Dtn 5 11 15

`Ɔƍ ƍƏ ƄƆ MƾêƣƄ ƆƒƆƏ ƅƆ ƍ ƕ Ɛ M&` ƏƗ Henry Omunu, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎThe House of Representatives Wednesday mandated its Committee on Power to investigate the alleged payment of N2.7

billion as severance pay to Board members of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

This resolution by the House was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance

entitled: “Need to halt the planned payment of N2.7 billion by the board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Continued on page 6

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Countdown to 39th Miss Nigeria pageant:

Finalists battle for cars, N53m in prizes g6

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.224

GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 3rd November 2015.

GUINNESS

123.75

129.93

6.18%

DANGCEM

162

163

1%

TOTAL

OKOMUOIL

29.02

30.2

1.18%

OANDO

5.99

6.51

0.52%

UNILEVER 36.75

150.01

N150

143

-7.01%

GLAXOSMITH

38.2

37.06

-1.14%

34.92

-1.83%

CADBURY

20.15

19.15

-1%

Saraki woos opponents with ‘juicy’ posts Ï G Ɠ è ƊƑƌƆè jƈ ƑƄƑè L Ə Ƈ ƅ ƈƏ ó Ə ƗƆ ô ƅ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ Ï ^ ƆƐ ƿơè ^#^ ƾƿ Ï Ƅ ƏƈƄƆ ƏƆƐƑƏ ƍ ƊƆ ƌ Olufemi Samuel, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎSenate President, Dr. Bukola

Saraki on Wednesday moved towards stabilising his leadership of the upper chamber of the National

Assembly as he announced the constitution of standing Committees, balancing the spread among

all contending forces in the Senate.

Saraki read out the Committees and their Chairmen during Ple-

nary. Senators of the All ProgresContinued on page 6

L M g17 Ƈ ƑƋƐ ƏƆé ƈ ƐƏ ƗƑƅƐƈ Ƈ jM Kogi, Bayelsa polls: ^ ƗƆƍƋ ƕ ƾƾ ƒƆƏ Ə Ƈ Ə ƅ ƌƍ ƈ g8 Below is the full list of the committees and their chairmen: Water Resources: Mohammed Shittu Women Affairs: Oluremi Tinubu Poverty Alleviation: Ali Wakil States and LG: Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Trade and Investment: Fatimat Rasaki Police Affairs: Abu Ibrahim Power: James Manager Privatization: Ben Murray-Bruce `éGë R Ɨ dƐ ƐƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Əè #Əê RƋƑ Ɔ Ƒ LƈƌƈƊ ì ƇƆ ƈƇƆƏƆ GƆ ƗƆƏè ^ ê `ƆƑƄƆ 0 Ə Ɛƈì ƈƆƇ ƕ ƗƆƄ Ɖ Ɨ ƈƆƇ RƋƑ 0 Ƌ Ɔ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƌƆƆƐƈ Ƈ ƇƆ ƈƇƆƏƆ ƆƋƗ ƈ ƊƑƏƆČ zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕê

Continued on page 12

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Frequent fire incidents in Lagos

T

wo days ago, there were series of fire outbreaks in different parts of Lagos State. Though no lives were lost, the fires destroyed properties worth millions of naira. According to eyewitness accounts, a popular supermarket in Lekki area, shops at Idumota Market and the Okobaba plank market were destroyed in the infernos.

In recent years, fire outbreaks have been a recurring problem in Lagos, with attendant loss of lives and properties. It will be recalled that only two weeks after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode took office, three fire outbreaks took place in the Lagos metropolis in one day.

In one of them, not less than 21 vehicles and 44 stalls were burnt following a spillage from a petrol tanker which fell off the Iyana-Ipaja bridge. Two other dreadful fire incidents also occurred in Badagry and Ojo areas of the state respectively resulting in huge financial losses.

This development is bothersome bearing in mind its effects on the state’s socio-economic life.

Incidentally, most of these disasters are not acts of God but rather the products of human errors and carelessness. For example, such risky acts as storage of petroleum products at homes and reckless use of cooking gas are common causes of fire outbreaks in the state.

Equally, disheartening is that many people close at work or leave home without shutting down all electrical appliances to prevent possible fire outbreak from power surge.

Moreover, parents and guardians

are always in the habit of keeping matches and other inflammable materials within the reach of their children and wards. Curiously, many of these fire outbreaks have also been traced to careless attitude towards electrical gadgets, faulty electrical wiring, damaged electrical appliances and heating gadgets.

However, most appalling is the fact that in the event of fire outbreaks, both the Federal Fire Service and the Lagos State Fire Service often fail to rise to the occasion in containing the infernos.

To stem incessant fire disasters in the state, it is imperative that all offices and homes have fire extinguishers, even as it is important for everyone to acquire safety information in respect of fire outbreaks.

There is need for the citizens to be aware that fires could generally be put off by water or sand.

In addition, well meaning individuals, related government agencies and organisations should embark on fire safety and emergency management. We also advocate that all stakeholders including religious leaders, corporate organisations, school proprietors, community leaders, public servants, political leaders and individuals in the state make safety consciousness part of their daily activities.

Also, for fire fighters to perform optimally, it is important to assist the officers during emergencies rather than attacking them on flimsy reason of not arriving at scene of a fire incident on time. It is the collective responsibility of all citizens to guard against any act capable of causing fire outbreak in the state

Corruption: Must the West take over Nigeria’s job?

Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎRecently, President Mu-

hammadu Buhari called on Britain and Switzerland to speed up the processes of investigation and prosecution of corrupt former Nigerian officials and their accomplices as well as repatriation of the stolen funds.

Many Nigerians, however, were not excited at the call and the reason is not far-fetched. First is that the call portrayed that Nigeria had failed in bringing such corrupt officials to book.

Second is that the call meant that Nigeria had inadvertently outsourced the prosecution of such former officials and others who corruptly enriched themselves to Britain, Swit-

zerland and other western countries.

Among the questions that agitated many Nigerians in view of the call were First: Was President Buhari by the call not asking both countries and others in the West to take over Nigeria’s primary job of ensuring that officials who engage in corruption are swiftly investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned appropriately within her jurisdiction?

Second: Was the President by the call not showing early signs of helplessness with regards to the fight against corruption as well as the slow pace of corruption cases in Nigeria?

Whichever way, the fact is that the call by President Buhari would not have been necessary if Nigeria did a good job in swiftly investigating and prosecuting cor-

Words On Marble :

rupt officials.

If the war against graft were fought in Nigeria as in other countries of the globe, the West in particular, the number of Nigerians who elope with public funds to Britain, Switzerland and other Western countries would have reduced.

Fact is that it is Nigeria’s duty to ensure that public officials who tamper with funds in their care are brought to book and that swiftly. When Nigeria fails to do her duty, it becomes easy for her to ask others to do so for her.

This is sad and President Buhari, who rode to power promising to fight corruption to a standstill should refrain from giving the impression that the West should take over the task of fighting corruption in Nigeria.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye 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 Group Executive Commercial/ Business Developement Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08086296714 Group Head Accounts & Control Samson Abiodun

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614 Ag Head Operations Segun Bamigboye Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Konnie Agu 09033765031

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

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Oby Ezekwesili

Odia Ofeimun

Femi Fani-Kayode

“Citizens must realise that we cannot afford to permit our public officials to continue with the habit of privatising democratic institutions.’’

‘’We must describe our future before we move into them. That doesn’t mean you should neglect the past.’’

‘’We want peace but it cannot be at the expense of our lives and the liberty and safety of our people’’.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Fly Arik,

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Saraki woos opponents with ‘juicy’ posts Continued from page 1 sives Congress (APC) gained the upper hand in the spread at the expense of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contrary to earlier expectations.

In all, 65 Standing Committees were constituted,

with the APC getting 41 chairmanship posts, leaving 24 for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Senate President, however, seems to have used chairmanship of the Committees to pull closer Senators who were hitherto opposed to his leadership, as he

assigned some of the ‘Grade A’ committees, considered ‘juicy’ to his perceived ‘opponents’ such as Ahmed Lawan, who chairs the senate committee on Defence, and George Akume, who chairs the committee on Army.

Surprisingly, he also brought back Senator Eyin-

naya Abaribe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the spokesman of the Senate by appointing him as chairman of the information and national orientation committee.

Abaribe, who is a PDP senator from Abia south, officially takes over from Dino

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) receiving a letter from the Burundian envoy and Chief of Staff office to the President, General Major Ndayishimiye Evariste at the State House in Abuja… on Wednesday.

Reps probe N2.7bn severance pay to NERC Board Ï 9 ƒƆ Ɛƈ ƐƆ #ƈ è ƄƈƋƋƈ ƍƏ ƅƆ Ɔ Continued from page 1 to its members” sponsored

by Rep. Mohammed Rep. Gololo while moving the motion, said that the Board’s approval to pay its outgoing members the severance package is unconstitutional as it was not authorized by the National Assembly in the 2015 Appropriation Act. The Bauchi state lawmaker also said that the move conflicts with the recommendations of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission as well as Section 42 (1) (a) and (b) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act. He declared that the commission has no allocation for recurrent expenditure in the 2015 budget, adding that “the commission either does not pay any salaries to its Board and staff or pays salaries from funds that

have not been paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation”.

Meanwhile, the House has commenced investigation into the activities of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the country as it relates to infrastructure and their billing system.

The probe is being undertaken by an ad hoc committee headed by Rep. Babajime Adegoke.

The terms of the ad-hoc committee is to find out the methodology used in verifying investment claimed by the DISCOs, the billing system, evidence/proof that NERC is performing its functions appropriately and in the interest of customers, evidence of consumer satisfaction, challenges and problems faced by NERC in carrying out its functions and justification for the proposed tariff increase.

As a result of the pending probe, the ad hoc committee has requested that NERC suspend the implementation of any proposed increase in electricity tariff until the committee concludes its investigation.

The intention of the committee is to get the detailed graphical representation of the DISCOs organisation’s share of the power supply and distribution market, metering, detailed explanation of consumer reaction and action on their service, billing scheme and detailed information on investment in infrastructure.

Also, the DISCOS are expected to brief the ad hoc committee on plans on recovery of investment, details of consumer indebtedness, outstanding credits due to consumers, problems and prospects in the industry, and any other information they deem relevant to

assist the committee in its assignment.

In a related development, the House on Wednesday unanimously called for the immediate completion of the N6 billion OmotoshoEpe-Ajah 135km, 330KVA double circuit transmission line project.

The project, which was awarded by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to KEC Construction Company Limited since 2012, is still at 27 per cent completion level after the payment of $3,697,538.29 and N244,095,569.97 respectively to the contractor handling the project.

In its resolution, the House mandated its committee on Power chaired by Rep. Daniel Effiong (PDPCross River) to investigate why the project was abandoned and the slow pace of work as well as the extent of the power outage experienced by residents of the Epe area for the past three years.

Melaye, who had been acting as the spokesman of the senate.

The ‘Grade A’ committees are special owing to their power of oversight over strategic institutions of government and because of the monetary allocations attached to them. Lawan and Akume had squared off against Saraki over the leadership of the senate.

The APC endorsed the two senators as its candidate for the positions of senate president and deputy senate president, respectively, of the eighth senate.

But Saraki, against the wish of his party, went ahead to stand for the position of senate president, and emerged winner unchallenged on June 9. Following the development, APC senators loyal to Lawan formed an opposing block against Saraki at the senate. One of such senators is Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara central), who heads the committee on National Identity card. On different occasions, Marafa had challenged the legitimacy of the senate leadership, and at some point disrupted the sitting of the senate over an endorsement of Saraki by 81 senators. Political observers believe the appointments may be a form of rapprochement on the part of Saraki to win the loyalty of all APC senators.

The committees, as announced by Saraki, showed that agriculture is chaired

by Abdullahi Adamu (APC),

army by George Akume (APC), anti-corruption by Utazi Godfrey (PDP), appropriation by Danjuma Goje (APC), aviation by Hope Uzodinma (PDP), capital market by Isiaka Adeleke (APC), and culture and tourism by Urhoghide Matthew (PDP).

Others are customs and excise by Adamu Aliero (APC), defence by Ahmad Lawan, drugs and narcotics

by Joshua Lidani (PDP), basic and secondary education

by Aliyu Wamakko (APC), FCT by Dino Melaye (APC), finance by John Enoh (PDP), foreign affairs by Monsurat Sunmonu (APC), health

by Lanre Tejuoso (APC), ICT by Abdulfatai Buhari (APC), INEC by Abubakar Kyari, information and national orientation by Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP), land transport by Gbenga Ashafa (APC) and marine transport

by Ahmed Sani (APC).

Others are public procurement to be chaired by Mohammed Ohiare (APC), national identity by Kabiru Marafa (APC), police affairs

by Abu Ibrahim (APC), power by James Manager (PDP), privatisation by Ben-Murray Bruce, science and technology by Robert Boroffice (APC), states and local government by Abubakar Gumel (APC), trade and investment by Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (PDP), water resources by Mohammed Shittu (APC), women affairs by Oluremi Tinubu and poverty alleviation by Ali Wakil (APC).

39th Miss Nigeria: Finalists battle for cars, N53m in prizes ÎÎÎThe eventual winner of

the 39th edition of Miss Nigeria beauty pageant will be rewarded with a mouthwatering sun of N3 million.

In the same vein, the contestant that emerged winner in the business challenge competition will smile home with a whopping N50 million single digit facilities. The business competition of the pageant is being sponsored by Bank of Industry (BoI). The business peaching segment of the pageant holds today at the booth camp.

In a release issued by or-

ganisers of the event, the contestant that emerged winner would also go home with two cars (one personal and one official), with scholarships and all expense paid trip to three different countries while the runner up and second runner up would also go home with consolidated prizes as well from top brand sponsors.

The grand finale of the pageant will hold on Saturday at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki with the cream de la cream of the Nigerian society in attendance.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏArik Air is rewarding pas-

sengers with surprise gifts midflight in what the company calls the ArikCares Special Give-Away.

A statement by Mr. Banji Ola, Arik spokesman, said gifts to be given out include a number of iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Beat

by Dre headphones, laptops, 20-megapixels/1080p cameras, 3D Smart TVs and 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema Systems.

Banji said the campaign, designed to endear passengers to the airline will run from November 4, 2015 to January 30, 2016. During a flight, a lucky draw will be done using ticket numbers of passengers on board. The ticket number

FG, EU, Ireland to collaborate on Agric Tom Okpe Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, has restated the importance of the EU-Nigeria Business Forum to the investment drive of government in the agricultural sector.

Speaking in his office while receiving a two-man delegation of the European Union (EU), led by the Ambassador and Head of Delegation, Mr. Michel Arrion, Echono posited that the opportunity of the business forum would help in promoting the current government plan of developing the agriculture

Arik Air rewards passengers with gifts to be pulled out goes home with a gift handed out in mid-flight.

Commenting on the initiative, Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said: “This year, Arik Air turns nine. We have grown to be the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa on the strength of the trust and loyalty of the millions of travelers who have chosen Arik Air as their preferred carrier. It is only fitting that we recognize such deep loyalty and reward it. That is the whole essence of the #ArikCares Give-Away.”

value chains, now that government is diversifying from oil to agriculture.

He said, “The ministry’s participation would provide a platform to discuss the EU ban on the exportation of Nigeria beans, caused by excessive use of chemicals for preservation and other areas of collaboration and cooperation would be explored.”

He said the European Union is supporting Nigeria in the area of cotton where it has a better expertise.

The EU Ambassador and Head of delegation, Mr. Michel Arrion, in his remarks, stated that the EU has a 20-member strong relationship and presence in Nigeria and would be willing to invest in the Nigerian industrial sector especially in agriculture. He, therefore, called for more business and trade relations between the EU memberstates and Nigeria.

Alaibe’s support for Sylva nonnegotiable —Group Akam James

Yenagoa The Timi Alaibe Support Group, on Wednesday dismissed the claims by some politicians in Bayelsa that the decision by the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndutimi Alaibe to support the candidature of the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva was based on negotiation.

Timi Alaibe was one of the major contenders on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but withdrew his mandate at the wake of the party primaries conducted in the state.

According to the group, the claims are false and the Alaibe’s decision to support Chief Timipre Sylva ahead of the December 5 Governorship poll was a collective

ÏÏÏ

7 News

decision taken in the overall interest of the APC, his teeming supporters and the people of Bayelsa State.

The Timi Alaibe Support group, in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by Comrade Patterson Ogon, insisted that the politicians involved in the false and unsubstantiated claims against the former NDDC boss, Timi Alaibe, were scavenging opportunists masquerading as political leaders.

Alaibe

L-R: AIG zone 12, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin; Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba el-Kanemi and Commissioner of Police, Borno State, Aderemi Opadokun during Ogunsakin's familiarisation tour of Maiduguri… on Wednesday.

Senate decries rising wave of unemployment in Nigeria Olufemi Samuel Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Senate, on Wednesday, decried the rate of unemployment in the country, which it described as a time bomb with about 74 million Nigerian youths unemployed, following a figure released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The Senate observed that unless an urgent action is taken to contain the rising rate of unemployment, the country is not likely to witness peace given the tendency of the huge army of the unemployed and this could lead to foment trouble.

The upper chamber took the position during a motion moved

by Senator Albert Bassey (Akwa Ibom), who said no time was better to raise issues on the crises of unemployment in Nigeria than

now, most especially in line with the vision of President Buhari to rid Nigeria of the menace.

Senator Albert lamented that in the past five years in Nigeria, the government had committed over N2 trillion intervention funds to boost productivity, all without a positive impact.

He also lamented that Nigeria’s rate of unemployment would have grown to about 100 million amid a projection that by 2020, the Nigerian population would have risen to 200 million.

He called on the Federal Government to step up action in creating poverty reduction programmes aimed at engaging more Nigerian youths in gainful employment.

Senator Sheu Sani, in his contribution, said the present economic

down turn in Nigeria has started worsening the unemployment problem, alluding to a remark by President Buhari that his government cannot even afford to keep the number of ministries that Nigeria has. Most Senators who contributed to the motion spoke in the same direction, while they emphasised the need for the government to create avenues for job creation through its programmes.

Meanwhile, an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators to undercut the government of President Buhari on payment of N5, 000 to the unemployed youths in the country, was however shut down by their colleagues in APC, as a motion moved by the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Philip Aduda to that effect was thrown out.

CCT: Saraki approaches Supreme Court ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Senate Presi-

dent, Bukola Saraki, has appealed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which on October 30 affirmed the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him on 13 counts of false assets declaration.

Senator Saraki also filed an application for stay of proceedings urging the Supreme Court to halt the proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him for the alleged offences pending when his appeal would be determined.

The Senate President raised seven grounds of appeal in his notice of appeal and attached to the application for stay of proceedings.

Dr. Saraki urged the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the entire proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the charges preferred against him before the tribunal.

He claimed that the Appeal Court erred in law when it affirmed the competence of the proceedings of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which sat on the appellant’s case with only two members as against the three provided for in the provisions of Paragraph 15 (1) of the Fifth Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution.

The Senate President also faulted the majority decision of the Ap-

peal Court where it held that there was lacuna regarding the quorum of the tribunal.

He argued that the application of the Interpretation Act to hold that two out of three members of the tribunal could validly sit “is to circumvent and reduce the number prescribed by the Constitution for the due composition of the tribunal.

The Court of Appeal had by a two-to-one split decision on October 30, dismissed Saraki’s appeal against the ruling of the Justice Umar Danladi-led Tribunal in which it affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the charges against the Senate President.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Politics What did Abubakar Audu forget in Lugard House -Ahmed Attah

Æs

What did Abubakar Audu forget in Kogi Government House? This is a question any average Nigerian would ask of any candidate aspiring to be sworn in for a third term in any elective office, especially when such office in question rates as high as the gubernatorial platform.

Dr. Abubakar Audu has placed himself in that enquiry microscope ever since he was denied a second term in his bid to extend his second coming as the executive governor of Kogi State.

The People’s Democratic Party,

(PDP), had used every known means of election malpractices and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INECaided rigging to deny the people’s choice from extending his good works for a people he evidently loved their well-being.

Before this derail, Dr. Audu had been the Chief executive of the state for two separate terms – first, he was voted in overwhelmingly in 1992 under the umbrella of the defunct Nigerian Republican Convention, (NRC). Within the 22 months he stayed in office before that General Ibrahim

Babangida’s attempt to usher in democratic rule was inadvertently truncated to usher in another long spell of uncertainties under military rule, Audu was able to reposition the state by strongly erecting the solid windmills that harvested long overdue dividends of democracy.

His head-on arrests of critical challenges in the housing, health, general infrastructure, commerce and industry within so short a time still remain landmarks in today’s Kogi.

Hence, it was no rocket sci-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Audu

Kogi, Bayelsa polls: APC deploys 22 governors for campaigns

Odigie-Oyegun Following the composition of a high profile committees for the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections by the Peoples democratic Party (PDP), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has countered by setting up a high powered committee for the success of the party at the polls.

The party on Tuesday inaugurated a 40-man campaign committee for the Bayelsa State governorship election slated to hold on December 5, 2015.

The committee, which has Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as chairman, also has the governors of Sokoto, Kano, Lagos,

Secondus Borno, Imo, and Zamfara states as members.

Inaugurating the committee at the APC national headquarters, in Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun, said the party’s expectation was that all the party’s 22 governors would storm the state for the campaign.

This is seen as a sort of intimidation for the opposition PDP which had earlier set up a similar committee for the success of its candidates during the polls.

The opposition which hitherto had governors in its fold has been depleted following its loss at the last general elections in which it

Dickson was dethroned by the APC which now has 22 governors to PDP’s 13.

Ahead of the elections, the PDP had been crying out against what it termed its fears of the APC using the federal might to intimidate it in the forthcoming gubernatorial polls.

Only last weekend, it lost to the APC in the Borno Central Senatorial election.

At the inauguration of the committee, Oyegun expressed gratitude to the seven governors who have so far volunteered to serve in the committee. He explained that the importance of the APC securing victory in the December polls could not be overemphasised.

Sylva According to him, while the APC was not seeking to make Nigeria a one-party state, the task ahead required that everyone should be brought on board.

Oyegun said: “I think it underscores in very clear terms, the importance the whole party attaches to the Bayelsa election. The time is short; that we understand, but the circumstances and the situation are very upbeat and very promising for eventual victory at the election.

“Just as I was confident about the national election, I am confident of the Bayelsa election because we have a good product.

Secondly, we have a totally and

abysmally underperforming governor in Bayelsa State.

