Dtn 5 1 16

Bayelsa Supplementary poll: Don’t use Police, DSS for selfish purposes, Dickson tells FG Akam James, Yenagoa

ÎÎÎBayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on Monday, warned the Federal Government against the use of the Department for State Se-

curity (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for selfish and political purposes, saying the sudden redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Oki, few days before the January 9th supplementary elec-

tion is mischievous and wrong.

Dickson noted that it was the third time a Commissioner of Police was being changed in the state, and the second for the DSS few days to election.

He also warned that those in charge of federal institutions in the country responsible for the election in the state “to live up to their reContinued on page 6

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 16

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 4th December 2015.

OKOMUOIL

30.3

31.78

1.48%

ZENITHBANK

14.05

14.3

0.25%

NESTLE

860

830

-30%

GLAXOSMITH

34.2

32.49

-1.71%

CCNN

9.35

9.66

0.31%

GUINNESS

120.4

120.52

0.12%

NB

136

129.2

-6.8%

ASHAKACEM

25

24

-1%

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Iran warns Nigeria Ï 6 ƍƆ 01 ƓƈƋƋ ó Ɨ ƍƐ Ɠƈ Ɔ ƅƐƈ ô ƈ ƗƆ Ƌƈ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ d ƈôƈƐƆ ƋƆ ƗƆƏô ƈ ƑƆ Ï ƊƖ Ɗƕô Ə Ƒƍ ƅ ƗƆƌ d ƑƗƈ ƆƔƆƅƑƐƈ Ƈ d ƈ ƅƋƆƏƈƅ Ï d ƑƗƈ ƋƋƈƆ Ə ƈ è dƑƗ è n & ƌ ƒƆ ƈ Ɛ 9Ə ÎÎÎIran

on Monday issued a strong warning to Nigeria to release Shi’ite cleric and leader of

the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zazaky.

The warning came just as Iran,

which is also involved in a diplomatic brawl with Saudi Arabia following the execution of a re-

nowned Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, had ties with it scaled down by three countries.

Spokesman of the Iranian forContinued on page 6

Buhari meets Lagarde today gB1 Why Buhari should consider Confab report – Sen. Emma Anosike g 8 Daily Times Man of the Year 2015: Stakeholders laud Emefiele’s choice g6

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2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Funding for SME’s

R

ecently, the NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) called on the Federal Government to adequately fund small businesses in 2016, to achieve price stability and increase aggregate output in the Nigerian economy. According to the chamber, the Federal Government should develop policies that will enhance accessibility of funds to these enterprises, to leapfrog the country’s industrial development and create much-needed jobs for the teeming unemployed.

We are totally in support of this call, and advise the Federal Government to embrace it in all entirety. It is a fact that small and medium enterprises are the engines of economic growth in any developed and developing society. The major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost, as the labour intensity of the SME sector is much higher than that of the large enterprises. Unarguably, the role of these enterprises in the economic and social development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.

Most importantly, the SME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. As the engine of economic progress, small and medium enterprises are also the main driving force behind poverty reduction, wealth creation, income distribution and reduction in income disparities. Moreover, in a country like Nigeria with an adverse balance of payment situation, the growing contribution of the small scale industry sector in the export portfolio goes a long way in generating foreign exchange and smoothening out the adverse balance of payment situation.

This is important to the economy in that a large percentage of production inputs is sourced locally thus, reducing the pressure on the limited foreign exchange earnings, thereby helping

to eliminate some of the deficit in the balance of payment. Even at that, it is praiseworthy that successive administrations were not oblivious of the place of SMEs in the country’s development.

Hence, the establishment of micro-finance banks to act as a source of funds for them. Such policy is geared towards enhancing the operation of small-scale businesses through fiscal, monetary, and export incentives that included tax holidays and tariff concession.

In terms of monetary support, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced credit guidelines requiring commercial and merchant banks to allocate a portion of their loanable funds to small businesses. In spite of these efforts, experts have expressed worry that funds for small and medium enterprises had always been misappropriated because majority of the loans were granted in most cases on political rather than on commercial or project viability considerations.

In the end, those with little or no political connections are sidelined. Due to this, many SMEs resort to informal sources of finance, which include personal savings and borrowing from friends, families and credit associations. More painful is that formal financial institutions like commercial banks are still very unwilling to grant credits to SMEs. Another inhibiting factor is the improper implementation of policies and inability to recruit trained manpower and adequate equipment to aid the extension services to support the SMEs. Added to this, is the challenge of inadequate infrastructural facilities such as electricity, potable water, feeder roads, that have remained drawbacks to the growth of these enterprises. With evidence of success in countries like India, Indonesia and Malaysia, where SMEs constitute more than 40 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, those in Nigeria could become models if enabling policies are well implemented.

Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

Group News Editor Segun Adio Politics Editor Akintola Akinjide Business Editor Friday Atufe Head, Graphics/Design King Ododoru

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

ÏÏÏSince the disobedience

to court orders by security agencies in the country under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari began, a number of experts who were expected to stoutly oppose the act, have rather chosen to look the other way.

Some others have however taken sides with the agencies, adducing all manner of arguments to support the unconstitutional actions of the agencies.

Among those who have chosen to side the actions of the security agencies, is Prof. Femi Odekunle, an expert in criminology, and currently a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Cor-

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On the other hand, when the rule of law is moderated, it opens door for the violation of people’s rights.

If rule of law is moderated, then we can as well bid good bye to the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. When the rule of law is moderated, those who find themselves in power and their cronies will run wild, brow beating everyone to submission.

These clearly runs counter to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution(as amended) and Prof. Odekunle and his likes must not take Nigerians to that inglorious path.

Nigerians have since May 29, 1999 enjoyed full blown, unmoderated democracy and rule of law. It will therefore unfortunate for a few who now find themselves in and along the corridor of power to return us to the dark days.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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ruption set up by President Buhari and headed by Prof.

Itse Sagay (SAN).

Asked what grounds the EFCC has to re-arrest persons granted bail by the court, Odekunle said: “As a professional criminologist, I am not for unmoderated democracy, I’m not for unmoderated rule of law in which the rights of the individual will be so hyperbolised and override those of the collective”.

Though Prof. Odekunle is entitled to his opinion, still he needs to realise that his attempt to qualify democracy and rule of law if allowed is a clear recipe for dictatorship.

When democracy is moderated as suggested by Prof. Odekunle, it loses its attractions which include the famous five freedoms, protection of peoples’ rights, adherence to due process, and obedience to court orders among others.

Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye

Is Prof. Odekunle reinventing democracy, rule of law?

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Gov. Ben Ayade

Adamu Ciroma

Akinwunmi Adesina

“Nigeria runs a faulty political structure. We spend too much time doing politics”.

“If you are talking about democracy you are talking of winning and losing and anybody can lose, anybody can win; events of today can change tomorrow”.

“If you do the right thing you will reap good result; if you don’t do the right thing you pay”.

“Africa must not only feed itself, Africa must have a higher level of ambition and actually feed the world because we have got the potential to do that”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 5, 2016

ÏÏÏCandidate of

the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has been described as the chosen one to liberate the state from the claws of evil doers.

The ray of hope was contained in a statement

by Rivers APC congratulating Peterside on the occasion of his 45th birthday.

Peterside, the Rivers APC candidate for the State Governorship Election in which both the Election Tribunal and the Appeal Court have ordered to be repeated within 90 days after voiding the sham polls of April 11, 2015 that brought Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in the state.

The statement issued

by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, media aide to the Rivers State Chairman of the APC says, “We wish to heartily greet our Governor-in-waiting on the occasion of his 45th birthday, which is coming shortly after his repeated victories over Wike and the PDP in the courts of law. We have no doubt that he will repeat this feat during the forthcoming Rivers re-run gubernatorial election. This has become imperative in view of the sharp increase of insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery and diverse criminal activities in our dear State. “ We thank the good people of Rivers State in advance for their votes and wish to reassure them that Peterside shall, upon assumption of office as governor, wipe away the tears which Wike has inflicted on them,” Rivers APC said in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The statement issued Monday in Port Harcourt noted that “victory for Peterside in the court-ordered re-run polls will go a long way to address the three principal injustices visited on some sections of Rivers State one of which is the Riverine areas of the State not occupying the seat of power since 1990.” Continuing, the party said: “The second injustice to be addressed is that of the Ogoni, a key tribe of the State, not producing a Governor, Deputy Governor or the Speaker of the

5 News

Dakuku’ll free Rivers from evil’s grip –APC State House of Assembly since the creation of the State as far back as 1970.

The last injustice is that of the South-East Senatorial Zone not producing the Governor since the creation of the State, as

Rivers East produced Dr. Peter Odili while Rivers West produced Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, thus leaving the South-East in the cooler all these years.”

According to Rivers APC, “Dakuku’s candi-

dature is a divine script.

It enables APC to achieve two of the three necessary goals of conceding power to the South-East Senatorial Zone and also shifting power from the Upland to the Riverine area of the

State. Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, from the Riverine area of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, is a veteran federal lawmaker, a symbol of unity and a symbol of hope for Rivers State and her teeming population.”

The party warned that if Wike becomes governor, it will make the Upland to govern the State for 24 years, thus effectively excluding both the SouthEast and the Riverine from governance of the State.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Zakzaky: Iran warns Nigeria Continued from page 1 eign ministry, Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari who spoke with reporters in the capital, Tehran, said his government had used all diplomatic channels to secure the release of El-Zakyzaky to no avail.

“We have used all those channels to warn them [Nigeria] regarding this issue.

So hopefully the government… would adopt wise action given the sensitive situation,” Jaberi-Ansari said.

Iran has continued to mount pressure on Nigeria to release Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who was arrested by the Nigerian Army in December

2015.

The government of Iran had earlier warned Nigeria to tread with caution following the battle between the Army and Shiite Muslims in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The warning was also given by Jaber-Ansari on Sunday, December 13, 2015, according to state-owned network, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

“Nigeria… is now dealing with problems arising from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and we hope that in these conditions preservation of calm and national unity in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided,” IRNA quoted

Jaber-Ansari as saying.

Soldiers engaged the Shiites in a battle after the group allegedly attempted to assassinate Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

The conflict escalated after soldiers surrounded Zakzaky’s home and arrested him. The Shiites have claimed that about 1000 members of the group died during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, El-Zakzaky’s group which is also the leading Shia Muslim group in Nigeria has condemned the execution of a Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia on Saturday after he was convicted of terror-related offences.

Traders at the Dugbe Market, Ibadan, Oyo State after the New Year holiday… on Monday.

The group, known as the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), said in a statement that Sheikh Nimr had eschewed “all violent opposition”, and his execution did not bode well for peace and development.

Saudi Arabia and other “undemocratic, despotic regimes across the globe should know that the truth cannot be silenced by statesponsored terrorism”, it added.

In another development, a number of Saudi Arabia’s allies have joined diplomatic action against Iran after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked amid a row over the execution of Sheikh Nimr.

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

Bayelsa Supplementary poll: Dickson warns FG over use of Police, DSS for selfish purposes Continued from page 1 sponsibilities or they’ll pay price for it”.

According to Dickson, though the misuse of federal institutions and the sudden redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Oki, will not affect his anticipated victory in the re-run election in Southern Ijaw local council area and other 101 units of the state, the misuse of federal institutions for political gains will destroy the integrity of the institution and the nation’s democracy.

Gov. Dickson, who gave the charge while speaking during an interactive session in Yenagoa with the media and other stakeholders in the state at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, warned that Federal Government use of the institutions to protect alleged perpetrators of electoral violence in the state and promote electoral fraud will only throw the integrity of the used institutions into question.

Dickson said:”I have raised question on the aberrations by some officials of

the Federal Government institutions. They should stop using federal institutions to serve personal purposes.

Don’t destroy the credibility of the institutions on the altar of personal ambitions. When this happens, the institution’s integrity is called to question and democracy is destroyed.

“Those who killed during the last election are allowed to go scot free. All I see in the state now are those persons under the protection of the Police and the DSS. And this service is procured by the candidate

of the APC. What is going on is a sign of a failed state. I don’t want to believe that the nation is failing too. People are stockpiling arms and they are protected by the institution of the state.”

“Any time they change people, I laugh. This is the third time they have changed the State Commissioner of Police. If they don’t do his bidding to kill more people, they are removed. This is victory of evil over good.”

Continued on page 12

Bahrain and Sudan have both severed relations with Iran, and the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic team.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday severed ties and gave Iran’s diplomats two days to go.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said trade links with Iran would be cut and air traffic links stopped.

But in an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr alJubeir also said Iranian pilgrims travelling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina would still be allowed to enter.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are respectively the key Sunni and Shia powers in the region and back opposing sides in Syria and Yemen.

Daily Times Man of the Year 2015: Stakeholders laud Emefiele’s choice Friday Atufe, Oseni Omotolani & Charles Okonji

ÎÎÎStakeholders

in the Nigerian economy have thrown their weight behind the choice of Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as Daily Times Man of the Year 2015.

Speaking at separate interviews with our correspondents in Lagos, experts in finance, investors in the economy and operators in the manufacturing sector of the economy lauded the performance of Emefiele as the CBN governor.

A notable banker who craved anonymity said Emefiele has been very professional in the conduct of his office and has been very apolitical and quiet about the way and manner he managed the banking activities of the Federal Government.

In the same vein, Dr. Faruk Umar, National President of Association for the Advancement for the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), said there was need to commend Emefiele for the management of the foreign exchange and the concomitant ban of 41 items from access to foreign exchange as well as the limitation of the use of ATMs abroad.

He also said the CBN governor ought to be commended for sanitizing the bureau de change market.

“My appeal to him is that he should allow people with genuine intention access to foreign exchange. There is also the need to give waivers to students who are schooling abroad to have access to foreign exchange,” Dr. Umar said.

Also speaking on the development, Managing Director/CEO, Highcap Securities

Ltd, Mr. David Adonri, noted: “The choice of CBN Governor as Daily Times Man of the Year is appropriate.

He further stated: “Under him, CBN managed the economy creditably well during the extreme difficulties of 2014-2015. Their monetary policies aimed at boosting domestic production are praise-worthy.”

“I am not conversant with the activities of Heritage Bank, hence, cannot comment on their choice as Bank of the Year 2015,” he explained.

In his reactions, Mr. Gbenga Idowu, coordinator, Shareholders United Front, SUF, said Emefiele is someone who strikes as effective personality.

He said: “Emefiele was in control when Zenith Bank achieved great heights and he is also in control at the CBN. “He however did not impress me as someone who knows what he is doing when he appeared before the Senate recently on the issue of Systemspecs and the TSA. If not for this, he could have been fantastic”.

Abimbolu Babatunde, Managing Director, Blend Tech, Ltd, also passed a vote of confidence on Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Emefiele has done well so far. There are so many variables based on the platform in which he is operating on now. Within the framework of Nigeria, there are lots of considerations that are not open to Nigerians.

“A lot of things are not working in the country.

Forces against economies all over the world are dynamic, and Nigeria is not peculiar.

Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Nigeria ends 5th tenure at UN Security Council

ÎÎÎNigeria has ended her

fifth tenure as a non-permanent representative at the United Nations Security Council.

The tenure was for two years.

Nigeria was first elected as a non-permanent representative for a two-year period from 1966 to 1967 and subsequently from 1978 to 1979, 1994 to 1979, 2010 to 2011 and 2013 to 2015.

Other countries that also ended their tenures in

December 2015 alongside Nigeria were Chile, Jordan, Lithuania and Chad.

The new members to replace these countries are Japan, Egypt, Ukraine, Senegal and Uruguay.

Nigeria’s last election to the UNSC was on Oct. 16, 2013.

The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the UN and it is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.

Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the imposition of international sanctions and the authorisation of military action through Security Council resolutions.

With 15 members comprising five permanent and 10 non-permanent members, the Security Council is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member-states.

The five permanent members are Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China and the United States.

The permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member-states or candidates for SecretaryGeneral.

The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.

7 News

Ondo 2016: APC’ll win guber poll – Kekemeke

Kekemeke

’Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÎÎÎThe

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke, has boasted that the party would do its best at ensuring its candidate won the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Kekemeke, who spoke on Monday while welcoming some decampees and members from the ruling Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), said the party would emerge victorious as it was already planning ahead of the poll.

He disclosed that one of his greatest accomplishment would be to deliver the state to the APC in the coming governorship election.

Kekemeke noted that the recent defection of Dr. Oluremi Akinbobola, a Federal Commissioner in the National Population Commission (NPC), from Ondo State appointed during erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, and Mr. Akin Akingbesote, a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and close allay to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, was to the advantage to the APC.

Niger NASS members shun APC LG poll campaign flag-off Pita Chikwem,Minna

ÎÎÎAs crisis in the Niger

L-R: President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick; Minister of Sport, Barr. Solomon Dalong; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sport, Christian Ohaa and others during their official visit and inspection of facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos…on Monday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI.

Ambode signs N662.588bn Appropriation Bill into law Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎGovernor Akinwunmi

Ambode of Lagos State, on Monday, assented to the 2016 Budget, saying it would be primarily driven by internally generated revenue (IGR).

He said this while signing into law the 2016 Appropriation Bill at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

It was presented to him

by Mr. Rotimi Olowo, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ambode had presented the budget of N662.588 billion to the Assembly for consid-

eration on December 17. `”Consequently, I appeal to all tax-payers to fulfil their civic obligations as we promise to leave no stone unturned in delivering value for every kobo spent,” he said.

Ambode said that the budget would enable his administration focus on the present challenges of security, traffic gridlock, as well as physical and social infrastructural development.

He said those challenges had thrown up new ones quite different from past experience.

According to him, the total revenue estimate for 2016 fiscal year is N542.873 billion, which shows that

the balance of N119.714 billion would be funded through deficit financing.

He said the capital expenditure was N386.933 billion and recurrent expenditure of N275.655 billion with an aggregate capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.

The governor commended the legislature for expeditious passage of the bill.

Giving the breakdown, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, said that Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) was expected to generate N300 billion of the total IGR. He said the estimated total revenue was N542.873 billion with the balance of

N119.714 billion expected to be funded through a combination of internal and external loans.

This, the commissioner said, would include the World Bank DPO 3 loan which could not be accessed in 2015.

Ashade said the 2016 budget was 26 per cent higher than the budgets of 2014 and 2015, respectively.

He said that the IGR was approximately N419.826 billion of the total revenue.

“We do not intend to introduce new taxes in 2016 but rather bring more citizens into the tax net, especially the informal sector through the adoption of an automated process to block leakages,” Ashade said.

State All Progressive Congress (APC) widens, two senators and all the members of the House of Representatives were absent during the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag-off campaign for the local government election slated for January 16, 2016.

The members of the Upper and Lower Chamber of the National Assembly were said to have been aggrieved over the process that brought in the candidates of

the local government elections.

The Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Abubakar Bwari Bawa, Senator David Umaru representing Niger East Senatorial district, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi representing Niger South were conspicuously absent, along with some members of the House of Representatives and Assembly.

A source told the Daily Times that some of the Senators and other legislators were aggrieved because the party did not carry them along during the primaries.

Osun ties teachers’ promotion to students’ performance Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÎÎÎThe Osun State Gov-

ernment has tied the promotion of teachers to the performance of students in external examinations.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori made this known at a forum in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

Apart from that, the Deputy Governor also said contractors that secure job from Osun State Government would pay one percent of the con-

tract sum for the development of education.

Laoye-Tomori explained that the payment would enhance funding of the sector, particularly at the lower level.

According to her, the bill for a law to regulate the scheme would soon be sent to the House of Assembly for consideration.

The Deputy-Governor said that, “The promotion of teachers and principals will no longer be automatic, but tied to the performance of the students.”

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Politics

Æs

The politics of new fuel price There is fear and confusion over the newly announced fuel price by the Federal Government.

While the government assumes it as a new deal for

What inspired you to embark on this widowhood empowerment venture?

What is important is to touch the lives of people around you.

This is a project that has been on for over five years now and one needs to appreciate the situation that our widows find themselves; so it is important that we give them that sense of belonging and that is the essence of this scheme.

I was at the lowest level in life when I went to the House of Representatives, I hadn’t up to N5,000 when I went to the National Assembly, but you know that when God wants to do something for you, He will come from different ways. My opponent, Alphonsus Igbeke was also contesting for the same seat in that election. He had the money and the clout and all the perceived followership then.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave me the ticket. We went to the tribunal and he won.

But the Appeal Court in Enugu upturned the Judgment of the tribunal. At the Appeal, late Ikeazor (SAN) came to me and said I have been briefed to represent you through Sir Emeka Offor; I never met Emeka Offor in my life and I had no such money to hire a lawyer of that caliber. After passing through these and more, I later became a Senator, you can agree with me that there is that need to also touch the lives of people that have nobody to help them. That is my philosophy of life. Today a total of 500 women benefited from this scheme today. Last year was about 2000 because last year we included destitutes and physically challenged in the society.

How would you access the present government of the APC? The structure of government is defective from the beginning.

A Director in a federal ministry has about four children abroad, so everybody believes that people must take bribe. As far as I am concerned, we need to change the structure of governance.

We should allow all the states to struggle to earn its revenue and develop themselves. If we do not

the people, workers and the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) see it as no big deal as well as a gimmick to hoodwink the people.

Besides, five days after

the announcement, marketers and the NNPC are yet to reflect the N50k reduction in the price making the labour to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Secondus Oyegun Wabba

Why Buhari should consider Confab report —Sen. Emma Anosike

Former Senator that represented Anambra North District Emma Anosike recently carried out his widowhood empowerment programme. He spoke to reporters on this project and took a look at political issues in the country. NKIRU NWAGBO was there.Excerpts:

Buhari have challenges we cannot survive as a country. The APC government is new and I can tell you

Senator Anosike that it is not easy. We had challenges as PDP government yet we stayed long in government yet we

had problems. APC should study the country and look at resolutions and reports of the constitu-

tional conference and work on it.

We have not seen the blue print of the APC government. I suggest they should look at the CONFAB resolutions, it will enable them to know the situation before and lead them as a guide. The government is yet to create windows to change the situation. The conference brought an open window for the new government to cash in on and they are doing nothing about it. They should show us their blue print on what they want to do so that we can follow them and understand their points of departure.

How about the government of Anambra State?

Since 1999, until now, nobody has driven across a fly over in Awka. Today it has become a reality. I am not a member of APGA but I can tell you that in some states, projects that are inherited by new governments are always abandoned but in the case of Willie Obiano, no project is abandoned till date. That shows continuity in governance. People can say that he is slow but we should not forget in a hurry that before Peter Obi left, he employed more than 5000 workers into the civil service work force few months before his departure. This man came and accommodated all these workers and he has even CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

9 Politics

Bayelsa Poll: Dickson, Sylva on the March again

Gov. Dickson Ahead of Saturday’s rescheduled governorship poll in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson and his main challenger, former governor Timipre Sylva have

Sylva been trading more tackles in a bid to gain the upperhand.

The election is holding in the troubled area of Southern Ijaw where the December 5 election was cancelled due to

alleged violence.

Last week, Dickson was sighted in the Presidential Villa, Abuja in what was described as a botched attempt to see President Muhammadu

Buhari over the polls. But his camp has since refuted the report that his visit was not connected with the polls.

