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Senate proposes death penalty for kidnappers

Ï G Ɠ ƍƏƆ ƅƏƈƄƈ ǀéƕƆ Ə Ɖ ƈƋ Ƈ Ə Ə Ɨƕ ƋƆƅƐƑƏƆƏ ƅ ƋƆ ƇƈƏ Ɛ ƏƆ Ɨƈ Olufemi Samuel, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎThe Senate on Wednesday can-

vassed death penalty for arrested kidnappers as part of measures aimed towards taming the crime in Nigeria.

Against this background, a Bill for an Act, aimed towards prescribing capital punishment for criminals

behind kidnapping is to be prepared Continued on page 6

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THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 102

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 3rd May, 2016.

NESTLE

678.32

63.06

10.25%

TIGERBRANDS

3.30

0.27

8.91%

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1.10

-0.07

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0.95

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-5.00%

ETERNA

2.53

0.23

10.00%

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171.57

8.17

5.00%

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0.76

-0.04

-5.00%

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21.43

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-4.97%

No more killings, CDS warns herdsmen, others Ï ód Ɔ Ɛ ƕ ƑƏ Ɠ ƏƗ Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƌƈƋƈƐ Əƕ ƓƈƋƋ ƗƆ Ƌ ƗƆƅƈ ƈƒƆƋƕ ƓƈƐ ƕ Ƒô Ï 9Ƈ ƕ ƑôƒƆ ƄƆƆ ƍƑ ƆƗ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ Ɠ ƋƋè ƕ Ƒ ƒƆ Ɛ Ƈƈ Ɛ Ƅ ƅƊ – Miyetti Allah’s leader Ï M ƏƐ ƆƏ dƆ Ɛ Ə Ɠ Ə ƒ è ƅ ƌƌƑ ƈƐƕ ƋƆ ƗƆƏ ƈ Ɛ ƍƏ ƒ ƅ ƐƈƒƆ Ɛ ƐƆƌƆ Ɛ Andrew Orolua ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎThe

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin on Wednesday warned that the

military will not tolerate deadly attacks by any armed group on any community in the country, just

as leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders said herdsmen who carried out attacks were on self de-

fence.

Olonisakin

gave

the

warn-

Continued on page 6

Nigerian firms begin oil production in Dahomey

Nigeria will comply g5 with ICJ judgement on Bakassi – Buhari

PDP SouthWest leaders patch cracks, concede chairmanship to North g8

Timi Dakolo

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Photo: DAVID IDOWU

Buhari yet to receive adjusted 2016 Budget – FG g12

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

RC 103022

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Page Three Æ s

3

Editorial The price of darkness (4)

T

hat there is pervasive poverty and destitution in Nigeria is an uncontested truism. Invariably, no one would deny that the level of destitution has been increasing at exponential rate, while the authorities are sitting pretty on their hands and watching such absurdity with little or no concern. Even when there is any sign of official concern, it has been more of palliative words rather than concrete actions. Fact remains that Nigerian cities and towns increasingly resemble prehistoric settlements where life has become nasty, brutish and short.

This state of affairs is because the pace of social and economic activities is worryingly grinding to screeching halt. Presently, the situation is like everyone to him/herself, God for us all.

From look of things, it would be difficult to convince any first time visitor that Nigeria has an organised administration that puts the interests of the citizens above all other petty and parochial considerations. Notwithstanding, it would be wrong to place the present dysfunctional state of things solely at the doorsteps of the present government.

Rather, the ghastly state of the economy has been long in the making, especially when it is realised that successive military and civilian administrations paid little or no attention at providing the country with enough and adequate power infrastructure to kick-start an industrial revolution that would have seen Nigeria arriving into the modern age. Today, Nigeria’s entire power infrastructure has not only become creaky and dilapidated, ironically it is the sole reason for the massive de-industrialisation of the country.

Any keen observer of the economy would readily notice the alarming rate at which industries, factories and other businesses are closing down and leaving for other countries with stable

power supply. Surprising is that many of them end up setting up shop just across the borders from where their finished products are brought into Nigeria for sale. It is a case of neighbours gaining what we lost through default, negligence, incompetence and lack of foresight. The consequence of this long-term neglect in building enough critical mass in the power sector is the increasing unemployment among the youth and other able-bodied Nigerians.

For example, the 2016 ‘World Bank Report on Nigeria’ identified the lack of electricity as one of the reasons why unemployment is high and why multinationals are leaving the country.

According to it, industry being a core sector for the generation of national wealth and employment has been faced with an electricity sector hampered by poorly utilised generation capacity, thereby forcing companies to turn to self-provision of electricity.

It further stated that this raises their production costs, reducing their competitiveness and thus demand for labour. Not surprising is that the same problem continues to plague many local companies which could not cope with the high cost of running electric plants/generators all the time, and were thus forced to close down and throw their employees into the labour market.

The same goes for self-employed Nigerians like welders, artisans, mechanics, hairdressers,’ tailors, etc, who require constant power for their jobs. The lack or absence of this critical input factor has forced millions of them into unemployment, as they cannot afford the high costs of running constantly on generators. It is a fact that power supply is a critical production input that must be addressed to solve unemployment in the country.

Therefore, it is imperative for the authorities to give urgent attention to improving power generation and supply to the industrial sector.

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Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏThe lamentation by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that Local governments in the country now function as mere administrative extensions of state governments comes as no surprise to many Nigerians who over the years have watched with dismay the way and manner state governors (past and present) have bastardised the nation’s third tier of government.

Osinbajo made the lamentation early last month in his speech at the opening of the two-day national workshop on local government development in Jos, noting that the result was the primary respon-

sibility of the councils to transform the lives of the people at the grassroots had been lost.

The vice president, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Career Management Office of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OFHOSF), Mr. Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, regretted that the third tier of government had abandoned its primary responsibility of promoting greater efficiency in the provision of services to transform the lives of the people at the grassroots.

Osinbajo added that the local councils, by this development, have become completely corrupt, undisciplined and inefficient in what has now been projected as

Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike

Ag Deputy Editor/ Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

Osinbajo’s lamentations over Local councils

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a weak model for governance, saying “this has become a source of grave concern to this government.”

The Vice President’s lamentation is clearly an indictment on state governors (past and present) and heightens the urgent need for amendment of the constitution with a view to wresting the councils from the stranglehold of state governors.

Until there is a review of the constitution stripping state governors of power to tamper with funds of the councils, dissolve democratically elected officials and replace them with caretaker committees among others, the councils are likely to continue to function as mere appendages of the governors, thus defeating the goal for which the councils were set up to attain.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Wole Soyinka

Pope Francis

“Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream, is even smarter economics.”

“No one is rich enough to buy yesterday but if you hustle hard tomorrow could be yours”.

“Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Believe in the Naira We dream of a Nigeria where the Naira will be a popular international currency of transaction, but it will continue to remain a dream when YOU choose to rely on foreign over Nigerian. Demand for foreign exchange weakens the Naira and weakens the economy.

That is why when you fly Arik Air to London Heathrow, New York JFK or Johannesburg, you demonstrate your belief and confidence in the Naira and in Nigerian. You are contributing to stimulating domestic growth and building a country we can all be proud of. #ArikAdvantage • 10 years of Safe and Reliable flying.

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Fly Arik Air. Demonstrate your faith in the Naira.

a r i k a i r. c o m West and Central Africa’s Leading Airline

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

5 News

FG seeks dismissal of Tompolo’s suit seeking to nullify sections of ACJA Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏA Federal High Court, sit-

L - R: President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya; President Muhammadu Buhari; Biya’s wife, Chantal and Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki during a Presidential dinner in honour of the visiting President of Cameroon at the State House, Abuja... recently.

Nigeria’ll comply with ICJ judgment on Bakassi, says Buhari ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari, on Wednesday, assured that Nigeria would abide by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on Bakassi Peninsula.

Buhari spoke at a joint interactive he held with President Paul Biya of Cameroon and the media in Abuja.

He said there was no cause for alarm, but added that the Federal Government would react to the maritime issue after a joint committee of Nigeria and Cameroon experts submit its report. ``On this issue, I want to tell the people of Cameroon to keep their mind at peace. ``Nigeria is an internationally respectful and law-abiding nation,’’ Buhari said.

The president noted that there was the issue of hydrocarbons in the Bakassi region which was brought to the attention of the International Court of Justice.

He said Nigeria had accepted the judgment, but the technical aspect of the international waters had yet to be fully determined.

Accordingly, Buhari said that

an international committee of experts from Nigeria and Cameroon was set up and the country was awaiting the report of that committee.

In his earlier remarks, Buhari appreciated the visit of President Biya and his delegation, adding that the bilateral meeting was fruitful and beneficial to the two countries.

He said the communiqué had explained in detail what was discussed, but observed that security and the economy were paramount.

He said that Nigeria had decided to diversify its economy due to the fall in global oil price, adding that the country would focus on agriculture, solid minerals, among others.

He said Nigeria was ready to explore its potentials hence the programme to quickly turn to agriculture and to ensure food security, as well as create jobs for the youths.

Buhari noted that Nigeria’s economy was based on agriculture before oil was discovered and wondered why the important

resource base was abandoned by past administrations. ``Now we have to go back to the basics and to do that we need the cooperation of our immediate neighbours,’’ he said.

Accordingly, Buhari urged cooperation in the area of security and also thanked the G-7 countries for assisting in the fight against insurgency via technology, communication and intelligence.

Buhari, however, said that his administration was alive to its responsibilities and would remain focused in the fight against terror in the region and the continent.

Biya, while responding to the allegation that his country was reluctant in joining forces with the Lake Chad Basin countries to fight Boko Haram, denied it saying it was the handiwork of international media to malign his country. ``I must say that Cameroon was never reluctant in the fight against Boko Haram,’’ adding that he had heard at conferences that his country served as bases for the insurgent group.

ting in Ikoyi, Lagos, was on Wednesday, urged by the Federal Government to dismiss with cost, a suit filed by ex- Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo seeking to nullify sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (ACJA).

The suit, according to government, is an abuse of court process, frivolous, time wasting, grossly misleading and erroneous in its totality.

Tompolo had in the fundamental rights enforcement suit urged the court to nullify sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA, under which he was charged, arguing that the sections were invalid, unconstitutional, because they violated his constitutional rights to fair hearing.

The ex-militant also argued that the sections were unconstitutional as they seek to prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

Section 221 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, states

NIMASA: How Akpobolokemi authorised disbursement of agency’s funds Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏA

Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Wednesday, heard how former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, authorised the agency’s account to be credited with N498,200,000 from where it was disbursed to some of the defendants.

An Assistant Director of Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, on Wednesday testified in the ongoing trial against Akpobolokemi and six

ÏÏÏThe Chairman, Kogi State

Hajj Commission, Alhaji Sadiq Muhammed Rabiu has disclosed that the Saudi government had returned the sum of N24 million for the service not rendered to the 2015 pilgrims from the state.

He also revealed that the state

governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello had secured comfortable accommodation near Ka’aba for the state intending pilgrims.

Rabiu disclosed this at Anyigba town in eastern part of the state, when he led other members of the commission to pay homage to Royal Fathers to seek their moral

support ahead of the 2016 Hajj operation He said last year pilgrims from the state departed the holy land earlier than expected, saying the Saudi government in their fairness and accountability resolved to pay the sum of N24 million to the commission’s account.

others.

Odusanya, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness maintained that no financial transactions could be made without Akpobolokemi’s approval.

She added that that Akpolobokemi was an ‘A’ signatory to NIMASA’s two bank accounts, one of which was with Access Bank.

Standing trial with Akpolobokemi on Charge No. LD/2181C/15, are Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

Umahi orders eviction of herdsmen from varsity premises Jacob Ogodo, Abakaliki

Hajj 2015: Saudi govt refunds N24m to Kogi

that objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge, while Section 306 states that “an application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before a court shall not be entertained”.

The defendants in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the same court had on January 14, 2016 issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo after he failed to show up for his trial.

The EFCC had charged Tompolo alongside nine others for an alleged N45.9 billion fraud.

But, on January 27, 2016, Tompolo filed an application before the Court, seeking an order setting aside the said warrant of arrest.

On February 8, 2016, the said application was argued and dismissed by the Court.

Tompolo, thereafter, filed an appeal against the ruling of the Court, on February 18, 2016.

ÏÏÏEbonyi

State governor, Engr. David Umahi, has ordered the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Peace Ibekwe Abdallah to peacefully evict herdsmen who settled in the state’s university premises.

The governor gave the order in Abakaliki during the Agric Summit organised by the state government to boost rice production in the state. He maintained that the

university environment was no place for nomadic herdsmen.

He, however, opposed the calls for a reprisal attack on Fulani herdsmen in the South East, over the brutal killing of over 30 persons in Ukpabi Nimbo, Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by members of the herdsmen. The governor noted that, waging war against the Fulani herdsmen would have grave implications for their commercial nomads.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

No more killings, CDS warns herdsmen, others Continued from page 1 ing at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ) when a three-man delegation of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders led by Senator Kabiru Alikali Jajer met with top military officers in a closeddoor meeting over the festering herdsmen and farmers crisis.

The meeting on Wednesday came two days after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security agencies in the country to deal decisively and expeditiously

with armed Fulani herdsmen attacking communities across the country.

Buhari’s order, which he gave Monday night during a meeting with Members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), was against the backdrop of reports of continued attacks and wreaking of havoc on communities across the country by armed herdsmen.

The most recent attacks by the herdsmen were recorded in Agatu in Benue State, and Ukpabi Nimbo in

Enugu State where scores of villagers fell to their superior fire power.

At the meeting with the Miyetti Allah delegation on Wednesday, General Olonisakin who spoke through the Chief of Administration DHQ, Major General Fatai Ali said the military was already acting upon the directive of the President to clamp down on rampaging herdsmen and bring any violent armed group to book for killing citizens.

He, however, assured that the military was conducting

its exercises in accordance with international best practices and rules of engagement.

He, therefore, advised the groups to sheath their swords otherwise the military will deal decisively with them.

The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders, Senator Kabiru Alikali Jajer, had in his remarks said that the herdsmen’s reaction were in self defence, arguing that “if you have been squeezed and pushed to the wall, you have to fight back.”

L-R: Head of Operations, West Africa, Charles Kyalo; Area Head, Legal and External Affairs, West and Central Africa, Freddy Messanvi; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Managing Director, Chris McAllister and Area Head, Human Resources, West Africa, Tosin Akinyemi all of British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) , during a courtesy visit by the BATN Management to the Olubadan… on Wednesday.

He attributed the crises involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers to several factors among which is the dry season and the fact that the Fulani herdsmen are seeking grazing areas for their cattle.

According to Kabiru, the Boko Haram insurgency has also contributed to the displacement of Fulani herdsmen in the entire North East zone. He said that no fewer than three million cows belonging to Fulani in Yobe state and 2.3 million cows in Borno State have been stolen.

Senator Kabiru also noted that in the past the herdsmen and their cattle had use of about 400 forest reserves which regrettably have ‘disappeared’ due to increase in population, thus leaving the herdsmen with no other means of survival than to migrate to preserve their culture and way of life.

Senator Kabiru said that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders was disturbed about the ugly incidents of killings in the Middle Belt and South East zones. According to him, apart from the crisis, Fulani herdsmen are also daily being kidnapped and made to pay ransoms. He appealed to the government to holistically address the issues.

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar told journalists after the meet-

ing that Senator Kabiru was being emotional and that the military will fish out the armed bandits.

Meanwhile, Senators from Northern Nigeria on Wednesday warned against provocative statements that could inflame tempers in the country in the light of the killings by herdsmen in Nimbo, Enugu State.

They also said that the categorization of all herdsmen as Fulani is wrong and should be stopped.

The Senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum, said that they “note and appreciate the steps that the Federal Government has taken so far to contain the problems of herdsmen/ farmers clashes.”

They specifically asked community leaders (including governors) “to be careful when making statements on these ugly incidences.”

Chairman of the Forum, Senator Abdullahi Adamu who read the communiqué of the lawmakers said that they “resolved to continue their complete support for President Muhammadu Buhari in order to bring about even development to all sections of the country.”

Adamu said that members of the Forum further resolved to work assiduously to enact laws and amend existing ones when and where necessary in order Continued on page 12

Senate proposes death penalty for kidnappers Continued from page 1 and processed into law in the National Assembly.

The measure by the Senate to fight the crime of kidnapping came to the fore after a Joint Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence which investigated cases of kidnaping in Nigeria filed its report during Wednesday’s plenary.

Also on Wednesday, a bill for a law which prescribes five-year jail term for lecturers who engage in sexual relationship with students was passed for first reading in the Senate.

The Committee among others had recommended that henceforth, funding of

security agencies should be taken as a priority since budgetary allocations to them over the past years have not been helpful.

The Committee in its report also laid much emphasis on creation of employment opportunities for the teeming youths of Nigeria who are mostly unemployed, since the problem of unemployment was identified as the main cause of the crime of kidnapping.

Senators during debate on the Committee’s recommendations observed that the government of Nigeria should begin to take immediate measures towards addressing the problems of kidnapping in the country, which they noted has

reached an alarming stage.

They argued one after the other that the crime has been festering across Nigeria more because security operatives have consistently been failing to track kidnappers most especially after ransoms they demanded had been paid.

Senators expressed regrets that although the crime of kidnaping started from the South-South region of Nigeria many years ago, the failure of security operatives to curb it has made it to become a nationwide crime with virtually all states of the federation being afflicted.

They also blamed lack of synergy and intelligence sharing among security

agencies as part of reasons kidnapping and hostage taking have been growing in Nigeria.

Deputy Senate President who shared the logic often deployed by kidnappers with his colleagues used his personal experience to suggest that security operatives should not stop work on ensuring the release of kidnappers, but should rather continue to track them till they get arrested.

He recalled how he was kidnapped in September 2000, as chief of staff to the then Enugu governor in which case he spent two days in the hands of his captors, stating that the rush to payment of ransom to kidnappers has been the reason

the crime would continue to grow.

Kidnappers, he said, are always in a hurry to dispense with their victims while their attention has always been on making quick money.

According to him, kidnappers are always afraid of being caught in their act, and so would not mind to collect any amount offered to them just to gain time and avoid complications that could lead to their arrest.

He said, “I think there are categories of kidnappers.

Those who kidnap to make a statement, and those who kidnap for money, which I believe we are talking about.

“We should discourage kidnapping by refusing to

pay ransoms, because from my experience these kidnappers are always in a hurry to get the money and move on.”

Senator Godswill Akpabio faulted claims that kidnapping started from the south-south. According to him the crime took off from Anambra state when a state governor was kidnapped for political reason.

He added that Niger Delta militants later adopted kidnapping as a means of protest against the government, but not as a way of making money.

“When kidnapping started in the Niger Delta, it was like a protest – not for ransom. When it started in Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

NDDC boss seeks more support from oil firms ÎÎÎActing

Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has called on oil companies under the umbrella of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), to improve on their funding of the agency.

Semenitari made the call when members of the NDDC/OPTS Working Level Committee paid her a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

She asked for a substantial compliance from the oil companies to enhance service delivery to the various

communities in the oil and gas rich region.

The NDDC boss stressed the importance of partnership in achieving greater results.

Mrs. Semenitari said, “With partnerships, we are more impactful. When we agree on key issues affecting the communities where you operate, then you find that we will not dissipate energies.

“It helps us to pull resources together to deliver on projects that touch the lives of people in the communities.”

She said that it was the responsibility of the NDDC

to deliver development to the communities, saying it was in the interest of both the Commission and the oil companies to develop the communities.

“That is why we would support the OPTS leaders to immediately re-activate the meeting of the Chief Executive Officers of the group to discuss issues that affect the region. We have to make the region functional for every stakeholder.

“In all the things we do this year, we will be looking at stronger partnerships in service delivery. That is why we will come back to OPTS to talk about critical

projects. Now, we are concluding work on the OgbiaNembe Road. That road is supposed to extend to Brass.

“So, we must begin to talk about the Nembe-Brass Road early enough. For this project, we have to talk to several communities in one fell swoop. Again, it gives you the combined benefit of community social responsibility because you have something to show the communities to get their support. It will be easier because all of us will be pulling resources together,” she added.

The NDDC boss said that unlike the Ogbia-Nembe Road that was between the NDDC and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Nembe-Brass section would involve more stakeholders such as AGIP and the Bayelsa State Government.

7 News

Anenih alive, hale and hearty -Son, associates Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÎÎÎFormer

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih is alive, hale and hearty.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by Chief Anenih’s son as well as his political associates following rumour that he (Anenih) had passed on.

Anenih, who voluntarily resigned as Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees in 2015 sequel to the party’s dismal loss at the general election, was rumoured to have died of cancer in a London hospital.

However, Anenih’s Eugene, dismissed the rumour of his father’s death, stating that he (Anenih) is in the United Kingdom on a private visit.

Similarly, two of his po-

litical associates-Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman, Edo State chapter of PDP and a former youth leader of the party in the state, Vincent Akhere, faulted the claim, describing it as total fabrication and handiwork of mischief makers.

Also, the Media aide to Anenih, Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, said the PDP chieftain is hale and hearty.

Akhere, who confirmed that he spoke with Chief Anenih on phone on Wednesday morning, stated that he (Anenih) travelled to London on Tuesday and that he would be back in the country this weekend.

“I spoke with him on phone about 15 minutes ago.

Chief is well, alive and kicking. We even joked over the matter. It is true that Chief had a surgery not too long ago, but is fine now,” Akhere declared.

Police extend deadline for tinted glass permit ÎÎÎInspector

L-R: Representative of Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Richard Duru; Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar and Air Commodore Oladeko Lawal during a news conference on ‘Exercise Brain Gain’ at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja… on Wednesday.

Ajimobi condoles Ganduje over death of Kano students in auto crash ÎÎÎOyo

State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has condoled with his Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, following the death of eight secondary students of the state origin in an accident along Iroko road, via Ibadan, Oyo State.

The accident was said to have occurred, on Tuesday, while 16 students and their teachers were returning to Kano after representing the state in a quiz competition in Lagos.

Seven of the students were said to have died on the spot, while one out of the nine rescued from the scene, was said to have died few hours after arriving at the University Col-

lege Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The governor described the incident, which also reportedly claimed the life of the driver of the bus conveying the students, as highly depressing to him and the people of the state.

Ajimobi had visited the eight surviving victims of the accident at the Accident and Emergency ward of the UCH, where he offered to pick their bills until they were discharged from the hospital.

He was received by the Chief Medical Director of the UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge; and the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, who was said to have arrived in Oyo State with an aircraft to convey the bodies to

Kano for burial.

The governor, who was in a sombre mood throughout the visit, had empathized with the victims on their sick bed where he gave them words of comfort and wished them speedy recovery.

Ajimobi said, “This is most unfortunate and depressing to me and the good people of Oyo State. My heartfelt sympathy goes to the governor of Kano State, parents and the loved ones of the dead students and other victims. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

“They are children and we all have children. So, we have to come and empathize with them.

I want to use this opportunity to announce that we will settle the bills and take adequate care of

the surviving ones.

“I have spoken with my dear brother, the governor of Kano State. He is a friend and a brother, because we are all Nigerians. I have assured him to be rest assured that the surviving victims will get the best medical attention here at the UCH”, he said.

Gov. Ajimobi

General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has again extended the deadline for the revalidation of tinted glass permit and firearms licence from May 31 to July 31.

Arase gave the order in a statement issued by Olabisi Kolawole, the force public relations officer, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Arase directed all commissioners of police in states to stay enforcement of the law on tinted glass permit and firearms licence until the expiration of the deadline.

It stated that the revalidation of tinted glass permit was free of charge.

The statement warned policemen against extortion and harassment of motorists over revalidating their permits and licences.

It urged members of the public yet to obtain the automated tinted glass permit and firearms licences to complete the necessary formalities for them to key into the electronic platform.