“Thirdly, the governing party in Bayelsa State has crumbled because most of the significant people in that party are today with us seeking votes for a progressive party. Lastly, we have a crack team comprising members of the campaign council and our job here today is to send them forth to undertake this challenging assignment.”

He informed members of the committee that the task before them was simple. He said they should ensure that they do everyCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

9 Politics

Kogi, Bayelsa polls: APC battles PDP with 22 govs at campaigns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

thing legally possible to bring the people of Bayelsa State into the APC fold.

In his remarks, the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal said: “Our task is very clear to us and the task has been defined and blessed by God almighty.

“We shall do everything humanly possible within the confines of the law to bring into Government House of Bayelsa State, Timipreye Silva, come December 5, 2015.”

He assured President Muhammadu Buhari and the members of the party that the committee made up of committed party members would ensure that the state joined the APC family.

Other members of the committee included Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Kashim Shettima (Borno); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Abdulaziz Yari, (Zamfara), amongst others.

Only last Sunday, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Alhaji Babakaka Garbai of the APC winner of the bye-election for Borno Central Senatorial district which was conducted on Saturday.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof.

Mohammed Fannami, who an-

nounced the results in Maiduguri, said that Garbai scored 120, 639 votes against 32,347 votes scored

by Alhaji Kaka Bolori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second.

The returning officer added that Alhaji Bukar Muhammed of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had 324 votes, while Mallam Babakura Modu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had 660 votes.

He said that the total number of registered voters was 908, 114, while the total number of accredited voters was 174, 329.

“The total number of votes cast

Sylva

was 159, 998, the number of valid votes was 155, 443 while the total number of rejected votes was 4, 555,” Fannami said.

In his reaction, Garbai described his victory as an ‘act of God.’ He said: “the people have spoken; the victory is a clear testimony of the fact that the people have confidence in my ability to deliver.”

“It is also an indication that the people have confidence in the government of Borno, because the government has been working for them.”

“So any candidate presented by

Oyegun-Odigie

the APC in the state will always have the peoples support. By God grace we are going to work for the people.

“I intend to pursue an agenda to rehabilitate my people who are badly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Borno Central is the major population area in the state.”

“Aside from Maiduguri, all the other population centres in the zone have been displaced by Boko Haram and my major task is to work towards rehabilitating them”, he said.

Dickson

Ahmed Attah: What did Abubakar Audu forget in Lugard House CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

ence that when the Fourth Republic kicked off in 1999 Kogites had seen enough of Audu to over-

Audu

whelming vote him in to continue in his good works. And they were the happier for it for their chief executive resumed exactly from where he stopped.

Specifically, those four years in office saw the indefatigable achiever carving out further golden projects like building and equipping a specialist hospital, the five star Confluence Hotel, 250 units Housing Estate, a sporting complex, 25 medical institutions, 350 borehole schemes, 300 km of township roads, 20 rural electrification projects as well as procuring 100 mass transit buses and creating a specialist Government Girls Secondary School on student exchange programme.

However, Kogites were denied the much-needed continuity to land them in Audu’s Eldorado when PDP struck with the rigging

bulldozer that has ever continued to deny such contentious and selfless leader.

But after 12 years of PDP’s reign, Kogi State has deteriorated beyond apprehension. Yet revenue allocation has more than quadrupled in present day. Audu’s landmarks have been left unmaintained without visible replacements in place.

To answer the question, Audu is coming back on a rescue mission. He sees his great plans to alleviate his people from poverty and pathetic living diminish in the hands of a ruthless opposition, whose only creed for power are for self-aggrandizement and closed family frolics.

Audu is coming to restore hope to his people, pick up Kogi State from the sorry state it is and back to the envy he left it in 2003 by

which time he had won seven of the 12 performance awards available nationwide for gubernatorial excellence in office.

Yes, Abubakar Audu forgot something – his people’s wellbeing. Contesting under the platform of APC, Audu couldn’t have chosen a better CHANGE vehicle to drive home his threepoint agenda – power shift, state of emergency in critical sectors of the state and concentration in ‘stomach infrastructure’.

The incumbent, PDP’s Wada is in for the fight of his life to keep out Audu from getting back to power. The PDP had succeeded in fraudulently keeping the people’s choice for three consecutive times. This time around, it will definitely be a different ball game when Kogites decide on November 21, 2015.

Ogbeh

How Ogbe diffused tension between Tiv, Idoma over ministerial nomination The nomination of Chief Audu Ogbeh, a former National Chairman of the Peopls Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Agriculture as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari diffused the tension in Benue State between the Tiv and Idoma.

There has been an agelong feud between the two major ethnic groups in the state, with one claiming that one is marginalising the other in political appointments.

For years, indeed, since 1999, the Tivs have been dominating the governorship position with the Idomas as deputy with an unending promise of shifting for them after the completion of their terms which never materialised.

In the same vein, the Idomas too have connered the Ministerial slot for the state for some time now, leaving the Tivs to lament their fate.

But the nomination of Ogbeh, seen as detrablised amongst the populace in the state has diffused the usual tension.

This is more so as the nomination was said to have been backed

by Tiv leaders such as Senator Barnabas Gemade, a former national chairman of the PDP, Senator George Akume, former Governor of the state and the state governor, Samuel Ortom.

This development had ensured that the nomination did not ruffle too much feathers in the state.

Already, a political group in the state, Benue Forum has praised President Buhari and the Tiv leadCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

How Ogbe diffused tension between Tiv, Idoma over ministerial nomination

Akume

Ogbeh

Ortom

Gemade

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

ers for the nomination.

A statement signed by Honourable Edache Reuben Ojoje, its National President, explained that the action carried a symbolic import that necessitated their public expression of gratitude to the president.

The choice, nomination and

confirmation of Chief Ogbe, the statement said, has not only raised the bar of unity in Benue State but also underscored the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.

While saying that it does not hold brief for Chief Ogbeh, the forum, however, gave assurance

that the nation is guaranteed Chief Ogbeh’s maximum commitment to the key elements of the ‘Change Agenda’ driving the Buhari regime.

It commended political leaders of Benue State such as Senator George Akume, Senator Bernabas Gemade and Dr. Samuel

Ortom, the Benue State Governor for their support for Chief Ogbeh’s nomination, describing Chief Ogbeh himself as one of our icon.

Chief Audu Ogbeh who hails from Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Council of Benue State came to national limelight

Osun: Group urges NLC, TUC, NUT to condemn pay cut A group under the aegis of Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) has challenged the organised labour including, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers and host of other affiliated union in the State to speak out against the anti-workers policies of the Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola led-State gov-

ernment.

According to it, the proposed salary cut of the State workforce which it said would take effect from November 2015 were against Governor Aregbesola’s electioneering campaign promises in the State.

It would be recalled that the government had already circulated a memo notifying the State civil servants of the new regime

that would see workers forfeiting all allowances to workers in other States and the memo was signed by one Mr. Sunday Olajide, a Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service. The allowances included: 27.5 percent Peculiar allowance for teachers, 25 percent - 35 percent for other categories of workers.

In a statement by the CSCEO’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Aregbesola

in the 1980s when he emerged as Minister of Communications under the Shagari regime in the Second Republic. Before then, he was the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. A big time farmer and orator, Chief Ogbeh has since been screened by the Senate.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

11 Politics

Osun: Group asks NLC, TUC, NUT to condemn pay cut CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman, the State government proposed reduction of workers salary, had confirmed the group’s earlier position that Mr. Aregbesola was insensitive to the worker’s plight in the State, commending the Amalgamated Union of the workers in the State for being the lone voice in the wilderness to speak against the tyrannical decision of Mr. Aregbesola on the workers welfare.

Comrade Sulaiman condemned the silence of the workers’ leadership and its affiliated union in the State for keeping quiet on the serious issue affecting the welfare of the workers,

strongly rejecting the proposed salary reduction of the workers

by Mr. Aregbesola, describing the development as anti-people, ungodly, and anti-workers welfare.

He urged the labour leaders in the State to wake up from their slumber and rise up to the task of defending the workers against the anti-workers policies of the State government under the watch of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola .

He recalled that the State government had failed to makethe outcome of the earlier screening of the workers conducted by State government public, challenging the State government to make the report available to the people, so Aregbesola

INEC: Kogi, Bayelsa guber candidates to sign peace pact ... To deploy 21, 947 personnel for polls Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

The twenty-two candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election are to sign a peace pact on November 18, before the poll.

Also, the twenty candidates already cleared by INEC to contest the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State would sign similarly peace pact on November 10.

The Commission’s Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Nick Dazang, disclosed this on Wednesday, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

Dazang explained that the 20 governorship candidates cleared

Prof. Yakubu

as to know the actual payment of the wage bill of the state workforce in the face of present economic quagmire. Sulaiman added that: It is now clearly shown that Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is insensitive to workers welfare with the series of anti-workers policies planning to be implemented by his government in November 2015.Till date, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola failed to come out with the report of the workers’ screening held in the State some weeks back, because the present administration in the State are culprit over the criminal increase of the wage bill of State workforce from oN1.4billion to N3.6billion”

by INEC on Monday to contest the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State would sign the peace pact on November 10, while those of Kogi State would take their turn on November 18.

The Daily Times recalled that the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, General Abudulsalami Abubakar, had, shortly before the conduct of the 2015 presidential election, committed the 14 presidential candidates contesting the election, and their National Chairmen, to a peace accord.

According to Dazang, “The idea is to commit the contestants and their followers to peace.

INEC is holding the conference in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’’.

There are strong fears that Kogi and Bayelsa states could become flash points.

Dazang claimed that there were reports that people from the two states were stockpiling arms ahead of the elections, though he said this has not been confirmed.

His words, “One of the civil society organisations we work with, the Transition Monitoring Group, has alleged that there is a stockpile of arms in one of the local governments in Kogi and about two in Bayelsa.

“It will be recalled that before now, there have been reported

cases of election violence in both Kogi and Bayelsa states. So, in addition to the other proactive measures that we have taken is by the way of engaging the stakeholders.

“We now want to do this particular symbiotic measure by holding the contestants to peace accord,” he stated Dazang, however, revealed that INEC had already drawn the attention of appropriate authorities to the reports.

Meanwhile, a total of 21, 947 personnel are to be deployed for the conduct of the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa State governorship elections by Independent National Electoral Commission.

This was contained in an INEC bulletin on Wednesday in Abuja.

The breakdown of the figure, according to the bulletin, reveals that 12,120 officers will be used for the November 21 Kogi State governorship election while 9, 827 will conduct the Bayelsa State poll on December 5.

The bulletin further indicated that a total 4,352 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who will serve as presiding officers, will be recruited for the conduct of the two elections.

The commission will also use two returning officers, 29 collation officers, 344 registration area collation officers and 435 supervisory presiding officers, during the two polls.

Olufemi Samuel Abuja

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called for citizen participation in the formulation of legislative agenda for the 8th Senate.

Saraki made this known in a statement released by his office.

The statement reads: “Following requests by Nigerians on social media regarding legislations they would want amended or introduced in the 8th Senate, as we put together the final draft of the Legislative Agenda that will guide our affairs during this tenure, we will like to secure the input of Nigerians into the formulation of this agenda.

“The contributions of all Nigerians will be crucial to ensuring that bills passed into law from now till 2019 will have direct and positive consequences on the lives of our people.

“As I look forward to receiving your suggestions and comments

I’m still putting smiles on my people’s faces - Wike Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, said he is still putting smiles on the faces of his people every day by “massively expanding the frontiers of development in line with his development blueprint, the New Rivers Vision”.

Wike said despite litigations against his election, he remains

Saraki seeks citizens’ participation in formulation of legislative agenda on people oriented bills, I reiterate that our major focus in the 8th Assembly is to close the gap between the legislative processes and the citizenry whose faith and trust legitimize our role as legislators. Our laws must serve, preserve and protect every Nigerian, regardless of his station in life.

“I enjoin you to forward your contributions to spass.legal@ gmail.com including your name, phone number and location.

focused “working hard to set the state on the path of sustained growth after years of failure by the immediate past APC administration in the state”.

According to Simeon Nwakaudu, special assistant to the governor on media, Wike has maintained the tempo of project execution and supervision since May 29.

“From September to date, work on critical economic roads in five local government areas have been intensified,” Nwakaudu said in a statement.

He listed the local government areas to include Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Eleme the Oyigbo among others.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

FG approves payment of N413bn subsidy claim to oil marketers ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government on Wednesday approved the immediate payment of N413 billion to oil marketers as outstanding payment for subsidy claims.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

It stated that the initiative was to ensure that zero fuel queues bolstered.

It expressed the belief that with the payment, the marketers and other downstream players would cooperate with the NNPC to guarantee that the nation remained wet with petroleum products all year round.

It also stated that NNPC had stepped up measures to eliminate the noticeable

fuel queues in some petrol stations across some major cities in the country.

NNPC also assured public of adequate fuel supply as it injected additional volumes of premium motor spirit to enrich product availability in the affected areas.

It stated that the corporation was working assiduously with stakeholders in line with its drive to ensure zero fuel queues ahead of

the forthcoming yuletide and beyond.

It stated that NNPC was working with the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and other downstream players to consolidate the prevailing stability in the supply and distribution of fuel nationwide.

It stated that inspection team from the PPMC had also been commissioned to go round operational areas

R-L: Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); his Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole and his wife, Lara at the opening of the new Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto State… on Tuesday

to ensure compliance with laid down rules regarding operations.

It stated that the team would ensure conformity

with rules on loading and product evacuation across board to eliminate hoarding and other vices detrimental to the free flow of products.

Below is the full list of the committees and their chairmen: Continued from page 1 Science and Tech: Senator Ajayi Boroffice Land Transport: Gbenga Ashafa Marine Transport: Ahmed Sani Public Procurement: Mohammed Ohiare Nat’l Identity: Kabiru Marafa Health: Dr. Lanre Tejuoso ICT: Abdulfatai Buhari INEC: Abubakar Kyari Information and Nat’l Orientation: Eyinnaya Abaribe Basic and Secondary Education: Aliyu Wammako FCT: Dino Melaye Finance: John Enoh Foreign Affairs: Monsurat Sunmonu Capital Market: Isiaka Adeleke Culture and Tourism: Matthew Urhoghide Customs and Excise: Adamu Aliero Defence: Ahmed Lawan Drugs and Narcotics: Joshua Lidani Agriculture: Abdullahi Adamu Army: George Akume Anti Corruption: Chukwuka Utazi Appropriation: Danjuma Goje Aviation: Hope Uzodinma

Alleged N3.1b fraud: Suswam’s arraignment stalled Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Economic and Fi-

nancial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday failed to arraign former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam for alleged money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja despite the wide publicity the agency gave the trial.

A horde of photo journalists who had laid siege at the entrance to the court premises in anticipation of Suswam’s arrival and arraignment left the premises disappointed when it became clear that he would

not be brought after all.

Journalists and lawyers with interest in the case, who had also stormed the court following a statement by the EFCC over the planned arraignment, were also disappointed and left after waiting for several hours.

It was a prosecution counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs [SAN] who told Journalists that the former governor could not be arraigned as the case file was yet to be assigned to a particular Judge by the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

Jacobs was among several other lawyers who were in court in respect of the case.

Daily Times learnt that the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta was attending a seminar organized for Judges outside the court premises.

Suswam and his former finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia were alleged to have diverted the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd. The offence is punishable under section 15(3)

of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 20111 as amended in 2012.

The EFCC had grilled Suswam and Okolobia, for many days last month but released them on administrative bail.

The two men, it was learned from their interrogators, were shown documents relating to the alleged crimes preferred against them and they were asked to defend themselves to enable the commission to determine their culpability or otherwise.

While Suswam is facing the trial by the EFCC, he had successfully stopped

his probe by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, by securing an order of the Benue State High Court to restrain a commission of inquiry raised by the governor from investigating his tenure.

Meanwhile, a group under the auspices of Benue Coalition for Justice, Equity and Fairness has claimed that the invitation of Suswam by the EFCC was the handiwork of some political heavy weights in the state.

While condemning moves by the state governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom to probe his predecessor, Sus-

wam, the group expressed regret that pressing issues of governance had been allegedly relegated to the background in the state in preference for a witchhunt.

In a statement signed by its National President, Peter Hwande and Secretary General, Ogbole Alechenu, the group claimed that Suswam’s era represented the best period for the state since 1999, but for the unfortunate delayed salaries, which became the bane of the entire country in the last two years as a result of the global economic meltdown.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday November 5, 2015

13 International

Russia seeks clarification on Syrian opposition, terrorists ÏÏÏRussian

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday highlighted the need to decide which of the various opposition groups fighting in Syria should be a part of future peace talks and which should be considered terrorists.

Lavrov spoke at a press conference after meeting in Moscow with U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to discuss the process of finding a political solution to the conflict that has left more than 240,000 people dead since March 2011.

Earlier Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin's office said the leader discussed the situation in Syria in a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that both men were ready to continue political dialogue.

De Mistura and Lavrov were part of international talks last week in Vienna that called for the U.N. to bring together the warring Syrian sides and help them move toward "credible, inclusive, nonsectarian governance" and a new constitution.

The participants, which included the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, also said new

Romanian PM resigns over nightclub tragedy ÏÏÏRomania's

Prime Minister Victor Ponta says his government is resigning in response to protests demanding he and other top officials step down after a nightclub fire resulted in 32 deaths last week.

The prime minister released his statement early Wednesday, saying he hopes his response will satisfy the thousands of protesters who marched through central Bucharest Tuesday.

The protesters allege several senior officials allowed themselves to be bribed in exchange for permits to put on shows in crowded and unsafe clubs.

Thirty-two young concert-goers died Friday night and 200 others were badly injured, after fireworks set off during a show at the Colectiv nightclub ignited the ceiling and caused a stampede of some 400 people toward the only exit. Waving banners reading "Corruption Kills," the protesters demanded the resignations of Prime Minister Ponta, deputy Gabriel Oprea, and the mayor of the Bucharest district, where the club was located.

Romanian prosecutors have ordered the three nightclub owners held for questioning.

Sisi, Cameron agree tight security needed at Sinai airport

ÏÏÏEgypt's president and Brit-

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, listens as U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura speaks during a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Nov. 4, 2015.

elections should take place under U.N. supervision.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the fate of President Bashar al-Assad should be decided by the Syrian people and that keeping him in power is not crucial to Russia's objectives.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the fate of President Bashar al-Assad should be decided by the Syrian people and that keeping him in power is not crucial to Russia's objectives "We have never said Assad's staying in power is a principled aspect"

of Russian policy on Syria, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Ekho Moskvy radio. Instead, she stressed that the preservation of a functioning government in the Syrian state is central to ending more than four years of civil war.

China, Taiwan to hold historic talks ÏÏÏJust

weeks before Taiwan holds general and presidential elections, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou announced he will hold face-to-face talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore.

The meeting Saturday will be the first between Taiwanese and Chinese leaders since 1949 and authorities in China are predicting it will be a “major historic milestone” in the development of cross-strait relations.

In Taiwan, opposition politicians immediately voiced their concern about the talks and dozens began to rally in the capital, Taipei. Some called for the impeachment of Ma, noting that before he was re-elected to a second term in office, the president pledged to not meet with China’s leaders or discuss unification.

China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its own territory and wants the two to reunify. However, support for unification with China in Taiwan is extremely low.

Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, who is also the party’s candidate in the upcoming presidential race, said she, like many others, was surprised by the announcement.

"A meeting of the leaders of the two sides across the strait is a great event, involving the dig-

nity and national interests of Taiwan,” Tsai said. “But to let the people know in such a hasty and chaotic manner is damaging to Taiwan's democracy."

A spokesman for Ma said no private agreements will be signed during the talks and stressed that the talks aim to solidify relations between the two sides and “keep the status quo across the Taiwan Strait."

This combination of file photos shows Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This combination of file photos shows Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The governments of Taiwan and China do not recognize each other and working out some agreement about how the two should address one another has long been a stumbling block to such high-level talks.

President Ma tried last year, albeit unsuccessfully, to attend the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in Beijing.

According to Chinese state media, the “cross-strait leaders” will not address one another as president during the meeting, but instead call one another “Mister.”

After holding brief talks in the afternoon, the two will hold sepa-

rate press conferences and dine together in the evening.

Relations between Taiwan and China have bloomed during Ma’s tenure, but so has public concern -- especially among younger voters -- about the island’s over-reliance on China.

Since coming to office, Ma has worked to sign 23 cross-strait trade agreements.

But even as its trade and tourism ties have grown during Ma's time in office, Taiwan’s economy has continued to struggle and there have been growing questions about just how much the island is benefiting from closer engagement with China.

An effort to push a Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement through the legislature without a clause-byclause review was met with strong opposition last year, when young protesters occupied Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan.

Ying-jeou

ain's prime minister have agreed on the need for "the tightest possible security" at the Sinai resort airport where a doomed Russian airliner departed, London said.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and David Cameron spoke by telephone ahead of the Egyptian leader's visit to London, according to a statement from Cameron's office released late on Tuesday.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the crash in Sinai on Saturday which killed all 224 people on board the Kogalymavia Airbus A321 that had set off from Sharm el-Sheikh - a popular destination for British tourists.

The Islamic State group's branch in the Sinai Peninsula has claimed it downed the plane, but it provided no details and experts say other possibilities include a mechanical failure that caused the plane to disintegrate in mid air.

Cameron and Sisi "agreed it was important not to pre-judge the investigation," the British statement said. They "noted that there was still uncertainty about the cause of the crash and agreed it would be prudent to ensure the tightest possible security arrangements at Sharm el-Sheikh airport as a precautionary measure."

25 killed in S’ Sudan plane crash

ÏÏÏA plane crashed in South Su-

dan shortly after taking off from the busy Juba airport, killing at least 25 people.

Reports said the Antonov cargo plane crashed just 800 meters from the runway Wednesday, landing in thick woodland along the shore of the Nile River.

Initial reports - from witnesses, news reporters and a government official - said at least 25 people are believed to have died, a number of children among them.

U.N.-backed broadcaster Radio Miraya quoted witnesses as saying they counted as many as 40 bodies among the wreckage.

News reports said the plane had been headed for the Paloch oil fields in Upper Nile State.

Reports from the wreckage site said the plane appeared to have been carrying a cargo of food supplies as well as passengers.

It was not clear if all of the victims had been aboard the plane or if some were on the ground at the time of the crash.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Okey Lucky Okey

ÏÏÏThe

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); One-Day Commissioner for Science & Technology, Miss Onikoyi Abimbola (left); One-Day Speaker, Master Dahunsi Fehinti (2nd left); One-Day SSG, Master Musa Habeeb (3rd left); One-Day Governor, Master Idowu Sonoiki (3rd right); One-Day Deputy Governor, Master Abdul-Liadi Faaiz (2nd right) and One-Day Commissioner for Education, Miss Adesuyi Adetutu (right) during their visit to the governor's wife at Lagos House, Marina… on Wednesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Dickson woos Bayelsa communities, urges rejection of Sylva, APC Akam James

Yenagoa As part of preparations ahead of the December 5 gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and the incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has taken his re-election campaign to more communities in the Yenagoa district.