Already, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gover-

Rescuing Chibok girls will complement victory achieved against insurgency –Politicians Some politicians have called on the Federal Government to intensify search for the Chibok girls and their safe return, noting that the action will complement the victory acheived in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency so far.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 200 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were kidnapped from their hostel on April 14, 2014.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Dec. 30, 2015, during a media chat in Abuja, said

there had been no firm intelligence on the whereabouts or physical wellbeing of the Chibok girls.

Mr Oghene Egoh, member representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, in an interview with NAN, appealed to the president to ensure that the girls were found and brought back alive. ``Nothing much has been done on the Chibok girls. ``Even those who used to campaign so much about the Chibok girls are not talking about it.

I don’t believe that it is impos-

sible for the Army to discover over 200 girls. ``I want to appeal to the President – this is not a political issue – let him make efforts to find these girls for us so that the pride of Nigeria can be restored to Nigerians.’’

Contributing, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of the KOWA Party, expressed hope that the girls would be found and brought back home to their parents. ``We really recognise that things have changed, there is no doubt about that, there has been a lot of improvement, a lot of

advancement and we commend the armed forces. ``However, we cannot but feel a bit disappointed that finding the Chibok girls and bringing them (back) home is not part of the success that we can talk of against Boko Haram. ``We just pray and hope that, that part of a success will become a reality very soon,’’ she said.

They, therefore, urged members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign group to intensify their struggle in ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls.

norship candidate in the election, Sylva, has told Bayelsa people and Nigerians, generally, to see the New Year as an opportunity to make a new start in their individual and collective quests for development.

Sylva sued for peaceful coexistence among the people and urged them to eschew divisive tendencies.

In the statement signed by his media adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, Sylva said, “we should also embrace the new hopes, new opportunities, and new vistas it opens for us as Bayelsans and Nigerians to stand out and fulfill our personal and collective destinies.

“Let us sincerely rededicate ourselves to the fond hopes and expectations of our founding fathers and steadfastly endeavour to uplift the welfare, peace, and security of our people. We have a perfect opportunity to reboot and rebuild.

“We have come a long way as a state and as a country.

We have crossed the bridges over many rivers. And it has pleased Mother Nature to keep us together, despite our fault lines. So it behoves us to focus on issues that would sustain and strengthen our togetherness – rather than those that would destroy it.

“In recent times, some leaders have, most unfortunately, chosen the expansion of our fault lines as the hallmark of their strategy for power. We should reject these divisive tendencies and see politics as a way of building bridges between our peoples, both here in Bayelsa State and across Nigeria.

“The election coming up on Saturday, 9 January 2016, in our state offers us a perfect opportunity to demonstrate our rejection of the politics of clannishness, brigandage, and exclusion. It offers us a great opportunity to change our old ways and move with the time’s progressive philosophy.

On the other hand, Governor Dickson who is flying the flag of the PDP has also called on the people to reject violence and deceit from the opposition party and cast their votes for him.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The politics of new fuel price CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

believe that the government intends to increase fuel price through the back door.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has thus vowed to resist the removal of fuel subsidy in any manner as it is being planned by the federal government. NLC made its stand known in a statement by Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the organisation’s General Secretary.

“In the past few weeks, we have heard discordant tunes from government officials and chieftains of the ruling APC on what the future portends for the prices of petroleum products and the management of the subsidy scheme,” Ozo-Eson said.

He added that party chieftains who supported and encouraged the massive protests against subsidy removal in 2012 are now preaching the inevitability of subsidy removal.

Ozo-Eson added: “The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum first announced that come next year the price of petrol will revert to $97 per litre and that subsidy will be phased out.

“Two days, thereafter, he denied this and stated that what he said was that the price will operate within a band of $87 to $97 and that this did not mean removing the subsidy.

The same minister now says that the price of petrol will now be $85 in January signifying the deregulation of the sector.

“These vacillations and flip flops are, in our view, designed to confuse Nigerians and pave the way for deregulation of petrol prices through the back door.

“The fact of the matter is that as long as we continue to depend on imported refined products, deregulation and the abandonment of a subsidy scheme will unleash hardship on Nigerians. In any case, according to our laws, the determination of the recommended prices of petroleum products is the responsibility of the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). By law, the board of PPPRA is made up of stakeholders.

“None of the contradictory prices the minister is throw-

Wabba ing up is a product of the agency. Indeed, the board of the PPPRA has not operated for over two years although we have made repeated de-

Oyegun

Secondus

mands for the convening of the board.”

He called on the government to be guided by the rule of law and constitute and con-

vene the board of PPPRA in accordance with the law without further delay.

He said this will enable the agency to examine and agree

a new pricing template based on the realities of today.

The General secretary held CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Abia election: APGA chieftain hails Appeal Court judgment Dr David OnuohaBourdex, a member of the Board of Trustees of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has hailed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division on Abia governorship election.

A statement issued by Onuoha-Bourdex on Monday in Abuja, said the court `spoke peace and justice’ to the hearts of Abia people.

Onuoha-Bourdex, who was also the candidate of APGA for the Abia North Senatorial seat in the last election, said that Abia people overwhelmingly voted for APGA. He commended Dr Alex

Otti, the APGA governorship candidate for waging the principled battle for justice. ``I also praised the fivemember panel of Appeal Court judges, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, for taking judicial notice of the fact that the APGA candidate scored 164, 444 valid votes to trounce Ikpeazu of PDP, who scored 114, 444 votes. ``Every living soul in Abia State who saw what happened on April 12, 2015 knew that the cancellation of the elections held in Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa local government areas by the returning officers

after the results were uploaded to INEC, was wrong.

“The Court of Appeal by its declaration of Dr Otti as winner has wiped the tears on the faces of Abians, especially the young men that were killed for standing strong in the face of intimidation,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, had on Dec 31, 2015 ordered the swearing in of Otti, as governor of Abia and asked Mr Okezie Ikpeazu to vacate the office.

Ikpeazu indicated interest to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court. Otti

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

11 Politics

The politics of new fuel price

Oyegun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

that any price unilaterally determined and announced by the minister is in violation of the law.

“In the meantime, we wish to restate our opposition, adopted at our Central Working Committee Emergency Meeting of 22nd December, to any attempt by the government to increase the price of or remove subsidy on petrol,” he added.

“We reiterate our directive to our State Councils and Industrial Unions to commence the process of mobilization prior to a meeting of the National Executive Committee to be convened in the New Year.”

Also, apart from the PDP has expressed disdain for the government action, the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has described the reduction of petrol price from N87 to N86.50k as a mere gimmick and intrigue to deceitfully impose on the poor Nigerian working people the neo-liberal capitalist policy of deregulation of the downstream oil sector.

The party also demanded that President Buhari must order the immediate arrest and probe of all the individuals and corporate bodies that have been indicted in the over $1.1billion reported subsidy fraud.

The party in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator Comrade Seun Sango said” the pump price

Kachukwu reduction announced by the APC-led FG is just a smokescreen! This 50 kobo reduction is not just too little, in fact it is an insult to many Nigerians who have been buying fuel, at great pains, for N120 and above for nearly 2 months now.” “ The major motive is to deceive the suffering masses and douse their possible anger and opposition against the age-long plan of the ruling elite to remove the controversial fuel subsidy which its removal was skilfully effected simultaneously with the pronouncement of a slightly reduced pump price regime.

‘Price modulation’, a euphemism for deregulation, will in inevitably the long run ensure that prices of petroleum products go beyond levels affordable by ordinary and poor working class Nigerians ”.

Given the enormity of various economic hardships the Nigeria working masses are currently going through, it requires no soothsayer to know that the meagre reduction in pump price will bring no significant economic relief to the suffering masses. Even if it does for a start, it is not going to last! “ The party noted that “It is common knowledge that, before the 50 kobo reduction, the official pump price for petrol was N87 per litre. But this was at variance to the economic reality across the country. De-

Buhari spite the government media propaganda and grandstanding, the pump price of petrol across the country today still range from N120 to N140/litre at most filling stations.This is a manifestation of failure of the combined forces of DPR, DSS, Civil Defence and other security agents to force the filling stations to sell at the official price’.

If the government could prove so feeble to curb the illegality being perpetrated by fuel marketers and filling stations who sell fuel above the then official price of N87 at a period when it officially had some control over the sector, then how efficient can we expect it to be to keep prices of petroleum products at affordable levels in an era of deregulation or price modulation?

“SPN disagrees with subsidy removal and instead demands that fraudulent subsidy beneficiaries be brought to book, refineries made functional and the entire oil sector be placed under public democratic control and management. Any other course of action will amount to nothing but an attempt to force or deceive the poor to suffer for the crime committed by the few rich Nigerians who had suddenly become billionaire through the so-called subsidy regime”.

The however calls on Nigerian working people which comprises of workers, unemployed youths, students and all

Secondus oppressed strata of the society not to be carried away with the

deceit of the pump price reduction.

APC should make their Economic Blueprint open CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

employed more and salaries are being paid as at when due. Meanwhile, the face of Anambra State has been changed, the security is inteact, we should be praying to God to give him the strength to continue with the pace; so, by and large, the government of Willie Obiano is not doing badly and with time, the government would do better.

How about the face –off between peter Obi and Obiano?

If you study Nigerian politics, you will discover that most governors have overbearing influence on those that they handed over to and this is not fair for governance and politics. The successors should be allowed to run their governments. There is a difference between Florence and Philomena. One needs to stand by the side and allow the new governors to do their job.

Peter Obi introduced Obiano to the system, Obiano was his senior in school, CKC and both of them are products of Fidelity Bank. So why is Peter Obi shouting. This is his baby and we have to nurture the baby to maturity. Even the issue of #75billion that was handed over to Obiano

should not be the issue at all. It cannot even fund all the projects; you remember that about 5000 people were employed by the regime of Peter Obi before he left office. He awarded and flagged off projects few months before he left office. So when you look at the regime of Gov Willie Obiano, one can score him above average in view of the circumstances that he found himself and his government. So the issue of the cash or near cash disagreement between Obiano and Obi should not come in at this point. Obiano should be allowed to discharge his duties as a governor and all these distractions should not be allowed to take place. It does not help the state at all. Peter Obi’s government had voice because he did four years learning and planning and he also used the other four years to implement but this man Obiano who should be in learning process is doing great. I know him as a prudent and friendly governor. I am a PDP man not an APGA member but when it comes to the issue of Anambra State and governance, I am also a stakeholder in the enterprise.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Tompolo’s kinsmen urge FG not to halt Maritime varsity project ÎÎÎThe

Okerenkoko Federated Community (OFC), in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta, on Monday urged the Federal Government not to halt the ongoing project at the Maritime University in Okerenkoko.

Speaking in Warri, the OFC secretary, Mr Ernest Bebenimibo, appealed to

the Federal Government to continue with the project started by the ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Bebenimibo noted that halting the project would amount to jeopardising the future of the Okerenkoko community.

According to him, the fears of the community

arose from the alleged directive by the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, that works on the project should be stopped due to the ongoing probes. ``The stoppage of the ongoing project at the University permanent site is a pointer that work on the project had been cut short. ``The University is the

answer to our quick development; it is the only visible gain of our Niger Delta struggle. ``To put an end to it will be damaging and inimical to our development, so we are pleading with the government to reverse its decision so that the project can go on. ``We are main contribu-

tors to the national wealth, the school is the only thing we have to show for the exploitation of our God-given resources,’’ he said.

Bebenimibo also called

Lagos govt. seals off houses lacking standard toilets ÎÎÎThe Lagos State Govern-

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello (middle) during the flag-off Local Government Election campaign, at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, Niger State… on Monday.

Daily Times Man of the Year 2015: Stakeholders laud Emefiele’s choice Continued from page 6 “The monetary management techniques implemented so far by the CBN Governor may not be the best, but they have yielded some positive results,” Babatunde said.

The board of editors of the Daily Times recently chose Emefiele as its Man of the Year 2015 because of his laudable achievements as a governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

He was unanimously voted as the central banker of the year 2015 because of the tenacity with which he has managed the monetary policies of the Federal Government in the review year, even when there was no Federal Executive Council for about six months to work

out fiscal policies as well as against the backdrop of falling prices of crude oil in the international market.

The failing price of crude oil has put enormous pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves and its ability to meet demand for foreign exchange by various stakeholders.

Another major reason why he was voted for the coveted position is the professionalism that he has brought to the apex bank unlike his predecessor that was always have a brush with the executive arm of government and the National Assembly.

In his maiden address on assumption of office on June 3, 2014, Emefiele did not leave anyone in doubt that he was committed to creating “a central bank that is

professional, a central bank that is apolitical, and peoplefocused. A Central Bank that spends its energies on building a resilient financial system that can serve the growth and development needs of our beloved country, Nigeria.”

He also used the opportunity to set his 10-point agenda.

Under the agenda, he said the CBN would pursue a gradual reduction in interest rates, remarking that “high rates create preserved incentives for commercial banks to simply buy virtually risk-free government bonds rather than lend to real sector.”

Emefiele also said the bank would continue to maintain exchange rate stability in view of the high

import dependent nature of the economy and also cautioned that a systematic depreciation of the naira may translate to considerable inflationary pressure with negative effect on macroeconomic stability.

“Therefore, under my leadership, the bank will continue to focus on maintaining exchange rate stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency.”

“We will sustain the managed float regime in the management of the exchange rate as this will allow the bank to intervene when necessary to offset pressure on the exchange rate.”

Analysis of operation of the CBN since Emefiele assumed office has shown that he had lived up to major points in the agenda.

on the Federal Government to hasten the development of the community by providing them with good access roads to link up with the urban cities.

ment said on Monday in Lagos that it had begun to seal off houses without standard toilets.

Mr Oluwatoyin Awosika, the Director of Public Enlightenment in the state’s Ministry of Information and Strategy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the closure of the houses was to check ``unwholesome practices” such as open defecation.

According to him, the government is also embarking on public enlightenment to educate residents on the dangers of open defecation. ``We would continue to educate people on the need to stop open defaecation. ``Again, you don’t blame some of these people for doing these things, so many houses don’t have toilets. ``So many houses don’t have bathrooms, so naturally, you find these people doing it outside.

``Government cannot take all landlords and start inspecting all the houses, but the Ministry of Health, ``Wole, Wole’’ Inspection Officers, the houses they go and they find that there are no toilets, they seal them up. ``That is an ongoing thing; their own is just to go round the environment, enter any residential or official premises, inspect; once they see any defect, they give them an ultimatum to put such things into practice. ``And once they are not done, they are sanctioned according to the law. ``The environmental law is clear, every house must have a standard kitchen, standard toilet, standard bathroom, they must have proper drainages around the house and water system. ``The education is endless, we do our own, the health officers do theirs; the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Office do education.

Poll: Dickson warns FG over use of Police, DSS for selfish purposes Continued from page 6 On the alleged N200 million bribe alleged to have been handed by him to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Baritoh Kpagih, Dickson dismissed it as “campaign of calumny”.

“I have never had any close interaction with the REC. I have mobilised the people of the state in every community and would not

engaged in electoral fraud,” the governor said.

Gov. Dickson however called on the people of Southern Ijaw council area to come out and cast their votes peacefully for their choice candidate in the rescheduled election on Saturday.

He also called on the people of Southern Ijaw council area to provide protection to electoral materials as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

ÏÏÏA

suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into a joint Nato-Afghan patrol on Monday, killing six American troops in the deadliest attack on international forces since August. Two US troops and an Afghan were wounded.

The soldiers were targeted as they moved through a village near Bagram Airfield, the largest US military facility in Afghanistan, Nato and Afghan officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

A US official confirmed that six American troops were killed and two wounded. An Afghan was

13 Foreign News

US troops killed near Bagram, Taliban insurgency intensifies also wounded. The official was not authorised to discuss the incident publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident, especially during this holiday season,” US Army General William Shoffner, head of public affairs at Nato’s Resolute Support base in the Afghan capital Kabul, said in a statement.

In New York, Police Commissioner William Bratton said on Monday that a New York City police detective, Joseph Lemm, was one of the six American killed in the attack.

Lemm was a 15-yearold veteran of the New York Police Department and worked in the Bronx Warrant Squad. Bratton says Lemm served in the US National Guard and, while a member of the

police force, he had been deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

In Washington, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and their loved ones, and that the US will continue to work jointly with Afghans to promote peace and stability in their country.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in statement called the attack “a painful reminder of the dangers our troops face every day in Afghanistan”.

It was the deadliest attack on foreign troops in four months. On August 22, three American contractors with the RS base were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul. On August 7 and 8, Kabul was the scene of three insurgent attacks within 24 hours that left at

Obama

least 35 people dead. One of the attacks, on a US special operations forces base outside Kabul, killed one US soldier and eight Afghan civilian contractors.

Don’t flirt or hold hands, Turkey tells engaged couples ÏÏÏEngaged

Surrounded by policemen, a Muslim cleric addresses a crowd during a demonstration to protest the execution of Saudi Shi’ite Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, shown in the poster, in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2016.

Taiwan arrests 45 in election gambling ring

ÏÏÏTaiwan

police have arrested 45 people involved in a betting ring worth more than $40m a year, including wagers on the upcoming elections, officials said on Monday, adding the racket could have influenced voting.

Police launched weekend raids on 31 venues across the island and made the arrests on charges of gambling and obstructing votes, prosecutors said.

“As the ring had so many posts islandwide and so many gamblers were involved, we fear that the gambling could influence the outcome of the election,” said Wang Yi-wen, spokesperson for the Taoyuan Prosecutors’ Office.

Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections on January 16.

Gambling is banned in

Taiwan, apart from lotteries run by authorised banks. But there is a vast underground network involving private casinos, pigeon-racing and bets linked to Hong Kong horse racing.

Investigators said gamblers were betting via the ring on the outcome of the elections as well as on sports and on an illegal lottery, using phone and fax lines, mobile phones and online.

They estimated around $42.4m had been wagered through the ring last year, but it was not immediately clear how much of it was related to the elections.

The ringleader was named as Lin Shih-yuan and remains in custody.

Fifteen others have been bailed and 29 more released under restrictions, prosecutors said.

couples should refrain from flirting, holding hands and “other behaviour that are not endorsed by Islam,” Turkey’s religious affairs agency declared on Monday.

Answering the question “is it appropriate for those who are engaged to be married to be able to see each other?”, the agency, known as Diyanet, set out where the limits lay for those who plan to tie the knot in overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey.

“There is no harm in engaged couples meeting to get to know each other, as long as they follow the rules

of privacy,” it said in a statement on its website.

“But engaged couples need to refrain from flirting, living together, staying together in a way that could give rise to gossip, holding hands and other behaviour that are not endorsed by Islam,” it added.

While many Turks embrace European lifestyles in Istanbul, the Aegean coast and Ankara, traditional Islamic values and religious conservatism hold sway in much of the country.

In many areas, sex before marriage is not only a taboo but simply out of the question.

Sudan opposition leader accepts talks with govt ÏÏÏA

Sudan opposition leader said her party will honor an African Union invitation to hold talks in Ethiopia with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s government to discuss a national dialogue intended to resolve the country’s problems.

A national dialogue launched last year by Pres-

ident Bashir is currently being held in Sudan.

Mariam al-Mahdi, daughter of opposition leader Sadig al-Mahdi and vice president of the Umma party has been critical of the current dialogue because it is being held in what she calls, “an unfriendly environment.”

Mariam al-Mahdi said an

African Union-sponsored dialogue would be different from the one being held in Khartoum because, first of all, it would discuss the root causes of the problems in Sudan, including lack of political and press freedom, and secondly, its preparatory meeting will be held outside Sudan.

“It will be different be-

cause already the condition is conducive. In African Union Resolution #456, Article 14, this is what we are calling for because it needs to have conducive atmosphere first and with detailed items like the basic freedom and the participation of everybody and the addressing of all issues.

US shuts down drone operation in Ethiopia ÏÏÏThe U.S. government

has shut down its drone operation base in southern Ethiopia, an embassy official announced.

A decision has been reached that the base in Arba Minch, 450 kilometers (280 miles) south of Addis Ababa, is no longer necessary, embassy spokesman David Ken-

nedy told The Associated Press by email.

“U.S. military personnel are no longer in Arba Minch,” Kennedy said.

“In our ongoing bilateral discussions on defense cooperation, we reached a mutual decision that our presence in Arba Minch is not required at this time.”

Ethiopian media reported about the base when it was set up in 2011 but the U.S. has never publicly confirmed its existence.

A security expert in Addis Ababa, who insisted on anonymity for fear of Ethiopian government reprisal, said the base was used to attack Islamic extremists in Somalia.

Ethiopia is a staunch U.S. ally in East Africa and has sent hundreds of troops to Somalia to counter the Islamic extremist rebel group. Although Ethiopia has a history of human rights, it is also a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaida and other Islamic extremists in the Horn of Africa.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Seven dead, 17 injured in Ogun auto crash

ÎÎÎ At least, seven per-

sons have been confirmed dead, while 17 others were critically injured in an accident which happened on Monday at the Sagamu/ Iperu Remo junction of the Lagos- Ore-Benin expressway.

The accident, which occurred in the afternoon near the Sagamu Police Area Commander’s Office at about 2.50 p.m. involved a Toyota Hummer passenger bus marked (LAGOS) BDG 789 XJ which

crashed into another Mazda passenger bus marked (ONDO) REE 248 XA. It was gathered that the passenger-filled Toyota Hummer bus was said to be carrying passengers who were returning to Lagos from their Yuletide festival in the eastern part of the country.

It was further gathered that the driver of the Toyota Hummer bus had lost control of the bus which made it veered off its lane and crossed the median

before crashing into the Mazda bus going towards Sagamu.

The Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Adegoke Adetunji, who confirmed the accident to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, explained that a total number of 28 persons were involved in the auto crash which claimed the lives of seven.

Ogun FRSC Sector Commander, who attributed

the cause of the auto crash to over-speeding, further explained that 17 other victims rescued alive were in critical condition.

Adetunji also explained those rescued had been taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) for medical attention, while corpses of those that died had also been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital in Sagamu.

The Ogun FRSC boss

also stated that it took the combined efforts of officers from his commission, the Police, as well as those of the Traffic Compliance

and Enforcement agency, to clear the expressway to prevent another road crash as well as traffic gridlock in the area.

Operation Lafia Dole gets new Commander

ÎÎÎ

A head has been appointed for the anti-terrorism campaign – Operation Lafiya Dole. He is Maj.Gen. Hassan Umoru, who on Monday assumed office in Maiduguri.

He took over from Maj.Gen. Yushau Abubakar at a colourful ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Umoru said that the army would raise the tempo of the current anti- Boko Haram war to ensure that the insurgency was ended in a short while. `”I assure you that we will do our very best to make sure that the war

against insurgency is ended. Since most of us are not new to this operation, there is no time to waste, rather we will start hitting the ground running and carry on with our activities,” Umoru said.

He commended Abubakar for his numerous achievements in office.

“I want to thank my predecessor for laying a solid foundation. In fact he has done very well. I am happy that I have a team that is not new at all in this operation, I have a very knowledgeable set of senior officers to work with,” Umoru said.

Ex-employee sues coy over wrongful dismissal Titilope Joseph Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Fanta Baba-Shehu (left) mwho represented wife of President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, presenting relief materials to a beneficiary during distribution of special packages to 1,250 Internally Displaced Women in Maiduguri, Borno State… on sunday.

