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MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.16

I’ll respect freedom of worship – Buhari

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Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (3rd right); wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (2nd right), former Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (right); his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left); his wife, Dolapo (left), General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye (4th left) and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye (3rd left) during the Annual Thanksgiving Service organised by the Lagos State Government ... on Sunday.

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uspected Boko Haram militants Saturday attacked and seized a military base outside Baga Town in Borno State.

Residents said the gunmen killed several people, burnt hundreds of homes and looted scores of businesses

in the attack that lasted several hours.

The base is used by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which was established in 1998 to battle crossborder crime but whose mandate was CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Brown Ideye

is a man of many parts.

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Club:

The 25-year-old who made his Nigeria debut in

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BLESSING OKAGBARE

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Boko Haram seizes Family blames checkpoint police continental Army base for death of four in auto crash 11

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Daily Times Nigeria Monay, January 5, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial Another ungodly increase in electricity tariff

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he recent announcement by chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, that Nigerians will witness another hike in electricity tariffs, is anything but justifiable. This is coming against the background of deteriorating power supply. It is not only unfair, it is also an injustice to consumers who are being compelled to pay more for darkness. Though NERC announced that distribution companies will not increase tariff for residential consumers for six months, other customers would, however, witness an increase in electricity bills.

Coming at a time when power supply output has dropped below 3,000 megawatts with adverse effects on business and economic activities, the increase is certainly illconceived. We demand that the new tariff be shelved in the interest of Nigerians who are always bearing the brunt of the ineptitude of power companies. We say this because it seems the government is comfortable with offering excuses for its glaring inefficiencies rather than providing solutions.

One question being asked: are Nigerians not burdened enough with epileptic power supply?

We believe consumers need a respite from the unbearable economic hardship facing them. In justifying

the increase, the NERC boss stated that it is premised on verified losses that DISCOs were facing and the new price of gas, which took effect in December.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that NERC is more interested in the losses incurred by the non-performing DISCOs. Coming in the wake of last year’s hike under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), tariff regime, which was premised on the same reason, the fundamental question remains: why another increase without commensurate increase in power supply?

The new tariff schedule shows consumers are paying higher on two fronts–the fixed cost and the cost per kilowatt of electricity which have both increased. Curiously, this increase is coming hot on the heels of disclosure some time ago by the Power Minister, Chinedu Nebo, that as many as 120 million Nigerians are currently without electricity.

The logic of hiking tariff as a precondition for investor participation, is unjustifiable, and certainly, not in the national interest. Nigerians have often expressed readiness to pay higher tariff, but this must be when electricity supply has improved. It beggars belief that Nigeria is one of the countries where the citizens do not enjoy constant power supply, yet, they are always asked to pay more in tariff.

Mr Fidelis Anosike, publisher of the Daily Times of Nigeria, Ms Vivian Agobi and Mr Christian Udechukwu at the traditional wedding of Udechukwu and Agobi.in Owerri, Imo State … recently

When last did you see an evil spirit?

Yemi Ogunsola

D

on’t you see them all around you? Pot-bellied, gap-toothed, wide-necked; cobra-headed, scare-crowy…

What do you think has turned Nigeria’s paradise to hell, its abundance to lack? It is the reign and activities of these spirits whose motivations are predominantly evil.

But many of us commit the error of seeing them

merely as “men”.

We forget that men are “spirits housed in flesh”.

Evil men are evil spirits.

Men who corner the funds of pensioners then subject them to needless rigours of verification are evil spirits; the lawyers and judges who collude with them are evil spirits.

Those who make refineries moribund and laugh all the way to the banks with billions of unmerited fuel subsidy are evil spirits. Army generals and civilian power brokers who mastermind the massive stealing of crude oil are evil spirits, the relevant

authorities who shelter them and look elsewhere for solutions are evil spirits. Pastors and evangelist, imams and alfas who feed fat on the tribulations of their flocks are evil spirits, so also are journalists who distort information and set wrong agenda to keep evil men in power. So many of them at all levels in the Nigerian state--from the presidency to the dark bellies of Ajegunle bridges.

Now I ask again, when last did you see an evil spirit?

Now you know, you see them every day…

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Fidelis Anosike

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Our future progress lies in our ability to move beyond rhetorics and practically rebrand our country and change the ugly picture that has been presented to the

As I speak to you, myself, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar have not collected our voters cards

The problem of Nigeria is not our politics, but the fact that we forget too soon. We feel the pain of flagellation only at the time we are being flogged

Noel Anosike

Gabriella Osamor Yinka Olujimi Yemi Ogunsola

Bisi Abidoye

Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Moses Ebong

King Ododoru

Afeez Odeseye

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

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday January 5, 2015

5 News

Nigerians in US Charge Jonathan to rout Boko Haram

Bakare wants shift in presidential polls

Gbenga Sodeinde

Jonathan Eze

Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏWorried by the spate of

insurgency attack in the northern parts of the Country, Nigerians based in United States of America, have advised President Goodluck Jonathan to stop playing lips service to his pledge to rout insurgency in Nigeria, urging him to take more decisive action in this regard before the 2015 general election.

Acting under the auspices of the Nigeria Moral Democratic Awareness Council, the body also praised Jonathan over the electoral reform he initiated to bring electoral rebirth to the system, saying this had started manifesting in the freeness and fairness of the governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo States.

An electronic mail signed by its coordinator, Mr Samuel Ayodele and made available to Daily Times in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, condemned the senseless killings and maiming of innocent Nigerians and expatriates by insurgents in the North, calling on the Federal Government to take tougher actions to put these gunmen at check.

The body rejected the culture of impunity, violence and political intolerance before, during and after the February general election for Nigeria to be in peace and remain indivisibly united.

Describing the body as a nonpartisan, but patriotic group, NMDAC said: “We reviewed numerous reports reaching us across the political spectrum at the end of year meeting held at

Marriot Hotel in Washington D.C on December 30, 2014.

“We, therefore, resolved that the climate of violence, counterviolence, intimidation and sheer thuggery may not give room for any atmosphere of peaceful coexistence in our dear and sovereign country. The members concluded that the lack of effective prosecution of several cases of corruption, lack of meaningful jobs and insensitivity of our government have led to several cases of insecurity in the country.

“We condemn various atrocities, murders, mayhem and intimidation that have been going on unabated on daily

basis in the northern part of Nigeria for the past few years.

We find it very difficult to believe why the government does not have the will to confront these problems and arrest the culprits.

“We also observed that our armed forces are not well equipped to fight what we consider as the terror war with the well-equipped Boko Haram sect.

To win this war of attrition, the Federal Government of Nigeria must do more than paying lip service to it” It stated.

Expressing hope that the general elections would be devoid of bedlam, NMDAC commended President Jonathan for coming

up with electoral reforms that has given Nigerians a sigh of relief that their votes would count.

The group said: “We are of the opinion that this will stabilize the polity as reflected in the outcome of the last gubernatorial elections in Edo, Ekiti and Osun elections.

“We hope this good trend can continue in the future elections, particularly next year elections.

We will continue to plead with the government to release the reports of the National Conference held last year which we believe was a good document to take care of our myriad of problems confronting our country”.

L-R: Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Comrade Elliot Uko; Leader of Igbo Women Assembly, Chief (Mrs) Maria Okwor and Coordinator (South-East) Self-Determination Coalition, Comrade Edeson Samuel during a news Conference after a meeting of Igbo Groups on Election 2015 in Enugu... recently.

Despite bumps, Nigeria’s future is bright- Jonathan

Monday Agu Jnr. Bayelsa

ÏÏÏ

President Goodluck Jonathan Sunday assured Nigerians that despite the challenges confronting the nation at the moment, Nigeria will get to the Promised Land.

The President who participated in the First Sunday of the Year service at St. Stephens Anglican Church, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, acknowledged the huge potentials that abound in

all parts of the nation.

In his brief remark, President Jonathan said his administration would continue to tap into those potentials in order to move the country forward.

He added that the country’s future was bright, despite the bumps and challenges.

He used the opportunity to thank the church and Christians for praying for the nation, acknowledging that this period is a challenging one for the whole world.

“I thank you for your prayers, especially at this period. This is a period the world is passing through challenges.

We have a lot of potentials and I see a bright future for the country. Despite the challenges and bumps, Nigeria will move on and get to the Promised Land,” he said.

In his earlier sermon, the officiating pastor, who is the Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, Rev James Aye Oruwori urged the congregation to avoid commit-

ting sin and strike a strong convenant relationship with God to be able to fight all their battles. He used the example of David and Goliath in the Bible, saying the former’s strong covenant with God gave him victory.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm ahead of the upcoming general elections, adding that God had already taking a decision on the outcome. He said no one can alter the decision.

ÏÏÏThe Convener of the Save Ni-

geria Group (SNG) Pastor Tunde Bakare on Sunday expressed fears over Nigeria holding the general election on Feb 14, without addressing the flaws in the system. Addressing News Men in Lagos, Bakare, a 2011 running mate to Gen Muhammadu Buhari of the then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), reiterated the need for Nigeria to avert crisis by addressing the fundamental issues before polls. He called for the activation of constitutional provisions for the suspension of the elections.

The weather is not conducive for Nigeria to hold elections in February. Even if Buhari or President Goodluck Jonathan wins, there is a likelihood of crisis.

“I do not see any patriotism in going to wreck our nation with the Feb. 14 elections” he said. The SNG Convener challenged decision makers in the country to take steps necessary to avert impending crisis before, during and after the general elections.

He pointed out that the level of preparedness of INEC ahead of the election, the Security risks involved, voter apathy, looming constitutional and legal crisis, impending post election tension and looming economic collapse must be tacked before the elections. He said that Nigeria the insurgency situation in Nigeria was tantamount to a war situation and one of the major reasons why the election should be postponed. “Although opinions are divided over insurgency in Nigeria, it is mere semantic.

“President Jonathan in a nationwide broadcast in 2013 when he declared a state of emergency in three states in the Northern Nigeria said that the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist sect amounts to declaration of war on the nation. “If the President considers that part of the nation will be greatly de franchised if the elections hold as planned, then a postponement will not be out of place.” he said.

According to him, Nigeria must adopt the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference and enforce the fundamental reforms recommended by it before elections. He called for the creation of a transitional government to be headed by Presidential Goodluck Jonathan to put in place practicable modalities that would bring about smooth transition in the country.

“Nigeria must be restructured to a true federal nation, there is need to address the reconciliation and integration of all parts of the country, establish a truly independent electoral body and create a true people’s constitution. “Nigeria can go to the polls after these are put in place.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Soldiers flee as Boko Haram invade Army base Continued from page 1

The Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir during the Guinness World Records Attempt at Uyo Township Stadium… recently

‘I’ll respect freedom of worship’ Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏNIGERIANS should expect freedom of worship in the country if the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets the nod to form the next government in February.

This pledge was made on Sunday by the party’s presidential flag-bearer, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, at the 2015 inter-denominational thanksgiving service of the Lagos State government.

His running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, also on Sunday gave a broad outline of the party’s plans if it gets into power. Top on the table are full privatization of the electricity sector and a war on corruption.

The thanksgiving service was attended by Buhari, the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and Osinbajo.

General Buhari, at the service, said he believes that every Nigerian should be free to practise their different religions.

The service was presided over by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, of which Buhari’s running mate is a senior pastor.

The APC flagbearer said he was honoured to participate in the annual thanksgiving service.

Buhari said: “This year’s thanksgiving service brings together all Nigerians from all states, Christians, Muslims and all religions in Lagos to thank the Almighty God. “Religion must never be used as an excuse to divide us, oppress others or gain unfair advantage. All my life, I have expressed the belief that all Nigerians must worship God according to their wish.”

The APC candidate, who has at various times been accused of Islamic fundamentalism, added: “The duty of government is not religion. Security for all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion is our commitment on this day of thanksgiving. We shall all sit to-

gether like this, rejoice and thank God together for the Almighty God to give us the country of our dream.”

Earlier, the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, lampooned certain individuals predicting doom for the country and the state, in guise of religion. He noted that the predictions were heating up the polity.

Fashola said that the state government deemed it fit to hold the thanksgiving service to express gratitude to God for sparing the lives of the people amid calamities rocking the country.

Later in the evening, Osinbajo unveiled the plans of his party during a live interview on Channels Television.

“We are going to have welfare programne, also conditional cash transfer to the poorest in the society”, he pledged. A senior lawyer, Osinbajo disagreed with security agencies which have issued final warnings to politicians whose utterances are deemed to be supporting violence and indiscipline in the military.

Amaechi, who is also the

Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation has been quoted to have said that his party would form a parallel government if the coming election is rigged.

Osinbajo said: “So long as they do not call anybody to violence, frankly, I don’t see how anybody saying he’ll form a parallel government incites.”

He added: “What is inciting is where government makes statements that lead to division. When government says the opposition is responsible for insurgency.”

On the economic plans of his party, Osinbajo said: “Our manifesto, ideologically, is left of center”.

These include: Social welfare, jobs, universal health insurance and conditional cash transfers.

Allaying fears that Buhari might be a Muslim fundamentalist, Osinbajo said: “Look at his antecedents.

His first daughter is married to a Christian, and all of that. These do not point to fundamentalism.”

General Buhari’s first daughter is married to a

Christian, Osinbajo said, insisting that the presidential candidate “is not a fundamentalist.”

He continued: “If you look at history, nobody ever accused General Buhari of being a fundamentalist. Not till about five years ago.”

He said that all efforts must be made to keep the democratic dispensation because “civilian rule is the best.”

“I think anyone who has run thrice and contested his defeat in court, each time, must be seen as someone prepared for a democracy,” he added.

On power, he said that Nigeria’s power transmission needs to be privatized, adding that the current power generation policies are “convoluted”.

“We believe that the centrality of power is what makes it difficult for business to take off in this country,” he said, adding: “We must decentralise (power supply). The Federal Government needs to learn from Lagos example of focus on Independent Power Projects (IPPs).”

expanded to fighting the deadly Boko Haram insurgency.

“They (the militants) overwhelmed the troops and forced them to abandon the base which the gunmen took over,” a resident, Usman Dansubdu, told AFP after fleeing to neighbouring Chad.

Hundreds of panicky residents from Baga and five other Nigerian towns and fishing villages poured into Chad to escape the Islamist, witnesses said.

Maina Ma’aji Lawan, the senator representing northern Borno where Baga is located, confirmed the attack on the military base and other five locations.

“Boko Haram insurgents launched attacks in Baga area yesterday (Saturday), destroying six towns and several settlements, forcing the people in the affected places to flee into Chad.

“They came in unbelievably large numbers and overpowered the multinational troops and local vigilantes,” he said.

“They took over the multinational troop base in Baga and sent the soldiers fleeing,” he told AFP. The force is made up of troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad, Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Olajide Laleye told AFP. Residents of Kauyen Kuros, Mile 3, Mile 4, Baga, Doron-Baga and Bundaram fled across the lake in fishing boats and canoes into Chad following the attacks.

“We are now seeking refuge in Gubuwa, Kangallam and Kaiga villages inside Chad near the border with Nigeria,” Dansubdu told AFP by telephone from Gubuwa.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

7 News

‘2015 election, a litmus test for Nigeria’ Sodiq Adekunle

ÏÏÏForemost

religious leader and businessman, Asiwaju Khamis Badmus, has warned that failure in the 2015 election in the country would affect the growth of Nigeria.

The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland said this in an Eid Maolud message by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi.

Badmus also said it was important both candidates of the Peoples Democtratic Party (PDP), and All Progressive Congress (APC), while canvassing for votes from the electorates across the country, to refrain from

using incendiary words so as not to set the nation on fire.

He added that: “The peace and unity of the country before, during and after 2015 election, should be made the focal point of prayers of all adherents of Islam. The unity of the country is not negotiable, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country enjoys free, fair , credible exercise in the February, 2015 general elections.

“Year 2015 is a very critical year in the life of this nation. The forthcoming presidential election will serve as litmus test to know whether the country will still remain the same.”

Edo PDP fumes over Buhari, Tinubu visits Titus Eguaoje, Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has issued warnings to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), and national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to stop visiting the state as the state’s treasury is usually depleted anytime they were in town.

The party also came down heavily on the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, describing him as corrupt, financially reckless and wasteful.

Mimiko inaugurates AAUA Senate building Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏOndo state Governor,

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, at the weekend, officially inaugurated the ‘Senate Building’ of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) with a vow to continually invest and support the educational sector of

But, in a swift reaction the Edo state Commissioner of Information, Honourable Louis Odion, described the PDP’s allegation as an evil desperation to rubbish laudable achievement, adding that Edo people could not be deceived.

He said: “With Comrade Adams Oshiomhole inaugurating good projects all over state, in the last two months, we knew PDP would be gnashing their deformed teeth in envy. But we least expected malice would push them into forging vouchers to back up a shameless lie in their evil desperation to tarnish Oshiomhole’s impressive records.”

the state to meet up with global best practices.

Mimiko, accompanied by government officials, said his administration’s effort to make education the cheapest and most affordable in the state was borne out of a commitment to democratic access to qualitative education.

He said his administration, since inception, had focused in the area attention on educational development and restructuring, while ensuring proper funding of all tertiary public institutions in the state.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); President Lagos State Textile Dealers and Cloth Sellers Association, Mrs. Folashade Olabode (2nd right); Alhaja Kehinde Aduamigba (right); Mrs. Omolade Saidat (2nd left) and Mrs. Mustapha Racheal, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo recently

Atiku, Kwankwaso deny returning to PDP ÏÏÏFormer

Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State have jointly denied being wooed to go back to their former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Both personalities are members of the opposition All Progressives Congress and contested for the party’s presidential ticket recently.

It would be recalled that PDP’s National Secretary,

Atiku and Kwankwaso Prof. Wale Oladipo, had recently mooted the idea of luring both Atiku and Kwankwaso back to the party they left in August 2014.

But Atiku’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement, dismissed the story saying his principal had bade farewell to PDP and nothing would take him back to the party again.

In the same vein, Governor Kwankwaso also said the attempt to woo him back to PDP was a confirmation and acknowledgement that the PDP was going to lose Kano in the 2015 general elections without his help.

Governor Kwanwaso spoke through his Director

of Press, Baba Halilu Dantiye.

The Kano State governor’s statement said asking the governor to abandon the APC and rejoin PDP signified a “vote of no confidence on the Kano PDP leadership”.

Both Atiku and Kwamkwaso had, while undergoing screening for the APC presidential primaries, signed an undertaken that they would not decamp form the party even if the fail at the primaries.

Sambo deceiving Jonathan on 2million votes – Shehu Sani Augustine Aminu

ÏÏÏVice-President

Namadi Sambo is deceiving President Goodluck Jonathan that he would deliver two million votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Kaduna state, a right activist, Comrade Shehu Sani, said yesterday.

Sani, an All Progressives Congress (APC)

senatorial candidate in Kaduna Central, while addressing the leadership of Kaduna state council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said that Sambo was living in hallucination as PDP will be wiped out of the state for inept leadership.

“I am here to tell you that we have all resolved to change politics of our

country and state for redemption purposes. We will make laws that will protect your union and general welfare. Nobody is against PDP or President Jonathan because of religion or region, but because the PDP administration has failed to deliver.

We are tired of lies and deceitful promises.

“Imagine the Vice-President promising Jonathan

two million votes. Where will he get the votes? They promised to revive our textiles, to this day, there is nothing to that effect and the problems persists.

There is no security; there is no any cogent development that tackled unemployment, crisis, insecurity and lack of reliable health system, education and other critical sectors,” Sani said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, Janaury 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

9 News

Enugu: Ohaneze begins door-todoor campaign for Ugwuanyi

2015 General election: Ekiti PDP rules out APC, lauds Fayose

Moses Oyediran

Gbenga Sodeinde

Enugu

ÏÏÏAhead of

the 2015 general elections, the Ohaneze Ndigbo in South-Africa has commenced a door-to-door campaign aimed at ensuring a peaceful election in Enugu State.

The leader of Ndigbo in SouthAfrica and Patron, Ohaneze Ndigbo, (Enugu State), High Chief Mike Urama, who addressed journalists in Enugu on Sunday, shortly after a reception organized for them by Ohaneze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter, said the door-to-door campaign would stamp-out political and voter apathy, political thuggery and electoral malpractice and violence in Enugu State.

Urama, spoke alongside the Coordinator, and the Secretary Gburugburu Campaign Organization, South-Africa, Pastor Mike Ugwu and Ngwoke Tochukwu, respectively.

He said they were determined to campaign against victimization, discrimination and marginalization of voters on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity and likes.

While calling for the quick resolution of the lingering crisis in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, over the choice of its gubernatorial candidate, he said the Ohaneze Ndigbo in South-Africa decided to support Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi after a credible assessment of all the aspirants.

The group commended the PDP for the transparent conduct of its governorship primary election, noting that “this show of

uncommon understanding and solidarity is unequalled and unparalleled. It is indeed a practical demonstration of quietude and cohesiveness that exist with the party”.

He further stated that the Gburugburu International Support Foundation, (South-Africa), which according to him has over 1.5 million membership strength “is ever committed in support of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and has long ago been gathering support for him because of his out-

standing virtues in expanding the frontiers of excellence.