The area comprises two major tribes, of the Epie and Attissa people who live close to the Epie Creek, north-east of Yenagoa.

This was as the governor was endorsed by more groups of chiefs, women, elders, youths and over four hundred n on-governmental organisations (NGO), backing the re-election bid of the governor.

The communities first visited by the campaign team of the governor were Attissa from Swali to

ÏÏÏ

Ovom, then Onopa, Ikoli to Ogu to Agbura Yenagoa, Bebelibiri, Yenaka, Ikoli, Famgbe, Obogoro, Akaba, and Agbura.

Thereafter the team took a trip to the Epie axis which included Amarata, Igbogene, Yenegwe, Akenfa, Agudama Epie, Akenpai, Edepie, Okutukutu, Opolo, Biogbolo, Yenizue Gene, Kpansia, Yenizue Epie, Okaka, Ekeki, and Azikoro.

Though the people spoke in their different dialects, the message was clear that the PDP and their candidate had their support.

Speaking at the Swali area, Dickson promised the people that his administration was ready to alleviate their sufferings, adding that since they were the government’s host community more indigenes of the area would be appointed into his government.

He promised to construct the long abandoned roads leading to the community, noting that he wasn’t happy with what he saw as he was coming to canvass for the people’s mandate.

He emphasised the importance of the Yenagoa areas as he journeyed through the communities, urging them to reject Sylva and the APC in the state, in order not to witness the dark days when the state police were used to maim children in the state.

“These communities are dear to us, the ‘Operation reject Sylva and APC campaign’ must continue in your communities. Everywhere we have been to, the people have reject them. We are tired of the bloodshed. In Yenagoa, you’ll be surprised how many of our youths were dead during his tenure as governor.

homicide unit of Lagos state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, is interrogating a 45-year-old pastor, Patrick Ajaero, who allegedly killed his younger brother, Emeka, for allegedly refusing to travel home for family liberation in their village in Imo State.

Although, the suspect admitted killing the brother, he however told our reporter at Panti, that he killed him in self- defence after the deceased allegedly attempted to stab him with a knife The incident which occurred at number 14 Lescus Street in Iba Local Council Development Authority, at Ojo, came as the Lagos State Police Command arrested no fewer than 38 suspects nabbed at various parts of the metropolis for alleged involvement in armed robbery, cultism and impersonations.

Abuja

ÏÏÏThough

permitted only when necessary to save a woman’s life, induced abortion is common in Nigeria. A new study “The Incidence of Abortion in Nigeria”, conducted by researchers at the Guttmacher Institute and the University of Ibadan has shown.

The finding indicated that 1.25 million abortions were performed in the country in 2012, compared with the 610,000 in 1996.

Speaking at the event to launch the report, in Abuja, on Wednesday, the acting country director of Ipas, Hauwa Shekarau, said the increase was due, in part, to rising

population.

The estimated abortion rate, she said, was 33 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-49 in 2012, stating that although this rate was greater than the 1996 rate (23 per 1, 000) estimated in a previous study, the most prudent conclusion may be that the abortion rate had increased slightly, as the two rates were calculated using different approaches.

Most of these abortions, she said, were clandestine and many were unsafe, noting that unsafe abortion was a major contributor to Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate, which remains among the highest in the world.

She said clandestine procedures

were often carried out under unsanitary conditions by providers, who were not appropriately trained, stating that the resulting complications range from unchecked bleeding to serious infections and even death.

Another recent study by many of the same authors, “Maternal Near-miss due to Unsafe Abortion and associated short term Health and Socio-economic Consequences in Nigeria”, examined cases in 2012 where women with pregnancy-related complications would have died, had they had not received treatment. The researchers found that almost 10% of these near-miss events were due to unsafe abortion.

Our reporter gathered that the suspects were nabbed by combined efforts of detectives attached SCID, Panti, Yaba and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Explaining how he killed his own brother, the pastor of one of the new generation churches said his earnest desire to liberate the family from abject poverty and never-do- well posture led him into the incident, which he described as accident of fate.

He said that a powerful pastor friend of his had prophesied to him that the family needed deliverance and liberation to enable them cancel all alleged curses that were affecting their finances and retarded growth in the family.

Court bars FRCN from interfering in Stanbic IBTC operations Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA Federal High Court sitting

in Lagos has barred the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) from any interference in the operations of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc pending the final determination of a suit against the regulatory agency.

In a ruling on the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Justice Ibrahim Buba, also gave an order also restraining FRCN from inviting the company's Board of Directors to any meeting in connection with any statutory investigation of its financial statements until the final determination of the pending suit.

However, Justice Buba refused the third prayer sought by Stanbic IBTC with regards to restraining FRCN from taking any step to en-

Despite restriction, abortion still common Foundation to in Nigeria – Study honour academic

Akor Ejumene

Pastor kills brother in Lagos

excellence

Adesola Akindele

ÏÏÏIn line with its unwavering

commitment towards the celebration and promotion of academic excellence, the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation will between November 17 and December 2, present various awards of excellence to students, teachers and schools, who by their dint of hard work, commitment and extra-ordinary achievements have become role models for others.

This was disclosed via a statement made available by Learn Africa Plc last week. The statement revealed that Learn Africa Edu-

force an invitation of October 16, 2015 from the council to attend a meeting.

During the proceedings, on Wednesday, the judge also granted an application by Stanbic IBTC Holdings to amend its originating summons after dismissing the objections of FRCN’s lawyer, Olusina Sofola (SAN).

Sofola had argued that the application for amendment was akin to putting something on a dead issue.

According to him, “the issue complained about in the originating summons by the plaintiff is the legality of the meeting called by the defendant. The meeting was called and they said they will not attend and as far as we are concern, the issue is dead since the day has come and gone. The amendment is to revive what is already dead. The court should not allow it.” cation Development Foundation, which is the corporate social responsibility arm of Learn Africa Plc, had concluded plans to honour candidates that posted outstanding performances during the June/July 2015 NECO SSCE, some of their teachers and the schools that produced them with various awards of excellence.

“There are two categories of awards – national and state. The national awards will go to the overall best three candidates: Alabi Philip Toluwase of Our Lady & St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State (first position), Nwaoha Justin Ifeanyi of Isolog College, Ojodu, Lagos State (second position) and Babalola David Oluwasayo of Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State (third position).

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

15 Opinion

Goodluck Jonathan: Despised at home, loved abroad Ï ƏƆ ƐƆ Ɛ Ɔ ƋƆ ƅƕ Ƈ ƄƆƐƐƆƏ Ɠ ƏƋƗê GƆ ƒƆ Ɛ ƈ Ɠ ƏƋƗ ƄƆƐƐƆƏ ƍƋ ƅƆ Ɛ ƕ Ƒ Ɨ Ƈ Ƒ Ɨ ƈƐ æC Ɛ G ƅƊƓ Ɨ 6ƑƈƆç

S Temple Ubochi

ince Buhari was inaugurated, he has been blaming his predecessor for his own incompetence and cluelessness.

Everything that has been going wrong was the fault of Goodluck Jonathan. A case of someone who does not know what to do, looking for a scapegoat! However, Jonathan is not to be Buhari’s scapegoat. It is time Buhari and his cohorts stop blaming Jonathan for their problems, as he, Goodluck Jonathan, has moved on, and is being celebrated as hero now, especially in Tanzania, where he headed the Commonwealth Election Monitoring Group.

The Tanzanians declared, “We are safe with Jonathan”. As Jonathan led 33-man Commonwealth international observers to monitor the Tanzanian general election on October 25; Tanzanians were optimistic that his presence, would bring credibility to the elections.

The Daily News of Tanzania paid tribute to Jonathan in an editorial titled, “Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections,” commending him for taking his defeat in the last presidential election “in all magnanimity.” The paper

went on to add that “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling to power tooth and nail, fang and claw!”

While Jonathan led the Commonwealth observers, the former Mozambican President, Armando Guebuza, led the African Union, AU observer team. The Daily News of Tanzania wrote that Tanzanians were delighted that the former Nigerian leader, who they described as “a hero of free and fair election in Africa,” was on ground to monitor the elections. In its editorial, few days ago, the paper maintained: “It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedented free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency.

What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president, who sought re-election, Goodluck Jonathan, most graciously accepted the results promptly! The Guardian of Tanzania, described Goodluck Jonathan as a democrat who has pointed the way forward for the rest of Africa.

It further wrote that “Jonathan’s voluntary handover of power to the opposition wrote a new chapter for Nigeria’s democracy, given the fact that it is rare for sitting presidents

in Africa to hand over powers to winning opposition parties.”

African Sun Times also wrote that “Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has become a role model for many nations on how elections should be conducted. Tanzanians, where Jonathan is the Chairman of the Commonwealth Electoral Monitoring body, are agog with praise for the former President, who without hesitation conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, who had never conceded defeat to anybody in his earlier three times at running for President”. A Tanzania Tabloid (The Citizen) quoted Goodluck Jonathan as having urged any loser to concede as he did, saying that he was optimistic that the presidential election in Tanzania would be free and fair, as democracy has come a long way. The Summary also wrote, that Jonathan also said it was equally important for all stakeholders, including the National Electoral Commission (NEC), political parties, police and voters to play their part for the poll to be free and fair. Jonathan then warned that any attempt to reject the will of the people will only lead to chaos reminding everybody that he immediately conceded defeat after losing his re-election bid early because he did not want per-

sonal ambition to derail democracy in Nigeria.

Do you know that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a U.N Global Crises Envoy? World powersUnited States, France, UK, China, Russia and the United Nations have reportedly decided to appoint former President Goodluck Jonathan as U.N. Global Crisis Envoy. President Jonathan was endorsed by the U.N. Secretary General, Bank Ki Moon, as well as the 5 permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Vice President Joe Biden reportedly made a call to Jonathan on April 21, to intimate him of the decision to make him an envoy after leaving office on May 29. The role Jonathan is to take is similar to that of Tony Blair, who after leaving office as United Kingdom Prime Minister was appointed Middle East envoy for the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russia. Goodluck Jonathan is the first African past Head of State to be assigned such role.

Unfortunately, Goodluck Jonathan is despised at home, but, is celebrated abroad, just as The Book of Mark 6:4 says that “A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”

Beyond Otti’s ‘Abia first’ mantra

T Okechukwu

Ukegbu

he streets of Abia, Abia State erupted in wild jubilation Monday as the people celebrated the well-deserved victory of, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the state capital.

Dr. Alex Otti, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) petition was earlier in the day struck out at the tribunal for lacking merit.

Chairman of the tribunal, Usman Bwala, said the petitioners, Alex Otti and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), did not prove their claim to have won the election ‘’beyond doubt”.

Mr. Bwala said the petitioners had on one hand, urged the court to nullify the election on grounds that it was marred by irregularities and massive fraud and on the other hand, sought that they should be declared winners.

He said the petitioners reckoned with the card reader as a means of accreditation during the election of April 11 but failed to agree with use of voter’s register.

The tribunal further refused to grant the petitioners’ request to uphold the cancellation of the results

of the election in Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Areas of the state.

Mr. Bwala said the State Returning Officer, Benjamin Ozumba, was not allowed under the law, to cancel the said results, hence the subsequent reversal by him had no effect.

He said the onus lay heavily on the petitioners to prove beyond doubt that they won the election.

The tribunal chairman, therefore, dismissed the petition because of the failure of the petitioners to prove beyond doubt they won the election.

“Abia first” is Dr. Alex Otti’s campaign mantra which seemingly portrays him as having the interest of Abians at heart. Now, the time is ripe to test him whether he would dramatise this mantra and match what he preaches with action.

Ikpeazu’s victory has been trailed with barrage of advice, from wellmeaning Abians and groups, to Otti to the do the needful by jettisoning any ambition of proceeding to the appellate court. The first to fire the salvo was South East Progressives Assembly (SEPA).

The group in a statement entitled “Why Otti Should Not Appeal Against Abia Tribunal Judgment” and signed by its President, Ebere Uzoukwa, urged Otti to shun the idea of appeal-

ing against the ruling and dramatize his campaign mantra which says ‘Abia First’ “at this very crucial moment by joining hands with others to rediscover the state in terms development”.

“The South East Progressives Assembly (SEPA) wishes to rejoice with the good people of Abia State and their Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD on their well deserved victory at the Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the election of the governor on Wednesday November 3, 2015.

“The judicial ratification and endorsement of Dr. Ikpeazu’s election as Governor of Abia State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has become yet another clear testimony that the election of the Obingwa-born scholar is mostly divine and apt at this very crucial moment in the history of our nation. “ SEPA at this critical moment expects the APGA governorship candidate to think ‘Abia first’ by joining hands to move the state to higher heights. Prolonging the legal battle which has the potency of further distracting the governor and his team, will neither portray Dr. Otti in good light”.

A foremost traditional rulers and Chairman Umuahia South Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Godfrey C.

Onwuka wants Otti to borrow a leaf from the former President Jonathan who accepted the Presidential election results in order to give peace a chance. “l thank God for the verdict. We usually say that the law court is the last hope of the common man and the ruling today has reflected the voting pattern. I congratulate the governor for his winning at the tribunal. In every election, there must be a winner.

Let us cue from what former President Jonathan did. He accepted the presidential election result and that moved Nigeria to another step. Eze Onwuka wants Otti to congratulate Ikpeazu and look for ways of moving the state forward”.

Will Otti do the needful by heeding to these voices of wisdom? Will he toe the path of honour and heed to the advice of the mainstream APGA by” accepting defeat, observing a break, putting himself together, and forge ahead with life”.

Indeed, there is no victor, no vanquished in Abia but a collective ambition to reclaim the state. Otti should not hesitate in embracing the clarion call of Governor Ikpeazu for” all aggrieved parties to show sense of patriotism by joining hands with him to develop the state”. “The voice of the people is the voice of God”.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Business Times Æ s

17

MAN faults re-introduction of ACTN Charles Okonji Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed its displeasure over the position of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) as it has concluded plans to re-introduce the Advanced Cargo Tracking Note (ACTN) despite weighty reservations expressed by manufacturers at different forum.

MAN at a special meeting with the management and governing board of NSC held on August 11, 2015 and a followup technical review session of August 20, 2O15 had expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed re-introduction of the ACTN. This was contained in a press statement signed by Remi Ogunmefu, the director general, MAN, which Stated; “This position was

In keeping with its tradition of engagement and supporting economic development, Nigeria’s most valuable bank brand, FirstBank is throwing its weight behind the 35th edition of Lagos international Trade Fair holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

Folake Ani-Mumuney Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications of the bank said in a statement that during the ten-day fair, the bank’s broad clientele and prospective customers would benefit from FirstBank’s expert financial advisory services, on-line-real-time banking, internet and mobile banking, Automated Teller Machine (ATM), card products, mobile payment platforms and money transfer services.

The trade fair which kicks off this Friday will also have participants from Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, India, Egypt, Chad and Niger Republic in attendance.

This year’s edition themed: “En-

MTN pushes to reduce the fine by 60 percent to 80 percent - Rencap Ïƅ ƈƗƆƏƈ Ƅ ƏƏ Ɠƈ money from banks to help settle the penalty

reached based on observed limitations, negative trickle-down effect on businesses, cost driven implications on cargo clearance and other yet to be addressed observed lapses that motivated the call for its cancellation few years ago.”

“The rationale for dissatisfaction was expressed at the aforementioned meetings and formally communicated in writing to the Executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council on September 15, 2015, in addition, we recommended that NSC should convene a broader stakeholders forum that will afford all operators on the maritime value chain, especially those that would carry the cost burden of CTN to technically x-ray its proposal to re-introduce CTN and agree on a mutually beneficial implementation guideline.”

According to the statement, necessity is laid on MAN as the voice of manufacturers in Nigeria to publicly express its dissatisfaction and objection to the re-introduction of CTN in any form, as well as place balanced information in the public domain in the interest of the real sector and the Nigerian economy.

However, MAN expressed that the ACTN is a re-introduction of the Cargo Tracking Note discarded earlier by the Federal Government on the request of the operators within the Nigerian manufacturing sector in 2013.

The association noted that the limitations and technical lapses that rendered the CTN unacceptable to Maritime stakeholders and Real sector operators which led to its previous rejection are very much present in the ACTN. MAN stressed; “All the infor-

mation required and data that the proposed ACTN intend to collate, as the basis for its re-introduction, are currently available within the domain of Government, specifically Nigeria customs service single window platform, standards organization of Nigeria, Nigeria Port Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Nigeria Maritime Management and Safety Agency.”

“The re-introduction of ACTN for the purpose of providing information/data already available with other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies would amount to mere duplication and at an enormous cost to the manufacturers, importers and other port users. The the ACTN implementation comes with associated cost that will further increase burden of exor-

bitant cost of doing business for manufacturers who rely on imports for raw materials and machines. This will automatically add to the already suffocating cost structure and renders locally made goods uncompetitive.”

“Those technical questions, commercial consequences, cost implication, delivery mechanism and other lapses of the CTN observed by other stakeholders on the maritime value chain should be addressed by NSC with immediate effect in the spirit of change and transparency. That in the interest of the manufacturing sector and the Nigerian economy, the Nigeria shippers council and by extension the Federal Government should jettison the re-introduction of the CTN as currently crafted until the issue of where the cost burden of its implementation will rest.”

First Bank restates support for economic growth hancing Value Addition in the Non-Oil Economy” is expected to be formally declared open on Saturday.. Over the years, the fair has attracted both local and foreign exhibitors and has continued to provide avenue for various trade groups and professionals to present new products and ideas as well as tap into business opportunities that exist in the country.

According to the GMD/CEO of FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya, the Bank is proud to be a sponsor of the Lagos International trade fair, as this demonstrates our commitment to promoting trade and development in the nation. ‘We would continue to promote the industrialization of the Nigerian economy and the global economy at large through valuable partnerships’, Onasanya added.

Friday Atufe with agency report There were strong indications yesterday that MTN Group Limited was making moves to reduce a $5.2 billion fine imposed by Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator by as much as 80 percent and is considering borrowing money from banks to help settle

R-L: Pattison Boleigha, Chief Conduct & Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc; Obinna Nwosu, Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc; Access Bank Plc; Paula Parkinson, Assistant Legal Attaché, FBI, US Consulate, Lagos and Yinka Jimoh Abdulraheem, Head, Subsidiaries Conduct and Compliance, at the Bank’s Compliance Awareness Week Stakeholders workshop which held at the Bank’s head office in Lagos on Wednesday.

the penalty, according to Renaissance Capital.

“MTN is pushing to reduce the fine by 60 percent to 80 percent,” Adesoji Solanke, RenCap’s head of research in Nigeria, said in a note to clients on Wednesday, citing a bank he didn’t identify. A second lender said that “MTN is considering borrowing from banks, as it recently checked what the banks’

lending capacity to it is,” the analyst said.

MTN has until Nov. 16 to pay the penalty, which relates to the timing of the disconnection of 5.1 million subscribers and is based on a charge of 200,000 naira ($1,005) for each unregistered customer. The Johannesburg-based company’s shares lost almost a quarter of their value following the disclo-

sure of the fine, before recovering 9 percent over the past two sessions.

“We don’t comment on banking matters and banking regulators in Nigeria are best placed to provide context on these matters,” MTN spokesman Chris Maroleng said by phone. “I don’t have that information,” Tony Ojobo, a spokesman for the NCC, said in a text message.

Business News 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

SEC, DMO to strengthen collaboration on development of bond market

Gwarzo

Friday Atufe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Debt Management office Nigeria (DMO) have assured of greater collaboration to ensure that funds raised by state governments from the capital market were properly utilized.

Director-General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo gave this assurance when the Director-General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwank-

wo visited him in his office in Abuja yesterday.

Gwarzo said the utilization of funds raised from the market was very important hence the Commission has taken monitoring of the utilization of issue proceeds to the highest level.

He said, “The public seems to think that money is not well utilized but I want to assure you that at SEC, utilization is very key and our inspection is at a very high level. What we have

done is to create a committee rather than allow a particular Division to do that and the membership of the committee is drawn from various departments to leverage on different experiences.

“For the states that have come to the market, already one or two states have been visited and we have already restructured the inspection teams now. Instead of having only one team, we now have three teams and we gave them the mandate that from now till December, all those states have to be inspected. We have the previous inspections reports and anytime you need them, we can share with you so that you too can have the information.”

Gwarzo restated the commitment of the Commission to implementing the 10- Year Master Plan one of whose key objectives is to revive and transform the Bond Market.

“The Bond market at the national level seems to be doing well, a few years ago when the Corporate bond market was a little bit very active and the FGN Bond was not too active, we were in the vanguard of propagating that government should come

in, now government has become very dominant and some of us are thinking that maybe it is crowding out the corporate.

In terms of waivers, Gwarzo solicited the support and co-operation of DMO as he expressed the need to be carried along in order to be on the same page.

“We want to be carried along, we want the market to see us as one, we don’t want a situation whereby certain waivers are given by DMO and those waivers are not in line with our laws, by the time we co-ordinate very well, some of these things will be smoothened out,” he added.

Speaking earlier, Nwankwo, said one of the purposes of the visit was the need to relate and work closely from time to time to achieve set goals and assured the SEC of DMO’s support to maintain a good relationship.

“I think that is an area we need to work very closely on given the emerging realities. As you are aware of recent, states are under tremendous financial stress and in respect of their bank loans, you are aware of the initiatives government approved for us to take to reduce the pressure of bank loans on them.”

Dangote Sugar posts N14.22 billion profit in nine months Charles Okonji Dangote Sugar Refinery has announced a profit before tax of N14.22 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to N13.97 billion in corresponding period in 2014.

According to the unaudited report released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, gross profit rose by five percent, to N18.80 billion in contrast to N18.63 billion in 2014.

Profit after tax increased to N9.34 billion from N9.15billion in the same period in 2014. Production at Savannah Sugar was on the increase, rising to 6,610 tonnes whereas a total of 6,245 tonnes was produced in 2014.

Commenting on the results, Abdullahi Sule, Deputy Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery, stated; “After a good pick up in the second quarter, we struggled to sustain the pace of improvement in the third quarter as we continued to face challenges getting our

sugar out of the Apapa area to our customers who constrained our overall operations in the quarter.”