Ikpeazu: Women, youths protest against A’ Court verdict Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

Abia women and youths in their thousands, on Monday, joined in the protest going on in Aba against the judgement of the Appeal Court sitting in Aba that sacked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State as the Ukwa Na Ngwa Council of Elders pledge to fight what they called injustice.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Uwaoma Olewengwa, Lady Chinedu Brown and Lady Elizabeth Esochaghi expressed their dissatisfaction with the judgement of the Appeal Court in Owerri, appealing to the Supreme Court to quash the judgement.

Also addressing news-

men after their meeting in Osisioma country home of an Ukwa/Ngwa elder statesman, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, the Ukwa Na Ngwa Council of Elders and traditional rulers in the area vowed to challenge the injustice.

Their spokesman, Adaelu, said the group was “distressed, embarrased, highly annoyed and felt that the judgement was a total deprivation” of their fundamental human rights, especially when they looked at the reason that the Court of Appeal gave for the sack of their son as the state governor and wondered why the election in three key local government areas of the state should be cancelled,

especially the Obingwa Local Government Area whence Ikpeazu came.

“To us, there is a rape of justice, it is unfair and we do not know that the judges will consider the truth of the matter and give a kangaroo verdict. Cancelling the votes in Obingwa LGA means Gov. Ikpeazu did not even vote for himself. We feel the stress of this disenfranchisement”, he said, stating that “in unequivocal terms, we condenm the decision”.

They expressed their optimism that the Supreme Court would reverse the judgement, which they described as the handiwork of some corrupt judges, pledging that the country would

Gov. Ikpeazu not allow the international community to hear that.

Lending his voice, a lawyer, Mr. Chibuike Nwokeukwu, said the judgement came to them as a surprise, stating that the Appeal Court judges lost sight of a higher court, the Supreme Court, disclosing that the legal team of Ikpeazu had successfully filed their case at the Supreme Court.

ÏÏÏA former employee of

Buhler Limited has dragged his employer of thirteen years to court over wrongful dismissal.

Buhler Ltd and Buhler Holdings A.G has been charged before Justice Mohammed Yinusa of a Federal High Court Lagos as the first and second defendant in the suit.

According to the claimant, Rotimi Salako, he was employed in the United Kingdom in 2002 as a store person by a company Buhler-Sortex – a subsidiary of the second defendant.

Salako claimed to have worked hard over the years and he rose through the ranks until he became the applications specialist (grain specialist).

He also averred that he had dual citizenship which made him a British and Nigerian citizen and his primary place of residence

with his family was the United Kingdom.

Salako also claimed to have been deployed by Buhler Group to Nigeria on July 1, 2013, as an expatriate with the designation as an Area Sales Manager to come and set up and build the second defendant’s company in Nigeria with a salary package of $68,000 per annum.

He also claimed that he rented an office in Lagos, hired staff and he was designated to be the Managing Director of the 1st defendant.

Having started the company, Salako also added that he received a letter of termination of contract on November 24 2014, from two of the Directors of the company, Andreas Fluckiger and Roman Sonderegger both Swiss nationals.

He further claimed that he did not receive any prior notice from the company as far as the decision to terminate his appointment was concern.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

15 Opinion

2016: Nigeria’s year of prayer

E Adewunmi Emoruwa

very year is heralded by a theme for the Nigerian Christian, especially the Pentecostal community.

We often times feel a deep connection and resonance with these themes.

I decree thus: 2016 is Nigeria’s “Year of Prayer”. The 60th chapter and 2nd verse of the book of Isaiah says; “For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples;” You need not go far for interpretation or commentary, just study the full text of President Buhari’s presentation of the 2016 budget. The text contains the words; ‘Problems’ 4 times, ‘Hard’ 4 times, ‘Tax’ 4 times and ‘Oil’ a whooping 11 times! There was no mention of ‘solution.

Ancient wisdom shows us that the Nigerian government has always been optimistic when it comes to budget presentations. Little wonder the optimism that greets every budget cycle; friends of friends and relatives of politicians to the 5th degree are particularly most excited.

Nevertheless, what we have seen in the past two weeks is no different.

The budget has been Christened Budget of ‘Hope’, ‘Jobs’, ‘Change’,

‘People’ and all sorts.

However, the devil is in the details, He is somewhere out there on a mission to kill, steal and destroy – our joy. Nigeria’s monolithic budget contains as much oil as conjunctions within the text! The government seeks to diversify the economy but still cannot stop obsessing over oil.

In the words of President Buhari: “We have focused on non-oil revenues by broadening our tax base and improving the effectiveness of our revenue collecting agencies.”

The proposal to expand the tax net as well as reduce tax rates for certain group is laudable, at least on paper. However, along this line of thought goes the misconceiving that expanding the tax net will cushion the oil revenue projections of the 2016 budget. This remains to be seen.

The reduced rate of economic activity, which President Buhari acknowledged, is closing down more companies than the tax net will ever expand to trap.

The second prayer point concerns the proposed debt component of the budget; I do not have a problem with government debt. I have always held the view that the Nigerian economy requires an adventurous stimulus plan. I believe Nigeria is a credit worthy nation by all standards but presently considered high

risk by most lenders. The reasons are obvious to all; state controlled economics, foreign currency rigidity and restrictions in trade is hardly magnetising in this gloomy days.

However, President Buhari is yet to be convinced on the need to let market forces prevail.

This makes one question the terms and conditions that will govern this facility the government seeks. We need to pray about how Nigerian debt will be utilised.

I have no doubt that debt finance will be used to purchase the ridiculous items, Executive furniture, German automobiles, gourmet presidential catering, exotic wildlife for the Aso villa conservancy, renovation of recently renovated edifices and much more.

Whether or not there are capital projects, my simple conclusion is that we are not serious.

Our country’s 2016 budget promises to spend, spend, spend and share the money (on welfare schemes), that which is not exactly ours.

Buhari expressed his hope for oil prices to rebound at $50 per barrel and any hope of Nigeria having a 60 percent capital component of a budget before 2019 is hinged on this.

I repeat there is no future after 2016.

Nigeria is still technically

at war. I have made deliberate attempts to filter off stories of terrorism, rustling and ethnoreligious conflicts from my news board. This is sequel to the premature declaration of victory by spokespersons of the Nigerian government. This has to be the most serious prayer of all; increased insurgent activity in the North East and North Central food producing belts of Nigeria is a threat to our belly. This is why we need to pray Dambazzau, Ali, Burutai, Daura and Arase find needed solutions to bring back our peace.

The bible says ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’, because a man from the South West needs beans to go with it. In addition, we love the honey, red colored ones we get from Yobe State.

We may not need FOREX to purchase Corvettes and Courvoisier, Nigeria is a great country and I am excited about the New Year and the accompanying promise of prosperity, jobs and remembrance for the poorest and the vulnerable amongst us espoused in Buhari’s budget. May God grant us the unstaggering Faith, unruffled Patience and chill. Pessimistic as my writing seems, the Christian faith has taught me that it is beyond what I see and how I feel.

Buharigate: PDP and Garba Shehu’s treatise

I

Jude Ndukwe

n his essay titled “#Buharigate: As the Limit of Obstructionist Politics”, Mr Garba Shehu, one of the president’s spokespersons, further confirmed what many Nigerians from have always known about President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its “Change” mantra. This continues from the narrative making the rounds in certain quarters about the saintly, austere and frugal lifestyle of Mr President upon which, according to Shehu, the APC rode to power.

Obviously, that essay was to enlighten those who still harbour doubts about the well-publicised determination of the president to fight corruption.

However, there are certain truths in the said article.

While hailing the no-nonsense stance of President Buhari on corruption, Garba Shehu reemphasised what we have always known: that the fight against corruption was nothing but an agenda crafted by the Buhari administration to not only demonise the PDP, destroy its electoral value thereby leaving only APC as the dominant party without opposition. Or, how else can one explain Shehu’s impudent declaration that “As the war on corruption heightens, the political

battle-line between the governing All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has sharply been drawn”? This, no doubt, infers that the so-called war on corruption is just against anyone in PDP, and that as long as anyone belongs to APC, he is free to “go and sin (no) more.”

Does this not explain why cases of corruption involving APC chieftains and inherited by the ruling party have been “technically” discontinued either by outright withdrawal of such charges involving Timipre Sylva, APC’s governorship in the Bayelsa election, or through a deliberate mishandling of the cases as to make judges strike out the suits for “abuse of court processes”? That was a case involving a whopping N19.2bn of public funds deliberately undermined just because Sylva, now a chieftain of the APC, was involved.

Could it also be a coincidence that, instead of dissociating themselves from people with criminal tendencies, APC keeps rewarding them with gubernatorial tickets?

It is laughable that Shehu concluded that PDP only “challenge the government in every move it makes, but fail to spell out alternative roadmaps to curbing corruption...”

It is well known that PDP has voiced

support for the fight against corruption as long as it is fought rightly.

People like Shehu blinded by excessive partisanship have refused to acknowledge that the fight should be all-encompassing and not selective.

With the worsening economic crisis and security situation in the country, it is easy to deduce that the reason for this unfortunate turn of events is that APC has never given attention to issues of governance. The futile attempts to vitiate the democratic principles and outlook of PDP in that essay fell flat. Saying that the PDP “can’t heal itself unless the party’s internal structures are overhauled.

If there is any party that should learn democratic principles, it is the APC. After all, it is a party that just suspended one of its foremost members, Senator Shehu Sani, just for holding dissenting views from that of Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who Obasanjo describes in his memoir “My Watch” as a man who has a penchant for lying, for unfair embellishment of stories.

The main import of Shehu’s essay was to attempt to wash the hands of Buhari clean of what has come to be popularly known as #Dasukigate.

This stems from the fact that Buhari received “gift” of cars from the Jonathan administration purportedly from Office of the National Security

Adviser after his armoured SUV was rocked by explosion. Shehu described the car gifts as Buhari’s rightful entitlements.

APC and its apologists declared every other person mentioned in the Dasuki saga guilty. However, the moment Buhari’s name came into the mix, all manner of excuses were made for him. Question is, why did Buhari accept such gifts when he knew that bombed cars are usually replaced by insurance companies and not federal government? To make matters worse, he reminds Nigerians about the certificate saga of Buhari in the run up to the elections calling the army names for saying Buhari has no WAEC certificate, yet, seven months into his presidency, Buhari is yet to show Nigerians his certificate.

In eulogising Buhari’s moral standing, Shehu reminds us with relish how presidential candidates of countries like Niger, Chad and Ghana were going about campaigning saying “we want Buhari type (of) elections…”

Shehu would have done nationals of those countries a lot of good if he could just tell them the truth that the exemplary elections they so desire was conducted under the supervision of Goodluck Jonathan and not Buhari. That the two gubernatorial elections conducted so far under Buhari’s watch have ended inconclusively.

16 News

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Kwara APC begs teachers over planned strike Joy Ekeke

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Kwara State, has appealed to the leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state to suspend its planned strike over non-payment of salaries.

In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party said that

the main issue was not really about non-payment of teachers’ salaries but non-availability of funds to pay salaries, which required collective efforts to address rather than strike action.

“As a party, we wish to state that we feel the concerns and share in the pains of primary school teachers in Kwara State.

Quite unfortunate, this issue is chiefly caused by

the dwindling allocation from the federation account.

“If the resources are available today, the Governor AbdulFatah Ahmedled government will pay all teachers as it has always done in the past five years.

“Given the cordial relationship between Kwara State Government and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the fact

that the union, not too long ago, acknowledged the outstanding performance of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in the sector with its national merit award, we wish to say that the record of the state government is clear and the will to pay teachers’ salaries by the Kwara State Government is not doubtful.

“Since it is about nonavailability of resources,

the planned industrial action would be counterproductive and it lacks the capacity to solve the contending issues.

“In the light of the above, we hereby appeal to leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State to suspend its plan to embark on industrial action.

“Finally, we wish to assure the people of Kwara State and our dear teach-

ers that the Kwara State Government is not helpless in this financial quagmire. That is why the government has embarked on aggressive revenue generation drive by repositioning the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service for more effectiveness in the discharge of its roles as the revenue generating agency of the government,” the statement read.

Ilorin youths empower less privileged Kehinde. Akinpelu Ilorin.

ÏÏÏThe

Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association IEYDA has distributed empowerment items worth millions of naira to the less privilege in the Ilorin Emirate community. The distribution exercise, which took place on Monday at the Emir’s palace, attracted dignitar-

OAU re-opens Jan. 10 Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÏÏÏStudents of the Oba-

femi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have been asked to resume for the mid-semester break on the January 10, 2016.

A release obtained from the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Senate of the university arrived at the decision at its meeting on Monday.

ies from all walks of life – including traditional and religious leaders.

The items, included sewing machines, clippers and generators, NABTEB forms create of soft drinks, food stuff among others, while beneficiaries included indigent students, widows, and petty traders among others.

The Chairman of the association, Mallam Abdullahi Babatunde Salau, said the variety of items distributed was based on the request of each beneficiary.

Children having fun in the pool at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, in Ekiti State as parts of New Year celebration…on Sunday.

Niger revenue dropped by more than 50%, says Gov. Bello Pita Chikwem, Minna

ÏÏÏThe Governor of

Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, on Monday, confirmed that the revenue accruable to the state from all sources had dropped by more than 50 percent.

Bello said that the downturn in the economy of the state would not be an

excuse for the All Progressive Congress (APC) government not to perform its duties.

The governor was addressing supporters of APC at the Bako Mohammed Kontagora Memorial stadium, where the local government elections campaign of the party was flagged off.

“Our revenue has dropped by more than 50%

but it will not be an excuse for us not to work for the people.”

He therefore said that the administration would soon begin to award contracts to reputable contractors for the overall development of the state, but warned that contractors who failed to execute the contracts would not only have them revoked but would be arrested and prosecuted.

Bello also said the administration would not accept shoddy jobs from any contractor engaged by the state.

He lamented that his visits to some boarding schools revealed gross degree of dilapidation of structures which must be corrected by the government.

“I visited some schools and met students sleeping

UK group mimes Mrs. Saraki’s NGO ‘Hero of 2015’ ÏÏÏThe

Guardian UK Global Development Professionals Network (GDN) has named the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) established by wife of Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki as one of the favourite non-governmental organisation (NGO) Heroes of 2015.

Mrs. Saraki is the President and Founder of WBFA – an organisation committed to reducing and eliminating preventable maternal and child deaths through advocacy and implementation of innovative interventions.

Having reviewed over a hundred nominations submitted by the general public, the GDN selected

a few, which it shared in an article published on its online platform.

The global body specifically commended WBFA for its phenomenal work in bringing best-practice models to Kwara State and the development and distribution of clientheld personal health records (PHRs), a partnership with Johnson &

Johnson (JnJ) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) to deliver emergency obstetrics and newborn care skills and drills training aimed at lowering maternal mortality rate by up to 20 percent.

The GDN highlighted Mrs. Saraki’s courageous act of turning her personal experience of

pre-natal child loss into the transformational and life-saving Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) which according to the body emerged alongside other important players such as Medical Aid for Palestinians in Gaza, Barefoot Lawyers in Uganda and Christian Aid UK, to mention a few.

on bare floor; the food they eat is not good enough for dogs.”

He said the people of the state should vote massively for the APC in the election as doing otherwise would be a disgrace to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also addressing the rally the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, said Nigerians had been fasting in the last six months because the new APC government was implementing the budget of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Gov. Bello

Ideye

Panionios on Sunday.

Champions Olympiacos lead the table with 48 points after winning all 16 league games this season.

Ideye scored in the 79th minute to give his side a 3-1 win.

He has now scored seven goals in Greek league.

“It’s so good to begin the year igeria international Brown Ideye has with a Bang! Difficult game tonight expressed his delight for starting 2016 with but we came back strong #thankful a goal as he scored in Olympiacos 3-1 win at #olympiacos,” Ideye tweeted.

starts New Year with a goal Ideye

Page 17

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gets Hiddink’s praise

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that truncated the whole thing, by now I should be playing for Arsenal or any team in England,” he revealed.

“I am happy that a coach like Wenger has interest in me for long, still keeps his eyes on me and has not lost interest.

“I believe I am not far away from my dream of playing for Arsenal. He recommended me to Angers. The French team watched me score in Toto Cup semifinals.”

Amutu scored a brace for Hapoel Ironi Khryat Shmona to seal a place in the final of Israeli Toto Cup after they beat

Amuntu Dele Aiyenugba’s Bnei Yehuda 3-0 on Wednesday.

Hapoel Ironi Khryat Shmona will now face Maccabi Petah Tivka in the final.

It was Amutu’s first official game since he signed for the Israeli club and he has dedicated the goal to his kid brother as a ‘Special’ Birthday gift.

The former Kelanta of Malaysia striker scored the opening goal of the game 38th minute and doubled his team’s lead in the 44th minute.

Dele Aiyenugba was in goal for Bnei Yehuda.

lRo hova Ijog er ed kes

helsea manager Guus Hiddink has again lavished more praise on Nigeria star Mikel Obi as the London club continued their surge up the EPL table.

Chelsea smashed past local rivals Crystal Palace 3-0 on Sunday with Mikel one of the standout performers on the day “He played very well but also in the previous game,”said Hiddink of Mikel. “He’s the ideal player in my opinion to bring balance to the team.

“If the team is not willing to defend well, or hasn’t got the right balance, then you’ll concede a lot of goals.

“I think John Obi can be one of the key figures in bringing back that balance. On this podium very talented players can explore their qualities.

“He can recover his radar, he reads the game very well, he knows where the strength of the opponent is and knows how to combat that. He has very good sense, he doesn’t do it in a brutal way, he’s very elegant.

“Someone who can defend so smoothly is very beautiful. I don’t expect the decisive final pass from him - he can do that, but he can also let the other players play.”

Devils’ move

O

Ighalo

18 g 20

Mikel

Amutu

A

battle PSL side today

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

I’m not far from my Arsenal dream, says ustin Amutu has told reporters that he believes his dream of playing for Arsenal is not far from coming true after he was recommended

by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to French club Angers.

He also said Arsenal made enquirers my about him while he was at Warri Wolves and for Wenger to recommend him means the Frenchman is still monitoring him.

“It has been my dream to play for Arsenal, they came for me while I was at Warri Wolves and I think it was money

CHAN Eagles

dion Ighalo has joked that he could consider a move to Manchester United should they come for him in the January transfer window.

The Nigeria international striker has been a subject of heated transfer speculations this month after his 14 goals in the EPL, but his modest Watford have warned off buyers, insisting he is not “for sale under any circumstances”.

However, in a radio interview on Monday Ighalo said: “I’m happy at Watford, I’m enjoying my football there and I have a five-year contract.

“I have also heard the speculations about Atletico Madrid and Roma, but I have played in both Italy and Spain, and I now want to play in England.

“Only God knows what will happen, but I don’t think I will move in January.

But would I say no to Manchester United if they come calling?”

Mikel

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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

Kramer

thumbs up All Stars women soccer tourney ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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hairman, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the Amalgamation of Nigeria Women Football Coaches All Stars tournament, Hans Kramer, has promised that this year’s final at the National Stadium Lagos coming up on January 16, would be the best ever in the 20-year history of the off season fiesta.

The gangling Swiss who said he joined women football development in the country accidentally some years back revealed that plans have been concluded to celebrate women football with a unique closing ceremony on January 16, 2016.

“I was just a football fan watching this All-stars tourney but became active immediately I fell back on my fair medical knowledge from Europe to salvage the situation when one of the players was injured. Since them I vowed to give my best to young women footballers getting set for the next season or trying to get new clubs.

“Women football is very interesting but this Association of Nigeria Women Football Coaches wants to present a spectacular final on January 16.

“Indeed the final would beat whatever may have been done by the Nigeria Football Federation at any point before now”.

S

uper Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has stepped up preparations as CHAN Eagles team battle PSL side University of Pretoria this morning.

University of Pretoria are 15th on the 16-team Premier Soccer League with six points from 11 matches.

This test game will prepare the Eagles for Wednesday’s warm-up against Angola.

They will also square up with another CHAN-bound team, Cote d’Ivoire, on January 11.

A top team official said Oliseh has been most impressed with the entire squad.

“The coach is most impressed with all the boys. They have attained full fitness in Abuja and now he is working on the tactical aspect of the game with them,” he said.

The Eagles are due in Kigali, Rwanda, on January 15.

Meanwhile, CHAN Eagles

CHAN

Eagles battle PSL side today central defender, Samson Gbadebo has said the side will not miss the podium dance on February 7 when curtain falls on the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Lobi Stars strongman made

Oliseh

the 23-man squad that headed off to Pretoria, South Africa to conclude preparations for the biennial football showpiece starting on January 16.

Gbadebo said his side have the quality in players and coaches to lift the coveted trophy they came close to winning in the last championship

in South Africa.

“I strongly believe we will come back from the African Nations Championship in Rwanda with the coveted trophy.

“The team spirit is quite high and the quality of training extensive coupled with the quality coaches in the team.

“There is nothing to worry over our group’s opponents, we will take the matches one at a time starting with a win against Niger then taking it up from there to the clashes against the 2011 winners, Tunisia and Guinea.

“If you compare our league with our opponents the Nigerian league is highly rated than the others I think we have what it takes to win the African title in Rwanda,” Gbadebo concluded.

Super Falcons star, Uwak set for All Stars women soccer tourney.

CAF lifts ban on Guinea he Confederation of African Football on Monday has cleared Guinea to host international matches again after being declared free of the Ebola virus.

“CAF has learned with joy and relief the announcement by

T

Uwak

the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 29, 2015, officially confirming that Guinea is now declared Ebola free.

CAF thereby confirms lifting the ban on the organization of continental matches in Guinea, and for all competitions organized by CAF,” CAF General

Secretary Hicham El Amrani stated in a letter addressed to the president of the Guinean Football Federation, Salifou Camara.

Fellow Ebola-hit Liberia and Sierra Leone were cleared in May and December last year respectively.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon:

Emulate

e d o b m A on sports, Dalung tells other Govs

Gov. Ambode (right) with Super Eagler striker, Obafemi Martins

K

aka believes it is only a matter of time until Barcelona star Neymar wins the FIFA Ballon d’Or. The 23-year-old has been included in the three-man shortlist for the 2015 edition of the accolade alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have split the award between them for the past seven years with the Argentine claiming it on one more occasion.

Neymar is the first Brazilian to be included in the three Ballon d’Or finalists since Kaka’s triumph in 2007

Neymar

Kaka tips

Neymar

ry lo g r ´O d n o ll a B for

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Barr Solomon Dalung on Monday urged other state Governors in Nigeria to emulate the giant strides of the executive governor of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, especially in the areas of sports and entertainment.

The Minister made the remark when he visited the Lagos City Marathon office located at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Christian Ohaa; the Director General NSC, Mallam Alhasan Yakmut; Director of Sports,

and the former AC Milan midfielder has no doubt his compatriot will break up Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance and replicate his feat in the future .

“It had always been a rotation: Ronaldo and Zidane won it three times, but there was always some other player - names like Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, myself, Rivaldo, Fabio Cannavaro,” he said.

“Then comes this succession of Cristiano and Messi, only the two of them - and it is fair, for what they have been doing year after year.

“It’s difficult to point out a single reason for this lack of Brazilians in the final three in recent years, but it must serve to alert Brazilian football. And, truth be told, it’s no easy task to forge a Ballon d’Or winner.

“Thankfully, Neymar has improved a lot since he’s gone to play in Europe - his game is a lot more mature. Now it’s a matter of time until he reaches first place.”

Dortmund not dependent on

Aubameyang

Mrs. Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi and the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze.