The statement said Arase reassured the public of the commitment of the force to the provision of 24-hour security for the teeming citizens of the country.

LASG approves N49bn Medical Park ÎÎÎThe

Lagos State government, on Wednesday, approved the development of a Medical Park worth N49 billion to improve healthcare experience and promote medical tourism.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said during a news conference in Ikeja that the park would be sited at the former Lagos State School of Nursing in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Idris said that approval had been given to Medipark International Ltd. Consortium, U.S. to develop, construct, manage and operate the medical park.

He said that the consortium was shortlisted from 16 companies that responded to

an expression of interest.

The commissioner said that the park would be first of its kind in Nigeria when completed.

“It is a joint venture arrangement with the state government; the huge bulk of the money is coming from the consortium while the government is putting down the site as equity.

“The facility will be built and completed in 20 months starting from the day of construction,” he said.

Idris said that the park would serve as a one-stop shopping medical experience offering space to primary care physicians and in-house specialists, as well as ancillary services.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Politics

Æs

Lagos residents back Assembly on creation of neighbourhood agency Alade Tasma Lagosıans on Wednesday commended the Lagos State House of Assembly on ıts move to establish the Neighbourhood Safety Agency to tackle the rising security challenges in the state.

Resıdents gave thıs commendation at a Public Hearing organised by the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security on the 31-Section Bill aim at enhancing security wıthın all communıtıes ın the state. The Bıll was sponsored by the Speak-

er of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, titled: “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency for the Regulation and Control of the Vigilante Corps Activities and for Connected Purposes.”

According to the participants, the bill whıch ıs meant to engage grassroots people on the security of lives and property was long overdue.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and the former Chıef Whıp of the House, Dr. Abdulrasak Balogun, expressed support

for the Bill, saying ıf it eventually becomes law, it would complement efforts of other security agencies.

Balogun said: “I think the intendment is good. We are not opposed to the Bill, but the House may have to harmonise it with the Law of Neighbourhood Watch because they have a lot in common.”

On the funding for the proposed agency, Balogun noted that it had been difficult to raise money from corporate bodies to finance security in the state and that it would not be wise to depend on

corporate bodies to raise funds.

The former lawmaker also objected to the item, which suggested that 1% of the fund raised by the LSSTF should be given to the agency.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Lagos State Conference of Executive Secretaries, Mr Alabi Kolade, said: “I salute the prime mover of this Bill, it is long overdue. It shows that the House is proactive; it is wonderful and timely.

We don’t have any objection to it.”

Alabi, who lauded the stand of LSSTF on the bill urged the govCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Obasa

PDP South-West leaders patch cracks, concede chairmanship to north Tosin Ajuwon, Akure South West leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday in Akure managed to patched their differences at a meeting to mend fences ahead of the fight for the national chairmanship of the party.

At the end of the meeting notable leaders which lasted over five hours resolved to embrace the zoning arrangement in the party ahead of the party’s national convention which gives the slot to the north.

They unanimously agreed to present candidates for the posts of the National Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and National Auditor which had already been zoned to the southwest region by the leadership of the party.

Mimiko

Edo Speaker’s impeachment final as lawmakers rebuff overtures from Oshiomhole, APC

The Tuesday impeachment of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Edoror and his deputy, Hon. Bright Osayande may be final.

This is because the warring lawmakers have spurned overtures from the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshionhole

and the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rescind their earlier decision on the impeachment.

The impeached speaker and his deputy are believed to be loyalists of the Governor Oshiomhole which was why they were alleged not being able to push the governor for the welfare package

Two of the party’s governors in the south west, Ayo Fayose and Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Buruji Kasamu, Senator Bode Olajumoke, and Chief Bode George are said to be at war over the chairmanship position of the party.

But after the Akure meeting, they said they have decided to resolve their differences to protect the interest of the region within the party.

Those present at the meeting were the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, his Ekiti state counterpart, Mr Ayo Fayose, former National Vice Chairman of the party in the South West, Chief Olabode George and former Minister of Transport and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope.

Others were former National

of their colleagues.

Governor Oshiomhole and the leadership of the APC met with warring members of the state House of Assembly Tuesday night immediately after the impeachment.

The meeting was sequel to protests from APC members from the Edo Central senatorial

Vice Chairman (South West) of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Governorship candidate of the party in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, Governorship candidate of the party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.

Also at the meeting were former Leader of the House of Representatives, Mrs Mulikat Adeola Akande, former Minister of Water Resources, Engr Bashir Awotorebo, former Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Engr. Jide Adeniji, former Minister of Works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe and Senator Ayo Adeseun, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Debo Anisulowo, among other prominent leaders of the party CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

district of the state where the Speakership was ceded to, who claimed that the change of leadership was dangerous for the party in Esanland where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems stronger in the state, particularly as the governorship election approaches.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

9 Politics

Lagosians endorse creation of neighbourhood watch by the Assembly “If the residents were involved in security, most security challenges would be solved. So, the Security Trust Fund needs to give substantial percentage to fund Neighbourhood Watch.

It is very imperative to fund security at the grassroots level”, he aded.

Ambode

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ernment to ensure that members of the Neighbourhood Watch were absorbed into the new Agency but however, suggested that three local government chairmen in the state be ıncluded as members of the board.

A Community Leader at Magodo area of the state, Prince Idowu Anjorin, said communities leaders should be engaged in the operations of the Agency to assist in securing their neighbourhoods.

Another community leader from Magodo Isheri, Mr. Johnson Olabokunde lauded the state government for all its landmark interventions since return of democracy to the country in 1999 saying security at the grassroots level remained the most effective in the protection of lives and property, and called for more funding of the Neighbourhood Watchers.

“If the residents were involved in security, most security challenges would be solved. So, the Security Trust Fund needs to give substantial percentage to

fund Neighbourhood Watch. It is very imperative to fund security at the grassroots level”, he aded.

Another community leader from Eti-Osa, Mr. Adamson Babatunde also commended the House for the Bill, and urged the House to adequately equip the agency so that it can function properly.

In hıs contrıbutıon, the Deputy State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Lagos State, Mr. Emmanuel Ayisire, said the bill shows how proactive the Lagos Assembly is to security challenges of insurgency, kidnapping, robbery and others.

“The country today is quite insecure and nothing will move when there is no security. We need people who are domiciled in their area of operations. They know the terrain, topography and demography of the areas”, he said, adding that the voluntary group had been promoting community policing across the 774 local governments in Nigeria, noting that it was important to embrace community policing.

“I am very happy with this bill, it will stem the rising waves

of insecurity in the state,” Mr. George Taiwo, a Securıty Consultant stated.

In his keynote address, the State Chıef lawmaker and the ınıtıator of the Bıll, Hon. Obasa said, “The bill is for the purpose of the people and safety of all, we have all noticed upsurge in crimes in different nature across the country.

“Here at the Lagos Assembly, our resolve as lawmakers is to make laws that will make residents enjoy the dividends of democracy in the comfort of their homes.

“Issues of security and safety have been an issue of concern to Nigeria and the provision of adequate security of lives and property is the resolve of our government.

“We are determined to completely wipe out crimes in Lagos State. We want the participation of the people at the grassroots in policing their community because they live there and were privy to intelligent information.”

Obasa commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for his efforts at wiping out crimes in the state through stregthenıng of the State Security Trust Fund and purchase of sophisticated weapons for all security agencies in the state with the support of the House.

Nigeria and the search for peace Disturbed by the seemingly unstoppable conflicts trailing Nigeria since independence, opinion leaders from all parts of the country, gathered in Lagos recently to proffer solutions that can lead to a peaceful co-existence in a country from where tranquility seems to have long taken flight; reports GBOYEGA ADEOYE. Dateline: Tuesday, April 26, 2016. The usual serenity of the popular Isaac John Street in Ikeja Government Reserved Area, (GRA), was obstructed by influx of students, artisans, pro democracy and human rights activists cum leaders of pro-self determination groups, across the country. They thronged Berkley Hotel, venue of a two-day summit on capacity building programme on how peace could be achieved in a nation so enmeshed in crises, like desperate ants struggling for a bite from a cube of sugar.

The summit, organized by Journalists for Democratic Rights, (JODER), in partnership with Ford Foundation with the theme: Promoting Peace, Democracy and Stability in Nigeria through the Media, Socio-Cultural Institutions and Youth Driven Community Based Groups, aimed at strengthening a people-driven process for conflict prevention, conflict man-

agement, justice and peace-building in Nigeria.

These, JODER in collaboration with Ford Foundation, aimed at achieving through training of leaders of these groups on how to restore peace back to the country, so they can go back to their various locations, to impact same to their followers.

According to Adewale Adeoye, Executive Director of JODER, the summit was a child of necessity as despite the myriad of achievements recorded in Nigeria since independence, there are still some dangerous signposts that represent a constant threat to the desired aspirations for freedom and liberty of the Nigerian people. He cited mutual distrust among the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria as one major factor stunting the development of the country.

The first day of the capacity building programme was attend-

ed by more than 100 stakeholders from various platforms of ethnic and faith-based groups, security operatives, non-governmental organizations, youth associations, artisan groups and the media.

The opening remark at the Summit titled: Ethnic Nationalities, Conflicts and Future of Democracy in Nigeria, was delivered by Olu Otunla, Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe who gave an overview of the challenges of peace building in Africa, drawing from his experiences, having served in the Nigerian foreign missions, with many Africa countries and various international organisations, including the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations, on peace building initiatives.

The Keynote Address titled: Conflict, Democracy and Future of Ethnic Nationalities in Nigeria, was delivered by Professor S. Adebanji Akintoye, Professor of history and former Director, Institute of African Studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Other presentations at the Summit are: Conflict, Violence and the Task of Sustaining Livelihood in Nigeria, by Chief Ayo Opadokun,

Buhari

Convener, Coalition for Democrats on Electoral Reform; Nationalities and Ethnic Conflict in Nigeria: A Peoples Alternative to Peace, by Chief Gani Adams, National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress; Role of Traditional Rulers in Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, Onikun of Ikun Ekiti, Oba

Olusola Olatunde; Islam, Conflict and Faith Relations: The Prospect and Challenges of Peace Building in Nigeria by Imam Abdulahi Shuaib, Executive Director, Conference of Islamic Organizations.

Others are: The Role of the Military and Security Agencies CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

PDP south west leaders patch cracks amidst deep distrust CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

in the zone.

In a communique after the meeting by former Minister of Sports, Prof Taoreed Adedoja, the party said a structured Committee would be set up to equitably distribute the three national positions amongst the six states.

The PDP Leaders also resolved to re-energize the structure of the party in all the South West states and the country at large in order to take over from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019.

The communiqué reads in part “despite the challenges confronting the PDP, the Southwest caucus has agreed to unite and confront the challenges that are facing the Yoruba race in Nigeria. Members of the PDP have agreed to rise up beyond personal interests to confront crucial national issues that affect us as a race especially the thriving menace of the Fulani herdsmen.”

“The meeting notes with dismay the poor state of the national economy and feel terribly sad that the current ruling party has not demonstrated the capacity to contain the economic challenges with attendant dwindling fortunes that has reversed almost all the economic gains recorded under the PDP. ‘The developments in the

sphere of elections, is becoming disturbing and from all indications, the accomplishments recorded by the last PDP government as regards the conduct of credible elections are beginning to wane. The South West PDP wishes to put on record our dissatisfaction with the performance of the electoral body under the ruling party as all the elections the APC has so far superintended have ended as inconclusive,” the communique added.

Earlier, Dr Mimiko disclosed that the meeting which was at his instance and that of Governor Fayose was to ensure the unity of the party in the interest of the country and the future.

He explained that division can never be permanent in any political party adding that it was the reason the duo have conveyed leaders of the party to chat a progressive way for the unity of members.

“The Yoruba nation is the most enlightened ethnic nationality in Africa; we must therefore demonstrate that enlightenment in the PDP. There is no alternative to unity in PDP. In unity lies our strength and in it lies our victory,” Mimiko stressed.

He observed that there are issues beyond politics in the South West region and urged party leaders not to allow petty issues to divide members in a bid to col-

Fayose

lectively fight the monster waging war against us in the South West region.

The governor who added that the PDP is the only alternative political party in Nigeria said members should give their best

George

to the course of the party. “Our mission is to get our acts together and recreate the nature of politics in the south west,” he said.

“There is no alternative to unity in the south west at this time.

The time has come not to think

of how right you are, but how prepared you are to take on the challenges facing us, he said”.

He warned that the people of the south west were watching with keen interest and could pass CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Nigeria: Again, search for elusive peace CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

in Ethnic and Religious Relations, Democracy and Peace Building in Nigeria by Colonel Gabriel Ajayi, (Rtd), President, International Foundation for the Advancement of Social and Cultural Rights; Democracy in Nigeria: Oil, the Niger Delta and the Crisis of Sustainable Development, by Mr. Werinipre Digifa, Chairman, Supreme Egbesu Assembly; Beyond the Contest for Political Supremacy: Reappraising the Historical Basis for Igbo-Yoruba Relations, by Dr. Tony Nwezeigwe, Department of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Conflict in the Middle Belt: A People’s Alternative, by Barrister Abukar Onalo, President, United Middle Belt Youth Congress.

At the end of the day’s session, participants who spoke to Daily Times expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the summit, saying it was one that came at the right time.

Abukar Onalo, (Oma baba), Chief National Legal Officer for

the North Western part of Nigeria and President, United Middle Belt Youth Congress, said there could be no better time for such conference than now. “How I would have wished JODER and Ford Foundation replicate something like this in the North West. It would go a long way to right some wrongs, send positive signals to the displaced that are still sceptical about coming back to their base as well as placate and build confidence in those that are already on ground,” he said.

On the second day, 25 peace actors drawn from select community-based platforms were engaged. Participants were trained on knowledge-based information, skills and exposure required for preventing and or managing conflicts as well as strategies and approaches for peace-building at the community level.

The sessions of the training as well as role-play activities explored strategies for organising community for peace; deploying individual and organisational capacities for peace building; un-

derstanding and deploying power of negotiation; and strategies for effective networking and alliance building towards peace process.

And following exhaustive review and analyses of the history, nature and forms, dimensions and prevalence of conflicts in Nigerian by participants, they jointly proffered suggestions on mechanism for achieving an enduring and sustainable peace building initiatives.

Participants were also taken through strategies for deploying required capacities for engaging conflicts by stakeholders at the community level. They dwell on mechanisms for dealing effectively with potentials issues that predispose and escalate conflicts at the community and national level and thereafter proffered effective partnership and networking amongst stakeholders and actors at the community level towards enduring conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building.

At the end of the jaw-jaw, participants agreed to make a huge difference with a remarkable impact in their communities when

they return home, with a pledge to speak out, work and walk against any form of conflict especially those that can lead to violence and killings in their various communities.

It was also agreed that participants will go back into their various organisations and communities to duplicate the experiences learnt during the training so as to ensure conflict prevention and peace building in their various communities.

It was observed that traditional rulers have a crucial role to play in peace-building, hence, participants are enjoined to return to their communities and sensitise their traditional rulers on peacebuilding among faiths and nationalities in those communities through an endeavour driven by indigenous knowledge.

Leaders of ethnic and religious groups are also admonished to go back home to encourage greater interaction among leaders of relevant groups so as to eliminate or reduce sources of conflict.

On the side of government, state

and local authorities are advised to initiate Conflict Prevention and Management Centres to research on conflict, identify threats and opportunities and arrest potential sources of conflict.

Promulgation of laws and policies in states and local government councils should also involve divergent leaders of ethnic, social and religious interests in the different stages, including that of conception, with prior and informed knowledge of end users.

They agreed on a survey of prevailing and potential ethnic conflicts in Nigeria for the documentation of information and data that would assist in monitoring of communal conflicts for early warning and effective conflict prevention, conflict management as well as peace building process.

The need for the establishment of a Civil Resource Centre for mobilising and disseminating credible information as a way of responding to conflict situations for conflict prevention, conflict management and peace, is also recommended.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Kashamu absent as PDP South West reach truce CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

a judgment with their votes if the party leaders failed to take the right course.

“If we make a mess of the PDP, the people can take a decision and from the ashes of the PDP and the APC, a new party can emerge and it will become their darling party of the people,” Mimiko cautioned.

He noted that the differences between him and Mr. Fayose, had been put to rest in the interest of the region and its future of the party. “I and Fayose had some minor issues, we have resolved it in the interest of the Yoruba nation, he added.

Governor Fayose who tasked members to be united in its fight to regain power from the ruling APC led government, warned money bag politicians to move out of the party.

“I am an unapologetic critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and even the APC cannot deny that there is no fact in my criticisms. They know that I am criticizing with facts. It is therefore important to put our house in order for the good of the country and our future.

“Today, under the watch of Buhari, fairness has been bastardized in elections and INEC

has turned to “Inconclusive” National Electoral Commission.

The international community is watching us and posterity will judge all of us at the appropriate time,” he stated.

He added that “Nigeria is currently going back to the analogue days. Nigeria is too big for an octogenarian to rule. Even at 55 I still struggle to lead my state.

“A President needs power to lead a country like Nigeria. Leaders emerge naturally to defend their people. Nothing is wrong with the PDP but there are many things wrong with individuals in PDP and APC”, he said.

He confirmed that there were issues left between him and Mimiko, blaming some of the misunderstanding on the writings in the media.

Fayose refuted reports that he and some leaders of the PDP in the South-West are having issues over the forthcoming election of the national chairmanship of the party adding that specifically that he had no score to settle with Mimiko and the former Vice Chairman of the party in the South-West, Chief Bode George over leadership matters.

His words: “I read it in the newspapers that Chief Bode George abused me, but you can

Kashamu

No going back on impeachment of Edo Speaker, Deputy — Lawmakers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

But the new Speaker of the House, Elizabeth Ativie and 16 members who signed the impeachment of the Speaker vowed to resist any attempt by the leadership of the party to persuade them to return Edoror.

Indeed some of the members after their meeting threatened that they were ready to dump

11 Politics

Don’t start religious war you can’t end, el-Rufai, northern govs warned

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and his northern counterparts have been warned against starting another religious war in the country.

The warning is coming from a former Presidential Candidate and Primate of Aladura Church, Dr. Olapade Agoro who observed that globally that most of those who started wars particularly senseless ones, either never lived to see the end of those wars and or were unable to see the end of the wars started by them.

In a statement over plans by Governor el-Rufai to censor preaching by Christians clerics in the state, he said the unfortunate part of the ugly story is that only the innocents are made to carry the brunt, bruise and pains ‘of those wars started by idiots, wicked and senseless animals in human skin’.

Agoro lamented that it hurts to point out the reality of the fact that of the wars of attrition fought ages past and currently

still being fought any where in the world, the most atrociously fought are religious wars claiming many lives of the innocents and particularly those who could not even tell why those wars are being fought.

“Nigeria has the past 12 years or so been embroiled in a sad scenario of Boko Haram war insensitively and senselessly started by reckless decision makers who instead of using rat baits to trap and kill the menacing rats decided to bomb them out to hell.

“If only those then in power in Nigeria had known the extent to which their unwise action would for years hurtfully carry the nation, care possibly would have been taken”, he said.

According to him, that Mallam El- Rufai currently embroiled in the unresolved Shiite Muslim religious war in the state which has claimed so many lives of the innocents would be at the head of 19 Northern States governors coming up with the decision of ordering religious organizations

and preachers in all the states of the Northern geo political zone to first obtain licences before embarking on religious propagation is confounding.

Observing that no nation or state can afford to engage in two frontal wars at a time, he warned el-Rufai and others that the mirage of problems currently being faced by Nigeria and particularly in Kaduna State are just too many not to talk of adding a religious war.

“Albeit the unhidden fact that Mallam El-Rufai’ and his cohorts’ game plan on this ‘Issue of Permit for Preaching licence’ is targeted at the increasing spread of Christianity in the Northern States, let it be noted hereby that any further assault by anybody irrespective of how highly or lowly placed at Constitutional right guaranteed to all as freedom of worship and association shall be met with very stiff resistance the type the nation has never seen or known before”, he warned.

He stressed that the “unholy, unwholesome, wicked and unjust decision of ‘Shackles placement in the legs of Religious Freedom’ shall be challenged with all forms of opposition including dragging the hot headed governors to the International Court of Justice.

“Let it also be a reminder that what past great leaders of Nigeria from the Northern geo political zone like Sir Ahmadu Bello the late Sadauna of Sokoto and Sir Tafawa Balawa, the former Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria both of blessed memory never tinkered with curbing religious freedom particularly of Christians, attempts being now made to fight Christ Body by El-Rufai and his cohorts shall not only be thwarted but curtailed to a logical end; enough is enough”, he stressed.

the party for the PDP rather than bring back the impeached Speaker.

Sources close to the meeting said the governor made spirited attempts to persuade the lawmakers to change their decision but the members told the governor and leaders of the party how the Speaker had let them down, as he was only after his own inter-

est while neglecting the interests of his colleagues whom they said were getting poorer by the day.

They were said to have informed the governor that while the Speaker receives N54million for the running of the Assembly monthly, their quarters were ill maintained as the Speaker never carried them along on how the N54million was being expended.

Besides, the lawmakers lamented that while the Speaker receives the sum of N9.5million monthly for running his office, other lawmakers receives their normal N370,000 as salaries, adding that even of the 45 Special Adviser positions allocated to the Assembly, the Speaker confiscated 25 to himself while most of the ordinary members are left out.

el- Rufai

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Buhari yet to receive adjusted 2016 Budget – FG Ï 01 Ɛ ƆƔƆƅƑƐƆ Ƣƿ Ƒƌ ƗƆƒƆƋ ƍƌƆ Ɛ ƍƏ Ə ƌƌƆ Egena Egena ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari was yet to receive the corrected version of the 2016 Budget from the National Assembly, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed on Wednesday.

She, however, expressed optimism that the document would be transmitted

to the President later on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Minister spoke while briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The 2016 budget has remained a subject of widespread controversy following its movement to and fro the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa, on

account of alleged discrepancies by the executive arm of government.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had promised Nigerians last weekend that the implementation of the budget would commence this week, but from all indications that promise seems unrealizeable.

Ahmed was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed;

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar-Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar.

She said the Executive and the Legislature were working hard to resolve the budget impasse, adding that the exercise was at its final stage.

She said: “On the 2016 Budget, I must say that the Executive and Legislature

Gé`ë Əƍ Ə ƐƆ `ƆƋ Ɛƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè 1Ƒƈ Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ^Ƌƅè LƏê dƆ d Ƅ Ɠ ƋƆì L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƐƐƋƈ ƌƍ ƕè LƏê Ɔ G Ɛì Ɨ 6Ƒƌ `Ɔ ƑƏƅƆ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè 1Ƒƈ Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ^Ƌƅè L ƈƅ ^Ɔ ƅ ƏƆƅƆƈƒƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɠ ƏƗ Ƈ Ə 1Ƒƈ Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ ƌƍ ƕ Ɠ Ɛ Ɔ ƢƏƗ ƄƆ Ɛ ƍƋ ƅƆ Ɛ Ɠ ƏƊ ƈ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƗƑƏƈ Ɛ Ɔ 1ƏƆ Ɛ ^Ƌ ƅƆ Ɛ z ƏƊ Ɠ ƏƗ ƈ G Č ƏƆƅƆ ƐƋƕê

Law prescribing 5-year jail for randy lecturers scales first reading Continued from page 6 South-East, it was commercialized, most especially in Abia state where people built houses with bunkers under,” he said.

Senator Adamu Aliero said the governments of Nigeria should address the issue of kidnapping since it has started affecting the quest by the country to attract foreign investment.

He said most investors have been avoiding coming to Nigeria because of the security challenges the country has been facing, worst of which, according to him is the issue of kidnapping.