“We have started exploring alternate means of product evacuation, including the rail and additional warehouses to fulfill the growing demand of our sugar in the Northern parts.”

“I am pleased that despite these challenges, we were still able to improve our profit margins and bagged additional market share from the sugar smugglers and competitors as the quarter ended.”

“We are excited as our Sugar for Nigeria project continues to gain momentum and our 5 year target to execute the first phase of our backward integration plans - the Savannah rehabilitation and Lau/Tau projects progress.”

“Dangote Sugar is Nigeria’s largest producer of household and commercial sugar with 1.44 million tonnes of refining capacity, with the ability to supply most of the country through an

extensive network of distributors. The refinery at Apapa imports raw sugar from Brazil and refines it into white, Vitamin A fortified sugar suitable for household and industrial uses.”

Savannah cane sugar factory located near Numan, in Adamawa State has an installed sugar capacity of 50,000 tonnes, covering 32,000 hectares, while the Savannah estate has considerable opportunity for expansion which is underway.

Sule noted, “Our strategy is to become a global force in sugar production, working within Nigeria’s National Sugar Master Plan to end importation and sell more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of locally produced sugar in Nigeria and neighboring countries. As part of this plan we acquired Savannah Sugar in December 2012 and are currently improving its farm acreage and upgrading its production facilities.”

“We intend to augment Savannah’s 32,000 hectares in Adamawa state by acquiring and plant-

ing a further 150,000 hectares across Nigeria, supporting the new plantations with modern production facilities that are located closer to the consumer,” he stated.

Dangote

Ononobi

’Mobile phone advertising won’t affect other channels Oluwaseyi Fadoro Following concerns raised on the advent of mobile phone advert apps, the Chief Innovations Officer, Sidon Media Limited, Mr. Simeon Ononobi has said the emergence of advertising through mobile phone will not affect the conventional advertising channels.

Ononobi who spoke in Lagos at the unveiling of a mobile phone application, ‘My ads’, that aside its primary function of advertising, users of the application earn money whenever they receive calls, noted that manufacturers often prefer different channels to communicate their brands to the consumers.

His words “The emergence of ‘My ads,’ app do not mean that the outdoor advertising will go into extinction. People will still patronize them. We are not changing the conventional advertising medium.

“We are only disrupting the current flow of advertising. We are adding another mode of advertising in order for the brand owners to get value for their funds. For instance, a cottage business owner, one needs to ensure that whatever he spends achieve the desired purpose,” he added.

On the app, Ononobi stated that at the pretesting stage, “we have discovered that companies and individuals wanted the apps, adding “We had over 30 requests from different brands. We believe that we will give brand owners value for their money.

And before the end of this year, he avowed that over 20 million Nigerian mobile phone users would have been earning money through the apps.

Users of the application can download the seven megabytes apps on their phones to keep up to speed with events around them without the apps interfering with their phone activities.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

19 Interview

Devaluation of naira will affect aviation training— Mshelia CAPTAIN IBRAHIM KADAFIR MSHELIA is a pilot and administrator with flying experience spanning more than 32 years. This astute businessman, philanthropist and strategic tinkerer with innovative ideas for stop gaps and long term fixes in the aviation subsector is also a human capacity builder having founded Mish Aviation Flying School in Ghana in 2006.

His passion for the growth of the aviation industry is intense and has always insisted on what is standard for the industry. He speaks with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO on a number of issues including the need for governments in Africa to understand the difference between training institutions and commercial operations in a bid to improve the sector.

As a training institution, what is your perception of Nigeria’s aviation industry?

Since the deregulation of the aviation sector several decades ago, the Nigerian aviation industry has evolved into a very huge market. The industry has so much potentials: though one will say it has not been exploited fully to the larger benefit of the country, due to the inability of the industry players to exhibit the honesty, sincerity, ethics and professionalism required.

In addition, successive governments have also not been able to successfully check the incessant corruption within the service provider government agencies and the airlines have not been able to appoint honest leaders as workers themselves have failed to stop pilfering company income etc. A lot has gone wrong with little or no effort to right the wrongs over the years.

One wonders why major European, American and other carriers in Middle East and Africa are making daily flights, with some doing even two frequencies daily, while the Nigerian aviation industry, on the domestic front is only struggling with no hope in sight for reciprocity. The avoidable challenges are too many for the operators and would be operators to grow or sustain their business favourably due to the abovementioned factors. All these problems lead to low employment for the locals and in effect reduced clientele for the training institutions such as Mish Aviation.

To what extent would you say that your institution lived up to 2014?

2014 was a very difficult year especially for us at Mish Aviation because of several factors. The general global economic situation affected several airlines and in effect training. We train for the airline industry and therefore if it is

slow, we get the effect as well. No employment, no training needs.

But we have been able to struggle through and kept the hope alive.

Target in terms of students’ turnover and what is your target for 2015?

In 2015, we expect to hit our capacity target because things have improved slightly in the region especially with change of government in Nigeria where we have our largest clients. More enquiries have come in and things have changed slightly towards the positive. We are not there yet but the hope is great and we are expecting a better yield.

There have been calls for more female enrollment in aviation careers. What is the level of female students’ patronage of your institution?

We have had a very low turnout from female candidates. Since inception in 2011, we have had only two females train at our institution. One, for just instrument rating (IR) renewal and the other from the scratch (ab-initio). But both of them performed extremely well. We look forward to more females in the coming years.

What is the status of your trainer aircraft fleet and how many do you have presently?

They are always in fine form as required by airworthiness requirements; we have a policy of maximum of five students sharing one plane at any point in time for the single engine training while one multi engine is made available for the twin conversion and instrument rating check rides. We have two Cessna 172 operational now but we have two more stored to be deployed when we raise our capacity in the very near future. Once we expand capacity, we will re-fleet to meet demand. This is not a problem at all. We are not commercial airline carrying passengers, so we do not justify more performance by lining up more planes. We rate per-

formance on the quality and students’ ability to accomplish this skill training on time and with high performance level which is what we have been achieving at Mish Aviation. We have not had a single failure at check rides (PPL or CPL) with GCAA examiners since inception, and this is a great feat.

How has the recurring jet fuel crisis in Nigeria affected your operations and what will you proffer as possible solutions?

We do not use Jet fuel, we use Aviation Gasoline (Avgas 100LL).

We also have our own depot and purchase our fuel directly from the USA and do not therefore experience fuel problem ever. We bought two ISO tanks of 25,000 litres each and rotate them between the USA and our facility in Accra.

The Ghanaian Government has helped us greatly by granting us our own license to import and dispense our own fuel without having to deal with fuel marketers. Being professionals, we time the fuel need and delivery in such a manner that we have a ‘never see dry’ approach. That way we always have fuel at Mish Aviation for our training.

The business of training aviation professionals has become increasingly competitive. What is your impression about the growing competition and how do you intend to manage it?

We do not see the competition at Mish Aviation; we get our clients as and when we have slots open. There are only three schools doing what we do in the entire sub Saharan Africa and we are the only privately owned flying school among them. You can see from there that bureaucracy of government is eliminated completely. We deliver on time and quality. So we really do not have any competition at all. Plus, we have ‘cut our coat according to

Mshelia

our size’ business ideology, so we are doing just fine by God’s grace.

Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria has been in debate over devaluation of the nation’s currency and the exchange rate of the currency to a dollar has been changing. Do you see this development affecting your business?

Certainly it will! Our clients mainly come from Nigeria and this adds up to how much Naira they will need to buy the dollars they remit to us. It has the potential to slow or even kill the training industry. This is one of the problems I highlighted earlier.

In Europe and the Americas etc (Developed climes), banks may employ in-house or keep on contract professional aviation consultants in order to advise them on effects of policies before they are pronounced and implemented, but in Nigeria and most African countries, the way we see policies emerge, appears as if those in position deliberately or ignorantly fail to seek professional advice.

We need to stop and look back and emulate greater values. Secondly, those who find themselves in governments must realise that training institutions are not airlines and should be treated as all other universities or schools. This has been a mistake that needs to be addressed very quickly if we want our aviation training schools to survive. The only way we can quit dependence on other developed economies for training we can easily do here at home locally ourselves. Our general mentality of going abroad for this or that must stop to make meaningful progress in every

aspect of our national developments across Africa. It hurts me that we are still living the values of the 19th century but in the 21st. It’s very painful indeed. Not when we have Africans at NASA, WALL STREET etc…

The level of ignorance on the prospects of aviation careers is still high in Nigeria.

Is your institution doing anything on creation of awareness among young people?

I will want to differ in this opinion. Rather, the problem is enabling environment to provide training opportunities and absorb the trainees after graduating. I think the level of awareness is fairly greater that one would imagine because it’s a prestigious profession and with Internet now, a lot more people know about aviation. I would rather blame the economy and lack of scholarship as the problem. Also for those who can afford the training, jobs are scarce despite the very many airplanes operating in our airspace, because, the candidate is choosing a particular job thereby denying himself suitable option, overpricing himself to would be employers, or unfriendly economy which encourages wet lease alternative for operator to acquire planes. There are so many Wet leased aircraft operating in Nigeria today that should absorb the serious job seekers, but this is not to be because the Nigerian unemployed pilot may not have the pilot license of the state of registry of that plane and have not got the validation to enable him fly it.

Brands and Marketing 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Malta Guinness launches new campaign

R-L: ECOWAS Commissioner for Industry & Private Sector, His Excellency, Khalilou Traore; Head of Business & Entreprise Promotion, ECOWAS Commission, Enobong Umoessien and Deputy Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at a media briefing by the Technical Committee on the establishment of ECOWAS Business House, on Tuesday in Lagos.

Magazine to reward excellence in creativity Stories by Godwin Anyebe

The Billboard World Magazine established for the purpose of harnessing and promoting quality communication among brands and to create opportunities for growth and sustenance in the Marketing Communications industry has announced its readiness to reward excellence in the industry.

Speaking to newsmen recently in Lagos, the Editor-in-Chief/ Chief Executive Officer of the magazine, Maureen Umanah, said; “the Brand as King Award (BAK), instituted by the publication, is a corporate social responsibility, (CSR), initiative aimed at encouraging, motivating an rewarding key industry players and brands that have distinguished themselves and have added immense value to the growth and sustenance of outdoor media business and the Nigeria society at large.”

According to her, “we have strived in the past eight years against all odds to sustain this vision and we have even gone ahead to improve and upgrade the publication. From our humble beginning of twelve pages quarterly to a completely rebranded beautiful and over forty pages monthly gloss magazine. Billboard world magazine went further to add a most valuable preposition of constituting a highly prestigious industry award of great integrity and purpose.”

She said the highly anticipated bi-annual industry award promises to be memorable as always adding that “In its quest to uphold industry standards and position out-of-home advertising as a vital player within the advertising industry, this year’s award, which is the 5th edition of the BAK, has adopted a most appropriate theme: Out-Of-Home (OOH) Media as a Veritable Tool in Aesthetics and Environmental Sustainability.

This is in line with the need for us

to nurture and protect our immediate environment from the dreaded global warming and its harmful effects,” she added.

Continuing, she said; “it is on record that it was Billboard World magazine that commenced the honoring of Brands Reporters in the advertising sector. This we did by attaching a cash reward to the best Media Reporter of the year category of which we have increased from fifty thousand naira in the last four years to a hundred thousand naira for the 2015 edition. It will also interest you to know that this increment will continue as the year go by. We herby call for submission of entries on or before the 6th of November, 2015.” “we have decided to host this award once again in Nigeria on the 15th of November, 2015 at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos to entrench the idea. By the special grace of God, the 6th edition of the Brand as King International Award will be held in either South Africa or Kenya.” She noted

Celebrating the can-do attitude that drives Nigerians every day, Malta Guinness launched a vibrant new campaign tagged: ‘You vs...’to celebrate the everyday Nigerian who takes on typical everyday challenges with a smile and a spring in their feet.

The campaign kicked off with full energy as thousands of commuters and several other road users had their faces beaming with joy, as they woke up to find scores of BRT buses from Malta Guinness to help get them to their respective place of work for free.

The fun didn’t stop there, as people on the buses were entertained by A-list comedians Elenu, Pencil and a host of others. In addition, the brand took the energy and excitement to the UBA Park at Apongbon market in Lagos to inspire people at market to take on their day and go about their activities with a

can-do attitude. Performing at the event was Whayasay crooner Patoranking and Amin crooner Dammy Krane who gave the audience a lot of musical goodness.

The Marketing Manager Malta & APNAD, Mr. Uche Onwudiwe, while explaining the significance of the campaign said the ‘You vs...’ campaign is Malta Guinness way of celebrating and inspiring Nigerians to keep up the can-do-spirit that enables them do more on a daily basis. We attempted to help relieve some of the challenges experienced in everyday life as was evidenced with the You vs. the Traffic earlier in the day; Traffic morning blues amongst other every day to day challenges.

According to Onwudiwe, “Malta Guinness has been energising Nigerians for 25 years with natural goodness as they take on life’s everyday challenges.

Winners emerge in 4th edition of Unilever ideatrophy competition The winners of the fourth edition of Unilever Nigeria sponsored Ideatrophy business challenge has emerged at the grand finale of the competition held in Lagos recently.

Team ‘Blueprint’, from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, came from six teams in a keenly contested battle of business ideas to emerge winners. Two other teams ‘Apex’ and ‘Idealist’ emerged first and second runners up respectively.

The Ideatrophy competition is a national competition which gives undergraduates from various universities in Nigeria the opportunity to develop and execute strategies that deliver business results.

Hosted by Chioma Omeruah aka Chigurl, the competition featured an array of notable personalities including; Professor Pat Utomi, the Keynote Speaker and the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and

Employment Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti.

The 2015 edition of Ideatrophy tagged “The Confidence to Do More” tasked the students to develop a communication and marketing plan for Rexona and also drive communication that Nigeria’s most popular and widely patronized deodorant ‘Sure is now Rexona’.

Speaking at the grand finale, the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh congratulated the winning team on their outstanding success and the other participating teams for their impressive performance during the competition.

Nsarkoh expressed Unilever Nigeria’s passion to help equip Nigerian undergraduates with invaluable business skills that will help them become successful entrepreneurs operating under a world class standard.

Adetu chairs Africa retail congress in South Africa Mr. Seni Adetu, a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, is billed to lead an array of panelists and discussants as Chairman at the 2015 Retail Congress Africa organised by i2i Events Group, an international events and trade exhibitions company.

The 2015 Retail Congress Africa which will hold from Tuesday 3rd to Wednesday 4th November, 2015 at the Westin Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa, will have as its theme, “Driving the pillars of

growth: Expansion, Innovation, Operational Excellence and Consumer Knowledge.”

The congress, launched in 2013 and which serves as the only dedicated and premier C-level strategic retail congress specific to Pan-African markets, is expected to bring together senior members from both the domestic and international retailer businesses who would hold discussions on how to advance and accelerate the growth of retail markets in Africa’s budding economy with a view to maximise the opportuni-

ties available on the continent.

The event also provides an invaluable opportunity for retailers to share ideas, be inspired by over 50 expert speakers and network with those directing the future of the industry.

Prominent among leaders already confirmed for the Congress are Greg Solomon, CEO McDonalds, South Africa, and Therese Gearhart, President, South Africa, The Coca-Cola Company.

Other leading Nigerian professionals expected to speak at the congress include Idy Enang,

Managing Director, L’Oreal Central West Africa; Tara Fela-Durotoye, Chief Executive Officer, House of Tara; and Layi Gobir, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Mark Limited.

Regarded as one of Nigeria’s most astute business administrators, Seni Adetu, is a corporate icon of immense status having had a distinguished 30 years non-stop working experience with multinational companies at home and abroad. He is also a former runner-up, Forbes CEO of the year, East Africa

Adetu

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

21 News

Electricity: Umahi directs EEDC to reconnect Afikpo communities Mondy Agu, Jnr

ÏÏÏEbonyi State governor,

Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri (left); CEO, National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe during a courtesy visit of NOA to the Commission office in Abuja...recently

Oshiomhole orders probe of Igbinedion over $31m, others Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Edo State Government has begun moves to recover the sum of $31 million fraudulently taken from its coffers during the administration of Mr. Lucky Igbinedion.

This was part of the decision reached at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday.

Briefing the press at the end of the meeting, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion said: “There is a case of fraud that was discovered while turning our books.

We found that the sum of $31 million was fraudulently taken from state coffers under the administration of Chief Lucky Ogbinedion. The Comrade Governor has directed the AttorneyGeneral to commence legal action in that direction.

“So, in the coming days, the state government will take legal action to ensure that what was stolen from Edo State Government is recovered. When you convert $31 million to naira, it fetches you a whooping N7 billion. You can imagine what N7 billion will do in improving the human condition in Edo State.”

The Commissioner, who praised some landlords and companies in the state

on the level of their compliance with the land use charge, said Comrade Oshiomhole was grateful to the good people of Edo State, as well as members of the private sector for their voluntary compliance with the Land Use Charge.

“He has asked me to single out Coca-Cola Bottling Company for voluntary compliance. I think we need to put this in context. Our challenge as a government is mounting. Every day, our citizens want government to intervene; they want schools to be built, roads reconstructed. But the truth is that our revenue is dwindling and without deepening the tax base, we won’t be able to meet the genuine demands of the people.

“So when we find a corporate body and citizens, who voluntarily comply by paying their taxes, we view them as partners in progress. We have also been directed to put on notice the CEOs of some companies, notably banks who have refused to remit what is due to the government. I am speaking specifically with regards to some banks that have failed to remit withholding tax to the state government.”

Throwing light on the $31m fraud, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Abdul

Oroh, said, “The $31 million which was stolen from the people of Edo State was designed clearly for criminal purposes, but those who took the money said it was to finance a project called Avrant Cement Company, situated at Ekpe, near Ikpeshi, in Akoko Edo Local Government.

“The company was supposed to produce cement to take advantage of the large scale deposit of limestone in that part of the state. The company was registered as Abat Cement Company Ltd and this company had three shareholders. The Abat Cement Company had 75% shares, Edo State Government had 15% shares and 10% shares were reserved for ‘other Nigerians’.

“Although Edo State Government was given only 15% share, 100% of the revenue invested in the

company, $31 million was taken from the account of Edo State Government.

This money was withdrawn from the account of Edo State Government under Afribank. As the money was withdrawn, construction of the company started and all the major structures were in place, 90% completed, machines were installed but there was no other contribution from any other source for the construction and procurement of these equipment. So, everything invested in that company came from Edo State Government

Dave Umahi, has appealed to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, to restore electricity back to the whole Afikpo Afikpo North Local Government of the state.

Governor Umahi spoke at the Government House, Abakaliki, when the management and board of the EEDC led by their Chairman, Chief Emeka Offor paid him a courtesy visit.

He maintained that the people of the area had shown remorse over the attacks by their youths on EEDC facilities and personnel.

He also expressed satisfaction with the hu-

mility demonstrated by Chief Offor in handling the disagreement between the state government and the electricity distribution company, over billing.

According to the governor, the government was being billed N35 million monthly instead of N18 million.

“Ebonyi people have suffered so much in the hands of the EEDC over the issue of metering,” he said and enjoined the company to supply meters to consumers in the state without further delay. He however, promised that his government would give the company 100 percent cooperation in recovering the debts owed by some individuals, and institutions hitherto paid for by the state government.

Six of 10 children’ll suffer violence before 18, says UNICEF ÏÏÏChief,

Child Protection, United Nations Children’s Fund, Rachael Harvey, has said six out of 10 children would suffer one form of violence before they reached the age of 18.

Harvey made this known on Wednesday at a two-day workshop organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with UNICEF in Lagos.

“The Violence Against Children survey shows a huge prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria

– emotional, physical and sexual.

“Six of 10 children will suffer one form of violence before they reach the age of 18, while one in two suffers physical violence- intentional burning, kicking, whipping and punching.

“Also, one in four girls and one in 10 boys suffer sexual violence, and one in five boys and one in six girls suffer emotional violence,” she said.

Harvey said the major challenge in VAC was that children were suffering in silence.

OLAGUNJU TEMITOPE SILIFAT

OBAKOYA REGINA OLUWAYEMISI

EZE JENNIFER CHIMERE

I, formerly known as Akerele Temitope Silifat now which to be known and address as Olagunju Temitope Silifat, all formal document remain valid, General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Dada Regina Oluwayemisi now wishes to be known and addressed as Obakoya Regina Oluwayemisi. The general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ukaegbu Jennifer Chimere now wish to be known as Eze Jennifer Chimere. All former documents remain valid. GTB, First Bank of Nigeria and the general public take note.

JUDA BASE & HEAVEN IS REAL CHAPEL INT’L The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Prophet Isreal Olalekan Olatunbosun 2. Maureen Omoyemwe Olatunbosun Aim and Objective: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in all nations.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja with in 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

BEAUTY FOR ASHES LEGACY FOUNDATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mary Fayemi - President 2. Tokunbo Fayemi - Vice President 3. Olusegun Odukomaiya - Secretary 4. Olasunbo Olopoenia - Asst. Sec. 5. Mojisola Aribaloye - Treasurer 6. Oladotun Majekodunmi 7. Olamide Ajibowo Aims and Objective: To help the needy and the less privileged 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

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

‘Adamawa, poorest West African country’ Dan Kurama Garu Yola

ÏÏÏSpeaker

of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, complained on the level of infrastructure stagnant in the state, rating it to be the most backward state in the whole of West Africa.

According to him, the state has suffered due to the inconsistency in government policies, while adding that for the past seven years, the state has witnessed seven different swearing-in of governors.

Mijinyawa stated this in his office in Yola when members of the Correspondents chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) took him on issues concern-

ing the summons the House gave to the Commissioner for Finance, Mamud Sali to appear before the plenary to explain how the state government disbursed bailout funds procured.

He further said that the commissioner has tendered a report on the issue of bailout which will be thoroughly scrutinised and anything that they are not satisfy with, the commissioner will be called upon to explain to the people of Adamawa state.

He responded to other questions and their relationship with the executive, which he said to be cordial and smooth, even though he distanced himself to have any personal close ties with the governor.

Nigeria to maintain front row in Africa’s peace effort, says Buhari Egena Egena

Abuja ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that all efforts to achieve political stability and maintain peace in Africa will continue to receive Nigeria's full support.

Speaking at an audience with Special Envoys of President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, President Buhari said that under his leadership, Nigeria will remain at the forefront of efforts to achieve enduring peace, security and progress in all African nations.

This, the President said, was because whatever happens elsewhere in Africa affects Nigeria directly or indirectly, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

President Buhari, the statement said, declared that African leaders must do their best to achieve greater peace, political stability and security within their countries so that they can give more attention to the urgent task of improving the living conditions of their people.