Dalung told the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Hon. Deji Tinubu who was accompanied by the Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayo Agbesanwa; General Manager Marathon, Yussuf Alli and Protem Secretary and Head of Media Olukayode Thomas that within a short period Governor Ambode has set the pace for other Governors in entertainment and sports.

He recalled that during the festive period Governor Ambode was on the streets in every nook and crannies of Lagos celebrating with the people, “this Lagos City Marathon is the master stroke. I commend Governor Ambode for his foresight in reviving the culture of full marathon in Nigeria after 30 years”.

Hon. Tinubu the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor and Chairman of the Lagos Sports Commission thanked the Honourable Minister for not only visiting the marathon office, but also signing on for the race.

Voller: Hernandez

not for sale!

B

ayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller insists Javier Hernandez will not be sold by the club.

The former Manchester United striker has 19 goals in 25 games in all competitions for the Bundesliga club following his £7.3m move from Old Trafford in the summer.

The Mexican international have been linked with a move to Arsenal, but Voller is adamant the club do not need to sell.

“We are a football club and it is important that we are successful,” he said. “Chicharito has played a big part in our success so far, through his style of play, through his goals.

“That’s why we brought him here. In the first half of the season, everything has worked out fine.

“It’s easy to reject offers when you are in a position in which you don’t need to sell. We are in such a position. We will keep the players we want to help us achieve our goals.”

–Watzke

Aubameyang

B

orussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke does not believe the club are dependent on PierreEmerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international has been in sensational form for Dortmund

this season, scoring 27 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

His performances have prompted suggestions of a move away from Signal Iduna Park in the January transfer window, with Arsenal believed to be heading up a list of potential suitors.

While the Dortmund executive believes the team could cope with the loss of Aubameyang, he does not have any intentions of letting key figures leave.

“One must never make the mistake

to believe that a club like BVB is dependent on a player. We are not dependent on anyone,” he told reporters.

“When Robert Lewandowski left, we found a solution and he even has three more goals than Lewa this season. We are now so well positioned that we can offer alternative solutions again and again.”

Hernandez

19

BRIEFS

Suarez

Suarez pays tribute to Uruguay physio

L

uis Suarez has paid tribute following the death of Uruguay physiotherapist Walter Ferreira - the man who proved pivotal in helping the striker recover from a knee injury in time to feature at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ferreira, 64, passed away on Sunday following a battle with cancer and Suarez was quick to pay tribute to the national team physio for assisting with a remarkable recovery following surgery on a meniscus injury to his left knee in the build-up to the competition.

Zieler caught up in Dubai fire drama

H

annover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler had a more eventful mid-season break than he bargained for after seeing his Dubai hotel room destroyed by fire. Zieler was a guest at The Address hotel in the emirate that went up in flames on New Year’s Eve but fortunately was dining at a nearby restaurant when the blaze broke out. Just 14 minor injuries were reported after the incident which caused widespread damage to the 63-storey building and gutted Zieler’s room on the 12th floor.

Sampdoria seal deal with Alvarez

S

ampdoria have confirmed that midfielder Ricky Alvarez has signed a contract with the club until the end of the season. The 27-year-old passed a medical with the Serie A side at the end of last month and has now agreed a six-month deal as he looks to get his c a r e e r back on track. Alvarez had been a free agent following a legal dispute between Inter and Sunderland, where he spent last season on loan.

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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

, e g d i r Stur n o s r e d Hen ue

BRIEFS Klopp rules out Ter Stegen swoop

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iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a January approach for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The Barcelona goalkeeper has been linked with a possible move to Anfield after failing to dislodge Claudio Bravo from his firstteam spot under Luis Enrique.

Cologne’s Timo Horn has also been touted as a possible option, but Klopp insists he is happy with Simon Mignolet as his number one.

Mignolet has

g a e L s s i m to Cup tie

J

urgen Klopp has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson are set to sit out the League Cup semi-final clash with Stoke City today.

The England international recently stated on Twitter that he was fully fit after suffering a hamstring injury a month ago, but the Liverpool manager left him out of the squad for the weekend’s defeat to West Ham. Klopp has now revealed that Sturridge remains short of complete match fitness a n d will not be risked for the trip to the Britannia Stadium, telling a media conference: “Daniel has had

b e e n criticised for his form at times this season, with the Belgium international at fault for West Brom’s opening goal at Anfield in December.

De Jong unhappy at Newcastle

S

iem de Jong concedes his situation at Newcastle United is “not the easiest” as he strives to hold down a first-team spot at the Premier League strugglers. De Jong arrived on Tyneside from Ajax to much fanfare in the summer of 2014 but has done little to justify his £6million price tag. Having recovered from a thigh injury and a collapsed lung which forced him to miss most of last season, 26-yearold De Jong has been unable to earn a regular place in Steve McClaren’s starting XI despite Newcastle sitting 18th in the table.

Ogbonna hails West Ham spirit

A

ngelo Ogbonna hailed the spirit within the West Ham United squad after the club’s 2-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday.

The former Juventus defender was a pillar of strength at the back for West Ham as the club continued its assault on the Premier League top-six. Ogbonna said the team spirit was personified by captain Collins, who Ogbonna - an Italy international - rated among the best he has played with.

Sturridge

Krul lauds

under-pressure

Van Gaal T

Gaal.

im Krul has heaped praise on under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van

The 64-year-old has come under intense scrutiny at Old Trafford but a 2-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday ended a run of eight

Van Gaal matches in all competitions without a win to provide some relief.

Van Gaal has been criticised for his style at United, but Krul, part

s Adkinaaa plots Red Devils’ fall

S

Adkins

some little problems.

“When he’s had a row of training sessions, I will pick him. He’s not available.”

The former Borussia Dortmund boss is also keen to be patient on captain Henderson’s return from a heel injury.

“We have to wait. What’s happened with the tendon is painful. There is blood around heel. We can’t rush it.”

Klopp was angry with Liverpool’s display in the 2-0 loss against West Ham and has demanded a reaction from his players as they look to reach the League Cup final.

He has also made it clear that steps have been taken to address his side’s defensive concerns when it comes to crosses and set-pieces.

“You have to react to defeats in the right way,” he said. “On Saturday we were passive. That’s not good in life or in football. We have to be more aggressive.

heffield United manager Nigel Adkins will not hold anything back against Manchester United when the two meet in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Adkins’ men have been inconsistent

in League One this season, sitting in eighth position having won 10 and lost eight of their 24 games this season.

But that will not stop Adkins from attacking United at Old Trafford, despite being separated by 46

teams in the English football league standings.

“The FA Cup is important and we’ve got a great fixture coming up,” Adkins told reporters.

“We’ve had to rearrange the Wigan game, which was postponed on Boxing Day, for the Tuesday afterwards and it’s a big ask for the supporters, especially just after Christmas and New Year, to travel away.

“We are well aware, acutely aware in fact, of that. So, from the players’

of the coach’s Netherlands squad that finished in third position at World Cup 2014, says he is yet to work with someone better than his compatriot.

“Under Van Gaal I experienced what is the highest level in professional football,” Newcastle United goalkeeper Krul said.

“Under him everything is top notch: the organisation, training, discipline, just everything. With Van Gaal at the helm, we went up a level.

“I had to train harder, and I did like a mad man. We went along a path and knew that we had all experienced a wonderful World Cup. I will not forget that.”

Following Van Gaal’s departure, Netherlands failed to secure a place at Euro 2016.

point of view and our point of view as staff, we’ve just got to work as hard as we possibly can for those travelling fans.”

United won their first match in nine attempts when they beat Swansea City at Old Trafford, but endured a torrid December.

However, Adkins said he is still expecting a tough game.

“Yes, it’s going to be tough.

We know that. But we have the freedom to be able to try and give it a real go. So that’s what we’ll be trying to do,” Adkins said.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

21

22 Public Notice

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

PDP advises EFCC against media trial Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to refrain from trial on suspects on the page of newspapers.

The PDP gave the advice following a report in a national newspaper on Monday (January 4, 2016) suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) The Party, in a statement

by Mr. Richard Ihediwa, Special Assistant to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, said that a mere media campaign of calumny does not, in anyway whatsoever, translate to any evidence of guilt.

The party stressed that media campaign is rather an evidence of infringement on the rights of the citizenry and manifesta-

tion of the reign of tyranny.

The opposition PDP stated categorically that EFCC has never invited its National Publicity Secretary nor questioned him on any matter whatsoever since its inception.

It declared that in a democratic and civilized country, where there are issues that require investigations by such agencies, invitations are duly extended.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh has been drawn to a report on the Monday, January 4, 2016 edition of the Nation Newspapers, suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“This office wishes to state categorically that the EFCC has never invited the National Publicity Secretary nor questioned him on any matter whatsoever since its inception.

“If indeed, the report is from the EFCC, then they should note that only in a period of tyranny are people investigated on the pages of the newspapers as a prelude for abuse and violation of their freedom and rights under the law.

“It is instructive to observe that a mere media campaign of calumny does not in anyway whatsoever translate to any evidence of guilt.

“It is rather an evidence of infringement on the rights of the citizenry and

manifestation of the reign of tyranny.

“In a democratic and civilized country, where there are issues that require investigations by such agencies, invitations are duly extended.

“However, to read daily

of people being investigated in select newspapers betrays plots to portray them as guilty of fraud and crime, and targeted to convey the PDP as a corrupt party and the APC as party of Nigerians without sin.

Cross section of Ukwa-Ngwa youths protesting the Abia State Governorship Appeal court judgment… on Monday.

DECLARATION OF NAME

MRS IKUMAPAYI OMOLARA MARIAM

REGINA CHIAKA AMADI

ABASS HALIMAH OPEYEMI

CHANGE OF NAME

MR AJIBADE JUBRIL OLANREWAJU IS THE SAME PERSON AS MR AJIBADE SHERRIFF OLAWALE. All former document remain valid, general public should take note.

l, formerly known as MISS THOMPSON OMOLARA MARIAM now wish to be known and addressed as. MRS IKUMAPAYI OMOLARA MARIAM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as REGINA CHIAKA AMADI-NJOKU, now wish to be known and called REGINA CHIAKA AMADI. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SEIDU HALIMAH OPEYEMI, now wishes to be known and called ABASS HALIMAH OPEYEMI. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS. IFEANYI IKILIAGWU NOW WISH TO BE ADDRESSED AS MRS. IFEANYI AWANOVWE ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKES NOTE.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST ACHIEVEMENT LIBERATION ACHIEVEMENT MINISTRY LAGOS

TABITHA’S FAITH AND EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION OF ONE MIND SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No 1. Of 1990.

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

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

1. To amend ARTICLE SIX under the paragraph captioned EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS subparagraph B to read “The Chairman of the One Mind Social Club of Nigeria shall be the Chairman of all Executive Council Meetings of the Club”.

THE TRUSTEES (1) David Oladipupo Adebisi. (President) (2) Grace Omotola Adebisi (Vice president) (3) Deborah Oyindamola Adebisi (Secretary) (4 ) Samson Olalekan Akafo ( 5) Olaolumide Olayiwola Biodun

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) REV MRS. KASALI, DORCAS OLUFISAYO – PROPHET -IN- CHARGE (2) PASTOR, KASALI YUSUPH JOSEPH (3) EVANGELIST MATHEW OLASUPO BOLARINWA (4) BRO. ZACHEAUS OYELAKIN – TREASURER (5) KASALI, TOSEDE OLUWASEUN – CHURCH SECRETARY

2. To amend ARTICLE FIVE under paragraph captioned TENURE OF OFFICE OF TRUSTEES by adding subparagraph viii which will read “where he is absent from General Meetings on three consecutive times and a motion for his removal, moved by a member of the Club, is supported by 2/3 majority of members present and voting in a General Meeting”.

THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES ARE :(1) Bringing salvation to every soul (2) Outreach Ministry-Reaching all town&villages for the purpose of the gospel (3) A bible school for the purpose of enlightening the world about the gospel (4) Teaching and preaching the gospel through seminars and conferences (5) Establishing homes and marriages (6) Ilumathing the world through the light of the gospel.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel of truth,peace and deliverance in all parts of Nigeria and around the world 2. To build a people that are heavenly conscious by encouraging its members to know Jesus Christ in all parts of Nigeria and around the world 3. To bring many souls into glory through teaching, preaching.& healing ministry as the Lord of harvest has appointed.

4. To enhance unity among ministers of the gospel

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, p.m.b 198, maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

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

Signed L. U. Agu, Esq. Solicitor to the Club

Signed by:- SECRETARY

Signed by :- AKINSUWON 08023295245

PUBLIC NOTICE

ZAHRAU-N-NABIYYI ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NIGERIA.

DIVINE CATALYST OF CARE FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ORGANIZATION FORMERLY KNOWN AS SHOYEMI ABIODUN FOUNDATION AGAINST TEENAGE PREGNANCY IS NOW KNOWN AND SHOULD BE REFERRED TO AS ABIODUN ESSIET INITIATIVE FOR GIRLS.

This is to inform the General Public that the above Named Society has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act,cap 20, LFN 2004 as amended.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. HamzatMusiliudeenAdek 2. HamzatSakiratTaiwo 3. TaofeekSanusi 4. Yusuf RihanatOlayemi 5. WorimegbeAbiolaIdayat 6. OjikutuSherifatOluranti 7. SanniSulaimonAdisa 8. Rasaq Kareem Abdul.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS LAWANI KUDIRAT ABIMBOLA ADETOKUNBO - chairman.

2. ADEBAYO ADETORO OMOOBA - secretary.

3. MUYINAT ITIOLU AJOKE TOYIN - treasurer.

4. KRAKUE MODUPE FLORENCE.

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

ALL AUTHORITIES SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE WHILE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE OF NAME SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY:TRUSTEES

AIM & OBJECTIVE: 1. To propagate Islam Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE AND CATER FOR DISABLED PERSONS IN SOCIETY. 2. TO REHABILITATE WIDOWS AND MOTHERLESS BABIES. 3. TO PROVIDE NECESSARY SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE UNDER PRIVILEGED. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyiironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED :FRED AIGBADUMAH ESQ LAWMASTERS 08037730195.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

23 News

Adamawa govt condoles fire victims Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Government of Adamawa State on Monday condoled with the traders of Yola town main market over an early morning inferno that razed down the market and consumed properties estimated at billions of naira.

The Deputy Governor, Honourable Martins Babale, who was among the early callers at the market, said he sympathised with them, and gave an assurance of government’s help, after assessing the extent of damage.

Babale called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),

corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to come to the aid of the marketers with a view to cushioning their travails.

The inferno, which was the worst ever to engulf the market, was believed to have consumed about 90 percent of shops.

The fire, which according to eyewitnesses started at about 2.30 a.m., went out of control as initial efforts to extinguish it was thwarted by lack of access roads in the market.

A shop owner, Mallam Babayola Maijimilla, whose shop was also destroyed, said that “the fire started around the middle of the market, efforts by early sympathisers to ex-

tinguish it was rebuffed by security operatives, who denied them access into the market for fear of looting.

But the situation did not get any better even upon the arrival of fire fighters, who found it difficult to gain access to the point of the inferno, since the market did not have access roads.

Some of the affected shop owners said that they had lost everything they toiled for in life to the fire

incident, and called on the government to come to their aid.

The Chairman of Adamawa Traders Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammad (86), appealed to Federal, State and Local Governments to come to their aid, saying that they had lost 90 percent of their shops to the inferno.

Similarly, the Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly, Honourable Kabir Mijinyawa, in whose constituency the market is

situated, called on the marketers to be patient as the government assessed the extent of damage wrought on the market.

He urged them to see the incident as an act of God, just as he promised to do everything in his capacity to ensure that the traders got succour from the government.

The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Ghazzali Mohammed, said that he had deployed a number of policemen to

provide security and prevent hoodlums from looting property, noting that the effort yielded had results, as a number of looters had been arrested.

The Executive Secretary Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Haruna Hammanfuro, said the fire incident was the worst of its kind in the history of the market.

He said they were yet to quantify the extent of damage done to property, although no life was lost.

Nigerians charged to shun corruption Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏIn

tune with President Muhammadu Buhari campaign against corruption, Nigerians have been urged to have a change of attitude and shun every form of corrupt practices.

The Senior Pastor, Gospel of Peace Ministry, Pastor Mike Adebayo, made the call while fielding question from the Daily Times correspondent, on Monday, in Ilorin.

He said that with a change of attitude there would not be a threat of life and property, one would

sleep with two eyes closed, even without locking the doors of one’s house or installing security gadget at home.

Earlier, in his New Year message, Bishop of Saint Barnabas Cathedral, Rev Olusegun Adeyemi, also urged Nigerians to fear God, shun corruption and embrace peace.

He also urged government at all levels to make the citizens’ welfare a priority.

In his sermon, Adeyemi, urged Christian faithful to refrain from sin and embrace Jesus Christ, whose name is above every other name.

Ekiti to construct 40 lock-up shops Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe Ekiti State Government has commenced the construction of an additional four blocks of 40 lock-up shops at the Fayose Market in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Speaking with journalists, in Ado Ekiti, Governor Ayo Fayose reiterated the commitment of his administration to boost economic activities in the state.

Fayose, who spoke through the State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Prince Taelolu Otitoju, said that the new shops would help re-

duce the problem of insufficient space for traders.

He assured the owners of kiosks and other temporary sheds, whose stalls were removed from the market of priority consideration in the allocation of the new shops when completed.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (middle), in tete-a-tete with state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Esueme DanKikile (right) during a press conference at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, while the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) looks on… on Monday.

Kogi guber: Adhoc staff yet to be paid two months after Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏThe Independent Na-

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, who were engaged in the last governorship election in Kogi State, on Monday, staged a protest in Lokoja, the state capital, to press the management to pay them their dues.

The protesters, who marched through the major

streets in Lokoja, expressed their displeasure with INEC’s management for its refusal to pay their entitlement, since the conclusion of the November 21, 2015 governorship election.

They were particularly asking for the payment of their N17, 500 being the allowance for their participation in the governorship election exercise.

The Chairman of the group, Mr. Yusuf Bello and Secretary, John Okpanachi, told journalists that they

had to take to the streets to press for the payment, after all entreaties had failed.

“We were recruited for the Novenber 21, 2015 governorship election and were promised to be paid N17, 500, but, unfortunately, after the election the management did not pay us as agreed.

“We have written to INEC headquarters in Abuja without a favourable reply.

We have sent our appeal to notable Nigerians to help us in this regard but to no

avail.

“In fact the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Halilu Pai, has been avoiding us.

There was a day he asked us to supply our bank account numbers which we did. Up till now, which is almost two whole months, after the exercise, Pai has refused to pay us.

“We were told that INEC headquarters had released the money but Pai decided to punish us because we are no body,” they said

UNIC Lagos launches social media campaign Babajide Okeowo

ÏÏÏThe

Fayose

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos has launched a social media educational campaign to increase public awareness on the 17 goals and the 169 targets of the Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs).

The initiative tagged, “17 – 17 SDGs Campaign”, seeks to disseminate the 17 goals of the SDGs over the first 17 days of every month, from January to December 2016.

This, according to the National Information Officer

of UNIC Lagos, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun, is that “the first day of every month, for instance, is devoted to Sustainable Development Goal Number One, which is ‘No Poverty’, while the second day is for Goal Number Two (Zero Hunger) till the seventeenth day which will

address Goal Number Seventeen (Partnerships for the goals).”

The campaign was officially launched on January 1, 2016. The goals are also being disseminated in four Nigerian languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin English.

24 News

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Rep urges Buhari to endorse Asset Forfeiture Bill Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Elendu Ukeje, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give impetus to his campaign against graft by assenting to the Asset Forfeiture Bill

passed into law by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Ukeje, who made the appeal in an interview, in Abuja, said the Assets Forfeiture Bill, if assented to, would play a pivotal and crucial role in combating financial crimes in the country.

He disclosed that three important legislations

that were passed into law by the two houses of the National Assembly, and awaiting presidential assent, were the Foreign Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, the Asset Forfeiture Bill and the FATF Bill.

“The bills in my opinion will further enhance the executive arm of government’s commitment

to fighting corruption, because in the Assets Forfeiture Bill, for instance, even if today we say a person had proceeds of crime there is no law in place that gives the federal government the powers to take the proceeds of crime back.

“The FATF law is the international law that tracks stolen funds. We

need to sign it into law for us to be able to deal with the movement of money and money laundering.

“The foreign assistance in criminal matters bill helps us in extradition; it helps us when Nigerian citizens are arrested abroad and we want them to come back. We need to have that signed into law.

Aside from the extradi-

Buhari condoles Kogi over Atta’s death

tion treaties and laws, we must have those laws in place.

“So I am urging the executive arm of government, Mr. President to please sign these bills into law, so that whatever we do in this fight against corruption can have the legal backing that is required for it to be effective”, Ukeje said.

Principal lauds Kwara Education policy

Egena Egena, Abuja

Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏPresident

ÏÏÏThe Principal of

Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, commiserated with the government and the people of Kogi State on the death of Dr. Abdul I. Atta.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari joined them in mourning the former Permanent Secretary in the Northern Region’s Ministry of Health.

It added that Attah would always be remembered as an illustrious civil servant that served his region and country very well with his remarkable medical and administrative skills.

“The President recalls that Dr. Atta treated his patients with great care and compassion, and also administered the Ministries of Health in Northern Nigeria and the old North Central State with exemplary efficiency.

“President Buhari urges all who mourn the late doc-

’Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏFollowing

little reduction in petroleum pump price by the federal government, independent marketers in Ondo State have refused to dispensed petrol to consumers because of thy alleged was unfavourable price enforcement.

Daily Times correspondent observed, on Monday, that all the petrol stations in Akure, the state capital, refused to sell to motorists.

Alleged car thieves paraded by the police in Abuja… on Monday.

…As Atiku mourns with Yola market fire victims ÏÏÏFormer

Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed sadness at the fire that engulfed the popular Yola Central Market, in Yola, Adamawa State.

In a press statement released in Abuja through his media office, the forIt was found that the marketers decided to shut down operations in protest against the N86. 50k per litre allegedly forced on them by the federal government.

The action has caused long queues in most of the petrol station as vehicles were seen at the entrance of gates of many of the major marketers who mostly sold during scarcity periods.

Some managers of the petrol stations told journalists that they were pro-

mer Vice-President said the fire incident was one too many and called on the authorities in charge of public places like markets, schools and factories, to be extra vigilant at this period of the year.

The Turaki Adamawa also said that fire incidents during this period of harmattan could be quite

devastating in its impact because of the prevalence of the dry wind blowing from the north-east part of the country and which tended to lend a helping hand to otherwise containable fire outbreak to get out of hand.

The APC chieftain recalled that valuable property running into millions

and at times human lives had been lost to devastating fires in many parts of the country, lately. He called on the management of the Yola Central Market and other markets and places of business susceptible to fire outbreaks to work out ways and means of reducing fire outbreaks to the barest minimum.

Olunlade Junior Secondary School, Ilorin, Mallam Abubakar Babatunde Saliu, has commended the.

Kwara State Government for its policy in education towards improving its standard.

He said this, on Monday, in a chat with the Daily Times.

While describing the governments education policies as laudable, Salisu said that they were capable of bringing development to the state.

He commended the State Government for creating for non-governmental organisations and civil society groups a conducive environment to operate.

The school principal particularly commended the State Government for partnering with the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), saying its impact had been greatly felt in Kwara State.

Ondo filling stations shut down operations testing against the price that the federal government said they should sell.