“It is not borne out of any kind of sentiment but on the reality on ground; if you move around Enugu State and have interaction with all manner of residents, the artisans, drivers, traders, civil servants, professionals, they are all clamouring for Ugwuanyi.

“So, his support base cuts across people of all classes and that is why members of the Ohaneze Ndigbo in South-Afri-

ca, Enugu State Chapter, have thrown their weight behind him.

“We sincerely believe in the Nigerian project. We unequivocally demand for a free, fair and credible 2015 election on the basis of one man one vote. We believe in the peaceful fellowship of men and women and truly stand by it”.

The group pleaded with aggrieved PDP governorship aspirants in Enugu State to withdraw all cases pending in the court for the sake of peace.

US Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins; Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS OKPABANA), Captain Majid Ibrahim and Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin at the reception ceremony of the latest acquired ship by the Nigerian Navy (NNS OKPABANA) from United State of America In Lagos at the weekend.

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti

State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that it will win all seats in the National and State Assemblies as well as record overwhelming victory for President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming elections in the state This was contained in a statement by the State Secretary, Dr Tope Aluko, and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday after a special executive meeting marking the end of 2014, The Party which appraised the political situation in the state and was confident of its performance, had specifically passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ayo Fayose, saying he has brought the state back to the path of progress.

“We look at the main opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), and all we can see is that they can never recover from the thrashing they got the other time.

The people of the state have rejected them and their hypocrisy.

“They will not win any seat in the February State and National Assemblies election in Ekiti State, while their presidential candidate will lose woefully.

“Who is going to vote a party that does not have the interest of the people at heart? Their main stock in trade is to engage in fruitless propaganda and thank God, the people have now seen their deceit and they cannot cover anybody’s face with any veil again.

“We are also satisfied with the performance of Governor Ayo Fayose in the two and a half months that he has been in the saddle. Despite the huge debt the APC left behind, he has not failed to live up to expectation.

2015: Don’t use our youths as political thugs, group tells politicians

Lack of political will stalls JSS admission in Jigawa

ÏÏÏThe North Central Coordi-

Dutse Mohammed

nator, Jonathan Actualisation Movement (JAM), Dr. Mike Omotosho, has called on politicians in the country to desist from using youths as thugs in the elections.

Omotosho, in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin, said the youths should be empowered and encouraged to be good ambassadors of our dear country rather than turn-

ing them into political thugs for mere selfish interests.

Omotosho, who is also the founder of Mike Omotosho Foundation, urged Nigerian youths to rather vote for candidates that can improve their lots as opposed to the ones that would use and dump them.

The JAM Coordinator who prayed for a successful 2015 polls, challenged parents and guard-

ians to watch over and monitor their children and wards against political thuggery.

“Parents must be proactive this time, because our youths deserve better.

“They (youths) must ask questions before they throw their weights behind any candidate(s).

Our destiny is in our hands now and we must all act wisely in the 2015 general elections.

ÏÏÏFaith of final year primary schools in Jigawa State was still hanging in the balance, as lack of political will, couple with other logistic problems have caused the delay in admission into Junior Secondary school JSS for 2014/2015 academic year.

An investigation conducted by the Daily Times has indicated

that, this action had prompted the delay in the release of last year Common Entrance Examination results of successful new intake to be admitted into Junior Secondary schools across Jigawa State.

The ugly situation has however sparked-off the minds of parents, raising an eyebrow to the proclamation of Jigawa State government that it accord prompt attention to education.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Get ready to arrest 65% Nigerians – Ondo APC tells Presidency ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏThe All Progressive Congress (APC), in Ondo state, has said any attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led presidency to use security agencies to harass and intimidate its national leaders across the country would potend a danger for the success of the forthcoming general elections, in the country.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Omoba Abayomi Adesanya, to journalists, at the weekend, in Akure, the APC said that the party would resist the alleged “plans of arrest” of its na-

tional leaders.

The party had, last week, raised an alarm over alleged plans to clamp down on its national leaders ahead of February’s presidential election.

The statement said if the federal government led by the PDP would not shelve its alleged plans of arrest, it should get ready to arrest more than half of the population of electorate in the country.

“If they refuse to back down on the plan to arrest APC leaders, then, they should get ready to arrest 65% of Nigerians.

The mass of APC mem-

bers and sympathizers in Nigeria would not watch our leaders in detention with mere sympathies. We would offer to join them”, the party said.

According to Adesanya, the alleged planned harassment constitutes a danger to the general election and promised that its members across the country would ensure it resisted any form of intimidation.

“It constitutes a clear danger to the success of 2015 general elections and the unity of our dear country, Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) and the security agencies should take into cognizance that the 2015 general elections is ‘Peoples’ Election’, unlike the previous elections in the country. The people will resist any form of intimidation, harassment, arrest, molestation, detention of any member of the opposition by the Jonathan led-government.”

He added that, “We align whole-heartedly with the position of the national leadership of our great party, the APC, on the plan by federal government, through security agencies under its firm control, to arrest our party leaders.

Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir breaks Guinness World Record ÏÏÏA Nigerian choral group, based in Akwa Ibom state, has broken the world record for the largest number of Christmas carol singers in the world.

The record, which has been officially certified by the Guinness World Records and pasted on its website, www.guinessworldrecords.com, was broken by the Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir, a 25,272 manchoral group, in a concert in the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday, December 13, 2014 with Guinness World Records representatives in attendance.

The record consigned to the history books the former record of 15,674 carol singers, which was achieved one year earlier

(on December 15, 2013), by a group known as CENTI, Bogota, Columbia.

The Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir sang a medley of The First Noel, Joy to the World, O Christmas Tree, Hark the Herald the Angels Sing, Once in Royal David’s City and O Come All Ye Faithful in an electrifying rendition which lasted over twenty minutes.

Guinness World Records adjudicator, Liz Smith, who did the announcement in Guinness World Record Headquarters, London, United Kingdom congratulated the choir and said: “It is now time to reveal the report of the official attempt to break the Guinness World Record of the largest group of carol singers.”

395 IDPs live in Niger – Shaba ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Governorship Candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by physically challenged persons at the Modupe Cole Disabled Pupils Home. With him are his running mate, Mrs Oluranti Idiat Adebule, and the Principal of the Home, Mrs Florence Kayode, during a visit by Mr Ambode and his campaign team to the school, recently.

General Manager, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Shaba, has said that no fewer than 395 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are residing in the state.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in an interview on Sunday, in Minna that most of the IDPs were from the north-eastern zone of the country. ``We have 107 IDPs from Kalaah Hong Madagli in Adamawa who are living in Gurara Local Government and 288 IDPs from Gwoza, in Borno state, residing in Shiroro Local Government. ``Those living in Gurara

claimed that they followed their relatives and they are camping in Dikko Central Primary School, Gurara. ``Some of those residing in Shiroro also claimed that they were fishermen with women and children from Doron Baga in Borno state, a riverine area. ``We asked them why they chose Shiroro and they said because Shiroro is also a riverine area, where they can easily make a living,’’ he said.

Shaba said that the agency, in collaboration with Gurara Local Government Authority, had contracted some health workers to attend to health issues among the IDPs.

Why I had to discard my initial manifesto – Governor Dankwambo ÏÏÏGovernor

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe state has linked the successes recorded by his administration in the last three and the half years to a clear-cut vision and plan developed from the developmental needs of every community in the state.

Dankwambo made the disclosure while presenting his three and half years’ administration’s score card, saying though

he came to office with a pre-election manifesto, he had to ascertain the needs of the people of the state, in order to have a direction of how to meet those needs.

The governor said that as soon as he was sworn in on May 29, 2011, he had to set up the 12 sectorbased committees to carry out needs assessment of each sector of the state and come up with work-

able recommendation that would transform the sectors.

Dankwambo said that the development witnessed across the state was because the administration was people-oriented whereby the needs of the people in all the 114 wards in the state were taken and developed into action plan which administration executed under the period under review.

Dankwambo

He said that the recommendation of the 12 sectorbased committees and the constituency tour constituted the action plan of his administration and would become the document of the people of Gombe not his personal document saying “that is why there is no Dankwambo document but Gombe state document”.

The governor also added that for the development witnessed in the state to be

sustained, there must be a review of the document from time to time.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Abubakar Sulei Bage, said the achievements recorded was as a result of diligent implementation of the report of 12 sector-based committees, advice collated from his state-wide tour and stakeholders meetings and other sources.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

R-L: Governor of Yobe State, Alh. Ibrahim Gaidam; his counterpart in Kano, Alh. Rabiu Kwankwaso and National Sercreatry, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alh. Mai Mala Buni at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano….

Yesterday.

Family blames police for death of four in auto crash Sodiq Adekunle

ÏÏÏMen of

the Nigerian Police Force have been blamed for a ghastly motor accident that claimed a family of four on Christmas eve.

The family of the deceased alleged that the accident was caused as a result of a roadblock mounted by mobile policemen for ‘stop and searching’ of vehicles at Oloba bridge, along IwoIbadan road, in Osun State.

The action of the police men reportedly resulted in traffic jam and led to the incident around 4pm on the fateful day.

The family, consisting the couple, Mr and Mrs Olumide Bankole and their two children, died on the spot.

It would be recalled that

the family of four had lost their lives when a trailer, loaded with bags of rice, lost control and crushed them to death.

According to eye witnesses’ account, “Bankole, while driving an arsh-coloured Golf car, was heading to Ibadan to celebrate Christmas with his in-laws, before his car was stopped alongside other vehicles plying the road, thus causing a long queue of on the express road waiting to be checked by the policemen.

“The driver of the speeding trailer, who had sighted the queue from afar, attempted to apply the breaks but it failed, thus colliding with the car and crushing its occupants,” he explained.

It was gathered that a

Abba lady, who was given a lift by the Bankoles, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Another eyewitness, identified as Ajao, said the trailer had collided with the car immediately the policemen released Bankole’s car.

He added, “The vehicle was axed before the bodies of the occupants could

be removed but the driver of the trailer did not die.

The fowl belonging to the victims did not die too, as it flew out of the crushed vehicle when the mutilated bodies were been removed.”

Speaking for the family, Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Osun State University chapter, Isaiah Fayemi, called on Osun State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Marafa, to bring the perpetrators to book.

Fayemi, who is an inlaw to the deceased Mr. Bankole, said “Despite the fact that road blocks have been banned, some mobile policemen mounted an illegal ‘stop and search’, which caused unnecessary long queue that resulted to the death of the family.”

11 News

Edo PDP flags off campaign, insists Jonathan deserves second term Titus Eguaoje

ÏÏÏMembers

of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, at the weekend, said it would only be fair in the spirit of equity and justice for President Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South geo-political zone be voted to power to serve a second term, just like past presidents from other zones.

They noted that doing otherwise would be detrimental and a denial to the oil rich zone, in favour of others geopolitical areas who had served eight years at the nation’s number one plum position in Aso Rock.

The PDP leaders, elders and supporters made their position known during the official flag off of the campaign, to support President Jonathan’s re-election bid and election of National Assembly and state house of assembly candidates of the

Okorocha promises to construct more roads ÏÏÏGovernor

Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has promised to construct more roads in Owerri North and Owerri West local government areas of the state in the first quarter of 2015.

Okorocha made the promise in a statement issued on Saturday in Owerri by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Sam

Jonathan party billed for next month.

The rally was held on Saturday in Igarra and Auchi, headquarters of Akoko Edo and Etsako West councils, respectively, in the north senatorial district of the state.

Also, traditional rulers from the areas sued for peaceful and issue based campaign and violence-free election that would ensure the emergence of credible leaders and true representatives to address the myriads of problems staring the nation and its people in the face.

Onwuemeodo.

He also promised to establish 27 new factories across the state to boost the state’s economy and create employment for the youths.

The governor said the proposed roads were to ensure that every community in the state enjoyed the dividends of democracy within the life span of his administration.

He listed the roads to be constructed to include Emii Road, Obibiezena – Imerienwe, Nkwo Emeke – Umucham, Isiuzo – Afor Egbu and Umuguma – Okuku roads, all in Owerri North Local Government Area.

2015: Buhari storms Uyo Tuesday Eno-Obong Okon, Uyo

ÏÏÏPresidential

Buhari

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Mohammadu Buhari (retd), will, on Tuesday, storm Uyo for his presidential rally billed to hold at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.

In a release signed by the State Chairman of the

party, Dr. Amadu Attai, and the Secretary, Elder Efiong Etok, on Sunday, the party stated that the rally would be attended by APC elders, chieftains and supporters.

The statement said that the National Chairman of the Party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who is also the director general of the Muham-

madu Buhari Campaign Organization, are among the dignitaries expected at the rally.

Highlights of the rally, according to the statement, will be the presentation of the party flag to Mr. Umana Okon Umana, who is the party’s Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom State.

Meanwhile, a group, ‘Buhari/Osinbajo Solidar-

ity’ has thrown its weight behind the popular call for a positive change in the political leadership of the country, as well as Akwa Ibom State.

The group rose from a meeting in Uyo, with a call for synergy to enhance the enthronement of a peopleoriented government, come May 29, 2015.

The convener of the

meeting, Joe Ukpong, a former commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, who spoke with newsmen, said that the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm on how to mobilize massive support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

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Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Defining moment in our nation’s history

“P

Yahaya Balogun

eople who live in difficult circumstances need to know that happy endings are possible” - U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.

We have come this far!!! We are a nation whose tumultuous journey has been very rough and odious. In law enforcement parlance, there is what we called deliberate indifference; it is a criminal neglect of the vulnerable individual or people in a precarious situation. Our leaders are guilty of this criminal negligence. Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and material resources. An entity castrated by corruption, nepotism, graft and hedonism. It is a nation whose leaders celebrate mediocrity in place of meritocracy.

We are a prodigal and corrupt nation who has never saved for the rainy days, the reality is now starring us in the face. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are. This is unsustainable. The world is a global village as we should be cognizant of lies and shenanigans being peddled around by the selfish and ignoramus amongst us. Jonathan’s

government has succeeded in using religion and ethnicity to expose itself and help Buhari’s image to fore.

You can deceive people every time but you cannot deceive fertile and objective minds all the time.

When you do not have records to run on, you start to demonize your opponent. Nigerians are not fools.

One thinks with the state apparatus in this government’s hands, it is fast reaching the bus stop. Nigeria is a secular state, no one Islamise Nigeria as it will be an exercise in futility. This writer is a Muslim and has never thought of that about Buhari. We are all intertwined as brothers and sisters in Nigeria, Christians and Muslims, Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa.

In this 21st century, it is a big shame as a versed country, with people of knowledge and intelligentsia to use religion in our political affairs to divide ourselves. Religion should not be a tool of political excursion. Let’s take a lesson as plebeians from American experience and change our country to path of prosperous nation. We have the manpower and resources but lack credible leadership to realise these laudable goals.

As I write to you my dear compatriots, this is the time to break the yoke of corruption and graft; this is the time to banish poverty

and hopelessness from our land; today we are collectively coming together to use our ugly past to shape our glamorous future. We are a better people whose industry and resilience have brought us together in spite of the divisiveness of our leaders. Our collective sense of unity should ignite and energise our sense of imagination to land us in that state of utopia. It is doable.

The last half of a century of nationhood has been abysmal failures of our leadership to bring government to the door steps of the impoverished people of Nigeria.

Rather, it has been government of nepotism only to benefit the few who keep recycling their corruption inflicted personae at the expense of the poor masses.

Our nation has been bedeviled with the man-made crisis. The successive leadership of this country from inception of nationhood has ruled us cannily and conceitedly.

To rule a nation with deceit and chicanery successfully, the leaders must make the people poor, impoverished and hapless. When national wealth is stolen, the wrongly wired plebeians are appeased and “rewarded” with few naira notes and bags of rice. Their sense of foresight is beclouded and they are sauntered into a self conundrum to mortgage their own future and that of their children.

Our country is endowed with massive untapped natural and intellectual resources, but those entrusted with the exploration and exploitation have exploited them to their own advantage.

February 14, 2015 general election will be yet another opportunity and a defining moment in our nation’s history. We will be faced with a moment of decision again.

The cynics and cavilers will discourage us, we will be called names and we will respect their freedom of expression, but we will be defiant and veer our ways out of the famished road we are threading.

With the unexplored and clean template already in place, we need a leader with unblemished sense of probity, discipline and inclusiveness to re-engineer our conscience and consciousness. We need a proactive leader not reactionary leader.

We desperately yearn for a leader who will create a thriving and competitive business environment by constructing good roads, build state of the art hospitals with modern equipment, provide uninterrupted power supply, provide clean energy and security of lives and property.

We should not settle for Nigeria where every child does not have equal opportunity to education and jobs. All these are doable with responsible leadership.

Equipping the military for results

A

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

mong high ranking security personnel since the menacing activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria is “security consciousness”. In short, no speech is, complete without highlighting security as every body’sbusiness.

Thus, for this reason, the populace is further advised to take extra step to police their immediate environment, and suspect every unusual movement.

While such initiative could be tagged worthy, the possibility of having everyone in the neighbourhood turn watchdogs remains a mirage and what exactly are these security laymen looking out for? Even when they sniff foul, what should they do? Raise alarm or call on the trained security personnel?

Assuming the very last option is adopted, what is the guarantee that these so-called-trained security personnel would live up to their bidding, amidst complaints

of ill-equipped formations?

These and many more questions seem to cluster my mind each time I am weighed down by the realities of the security challenges in Nigeria. But I am somewhat comforted by the words of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika in which he said that the Nigerian Army is being restructured to meet the current security challenges in the country.

Of course, Lt-Gen Ihejirika, as the then Chief of Army Staff, could not have intended a deceit for his audience when he said and repeatedly too, that the Nigerian Army was being equipped and organised to cope with the present challenges of nation building in addition to protecting the sovereignty of the nation.

However, two years after Ihejirika raised the hope of Nigerians to the fact that the army was on its way to assume its rightful place in the security and defence business, some Nigerians are yet to come to terms with his statement. Many still see same as mere vague pronouncement. They ask questions

such as “restructuring for what?

On the other hand, a process which has lasted for two years and beyond, should be boasting of some level of visibility or transparency, but the story of the Nigerian Army has not been anything other than what we have known for ages. Although some accuse the military of going to roost due to prolonged peaceful atmosphere the country has enjoyed since the end of the Nigerian civil war even at that, does a dancer forget the dance step he knows best?

While I will not want to believe that the restructuring of the Nigerian army is only in the area of increased mobility, as seen in the now ubiquitous Toyota Hilux trucks, army uniforms, boots, kevlar helmets and jackets, I would rather want to see the recent departure of 1,200 Nigerian security personnel for Russia as part of the restructuring and equipping exercise. This number, which includes members of the armed forces, police and members of the Department of State Services, DSS, has so far left for anti-insurgency training.

Although, it was not revealed what yardstick was adopted in the selection of the participants, there are fears that the Nigerian syndrome may not be ruled out where the non-qualified are preferred for the qualified for reasons of vested interest as against the collective interest of the nation.

It is therefore, pertinent to state that the calling of the military had always placed the national interest above personal interests. Any attempt therefore to undermine that which has been, may be throwing the nation into a great jeopardy.

The need to look inward with a view to searching out the functional, good-to-go combatants, that will go, learn and bring to bear which they have learnt must not be overemphasised at this point in our nation’s history.

Again, while security could be seen as everybody’s business, we must not lose sight of the fact that those who have relinquished their pleasure, just to secure the lives and properties, must not go about their duties with bare hands while the enemies equip themselves with sophisticated weapons.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

15 Opinion

Shut Up, Uncle Sam

I

FRANK OFILI

have been waiting for 2015, to tell the American CIA to shut up. A couple of years back, they were emphatic in their prediction that Nigeria would break-up in 2014 – exactly 100 years after a descendant of their cousin, Lord Fredrick Lugard, deceptively amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates to form what is today known as Nigeria.

The Northern and Southern Protectorates had themselves been brutally and forcefully joined together by a most devious British plot, hatched as part of the continuation of the larger design on Africa

by European powers at the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885. Whole autonomous kingdoms, whose leaders were hitherto at par with European emperors and doing legitimate business as equal partners, were deceptively led into what the European powers called a “pact” to protect them from invasion.

Unknown to these indigenous Kingdoms, it was one of the Europeans powers, Britain, that had contrived the inter-tribal wars

to procure human labour for their plantations in the New World now known as America. But before then, the European Powers had embarked on ‘Voyages of Discovery’ into Africa and other parts of the world. This was how we came to know about the likes of Mungo Park and Lander Brothers.

Next on the unholy scheme ,was the ‘Missionary Journeys’ in which they came, deceived the people into exchanging their land, resources and way of life, with a book called Bible. The scheme was as seductive as it was devious. By the time we woke up from our reverie, they had introduced another bet in the guise of a so-called elimination of slave trade, a practice which was unknown in the autonomous kingdoms before their arrival, and which they had contrived as to supply of able bodied manpower for sugar cane plantations in the New World.

Slave trade was (still is) the most heinous crime against humanity known to mankind. When its practice became anathema, the British used Mary Slessor to sound its death knell, but not before they

had devised another scheme in the form of legitimate trade. This was the beginning of what was to become multinational imperialism.

Under this sub-plot, outfits like the Royal Niger Company (RNC) came and established a foot-hold in indigenous Nigeria. After that, began full-blown colonialism and the gradual loss of identity and authority of indigenous kingdoms.