Thanking the envoys, Maj.-Gen. Evariste Ndayishimiye and Ambassador Dieudonne Kwizera, for briefing him on recent political developments in Burundi, President Buhari expressed the hope that all stakeholders in the country will resolve their differences peacefully and learn to work together for the development of their country, the statement added.

It said, Buhari welcomed ongoing efforts by President Nkurunziza towards peace and national reconciliation in Burundi.

From Left: Head Of Financial Inclusion Secretariat, CB, Temitope AkinFadeyi; Special Adviser to CBN Governor on Development Financing, Mr Paul Nduka-Eluhaiwe, And Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a Meeting On Financial Inclusion of people living with Disabilities In Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday

EFCC detains court bailiff in Lagos Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA bailiff

of the Lagos Federal High Court, Mr. Lawal Jimoh has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawful detention and refusal of service.

In an affidavit dated on November 3, 2015, by the bailiff, he stated how he had attempted to serve three court processes on an operative of the EFCC, Mrs. Ibelema Bristol, on November 2, 2015 at the commission's office on 7A, Okotie Eboh Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Jimoh claimed to have served Bristol the processes after introducing himself as a court Sherriff at the EFCC's office. The processes include Form 48 dated September 30, an Order dated

October 30, and a Hearing Notice dated October 30, 2015.

Form 48 concerns contempt of court and is usually followed by Form 49 – a formal application for committal of the person(s) who refuse(s) to obey the court order or ruling.

In the affidavit, the bailiff further stated that Bristol collected the processes from him and after going through it, "She ordered that I should take away the process from her. When I refused, she ordered a police officer named Inspector John A. A. to detain me until I take the process back."

"I was held for three hours before I called my office for further instructions," Jimoh said, according to the affidavit.

Enugu partners RAMP on roads Moses Oyediran

Enugu ÏÏÏGovernor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has given assurance that his administration would collaborate with the Rural Access and Mobility Programme (RAMP) to rehabilitate rural roads in Nkanu East Council Area of the state.

The governor said that in spite of the financial constraints his administration is facing, he would endeavour to link all the rural

communities in the area to enhance rural trading and development.

In an address to a delegation from four communities in Nkerefi, Nkanu East Council Area of Enugu State which paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Enugu, led by Chief Chris Ogbonnia, Governor Ugwuanyi noted that rural development was one of his campaign promises, adding that he would ensure that his promises were kept.

Buhari

Fasoranti makes U-turn, remains Afenifere leader 'Tosin Ajuwon

Akure ÏÏÏElder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has rescinded his decision to step aside as chairman of apex Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

The new development followed the rejection of his resignation by members of the group.

Fasoranti had, on Sunday, resigned his position as chairman of Afenifere, citing old age and disunity among members of the association.

In a letter sent to the General Secretary, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, he lamented that the group had derailed and failed to realise

its dream of a great nation and united Yoruba race.

But Afenifere, on Wednesday, rejected Fasoranti's resignation at an emergency meeting of the group in Akure, Ondo state capital.

The meeting was attended by prominent Yoruba leaders including Chief Olu Falae, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Yinka Odumakin among others. The meeting which lasted for six hours had in attendance the Governor Olusegun Mimiko who prevailed over the leaders allow peace reign in the group.

They resolved that the octogenarian should continue as the Chairman of the group.

Odumakin, who briefed journalists after the meeting that lasted for about five hours, said members of the group had rejected Fasoranti's resignation in its entirety.

He said the meeting appreciated the selfless service of the elder statesman since he assumed office till date.

He said:"Inspite of his old age, he has discharged credibly well. He is a man of character. He is somebody that maintains the balance and we appreciated him for that.

"Meeting, therefore, unanimously resolved to reject his offer to step aside as leader of Afenifere. We have pleaded with him to carry

on his responsibility as the leader of the group.

"We are glad to inform you that after listening to the meeting, our leader, Chief Fasoranti, graciously accepted to carry on and withdraw his resignation letter.

"Meeting thanked all Yoruba people, all our supporters and members who have expressed concern. We want to assure them that there is no crisis in Afenifere.

"We resolved to enjoin all our members and supporters to remain fully committed and add value in order to move Nigeria forward. We will not relent in our effort to take Afenifere to a higher height."

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Niger records 109 cases of measles in 10 months Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), Dr. Aliyu Yabagi Shehu on Wednesday said that 109 cases of measles including five deaths have been recorded in Niger State in the past ten months.

These cases were due to the refusal of parents to vaccinate their wards during measles vaccina-

tion days as most of the affected cases were of children between nine months to five years.

Shehu confirmed that 109 cases of measles including five deaths that have been recorded in the State in the past ten months was as a result of non adherence of Parents to vaccination.

He however disclosed that 4392 cases of measles were reported in 296 local government areas in 32 states of the nation in 2014.

The Executive Director, further

said that the agency intends to carry out a one week vaccination campaign during which 907,367 children will be vaccinated.

He therefore called for the mobilization of people in the forthcoming vaccination campaign against measles adding that measles vaccination have prevented an estimated death of 15.6 million and have reduced global measles death by 75 per cent.

The State Immunization Officer (SIO), Dr. Samuel Jiya said

that the agency is working hard to reduce the annual measles incidence and achieve 95 per cent coverage during vaccination campaigns.

Jiya expressed optimism that measles can be fought and that by 2020, the nation intends to reduce the measles mortality rate to 95 per cent. He called on mothers, traditional and religious leaders to mobilize their people and ensure that they come out to vaccinate their wards.

Plateau CP declares zero tolerance on hoodlums Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe new Police boss in charge

of Plateau State Police Command, CP Adekule Oladunjoye has declared zero tolerance on those responsible for instigating societal ill in the state.

The commissioner of Police made this known during his first courtesy call to the Plateau state Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) On Monday in Jos. Oladunjoye called on the media to partner with him in achieving this goal, promising to promote synergy with the media for the development of the society.

According to him, his office will partner with the media in providing security to the Plateau people by seeking the cooperation of all the professionally trained journalists through objective reportage.

The Police boss is however not new to the security challenges faced in Plateau as he disclosed he was in Plateau as a young cadet in his early days as a young officer.

He however emphasised on community policing as a duty call to all inhabitant of the state, which he said the media is a major player.

In achieving this aim, he charged the media to always cross check their facts before going to press. "By so doing, it will help in check-mating areas of conflicts", he said.

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (M); New Commissioner of Police for Bauchi State, Baba Tijjani (4Th R), and other Police Officers during the visit of the Commissioner of Police to the Emir in Bauchi on Wednesday

Group cautions FG on Orubebe Titus Akhigbe

Benin ÏÏÏThe Niger Delta grass root Emancipation yesterday condemned what is described as a deliberate attempt by the APC led federal government to rubbish the legacies of ministers who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group obviously infuriated by the planned arraignment of former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, said that the government's desperation to undo all that Jonathan laboured for in the nation's interest would fail.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, and signed by the President and Secretary of the group respectively, Chief Preye Freeman and

Pastor Josiah Okiemutie the group said , "It is now crystal clear that Buhari's government is only interested in persecuting patriotic Nigerians who put in their best to make Nigeria, a better country through implementing programmes and policies which have touched many lives acroos the country". "The APC government is almost forgetting that it has a mandate for change rather than focusing it is busy harassing perceived opponents whereas as a party the APC was found, funded and is being operated by Nigerians who supervised the looting of the nation's treasury while they were in power".

The group said, " We have watched with keen interest the very lopsided anti-corruption war of PMB and want to state categorically that Niger Delta people will

resist any attempt to rubbish our leaders who have contributed immensely to national stability and development of the country."

The group said, "We are saying enough of all these harassment and intimidation of our people", adding, "we call on the APC led government to follow due process and the constitution rather using security agents and government apparatus to hunt down Jonathan's men". The Niger Delta Grass root Emancipation said the campaign began with false allegations against some erstwhile ministers and later spurious claims of fraud by a corrupt APC governor in a south-south state,followed by the raid of Akwa Ibom government house, the invitation by EFCC of former governor Godswill Akpabio and today is Orubebe, warning that "all these must stop".

NAFDAC destroys N5m fake products in Enugu Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏNational

Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday in Enugu destroyed fake and adulterated herbal products worth over N5 million.

Enugu State NAFDAC coordinator, Mr. Ikechuku Okoye, who led a team that carried out the exercise, told journalists that the destruction was aimed at preventing and discouraging counterfeiters from venturing into production of unwholesome and fake products.

According to Okoye, the suspect

operated an illegal factory along Okpara Avenue, Enugu, where he carried out the mixture of herbal product and sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

He further stated that "even if the herbal product is genuine, the environment where it is being produced, under a tree, beside a toi-

let, already makes it counterfeit; let alone faking another product (name withheld) registered by the NAFDAC." The alleged manufacturer of the fake and adulterated herbal product, one Mr. Ugwuoti Aloysius has also been arrested by the police.

23 News Ambode swears-in new HoS, Perm Secs Oyetubo Olabimpe

ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore in the newly appointed Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Olabowale Toluwatope Ademola with a charge on her to see the appointment as a call to duty and immediately get to work, prove herself and justify the responsibility placed on her.

The Governor also elevated three substantive Directors; Mr. Tunde Tairu Ogunleye, Mr. Taofik Adeyemi Fashola and Mr. Fola Padonu as Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Finance, Audit Service Commission and Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment respectively.

Governor Ambode who spoke at the Executive Council Chambers, Lagos House, Ikeja, said the appointments was in line with the practice of his administration to continually select and appoint experienced, dedicated and tested professionals to key positions in the government.

He charged the HOS to build on the achievements of her predecessor and work to take the state to the highest level in the delivery of good governance for the benefit of all residents and investors in Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Public Service is the reference point in public administration in Nigeria and is the engine room of the State government. The dynamism of the Lagos State Public Service lies in the pedigree of its leadership which has charted the course of proactive interpretation and implementation of government policies and programmes over the years”.

He told Mrs. Ademola that the immediate responsibility before her is to build on the gains of the recent reforms and re-alignment the current administration has undertaken in the civil service and ensure that the overall objectives of prompt, efficient and effective service delivery are achieved.

“The watchword is lean government, quality service”.

“As the number One civil servant in Lagos State, you must show leadership and inspire the over 100,000 Civil/Public servants to be united in their commitment to discharge their responsibilities in line with global best practices”.

Ambode

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Tribunal: Amosun, APC move to dismiss MPPP petition Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress, (APC) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State have asked the State Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal to, again, dismiss the petition brought before it by Mega Progressives People’s Party (MPPP).

The petition marked EPT/ GOV/ABK/002/2015 was earlier dismissed on July

10, 2015, by Justice Henry Olusiyi-led panel for being incurably incompetent, but the Supreme Court, in an appeal number CS/665/2015 returned same for hearing on consolidated applications and the main petition.

At the resumed hearing, on Tuesday, counsel to the 2nd respondent – APC, George Oyeniyi, moved an application seeking to strike out the petition on grounds of gross incompetence and lack of jurisdiction of the

tribunal to determine same.

The application also sought for an order dismissing the petition for failure of the petitioner to apply for the issuance for the PreHearing Session Notice within the time stipulated by law.

Oyeniyi, while adumbrating on the processes filed before the court explained that the said petition was filed outside the 21 days requirement by Section 285 (5)(6) of the 1999 Constitution (as

amended).

He also argued that the tribunal had only 180 days to determine the petition and that the motion on notice was filed at the 184th day since the petition was filed on 25th May, 2015.

Sighting PDP vs Okorocha, 2012, Oyeniyi prayed the court to dismiss the petition, adding that the sitting of the tribunal after 180 days runs foul to the constitutional provision.

Lead counsel to the 3rd

and 4th respondents – Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his deputy, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, respectively, Seun Ajayi, also adopted his application which challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the petition.

Counsel to the 1st respondent; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adetola Ogunlewe, in his oral submission aligned himself with the arguments of other respondents, adding that the

ESWAMA denies brutality allegations

wo, described the allegations as ‘false and mischievous’ lamenting that two members of its staff were now unjustly facing prosecution on the strength of the allegations.

He said the allegations were part of a smear campaign being mounted by some people in the state against his agency, in a bid to discredit it, and prevent it from carrying out its lawful duties.

Giving the agency’s side of the story, Okonkwo said that contrary to the allegations, two of its staff who had gone to a residential house at Independence Layout, Enugu, to enforce sanitary laws of the state, were

Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏThe Enugu State Waste

Board Chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Kola Adesina (middle) flanked by Chief Finance Officer, Aigbe Olotu (left) and Head Technical, Min Jae Park during an interactive session on the progress made at Egbin Power Plant in Lagos… on Wednesday

Ortom explains reason behind Suswam’s probe Egena Egena

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Benue State governor, Hon. Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, disclosed that the decision to probe his predecessor, Gabriel Suswan, was in obedience to calls by Benue people to the present administration to recover the resources plundered the past administration.

Suswan governed Benue State between 2007 and 2015, a period Ortom alleged that the resources of the state were mindlessly mismanaged.

Ortom stated this in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He said his administration was confounded by the discovery that the state was left in huge deficit without any trace of the huge funds

that was realised from the sale of some critical assets owned by the state.

Accordingly, he said he had no option but to investigate Suswan, especially in view of the persistent calls by stakeholders from across the state.

The Governor told correspondents that one of the steps he took was to set up two probe panels – including a judicial panel, to verify the income and expenditure of the state government from 2007 to 2015, and the other to verify the assets of government.

He said: “I have set up two panels; one judicial panel to verify the income and expenditure from 2007 to 2015 and also a panel to verify the assets of government, so that we can get things in the right perspective.

“I met a deficit treasury and the people of Benue

State want to know what happened with their money; what happened with the SURE-P money; what went wrong with the excess crude money that came to Benue State; what went wrong with the shares of government in various corporations that were sold. Where did the money go?

“These are questions that are begging for answers, which the people of Benue State told me to verify and am doing that.”

Governor Ortom stressed that despite desperate efforts by Suswan to frustrate the probe through a court process, the law would take its course.

“My predecessor went to court and stopped the process with an injunction and we have also made our facts known to the court and we are waiting for a judgement on November 9.

Management Authority (ESWAMA) has denied allegations by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), that its staff attacked and injured two security men at a residential house in Enugu while carrying out an enforcement operation.

A statement signed by the Managing Director of the Authority, Mr. Dom Okonk-

ASUU flays KWASU over suspension of members Oyetubo Olabimpe

ÏÏÏThe suspension of

six executive members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kwara State University (KWASU) chapter, by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah, for participating in union activities, has been condemned by the Ibadan Zone of the union.

The Ibadan Zonal Co-ordinator of the union, Prof.

Segun Ajiboye, made the condemnation in a release

issued on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said the action of the university was autocratic, anti-union, undemocratic and a breach of the fundamental rights of the academic staff members to freedom of association granted by the Nigerian constitution after dully informing the management of the institution of its plan to hold a congress.

Amosun

petition lacked reason and interest, since it was filed outside the time. actually the ones that were attacked by two security men working in the house.

The ESWAMA staff, he said, had upon being attacked, followed standard procedure and reported the incident at the Independence Layout Police Station, adding that a police unit was promptly dispatched to arrest the two security men whom, according to him, however escaped before they could be arrested.

The ESWAMA boss said that he was later learnt, much to his surprise, that the police detained his men and charged them to court on charges of assaulting and injuring the security men.

The six suspended lecturers are Dr. Dauda Adeshola (Chairman), Dr. Gafaru Olaiwola Olorisade (Secretary), Prof. Innocent Okoye, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, Dr. Ayotunde Alao and Mr. Paul Kunle Dairo. According to him, the punishment meted out to the suspended members included barring them from having access to the university campus; facing Senior Staff disciplinary committee; placing the on half salary and handing over all university properties in their possession to the Head of Department or Provost, as the case maybe.

International flights: Expert calls for protection of Nigerian carriers Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏThe

Managing Director of Belujane Konzult, and foremost aviation analyst, Chris Aligbe, has called for strong anti-trust laws and strict adherence to such laws to protect Nigerian carriers from malicious compe-

tition aimed at demarketing or outright removal from a route.

Aligbe made this known in Lagos at the launch of Medview’s flight operations to Gatwick in the United Kingdom. According to Aligbe, the fact that there were

no anti-trust laws allows airlines that have challenges in terms of infrastructure and fuel as well as other challenges cut down their prices ridiculously in a bid to remove another airline from the route, so as not to be a competitor.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

25

Features Æ s Fish pond The call for economic diversification from oil to stabilise Nigeria’s economy has been on for a decade and spirited efforts by previous governments are yielding results in the mist of global economic uncertainty. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT writes with Agency report.

Nigerians are still smarting from the move by President Muhammadu Buhari to stem free flow of the US dollars which sometime ago left the average Nigerian family gasping over high inflation on imported as well as some locally produced goods. The policy, it would be recalled had met with panic reactions from importers especially of raw foodstuffs and frozen foods.

But tight as it may be, the resolve to diversify the economy is beginning to yield fruits of hope as Nigeria’s economy is now attracting world rating for good.

The recent report by Bloomberg - one of the world’s leading financial services firms - on the new world economic order placing Nigeria among the top 20 largest in the world by 2030 makes good reading.

According to the report, Nigeria is ranked 19th, just above Netherlands, which is graded 20th in the recent forecast report.

Recent global economy reports have placed Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world; reports which tallied with 2014 re-based Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures that placed Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, pushing South Africa to the second position.

Cheering as the Bloomberg’s survey may look, leading economic indicators suggest that the Nigerian economy may be heading for an economic recession, unless urgent steps are taken to avert a repeat of the1980 recession A Lokoja-based economic analyst, Mr Suleiman Muhammed in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria said that although the Nigerian economy could not be said to have gone into recession per se, it is very necessary to introduce some proactive measures to forestall the development.

This is not to suggest that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not mindful of the repercussions of the imminent economic recession, as it is taking the necessary steps to avert it.

Buhari

Agriculture – Roadmap to averting economic recession

What economic recession entails Economic experts say that an economic recession implies a fall in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP); it also connotes a period of negative economic growth for two consecutive quarters in an economy.

They say that economic recession is primarily caused by a fall in aggregate demand - total spending on goods and services - due to several factors such as financial crisis, rise in interest rates or fall in asset prices, among others.

Those in the know maintain

Palm fruits

Increased investments will unlock the country’s economic potential and curb its excessive dependence on oil revenues.

Growing our own food, processing what we produce, becoming competitive in export markets and creating jobs all across the economy are crucial for our national security — Buhari

that the main features of a recessive economy include higher interest rates, which reduce borrowing and investment; falling real wages and falling consumer confidence. Credit crunch, they add, provokes a decline in bank lending and, therefore, lowers investment in an economic recession.

The complex side of deflation Daily Times also gathered that recessive period in an economy also is a period of deflation with falling prices, which often encourages people to delay spending, while causing deflation to increase the real value of debt; thus, making debtors to be worse off.

Now, although this development causes appreciation in currency exchange rates, it often makes imports expensive, while reducing demand for exports.

For instance, the recent announcement by Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, that plans were underway to create a 25-billion-dollar fund with public and private financing to modernise the country’s infrastructure and avoid an economic recession not only provoked government, it enlightened observers to ponder on practical ways of saving the nation from the looming economic recession.

It will be recalled that President CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Features 26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

ECONOMY: Agriculture must henceforth be treated as a business - Buhari Plans are underway to create a 25-billion-dollar fund with public and private financing to modernise the country’s infrastructure and avoid an economic recession — VP Yemi Osinbajo

A banana tree

Osinbajo

Continued from page 25 Buhari, in his address at the conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), called for more private investments in the agricultural sector of the economy.

The President had said that increased investments in the agricultural sector remained the best way to unlock the country’s economic potential and curb its excessive dependence on oil revenues.

“Growing our own food, processing what we produce, becoming competitive in export markets and creating jobs all across the economy are crucial for our national security,” he said.

Noting that the agricultural sector was the largest contributor to the country’s GDP, the President had pledged that his administration planned to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production within the next two years.

Recalling that Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of agricultural products like cassava, improved investments, Buhari believed that agriculture would boost the country’s exports and lessen its dependence on proceeds from petroleum. He pointed to enhanced private-sector invest-

ments in agriculture and stressed that this would facilitate the fulfillment of government’s efforts to diversify the economy, adding that Nigeria had immense agricultural potential.

This was how he put it: “Nigeria has huge agricultural potential with over 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only 40 per cent is currently cultivated.

The country also has some of the richest natural resources for agricultural production in the world. ``The urgency of unlocking our agricultural potential is even more pertinent because Africa spends about 35 billion U.S. dollars annually on food imports.

Agriculture should no longer be treated as a development programme; agriculture must henceforth be treated as a business.’’

However, Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, the National Technical Adviser, All Farmers Association (AFAN), underscored the need for increased investments in the agricultural sector, saying that Nigeria was facing several economic challenges which included decline in oil prices and over-dependence on imports.

In a chat with Dada Ahmed of NAN, Arosanyin said that the other challenges were poor infrastructural facilities such as electricity, roads and water, which inhibited secondary production

and industrial growth, as well as corruption and insecurity.

He stressed the wisdom in addressing the challenges pragmatically, insisting that at the moment; Nigeria ought not to be importing products like textiles, biscuits, fruit juice, rice and sugar.

Arosanyin added that considering the vast agricultural potential of the country, it should be able to produce these products, among others, locally.

“It is unfortunate that the Nigerian economy is driven by proceeds from crude oil in the last 40.

The way forward is for the present administration in the country

to tackle the problems head-on by focusing its attention on the structured development of agriculture, solid minerals and tourism sectors. ``In driving this policy, the Federal Government should invite technocrats and tested professionals with proven track record to generate a blueprint on how to develop and diversify the economy,’’ he said.

Arosanyin, however, emphasised that the government’s agricultural policy include immediate, medium-term and long-term actions and programmes.

He said that if agriculture sector was well-funded and properly

developed, the government’s efforts to avert any economic recession would be fruitful.

He argued that agriculture, apart from solving hunger and food security problems, was also capable of generating over millions of job opportunities; thus reducing the menace of unemployment.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, the Group Executive Director of Dangote Group of Companies, said that tangible efforts should be made to reduce the effects of the collapse of crude oil prices in the international market on the nation’s economy.

JUST HUMAN

4.22pm Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos. Photo: GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

27

Crime Æ s Crime rate in Lagos: Residents cry out Ï ƊƂ ƕƄ Ƌ ƅ ƍ Ǝ ƍƄƄ ƄƉƆƃ ƋƎƄƍ è Ƒ M ƐƓ Ǝ ƃ ƊƂ Ǝ ƃƍƆƊƄ

A cache of weapon recovered from a gang

Barely six months after Akinwunmi Ambode stepped into the saddle as the new governor of Lagos State; crime rate has peaked with residents sleeping with both eyes wide open. BABAJIDE OKEOWO reports.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015 was the day evil visited residents of 4th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos. Like a bad movie, robbers numbering about forty swooped on two second generation banks in the area leaving in their wake terror, tears and blood.