One of them told the Daily Times that the price was not profitable for their business.

“We have been told to close our station because we learnt that the government wanted to force us to sell at N86.50 per litre. We did not even buy the petrol at N86.50 at the depot, so how can we be selling at

the official price”, he queried.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ore depot, Mr. Bayo Olowokere, explained that many marketers did not open for operation, since they have refused to sell at the federal government’s regulated price of N86.50 per litre.

Olowokere maintained

that federal government could not force the independent marketers to be selling at the new official price as they did not buy the product at the regulated price.

He added that most of the independent marketers were buying at different private depots across the country as a result of the insufficient supply of the product from the NNPC depots.

Aregbesola

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

25 Opinion

That Kukah’s mantra on religious manipulation Muhammad Ajah ÏÏÏ Since the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah released the bombshell on the Muslim leadership of Northern Nigeria; Muslims have, as usual, been weird in their reactions.

Several Muslim writers, critics and organisations have picked holes in Kukah’s claims, while some have remained numb to such incisive proclamations from the Reverend at an Islamic function. The cleric described the Northern Muslim elite as hypocritical, insincere and dubious. This description, nonetheless, far from being unacceptable is provocative and an understatement made by such highly placed cleric in front of Muslims. This has revealed the authority the Reverend assumes in the North. It also depicts a tinge of concealed cosmopolitan misconceptions about Islam and its elite in Nigeria.

Rev. Kukah went bluntly eerie when he proclaimed, “We must locate the current crisis of Boko Haram within the context of the inability of the northern Muslim elite to live by their own dubious creed of being Muslims.

They preached Sharia Law but only for the poor. They preach a religion that encourages education, yet their own people are held in the bondage of ignorance.” He succeeded in rubbishing the image of the elite of the largest faith in Nigeria, notwithstanding their contributions in making the country be. In Rev. Kukah’s lecture, there was no or little mention of any good done by the Northern Muslim elite.

However, my curiosity was aroused by one serious

reaction to the matter. The postulations of the veteran journalist and Daily Nation columnist, Muhammad Haruna in his article of December 29, 2015 titled: Bishop Kukah’s attack on Islam, where he concurred with the bishop on Nigerian elite’s exploitation of religion for power and wealth, but faulted him for blaming only Muslim elites, especially those from the North, as the only ones who do so.

More articulate and definite, as it concerns the affected category of Nigerian citizen, were Haruna’s words: To see how wrong he (Kukah) is in blaming only Muslims, he needs only to examine the fate Muslims wherever they are a minority in this country or to examine many of the decisions and policies of Presidents Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo.

Alas! One cannot hold tears when reflecting on the seemingly connected plots that were crafted against the minority Muslim population in Nigeria between their state governments and the federal government of Nigeria during the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. These two former presidents, unarguably, created the worst religious politics and ethnic estrangement in Nigeria. I would always praise both of them for, at least, upholding the unity of Nigeria, most especially when the Niger Delta and Boko Haram insurgencies reared their ugly faces within the shores of the country. Nevertheless, in terms of the distributions of the national wealth and political positions, there was no trace of fairness and justice.

There was no equality; there was no recognition of all the ethno-religious and cultural components of

Kukah

Sa’ad

Nigeria. Worst still, it was as if calculated plans were to frustrate the Southern Muslims and empower the Northern Christians extraordinarily. Some careful observers felt it as if there were plans to Christianise Nigeria, using the dangerous slogans that the Northerners wanted to Islamise Nigeria; they wanted to implement Sharia; they wanted this and that. Moreover, both the former presidents succeeded in their plans by using religion to seek sympathy and cheap popularity. That is why the militancy in the Niger Delta was born, despite other factors. That is why the Boko Haram came to be. That is why the agitations for Oduduwa State and Biafra Republic were nursed and carried out.

Yes, both of the former presidents largely succeeded in their plans. They did not only instigate the state governments of the Muslim minority areas against their minority citizens, they did not give any appointment to any Muslim from the Southeast and South-South, if not in a religious body which constitutionally demanded zonal representation. Their governments were Churchoriented. State governments of the Southeast and South-South have remained

resolute in dealing decisively with the Muslim minorities of their states. Any little, I repeat, any slight thing that they do for Islam and Muslims, is basically on political grounds, not because they see Muslims – some of who are from birth places of the governors – as indigenes of their states.

I have not heard the revered cleric, Reverend Kukah, talk about this. I was a journalist and privileged to attend some functions in the Niger Delta when former President Obasanjo made Kukah, Chairman of Presidential Committee on this and that. I have heard of many powerfully empowered and influential Christians from states of the North where Muslims are over 90 percent of the populations.

Kukah, himself, knows that he is recognised and pampered in the North, which is a Muslim majority part of Nigeria.

The influence and unlimited economic and political backings granted Christians in the North has in turn given them a solid base in the political scene of their respective states. For instance, in Kaduna State, it is the state policy or it is becoming an accepted norm that for any Muslim governorship candidate to win elections in

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the state, the candidate must run with a Christian deputy.

In Adamawa State that has insignificant percentage of Christians, politics cannot stabilise without the involvement of the Christian minority. In Taraba State, the journey is even daunting.

We know the bad religious politics, the intrigue and (mis) calculations employed by former President Obasanjo in making Boni Haruna the governor of Adamawa State, in making late Ibrahim Yakowa the governor of Kaduna State and in making Banbaba Danfulani Suntai the governor of Taraba State. Imagine that in Kaduna State, the Christian minority allegedly controls the civil service. Blind and deaf Nigerians knew why Suntai governed Taraba State from his sick bed for so long after a plane accident.

So, who is using religion in Nigeria to dislodge other citizens? This trend must change. Christians of the North should have their shots in Nigerian and their state politics. Muslims of the Southeast and South-South must be empowered and encouraged to live, vote and be voted for in Nigeria and their states. Reverend Kukah and all well-meaning religious clerics, if really they feel for all religious components of Nigeria, should preach this to the governments of Nigeria and Southeastern states of Nigeria.

The Northern Muslim elite have allowed the Christian minority of the North to thrive to the extent that they can boast of Northern Christian elite and some other powerful Christian individuals and organisations. Today, nothing of policy can be implemented in any northern state without serious consideration and involvement of Christians.

The opposite is simply the case in the Southeast and

South-South.

Apart from Edo State and maybe Rivers, is it in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River or Delta state that an aboriginal Muslim can be paired with the political and economic influences and strength of Northern Christian minority personalities like Kukah, Prof.

Jerry Gana, Nenadi Usman, Theophilus Danjuma, Boni Haruna and a lot more.

Northern political elite in response to the overpowering pressure from the Southern Christians made these influential directly or indirectly at home and in Diaspora.

The opposite is simply the case in the Southeast and South-South.

On a resounding note, it is very necessary to call for caution here. I am neither a religious bigot nor a freethinker.

I have remained a strong advocate of the rule of law and humanity, which are both encapsulated in the tenets of Islam and Christianity. I have continued to advocate for the freedom and full integration of Muslims in the Southeast as well as the Christians of the North. Every Nigerian should be completely free to belong to lawful creeds and societies, within the purview of constitutional limits.

The Muslim/Christian minorities should be allowed/ encouraged to participate in the socio-economical and political building of their states and the nation. Those from the Nigerian ethno-religious minorities who possess the capacities to contribute meaningfully and add value to purposeful governance in the country should be recognised, encouraged and empowered. No time than especially now that our religious clerics should stop dabbling into the murky soil of politics in Nigeria and desist from hate and incisive speeches.

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Law Æ s Pa Tunji Gomez, one the oldest practicing legal practitioner was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1961 and did pupilage in the chambers of Oxford-trained lawyer, Michael Odesanya.

As a junior, Gomez was in the team of lawyers that defended late politician Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his trial in the celebrated treasonable felony case of 1962. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, he speaks on the arms procurement scandal and many other sundry issues.

There have been chilling revelations on the $2.1 billion arms procurement scandal. Do we think the present administration have the courage to address the problem facing us as a nation?

When you look at all what are happening, when you see people that are supposed to be leading us then you asked yourself, where are the leaders and what are they teaching the younger ones?

I do not think the scandal involving arms procurement will be swept under the carpet. They are too big, too international and it involved some foreign companies and organisations.

But, the question you should ask is how long would the case last in court before a verdict is pronounced by the judge? The point is that, it is the judgement either one way or the other that will decide whether people would be willing to blow the whistle for the good of Nigeria.

Do not forget that some cases involving former governors are still pending in court. Delay in determination of cases is part of the things that have been encouraging corruption in the country. When a case is in court for more than four to five years at the lower court, people will say what ‘is the point’?

The case may still proceed to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. By the time the case is finished, it would have become stale news. So, judgement must be quick whichever way it goes.

Just recently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, accused the National Assembly of putting the judiciary and by extension, the nation in danger by appropriating miserable funds yearly for the judiciary. What is your take on this?

The lawyers have cried out loud that the Judiciary should be financially independent.

We are in a country that supposed to have or pretends to operate a democratic system of

government. How long will the judiciary keep running to the government for money? Otherwise, there is the possibility that government will indirectly blackmail the judiciary by delaying financial requests from the judiciary arm of government. This is very bad, because it goes down to the judges because they are human beings with responsibilities. They live in the same society and they are like the Caesar’s wife, they must be above board. But, when it comes to what some politicians call ‘’Stomach Infrastructure’’, nobody can stand the pains of ’Stomach Infrastructure’’.

So, it leaves the judge open to temptations, it is an open temptation. But, I do not justify it. So, for us to keep getting efficient judiciary you must make sure that judicial officers are well equipped, well housed and well remunerated. It is only when these needs are met that you can talk of a judiciary that meets the need of the people. So, for the CJN to accuse the lawmakers of staving the judiciary of funds is a warning as to how the independent of the judiciary will be maintained.

What is you take on the Social media bill?

Freedom should have no limitation. There are laws, such as law of defamation, law of libel and the penalties are there in the statute book. However, there should be an international law that law that regulates activities on the internet. The lawmakers should not enact a law to protect themselves. What they should fight for is to engineer the creation of a law that will regulate activities on the social media. But, I do not agree that they should restrict the freedom of the press. This is because the media is the only avenue that people can go to. History has shown that the more you restrict the press, the more you are creating unrest. Because people cannot vent out their grievance, they result to violence. So, what they are about to do is a doubleedged sword. I disagree with it.

December 10 has been set

There is an intoxicating element in the rank of SAN— Gomez

Gomez

Freedom should have no limitation.

There are laws, such as law of defamation, law of libel and the penalties are there in the statute book. However, there should be an international law that law that regulates activities on the internet.

aside as International Human Rights Day. What is your assessment of human rights in Nigeria?

We have come a long way and I am bold to say that the credit should go to the lawyers first and then to some activists and then to the press. Without those three, human rights fight may not have come this far. However, we are not there yet, we still have a long way to go. When compared to other countries, we are far behind. For instance, fundamental human rights cases are still delayed in court.

There should be faster method and people should be bold and come out especially when their rights are violated. What we need is more enlightenment, so that people can be conscious of their rights. But, how many Nigerian even know their right?

If you go to Britain, majority of the people know their rights.

Nigerians don’t want to suffer, but if you do not suffer you cannot get your rights. Yes, we have come a long way but we are not there yet.

How do you see that war of words between two top lawyers on the Supreme Court’s decision that suspended the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)?

The decision of the Supreme Court should not be a public debate. It seems to me that there is an intoxicating element in the rank of SAN. It appears that whenever they became Senior Advocate of Nigeria, they must have taken out of the intoxicating materials. This is because, for these lawyers to use strong words on the decision of the Supreme Court in the public, it not what is expected of them. That

Continued on page 27

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Continued from page 26 is why I told them to stop talking. They are good lawyers, but they have two different opinions on the decision of the apex court and they are confusing the public the more. They in effect are trying to tell us that they know the law more than Supreme Court Justices that is rubbish. It is an unpardonable arrogance; it should not have come from them. I know all of them very well, they are learned but they are setting bad examples for the younger ones.

If the justices of Supreme Court are not infallible and can err, is it wrong to point out their flaws?

Who points it out and who decides that the Supreme Court has erred? Is it the lawyers or the West African Court of Appeal? They know what to do, but they are intoxicated because they are Senior Advocates of Nigeria and that is why we are saying the rank of SAN should be abolished. They are misleading the people. How can a lawyer say the Supreme Court is wrong I am right? Are they saying they know more than all the justices of the apex court?

What is more, the case is still pending. That is why I said they are intoxicated. Once they get the rank of SAN they think they know everything. What is the matter with them? They are senior to ordinary lawyers, they are senior to high court judges, and they want to be made Supreme Court Justices because they think they are senior to Court of Appeal justices. They have gone further and now claim that they are senior to justices of the Supreme Court.

Who are they and what do they think they are? The judges can’t talk, but we can talk. What they are doing is the greatest disserve to the profession.

Just because we kept quiet and we do not talk about it, they think what they are doing is right? We read the same law and went to the same law school, even though I never went to the Law School. It is out of ethics especially when a case is still pending. We do not know what is wrong with them but whatever it is, we are saying the rank of SAN should be abolished to save the profession. Unless the rank is abolished, they will destroy the profession for us. They are disgracing us and the profession. You won’t find QCs in England doing what they are doing.

It has been argued that every profession has a way of rewarding excellence and hard work. Would this not be applicable to the legal profession?

How do they reward lawyers

27 Law

Criticizing S’Court decision is an unpardonable arrogance- Gomez in America? Many countries have abolished the rank. Ghana and South Africa have abolished it. Even South Africa that started after us has abolished it. Ironically, it was Queens Counsel that started the protest in South Africa. As a matter of fact, Nigeria had QCs back then but because QCs was been given to every Dick, Tom and Harry, it was stopped and changed to SAN. It is the same thing they are doing today, giving the rank to every lawyer that has connection. It’s either that your father is a judge or a minister or a governor.

It is not on merit, it has never been on merit and that is what we are fighting for. If it’s not on merit and they don’t pass any special exam, they don’t spend any special year in the profession. So where did they get the special privilege? It is all about getting a level common playing ground for all lawyers. There should be no discrimination; so that every lawyer will have the same opportunity. As it is now, there is no common playing ground for everybody. It is not on merit, it is like applying for a chieftaincy title and everybody knows how you get it. So what we are saying is that they should give every lawyer the same opportunity. Let me tell you, before Queens Counsel (QC) and SAN came, there were good lawyers.

What is the present position on the suit filed against hike in the professional fees paid by lawyers?

We are trying to discuss with the new NBA Executive, he said he was prepared to look into the matter. What the Court Appeal did was to remove the injunction restring NBA from collecting professional fees pending the hearing and determination of the suit we filed. However, we are discussing with the NBA President who in his inaugural speech said he was prepared to look into the matter to see if it can be resolved amicably. I hope the President doesn’t fail but if he does, we will take a decision on it. Many people think erroneously that the Court of Appeal dismissed our case, but it didn’t. What the Court of Appeal did was to decide the interlocutory injunction. The court sent us back to the lower court but we are trying to see if the issue could be settled.

What is your take on the need to decongest the court?

What they did sometimes long years ago was to appoint

Gomez

some senior lawyers to clear the backlogs from the courts, and I wonder why they have not done the same thing to decongest the courts. A newly judge appointed automatically inherits some cases which could have been filed six years ago, as well as new cases. If he decides to attend to new cases, the old ones will suffer and if he decides to attend to the old cases the new ones will suffer.

I think what they can do to have quick justice is that the Attorney-General of the state should appoint experienced lawyers from the ministry of justice and assign some backlog of cases to them. I am sure since it had worked before, within six months many cases would have been concluded. This is very important and very crucial because justice delay is justice denied.

How will you react to the falling standard of legal education in Nigeria?

I think the problems start from the standards set in the universities. If the school authorities can all agree to set up a standard there would not be need for what we are witnessing now. I should applaud the Law School authorities for vehemently raising the standard.

Gone were those days of assisting law students to be able to get a particular cut -off marks. With what they have demonstrated, it means that anyone who is not good is not good. Passing Bar

As a matter of fact, Nigeria had QCs back then but because QCs was given to every Dick, Tom and Harry, it was stopped and changed to SAN. It is the same thing they are doing today, giving the rank to every lawyer that has connection. It’s either that your father is a judge or a minister or a governor.

It is not on merit, it has never been on merit and that is what we are fighting for. exams is not a do- or -die affair, I know about four prominent Nigerians now who did not pass the Bar exams in the first attempt. The Bar is like a sharp-shooter, everything there is straight to the point unlike in the universities where students don’t go straight to the points.

In one breath, the university education is the problem, it is the

background of the Law School and maybe some of the schools are not well- equipped.

How do you think there can be improvements?

The improvement can only set in if a standard is being set up by the university authorities.

Another issue I would raise is that the cut- off points for students should not vary from one geo-political zone to the other; everything should be equal and balanced. Aside what I have mentioned, I think law should be made a second degree course so as to enhance the students’ performance. For instance, if a student had studied Economics or Political Science before studying law, such student has advantage over others who are coming into the system for the first time.

You have been engaged in active legal practice for 54 years. What is the secret of your strength?

It’s the grace of God as well as physical exercise. Most of us sit too much but the body requires constant stretching through regular exercise. If you have back ache, the exercise is there, if you have big tummy the exercise is there, if you have leg or shoulder pain, the exercise is there. However, physical exercise is not the only exercise; we also have the breathing exercise. If your breathing is not in conformity with nature, you should take Yoga exercise. Try it one day you will see the effect.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Tech Times Æ s

NCS executes groundbreaking of N1bn national secretariat

By Tony Nwakaegho Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has executed groundbreaking laying the stone ceremony for its N1 billion national secretariat, deemed to be a technology innovation centre in Lagos.

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu carried out the task of laying the ground-breaking stone for the billion naira six storey edifice with a projection that the building will be completed by the next 18 months.

The Minister who sees the importance of the centre as effort toward the growth of technology in the country said it is worthwhile that the project is achieved by the professional body so as to make significant impact under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration.

“Today, as we make history by laying the foundational cornerstone of this Technology Innovation Centre, I am persuaded that the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is sending out a strong message which announces its robust buy-in and optimal compliance with Mr. President’s ‘Change’ agenda, “Today, our post-colonial national revenue generation model of an oil-export-only economy has been clearly shown to be unsustainable in the 21st Century. The obvious solution, as experts have pointed-out is to diversify the productive base of our

Prof. Aderounmu, president of NCS

national economy and urgently train and re-train our national workforce technologically and digitally.” he said.

He used the occasion to extend a hand of fellowship and support to practitioners in the industry by appointing the President of NCS Professor Sola Aderounmu, ( First appointment in office as Minister of Communication) as

Special Assistant on IT matters.

He also called for total support for government in the bid to make the dream of the president for a new Nigeria in the class of technology driven nation come to fruition in no distant time.

There are about 27 Technology Incubation/Innovation Centres in Nigeria including the NITDA sponsored IDEA Laboratories in

Yaba; Lagos state and Calabar and other private owned and operated centres like CCHub, According to the President of NCS, Aderounmu who made insight into why the project was conceived said there is the need to urgently setup an incubation/ innovation centre to focus on addressing weak universityindustry linkage.

”These incubation/ innovation centres are inadequate for Nigeria and could not provide jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerians.

Furthermore, none of these centres focused on incubating ideas coming out of our universities. That is, the centre will precisely focus on taking ideas from the laboratory to the market place which allows for commercialization of university research.”

Succinct to note that a recent world bank appraisal concludes that that the weak universityindustry linkage in Nigeria is the greatest impediment to the development of a knowledgebased economy and however recommends the prioritization of measures to develop structures and systems for strengthening universityindustry linkage through establishment of at least six university based knowledge parks /technology innovation centres over the next six years.

According to the building committee headed by Sir ObiOkonkwo the project is to provide such a model adding that the master plan for the edifice was considered after expertise recommendation and approval by the NCS working committee. Present at the forum were crème de la crème in the Nigeria information technology sphere and all past presidents of the society, past and present provost, college of fellows, past and present president of (CPN).

Cc-Hub unveils plans for BBC News Labs 2016 BBC Connected Studio, the World Service and BBC News Labs are holding a collaborative ideas workshop in Lagos on 18 January 2016 in partnership with Co-Creation Hub. The aim of the event, CC-Hub

disclosed, is to generate ideas for digital tools and products that better distribute BBC News to African audiences, and increase the reach in ways that are relevant to these markets.

Following an open invitation for proposals, there will be an

opportunity for selected ideas that meet the brief criteria to be developed into pilots.

Successful teams will not only be paid to build these pilots but will receive further resource and help to develop skills at an international level.

The build of the pilot could take up to six months, and therefore teams that are selected should be available during this period.

“We believe that the audience is at the heart of everything the BBC does and therefore it

is important throughout the process to get user-feedback.

During the build of the pilot we’ll undertake local usertesting and once the pilot is complete, it will be launched CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

29 Tech Times

L-R: Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Dada, permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Jide Egunjobi, commissioner for Education, Science and Technology; Dr. Kolapo Olusola, deputy governor, Ekiti State; Corporate Social Value Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mrs. Abosede George-Ogan and Training Manager, Samsung Engineering Academy, Mr. Dickson Odikayor at the launch of Samsung’s second Engineering Academy in Nigeria, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, recently.

Samsung, Ekiti State partner to launch second Engineering Academy in Nigeria

By Tony Nwakaegho Samsung Electronics West Africa in partnership with the Ekiti state government has launched its second Engineering Academy in Nigeria.

This is coming on the heels of the successful launch of the first engineering academy in Lagos.

Commenting on the launch of the academy in Ado- Ekiti, Mr. Brovo Kim, managing director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said the aim is to build success partnerships in Nigeria to equip the country’s youth with the technical and employability skills they need to transform their lives, as well as find jobs or become entrepreneurs.

This is in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs)

which include no poverty, quality education and decent work and economic growth.

“The Engineering Academy initiative seeks to address the critical technical and skills shortage in Africa, Samsung has launched its Engineering Academy in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria to provide hands on vocational skills training for youth. By opening up well paying job opportunities for its students, Samsung’s quality of service is differentiated and set in line with the government’s drive for creating decent jobs, especially for young citizens” Kim added.

The Ekiti Engineering Academy has three theory rooms and three practical rooms, each with a seating capacity of 20. The students at the Academy will be taught across three trades, including

Audio Visual, Home Appliances and Information Mobile and Technology.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Ekiti state, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, while delivering his address expressed his joy about the opportunities the engineering academy will offer to youth in the state.

He urged other relevant stakeholders to emulate this credible achievement of Samsung Electronics West Africa.

“Let me assure you that Ekiti state government and Samsung Electronics West Africa will continue to partner to bring about the vision and mission of the academy to bear, now and always by performing their respective derivable tasks which will advance the cause of the academy” he stated.

The Samsung Engineering Academy is core to Samsung’s vision to fast track the entry of youth into the electronics job market, including the opportunity to work as independent service technicians within its retail channel outlets and to establish their own independently run businesses.

The focus of the academy will be to train individuals in repair, maintenance and service of modern electronic equipment.

Mr. Jide Egunjobi, commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ekiti state in his remarks, applauded Samsung’s commitment to the development of technology within the state and Nigeria at large.

“We applaud Samsung’s dedication to youth acquisition and development of skills through vocational education

for them to be gainfully employed, which is in line with this government’s goals; we therefore charge all beneficiaries of this laudable initiative to judiciously utilize the working tools made available and prevent them from damages and improper usage”.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions.