Bill against randy lecturers Meanwhile, the bill, which prescribes fiveyear jail term for lecturers

who engage in sexual relationship with students, sponsored by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour-Delta Central) and co-sponsored by 46 other senators, seeks to completely prohibit any form of sexual relationship between lecturers and their students.

Briefing newsmen after plenary, Omo-Agege said that the nation’s institutions of higher learning must be sanitised to rid them of lecturers who saw female students as ``prize’’.

According to him, when the bill is passed and signed into law, any lecturer found guilty will be liable to a jail term of up to five years but not less than two years with no option of fine. ``When passed into law, it makes it a criminal offence

for any educator in a university, polytechnic or any other tertiary educational institution to violate or exploit the student-lecturer fiduciary relationship for sexual pleasures. ``The bill imposes stiff penalties on offenders in its overall objective of providing tighter statutory protection for students against sexual hostility and all forms of sexual harassment in tertiary schools. ``The bill provides a compulsory five-year jail term for lecturers who sexually harass students. ``When passed into law, vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning will go to jail for two years if they fail to act

within a week on complaints of sexual harassment made by students. ``The bill expressly allows sexually harassed students, their parents or guardians to seek civil remedies in damages against sexual predator lecturers before or after their successful criminal prosecution by the State. ``The bill also seeks to protect, from sexual harassment, prospective students seeking admissions into institutions of learning, students of generally low mental capacity and physically challenged students,’’ he stated.

The lawmaker said that it was practicable in other climes as ``honour codes’’ but stressed that it should be domesticated in Nigeria in the Penal form.

have worked very hard putting things together, reviewing the details of the budget and it is at its final stage.

“So may be between today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), the National Assembly will start the process of transmitting the details to the President.”

The Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government planned to execute 34 priority programmes as part of its strategic implementation plan of the 2016 budget.

Ahmed said the 34 programmes packaged by the ministry and approved by the Executive Council would help the government to realise the objectives of the 2016 budget. ``We presented 34 priority programmes and projects that need to be realised within 2016. ``Each of these has very clear deliverables and target as well as indicators, which will be measured to ensure that the respective ministries and departments deliver on what we intend to implement,” she stated.

She said that the ministry would present quarterly reports to the Federal Executive Council on the implementation of the progrgammes. ``These 34 strategic pro-

grammes are grouped under four major objectives. ``They include policy governance and security, diversification of the economy, creating support for the poor and vulnerable and inflating our economy through investments. ``The Ministry of Budget and National Planning has been given the responsibility to track and report on a quarterly basis, to the Federal Executive Council on the performance of these key priority areas,” Ahmed said.

She said that government also planned to refurbish 5,000 primary health care clinics across the country to promote health care delivery system of the country.

Ahmed further said that the Council would collaborate with the legislature for re-presentation and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Khadijat Bukar Abba, highlighted the importance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Washington DC, where he attended the 4th World Nuclear and Security Summit.

She said that Buhari emphasized the need to join hands in fighting terrorism in order to establish a peaceful world.

M ƌ ƏƆ ƊƈƋƋƈ è #d Ɠ Ə ƆƏƗ ƌƆ è Ɛ ƆƏ Continued from page 6 to promote the interest of Northern Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general.

He added that they noted specially the steps taken by the government to wipe out incidences of insurgency and are hopeful that in no distant time, “we shall say bye-bye to the problem of insurgency.”

On inflammatory statements, he said that some groups in the South East have said that the Fulani should leave their part of the country, “if people from the North say the same thing of people from the south East, we wonder where it will lead the country.”

On tagging herdsmen as Fulani, Adamu said, “We

have tried to kill the idea that every herdsman is Fulani. I am a farmer but I am not Fulani by birth. It is very very wrong to say that everybody you find with a cow is Fulani.”

Adamu noted that when Chief Olu Falae was kidnapped the news went round that the kidnappers were Fulani.

He said that when those responsible for kidnapping the elder statesman were eventually arrested, it was discovered that they were not Fulani.

Adamu noted that when he travelled to the western part of the country, he saw a lot of Yoruba cattle rearers, insisting that cattle rearing is no longer the exclusive preserve of the Fulani.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

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News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Group petitions Oyo CP over Abductors of A’ Ibom monarch’s murder of Igbo trader wife, 4 kids demand N100m ransom Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏAbductors of

the pregnant wife and four children of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket, in Akwa Ibom State, Edidem Ubong Assam, on Wednesday, asked for a ransom of N100 million.

The victims were abducted in the monarch’s Akpautong palace last Friday.

The monarch’s family had since claimed that the kidnappers have opened up for negotiations.

“There is tension and anxiety in the palace. The kidnappers

of the monarch’s pregnant wife and children have demanded N100 million ransom before their release,” the source said.

“The kidnappers are not ready to bargain the price. They issued threats while talking on phone with members of the royal family.”

A family member, Norbert Assam, told reporters that the royal father and the entire family cannot afford such huge amount of money.

“They called the family with the phone number of one of the

family members in their captive demanding for N100 million,” he said.

“I wonder where they expect the royal father to get such amount of money to pay.”

Some members of community, however, expressed worry over the health condition of the pregnant woman the paramount ruler and the children.

The royal family has appealed to the state government, oil companies operating in the area and the general public to come to their aid.

ÏÏÏA group, Ezinifite Improve-

ment Union (EIU), has petitioned Oyo State Commissioner of Police, over the death of one of their members, Emeka Ofoma, an Ibadan-based trader.

In a petition written and signed

by Barrister Sunday Ike Adugo and addressed to the office of state Commissioner of Police, the EIU are seeking to know why the police are yet to arrest three Raheem Yussuf, Smart and Ibro, alleged killers of Ofoma.

The group further seek to know why the alleged killers were released by the police after they were invited to the station for questioning.

In the petition dated April 19, the group also alleged that Yussuf had threatened further attacks on key witnesses and other members of the union. The group, however, warned of the consequences of assisting him to escape justice as Smart and Ibro were acting on his orders.

The petition also alleged that

Ibro had made attempts to collect the medical report at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) and had even made a deposit of N5,000 at the hospital, claiming to be a relative of the deceased.

The deceased, Ofoma, 42, was said to be walking home on April 10, 2016, after joining others to celebrate a neighbour’s new car at New Land Avenue, Alakia, met his death when he was allegedly given a machete cut on the head a few footlights away from his house by one Smart, now in detention.

Gov. Ajimobi

Take Basic Education funding off LGs – Gov. Ahmed Kehinde,Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏKwara State Governor, Dr. L-R: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie; Country Director, British Council Nigeria, Mrs. Connie Price and Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Martins Cobham during the ongoing world education conference in Cape Town, South Africa ...on Wednesday.

Bill to amend electoral law passes second reading

By Davis Odama, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Six Bills seeking an amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Bills had been a fallout of the stalemate generated in Kogi State by the death of Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was the leading governorship candidate in the November 21, 2015.

It would be recalled that the late Audu had slumped and died on November 22, that year, during the counting of votes of the election before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the nation’s electoral umpire declared the election inconclusive.

The Bills are ‘A Bill for an Act to make Provisions to cover the Lacuna in the event of Death

of a Governorship Candidate any time before the Conclusion of an Election and, A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2010 to Empower Election Tribunals and Courts to declare Candidates who scored Highest Votes as Winners of Election when the Tribunal or Court holds that the Winner of the Election is Unqualified for Election ab initio’ among others.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the proposed legislations, House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said that the proposed amendment was because the legislators do not envisage every possible scenario until it occurs.

“This proposed legislation seeks to pluck that lacuna to allow the deputy governor of a governorship election automatically take over in the event of the death of the governorship candidate,” he maintained.

Gbajabiamila also hinted that it is imperative as the law courts had insisted that the card reader is recognised in the nation’s electoral process adding that it is for this reason that the Electoral Act is being proposed for amendment.

Speaking in support, Hon. Edward Pwajok (Plataeu PDP) said that the nation’s electoral law should be strengthened, noting that no law says that only a woman should be leader of a political party.

In his contribution, Hon. Sunday Karimi, noted that the frequency of inconclusive elections in the country is a testimony to a very weak electoral laws.

He quoted Sect 140 of the Electoral Act that provides that the Court or Tribunal can nullify election marred by irregularity or order a fresh election to support his position.

Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on stakeholders in the education sector to map out strategies for taking Basic Education Teachers’ salaries off local government councils in the country.

Governor Ahmed said this when the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Alhaji Dikko Sulyman and his management team visited him at the Government House, Ilorin.

Gov. Ahmed maintained that local government councils lack capacities to finance the payment of basic education teachers’ salaries, especially with the decline in allocations from the federation account.

The governor also called for the adjustment of the present Revenue Allocation Formula

which favours the federal government at the expense of the state and local government tiers.

Speaking on other problems confronting education in the country, Gov. Ahmed called for the convocation of a national summit on how to reform education at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. “It is important that a strong summit is held to improve the availability of school infrastructure; accessibility and the quality of teachers. It has to be taken from a national perspective”, he said.

He expressed concern about the quality of teachers produced by the Colleges of Education designed to serve the basic education level, stressing that the curricular at the Colleges of Education level were not designed for basic education level. According to him, the curriculum of the defunct Grade Two School was better designed to teach pupils at the primary unlike what prevails

Rivers elections tribunal relocates to Abuja read. ÏÏÏThe election petition statement Gusau said that he was not tribunal of the Rivers state legislative rerun election sitting in Port Harcourt, has relocated to the high court in Apo, Abuja, federal capital territory (FCT).

Secretary to the tribunal, Sirajo Gusau, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“I am directed to inform the general public and all lawyers concerned that the election tribunal has been relocated to the high court Apo, Abuja, FCT with immediate effect,” the

in a position to disclose what informed the relocation.

The tribunal that handled petitions that arose from the 2015 general elections was also relocated to the FCT. Sources said the relocation may have been informed by insecurity reasons.

Gusau said the secretariat had received 10 petitions from politicians, but did not give details.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

15 Opinion

The Abia agricultural revolution

T

he downward trend in the nation’s economy has forced governments to look inwards and explore areas they have comparative

Okechukwu Ukegbu

advantage.

Abia State is not left out, as it is gearing to explore the full potentials of one of its thematic areas, agriculture. Indeed, the state has comparative advantage in this area, and Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu would say” Our land is blessed, fertile and is supportive of agriculture. My government will actively engage and support agriculture activities especially in mechanised farming of Cassava, Rice, and Palm Oil in line with the Federal Government’s programmes and our state’s areas of natural advantage.

In addition to the creation of a Commodity Marketing System, we will support our small farmers through organised cooperatives, agricultural extension services and partnerships with foreign donor agencies and development finance institutions.

We will actively procure FG funds targeted at the agricultural areas we want to focus on and also encourage large-scale farmers to invest”.

The urgent need to diversify has propelled Abia State Government to initiate a programme tagged” The Return to Farming and Women in Fish Farming Initiative”. In line

with this, Abia is planning to plant about 7.5 million oil palm trees in the next three years.

The state is also laying emphasis on organic farming with focus on commercial agriculture. The motive is to plant crops that are acceptable globally.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Uzo Azubuike,” the State is embarking on massive plantation of palm trees across the 17 Local Government Areas with communities becoming co-owners, thereby create wealth, reduce unemployment and encourage Abians to grow edible plants”.

The Return to Farming and Women in Fish Farming Initiative would also set up farming cooperatives for youths and women and help drive key government policy in agriculture. The government through the initiative will make land, finance and training accessible for farmers.

The vision is to explore the agroeconomy as a support base for the state economy.

Already steps have been taken to restore school farm system in every public school. While this programme would ensure that all the old trees planted in the 60s were replaced, some of the cashew plantations have been leased out to private investors to enable government focus more on crops that would bring in the estimated huge inter-

nally- generated revenue.

It will be recalled that prior to the 7.5 million oil palm trees initiative, Ikpeazu has taken steps to secure N1 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost agricultural production.

The loan would be given to genuine farmers and not for political patronage. The loan becomes necessary due to certain factors. The new philosophy is to ensure food security for all citizens, and to engender youth employment in the agricultural sector and the attendant economic empowerment. The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to come up with a blue print for the programme.

In the coming days, Abia will assume the poultry- hub of the country. The state is collaborating with Obasanjo Farms to establish a model poultry farm that would boast the best modern technology. Here, what the farmer needs is to walk into the poultry with his day-old chick. Plans are underway for massive cultivation of cassava, cocoa and oil palm and the deployment of the latest specie of oil seedling called tenera to be bred by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Gov. Ikpeazu through his agricultural revolution has demonstrated that he was a farmer who worked in his parent’s farm while growing up. He has promised to pay atten-

tion to the needs of farmers, even as he commissioned a team to study the Abia Palm Plantation in Ukwa, the Ulonna Farm Settlements, Abia Rubber Plantation and other agricultural concerns with a view to ensuring they are revived to produce at optimal capacity.

His disposition to transform Abia to an agricultural-hub endeared him to All Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN) Abia State Chapter and Youths in Agriculture Programme (YEAP). Shortly before last year’s gubernatorial election, the groups endorsed Ikpeazu’s candidacy noting that he had the best plans for development of the agricultural sector in the state.

Ikpeazu has always emphasised that Nigeria must develop a policy that will discourage importation of foreign foods and encourage the cultivation and consumption of local foods as a way to tackle the prevailing economic glut occasioned by the global oil slide.

However, will the Federal Government heed to Ikpeazu’s advice to “look for alternative measures in agriculture, as he emphasised that Nigeria has varieties of food, including sea food that could be sufficient for the people”.

Ukegbu is the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Ikpeazu on media

IFA at 62: From glory to glory

T Ayo Akinyemi

here are some miraculous creations, whose being and existence are shrouded in mystery. Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Minister of Health, falls within this bracket.

On Monday, 30 November 2015, Professor Adewole, IFA, as fondly called, formally signed off as Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan.

The day statutorily marked the end of his five-year tenure. Coincidentally, his first day in office as Vice Chancellor on 1 December 2010, fell on a Monday, the official last day of his term, 30 November 2015, also fell on a Monday.

Adewole’s stint in the chancellery and his exit have been described by many from different perspectives.

Paint it in the portrait of a tour of duty laced with superlatives, you would be apt in every sense.

In summation, it could be said that IFA finished strong as Vice Chancellor of UI, and in style. In addition, as designed by Providence, he stepped out of the office to occupy a seat in the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Health.

The eventual transformation caught many napping, raising questions. How did he make the list? Is he, or has he been a card-carrying member of the ruling party? Who is his godfather?

The official last day of IFA at the University of Ibadan, like his first day in office, was a remarkable one.

Adewole for whom friends had on Sunday, November 29, organised a thanksgiving church service, was on the university campus to hand over formally to his successor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka whose appointment was announced on Wednesday, 19 September 2015 by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Umar Mustapha.

It was the first time in the history of the institution that an outgoing vice chancellor would be present to hand over to his successor.

Before the first-of-its-kind change of baton ceremony, Professor Adewole had that morning commissioned the restructured Central Administration Block.

According to Adewole the building was compelled by the need to provide desirable, befitting, conducive and comfortable office space for key university officers. He recalled

that, at inception, the building was designed to accommodate only the Vice Chancellor, and the Registrar.

The same building, in recent years, had to be re-configured to accommodate the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and the Registrar, with their supporting staff. From all indications, the accommodation and the over-stretched facilities were far from being conducive.

A man of history, IFA’s tenure was laced with landmark administrative restructuring that will outlive generations.

I had a slip of the tongue during a chat with IFA in the heat of the 2013/2014 Convocation Ceremony of the university, when I said it was going to be the last he would preside over. He reminded me he still had one to go. Interestingly, that slip turned out to be a prophecy.

As fate would have it, the day activities of the 2014/2015 Convocation commenced, was the day IFA appeared before the Senate for screening as Minister-designate.

In a brief remark at a prayer session in the VC’s Office on his 61st birthday on, 4 May 2015, IFA hinted

he was already looking forward to life outside the chancellery. “ This is the last birthday I’d mark in this office. The next one will be in my office at the College of Medicine”.

That was the way he wanted it, but God had a different agenda.

Today, another May 4, and IFA is celebrating, observing his birthday in 2016, as Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

How is he going to reconcile the polarity? - Remember, the young, radical Dr. Isaac Adewole, as National President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) was the mastermind of the 1984/85 nationwide NARD strike.

IFA, over the years, has gone through several crucible of life.

Fortuitously, his erstwhile NARD National President, who initiated him into medical politics in the early 80s, Dr. Kayode Obembe, is the current National President of Nigerian Medical Association.

Long before his appointment as Health Minister, IFA had been trumpeting the philosophy of NO TOTAL STRIKE IN THE HEALTH SECTOR. According to him, Adewole sprouted from a wide interactive exposure from a global perspective.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Crime Æ s

Customs unit smashes smuggling cartel at Iteku creek

Stock of the seized smuggled rice

Joy Anyim In line with her commitment to completely eradicate the activities of smugglers as well as make the smuggling business unattractive, the Nigeria Customs, Federal Operating Unit Zone A Ikeja, Lagos, have clamped down on a smuggling cartel at Iteku Creek and other volatile areas.

The operation which recorded the seizure of 1,499 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 3,071 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products with a duty paid value of over N26.4m Disclosing this at a press chat, the Controller of the Zone, Comptroller Umar Mohammed Dahiru, said the success was in line with the enforcement of the recent ban on rice importation through the land borders.

While inspecting the consignment loaded in five trucks at the Government Warehouse Annex of the Unit, the Controller confirmed that the FOU ‘A’ Surveillance team led by Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Ohagwu Jude, comprising other officers and men had invaded the volatile terrain of Iteku waterside, based on an intelligence report that smugglers were using the axis to illegally bring in rice into the country. He pointed out that the smugglers obviously took advantage of the roughness and inaccessibility of the terrain to at-

tempt their nefarious activities.

The Controller noted that the team made effective profiling of information at their disposal, coupled with strategic planning which eventually led to the successes recorded. “The team had to devise a means of accessing the terrain, disguised, using flying boat, through the Agbara waterways, while a backup team came in through Lusada in Ogun State.

This move was deliberately undertaken to ensure that the smugglers did not preempt the motive of my operatives.”

He also disclosed that the team received tremendous assistance and backup from the military which, he said, is a clear proof of the synergy and collaboration which is existing between the Nigeria Customs and other critical agencies of Government.

“As you are aware, the issue of collaboration is a key aspect of our strategy. This is in view of the fact that no single agency can work in isolation of the other, hence the need to harmonise competencies and capacities for optimal performance. All agencies are ultimately working towards the same goal of actualising their various constitutional mandates, without losing sight of inter-agency cooperation which is key”.

He stated further that as soon as the team succeeded in cordoning off the area, all manner of hoodlums, miscreants and street urchins, launched a premeditated attack on them. “To underscore

‘‘To underscore their level of desperation, these smugglers mobilised underage children and elderly men/women, using them to obstruct the movement of the trucks from the creeks to the Government Warehouse at Ikeja. In fact they went to the extent of planting nails along the only access road, which was why they had punctured tyres on two occasions, apart from other dangerous weapons, charms etc, being thrown on the officers, ostensibly to frustrate their efforts.’’ their level of desperation, these smugglers mobilised underage children and elderly men/women, using them to obstruct the movement of the trucks from the creeks to the Government Warehouse at Ikeja. In fact they went to the extent of planting nails along the only access road, which was why they had punctured tyres on two occasions, apart from other dangerous weapons, charms etc, being thrown on the officers, ostensibly to frustrate their efforts.”

Speaking on the effort of his Unit to enforce the ban on rice through the land borders, the Controller disclosed that he had started putting modalities in place aimed at re-jigging the capacity and competence of the Unit in dealing frontally with the issue of smuggling. He assured of the preparedness of the Unit to practically enforce the ban on rice smuggling.

He further praised the operational sagacity, resilience, dexterity and deep commitment of the

team in going extra miles to effect this remarkable seizure of one 1,499 bags of 50kg parboiled rice and 3,071 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products with a duty paid value of over N26.4m considering the circumstances.

The Controller also confirmed that the Unit is presently pre-occupied with loading and evacuation of rice and vegetable oil to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Borno State in line with a recent Presidential directive. In the area of logistic, he expressed appreciation with the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali and members of his Management, towards providing necessary working tools which have been useful in the prosecution of war on smuggling.

Giving further insight on the operational antecedents of his operatives in the past few days, the Controller disclosed that the same FOU ‘A’ Surveillance team Seme axis, had, while acting on a

tip off, monitored a tipper garage where tippers load sand to SangoOta. The team had privileged information that the tipper in question was laden with smuggled rice with tarpaulin used to cover it before sand was heaped on it to deceive our operatives. The tipper was intercepted, taken to the office and after thorough examination, was found to be carrying 168 bags of smuggled 50kg parboiled rice.

“This further underscores the desperation of these smugglers, because from all indications, the routes have become very hot for them, hence their resort to unconventional means such as this,” he said.

Giving further narratives on the various seizures by the unit consequent upon the recent changes in leadership of the patrol team, the Controller further confirmed that Monitoring team ‘B’ Seme axis, led by SC Kaila Abdullahi Shuaibu, comprising other officers, while acting on information intercepted a 40ft container body truck with registration number LSD 627 XS, suspected to be carrying frozen poultry products. He stated further that when the truck was brought down to the unit and examination conducted, a total of 3,000 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products were neatly concealed with 500 cartons of frozen fish.

The Controller promised to explore ways of dealing with the issue of smuggling as it is a cankerworm that is capable of strangulating the economy of any nation.

Similarly, the controller added that another patrol team on 16th of April, 2016 intercepted a special locally fabricated Nissan Quest mini bus suspected to have been designed for smuggling purposes along Oja-Odan-Ilaro road at 0515hrs. The vehicle on interception appeared to be empty but after careful examination, was discovered to have been used to conceal rice using the various compartments of the vehicle.

“What made this particular interception remarkable and spectacular was the mode of concealment, because ordinarily, one would have assumed that the vehicle was empty, if not for intelligence.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Joy Anyim The Headquarters Compliance team, Ogun state arm of the Nigeria Customs have impounded 2,438 smuggled frozen poultry products valued at N13,165,200.00 in a single operation within the area.

The revelation was made by the leader of the Nigeria Customs Headquarters Compliance team Ogun State, Assistant Comptroller Shittu Abdulmaruf recently.

While commenting on the seizures, the Assistant Comptroller stated that despite several warnings from the Nigerian customs to smugglers to have a rethink on their illicit activities, they are still adamant as they have continued to engage in excesses in their bid to circumvent the trade policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

On how the seizures were made, the team leader in a brief chat with the press disclosed that one of his patrol teams intercepted a long trailer with registration number AGL 53 XF suspected to be carrying frozen poultry products along the busy Ijebu-Ode Sagamu Expressway.

He noted that the operatives out of curiosity, insisted on conducting physical examination on the truck and the examination revealed that the truck was loaded with 2,438 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products, concealed with 22 pallets of Maltina drinks. He gave the value of the frozen poultry products alone as N13,165,200.00.

Similarly, the team leader also confirmed that his team in less than twenty hours thereafter

19 Crime

Customs impound over 2,000 smuggled frozen poultry products My team in collaboration with the other anti-smuggling units has the capacity and capability to degrade smugglers. We are not unmindful of their desperation to smuggle, in terms of going extra miles using any available strategy. The good news is that we are always several steps ahead of them – Asst. Comptroller Abdulmaruf intercepted an eight tyres truck laden with imported shoes and canvas along the tollgate end of Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway.

The truck according to the team leader has been deposited at the Customs house Ibadan where 100% examination will be conducted to ascertain the quantity and status of the consignment.

In his reaction to the modalities the customs has adoted to suppress smuggling, the team leader reiterated the determination of his team to continually wreck havoc on smugglers. In his words, “Efforts are being made to strengthen and improve on our operational strategies in line with the change ideology of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Speaking further, he said. “My team in collaboration with the other anti-smuggling units has the capacity and capability to degrade smugglers. We are not unmindful of their desperation to smuggle, in terms of going the extra miles, using any available strategy. The good news is that we are always several steps ahead of them.