An eyewitness, Jerry Agbezin, whose shop is located inside Oyinlola Plaza, 4th Avenue just a stone throw from the banks, told Daily Times how the robbers blew up the security doors of the banks with dynamite to gain entry.

“As soon as they gained entrance into the bank, they started firing bullets in all directions.

At the same time, another group broke into the other bank, while the rest of the robbers took strategic positions in front of the banks shooting indiscriminately to scare away any intruder.”

By the time the gunfire subsided and people came out, a mother, Jane Ndirika and her

two-year-old toddler, Mmesoma Ndirika lay stone dead from gunshot wounds they sustained from stray bullets fired by the bandits.

The Festac banks attack is coming on the heels of similar successive attacks on some banks in the ancient town of Ikorodu. The robbers visited their evil trade also on two second generation banks at Ijede, Ikorodu and carted away several millions of naira in a daring attack.

While residents were still recovering from the shock of the first attack, the robbers struck again, this time at the Ipakodo, Ikorodu branch of two first generation banks. Residents told the press that the robbery took place right in front of a police station and lasted well over two hours.

All efforts by the police to repel the attack were rebuffed by the bandits who overran security men with their numerical advantage and far more sophisticated weapons. While the attack lasted,

Entrance of Access Bank blown up by dynamite

Taiwo

both old and young scurried in different directions in the race for dear life.

In no hurry to leave, the robbers were reported to have stormed the banking halls, stuffed their bags with wads of naira notes and at the end of the ‘successful operation’ made their escape through the sea.

Octogenarian resident of the area, Engr Mathew Adeniran lamented the ineptitude of police to check the rising spate of crime. He told our correspondent that police response to distress calls leaves a whole lot to be desired. “Police response to distress CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Ambode during the visit to the former naval chief

It is sad that Lagosians can no longer sleep with both eyes closed due to the level of insecurity in the state. There is hardly any day that passes without the news that something has happened somewhere in the state. We are living in constant fear – Olatunji Taiwo

Crime 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Lagos will not be breeding ground for criminals - Ambode The rise in crime preceded the elections; the reports of attacks were just largely ignored then. I think there is a thug culture promoted by politicians and this needs to be checked. I believe that politicians have armed gangs and now that the elections are over, they have abandoned ‘the boys’ and left them with the arms but without funds — Kuti

Building where Mmesoma and her mother was killed.

Continued from page 27 calls in our area leaves much to be desired. Every time we make distress calls to the police, the expected prompt response has remained only a wish,” he said, and wondered: “The police always blame their inability to respond to emergency calls on what they call logistics.

Of what use is police logistics to a family or community under siege for hours? They are expected to have these things in place. Life has no duplicate and we are tired of all these excuses.”

In the case of the Festac attack, there are conflicting reports on the responsiveness of the police to the crime scene. According to Jerry, the police arrived late to the crime scene despite the presence of the Area E Headquarters, Festac Division, on 2nd Avenue, a five minutes’ drive to the crime scene.

But stoutly denying the allegation of late response to that particular distress call, Area Commander, Area ‘E’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Festac and a former Force spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba said, “On the 13th of October, 2015, at about 8:25 am, the command received information of sporadic shootings going on somewhere around 4th Avenue, Festac town, Lagos. The joint team of policemen at Area E headquarters, Festac Division, promptly responded to the call and on arrival at the scene, the policemen engaged the gang of robbers numbering well over 40 and dressed in military camouflage and armed to the teeth in a gun battle.

A car damaged during the attack.

Kuti

Amanze

“Our men engaged them in a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes. Notwithstanding the clear numerical disadvantage of the police at the beginning of this operation, the hot exchange of fire between the policemen and the robbers who incidentally, had divided themselves into two and were simultaneously robbing two banks, forced the robbers to immediately end their operations.

“Consequently they were forced to abandoned their operation and also abandoned the sum of N27 million. As they were fleeing, they left a total of 240 AK47 live ammunition; even the money they made away with was later recovered by policemen and taken to another branch of the robbed bank around 2nd Avenue, for deposit,” he said.

Hardly had he finished issuing the statement that he was transferred out of Lagos to Oshogbo, Ondo State and a replacement quickly drafted in from Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ambode seeks help Coming to terms with the stark reality staring his administration in the face, Lagos State government has promised to purchase three helicopters to tackle crimes

and monitor traffic in the City of Excellence.

The Governor who was a guest on SoniIrabor Live (SIL), a programme on Inspiration FM, said he was concerned about the rising spate of robberies in the state.

He also said the government would boost the operations of the marine police and Navy on the waterways to help combat the new method devised by the robbers.

Worrisome is the new modus operandi devised by the robbers.

The robbery attacks in Ikorodu and Festac bears a striking resemblance, the robbers came in and made their escape through the sea. This has increased call by stakeholders to call on the Nigerian Navy, to help combat the state of crime.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Ambode said the call became imperative due to the spate of robbery attacks in Lagos State which started barely a week into his administration.

The governor added that the need for the full involvement of the navy in the fight against

crime informed his audience with the former naval chief.

He said, “Lagos State is the commercial hub of the country.

The state is therefore strategic and cannot be allowed to become a breeding ground for criminals,” he said at the time.

Residents cry for help Mr. Babasola Kuti, a frontline politician and a gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) believes the upsurge in crime is quite worrisome and unsettling.

“It is quite worrisome and unsettling, but, I must confess that the rise in crime preceded the elections, the reports of attacks were just largely ignored. I think there is a thug culture that is being promoted by politicians and it needs to be checked as soon as possible. I believe that politicians have armed gang members and now that the elections are over they have abandoned them and left them with the arms and no funds” he said.

He however advised the administration of Ambode to increase policing in hot spots and then look at the changes in policing structures that might have resulted in the upsurge.

“The most important thing is to increase policing in the hot spots and then also look at the potential hotspots and preempt any possibilities. The increase is alarming and must be due to certain changes in policing structures or fail-

ure of government to implement particular strategies previously adopted by the past administration,” he said Olatunji Taiwo, a resident on 23 Road Festac Town expressed sadness at what is happening in the state.

“It is sad that Lagosians can no longer sleep with both eyes closed due to the level of insecurity in the state. There is hardly any day that passes without the news that something has happened somewhere in the state. We are living in fear,” he told Daily Times “The situation is so bad and for the governor to come out openly to admit it speaks volume. What the governor should do is to borrow a leaf from the template of the past administration and if he doesn’t want to do that, he should as a matter of urgency design a new security template for the state so that residents can sleep well” he concluded Kingsley Chukwu Nwanze has nothing but harsh words for Ambode. “Crime rate has increased since Ambode came on board and he seems not to have an idea on what to do and proffer solution to it. He is the Chief Security Officer of the state so he should do something about it quickly” It is hoped that all the moves made by the governor would yield the desired results so Lagos residents can sleep without fear in the acclaimed City of Excellence.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

Health Æ s

29

How social media promotes prevention of malaria— Dr Eze sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In this interview with LARA ADEJORO, he explains his social media advocacy and how malaria can be eliminated in Nigeria

Eze

Dr Laz Ude Eze leads Global Fund Support to strengthen health data management systems in Kebbi, Niger, Osun and Oyo on the malaria programme in Nigeria. He works with the Association for Reproductive and

Family Health (ARFH) as the Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Officer. He uses social media to promote prevention of malaria using the hashtag #BeatMalaria and was recently shortlisted as a finalist in Malaria Heroes Award co-

Coca-Cola, NIFST advocte optimal nutrition in first 1,000 days Lara Adejoro In efforts to effect solutions to the healthy living challenges facing the Nigerian society, beverage giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria has called for optimal nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life.

Coca-cola made the call at the 39th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) held in Owerri, Imo State.

With the theme: ‘Food Industrialization; A Pathway to Agribusiness Transformation,’ the two-day event commenced with a session on ‘Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days and its Effects in the Development of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).’

Speaking at the event, a Professor of Nutrition and Director of Academic Planning at the Ambrose Alli University, Prof.

Ignatius Onimawo identified the first 1,000 days of life as a unique window of opportunity to prevent NCDs. Prof. Onimawo explained that most NCDs such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer originate from the first 1,000 days of life.

He said that, “The NCDs experienced later in life are developed from the foetus stage.

It is important to know that, as opposed to the notion that these non-infectious diseases are contracted from lifestyle choices or unhealthy eating habits, they actually set in at an early stage, within the first 1,000 days window period. After this period, we have little or no control over what happens.”

Prof. Onimawo harped on the need to better educate expectant and nursing mothers to make CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

On the #BeatMalaria campaign, can you evaluate the impact of the social media in promoting prevention of malaria since you started the campaign in October 2013?

Information is everything.

A hashtag is like a name given to a social media conversation and can be used to follow or access such conversation. At any time, anyone can click on it and find out what is happening. It may be difficult to accurately

determine the impact of my #BeatMalaria campaign on social media without a scientific research. But I can say without sounding immodest that it has raised the consciousness of social media users tremendously about malaria prevention and the national and global efforts to beat malaria. Recently, I was nominated for social media award based on the #BeatMalaria campaign on social media and have received hundreds of endorsements online. All the comments were highly encouraging. Someone wrote that anytime she sees me on twitter, what comes to her mind is “this malaria guy”. So, it means that people are connecting with the message. Many of them wrote passionately about the cam-

paign and I’ve not met most of them. Twitter users use the #BeatMalaria hashtag to share any malaria-related news report they see in the media.

How would you evaluate the awareness of malaria in Nigeria?

On awareness, I will say over 90 per cent of adult Nigerians know about malaria. Awareness on some of the prevention methods is also high.

Paradoxically, many people are not doing what they should to prevent malaria. For instance, people still dump wastes in the drainage channels, allowing for stagnant water and breeding of mosquitoes. Some others who receive free treated CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Greyheart healthcare to bring healthcare to homes With the rise in busy schedules, demand for home care and post-operative rehab services, Greyheart healthcare has been unveiled to provide proper, specialized and prompt treatment to its clients at their door steps in a swift manner.

The Medical Concierge, is made up of a team of doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, residential assistants and also other specialists who are set to pioneer a home-based medical care model that will provide medical care to elderly patients, surgical stay homes, special

L-R: Tina Oyobolo, a General Residential Assistant; Dumebi Nzemeke, a nutritionist; Dr Adaeze Ibekweh, MD Greyheart Healthcare; Blessing Conteh, a General Residential Assistant and Mr Afuye Oluwaseun, a physiotheraapist at a press conference to unveil GHH held in Lagos recently.

needs kids and more in the comfort of homes, thereby shifting away from the traditional methods we already operate with.

Speaking recently at a press conference, the Managing Director Greyheart healthcare (GHH), Dr Adaeze Ibekweh said, “the healthcare is committed to providing different healthcare services in the comfort of clients’ homes.

“We are quipped to handle

emergencies, perform first aid, provide CPR and basic life support until adequate care can be gotten. This is what makes us unique. It sets us apart from the rest. This service is available 24 hours a day including weekends with staff alternating shifts between day and night. All that is required is for clients to place a call across and the Medical Concierge will come up with a CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Health 30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

ORÍKÌ launched in Lagos Lara Adejoro ORÍKÌ, a leading luxury spa clinic that caters to both men and women has been launched in Lagos.

Speaking at the launch event, the Founder, Joycee Awojoodu stated that ORÍKÌ believes in empowering farmers, utilizing the plethora of raw materials and natural ingredients to create a leading luxury brand with the vision to create a proudly African brand with international standards that can compete on a global stage.

Awojoodu said, “ORÍKÌ is a lifestyle, an attitude, and a way of life. The ORÍKÌ philosophy is borne from the notion that natural skin, hair and body products work better simply because they are made with superior ingredients; nature knows best. The abundance of natural resources across the globe, coupled with our expertise and commitment to all natural ingredients provide easy, smart solutions from head to toe”.

Awojoodu also added that,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

L-R Multimedia presenter Ozzy Agu, Creative Director, Zaphire Event Funke Bucknor- Obruthe, MD/CEO Oriki Joycee Awojoodu and GM, SuperSport Felix Awogu at the Launch of Oriki held in Lagos.

the comprehensive range of 32 products is for the ORÍKÌ woman and man covers the full spectrum of serums, moisturizers, body wash, moisturizers, exfoliates, toners, treatments, masks and more.

“Botanically based, we use potent plants, organic ingredients and 100 per cent natural essential oils and source major-

ity of our ingredients from the continent of Africa.”

With a flagship store located in the cosmopolitan city of Lagos, Nigeria in the Victoria Island District and an ecommerce site built to serve the modern, smart, tech-savvy and health-conscious consumer, ORÍKÌ’s retail spaces are conceived to express a unique

blend of vibrancy, style and education.

The ORÍKÌ Group is comprised of the ORÍKÌ product range, the ORÍKÌ Spa, Halo Hair Clinic by ORÍKÌ, The Men’s Grooming Parlor and Scents by ORÍKÌ, a hand-harvested candle line made with bamboo, coconuts and other carved items hand-made.

‘Malaria is responsible for 11% of pregnancy related deaths’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

mosquito nets decide to use it to fish. We see a lot of that in different communities. People who have mosquito nets could be as high as 90 per cent but the people who use it to sleep can be as low as 50 per cent in the population. A lot of people tend to focus more on treatment instead of the prevention.

What’s your take on the Over-The-Counter (OTC) prescription of malaria drugs?

Malaria is highly endemic in this country, so over-thecounter purchase of anti malarial drugs is being allowed to ensure access to treatment.

Over the years, the message has been if you have fever or if your mouth is bitter, take a particular drug and that forms part of our health-seeking behaviour. Someone gets tired after work and say it’s malaria and goes for OTC drugs but the message has changed. It’s been discovered that a lot of health conditions are not malaria but are being treated as malaria case, hence, drug resistance against many of the malaria drugs because of the abuse of the drugs. The emphasis now is

‘...non-infectious diseases set in within the first 1,000 days window period’

testing before treatment. However, one can still take OTC where testing is not available because doing nothing can be deadly especially for children under 5 years.

Malaria may cause miscarriage among pregnant women.

It may also cause anaemia in pregnancy or premature delivery. It can kill within a week if no proper diagnosis and treatment is provided. Children are more vulnerable. When a child has malaria, it usually comes in high grade fever and if not attended to, it could cause convulsion which shortens blood supply to the brain. The child may lose appetite or have frequent stooling. When someone is weak with the body temperature high and can’t eat, if nothing is done for that person, he/ she could die. In some communities where there are no access to health facilities, inhabitants with malaria symptoms could take OTC. The disadvantage is that OTC medications are vulnerable to abuse. Someone who does not have malaria but takes anti-malarial drugs is not likely to die but if a child have malaria and does nothing about it, it’s likely to kill that child. But

in health facilities, there has to be test before treatment because it reduces the likelihood of having resistance to drug and reduces waste.

On malaria drug resistance?

It’s really becoming a key issue; research has been done on it and more researches are ongoing. The drug of choice for malaria now is artemisin combination therapy (ACT) which is a combination of different drugs in one tablet, which makes it more effective. Studies have shown that there are still some levels of resistance to ACTs but not to the level that it can’t be used again. Remember that chloroquine used to be the drug of choice for malaria treatment at some point, but no longer effective. Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine drugs like Fansidar replaced it and also became ineffective for treating malaria. Now, the combination therapy is effective but we need to save it from abuse to avoid resistance.

So, where should the government focus on?

The government should go

for primary prevention. Primary prevention is to eliminate the vector itself. The good thing about malaria is that we know what’s causing it. We all know plasmodium falciparum is the causal organism, mosquito is the vector while humans are the host. Over a century ago, malaria was a key health challenge in European countries and even in the US and they eliminated it. Malaria is the number one killer of children under five years in Nigeria, it’s responsible for 11 per cent of pregnancy related deaths, it can lead to premature delivery, low birth weight, anaemia in pregnancy and a lot of people are victims. Government at various levels need to lead the malaria elimination effort and the people need to play their own part. The government of Nigeria have decided to eliminate the vector and everyone must be involved. The government has also proposed the strengthening of health institutions to be able to diagnose and treat all malaria cases within 24 hours of onset of fever. A stronger political will must be demonstrated at all levels of governance to make it a reality.

schedule that best fits you,” she said.

According to her, the introduction of the medical concierge is aimed at providing a service that is long overdue in the country needed to tackle and manage illnesses at any stage.

Also speaking, Mr Afuye Oluwaseun, who is the physiotherapist for GHH said, he will ensure patients who have illnesses or diseases or physical limitations stay as active as they would like.

“With the current situation and increase in the amount of long-term care people around (stroke patients, elderly people, children with developmental disorders, (etc), it is important that they are able to go about their work and leisure without too much pain or limitation and Greyheath healthcare will ensure that.”

A nutritionist to the medical concierge, Ms Dumebi Nzemeke promised to ensure that patients eat what they are meant to eat, how they should, the quantity they should take so they can get well on time because the old way of eating has gotten many people into trouble, so healthy diet is very important.”

‘GHH service is available 24 hours a day...’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

informed decisions regarding nutritional care in the first 1,000 days of their babies’ lives.

Commenting on the event, the Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba restated Coca- Cola’s commitment to supporting dialogue with stakeholders on health and nutritional education.

Mba said that, “Coca- Cola is actively supportive of over 280 physical activities and nutritional educational programs around the world. Through such engagements we are able to foster shared understanding and communication on health and nutritional issues.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 5, 2015

31 Opinion

Why Can’t Delta Pay Salary (3)?

ÎÎÎIn part 1 and 2, we x-

rayed the financial spine of Delta State. We found it unjustifiably diseased.

The summary of our findings and submissions is that Delta State should not be so financially handicapped that it cannot pay her workers. Delta’s inability to pay salary is not justifiable. And Delta has no single reason to be poor nor have unemployed youths. We then studied what could be done to reverse the decadence: prudence and diversification of revenue sources.

In this closing part, having come hard on past leadership of Delta State, it is only fair to let the immediate past governor, amiable Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, have the last word in this discussion.

We represent here a statement from the government’s site.

Dr. Uduaghan: “The entrenched and endemic abuse of basic rights and freedom under the military culminated in bottled up agitations, tension and pent-up emotions...

Having identified the root causes, my administration concluded that massive government investment in infrastructure,

eliminating corruption at all levels and a sustainable improvement in the general standard of living of the electorate would significantly help to arrest and ultimately eliminate the spate of insecurity....

I quickly empowered the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC)... to go down to the rural, oil-producing communities to create jobs, stem the growing army of unemployed youths and provide the much-needed infrastructure in designated host communities. 50% of the 13% derivation accruing to the state or about approximately $222.5 million annually is passed on to the commission...

We...rehabilitated 42 high schools... we began...‘Delta Beyond Oil’.... the need to understand that oil and gas are finite assets and exhaustible resources...

Correspondingly, we conceived and designed a new comprehensive economic development framework with investment strategies and approaches that ensured that other sectors of the economy in the state are brought on stream.... the completion of an international airport in Asaba... expansion of an existing airport at

Osubi, near Warri... my administration launched an outreach programme in 2009 in New York under the chairmanship of Ambassador Walter Carrington, a former United States (US) Envoy to Nigeria.. We believe that there are eminent Deltans in the diaspora who have both the technical expertise and the web of contacts to bring to the table for the overall development of Delta State. ...in partnership with private investors... completing an Independent Power Project (IPP) to produce power that will be transmitted and distributed throughout the state. ... invested over N15 billion in the Federal Government IPP Project ... to step up power generation and distribution in the state. Delta State has embarked on several projects to modernise and upgrade agricultural production in the state. Other strategies and programmes include the promotion of commercial and industrial entrepreneurship through the funding of micro-level entrepreneurs to grow into small and medium scale commercial and manufacturing enterprises. In total, over 100,000 people have benefitted from the micro-credit scheme. Also important is the development of the tourism sector. Because of our drive, a lot of tourism and hospitality industries are now springing up in the state. The biggest is the $240 million Delta Leisure Park by a private investor in partnership with the state government. We are

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also encouraging medical tourism by improving on the quality of secondary and tertiary hospitals and encouraging private investment in healthcare. ... pursuit of local and foreign investors and expertise was implemented and we recorded encouraging results. The most recent example of large scale investments being attracted to the state is the plan by Transcorp Hilton Hotels to establish two five-star hotels in Delta State –Asaba and Warri respectively. In addition, Heirs Holding, a big private sector firm in Nigeria, plans to establish a $1.4 billion dollar fertilis-

er plant in Burutu, one of the riverine communities in the state. The Federal Government of Nigeria working closely with the Delta State Government is also building a multi-million dollar landing jetty in Okwagbe... the state has targeted two constituencies. These are Deltans in the diaspora who are given special incentives to bring investments in their areas of expertise and other foreign investors that are invited to invest in critical sectors of the state economy that will generate broad economic activities and employment opportunities while securing high returns.

... to attract and retain domestic and foreign investors to the state, the state decided to establish... the Warri Industrial and Business Park, the Koko and Ogidigben Industrial Park/Export Free Trade Zone and the Asaba Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park.”

Finally, having weighed both sides, the reader can now make an informed opinion on Delta State.

More importantly, the new Delta administration can now shape even better policy. Incredibly beautiful Delta State deserves the very best. We must not let her down.

This is the concluding part of this study of Delta State. Having looked at Kogi, Lagos and Delta, we would pause for a while and return later to examine the financial spines of other states. In the meantime, we want to focus for a while, beginning next week, on a related albeit national topic – Nigerian Vision 20_2020, Nigerian federal government’s economic roadmap for the next five years. The two focal analysis, states and federal governments, are of course related.

As things are presently, the federal government would appear to be doing what ought to be left to states. There are of course strong reasons, albeit negative ones, for this bowlegged approach to the economy in Nigeria. But that discussion can await our fuller analysis of both state and federal financial situations and economic projections respectively.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.224

Price: N150

Emmanuel Emenike (left) in action for Al Ain

AL AIN FANS BOO MISFIRING EMENIKE A

section of Al Ain fans jeered Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike when he was substituted in the team’s last league game against Al Jazira.

Emenike’s club won the game 2-0 and the defending champions are currently top of the Arabian Gulf League.

However, Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic has risen stoutly to the defence of the striker, who recently quit international football.

“I cannot be happy with the reaction of some people.

We won, we played fantastic and some people criticised Emenike,” Dalic said.

“Please, our fans, be patient, give time, give everyone a chance, to me, to my team, to

Emenike. It’s not easy, but we didn’t deserve this reaction, especially after the Jazira game. It was very bad.

“I understand our fans always want a fantastic performance, always five goals. It’s not possible. Please, support our team and our players will play better. In the last game, in front of 15,000 people, my players were fantastic. I expect it to always be like this and they support our team.

“The last game we won Emenike was part of our victory. For me, he played very well, did a great job, but only missed scoring a goal.

Maybe it was Emenike’s best performance for me. I know everyone expects more goals,

expects him to be a replacement for Asamoah Gyan. As I told you on his first day, it’s not easy to replace Gyan.

“If somebody needs criticism, criticise me, not my players.

Because I put him in the team, I put him on the pitch, I will take everything on my back. But give support to my players.”

Al Ain have been the season’s early pacesetters, taking full points from six of their seven league matches thus far. Last month’s 2-1 defeat to Al Wahda, in which Emenike scored, represents their only defeat in the league this campaign.

Dalic said he expects his side to continue to fight for top spot until the league stops on December 26 for its winter break.

MONACO DENY – X6 MOURINHO RUMOURS

PREMIERSHIP

CLUB – X2 IN HOT CHASE FOR OSIMHEN

‘BENZEMA

not involved in sex tape blackmail’ – X7

Life&

TIMES Thursday, November 5, 2015

Aina More The exceptional Rap Queen

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

the KINGS and they got props on the song too.

I really believe in empowerment for women and as a musician, music is one of my avenues to do just that - So ‘Girls Killing It’ is the beginning of many more songs for women.... Next up - Afrikan Lady (Yes with a ‘K’!).

I’ve always been unintentionally a rebel

How will you describe your experience at the just concluded LoudNproudlive show at EKO Hotel?

It was amazing. I really respect

Aina More UK star cum Nigerian Rap sensation, Aina Morenike Olukoga, popularly known as Aina More is one of the fastest growing female rapper in the entertainment industry. She is an English MC, singer and actor originally from Nigeria and began recording freestyles over hip-hop instrumentals in 2012. She independently released a 10-track mix tape titled ‘It’s a WRAP, influenced by the political situation in Nigeria. The graduate of politics and sociology is not relenting in the music scene any time soon as she is currently toping her game in Nigeria and riding the number one spot in the charts with her new single titled’ Girls killing it. In this exclusive chat with MUTIAT ALLI, the rap diva opens up on her music, future plans and her just released EP album.

Life&

T E A M

The music industry is saturated with female rappers; what stands you out amidst all of them?

I don’t think the industry is female saturated at all; in fact, females are still somewhat scarce in the Music industry in Nigeria and especially in the Hip Hop sector. It is very male dominated although the women are heavy on talent - being a female would already make you stand out in the industry.

However, as an artiste, my style and authenticity makes me stand out. I’ve always been unintentionally a rebel; I tend to go against norms not for the sake of doing so, but because I have tuned into myself as an individual, in everything I do - particularly with regards to my Music fashion sense and in Music videos - this per-

sonal sense of direction is reflected.

How do you feel knowing that your song ‘Girls killing it’ is on the number one spot on charts?

I’m ecstatic. I’ve never been into competition especially with my Art as I believe you can’t measure Art - but - knowing I’ve reached the top spot for doing what I love is a blessing and ultimately I feel appreciated. Let me thank all those who supported my single and tell them that more number ones are loading.

What inspired the song ‘ Girls killing it’?

I needed music my niece can look at, listen to, sing along to and feel proud. ‘Girls Killing It’ was inspired by my desire to make a feel good an-

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

them for women - all women. I have so many friends who are fabulous yet when I listen to current day music I don’t see women - like my girls’, represented. I never, well hardl y ever, see average everyday successful women in Music videos. It’s always women being objectified by men - sometimes even women; so for me, I had to create the change I believe is long overdue.

Also, there’s a verse for the men in the song as I never want people to think for a minute that I’m just about my women - I love and respect

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

LoudNproudlive as a platform for real Musicians.

Personally, I only perform Live and it’s the only way I enjoy performing; so it was a perfect way for me to perform and express myself and my new music. The vibe of that night was crazy; you had to be there to feel it, even the videos and pictures won’t capture that energy! AKA was amazing too. It was great to share the stage with such an epic young man who is doing great things for Africa.

Music for you, how did it all started?

It’s hard to depict the moment it all really started. My dad bought me a violin when I was 6. One could say that at that moment I found a friend in Music and that’s when it started. However, just last year, I truly understood and fell in love with Hip-Hop. I think it has started and starts over and over again. It’s like happily in love.

Peop l e say they fall in love with their partner again and again or each time they see them - kind of like that. Music started and keeps starting again for me, in a very beautiful way. I picked up the violin at 6, but since then, there has been many other starts - such as Poetry, Spoken Word, Rap, Writing, Performance, Singing... they’re all new starts in the same journey.

Why rap music?

Well actually I started of writing for Theatre and writing Spoken Word. I’ve always known the power of words from a young age. Words got me into trouble and using words correctly also got me out of it, so I soon realised Continued on L3

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

L3 Interview

I’ve alwayb been unintentionally a rebel

Aina More

Continued from L2

words could do more than just that in my life. I’ll let you know something I’ve never really said publicly before. I always wanted to be a politician. To be the voice (words) of the people, so much so that I studied Politics and Sociology at university. However, my journey as a politician is different to the conventional. I am a politician not by means of Government, but by using the power of words, via music (rap) for my people.

I love Rap because it draws people into the music and eventually to listen to the words.

Not everybody likes to read, but everybody loves music.

Finding shows that most female rap artistes don’t stand the test of time in the industry; so how do you intend to be consistent in the game?

That’s a no brainer for me.

I’ve always been a woman of vision and within that vision comes many avenues to execute. By default, I’m always working on something new, so with that and with God, I know I’ll always be ready to deliver new work. I refuse to be average; it’s just not my style. Also, I constantly do general public speaking and motivational speaking in schools tailored for young men and women and that for me is just as important as the Music and over time, it’s proved very important to me. It’s planting seeds into the giants of the future; something people may not realise is that young people have all the ideas. I’m was born in the 90s, so I’m young but the era born

in the 00’s think so differently and they are always sharing ideas with me that constantly change my approach. I’m a guest lecturer at the British Library’s new

West Africa Exhibition - how many Rap artists you know do that? I’ll always be consistent because I’m always doing relevant things, things for the people of now rather than things of the time.

You have a background in play writing, when do we get to see you in movies?

When the right role comes along, I’ll be happy to go for the role. I really love acting, it’s one of my first loves. But as with the music, I will never compromise my values just for the sake of people seeing me on the screen. It has to fall in line with everything I stand

for first and foremost.

Tell us more about your recently rel e a s e d 2015 EP? M y

recent EP FPWSAS (For People with Short Attention Spans) was a really experimental project. It was the first time I fully let myself go musically and delved into new things - even singing. The majority (minus the song Layback)was written and produced in Nigeria and that was a really big deal for me. I think music was and is at a peak whereby people can’t focus for long and really just want it all right now. The EP was a little bit of everything - including expressing my frustration of the pressures to make “right now” music. You’ll find that the music on the EP is very mixed genre and tempo - as to represent the constant flicking of channels on

TV or skipping of tracks as many people do in this microwave generation. The whole concept of the EP was really well represented in a Fashion editorial I did with Godson Ukaegbu.

How do you feel you are been compared with Ms Lauryn Hill?

At first it was hard to accept. I was like, who me? But then, I started to realise and appreciate the fact that doing anything well in life requires greatness. And being great means recognising the great that lies within.

The comparisons made me really listen to and study M s .

Hill and in doing so I began to work on and identify the things people were comparing and also the things that made her so great.

Ultimately, it made me tune into and assess myself more and work harder. It’s even made me think more about my style and top Nigerian designer Frank Oshodi immediately got this and started to bring that to life. Now, I embrace the comparisons and realise that it means I have my own large crown to carry.

Very soon, young women will be compared to Aina More.

Discography • Back to life EP (June 2011) • It’s a WRAP (Words, Rhymes and Poetry) released November, 2012 • Layback (Album) 2014 • For people with short attention spans ( April 2015) • Girls killing it (2015 single)

Credit Photographer: Obi Somto.

Stylist: Godson Ukaegbu.

Make-Up: Kayode Williams

Event L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

Olabimpe Oyetubo & Mukoro Ejiro

AKA thrill fans at LoudNlive Concert

South African finest, AKA was the cynosure of the eyes recently at the just concluded LoudNlive concert held at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites where he performed for the first time with his full live band. We bring to you fun pictures from the event.

AKA with VJ Ehiz’s and Friends

Miss Tracey Fletcher

AKA with Fans

Giuseppe Olivieri, Miss Nngozi Omonbola, MI & Fidelis Anosike

King Jerry Jide Obi

Rebeca Ajao, Aina Mora & Tessy Dennis

Dignitary

Kilo One

Laide Bakare, Kate Henshaw other grace Mercy Aigbe’s Victims’ premiere Top Nollywood celebrities that includes Laide Bakare, Lizzy Anjorin, Kate Henshaw, Funsho Adeolu, Adeniyi Johnson, Toyin Aimakhu, Biodun Okeowo, Kunle Adegbite amongst others recently stormed City Hotel, Ikeja venue of the much talked about Victims movie private screening as produced by light skinned actress, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry and directed by Nigeria’s leading director, Lancelot Imaseun.

The event was also graced by top politicians and socialites that includes former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Sentor Ganiu Solomon, Otunba Gani Adams, Quincy Ayodele, Shina Peller to mention but few.

Senator Ganiu Solomon

Fathia Balogun, Kate Henshaw and Biodun Okeowo

Seyi Law

Quicny Ayodele (left), Mercy Aigbe with a guest

Otunba Gani Adams and Lanre Gentry

Funsho Adeolu

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

L5 Music Gists

Mutiat Alli

Minjin hook up with Pasuma

Malta Guinness launches new campaign ...stirs the Can-Do-Spirit in Nigerians

DJ Lambo In a bid to give back to the society that has supported them for several years, Malta Guinness has launched a vibrant new campaign tagged: ‘You vs...’ to celebrate the everyday Nigerian who takes on typical everyday challenges with a smile and a spring in their feet.

The campaign kicked off with full energy as thousands of commuters and several other road users in Lagos had their faces beaming with joy, as they woke up to find scores of BRT buses from Malta Guinness to help get them to their respective place of work for free.

The fun didn’t stop there, as people on the buses were entertained by A-list comedians including Elenu, Pencil and a host of others. In addition, the brand took the energy and excitement to the UBA Park at Apongbon market in Lagos to inspire people at market to take on their day and go about their activities with a can-do attitude. Performing at the event was Whayasay crooner Patoranking and Amin crooner Dammy Krane who gave the audience a lot of musical goodness and equally had DJ Lambo on the wheels.

The Marketing Manager Malta & APNAD, Mr. Uche Onwudiwe, while explaining the significance of the campaign said the ‘You vs...’ campaign is Malta Guinness way of celebrating and inspiring Nigerians to keep up the can-do-spirit that enables them do more on a daily basis.

Currently broadcasting across Nigeria on national television, the new TV commercial: ‘You vs...’ which was launched alongside the campaign...’ features a modern day, Burna Boy version of the 80s classic hit, Pump Up The Jam, and it is purposely designed to excite Nigerians who take on every day with a smile as they tackle their everyday work life, inspiring everyone to take up the can-do spirit.

Colonial music record act, Minjin has employed the services of Fuji Icon Wasiu Alabi Pasuma in a yet to be released single as the duo was spotted together few days at the Fuji act’s quarters where insider hinted that a new single will be coming out from the colonial music label.

It was however revealed that the working title of the single is ‘ Olowo’ which be mixed by foremost mixer, Indomix.

RMD, Uti Nwachukwu, Kemi Adetiba to appear in first ever Selfie from Space

Brymo releases international album Former Choc City artist, Olawale Ashimi, known as Brymo, has released a new international album titled Trance.

The much anticipated album which will be distributed exclusively in the US was released by his American record label Tate Music Group, QED reports.

It would be recalled that the born singer of the hit song Ara signed a territorial recording and distribution deal with the America based record label in March 2015.

Trance is an eight-track compilation of songs that feature various genres of music from African folk to soul and afro beat.

Pasuma and Minjin

Uti

Some of Nigeria’s finest celebrities, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Basketmouth, Uti Nwachukwu and Kemi Adetiba will join international top shots to the party capital of the USA, Las Vegas, for the first ever Selfie from space, courtesy of the world’s number one brewer, Heineken.

Billed to take place today in Nevada, Los Angeles, these celebrities will join other big names including popular Bond Villain, Dave Bautista to experience the first of its kind Selfie from space as well as many other exciting activities lined up in preparation for the James Bond “Spectre” premiere.

In partnership with Urthecast, Heineken will create the Selfie experience from space using a camera on the Deimos satellite, currently in orbit 600km above the Earth’s surface to take ultra HD imagery of the lucky celebrities including the Nigerian quartet assembled at the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas.

Commenting about the decision to take the four celebrities to Las Vegas, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji remarked: “We are very proud of our long-standing association with the James Bond franchise and we are especially proud to partner with ‘Spectre’ on this adventure as we bring the experience to Nigeria with four of the country’s most loved entertainment personalities. Their fans will be able to share the experience with them through their social media pages and it promises to be a lot of fun.”

Brymo

New video Alert

Teeblaq Ft. Oritsefemi in

Shope

TeeBlaq has released the video for the celebratory track titled ‘Shope.’ The Eldar Records ensigned gets support from MSN’s Oritse Femi. The video by Aje Filmworks sees TeeBlaq and his gang which includes Jaywon, Sheyman, EL Phlex and collaborator Oritse Femi having a feast - a brilliant interpretation for the AfroPop tune.

African Union to honour

Bola Tinubu @AFRIMA Nigeria’s leading politician, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is to be specially honoured with the prestigious award as “Pillar of Art and Culture in Africa” by the African Union Commission (AUC) at the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA 2015, scheduled to hold on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The International Committee of AFRIMA made this known in Lagos during the ceremony of revealing the activities of the award ceremony.

The honour was made known to Tinubu in separate letters from AFRIMA and the African Union as signed by Commissioner for Social Affairs, AU, His Excellency, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko. Tinubu was finally selected among a pool of hundreds of illustrious sons and daughters of Africa being considered for the award, who are lovers of arts and culture for social change. Asiwaju Tinubu has in-turn accepted the honour with a letter response.

AFRIMA is expected to be broadcast live to over 80 countries across the world with African superstars billed to perform like from Ladysmith Black Mombazo, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Busiswa, AKA, Sakordie, Charlotte Dipanda, Ahmed Soultan, Flavour, Alikiba, Vanessa Mdee, Olamide, Cassper Nyovest, Dark Suburb among others.

Movie Gists L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Code of Silence out in DVD

Photo Speak

Yay or Nay as Adeniyi looked all glam-up Estranged husband of actress Toyin Aimakhu, Adeniyi Johnson has equally moved on since his crashed marriage with his celebrity wife as he recently posted a picture of himself all glommed up as female from set of a new movie production.

Adeniyi Johnson

People’s choice 2016: Jurassic world, Furious 7, battle favourite movie award slot As organisers of the People’s Choice awards gears for the 2016 edition of the awards, top American movies that includes Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ ‘Furious 7,’ ‘Inside Out,’ ‘Jurassic World,’ battle for ‘Favourite movie’ award. The nominee announcement was revealed at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.

Medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ emerged the most nominated TV show, with six nominations, while ‘Avenger’s Age of Ultron’received seven nominations while Dwayne Johnson fondly known as The Rock, received nominations in three different genres; ‘Favourite Action Movie Actor,’ ‘Favourite Cable TV Actor,’ and ‘Favourite Social Media Celebrity.’

After making several buzz and hitting the cinemas, Royal Arts Academy in conjunction with Nollywood Workshop recently premiered their movie on rape ‘Code of Silence.’

The movie which received positive reviews is out on DVD nationwide. Revealing the DVD updates, Shawn Faqua took to his Instagram page and shared the news.

“Grab your copy of ‘Code of Silence’ out on DVD/VCDs. Now out of Cinemas Don’t STOP talking. #BreaktheSilence#speakOUT #RapeisNOTanOption,” he wrote.

The movie revolves around a young girl, Adanma, who was gang-raped by a prominent politician and his aide on her way back from school.

Adanma’s family, being of humble origin, is afraid to report the matter to the relevant authorities citing the excuse that rape is considered a taboo in society and it will make her undesirable for marriage.

Code of Silence directed by Emem Isong featured stars that includes Ini Edo, Patience Ozorkwor, Desmond Elliot, Omoni Oboli, Kofi Adjorlolo, Amaechi Muonagor, Shawn Faqua, and Makida Moka.

Jim Iyke brings new films production

Shot from Jurassic World

MI makes acting debut Jim flanked by cast and crew members Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke appears to be on the edge of becoming a permanent resident of the US city of Atlanta in Georgia.

Weeks after he joined the cast of Moses Inyang’s upcoming movie, the ‘Stalker’ actor, who recently won the Best Actor award at the recently held GIAMA, has begun production of a new feature film. Titled ‘A Star in Heaven’, Jim Iyke took to Instagram to unveil the cast and crew of the upcoming movie.

Nigerian hip-hop recording artiste and CEO of Chocolate City Music, Jude Abaga, popularly known as MI alongside musician and son of late actor Justus Esiri, Sidney Esiri also generally known as Dr. Sid, would be making appearances in the new movie, The Last Three Digits.

The Last Three Digits which will be in cinemas this November is a romantic thriller written and directed

by Moses Inwang.

MI has joined the league of other top musicians that includes 2face Idibia, Iyanya, Sean Tizzle to mention but few who have made acting debut.

MI

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

Fun photos from

39

L7 Event

th Miss Nigeria booth camp

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday November 5, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

152 African Magic Epic

104 M-Net Movie Comedy

02:25

23:35

Thur, 5 Nov | 16

Thur, 5 Nov | PG

Aka Tears Of Nene. A woman befriends a group of women despite her mother’s warnings. Eager to belong she follows their advice not realising their hidden motives. Nuella Njubigbo, Ken Erics. (2014) Chudi Amobi, Ifeanyi Azodo.

A romantic and beautifully animated family fare. After befriending a kind and sweet monster, a pretty singer finds that he’s just as talented as she is. Vanessa Paradis, Mathieu Chedid. (2011) Bibo Bergeron.

101 M-Net

00:00 Bad Country 01:35 Time Of Death 02:30 A Fighting Man 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Middle 06:30 NCIS: New Orleans 07:30 Chicago Fire 08:30 Gabby Douglas Story 10:30 The Goldbergs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 The Blacklist 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Two And A Half Men 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Mike & Molly 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 The Fixer 19:30 Blue Bloods 20:30 NCIS: New Orleans 21:30 CSI: Cyber 22:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:00 QI

120 BBC Entertainment

11:00 My Family

01:10 Silent Witness

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

02:10 Come Dine With Me

12:20 Top Gear

03:00 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:30 QI

14:10 Dragons’ Den

04:05 Top Gear

15:10 The Weakest Link

00:15 Most Shocking

05:00 Spy

16:00 EastEnders

01:10 Kenny vs Spenny

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

01:40 Freakshow

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

17:15 QI

02:10 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

06:30 EastEnders

17:50 Would I Lie To You?

02:40 Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:10 Impractical Jokers

07:55 The Weakest Link

19:15 Downton Abbey

03:40 Most Shocking

08:45 The Cube

20:15 Blackadder II

04:30 South Beach Tow

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:50 Mrs Brown’s Boys

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

21:30 Miranda

05:30 Exposed

155 AfricaMagic World

05:55 Exposed

07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

09:00 Living With Trisha

09:10 South Beach Tow

10:00 Good Morning Africa

09:40 Most Shocking

11:00 Tinsel

10:40 Most Shocking

11:30 Star Gist

11:40 Video Zonkers

13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 00:00 Tinsel

14:30 53 Extra

00:30 Living With Trisha

15:00 Family Ties

01:30 Family Ties

15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh

02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

16:30 Living With Trisha

03:00 Good Morning Africa

17:30 Comfort Zone

06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:30 Spice

06:20 Video Zonkers 06:45 Repo Games

12:00 Music Block

05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

128 SONY MAX

00:25 The Weakest Link

154 AfricaMagic Family

04:00 Music Block

L8 TV guide

18:00 Jane And Abel 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Star Football Superfans

12:10 Repo Games

00:00 Noose Of Gold

11:00 Lies That Bind

00:30 Good Morning Africa

11:30 Lies That Bind

01:30 The Dzigbordi Show

12:00 Jara

02:30 Good Morning Africa

12:30 Jara

03:30 Good Morning Africa

13:00 Music Block

04:30 Prem

14:00 53 Extra

15:10 Perils Of The Sentimental Swordsman

05:00 Good Morning Africa

14:30 53 Extra

16:40 Video Zonkers

06:00 Bafana Bafana

15:00 Kakibe Ki

17:05 Repo Games

08:30 Prem

15:30 Noose Of Gold

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos

09:00 Good Morning Africa

16:00 Foot Print

18:30 South Beach Tow

10:00 So Wrong So Wright

16:30 Lies That Bind

10:30 So Wrong So Wright

17:00 Lies That Bind

19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow

20:00 The Boondocks

U-23 NATIONS CUP: SIASIA IN SELECTION DILEMMA g X3

IMPACT DENY g X7 DROGBA

reports JERRY MBAKOGU g X4,5

GERRARD

TO TRAIN WITH LIVERPOOL

g X6

JERRY MBAKOGU

On July 23, 2014, Mbakogu moved to Carpi in a permanent transfer, signing a five-year contract with the Serie B side.

On August 28, 2010 Mbakogu made his Serie B debut, starting in a 1–1 draw at Crotone.

Three days later he was loaned to Juve Stabia.

Mbakogu spent 3 years on loan at Juve Stabia, scoring 13 goals in 68 games, before returning to Padova.

On September 2, 2013, Mbakogu joined Carpi on loan and helped the club to their highest ever league finish, scoring 7 times in 27 appearances, as the Biancorossi ended the season in 12th.

Mbakogu was born in Lagos, but moved to Italy at early age in Scorzè Peseggia. In 2006, aged 14, he joined Padova’s youth setup, and progressed through the ranks; in 2009 he was loaned to Palermo, being assigned to the Primavera squad.

Jerry Uche Mbakogu (born October 1, 1992) is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Italian club Carpi as a striker.

About

Jerry Uche Mbakogu Name: October 1, 1992 (age 23) Date of birth: Lagos, Nigeria Place of birth: 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) Height: Playing position: Striker Carpi Current team: 99 Number: Youth career Scorzè Peseggia 2003-2006: Padova 2006–2010: Palermo (loan) 2009–2010: Senior career Padova 2010–2013: Juve Stabia 2010–2013: Carpi (loan) 2013–2014: 2014– Till date: Carpi

Mbakogu

Jerry

Poster!

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4 Thursday, November 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Thursday, November 5, 2015

hits Chile for Eaglets, Mexico cracker gX3

Pinnick

Klopp invites

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

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ECHIEJILE

JOINS EAGLES NOV 9 E

Echiejile

lderson Echiejile has revealed that he will join the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja on Monday, November 9, for a World Cup qualifier against Swaziland.

Elderson’s club AS Monaco have a Sunday night French Ligue 1 clash at Bordeaux and it will be after the game that the defender will head out to Nigeria.

“We have a league game on Sunday night and it is only after that game that I could leave for the Eagles training camp,” Echiejile said.

Nigeria are away to Swaziland on Friday, November 13, with the return leg in Port Harcourt four days after.

Hot stuff! Victor Osimhen (right) on the prowl against Brazil at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

PREMIERSHIP CLUB IN HOT CHASE FOR OSIMHEN

F

IFA U-17 World Cup leading scorer Victor Osimhen could be the next Golden Eaglet star to hit the English Premier League after a club there offered to pay for the player from Ultimate Strikers Academy starting from a million pounds.

Osimhen, 17, in December, has

scored eight goals as Nigeria romped to a seventh semi-final in the U-17 World Cup. “An un-named EPL side are willing to splash the cash for Osimhen. They want to start the bidding from a million pounds,” a top source familiar with this interest disclosed.

Osimhen knows his way to

goal and has great technique for a big centre-forward. He could also drift to the wings to create space for his teammates.

Manchester City signed Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali and Musa Yahaya was reportedly engaged by Tottenham Hotspur when Nigeria won a record fourth U-17 World Cup two years ago.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

U-23 Nations Cup: Siasia in selection dilemma

Amuneke

EAGLETS WILL AVOID CHILE ‘87 FLOP, AMUNEKE ASSURES ANDREW EKEJIUBA The city of Concepción and Estadio Municipal for that matter has gone down in the history of Nigerian football as the venue where the country’s star-studded U-20 squad of 1987 met their waterloo following a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brazil at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 1987.

Twenty -eight years after what was called the ‘Chile Debacle’ by a section of the Nigerian media, the Golden Eaglets will hoist the Nigerian flag in Concepción yet again for a crunch semi-final match against Mexico at the on–going FIFA

Siasia

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

wo weeks of contrasting fortunes for U-23 National Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has ended with sheer headache on which players he should pick for the pre-Africa U-23 Cup of Nations camp in Morocco.

Last week, it was a frustrated Siasia who cried out that his camp was empty due to clubs’ incessant demand for their players to report for club duties.

This week, the story has changed as the former Super Eagles’ Head Coach is now faced with the problem of selecting the 30 players who will make his list to Morocco where the team will have a final camping before proceeding to Senegal for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations starting on November 28.

All invited 35 home-based players were at the team’s training session on Tuesday evening, with competition intense as all struggled to impress as the list of 30 is soon to be compiled.

The session was so charged that Siasia himself had to tell the players to take

things easy so as to avoid injuries.

“For now, all I can say is that I am very happy with what I have seen as the players came back from their club engagements fully refreshed and ready to do the nation proud. The NFF has also responded positively to my cry for the release of these players so we can prepare properly for the big task of picking one of Africa’s tickets for the football event of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I must confess that selecting the 30 players who will be departing the shores of this country for Morocco is giving myself and my assistants’ real headache, but this is a positive headache which at the end of the day will enable us select only the best that will fly the nation’s flag with gusto,” Siasia confessed.

Meanwhile, the Dream Team will today at the National Stadium, Abuja trade tackles with newly promoted NPFL club Niger Tornadoes of Minna.

The encounter is expected to kick off at 4pm.

On Saturday morning, the team will engage C.O.D FC of Lagos.

K

een on consolidating on the recent success recorded at both the Commonwealth Taekwando Championship in the United Kingdom and the just concluded 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazaville, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), said it has concluded plans for the 2015

Inspector General of Police Taekwondo Championship holding from December 2-5, 2015 at the MD Abubakar Badminton Hall at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

President of the Federation Grand Master George Ashiru who disclosed this in Lagos, said adequate arrangements that will see to the successful staging of the championship have been concluded

U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, with the winner guaranteed a slot in the final match slated for Sunday in Vina del Mar. Speaking ahead of the cracker, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said the unfortunate loss by the Flying Eagles 28 years ago in Concepción will be an added motivation to guide the Golden Eaglets against defeat to the Baby El Tri commencing 12am on Friday.

“Sincerely, I can’t remember anything about Chile 1987 and I don’t want to be bothered about that,” said the straight–talking 1994 African Footballer of the Year about Nigeria-Brazil clash

of October 11, 1987. “But that said, we can’t afford to lose at the same venue to Mexico and this is an important game for us.”

Nigeria and Mexico have only met thrice at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the Baby El Tri claiming a 1-0 win in a group phase match at Canada 1987 while the Golden Eaglets had the upper hand twice in 2013, when they walloped the Mexicans 6-1 and 3-0 in the group phase and the championship’s Final Match respectively.

Meanwhile, Amuneke was honoured on Tuesday with an award by the

Pinnick

hits Chile for Eaglets, Mexico cracker

N

FF President Amaju Pinnick will be with the Golden Eaglets when they take on Mexico in the FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-finals commencing 12am on Friday.

The NFF boss departed on Monday evening, following the Eaglets’ 3-0 thrashing of three–time winners Brazil in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

“I am very excited with the way the team has played so far, raising our country’s flag very high. The Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has shown tremendous maturity and has managed the team and everything around it brilliantly.

“Amuneke is the kind of person you

NTF SET FOR IGP TAEKWONDO TOURNEY Andrew Ekejiuba

X3

and urged those wishing to be part of the championship to forward their entries to reach the Taekwondo secretariat before December 2.

Ashiru also hinted that the 2015 edition of the annual Korean Ambassador West African Taekwondo Championship would hold from December 10-12, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

would naturally recommend for higher responsibilities. He has clearly rubbished all insinuations and dark innuendoes against him and has continued to do a marvelous job quietly. He has earned his respect,” Pinnick said.

The Eaglets take on Mexico’s U-17 at the 30,000 –capacity Estadio Municipal Ester Roa in Concepcion, with the prospect of a second–ever all-African final looming large in the South American nation.

Pinnick Mali and Belgium play the first semifinal, starting from 5pm (9pm Nigeria time) on Thursday, before the Nigeria, Mexico clash that will again kick off at midnight in Nigeria.

On Monday, NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme arrived in Chile to join the high –flying Golden Eaglets.

FALCONETS, BASETSANA TIE HOLDS SUNDAY

T

he FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup African final qualifying match between Nigeria’s Falconets and the Basetsana of South Africa will now take place in South Africa on Sunday.

Earlier slated for Saturday, the match has been moved at the instance of the South African Football Association, but the venue still remains the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa (outside Johannesburg).

NFF Executive Committee member Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who is also Chairman of Chairmen, will lead the delegation that will be made up of 18 players and 10 technical/

backroom staff.

Falconets’ Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo, said on Wednesday that his girls are ready for the big battle, with the fixture delicately poised at 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.

“We wanted to win big in the first leg, but it didn’t happen. Sunday is another day to look for a big win. The fact that we are playing away from home matters little to us.

“Papua New Guinea is a destination for the Falconets next year. Nigeria has never missed any FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and we will not start now,” Dedevbo said.

JERRY MBAKOGU Jerry Uche Mbakogu (born October 1, 1992) is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Italian club Carpi as a striker.

Mbakogu was born in Lagos, but moved to Italy at early age in Scorzè Peseggia. In 2006, aged 14, he joined Padova’s youth setup, and progressed through the ranks; in 2009 he was loaned to Palermo, being assigned to the Primavera squad.

On August 28, 2010 Mbakogu made his Serie B debut, starting in a 1–1 draw at Crotone.

Three days later he was loaned to Juve Stabia.

Mbakogu spent 3 years on loan at Juve Stabia, scoring 13 goals in 68 games, before returning to Padova.

On September 2, 2013, Mbakogu joined Carpi on loan and helped the club to their highest ever league finish, scoring 7 times in 27 appearances, as the Biancorossi ended the season in 12th.

On July 23, 2014, Mbakogu moved to Carpi in a permanent transfer, signing a five-year contract with the Serie B side.

About

Jerry Uche Mbakogu Name: October 1, 1992 (age 23) Date of birth: Lagos, Nigeria Place of birth: 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) Height: Playing position: Striker Carpi Current team: 99 Number: Youth career Scorzè Peseggia 2003-2006: Padova 2006–2010: Palermo (loan) 2009–2010: Senior career Padova 2010–2013: Juve Stabia 2010–2013: Carpi (loan) 2013–2014: 2014– Till date: Carpi

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4 Thursday, November 5, 2015

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

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Jerry

Mbakogu

EXTRATIME

X6

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EXTRATIME

SCHMEICHEL DELIGHTED WITH RED DEVILS’ FORM

P

Gerrard

Klopp invites GERRARD

to train with Liverpool

J

urgen Klopp has told Steven Gerrard he is welcome to return to Liverpool to train with the first-team squad although reports of a playing return are premature.

The 35-year-old flew back to the UK on Wednesday after the end of the MLS season with LA Galaxy, who he joined in the summer after 17 years at Anfield.

Gerrard marked his MLS debut with a goal, but his campaign ended in

disappointment after the Galaxy were knocked out of the play-offs by Seattle Sounders last week and speculation over his future has mounted after an interview in which he admitted he had struggled since moving to the United States.

“It could be my last season as a footballer. I certainly don’t want to feel like I’m feeling right now come next year,” he told reporters in America last

week.

“I’d love to go out on a high. It’s a long season, and I only came here for the last four months but I’ll certainly be better for the experience next year.”

However, reports that he could again play for Liverpool are wide of the mark at the moment.

Gerrard said in September he would have stayed at Liverpool had he been given the chance to take on a player-

Monaco deny Mourinho approach

M

onaco have played down speculation regarding an apparent attempt to appoint Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as their new coach.

Minority shareholder Alessandro Proto appeared to confirm in a statement on Tuesday that Monaco had made a bid to bring the Portuguese to the principality, only to be thwarted by a “€100million” price tag.

The Chelsea boss has come u n d e r

Mourinho

pressure following a dismal start t o their Premier League title defence with Proto revealing t h e

“exaggerated figure” meant Mourinho was no longer a viable option.

Proto’s statement attracted plenty of attention in England and France but Monaco urged caution in dealing with the comments.

“AS Monaco would invite the media to not repeat extravagant and unsubstantiated rumours from a supposedly minority shareholder,” read a post via the club’s Twitter account.

Chelsea’s poor start to the season has led to reports suggesting Mourinho’s time at Stamford Bridge could be set to draw to a close in the coming weeks.

However, Mourinho and skipper, John Terry, remained defiant in a news conference on Tuesday, Terry stating: “The players are 100 per cent behind the manager. We are together.”

coach role.

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has insisted the club do not use a transfer committee and said Jurgen Klopp has final say over all signings.

Liverpool spent close to £300m during Brendan Rodgers’ time at the club but that spending came in for scrutiny with question marks raised over whether the Northern Irishman had last word on the deals.

eter Schmeichel believes Manchester United’s 1-0 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow was the club’s best performance of the season.

Wayne Rooney lined up behind teenage sensation Anthony Martial at the head of the attack on Tuesday, a tactical alteration widely encouraged by many supporters.

The former United goalkeeper – who made 393 appearances for the Old Trafford club – believes manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the demands of United fans with the formation switch.

“It is the best I have seen United play this season,” Schmeichel told reporters.

“It looks like Van Gaal may have listened to us - a little change of personnel, with Rooney playing off Martial, who was playing through the middle.

“And actually Rooney played really, really well. It looks like that is his position. Late on, he got into the number nine position and he scored from there.

Schmeichel

Scholes

blasts YOUNG for ‘embarrassing’ diving

M

anchester United great Paul Scholes has criticised Ashley Young for diving, labelling the winger’s behaviour as “embarrassing”.

The United man made the most of contact with Georgy Schennikov inside the penalty area at Old Trafford on Tuesday prior to Wayne Rooney’s winner in the 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

It is not the first time Young has been criticised for diving during his time with United and Scholes was less than impressed.

“Ashley needs to stop doing this,” the former midfielder fumed.

“He knows himself he needs to stop doing this but it’s just a habit, he can’t get rid of it.

“It’s so obvious and just needs to get it out of his game.

“It is embarrassing and he needs to

get rid of it. Ashley knows that. He’s a really good player and he doesn’t need to resort to these tactics but I think it’s something ingrained in him.”

Scholes has been outspoken regarding United’s displays this term and criticised manager Louis van Gaal for his negative tactics.

Young

Thursday, November 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

Drogba

Benzema

‘BENZEMA

IMPACT DENY

not involved in sex tape blackmail’

DROGBA reports M

ontreal Impact have denied reports that Didier Drogba will be heading on loan to Bologna.

It was reported earlier in the week in the Italian press that the 37-year-old could potentially head to Serie A during the MLS off-season.

Impact president Joey Saputo is also the president of Bologna.

However, Impact have released a statement denying the rumours, saying: “The Italian club, the Impact,

nor Drogba have ever discussed this possibility.”

Drogba has hit the ground running since moving to the MLS in the summer, scoring 12 goals in 13 games for Impact.

He was recently named a finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year and will lead Impact in the second leg of their Eastern Conference semi-final against Columbus Crew on Sunday.

He is signed through with Impact until the end of 2016 MLS season.

Slutsky bemoans Doumbia’s UCL miss

L

eonid Slutsky was left to lament Seydou Doumbia’s crucial miss after CSKA Moscow lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The Ivory Coast striker saw his initial shot kept out by David de Gea before being thwarted at the second attempt by in-form defender Chris Smalling after 77 minutes.

Two minutes later, Wayne Rooney headed in United’s first goal in 404 minutes to secure maximum points for the hosts, and disappoint the CSKA coach.

“We tried to counter-attack. I think the chance with Seydou Doumbia contributed to the final result,” he said.

“It’s difficult to create chances in a game against Manchester United.”

Rooney netted to end his own personal goal drought of four games

K

arim Benzema’s legal representative has stressed that the Real Madrid star was not involved in an alleged attempt to extort fellow footballer Mathieu Valbuena using a sex tape, after the France striker was questioned by police on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was brought in for questioning by French police in Versailles, reportedly over his familiarity with the group thought to be behind an alleged attempt to blackmail Valbuena.

and despite claims Jesse Lingard had been in an offside position before assisting the England international, Slutsky avoided speculating.

“I don’t really want to comment about the goal because I haven’t seen the replay yet. There was a big probability that United would create a lot of chances and we had to be attentive to that,” he said.

absolutely not done anything wrong.

He has nothing to hide.

“He is happy and quite satisfied to be able to finally end this painful controversy.”

Benzema is the second highprofile name to report to the police over the case after former France international Djibril Cisse was questioned before being released without charge.

The 27-year-old is currently injured and therefore missed Madrid’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

BLANC

Schubert thumbs up hopeful over Verratti injury Gladbach efforts

P

Doumbia

And Benzema’s lawyer has insisted the player merely put himself at the police’s disposal to assist with their investigation.

“Karim wishes to put an end to all the polemics that have emerged following this case, in which he has played no part whatsoever,” lawyer Sylvain Cormier said.

“When his name first emerged in the press, Karim immediately made it clear that he was standing at the disposal of investigators.

“Karim went to Versailles to answer some questions, but he has

aris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has played down fears over the injury suffered by Marco Verratti in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The Italy international hurt his ankle 17 minutes into the Group A fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu and was replaced by Adrien Rabiot prior to Nacho’s winner 10 minutes before half-time.

With Blanc’s men keen to maintain a healthy lead at the top of Ligue 1 while sealing their Champions League progression along with Madrid, the PSG boss was upbeat over Verratti’s injury.

“For now, I cannot say if the injury is serious or not serious,” he told reporters.

“But in principle, it appears less

serious than we thought. When I saw him crying out, I thought it was serious.

“He is a magnificent player and it’s a pity he could not continue this match.”

Reports suggested Verratti was examined at a hospital in Madrid on Tuesday and he will likely be tested further on his return to Paris.

Blanc

B

orussia Monchengladbach coach Andre Schubert praised the work rate of his side following their 1-1 Champions League draw with Juventus, highlighting his team’s impressive run of form.

Gladbach have lost just one of their previous 10 matches and opened the scoring at Borussia Park on 18 minutes through Fabian Johnson before being pegged back on the stroke of half-time

by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Hernanes was dismissed for a dangerous tackle following the interval and Schubert was proud after his team picked up only their second point in a Group D high on quality.

“At the very beginning, before I miss the chance, I want to make a giant compliment to my team,” he said.

X8

Thursday, November 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

As the match entered the 113th minute, the excitement inside the Maracana reached its peak.

Andre Schurrle shifted into top gear on the left wing and, while still running at full pace, delivered an inch-perfect cross on to the chest of Mario Gotze inside the Argentina penalty area. The rest is history. Since setting up this winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Brazil, the Germany attacker has experienced his fair share of change.

Today Schurrle, who turns 25 this Friday, remains one of the world champions’ key players whose athleticism and pace mark him out as a symbol of the dynamic new playing style championed by Joachim Low. FIFA.com spoke exclusively with the Wolfsburg man about fulfilling his dreams in Brazil, his lofty ambitions for France 2016 and Russia 2018, as well as Germany’s less-thanstraightforward quest to remain at the summit of the beautiful game. Excerpts:

SCHURRLE:

GERMANY MUST STAY TRUE TO OUR PLAYING STYLE!

A

ndre, what was the first World Cup you were aware of as a child?

That was Korea/Japan 2002. I can still remember watching the Final between Germany and Brazil at home on the couch with my parents that day – and how upset I was after we lost.

Back then, did you dream of playing at a World Cup yourself one day – perhaps even in a World Cup Final? If so, did you dare to dream of winning it and setting up the decisive goal?

You dream of all kinds of things as a kid, particularly when you see your idols on TV and imagine everything you could achieve. My biggest role model back then was Michael Ballack.

My dream was always to first make football my career and perhaps even play for the national team, but I certainly didn’t go so far as to imagine that I’d set up the winning goal in a World Cup Final.

Although you have long been a well-established star of the game in Germany, most people abroad know you first and foremost as the man who provided the assist for Mario Gotze’s goal at the Maracana. Do you often think back to that moment?

Of course! Without a shadow of a doubt, that moment and our subsequent World Cup victory were the biggest success of my career so far.

The goal and assist are shown on TV

quite often, so I certainly get reminded about it frequently. I’ll never forget those few seconds.

And how has winning the World Cup helped with your personal development?

Playing in a World Cup Final helps you tremendously when it comes to dealing with pressure. Although there’s plenty at stake in every match, you have the assurance of knowing you’re able to withstand and successfully overcome the pressure that comes with playing in the biggest game football has to offer. This means you’re able to concentrate fully on the task in hand and not let yourself be ruffled by anything, even at the very highest level.

Nevertheless, not everything has gone exactly to plan in your career since then. How do you deal with experiencing lows again after such a major highlight?

The period after the World Cup certainly didn’t pan out the way I’d hoped. Although I had a very good start to the season with Chelsea, things weren’t 100 per cent after that. By that winter I wanted to return to Germany and took that step by joining Wolfsburg.

While it hasn’t been easy mentally, I still know my strengths and I know that if I can demonstrate them consistently out on the pitch, everything else will come back too.

What are your targets over the medium term?

I noticed that I was only being used as an impact sub at Chelsea, so I took the opportunity to move to an extremely ambitious Bundesliga side in Wolfsburg. Now we want to try to be at the forefront of the league and play Champions League football every season. Although I think we’re on the right track, we still have plenty of work to do.

Can you compare the English Premier League with the German Bundesliga?

It’s always difficult to compare leagues with each other. In England they play a more intense and robust brand of football and you get an absolutely fantastic match every second or third week because there are more top-quality teams battling it out at the top. The situation’s a little different in Germany, where we have one of the best sides in the world in Bayern Munich plus several teams who can challenge them, but generally we don’t have as many world-class clubs who can perform at such a high level as in England.

Germany managed to secure qualification for UEFA EURO 2016 but not necessarily in the dominant way you might expect from the world champions. What improvements are still required before France 2016?

We’ve just got to ensure that our key performers stay fit and that everyone finds good form on the way to France.

If we can do that I’m sure we’ll find our true strengths again. We also lost three pillars of the team after the World Cup in Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose, so there was a bit of rebuilding to be done first. That’s why it’s so important for us to stay true to our playing style now.

How does the character of the current team differ from the side that won in Brazil?

We still have plenty of players with big personalities - I’m thinking primarily of Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger, who have already been playing at this top level for ages, as well as Thomas Muller, who’s an incredible guy. Then we’ve got a whole array of other world-class players such as Mats Hummels and Toni Kroos. I’m absolutely certain that when push comes to shove, we’ll show once again that we’re capable of playing top-class football.

How would you assess your individual role within the Germany squad?

I’m confident that Joachim Low trusts me because he knows what I can do. Right now I sometimes start matches and sometimes come on as an impact sub, but I feel very comfortable with that and will always be there when the coach needs me.

What further developments, both in terms of play and tactics, do you envisage for the national team?

We need fresh impetus, as our opponents are constantly getting better at adapting to our style of play.

Every team is extremely motivated and ready to play their best football when they come up against the world champions. During European qualifying we noticed that all of our opponents stayed very deep. First and foremost, we’ve got to work on using our scoring chances more efficiently.

Do you have the EURO 2016 title in your sights?

Of course! We’re world champions and we’ve got an excellent team.

Winning the EURO title is realistic, not least because I don’t know many sides who can match our mental strength.

Looking ahead a further two years to Russia 2018, are you confident that Germany can become the first world champions to defend their title since Brazil in 1962, and establish a new era after Spain’s recent dominance?

There’s no doubt that the Spanish were sensational with their three major titles between 2008 and 2012, particularly as they didn’t have to deal with the departure of any crucial players during that period as far as I’m aware, but I think we’re on the right track. Other teams have immense respect for our qualities and the way we play. Although I can imagine it, we’ve got a long road ahead and, in any case, sometimes the smallest things can determine your fate.