Samsung is also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives.

Cc-Hub unveil plans for BBC News Labs 2016 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

on BBC taster [bbc.co.uk/ taster], our global public testing platform.

“We are inviting digital agencies, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts within the tech ecosystem both locally (Nigeria) and on a global scale to take part,” CC-Hub said.

Further details on the challenge show that the BBC

is well known in Africa, and valued for its trustworthy, objective and relevant news; the weekly audience in Nigeria alone is estimated to be 28 million, 75% of which are radio listeners.

People turn to the BBC for trusted global news, sport and entertainment, but we want to better serve our younger African audiences in a more digitally-focussed way, whilst

working in partnership with the African digital industry to do so.

Interested agents, organisations and individuals are encouraged to connect with the organisers with answers to questions such as: How can we innovatively reach 16-34 year olds across Africa, on smart and feature phones, in urban and rural environments.

The use of mobile devices in Africa rapidly grows. Mobile phone dependence increases more aspects of the daily life, expectations are changing and users want personalised relevant content. How can we plug ourselves into their daily digital routine?

How do users access the content that is relevant to them, and use it when it suits them, at

a little to no cost?

How might we engage with African smartphone users & also cater to feature phone users?

How might BBC content feature in users’ social media experiences?

How can existing BBC users continue enjoying the BBC on their mobile phones?

Tech Times 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

‘Deployment of technology solution curbed generators, diesel theft at tower sites’ Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Respite has come the way of telecom operators in the countries who were burdened with control of their telecom towers and facilities, incessant theft of generators and diesel even with the presence of security guards at such locations.

The operators made up of Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) since 2011were counting losses which ran into billions of naira resulting from losing an average of two generators daily and over a million litres of diesel to theft.

These atrocities by the miscreants, are what the operators attributed made the operation of the base stations difficult for access and maintenance until they decided to hands off the ownership of towers and sold them to telecom infrastructure providers in order to focus in their core area of providing services.

Daily Times recalled

that this trend led to Engr.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and other stakeholders to be clamouring for telecom infrastructures to be declared as critical national infrastructures in the country.

Investigations revealed also that the operators decided to allow infrastructure providers the like of Helios Tower, IHS, ATC among others to take over the ownership of these towers.

These infrastructure providers began to sort for solution to the theft of generators and diesel, which to them if allowed to continue will create a hole in their revenue and make mess of the initiative A source close to one of the infrastructure providers who plead anonymity revealed that they adopted a technological approach by deploying a remote monitoring solution which uses internet connectivity and this put paid to the menace.

According to him, the deployment of a remote monitoring solution allowed the tower owners to monitor

Nigerian telecoms companies to launch 4G LTE networks by 2017

Adebayo, chairman, ALTON

activities at the towers from their computer or smartphones.

Engr. Adebayo, chairman said that the development is a clear testimony that the country’s telecommunications industry is responding to the dynamics of global economic trends, which makes telecom operators more efficient as they focus on the core area of competence which is service delivery.

Adebayo noted that the move will create more jobs as it encourages the coming up of supportive players in the industry.

“This is also fallout of our internal regulatory mechanism to ensure growth in the industry.

More so, tower sale could be as a result of administrative reasons, cost reduction or shareholders decision,” Adebayo said.

The sale of towers by operators, he said will not only translate to improved quality of

service in the industry but will also shift the burden to other operators which has given rise to adoption of technological solution that has reduced theft of generators and diesel at towers.

“The environmental issues are still there and we are tackling it through engagement with state government in the smart city initiative being driven by ministry of Communications that educate state governments on the benefits of telecommunications service over internally generated revenue(IGR),” he added.

The mobile telecommunications operators in the country, he disclosed require over 180,000 base stations to effectively cover the country with improved quality of service.

Nigerian major telecommunication companies are said to be prepared to commercially launch the Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) networks by 2017.

It’s equally believed that MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom are ready to launch their 4G LTE networks as soon as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) releases the Digital Dividend Spectrum bands to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and NCC auctions the spectrum band.

Digital dividend spectrum is released when television broadcasters switch from analogue platforms to digital only platforms; part of the electromagnetic spectrum that has been used for broadcasting would be freed up because digital TV needs fewer spectrums than analogue television. GSM operators on the 2100MHz bands would move to the new band slots.

Prof. Damabatta NCC, EVC

Experts task FG on innovative IT Curriculum for education sector

Dr. Ekhomu, president AISSON

Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Technology (ICT) experts under the auspices of ICT Experts Round-Table 2015 have tasked the federal government to immediately transform the country’s education system by introducing innovative IT Curriculum at all levels of education, with special focus on the training and retraining of

teachers of IT at all levels.

The experts, who assembled in Lagos to discuss the increasing spate of cyber threats, resolved that urgent measures must be put in place by the federal government to nip the menace in the bud.

Prof.

Sola Aderounmu, president of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said there was need for government

to legislate on the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) addresses of software developers, to encourage them develop more.

Dr. Ona Ekhomu, president, Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria (AISSON) decried the situation where national software codes for instance, CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

31 Tech Times

Inspire Kids Education introduces hands-on STEM in youngsters Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Inspire Kids Education , leading science education provider, has introduced a modular Science Club for inculcating hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to pupils in elementary and junior secondary schools in Lagos.

The concept of the club is to take practical demonstrations of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to schools with expositions and make the pupil have direct interaction with scientists and scientific phenomena.

The first Inventors Clubhouse event of Inspire Kids Education took place at Morehouse Primary School, Surulere, Lagos.

The Inventors Clubhouse Mobile Science and Technology Expo was a one-day event for pupils’ ages between 4 and12 and it featured over 50 children in the school.

Commenting on the programme, Mrs Adaeze Abiaka, Inspire Kids Inventors Clubhouse said, “The Inventors Clubhouse experience exposes the young learners to the simplicity of science and its inventions through scientific exploration, inspiring them to reach inside themselves and their imagination to become creative problem solvers.

We use demonstrations, scientific experiments and simulations to aid their understanding of both scientific ideas and how they manifest in real life.”

Abiaka disclosed that pupils this

Adaeze Abiaka teaching pupils science concepts year at Morehouse worked on the theme of “Air and Gases” using science stations.

They explored scientific concepts, she said, such as the properties of matter (Gases); how air responds to different conditions, how air influences weather, how air aids flight, the Principles of flight and much more.

“These explorations led them to the understanding of the process of scientific inventions - from the problem - to the question - to observation – to experiment - to analysing data – and to designing the solution. This is the same way inventors think and work. Our Science Stations provide over fifteen explorations that build the scientific

L-R: Friend to winner of Dubai Trip in Airtel Red Hot Promo 3, Joy Njoku; Web Developer/winner of Dubai trip, Nnamdi Oji; head, Mass Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Oladipo Jolaosho and student of UNILAG friend to winner, Cynthia Edokwe during the welcome gathering after their arrival from Dubai

Winners of Airtel Red Hot Promo all-expense trip return from Dubai

concepts from simple to complex.

At these stations, the learners observe, investigate and test science phenomena with their hands and senses giving each child a personal experience. Engaging the young learners this way offers them a more continual learning and inspires them to reach for more,” she added.

The process helped the students to acquire the understanding of the science behind the operation of such technological devices, as the pupils built model parachutes, planes, hovercraft, hot air balloons and air propelled vehicles.

Abiaka stated, “The experiments created so much excitement and purpose filled entertainment for the pupils. The pupils experienced

exploding gas reactions and many wow activities, and take-home scientific gifts. This Expo is open for subscription to elementary schools.”

Inspire Kids Education is a leading provider of hands-on On Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (S.T.E.M) education to Elementary and Junior Secondary Schools with about twenty (20) published Experiment Guide Books covering several science and technology themes.

Inspire Kids also trains teachers to be able to carry out the experiments themselves for pupils and students on a continuing basis. It provides its services to schools in Lagos and Ogun States.

Winners of the Airtel Red Hot Promo all-expense trip for four to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been welcomed back to Nigeria with excitement and joy.

The Airtel customers commended the leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, for fulfilling their promises and making the holidays unforgettable for customers.

The winners narrated their pleasant experiences in Dubai

and noted that the trip gave them opportunity to visit exciting places in Dubai such as Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in Dubai, Dubai Mall, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi and the Safari Desert for the cruise.

Eight of them admitted that the all-expense paid trip to Dubai was their first trip ever to the UAE. Mrs. Victoria commended Airtel Nigeria for giving her and the children the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas holiday in a special way.

Experts task FG on innovative IT Curriculum for education sector CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the voters’ registration card, as well as the SIM registration which could have been handled better

by Nigerians are given to foreigners to handle.

“Sensitive software for national use must be localised and certified”, Ekkomu said.

Adding his voice, Pius Okigbo

(Jr), president of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), lamented that software developers lose a lot of their revenue to IP theft.

The experts resolved at the end of the day that a standard for the acquisition of software in Nigeria should be created and the office of the Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) of the Federation, established.

They contended that the endorsement and promotion of ethical hacking in Nigeria is needed to help reduce malicious hacking.

According to them, the government need to finalise the issue of a single database of all Nigerians and organisations, which would help to track cyber security attacks in the country.

“Cyber security needs to be demystified, a lot still needs

to be learned by the public, and this calls for adequate publicity and awareness campaign that will make Nigerians understand the dangers of cyber attacks. The absence of serious attacks on the government has made light of the gravity of the threat of cyber insecurity, but this has to be addressed before it is too late,” they insisted.

Huawei’s mobile broadband 2020 strategy outlines plans for next five years Huawei announced its “MBB 2020 Strategy” on the opening day of the 2015 Global Mobile Broadband Forum, outlining a new mobile broadband blueprint for the next five years.

“From now until 2020, we have three main targets: supporting 6.7 billion mobile broadband users, supporting a 1Gbps access rate, and supporting 1 billion connections for the cellular Internet of Things.

“Achieving these goals will require technology and business model innovation, as well as crossindustry collaboration. Huawei’s mobile broadband strategy will focus on spectrum, air interface, network architecture, integrated base stations, and operations based on user experience,” Ken Hu, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman and Rotating CEO said.

He added, “Connecting people remains a top priority, so both quantity and quality matter. The network is the foundation of user experience, but as we focus on the network, we must, at the same time, focus on the user. And in focusing on network performance, we must also keep in mind how users experience the network.”

Hu went on, “We are entering the era of the Internet of Things. This means huge opportunities for the entire mobile telecommunications industry. To realise this IoT vision, we must develop and unify crossindustry standards, contain costs, and promote cooperation among different stakeholders. These three factors will help drive growth in this market.”

The 2015 Global Mobile Broadband Forum is jointly hosted

by Huawei and the GSMA. This year it has attracted more than 1,000 distinguished guests, 200 of whom are C-level executives.

Participants include mobile operators, industry partners and media representatives.

Guests discuss issues related to building a better connected world, such as how to broaden the MBB pipe using 4.5G solutions, and how to take advantage of more powerful pipe capability to explore new industry opportunities.

During the Forum, 25 speakers from GSMA, CMCC, Telefonica, Vodafone, Orange, Telecom Italia, SoftBank, Google, BOSCH, and others will gives presentations.

Ken Hu, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman

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tuESdaY, JanuaRY 5, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.15

Price: n150

Emulate

Ambode g 19

on sports, Dalung tells other Govs

, t u o z e Benit n i e n a d i Z

…As Real Madrid fire under-performing coach

R

afa Benitez has been sacked

by Real Madrid after just seven months in charge with club legend Zinedine Zidane announced as his replacement.

The decisive moment arrived when the Spanish giants called an emergency meeting after Madrid failed to beat Valencia on Sunday evening.

Club president Florentino Perez decided to swing the axe with the club sitting third in the table, two points behind rivals Barcelona, and four behind league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane will step up from the B-team to take control of first team affairs until at least the end of the season.

Perez remains a huge fan of Jose Mourinho and the former Chelsea manager remains an option for the Spanish giants at the end of the season if the Zidane experiment fails.

Benitez was unable to win any of Madrid’s big away games so far this season with Villarreal, Sevilla and Barcelona all beating them and Atletico Madrid, Valencia

and PSG all taking a point.

Benitez shows his frustration on the touchline during the disappointing draw with Valencia Benitez shows his frustration on the touchline during the disappointing draw with Valencia Real Madrid was to have an open training session on Tuesday with thousands expected to flock to the club’s Valdebebas training ground to see the players put through their paces.

But it will be Zidane and not the former Liverpool coach in charge as Real Madrid begin another new era.

After Sunday’s draw with Valencia Benitez arrived in the press room at Mestalla wearing a gaunt look as he batted away question after question over his future.

‘I can only make sure that we work hard in every game,’ he said. ‘I thought we did that tonight and I’m pleased with the players.’

Real Madrid Castilla boss Zinedine Zidane is likely to take care of first team

affairs for the rest of the season As early as pre-season, tensions between Rafa Benitez and Real Madrid’s star forward Cristiano Ronaldo were already forming.

The Portugal international was picked up by microphones complaining about the Spaniard’s training methods during the pre-season preparations.

Benitez further risked alienating the current Ballon d’Or holder when he refused to name Ronaldo as the best player he had ever coached.

Asked if the draw would cost him his job, Benitez replied: ‘That’s only if we look at the result. This performance deserves more praise than criticism.

‘I can’t avoid people speculating [about my job]. But I can make sure that the side works the way it did today.’

‘We saw a great team with 10 players that stood up to be counted until the end, when we had a great chance to win.’

Club captain Sergio Ramos said he felt his boss still had credit in the bank going into the next round of matches but

it is Real Madrid’s record against better opposition that has helped the case of those who want a change.

Pressure has been mounting on Benitez for several weeks with the club trailing local rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga and Real Madrid supporters have been clamouring for change.

The club’s notoriously unforgiving fans let their feelings towards Benitez known once again last week – with the Spaniard booed ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Real Sociedad.

It’s not the first instance of booing aimed at Benitez this season, with the sound levels inside the stadium raised to extreme highs following the hefty defeat at home by Barca.

Benitez’s short reign at the Santiago Bernabeu has been fraught with difficulty with reports surfacing in the summer that Cristiano Ronaldo and other senior players were failing to buy into his methods.

The former Liverpool boss was also criticised early in his tenure for playing an overly defensive style of football.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Naira begins 2016 on a negative note, sells at N265/$1Page B3

NSE issues compilation of rules for stakeholers Page B4

Labour worries over Buhari’s ‘tacit’ support for wage slash Page B6

Experts task FG on aviation development in 2016

Telecom subscribers will not be short-changed under my watch-Shittu

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Aviation experts have tasked the Federal Government on areas it should improve on saying their expectation is for the government to privatise many of the country’s airports to guarantee efficiency and service delivery.

Former Commandant, PresiCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Tony Nwakaegho

L-R: Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde; and Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele on arrival of Lagarde on a four-day visit to Nigeria... at Abuja airport yesterday.

Buhari meets Lagarde today Opeoluwani Akintayo

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hold talks with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today in a bid to find solution to economic crisis fuelled by plunging oil prices.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, crude oil price closed yesterday at $35.7 per barrel while there are indications by the IMF that it could slump to about $20 per barrel.

Nigeria’s 2016 national budget of N6.08 trillion is based on oil benchmark of $38 per barrel.

At the current price $35.7 per barrel, the budget is already being threatened.

The fund said yesterday its

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

managing director Christine Lagarde would meet Buhari and his Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun.

“I look forward to productive meetings ... as they address important economic challenges, most importantly the impact of low oil prices,” said Lagarde in a statement.

Lagarde arrived in Abuja yesterday. She is due to give a speech to lawmakers on Wednesday and will also meet business leaders during her visit, the IMF said.

Lagarde will also visit neighbouring Cameroon, where she will meet President Paul Biya and his economic team.

The government of the central African country that exports coffee, cocoa and oil tabled a 2016 budget of 4,200 billion

CFA francs ($6.9 billion) in December.

Cameroon is part of an 8,700-strong task force including troops from Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin that has pledged to destroy Boko Haram, which though based mainly in Nigeria has become a major threat to regional security.

Lagarde will also meet Finance Ministers from the six member countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), delivering a speech to the group on Jan. 8.

“The country (Cameroun) and the entire CEMAC region are confronted with the twin shocks of the oil-price slump and a surge in disruptions related to security,” Lagarde said.

Buhari

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, has pledged that no Nigerian telecom subscriber would be shortchanged by any service provider under his watch in view of the of the increasing complaints that are emanating from poor quality of service and regulatory deficiencies.

The Minister described the present economic downturn besetting the nation as a temporary setback, adding that the telecom sector holds the ace to ending the current gloomy economy as it is set to boost the revenue base of the country and enhance job creation for the unemployed youths.

The Minister who spoke through a statement by his Special Assistant on media, Victor Oluwadamilare, declared that the telecom sector hold the ace to the litany of economic challenges confronting the nation and urged the citizens to support President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

According to him, “As we celebrate the New Year, I appealed CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Oil workers seek stakeholders input in proposed PIB

Opeoluwani Akintayo

Oil workers have called on the Federal Government to ensure that stakeholders have inputs in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that it proposed to represent to the National Assembly in the first quarter of 2016.

Reacting against the backdrop of a plan by the current administration of President

Muhammadu Buhari to unbundle the PIB and represent it to the 8th National Assembly in the first quarter of 2016 to ease the process of passage, National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Emmanuel Ojugbana, said it was “important for major players in the industry to speak with one voice” as regards their

needs in the PIB. According to him, it is necessary to avoid the mistakes of past regimes that delayed the passage of the PIB thereby causing discomfort to investors and stakeholders in the industry, adding that the bill needs to be passed to potentially unlock billions of dollars in frozen investments in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

It will be recalled that the

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, told Senators during his screening as a ministerial nominee that the average value of investment that the country is losing on an annual basis because of the lack of PIB, was in excess of $15 billion (13.7 billion euros).

Kachikwu added, “The nonpassage of the bill in whatever

form over the years has created a level of uncertainty that no international investor wants to grapple with.

Parliament needs to find a way of working with us and go ahead and pass those elements of the PIB where there’s not much contention.”

Ojugbana, noted that the bill has suffered from been passed by the legislature for almost a CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

MRS appoints new MD

Experts task FG on aviation development in 2016

Board of directors of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has approved the appointment of Mr. Andrew Gbodume as managing director and chief executive officer of the company with effect from January 1, 2016.

The appointment is sequel to the recent resignation of Mr. Paul Bissohong as managing director from the board of the company and subsequent secondment back to the group.

Mr. Gbodume has been Executive Director of Finance & Administration and Executive Director at MRS Oil Nigeria Plc since May 12, 2011.

Mr. Gbodume had a stint with African International Bank (AIB) where he rose to the position of an assistant general manager, Financial control and Manage-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

dential fleet, Captain Dele Ore, who made the disclosure said plans by the Federal Government recently to privatise or concession most of the airports was a welcome development, saying the pronouncement and the implementation of the directive was a vindication of what he and others had championed over the years.

To him, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as presently constituted do not have what it takes to efficiently manage over 26 airports.

Ore stated that the country had no choice than to privatise the aerodromes, adding that each of the viable airports should be grouped with two or three others that are not so viable.

Echoing Ore, former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and an aviation security consultant, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) stated that the matter should have long been left behind if government had been decisive.

His words, “We have about 26 airports, how many are viable?

Most of the airports do not have runway lightings. Aircraft cannot operate into most of them at night. The new government should concentrate on what they want to do, sell Lagos airport and take along another two or three that are not viable.

Privatisation should stop at the terminal building while security should be in the hands of the government.”

Penultimate week, Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin had at a forum posited that the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian airports could be turned around within 30 months through a well-structured private sector intervention.

He also advised government to divide the nation’s airports into four zones, comprising Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt before offering them to interested concessionaires, adding that each zone should then be made responsible for the growth of all airports within its jurisdiction.

Babalakin further stated: “I heard Alhaji (Sani) Baba say that only Lagos airport is viable. I don’t agree. If you want to challenge it, my position is give us Abuja. If you think it is not viable, we will take it.

ment, a position he held for over 5 years. He joined MRS Oil and Gas Co. Ltd as Assistant General Manager, Finance and Corporate Planning in 2007.a year after, the position was re-designated as Deputy General Manager.

Also in 2008, he was elevated to the position of Director, Special duties. As a result of his excellent performance, he was appointed Ag. Managing Director MRS Investment Co. Ltd in July 2010, before his secondment to MRS Oil Nig Plc. Mr. Gbodume holds a Master’s degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is a fellow of the institute of chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an associate member, Nigerian Institute of Management as well as Nigerian Institute of Taxation.

Wabba

NLC calls for revival of bulk cocoa export facility, Ajaokuta steel Joy Ekeke Workers under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have called for the revival of the abandoned infrastructure at the Ikeja Industrial Estate and Apapa Port in Lagos state, installed to handle bulk export of cocoa.

In a statement Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, alleged that Ajaokuta Steel Company conceived to be the foundation and cornerstone of our industrialization, was wilfully neglected by previous administrations.

Report from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) showed that Nigeria recorded the highest export of cocoa and its products valued at N131.2 billion in 2014. Of the amount, N43.191billion was realized in Q1; over N18. 558 billion was recorded in Q2; over N24.845 billion was recorded in Q3 while N44.695 billion was recorded in Q4 of last year.

Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment who spoke at the Nigerian Cocoa Value Addition Summit held in Abuja last year, observed that the initiative would help Nigeria to claim a greater share of the global market for finished goods made from cocoa estimated at $200 billion yearly, in addition to thou-

sands of employment in the subsector.

Wabba who affirmed that “virtually all parts of our country is blessed with one form of agricultural produce or the other,” however emphasized the need for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to “invest in modern agricultural infrastructure so that we can bring back the groundnut pyramids, the cocoa and palm plantations of the First Republic.

“In Ikeja Industrial Estate and the Apapa Port in Lagos, the infrastructure built to handle bulk export of cocoa are still lying waste. These can be revived.”

Similarly, the Congress called on the present administration to revisit the abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Company project.

Wabba who expressed regret over the inordinate attitude to the project, said: “it is such a big national shame that Ajaokuta Steel Company conceived to be the foundation and cornerstone of our industrialisation has been wilfully neglected and abandoned all these years after over $5 billion had been sunk into the construction of its huge and vast edifice.

“Additionally, Ajaokuta was also meant to produce the steel we need as a country to replace our obsolete rail lines with modern standard gauge rail lines.

Oil workers seek stakeholders input in proposed PIB CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

decade due to lack of political will by the government.

He said that other bills that were not as important as the PIB were passed without delay by the legislative arm of government, “while the PIB which is the legal instrument that determine the operations and activities of the sector that is the main stay of the nation economy suffer setbacks due to placing of personal interest over national interest.”

“We hope that both the execu-

tive and legislative arms of the government will work together to ensure a quick passage of the PIB given its importance to the nation’s oil and gas industry. We also suggest an all-inclusive industry Stakeholders’ Summit to ensure its accelerated passage,” he stated.

Comrade Ojugbana said that there was need for the government to let Nigerians know which version of the PIB it intended to represent to the National Assembly or whether it was planning a new bill.

Telecom subscribers will not be shortchanged under my watch-Shittu CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

to all Nigerians, our supporters, Oyo State indigenes and residents in general to continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors, so as to ensure the success of the ongoing transformation.