These European powers were geniuses but only in so far as it was to exploit Africa.

It was under this sub-plot, which lasted for 500 years that the first and second foot-hold of British power in pre-colonial Nigeria, the Lagos Colony and the Southern Protectorate (Calabar), were fused to form the Southern Protectorate.

Rail lines were opened from Lagos to the hinterland of the North purposely to expedite movement of produce to Apapa Wharf, from where they were shipped to Britain.

Developing Britain, not Nigeria, was the main concern. Details of what transpired under colonial rule is better left for another day, but suffice it to say that soon the British scheme was to start paying

them back when young educated Nigerians returned home to champion the struggle for independence from foreign control.

Names like Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes, Chief Obafemi Awolowos and others easily come to mind here. The rest is now history.

It is however worth mentioning that to all intents and purposes, Lord Lugard acting on orders from his home government programmed Nigeria never to succeed. But he was gravely mistaken. We are resilient, persistent, brash and impossible. We have the uncanny ability to reinvent and re-assert ourselves just when you think it is all over.

So when the CIA forwarded their ominous but ill-informed document of their doom-day prediction to then President Bill Clinton, our own President told them to mind their business because they knew nothing about Nigeria and Nigerians.

That is why I am now, telling Uncle Sam to shut up, because you know nothing about us. We may have our challenges as a nation but we shall overcome them.

votes to count. Almost six weeks to the opening of the polls, one can sniff in the air around the country a true contest and a helluva fight in the offing for the biggest electoral pie. And you can say very much the same for the stakes in many states; whether they are now in the hands of the PDP, and its allies, or under the control of the opposition APC. Since last year, there has been a slugfest between the two, undeniably at least on the media turf. We have heard each accusing the other of desperation - to snatch or to keep power. Ordinarily, Nigerians should be happy that the stock of the electorate has risen astronomically in value. The buyers have truly, even if fleetingly, become the king and the people are no longer taken for granted.

Or should Nigerians instead be apprehensive? If you take a look at the flip side of this two-party stuff, you may see reasons to shudder.

You probably have heard some voices wondering whether there would be a country at the end of the elections. If the polls turn out to be as close as they are being widely envisaged, will the losers gracefully accept defeat or dispute the outcome and belligerently stoke the fire of violence? Is it come the apocalypse for the giant of Africa?

A side effect of a two-party system everywhere is the polarisation of the country. That is very much evident in America where most vote either Democrats or Republicans.

But in the developed democracies, the institutions are sturdy and accepted by the combatants as fair umpires. In 2000, Vice-President Al Gore got more votes than Governor George Bush and lost the crucial Florida, which gave the former the electoral college victory only by a few hundred votes, after the Supreme Court ruled on the invalidity of some of the ballots that could have made Gore president. Both sides conceded to the court its duty to adjudicate and Americans did not turn their guns on one another.

But in our developing democracy, the institutions do not yet enjoy credibility –whether it is the electoral commission, the security agencies or the courts. So in a situation where a party cannot even get people to drive its campaign vehicles across two contiguous states, where even governors have alleged threats to their lives, where elements purporting to represent either sides are openly stating that only victory is acceptable to their peoples, who would blame citizens reportedly closing down their businesses.

Curse of answered prayer?

N

Bisi Abidoye

igerians long yearned for it - a twoparty based democratic process.

From the First Republic, politics had begun to tend towards it when the original largely regional parties allied into the Nigerian National Alliance and United Progressives Grand Alliance for the 1964 General Election, the first in independent Nigeria. In the Second Republic, the four opposition parties tried in vain to form the Progressive People’s Alliance as a united front against the National Party of Nigeria for the 1983 General Election.

General Ibrahim Babangida somewhat appreciated this tendency when at the outset of his circuitous transition programme he disqualified all the dozens of associations that applied for registration as political parties and instead decreed into existence one party a little to the right and another a little to the left and forced the “newbreed” politicians to herd into the two towards his illusory Third Republic. Even under the laws originally promulgated for the brief transition programme of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the

Fourth Republic would have begun with only the People’s Democratic Party and All People’s Party, which met the criteria for registration, until the authorities succumbed to exigencies to register a third party - the Alliance for Democracy, which didn’t meet the criteria.

Since then, constitutionallysanctioned freedom of association has bloomed and political parties have proliferated but the election this year will practically be contested by two parties with foothold in every state and perhaps in every local government area of the federation. Through a natural process of political evolution, the country has achieved what it has long tended towards - politics structured on two national parties. As the third and potentially the most closely fought General Election under the Fourth Republic zooms in however, many are no longer sure whether to acclaim or declaim that evidence of political progress. Is the arrival of the All Progressives Congress and its current robust challenge of the governing PDP a blessing or a curse?

To the neutrals, it is a good thing that the “largest political party in Africa” can no longer assume victory before the votes are counted - or brazenly do so without allowing the

16

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Politics Olufemi Samuel

17

s

Prof. Oladipo PDP will win over 26 states in February elections

There is concentrated attention on Nigeria as it prepares for general elections in February.

In this interview with OLUFEMI SAMUEL, the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Wale Oladipo, previews issues before the election, declaring a no-contest case between his party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the strength of envisaged land-slide victory by his party.

Many Nigerians concluded that the year 2014 was very turbulent in all ramifications; would you say that it was also a turbulent year for the PDP as well?

As Nigerians we found the year very challenging, I won’t say turbulent because of the level of insecurity that pervaded our land. But then 2014 was also a good year, our GDP was re-based and Nigeria became the largest economy on the continent of Africa. We

became at least the 26th largest economy in the world.

This is no mean feat because free enterprise continues to blossom into our country. Unemployment started coming down, thanks to the You-win programme of the federal government. Our agriculture revolution is yielding results and our auto manufacturing policy has seen many international companies like Toyota, VolkCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

FASEHUN

Why Nigerians should vote for Jonathan Dr. Fredrick Fasehun is the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and the new founder of the recently registered Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

Fasehun is unapologetically backing President Goodluck Jonathan ahead the February 14 general elections. In this interview with Deputy Political Editor, JONATHAN EZE, he listed the achievements of the incumbent and urged Nigeri-

ans to vote overwhelmingly for him as a show of gratitude for what he has done for Nigeria.

It’s a New Year sir, what are your expectations on the political turf ?

First of all, let me wish you a Happy New Year. May this be the best year you and your family Fasehun

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Credible elections critical for people of Burundi, says UN Chief UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that peaceful and credible elections are critical for the people of Burundi.

Ban, in his note to UN correspondents in New York, expressed the hope that all Burundians would seize the opportunity to consolidate

peace and stability in their country.

The secretary-general said he was pleased that the United Nations Electoral Observation

Mission in Burundi (MENUB) officially started work on January 1 as mandated by Security Council resolution 2137 (2014).

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Full list of Presidential Candidates

Presidential election: Contest between analogue (Buhari) and digital ( Jonathan) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

swagen and others, establishing assembly plants in Nigeria, thereby creating employment for our graduates and artisans and more importantly, 2014 also witnessed the first time when a sitting president would be accorded what is called the right of first refusal. Our president was adopted and endorsed as a candidate of PDP. 2014 was also the year when the internal democratic norm that has become a standard practice in PDP finally caught up with the opposition such that APC decided to organize a similar democratic national convention to elect their presidential candidate, instead of the usual ritual of a few wise men sitting down in the comfort of their homes in Lagos and decreeing a presidential candidate for the opposition party. So, by and large, it was a challenging year security wise.

But it is also a rewarding year politically, socially and economically for this Nigeria.

You painted a rosy picture of situation in Nigeria for 2014…

Not all a rosy picture, I also mentioned some challenges….

Okay, in terms of challenges, there have been fears that the unsavoury political situation in Nigeria may induce the breakup, most especially in 2015. Now that you said things are getting better to some extent, have that eroded the possibility of Nigeria breaking up as envisaged in some quarters?

Well, I think comment is free but the truth is constant and sacred. The reality of this country is that we have six geopolitical zones, instead of the acrimonious dichotomy between north and south as we used to have. The earlier people realize this better. There is no longer a unified south and there is no longer a monolithic north. Our country has six geo-

political zones that are more or less engaged in beneficial competition. That is how I will term it. The south-south, of course continue to be the major bread winner and main source of foreign currency influx to the economy due to the high level of hydro carbon presence of that region. The south west continues to be the major economic hub of this country due to historic reasons and geographical advantage. The south east continues to be a major industrial hub of this country due to the high level of technical audacity of indigenes of that region. The north central continues to be the major supplier of electricity to this country due to the high level of water resources prevalent in that region.

In addition, it continues to be a major player of agricultural production particularly food crops. The north central continues to provide a lot of food for this country. The north east unfortunately is ravaged by insurgency, yet the level of food production from that region continues to be a source of pride to all of us as Nigerians.

You will see that all the geopolitical zones of our country are country are key to the survival and development of Nigeria. Anybody that continues to reason in terms of north and south, because when people talk of breakup of this country, that is what they usually allude to, it is an unrealistic issue.

I believe that we are so interwoven nowadays; we are so interdependent on each other that we cannot afford to fall apart. Lastly, the PDP continues to be the major glue that holds this country together, PDP is the only party that does not belong to any religion. you can’t call PDP a Christian party, our national chairman is a Muslim, our vice president is a Muslim, most of our power broker in our country are Muslims, our president of course is a Christian, our national secretary is a Christian, our SGF is a

Jonathan

Buhari was the man who introduced trade by barter into our economy. What our ancestors used to do 500 years ago, he reintroduced it into our economy and nobody understood what it was all about

Christian, the Senate president is a Christian. So if you look at it critically, the PDP doesn’t belong to any religion. It does not belong to any tribe. PDP is the only party that cut across all the villages in this country. It is the major glue that is holding this country together and that is why I will continue to urge Nigerians to keep having faith in PDP. Earlier, you derided the APC as not having any tendency to win elections. Is that how confident you are that APC cannot match the PDP in electoral contest?

We are very confident. APC is an agglomeration of disgruntled politicians. Buhari is a perpetual presidential candidate. This is the fourth time Buhari will be contesting against the PDP. When he contested for the first time, we beat him. We have beaten him three times.

What is stopping us from beating him again? Even when he was younger, more agile and more articulate, when he was vibrant enough to know what to do, we beat him squarely. I respect old age, Pa Buhari is now 72 officially, your guess is as good as mine about his real age and this is between the future and the past. Buhari was the man who introduced trade by barter into our economy, what our ancestors used to do 500 years ago, he reintroduced it into our economy and nobody understood what it was CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last week released the names of the presidential candidates and their running mates who will contest the 2015 elections. Of the 26 registered political parties in Nigeria, only 11 submitted names of candidates to run for the presidency. These are: The ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), submitted the names of President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo, while the main opposition All Progressives Congress, (APC), submitted the names of Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo as presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Others are Oluremi Sonaiya and Saidu Bobboi for Kowa Party, Ambrose Albert and Haruna Shaba for Hope Democratic Party, Ganiyu Galadima and Balarabe Ahmed of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, (ACPN), Rafiu Salau and Clinton Cliff Akuchie for Alliance for Democracy, (AD) and Godson Okoye and Haruna Adamu, for United Democratic Party, (UDP).

Nani Ibrahim Ahmad and Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue of African Democratic Congress, (ADC) Martin Onovo and Ibrahim Mohammed of National Conscience Party, (NCP), Tunde AnifowosheKelani and Paul Ishaka Ofomile of Action Alliance, AA) and Chekwas Okorie and Bello Umar of United Progressive Party (UPP).

Both the Labour Party, (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), have adopted the PDP candidate, Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate.

Of all the 11 candidates, only Messrs. Jonathan and Buhari were candidates in the last election in 2011.

Voter’s ballot

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

19 Politics

Buhari not the Messiah Nigeria needs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Fasehun

For many Nigerians, the elections loom with fear and trepidation.

have ever known. This is an election year in Nigeria, and the next one or two months will be crucial to the progress and health of the nation. It will decide whether Nigeria will continue as one nation or smash into smithereens, as prophesied by the superpowers. Will this year confirm and consolidate our democracy or will it be remembered by generations to come as the year Nigerians endorsed their nation’s death?

For many Nigerians, the elections loom with fear and trepidation. Politicians have so heated up the polity that, where we should be looking upon the polls as a routine chore, we have been psyched up into viewing them as a looming landmine capable of triggering a national implosion. This is why the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), a major stakeholder in the elections, has deemed it expedient to offer direction in order

to pull the nation back from the brink.

With the current atmosphere created by the aspirants, do you think there is hope for the nation?

Today, Nigeria staggers under insurgency and terrorism that is very alien to our ethnic and national character.

And we have some do-or-die politicians to thank for this.

Insurgency and terrorism descended on Nigerians in the wake of the 2011 elections, after politicians of a particular coloration swore to make the country “ungovernable” should they lose the polls.

When Nigerians massively rejected these politicians at the polls, these bad losers made good their threats and unleashed the dogs of war through the North-Eastern part of the country. Since then, Nigeria has become one massive killing field with an internally-displaced population of over three million.

Shall we cower before those who have brought this tragic and catastrophic atmosphere upon us and reward them with the presidency?

Will history play any part in determining fundamentally the result of February 14 Presidential election?

One of the unfortunate attributes pinned to Nigerians is our collective amnesia. Nigerians have short memories.

Erected on the tombstone of our untimely deceased memories are sculptured tombstones, etched with the annoying words, “forgive and forget.” And yet, it is said that a nation that turns its back on its history will never embrace development.

Even if we forgive, must we forget? And then, must we forgive people who deliberately scripted the misfortune of their own nation? Must an entire nation subscribe to the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

APC is an agglomeration of disgruntled politicians- Prof. Oladipo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

all about. He introduced what is called War Against Indiscipline, where people were wiped like horses. Nigeria has moved on, we have moved beyond Buhari and jack booth, we have moved beyond religious bigotry.

No ethnic champion can rule this country again. We cannot go back to control the economy again, our economy has been liberalized. The banking system has been freed, communication system has been freed and liber-

ated, the power sector is gradually witnessing liberalization, we cannot afford to go back to what Buhari is proposing. Unfortunately if you notice very well, have you seen the APC manifesto? You will not see it because there is none. What did Buhari promise when he accepted the nomination in Lagos? He said I will secure the nation, how, he did not make a single statement on how he was going to do this.

What did his campaign manager, the highly frustrated brother of

mine, Amechi say? He said if we lose this election” in fact he only put “if ” and changed his mind, am sure what he wanted to say was if we lose this election because he knew they were going to fail, meaning that they will not obey the law, they will not go to tribunal, he said it clearly, just like his principal said four years ago that he would render this country ungovernable, and the following year what did we see, violence, Boko Haram.

These people don’t mean well for

the country, they don’t believe in our unity, they don’t believe in our equality. They don’t believe that every Nigerian is equal to the other. We cannot go back to the old ways.

The nation has moved on while Buhari was contesting serially and losing serially. This country has moved on, we are now one, we are now guarded by technology in this country, the jackboot is a thing of the past, you can force discipline on people, people are discipline from

Sri Lanka: Violence escalates ahead of polls Campaign-related violence escalated across Sri Lanka ahead of next week’s elections as President Mahinda Rajapakse fights an unexpectedly tough battle to remain in power, poll monitors and police said on Saturday.

The private Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) monitoring group said it had received 1,073 complaints since campaigning got underway in early December.

Police said they had received a much

smaller number of complaints, but that 130 arrests had been made.A deputy minister and 13 other elected representatives are among those who have been arrested in connection with 245 complaints of violence, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

Sri Lanka President, Mahinda Rajapakse

inside themselves, the whole world is a global village, thanks to internet. People read about the latest development in any part of the world and they form their own independent opinion.

They know what is good for this country, the inventive genius in every Nigeria is coming to life, we are beginning to use our head, President Jonathan has liberalized this economy beyond the point of turning back, and this country cannot be handed over to a Buhari at this age.

Politics 20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

‘Why Nigerians should vote for Jonathan’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

self-serving blackmail of an individual or his sectarian interest group? Can we not stop to think of the political possibilities in our chequered political history? Do we really lack the faculties to remind ourselves of the lessons of history lest we fall into that mistake that keeps recurring in our political life, that mistake that we as Nigerians have been unable to wean ourselves?

The problem of Nigeria is not our politics but the fact that we forget too soon. We feel the pain of our flagellation just at the time we are being flogged. Afterward, we go about as if nothing has happened in our history.

General Buhari seems to be enjoying goodwill of Nigerians and just like in 2011, when every Nigerian stood for Jonathan, don’t you think the people might have their way?

No doubt, General Muhammadu Buhari is a man of history.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a man of history too. But on which part of history do these two personalities stand? It has nothing to do with the calling and profession of these two men, one being an academic, a Doctorate Degree holder and a lecturer in a tertiary institution; the other, a retired General and former Military Head of State, who seized power through a Military coup in 1983. But obviously, as there are worthless scholars so there are wicked Generals; and noble Generals abound in the barracks even as excellent academics flock the ivory tower. But each man chooses his own path, and the cloak does not make the monk.

There is a messianic feeling when the name Buhari is mentioned. What is your take on his overwhelming popularity?

General Buhari has often been painted as the Messiah Nigerians have been waiting for. This is turning truth and logic on the head.

For the avoidance of doubt, General Muhammadu Buhari is not the saviour Nigeria has been waiting for. The truth is that under Buhari’s “Holier-Than-Thou” facade

lurks a smelly throat of evil.

Instead of standing for election, General Muhammadu Buhari should in fact be standing trial before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for crimes against humanity over the killing of thousands of Nigerians in the ongoing insurgency and terrorism instigated by him and his supporters.

What economic credentials can Buhari flaunt today? What industry has he engaged in since he retired from the Army 29 years ago, to show that he has a hands-on experience to manage men and enterprises? Even in politics, his most visible pastime, what amount of success has he recorded? When he twice failed to win the presidency through the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), he abandoned the party and founded the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he failed to win the election again.

Thereafter, he co-founded the All Progressives Congress (APC), on whose platform he will attempt election again this year. He had unsuccessfully contested the presidency three times already and failed in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He failed against fellow retired General Olusegun Obasanjo from the South-West, against Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua a Northerner like himself, and against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South.

His hypocrisy was recently demonstrated and exposed at the National Convention of the APC. Feigning incorruptibility, he willingly became a beneficiary of the bribe that his supporters, APC governors and businessmen, doled out to delegates to secure his victory.

When he served as Petroleum Minister, the N2.8 billion fraud broke out, signifying a new height in corruption in the country. This was a man who served as Chairman of the Petroleum Task Force (PTF) under General Sani Abacha and pretends he made no money.

Let him render account for his PTF years.

We challenge Buhari to declare the true state of his health. What ailment is he nursing in his vital organs? To prevent history repeating itself, to the frustration of

Buhari

“No doubt, General Muhammadu Buhari is a man of history. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a man of history too. But on which part of history do these two personalities stand?”

his zone, his kinsmen and indeed all Nigerians should ask this General to subject himself to an independent medical assessment.

Have Nigerians forgotten that in 1983 General Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the democratically-elected government under President Shehu Shagari, and unduly dissolved all political parties and democratic structures? Nigeria has never recovered from that brazen Military intervention.

You seem not to appreciate anything about General Buhari. Is it a personal feeling or you have ample reasons not to believe in his presidency?

General Buhari promulgated the draconian Decree 4 of 1983,

where it became an offence to publish the truth, a situation that effectively gagged the Press and resulted in the unjust jailing of Messrs Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of The Guardian newspapers. He Jailed the Afro Beat Musician, Fela AnikulapoKuti, for alleged currency trafficking, yet he allowed 53 suitcases of currency belonging to an Emir to pass through the eye of the Nigerian needle at the Ikeja Airport, Lagos; His regime placed a ceiling on the age of Nigerians travelling for pilgrimage to Mecca, yet his deputy General Tunde Idiagbon broke the law and hypocritically took his under-aged son for a trip to the Holy Land; He displayed unrepentant ethnic bigotry and tribal jingoism, jailing Southern politicians like Ambrose Ali, Bisi Onabanjo, Jim Nwobodo and Adekunle Ajasin, while allowing their Northern counterparts liberty to roam free; He held in prison the Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, while allowing the President great liberty in a token house arrest; Searched the hallowed home of the revered Chief Obafemi Awolowo, UPN Founder and Leader; Had terrible human rights records, by running the infamous Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO) detention cells where people were held without trial in subhuman conditions; Signed the retroactive killing of three young men accused of drugpushing, an offence they committed when the law stipulated only a jail sentence; Displayed utter insensitivity and racism -when he led a protest to then Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina, after long-suffering villagers mustered the courage to finally launch a reprisal attack against the cows of Fulani herdsmen who unleashed orgies of raping, pillaging and killing against their community.

Have Nigerians forgotten that Buhari showed disdain for the traditional institution by the shoddy treatment and banishment his regime handed down to the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade?.

Lawmakers disrupt vote on Kenyan security law Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyan President

Kenyan opposition lawmakers shouted slogans, sang and threw water in parliament, disrupted a vote to authorize terrorism-related measures that rights activists say threaten civil liberties and free

speech.

According to Reuters, the bill would allow suspects to be held without charge for 360 days, up from 90 days; compel landlords to provide information about their tenants

and punish media organizations for printing material that is “likely to cause fear or alarm”. Speaker Justin Muturi, had already suspended the morning session after opposition legislators shouted him down.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Features

21

s People with incompatible genotype combination should not get married and those who are already in relationships, must call off such relationships

Before sickle cell sickens you in a cell...

Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr The sickle cell disease is an inherited health disorder, which causes red blood cells that are naturally disc-shaped and pliable, to become misshapen, stiff and sticky. Severe pain crises occur periodically in people living with the disease when these sickled red blood cells hinder proper blood flow.

Instead of donut appearance, red blood cells are sickle shaped; and this makes sufferers more fragile, resulting in lowered supply of oxygen to the body and disrupted healthy blood flow.

KNOW YOUR GENE BEFORE MARRIAGE The days of ignorance as a result of little medical research and public awareness are over. Society holds everyone responsible to guard against uninformed relationships leading to marriage or child bearing outside wedlock.

While delivering a lecture on SCD – ‘Know Your Gene Before Marriage’ in Lagos recently, Dr. Martins Irhoeze told the workshop that with medical research and public awareness embarked upon by the health ministry and religious bodies, there is no excuse for anyone to fall victim to the disease or procreate children with sickle cell anaemia.

Just as the antidote to HIVAIDS is abstinence, the fool-proof

A sickle cell patient on treatment

At TAHF, sickle cell patients are living their lives full and free

Page 22

‘It’s hell on Earth’ Page 23

cure for SCD is complete prevention; and, like HIV-AIDS, it is easy to avoid the SCD because all a sensible adult needs to do is not to attempt to ‘acquire’ the virus that causes AIDS; acquiring is a decision and that is where individual

“Similarly, a sensible adult going into a relationship can easily avoid the problem of SCD by ensuring the genotype of his or her partner before marriage is contemplated” responsibility comes in.

“Similarly, a sensible adult going into a relationship can easily avoid the problem of SCD by ensuring the genotype of his or her partner before marriage is contemplated.”

Martins praised some religious organizations that created marital counseling departments where

It is difficult to get used to the pain of sickle cell crises - Oyin David

Page 24

intending couples are made to present their genotype test results; some even go the extra mile to oversee the test themselves before the intending couples are counselled on other areas preparatory for marriage.

“The foundation of marriage today must be based on a thorough knowledge of what sickle cell disease is as well as the necessity to know and ensure your genotype compatibility with your partner. The distinction between AA, AS and SS must be clearly understood by both partners before marriage is embarked upon.”

Martins painted graphic pictures of the consequences of ignoring the genotype pre-marriage test. “People with incompatible genotype combination should not get married and those who are already in relationships, must call off such relationships.”

DIETARY CONTROL In the long failed battle by medical science to find a cure for the condition, a healthy diet is advised to control the condition and minimize symptoms in sufferers.

Dietician and nutrition expert in a sickle cell emergency response team, Kayode Oguntimehin told Daily Times that good dieting or nutrition can help safeguard healthy growth in people with sickle cell disease and may CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Features 22 It sometimes takes personal tragedy to bring out the best in man. This irony mirrors the Olugbenga Awosika family who created succour and hope for sickle cell patients and the helpless from the grief of personal fate and tragedy. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR capture this altruism and reports…

When Dr. Olugbenga Awosika had the child of his strength (the divine name of first born child), the son he named Temitayo came down with sickle cell anaemia. Tragic, but the family gave the boy all that medicine and faith required and, according to Awosika, the child grew up very healthy and strong.

“He was a very healthy and strong young man; he was in the United States when he fell ill and unfortunately he passed on one day after his 19th birthday, which was 13th of August 1999.”

Reliving the tragedy of losing the child to the disease, Awosika told Daily Times it was a situation that upset all his expectations about Temitayo.

Said Dr Awosika: “It was very painful, really. And, having suffered the pain of losing our promising son to the disease, my family and I resolved to set up a foundation in his memory; a foundation that will ensure healthy and productive lifestyle for the helpless in the society, particularly those living with sickle cell complications.”

Named after the late son as the Temitayo Awosika Help Foundation, TAHF, it was launched in 1999 by the late wife of former President, Mrs Stella Obasanjo with then Vice President Atiku Abubakar in attendance.

“Since then, the Foundation has been taking care of people with similar issues and we do ev-

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

At TAHF, sickle cell patients gain full free We don’t only cater for the club members, we take care of their families

Parents of SCD children at an awareness concert erything possible just to see how we can improve their lives and encourage them that in spite of what they are living with, they can still live a good life and live to old age.”

The foundation caters for people of all ages living with the

sickle cell scourge irrespective of tribe and tongue, providing emergency crisis response team, drugs, financial aid, counseling, and training programmes.

One arm of TAHF is the establishment of Love Aglow Concert, an annual event staged at the

Rauch Light House, Obanikoro, Lagos, and other locations as deemed appropriate, where children, youths, moms and dads of families living with sickle cell disease celebrate the grace and opportunity to beat the disease and live life full, healthy and free.

Awosika further told Daily Times of the structures in place for the smooth and effective running of the Foundation.

“We now have club members comprising people we directly cater for, and we also have proCONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Before sickle cell sickens your life in a cell...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

reduce the risk of complications.

“Any registered dietitian can advise the patient and family on how to meet macronutrient and micronutrient needs.

Though it is important for everyone to eat a healthy, balanced diet, it is especially significant for those with sickle cell anemia.

“A good balanced diet filled with iron-rich foods is highly recommended. Research has it that high-protein foods such as red meat, liver, tuna fish, shell-

fish, egg yolks, beans and peas contain iron and are highly recommended for sickle cell patients.

“Other foods include iron-fortified cereals, oatmeal, cream of wheat, leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, prune juice and molasses.”

WHAT NOT TO EAT “But while meat is recommended for sufferers of Sickle Cell anemia, care should be taken in the consumption of chicken and egg.

This, according to him, is not unconnected with the fact that chick-

en and egg are the main source of salmonella, which can easily lead to bone infection, which also can be very difficult to treat in, especially, Sickle Cell patients.”

DANGERS TO AVOID Not eating for long periods can trigger a sickle cell crisis due to not having enough nutrients in the body for maintaining normal bodily functions.

Considering nutritional requirements of sickle cell patients, sufferers, especially children, may need more calories than others their age to assist

the body in fighting off infection and replace damaged blood cells.

During a sickle cell crisis, energy intake can be especially low, which leads to increased symptoms and increased fatigue. A diet containing up to three times the normal recommended nutrients can help to prevent nutrient deficiency and help to prevent severe and frequent crises.

Eating snacks between meals during the day can help in meeting these caloric needs. Such snacks can include fruit, peanut butter or hummus with vegetables or whole-grain crackers,

nuts, small amounts of cheese and smoothies or prepared drinks. A doctor or nutritionist can help determine an individual’s caloric need.

On the needed level of vitamins and minerals, blood vitamin levels in sickle cell disease patients tend to be lower than normal, with deficiencies in vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin B6, C, E, magnesium and zinc.

These deficiencies can result in lower levels of antioxidants in the blood, which in turn leads CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

TAHF to the rescue

‘It’s hell on Earth’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

My 30 years of nightmare It has been a life time of nightmare for 30-year-old Enobong Uko, a Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) sufferer who blames her tragedy on a genotype mix-up before her marriage. She spoke to Daily Times at a private hospital at Ajao Estate following a crisis that almost took her life.

“I have been having crisis since my school days, but the attack relaxed for many years. That was why I could marry and look forward to becoming a mother.”

The marriage, contracted in 2010, started with a storm when Enobong could not conceive, and a series of clinical investigation revealed no reason.

“Three long years after our wedding, we kept hoping upon hope since there was no medical directive except that we should just wait for God’s time. Then in November 2013, I took in and my joy knew no bounds.”

But her joy was short-lived as serial attacks surfaced about eight weeks into the pregnancy.

“The problem started with frequent pains; initially I thought it must be normal with early preg-

grammes and meetings every month where we teach them how to manage the condition; we distribute their basic drugs to them.

We don’t only cater for the club members, we take care of their families also and now if you see them you will know they’re living very well. That is the goal and purpose and I am satisfied with the outcome.”

One of many beneficiaries who is eternally grateful to TAHF is Christiana Oluwatoyin Dada, from Ifo, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. A teacher, Christie told Daily Times how she has been blessed since she came into contact with TAHF: “Having one child as a sickler is big enough problem, but two of them were just too much trouble for me. My son Dada Abiodun was admitted at the Ikeja General Hospital; one woman who noticed the nature of my son’s sickness said to me, why don’t you go to TAHF club and show them your son? That was how I took Dada there and I joined them.

“TAHF Foundation personnel did a lot to demystify the problems I had been passing through with my children; they not only explained the situation thoroughly, they assured me the condition is controllable and my children can live a normal life.

“Besides that, they took me through training and teaching courses which made me competent in taking care of my children; we have meeting days during which they advise and encourage us and then they give us free drugs. Now my children are as fine as other children.”

Stressing that knowledge is the

Ottih speaks on sickle cell key to understanding SCD, Christiana was stunned that she knew next to nothing about the disease until her encounter with TAHF. “Before I came here, I didn’t even know what was called crisis in sickle cell patients; I just knew that the child would take ill suddenly and I would rush him to the hospital; sometimes it was the two of them that would fall ill at once and sometimes it would be when we were getting out of one that the other would start his own. It was a big problem; but because of TAHF training and back up, I am able now to handle the crisis on my own; for more than one year now my Abiodun and Adedolapo have not been to any hospital.” Her children are 16 and 10 years and are in very stable condition always.

23 Features

nancy as I had heard that pregnancy reacts differently with first timers. The day I collapsed in the kitchen, I didn’t know what happened; I just found myself in this hospital and I was having severe chest pain.

“After some tests, the resident doctor started counseling me about sickle cell condition; he talked about what he called endocrine and metabolic changes and possibility of some risk complications to be expected during the progression of my pregnancy.

“I was devastated; I didn’t know about SCD before or after marriage, and nobody told us about genotype. Now I am passing through serious pains and I can’t do anything about it.”

The realization threw the family into catalogues of crises and frequent hospital admissions.

“Since that time, my life has become a nightmare; no month passed without my son or me being admitted in hospital. In February last year alone, I was in hospital for three weeks. There were times about 10 specialists in different fields would take their turns to analyze and treat me.”

A sickle cell patient in severe pain

Not eating for long periods can trigger a sickle cell crisis

Before sickle cell sickens your life in a cell...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

to oxidative stress and can lead to vaso-occlusion-related acute chest syndrome.

On the basis of this, foods such as citrus fruit, oranges and grapefruit, tomatoes and tomato juice, strawberries, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, green peppers, broccoli and cauliflower are highly advised. The water content in these foods also decreases dehydration, a condition that causes pain in sickle cell anemia sufferers.

The place of fluid in the lives of sickle cell patients can never be over-emphasized. Research shows that sickling red blood cells is increased in SCD patients who have low hydration levels. Insufficient amount of water in the body (dehydration) is one of the most common causes of a sickle cell crisis.

In this situation the blood becomes thicker, and sickled shaped red blood cells are more likely to stick together and cause a blockage in the blood circulation. Therefore, it is im-

portant for an adult to drink at last 3 – 4 litres of water daily; this is apart from the water contained in the food they eat.

The water can be in the form of plain water, diluted fruit squash, tea and other fluids.

Alcoholic drinks should be avoided and if taken it should be consumed in very small quantities because alcohol increases dehydration and can lead to other complications.

Below is fruit and food chart guide for the benefit of sickle cell disease sufferers.

My husband was wrongly diagnosed – Shodipo Omawumi Shodipo’s case is a result of a medical mix up; the genotype of her partner before they got married was wrongly diagnosed. “I only discovered when the crises set in that the man was wrongly diagnosed: he was AS, same as me; I was devastated. If I wasn’t already pregnant then I would have broken up the marriage.”

From that time, the couple was taking turns going in and out of hospitals; and when the baby came, her worst fear was confirmed.

“When I had the baby, she was born with the disorder, and everything changed for me. My husband started taking it out on me. He would shout without provocation and even beat me up once when I asked if he could help me get my drugs when I was not feeling well. When he is in crisis, I rally round and try everything to help but after he picks up he ignores me as if I am the cause of his condition.

“I am very pained because my crisis starts with chronic headaches and fever which make me very weak. The least I expect from him is consideration and care. I wish I had not gone ahead with the marriage now.”

The couple lost the only baby of their marriage in July 2013 and the man has since abandoned his wife to her fate. The 33-yearold native of Ilesha in Osun State who also suffered slow growth as a result of the disorder is now under the care of a Church in Ojodu area of Lagos. Shodipo, a salesman who was said to have lost his job as a result of the crisis could not be traced.

“He just left the house and never returned; that is my fate because some people made a mistake in his genotype test. Now I don’t know what to do with my life.”

Features 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

It is difficult to get used to the pain of sickle cell crises - Oyin David Lab technician, Oyin David was diagnosed with the sickle cell disorder at an early stage and struggled through secondary school with many of the bouts coming while she was in class or engaged in school activities.

“It is difficult to get used to the pain of sickle cell crises otherwise I would have been immune to it by now, but the pains are new and terrible with every attack.”

Slightly slurred in speech, Oyin was introduced to an NGO that rehabilitates and trains Sickle Cell Disorders (SCD) sufferers to counsel others and spread the awareness among the youth and families.

“I am an SCD awareness worker and counselor in a team of sufferers who know the pain of passing through crises. Once a month we meet for review and update and we are given free drugs”, she told Daily Times.

Her marriage to a fellow lab technician was well matched but the couple had to risk a decision whether to have children or not. “I was warned of more frequent pains and crises if I

got pregnant. Specialists said pregnancy triggers higher risk complications like acute chest syndrome, endocrine and metabolic changes and infarction that can worsen during pregnancy, not to talk of fetal complications which is common in pregnant sufferers.”

Once Oyin and her husband decided to have just one baby she fell back on her knowledge and training.

“I braced myself and I got pregnant over time. I had a good supply of folic acid and multivitamins apart from my regular treatments; also I watched against physical exertion and cold and my husband was very helpful and understanding.”

Mercifully, the much anticipated crisis was not as many as was projected and the couple was particularly happy that when the crises came, it did not trigger any organic failure or complications. Oyin did not ascribe it to good luck.

“Though crises came at the onset, the frequency decreased in the latter months against all predictions. I believe God was on my side; my doctors said

Oyin David and baby

“Let parents help their children to ensure their genotype is known and during marriage”

it was unusual that I escaped every anticipated complication throughout the pregnancy.

Also my delivery was quick and safe.”

Her advice: “Let parents help their children to ensure their genotype is known and during marriage, the match should be double sure.

“Generally, let both parents and patients embark on public enlightenment campaign. Inform your neighbour, your colleagues and young people around you so that this disorder can be reduced to the minimum. Give directions to people who need help to organizations and helpers who are always ready to assist.”

Three sons, all dead, no thanks to sickle cell Seventy-five-year-old-father of four boys and five girls, Leke Adegoke is going to his grave without a son to carry on his name; no thanks to the Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) that spared all his girls but claimed three sons in quick succession in their early years.

The retired engineer was alone with his 64 years old wife, Kuburat, in the spacious but now empty mansion he built in IsheriOlofin area of Lagos when our correspondent visited.

“I buried three of my sons in

this compound before I got to know about sickle cell”, he said, waving his hand helplessly.

“Sunday was only three years old when he started crying in pains we had no answer to. I watched him die in one of those crises. Jide, his brother was seven when his own crisis killed him. I thought it was witchcraft, especially after my other son died the same way at the age of nine.”

As if that was not tragic enough, the battle for life shifted to the family’s only surviving son,

Olatunji, who struggled between the trauma and complications of the disorder throughout his primary and secondary school years.

Tunji managed to pull through a degree course at the Lagos State University and was settling down to a job as assistant lecturer at the University of Ife when he was caught in another of that crisis.

“It was a Sunday evening; we all were downstairs here when he went upstairs with his drugs. We didn’t know when it started but about 8 o’clock his sister Tope took some fruits to him and she rushed

down screaming that something had happened to Tunji. When we got there, he was already gone.”

With all his daughters married out now, Adegoke lamented the anguish he suffered during and after he lost Olatunji who had managed the crisis to just three months to his 31st birthday.

“He finished his degree course at the Lagos State University and was employed as assistant lecturer at the University of Ife. While he was still in school, I started persuading him to get married and give me a grandson. I promised to

take care of the mother and child and pledged that I would ensure that marriage would not disturb his education but the boy insisted he would finish, work and settle down before getting married.

“It became a problem in the family because all his sisters supported him. He even accused me of thinking only of myself and not the young mother that might be widowed if he died. He was looking for a house in Ife to settle down and start thinking of marrying in 2015 when the crisis killed him.”

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Business

25

s

CBN exchange rates as at 31st December, 2014 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR

167

167.5

168

POUNDS STERLING

260.687

261.4675

262.248

EURO

202.9384

203.546

204.1536

SWISS FRANC

168.738

169.2432

YEN

1.3995

CFA

0.2935

Market capitalization and all shares index trend for equities Day

Market Capitalization (N)

Index value

Tuesday 23/12/2014

10,857,979,211,251.34

32,786.00

Wednesday 24/12/2014

11,402,042,992,052.69

34,428.82

169.7484

Monday 29/12/2014

11,479,902,985,244.65

34,663.92

1.4037

1.4079

Tuesday 30/12/2014

11,486,658,400,845.79

34,684.32

0.3035

0.3135

Wednesday 31/12/2014

11,477,661,174,486.51

34,657.15

Nigeria’s economy will boom in less than 5 years - Segun Awolowo ÏÏÏNigeria

is now about launching into another era of economic boom predicated on effective harnessing of nonoil products for growth and development, the Executive Director of Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo has assured.

Awolowo said this against the background of Nigeria’s dwindling revenue from oil resources caused by the glut in global prices while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

He stated that the non-oil sector has the potential to quickly revive the country’s economy if properly and adequately explored.

Awolowo said NEPC has the mandate to develop the non-oil sector to a maximum capacity for Nigeria to attain a measure of economic growth not dependent on oil resources in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

There have been apprehensions in the business circle about the continuous slide in the international price of crude oil which reports said, stood at $56.42 per barrel.

The problem had also been having negative impact on Nigeria’s exchange rate, as the Naira is currently exchanged at N193 to $1, owing to a measure of devaluation introduced by the Federal Government.

Awolowo asked Nigerians not to panic with the turn of events but should see the receding economy as a

Awolowo blessing in disguise meant to catalyse the spirit of collective responsibility in them towards growing the national economy through the non-oil sector.

He said, “We in NEPC are fully prepared to blaze the trail in developing the non-oil sector to enhance the productive capacity of Nigeria, beginning from this year.

“We cannot but saddle

Cocoa farmers with their harvest.

INSET: is Segun Awolowo, NEPC Executive Director

ourselves with the task of bailing Nigeria out of the harsh economy by developing synergies with individuals and state governments, for instance, to jerk up the capacity for agriculture to yield foreign exchange for Nigeria”.

He said NEPC had crafted a game-changing measure in this regard such that each state would be encouraged

“We cannot but saddle ourselves with the task of bailing Nigeria out of the harsh economy by developing synergies with individuals and state governments

to invest in, at least, one agricultural product, which has comparative advantage for export.

The NEPC Director said Nigeria was already in a good stead to record success with the initiative more because the country remains a leading world producer of not less than eight agricultural products.

He listed such products as Cassava, Yam, Palm Produce, Kolanuts, groundnuts, Maize, Cocoa, Shea butter, Sorghum as well as cash crops such as mangoes, cashew, gum Arabic and others which are grown in many states of the federation in commercial quantity.

He said in addition to its capacity to generate huge foreign currencies for Nigeria, a huge export in agricultural products also has the capacity to offer moving Nigerian graduates and youths employment opportunities.

He said in the current year, the NEPC would explore every opportunity that the United States’ AGOA could offer to the farmers in Nigeria, adding the federal government would do more in encouraging farmers to explore such opportunities for self-enrichment.

Awolowo said part of NEPC’s aims towards promoting nonoil sector capacity in Nigeria included ensuring the creation of jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths, increase in capital investments, increase in specialization, standards and competitiveness as well as increase the foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Energy 26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Nigerians need to embrace energy-efficient lightings- Eke Stories by Tony Nwakaegho

ÏÏÏIn order to assist the gov-

ernment in its clamour for energy conservation, a Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Don has called on Nigerians to embrace the use of energy efficient lightings.

The Assistant Director Training, PTI Effurun, Dr Emmanuel Uche Eke made this statement in a chat with the Daily Times, while lamenting that there are lot of wastage in energy usage in the country with regards to electricity due to the use energy inefficient new and second hand electrical appliances and equipments which uses higher amount energy to produce the same amount of work as an energy efficient appliance or equipment using lesser amount of energy.

He explained that globally the most efficient approach to teach people to conserve energy is through the implementation of energy efficiency public awareness and information dissemination programmes, adding that such awareness programmes

usually involve the active participation of different stakeholders, including the government, energy utilities, the media and Non Governmental Organisations.

Commenting on the part of the consumers, he said, the efficient use of energy results in energy saving and as such in a reduction in energy bills and also helps consumers overcome the effect of higher tariffs.

