing at home, we should open up the game by playing wing football. That means we should have good players who will man the outside right and the outside left positions. Therefore, a 4-4-2 formation will do the magic!

“In the past eight years we don’t seem to have a playing pattern which is not good for our football development. I think with the coming of Sunday Oliseh he is going to smoothen our playing style.

“I wish to appeal to Oliseh that he must fortify each wing by having three strong players contending for one position. For example, in the goalkeeping position there must be three goalkeepers good enough to man the goal post at any point in time, thus it must not only be Vincent Enyeama dominating. This enhances healthy competition among the players and helps break the jinx among some players who may feel that they are indispensible.

“Nowadays what wins a match for a team is on how formidable the bench is. At times

Tottenham 0 - 0 Everton Van Gaal

United could not cope with Swansea, says

VAN GAAL Friday Nwankwo (left) with Jay Jay Okocha. fans must see reason why some big players like Mikel Obi should be put on bench because it gingers up the player manning his position in the starting line to put in his best so that he won’t be substituted. Big stars like Lionel Messi are often benched, so there is nothing new doing the same to Mikel or anybody.

“Our inability to carry out the aforementioned suggestion has made it impossible for us to get replacements for Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory, Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo and Finidi George. Thank God Oliseh is back to unearth players who can give passes, shoot and score goals,” Nwankwo stated.

Turning his searchlight on the local scene, he told Extra Time about the players that appeal to him with their skills.

“Gbolahan Salami of Warri Wolves and Chibuzor Okonkwo in IfeanyiUbah FC are fantastic! They are very good from the local league and there is another player called Bright Onyekachi currently in the national team and plays for IfeanyiUbah FC. “Therefore, as far as current form is concerned those three players are in the world of their own in Nigeria,” he added.

On a final note, Nwankwo had an advice to some stakeholders of Nigerian football who see the present NFF board as a continuation of Alhaji Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.

“Like I noted earlier in this interview, Maigari’s tenure was successful because we won the Nations Cup during his tenure and also won the U-17 FIFA World Cup. “Also, during Maigari’s tenure we qualified for almost every FIFA-organized tournament, therefore if the present NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, can match his ideas with that of Maigari, they will succeed in repositioning our football.

“Maigari did his best for Nigeria and Pinnick has taken over from where they stopped to take our football to the next level, so there is nothing wrong in doing so.

“I want to call on every Nigerian to support the present NFF board to achieve success because Pinnick is not a new person in the sporting terrain,” he concluded.

M

anchester United manager Louis van Gaal bemoaned his side’s inability to cope with Swansea City’s flexible tactics in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat.

Having fallen behind to a Juan Mata strike, Swansea boss Garry Monk brought Ki Sung-yueng on for Wayne Routledge, changing the shape of his team in a bid to find an equaliser.

Two goals in the space of five minutes followed, from Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis respectively, as Swansea recorded a third-consecutive 2-1 win against the Old Trafford club.

“After 1-0 they changed the shape and then we could not cope with that, so that’s

not good,” Van Gaal said. “For five minutes we lost our dominant role and that was a pity because I think we controlled the game.

“When you don’t know it (the formation) then you have to be compact.

“You saw Swansea in the last 20-25 minutes, they were compact and it’s always difficult to beat a compact team.

“We could have scored much more goals, so I don’t think that’s the problem.

When you create chances that’s the biggest issue, and you also need a little bit of luck.”

Asked for his view on Swansea’s goals, Van Gaal added: “When the opponent scores a goal you can always find errors but I have to analyse that with my players.”

Southampton 3 - 0 Norwich Swansea 2 - 1 Man United

PREMIERSHIP TABLE Team

P

PTS

1. Manchester City

4

12

2. Crystal Palace

4

9

3.Leicester City

4

8

4. Swansea City

4

8

5. Manchester United

4

7

6. Arsena

4

7

7. Liverpool

4

7

8. West Ham United

4

6

9. Everton

4

5

10. Southampton

4

5

11. Bournemouth

4

4

12. Aston Villa

4

4

13. Chelsea

4

4

14. Norwich City

4

4

15. West Brom

4

4

16. Tottenham

4

4

17. Watford

4

3

18. Stoke City

4

2

19. Newcastle

4

2

20. Sunderland

4

2

No complaints for Neil after Southampton loss

N

orwich City manager Alex Neil admitted his side deserved nothing from the game after witnessing them suffer a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Southampton.

Neil’s men went into the Sunday’s visit to St Mary’s Stadium having taken four points from their first three games.

But, after Steven Whittaker was sent off in the 31st minute for two yellow cards in quick succession, Norwich were comfortably beaten by Southampton courtesy of a Graziano Pelle strike and Dusan Tadic’s double.

Tuchel

hails table toppers Dortmund

T

Tuchel

Whittaker saw red for two bookings in the space of four minutes, receiving his first caution for blocking Matt Targett’s attempted quick throw in before being dismissed after impeding Tadic.

Asked about the second incident, Neil said: “It was tough to see it from where I was but I think Whittaker tried to tug him back, which I think is a silly decision.

“I don’t think he needed to, the ball was running through to (goalkeeper) John Ruddy. Steven made the wrong decision and got his sending off.

homas Tuchel praised Borussia Dortmund’s resilience after they broke down a resolute Hertha Berlin defence to win 3-1 and go top of the Bundesliga.

After withstanding some early pressure from Hertha, Dortmund opened the scoring just before the half-hour as Mats Hummels rose at the back post to head home Shinji Kagawa’s cross.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added a second to give Tuchel’s side a cushion, but Salomon Kalou’s strike – from an offside position – after 78 minutes created tension inside Signal Iduna Park.

However, former Hertha man Adrian Ramos settled those nerves with a third in stoppage time to ensure Tuchel’s side go into the international ahead of Bayern Munich on goal difference.

“Of course it is much nicer to be the sole championship leader,” he said. “We struggled to get into the game in the first half. Hertha were very deep and twice we had to defend very carefully.

“After the break we were very dominant, but after the offside goal the tension increased again.

“It was very emotional at the end. I am very pleased for Adrian.”