“The various complaints of telecom subscribers across board and the challenges besetting telecom operators in Nigeria are being looked into holistically with a view to finding lasting solutions in conjunction with relevant stakeholders within the possible shortest time”, Shittu added. ”The Federal Ministry of Communications under my watch will ensure synergy in the communication sector, so as to give room for Nigerians to take full advantage of the potentials in the industry.”

He added that “The telecom sector holds a lot of promise for the economic growth of Nigeria in terms of revenue generation and massive employment generation, if all the industry’s potentials and ICT’s limitless opportunities are well harnessed.

Shittu

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Stories by Motolani Oseni Sterling Bank Plc has formally written Obat Petroleum Limited over alleged illegal diversion of N1.2 billion subsidy claims to the personal account of its chairman, Oba Frederick Akinrutan, which is expected to be paid to the lender as banker to the transaction.

In a letter signed by its General Manager Corporate, Mr. Adegboyega Adegun and Assistant General Manager, Corporate, Mr. Abiodun Odutola of Sterling Bank Plc, stated that: “We write to advice that we are aware that the Sovereign Debt Note serial number FGN/2014/01/Q14/1673 and FGN/2014/01/R14/1694 due on the joint venture transactions between Petrocam Trading Oil Limited and Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited which were financed by Sterling Bank are part of the subsidy payment approved and paid by government as published by Business Day newspaper of December 11, 2015. ” It further stated that as banker of the transactions, the bank demand that all subsidy proceeds accruing to the transaction including exchange rate differentials and all other relevant claims from government must be remitted to Obat Oil and Pe-

B3 Money Market

Sterling Bank writes Obat Petroleum over N1.2b subsidy diversion

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (left); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left); Chairman, Lagos Assembly House Committee on Economic Planning &Budget, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (2nd right) and Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola Solomon, during the signing of the Y2016 Appropriation Bill into Law, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja... on Monday

troleum Limited account number 0020560534 in Sterling Bank Plc for the purpose of liquidating outstanding loan obligations in line with the terms and conditions of the facility under which the transactions were financed.

Also note that apart from fi-

nancing the importation product, Sterling Bank paid all relevant government charges including the PEF and admin.”

According to a document obtained by our correspondent, Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited entered a joint agreement

with Obat Oil Petroleum Limited to import some metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol. In the agreement, Petrocam is the marketer, while Obat is the contractor.

The contractor which is Obat,

hereby engaged the marketer which is Petrocam to finance the business whether by its own resources or through its Bank and Obat accept such engagement on the terms and condition in the contract both companies jointly signed.

‘Efficient foreign exchange management‘ll reshape economy in 2016’ Financial experts in the country have said that efficient management of foreign exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will play a major role in reshaping the dyeing nation’s economy in 2016.

Daily Times notes that despite the restriction in the official allocation of foreign ex-

NIBOR as @ Jan. 4, 2016 FAQs Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

O/N

0.875

-0.13 ?

1M

8.3335

-0.62 ?

3M

10.237

-0.44 ?

6M

11.9738

-0.79

12M

8.5042

0.06 ?

change by the apex bank, many had expected that President Buhari would enunciate measures to strengthen the naira in his budget speech which he had however, pushed to the monetary policy, CBN. Financial analysts, however, pointed that the nation’s earning capacity is weak and except this is boosted, there seems to be no sustainable measure to boost the currency in a free market economy.

Former President of the Nigerian Economic Society and Executive Director, African Centre for Shared Development Capacity Building, Prof. Olu Ajakaiye,

CBN Exchange Rates Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

1/4/16

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

POUNDS STERLING

289.59

290.3288

291.0675

EURO

213.8164

214.3619

214.9073

SWISS FRANC

196.1569

196.6573

197.1577

YEN

1.6484

1.6526

1.6569

CFA

0.3056

0.3156

0.3256

WAUA

270.7026

271.3931

272.0837

YUAN/RENMINBI

29.9823

30.0592

30.1361

RIYAL

52.2318

52.3651

52.4983

DANISH KRONA

28.6499

28.723

28.7961

SDR

271.9696

272.6634

273.3572

said the citizens and the government should not panic over this issue. But advised that minimising wastages, impunity, overpricing and over-invoicing will go a long way in reducing the difference in the price of crude oil sold at its peak period and the price it will sell at its lowest ebb.

“The economy will do better in 2016. I am happy for the falling oil price because it will show the strength of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Ajakaye listed sectors that would boost the quest for the

diversification of the nation’s economy to include solid minerals, processing and agriculture.

They however warned that Nigeria economy may continue to face difficulties unless the government musters the courage to resolve its contradictions, face the labour challenges and do away with the albatross of the Nigerian economy in the past nine years.

The experts said that the contradictions in the government manifest in its holding on to the refineries that have served more to siphon public wealth

into private pockets. The government says it has no plan to sell the refineries and claims that the economy will be private sector led.

It would be recall that eight years after the cancellation of the privatisation exercise, according to analysts, the patrimonies that the nation refused to let go still remain Nigeria’s drain pipe instead of giving the country a foothold to refine its petroleum products and save the nation the haemorrhage known as importation of petroleum products.

Naira begins 2016 on a negative note, sells at N265/$1 The nation’s currency, naira begins 2016 on a negative note, as it traded for N265 against the US Dollar at the parallel market on Monday.

As at the close of market yesterday, the naira exchanged at the interbank market at N199 against the dollar, while losing N2 to the dollar from its weekend value of N263 at the parallel market.

However, traders at the mar-

ket were hopeful that the naira would rebound in 2016 if the apex bank continued to enforce its policies at the foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s external reserves continued to decline standing at $29.1 billion as at December 4th of January, 2016 according to latest figures made available on the website of the CBN. The reserves have declined by

15.6 per cent when compared to $34.46 billion which it was as at the end of 2014, covering barely four months of the country’s imports.

CBN governor Godwin Emefiele, had at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting, said the average Naira exchange rate remained relatively stable at both the inter-bank and Bureaude-Change (BDC) segments of the FX market in October.

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

NSE issues compilation of rules for stakeholders

Stories by Friday Atufe

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued a rulebook for stakeholders in the stock market.

The Rulebook of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, 2015 is a compilation of all the rules, regulations and guidelines (“Rules”) of the NSE in one document.

Tinuade Awe, general counsel and head of regulation of the NSE said the document would facilitate quick and easy access to the rules by dealing members, issuers, investors and all other stakeholders who require them.

She explained that in providing an overall enhanced experience, users of the rulebook would observe: A consolidated

Awe

Stock market report

Stock market opens 2016 on negative note Transactions at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed for 2016 on a negative trend with the All-Share Index dropping by 0.95 per cent due to profit taking.

The index which opened at 28,642.25 lost 271.93 points or 0.95 per cent to close at 28,370.32.

Also, the market capitalisation lost N93 billion to close at N9.757 trillion compared with N9.850 trillion posted on Thursday.

Nestle recorded the highest price loss to lead the losers’ chart, dropping by N30.00 to close at N830 per share.

It was trailed by Nigerian Breweries with a loss of N6.80 to close at N129.20, while GlaxoSmithKline lost N1.71 to close at N32.49 per share.

Ashaka Cement declined by N1 to close at N24 and Transcorp Hotel dropped by 29k to close at N5.51 per share.

On the other hand, Okomu Oil led the gainers’ table, growing by N1.48 to close at N31.78 per share.

Cement Company of North-

ern Nigeria followed with a gain of 31 kobo to close at N9.66, while Zenith Bank gained 25 kobo to close at N14.30 per share.

Guinness increased by 12 kobo to close at N120.52 and Oando gained 10 kobo to close at N6.00 per share.

Austin Laz drove the volume of shares traded, exchanging 15.71 million shares worth N32.84 million traded in one deal.

FBN Holdings followed with an exchange of 10.70 million shares valued N52.96 million transacted in 246 deals, while Transcorp sold 8.45 million shares worth N12.77 million achieved in 120 deals.

Access Bank traded 8.02 million shares valued N38.54 million in 99 deals and UBA sold 7.12 million shares worth N24.06 million transacted in 138 deals.

In all, investors’ staked N98.97 billion shares on 700.52 million traded in 2,307 deals as against 252.16 million shares valued N3.85 billion traded by investors’ in 2,160 deals last Thursday.

Summary activities on NSE on January 4, 2016 ASI 28,370.32 Deals 2,307.00 Volume 98,965,945.00 Value 700,515,940.45 Market capitalisation 9,757,084,623,274.25

Index of all the rules, which are effective from December 31, 2015 and they are divided into parts, chapters, and sections, which have been grouped into related subject matters for ease of access and efficient use.

She also said the rulebook had been structured into chapters and section breaks, which have a numbering system that will enable us to add new provisions without disturbing the order of existing provisions, as necessary as well as a comprehensive editing of the rules for consistency and clarity.

For instance, there is a consolidation and re-ordering of the Rules for improved flow and rationality in the context of the rules, a cleaning up where there

were overlaps and duplications of provisions and updated crossreferences in order to make relevant connections between related provisions.

The statement noted that for stakeholders who might be interested in the historical changes and developments to the rules, they could also retain the links on the website of the NSE to the Rules (Dealing Members’ Rules | Issuers’ Rules) as they appeared in separate documents prior to compilation in the Rulebook.

“We trust that our stakeholders will find the Rulebook very useful. And, we will be grateful to receive comments in order to further improve stakeholder experience with the document,” Awe said.

SEC, NSE flag off Direct Cash Settlement Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday formally flagged off commence the Direct Cash Settlement initiative, which is the direct payment of proceed of sale of securities into an investor’s nominated bank account.

Mrs. Tinuade Awe, general counsel and head regulation division of the NSE said yesterday that notice is hereby given that the rule which was approved by the SEC on 5 June 2014, has become effective from yesterday.

As part of the ongoing initiatives to protect investors and eliminate fraudulent activities in the Nigerian Capital Market, stakeholders in the market under the leadership of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and The Nigerian Stock Exchange will, with effect from January 4 2016, commence the Direct Cash Settlement initiative, which is the direct payment of proceed of sale of securities into an investor’s nominated bank account.

With the effective take-off of Direct Cash Settlement yesterday, investors in the Nigerian capital market who executed transactions would be credited directly with the net proceeds of stock market transactions in a bid the

Gwarzo

challenge of illegal sale of investors’ securities.

Direct cash settlement is a process where cash proceeds from trades executed by brokers on the Exchange settles directly into investors’ bank account. It starts when a client gives his broker the mandate to sell his or her shares.

Once those shares are sold, payment is made directly into the client’s account. This is in contrast to the current practice where proceed from sale of securities is paid directly into the stockbroker’s account and stockbrokers then deduct transaction fees and remit the balance to the client’s account.

Historically, issues have arisen on occasions when the proceeds of sale were not remitted into the clients’ accounts, thereby necessitating the need for the initiative.

According to the DG of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, he stated that

“with the Direct Cash Settlement initiative, the moment securities are sold, the consideration will be paid into the client’s account. I am happy to report that at the last CMC, our members unanimously agreed that the Direct Cash Settlement initiative will commence on 4th of January 2016. So, we believe this will also improve investor confidence in the market.”

As against the current general practice where the proceed of sale for investors’ transactions go into the bank accounts of the brokers for onward disbursement to their clients, the practice under the ‘Direct Cash Settlement’ would be to send the net proceeds directly from the clearing and settlement system to investors’ accounts while the existing practice of payment through brokers would only happen where clients opt not to participate in the initiative.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

B5 Capital Market

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY ( EQUITIES) 04-01-2016

Labour B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Labour worries over Buhari’s ‘tacit’ support for wage slash

Workers resuming duty after the New Year holiday at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja... on Monday

Stories by Joy Ekeke Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep concerns over what it termed as tacit support being given by President Muhammadu Buhari to state governors, on their plan to slash the national minimum wage from N18,000.

Daily Times reports that labour unions in the country are in final stages of preparing a request for the upward review of the minimum wage, while on

the other hand, most state governors are calling for its reduction based on current grim economic realities.

According to a statement issued by President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, reviewing the activities of the outgone year: “Instead of using our current economic reality as a basis for deep reflection on how to revive and rebuild our economy, our political elite have instead chosen to engage Nigeria workers in battle. This is symbolized in recent threats

by the Nigerian Governors Forum to abandon the payment of the N18, 000 national minimum wage which was enacted into law in 2011, or in the alternative sack workers to join the army of the unemployed.

“It was therefore discomfiting that President Muhammadu Buhari appears to have given tacit support to the governors’ gambit, in the course of his maiden presidential media chat on December 30, 2015. Echoing the claim that states might not have the capacity to (continue to) pay a mere

N18, 000 as minimum wage. For us in Congress, the position of the governors supported by the views of the Mr. President cannot be empirically defended.

“The working people and the rest of the poor mass of our people are entering the New Year against the backdrop of these uncertainties and other challenges.

Given the massive support Nigerians gave President Buhari as a symbol and icon of change, they expectedly harbour tremendous expectations that his government will deliver on a number of areas and provide succour that has for decades eluded them.”

Ayuba noted that there is no state of the federation that cannot pay much more than N18, 000 as minimum wage if corruption and extravagance on the part of the public office holders are stamped out, stressing that if people are at the centre of states’ policies, which is of the essence for ensuring development, the focus should be on economic empowerment of the working people.

The Congress lamented that certain political and judicial office holders who are far less than 18,000 persons are earning an astonishing N1.126 trillion annually, pointing out that it is unfortunate that the National Assembly have refused to reduce their allowances as a way of reducing the cost of governance.

TUC, NLC accuse NASS members of insensitivity Members of the National Assembly have been accused by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerian masses who elected them for representation, after information emerged of the lawmakers plan to purchase 469 exotic cars for themselves with state funds.

TUC described the 469 cars the federal lawmakers plan to buy as a misplaced priority, stating: “We are pained by the fact that it appears the lawmakers do not really know the task before them and the country.”

This was contained in a statement signed by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and the General Secretary, Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal.

“To begin with, for over two months now running the country has been experiencing

chronic fuel scarcity such that has never been heard of before.

The free-fall of the naira, poor health facilities, glorified primary schools as universities, closure of manufacturing companies, insecurity of lives and properties, which essentially is caused by unemployment, etc.

Our case has become so deplorable that we have now become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.”

“Where is even the conscience of the so-called lawmakers? Where are the good roads to drive cars? Why is it that the privileged in this country do not even consider the lessprivileged? Lawmakers ride in public transportation in most developed countries to attend to state matters, despite the affluence of their country. The reason our leaders do ridiculous things beats our imagination.”

Accoding to TUC, It will be recalled that the National Assembly members had, in August, collected between N7million and N8million as car loans.

But they said the 469 cars that they plan to buy would be used for oversight functions by members of the National Assembly.

N47.5billion for only cars is senseless and peak of insensitivity and we support President Buhari to stand his ground on the issue. We are definitely not against the President holding a closed-door meeting with the lawmakers but all we are saying is no to such frivolous expenses. ”Some have argued that the National Assembly go away with their official vehicles after four years, having paid the current value to government coffers. But we wanted something different hence Nigerians voted for change. It just does not make

any sense contemplating buying cars with almost 40 per cent of government annual budget.

We just do hope the lawmakers mean well for the country,” the statement said.

In a separate statement the NLC said: “The planned purchase of 496 exotic cars costing several billions of naira, after getting car allowances, is not only outrageous but a mark of the manifest insensitivity of our legislators in the period of severe famine in the land.

Signed by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, the statement said it is shocking that lawmakers at the national level – Senators and Members of the House of Representatives would continue with the bizarrely ostentatious standards they have set for themselves, for spending Nigerians collective patrimony.

Wabba

NLC plans national civil society summit on good governance Nigerian Labour Congress has tentatively flagged off its good governance campaign with the announcement that it plans to host an inaugural National Civil Society Summit in 2016.

The hint was contained in a media statement issued by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President NLC, according to him: “In the New Year, we shall intensify our campaign for good governance side by side with our battle against corruption.

The national leadership of Congress had long before now acknowledged the fact that the performance of most of our political office holders across the various layers of governance structures has been less than satisfactory.

“As a result, we had pledged to “institute a mechanism of accountability and assessment of all public office holders”. We promised to work with professional bodies and other credible organizations to make these assessments and publicize them annually.

“Before the end of the first quarter of 2016, the Congress shall convene a National Civil Society Summit. The summit will, among other issues, address how trade unions, professional bodies, religious organisations, market men and women organisations, students and youth bodies, other mass organizations and civil society bodies attending the summit can fashion out ways of holding our political leadership at all levels accountable and responsive to the developmental aspirations of our people,” Comrade Wabba said Comrade Wabba, disclosed that the summit would also agree on mechanisms for developing a scorecard for cabinet ministers and for state governors on good governance index that will subsequently be released every December.

B7 Energy

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

L-R: Member, Board of Directors, Nicon Insurance Plc, Prof. Emmanuel Omohesienokhai; Board Chairman, Nicon Insurance Plc, Prof. Amos Idowu and a Board member, Mrs. Fatimah Bello-Ismail, during the company anniversary in Abuja ... recently. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo The world economy continues to reduce its carbon footprint. According to an analysis by Goldman Sachs, photovoltaic power plants and onshore, wind farms will contribute more energy globally within the next five years.

Under The Renewable Programme of Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment, Nigeria plans to gradually graduate into alternative means of energy through its projects.

The Ministry is dz eveloping a biofuel production Complex at ilemeso in the northern part of Ekiti state of Nigeria. Similar plants are planned to be established at Ondo, Kwara, Osun, Oyo, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara,

Shell gets new gas field The Corrib project is a joint venture between Shell E&P Ireland Limited (45%), Statoil Exploration Ireland Limited (36.5%) and Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited (18.5%). Shell E&P Ireland Limited is the project’s operator.

Nigeria, U.S, China, others to boost renewable energy over next decade Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and such other states in Nigeria that lie between latitudes 7o and 14° Notth of the Equator.

Renewable Energy Programme office, Adamawa State Government and Green Carbon Afrique is developing sugarcane based biofuel plants in Girei and Demsa Local Government Areas of Adamawa State covering 2,000 hectares plantation. This initiative is to produce sugar for local use and export, ethanol and ultimately electricity. This integrated project is being replicated in ten states

of the country. Other laudable projects are also ongoing in other parts of the country.

Between 2010 and 2015, U.S. shale oil fueled the world and its economy with 5.7 million barrels per year. Solar and wind energy is set to power the global economy with the equivalent of 6.2 million barrels of oil between 2015 and 2020, according to Goldman Sachs’ report.

Most analysts believe that between 2030 and 2050, renewable energy production will reach its watershed moment, as many

Drop in oil price: PENGASSAN calls for collaboration between labour, employers With the decline in the global prices of oil, workers in Chevron under the aegis Chevron Branch of Petroleum and natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have emphasised the need for the employers of labour and workers unions in the country to collaborate on ways to mitigate the effects on the employee, companies’ .operations and the economy at large.

Speaking during a two day training organised by the Chevron Branch of PENGASSAN in Lagos, the Branch Chairman, Comrade Frank Esanubi, said that the collaboration will en-

Shell announced that gas production has started from the Corrib field off the northwest coast of Ireland.

The Corrib gas field is located 83 kilometres off Ireland’s northwest coast in water depths of almost 350 metres. At peak annual production, the field is expected to produce around 260 MM scf/d of gas, which is 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

The Corrib field has been developed as a subsea-to-shore tieback solution with a pipeline leading the gas from the subsea wellheads to a landfall near the village of Glengad and onwards through an onshore pipeline to a gas processing terminal around nine kilometres inland. The gas is processed at the terminal before it is transferred into the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) network, which delivers it to Irish gas consumers.

able both workers and managements to fashion out ways to deal with the challenges that accompany the free fall in oil prices.

He noted that it will be unethical for managements to unilaterally and unprocedural implement decisions that are anti-workers in their bid to cut operational costs as a result of the dwindling oil prices.

Comrade Esanubi called on the government to mandate employers to obey legal frameworks that encourage decent employment and unionisation of workers, adding that it is only decent work that can guarantee

robust industrial harmony and improved productivity.

He stated that the training was necessary to equip the members with relevant modern knowledge and information that can make them confront challenges pose by the ongoing reforms and the dwindling oil prices. In his remarks, a past President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Peter Esele, said that the collaboration between the employers and labour in the oil and gas industry will engender industrial harmony and enhanced productivity as both parties will be seeing issues form mutually beneficial positions.

countries have agreed to shift toward alternative energy by that time, according to 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference agreements.

Currently, China is set to add 23 gigawatts of coal capacity and 40 GW of gas power capacity by 2020. However, during that same time the country will increase its wind and solar power by 193 GW of capacity, as reported by Goldman Sachs. Wind and solar installations are expected to surpass a capacity of 100 GW worldwide by 2020. Twenty-five million hybrid

and electric cars are expected to be sold by 2025, a daily sell rate 10 times higher than 2015 daily sell numbers. Goldman Sachs estimates the cumulative emissions reduction will equal 1 gigaton of carbon dioxide per year.

Low-carbon technologies expected to have the largest effect on the market will be solar plants, onshore wind farms, hybrid and electric cars and energy-efficient LED light bulbs. According to the report, 60 percent of light bulbs installed around the world will be LED.

Nigeria’s Weekly Energy Watch #

17-23 Dec (Avg)

24-30 Dec (Avg)

*

Energy Generated (MWh)

93729

85099

*

Energy Sent Out (MWh)

91682

83225

*

Peak (MW)

4223

3934

*

Off-Peak (MW)

3633

3265

*

Spinning Reserve (MW)

48

51

*

Constrained (MW)

1993

2909

*

Units (Available)

65

72

*

Units (On Bars)

46

39

Courtesy: Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC

OPEC

daily basket price

OPEC daily basket price stood at $31.71 a barrel Monday, 28 December 2015.

Interview B8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

2016 will offer an abundance of challenges, says IMF economist The global economy in 2015 saw some economies strengthen, while others—particularly emerging and developing economies—were squeezed by plummeting commodity prices and by tightened financial conditions.

The IMF marked some big changes in 2015 as well: the U.S. Congress passed the 2010 quota reform and China’s currency, the yuan, was added to the IMF’s basket of official currencies.

On the personnel front, the IMF welcomed a new chief economist, Maury Obstfeld, former chair of the economics department at University of California at Berkeley.

He arrived in September from the U.S. President’s Council of Economic Advisors to succeed Olivier Blanchard as the IMF’s Economic Counsellor and Director of Research.

Shortly before the start of the New Year, IMF Survey sat down with Obstfeld to discuss the past year and to look ahead to 2016.

What is your assessment of how the global economy turned out in 2015? What went better than you anticipated, and what does not look so good?

There was good news and bad news. The U.S. economy continued its solid growth and job creation, while Europe generally picked up speed and Japan remained a question mark. But with some exceptions (such as India), emerging and developing countries continued to slow in the face of falling commodity prices and tighter financial conditions, and synchronized and sustainable global growth remained elusive.

In some countries, beyond these very general trends, there is an overlay of political or geopolitical tension that magnifies the purely economic challenges. How these tensions play out in 2016 will be a major determinant of regional and global macroeconomic outcomes. It comforts me to reflect, however, that the end of 2015 produced one piece of very good news on the international monetary system: the U.S. Congress finally approved the IMF quota reform originally agreed in 2010.

Along several dimensions, that change will strengthen the IMF’s capacity to meet future stability challenges, whatever they may be.

What are the other key issues we need to pay attention to in 2016?