According to him, government is not left out in the benefits offered by energy efficiency programmes and projects as government through energy efficiency reduces its fiscal deficits and public expenditure that would have resulted from expenditure on power infrastructure, while energy security is guaranteed by energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency programmes and projects, he said, are cheaper and faster to implement since it has the capacity to serve as stop gap measures to reduce the gap between energy demand and supply in the short term while new plants are being

SAPETRO acquires 13% of Afren

SAPETRO towers

ÏÏÏSouth

Atlantic Petroleum Company (SAPETRO) has acquired about 13% of the shares of Afren when the price was 100 pence.

SAPETRO broke up the shares as the price dropped from 140 British pence in July 2014, but the Nigerian independent also

lost money, as of December 10, it was 38 pence.

SAPETRO is on an acquisition mode. The take-over move by Seplat Petroleum has propped up the Afren share price again, jerking it up to 50 pence.

SAPETRO wants to grow its assets beyond its equity holding in the deepwater Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130. SAPETRO is redeveloping the Seme field offshore Benin Republic. It has a vast exploration tract in the Mozambique Channel, on which it has completed a 10,000 square kilometres of three dimensional (3D) seismic acquisition.

It also has acreage holding in Central Africa Republic. While the Seme is a marginal field, the Mozambique Channel and the CAR assets are rank exploratory tracts.

Eke constructed for the long term.

“There is an ongoing effort by the Ministry of Power through the Energy Commission of Nigeria to implement a UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Energy Efficiency initiative in the country. The

initiative in particular focuses on the design and implementation of an Energy Efficiency Standard and Labels(S&L) programmes in Nigeria. Energy efficiency standards sets an energy efficiency bar which the energy efficiency of appliances

Ghana begins fabrication of nine anchor piles for FPSO ÏÏÏWork

has commenced on the fabrication of nine anchor piles for Ghana’s second floating production and storage (FPSO) vessel which will start producing oil from the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) fields in mid-2016.

The fabrication is underway in a brand new facility constructed by Tullow Oil in Sekondi in the country’s Western Region on a land leased by the Ghanaian Navy.

At the completion of the anchor piles in April 2015, the facility will be used to fabricate jumper spools for the TEN Project, which will connect subsea

production equipment on the seabed.

TEN Project is being undertaken by Tullow Oil, in partnership with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Kosmos Energy LLC, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and PetroSA. The TEN Development Plan which was approved by the Government of Ghana in May 2013 requires the drilling and completion of up to 24 development wells that will connected through subsea infrastructure to a Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel presently under construction in Singapore.

and equipments are not expected to fall below. On the other hand appliance and equipment energy efficiency label indicate the energy efficiency of such appliances and equipment in order to guide consumers in their purchasing decision.

Indigenous oil, gas players urged to sustain Nigeria content development

ÏÏÏExecutive

Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa has called on indigenous players in the oil and gas industry to sustain Nigeria content development.

Nwapa gave the charge to the indigenous players at the annual business dinner and award by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, stressing that it was imperative for them to rise to the challenge of driving the industry as the Federal Government’s local content policy has progressed beyond reversal.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Afren Plc to conclude installations on Okwok oilfield in 2015 Stories Tony Nwakaegho

ÏÏÏUnited

Kingdom-listed Afren Plc said that the installation of the decks and bridge at Okwok oil field would be concluded early January 2015 once the wellhead jacket at Okwok has been installed.

The company stated in an update on its operations at Ebok, Okwok and OML 115, all located offshore Nigeria, that after the installations the partners would commence the hook up and commissioning of the Ebok Central Fault Block Extension (CFBx) platform.

The company disclosed that following a favourable weather window, Afren and its partner, Oriental Energy Resources Limited (Oriental), are pleased to announce that the jacket for the Ebok Central Fault Block Extension (CFBx) platform has now been installed.

The work programme at the CFBx, according to Afren will include up to nine new wells to be drilled and brought onstream by the end of 2015 targeting both producing and undeveloped reservoirs.

“Elsewhere, at the North Fault Block (NFB), the partners continue to make good progress and are targeting completion of

27 Energy

FG to commence work on three coal power plants ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government is set to commence work at three coal-fired power plants located across the country in 2015.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo who disclosed this did not give specific details, but it is believed that the coal power plants could include the 3000 megawatts (MW) plant that is being developed by Zuma Power in Kogi state and the 1000MW plant expected to be built by Atlas Petroleum Corporation in Enugu state.

The federal government hinted that about 2.8 billion metric tonnes of coal deposits have been left untapped for years now in Nigeria.

It has been canvassed that the use of these coal deposits, amongst other renewable en-

ergy sources such as biomass, solar, wind and small hydro to generate electricity for Nigeria can reduce instances of vandalism of petroleum pipelines which supply gas to thermal power plants.

The Power Minister clarified that balancing Nigeria’s reliance on thermal generated electricity with other sources of electricity like solar, biomass, wind and other sustainable alternative sources has been a daunting challenge confronting the country.

According to him, selling the potentials in other alternative sources of energy to Nigerians was becoming a difficult task to accomplish and urged that such messages be taken to rural parts of Nigeria.

Mantrac retool consultants’ knowledge on power solutions ÏÏÏMantrac Nigeria Limited,

Okwok oilfield the third new producer by midDecember 2014. The forward programme at the NFB will incorporate up to an additional 5 wells by year-end 2015. The company remains on-track to deliver full year net production at the

lower end of guidance between 32,000 to 36,000 bopd (excluding Barda Rash),” Afren said.

Afren and its partner, Oriental have also spudded the Ameena East well located on OML 115, offshore Nigeria.

the authorised Caterpillar dealer in Nigeria has organised a seminar for consultants involved in power projects across Nigeria to retool their knowledge on its unique offerings and superior product technology.

Speaking at the event, tagged ‘Consultant Day,’ in Lagos, the Managing Director of Mantrac Nigeria, Edmund Martin- Lawson, stressed the importance of consultants in

the power sector to Mantrac.

“Consultants are very important to our business because they specify the power solutions that are required or can also specify which solutions a project must use. We try to educate them to understand the benefits of our products in the projects they handle.

When it comes to fuel consumption, affordability, fuel efficiency, reliability and durability, Caterpillar is a clear leader,” Martin- Lawson said.

NERC reneges on penalizing Discos over outrageous bills FMC Technology wins contract for ÏÏÏElectricity customers in challenge was for the consum- ed to unfair pricing. The only Chevron’s Agbami field the country may continue to pay the outrageous bills from the Distribution Companies in Nigeria as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reneges on penalizing the erring Discos.

The Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi who made this remark, noted that it is difficult to penalise the erring firms due to the fact that a lot of electricity consumers who complain of being over-billed barely make their complaints through the right channels.

Although the NERC boss admitted that consumers being given estimated bills were subjected to unfair pricing, he suggested that the only way the commission could overcome the

ers to compare their bills with their metered neighbours.

The commission required enough evidence before penalising any Disco accused of fleecing consumers through outrageous bills.

In his words: “There are two possibilities if an estimated consumer receives an exorbitant bill. Firstly, it is either that power supply to his area has improved significantly, so this customer enjoys more electricity.

The second likely option is that the distribution company increases electricity bills of these customers unfairly and claims that some people are chronically underestimated.

“Estimated customers, by virtue of their status, are subject-

way they can overcome such a challenge without metering is to benchmark their bills with the bills of metered consumers within their areas, because the commission cannot determine proper billing without evidence.”

Amadi

ÏÏÏFMC

Technologies, Incorporated said it won a contract for Chevron’s Agbami field and received an order from Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, operator of the Agbami field, to provide subsea equipment for operations in the field, offshore Nigeria.

The field is located 70 nautical miles (113 km) off the coast of the central Niger Delta, at a water depth of approximately 4,800 feet (1,463 m).

The parties in the Agbami field include Famfa Oil Limited, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The Senior Vice President, Subsea Technologies, FMC Technologies, Tore Halvorsen, said the firm had been working with Agbami field for years.

FMC Technologies which is a subsea systems provider has supported the Agbami field development for several years.

This subsea equipment will provide additional production and help extend the life of this deepwater development.”

Aviation 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Kebbi airport to serve as hub – Gov Dakingari The airport is well situated, you can take passengers from Kano to Kebbi, you combine it to Cotonou or Niger Republic or Abuja.

Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari is convinced that airports, wherever they are sited, are pivotal to socio - economic development as social infrastructure. Amid plans to engage some foreign carriers to consider the strategic location of the Sir Ahmadu Bello international Airport in Kebbi into a cargo hub for West Africa, the airport could assist in the export of produce including, onions, watermelon, rice and others to the international market. He speaks in this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO. Excerpts: What is the motivation for building the N17 billion the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Kebbi State?

In Nigeria today, in the north, only one or two states is without an airport and that is Zamfara state; all the rest have their airports. So, everybody has understood that airports are part of development and they are catalyst to development. Economic development is facilitated both in short and long term by having a quick gateway in and out of the state.

This enhances the movement of human, good and services and give rise to a burst of economic development. Movement of goods is made easy; at least it is the best thing that can happen to any state and airport happens to be one of the best ways to do that.

Given the fact that Kebbi State is an agro-lied state, how will this airport jump-start your capacity to export those produce that are here?

Let me say this, Dangote’s company approached Kebbi state and expressed the desire to put an investment of about $9 billion, in sugar cane, rice and maybe ranching. I have seen it in Kenya and other places in Namibia. They send meat overseas to Europe. If people like Dangote come in and say this is possible; we have fruits, onions; we have one of the best markets for onion in Kebbi State. These days we produce watermelon too, we produce mangoes and all these are things that can go overseas.

And we have the weather to produce also flowers; we can

also export. At present there is a farmer just around the airport that has started warehousing; he will build warehouses for both export and import. These are things that will not happen in one day but the airport is futuristic. In the last two weeks, we started flying in and out of Kebbi, today the aircraft that we started with was full all the time and at times we had to leave passengers. So, by God’s grace, we are likely to improve and get a better aircraft and we are sure we will take 60 per cent of the passengers in Sokoto.

So the airport will be busy and with the sophisticated equipment we have on ground at the Kebbi airport, during Harmatan, there is the likelihood that airlines will not fly Sokoto route and the Sokoto passengers will likely come to Kebbi where flights can take off at low visibility because of the precision and the sophisticated instrument landing system and other equipment that we have, so there are a lot of viability in that airport and this is why we are looking for a next governor who has the exposure, who is well educated to continue to sustain the tempo of development when we leave and for the next five years.

How did you source funds and how much in terms of cost component did it cost your administration to put together this project?

The cost of the project is within the range of about N17 billion and when we were building the airport I said it is futuristic, we want the best out of the airport and I also want a situation whereby we can lease it out. You just talked about states not having funds; maybe airlines like Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines can lease this kind of airport and make use of it for cargo and passenger operations. If you have regular flights no matter where you drop cargo or passengers they can connect to wherever they want to go to.

And with airlines like Emirates, I am sure they can make this place busy and connect even West Africa from here like Niger, Cotonue, Ivory Coast and other countries like Morocco, Libya, Algeria are shorter from Kebbi State than any other place around here.

Dakingari Given the geographical location of this airport, partnership is key to driving traffic into this airport more so that you are looking at partnership with global carriers like Emirates and others, what is the level of engagement with those airlines with a view to attracting them to come and operate from this airport?

What we are trying to do is to commission a consultant who will go round, introduce this airport to other people, like you are here now you have just seen the airport, I am sure from the time the President came here to date, I

am sure the airport is well known around the country and maybe, sooner or later people will start asking questions and people with interest may likely invest. This is a state airport, it is available to people who want to use it and what we are trying to do is that once we have the airport, the services is what we are looking for.

So, even if somebody takes the airport we still get the services.

Are you favourably disposed to discuss with other airlines with a view to having daily flights in and out of Kebbi?

Yes we are, we started with one

airline but we saw that they were dragging their feet and we have to engage Air Peace so that we can start the operation as quickly as we can. So, now we can sit down and plan, Air Peace comes in four days in a week, there are three days available so we can open discussions on the three days. And maybe also Sokoto has been having two flights we can take a bigger aircraft for a daily flight. We have Aero Contractors and Arik coming into Sokoto so we can equally, maybe take one and leave them with one there.

For human capacity devel-

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

29 Aviation

for cargo, general services Kebbi State is first state in Nigeria to start e-payment; that was six years ago.

Economic development is facilitated both in short and long term by having a quick gateway in and out of the state. This enhances the movement of human, good and services and give rise to a burst of economic development.

We have recruited young graduates whom we are likely to send to schools around the country or even overseas so that we can run the airport efficiently and we can have hands that can handle any type of task at the airport.

In Kebbi we have a policy of paying everybody’s gratuity at once, so you can use it to invest in rice production or any other area you want.

And we have been paying this entitlement in bulk, we don’t cut it. You find a permanent secretary getting up to N20 million, so if that civil servant goes into the production of rice, you will find out that he will be okay. And I can tell you that for the last seven years the price of food is stable in Kebbi State.

We produce rice three times in a year and you will find out that we do dry season farming twice then the rainy season production once. So I think Kebbi now has a foothold on food production, especially rice.

opment, are you training indigenes that will work in this airport?

We are training a lot of hands and we have recruited young graduates whom we are likely to send to schools around the country or even overseas so that we can run the airport efficiently and we can have hands that can handle any type of task at the airport.

Are you in discussions with neighbouring states on how they can benefit from the airport by moving their produce from here?

We are doing that and this is why I said we are envisaging having inland ports Lolo just at the boarder of Republic of Benin to

Dakingari take traffic from Cotonoe. And the airport is well situated, you can take passenger from Kano to Kebbi, you combine it to Cotonou or to Niger Republic or to Abuja.

Somebody who is coming from Niger Republic will spend three hours on road to this place, so you can leave by 7:00 am and 10:00 am you are here. You can board an aircraft in Kebbi and be in Abuja or in Lagos maybe within two hours or four hours.

We heard you were able to offset the debts owed by your predecessor and Kebbi state is now debt free. How have you been able to galvanize all these projects with the limited resources at your disposal?

The internally generated rev-

enue is maybe about half a billion Naira annually and what we get in terms of allocation from the federal government usually is what we use. Two things, once you block the leakages and you are prudent and the corruption is minimal and with self-determination, you can get what you want. This is first state among all the states in Nigeria that started e-payment; that is way back six years ago. So, we came with a vision that, look, this is what we want to do.

I think in Nigeria today, Kebbi has one of the best rural network of roads. And it was deliberate because that is the only way you can develop a state. This is why when people talk about rice in Kebbi, it is not difficult to see; once you can evacuate it and people can access

areas in the state they can go and buy the farm produce directly, you find out that producing those things is not difficult.

Now we produce rice three times in a year and you will find out that we do dry season farming twice then the rainy season production once. And some people are more prepared to produce more during dry season because they can control all the elements rather than where you cannot predict anything during the raining season. So I think Kebbi now has a foothold on food production, especially rice.

Now people have realised that you can get income from farming.

Civil servants who have retired now go into farming. So they use their gratuity to invest in farming.

In Kebbi we have a policy of paying everybody’s gratuity at once, so you can use it to invest in rice production or any other area you want.

And we have been paying this entitlement in bulk, we don’t cut it. You find a permanent secretary getting up to N20 million, so if that civil servant goes into the production of rice, you will find out that he will be okay. And I can tell you that for the last seven years the price of food is stable in Kebbi State.

What has your administration done in the area of healthcare?

We have hospitals in all the local government areas; in some cases we have more than three in one local government. We have rural clinics, and we had collaboration with MDGs. In every ward there is a clinic which is manned by federal government midwives scheme. And this is why healthcare is improving in Kebbi very rapidly. If you look at the statistics of Aids, you will find that there is less than one per cent of the prevalence in Kebbi State. We are the first state in the north that had no polio case for a long time. We have a programme for children under five years, from the day they are born we give them free medical attention until they are five years. We have the nutritional programme for children that are nutritionally sick. So, with the collaboration with UNICEF and other agencies, we had so many programmes that have helped Kebbi to raise the health indices.

Your streets are not littered with the physically challenged what is the magic?

We have a programme in Kebbi state where we removed all the mentally challenged people on the roads to a hospital. We don’t keep them in the hospital; we treat them every week on Saturdays.

You bring in the patients and they are treated for stress, madness and whatever disease that

is related to madness. And this how we were able to get this feat accomplished. Today, as I talk to you, you can’t see any mad man on the streets of Kebbi State.

Release of letters of employment to about 4,000 teachers, to what extent is this going to galvanize educational development in the state?

We had a problem of enrolment before I came in. I think Kebbi is one of the lowest in terms of enrolment. So we had built a lot of schools, we now have over 400 schools for both junior and secondary schools. More than 60 per cent

“The cost of the project is within the range of about N17 billion and when we were building the airport I said it is futuristic, we want the best out of the airport and I also want a situation whereby we can lease it out”

of those schools are boarding, now we have over 400,000 students. So, it is only right after producing so many schools to recruit teachers.

And the next item on our calendar is to also buy books and other materials for teaching. I think with that we will be rest assured that the indices for our education will improve in Kebbi State. And it has become a source of employment to reduce the graduates on the streets of Kebbi State.

On succession, what mechanism have you put in place to ensure that the right person who will continue with your development philosophy succeeds you?

You should expect a better person than me. We would want to build on what we have, we should not destroy and I am sure the person who is coming will be more competent than I am.

ICT 30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

(L-R) President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Remi Bello, General Manager, Legal, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mrs. Olufunke Dinneh, Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Engr. Reynolds Dagogo-Jack and Vice President, Lagos Chamber, Mr. Soboma Ajumogobia at the LCCI Policy Dialogue on Power held in Lagos recently.

Nigeria: USPF offers access to connect underserved areas Stories by Tony Nwakaegho

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government in its quest to continue to seek means and measures to bridge the gap in terms of access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has come up with structures and plans for the adequate and proper deployment of ICT infrastructures across cities and communities to aid access to ICT services thereby connecting the unconnected and underserved areas.

In Nigeria, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has

come in handy for Ministry’s quest to see that both the underserved and unserved areas within the nation get ICT services delivered to them in order to have access to voice and data service, offering subsidised data service to such areas that are either unserved or underserved.

However, it is said that out of the estimated 170 million Nigerians, about 40 million still lack access to basic Information and Communication Technology services and products.

Access to ICT is said not to be a privilege but a right and as

such, governments in Africa are working towards a connected Africa through various initiatives like the Smart cities initiative, Smart States, Smart Africa, and Seed Funds to Support ICT growth and so on.

Nigeria is however on the threshold to achieving that digital economy in all parts of the country through its broadband plan to achieve access to all.

In November 2014 the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson, commissioned a Base Transceiver Station,( BTS), in

Igbo Olodumare in Ondo State in the quest to see that both the underserved and unserved areas within the nation get ICT services delivered to them.

Again the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) through its seed funds promised connecting about 111 communities in South West Nigeria to various telephone services to be followed by the deployment of more than 200 BTS across Nigeria which will enable more than 300 communities with an estimated population of 1.6 million gain accesses to ICT services.

Wiko affirms NCC and international certification for phone range Opeoluwani Akintayo

ÏÏÏFrench phone brand, Wiko

Mobile, has affirmed that its range of 11 phones launched in the Nigerian market are certified not only by the National Communication Commission (NCC) but also by international regulators.

NCC granted “Type Approval” for the various ranges of Wiko phones to operate as terminal equipment in the Nigerian telecommunications network. Engr.

Haru Alhassan, Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity signed the approvals on behalf of the NCC Director General since September 2014, ahead of the formal introduction of the phones into the Nigerian market.

ABI predicts 5G likely to be rear in 2020

Efforts to localise technology in Nigeria, paying off- Huawei

ÏÏÏABI

ÏÏÏThe Public Relations Man-

Research in its new Market Data has predicted that 5G is likely to be rear in 2020 as it will take more than five years for 5G to reach 100 million subscriber marks in 2025, two years longer than 4G. 4G subscriber growth was much faster than with previous generations, fuelled by the capabilities of increasingly powerful smartphones and the availability of 4G devices.5G subscriber growth will likely be

a bit more muted at first due to the increased complexity of 5G cells and networks, but will pick up in 2023.

“There are a number of commonalities between countries that are early builders of 5G networks. They have a large population, of which a large percentage is living in urban areas.

They also have many companies pushing the envelope with IoT strategies. These countries will drive 5G subscriber volumes.

ager of Huawei Technologies, Mr Kevin Li, said on Sunday that the efforts of Huawei to encourage localisation of technology in Nigeria was beginning to pay off.

Disclosing this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Li said that the policy which Huawei had been implementing alongside business partners, had been a success.

He said localisation was one

important strategy of Huawei which it was glad to execute through more cooperation with Nigerian business partners.

He also said that the company was involved in continuous local recruitment.

He said technology transfer was another Huawei’s core strategy which compelled its Nigerian workers to share the same platform with their counterparts in 170 countries to work, learn and improve them-

selves. ``Localisation of technology has been an integral part of Huawei’s policy in Nigeria hence excellent staff members had been chosen to participate in various training programmes in Huawei headquarters in China.’’

According to Li, Huawei also undertakes the training of personnel other than its own as it considers such contribution to be vital to the country’s overall development.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

31 Labour

Labour leaders today are compromising – Adebesin Comrade (Engr.) Leke Adebesin, Chairman, National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Coca-Cola branch, in this interview with KAYODE ADELOWOKAN and JOY EKEKE bemoans the poor performance of labour movement in Nigeria and the lackadaisical attitude of government to agreements signed labour leaders.

ÏÏÏHow will you rate labour

movement in Nigeria in the 2014?

Personally, labour movement in 2014 has not been encouraging; in Nigeria, labour movement is actually going in a different direction these days and that is not good for the people it is actually representing. For me in 2014, if I want to rate the performance of labour movement in the country, I will give it may be 50 per cent.

Which area do you think the labour movements has to work on?

I see a lot of leaders compromising these days and a clear example is the crisis rocking the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Promasidor and others. Come rain, come sunshine, union leaders are meant to speak for the people they represent.

In 2014, there were various industrial strikes, what is your view on this and is it good for the country’s economy?

As a matter of fact, strike, ordinarily shouldn’t be an option in resolving industrial issues but we find out these days that our leaders; people in power, in public and private sectors, seem to be oppressors and as such they push union leaders and groups to the last option of having to go on strike, and that can equally be seen in NUPENG/PENGASSAN, health workers, National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco

Group tasks FG on labour, industrial harmony

Employees, Coca-Cola branch, educational sector, judiciary and others.

So, who do you think is to take the blame?

Well, I think the people in power; the public sector, the government; the private sector, the management, should take the blame.

Unfulfilled agreement Government-union management relationship should be a wining situation. For example, as a corporate worker, I will not see my company going down and I will be demanding for money, I should weigh the two but I know my company is doing well, of course, people make the difference, it is because the people did their job before you can say you are making profit. So they need to come back to the people and say thank you. For instance, we all know that Nigeria is making money and we can all see how it is being lavished. Some of them even take the money to another country to keep and why can’t they do the needful to alleviate the pains of those that make the money for the country. Of a truth, if you know you are not doing anything, then why did you enter into the agreement? So, if government deemed it fit to enter into agreement with labour leaders, then, it should fulfill its own side of the agreement, if they are good managers, they should oblige their own signature.

In Nigeria today, there are issues of “qualified staff ” or “standard workers”, which the labour movement has been calling for, or the union have retired on this?

Off course they would have retired on that because corruption is now the order of the day. We still have expartriates in our system everywhere and there is expartriate the National Assembly and each of them have what they are supposed to do here, they are supposed to be technical support in our companies and what they are supposed to do is to work for a year or two and bring up a Nigerian to under study them during the year but what you see them do today is to renew their papers and the management will now be treating them as if they are just coming in afresh. My prayer is that we have a reasonable leader that can champion that issue confronting the unions.

Companies in Nigeria now prefer to recruit casual workers (contract staff), what is your take on this?

This is definitely not good for our system in the country but we still have a lot of contract staffers everywhere, despite the fact that the National Assembly has said that there should be total stop to workers’ casualization but there are few companies that still run casual workers.

What issue do you think is still secret in the labour move-

ment?

People should audit union leaders. It is sad that we are only interested in checking those in government whereas, same measure should be applied. If they were going into office, what do they have? Also, they should be able to prepare their account.

Before I took over as the national Chairman of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Coca-Cola branch, there was no single paper that says this is the amount that enter the union purse and this is how it was spent, until I got there, so people should ask questions how their money is spent.

Though there are some members who may want to ask questions but they’ll subdue them and that is not good for the people we represent.

What is your advice to the labour leaders and civil society organizations in 2015?

Yes, my simple and candid advice for them is to consistently use their offices to fight and protect the people they represent. If you know you cannot fight, leave that opposition completely, and like I have always be saying, if you are put in the position live up to the expectation of that position, don’t occupy the position, because you want the people to call you chairman or president.

No, you must fight for the people!

For me in my office, I tell them if they steal, I will never fight for you; I made it very clear and open but if it is any other issue apart from stealing, forget it… if it is workmanship, I will follow you and we will see how you have been performing. If it is not good, you would have seen it yourself that you deserve to go, because as a unionist, I still do my job, you can ask anybody in Coca-Cola today, as an engineer, I don’t play with my job.

Kayode Adelowokan

According to the Director-General, NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo, it has become imperative to strengthen labour and industrial harmony in the country in line with international best practices.

Oshinowo decried the practice where employers remit check-off dues from the employees’ salaries to the union, saying the development was not good for the workers.

He also pointed out that there were no automatic check-off dues in the country before 1978 as it is practised now.

The Director-General lamented unionism in the nation’s oil and gas sector, saying the unions there act outside the context of the law to agitate for the demands of their members.

On the recurring crisis between the Federal Government

and striking workers, he blamed the former for hastily reaching agreements with the latter without exploring the possibility of meeting same.

“The Federal Government should reach agreements with the Governing Councils of universities on the needs of university teachers rather than the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),” he said.

ÏÏÏOwing to the growing cri-

sis encountered by many workers with employers and the rising unemployment in the country, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Federal Government to reform industrial and labour relations practices in workplaces.

Adebesin

Maritime 32

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Nigeria, Turkey seek collaboration on ships, shipyards ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Ship owners’

A container terminal at TinCan Island Port, Lagos

Nigeria, others record $177.6bn surplus in services trade ÏÏÏThe United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Handbook of Statistics 2014 has revealed that Nigeria and other developing economies ran a combined merchandise and services trade surplus of $177.6 billion.

The amount was a fall of 40 per cent as measured in current prices compared with 2012 and 63 per cent compared with the peak in 2007.

It revealed further that transition economies also ran a trade surplus in 2013 of $128.6 billion. This represented a fall compared with the 21 per cent in 2012 and with 33 per cent in 2011.

Also, developed economies ran a trade deficit of $65.3 billion in 2013, down from almost $400 billion the previous year; a reduction of 84 per cent.

However, it noted that the trade balances for services of developing and developed countries continue to diverge as trade in services was becoming more important.

It said: “The overall trade surplus for developing countries was driven by Asia, which operated a surplus of $403.8 billion in 2013. In contrast, developing countries in Africa and the Americas ran aggregate trade deficits of $100.4 billion and $114.8 billion, respectively.

“ Developed countries in Europe ran an overall trade surplus of $630 billion, whereas developed countries in the Americas and Asia ran deficits of $566.4 billion and $130.1 billion, respectively.

“In 2013, there was a continuation of patterns seen in previous years in which developing and transition countries ran a trade surplus for merchandise trade to the tune of $451.9 billion and $187.2 billion, respectively, while developed countries ran a deficit of $619.2 billion. For trade in services, it noted that the opposite was true as developing and transition countries ran trade deficits f $274.3 billion and $58.6

billion, respectively while developed countries operated a surplus of $553.9 billion.”

The UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics 2014 also showed that total world exports in 2013 were valued at $23.6 trillion, up almost 3 per cent from 2012, of which merchandise trade accounted for 80 per cent or $18.8 trillion.

Along with providing detailed statistics on international merchandise and services trade, the 2014 edition also provides investment, commodity prices, maritime transport and other economic and social data, for all individual economies for which data are available.

Liner deploys vessels to Tincan, Tema, other ports ÏÏÏA

shipping line, DELMAS has deployed six 2,600 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEU) vessels on direct weekly rotation to Tincan Island Ports in Lagos, Tema, Antwerp, Hamburg, London Gateway, Tangiers, Abidjan and Antwerp.

The company’s vessels are also to make strategic calls in Hamburg and London

Gateway ports to Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal and two- weekly calls in Antwerp.

In a statement by the company, the first voyage would start from Antwerp, on January 25, 2015, on the MV Frisia Helsinki.

Also, in order to continue improving its offer and to meet its African and European

clients’ needs, the shipping line, a brand of CMA CGM Group has announced the specialization of its EURAF 1 and EURAF 2 services.

The services will offer two weekly services from Europe and the Mediterranean to Africa instead of one; improved reliability and punctuality, with a new calls distribution between the

different EURAF services.

The EURAF 1 service will deploy 6 3,500 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEU) vessels on the following direct weekly rotation: Dunkirk, Antwerp, Le Havre, Montoir, Tangiers, Dakar, Abidjan, Dakar, Tangiers and Dunkirk.

The first voyage will start from Dunkirk, on January 22nd 2015, on the CS Discovery.

Association (NISA) and Turkish Shipowners’ Association (TUSA) has flagged off a working relationship in the Nigeria maritime sector to develop water transportation and ship yards.

The TUSA President, Capt. Yunus Can explained at NISA’s secretariat in Lagos that the mutual working relationship between Nigeria and Turkey would lead to enhanced availability of passengers boats, development of shipyards and blueprint for ship maintenance.

Yunus Can noted that the collaboration was pertinent in other to move the country’s maritime industry forward.

He added: “Our association is ready to collaborate with NISA in the area of shipbuilding, repair and sharing of latest shipping technology.” Yunus Can said that TUSA had been in existence for over a century, and was blessed with noteworthy wealth of experience, which it would be ready to share with its Nigeria counterpart.

He said: “We are ready to collaborate with you. We are ready to know you, exchange contact with you and collaborate for the future.

“Since I came into this country I have not found any shipbuilding or repair yard but I don’t know whether anyone exist that I may not have seen but TUSA is ready to help you in this regard.

“We will exchange idea. We will support you in building passengers ships and we will help set them up. We will bring in technology for ship building and repair.”

The TUSA President assured that he would personally work, towards effective development of shipbuilding and repair yards, by helping in the provision of technology that would help in setting up shipyards in the country.

Also, the President of NISA, Capt. Niyi Labinjo said that the visit of TUSA was strategic and highly important because there was a lot to learn from the association because of its many years of experience and it’s latest technology in shipping.

He noted: “We are much aware of the progress you have made in the shipping industry. We are aware that your maritime industry has grown tremendously and your technology is of global best practices.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

D’banj makes comeback with ‘Feeling The Nigga’

MITV

Arrested 6:00 – 6:30am Development Inspiration Hour 6:30 – 8:00am Am News 8:00 – 8:30am Am Chat 8:30 – 10:00am Wazobia Plus 10:00 – 11:00am Summit 11:00 – 12:00pm Mid-Day News 12:00 – 12:15pm Filler 12:-15 – 12:30pm Entertainment Xpose 12:30 – 1:30pm El – Clon 1:30 – 2:00pm Monster Musiq 2:00 – 3:00pm Abc 3:00 – 3:30pm Mitv Sports 3:30 – 4:00pm Mitv Sports 4:00 – 4:30pm Sparkle 4:30 – 5:00pm Papa Ajasco 5:00 – 5:30pm School Debate 5:30 – 6:00pm The Storm 6:00 – 6:45pm Filler: Informatin Prog 6:45 – 7:00pm Inside Business African 7:00 – 7:30pm Monster Musiq 7:30 – 8:00pm Eye On Niger Delta 8:00 – 8:30pm Project Fame 8:30 – 9:00pm Koffi 9:00 – 9:30pm Mitv World News 9:30 – 10:00pm Elclon 10:00 – 10:30pm Christ Embassy 10:30 – 11:00pm Masked Republic 11:00 – 11:30pm Dynamic Prayer 11:30 – 12:00am Street Legal (R) 12:00 – 1:30pm

ÏÏÏMultiple

awards winner artiste, Dapo ‘D’Banj’ Oyebanjo has made an amazing return into Nigerian music scene with a new song titled ‘Feeling The Nigga.’

The new effort which is meant to make up for his absence in the Nigeria entertainment scene took the internet by storm this

Telemundo

00:03:50- The Queen Of The South 05:20- Where Is Elisa 6:10- Aurora 07:00- Doctor Who 07:50- My Heart Beats For Lola 08:40: Broken Angel 09:29- Where Is Elisa 10:20- Aurora 11:10- Fearless Heart 12:00- My Heart Beats For Lola 12:50- Broken Angel 13:40- Where Is Elisa 14:30- Aurora 15:20- Fearless Heart 16:10- My Heart Beats For Lola 17:00- Broken Angel 17:50- Where Is Elisa 18:40- Aurora 19:30- Fearless Heart 20:20- My Heart Beats For Lola 21:10- The Queen Of The South 22:00- Broken Angel 22:50- Where Is Elisa 23:40- Aurora

33 Television

week.

As at the press time, the song already had ... downloads within just two days of release.

Shot in South Africa, ‘Feelin The Nigga was ‘directed by Mazi C. I. Jizzle.

Speaking concerning his new release, “we have lots of work to do at the moment.

Feeling The Nigga is just the kick off. This song will make

MTV

Africa Magic (Channel 150)

00:15- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 01:00- Sunday Night Mixtape 05:05- Hate Mondays, Love Music 07:00- Happy Birthday 08:20- Pranked 09:50- Punk’d 09:30- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 10:15- Sleeping With The Family 11:05- Teen Mom 2 11:50- Sleeping With The Family 12:35- Punk’d 13:00- Punk’d 13:25- Ridiculousness 14:35- Extreme Cribs 15:45- Pimp My Ride 16:10- Awkward 17:25- Ridiculous 17:50- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 18:40- Jersey Shore 19:50- Snack Off 20:30- Ridiculous 21:05- Goergie Shore 21:55- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 22:45- Teen Mom 2 23:30- The Tonight Sow Starring Jimmy Fallon

pix- volt 00:50- Paradox 00:57- Wrong Target 02:36- Unconditional 04;10 Facade 06:00- Channel O- You’ve Got Jokes 07:00- Star Gist Weekend 08:00- Torn 10:00- Squaterz 10:30- Windeck 11:30- Star Gist 12:00- Making Of A Mogul 13:00- Channel O: Volt 13:31- Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 14:00- At Home With Joselyn Dumas 15:00- The Audition 16:00- Windeck 17:02- Behind The Scenes: Broken 17:30- Living With Trisha 18:00- Living With Trisha 18:30- Extra 19:00- Star Gist 19:30- Tinsel 20:00- Hotel Majestic 20;30 Windeck 21:30- Calabash 22:20- Life Begins

Africa Magic 152 Africa Magic 153 Africa Magic 154

01:55- Broken Mirror 02:36- Sorrow In Me 04:05- Sister Mary 05:05- Deadly Disease

01:55- Before The Rain 04:50- Olive Branch 06:00- blood And Chocolate

06:00- Save Mama

07:45- Stolen Tomorrow

07:38- Last Regret

09:30- The Will

09:15- The Prince Of Barmah

11:10- Anita

11:10- Misconception

12:00- Desperate To Survive

12:13- Soul On Fire

13:35- Holy Kidnappers

15:05- Final Days 18:37- New Directions: Ab’ Obaku

16:40- Death After Birth

19:05- Bloody War

18:25- Single And Married

20:52- Divided Blood

20:00- Lonely heart

22:20- Release Me Oh Lord

22:00- The Spell

03:13- Village Politics And Professor 04-35- Village Politics And Professor 06:00- Good Morning Africa 07:00- Channel O Superfan 07:30- Bump 08:30- Click Africa 09:03- Ise Dale 09:03: At Home With Joselyn Dumas 10:30- Katemba Mu Kkooti 11:00- Empty Space 11:30- Lies That Binds 12:30- Prem 13:00- Channel O: Volt 13:30- Tinsel 14:00- Click Africa

my fans see a new D’Banj.

Keep your finger cross.

Bangalee is coming. Enjoy this creativity from D B Records. More concepts are coming”, he said.

D’Banj who recently adopted ‘Bangalee’ as his new stage name added that “plans are in top gear to unleash activities in marking D’Banj 10th year anniversary any moment from now”.

14;32- Foot Prints 15:00- At Home With Joselyn Dumas 16:00- Click Africa 16:31- Rolling With Faith History 17:03- Ise Dale 17:31- Lies That Bind 18:00- Meet The Adebanjos 18:30- Foot Prints 19:00- Kings Of Segou 19:31- Tinsel 20:00- The Johnsons 20:30- Katemba Mu Kkooti 21:00- Rolling With Faith History 21:30- Tinnsel 22:00- At Home With Joselyn Dumas

Africa Magic 155

05:00- Good Morning Africa 06:00- The Jerry Springer Show 06:32- Edge Of Paradise 07:30- Edge Of Paradise 08:30- Empty Space 09:00- Doctors’ Quarters 10:00- Doctors’ Quarters 11:00- Lies That Bind 11:30- Lies That Bind 12:00- Lies That Bind 13:00- Good Morning Africa 14:00- Weekend Plus 14:30- Weekend Plus 15:00- Doctors’ Quarters 16:00- Doctors’ Quarters 17:00- Tinsel 17:30- Edge Of Paradise 18:30- Edge Of Paradise 19:30- Click Africa 20:02- Click Africa 20:41- Broken Pieces

Society 34

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Mo Abudu is Forbes Africa’s Most Successful Woman

STORIES BY Opeoluwani Akintayo

ÏÏÏTalk

Abudu

I had to learn to stand up for myself

show host, Mo Abudu has emerged Forbes Africa’s Most Successful Woman of The Year.

The title was bestowed on her on January 1, 2015 after a lengthy but interesting chat with Forbes’ Contributing writer, Mfonobong Nsehe.

“Africa’s Most Successful Women introduces you to the most outstanding African women who are making giant strides in business, politics, technology, entrepreneurship and leadership on the continent and elsewhere around the world,” he wrote.

Mo Abudu, a 50-year-old Nigerian media entrepreneur and talk show host, is the founder of Ebony Life TV, a fast-growing black African multi-broadcast entertainment network, which showcases informative and entertaining programmes

that portray Africa at its best.

When asked why she decided to go into the talkshow business she said; “My passion to help change the narrative about Africa began to grow as far back as when I was a teenager living in the UK, schooling in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, a town that had just a few blacks at the time.

As I have said many times in the past, here, I had to learn to stand up for myself, to defend my identity and my race in an environment where you continually got asked the most ridiculous and mind-boggling questions like “Do you guys live in trees and holes in Africa?” “Do you guys dance around fires?” “What do you eat for breakfast?”

“Very ignorant questions.

Those sort of questions could either make or break your spirit but I was very determined that I was going to stay strong.”

Wizkid to drop album January ÏÏÏRemember that video

Wizkid shot with Chris Brown in 2014?

Yes, Daily Times can exclusively tell you that the video is dropping this January. All we heard late 2014 was Wizzy wetting our appetite with just the announcement. And to say his fans have been dying to see the video is just an understatement.

And now that he’s no longer with EME, we gath-

ered from a privy source that his first album under his own record label, Star Boi will be released this month plus his collabo with Chris Brown.

And should you be expecting anything special from Wizzy this year, the dude has said he’d like to keep the surprises to himself for now. But you can expect the usual singles, more videos, shows, collabos and of course, more deals from him this year.

Tiwa Savage too... ÏÏÏJust like Wizkid hint-

ed he’d be dropping his album in January, we also learnt that Tiwa Savage who is presently pregnant with her first child, will drop her second album in

Stella Damasus becomes radio host in US ÏÏÏEnough of scratching

our heads and asking what Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus has been up to since she relocated with Doris Simeon’s ex-husband, Daniel Ademinokan to the US. As you read this, the beauty is now a celebrity talk show queen with 12Radio.Net, a radio station based in Atlanta.

The actress announced

the good news on January 1, saying her show, ‘Undiluted with Stella Damasus’ holds every Monday.

Not only that, she also just dropped a new single titled ‘The Man’. The video will be out this January.

Stella has also been at the fore of advocacy for violence against women and has been lending her voice against any form of inhumane act.

the first quarter of 2015.

Her first album, ‘Once Upon A Time’ which had songs like Love Me, Eminado, Kele Kele Love, Wanted, Olorun Mi, Stand As One, Baby Mo, Ejima-

fia, Ife Wa Gbona and others has been ruling the air wave since it dropped in 2014.

And of course, aside that we are expecting her first child this year for

sure, the beauty wants us to keep our fingers crossed for more hot singles, collabos and other mouth watering deals and surprises from her in 2015.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Our Heritage

35

s

One of the chorister groups from Akwa Ibom set to perform at the event

Akwa Ibom’s night of carol spectacles

ÏÏÏAs

it has been doing since 2008, Akwa Ibom State government staged its seventh yearly 9,999 carol night recently. It was the seventh edition, the last in the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The choir was large and engaging an overwhelming 9,999 choristers resplendent in white singlets emblazoned ‘9,999’ and black trousers and skirts to-match- all drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state.

As they engaged their audience, a gathering that stretched every part of the stadium, the excitement on beholding faces was electrifying.

The colourful event held at new ultra modern Uyo International Stadium, also known as ‘Nest of Champions’ on Saturday, December 20, attracted gospel singers and

guests from outside and within the country. Guests at the event savoured the magnitude of God’s love for mankind as the choir sang.

Before the opening event, the state capital was a beehive of activities as music aficionados and ancestral-home-seeking Africans in Diaspora, sought nest in every available hotel within the state.

As at noon, visitors had began to arrive the venue. Guest were handed the concert’s programme tagged 2014 AKSG Carol Night. At 9.10 p.m. Governor Akpabio accompanied by his wife, Unoma arrived at the stadium to the standing ovation of the teeming crowd. The stadium wore more of a carnival look with decorative lights strategically placed at the main bowl.

As the governor stood at his seat, the master of ceremonies ordered

state government band to play the national anthem.

Shortly, the Presiding Bishop of Christian Chapel International Centre, Calabar, Bishop Emah Isong offered the opening prayers.

It was the turn of the initiator of the programme who mooted it as the then Director of Protocol to the Governor to set the tone of the event. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, who is now Permanent Secretary, Government House, Uyo who sonorously rendered Afo Omodot Itoro, Abasi Ibom k’enyong, meaning that “God Almighty, you are worthy of praise’’ excited the audience in his speech.

The carol night which featured sonorous renditions, solo performances, prayers and words of exhortation emphasised the need for

Continued on page 36

Who says the Ibibios are not lovers of culture? ÏÏÏTHE Ibibio ethnic group is

Ekpo society mask of Ibibioland

in Akwa Ibom state. They occupy the same state with other ethnic groups such as Anang, Oron, Obolo, hence their art works are very similar both in style and form.

Their belief in deities makes the Ibibio nation to be versed in various mask and tomb making.

Other cultural heritages are art

works that imortalise the spirit of the death. Ibibio mask is usually decorative with abstract lines, cones, spheres, cylinder motifs and pattern made in wood.

Stone carving are also many as part of the people cultural heritage. They are executed in low reliefs and designed in abstract human forms. Their mask faces are fiery usually bearded

and are attached to the body by a thick neck. Their mask finds favour in use at the outing of the Ekpo society and other cultural festivals, which symbolizes a special spirit.

The Ibibio’s also carve ancestral figures in wood. The shoulders of their works are round with well-built muscle, narrow torso and round abdomen. They are also good in raffia, mat, bag

and cane weaving. Cane and raffia palms serve as their raw materials.

They also weave cane chairs, stools, shelves, tables and baskets. It was also learnt that the Ibibio’s weave raffia cloth which were won casually in the past, but now only for special indigenous ceremonies like the girl initiation ceremony to adulthood and the yam harvest festival.

Our Heritage 36

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

For the love of her home ÏÏÏAT a moment in Nigeria’s

EƈƋƋ Ɛ Ɛ ƈ ƅ Ƒ ƐƏƕ ë CƆƋƈƋƈ ƐƈƊƑ ƆƐ Ƈ Ə G ƍƆƏƇ Əƌ ƅƆ

ÏÏÏDO not take him to be Ati-

ku Abubakar, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential aspirant. This is another Atiku, a performing artist.

Come Thursday February 5, 2015, the artist will stage his latest art performance tagged, ‘Kill Not This Country (Manifesito II)’. The performance which holds at the Department of Fine Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will beam on the activities of Boko Haram.

The Ejigbo Lagos state born performance artist said the horror of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria has been creating terror and protracted violence as a result of the bombing, maiming, killing and abducting ordinary citizens of the country.

A release by the artist states the terror have resulted into numerous deaths and injuries, paralysis and chronic pains, emotional distress and acute stress, fright and dread, horror and panic, anxiety, anger, and extreme fear. Kill Not This Country is aimed at using arts to comment on the terror.

Ƌ Ƅ Ə ƅ Ə ƈƒ Ƌ ƆƐ ƅ Əƍ Ə ƐƆ Ƅ ƅƊƈ

ÏÏÏAs part of its commitment

towards promoting arts and culture, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has again pledged support for the on-going Calabar Carnival . The month-long Carnival is a platform for showcasing rich Nigerian heritage and the Bank is proud of its longstanding association with the annual festivities.

FirstBank has partnered with the Cross River State Government in the execution of the Calabar Carnival for the past seven years and this partnership has given the Bank a good platform to showcase its love and appreciation for the arts and culture, whilst bringing happiness and excitement to Nigerians.

history, two elements elude her on the match to greatness. Love for homeland and patriotism are almost absent. While most Nigerians in Diaspora have lost faith in the nation, another vital aspect of development which is eager to know ones root and document history, is also nearly absent.

These issues and other nagging matters have been tackled diligently in the new book, ‘Homebound’ written by Angel Okwuosa and presented to the public recently in Lagos.

With attractive title and chapters, the book is fundamentally the author’s ambition to unravel the fact that there is no place like home.

In Homebound, the writer takes the reader on a tour of home nostalgia. She captures boldly the need why Diaspora Nigerians and those who are far off should love to visit their homeland and reconnect with their roots.

Okwuosa said the book is born out of a series of researches, interviews and consultations with different persons she had come across, especially those in the Diaspora. The author who was born in London, and currently a law student at the University of Birmingham, disclosed that ‘Homebound’ is her second published book after her first book ‘Diary of a Misfit’.

In summary, Homebound tells the story of Ona, a girl from Boston who relocates back to her motherland in Nigeria with her family where she learns a lot about her country of origin and who she is in her own country. The story was told from a

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian author, Angel Okwuosa, presents a new book that situates her love for homeland and preserves records.

JOY EKEKE offers a review.

Okwuosa quirky young girl’s perspective.

According to Okwuosa, people go up and down looking for a place to call home yet they do not know where they came from and how to adopt other people’s culture. Homebound make them think back to the good old days of innocence.

The author believes the book will inspire Diasporas Nigerians to think back home despite

the alluring pleasures of Western society. She wants her collegues in the West to think when they are moving into a new place or going to a new job or school and the conflicting feelings of leaving behind old pals and meeting new people.

Mr. Tonye Cole who gave a welcome remark during the book launch said, “We are here to celebrate Nigeria, am encourage about the Nigeria

youth because we have so many people that are talented.I was impressed by the first book she wrote and it was written beyond writers, writing a book is not an easy thing at her age.’’

The author’s mother, Mrs. Idu Okwuosa who was also at the book launch said, ‘’At five my little daughter won’t get into the car if she did not finish the novel she is reading. Am proud she has lived up to her dream’’.

ÏÏÏ nƕ ô ƅ Ə Ƌ ƈ Ɛ Ƈ Ɠ ƗƆƏ Continued from page 35 humans to believe without doubt in God while taking serious cognizance of the vital role

Gov. Akpabio and family at the event

of Christ in the redemption of mankind and the power of his resurrection.

Candour, and razzmatazz characterised the event. The

first family of Akwa Ibom led

by Chief Akpabio, his wife and children strolled the well-lit walkway to flag it off. The governor declared “Today, I have come to kick off 2014 Christmas Carol Night done in a spectacular state in uncommon stadium in an uncommon state by people who love God in uncommon way and God has blessed them in an uncommon way in what has come to be known as uncommon transformation.

I, therefore, kick off God’s own

party in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

Giving the background of the event Akpabio said “.The only known reason God created mankind was for man to praise and worship Him. The Muslims worship the Almighty God, one God; the Christians worship the Almighty God , one God. God is love, out of love God gave His only begotten son to come and be born amongst us at Christmas in order to pay the supreme sacrifice, thereby redeeming mankind.’’

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Today in History

37

s

1945 Tito signs “friendship treaty” with Soviet Union Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

ÏÏÏ1945

Tito signs “friendship treaty” with Soviet Union On this day in 1945, Yugoslav partisan leader Tito signed an agreement permitting “temporary entry of Soviet troops into Yugoslav territory.”

Josip Broz, alias “Tito,” secretary general of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, led a partisan counteroffensive movement against the Axis occupying powers of Germany and Italy in 1941. Recognized by the Allies as the leader of the Yugoslav resistance, he was, in fact, the leader of a power grab meant not only to expel the Axis forces but to wrest control of Yugoslavia in the postwar environment from both royalist and democratic movements.

Once the Soviet army liberated Serbia, the fate of Yugoslavia as a communist-dominated nation was sealed. Tito’s task now lay in remaining independent of both the U.S.S.R. and the West. To this end, he created a “second Yugoslavia,” a socialist federation that became known for its nonalignment stance.

As part of the agreement signed on April 5, 1945, Tito secured a proviso that the Soviets would leave Yugoslavia once its “operational task” was completed. Ensuring compliance with this clause proved problematic, as Stalin tried to maintain a pres-

ence in post-war Yugoslavia, attempting to co-opt the Yugoslav Communist Party and create another puppet state. He failed; Tito played the West against the East in a Machiavellian scheme to keep his own Stalin-like grip on his country. Although he permitted cultural and scientific freedom unheard of in Soviet-bloc countries, he was also guilty of purging centrist and democratic forces fighting for reform within Yugoslavia and centralizing all power in one party. But upon Tito’s death, in 1980, the center could not hold--chaos was ulti-

1955 Winston Churchill resigns ÏÏÏ1955

Winston Churchill

resigns Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through the crisis of World War II, retired as prime minister of Great Britain.

Born at Blenheim Palace in 1874, Churchill joined the British Fourth Hussars upon his father’s death in 1895. During the next five years, he enjoyed an illustrious military career, serving in India, the Sudan, and South Africa, and distinguishing himself several times in battle. In 1899, he resigned his commission to concentrate on his literary and political career and in 1900 was elected to Parliament as a Conservative MP from Oldham. In 1904, he joined

the Liberals, serving a number of important posts before being appointed Britain’s First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911, where he worked to bring the British navy to a readiness for the war he foresaw.

In 1915, in the second year of World War I, Churchill was held responsible for the disastrous Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns and was thus excluded from the war coalition government. However, in 1917, he returned to politics as a cabinet member in the Liberal government of Lloyd George. From 1919 to 1921, he was secretary of state for war and in 1924 returned to the Conservative Party, where two years later he played a leading role in the defeat of the General Strike of 1926.

mately unleashed in the form of ethnic civil war.

1951 Rosenbergs sentenced to death for spying The climax of the most sensational spy trial in American history was reached when a federal judge sentenced Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to death for their roles in passing atomic secrets to the Soviets. Although the couple proclaimed their innocence, they died in the electric chair in June 1953.

The Rosenberg’s were convicted of playing a central role in a spy ring that passed secret data

ÏÏÏ

1992 Abortion

rights advocates march on Washington

ÏÏÏ1992 Abortion rights ad-

vocates march on Washington A march and rally in support of abortion rights for women drew several hundred thousand people to demonstrations in Washington, D.C. One of the largest protest marches on the nation’s capital, the pro-choice rally came as the U.S. Supreme Court was about to consider the constitutionality of a Pennsylvania state law that limited access to abortions. Many abortion rights advocates feared that the high court, with its conservative majority, might endorse the Pennsylvania law or even overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that made

concerning the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union during and immediately after World War II. Their part in the espionage came to light when British physicist Klaus Fuchs was arrested in Great Britain in early 1950. Under questioning, Fuchs admitted that he stole secret documents while he was working on the Manhattan Project—the top-secret U.S. program to build an atomic bomb during World War II. He implicated Harry Gold as a courier who delivered the documents to Soviet agents. Gold was arrested a short time later and informed on David

Green glass, who then pointed the finger at his sister and brother-inlaw, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg.

Julius was arrested in July and Ethel in August 1950. After a brief trial in March 1951, the Rosenberg’s were found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage. At their sentencing hearing in April, Federal Judge Irving R. Kaufman described their crime as “worse than murder” and charged, “By your betrayal you undoubtedly have altered the course of history to the disadvantage of our country.” He sentenced them to death.

abortion legal.

In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that women, as part of their constitutional right to privacy, could terminate a pregnancy during the first two trimesters. Only during the last trimester, when the fetus can survive outside the womb, would states be permitted to regulate abortion in a healthy pregnancy. The historic and controversial ruling, essentially reversing a century of anti-abortion legislation in America, was the result of a call by many American women for control over their own reproductive processes.

Although defended by the Supreme Court on several occasions, the legalization of abortion became a divisive and intensely emotional public issue. The debate intensified during the 1980s, and both anti- and pro-choice organizations strengthened their

membership and political influence. By 1992, 12 years of Republican rule in the White House had weakened abortion rights, and the Supreme Court threatened to overturn the 1973 ruling. In April 1992, a massive pro-choice rally was held in Washington, and soon after, the high court refused to endorse Pennsylvania’s new restrictions and left the Roe v. Wade decision intact.

In January 1993, Democrat Bill Clinton was inaugurated as president and within days of taking office overturned several key pieces of anti-abortion executive legislation that had been signed by his Republican predecessors, Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. In the 1990s, some extreme opponents of abortion rights turned to violent methods in their campaign to make abortion illegal again.

News 38

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Trailer kills five in Ikare auto crash Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏNo

fewer than five persons were crushed to death, while many others were injured by a trailer vehicle at the weekend, at Ikare Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of

Ondo State.

Eyewitnesses told Daily Times that the accident occurred around 5 p.m. when the driver of the trailer lost control of the vehicle at the Okorun Okela road of the town.

The tragedy was allegedly caused by brake fail-

ure and reckless driving by the driver.

Some said the lorry rammed into an okada killing the rider instantly before hitting several vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

A Toyota jeep, an 18-seater bus, two motor-

cycles and a water tanker were also affected by the accident.

Daily Times gathered that one of the okada rider was crushed, while the driver of the water tanker, including another occupant, and a man said to be walking by the

roadside were killed.

A Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official confirmed the accident and said that the bodies have been taken to the morgue, while those seriously injured were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

Stranded travelers at Berger Garage, Lagos.

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

SDP urges Nigerians to embrace peace ahead general elections Abisola Oyewole, Lagos

ÏÏÏThe Social Democratic

Party (SDP) has urged Nigerians to embrace peace before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, the party said that its growing membership list was a demonstration of Nigerians’ belief in it.

The statement reads in part: “ Our determination to contest elective positions, win and unbundle potentials across sectors remains strengthened by this resolve.

“Without doubt, let us re-emphasize that the conceptualization and implementation of SDP blueprint, which are anchored on the

Osoba salient ingredients of truthfulness and accuracy with multi-dimensional approaches are bankable and deliverable. We would unleash a massive socioeconomic grassroots development across the country when voted into office this year for an-all inclusive socio-cultural and economic benefits.

“As we step into the last phase of the general elections, we urge Nigerians to embrace

peace and display patriotic conduct in casting their votes. Our youths should resist the attempts to be used as election rigging tools by enemies of Nigeria.

“As a party, we remain committed to peace at all times. We are the breath of fresh air the weak, poor, widows, unemployed Nigerians have been anticipating.

“Our heart goes to the Chibok girls, who have been in captivity for over eight months, their families and all the internally displaced persons as a result of the on-going Boko Haram crisis. It has been a painful period for us at the SDP and we share in your pains, the statement added.

ÏÏÏA non-political associ-

ation, Ogun West in Focus, has called on the people of the zone to support the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, in the coming general election.

The president of the association, Chief Eniola Akinlola, told journalists during its end-of-year party in Ilaro that: “Ogun West as at today remain the poorest region among the three senatorial districts, since the creation of Ogun State”.

While mentioning those that had served from the zone, he noted that the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel appointed Alhaja Salimot Badru as his Deputy, while Chief Olusegun Osoba’s administration had Deacon Poju Adeyemi as the SSG. He said these were not enough to bring development to the region.

Dutse Mohammed

ÏÏÏIt was a tragedy to resi-

Akra Ubong, Calabar SouthSouth zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the newly re-deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River State, Mr. Sylvester Okey, and has appealed to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to repost him to another state, in the interest of peace.

National Vice-Chairman South-South of APC, Mr. Hilliard Eta, who made the appeal, in a chat with newsmen, in Calabar, on Sunday, said the APC did not have absolute confidence in the credibility of the newly- redeployed

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

Lunatic commits homicide in Jigawa

C’River APC rejects new REC ÏÏÏThe

Briefs Ogun West drums support for GNI

Oyegun REC because of his past antecedents and, as such, demanded that he should be changed if there must be transparent elections in Cross River.

Alleging that Okey is a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC leader said: “We dare say and want Mr. Sylvester Okey to take us to court by saying that he is a card-carrying member of PDP and we don’t want him in our state except the President and the INEC Chairman are trying to tell us that they have posted a PDP person to come and do their bidding.”

dents of Kanti Unguwar Gabas in Kazaure Local Government area of Jigawa State when they woke up in the morning of last Friday to witness the brutal killing of a 75-year-old man, Lado Kandare, by his neighbour, Ibrahim, who was alleged to be unwell.

Ibrahim, 37, and a close relations of Hon. Bashir Adamu, a federal legislator, representing Kazaure Federal Constituency was said to be a drug addict. Ibrahim was said to be under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly Kandare.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, (ASP) Abdul Jinjiri, confirmed the incidence, saying the force would look into it.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2015

Ogun Retired teachers fume over unpaid 36 months pension

ÏÏÏTowards the conduct of

ÏÏÏFollowing

Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), his Gubernatorial Running Mate, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga (right), Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona (2nd right) and his wife ,Olori Oluwakemi (left ) during the governor’s new year visit to the Awujale in Ijebu-Ode at the weekend. tory pension would be paid at the point of disengagement” they stated.

The teachers however, lamented that they had been subjected to series of maltreatment and harrowing experience since their first, second and third batches of teachers retired since 2012.Omidina, who lamented that some of their colleagues had died in the process of pursuing their payment, called on the appropriate authority to assist them by prevailing on PENCOM

to instruct Premium Pension to release their money.

He alleged that despite several visit to the Abeokuta office of Premium, the pension administrator kept telling them that it would not release their cheques until PENCOM gives approval and directs otherwise.

Lamenting that they could still be subjected to such psychological and financial torture after 35 years of meritorious service, Omidina also told journalists that their colleagues in

Abeokuta South, Yewa South, Ijebu North as well as Sagamu local government areas were paid as at December 30th, 2014.

He however, called on the federal government to intervene in their plight before they all die and unknown persons reap the benefits of their labour.

When contacted, officials of the Premium Pension at the Abeokuta office, who declined to mention his name disclosed that he lacked the capacity to speak on the matter.

N’Delta group berates unemployment in Bayelsa ÏÏÏA group under the aegis

of Association for Non-Violence in Niger Delta has discredited the Governor Seriake Dickson led administration, describing it as a government with highly unmanageable level of unemployment.

“Governance and government is all about deliverables, the youths are hungry, no face is smiling, the security situation

2015: Awoniyi canvassess peace full election Ibrahim Momohjimoh, Lokoja

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta the failure of some retirees to access their pensions from the Pension Fund Administrators, some retired teachers in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital have called on National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to mandate the Administrators to release their pensions without further delay.

Addressing journalists at the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists headquarters (NUJ), at Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, the retired teachers who stormed the Secretariat in their hundreds, also called on the federal government as well as appropriate authorities to intervene in the matter before it is too late.

Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, the trio of Chief Abiodun Sanjo, Joseph Omidina and Madam Dacosta Moninnuola, said that the retirees were mainly three batches of teachers from the Abeokuta South who left service since July, 2012, and had dully completed necessary documentations.

They alleged that since their retirement from service in 2012, Premium Pension has refused to pay them their entitlements whereas their colleagues under other PFAs in the same state had been paid their contributory pensions in full.

“Government had promised during the introduction of their PFA in 2008 that their contribu-

39 News

is seriously deteriorating.

“There has never been proper revenue generation mechanism by the Dickson administration since his assumption of office as a governor, the level of unemployment is highly unmanageable” the group added.

The President of the group, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, in an interview in Yenagoa, urged the governor to resusci-

tate the state owned moribund fishing trawlers adding that the fishing trawlers, MV Margaret named after the wife of DSP Alamieyeseigha, the first civilian governor of the state and MV Dame Patience, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, were purchase during the administration of the former to enable the state harness its vast marine resources.

Dickson

a peaceful election in 2015, the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, has solicited the support of every Nigerian irrespective of their political leaning.

The State’s Deputy Governor who made the call when he granted audience to youth groups in Mopamuro local government area at the weekend, said that all Nigerians must work for the success of the nations nascent democracy.

Awoniyi who was optimistic of a violence free and fair 2015 election with the cooperation of all Nigerians, disclosed that going by the records of achievements of the Governor Wada led administration in the state, it would no doubt propel the People’s Democratic Party in the State to victory.

PDP set to take over Kwara – Oyedepo ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democractic Part (PDP) is ready to take over governance of Kwara State this year, its Chairman, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, has said. Oyedepo made the declaration at Isanlu-Isin, Isin local government area of Kwara, on Sunday at the end of the year luncheon organised for PDP faithful.

The chairman explained that a crisis resolution mechanism the party had put in place at inception made it possible to reconcile aggrieved aspirants with winners. He also said none of the contestants had defected from the PDP while others were joining the party to build up its structure. `` Though 300 contestants contested for 34 positions which generated its crisis, but thank God, all our people have united and agreed to work for all the party’s 34 candidates produced by the primaries,’’ Oyedepo said.

The party is fielding 24 for the State House of Assembly seats, six candidates for the House of Representatives seats, three for the Senate and Sen. Simeon Ajibola for the post of governor.

ICT

Nigeria: USPF offers access to connect underserved areas P30 MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015

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The change we need in 2015 (II) ÎÎÎOne of the foremost ad-

The conference however rose above these challenges to take profound decisions on fundamental issues afflicting the polity

vocates of a National Conference, the late Anthony Enahoro had succinctly argued in 2002: “I invite you to reflect on the fact, which I suggest is abundantly clear, that one of the most challenging determinants of the crises on the international scene as well as on the domestic scene today, is ethnic diversity. The challenge of ethnic diversity - in some cases even strong sub-ethnic diversity within an integral ethnic group - is a major ingredient in crises in Africa and abroad today. Unfortunately, it is vigorously at work in Nigeria, hence we must recognize that stability, progress and the prospects of democracy and equitocracy in our country - indeed the very survival of Nigeria depends on positive resolution of our ethnic differences. .. If our undoubted diversity can, by dialogue and common action, be made creative, positive and constructive instead of barren, negative and destructive, and if

our nationalities can freely contribute their individual quota to our common treasure house of creativity, imagine our collective potential as one country.

We could abolish poverty among our people and we could chart a course for the democratization and modernization of Nigeria.

“This is the challenge which the 21st Century imposes on us and on Nigeria’s leaders. And this is the fundamental purpose of the National Conference, which we have urged for many years ...”

The 2014 National Conference held against the background of the full maturation of the Nigerian crisis of nationhood with a state in fragmentation. Delegates at the conference were drawn from all interests across the country reflecting the diversity of Nigeria.

Of all nominated categories, only two slots were vacant at the conference. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) whose grouse was that a seat was not enough

for the body of lawyers and the All Progressives Congress (APC) which dismissed the entire idea of a National Conference.

The conference opened on a stormy note with rigid positions from the various divides. Tempers flared and passion inflamed.

There were moments it appeared the conference was going to collapse given the hardening of positions on many issues which the various pretenders who presided over Nigeria in the past had classified as “no go areas”. The conference however rose above these challenges to take profound decisions on fundamental issues afflicting the polity in the over 600 resolutions it adopted without splitting their house once.

President Goodluck Jonathan in his remarks at the submission of the conference report alluded to this rare feat when he said: “To my mind, one of the main reasons for which the Conference was convoked was fully achieved: that is, to create a platform

for a genuine and sincere dialogue among Nigerians.

Even in moments when things seemed ready to boil over, it was evident that the delegates were only disagreeing to agree.

“It is now very clear that as Nigerians, we have devised a way of addressing and resolving our differences amicably: we dialogue and dialogue until we agree! This is most heart-warming indeed!”

I encourage all Nigerians to read those recommendations. As a matter of public service I am creating a website to be announced on this page where the full reports can be downloaded .

In those 600 resolutions are all that is needed to CHANGE Nigeria and make it work.

Anyone who promises any change outside those recommendations is only deceiving the people of this country. Good governance will remain an illegal alien in Nigeria for as long as we fail to address the issues of our nationhood.

The phoenix

rises

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Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. www.dailytimes.com.ng email: www.dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI

The 2014 National Conference has taken fundamental decisions that can set Nigeria fully on the path of genuine federalism without which Nigeria cannot fulfill its manifest destiny.

Among the major highlights of the outcome is the resolve to remove local governments from the jurisdiction of the Federal Government and transferred to the suzerainty of the federating units who should manage numbers and funding in a democratic manner.

The conference also decided that states should assume their proper position as Federating units with their own constitutions as against the current arrangement where they exist as mere appendages of the all-powerful centre.

Each state will in addition have its own police force with which to enforce its own enactments and promote law and order within its jurisdiction.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

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Schumacher celebrates birthday in hospital amid tears

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Enefiok Set to change face of athletics in Nigeria

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Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

CAF Award

ENYEAMA’S FACES STIFF COMPETITION

Enyeama

T

he place of Vincent Enyeama among all the past goalkeepers of the Nigeria national soccer team is undoubtedly assured, as a preponderance of football experts agree he ranks first among equals.

The Super Eagles captain will, however, be facing perhaps the biggest task of his accomplished career in the next few days when the winner of the 2014 African Footballer of the Year Award would be announced by the organisers, the African Football Confederation (CAF), at a ceremony scheduled to hold on January 8 in Lagos.

From a crowded list of 25 announced last November by CAF, only three nominees are left in the race with Enyeama vying for the most coveted individual prize in African football against Ivory Coast and Manchester midfielder Yaya Toure including Gabon and Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

...CAF decides footballer of the year The list, it was gathered, is prepared through a vigorous selection process by the Technical, Football and Media Committees of CAF, taking into account the performance of the players for their national teams and clubs from January to November of each year. The ultimate winner of the award will be decided by votes from the Head Coaches or the Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF. The last time a Nigerian won the African player of the year gong was in 1999 courtesy of Nwankwo Kanu. And just like last year when John Mikel Obi was expected to break the jinx, not a few expect that Enyeama would simply have to be present at venue of the event and the award would be his.

However, the 32-year-old faces a very keen competition for the award, especially from Toure.

Winner of the last three editions, Toure had an exceptional 2013-14 season as

Manchester City won the Premier League, scoring 24 goals as Manuel Pellegrini brought home the title in his first season in England. The Ivorian also played all three of the Ivory Coast’s matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Aubameyang, meanwhile, scored 14 goals last season as Dortmund finished runners-up in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich.

The big question on the lips of soccer fans in Nigeria is: will Enyeama allow the player of the year award slip through his hands?

Remarkably though, opinions are sharply divided on Enyeama’s chances of winning the award particularly after losing the British Broadcasting Corporation (BCC) version to Algeria and Porto forward, Yacine Brahimi.

A former head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde, describes Enyeama as the best goalkeeper in Africa but

stopped short of outrightly endorsing him for the CAF award.

“Nigeria has had great goalkeepers like Carl Odwayer and Onagoruwa, but the level of expectation then was limited,” said Onigbinde. “Enyeama is more popular because of exposure. He ranks very high. In the whole of Africa today, he’s number one.

“You remember I brought him to the national team and I remember the kind of furore his invitation generated. In terms of techniques, skill, tactics, one thing stands him out as a team player, lifeline of defence.

Enyeama organises his defence; that is important in goalkeeping.”

But Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, a former captain of the Super Eagles and teammate of Enyeama, said point blank that: “For me, Yaya Toure is the natural winner. I think the shortlist for the award shows that African football for the past two to three years has not really produced a lot of stars, because

only two or three players have been consistent for the past five to six years: Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba.

“Now that Eto’o and Drogba have gone, it looks like Yaya Toure is going to be the outstanding player. After him, I don’t think we’ve really produced the great stars in Africa.”

Abiodun Baruwa, a retired Super Eagles goalkeeper, believes Enyeama deserves to win the 2014 African Player of the Year Award. If Enyeama wins the award, he averred, it will be a boost to all the goalkeepers across the continent that they too are reckoned with.

“When you look at history not too many goalkeepers have been selected as nominees in the final three. But with Vincent Enyeama’s selection I believe it’s a good sign for the trade, especially when you consider what Vincent has done for his club and the country in the year under review,” Baruwa said.

Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

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BIG CLUBS SCRAMBLE FOR AHMED

MUSA

Eduok

EDUOK

IN DOUBLE TRANSFER PALAVER F

ormer Dolphins of Port Harcourt goal poacher, Emem Eduok has landed himself in trouble over his transfer by two foreign clubs.

Esperance of Tunisia and Sarpsborg of Norway are laying claims to the talented forward and have vowed to drag themselves to FIFA. Sarpsborg 08 Sporting Director, Thomas Berntsen, said the club signed Emem Eduok from A&B Academy on a four year deal and not from Dolphins FC. However, reports in the Tunisian media has it that Esperance last week signed Eduok on a three-year deal from the Port-Hacourt based Glo NPFL side but Sarpsborg insists the

player’s transfer rights belongs to A&B Academy.

Eduok has been on the payroll of Glo Nigeria Premier league side Dolphins for three seasons but, according to Bernsten, Dolphins do not own him rather the academy which they bought him from.

“Eduok confirmed to us in oral and written that he belongs to A&B Academy, we did our own investigations and we found out it’s true” he told the media in Norway, according to SA.no.

“It was after our investigation that we signed him on a four-year deal which we expect him to honour, it will terminate in 2018.”

He said Eduok was in Sarpsborg in

mid December and he signed on the dotted line for a four-year contract on December 11 and they expect him to resume with the side by January 18 after the Super Eagles Friendly games.

In reaction to claims that Tunisian side Esperance might have signed the Nigerian forward on a three-year deal, Bernstern said the club is willing to defend it’s case before FIFA if the need arises.

“We have signed a four-year contract with the player himself after reaching an agreement with the club that owns him, if he still fails to show up to respect the deal then it becomes a FIFA case.”

Musa

L

ondon rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are reportedly set to go head-to-head for Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow.

Both sides are looking to add quality in their wide positions.

Spurs have Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon, but injury and form issues have meant none of them have consolidated their place in Mauricio Pochettino’s first choice XI at White Hart Lane. Sam Allardyce is said to need a new wide player.

However, Musa’s outstanding form this season has seemingly impressed both managers. The Nigerian international has plenty of pace and a direct style that would suit both teams.

His eight goals in all competitions this season, coupled with a contract with two years still remaining, would mean CSKA’s asking price will be high, but with the Russian economy suffering and dragging down player wages, English sides could make an appealing offer.

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Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

10 October 1988

26

Nigeria

Yenagoa

West Brom

Attacker

180 cm

70 kg

Right

Date of birth:

Age:

Country of birth:

Place of birth:

Club:

Position:

Height:

Weight:

Foot:

To West Brom Dynamo Kyiv Sochaux

Nigeria

Nationality:

From Dynamo Kyiv Sochaux Xamax

Ideye Aide

Last name:

Per 17/07/14 30/06/11 23/01/10

Brown

First name:

the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Value € 10m € 9m € 4m

missed chances in front on goal for Nigeria during

He came under hard intense scrutiny following

scored five goals for the Super Eagles.

2010 has already racked up 23 appearances and

The 25-year-old who made his Nigeria debut in

is a man of many parts.

Brown Ideye

Personal information

Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

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Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

‘ONAZI, BORINI

switch makes sense for

Aa

nthony Chapman claims that “Liverpool have offered Fabio Borini to Lazio in exchange for powerful midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.”

Borini’s time at Anfield hasn’t been the most successful, but the striker turned down moves to Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers in the summer in favour of a battle for his place at the Merseyside club.

Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers could well look to shift the Italian striker once more in January, and with the Reds currently short in the middle of the park, this deal seems like good business.

Chapman continues: “Liverpool are looking to take advantage of Lazio’s longterm interest in Borini by offering the former Chelsea and Roma forward plus £8million for Onazi’s services.

“If Liverpool want Onazi, and Lazio want Borini, this deal surely makes sense for both parties.”

REDS’ Kalou shares Instagram snaps of yoga session

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S

alomon Kalou has revealed how he has been keeping in shape during the winter break.

The former Chelsea forward, who now plays for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga, took to Instagram to share pictures of him and his brother taking part in a yoga session in New York on Friday.

The Ivory Coast international is due to fly off to the Africa Nations Cup, with the tournament starting later this month.

The 29-year-old, who has netted five goals in seven Bundesliga starts for Hertha this season, was getting in some training Stateside after the German topflight broke for the winter last Sunday.

A straining Kalou was pictured holding aloft his Yoga instructor Caley Alyssa with his legs, before she returned the favour as the striker joked that he was ‘practicing my diving header pose’ as he balanced on the instructor’s legs.

Amunike Xavi

XAVI

laments ‘difficult’ 2014 Kalou practicing a diving header pose

avi Hernandez has admitted that extending his stay at Barcelona for one more year was ‘the only good thing’ in an otherwise miserable 2014.

In a candid interview with Sport on Friday, the playmaker offered a damning verdict on the past 12 months, highlighting La Blaugrana’s failure to lift any silverware and the decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold their transfer embargo.

“2014 wasn’t an easy year. It was very difficult on both sporting and personal level. The only good thing was being able to stay here for one more year,” he began.

“I was very happy about that but suffered with everything else. The death of Tito, the club’s decision to discard Txema Corbella, who is a close friend of mine, not winning titles with the club or Spain, plus the disappointment of the World Cup ...

“Also on a personal level, I didn’t play important games against Atletico Madrid and Chile. I must learn from these failures.”

Monday, January 5, 2015

GOLF

Els storm UAE for Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship E

rnie Els has announced he is returning to the UAE for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship from January 15-18. Having already won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2005 and picked up a hat-trick of Omega Dubai Desert Classic titles, the South African needs victory in Abu Dhabi to complete a clean sweep of the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’. “I’ve always felt at home playing in the Gulf,” said Els. “I won my first European Tour event in the UAE way back in 1994 and since then have loved playing in the region and enjoying some success in the big tournaments.

“I’m just one Falcon Trophy short of winning every ‘Desert Swing’ title - and I hope to rectify that next month in Abu Dhabi. That would be a great achievement, and is an ambition of mine, particularly given it’s the Championship’s 10th anniversary.”

Els joins a star-studded field at Abu Dhabi Golf Club that includes Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Rickie

Fowler. HSBC Global head of sponsorship and events, Giles Morgan, said: “Ernie is one of the legends of modern golf and his instantly familiar style has graced the game for many years.

With some exciting new names a t the top of golf’s global leaderboard it will be fascinating to see who emerges on top in w h a t promises to be a thrilling battle to kickstart the new season.”

BOXING

EXTRATIME

Mayweather welcomes Justin Bieber to jet life

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he money-motivated boxer, Floyd Mayweather, welcomed his team money member Justin Bieber to the private jet club.

Justin Bieber purchased himself a rather large and extravagant Christmas present.

The 20-year-old singer posted a photo to his Instagram showing off his brand new private jet. The jet, believed to be a G6, is estimated to sell somewhere on or around $60 million. With a lavish gift befitting of kings and royalty, Bieber’s good

buddy Floyd Mayweather had to give the young phenom a proper induction into the new lifestyle.

Mayweather, proud of Bieber’s accomplishments, let Justin know he too had a jet and that he was proud that Justin picked himself up one too.

Mayweather says in his Instagram post he hopes to “motivate” people who are equally ambitious. The duo is often seen together and Bieber has walked out with Mayweather on his way to the ring before a big fight several times.

Tiger ‘cheating’ on girlfriend

Mayweather (left) and Bieber

MOTOR

Schumacher celebrates birthday in hospital amid tears

M Tiger flanked by girlfriend Lindsey Vonn (right) and ex-wife Elin Nordegren

S

erial cheater Tiger Woods is at it again and Lindsey Vonn is ready to break up! Or maybe he never stopped.

After Tiger Woods’s infamous cheating scandal and divorce from Elin Nordegren, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn shocked the world by dating the admitted sex addict, and the couple have been in a relationship for the last two years.

Vonn seemed confident that Tiger would never cheat on her like he did Elin and decided to try and tame the golfer, but she may be regretting that decision.

TENNIS

Ojo Onaolapo

Egypt’s Star dismisses Nigeria threat

O

Els

According to latest edition of Star Magazine, Tiger was out spotted with a group of flirtatious blonds at a nightclub in New York City and his longtime girlfriend Lindsey Vonn was nowhere in sight.

The magazine reveals, “Tiger was immediately escorted to a table full of ladies when he walked in. They were all wearing next to nothing and he was hamming it up with every one of them.”

Lindsey Vonn reportedly seems unfazed by the recent rumors of Tiger out partying at all hours of the night with hot women and cheating on her.

ichael Schumacher cries when he hears his wife and children’s voices, and communicates using his eyes, it has been claimed.

The seven-time Formula One champion will turn 46 on Saturday, 13 months after the skiing accident which left him in a coma for six months.

He will spend his birthday with his wife, son and daughter at their home by Lake Geneva. He has been there since leaving hospital in September, and his wife Corinna has said he is now in a process of recovery “which will presumably take a long time”.

New details of the progress of that recovery have been reported in the Italian media.

Newspaper Corriere della Serra said Schumacher is capable of demonstrating emotion It said: “Sometimes a tear rolls down Michael’s face. He cries when he hears the voice of his children or his wife.

“Michael has his eyes open but he is often looking into a void. In recent times he has been able to recognise the familiar faces of his family but he cannot communicate with them.

Michael Schumacher “He does not speak and he is not able to perform movements independently.

He reacts to external stimuli but for now can only answer a familiar voice by opening his eyes.”

A separate report in the magazineAutosprint said Schumacher was able to sit up.

Editor-in-chief Alberto Sabbatini, who said his information was provided by “those who know and see him”, said: “The good news is that Michael is not stuck in a bed. When not undergoing physical therapy to avoid muscle atrophy, he sits in a chair in front of the windows of his villa, overlooking on one side the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps, and on the other the shores of Lake Geneva.”

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jo Onaolapo has a target of top prize for himself during next month’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

As a junior player, the 20 year-old Ondo State-born player competed with the likes of Egypt’s Omar Assar and Mohammed Shouman but he has always been on the losing side against the North Africans.

However Onaolapo, who recently moved to Italy to pursue his professional career said he hopes to conquer the Egyptians this time.

“I think if there is nation that I had played regularly as a cadet and junior player, it is Cairo and for me, I have always been unlucky to make the best of this several visits.

“But at the 2015 ITTF Africa Senior Championships, I’m going there to ensure I return with medals for Nigeria. I’m indeed looking forward to play very good in Egypt and also to win the team event for Nigeria and contest for the men’s singles title,” he said.

Onaolapo, who won virtually all the local titles at stake before jetting out to Italy this year, believes the dominance of Egypt has come to an end, considering the quality of players Nigeria now on parade led by Portugal-based Aruna Quadri.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Dina Meshref has dismissed any threat from Nigeria at the 2015 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championship holding from January 23 to 29 in Cairo.

The highest ranked African female player is optimistic that Egypt can hold sway at the tournament. “I am hopeful and expecting that the Egyptian team would win the first place in all events, since we are having a good and concentrated training camp with some Chinese players who came to Egypt to practice with us,” she boasted.

The Africa number one ranked player, is eyeing the gold medal in the team and singles events.

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Monday, January 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME Enefiok

ENEFIOK SET TO CHANGE O

FACE OF ATHLETICS IN NIGERIA

K Uche open 2015 goal Account

Rodgers backs club over Gerrard

Rodgers

Uche Nigeria international Ike Uche began 2015 with a bang as he scored in Villarreal’s 2-2 draw at Elche on Saturday.

The 30-year-old striker has now scored five goals in 15 games this season and Villarreal are now sixth on the Spanish La Liga table with 31 points from 17 matches.

Uche scored in the 17th minute to put his club 2-0 ahead, before the hosts scored two goals to earn a point.

The former Real Zaragoza player lasted for 75 minutes before he was replaced by Giovanni Dos Santos.

He thanked the fans for supporting the club throughout the encounter.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits it will be virtually impossible to replace Steven Gerrard but he rejected suggestions the club had not done enough to keep their inspirational captain at the club.

Gerrard’s close friend Jamie Carragher, who retired almost two years ago, suggested the Reds should have offered the midfielder a coaching position in addition to the extended playing contract which Gerrard ultimately rejected.

However, Rodgers said he knew Gerrard was not ready to step away from playing just yet and with him now due to leave in the summer - for a club in the United States, Liverpool revealed on Twitter - the unenviable plans to fill the void begin in earnest.

Praise for Hazard as Chelsea visit rivals Spurs

Hazard Eden Hazard is on course to becoming one of the world’s top players, according to Chelsea team-mate Filipe Luis as the Blues travel to White Hart Lane on Thursday.

Jose Mourinho’s side will attempt to respond to Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton by claiming victory at Tottenham Hotspur to guarantee they retain their place at the head of the Premier League table.

And left-back Luis believes winger Hazard will be one of the key figures as the Blues attempt to extend their 10game unbeaten run against their London rivals.

The Brazil defender said: “Eden Hazard can easily win a game for you and open a closed defence, and he can be in the top three in the world in the next few years because he has a lot of quality and ambition to be there.

Serie A clubs head straight for the transfer window

Serie A clubs are repeatedly talking of the importance of developing their own talent yet that hasn’t stopped them from heading straight for the transfer window in traditional style.

Tuesday’s meeting of traditional rivals Juventus and Inter Milan and Gianfranco Zola’s debut as a Serie A coach with Cagliari the same day have both been buried among the swirl of rumours and transfer chitchat.

The Italian window officially opens on Monday yet the wheeling and dealing got under way well before Christmas.

AC Milan, first into action, replaced one misfiring striker with another as Spaniard Fernando Torres departed for Atletico Madrid in a swap with Alessio Cerci.

lympic Gold Medalist and 2002 Team Nigeria Captain to the commonwealth games Enefiok Udo-Obong is set to revolutionilise athletics in Nigeria with UDOOBONG Athletics Academy.

The Academy which would cater for both leisure and professional athletes is soon going to be unveilded. Operated by the African Sports Support and Education Trust, an NGO Udo-Obong founded nine years ago, the academy’s goal is to develop the sports of athletics through education and friendship while promoting unity and cooperation amongst our youths.

While the academy would hold holiday camps for school kids, it also would be running a full fledge training center.

Udo-Obong, A masters degree holder in Sports Administration from The AISTS in Lausanne, Switzerland, is also an IAAF certified level 3 coach and the athletes would directly be under his tutelage. Already, five athletes have signed up in the scholarship under his care.

This academy while taking care of its scholarship athletes is a paid business.

Parents of kids under 20 can enrol their kids who have dreams of becoming champions. Also the holiday camps is for everyone who loves the sports.

During the holiday camps, kids would have the opportunity to have breakfast with Olympic and world champions, train with the Olympic gold medalists, meet some of the worlds athletics biggest stars, listen to motivational talks with top athletes, watch the world champions and youth championships live, compete in and/or watch the top national and international competitions and lots of other activities.

Already a number of top Olympic champions and athletes from the USA, Kenya, Zimbabwe, UK and Jamaica have indicated interest in being part of the academy. Also a few top colleges in the US have indicated support of the academy and are ready to have an MOU. The academy is also linking up to a top Olympic training center in the US.