“The task of policing the entire area under our coverage is a responsibility that we cannot afford to abdicate. We are not oblivious of the expectation of the Nigeria Custom Service Management, in terms of optimal performance, hence our desire to make them proud. The Nigeria Custom Service has risen up to this chal-

Customs CG

lenge and will not rest on its oars until we suppress smuggling to barest minimum”.

Abdulmaruf solicited the support of Nigerians in this fight and promised that identity of informants would be jealously guarded, so as not to endanger

their lives.

He commended the Comptroller General of Customs Retired Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali and his Management team for their logistic support, which has given them the needed impetus to excel.

NURTW disowns man caught with 4,256 stolen phones in Lagos Ï6Ƅ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ ƅ Ə Mn`jz Ǝ ƎƄ ƃ ƆƍƊ ƕƄƃƉ ƍƄ Oguntade Ismaila

Bamidele

A man arrested by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command for being a major buyer of stolen mobile phones in Lagos, has confessed to have bought over 4,256 mobile phones from robbers, pickpockets and one–chance gangs operating in and around the state.

The suspect, Kazeem Bamidele, 42, who is said to be the second vice chairman of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers’ (NURTW), Ajegunle Unit, equally confessed to the RRS Intelligence team that he has over 52 boys in Lagos State who

steal and sell’clean phones’ to him constantly.

Kazeem, popularly known as ‘Elewure’ in the social circle, was arrested when the RRS Intelligence team quizzed two stolen phones users in Kogi State in connection with abduction and robbery cases in Lagos State.

The operatives had upon returning from a week long investigation to Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kogi State, swung into action by arresting Elewure from his shop in Boundary market, Ajegunle after he was fingered to have been the seller of two Blackberry Z10 phones and a CAT phone collected from victims of robbery and abduction incidenc-

es in the metropolis.

Kazeem said, “I have over 52 boys who sell clean stolen mobile phones to me. On the average, I receive 38 ‘clean’ phones in a week.

I have been in the business for more than two years.”

He also confessed that “Boundary Market in Ajegunle where I have office and shop, is where they sell the phones to me and that is where the buyers equally get them. I know they are stolen phones. Nearly every guy in Ajegunle is involved in this kind of runs. It is what they do to survive.

“I was pushed into the business by family pressure. I have two wives and seven children. I have

Continued on page 20

Crime 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Controversy over man found dead in uncompleted building

Ahmed Onorbanjo, Taofeek Omidiran ,Lukman Ademola, Alade Mabeko and Yusuf Ogusanya.

Joy Anyim Whatever led to the death of one Saheed Agbele at the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu is one knot the police have to crack.

Our crime desk gathered that friends of the deceased, who got word about his death on Saturday the 23rd April 2016, at about 5 pm, were aggrieved and did not take the news lightly.

Led by one Gbenga Ajadi and five others, his friends matched to the Igbogbo police station alleging that one Chief Kolawole Ogunlana, an 85-years-old man and his family, were responsible for their friend’s death. Saheed was found dead in an uncompleted building in Igbogbo area of Ikorodu Lagos.

Gbenga Ajadi alleged that Chief Kolawole and Saheed Agbele’s family have been locked in a land dispute with the deceased for years. But instead of settling the case amicably, the octogenarian and 40 others ganged up and allegedly dragged the deceased and himself (Gbenga Ajadi) to a nearby bush in Agofuye community in Igbogbo Ikorodu Lagos.

It was further alleged that when they got to the bush, chief Kolawale ordered that he, Gbenga Ajadi and Saheed be executed.

In his statement, Gbenga said he and the deceased ran into the bush and as they ran, the thugs chief Kolawole brought were in hot pursuitt while shooting, unfortunately, a bullet hit Saheed and he died on the spot; while he (Gbenga Ajadi) escaped with bullet wounds.

The Daily Times gathered that after making a formal complaint at the police station, Gbenga Ajadi and his friends went to chief Kolawole’s house, abducted

him in the presence of his tenants and child, beat him up and took him to Igbogbo police station, where he was detained, but later released.

Investigations revealed that Gbenga and his colleagues took motorcycles around igbogbo community arresting relatives of chief Kolawole and handed them over to the police.

Five suspects have so far been handed over to the police division of Ikorodu and case has been subsequently transferred to the the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti Yaba for further investigation.

But the suspects whose names were given as Ahmed Onorbanjo, Taofeek Omidiran, Lukman Ademola, Alade Mabeko and Yusuf Ogusanya said they were all innocent of the alleged crime against them.

Ahmed, who is 42 and hails from Lagos state, narrates how he was arrested. “I was just taking a walk from my house down the street. I had just gotten to Igbogbo park, when three boys approached me and said I had killed someone. I did not understand what was going on. Before I knew it I was immediately carried into a federal Special Anti Robbery Squad vehicle and taken to Agufoye in Igbogbo. There they handcuffed me and taken to where there was a dead body.

I was surprised because I did not understand what was going on.

“I was made to stand beside the corpse and they started taking pictures of me with the corpse and the Igbogbo police was alerted and I was taken to the station and then transferred to SCID. What baffles me is that I have never seen the deceased before. I am a responsible father with six

children. I am a welder and own a shop at Ojota.”

Taofeek who is 48-years-old also from Lagos recounted his story. “On the day of the incident, Chief Kolawaole called me that he was back from the hospital where he had gone for an eye surgery. I then went to see chief because he is the head of our family.

“I took a bike, but on my way, three men named Salako Ginodu, one Taiye and Lateef started calling me a thief and ran after me with a motorbike too. They caught me and started beating me. I was taken to the Igbogbo police station and was told I had killed someone.

“I do not even know the person in question. But from what I was told was that the deceased was killed in a land that belongs to my family and the land was under dispute for years until 2011 when the court declared us the actual owners of the land. But since then, we have not had rest as the other party has always been looking for a reason to give us trouble.”

44-years-old Lukman and the community chairman of motorcycle operators was also arrested. His story: “I am from Osun state, I don’t know anything about what happened. I am the Chairman of Okada Riders Association in Igbogbo.

“I was busy selling tickets on Monday when one Lolade met me and said I was one of those who had killed someone over a land issue. I told him he was joking, I asked him if I am from Lagos not to talk of being one of those who engage in land issues.

“Four of his friends also came out and said I was part of those who killed Saheed Agbele.

NURTW: ‘I was pushed into the business by family pressure’ Continued from page 19 so many dependants. What I pay as school fees alone is staggering”, the suspect confessed.

Bamidele also stated that he had too many problems in life.

“My mother gave birth to 13 children for my father. Though both of them are no more, only three of us are left. I am the breadwinner of the family. My first wife’s children are part of my predicaments. Since I married the second wife I have not known peace.

Can you believe that since I was arrested, she has never called or visited me? I know this is a lesson for me in life. She has seven children for me and what I pay as school fees for her children alone is staggering,” he lamented.

Bamidele further said he started out in life as ‘elelubo’ (pepper and maize grinder). I know that most of these phones were gotten from pick pocketing, one chance and through robbery.”

The suspect revealed that his second wife has mounted so much pressure on him to quit the business long ago but the financial pressure was too much for him. “I think I have come to a point now that I don’t need to be advised to stop it.”

Giving a breakdown of his business lures, Bamidele said “I buy Infinix Hot 2 at N10,000 and sell N12,000; Blackberry Z30 at N20,000:00 and sell at N22,000:00; buy Infinix Hot Note at N15,000:00 and sell at N17,000 and Samsung Galaxy X3 at N11,000 and sell at N14,000. I don’t buy iPhone because of its locking system.”

Heap of seized cellphones

Investigators revealed that as at the time of his arrest, five stolen mobile phones were found with him. He is presently helping the police to pick up his pick pocket boys from their hide-outs, bus stops and routes of operations around the state.

Already, two commercial buses ‘Danfo’ used for robbery and one chance operations are presently at RRS Headquarters in Alausa.

However, when The Daily Times visited the secretariat of the NURTW in Oko-Oba in Abule- Egba area of Lagos, it was revealed that the suspect is not a member of the union. According to State Chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, the suspect once worked for the union but denounced his membership about six years back. “So, I stand to say anywhere that NURTW member in Lagos State are responsible members and not robbers,” Agbede said.

An RRS source told our correspondent that most of the boys who bring phones to Bamidele’s shop stay in hotels around the state.

“Some of the phones traced to Elewure were that of high profile members of the society as well as celebrities,” the source said.

The Police PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos meanwhile said the force was following up the suspect’s revelations and is making steady progress in the investigation of the case.

The suspect has been transferred to SARS for further investigations and prosecution.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

21

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

NASU President insists on N56,000 minimum wage ÎÎÎThe

National President of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Chris Ani, has said there was no going back on the demand of N56,000 minimum wage for workers in the country.

ENYEAMA CHIDIEBERE COLLINS

Ani, who charged the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to fulfil its campaign promise of change, said the change mantra must start with the proposed improved salary structures for workers.

The NASU President, while addressing jour-

nalists during the 2-day regular meeting of the Research and Projects Trade Group Council of the union, held at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, explained that the expectations of the average Nigerian worker is adequate remuneration and condu-

cive work environment While adding that the Nigerian labour is committed to a movement for the actualisation of campaign promises made by the present administration, he wonders why the workers should be the only one to bear the brunt of collapse economy when

the workers are not the ones responsible for the gross mismanagement and misappropriation of government funds Ani also called on the government to cut down the jumbo salaries and allowances of officials and political appointees instead of making the work-

ers who could hardly feed on the meagre salary bear more hardship.

On his part, Executive Director of FRIN, Dr. Olusola Adepoju, enjoined the labour leaders to make their agitations for better welfare for workers within the confines of reasoning.

MRS TINA EBIERE AMERICA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORNFIRMATION OF NAME

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AKINLAWON OLANIKE OMOBOLANLE

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

23 News

FG rakes in N1.8b from signal licence fees Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÎÎÎAs Nigeria works round

the clock to meet the June 2017 deadline for the much awaited transmission from analogue to digital broadcasting, known as digital switch order (DSO), the federal government disclosed on Wednesday that that it generated the sum of N1.8billion from licence fees from three signal distributors.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing a press conference in Abuja.

The amount, Mohammed explained, was paid by the signal distributors in the sum of N600million each.

The licence fees, he further said, were in three categories of public, public and private.

Alhaji Mohammed disclosed that the federal government,

last Saturday carried out the pilot roll-out of the muchawaited transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, known as the Digital Switch Over, or DSO. According to him, “The ceremony was the culmination of a roller-coaster journey that started in 2004, when the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN Specialized Agency for Information and Communica-

tion Technology (ICT), adopted Resolution 1185 on the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

“Since then, Nigeria has missed two deadlines to transit from analogue to digital, in addition to missing a number of self-imposed dates for the pilot scheme.

“But on Saturday, after six months of uncommon commitment and dedication by the stakeholders, we finally

switched on digital broadcasting in the city of Jos, which was chosen for the pilot scheme.

“As you know, Jos is a historic city as far as Television broadcasting is concerned. It was also in that city, in 1976, that the colour television was pioneered in Nigeria - and indeed in West Africa.

“When we rolled out the DSO in Jos last Saturday, we didn’t just switch on digital broadcasting, we also revolutionised television broadcasting in Nigeria. Television will never be the same in Nigeria again.

“When we came in about

six months ago, a cloud of uncertainty and confusion hung over Nigeria’s digital transition. There were no Set-Top Boxes, without which the transition could not be kick-started; there was no established Signal Distributor on ground.

“There was no software and security devices for protection of the boxes. The banks had cancelled the Letters of Credit that were granted for the importation of Set-Top Boxes and no one could say for sure if indeed we will meet the third deadline of June 2017 to fully switch on digital broadcasting and switched off analogue broadcasting.

Cult group terrorises Lagos community Titus Eleweke

ÎÎÎResidents

L-R: Executive Member, National Union of Textiles, Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Mrs. Jaciaya Obimma; President, (NUTGTWN), Mr. John Adaji; General Secretary, Mr. Issa Aremu and Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Dele Ojo at a news conference by NUTGTWN on workers‘ achievements in Kaduna… on Wednesday.

FETHI crisis degenerates as Oba’s palace attacked Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎThe leadership crisis at

Ido Ekiti Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHI), has taken a new turn as the protesters calling for the removal of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Lawrence Majekodunmi Ayodele has allegedly vadalised properties at the palace of Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro.

The Olojudo, who held a meeting with indigenes of the community on Wednesday in his palace, expressed anger on the attack on his palace

by the protesting workers, and advised the workers not to allow criminal elements to hijack their protests to cause chaos in the town which he described as a peaceful community that had opened its doors to non-indigenes.

The traditional ruler who said the attack on his palace was carried out on Monday, April 25, during a violent protest by FETHI workers who are protesting the death of Dr. Tunde Aladesanmi and Dr. Alex Akinyele, expressed regret that the protesting FETHI staff also hijacked the highway and held up traffic for several hours during the protest,

a situation which, according to him, paralyzed social and commercial activities.

After the meeting at the palace, some Ido indigenes carrying placards marched from the palace to FETHI gate where community leaders appealed to the hospital workers to embrace peace, with placards which read: “Enough is Enough To All Damages To Our Palace in Ido”, “FETHI Workers, Return To Your Job”, “Don’t Turn Ido Ekiti To Battle Ground”, “All We Demand In Ido Ekiti Is Peace and Nothing More”, among others.

The meeting held by the first class royal father with

his subjects was consequent upon another protest staged by unions on Tuesday against the CMD over his comments that the two doctors from the hospital, who were among those who died in an auto crash on their way to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Annual General Meeting, travelled without approval.

The traditional ruler, however, contended there is a laid down procedure for the workers to channel their grievances if the CMD commits any known offence rather than shutting down the town for a whole day.

LAUTECH doctors decry sack of colleagues Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÎÎÎAssociation

of Resident Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Osogbo, on Wednesday, said that the Management of the hospital has sacked a good numbers of

their colleagues.

This was made known to newsmen by the President of the Association, Dr. Adeyinka Owolabi in Osogbo during a press briefing held at the ARD lounge, LAUTH, Osogbo, Osun state.

He said that there is no existing concrete agreement towards

addressing the impasse, contrary to the news allegedly being circulated in some quarters.

He called on all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the lingering industrial crisis between it and Osun state government.

The resident doctors at the Hospital have been on strike

for more than seven months over issues relating to unpaid salaries among others.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to meet their demands in order to avoid the looming collapse of health care delivery in the state.

of Odogunyan Community in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State are living in fear as armed robbers and cult group have continued to terrorise them.

The community has been going from one armed robbery operation to another and from to one cult related activities to another almost on daily basis, and those who work outside the community are in perpetual fear of being attack.

Some of the residents who work in Lagos Island have decided to be staying in their offices instead of coming home to face the dreaded groups.

According to Daily Times investigation, resident of the community now close their offices and shops immediately it is 6pm every day to avoid being attack by the men of underworld who terrorise them on daily basis.

The investigation also revealed that the community suffered the same fate last year until the Baale, the community and the police step up actions against the men of the underworld before normalcy finally returned.

According to them, activities of the robbers and cult activities are becoming unbearable as they are constantly living in fear of being attacked.

Shun reports that brew crisis – Gov Bello Pita Chikwem Minna

ÎÎÎGovernor

Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, on Tuesday night called on media practitioners to avoid any publications that will brew crisis in Nigeria.

While calling on Journalists at the World Press Freedom Day dinner, jointly organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) to take advantage of the profession to affect positive change urged them to confirm their reports before publications.

Bello, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa said all forms of sectional

reporting should be discouraged in the country.

According to him, “we must use our pen to promote the unity of this country.

The print media is now sectional and regional, so much that some of them promote ethnicity and sometimes religious division and are regional biased.

Gov Bello

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Arewa group exonerates Fulani from Enugu mayhem Gboyega Adeoye

ÎÎÎStill smarting from the

Enugu onslaught by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the Arewa United Consultative Forum (AUCF), has come hard on critics of the present administration, describing their criticism as baseless and an attempt to distract government in desperate ploy to cover their shady tracks.

Speaking through its National President, Alhaji Ado Shuaibu Dansudu, AUCF, took a swipe at those blaming the Federal Government over the recent attack on Enugu by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, saying such assumption was baseless.

According to Dansudu, notorious activities in the southern region of the country in the recent past is enough pointer to the fact

that such heinous killings and vandalisation of properties in Enugu could either be inter or intra fueled.

“We have heard series of comments on the recent activities of the so-called herdsmen, enough to place doubt on where the problem is really coming from. While some said it could be possible that the brigands are intruding into the country through the neighbouring countries, some of us are also mindful of the polarisation of the south-east, as a result of the lingering clamour for a Biafra nation.

“We are not unaware that the clamour for self-autonomy in the region has created a division between a section of the tribe who genuinely

want a state of their own and the others who have invested so much across the country and would prefer to be a Nigerian,” he said.

The Arewa leader said the agitation for a nation out of the present Nigeria by people from the East, has led to sundry illicit activities which, according to him, are injurious to the growth of the country.

He cited the vandalisation of pipelines as a more dastardly act, “worse than the activities of the Boko Haram and that of the so called herdsmen, put together.

“It is unfortunate that we are not paying enough attention to the most serious issue on our land, which is that of pipeline vandalisation.

We fail to realize that activities like that put a deep hole in the purse of government, leading to death of Nigerians in thousands. This is because when the government is broke, the roads would be in bad shape, leading to more road accidents, hospitals would be in a sorry state, workers would not be able to earn their salaries and the entire nation would be in a standstill,” he said.

According to Dansudu, some Nigerians who benefitted so much from the last administration are bent on ensuring that the country remains in the doldrums by ensuring that the situation remains the way it was at all cost.

“You will see them crying

foul each time the president travels outside the country because they know that the trips are leading to the discovery of where they kept our looted money. They are shouting because they don’t want to be caught. Let Nigerians know that Buhari is travelling to make Nigeria work.

“All these criticisms are sentimental and egocentric. We should emulate the advanced countries where criticism of government is selfless and objective,” he said.

While expressing solidarity for the Buhari administration, AUCF urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on every facets of the national economy so as to alleviate the current sufferings of Nigerians.

Nigeria, France agree to Science, Tech devt Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government and France, on Wednesday, agreed to enter into a bilateral agreement to develop Science and Technology in the two countries with major focus on forming a formidable force to fight Boko Haram and other insurgencies terrorising the globe.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, while receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Deny’s Gauer said the two countries have had a lasting cordial relationship, and added that he was happy with the proposal for a bilateral agreement in the area of Science and technology development which the French government has made.

Dr. Onu disclosed that the two countries already have cooperation in the area of Space management and would encourage every bilateral agreement that enhances development, particularly in the area of poverty eradication in Nigeria which is President Buhari’s priority.

He argued that the Buhari administration has enormously achieved in the area of security as the coming of his administration has changed the tide in fighting insurgency.

L-R: Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju and Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Salihu Maidaji, during the commissioning of BOI Office in Sokoto …on Wednesday.

Edo communities raise the alarm over high number of gunmen Titus Akhigbe Benin-City

ÎÎÎElders

of four agrarian villages namely Orhua, Oke, Umokpe and Ekpan in Irhue Clan, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have raised an alarm over what they said amounts to an, “invasion”, of their communities by suspicious men carrying sophisticated guns, bows and arrows, cutlasses and other lethal weapons In a statement, signed by Comrade Tony Erha and Patrick Erhunsee, Coordinator General and Deputy Director of Okpamakhi Initiative, on behalf of the communities, they said they have it on good authority that the “invaders” were transported to OkeIrhue in the Clan, by the

multi-national firm, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc. ”Although our communities have had minor disagreements with the Fulani herdsmen of recent, and the issues had been resolved amicably, and grazing on the land has continued, we do not want the Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, to hide under this ploy by renting gunmen and foreign mercenaries to attack, kill and maim our defenceless people”.

They also said the community dwellers were now living in fear because they know that the men were employed to, “unleash terror, kill, blood-letting and cause mayhem against innocent villagers of our Irhue Clan”.

It is, “punishment for the refusal to allow the forceful acquisition of the over

8,000 hectares of our forest reserve, which was illegally sold by Iyayi Group of Companies to A & Hatman Limited and resold to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc by A & Hatman Ltd, which the Edo State government has for long revoked and gazetted”.

They said, “On 1st May, 2016, the innocent habitants of Oke-Irhue village end of the Irhue Clan were shocked to see several truckloads of the strange and suspicious armed men moved into the village, while some of them moved into the village by road and the bushes”.

They then appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to use their good offices to immediate-

ly rescue their communities from annihilation by those they called invaders.

Meanwhile, indications are that Policemen from the Ehor Police Division in Uhinwonde were drafted to the villages, and they succeeded in driving out the dangerous looking men from Uhiere town, the next village.

Contacted, Dr. Graham Heifer, Managing Director of the Okomu Oil Company Plc, a South African national, was said to be outside the country.

However, it was gathered that Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole recently told Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc and others to vacate the land and stop planting on the land they had already bulldozed.

Ganduje

Fire outbreak claims two lives, destroys five vehicles in Kano Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÎÎÎA

fire outbreak, on Wednesday, claimed two lives in Kano with about five cars burnt completely.

The fire outbreak which occurred at AA Rano filling station on Bompai Road, was reported to have started at about 2 pm and lasted for almost two hours before it was put out by the state’s fire service and other private companies who assisted with their firefighting equipment.

Eye witnesses said that the fire broke out when a truck carrying petroleum product was trying to off load its content at the filling station leading to the destruction of some section of the station, five vehicles and two persons unfortunately lost their lives in the inferno.

Man loses penis during fight Oguntade Ismaila

ÎÎÎExcept

a miracle happens, Abey Ahmed, a young Lagos resident, may not be able to procreate in his entire lifetime after his manhood was severely injured during a fight.

The incident reportedly occurred at Okun Owa area of Apapa, Lagos State recently.

The Daily Times gathered that the victim, during the squabble, fell flat on his face and became unconscious after the suspect allegedly trample on Ahmed’s penis.

Meanwhile, the suspect, identified as Allen Edema, was later arrested and charged before an Apapa Magistrate court for assault.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T. Abolarenwa granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with a surety in like sum.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

25 Opinion

Nigeria’s regulatory framework (2)

ÏÏÏ

In the last four weeks in this column, we have been discussing management of petroleum refining, specifically, grassroots refining. We had argued robustly for the legitimization of grassroots refining carried out by families and other small scale players in the industry who ae currently tagged and categorized as illegitimate refineries.

They are not tagged illegitimate because they burst pipes and steal crude which they then ingeniously refine. They are criminalized mainly for their principal business - refining: their refining of crude oil for premium motor spirit (petrol) and allied petroleum products: these activities of theirs are not licensed, to date, by government. Theirs is therefore an undercover ‘illegitimate’ business, albeit run by hundreds of operators, from the creeks all the way into Northern Nigeria, all along the petroleum pipelines, which is the source of their primary raw materials, crude oil, which crude is meant, originally, for the three big ‘legal’ refineries in Port-Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

Our prognosis is that

President Muhammadu Buhari should, one, decriminalize ordinary local/grassroots/rural/ creek people’s refining of crude into motor spirits and other petroleum products.

That government should stop throwing the baby out with the water. These local grassroots refiners who use local technology should be seen and recognized as ingenious, not criminals.

Two, government should supply them with crude oil. Not for free, but at a cost close enough to the amount we supply big local legal refineries in Warri, Port-Harcourt and Kaduna.

These local/ grassroots refiners would pay. They can pay. Theirs is a lucrative business and money-driven. So they can afford the cost of the crude oil, which is the raw material of the small scale refineries.

Three, government should encourage them to unionize, for discipline and best practice as well as for the purpose of their preventing further pipeline vandalisation. They are on ground: they know who is vandalizing or who is capable of vandalizing pipelines. Once you make these potential heroes of our petroleum economy

Illegal refinery. Inset: Kachikwu, Minister of State, Petroleum

legitimates, they will monitor and secure the pipelines free of charge. If we don’t legitimize them, we continue to make it more and more impossible to secure the pipelines, especially in the creeks and deep forests, North and South of Nigeria.

Four, aggressively increase the number of these grassroots local petroleum refiners and help them to improve on their existing technology, which costs nothing to the government. Instead of shutting them down in hundreds, let us increase them in thousands. I am envisaging increasing them to at least 100,000, each capable of producing 2,000 litres (10 drums) of motor fuel a day. That is, altogether, 200,000,000 million litres, daily, more than quadruple Nigeria’s current daily need. We

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

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KADUNA

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can export the rest.

Each grassroots refinery producing 2,000 litres has a turnover of not less than 100,000 naira a day and 36,500,000 naira a year per refinery. At a production wage bill of 10%, that is 3,650,000 naira in new jobs and taxable incomes per refinery. On a wage bill of 25,000 naira per month, which is far more than the current national minimum wage of 18,000 naira, each decriminalized grassroots refinery can employ about 15 young Nigerians each.

If government accepts our proposal/suggestion to increase the number of these local grassroots petroleum refiners to 100,000 this year 2016, that is 1,500,000 (one million five hundred thousand) youths taken off the labour markets. Nigerians and Africans are communal.

If you provide jobs for 1.5

million Nigerians, you would have fed 15 million people. You would have also created a multiplier effect for the economy, because most of the incomes of this grassroots indigenous petroleum workers will be invested back into the local economy. Add to this the taxes that would be paid by these local petroleum workers, which, at just 10%, would bring into government coffers not less than N365, 000,000,000 (three hundred and sixty five billion naira) minimum, in taxes, to various governments in the country.

In part one of this article and in this part two, we have set the stage for the main thrust of our argument, to wit and specifically, that our government and law makers should make an urgent legal/regulatory reform to make it possible

for the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agency, to implement the above suggestions. I believe that from our analysis and submissions so far, we have proven the case for law and regulatory reform in the petroleum upstream sector.

We only need to reiterate that if the above steps are taken, that is, if the hitherto illegal grassroots refineries are legalized, multiplied, unionized and supplied with crude oil, it will translate to billions of naira in new taxes to government at all levels.

This is in addition to its ensuring and assuring security of petroleum pipelines at little or no cost to government.

Finally, after the above suggestions have been implemented, the few true criminals, vandals, would emerge and be isolated for prosecution and incapacitation as majority of legitimate grassroots petroleum refiners would naturally embrace the proposed new legal/regulator regime that would legitimized them. Indeed, the union of hundreds of thousands of new legitimate grassroots petroleum refiners would ensure that the ille gitimates/vandals among them are exposed: it is in their business/ financial interest to do so. And it is in Nigeria’s economic interest to make this happen by legalising, multiplying and unionising the hitherto illegal grassroots petroleum refiners North and South of Nigeria.

R E P O R T KANO Low 27 °C High 44°C

BENIN CITY Low 18°C High 30 °C

P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 30 °C

CALABAR Low 25°C High 31°C

ENUgU Low 25°C High 36°C

WARRI Low 25°C High 33°C

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Health Æ s

LASUTH records first successful bone bridge surgery in West Africa

Dr. Idris

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has recorded its the first successful Bone Bridge Surgery in West Africa as well as successful Cochlear Implant surgeries on three deaf patients without the support of foreign doctors.

Commissioner of Health in the state, Dr Jide Idris, made this known on Tuesday at the annual ministerial press briefing to mark the first year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos.

Giving the account of the activities in the health sector in the state, Idris said, the state government, through LASUTH, also had its first successful kidney transplant carried out by the hospital’s team of urologists and nephrologists in November 2015 and discharged the patient in good condition on December 1, 2015, while another transplant is being planned.

Idris said the feat recorded in the state’s health sector is attributed to the purposeful leadership and support of the governor.

The commissioner said in the period under review, LASUTH in collaboration with Vision Care and South Korean community in Nigeria, provided free cataract surgeries for 120 Lagosians and treated 250 outpatients between November 9 and 13, 2015 with 100 percent success rate, while under the blindness prevention programme, 7,250 patients with varying ophthalmic conditions were screened at 29 different community screening venues out of which 4,867 representing 67.1 percent were given free glasses.

He said apart from the fact that LASUTH won several international awards of excellence in the period under review, Departments of Internal Medicine (ENT), Psychiatry and Pediatrics were granted accreditations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, while the first female Oncologist in Nigeria, Dr. Fatiregun Omolara emanated from LASUTH. Speaking further on various completed and ongoing projects in medical centres across the

Continued on page 27

Nursingworld Nigeria warns against fake admission

An asthmatic patient using an inhaler

Asthma can be controlled - Expert Stories by Lara Adejoro Bukola Kolawole was 4 years old when her parents discovered she was asthmatic. She was taken to the hospital for special care and the parents were told what to do to manage her condition. However, at 25, she discovered that she’s no longer asthmatic “I had always followed my doctor’s instructions and I discovered recently that I’ve not had any attack. Dealing with asthma especially during harmattan season can be very difficult because one has to keep herself warm, you don’t expose yourself to cold, take warm bath, drink warm water to keep safe and follow doctor’s prescriptions,” Bukola said.

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. During an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swells, causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs.

According to Professor Eruka Egbagbe of the Department of Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, said, “Asthma can come at any age. If it comes early, it’s possible that one outgrows it as he/she ages. There are people who present with asthma. I know someone who is over 80 years old who came in with asthma symptoms.”

Asthma being the most com-

mon non-communicable disease among children affects 235 million people globally, says the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Prof. Egbagbe said, Asthma is no longer an uncommon condition, “it’s now a common problem affecting people of all age groups, both make and female. The prevalence in Nigeria is put at 5-10 per cent; which means that in every 100 persons, between 5 and 10 persons may be asthmatic.

“Though, we are from a developing country and asthma is not expected to be so high. However, asthma has been linked with sophistication and westernisation.”

The don said, the more westernised the people get, the more asthmatic they become. “For in-

stance, if you look at the villages and cities, you will see that there are more asthma in the city compared to the villages. Hence, it’s clear and agreed that asthma is a disease of westernisation and it’s not surprising. Our people are adapting western lifestyles, they are eating more can-foods instead of eating vegetables from the farm, they are eating more beef, suya, chicken, roasted beef and all these contribute to the prevalence of asthma in Nigeria.”

Egbagbe said The risk factors for developing asthma are a combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure to inhaled substances and particles that may provoke

Continued on page 27

A professional body for nurses in Nigeria, Nursing World Nigeria, has warned prospective nursing students to beware of fake admissions into nursing schools.

Spokesperson for Nursing World Nigeria, Tony Nwaobi revealed that some persons are using different bank accounts to defraud students searching for admission in Schools of Nursing.

He said, “The fraudster uses different schools, same name and same number. When you call, they would say the form is ending next day.”

He urged students seeking admission into nursing schools to always visit the schools they are seeking admission from for enquries, check the dailies for advertisements.

Adding, he said, “the schools send the advertisements to us, so they can find details and notices on when forms are on sale by visiting our website and clicking ‘School Admissions’. If you see any number online and call. If the person tells you to pay into a bank account and tells you the form is closing soon or the next day, that person is a fraudster”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

27 Health

LASUTH records first successful bone bridge surgery, wins awards of excellence Continued from page 26 state, Idris said a new Critical Care Unit at LASUTH and Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) has been practically completed and ready for commissioning, while the contract for renovation and extension of the Old Ayinke House has been re-awarded with immediate commencement of work, as well as the Psychiatry Ward.

In the secondary health care, the Commissioner said projects already completed included the purchase of 26 Ambulances for

General Hospitals and LASUTH, procurement and installation of 26 Mobile Toshiba X-ray machines, construction and equipping of Accident and Emergency Centre in Ikorodu General Hospital, construction of Sewage Treatment Plant in Apapa and Somolu General Hospitals, installation of internet facility at the Health Service Commission for improved effectiveness and seamless performance of its activities, while major renovation works are currently ongoing in all the general hospitals in the state, as well as

Ambode

Dr. Idris

LASUCOM and School of Nursing Hostel, Igando.

Under the school health intervention programme, Idris said 16, 124 pupils in 33 public primary schools in 22 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the State were screened for medical, dental and ear, nose and throat morbidities, while 11, 327 were treated.

He also said that 1, 718, 400 milk sachets were allocated to an average of 56, 297 pupils in 1, 018 schools across the state.

Foundation to hold swimming competition In its bid to bringing national attention to better management of asthma in children and adults, the Elias Nelson Oyedokun Foundation (ENOF) will on Saturday, May 28 hold its inaugural swimming competition.

The competition is to hold at Grange School, Ikeja, Lagos.

In statement made available to Daily Times, the foundation said, “Young swimmers between the ages of 7-16 will compete to win medals and every participant will receive a certificate of participation.”

It said, the event is to encourage fitness in children as well as a forum to create an awareness of asthma.

Swimming can increase lung volume, improve an asthmatic’s general fitness and help them develop good breathing techniques, according to Wang Jeng-Shing from the Taipei Medical University.

Jeng-Shing authored a study, published in the August 20, 2009 edition of “Respirology,” which evaluated the effects of exercise on 30 asthmatic children between the ages of 7 to 12. He found that children who participated in a six-week swimming class, in addition to taking their regular asthma medications, showed significant improvement in their symptoms, hospitalizations, school absenteeism and emergency room visit encouraging young children to participate in sports contributes immensely to their overall health and well being.

“Swimming is a sport that although not very popular in Nigeria, is fast gaining ground amongst young children and adults alike,” the statement read in part.

ENOF was established in 2012 to commemorate the memory of Elias, who died unexpectedly as a result of an asthma attack in November 2011.

L-R: Consultant Surgeon, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adekwu Amali; MTN Trade Partner, Ms. Anthonia Agbasi; Dealer Account Executive, Mr. Chibuike Obilor; Hearing Aid Beneficiary, Ms. Aondoaver Veronica and MTN Foundation Representative, Mr. Henry Okechukwu during the assessment exercise of the MTN Foundation Hearing Aid Support Project at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Markudi...recently.

Asthma linked with westernisation Continued from page 26 allergic reactions or irritate the airways.

Explaining, she said, “some people have asthma in the family so there’s a tendency for their children to be asthmatic and if you have gas cooker in your home, the more tendency for the children to become asthmatic. So, it’s an interplay of genetic and environmental factors contributing to developing asthma.”

Other triggers of asthma, according to WHO are indoor allergens (for example house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pollution and pet dander); outdoor allergens (such as pol-

lens and moulds); tobacco smoke; and chemical irritants in the workplace.

Others include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise. “In some people, asthma can even be triggered by certain medications, such as aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine). Urbanization has also been associated with an increase in asthma, however the exact nature of this relationship is unclear.”

Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled.

The expert advised that, “if

you’re asthmatic, you need to see a specialist who will treat you properly and give advice on how to recognise the clinical symptoms that the asthma is getting severe. If you have a child who is wheezing, don’t take the child to the chemist or to the native doctor, take the child to the hospital; it may cost money but it will save life in the long run.”

She said, “Asthma cannot be cured but it’s controllable. When you see a doctor and telling you what to do. What to do to manage the disease and what to do to relieve yourself when attack comes.”

She decried lack of awareness on asthma. “Our people should be made to know what asthma

is. There’s no much awareness on asthma. People don’t want to talk about it. People want to hide asthma. Asthma can’t be hidden because of the associated wheeze.

“Even the death from asthma is not reducing, it’s still the same as when I went to school. Most asthmatic death happen outside the hospital because when they get into the hospital, help will be given.”

The world health body says, “Short-term medications are used to relieve symptoms. Medications such as long-term inhaled steroids are needed to control the progression of severe asthma.

People with persistent symptoms must take long-term medication daily to control the underlying

inflammation and prevent symptoms and exacerbations. Inadequate access to medicines is one of the important reasons for the poor control of asthma in many settings.

“Medication is not the only way to control asthma. It is also important to avoid asthma triggers - stimuli that irritate and inflame the airways. With medical support, each asthma patient must learn what triggers he or she should avoid. Although asthma does not kill on the scale of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic diseases, failure to use appropriate medications or to adhere to treatment can lead to death,” said WHO .

Olympic Day celebration holds May 25 ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T Action during the Olympic Day celebration

he 2016 Olympic Day celebration will hold on May 25, across the globe, while in Nigeria, the event is expected to be celebrated in the 36 states of the federation; including the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

Chairman of the Sports for All Nigeria, Prince Henry Amike who disclosed this in Lagos said this year’s event promises to be bigger, better and more glamorous, if words coming from their esteem partners is anything to count on.

Adding that Directors of Sports from the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have embraced the pro-

gramme during the two-day workshop held in Lagos.

Amike advised states that are yet to register for the Olympic Day celebration to hurry up and register so as to be captured in the 2016 activities.

He also pleaded with corporate bodies to support the programme through sponsorship.

Page 28

Thursday, MAY 5, 2016

Webb

Kwara Utd promise regular payment of salaries

faces lifelong ban, as FIFA opens proceedings F

IFA has opened adjudicatory proceedings against disgraced former official Jeffrey Webb, who could now face a lifelong ban from football.

The former CONCACAF chief and vice-president of FIFA pleaded guilty in the United States in November to one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of wire fraud conspiracy and three counts of money laundering conspiracy.

Webb was one of a number of officials arrested in a police operation last May as part of an FBI-led investigation into widespread corruption in world football’s governing body.

FIFA’s Ethics Committee launched its own investigation into Webb’s conduct and submitted a final report on April 26. A lifelong ban from

all football-related activities has been recommended.

“The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, chaired by Mr Hans-Joachim Eckert, has opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr Jeffrey Webb based on the final report submitted by the investigatory chamber,” a FIFA statement released on Wednesday read.

“The adjudicatory chamber has carefully studied the report of the investigatory chamber, under the chairmanship of Dr Cornel Borbely, and decided to institute formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr Webb, formerly the president of CONCACAF, a vice-president of FIFA, a member of the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Football Union and the president of the Cayman Islands Football As-

O Webb sociation.

“The final report was transmitted to the adjudicatory chamber on April 26, 2016, with a recommended sanction of a lifelong ban from all football-related activities for violations of articles 13, 15, 18, 19 and 21 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

“During the course of these adjudicatory proceedings, Mr Webb will be invited to submit his position with regard to the final report of the investigatory chamber, including any evidence (art. 70 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics), and may request a hearing (art. 74 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics).”

In his guilty plea to US judges late last year, Webb admitted he had “abused” the position of responsibility he held at the top of the game.

Boxing: Ajagba makes case for more Rio slots ANDREW EKEJIUBA

A

fter the poor outing of Nigerian boxers at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers held in Yaoundé, Cameroun where only one boxer, Efe Ajagba, fought in the superheavyweight division and picked one Olympic ticket, he called for Team Nigeria boxers to grab the second opportunity to feature at the Games.

The event which is the World Boxing Championship will hold from May 19-28, 2016 in Astana

Kazakhstan.

Speaking on behalf of his team mates, the Commonwealth bronze medalist and 2015 All Africa Games Silver medalist, Efetobor Apochi, who is also the captain of the Nigerian boxing team, said this is another opportunity for Nigeria to qualify more boxers for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Describing what happened at the last qualifiers in Cameroun as a big shame in terms of officiating, Apochi advised the Ministry of Sports, the Nigeria Boxing Federation and boxing enthusiasts

across the country not to write off the boxers or judge them with the Cameroun outing, but to give them another chance to prove themselves.

He insists that the likes of Edith Ogoke-Agu, Kehinde Obareh, Caroline Linus, himself and the rest of his team mates still have what it takes to conquer the world and pick Olympic tickets in Kazakhstan, just the way they did at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville where Nigeria won 4 gold and 2 silver medals in boxing alone.

Ajagba

ladimeji Thompson, the Chairman of Kwara United FC of Ilorin, on Wednesday promised to pay the salaries of its technical crew and players promptly to ensure promotion to the Premier League.

Thompson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that since his assumption of office, he had ensured that salaries of players and officials were paid promptly.

He said the club was not owing anyone for the season.

“We will pay monies due to the players when necessary to serve as motivation for our promotion aspiration.

“The players are the actors on the field of play, so their welfare is top priority for me.

“Though there are challenges we are still managing to forge ahead.

“I must give kudos to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, who despite meager resources to the state, is still financing the team.

“The era of wasting tax payer’s money is gone, so we will make use of monies we have judiciously,” Thompson said.

Thompson called on players, officials, management, stakeholders and supporters to put all hands on deck to ensure that the team was back to the Premier League next season.

He expressed confidence that with the preparations in place ahead of the commencement of the Nigeria National League (NNL) on May 7, the Ilorin-based team would soar ahead of others.

Kwara United is in Group A2 in the abridged format of the NNL alongside Adamawa United FC, FC Taraba, Wikki Feeders, Supreme Court, FC Zamfara, Dreams FC and Gombe United.

The Harmony Boys would kick start its campaign on May 7 at home to Adamawa United.

Gov. Ikpeazu

Thursday, May 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

Paralympic T committee announces new rule on

boosting

he International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced a new rule to check “boosting” in Paralympic sports.

IPC governing board on Wednesday agreed to the new rule, giving it immediate effect to become law.

Boosting is a banned performance enhancing practice where athletes with cervical or high thoracic spinal injury try to increase

their heart rate by voluntarily inducing autonomic dysreflexia.

According to reports, boosting is achieved by creating painful stimuli in the lower part of the body using electric shocks, tightening of leg straps and even breaking bones.

It explained that squeezing of the scrotum had also been reported as a boosting technique for male athletes as well as filling up of the bladder.

The report added that an eight-year study into autonomic dysreflexia, which pumps the body with adrenaline, was carried out by the IPC Medical Committee.

It said that the committee used data collected from nearly 160 athletes.

The IPC Medical and Scientific Director, Peter Van de Vliet, stated that it was the IPC’s duty to protect the health of athletes and integrity of the sport.

29

Onyali canvasses for more

participation

of women in sports

Giwa players grumble over crisis, no salaries

P

layers of Giwa FC are grumbling over the uncertainties hanging over them as the Jos club will be thrown out of the Nigeria Professional Football League should they fail to honour a second straight league match this weekend.

Several players of the club also revealed they are unhappy they have not been paid salaries for several months now.

At the weekend, Wikki Tourists walked over Giwa at the Ilorin Stadium after the Jos club stayed away from the match venue following their banishment from the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos on account of crowd trouble there recently.

Should Giwa fail to honour their next game away at Abia Warriors on Sunday, they will be expelled from the league as clearly stipulated in the rules of the competition.

One of the disturbed Giwa players said their fate is hanging in a balance.

“We don’t know what next for us here. All we do is to go to training and come back. We are not happy at all,” he said.

“We went to Jos stadium last

Onyali

A

FC Giwa coach Gbenga Ogunbote weekend for the game against Wikki and there were no referees for the game. We

the players are in dilemma right now and every day we get frustrated.”

Another player said they have not been paid salaries.

Enyimba defy form book, deny Pillars top spot

C

hampions Enyimba defied the form book Wednesday when they beat Kano Pillars 2-1 and denied the host team the chance to go top of the Nigeria league table.

Pillars thus stay in second place on 24 points from 14 matches, three points behind leaders Enugu Rangers, while Enyimba climbed to 13th place with 17 points from 11 matches.

Experienced central defender Ike ThankGod grabbed the match winner for Enyimba eight minutes from time in a rescheduled league

match.

Pillars went in front through skipper Rabiu Ali after 20 minutes, before midfielder Nzube Anaezemba restored parity in the 51st minute.

Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai on his first return to former club Pillars did not complete the game as he was forced out by injury in the 83rd minute. He was replaced by Femi Thomas.

Pillars enjoyed the ball possession from start to finish, but Enyimba took their chances very well to inflict the first loss at home for their rivals this season.

Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.

n Olympian Mary Onyali on Wednesday called for more women participation in sports.

Onyali, Chairman, Women Commission an affiliate body to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that an improvement in women participation in sports would help to redress disparity in sports administration.

She noted that this was in line with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) efforts at encouraging more women involvement in the Olympic Movement.

“We will preach to every state government across the country, on the need to allow their female children to participate in sports, for health, education and the financial benefits,” she said.

Onyali said the objective would aim at supporting the IOC advocacy for women participation in sports at all levels. “We want to ensure that everybody in the country is sports inclined or oriented at some level, either for health or for financial benefits.”

Onyali said they would take the advocacy programmes to states, local government, schools, communities and prisons.

“As much as I have traveled around the world, I have seen what sports can do to people in general, but in this case our job will be targeted at the women.

“The target is women, because they have been downtrodden for a long time.

Through sports, women can achieve top positions in the world.

“With the type of rigorous training in sports, there is no way that a sportswoman will not set her mind to achieve something great,” she said, noting that the commission had mapped out a 9-point agenda that could be achievable in four years.

She added the women commission would hold awards ceremonies to recognise professional sportswomen that had made the country proud now and in the past.

30

Thursday, May 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

Ronaldo:

Allen eyes

Neymar will not leave Barca!

Europa League final J

oe Allen is optimistic Liverpool can overturn their first-leg deficit against Villarreal and reach the Europa League final.

The two teams meet at Anfield for today’s semi-final second leg after the Spanish side won the opening encounter 1-0 at El Madrigal thanks to Adrian Lopez’s stoppage-time strike.

The winners of the tie will face either holders Sevilla or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final in Basel on May 18 and midfielder Allen is confident Liverpool will be there.

“Villarreal will have their work cut out,” he told UEFA. “On another night we would have won the first leg, which would have been ideal.

“But I’m confident that we have got enough to win this second leg and put them out.

“There was an extremely fine line between us imposing our gameplan in the first leg and getting a 1-0 win ourselves, and the way the match actually turned out.

“As hard as it was to concede that goal, particularly so late, I really thought we all gave a good account of ourselves. Games like that are what you look forward to all career – big matches in a semi-final of a UEFA competition.

“We did our preparation well and we learned a great deal for the game

F

Allen

Vidal blasts ‘ugly’Atletico

A

rturo Vidal claimed “ugly football” unfairly prevailed as Bayern Munich were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Trailing to Saul Niguez’s stunning first-leg strike, Bayern dominated the return fixture at the Allianz Arena where they had 72.5 per cent possession and 33 attempts on goal.

Pep Guardiola’s side scored twice on the night through Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski, but Antoine Griezmann’s crucial strike was enough to see Atletico

progress courtesy of the awaygoals rule, following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.

And, speaking after the game, Bayern midfielder Vidal made it clear the result did not reflect the pattern of the game he felt his side dominated.

“We were superior,” the Chile international said. “We controlled the game, but we did not finish off the chances we had.

“Atletico did exactly what they have been doing all year in their league and took advantage of their chances.”

Vidal

after Juve clash W

Toni

Guardiola:

I have given my life to Bayern!

P

Toni to retire orld Cup-winning Italy striker Luca Toni has announced he will retire after Verona’s meeting with Juventus on Sunday.

The 38-year-old, who finished as joint-top scorer in Serie A last season, has been unable to replicate such prolific form in 201516 to prevent Verona’s relegation.

“After thinking for a long time, I’ve decided that, after

ormer Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo believes that Neymar will remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

Wagner Ribeiro, the 24-yearold’s agent, had suggested that a sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer could suit the Barca star, should the French champions match the buyout clause in his contract.

However Neymar has enjoyed another successful campaign at Camp Nou and is an integral piece to the MSN puzzle, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

22 years of football, the next game will be my last as a professional,” he told a news conference.

“I’ve realised that I have reached the end of the path.

“I’m a little emotional, it was a difficult and painful decision but I’ve come to the end of my playing career.

“I’ve been thinking about it for some weeks, they haven’t been easy weeks. At the Bentegodi against Juventus will be my last match.”

Toni won two league and cup doubles with Bayern Munich after strong spells with Palermo and later Fiorentina. He claimed the European Golden Shoe after scoring 31 league goals for the latter in the 2005-06 season.

ep Guardiola says he has given his life to Bayern Munich after failing to take the club to a Champions League final at his third and final attempt.

The former Barcelona coach is set for Manchester City after this season, meaning Tuesday’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid spells the end of his European hopes with the German giants.

Guardiola was appointed coach with the stated aim of turning the Bavarian club into a major Champions League force and while he has taken the side to threestraight semi-finals, he failed to get them to a decider.

But Guardiola insisted it was not for a lack of trying.

“I have given my life for this team, I fought and gave my best,” he told reporters after the game.

“That’s all. We are not in the Champions League final but I am very proud of this team. We played the way we wanted to play.

“What was missing, was a goal.

I am mostly sorry for the players.”

Guardiola

Thursday, May 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP Adelaide want

We don’t need

Leicester friendly

superstars

A

in Leicester — Ranieri L

eicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists he has no need for “superstars” ahead of his team’s Premier League title defence.

The Italian’s side were crowned champions on Monday, completing an incredible title triumph after Tottenham were held to a draw at Chelsea.

Ranieri knows the difficulty of the task awaiting his team next season as he looks to

strengthen his squad.

But he said there was no need for big names to be signed, insisting only the right additions would be made.

“We don’t need superstars, we need our players,” Ranieri said.

“I want to improve the squad without big stars but the right players.”

Stars Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have already been linked with moves away after impressive campaigns.

Ranieri warned his players about any

Ranieri

potential moves away, saying they may be best off waiting.

“We have won the title and we can do something good in the future,” he said.

“I will tell them, ‘If you go away, you don’t know what might happen. Maybe you go to a big team and you won’t be in the starting XI, then you will slow down. Here you are the king. Stay here one year more, then maybe you can go somewhere else’.

“That’s why it’s important to be careful in what you choose to do.”

-League champions Adelaide United could face Premier League winners Leicester City in a friendly in South Australia. Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester completed their incredible title success on Monday after Tottenham failed to win at Chelsea. That came just days after Adelaide secured their maiden A-League championship with a 3-1 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers in the grand final.

Now, South Australia minister for sport Leon Bignell confirmed he was keen to bring Leicester to Adelaide for a friendly.

Payet cleans up West Ham awards

Iwobi reveals key W to Arsenal rise

Iwobi

A

lex Iwobi says an increase in confidence has been key to his rise at Arsenal this season after what he described as “a bumpy ride” earlier in his career.

The 20-year-old made his Arsenal debut last October and has gone on to make 20 appearances in all competitions – scoring twice - as well as breaking into the Nigeria squad at

FA charges

Spurs, Chelsea

following ‘Battle of the Bridge’

international level.

Iwobi feels like Arsenal are in his blood and is thrilled to have developed his game to a point where he can make an impact at the highest level.

“I have seen the picture of me signing as a child in the yellow top,” he said.

“I remember signing - that moment was crazy, I remember smiling so much.

My mum and dad were proud of me and they were there waiting for me.

“It has been a bumpy ride since then.

It has been a rollercoaster with a lot of ups and a few downs that I have had to

C

helsea and Tottenham have been charged with three breaches of failing to control their players during Monday’s ‘Battle of the Bridge’.

The Football Association charges come after incidents in the 45th and 87th minutes

get over in the past.

“Certainly now there are a lot more positives in my career. As a youngster, the main thing for me was confidence.

“I would always be in the background and I wouldn’t take the game or be who I am right now. I always relied on other people, but I think having my family and friends around me gave me a bit more confidence and they told me what I needed to work on.

“I have always loved Arsenal. When I was young, I was always waiting to watch the legends of the club play.

and also at the end of the game at Stamford Bridge on Monday which saw the home side come back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw and end Tottenham’s chances of winning the Premier League.

Both clubs have until 6pm on Monday, May 9 to respond

to their charge.

Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembélé has also been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video after he was involved in an incident with Diego Costa towards the end of the first half.

est Ham star Dimitri Payet cleaned up at the club’s endof-season awards as he won five different gongs on the night. The France international won player of the season, players’ player of the season, signing of the season, goal of the season and top goalscorer in a huge night for Upton Park favourite.

His efforts have launched West Ham into the top-four race and although a Champions League spot next season is looking unlikely with three games to play and five points to make up on fourth-placed Manchester City.

Payet

Tottenham have proven critics wrong – Eriksen

T

Eriksen

ottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen believes his team have finally swayed critics with their displays this season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s largely youthful and exciting side were Leicester City’s biggest challengers for the title.

Monday’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea ended

Tottenham’s chances of winning the Premier League, but they remain on track to finish second.

Eriksen said their displays were enough for critics to finally give Spurs the credit they deserve.

“People have changed their minds about how they see Spurs,” the Denmark

international said.

“Normally they are seen as exciting but inconsistent team. Now it’s a bit of both. Its exciting games and the style how we play.

“It’s a good start and it’s something we have forced people to believe in us.

I think we have changed people’s minds.”

Second-half goals from Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard saw Chelsea fight back from 2-0 down against Tottenham, seeing Leicester’s first top-tier title secured.

Despite the result, Eriksen felt his side had shown enough of their quality at Stamford Bridge.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. GROUP EDITOR: BIODUN DUROJAIYE News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.102

Price: N150

Real beat Man City to reach UCL final

FIFA remembers Yekini

Yekini!

T

he Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), on Wednesday remembered Nigeria’s late ex-international, Rasheed Yekini, four years after his death.

In a statement on the world football governing body’s website, it looked back on his memorable goal which became historic and the subsequent celebration.

Yekini, who is Nigeria’s highest goal scorer (37 goals)

till date, died of illness on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.

He entered history books after scoring the Super Eagles’ first ever FIFA World Cup goal at the 1994 finals held in the U.S. in the 3-0 group stage win over Bulgaria.

“Yekini, who played for several clubs in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Switzerland, could hardly believe he had scored and spontaneously grabbed the net, shaking it and crying in celebration.

“The photo of the Nigerian international

Bale

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captivated the world and even today the former striker remains a respected figure in the global football family”, the statement added.

Yekini, represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups, and was the first Nigerian to be voted African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

He helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, where he also topped the goal charts and was named best player of the competition.

eal Madrid defeated Manchester City 1-0 on Wednesday to book their final ticket in this year’s Champions League, as Man City failed to reach their first Champions League final after an uninspiring semi-final second-leg display at 10-time winners Real Madrid.

After a goalless draw in the first leg, Real took the lead when Gareth Bale’s cross deflected off City’s Fernando.

The home side dominated, Bale’s header hitting the bar and Joe Hart saving from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo.

City rarely threatened as Real set up a meeting with rivals Atletico Madrid in the Milan final later this month.

The English side knew they potentially only needed one away goal to progress, but appeared reluctant to go for broke in the final stages - despite being encouraged to attack by the vocal 4,500 away supporters.

Now Real Madrid will meet Atletico at the San Siro on 28 May, in a repeat of the 2014 final which Real won 4-1 after extra-time.

Terry, Rooney, Eto’o for Yobo testimonial

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helsea captain John Terry is the latest player from the English Premier League to confirm his availability in Port Harcourt for the Joseph Yobo Centenary Game scheduled for May 27 to celebrate the retirement of the former Super Eagles captain from football.

The centre back, who captained between August 2006 and February 2010, and again from March 2011 to February 2012, confirmed his availability for the game to Yobo last weekend.

“We are really excited by the confirmation of John

Terry for the Yobo Centenary Game in Port Harcourt. He’s one big player who is very popular here in the country because of England and Chelsea’s large followership in Nigeria,” observed coordinator of the Centenary Game, Waidi Akanni.

Both Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney are also expected along with a host of other players from Europe.

Also confirmed for the match are top African players like Samuel Eto’o Fils, the Ayew Brothers, Dede and Jordan, Sulley Muntari, Djibril Cisse and Tresor Lualua amongst others.

Akanni, a former Super Eagles player, said in Lagos that the Yobo testimonial has continued to generate interests from past and present players from around the world.

“In the course of Yobo’s career that saw him clock 100 caps for Nigeria, he built so much goodwill around Europe.

Anywhere you mention his name, people remember him with fond memories,” stressed Akanni.

Last weekend, Yobo, who was special guest at Everton’s home game against Bournemouth, was duly hailed by fans who remembered his 10 years adventure there. Chants of ‘Yobo, Yobo, Yobo’ rocked the stands as fans honoured him.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

OPEC gives up on freeze Page B2 talk

Elumelu pledges further capital for Page B6 African growth

IITA launches project on sustainable cassava seed system in Nigeria Page B3

MTN pays former CEO, Michael Ikpoki, N350m as exit package

Union urges NLC to unite against States owing salaries

Tony Nwakaegho

Joy Ekeke The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has called on the Nigerian Labour Congress to be united in the fight against the delay of salary payments by state governments.

NUTGTWN attributed the plight of Nigerian workers over delayed payment of salaries and diversion of bailout funds to division in the apex labour movement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

West African Transform Margin, which includes basins in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Partners in the asset include Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum, New Age, Energy Equity Resources, Panoro Energy and Jacka Resources (whose interest is linked to a company named MXO, which is trying to sell).

According to Africa Oil + Gas report, there has been another discovery in the Dahomey Basin, notably, the Lekoil operated Ogo Field, there has not been rigorous exploration of this petroleum system and the likelihood that Dahomey will rival Niger Delta at

Mr. Michael Ikpoki, former MTN Nigeria chief executive officer, has received about $1.8 million (N350 million) as exit package which includes his salary and post-employment benefits after his resignation in early December last year.

This development is part of the cost of MTN’s non-compliance in Nigeria, and massive exit of some of the executives who left in the midst of the ongoing mega-fine scandal.

Ikpoki’s exit came after MTN revealed it was facing a $5.2 billion fine in Nigeria for failing to disconnect 5.1 million subscribers in the country, by the Nigerian Communication Commission’s (NCC) deadline.

This was later reduced by 25 per cent but MTN still faces a $3.9 billion fine from the NCC, which is yet to be resolved six months later.

How much of the fine will ultimately be paid is still unknown, but the costs associated with the non-compliance issue are racking up for the telco.

There is no statement as to how much Akinwale Goodluck, former Nigerian head of regulatory and corporate affairs, received for his exit. Goodluck resigned at the same time as Ikpoki.

In terms of the actual fine, MTN has so far, only paid Nigerian au-

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed at the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Presidential Villa Abuja… on Wednesday.

Nigerian firms start oil production in Dahomey Opeoluwani Akintayo Nigeria has started the first commercial crude oil production outside the Niger Delta in Dahomey, the Republic of Benin.

According to a source at Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum, production commenced from the Aje field, in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 113, the Dahomey (Benin) Basin, offshore Lagos, on May 3, 2016.

“Subsea installation activities had been underway at Aje since January and were completed in early March ready for the hook-up of the Front Puffin FPSO, which arrived in Nigeria on the 16th of March”, according to Panoro Energy, a minority partner in the

Thursday, May 5, 2016

project.

“Oil produced from the Aje field will be stored on the Front Puffin which has production capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels”, the London based, Oslo listed junior explains.

“Flow rates will be provided in Panoro’s next operations update, following a period of commissioning and well stabilisation”, it added.

Although Aje production is from a small oil rim of an essentially gas rich field, and is unlikely to deliver more than 12,000Barrels a day at peak, in a production period spanning at most 15 years, its commissioning in the 60 year of commercial oil discovery in

the Niger Delta is symbolic.

Prior to the new development, Nigeria had produced all its crude from the Niger Delta basin for 58 years. In the last 20 years, however, that production has been fraught with severe challenges, as recurring violence became part of the mainstream national conversation.

The shut in of 250,000Barrels of oil due to the breach of the Trans Forcados System by vandals in February is the latest evidence that continuous production in the basin is not always guaranteed.

Aje is an offshore field located in OML 113 in the country’s offshore western flank, in what is known as the Dahomey Basin, a rift basin considered part of the

Afreximbank obtains $50m loan from BADEA Charles Okonji The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disclosed it had obtained $50 million credit from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance trade between Arab and African countries.

The disclosure was contained in a statement by the bank, which was made available to

Daily Times on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the grant is to guarantee regular flow of goods and services vital for economic growth in the countries.

The statement reads President of Afreximbank, Dr Benedict Oramah, as saying that the facility would finance Arab exports to Afreximbank member states eligible for BADEA funding.

Oramah stated that the credit marked the first step in cooperation between the two banks in the area of trade finance operations, adding that the fund was for energy, industry and agriculture sectors to improve living conditions and alleviate poverty in African countries.

He explained that granting the credit demonstrated BADEA’s commitment to working with Afreximbank to develop the Af-

rican continent and promote Arab-Africa trade.

Oramah stated that the credit was an opportunity to work with BADEA to expand its 500 million dollars Egypt-Africa Trade Promotion Programme and to replicate it in other Arab countries.

He said that the Afreximbank hoped to match ``capitalsurplus’’ Arab economies with ``resource-endowed’’ African countries in order to expand

their influence and relevance in the global economy.

The African Afreximbank is the foremost Pan-African multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade.

The bank was established in October, 1993 by African governments, African private and institutional investors, and nonAfrican investors.

Business News B2 Union urges NLC to unite against States owing salaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

NUTGTWN General Secretary and former Vice President of NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu said: “The current assault on the work force such as delayed payments of salaries, diversion of bail-out funds are made possible because comrades are not united in mass actions against bad employers and bad Governors.”

Aremu, who addressed the press in commemoration of this year’s workers’ day alongside the President of the Union, Comrade John Adaji however, called on labour unions affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to critically use the occasion of May Day to get united for a vibrant labour movement.

According to Aremu, “We regret that as we point two accusing fingers at bad governors and bad employers, the remaining three fingers point at us too who are unacceptably divided against ourselves rather than united against common class enemy.

“It’s time we close ranks to ensure we have an NLC that commands the confidence of workers, be trusted by the public, respected by the government and employers.

“To this extent our union calls on NLC leaders at all levels to immediately implement the report of the NLC Reconciliation Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu aimed at resolving the avoidable crisis arising from 11thDelegates Conference last year.

“Textile Union is not happy that NLC could not have a common May Day in spite of the joint resolutions of all the parties to put the past behind. We commend Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Comrades Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero for the signed resolutions. It is however time we all implemented these resolutions with sincerity of purpose.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

N90bn unclaimed dividends: Shareholders task SEC on CAMA review Some shareholder groups on Wednesday in Lagos called for review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in view of unclaimed dividends piling at the capital market.

The group stated that the committee being proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the issue should be quickly constituted.

Director-General of SEC, Mr Mounir Gwarzo, recently said that the commission would soon set up a capital market committee to tackle the N90 billion unclaimed dividends matter.

Mr Boniface Okezie, President of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) told NAN that the committee, when

set up, should amend Section 383 of CAMA to address the issue.

Okezie said that the committee should initiate a bill to the National Assembly to seek review of the 12-year old statute-bar placed on that section of CAMA. “We should not be talking about statute-barred now; dividends should be claimed at any given time.

“The stock of unclaimed dividends will continue to increase in the market unless Section 383 of CAMA is amended,” he said.

The shareholders’ president also urged SEC to collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on acceptance of dividend warrants into both savings and current accounts.

He said that some banks reject-

ed lodgement of dividend warrants into savings accounts, adding that such had contributed to the rising figure of unclaimed dividends in the market.

He said that shareholders would not support the establishment of Unclaimed Dividend Trust Fund (UDTF), pointing out that unclaimed dividends fund belonged to investors, not government.

Okezie urged SEC to strengthen its nationwide enlightenment on e-dividend platform to enhance investors’ participation.

He stated that SEC needed to liaise with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to address the hitches experienced in using the platform for payment.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden; Leader of delegation from hunan xianghui Development Group Ltd, Mr. Yau Fangmingl; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and others during a courtesy visit of the delegation to Lalong in Jos… on Wednesday.

Opeoluwani Akintayo As OPEC’s next general meeting is fast approaching in June, sources say there are currently no proposals on the ground to resume the freeze talk.

The failure of talks to freeze production last month, led to a meeting of representatives from the Organization in Vienna on Wednesday, where they discussed how the fundamentals of oil supply and demand are improving.

Nigerian firms start oil production in Dahomey CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

any time for Nigeria’s crude output, is far-fetched.

Still, there is a clear government recognition for “diversity” in basinal crude oil output.

Last week, the Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the hydrocarbon company NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, said that part of his priority lies in finding oil in the Chad Basin in Nigeria’s insurgency ravaged northeast.

Aje field is situated in water depths ranging from 100 to 1,000 metres about 24 km from the coast. The Aje Field contains hydrocarbon resources in sandstone reservoirs in three main levels – a Turonian gas condensate reservoir, a Cenomanian oil reservoir and an Albian gas condensate reservoir. Panoro says that “AGR TRACS International calculated the gross Cenomanian oil Proved plus Probable Reserves estimate associated the Aje-4 and Aje-5 wells, and the gross Contingent Resources estimate associated with the future drilling of Aje-6 and Aje-7 wells.

At that time AGR TRACS International calculated these as 23.4MMbbl and 15.7MMBbl respectively (on a gross basis), indicating a mid-case expected ultimate recovery of 39.1MMBbl from the Cenomanian Oil Reservoir once all four wells have been drilled. AGR TRACS International also calculated the Turonian gas and condensate/oil best estimate gross contingent resource as 163mmboe.

R^& ƆƐƄ ƏƋ ƅƍƄƄƔƄ Ǝ Ɖƈ Ï1ƍ ƏƋ ƊƏƊ ƐƄƍ yƆƄ ô ƍƄƌƏƄ Ǝ The freeze talks was said to have been overtaken by issues on changes in the market and may no longer be necessary, according to information trickling in.

Oil has rebounded after slumping to the lowest since 2003 earlier this year amid signs the global glut will ease as U.S.

output declines. While talks between OPEC nations and other producers including Russia fell apart last month after Saudi Arabia refused to freeze its production unless Iran joined in, there had been signs the proposal could be revived at OPEC’s bi-annual meeting in June.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, has continued to advance, rising to $48.50 a barrel last week, the highest level since November.

Members have yet to respond to Venezuela’s request that nonmembers who participated in the Doha talks should be invited to the June meeting.

LjM Ƌ Ɠ ƅ ƍƊƄƍ &Rè LƆƃ ƄƉ 9ƈƋ ƈƆè MƠƾƞƊ ƄƒƆƎ Ƌ ƃƈ Ƅ CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

thorities $250 million as part of a “good faith payment” towards settling the hefty fine in the West African nation. The company also included a provision of almost R9.3 billion for the fine in its 2015 full-year results.

Overall, in 2015, MTN paid its more than 21, 000 employees a total of R8.6 billion. Around 15, 000 of these employees are permanent, while the rest are contractors.

The number of people in the business declined five per cent from 2014. The company also re-

vealed that only 37 per cent of MTN’s staff are women.

The total amount paid to nonexecutive directors was around R21.5 million, compared to around R14.7 million in 2014. In 2015, MTN paid almost R3.7 billion in regulatory fees across its 22 operations; R19.1 billion was

paid for licences and R13.5 billion in taxes.

MTN admits in the integrated report that the Nigerian fine has “eroded investor confidence in MTN Nigeria and the group as a whole, and negatively impacted the reputation of MTN across our stakeholder groups”.

The total of the MTN fine in Nigeria is still up for negotiation and the telco stated it continues to engage with the Nigerian authorities to “ensure an amicable resolution in the best interests of the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities”.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5 2016

B3 Business News

IITA launches project on sustainable cassava seed system in Nigeria Charles Okonji A four-year project (2015 – 2019) to develop a commercially sustainable cassava seed value chain in Nigeria, was recently officially launched at the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Titled ‘Building a Sustainable, Integrated Seed System for Cassava in Nigeria’ (BASICS), the $USD11.6 million project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and led by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB).

Despite being the largest cassava producer in Africa, Nigeria’s average yields of 14 tons per hectare is less than half of what may

be realistically attainable.

The project aims at helping Nigerian producers reach this potential through developing a commercially sustainable cassava seed value chain based on the purchase of quality seed by farmers provided by vibrant and profitable village seed entrepreneurs and basic seed production linked to cassava processors.

These seed businesses will provide healthy seed of more productive cassava varieties leading to adoption of new varieties to improve productivity and food security, increase incomes of cassava growers and village seed entrepreneurs and enhance gender equity.

Kicking off the public launch, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, explained that the

key to industrializing cassava is to increase productivity, and this means addressing the problem with weeds, improving agronomy and providing quality seed.

Dr. Graham Thiele, RTB Program Director, gave the project overview: “Our vision is that by 2019 smallholder cassava growers are buying high quality stems of their preferred varieties and planting them with improved agronomic practices. As a result yields have jumped by at least 40 percent and farmers have more secure markets for expanded production… Novel rapid multiplication technologies have lowered the cost of producing seed Land accelerated the introduction of new varieties. Vibrant new businesses have been created all along the

cassava seed value chain creating employment especially for women and youth.”

Mrs. Doyin Awe, representative of Nigeria’s Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that exciting new opportunities were opening for cassava, adding that planting materials for cassava present special challenges as they are bulky and perishable.

She committed the full support of the Ministry to the new project and thanked the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for providing the funding.

Dr. Julius Okonkwo, Executive Director, National Root Crops and Research Institute (NRCRI), noted that Nigeria’s cassava seed system was informal, stressing that

NRCRI was very pleased to form part of the project in developing a modern seed system for cassava.

Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) said; “I am excited to get back to BASICS so that we could move forward for a food secure Nigeria.”

He underscored the need to work on the entire innovation to impact pathway, stressing that history is being made, and that he was very proud to see such a great initiative unveiled.

Mr. Louw Burger of Thai Farms, a cassava flour processing company, explained that better roots were easier to harvest and that its extremely important to start with the right seed.

Stakeholders recommend concrete pavement on Wharf-Apapa road Charles Okonji

A cross-section of participants at a Digital Marketing Workshop for women organised by Women Technological Empowerment Centre, in Lagos on Wednesday

FG to upgrade, build more cultural villages Charles Okonji The Federal Government has revealed its plans to develop more Cultural Industries and Heritage villages.

Mr Seyi Womiloju, the Director of , Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja said the Federal Government had proposed upgrading and building more cultural villages to generate employment.

He noted that the proposed project was meant to tackle unemployment among youths in the country. ``When the budget is passed, we intend to upgrade all the 12 cul-

tural villages across the country and add two more.

Why we are upgrading is that we need more tools; we need to ensure that the needed infrastructures are in place to make the place comfortable for them to operate. ``Another reason for the upgrade is that the required work force is a little bit higher than what we have now. We intend to make the utmost use of the opportunity by getting the people at the grassroots to get themselves busy by using it to bring food to their table,’’ he said.

According to him, the cultural festival calendar for the country, was on the process of identifica-

Buhari

tion for proper harmonization of the country’s festivals.

He explained that after the collation, the Federal Government and State governments would

have to agree on the festivals calendar.

The director stated that when the calendar was ready, it would be uploaded into the internet for the whole world to be informed.

The minister said; “We can even have four festivals in a month; which is possible. But you see, once the Federal Government steps in to give State government support, the states will expect federal to fund everything; and the money is not there.”

On the Sukur National Monument in Adamawa State, he said that it was regrettable that Boko Haram destroyed some parts of it in 2014 ``and nothing has been done till date’’.

As Nigeria losses the average of $1.5 billion (about N300 trillion) annually due to failed roads, a case has been made to the federal and state governments to consider the use of concrete paved road as a sustainable alternative to bituminous roads to save the nation the huge economic losses.

Moreover, hope has risen for the fixing of the dilapidated Wharf-Apapa road in Lagos as stakeholders recommended the use of concrete pavement to rehabilitate the road.

The hope was given by the combined delegation from the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing as well as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) which was on inspection tour of a 25km Ibese-Itori concrete paved road in Yewa, Ogun state, constructed by the AG Dangote Construction Nigeria Limited, at the weekend.

The officials said they have observed that the concrete roads are more durable than bituminous ones.

Leader of the delegation, Chief Mike Ajayi, the General Manager Western Ports, said with what they have seen, concrete roads would be a viable alternative for Nigeria, in terms of quality and durability and against the background of the incessant failure of bituminous roads.

Money Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

L-R: Adeleye Adejumobi , Chellerams Plc; Olusike Bamisebi, Business Connexion; Charles Kie, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria; Janet El Hajj, Sakr Power and Paul Otu, Costain West Africa , at the Ecobank Corporate bank customers appreciation forum held in Lagos… on Wednesday.

How Okonkwo’s removal may affect Fidelity Bank Stories by Motolani Oseni There are indications that Fidelity Bank Plc may have fallen foul of financial regulatory demands, as the bank is enmeshed in a huge financial transaction even as the management of the bank on Monday evening announced the replacement of Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (MD/ CEO), Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo over his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Also, On Tuesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) officials stormed Fidelity Bank’s Corporate head office in Lagos over $115 million cash allegedly laundered from the bank in the build up to the 2015 general elections.

It will be recalled that EFCC

had arrested Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo for allegedly receiving $115 million in lodgements from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and disbursed the funds to politicians in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election that was lost by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, indications are that the involvement of the bank’s management in an alleged dubious financial transaction of about $26 million is a major source of concern to the apex regulator, whose major guideline on financial intermediation has been ignored by the former Managing Director of the bank and few other top officials.

A source close the CBN disclosed to our correspondent that the bank violated its regulation on Know Your Customer (KYC),

Nnamdi Okonkwo

which compliance has been made mandatory since 2001. The circular, which was sent to all the banks in November 28, 2001 and signed by I.O. Imala, director of banking supervision, through circular BSD/DO/CIR/V.1/01/24 and titled, “Circular to all banks

Stanbic IBTC Bank partners Globe Motors on vehicle acquisition In a move to further bring affordable banking services to more customers, Stanbic IBTC Bank, is partnering with Globe Motors and Hyundai, and has announcing a promo that would see the bank financing the acquisition of Hyundai range of vehicles from Globe Motors by interested customers.

The lender, which is a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, said that the promo is expected to run for an initial period of three months, customers who wish to take advantage of the opportunity will enjoy financing at highly competitive rates and flexible repayment terms, the bank says.

According to the bank, the

partnership will enable salaried customers, self-employed and corporate organisations who have accounts with the bank to buy vehicles from Globe Motors and pay over a period between 12 months and 4 years. Non-Stanbic IBTC customers, who are salaried, can also benefit from this initiative by transferring their salary accounts to Stanbic IBTC Bank.

The scheme also offers such added benefits as highly discounted insurance premium through Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers, competitive vehicle prices, reduced interest rates, maintenance service support, and a three-year vehicle warranty.

Commenting on this develop-

ment, Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Babatunde Macaulay, pointed that the partnership is underpinned by the growing need to lessen the financial burden of car acquisition for Nigerians. He noted that convenience and accessibility to financial services is important to Stanbic IBTC Bank and assured that the bank would continue to review and identify opportunities to make customers’ lives easier.

DTN Exchange Rate Monitor Currency

Official Rate

Parallel Market

USD

197

321

EUR

224

361

GBP

282

468

and other financial institutions: Know Your Customer (KYC) directive,” is a major initiative for lasting control of the movement of illicit money and peddling of obnoxious financial practices, especially money laundering in the system.

The sources also noted that the KYC policy has even assumed some expanded dimension, as many banks are now applying it as a major advantage in their retail banking considerations.

However, the CBN directive noted, “In view of the surge in the incidence of reported criminal transactions in banks and other financial institutions emanating from both within and outside the country, it has become imperative for operators to be reminded of the need to faithfully implement the various provisions of the Money Laundering

Guidance Notes for Banks in Nigeria and to observe the Code of Ethics and Professionalism in the Banking and Finance Industry, published by the Bankers’ Committee. Of particular significance is the need for financial institutions to develop and to have in place adequate policies, practices and procedures that will ensure a rigorous customer due diligence, in order to prevent their institutions from being used by criminal elements”.

Meanwhile, the management of the bank on Monday evening announced Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Balarabe as its acting MD/CEO after a board meeting.

Balarabe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance from Nottingham Trent University, UK, as well as an MSc in Finance from the University of Lagos.

Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

5/4/16

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

POUNDS STERLING

10/10/00

285

286

EURO

22557.64%

226.1519

226.7273

SWISS FRANC

205.0424

205.5654

206.0885

YEN

1/1/00

2

2

CFA

32.66%

0.3366

0.3466

WAUA

278.986

279.6977

280.4094

YUAN/RENMINBI

1/30/00

30

30

RIYAL

5225.83%

52.3916

52.5249

DANISH KRONA

30.3124

30.3897

30.4671

SDR

10/4/00

279

280

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

B5 Brands & Marketing

6.9mn 2016 Maltina Teacher of the Year Nigerians opens, extends entry to private schools contribute N5.3trillion in Pension Fund Scheme Stories by Godwin Anyebe

After 10 years of the contributory pension scheme kicked off in Nigeria, it has emerged that approximately 6.9 million out of 170 million Nigerians have keyed in to the scheme resulting in N5.3 trillion contribution with the period.

Making this disclosure at the 2016 Workers’ Celebration at Onikan Stadium in Lagos yesterday, the Executive Secretary of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Ms. Susan Oranye stated that contrary to the N20trillion being touted as the total contribution, the actual contribution from 6.9 million employees across the country stands at N5.3trillion.

According to her, there has been marginal growth since May 1 last year and there is still a lot top be done by encouraging Nigerians to see the benefit of pension at retirement. “As at first quarter of the year, the total fund was N5.3trillion. Since May last year till now the industry has grown and that is an indication that workers are paying pension in preparation for their retirements.

People understand the important of a pension that is why they are joining the contributory pension.” She said.

Commenting on the numbers, Oranye said “There is a lot of work to be done because we have 6.9 million people as contributors.

Ringo Telecommunications Limited, one of Nigeria’s telecommunication companies specialising in a wide range of mobile communication tools, solutions and services recently celebrated its customers on its third year anniversary.

The event which held at its 26, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos office, proved to be a rousing platform for the convergence of loyal customers.

According to the Manager of Ringo Telecommunications Limited, Mrs. Chinyere Madudimnaka, the 3rd anniversary celebration is all about customers, “whatever they buy from our outlet, be it phones, accessories, laptop or Ipads they must go with a gift to celebrate the anniversary with us.

“We are set up to bridge the

Nigerian Breweries Plc has extended the scope of this year’s edition of the Maltina Teacher of-the Year initiative to include privately owned secondary schools in the country. In the maiden edition last year, the competition was limited to teachers in the nation’s public secondary schools.

The initiative with prizes worth N50 million annually, is to reward commitment and diligence to duty by exceptional teachers across the country. It is done on the platform of NB/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust.

Kufre Ekanem, the company’s Corporate Affairs Adviser explained at a press conference recently in Lagos that the quality of the 2015 winner gave the organ-

isers enough impetus to believe that teachers in the nation’s public schools can match their counterparts in the private schools.

“Mrs. Rose Nkemdilim Obi, the 2015 winner turned out to be a good testimony.” he said.

Ekanem added that collection of applications has commenced and will last till 30th June 2016.

Interested teachers are advised to download application forms from the Maltina website. Application forms should be completed and uploaded to the website or sent by email.

As was the case in 2015, he disclosed that all eligible applications will be subjected to an intense selection and judging process.

According to him, “Our external and independent panel of judges will ensure transparency,

credibility and objectivity of the initiative. The 5 – step evaluation process of the entries received will result in 37 champions (one per state and the FCT), subject to entries meeting the cut off mark set by the panel of judges. From amongst these State Champions, the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2016 will emerge. All State Champions and Winners will be celebrated and rewarded in a grand ceremony on October 12 2016 in commemoration of World Teachers Day. “ Like last year, Ekanem informed the media that each State Champion will get Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) and the Top 10 teachers will be recognized before the grand winners are announced. The 2nd and 1st runners-up will receive trophies and an additional Seven

Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N750, 000.00) and One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000.00) respectively. The Maltina Teacher of the Year 2016 will get an additional One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000.00) instantly plus One Million Naira every year for the next five years, a development training opportunity abroad and a block of classrooms built at the school where he/she teaches.

“It is our hope that through the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative, we can inspire this nation to accord our teachers their deserved credit and bring back respect to the teaching profession in Nigeria. As partners for development, we call on all education stakeholders and solicit your support, our friends in the media, towards the success of this initiative,” he averred.

Ahmedu Blackfacenaija Augustine; Alhaji Sambo Danka; Mr. Oge Okolie; Manager RingoTelecoms, Ltd, Chinyere Madudimnaka; Mr. Oge Okolie; Assistant Manager RingoTelecoms, Ltd. Akposionu Ebuka and other RingoTelecoms, Ltd. staff at the 3rd Year Anniversary celebration of RingoTelecoms Ltd. In Lagos.

Kotivu launches affordable Ringo Telecoms reward customers on 3rd anniversary workplace e-learning platform identified gap in this sector and create the best customer experience through the provision of high quality professional services as well as minimizing the cost at which customers get their services.”

“Ringo offers mobile communication solutions that improve the quality of people’s lives by helping them communicate in simple, exciting and unparalleled ways. We want to service our Customers in unique ways, providing personalized, predictable, One-Stop services that will make the customer feel excited.”

She however noted that, the

challenge of enjoying more of what the telecommunications sector has to offer can only be surmounted by creating an atmosphere which enables millions of people access to genuine mobile products and services.

“The challenge is to achieve this in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment and we are dedicated to constant innovation as a company to enhance our customers’ experience.

“The value of our plans, focus, and the quality of our service are meant to do one thing; offer our customers convenience via any of our retail channels.

In a bid to democratize learning and make quality workplace learning available and affordable to millions of Nigerians, Kotivu, a social impact educational software firm, has launched an e-learning platform known as kotivu.ng.

Kotivu.ng is an e-learning platform created to provide affordable workplace education to individuals, corporations and institutions desirous of building capacity by doing some great learning. The bouquet of learning programmes offered by Kotivu span workplace readiness, professional, executive and emerging entrepreneur programmes.

Speaking at the launch of the workplace e-learning platform in

Lagos at the weekend, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, kotivu.ng, Stephen Ojji disclosed that the platform was created to raise the quality of the human resource available to organisations in Nigeria. He said Kotivu decided to introduce the platform because of the harrowing experiences of many employers during recruitment exercises.

“We were inspired by our past recruiting experience to set up kotivu.ng. Several recruitment exercises which we had in the past left us with much pain in our hearts because we saw that people, most especially graduates, lacked basic communication and presentation skills needed in a formal environment.

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

Domestic Investors outperform foreign investors as NSE ASI halt three days gain, down 0.58 percent Stories by Afolabi Adesola Regulatory report recently released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Domestic and Foreign Portfolio investments reveal that total transactions at the nation’s bourse decreased by 17.87 percent from N117.27 billion recorded in February 2016 to N96.31 (about $0.49 billion) in March 2016. In comparison to the same period in 2015, total transactions decreased by 47.66 percent from the N184.02 recorded in March 2015.

Domestic investors beat foreign investors by 28.48% as total FPI transactions decreased from 36.48 percent to 35.76 percent over the same period.

Monthly foreign outflows also outpaced inflows which was consistent with the same period in 2015, while Foreign outflows decreased by 40.20 percent from N31.84 billion in February 2016 to N19.04 billion while foreign inflows increased by 40.77 percent from N10.94 billion in February 2016 to N15.40 billion in March 2016.

The total domestic transaction decreased by 16.94 percent from February to March 2016. The in-

stitutional composition of the domestic market increased by 0.71 percent from N38.25 billion in February to N38.52 billion in March whilst the retail composition decreased by 35.57 percent from N36.24 billion in February to N23.35 billion in March 2016.

This indicates that institutional investors slightly outperformed their retail counterparts in the period under review.

Meanwhile, the equities market closed Wednesday on a negative note, as NSE ASI depreciated by 0.58 percent to close at 25,715.42 basis points, compared with the 3.20 percent appreciation recorded previously.

A total of 330.6 million shares valued at N2.3 billion were exchanged in 4,053 deals bringing the market capitalization to close at N8.8 trillion compared to 220.1 million shares valued at N1.5 billion exchanged in 3,474 deals to bring market capitalization to close at N8.9 trillion previously.

FBN Holdings Plc led the most active stocks for the day, trading a total of 117 million shares worth N413.3 million, UBA came second with a sale of 33.2 million shares worth N115.8 million, Fidelity Bank followed

with an exchange of 32.8 million shares valued at N34.8 million.

Diamond and Zenith Bank also traded 24.4 million shares and 22.5 million shares worth N33.5 million and N292.3 million respectively.

Nestle Plc led the day’s gainers advancing by N1.68 to close at N680 per share followed by WAPCO Plc which appreciated

by N1.62 to close at N73 per share. Unilever Plc also gained N1.53 to close at N32.24 per share.

Tiger Branded Consumer Goods Plc. and Nigerian Breweries Plc also added 33 kobo and 32 kobo respectively to close at N3.63 and N122 per share.

On the other hand, the day’s losers were led by Forte Oil Plc

with a loss of N3.46 to close at N190 per share Dangote Cement Plc followed as it dipped N2.57 to close at N169 per share, while PZ Cussons Plc lost N1.12 to close at N21.3 per share.

Eco Transnational Incorporated Plc. dropped 8 kobo to close at N14.7 and Flourmill Plc. fell 7 kobo to close at N20.3 per share.

R-L: Chief Mike Ajayi, GM, Western Port; Ashif Juma, MD/CEO, AG-Dangote Construction company during inspection of AG – Dangote concrete road construction at Itori – Ibese Road, Ogun State by Nigeria Port Authority and Federal Ministry of Works

Elumelu pledges further capital for African growth The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group recently held its first ever Senior Leadership Forum reflecting the strategic importance and growth potential of its pan-African business. UBA Group Chairman Mr. Tony O. Elumelu convened the Forum to review the impressive growth that the bank’s African network had made over the past 11 years and to provide a platform to reaffirm and embolden its strategic goals.

The Forum brought together 90 participants, including the entire Board of UBA, all Chairmen and all CEOs of UBA subsidiaries across Africa and the United Kingdom. It was timed to coincide with UBA’s Annual General

Meeting and Group Board Meeting.

“We are one bank, the United Bank for Africa”, Mr. Elumelu said as he opened the Forum.

“Bringing together our senior leadership talent from across the continent and the distinguished leaders who chair our subsidiary businesses is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to forge one bank for Africa.”

“As long-term investors and, may I say, pioneers in pan-African commercial and investment banking, we are deeply committed to the markets in which we operate and to harnessing the potential represented by the wider African economy. Our in-

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

25,715.42 4,053.00 330,568,463.00 2,259,974,672.44 8,845,628,456,647.34

Elumelu

tention is to be the leader in African financial services, and our recent transactions show this.

We see clearly the potential of Africa” said Mr. Elumelu.

UBA subsidiaries operate in 18 African countries and now contribute more than 25 per cent to Group operating revenue. UBA is increasingly recognized as a strong pan-African brand, hailed for democratising banking in its countries of operation whilst participating in landmark financial transactions, including:

A USD$1.2 billion oil financing agreement with NNPC and Chevron where UBA provided funding for Chevron and NNPC to develop 36 new oil wells that will significantly expand Nigeria’s oil production capacity A USD $315 million facility to the Government of Ghana for road projects on the strength of Road Fund levies domiciled with UBA Ghana A US$250 million Crude prepayment facility for Democratic Republic of Congo-based Orion Oil representing the largest reported transaction structured by an African investment bank in 2015 involving fresh capital within the African market. A 234 million Euro oil and gas financing deal with Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) of Senegal, which underscored its capacity to fund big ticket transactions across Africa A USD $180 million to Delta Energy Zambia for the procurement and supply of petroleum products to marketing companies in Zambia. A USD$90m University of Dakar hostel construc-

tion project financed solely by UBA Senegal – African capital, building African infrastructure for African education “We have done a lot but in many senses we are only beginning to reap the rewards of our network and potential. We are a truly pan-African institution and after this period of consolidation, we know that the continuing expansion of our Africa footprint is a key goal. We must ensure that we have presence in at least 25 countries in the near to medium term, starting from the UMOA and CEMAC zones,” said Mr. Fogan Sossah, Chairman of UBA Senegal during the Forum.

In keeping with the objective of creating an institution worthy of the patronage of clients and the trust of regulators and governments, the three day forum focused on the critical issues and drivers for success across the continent. Seminars were held on Corporate Governance, Corporate Institutionalisation, Board Effectiveness, Compliance, Accountability and more.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

B7 Capital Market

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY ( EQUITIES) 04-05-2016

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 5, 2016

E4E training at Innoson: Ex-militants, Special Adviser seek more factories in Niger Delta Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The recent commissioning of the Education for Employment (E4E) Programme for Niger Delta Youths held in Nnewi

by Innoson Kiara Academy in partnership with the Presidential Amnesty Office, turned out to be a veritable opportunity for the participants to laud the project and the important contribution of the motor company to its success.

Obviously satisfied with the high technical standards and proficiency that were the hallmark of activities at Innoson Group of companies, particularly Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, ex-militants undergoing training at the auto plant as part of the E4E programme, used the forum to call on government to establish factories like Innoson in the Niger Delta.

The ex-militants were not alone in this demand, as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, BrigGen Paul T. Boro, also expressed strong belief that factories like the Innoson Motor Manufacturing and Plastic Manufacturing were needed in Niger Delta to put a final stop to militancy in the area.

The ex-militants also want the federal government to extend the duration of their training to one and half years in order to ensure that they are fully equipped with knowledge.

One of them, Alero Gideon, said the nine months duration for their training was inadequate, noting that Innoson factory has a lot to offer to them if given the

appropriate time.

He said, We commenced the training here in December 5, 2015.This is automobile; within nine months we will not be able to achieve our goals. We are appealing to the federal government to make it at least one year, six months so that we can be able to learn all that we needed to know here and perform very well at the end of our training.

My team we can assemble the vehicle skeleton, after that we take it to the spraying section, we have also done the theory of the work we are doing now.

Corroborating him another delegate who spoke while the Presidential Adviser was moving round the factory to see things for him self said, We are at the Welding section, if they can give us more time I believe we will achieve a lot here in Innoson Company. We also want them to build this kind of factory in Niger Delta areas.

For Brig-Gen Boro, who is the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, he feels same way that factories such as Innoson Motor and Innoson Plastic factories should be built in the Niger Delta.

He said, I actually said I want to see them engage in what I sent them to come and learn here, this great skill acquisition that has to do with automobile engineering, automobile mechanic, automobile electronic and others and when I was taken round the factory, I saw them actually assembling a vehicle, ensuring that the parts are well joined together, the welding is also well done to meet specifications. I saw them using gauge to measure the length and breadth of the window. I think I am satisfied with what they are

learning here.

Let me tell you how the Innoson thing came about, when I took over the office I heard of trainings outside the country and to my mind, I think we can make use of our existing infrastructure within the country. So when Innoson approached me with the proposal of training our delegates I was excited about it, so immediately approved 200 of our delegates to come and train in Innoson Company. Thats why I brought them here, so I really want to patronize our local industries.

Speaking of his impression after seeing the delegate in action at the factory, Boro said, I will say my decision to bring our delegates to Innoson is a worthy one because I interviewed the delegates and investigated the degree of their training and they all said they are happy with this place,

and they will want a replica of this company (Innoson) in SouthSouth part of the country thats Niger Delta so that there will be more industries and factories in the Niger Delta. Some are training in manufacturing of plastic related items and some are learning automobile and Ive been to this two places, I think it is perhaps now to have such thing like this replicated in Niger Delta.

Addressing the delegates earlier during the commissioning ceremony Boro noted that the federal government would save N5 billion at the end of the year when 7,000 delegates will be completing their programme.

The programme he said was to give agitators of the Niger Delta a new lease of life in the society, stressing that the programme has stabilized peace in the area as it was a platform to enable the exmilitants achieve greater heights in maintenance of vehicles.

He further said, We want action and not talk, talk, talk, I am tired of theories, I know all the concepts in this world, I believe now we should practicalizing all we are doing or implementing them. That is why I came to see the beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme to show me what they have learnt, I dont want them to tell me any stories or concept about Innoson. Show me what you have learnt so I will be happy and when I go back I can make arrangement for other groups to come.

From this knowledge that you are acquiring I advise and expect of you to continue to develop on it so that you continue to achieve. You shouldnt fall back to say you have learnt how to assemble vehicles or how to main-

tain vehicles and then that would be it no, you must continue to think of improving on what you have learnt. So this just the first platform to enable you achieve greater heights. In the next two years I want you people to invite me to come and see how you are running your own plant, whether it has to do with maintenance of vehicle, maintenance of equipment or you are running your own business.

The Deputy Governor of Anaambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke who was present at the ceremony noted that the greatest challenge for the President of Nigeria and Governors was how to get Nigerian youths gainfully employed.

He said, The state government is already partnering Innoson to provide a requisite knowledge to some of our youths who come here for some training. I can see that this programme is more like an offshoot of what the state government is doing with Innoson. I thank the Chairman of Innoson Group for his efforts to partner with state government and partner with federal government.

I think we need more of our people in different sectors to do what he is doing here. We need to provide requisite skills for our youths and then make sure they match with industries, the companies are looking for skilled labour. I like what the Presidential Adviser said about the programme and what it can do to your life. Your lives should not be just collecting stipend, your lives should be to get requisite skill and be gainfully employed and like he said your N65, 000 a month can turn out to be N65, 000 a day, that should be your goal, he told the delegates.

Life&

Times Thursday, May 5, 2016

Timi

Dakolo Nigeria’s finest vocalist

L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 5, 2016

Music is more than sound and melody

–Timi Dakolo

For Timi Dakolo, music was indeed a big deal as he was really ready to give his all, with his uniquely husky voice and huge passion for RNB. Timi shot into spotlight when he won the first ever Idols West Africa reality TV show. He won Nigerians’ hearts over the likes of Omawumi, Temitayo and Jodie. He was passionate about being steady in the music scene and withered every storm even though the spotlight then was on his fellow runner-up Omawunmi. Timi was consistent at every point in time releasing mind blowing singles. Known for his soulful song and storytelling pattern, Timi released Great Nation, Love Song and There’s A Cry. Timi Dakolo has created a niche for himself where he sits comfortably at the top. The proud Port Harcourt-born singer and father in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI speaks about his career, being a judge on The Voice platform, journey so far, why he is passionate about his family amongst others. Excerpts: How has the experience being as one of the judges at The Voice Nigeria challenge?

It actually opened my eyes to see how much of talents that we have in Nigeria and how effectively we can actually make use of those talents and make them believe in themselves. So far it is not the end of the show, we just started and we are hoping to unravel more talents as the competition goes.

Life&

T E A M

As someone who is also a product of a reality show and becoming a judge in one of such platforms, when you look back, how does that makes you feel?

Sincerely it feels good to be on the other side of the table, there is pressure but not as you being a contestant and being judged. I am pleased and very much happy about it. I call it grace because I have equally experienced what they are feeling now as contestants; the pressure, song choice and everything. A times I still preview myself as one of the contestants because when they are performing, I feel like

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

going on stage to grab the mic. It’s been fun all the way.

What difference are you bringing on the table as one of the judges?

Like I said, everything that I have learnt as a one-time contestant on a reality show and now that I am one of the judges is what I am bringing to the table; I tell them the fair and honest truth. I equally tell them not come out to people like they know it all. I try as much as possible to tell them not to come out to people like they know it all which is one of the dangers of talent hunt show.

Iyawo Mi was a monster hit last year, are we expecting another top notch song from Timi’s stable?

I have other songs that are still coming out. The fact is I just sing out of my mind, anything that happens after that is the response you feed from people.

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

A lot of people are of the opinion that your wife is your muse, how through is that?

You cannot give what you don’t have; the fact is you can’t be quarrelling with your wife and come out with good songs. For me something must inspire you before your pass your message across. I respect her so much and as well as my kids.

So will it be right to say that she is your source of inspiration?

Definitely she is my bedrock and number one source of inspiration, she is like still water.

You talked so much about your wife, are your kids

Continued on L3

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Daniel Ekiye

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 5, 2016

L3 Interview

‘Doing RNB has been profitable for me’ Continued from L2

try as much as possible to create a balance.

left out?

They have their place too but my wife will surely come first.

Will you bring your family issues to social media?

No, but do you think there is any family that does not fight? At times I have argument with wife but what we both have done is that we will never argue in the presence of our children because it’s a standard rule in the house. Even if we do, are they judging because my principle stands that marriage is for two, three is a crowd. I will never for whatever reason bring my family matter to social media, the least I can do is to celebrate them on special moments.

When you first sang that song ‘Iyabo Mi’ to you wife before you finally put it out, what was her thought about it?

I sang it on my wedding actually because I have had that song for about four years or thereabout. I don’t release song because everybody is releasing song. I have this thing that I call perfect timing, so when that approaches, I know what to do at that period of time. It’s another ball game to have a song and it entirely something else to know when the appropriate release date should be.

What inspired that song, ’Wish me well’ where you told your father you’re leaving home?

I felt I wanted to tell a story. At some point I looked at my life and said I have come a mighty long way, like I have come from when I was struggling to even get transport from Port Harcourt to come to Lagos. I looked at people and I was being asked what is your plan, what are you doing, what is your passion? So I had to put all those things together in the song and say that somebody that is sitting down will probably be a successful banker but are you fulfilled inside? I don’t think success is money because that is my own school of thought; so I believe success is what gives you contentment.

In all fairness, did you really park your bags?

Yes I did and for that reason, I left Port Harcourt for good and for me I think there is something that life holds for me. It’s more than this place that I am now, it may not necessarily be a location or another kind of job entirely.

You have stayed married for some years now, how have you made that happen?

Sincerely, love is not enough because the most important thing that comes first is trust; I am not under any pressure. I love my wife and kids and we understand each other better.

What do you think of these days when married couples especially celebrities brings their relationship to social media?

I think that happens because they put themselves under lots of pressures. For me, I see this life as very simple. Take for instance, I and wife used to talk and I ask her funny questions like ‘Babe who is checking you up these days’, you know you are beautiful’.

Relationship is not that serious like people portray them, we are human beings. You say it as it is, you will be friends. Also one thing I have equally realised about relationship also is first be friends and every other thing we set in. Sometimes I take break from my children but when I realise the gap is getting too much, I bridge it. The fair thing in relationship is to

Have you seen the possibility of any of your kids taking music as a career?

My children sings but my first daughter shows more concern. I am that kind of father that will say professional job all the way for his kids. If any of my kids want to toe my line, I will surely push them beyond mine.

Back to your singing prowess, there is this thing about you when you sing, you sing all out?

For me, I think music is more than sound and melody, it connect and is just like when something hits your soul. It’s like a collation course where two things are joining together.

My intention in this life is not just to make music but to touch the hearts of people. I mean what I say and for that reason, I say what I mean.

You are one of the few Nigerian artistes that do good music; don’t you feel pressured to put out a commercial single any time soon?

I have been here a very long time and I am not going anywhere anytime soon; I am a very stubborn person in the sense that if I believe strongly in a thing, I go for it. My grandmother will say to us that if you have a dream or passion and people ordinarily do not believe in but as long as you so believe in yourself, all will fall out good. For me, human beings cannot be impressed, so you trying to impress them is like lowering your standard.

There is rant on twitter by supposed fans who say that since there is a new administration in power, market has spoilt for Timi Dakolo, what is your take on that?

My brother, they have no idea but trust me I could remember when I was scouting with somebody back in days, I usually ask the person if I won’t be paying house rent for sleeping. The fact is there is no weekend that I will not be planning to do one wedding or an event. It’s not man because these things that we have it is not by our power but by his grace.

Did you see such comments?

I won’t deny fact, I saw it but I laughed because I have had people say a lot to me in this country, like with all this my English speaking music that one day hunger will kill me.

Timi and family

Doing your genre of music, how profitable is it for you?

Trust me, I am doing very well because I am actually on my own lane, I am not struggling to be like anyone neither I am I competing with anybody.

How affordable/expensive is Timi Dakolo?

Well, I am trying ooo for a growing kid like me. At least I have been able to pay my bills, pay my children school fees and also travel whenever I want to.

You have maintained your voice for a very longtime, how have you been able to achieve that?

I drink lot of water, I rest my voice and also I sleep a lot. I know when to stop as our voice is like muscle. The more you exercise it, the better it gets. When the voice cracks, stop and don’t follow greed and still be doing shows and concert.

In your word, you stated that you mean what you say; will it be right to say you are trying to toe the lane of Fela Kuti who sang about burning issues?

Like I said, I say what I mean. Nn that same vein, if you have listened to my song, Cry, you will know I am passionate about my songs and lyrics, so with Cry. If you catch your subject there no problem, I don’t have to come outside and mention people’s name. But when I feel the need to sing a song that points out difficulties and issues in the society, I will because that is what I owe the society at large.

What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?

A lot of things o, like you are lodged in a hotel where you performed and on your way back to your room, one of your fans will be like ‘let’s go to your room’ and I ask, to do what? Stay where you are and leave Satan alone.

How where you able to convince your

wife to settle with you?

(Laugh), have you people forgotten that I am a Port Harcourt boy? It took time because that girl was wicked, she made me struggle.

How long was the process knowing that you guys met when you were not popular?

I told her that I have bright future and that I was going to be a very rich boy. One of the first things she asked me that made me sit up was ‘You said you love me and all that, what is your plan’ and you know when a lady asks you that, you sit up and I responded that I wanted to do great things with my musical career and she is one of the main reasons why I studied music.

Are there no moment when you doubted yourself?

Trust me when I set out to do music, I knew I needed to be focused because I have always said to myself that I cannot work in an office where I will be copying files for my boss as the case may be; I will probably use my tie and commit suicide because I am that kind of person that is hyperactive and that is the more reason why I cannot stand the pain of waiting for somebody at the office for long because my leg will start shaking.

Before Nigerian Idols, music was not the thing for me because I grew up in a house where they keep saying go to school, read book and work in Shell.

If you were not doing music, what will you be doing?

My sister only God knows that.

Shortly after Nigerian Idols, the shine was on Omawunmi, how did you feel back then when you were constantly compared with her?

My sister, I know one thing in this my life; first of all, I want to understand what I was doing with music and the only thing I knew about music before now was to go to choir practice, learn my part in tenor and come on shout it on Sunday.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 5, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 5, 2016

L5

Music Gist L6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 5, 2016

Mutiat Alli

Asa live in Lagos

Yaw Live on stage 8: Phyno, AY, Korede Bello to thrill guests In its eighth season, popular OAP and comedian Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu is back this year with yet another mind blowing show ‘Yaw live on stage’ billed to hold on Sunday May 29, 2016 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With each edition coming with a surprise, this year is not in doubt as the centerpiece of the show is a humorous new stage play written and directed by Femi Branch titled “Shalanga”, which features the acting talents of Yaw and AY in a satirical take on the past and present of Nigeria in the last one year.

Speaking on the coming show, Yaw noted that: “A lot of people do not know that I come from a Theatre Arts background and as such, I have a very keen interest in the complete spectrum of entertainment. This is what I have tried to achieve over the past 7 editions of Yaw Live On stage, and I believe this year’s event is set to be the best ever, incorporating

- the stage, the lights and Hennessey

Yaw & Phyno a hilarious stage play, music, dance and comedy into a 360-degree entertainment experience for the audience. I want everyone to come out and have fun with me on the 29th. It is going to be spectacular.”

Guests will however enjoy first class entertainment performances

by AY, Phyno, Burna Boy, Korede Bello Solidstar, Reekado Banks, Naomi Mac, Koker, Solidstar, Burna Boy, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, CDQ, Splash, Immaculate, Tjan, Vintage Band, Reminisce, Ycee, comedians of the federal republic, amongst others.

Lip Sync Battle Africa: Flavour goes against Maps Maponyane

International Soul-Jazz singer, Asa held her first ever live concert in Lagos on Sunday, 1st May 2016 and it was definitely an unforgettable night for all who attended. The event which took place at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos was a sold out concert, packed with music lovers, corporate individuals, socialites and celebrities.

The event was opened with great performances by MOBO Award winning Singer Rachel Kerr, Project Fame alumni, Isaac Geralds, Soul Fusion artiste Falana, singer and pianist Kaliné, Producer and Song writer, Cobhams Asuquo and alternative soul singer, Bez. The evening was proudly sponsored by one of Nigeria’s most loved brands “Hennessy”,

which set up bars and a Lounge for VIP guests.

The Hennessy Lounge hosted various personalities such as Omawumi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Bovi, Dr. Sid & Simi Esiri, and more with Hennessy Cocktails all night long.

Guests were also thrilled with songs such as “Awe”, “Satan Be Gone”, “Fire on the Mountain”, “Bibanke” and even performed a duet with songwriter/music producer Cobhams Asuquo to Beyoncé’s “Halo”.

Asa who performed for two hours, kept all the energy levels in the hall high. The audience sang and danced as the concert became the number one trending topic in Nigeria.

….as competition enters episode 2 this weekend As Lip Sync Battle Africa enters its second week, MTV Base (DStv channel 322) is rolling out its big hitters in the most intense, testosteronepacked face-off yet: Nigerian superstar Flavour and South African actor and TV star Maps Maponyane are the latest celebrities to shrug off their inhibitions, let their hair down and get their guns out for Lip Sync Battle Africa (Saturday 7 May, 18:00 WAT).

Speaking on the forth coming challenge, Flavour said, ‘I was so pleased when I found out I was going to appear on Lip Sync Battle Africa. I am used to singing and performing live so lip synching was a new experience for me. The best word to sum up this experience for me is F-U-N! I really appreciated the support and energy of the audience and the awesome hosts Pearl Thusi and D’Banj. My competitor was on his A-game and I enjoyed going head to head with him; I am sure audiences will enjoy our Lip Sync Battle. While for Maps Maponyane he equally disclosed how excited he

is to participating in the challenge, he however noted that Flavour was a tough competitor as he is such a big music star across Africa, but I just opted to try and compete, by talking a big game. All-in-all, we both had a

really good time.”

Hosted by Pearl Thusi with colourful commentary from ‘koko master’ and Afrobeats star, D’Banj, Lip Sync Battle Africa kicked off last week with an epic battle between Denrele and Ebuka.

Asa and Omawunmi with Waje at Hennessey lounge

Minjin goes inspiration with Jare Singer, Adewale Lawanson ‘Minjin’ is out with a follow up song of his previously released music titled ‘Philo’ and this time, he calls the massive jam ‘Jare’ (Victory).

In the song ‘Jare’, Minjin goes inspirational telling the several hustles individuals pass through to success, noting that hard work pays at all time. The Columbia act x-rays the lives of a petty trader, a Suya man, musical artiste, DJ’s, Truck Drivers asking the rhetorical question, ‘ How many dodo mummy go fry before she go blow, how many studio artiste will book before they blow’ amongst others.

Like every other song the artiste

Flavour and Maps Maponyane

has released in recent times, Jare remains an ever-green song as produced by PJay and mixed by Indomix.

In a chat with Minjin, he disclosed that plans are already in the pipeline towards the video shoot of the song.

9ice, ID Cabasa, others to thrill fans at Lagos City Mall, Onikan

9ice

It promises to be an explosive evening at the Lagos City Mall this weekend as one of Nigeria’s finest afro hip-hop artistes, 9ice leads other stars for a ground breaking musical concert as Gaise, an afro-fusion musician is set to unveil his new record label on Sunday, May 8, 2016.

Tagged “Korinsodi, An Evening With Gaise” the event promises the best in music,

comedy and other forms of entertainment for fun seekers looking for where to catch fun this weekend. The event is supported by Ace-Olivia Hall, Channels TV, Television Continental, and the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) among others.

The event will however witness thrilling performances by Gaise, ID Cabasa, Alapomeji

Boss, 9ice, Isaac Geralds, EmmaohmaGod, Ranti, and Ayodele Okundalaiye, the self-acclaimed Senior Advocate of Comedy (SACO) among other artistes.

Mall manager, Lagos City Mall, Kayode Ogundele, said fun seekers at the event who have smart phones could enjoy free Wi-Fi for the first 15 minutes at the venue. The Wi-Fi service powered by Air-

tel Nigeria is one of the value added services offered by the management of the mall for its tenants and visitors. The Airtel Wi-Fi services was rolled out last year and is meant to serve public places like malls, airports, universities, hotels and event places. This service is for users with Wi-Fi enabled devices like mobile phones, laptops and tablets.

ID Cabasa

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 5, 2016

L7 Movie Gist

Mutiat Alli

Bunmi Davies to debut new Sitcom “Jeka Play” May 31st Media guru, Bunmi Davies is set to unveil his latest comedy project, a sitcom titled “Jeka Play” premiering on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

Named after popular UNILAG restaurant and hangout spot Jeka Play, which he owns, the sitcom is based on the interesting everyday events and happenings at Jeka Play, which is the epicenter of the UNILAG social scene. In Jeka Play, he reappraises his role as the owner of the real life place as he encounters students, lecturers, cool kids and assorted regular

Bunmi Davies

patrons at the venue.

Commenting on the inspiration behind the show, Bunmi Davies remarked: “My experience of running Jekaplay at Unilag has been a very interesting one because by nature of the kind of venue it is and the campus environment around, we get some really interesting characters coming in all the time and there is never a dull moment with them around. From the genuinely beautiful girls and guys to the “I must belong by force” students, right down to the aristos, not forgetting the student politicians with good, bad and funny motives, and of course a few randy lecturers. It occurred to me that these everyday comedic experiences at Jekaplay should be promoted to a wider audience thus the idea for the sitcom was born”.

The show also features cameo appearances from popular Yoruba movie actor, Hafeez Oyetoro, aka Saka, Wazobia FM Presenter, Nedu amongst others.

It would be recalled that prior forays into comedy by Bunmi Davies include Stand up Nigeria, a platform for upcoming stand-up comedians to showcase their talents and gain exposure.

Jekaplay premieres at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 on TV Continental, Star Times Channel 115.

Lepacious Bose

Banky W, Lepacious Bose, Bukky Wright, others star in Gidi Blues movie

Top entertainers that includes comedienne Lepacious Bose, Singer Banky-W, Tina Mba, Bukky Wright, Gideon Okeke, Hauwa Allabhura, Daniel Lloyd and singer/songwriter Aduke amongst others are celebrities who graced the cast of yet to be released movie, ‘Gidi Blue’.

Produced from the stable of CUT24 Productions, Gidi Blues is an unusual love story in a Lagos-state-of-mind with humour, music, drama and suspense. Filmed in iconic Lagos locations like Idumota market, Makoko, Victoria Island, Isale Eko, Lekki and Freedom Park, Broad Street, Gidi Blues showcases Lagos city and the unique energy of its people.

John Njamah, Mike Ezuruonye, others star in Breathless

Failed relationship: All I need is God…Toyin Aimakhu speaks Light skinned actress, Toyin Aimakhu haven been a victim of several failed relationship has revealed in an exclusive interview with Fashion Buzz TV in faraway United States of America that she doesn’t think she will ever love again.

She said: ‘‘I don’t think so because the truth is, I have trauma.

I am even scared right now. All I need now is God and the Holy Spirit to help me because the truth is I’m still in trauma. I am scared. I don’t think I can even love again.

I am scared to love. I am over it but I can’t be healed. There is no point lying about it. There are some things you can’t lie about. I hope I would be healed,’ she said.

Commenting on her recent stand of getting married to a white man, Alakada star said it was a joke but that if she sees a good white man she might get married again.

‘That was actually a joke but if I see a good white man, I don’t know. I know whatever God wants.

He always wanted me to be his servant and I rejected. But now, I’m with him…whatever He wants.’

It would recalled that Toyin has not been up and doing since her break-up with Ebony Picture boss, Seun Egbegbe and her husband of two years Adeniyi Johnson.

“Las GIDI” is the affectionate nickname of this unpredictable city where anything can happen…and it often does.

Directed by award-winning Filmmaker Femi Odegbemi, founding producer of Tinsel and three time judge of the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards.

Gidi Blues also seeks to inspire young people to give back through community volunteer work. Makoko, the fishing slum under the 3rd Mainland Bridge, is where our lead characters find meaning in their lives as they volunteer as teachers and also start a book club for the disadvantaged children of the community.

Mike and Uti on set

Talented Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuruonye has teamed up veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel in the new movie, Breathless, which is expected to hit cinemas across Nigeria July 1, 2016.

Directed by Charles Uwagbai with the screenplay written by Doris Ariole, Breathless is the product of a collaboration between Jenkins Alumona’s Flykite Productions and Uwagbai’s Creative Unit Multimedia.

Breathless is a movie that is set to review series of events which blows the lid off dark and well hidden secrets of the Okpodu, his two feuding sons and their link to the murder victim.

The movie however featured top notch acts that includes Bimbo Manuel, Uti Nwachukwu, John Njamah, and Brycee Bassey amongst others.

Mercy Aigbe Gentry prays for the Tee Blliz and Tiwa

Toyin Aimakhu

Victim’s movie producer, Mercy AigbeGentry has joined other top entertainers who have waded in into the Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz Balogun marriage crisis. The star actress in a post via her Instagram page prayed that the almighty wade in for the couple in trying periods like this.

In her prayer, Mercy noted that ‘Father take absolute control, heal their hearts and show yourself mighty in this situation. At the end of it all, let your will and only your will be done in the lives of Tiwa Savage and Teebillz. So your name only can be glorified in Jesus name,’ she wrote on her Instagram page.

In the same vein, Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu took to his Instagram to send out prayers to the couple saying, ‘I pray God heals the deep wounds sustained by Tiwa

Savage and the love of her life Tunji Balogun during this difficult moment’.

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 5, 2016

Showing on

Showing on

Movies Comedy Channel 104

Movies ACTION Channel 110

22:28

13:00

Thu, 5 May16 SL

Thu, 5 May | PG 13V

Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and Danny star in this film about three salesmen who dissect life as they wait for a man who could make or break their sales targets. Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey.(1999)John Swanbeck

Jackie Chan turns on the charm in this action film. A chauffeur is thrust into the world of international espionage when he puts on a suit that gives him extraordinary powers.

Jackie Chan, Jennifer Love Hewitt. (2002) Kevin Donovan.

101 M-Net

23:35 Behind The Scenes: Unbroken 00:00 Chicago Med 00:50 Behind The Scenes: 1st Project 01:20 Shakesspeare School Year 02:28 Behind The Scenes: Walking On Sunshine 02:40 Behind The Scenes: Annie 03:15 Made In Hollywood

04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:59 The Middle 06:29 Sarah Graham's Food Safari 07:30 Chicago Med 08:30 From Rough 10:04 Behind The Scenes: The Theory Of...

10:30 The Goldbergs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 Shades Of Blue 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 The Big Bang Theory 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Kevin From Work 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:33 My Story

118 Telemundo

23:40 The Face Of Destiny 00:30 Elena's Ghost 01:20 Broken Angel 02:10 Broken Angel 03:00 The Face Of Destiny 03:50 Fearless Heart 05:20 Elena's Ghost 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 The Face Of Destiny 07:50 Fearless Heart 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 The Face Of Destiny 12:00 Fearless Heart 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 The Face Of Destiny 16:10 Fearless Heart 17:00 Broken Angel 17:50 Broken Angel 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 The Face Of Destiny 20:20 Fearless Heart 21:10 Broken Angel 22:00 Broken Angel 22:50 Husband For Hire

120 BBC Brit Entertainment

23:14 The Graham Norton Show

11:10 Would I Lie To You?

00:04 An Idiot Abroad

11:40 QI

00:54 The Cube

12:15 The Cube

01:41 Police Interceptors

13:05 Top Gear

02:29 John Bishop's Australia

14:55 Police Interceptors

03:24 Undercover Boss USA

15:45 Undercover Boss USA

04:10 Pointless

15:55 Would I Lie To You?

05:00 The Cube

16:20 QI

05:50 Would I Lie To You?

17:00 Pointless

06:25 QI5

18:00 Top Gear

07:00 Police Interceptors

19:00 Dragons' Den

07:45 Top Gear

20:00 QI

08:40 Pointless

20:30 Youngers

09:35 Undercover Boss USA

21:10 Top Gear

10:20 Ducks Quacks Don't Echo

22:05 Top Gear: Special: Best Of British

155 AfricaMagic World

152 AfricaMagic Epic

23:37 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room 00:00 Music On Africa Magic

23:00 Most Shocking 23:50 World's Wildest Police Videos 00:40 World's Wildest Police Videos 01:30 Freakshow 01:55 Extreme Reality Clips 02:20 Sexy Car Wash 03:15 Sexy Car Wash 03:45 Video Zonkers 04:10 South Beach Tow 04:35 South Beach Tow 05:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 05:45 World's Wildest Police Videos 06:35 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 07:25 Video Zonkers

07:50 South Beach Tow 08:15 South Beach Tow

09:00 Good Morning Africa

08:40 Most Shocking

10:00 Lies That Bind

09:35 World's Wildest Police Videos

10:30 Lies That Bind

10:30 World's Wildest Police Videos

11:00 Lies That Bind

11:30 Baywatch

11:30 Lies That Bind

12:30 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking

13:00 Music On Africa Magic 14:00 Music On Africa Magic 15:05 Music On Africa Magic

01:00 Good Morning Africa

16:00 Star Gist

00:10 Mystic Mirror

11:10 Maiden Of Destruction

02:05 53 Extra

16:35 Deal Or No Deal Sa

01:26 Mirror And Beauty

12:39 Sacred Skull

02:45 Star Gist

17:25 53 Extra

02:25 Africa Rising: Behind The Scenes

14:20 Twins Of The Rainforest

03:15 Star Gist

18:00 Jara

14:48 Behind The Scenes: The Place

03:45 Jara

18:30 Tinsel

15:00 Enemy Must Obey

04:25 Jara

19:00 Lies That Bind

17:02 Enemy Must Obey

05:00 Goodmorning Africa

19:30 Lies That Bind

06:01 Only Hope

19:10 The Mastermind

06:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

20:00 Jacob's Cross

07:50 Mother's Tears

20:55 Behind The Scenes:Next Dean

07:00 53 Extra

20:55 Jacob's Cross

09:31 Painful Secret

21:05 Royal Desire

07:30 Star Gist

21:55 Jacob's Cross

05:35 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room

128 SONY MAX

08:00 Jara

12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

03:40 Impostor

L8 Tv Guide

13:30 South Beach Tow

14:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 15:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 16:00 Most Shocking 17:00 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 18:00 South Beach Tow 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Baywatch 20:00 Extreme Reality Clips 20:30 Rude Tube 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Freakshow 22:00 Sexy Car Wash