China will remain high on the list. Its economy is slowing as it transitions from investment and manufacturing to consumption and services. But the global spillovers from China’s reduced rate of growth, through its di-

minished imports and lower demand for commodities, have been much larger than we would have anticipated. Serious challenges to restructuring remain in terms of state-owned enterprise balance sheet weaknesses, the financial markets, and the general flexibility and rationality of resource allocation. Growth below the authorities’ official targets could again spook global financial markets—but then again, time-honored methods of enforcing growth targets could simply extend economic imbalances, spelling possible trouble down the road.

“A predominantly advancedeconomy lens for viewing the world economy has become ever more outmoded.”

What else to watch? The crisis of refugees fleeing Iraq and Syria offers a major challenge to the absorptive capacity of EU economies and labor markets, but even more so to political systems. The project for common policing of the EU perimeter and the related tensions concerning free mobility of people within Europe bear watching. But we should not forget that countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey are on the advanced front line of the refugee crisis. And even apart from refugee issues, Europe faces other political and economic challenges—from the Iberian Peninsula, to Greece, to Ukraine.

Climate change and the struggle to limit CO2 emissions is a slow-moving crisis but one that we ignore at our peril. The COP21 agreement in Paris was a triumph for international cooperation.

In 2016 we will see how national capitals react and get an initial

Obstfeld

take on whether the agreement promotes effective international cooperation.

Finally, there is international trade—which has had setbacks in recent years as global trade growth has slowed relative to GDP growth. Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pass the U.S. Congress? We may know this spring. If so, will it be a prelude to a deal between the United States and the EU? The Doha round was effectively scrapped in Nairobi last month. If comprehensive multilateral trade agreements are off the table, can trade liberalization still proceed usefully on a more limited scale? The answers are important across the Fund’s membership.

Will 2016 be the year of Emerging Markets? Are capital outflows from emerging market countries a growing worry?

The year will offer an abundance of challenges, but yes, emerging markets will be at center stage. Capital inflows are down, some reserves have been spent, sovereign spreads have widened, currencies have weakened, and growth is slowing sharply in some countries. Currency depreciation has proved so far to be an extremely useful buffer for a range of economic shocks. Sharp further falls in commodity prices, including energy, however, would lead to even more problems for exporters, including sharper currency depreciations that poten-

tially trigger still-hidden balance sheet vulnerabilities or spark inflation.

The mood in financial markets is glum as 2015 ends, and susceptible to increased volatility, notwithstanding continuing accommodation by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan. Of course, the U.S. Federal Reserve launched in December what it intends to be a cycle of gradual interest-rate hikes. It will be critical how the Fed manages subsequent interest-rate increases during 2016 and how it communicates with the market—a task it seems to have commenced on the right foot at the end of 2015.

But there is no doubt that global financial conditions are tightening, and emerging and developing markets are especially sensitive to the effects, given other current woes.

Building on this, what do you see as the main analytical challenges for the profession and for the Fund in particular?

Emerging and developing economies should be an even more intense focus of research. During the 1980s, emerging and developing economies accounted for around 36 percent of global GDP (measured in purchasing power parity, or PPP, terms) and some 43 percent of global GDP growth (with PPP weights). For 2010-2015, the numbers were 56 percent and 79 percent, respectively. So a predominantly advanced-econ-

omy lens for viewing the world economy has become ever more outmoded. That research agenda for emerging and developing economies comprises classic issues related to the balance of payments—capital flows and their management, foreign exchange intervention, vulnerabilities in external balance sheets, and the determinants of current account balances, trade patterns, and trade volumes.

But there are many additional questions. What policies and policy frameworks are most conducive to higher potential output and its growth? Potential GDP growth seems to have declined throughout the world, as noted in past editions of the World Economic Outlook (WEO), but the reasons are not well understood.

The April 2016 WEO will look at advanced-economy structural reforms in that context.

Trends in inequality also warrant attention. Despite considerable global convergence in national per capita incomes, a more equitable income distribution within countries has not necessarily followed. This inequality has implications for overall economic productivity (for example, through health outcomes) and for the political sustainability of market-friendly policies. How can growth be made more inclusive, and how might that, in turn, support higher growth?

Beyond these longer-term questions of growth and distribution, there are many economic stability issues calling for attention. For example, looking broadly across all economies, integration of the financial sector into our macropolicy frameworks remains an urgent research priority.

What do you see as the research role of the Fund within the wider international policy community?

The Fund combines a truly global scope of analysis with the ability to address rigorously live policy issues in real time. That capacity gives Fund research the nearly unique potential to lead global opinion through a simultaneous impact in academic and policy circles and in broader public debate. The Fund today engages with 188 member countries—that scope and 70 years’ experience of multilateral surveillance, Article IV consultations, and technical assistance give us a unique vantage point, and much of our research has flowed from that perspective.

From some of the earliest influential analyses of the effects of exchange rates on trade, to more recent work on global real interest rates, fiscal policy, capital flows, public infrastructure spending, and the investment accelerator, the Fund has been at the center of intellectual progress on policy-relevant topics.

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Ibinabo

Fiberesima: On Motherhood and AGN

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Marriage has taught me to be more accommodating

– Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka Known for her doggedness and sitting on the position of men, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, is the first female president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). Her administration has yielded positive impact in the lives of its members since she assumed office. Ibinabo who has also featured in few several movies is a proud mother. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, the ex- beauty queen gushes about her man, supposed tussle in the guild and other issue. Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

As an ex-beauty queen, you still maintain your look and physique; what is the magic?

First of all, it’s been God and my husband anyways; you people want me to leave the market. I am still very much relevant and I love to look good so that I can still be called babe as the case maybe. But in all it’s been God’s grace.

You marriage just clocked one year; how is the experience being married again?

Being married is sweet and good most especially when you are married to the one you love, who understands you and wants the best for you at all time. As you can see I am glowing and will continue to glow.

So what kind of wife are you?

A good one who thinks of her family at all time and wants the best for her man and kids. I am that kind of wife that I don’t indulge in what my husband is not supportive of. Whatever you see me wear outside my house is what I have rocked in grand style in the presence of my husband. When you see me on bum shorts, I rock them well, whether long or short at home.

What is your daily routine like?

Even if I tell you, you people will laugh. I wake up in the morning, I eat eba. Before I sleep, I eat Eba and pepper soup. It’s my favourite food and I can have them as many time as I want to in a day.

Let’s talk about motherhood Motherhood? It’s wonderful; my kids are all grown-ups now.

You were once attached on social media for exposing your daughter to early makeup; how did you feel when you saw the comments?

Sincerely I smiled and the fact is let them ‘born their own’ and do the one they want to do.

I have given birth to my own and this is what I want to do with my own. That’s how life is, eh!

They should stop advising me on motherhood, you hear? Let them try it and then they will understand that when a child wants something so badly, you will do it just to make that child smile and be happy.

What do you have in store for 2016?

I will leave that to the grace of God. Wherever he leads me and that’s where I will be.

So what has changed about you since you got married?

I am more accommodating, there is so mush am learning being married and then……… yeah! Am enjoying it totally.

Let’s talk about the guild, there have been rancor from some parties, can you shed more light on it?

There is no rancor in the guild. You see people get confused with tell tales, people just like lie. Did you ever go for an election where Emeka Ike took part in? So how is he the president of AGN? That’s the only question I have for the press because you are giving him audience to talk. Did he run for any position in Actors Guild of Nigeria? No he didn’t!

With all this argument, don’t you think settling things amicably is the best thing to do between the two of you?

We have tried! But it all fell on deaf ears.

So what went wrong?

Emeka Ike is not about running a guild; it’s about how much he can make from poor people that want to join the guild. You see that N5,000 or N20,000 they make? That’s salary and food for him. Am so sorry but that’s just how low he is.

But he was your friend?

He is not! You see, he was once my friend but he is not any more. You don’t have a friend and do what he is doing. It doesn’t work. You must learn to grow, I have grown. They must learn to grow too. There was chaos in AGN before I came in, but since I took over, there has been peace. Members have started gaining things and they have come again with chaos.

When will it stop? Let’s think of our members for once and stop thinking of ourselves.

So you think you are still the president of AGN? I don’t think, I know.

As the president of AGN, how do you get time to also take part in movies?

It’s the grace of God. Like one fine girl just told me how she loves my energy and that I inspire her. And that’s the kind of thing I love to hear and it inspires me too to keep doing what I do and somehow God has been a blessing to my life.

Movie & Music Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

L3 Eyola

New Year,

New Joy night on New Year’s Eve will bring you 12 months of luck, according to old Spanish superstition “las doce uvas de la suerte” - the twelve grapes of luck.

4our Welcome 2016 by letting go of the unwelcome energies of 2015. According to Chinese culture, your house should be thoroughly cleaned on New Year’s Eve. Following the principles of Feng Shui, you should briefly open all the windows and doors in your home as the clock strikes twelve to bring in a burst of fresh air; in order to rid your home of all the negative and unpleasant energies from the previous year. To further invite luck into your home, Feng Shui echos the German superstition of making a lot of noise by screaming, loud cheering, lighting firecrackers and fireworks or banging pots and pans together to scare away negativity and to make way for prosperity.

5ive 1ne Get the New Year off to a positive start with a compendium of New Year traditions, customs and superstitions from around the world. Why not give them a try? After all, you’ve got nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain.

2wo New Year celebrations are centered around renewal, starting over with a clean slate, learning from and reflecting on the pre-

vious year and making a new set of guidelines; in hopes that the year to come will bring more happiness and success. More or less a universal tradition, people make a list of self-development goals for the coming year. This list, widely known as “New Year’s Resolution”, is a promise that you make to yourself and make efforts to accomplish before or by the end of the year.

3hree Eating twelve grapes at the stroke of mid-

You will only reap the benefit of considerably increasing the contents of your fashion closet in 2016, if you wear a completely new outfit (including underwear and shoes) on New Year’s Day.

6ix Enter the New Year with a clear vision of what the coming year will bring by following Scottish superstition. Place the spine of a holy, spiritual or influential book of choice at the edge of a table, allowing it to fall open

at a random page. Nominate one person to pick up the book and rest one finger on the open page, with their head turned away. The verse, paragraph or section that their finger rests on will predict the outcome of the year ahead.

7even Are you looking for peace or looking to fulfil all your dreams in 2016? Then why not follow in the footsteps of Brazilian and African-inspired religions (Candomblé and Umbanda) and wear a white outfit on New Year’s Eve. Brazilians also believe that you should light candles by the water or throw flowers into the sea, then make a wish and your wish will come true. Alternatively, you can follow the universal New Year tradition to attract luck: lifting your left foot at the stroke of midnight to start the year off on the right foot. Be aware that some traditions advise against wearing white during the festive season.

8ight Red should make an appearance in your New Year’s outfit to bring you the greatest luck, according to Chinese superstition. According to Chinese astrology, 2016 will be the Year Of The Red Fired Monkey, symbolised by the colour red. This is great news because in Chinese culture, red drives away bad luck and represents good fortune.

•Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

L5

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Teens world

L6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Abdullahi Zaheenab

Teens facing uncertainty about the future Whether we do it consciously or not, we do worry about many things and sometimes not worrying is considered as being irresponsible. We might worry about the past, and the future, what people will think of us, whether we are successful or what will happen to us. Often, we go to the extent of worrying about the things that have the probability of never happening: still we worry especially about the future and ask the unanswerable question, “What will happen in future?”

Many may agree that the main reason people worry about their future is simply due to the uncertainty the future holds. Despite the preparations we make for the dangers we know, there are many more

unexpected dangers, which make life hard and unpredictable. Bad experiences that seem to happen to all kinds of people, and inability to control the future are also factors that make us worry about the future.

Many of us have witnessed doctors get sick, financial experts lose money in the stock market, policemen get robbed, lawyers get sued, and witness many other things happen to the least expected people.

Moreover, these experiences make us wonder what will happen to us in the future and worry and unfortunately, once we start to worry, we cannot come over it easily. The control we have in our life to protect ourselves from any kind of harm, and the ability to decide the route of

life we take makes us worry about the future. We have no control what so ever regarding the life we might lead, and how and when to protect ourselves from harm.

Losing control is one’s life is also another key factor for worrying about the future. What we really need in such conditions is something that will allow us to have peace in the midst of uncertainty and face reality without being consumed by worry or anxiety. Here, it doesn’t mean that we should stop caring or preparing ourselves for the future, rather we can still prepare for the future without going to the extreme of worrying without doing anything and fretting about things. According to various writers and psychologists the best

solution for overcoming anxiety or worry is the concept of living one day at a time. Instead of worrying about what will come and what has already happened, treasure the time we have at hand. And every time the anxiety of the future floods our mind, we need to shift back to the present and focus all our attention to the present. If you can full-fill each 24 hours 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds, then you would not even have the time to worry about other things. And once you have dealt with today, you will deal with whatever comes the next week, month or year. We also need to remember that no one can predict the future and despite all the preparations there is the possibility that a million

things can go wrong. Though there are people that try to avoid worrying by pretending or putting on blinders, avoiding the issue and refusing to acknowledge the possibility of anything going on is wrong. People who will say: “If I would have known that this would happen, I could deal with it” and sing the song “Don’t worry, be happy” but pretending doesn’t push away the anxiety button. If we believe that we can face what life has put on our plate for each day, then that is when we start to overcome anxiety. And try to implement the saying that tomorrow is mystery while yesterday is history but today is a gift that needs to be treasured and that is why it is called the present.

How do we stop fearing uncertainty and the future? Ò Start living in the now. Stop worrying about the future or even the past. Start living in the moment you are in now. Focus on how you feel now and what going on around you. Stop spending your time thinking and planning for events that may never happen at all. Take the time to stop and smell the roses. Ò Learn to accept things for how they are. Don’t worry about what might happen. Just learn to accept EVERYTHING that you come across in your life. If you accept it then it can’t bother you are cause you any stress. Ò Face your fears head on by figuring out the worst case scenario and coming to terms with it.

If are worried about how a meeting at work might turn out. Then figure out the worst case scenario like you get fired. Is it really that bad? NO! Chances are you will have a new job in matter of time and go right on about your life. Sometimes things that seem really bad turn out better in the long run. Ò Embrace change and run with it. Life is always changing. You are always changing. Situations and people are always changing. Accept

this fact. No matter how comfortable you have become with you current life things will change. The best way to handle this is to embrace the change and just flow with life. Ò Step back and realize how much of everything you cling to. If you are over attached to anything or anybody you need to step back and get a wakeup call. You could lose it all in an instant and what really matters is what you have built up on the inside. Consider cleaning out your clutter and moving on with your life. Ò Don’t be afraid to mess up and make mistakes. So many great successes came shortly after failure. After all you can’t become successful unless you try. If you fear mistakes to much you may never even try at all. Ò Enjoy the unknown. Become excited when surprises enter into your life. Feel alive and live for the excitement and thrill when the unplanned happen. You will find this really does work. Even if you don’t believe it at first give it a try and you will begin to on your own.

Everyone has experienced some sort of fear of the future. Whether it’s something that you know is go-

ing to happen or if it’s something you fear might happen. The fear of the uncertain or unknown is part of human nature and it is one of our oldest fears. We don’t fear the future, but what we fear is something we don’t like happening. This could be change, pain, suffering, loss of anything, failing, etc. Some of these fears aren’t even realistic, like fear of failing. You don’t know you’re going to fail. Actually, there is just as much of a chance of you becoming successful. Do you fear

that? The odds are basically the same today, tomorrow, and next week of anything good or bad happening. You can’t predict the future.

The only real influence you have is when you get into a certain mindset then you start to work towards that thought, good or bad, with or without you knowing about it consciously. Your subconscious mind works in mysterious ways and sometimes it can bring your fears into reality. Don’t get caught up in this kind of thinking.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Major things Abdullahi Zaheenab

L7 Relationship

you should never tolerate in a relationship ult to define the c fi if d ’s it o s , s anism re complex org cross the line rs u io v a h e b Relationships a e r, som ing, it on’ts. Howeve d d n a s o ny of the follow d a ll in ra g in ove g a g n e s ship If your partner’ re your relation e h w t u o b no matter what. a y ll refu you to think ca t you deserve. n e tm a e tr e th may be time for getting whether you’re d n a d e d a e h is Monitoring your activities Just because you’re dating somebody, doesn’t mean they need to know where you are or what you’re doing 24/7. They should respect your need to be by yourself and maintain a certain level of privacy when you’re already sharing so much of who are you with them.

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Insults Someone who claims to care about you has zero right or reason to put you down. It may not seem like a big deal that he said you sounded stupid asking his friend some question, but how would you feel if your friend chastised you for the same thing? Chances are, you probably wouldn’t put up with it.

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Control over your wardrobe Sure this person is going to be seen with you in public a lot. Even so, deciding what looks good on you and what doesn’t is an encroachment on your personal taste, sense of style, and, ultimately, freedom. You should never have to give that up because you’re worried about what someone who’s allegedly so close to you thinks.

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No acceptance of your friends If your significant other refuses to spend any time or expend any effort getting to know your friends, then you can write him or her off as someone who doesn’t care about you. Your friends are an extension of who you are, to a certain level, and a significant other should realize that.

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Avoidance of your family You’ll have to accept that tolerating your family may not be everyone’s favourite thing to do, let alone your own. However, if your significant other refuses to make the compromise to spend time with them on at least major holidays, you’ve got a real selfish bastard on your hands.

Need for too much one-on-one time If you feel like you’re suffocating in a relationship that does not indicate an abundance of love. It means that you guys need to get out and mingle with other people every now and again in order to come up for air, or that your partner should demanding to have you all to him or herself.

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Ten phone calls an evening When going out with your friends lands you numerous voicemails from your significant other “checking in,” you should probably re-evaluate your partner’s need to be so…on top of your interpersonal communications. This is not normal behaviour, nor is it healthy.

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Mandatory midnight skype sessions A sneaky cousin of the nightly phone call, it forbids you from doing things like staying out late with your friends, or even just going to sleep before midnight. This constitutes your partner exerting unnecessary control from a distance, so be wary next time your designated Skype session falls past eleven p.m. on a weekend (unless, of course, there are extenuating circumstances on either end, like a night class that gets out late).

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Accusations of cheating This is a cruel way for your partner to expose his or her lack of trust. What’s worse is:

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Of course, cheating itself Unless you guys are in an open/non-exclusive relationship, being intimate with someone else completely disregards your significant other’s feelings. Not only that, it has the potential to damage your relationship beyond repair in a permanent way.

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Lies about feelings Telling your partner that you love him or her before you’re ready is only setting you both up for an emotional train wreck. Also, neglecting to express your love may keep your partner in the dark about something that could otherwise make him or her the happiest person on earth (at least, in his or her mind).

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One-way sacrifices Do you find that you’ve quit your job and moved away from your beloved family and city to support your partner’s endeavours? And then he or she won’t even budge on when it comes to ordering Chinese food that night when you’ve had more than enough of Kung Pao chicken to last a lifetime? That’s just ridiculous.

Citing significant inequalities If your partner has a more respected job, is wealthier, or comes from a higher socio-economic background, make sure he or she never throws these facts in your face or attempts to use them against you.

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Control over finances Your partner handling the bank account and providing you with an “allowance” harkens back to high school when your parents were in charge of your life. Your partner is not (and should by no means act like) your parent.

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15. Any kind of physical force This one should go without saying, but it’s important to remind that there’s no such thing as a “justified kick.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 5, 2016

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

20:58

140 Eva Channel

13:05

Tue, 5 Jan | PG 16

Tue, 5 Jan | PG16

While exploring a cave, two skiers find the body of a 400-year-old samurai warrior entombed in ice. He is brought to the United States and revived through cryosurgery. John Calvin, Charles Lampkin, Frank Schuller, Hiroshi Fujioka, Janet Julian. (1985) J. Larry Carroll

101 M-Net West

00:15 3 Days To Kill 02:15 All Is Lost 04:01 Britain’s Got Talent 04:47 Behind The Scenes: Beatenberg 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Big Bang Theory 06:30 Proof 07:30 Idols SA 09:13 Behind The Scenes: Delivery Boys 09:30 Resurrection 10:30 The McCarthys 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Britain’s Got Talent 13:00 State Of Affairs 14:00 Revenge 15:00 Madam Secretary 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Odd Couple 17:30 Britain’s Got Talent 18:30 Chicago PD 19:30 Mr. Robot 20:30 Battle Creek 21:30 State Of Affairs 22:30 Secrets & Lies

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 Cruel Love 02:10 For Love And Justice 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 For Love And Justice 17:50 Cruel Love 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 For Love And Justice 22:00 Cruel Love 22:50 Husband For Hire

00:40 The Weakest Link

11:35 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:26 Luther

12:24 Top Gear

02:20 Come Dine With Me

13:20 Come Dine With Me

03:10 EastEnders

14:14 Live At The Apollo

03:39 QI

15:06 The Weakest Link

04:10 Top Gear

15:59 EastEnders

05:00 Only Fools And Horses

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:31 QI

17:10 Pointless

06:04 My Family 06:36 EastEnders

18:02 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:05 Antiques Roadshow

18:59 QI

07:57 The Weakest Link

19:34 QI

08:47 Pointless

20:08 Would I Lie To You?

09:36 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:42 Mr Sloane

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

21:13 Miranda Special Xmas 2014

11:01 My Family

21:53 Mrs Brown’s Boys 22:27 Mrs Brown’s Boys

154 Africa Magic Family 00:06 Star Gist 00:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 01:37 Good Morning Africa 02:37 Good Morning Africa 03:15 Music Block 04:12 Filler: Entertainment 04:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 05:30 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 06:00 Good Morning Africa 06:36 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Jonzing 08:45 Coco Bill

Aka Amaka The Village Girl. Falsely accused of a crime, a girl suffers the fate of the poor. But in a bid to clear her name, things spiral out of control for the worse. Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Nwokoye. (2014) NonsoEkene Okonkwo

09:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 09:18 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis 09:30 Kumwesu 10:00 Good Morning Africa 10:34 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 11:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 12:00 Music Block 13:00 Tinsel 13:30 Star Gist 14:00 Nowhere To Be Found 14:30 Rolling With Faith History 15:04 Lies That Bind 15:30 Lies That Bind 15:49 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis

155 Africa Magic World 16:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 17:00 Kumwesu 17:30 Mashariki Mix 18:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 18:18 Behind The Scenes: Enitan 18:30 Kakibe Ki 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Karma 20:30 Rolling With Faith History 21:00 Jara 21:33 Playing Victim 22:38 Behind The Scenes: The Kingdom

00:25 Jara 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 04:00 Jacob’s Cross 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Soul On Fire 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 Prem 11:00 Jacob’s Cross 12:00 Jacob’s Cross 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Music Block 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Star Gist 16:00 Star Gist 16:30 Star Gist 17:00 Jacob’s Cross 18:00 Jacob’s Cross

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Caught On Camera 00:50 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:15 1000 Ways To Die 01:40 1000 Ways To Die 02:05 Lock Up 03:45 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 04:35 Extreme Reality Clips 05:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 05:50 World’s Wildest Police Videos 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 Whaddyado 07:30 Caught On Camera 08:30 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:30 Extreme Reality Clips 10:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:55 Video Zonkers 12:25 Whaddyado 12:55 Caught On Camera 13:50 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:45 Extreme Reality Clips 15:15 Stunts Unlimited 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Caught On Camera 18:00 Whaddyado 18:30 Extreme Reality Clips 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Bad Ink 20:30 Guy Code 21:00 Online Dating Rituals...

22:00 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos