Daily Times Nigeria Newspaper For Wednessday 5, August 2015

EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 4th August, 2015 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 4th August, 2015 GAINERS

Selling(NGN)

LOSERS

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

FO

194

4.00

2.06%

MOBIL

POUNDS STERLING

306.1324

306.9134

307.6943

UNILEVER

37.81

1.80

4.76%

TOTAL

155

-5.00

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EURO

215.1492

215.6981

216.2469

PZ

29

1.45

5.00%

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36.87

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202.1035

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.163 ABUJA Low 23°C High 29°C

CALABAR Low 24°C High 35°C

KANO Low 24°C High 36°C

-3.98%

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MAIDUGURI

P/HARCOURT

Low 23°C High 32°C

Low 26°C

Low 26°C

High 39°C

Boko Haram: Cameroun

N150

High 30°C

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Kachikwu NASS leadership takes over as NNPC boss g6

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It’s wrong to exclude South East – Yakassai

Embassy official’llg6 lead Ooni’s body home

Prostitutes hold candlelight procession for slain colleague in Ogun g 25

2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Rising unemployment in Nigeria

T

wo days ago, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) raised alarm over the rising unemployment in the country. According to the Bureau, the unemployment rate in the second quarter (Q2) of this year rose to 8.2 from 7.5 percent in the preceding year. It said the latest rise was a consecutive jump in unemployment rate since the third quarter of last year. Even more jarring is the fact that unemployment among the 15-64-age bracket increased to 103.5 million in Q2 - up from 102.8 million in the first quarter. In addition, NBS stated that the labour force population, comprising those within the working age - who are willing, able and actively looking for work - increased to 74.0 million in Q2 from 73.4million in Q1, indicating an increase of 0.81 percent.

Explaining the disturbing rise, NBS attributed the development to: the massive job losses of formerly employed persons, those forced to work part-time, or in underemployment.

We are indeed alarmed at this development, which is having a very telling effect on individuals, families and national development. Nigeria, as the biggest black nation in the world, ought to have a very strong economy capable of employing the majority of all her employable citizens. Unfortunately this is not the case. Development experts have listed five causes of unemployment in the country. There are epileptic power supply, poor quality of education, lack of skills, neglect of agriculture and other natural resources and corruption.

In the case of electricity, it is a fact that many foreign companies that would invest in Nigeria have relocated to neighbouring countries where constant, reliable power supply is guaranteed.

The same problem has affected many local organisations that are unable to cope with the high cost of running generators, and thus forced to close and lay off workers. Even the self-employed,

like welders and other artisans, are struggling to cope with the perennial lack of power supply. Analysts believe youth unemployment in the country grows at the rate of 3.5 percent per annum. They aver that deficient school curricula and poor teacher training are contributory to the failure of educational institutions to equip students with the appropriate skills to make them employable. Another obstacle is inadequate information and data that can form the basis of effective planning.

This lack of data makes it difficult for policy makers to understand the nature of the employment challenge and make informed decisions on how to support young people in the labour market. It is therefore imperative that the authorities seek ways of creating a very conducive atmosphere for employment opportunities to thrive. Above all, there should be targeted policy to encourage youth to undertake entrepreneurship, which can enable them create employment for themselves and become employers of labour. That said, the industrial sector must also expand to create opportunities for them.

Such expansion must be focused on available local resources in agriculture and solid mineral exploitation - as well as value chain activities in these two sectors. The immediate past administration established YouWIN (Youth Enterprise with Innovative) Programme to assist graduates of tertiary institutions with business ideas who are then given start-up funding. The establishment of more of such schemes by both government and individuals, will go a long way to curb unemployment.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should be encouraged to empower those working with them. With the skills acquired, such workers will establish business outfits where others can be employed. In all, the government must fight corruption, given that it is the greatest cause of unemployment in the country.

Publisher Daily Times Newspaper Mr Fidelis Anosike; visiting member of U.S. House of Representatives, Sheila Lee and House of Rep. member Hon. E. J Agbonayinma at the Departure wing of Muritala International Airport Ikeja Lagos…on Tuesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Behold how Nigeria has changed Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎIt is baffling how fast

Nigeria has changed and that to the extent that a high ranking government official will shake hands with a top official of another country and then showcase same as an achievement and something his subjects should applaud.

That exactly was what Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State did hours after returning from the United States of America after a four-day trip with President Muhammadu Buhari. He erected, or allowed to be erected, large billboards showing him in a handshake with the US President, Barack Obama,

with President Buhari watching.

The billboards which were erected in Owerri, the state capital and other towns had the inscription, ‘Behold, the faces of change’.

The action has gone a long way to show how insensitive the governor is to the plight of citizens of the state most of whom are labouring under severe strains to eke out a living.

But what is so special in Okorocha shaking hands with Obama? Haven’t other persons including other presidents, heads of organisations, and private citizens shaken hands with Obama before now without making it a public spectacle? Why is Okorocha’s own so special that he had to put on billboards?

Words On Marble :

Not only is the Okorochaled administration owing workers several months’ salaries, the economy of the state is almost at a standstill due to the non-payment of workers’ salaries.

It is regrettable that while civil servants, teachers and pensioners among others in the state go hungry and are unable to discharge their financial obligations to dependents, Okorocha could spend tax payers’ money on something as ephemeral and egocentric as billboards showcasing him in handshake with Obama.

The fact that Okorocha could sanction the erection of such billboards also goes to show his sense of value and how low the values that Nigerians hold dear have fallen. This is change, isn’t it?

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Muhammadu Buhari

Tanko Yakassai

“There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness”.

“Now, in the House leadership, SouthWest has two major slots and the South-East has nothing. This is not a good development.”

Olusegun Obasanjo “I strongly believe that Nigeria needs nationalists to propel it forward.

Myopic tribal barons and tendencies will not take us too far.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

5 News

Ondo Prison boss warns against discrimination of ex-convicts President Muhammadu Buhari (right) receiving a sample of a solid mineral from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Alh. Baba Umar Farouk during an audience at the State House, Abuja… on Tuesday

Buhari decries Illegal mining Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏ

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, in Abuja, warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate illegal mining and other improper activities that have inhibited the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

A statement, by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted President Buhari as issuing the warning after receiving a brief-

ing from top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk.

The President, who noted that the mines and steel sector was very important for the diversification of the nation's economy, expressed displeasure at the report that the sector had been overrun by illegal miners.

“This is one of the most demoralising briefs I have received. The biggest threat to this country besides the

Boko Haram is unemployment, and the mining sector is key to employment creation.

“We cannot be held back on such a strategic industry that can give us much needed jobs and promote economic growth.

“There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness,’’ the President said.

The Permanent Secretary had told the President that Nigeria’s mining sec-

tor has been infiltrated by “illegal aliens” who carry out unlawful mining activities in the country.

Buhari

Senate tasks new Service Chiefs to end Boko Haram, oil theft Olufemi Samuel Abuja

ÏÏÏSenate

President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, charged the new service chiefs to provide a new direction for Nigeria on matters of security as Nigeria expect much from them.

Saraki

He charged all the security chiefs to live up to expectation in the fight against insurgency and indeed, oil theft in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Saraki threw the challenge after the Senate confirmed the appointments of the security chiefs after their names were forwarded to the federal lawmakers by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senators took more than four hours to grill the service chiefs as they asked questions on different aspect of security challenges confronting Nigeria over the years.

Saraki said since all the service chiefs were appointed on merit, while, according to him, each one of

them is expected to prove his mettle in upholding the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari on adequate security for Nigeria.

President Buhari had sought the ratification of appointments of the service chiefs in a letter he addressed to the Senate on July 13.

Those screened and confirmed by the Senate include Maj-General Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff.

Others include, Air ViceMarshal Sadique Abubakar Chief of Air Staff, and Air Vice-Marchal Monday Morgan Chief of Defence

Intelligence.

Buhari had also appointed retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno as National Security Adviser.

The service chiefs he said, should ensure that the fight against corruption in the procurement procedure, had permeated the process of purchase and supply of military equipment and other logistics.

He said the Senate would collaborate with the new military brass to make them succeed.

According to him, the Senate has a role to play in assisting the military through its oversight functions, while giving necessary support to military operations.

'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe Nigeria Prison Ser-

vice (NPS) has warned the society against the persistent stigmatisation against ex-convicts who had been discharged from prisons.

The Comptroller of Priso, Ondo State Command, Mr. Amadin Osayande, gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists in Akure, the state capital.

Mr. Osayande said that to ensure that ex-convicts were kept permanently out of crime, they have to be re-integrated back into the

Delta tribunal rules on application for more witnesses Monday Osayande Asaba

ÏÏÏ The Delta State Gov-

ernorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, will today rule on an application by All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief O’tega Emerhor seeking additional witnesses in the suit challenging the victory of the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN) counsel to Okowa had opposed the application as moved by Thompson Okpoko (SAN), Emerhor’s counsel, when the matter came up for hearing, arguing

society where they belong as they have been reformed during their jail terms. He maintained that the hostility against them by members of their family, society and employers of labour, has led some of the ex-convicts to an act of frustration, while large numbers of them returned to crime and their old lifestyles.

The prison boss noted that the reformation of the former convicted persons passes through ways of empowerment before been freed in order for them to contribute meaningfully back to the society. that the application cannot be granted as a matter of course.

According to him, section 4(5) of the 1st schedule of the Electoral Act, provides that the petitioner shall frontload his witness’s deposition alongside his petition.

He argued that before the application can be granted, the petitioner must show exceptional ground why it must be granted.

Counsel to PDP, Timothy Kehinde (SAN) also opposed the application, arguing that paragraph 14(2) of the 1st schedule does not only prohibit this but that the tribunal has no power to grant such application since it was not filed within 21 days. But Okpoko Emerhor’s counsel argued that issues in a case is determined by pleadings and not evidence by which issues are to be resolved.

Reps urge Ebonyi, Abia govts to resolve boundary dispute Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu

Abuja ÏÏÏThe House of Representatives has called on the governments of Abia and Ebonyi States as well as the National Boundary Commission to urgently intervene and resolve the communal crisis arising from the boundary dispute between Ishiagu Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state and Lokpanta Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia state.

The House resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion on notice

brought by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (PDP/Abia) requesting for the speedy delimitation of the boundary between Ishiagu Ivo Local Government of Ebonyi state and Lokpanta Umunneochi Local Government of Abia state. While condemning the crisis involving communities in the two affected council areas, the House mandated its committees on National Boundary Commission and the office of the surveyor-general of the federation to effect a final resolution of the conflict by the demarcation of the troubled spots.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Embassy official ‘ll accompany Ooni’s remains to Nigeria –Official Ngozi Okafor G ƕ

ÏÏÏMore

definitive proof that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade has joined his ancestors emerged on Tuesday morning, when a senior official of the Nigerian High Commission revealed that one member of staff from the mission would be accompanying the body of the monarch back to Nigeria.

The staffer also told the Daily Times that the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, visited the home of the Ife monarch last week to commiserate with the family.

“The High Commissioner went there within two or three days of it happening last week,” the source revealed during a conversation in central London.

“It was a very private visit, he didn’t want any media or the public to know, since it has not been officially announced.” As reported by the Daily Times on Tuesday, the embassy official confirmed that the body of the revered monarch is still in London.

Asked whether he knew if the corpse had been taken to Nigeria, he nodded to the contrary, before saying, “no.”

When asked if the embassy would be sending any representatives to Nigeria to attend the funeral , he said: “As a mark of respect, one protocol officer will go with them.”

On whether a condolence register would be opened when the demise is eventually announced, the official said: “No. You know he was a traditional ruler, it doesn’t directly concern us at the Embassy.”

What he said on the condolence register also cor-

roborated what another embassy official had earlier told the Daily Times on Saturday. “Except there’s an order from above - Nigeria we won’t open a condolence register.”

Family members of the Ooni and those close to them have, for the past couple of days , been evading taking calls from their friends and associates , as they fear that information might leak out on where the King spent his last few days. A source had wanted to make an enquiry from one family member, but the latter had been incommunicado from Monday afternoon till Tuesday morning.

The source described the attitude as “rather strange,” because this particular family member normally “responds quickly.” But now , “he’s not taking calls.”

Another Times source , who had been a guest of the Ooni at his London home three times , one of which was when Chief Adekunle Ojora and his wife were visiting, also made the same complaint about someone very close to the Sijuwade family. On Tuesday afternoon, he told the Daily Times, “ he has not returned my call,” since last week.”

Speaking further, he noted that Ooni himself once told guests during another visit when a former Attorney -General of Osun State under Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola visited, that it is against Yoruba tradition to say a king has died.

“Ironically, Ooni himself once told us a king doesn’t die, but only joins his ancestors.”

This discussion, according to him, happened when the Ooni was asking about the welfare of another Oyo State traditional ruler, a few years ago.

Buhari seeks Senate’s nod for $75m World Bank loan for Edo Olufemi Samuel Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday sought approval of the Senate over the bid by Edo State Government to obtain a $75 million loan for developmental projects.

The President, who made this known in a memo sent to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the amount to be borrowed by Edo State was part of the sum of $225 million already approved for the state by the World Bank, part of which Continued on page 12

Boko Haram: Cameroun deports 3,000 Nigerians in trucks

ÏÏÏMore than 3000 Nige-

rians have been expelled from Cameroun in reaction to the spate of bloody Boko Haram attacks, agency reports quoted Yaounde officials as disclosing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the deadly group has continued its reign of terror killing about nine persons, and abducting children and teenagers in a Camerounian village, according to reports.

Suspected Boko Haram fighters disguised as refugees with explosives

hidden in their luggage were arrested at a camp in northern Cameroun on Monday, its government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary was also quoted by the Agence France Presse (AFP) as saying..

Authorities have also arrested hundreds of other Camerounians and Nigerians accused of collaborating with Boko Haram, said Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of Cameroun’s Far North region.

They deported Nigerians who said they were refugees but were not stay-

ing at camps and lacked identification papers.

“In the different villages there is a certain population of foreigners and they are hiding behind some Camerounians and hiding those Boko Haram suspects,” Midjiyawa Bakary said.

Women, children and men were taken across the border to the Nigerian town of Mubi, he said.

The U.N. refugee agency says a camp in Cameroun’s Far North Region now hosts about 44,000 people and estimates there

are 12,000 unregistered refugees in the region.

In Nigeria, many of those expelled said they were forced out quickly.

“It was a terrible journey. We spent almost six days on the road,” said Musa Kawuri, a 52-yearold trader. “We initially pleaded with the Camerounian officials to give us grace of some days,” but were put in trucks.

Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency chairman Haruna Continued on page 12

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (middle) flanked by the immediate past Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin (2nd left), his wife, Aderonke (2nd right) and others during Abolurin’s homecoming visit to Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State… on Tuesday

Kachikwu takes over NNPC Ï# Ƃ ƎƎ Ƒ M ƄƉƊ Ɗ

Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏA few hours after the

announcement of his appointment as new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, moved into the expansive office of the corporation to assume duty.

Earlier on Tuesday, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had in a statement, announced the removal of Dr. Joseph Thla-

ma Dawha as the boss of the NNPC. Until his appointment, Dr. Kachikwu was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon-Mobil (Africa). He hails from Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State.

Kachikwu took over command of the corporation in a brief handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, according to a statement from the NNPC, the new helmsman expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Dr. Joseph Dawha, for his

hard work in holding the corporation, while pledging to work assiduously in achieving the President’s growth aspiration for the oil and gas industry.

Kachikwu is a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School.

The new NNPC Chief Executive also holds Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.

He started his working career with the Nigerian/ American Merchant Bank before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited from

where he joined ExxonMobil,” it added.

In the same vein, President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta, as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Prof. Danbatta, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Electronic Engineering, takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah whose tenure expired on July 29, 2015, according to Adesina in the statement.

Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

7 News

OPU crisis: Chair suspended, accused of disrespecting Ataoja

ÏÏÏThe

crisis rocking Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), the flagship body for Osogbo indigenes, has taken new turn, with the suspension of the home branch chairman of the organisation, Mr. Woleola Akeem.

The national leadership of the body, while announcing his suspension, listed alleged acceptance of money on behalf of the union from a politician and failing to disclose such to other members of the executive, as some of the wrongs he committed.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, on Tuesday, the National Public Relations Officer of OPU, Alhaji Oyesiku Adelu, who

spoke on behalf of the national president of the body, Ambassador Rasaq Siyanbola, said the decision to suspend Woleola was arrived at by a 9-member committee that looked into various allegations levelled against him.

According to the letter suspending Woleola, signed by the OPU, Osogbo branch Vice- Chairman and Assistant- Secretary, Alhaji Sikiru Iyanda, copies of which were made available to newsmen, the executive committee of the body explained that its chairman was suspended based on his recalcitrant posture and for disrespecting the Ataoja – the royal father of Osogbo.

Send confab report to NASS, Rep tasks Buhari

conference, Nigerians would come to understand that the confab report was a process being put in place to tackle some fundamental issues confronting Nigeria as a nation- state.

“These issues contained in the confab report are subject to debate and Nigerians should know that these issues cannot be implemented without the National Assembly been involved.

“The president cannot implement the report by executive fiat.

Some of the issues in the report have to come in the form of an executive bill to the National Assembly or as a member’s private bill as the case may be, especially such issues like the creation of states and amendment of the constitution,” he added.

The lawmaker declared that members of the National Assembly can assess the confab report and present a bill for consideration, adding that “there are critical areas contained in the report.

Henry Omunu Abuja

ÏÏÏA member of

the House of Representatives, Rep. Daniel Reyenieju, has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to forward the report of the National Conference, organised by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.

The lawmaker representing Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State said that the confab report can’t be implemented by the executive without inputs from National Assembly members.

Reyenieju said that with a critical look at report of the national

Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏThe

Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Mohammed Suleiman Bawa, has disclosed that the command generated more than N5 billion in the last four months.

Bawa, while addressing journalists, in Ibadan, on Tuesday, shortly before carrying out the destruction of 120 cartons of imported frozen products seized by the Command, announced that a total of 92 seizures with eight suspects were taken into custody under the period under review, while the Duty Paid Value of the seizures amounted to N218.5million.

He declared that the “operatives of the Command will con-

Oyo, Osun Customs generate N5b tinue to intensify efforts at keeping the recalcitrant smugglers, especially of imported poultry products out of business, while those caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Bawa, who took over the Oyo/ Osun Area Command on March 25, this year, charged members of the public to support government’s ongoing war against importation of imported frozen poultry products which, he said, apart from being injurious to health was also crippling the local economy.

He said that the Command had already launched what he called “Operation Hawk Descend” for surveillance and arrest of foreign poultry parts with zero tolerance.

L-R: President of Federal Republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu; Nigeria's Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo; President/CEO, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Aliko Dangote during the commissioning of Dangote Cement's plant in Zambia… on Tuesday

I’ve no regret institutionalising NSCDC –Obasanjo Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏFormer President Olusegun

Obasanjo, on Tuesday, said he had no regret institutionalising the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as one of the nation’s security agencies.

Obasanjo, who spoke at his Presidential Hilltop Estate residence, in Abeokuta, while receiving the former Commandant-General of the agency, Dr. Ade Abolurin, lauded the agency for its resolute fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

Obasanjo also stressed the need to sustain the NSCDC, noting that lack of continuity had been the bane of Nigeria’s development.

He said, I believe that where you have taken this organisation to, those coming after you will be able to build on it.

"One of our problems in this country is lack of continuity. I hope that in your own case and

this organisation, there would be continuity; continuity not for the man coming after you to do everything exactly like you have done it.

It is not possible even if the person coming after you is your biological son, he wouldn’t do everything the way you would want to do it.

"But there are some essential things that should be preserved and maintained; the issue of value, integrity, commitment, patriotism, those cherished values and virtues that you have maintained in this organisation, would continue to be maintained."

Obasanjo noted that one of the things he confronted during his tenure as president was pipeline vandalism.

He explained that civil defence personnel, despite being unpaid, unarmed and uninstitutionalised then, displayed a high sense of patriotism towards combating the menace of vandalism.

Obasanjo, who rated NSCDC high, among other security agen-

Osinbajo identifies capacity building, political stability as key to Africa’s ÏÏÏVice-President

Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, identified human capital development, political stability and economic integration as central to the rapid development of Africa and the emancipation of its people from poverty.

Osinbajo said this, in Ndola, Zambia, at the inauguration of the $420 million cement plant and 30 KV coal-powered station built by Nigeria’s foremost businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

He said that the continent needed to free itself from issues that impoverished the people and begin to use its resources for development.

``One of the key challenges to rapid growth in Africa is extreme poverty; Africa, unfortunately, remains the poorest continent in the world; the implications are illiteracy, poor health, and low income per capita. ``Consequently, despite our large population our markets are not deep; most cannot afford goods and services; this is an Africa problem, but the only solution is substantially investing in human capacity development. ``We simply must spend money on the people; we must spend more on education, technology and healthcare; we must invest in

cies, however, advised the corps to urgently rid itself of bad eggs.

He said, "One of the things that I had to confront in my tenure as the president of Nigeria was pipeline vandalism, and crude oil theft.

"We used all the available agencies and resources and your organisation as a voluntary organisation, unpaid, unremunerated, unrecognised, uninstitutionalised, was doing a great job without being armed and without being equipped and that means the height of commitment, nationalism, patriotism and service to fatherland and service to humanity.

Obasanjo

technology, infrastructure to enable our bright boys and girls to hone their skills in the competitive world of technology. ``We must provide benefit for the disabled poor, the elderly and otherwise vulnerable; we cannot afford to leave any one behind.`` Osinbajo also stressed the need for the integration of African economies and co-operation between member countries.

He said: ``With 54 countries and well over a billion people, and the economic bloc co-operating through enabling trade agreements, collaborative tariff regimes, multi-lateral trade concessions and agreements will open up the fastest growing economy in the world.``

8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Politics

The National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, has said that the party is fully prepared for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Besides, he said the party’s executive committee under his leadership remained the one recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Abdulsalam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in

Æs

Abuja on Monday that the current crisis rocking the party on the whereabouts of its registration certificate would not diminish the party and its “glory”.

He said rather, the intrigues in the party would make it stronger and more vibrant, adding that the party was set to consolidate on its strong structure to serve the interest of Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to

discountenance the purported hand over of the party’s certificate to the labour movement by its former chairman, describing it as “inconsequential”.

On the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa governorship polls, he said that the party would field candidates and participate actively.

“We are prepared for the election and ready for it; our

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Labour Party ready for Kogi, Bayelsa polls, says chairman

ABDULKADIR ABDULSALAM National Chairman LP

PDP’s peace parley flops as Dickson’s aides fume

Sylva Last weekend’s peace parley of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile feuding members in Bayelsa appeared to have hit the rocks.

The meeting of the stakeholders spearheaded by former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the forthcoming governorship

election which had in attendance prominent members including chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Haliru Mohammed was called to mend fences in order to prepare the party for victory.

However, barely 48 hours after the meeting, discordant tunes

“It is shocking that Ebikake, who was the deputy DirectorGeneral of Dickson Campaign Organisation and a ranking commissioner in Dickson’s administration could be attacking her former boss”

Dickson

have started to emanate from the feuding groups many of whom want the party to dump incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson who is seeking a second term in office.

According to many of them especially those who have worked under Dickson before they de-

camped to other parties, if the PDP fields Dickson in the forthcoming polls, the party will lose to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as being feared in many quarters.

Consequently, the state’s former Commissioners for Transport and Sports, Mrs. Marie Ebi-

kake and Ebikitin Diongoli have vowed that their former boss, Governor Seriake Dickson, cannot be governor of Bayelsa State again.

Ebikake and Diongoli, who spoke on Tuesday under the ausCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

9 Politics

Labour Party intact

– Chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 people at the ward level and states have been sensitised enough, so we are ready for it,’’ he said.

Abdulsalam disclosed that forms would soon be brought out for members who wish to contest in the elections on the platform of the party.

“The timetable for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections by INEC is out.

“Aspirants have been trooping in here to indicate their interests; we are interacting with them, and this has also put us on our toes.

“The cost of the forms is yet unknown as the party has not decided, but it will not be expensive”, he said.

“We are prepared for the election and ready for it; our people at the ward level and states have been sensitised enough, so we are ready for it”

Abdulkadir Abdulsalam

National Chairman LP

Anxiety in Ekiti as Fayose begins fresh workers’ verification

Fayose

There is widespread anxiety between workers in Ekiti as the state governor, Mr. Ayodele fayose has announced a fresh workers’ verification exercise.

The workers, still grappling with unpaid salaries running into three months and yet to recover from the after effects of the last verification exercise are said to be at a loss as to what the governor wants to achieve with the fresh exercise.

There are fears that Fayose may want to weed out those believed to have sympathy with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Ekiti State government says it has set up a committee to

review the outcome of the recent verification of workers on the state government’s payroll and fish out those being overpaid among others.

Governor Fayose himself stated this in Ado Ekiti, the state capital in an interview with newsmen.

Governor Fayose said the committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Dr Olusola Kolapo, will also compile the list of dead workers who are still on payroll, and those who absconded from their duty posts among others.

He said the committee also has the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Modupe Alade; the AtCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

‘If PDP fields Dickson, it will lose’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

pices of the Peoples Democratic Party Unity Forum, reaffirmed that the PDP would lose the governorship election if Dickson was fielded.

According to them, Dickson’s candidature would spell doom for the PDP, stressing that the party would lose woefully under the incumbent governor.

However, Government House sources said it was sad that Ebikake who allegedly ran down her ministry could be criticising Dickson for non-performance.

The source said Ebikake would soon be facing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for mismanaging the state’s restoration cabs running into millions of naira.

His words: “It is shocking that Ebikake, who was the deputy Director-General of Dickson Campaign Organisation and a ranking commissioner in Dickson’s administration could be attacking her former boss.

“She was given the mandate to purchase the state’s restoration cabs which she could not account for. She left with the files of pur-

chases and has refused to return the files for the current Commissioner to track those given the taxis.

“Whether she likes it or not, Dickson is the best choice for the PDP. Three and a half years of Dickson, the state has witnessed tremendous developments in all facets”, the source said However, Ebikake, who is the Coordinator, PDP Unity Forum, said the indignation of Bayelsans had grown under Dickson and that Dickson had failed the people adding that he lacked foresight to govern the state again.

Ebikake, who was removed from office because of her alleged closeness to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, gave insight into what transpired during their meeting with PDP’s Board of Trustees in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke.

She said during the meeting, Dickson and former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, were barred from participating because it was not meant for reconciliation.

She also corrected the insinuation in some quarters that she

“Whether she likes it or not, Dickson is the best choice for the PDP. Three and a half years of Dickson, the state has witnessed tremendous developments in all facets”

and other members of the Unity Forum were either expelled or suspended, saying there was no time they were sanctioned by the party.

Ebikake, who commended the BOT members for intervening in the crisis in Bayelsa PDP, admitted that prior to their intervention, the PDP was divided because of Dickson’s alleged highhandedness and manipulation.

She said it was such division and crises that led to the formation of Unity Forum within the PDP with a view to uniting members.

Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor

Fayose’s fresh workers’ audit causes fear

Fayose

“Fayose is just a meddlesome interloper. He is a rabble rouser.

It is only him that sees ghosts where everybody sees lives. He should not start talking about Buhari probing on the pages of the newspapers”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 torney General, Owoseni Ajayi; the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo and the Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka as its members.

According to him, in the Teaching Service Commission for instance, the state lost N155.7m in two years, due to 1,154 staff collecting more money than their actual salaries.

The Governor therefore frowned on the development, adding that his administration would spare nothing to block leakages and stop other official misconduct being perpetrated in the public service.

However, a member of the House of Representatives, Bosun Oladele, who is representing the Irepodun/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo

State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), has berated the governor over his style asking him to await President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade as, according to him, Abuja would get to him soonest.

His words: Fayose is just a meddlesome interloper. He is a rabble rouser. It is only him that sees ghosts where everybody sees lives. He should not start talking about Buhari probing on the pages of the newspapers.

He should wait for him because, he (Buhari) is coming to him. Fayose will get his own bit of it.

I think from all indications of what he has been seeing, he has started developing butterfly in his stomach but he shouldn’t wait for too long, he will start feeling the heat and that is exactly why he is talking when everybody is supposed to keep quiet.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

11 Politics

Obama climatic policy could force robust debate from 2016 candidates CORAL DAVENPORT The issue of climate change played almost no role in the 2012 presidential campaign. President Obama barely mentioned the topic, nor did the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. It was not raised in a single presidential debate.

But as Mr. Obama prepares to leave office, his own aggressive actions on climate change have thrust the issue into the 2016 campaign.

Strategists now say that this battle for the White House could feature more substantive debate over global warming policy than any previous presidential race.

On Monday, Mr. Obama is expected to unveil his signature climate change policy, a set of Environmental Protection Agency regulations designed to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s power plants. If the plan survives legal challenges, it could lead to the closing of hundreds of polluting coal-fired power plants, freeze future construction of such plants and lead to an explosion in production of wind and solar energy.

Most of those changes, however, would unfold under the

next president: states would not submit final plans detailing how they would comply with the rules until 2018. And the plan would not be fully implemented until 2022.

That means that the 2016 field faces a much more specific question on climate change policy than any of their predecessors have: What would they do to Mr. Obama’s climate change legacy?

“There’s no question that the decision of a sitting president on something like this insinuates these issues into the middle of a campaign,” said David Axelrod, the political strategist who advised both of Mr. Obama’s presidential campaigns. “The president is taking a significant step, and now it’s a natural question to ask candidates: would they embrace those steps and carry them forward, or would they not?”

The answer to that question is already a litmus test for the deep-pocketed political donors who will play a major role in the 2016 outcome.

On the left, the billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, the largest single donor in the 2014 midterm elections, has made clear that forceful support of climate policies — including

implementation of Mr. Obama’s plan — is essential to win his financial backing. On the right, the conservative billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch have made clear that their support will require a candidate’s full-throated opposition to Mr. Obama’s climate policies.

Over the weekend, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, was quick to respond to a preview of the announcement.

“The Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan is a significant step forward in meeting the urgent threat of climate change,” she said in a written statement. “It’s a good plan, and as president, I’d defend it. It will need defending. Because Republican doubters and defeatists — including every Republican candidate for president — won’t offer any credible solution.”

Mrs. Clinton has pledged to strengthen and expand on the plan, and to elevate the issue of climate change throughout her campaign, hammering Republicans for their opposition. Mrs. Clinton’s campaign chairman is John Podesta, a former senior White House official who was the architect of Mr. Obama’s climate policy.

BARACK OBAMA US President

“The Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan is a significant step forward in meeting the urgent threat of climate change,” she said in a written statement. “It’s a good plan, and as president, I’d defend it. It will need defending. Because Republican doubters and defeatists — including every Republican candidate for president — won’t offer any credible solution”

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Dust up 1920 Report to check receding Lake Chad, Buhari orders FME Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to dust up a 1920 report as government seeks solutions to the fast receding Lake Chad.

The lake is said to have receded from about 33,000 square kilometres to just about 300 square kilometres in two decades.

Buhari gave the directive after receiving briefings on the activities of the Federal Ministry of Environment by its Permanent Secretary, Fatima Mede, in his office at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

In an interview with State House correspondents after the meeting, Mede said Buhari was concerned that the drying up of the Lake Chad waters had affected the fortune of farmers, fishermen and the surrounding communities who relied on the lake for their livelihood.

She said: “The President is also concerned about the fact that Lake Chad is receding from the 33,000square kilometres about two decades ago to just 300 square kilometres which has affected the farmers, fishermen and the livelihood of the people around that area.

“So he has directed that we should go and look at the report that was submitted 1920 about how to prevent Lake Chad from drying up so that the communities

around, even border communities including the countries benefitting from activities of fishermen and livelihood based on Lake Chad are not affected.”

The Permanent Secretary also stated that the president equally expressed concern over the general environmental degradation in the country, which she said was affecting over 43 percent of the nation’s population.

According to Mede, Buhari consequently directed that more measures be put in place to check the trend including the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking especially in the urban areas of the country.

She added: “It (the meeting) went very well because the President is concerned about the environmental degradation in the country.

He knows that the sustainability of the country will depend on how well we manage the environment.

“He has also directed that to arrest the deforestation that is going on, if you drive going to the northern part of the country, the extent of decertification and afforestation is alarming.

“Currently, over 43% of Nigerians are affected by the effect of decertification and you see the conflict that comes up between the herdsmen and farmers because of forced migration, moving away from the dessert to the South West where they can get grass to feed the animals.

Kachikwu now NNPC boss Continued from page 6 The new NCC Chief Executive’s other academic qualifications include a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications as well as a Masters Degree in the same field.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and has had a meritorious career in which he rose to become Professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Bayero University, Kano, specializing in Telecommunications Engineering and

Information and Communications Technology.

Before his new appointment, Prof. Danbatta held top management and leadership positions at different times including Head of Department, Dean Of Faculty, Director, Centre for Information Technology, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Kano Branch), Deputy Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor.

His appointment as Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC is for five years in the first instance.

L-R: Director-General, National Centre for Women Development, (NCWD), Lady Onyeka Onwenu and United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Angele Dikongue-Atangana during a courtesy visit to the DG, NCWD in Abuja... on Tuesday Photo: JOHN BABA

It’s wrong to exclude South East from Buhari seeks $75m World NASS leadership, says Yakassai Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏThe

exclusion of South East legislators from the leadership of the National Assembly is a threat to national unity, according to elder statesman, Alhaji Tako Yakassai.

Yakassai, in an interview with reporters in Kano on Tuesday, expressed surprise that the leadership of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) did not consider the ethnic nationality in its office sharing.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from the South East, emerged as the Deputy Senate President out of the crisis that followed sharp disagreements in the APC on the candidates that were to fill the positions.

His emergence is still being hotly resisted by the APC.

Yakasai described the sharing of positions of the APC as lop-sided, and an indication that the governing party is subsuming national interests under personal interests.

His words: “It is quite shocking that at the end of the meeting of some All Progressives Congress leaders at Aso Rock, called

by President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Gbajamiala, who contested the Speakership against Yakubu Dogora and lost, emerged the Leader of the House.

“I can recall that before President Buhari’s intervention, the Dogara group accepted to concede the position of the Leader of the House to the Gbajamiala’s group, but with the condition that the position will not go to the South-West.”

Yakassai said further: “It was surprising that after the meeting between the National Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun,

Gbajabiamiala and Dogara at the Villa, they came back and did otherwise.

“Again, immediately after Femi (Gbajabiamila) was announced the Leader of the House, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu paid a visit to the Villa apparently to thank President Buhari for intervening in favour of Femi Gbajamiala.

“Now, in the House leadership, South-West has two major slots and the SouthEast has nothing. This is not a good development.”

Yakasai, who was Political Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari, warned that with the set up in the House of Representatives, those now clamouring for the removal of Senator Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, should be wary of the consequences.

According to him, Ekweremadu is the only representative of the South-East in the National Assembly leadership.

Bank loan for Edo

Continued from page 6 had already been paid.

The President in the letter said: “I am writing to seek the consideration of the National Assembly of Nigeria on approval of a request by the Edo State government to obtain a $75 million credit facility from the World Bank.

“You may wish to know that the World Bank had approved a Development Policy Programme (DPO) loan budget support for the total sum of $225 million to the Edo State government in 2012 to be implemented in three tranches of $75 million per annum.

“The first tranche was approved by the National Assembly in the 2012-2014 Federal Government external borrowing plan. The programme has since been successfully implemented by the state in 2014.

Boko Haram: 3000 Nigerians deported from Cameroun Continued from page 6 Hamman Furo said 12,000 Nigerians were expected to arrive from Cameroun.

Everyone expelled would be sent to Yola, Adamawa State capital, said National Emergency Management Agency Camps Coordinator in Adamawa, Sa’ad Bello.

“Their condition is good,” he said. But some refugees said that several people died during their hike to the border.

Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram insurgents early Tuesday killed at least nine people and kidnapped dozens, including children and teenagers, from a village in Camer-

oun on the border with Nigeria, according to local leader.

Tchakarmari village head, Chief Kadzamare Amin, said heavily armed attackers came from Nigeria into the villages of Tchakarmari and Kangaleri in trucks, adding that they burned 15 houses, killed six men

and three women, and kidnapped many.

Bakary said soldiers confirmed an attack and authorities were investigating.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, the Boko Haram sect has been blamed for scores of attacks in the region this year.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday August 5, 2015

S’Sudan displaced children not in school

ÏÏÏAlmost half

of 800 000 children driven from their homes by South Sudan's civil conflict are not attending school, a group of humanitarian organisations said on Tuesday.

The East African nation has been in civil conflict since a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Machar turned violent in December 2013. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million.

Despite the difficult humanitarian situation, many children prioritized the desire to go to school before other basic needs, including shelter and food, according to a joint report by World Vision, Save the Children, Intersos and Care.

Some parents and children told researchers they had taken matters into their own hands by constructing temporary school buildings or collecting money to pay a teacher. "We are protected in school. Soldiers don't attack us or abduct us there," a 15-year-old boy explained why going to school was important to him. Another boy said children in South Sudan learn in school how to cope with dangerous situations, for example how to detect landmines.

litical intrigue, as the president nears death and rumours of coup attempts swirl.

Now, the unprecedented firing of three top generals is generating fear that a power struggle within the regime will break into the open — unleashing a new cycle of the bloodshed that plagued the country in the 1990s.

The stakes for the oil-rich nation — a key US ally against terrorism — are especially high because of the dramatic fall of oil prices and the rising threat from extremist groups across the border in Mali, Libya and Tunisia. These developments have put the regime on weaker footing in a country still emerging from a traumatic civil war.

14 miners killed in Liberia mine

ÏÏÏState radio in Liberia says

14 men illegally mining for gold in Liberia's west fell victim to a landslide. They were trapped under rubble and are presumed dead.

It says the miners, all from Sierra Leone, had reportedly dug a deep hole near Liberia's border with their country and were buried in a landslide. The radio reported the incident in the remote area occurred last week, and it took time for word to reach the capital, Monrovia Hundreds of people from Sierra Leone cross the border into Liberia to illegally mine in the mineralrich Gola Konneh District.

Liberian authorities have not been able to put a halt to illegal mineral mining, especially in remote border regions.

Illegal migrants stranded enroute S’ Africa

ÏÏÏ SPLA-N fighters practice with a mortar as others watch near Jebel Kwo village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, Sudan May 2, 2012

Political crisis looms in Algeria after coup scare

ÏÏÏAlgeria is in the grips of po-

13 Africa

On July 16, the night the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan ended, troops flooded the area around the presidential residence of Zeralda amid talk of a possible attack.

Rumours flew that it was an attempted coup or an attack by radical Islamists, while some newspapers cited anonymous officials that the whole thing was a hoax.

Then on July 26, the army announced a series of new appointments in key positions, showing that three powerful generals — the heads of counter-espionage, the Republican Guard and presidential security — had all been replaced. The sackings have provoked a flurry of speculation that the country's elites are on the brink of an all-out war.

"These dismissals touch sensi-

tive institutions that risk destabilising the army amid a difficult regional situation," Louisa Hanoun, leader of the Worker's Party, said in a Monday press conference.

"There are too many rumours and too much speculation — the president must speak."

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 78, hasn't done much speaking, however, since he suffered a stroke in April 2013 that restricts him to just a handful of heavily scripted television appearances.

He didn't appear in the election campaign he won last year — except to vote in a wheelchair — and his speeches are read by surrogates. Yet he — or at least his entourage — appears to be clinging to power, as generals are fired and the once powerful

intelligence services brought more firmly under control. The president is surrounded by a close knit group of advisers, including his brother Said.

"Someone will come and whisper in his ear that this one is not in agreement with you or that one dislikes your family, and he listens," said a former government minister who has since resigned and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"It reminds me of the situation at the end of Bourguiba's reign when officials were appointed in the morning and fired that evening," he said, referring to former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba, who was overthrown in 1987 after he became senile.

Hundreds of illegal migrants, mostly from Ethiopia, remain detained in Malawi in appalling conditions after they failed to reach their destination, South Africa, a humanitarian organisation has said. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the migrants were detained while on their way to South Africa in search of jobs. Statistics from Malawi-based Child Rights, Advocacy and Paralegal Aid Centre (Crapac), show that large numbers of African migrants are passing through Malawi en route to South Africa. Anecdotal reports are that the numbers have been on the increase in the past two years, possibly because other nations, such as Mozambique, are making it harder for undocumented migrants to travel through their countries.

Most of these migrants have been imprisoned since December and do not have identity documents. As "prohibited migrants" they were ordered by the Malawian court to be repatriated within 3 months of their initial arrest, but they remain imprisoned, MSF said.

Obama urges African youths to build on progress ÏÏÏOn the heels of a landmark

visit to Kenya and Ethiopia, where President Barack Obama declared “Africa is on the move,” he honed the message, this time to 500 young leaders visiting from sub-Saharan Africa.

“The continent has archived historic gains in health from fighting HIV/AIDS to making childbirth

safer for women and babies. Millions have been lifted from extreme poverty. So this is extraordinary progress,” Obama said.

“And young people like you are driving so much of this progress, because Africa is the youngest continent.”

The president urged the Mandela-Washington fellows of the

Youth African Leaders Initiative to build on the progress Monday in Washington.

His administration launched the Youth African Leaders Initiative five years ago, to support emerging African leaders as they “drive economic growth, enhance democratic governance, and strengthen the civil society struc-

tures that will help the continent grow and prosper.”

The fellowship, which President Obama announced during his 2013 trip to South Africa, this year connected the young leaders to 20 U.S. universities, where they spent six weeks expanding their skills in everything from entrepreneurship to civic affairs.

Obama

World14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Russia merges military branches, creates Aerospace Forces ÏÏÏRussia has merged several

branches of its military into the Aerospace Forces - a reorganization aimed at enhancing coordination and efficiency, officials said Monday.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the decision offers "the optimal way of improving the system of the nation's aerospace defense."

The new branch will include the nation's air force, air defense, anti-missile and space forces.

Shoigu said that its creation has been prompted by the increasing importance of air and space components in modern warfare.

The air force chief, Col.-Gen. Viktor Bondarev, has been put in charge of Aerospace Forces.

President Vladimir Putin has launched an ambitious program of modernizing Russia's military arsenals. The Kremlin has been keen to show off the nation's military muscle amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Shoigu said that the military has received about 200 new planes and helicopters, and is to get the

23 killed in Brazil land strife

ÏÏÏIsrael has arrested Meir Et-

Russian President Vladimir Putin reviews a Navy parade in Baltisk, western Russia, July 26, 2015, during celebrations for Russian Navy Day. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stands at right.

same number this year.

He also mentioned a plan to repair and upgrade 108 of the air force's 125 airfields by 2020.

While pilot training has steadily increased in recent years as

180 dead, a million displaced in India floods

part of the Kremlin's efforts to beef up the military, a recent spate of crashes of combat aircraft has raised concerns about safety standards.

Sunday's crash of a Mi-28 heli-

copter gunship from an elite aerobatic squadron, which killed its pilot during an air show, was the seventh military crash this summer. Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels driven from key al-Anad airbase

Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels driven from key airbase

ÏÏÏAt least 23 landless farmers ÏÏÏ have been killed so far this year in conflicts over land, mostly in the Amazon basin region, an NGO reported on Monday.

Twenty-one of the deaths took place in Para and Rondonia states where squatters and small landholders often clash with holders of massive land tracts, according to the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), a Christian non-governmental organisation.

The two other deaths were in Maranhao and Bahia state, the group added.

For the same time period a year earlier, there were 20 such killings nationwide, the CPT said.

In Brazil, one percent of the population of over 200 million holds 46% of all arable land.

Israel arrests most-wanted Jewish extremist

Pro-government forces in Yemen have retaken the country's largest airbase in a battle with Houthi rebels, government officials say.

Heavy casualties have been reported at al-Anad airbase, north of Aden, after intense fighting there in recent days. It comes after pro-government forces, backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, retook Aden two weeks ago.

The Saudis are leading a campaign to defeat the rebels, who control much of Yemen, and restore the government.

Troops and armoured vehicles from the United Arab Emirates - a key member of the coalition - are also said to have arrived in Aden in recent days.

Military officials quoted by the Associated Press news agency say

ÏÏÏFloods from days of torren-

tial rain have now claimed at least 180 lives in India with one million people sheltering in relief camps after fleeing surging waters, officials said on Tuesday.

Rivers have burst their banks, hitting thousands of villages in parts of West Bengal as well as northeastern Manipur state, where roads and bridges have

the foreign troops are helping the pro-government forces operate sophisticated weapons, including tanks. The New York Times said the troops had been involved in the fighting at al-Anad.

However, local journalists told the BBC that Emirati troops had recently disembarked in Aden and were deployed as advisers, rather than in combat, while a Yemeni military official denied foreign troops had landed in Yemen.

The reported deployment of tanks and other armoured vehicles from the United Arab Emirates, which have been seen unloading in the southern port of Aden over recent days, represents the first major ground involvement by the Arab coalition ranged against the Houthi rebels.

It is a signal that the air cam-

paign launched in March has its limits and it is a sign too that the Saudi-led coalition is willing now to become more engaged in the fighting. US sources cited by the New York Times have confirmed the deployment in broad terms though its exact composition remains unclear. Some estimates suggest numbers in the order of 3,000. There are indications that the arrival of the heavy armour has already had an impact in helping seize the al-Anad air base - an important asset that could provide a launch-pad for more extensive operations against the rebels.

Al-Anad used to be a base for US troops overseeing drone attacks on al-Qaeda. It was overrun

by Houthi rebels as they advanced south in March, forcing President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee.

been cut and communications were patchy.

Most of those 180 died from drowning, while at least four people have been killed in a landslide that buried a remote village in Manipur bordering Myanmar, where heavy monsoon rains have also wreaked havoc.

The death toll jumped from around 120 on Monday, after the

discovery of more bodies in West Bengal and the western state of Gujarat where water levels have receded, allowing families to return home. "The death toll due to flooding in West Bengal rose to 70, with roads and farms in 13 200 villages remaining under water," disaster management minister Javed Ahmad Khan told AFP. "Nearly 1.2 million people are

tinger, who tops the Shin Bet internal security organisation's list of most-wanted Jewish extremists, as part of a crackdown following last week's settler arson attack that killed a Palestinian baby.

Ettinger, the 24-year-old grandson of late Jewish extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, is scheduled to appear before a court in the northern town of Nazareth to have his remand extended, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said on Tuesday.

He was arrested late Monday for alleged involvement in "criminal nationalist activity." she said.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have soared since suspected Jewish extremists threw a fire bomb into the home of a Palestinian family in their northern West Bank village, killing a boy and critically injuring his 4-year-old brother and both parents.

A 27-year-old Israeli woman was moderately injured late Monday when suspected Palestinians threw a firebomb into her car at an East Jerusalem junction.

The woman rolled out of her car, which went up in flames and continued moving, and was taken to hospital with 25-per-cent burns, medics said.

Suspected Palestinians also threw firebombs at four civilian Israeli cars south of Jerusalem.

Some three people were also injured in a clash on Jerusalem's flashpoint Temple Mount / Noble Sanctuary, which houses the Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques, as well as the ruins of the Biblical Jewish Temple.

Ettinger

now staying in around 1 600 relief camps opened in schools and government offices," he said.

The release of water from brimming dams has exacerbated the flooding in West Bengal after Cyclone Komen struck the east coast on Friday, Khan said.

"Rivers in 13 districts are flowing over their danger marks. The situation is grim."

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

15 Opinion

Balancing geopolitical appointments in Nigeria

T Muhammad Ajah

his critical issue of balancing political appointments according to the six geopolitical zones at the federal level, and the senatorial zones at the state level seems to have become an accepted norm in the pursuit of equity and fairness in governance.

In furtherance to this some leaders take the minorities into unique consideration to give them a sense of belonging.

I have gone through almost all the speeches of Nigerian leaders and state governors especially and observed that this good spirit has been mostly on papers than in reality.

That is why the cry of marginalisation, political exclusion and harassment continues to reecho after our leaders make this pledge and fail.

The 2015 general elections are over. The President and the governors have started appointing people they think are worthy to achieve the success they desire for their domains. Mr. President has been extremely careful to appoint only those who have the interest of Nigeria at heart. This is a clear departure from the past where political appointments are based on political and

regional affiliations. The “sharing” of all the political positions would have been concluded, at most, within two weeks after the swearing in ceremonies. The “anointed” politicians know their portfolios and prepare to take control immediately after the declaration of winners by INEC. Here is a new system, which has kept many guessing, including top politicians in the ruling party.

Even if very few are sure to make the President’s cabinet, none can be sure of the portfolio they would be handling. Some who may have expected to be made ministers may end up being board members. In addition, many would be disappointed because they would find no position in the federal cabinet.

Many states, especially those controlled by All Progressives Party (APC) are trying to copy this new trend. However, the question is: who amongst Nigerian politicians is incorruptible? Millions of Nigerians and the international community can confidently testify for Muhammadu Buhari. Then, a very negligible number can be counted in this category. This is the only category of people who can actualise the change the APC brandished during its campaigns. Can Mr. President completely do away with those who

facilitated his victory, with or without soiled coins?

There has been the information making the rounds that 36 nominees for ministerial appointments were subjected to accountability/eligibility tests. Surprisingly, only three scaled through. However, no one could say those who failed. Moreover, if it because they soiled their fingers previously, can they accept to be away from the corridors of power.

Mr. President must be firm in his resolve in ensuring that integrity, selflessness and merit prevail in his appointments.

We can recall that during the immediate past governments, Nigerians who had serious questions to answer in terms of corruption and mismanagement of public funds were appointed to positions.

They scaled through all screening exercises including those of the graft commissions. Some of the state chief executives and federal appointees were in the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yet were appointed ministers, director generals, chairmen of boards/agencies and ambassadors.

According to the constitution, a Minister is supposed to come from each state of the federation, either by the nomination of the state

governor or by the discretion of Mr. President. One thing I am not sure is the criteria employed since 1999 that favoured the northern minorities despite the fact that this period in question was led by the southern Nigerians. But it was clear that some percentage of the appointments were based on the discretion of the President, in consideration of factors including giving sense of belonging and economic empowerment to northern minorities. That was not against the constitution and did not raise any eyebrow. This administration should, not deviate from such laudable gesture. This administration should extend the spirit of equity and fairness in the political inclusion and empowerment of the southern minorities.

Some states have been maintaining this spirit of empowering the minorities. Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has appointed two Yoruba into his government. He has also appointed Christians as commissioners. In Lagos, Igbos have been appointed in different political positions. In Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, Yorubas and Hausas have been appointed aides to the governors. This laudable spirit should be sustained for the sake of national integration.

Healing prescriptions for Nigeria (II)

T Okechuku Peter Nwachuku

here must be a construct to minimise the political noises that follow every electoral process.

Those who failed should not be allowed near the corridors of power, they are the unwise particularly in respect of the competence necessary to organise society in a prosperous manner. The structures that promote corruption are the desire and plans to make money without own proportionate value in put. Every effort must be made to dismount them. Such structures as unaccountability lack of checks and balances, inefficiency and lack of punctuality must be reviewed. People must be organised by making them do things right.

Governmental authority has to be redirected to install a system of justice for peace in our communities.

All system of extortion must be outlawed. Every person, corporate personality, government department must be made to be accountable.

The Police must seek out those that break the laws and prosecute them.

The Police should be made to be proactive and not reactive, which can only happen when their acts are also policed. Justice must be administered promptly as at when due without corruptive inducement.

The prisons should be organised to be corrective. The number of jail breaks in recent times is a clear indication that the entire system requires infrastructural and management reorganisation.

The legislature needs to minimise its oversight functions as it lacks professional competence for most investigations that erode the use of the time intended for making laws, statutes that will establish a just society. As they minimise executive functions, the ministries need be empowered to perform their traditional functions of control over governmental activities. Government, private sector and religious bodies even if they are to be treated, as charity must be made to account publicly for their income. Nations like New Zealand publish annually the expenditure of government with provision for individuals to ask for detailed breakdown. Publications needs be made to show the public the budget efficiency of the passing year in comparison with the planned programmes of the intents of government.

Only accountability and efficient policing can bring sobriety into the society. The executive must install a fair, equitable and disciplined system. Such system must eschew flagrant use of

government resources for exotic cars, security details and personal assistants. We need another example in the management of government funds. We need to exclude the colonial mentality of indifference in the expenditure and sequestration of public funds. The allocation of oil blocks may not be wrong not only in the choice of who receives allocation but principally in the regulation of the monitoring and control of the sales and taxes payable.

The Petroleum Management Corporation is over powered without restrictive, monitoring and control.

This has made a handful too rich.

A strong deterrent must include trailing the fudge of previous oil prospecting monitors and system controllers. Little can be achieved in this respect if a handful of system abusers are not trailed prosecuted and their system abuse made public.

The total system need to know that governance cannot prosper on the basis of system abuse. Every effort must be made to allow total market forces controlled sale of imported or locally refined petroleum products, to avoid the abuse in the fuel subsidy racket and any system encouragement to think outside reality. The handle of blocking deregulating of sale of petroleum product is the trade union. Government should affect

the sales of the corporations that helped it provide these services. In the government run corporations, there is a parallel fund extract system that provides bribe money to the employees that must be blocked.

Every power value obtained must attract an equitable price tariffs that must be prepaid to the provider with no government or regional or constituency exceptions. We have a population pressure that must force us to advocate birth control .We must Install a study of the rural economy to advise and help the rural dwellers of land use methods that will optimize their agricultural output. We have had continued struggle between agricultural land users and dairy cattle rearers . Government organized Dairy Farm Cooperatives could encourage one set of cooperatives grow feed and another dairy. We must minimize cattle grazing which has become a major cause of communal clash.

It is the business of government to resolve this conflict. The most urgent economic question for our people is to reason out of our traditional farming lifestyle.

•Okechuku Peter Nwachuku. Op Strategic Management Company Ltd. Port Harcourt, Nigeria

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Lagos moves against traffic robbers, street traders ÏÏÏGovernor

Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday presided over the State Security Council meeting with a resolve to double efforts to check the menace of robbery in traffic gridlock in some trouble spots in the state as well as street trading.

Briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the Council looked at the security and crime situation in the past one month with a focus on the menace of street trading, land-grabbers, and all other security issues in the state.

Hs words, “We’ve looked at the areas where we are winning, the areas where we need to step up our activities and one of those areas we looked at critically is the issue of the guys that rob on the highway in traffic gridlock”.

“We have taken a decision to do all what we can do to step all activities, first, to decongest the traffic gridlock, because if we do that once traffic moves,

we are going to take the street traders and hawkers off the road”, Owoseni said.

He said efforts were ongoing to decongest traffic, saying that it would go a long way to reduce the incidence of unsuspecting citizens falling victim to traffic robbers.

“Once we decongest, we would also reduce the incidence of people robbing motorists on the road and of course the response time to distress call will be improved upon. Those are the things we looked at”.

“The meeting also took the decision that we continue our onslaught against criminals especially the land grabbers to make sure that they are brought to justice, once they are arrested, diligent investigation and prosecution carried out, to show examples to others”, he said.

Owoseni said the Council also deliberated on the menace of cultists, adding that efforts have been made within the last one month, jointly by security agencies to clamp down on them.

Timessearch

e-mail: oyin_K@yahoo.com 08055103156

Sarah ODEDE

Is there a Construction Technology Institute in Edo? ÏÏÏI

was delighted when I read some information on the education sector in the TIMESEARCH column of the Daily Times Newspapers two weeks ago.

My aim of writing to the TIMESEARCH is to help find out if it is true that the former administration established a construction technology company in Edo State.

Many people I contacted on the issue told me they were not aware, only two people confirmed that there was an institute established by the former administration but not sure of where the institute was situated.

Please TIMESEARCH, it would be appreciated

if this enquiry is taken up with the appropriate authority to prove the authenticity of the institute in question.

I am interested, and I know many youths like me who are yet to gain admission into any of the tertiary institutions (university) in the country would also be interested in this enquiry.

You are my last hope.

Kayode Aboyade P.O Box 5529 Mowe, Ogun State Investigation by the TIMESEARCH into the enquiry of Mr. Aboyade revealed that it was true President Goodluck Jonathan actually approved the establishment of a National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Edo

State.

To buttress this statement, a top official in the National Universities Commission Headquarters in Abuja told the TIMESEARCH that the issue was as far back as late 2013, and that the enquirer was not current enough as not to have learnt of the existence of the institute.

The official, who did not want to be named revealed further that the Vice President at that time made the announcement in Uromi, Edo State, during the special thanksgiving mass at one of the Catholic Churches in Uromi, Edo State.

In reply to a question, the official said that according to the former regime, the establishment of the institute was Federal Government’s way of appreci-

ating the invaluable contribution made by the then Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Anthony Anenih, to the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

“It was learnt that Chief Anenih said that the institute was established as a mark of appreciation for the contributions of the former President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) who graciously granted approval for the establishment of the National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi.”

From the aforementioned information, it showed there was actually an institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Edo State.

Has Nov/Dec WASSCE results been released? ÏÏÏPlease

TIMESEARCH help me find out from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) when the November/December WASSCE’s results would be released.

I sat for this examination as an external candidate and to date, I am yet to get my results despite the fact that I wrote to the Council’s headquarters demanding for the release of my results since early this year 2015. Till date, I am yet to hear from the Council.

I would want to know if my result was among those withheld by the Council or it has been released that I was not aware of because some of my friends who sat for the same examination have received their results from WAEC while some had their results withheld accord-

ing to them.

As for me, I am yet to hear from the Council concerning my result. I am anxious and would want to know the cause of the delay in releasing my result.

Eroyemi Akinkumi 227 Herbeth Macaulay, Ebute Mettq, Lagos At the West African Examinations Council Headquarters, Harvey Road, Yaba, the complaint of Mr. Akinkumi was taken up with the Public Relations Department of the Council from where it was revealed that the Council had since released the November/December WASSCE results.

The complainant’s enquiry could not be looked into because, according to the department, there was no way the Council could look into his complaint because he failed to produce his registration/ centre number to enable

the Council look into its records to know if his result was among those withheld due to one irregularities or the other, but there was no way this could be achieved because there was nothing to show that he (the complainant) actually wrote the examination.

However, it was revealed that despite the fact that results had been released, it was said that the Council withheld a total of 28,817 results of candidates who sat for the 2014 November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) which the enquirer claimed in his letter to must have written.

The Head, National Office of the Council, Charles Eguridu, disclosed the aforementioned information at a news conference to announce the release of the November/December diet of its examination in December last year, ac-

cording to one of the officials of the department who preferred anonymity.

As to why the results were being withheld, it was disclosed that “according to Eguridu, the results are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice.”

It was however said that such cases were already being investigated and that the reports of the investigations would be presented to the Nigeria Examination Committee (NEC) of the council for consideration.

It was also learnt that the committee’s decision would be communicated to the affected candidates in due course.

According to the department, Eguridu made it clear that in order to maintain uniformity and guard against malpractice and improve standards, the council had designed and introduced customized transparent Mathematical

sets with an in-built nonprogrammable scientific calculator.

It was said that the calculator would help in ensuring conformity with the rules and regaulations of the examination.

He also said that the council had continued its quest of improving its service delivery system, particularly through the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT.) Investigation revealed further that during the November/December examination, the council deployed biometric technology in the registration of candidates, and that the data captured during the registration formed the basis for the identification of candidates and taking of attendance during examination.

On further breakdown of the results of candidates, Eguridu disclosed

that a total of 246,853 candidates, consisting of 132,521 male and 114,332 female candidates sat for the examination.

The Public Relation department however said that of the figure, a total of 241,161 candidates representing 97.69 percent had their results fully released, while 5,691 others representing 2.31 percent had a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors. (Thus enquirer’s results could be in the list of the withheld results but he failed to produce his registration number, and other relevant information relating to the examination to enable the Council look into its records.)

Concluding, it was discovered that the Council was of the opinion that the errors were mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes used in the course of registration or writing the examination.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5 , 2015

Business Times Æ s

17

L-R: The new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (right), Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha (left), during a brief hand-over ceremony at the NNPC Towers on Tuesday.

FirstBank, EDC boost awareness, access to resources for SMEs Adesola Akindele

In continuing bid to help the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector access necessary resources to grow, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has commenced the sponsorship of an SME Radio programme, ‘The Economy & You’ the programme, which will run concurrently on www.edcradioonline. com every Thursday at 3pm and Rhythm FM 93.7 every Sunday at 6.15pm is a joint initiative with

Enterprise Development Centre, a School of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

According to a statement by Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank, the sponsorship objective is to educate, inform and build capacity for small business owners by providing them with the resources needed to grow their businesses.

“Given the growth of the SME sector and their role in economic expansion and sustainable national development, FirstBank

has berthed a multi-pronged SME support programme to chart a veritable course for SME development in a new and reinvigorated era, emphasizing boundless opportunities for entrepreneurial business development,” she said.

She explained that the programme will focus on SMEs and how the economy is affecting their enterprise, from budget to policies, from exchange rates to incentives. “Once a month, the programme would focus on specific sectors and sector special-

ists. SMEs owners and key stakeholders in general will be invited to be part of the conversation.

The programme will open a twitter handle for audience interaction during the online streaming and would also feature a monthly live Panel where listeners can call in to participate during the online streaming,” she said.

Mumuney added that the programme will feature seasoned professionals and successful SME Entrepreneurs in finance, construction, food and hospitality, as well as other critical sectors

of the economy.

According to First Bank’s Executive Director, Lagos & West, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, sponsorship of the programme is in sync with the Bank’s strategy to build capacity amongst SME players and foster the growth and development of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria. “We are committed to providing practical help on relevant challenges faced by small businesses and SMEs will have an unrestricted access to the archived materials from ‘The Economy and You’”, he said.

Lawmaker engages 800 youths in agric training to curb illegal migration

Lara Adejoro

Constituents in in Esan North East and Esan South East Federal Constituency in Edo State have started reaping the dividends of democracy promised them by their representative, Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, who last week organised a five day seminar for farmers on useful methods to sustainable agriculture.

The training which kicked off on Monday at St Benedict Catholic Social Centre, Ubiaja, Edo State was organized in conjunction with the National Root &

Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) in Umudike, Abia State and Sergius Oseasochie Oguns Foundation (SOOF).

The seminar tagged Root Crops in industry: Sustainable uptake of edible roots crops as industrial raw materials in Esan land in food, confectionary and bakery industries, the seminar, had resource persons from renowned institute who trained Edo farmers on different methods on the use of cocoa yam and high yield cassava stems among others.

About 800 youths and farmers benefitted from the program which is said to be the pilot scheme of the project.

Speaking to Daily Times, Hon. Oguns who is a member of the House of Representatives said that the training will be a continuous exercise and he hopes to train over 20,000 farmers in his constituency.

“My political platform is an opportunity for me to do more for the people. Today we are going to be having training for farmers and the recourse people are coming from the National Root & Crop Research Institute, Umudike, and for the whole week (Monday to Friday), they are going to be training farmers on the use of cassava, cocoa yam.”

On the reasons why he decided

to embark on the project, Hon. Ogun continued: “Almost every forth night there is a bus load of youths leaving for Europe through the desert in search of greener pastures and most of them die in transit so all this is geared towards stopping that trend.

“The idea is to set up something for the cooperatives and create wealth but my real target is actually the youths. If in the next one year they can see what is happening to the farmers and the cooperatives, we shall attract a lot of youths. We are talking about high yield cassava which has awesome potentials. “Glu-

cose syrup which is used in the confectionary industry is costing Nigeria a lot of foreign exchange. We import it to the tune of N2billion annually. Meanwhile, we have the potential to manufacture it locally. With this project we won’t be able to service the market but it is a starting point.

“Bakers also don’t have enough flour so they can also use cassava to bake. As soon as the project begins to run, we will get land and build a farm village for the youths and assist them with tractors. We can make the agricultural sector as glamorous as Oil and Gas,” Ogun added.

Maritime 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Port of Onne

Importers shun Onne, take cargo to nearby countries Nigerian importers of oil and gas cargoes have carried out their threat to divert cargoes away from Onne Port as they now consign their goods to ports of neighbouring countries and then move them into Nigeria. It will be recalled that the last administration had ordered that all oil and gas cargoes be consigned to Intels Logistics terminal in Onne, Rivers State, a development some importers kicked against, saying charges at Onne were too exorbitant for them.

The importers threatened to

divert their cargoes to ports of neighbouring countries if government did not rescind its decision.

FG frowns at arbitrary charges, undue delay at ports. The Federal Ministry of Transport last week said that arbitrary charges and undue delays had become key problems militating against port concession exercise.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Mr. Mohammed Bashar, made the disclosure in Lagos in a message to a one-day conference on Review of

Port Concession Agreement. Ports were concessioned to 26 private terminal operators in 2006, among which Intel is one. Bashar, who was represented by the Director of Shipping in the ministry, Alhaji Sani Galandanshi, said the challenges of port concession included arbitrary charges, undue delay to cargo clearance.

He said other challenges were abuse of the concession agreement and other general oppressive tendencies as observed by stakeholders. “It is these negative ten-

dencies, and to address them that in February 2014, the Federal Government appointed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the Interim Port Economic Regulator.

The Port Economic Regulator was established for effective regulatory regime in Nigerian ports for the control of tariffs, rates, charges and other related economic activities. The interim regulator will address the negative impact of the port concession activities on the economy and realise the optimal benefits derivable from port reform.

“The regulator will as well carry out other related incidental activities,” Bashar said. The permanent secretary said the conference would critically analyse areas of ambiguity, duplication of contractual obligations and failure to clearly separate responsibilities and accordingly, proffer solutions.

Bashar said the conference would go a long way in the realisation of dividends of port concession by all parties. He, however, explained that port concession had had positive improvements in the quality of port services, infrastructure development, improved safety of cargo and increase in cargo throughput. Bashar said the concession was meant to create efficiency and quality of service rendered at ports and encourage

investments in the port sector through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He said concession was meant to reduce costs of doing business at the ports, increase revenue generation for government, create employment and promote competition in port services. Also speaking, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said the concession operation in Nigeria was basically the efforts of both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the BPE. Dikki said the failure of the passage of the Port and Harbour Bill and Transport Commission Bill led to the establishment of Port Economic Regulator to checkmate the activities of both the terminal operators and other stakeholders.

Mr. Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), called on key players to come together to review the concession agreement periodically. Bello said that NSC was primarily concerned with seeing reduction in the costs of doing business in Nigerian ports.

The executive secretary expressed NSC’s readiness to transform the ports through its new port order which revolved around introduction of electronic platform.

NIMASA Acting DG approves Directors’ redeployment Stories by Funmi Coker The Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has approved the redeployment of some senior management staff of the Agency.

According to the Acting DG, the new postings are expected to reposition the Agency towards meeting its statutory mandate as enshrined in the NIMASA Act and other enabling instruments.

The deployment exercise has Mr. Ibrahim Jibril as the Director of Administration and Personnel Services department, Mr. Felix Bob Nabena is Director of SERVICOM, Mr Olayemi Abass takes over as the Head of Financial Services department, Mr. Suleman Abdulsalam is the Ag. Legal Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sani is the Head of Procurement department while Hassan el-Yakub is Head of Cabotage Department.

Similarly, Hajia Lami Tumaka is now the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations, Aisha Musa

has been redeployed to Head the Western Zone, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi is Deputy Director, Maritime Guard Command, Mr. Dele Ejekuko is in charge of Zones in the DG’s Office and Mr. Eric Orji is the Acting Registrar of Ships.

Mr. Jibril who until this posting was the Director of Planning Research and Data Management Services department is an astute administrator of over 30 years cognate experience in the Transport and Logistics sector.

A 19 94 graduate of Business Administration, Mr. Bob Nabena also holds an MBA in Management and was until his deployment to SERVICOM the Director of Administration and Personnel Services after having served as the Special Assistant to the former DG of NIMASA, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi for four years.

The new Head of the Financial Services Department, Mr. Olayemi Abass, has held several positions in the Agency including Deputy Director Finance, Coordinator of the Eastern Zonal Office of NIMASA and more recently

was in charge of Zonal Coordination in the DG’s Office.

Mr. Abdulsalam, a Deputy Director, until his posting as the Ag. Legal Adviser to the Agency was the Registrar of Ships.

Mr. Mohammed Sani whose current posting is Head of the Procurement department is a Deputy Director whose service to the Agency cuts across many areas. The 1981 graduate of Sociology who also holds a Masters’ in Public Administration is the immediate past head of SERVICOM. He was previously the Head of Zonal Coordination in the DG’s Office as well as Coordinator, Eastern Zone.

Mr. el-Yakub had previously worked in Shipping Development, Cabotage and Western Zonal Office as a Deputy Director.

Hajia Lami Tumaka, the current head of Public Relations has served in this capacity in two previous occasions. She has previously worked in the Planning, Research and Data Management Services and Administration and Personnel Services departments of the Agency with her

Haruna Jauro, NIMASA Acting DG

most recent posting being Deputy Director Maritime Guard Command.

Mrs. Aisha Musa returns to a familiar turf as Coordinator of the Western Zone having served in that capacity previously. A. The immediate past Head of Public Relations, Mr. isichei Osamgbi is a 1992 graduate of English who also hold a masters degree in International Law and

Diplomacy. Mr. Osamgbi who is now Deputy Director Maritime Guard Command had earlier served as Coordinator of the Abuja Liaison Office and has about twenty years previous experience in journalism and the Oil and Gas sector.

Mrs. Uruakpa until her deployment as Deputy Director Maritime Labour Services was the Ag. Legal Adviser.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

19 Insurance

Compulsory Insurance: Operators task security agencies on implementation framework Stories by Kayode Adewolokan In a bid to enforce the compulsory insurance, the Nigeria Insurance industry has challenged security agencies to design an implementation framework to ensure proper enforcement of the mandatory insurance policies.

The industry disclosed this at the just concluded Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), Mega Conference in Abuja that it will collaborate with Law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance to insurance.

Mr. Sunday Thomas, Director General of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) on behalf of the industry, said that the industry needs to move forward in other to achieve its goal of contributing to the nations GDP, adding that there is need to urgently combat the menace of fake insurances.

If the agencies agree to collaborate on the implementation framework, Thomas also mentioned that it would be reviewed at the next year’s conference.

Speaking further on building liability insurance, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Mr Kayode Tuner,

Members of National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) Presenting a portrait to out-going Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, in Abuja

applauded the Lagos State government for the success it has recorded in the enforcement of building insurance.

He however called on the industry to work together with State government to ensure they enforce the compulsory build-

Staco Insurance declares N138m as 2014 PBT Staco Insurance Plc has declared N137.6 million as Profit Before Tax (PBT) in its 2014 financial year, even as its Underwriting result was N2.3 billion against N2.1bn posted in 2013.

The Gross Premium Written for the 2014 was N5.9 billion, while N5.7 billion was posted as Gross Premium in 2013.

Mr. Dere Otubu, Chairman, Staco Insurance, at the firm’s 2014 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said that the Net Premium of the company dropped from N4.6 billion to N4.4 billion in the year under review, attributing the fall to the insurer’s resolve to reduce its risk exposure by embarking on more adequate reinsurance.

This, he pointed out, gave rise to increased reinsurance expenses.

Although, 2015 was an election year, which started on a tough note due to a sharp drop in oil price, coupled with weaker Naira, Otubu, however promised

that Staco will do better than what it does in 2014, as he expects policy decisions from the new government that will impact positively on the insurance industry.

On the other hand, Mr. Sakiru Oyefeso, Managing Director of the company said that the firm was able to resolve solvency issues.

“I am happy to announce to you that we have successfully overcome the challenge of solvency margin during the year, as the solvency margin stood at N4.57 billion compared to the year 2013, when solvency margin was N1.03 billion”, said Oyefeso.

The modest achievement recorded by the company since its establishment, the Managing Director said, has been possible through foresighted leadership and excellent team spirit by staff of the company who vigorously pursue the company’s vision of becoming the world class provider of insurance and financial services.

ing insurance law in their various states.

He also called for proper training of law enforcement agents to understand the rudiments of insurance business.

Speaking further the Corp Commander, Federal Road

Following the impactful end of the eight year tenure of Mr. Fola Daniel, former Commissioner for Insurance, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Alhaji Mohammed Kari as the new Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Daniel was appointed by Nigeria’s former president, late Umar Musa Ya’Adua, in 2007, even at a time when the insurance industry was in comatose and a lots of litigations was hanging on the neck of the commission.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the appointment of Kari takes effect from Friday, July 31, 2015.

The new Commissioner for Insurance started his career with Royal Exchange Assurance in 1979. He later worked with Yankari Insurance Company until 1989, when he was appointed Executive Director in Niger Insurance Plc. In January 1992, he was appointed Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Nige-

Safety Corp, Mr Angus Ibezim, faulted the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) for the delay in enforce the compulsory motor insurance policy, according to him the VIO is responsible for the delay in enforcement of insurance policy.

He said third party insurance policy are mostly sold in all VIO offices in the country.

The NIA Chairman, Mr. GUS wiggle however called on the law enforcement agents to work together with the industry to build a risk free country.

NAICOM gets new Commissioner for Insurance ria Reinsurance Corporation, a position he held until March 1993 when he was appointed Managing Director of NICON Insurance Corporation.

He served in that capacity until January 2000 when he resigned.

He returned to insurance management in 2007 as the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Unity Kapital Assurance Plc, where he served for four years.

A Chartered Insurer and Professional IT Consultant, Alhaji Mohammed Kari was until his new appointment, the Deputy Commissioner (Technical) in the National Insurance Commission.

On the Professional level, he has been exposed to various roles in the following: – West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA)(Member, President and Chairman of Council for two consecutive terms), United Nation Committee on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Financial services Committee (Vice Chairman for two consecutive

sessions), African Insurance Organisation (AIO)(Governing Council Member), Council of the Bureaux of the ECOWAS Brown card scheme (Member, Chairman two consecutive sessions), Nigeria Insurers Association(NIA) (Governing Council Member), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) ( Governing Council Member), and many more.

In September 2001, he proceeded to the University of Central England in Birmingham, UK to undertake a MBA program.

He has since graduated with a Master’s Degree in Information Management. This is further enhanced by the obtainment of Professional Certification from the Learning Tree Centre in the United Kingdom for IT Management.

Mohammed was a member of the Nigerian Vision 2010, a member of the 20:2020 Committee and a recipient of the much-coveted African Insurance Organisation’s gold medal for excellence.

Insurance 20 Godwin Akanfe A lot of people are Skeptical about pension plans in the country because they don’t want to lose their money. People certainly have doubts about these things and that is obviously why only less than 10 per cent of the workforce has enlisted in the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

But is there really anything to worry about? Is it safe to commit your money to a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) and expect to get it back? The first thing here is that there is a Regulator, National Pension Commission (PenCom) set up by the government to oversee the entire Pensions industry in the country.

Their job is to make sure your Retirement Savings Account (RSA) is secure with the Pension Fund Administrator you choose and that you are kept informed, treated properly and your money keeps yielding return. Safety (Checks and Balances) Besides, people who think their PFA will divert their money need to know that PFAs DO NOT keep your money, let alone use it for private purposes. All they get are administrative fees of Maximum N100 per RSA remittance and 1.6 per cent annually of the asset value.

Pension funds in Nigeria are in the custody of Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs); financial institutions approved by the Federal Government and owned/backed by banks with huge capital base, experience and unassailable professional integrity to handle such funds.

The PFCs can only advise the PFAs within the regulatory investment guidelines of PenCom on the financial instruments to grow the funds.

Process: When your employer deducts a fraction of your salary (10 per cent from the employer, eight per cent from the employee of your salary as pension contribution, they pay this money to PFC who then notifies the PFA that you’re registered with that the funds have come. Your PFA then updates your accounts with them and there is no room for suspicion. So even if your PFA ever goes under which is highly improbable, your money is safe with the Pension Fund Custodian

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

(PFC).

Moreover, every PFA is mandated by law to maintain a Statutory Reserve Fund that is an extra safety measure just in case anything goes wrong with the PFA. Access to Pension Funds Even at that, there are people who think the government might take from their pension money.

But of course the government doesn’t involve itself in the affairs of the pension firms and certainly won’t have access to your pension. PenCom is the only government body that is involved here and they only regulate and make sure your money is safe.

Pension funds are generally tamperproof. Even when huge pension funds are made to play a role in national development, it is mainly through the issuance of government bonds where the risk involved is minimal. Operators ensure the funds invested are SAFE, LIQUID, and YIELD RETURNS. You can start taking from your retirement savings when you retire or when you are 50 years old depending on your agreement with your employer. Exceptional payments before Retirement But the good part of joining the CPS is that you could actually get up to 25 per cent of the balance in your RSA if you ever lose your job and can’t get another one within four months. So you can get by with some of your money until you get back on your feet.

If death should occur before retirement, the balance in the RSA account is paid to the beneficiaries in the Will. If no Will exists then the beneficiaries listed in the Letter of Administration will be paid. Updates on Account What’s also good is that your PFA won’t just collect your savings and keep you in the dark.

They’ll be in touch with you and send you regular statements about your account and how well the investments they are making on it for you is doing. So at every point you’ll know how much you have in there to keep you assured that your money is safe. This is actually the way it works.

Even retirees must receive alerts on or before the 24th of every month to show the inflow of their pensions. Whistleblowing A lot of employers don’t open RSAs for their employees and these employees don’t bother to seek to open one for themselves

Simply send an email to info@pencom. gov.ng with the Subject: Non-Remittance of staff pension contribution – (Name of Employer). Explain the situation and clearly provide specific details of your employer’s name, address and contact details.

How safe is it to have a pension plan in Nigeria?

Mrs Anohu-Amazu, PenCom DG

because of their skepticism. But really it’s very important for Nigerians, especially young professionals, to think about the future and all workers open an RSA where they can put aside something regularly for the future, so they can have something solid to fall back on to continue looking after themselves and their families when they retire.

If an employee’s salary is being deducted with pension contributions by his/her employer but the funds are not being credited to his RSA, he must inform his PFA who will confirm when last funds entered his RSA, if any. If the pension contributions are not up-to-date, the employee MUST inform PenCom who will take the necessary steps to ensure the employer pays back that money into the employee’s RSA. Same thing goes for employees whose employer does not have any plan in place.

Simply send an email to info@ pencom.gov.ng with the Subject: Non-Remittance of staff pension contribution – (Name of Employer). Explain the situation and clearly provide specific details of

your employer’s name, address and contact details. You can do it anonymously too, just make sure PenCom can get to your office.

Statistics a. Nigeria has some of the highest numbers of elderly living in abject poverty in Africa. b. Total assets under management are <5% of Nigeria’s GDP (unlike South Africa which is approx. 67% of their GDP). c. Total number of contributors is <10% of the working population. d. CPS started with a deficit N2 Trillion due to government mismanagement.

Data Sheet a. PenOp is made up of all the Pension Operators in the country and focuses on driving initiatives that grow the industry, educate general public, informs National Assembly/policy makers of issues that need to be addressed, collaborates with key stakeholders in Fin services industry. b. Pension industry has 32 Operators – 21 PFAs, 7 CPFAs, 4 PFCs c. Regulator is National Pension Commission (PenCom) d. Contribution – 18% (10% em-

ployer, 8% employee) e. Compulsory for companies with 3 or more employees, State/ Local govts f. Operators invest >50% in FGN bonds due to the safety levels g. Operators under pressure to use pension funds to invest in private equities and infrastructure projects. h. Pension contributions can only be made through an employer for now. i. If an employee feels they want to add more towards their retirement savings they can do so using the AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) but must still pass through their employer ie salary account. j. All pension contributions are tax-free. k. PenOp partnering with CBN and other stakeholders to promote financial inclusion by finding ways to reach the financially excluded people in rural areas. l. Programmed Withdrawals is the monthly payment made to retirees by Pension administrators while Annuities are paid by Insurance companies.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

21 Public Notice

CHAMPIONS OF GRACE ASSEMBLY

The general public is hereby notified that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on file no 100020, Plot no. 658, Cadastral zone A08 wuse ii abuja which is regionally owned by Olabintan Ajiboro Famutimi in custody of first bank of Nigeria got lost and was dully reported to police station . All effort to get it back has proved abortive.

If found, please return to the nearest police station or Abuja Geographical information systems (Agis) and general public take Note.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and Allied matters Act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES : 1. Pastor Igbinovia Eghosa Best - (General Overseer) 2. Edet Bassey - (Secretary-General) 3. Mabel Inegbinose 4. Ajayi Daniella 5. Igbinovia Ese Ability 6. Onyenuwe Kingsley

TRUSTEES: 1. Rev.bako Paul Dangana 2. Mrs. Sarah Paul Bako 3. Evang. Adams Amadu 4. Bawa Iliya Tafiya 5. Moses Dogo

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the word of God.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the word of God worldwide.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general.

Corporate affairs commission, 420, tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi street.

PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

DAVID BENENOCH MINISTRY

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministry has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES – 1. David Benenoch, 3. Ohimain Simeon, 5. Edobor Celestine, 7. Nduji Ekene

TRUSTEES: 1. Vivian Oizuanjeme Oge Nwosu.

2. Kevin Ndubisi Nwosu.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To assist the less privilege through the Gospel of Christ.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the word of God worldwide

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

VIVIAN NWOSU GLOBAL OUTREACH.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and Allied matters Act no. 1 Of 1990

2. Olaosebikan Oluwadare, 4. Ajiyen Olubimi Okuku, 6. Olayinka Ofoesuwa,

ADONAI EVANGELICAL MINISTRY FOR ALL NATIONS This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and Allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990

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

LIGHT IN THE DARK INITIATIVE. The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministry has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Dr Victor Ebenuwa 2. Dr Precious Ede 3. Chief Kevin Nwawulu 4. Mr Ikeh Ralph AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To help the less privilege in the society.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: RAYMOND NDOMAH

EMBRACE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY

POWER ON THE ROCK INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

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

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

OLD TRUSTEES: 1, Adeyemi Isaac Olatunde 2, Adeyemi Foluke Kafilat 3, Oluwadoromi Emmanuel Olusegun 4, Olaleye Lateef Olasupo- Old Secretary 5, Adio Adebayo Wasiu 6, Adeyemi Peter Oluwasegun.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1, Pastor Adekunle Richard Michael - Snr Pastor 2, Pastor (Mrs) Adekunle Betty Idowu.

3, Deaconess Oti Helen Olasimbo.

4, Elder Mustapha Adebanji Mufutau.

5, Deaconess Adebanji Abiodun Olufunk.

6, Deacon Edema Omoshola Folorunsh.

7, Pastor (Barr.) Kalasuwe Adeolu Clifford - Secretary

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

This is to notify the general public of the loss of the original certificate of occupancy registered as No. 6 @ page 6in volume 649 at the Land Registry Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria dated 6th March, 2006 belonging to Mr. Vincent Oyo in respect of a parcel or piece of land situate lying and known as Block 9, Plot 3 at River View Estate, Isheri Scheme, Isheri Olofin, Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria. If found, please return to Mr. Vincent Oyo of 23 Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1, To preach the gospel of jesus christ in all parts of the world.

2, to establish & maintain churches & missions in nigeria & other part of the world.

3 , to promote mutual co-operation among christian irrespective of denominational affiliation.

4, to engage in social & community development, 5, to establish school and bible college for the work of the kingdom and society in general.

NEW TRUSTEES: 1, Amokade Olatunji Solomon- New Secretary 2, Adeyemi Biodun Oyedepo Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

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

Signed Trustee

RUMUOLUMENI YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

ABDULHAKEEM ADEBOWALE

Adegoke Juliana Funmilayo

Margaret Udoh John

EMMANUEL KINGSLEY

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

I, formerly known and addressed as , AKEEM ADEBOWALE RASHEED, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULHAKEEM ADEBOWALE ABDURRASHEED. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed

I, formerly known and addressed

I, formerly known and addressed

as Adebayo Juliana Funmilayo

as ,

Margaret Dennis Ofre , now

as INYA KINGSLEY UCHENNA

now wish to be known and

wish to be known and addressed as

now wish to be known and

addressed as Adegoke Juliana

Margaret Udoh John.

addressed

Funmilayo,. All former documents

documents

remain valid. The general public

general public should take note

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1) Don Allen Ndamati (Chairman) (2) Ogechi Onunwo (Sec) (3) Akpenuchi Olunda(Vice Chairman) (4) Douglas Ihunwo (Provost 1) (5) Bright Wilson (Pro 1) (6) Thankgod O Amadi (Internal Adviser)

remain

All former valid.

should take note

The

KINGSLEY

as

EMMANUEL

UCHENNA,.

The general public should take

Oluremilekun Dorcas

Prince Mac Anthony

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote peace and unity.

2. To protect the interest of members

I, formerly known and addressed

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

addressed as Mrs Oluremilekun

I, formerly known and addressed as Adukwulu Ogochukwu Stanchosen, Stanley, Anthony, Michael now wish to be known and addressed as Prince Mac Anthony. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

as

miss

Oluremilekun

Dorcas

Agesin, now wish to be known and

SIGN CHAIRMAN

Dorcas Ogunwaleolu. All former documents

remain

valid.

The

general public should take note

All

former documents remain valid.

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

CHANGE OF NMAE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Public Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

ARK OF COVENANT SEED CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Pastor Ewuola Oladejo Abiola -General Overseer.

2. Sister Ewuola Susan Ekunola -General Secretary.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Signed : General Secretary

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

The Trustees Are: 1. Vincent Anganly - President 3. Saint Vine - Secretary 5. Shargari Emori - Financial Secretary 7. Simple ILang - Speaker (PRO) 9. Francis Patrick - Welfare (Share) 11. Johnson Felix - Assistant Welfare

ADEBISI MORAYO OLUSANYA FOUNDATION The general public is hereby informed that the above named Foundation has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Adebisi Morayo Olusanya 2. Mrs. Joana Feyisara Olusanya

2. Emmanuel Lebo - Vice President 4. Innocent Icia - Assistant Secretary 6. John Eni - Treasurer 8. Patrick Eko - Provost 10. Christy Etowa - Assistant Specker

3. Mrs. Motilewa Majekodunmi 5. Mr. Edward Ejike Okpa

4. Mr. Rotimi Folahan Olusanya

6. Mrs. Ibironke Okpa

7. Mrs. Mobolanle Addo

8. Dr. Temitayo Addo

9. Mr. Temitope Olusanya AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To offer scholarship to the indigent students of Odoyanta, Ogun State who have secured ad-

Aims and Objectives: 1. To bring friends together.

2. To assist friends financially 3. To bring up friends with financial difficulties.

mission to institution of higher learning in science and technology related courses.

2. To improve the social and economic development of Odoyanta people.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees.

Signed: Barrister Benjamin

HE TESSY AKPABOR FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : Mr George Akpabor Mr Ewere Frank Akpabor Mrs Ebere Francess Aggreh

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

The Trustees Are: 1. Pastor Kola Owolabi - Chairman 2. Bro Damilola Odeyemi - Secretary 3. Bro Temitope Akindele 4. Bro. Olatunde Akinrinola 5. Deaconess Omokhunu Flora Aina

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1 To join in the race to create cancer awareness and its realisation 2 To assist and support cancer diagnosed patients battling with cancer 3 To provide support for family and friends of cancer diagnosed patients and coping with its aftermath Any objections should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Aims and Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To teach the bible doctrine.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Apostle Segun Ezekiel Akinade.

3. Mr Ambrose Oke-Ifeanyi Nwosu.

5. Mr Abidemi Akinade

2. Pastor Valentine Nwamah Ezekiel.

4. Mr Moses Omorogbe.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:1. To take the gospel of salvation of our Lord Jesus to all parts of the world and to bring souls into the body of Christ.

2. To deliver people from darkness and the bondage of sin, sickness, poverty and every satanic oppression and manipulation.

3. To establish churches, train and ordain Christian Ministers and to operate in the apostolic office with signs and wonders.

4. To publish books, tracts and magazines and to do charity and educational works.

5. To establish places of worship of God and fellowship and to acquire properties for and on behalf of the Ministry.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

The Trustees Are: 1. Prophet Udo Anietie- Chairman 2. Evangelist Victor Udoh - Secretary 3. Deaconess Regina Okonna Monday- Treasurer 4. Deaconess Sambo Grace- Member 5. Deaconess Umoiyak Helen Essien AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

THE RIGHTEOUS TRUE DELIVERANCE MINISTRY The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministry has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

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

Signed : Secretary

Signed: Secretary.

THE OLOROGUN ENGR ENOCH OVUEMERENUO EJOFODOMI FOUNDATION

THE LATER RAIN BLOOD OF JESUS HEALING MINISTRY

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Chief (dr.) Mrs. Christiana titene ejofodomi- president 2. Mrs omesiri adegite- secretary 3. Mrs ogogome ekpecham- provost 4. Miss ochamuke ejofodomi- treasurer 5. Mrs. Michelle erumu nwosu 6. Mr. Esere ejofodomi 7. Mr. Efe ejofodomi AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1. To sponsor less privileged students through academic grants andscholarship programs.

2. To establish and sustain an honorary chair in engineering sciences atchosen reputable and accredited Nigeria universities which wouldreward excellence in academic performance either in research orhigh cumulative grade point achievement Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed:ABDULWAHAB ARAOYE

Signed: Barr. Moses

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Prophetess Blessing Rhoda Jacob General Overseer 2. Prophet Emmanuel Jacob Senior Pastor 3. Pastor Luke Chukwudebere Nkem 4. Pastor Ifeanyi Arokwe 5. Mrs Confidence John Secretary AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1. To preach the word of God Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registration general Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the day of the publication.

Signed By Oge Enyindah Esq. Solicitor

JOSSIE EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITY SUPPORT FOUNDATION

THE MEGA CHURCH

FLAMING FIRE GOSPEL INT’L MINISTRY.

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

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied tothe Corporate Affairs Commission for CHANGE OF TRUSTEES under Part “C&quot;of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004 THE FORMER

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Olubiyi Babatunde Joseph -Founder 2. Olatunde Alabi Oluwaseun-Treasurer.

3. Abolade Oluwaseun Ola- Excecutive.

4. Oluyemi Olugbenga Adebayo 5. Olawuni Sunday Babatunde - Member.

6. Nduoku Ekene Jude - Member

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Ifeanyi Igwe - Retained 2. Pastor Mrs. Njideka Igwe - Retained 3. Mr. Alexander Ekwe - Retained 4. Engr. Simeon Ejesieme - Removed 5. Pastor God’s Power Ebue - Removed 6. Engr. Benjamin Raphael Jimo - Removed 7. Mr. Ndubuisi Okolo - Removed THE NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEE IS: - Pastor Godwin Igwe REASON FOR REMOVAL: Unavailability and absenteeism from meetings.

Aims To Develop the rural community and the nation.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

Remain same.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1. To propagate the gospel of Christ, 2. To create and sustain brotherly love and harmony among members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

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

SIGNED: BARR. UMAHI DAVID (Solicitor)

Signed Secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Abomobi Okey, 3. Oloteome Martin Okeke, 5. Igwe Amaechi Esther,

2. Abomobi Amaka, 4. Chukwuma Amaka Goodness,

Signed secretary

BETTYHARDY CARE FOUNDATION

INTER - CITY BUS DRIVERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION, OSHODI.

HEAVEN IS REAL EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

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

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Cor-

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1 Esther Betty Hardy -President 2 Helen Eno Edobor -Vice President 3 Edem Ndifreke Nkantah -Secretary 4 Comfort Obot Nwankwo -Financial Secretary 5 Roseleyn Ekanem Ekpo -Assistant Secretary 6 Elizabeth Ekot Idem-Treasurer 7 Sunday Ibanga Umoh - Publicity Secretary/Public Relation Officer 8 Samuel Ephraim Jeremiah - Welfare Officer 9 Eduards Bryan Coco - Bassey -Provost.

porate Affairs Commission,for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1 Mr. Peter Joseph -Chairman

2 Mr. Simon Okoye - Vice Chairman

3 Barr. Abuka Omababa - Legal Adviser

4 Mr. Benjamin Goodluck - Secretary

5 Mr. Hamza Umar

6 Mr. Rapheal Egwuagu

7 Mr. Ernest Adeduro

8 Prince Emeka Obioha - Petrum.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1 For the development, welfare, progress and wellbeing of members drivers of the Association

Aims objectives are TO CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGE AND WIDOWS.

2 To propagate peace and contribute to the peace and unity of the larger Society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate affairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28 days from the date of publication.

fairs Commission,Plot420,Tigris Crescent,off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja,within 28

Signed Trustee

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General,Corporate afdays from the date of publication.

SIGNED: ABUKA OMABABA ESQ 08088007777.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1, Deacon Samuel Ayinde Olusola- Founder 2, Elder Mattew Folorunsho Ogungbe- Secretary 3, Evangelist Blessing Oladipupo Adeoye- Treasurer 4, Pastor Joshua Ojo Adeniyi- Pastor In Charge 5, Elder Ayokunle Adebimpe Fehintola- Member.

Aims & objective: 1, To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

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

Signed Trustee

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

23 News

Buhari committed to Niger Delta development – NDPF

Lalong assures police of cooperation

Joy Ekeke

Chijioke Kingsley

ÏÏÏ The Niger Delta Patri-

otic Front (NDPF) has said President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to development of the Niger Delta with his appointment of Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) as his Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The group, in a press release signed by its Patron, Maj-Gen. Appah (rtd), Chairman, Chief Topido Amanangha, and Secretary, Hon. Adolphus Owoupele respectively, said Buhari

proved “doubting Thomases” wrong by appointing a core professional with a track record of proven integrity to head the amnesty programme for former agitators in the Niger Delta.

“By this appointment of a core professional with a track record of proven integrity, Mr. President has once again consigned the doubting Thomases to the dustbin of history. Indeed, it is better to go slow than hastily appointing persons who have no bearing in the corridors of government,” it said.

The group said it is be-

coming clearer that Buhari means well for Nigeria and especially the Niger Delta as he has affirmed his promise during his inauguration speech that the achievements recorded so far by the Presidential Amnesty Programme shall be given a deeper face by way of investing heavily in the projects and programmes already in place.

“Furthermore, President Buhari has shown that he is ready to listen to all genuine grievances of fellow Nigerians, which he demonstrated by intervening appropriately and timely with the ap-

pointment of Brig-Gen. Boroh” the statement added.

It said the President has thus given hope to the stranded beneficiaries of the programme in foreign higher institutions, who can now return to their studies.

It advised trouble makers in the Niger Delta to give peace a chance and desist from such acts as their game was up with a no-nonsense man now in charge of the Amnesty Programme.

“We shall not hesitate to report criminal activities to the authorities irrespective of your position in the society,” it stated.

Jos

ÏÏÏGovernor

Simon Lalong of Plateau State has assured the Nigeria Police of the needed cooperation towards surmounting the internal security challenge in the country.

He stated this when the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, in charge of North Central, Christopher Kakwe, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House,

CSO commends Buhari on the appointment of NSCDC boss Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏA Benue State Governor, Samuel Otorm (left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede and others after they visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja… on Monday

Blame tank farm owners for hike in fuel pump price –IPMAN

Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏThe

Eastern Zonal Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Ikechukwu Nwankwo, has faulted the clampdown on fuel stations of its members across the country by Department of Petroleum Resources and Department of State Service for selling premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol above federal government approved pump price of N97.

Nwankwo asked “How can we buy petrol from private tank farm owners at

N95 or N99 instead of the N77. 66k government approved price and still sell at N97”, he asked.

The zonal chairman, who was flanked by other members of his executive told Daily Times in an interview that his members don’t get petroleum products from NNPC except from private tank owners and that is why the N97 government approved price is unrealistic.

“We are deeply sad that for years our refineries and depots have become moribund as well as tank farmers to sell petroleum products at the government approved rate.

“Marketers are not responsible for the high cost of petroleum product”, he stressed that “government must first regulate the illegal activities of private farm owners before we can sell at their price.

“Often times, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot marketers don’t have petroleum products to load because of non-availability of these products, this is why we depend on the private farm owners who sell the products at a very ridiculous price.

“Government must live up to its responsibility of making petroleum prod-

ucts available to the people at its approved price by stopping private farm owners from exploiting us.

“We are happy the federal government is addressing the issue of the refineries coming back on stream, this step will help to remove bottlenecks associated in accessing petroleum products and put an end to complaints on why petrol can’t be sold at N97, as well as bring succour to Nigerians” he noted.

He called on the federal government to pay attention to the pipeline networks across the country to guarantee easy distribution of petroleum products.

Rayfield, in Jos. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Professor Sonni Tyoden said considering the centrality of peace and security to the development of the nation, his administration will collaborate with other state governors to tackle common crimes within the North Central zone.

Lalong appreciated the effort of officers of the Plateau State Police Command in the restoration of peace.

Earlier, Christopher Kakwe said the visit was to seek partnership with the Plateau State government and to assess the performance of officers and men.

civil society group, Stand Nigeria Initiative, has commended the appointment of Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu as the new Commandant General of Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, describing it as a square peg in a square hole.

In a statement, issued by its coordinator, Dike Chigbue in Abuja, the group praised the move primarily because of the merit and pedigree of the new commandant general, which will enable the new helmsman to quickly hit

the ground running, considering the fact that he was part and parcel of the transformed NSCDC. He further said the new commandant general, no doubt has the required ingredient to assist President Buhari to deliver on its promises because of his outstanding records in the past few years in NSCDC. Chigbue congratulates the new Commandant general and ask him to live beyond expectation.

“We consequently wish to appeal to all Nigerians to give the new Commandant General the necessary support to excel in his new duties”.

Dabiri disowns debtor firm, says claim fraudulent

ÏÏÏA

former member of House of Representatives and Committee Chairman on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has denied being on the board of Thriller Endeavours, which allegedly owes Diamond Bank N122.9m, procured between 2007 and 2008.

In a statement on Tuesday, the former federal lawmaker said her name had been used as a board member of the firm without her permission, describing the act as fraudulent.

Diamond Bank on Tuesday published a list of companies and the names of their board members, whom the bank described as ‘major delinquent debtors’, in which Dabiri-Erewa’s name was listed as a board

member of Thriller Endeavours, one of the errant companies.

Also listed alongside the former broadcaster as board members of the debtor firm are Lukman Erogbogbo, Tunde Ogunleye, Bayo Kazeem, Dixon Afolabi, Oye Solebo and Mukund Gerrud.

The ex-Rep member, however, denied knowing the company or its activities.

Abike

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

DSS DG’s controversy: Abuja lawyer calls for diligent probe Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏAs

Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi receiving the honorary award of fellowship from the President, Nigerian Institute of Building, Builder Tunde Lasabi (left); while chairman of occasion and former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi (right) and Chairman, Fellows Council of Building, Builder Daccolam Jambo (middle) looks on at the 45th Builders Conference and Annual General Meeting ‘Oluyole 2015’ held at Conference Centre, University of Ibadan… on Tuesday

Fashion designer excretes 44 wraps of cocaine Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ Some operatives of the

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 29-yearold fashion designer, Ajaero Okechukwu Kingsley, for unlawful importation and possession of 44 wraps of substances that tested positive as cocaine, weighing 850grammes.

NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofeyeju, said the arrest and seizure took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, during the inward screening of

passengers on a Qatar Airline flight.

In the words of Ofoyeju, “We have apprehended a 29-year-old fashion designer on his way from Sao Paulo with cocaine. The suspect, who hails from Abia State, excreted 44 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 85 grammes.”

He said the suspect blamed his arrest on operational mistake on the part of his business partner. “I am a fashion designer by profession. I went to Brazil, two years ago, in search of

better working conditions.

This is my first time of trafficking in drugs and I got involved through friends. In line with my plan, I was expecting 30,000 euros as my profit. My business partner was to collect the drug from me while on transit in Qatar but he failed to show-up.

I was compelled to come to Nigeria with the drugs but I excreted 30 on board the aircraft,” Ajaero stated.

The NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, said that the Agency shall continue to pay priority attention to passengers

coming from Brazil. “Brazil is a source country for cocaine and we shall continue to beam our searchlight on this route. Those who seek to enrich themselves through drug trafficking shall be arrested and prosecuted”. Giade called on members of the public to assist the agency in reporting suspected cases of drug trafficking, production and abuse for necessary action.

The NDLEA captain added that it was risky to shield drug traffickers, because their activities undermine public safety.

FCT tribunal upholds Aduda, Jisalo elections Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Zuba, Abuja, has upheld the elections of Sen. Philip Aduda and Hon. Zaphaniya Jisalo, representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had returned Aduda and Jisalo, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as winners of the FCT Senatorial

District and AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of House of Representatives held on March 28, 2015.

However, their elections were challenged by the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates at the elections: Senator Adamu Sidi Ali and Isah Dara Bwari on the ground that Aduda and Jisalo were not duly elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast. They also complained about noncompliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Delivering its judgments, on the separate petitions filed by the petitioners, the

tribunal Chairman, Justice Elvis Ngene, said that Sidi’s petition lacks merit and, so, he dismissed it.

He said Sidi was unable to substantiate allegations of falsification of election result sheets, over voting, altering of results, poll stuffing and several other criminal allegations contained in his petition.

Justice Ngene said that the tribunal found that the evidence of the four witnesses of the petitioner were mere hear say which were unacceptable.

On the allegation of poll stuffing, the chairman said

that the petitioner ought to have established that the results were falsified. But, unfortunately, no ballot box, ballot papers or result sheet was tendered to show how the results were falsified.

They equally did not prove that the non-compliance were substantial enough to tilt the result in favour of their challengers In dismissing Hon. Isa Dara Bwari’s petition, the tribunal held that there was no legally admissible evidence by the petitioner as most of the depositions by his witnesses were deemed abandoned.

the controversy over the new Director-General of the Department for State Services, (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura’s alleged membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rages, an Abuja lawyer and social activist, Barr. ister Kayode Ajulo, has described it (the allegation) as a serious issue that calls for diligent investigation.

Ajulo, who is also the National Secretary of Labour Party (LP), however, called for caution as well as hard evidence of the DSS boss’ alleged membership of the ruling party.

Ajulo, who spoke at the Abuja Nnamdi Azikwe

Ortom targets N1.2b monthly IGR Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏBenue

State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Tuesday, that his ambition was to rake in about N1.2 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) monthly.

Ortom spoke to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He explained that the targeted IGR was to assist the state in embarking on criti-

International Airport, on his return from London, cautioned against a hasty conclusion that the DSS boss was, indeed, a registered member of the ruling party as alleged by the National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh.

According to him, “Beyond just hurling allegation, it is necessary to have credible evidence or proof showing that the Lawal Daura, is truly registered as a member of the APC. “The ward register should capture such, and would be credible evidence validating Olisa Metuh’s allegation. Anything outside this will amount to us working ourselves up in futility”.

cal projects that would improve upon the living condition of its indigenes.

Ortom said the state was making a little over N250 million as IGR before he assumed office two months ago. He said that his top priority was payment of workers’ salaries, saying that he had paid up the arrears up to May, which he inherited from the past administration of Gabriel Suswan.

Ortom

Edo IPMAN warns against fuel scarcity Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), in Edo State has threatened to stop the supply of fuel in the state, following the closure of their filling stations in the state by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in collaboration with the Edo State Oil and Gas Committee.

The Edo State Chairman of IPMAN, Mr. David Ikhuoria, who explained that his members were unable to sell petroleum products at the official price of N87

because they were buying products from private depots at Oghara Delta State, asserted that rather than close their filling stations, because they were selling at N105-N110 per litre, the DPR should regulate the prices from the private depots at Oghara to enable them sell at N87.

He warned that the people of the state may suffer severe hardship, if they decided to stop buying products from private depots, but appealed to the state government committee on oil and gas to see reasons with them for the interest of peace.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

25 News

Sex workers hold procession for slain colleague in Abeokuta Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏNo fewer than 50 com-

mercial sex workers in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, night staged a candle light procession in honour of their colleague, who was allegedly killed by suspected ritualists.

The sex workers, who wore black dresses, stormed

the state secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, wailing and mourning.

Their deceased colleague, who was simply identified as Sitira, was found dead at a refuse dump site at Olomoore junction in Abeokuta on Sunday morning.

Suspected ritualists were said to have abandoned the corpse of the 23-year-old prostitute after severing

some parts of her body.

The late Sitira was said to have been thrown out of a moving Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) along the Abeokuta-Lagos expressway.

But on Monday, night about 50 commercial sex workers plying their trade in Abeokuta, converged at the NUJ secretariat, and also at the frontage of the nearby residence of former Head of Interim National

Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan. They identified their slain colleague with different names such as Titi and Folake.

Bearing candle sticks, they chanted various solidarity slogans and rained curses on the killers of their colleague. They said, "Oro nla leda, oro nla leda, eyin tepa Titi, t'eje odagba, oro nla leda. Omo yin maku, eeeheee Omo yin maku, eyin

tepa Titi t'eje odagba, omo yin maku," ,rsmomh (You have done something grievous, you have done something grievous. The killers of Titi (Sitira) have done something grievous. Their children will die, their children will die, and those that killed Titi will lose their children).

The sex workers, momentarily barricaded the NUJ secretariat and later

departed for the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, where they continued their mourning.

Speaking with reporters, some of the prostitutes claimed that another colleague was killed by suspected ritualists with the late Sitira.

They said the mutilated body of the sex worker was discovered in a ditch at Olomoore, Abeokuta.

Group defends Tinubu over Saraki’s wife’s ordeal Joy Anyim Ndudi

ÏÏÏA Pan Yoruba Organ-

Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (left); Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Toju Eresanara during a courtesy visit the governor in his office in Asaba… on Tuesday

Orient Petroleum targets 3, 000 bpd Nkiru Nwagbo Awka

ÏÏÏOrient

Petroleum Resources plc would be producing a total of 3,000 barrels of crude daily before the end of September, this year.

Already, the company has reviewed the two new wells at Aguleri oil field and discovered that they would go a long way in shoring up its capacity to 3,000 barrels.

Managing Director of Oil

Mimiko disengages aides

'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏGovernor

of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has disengaged all his Special Assistants (SA) and Senior Special Assistants (SSA).

Petroleum Resources, Engineer Sunny Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday after a meeting of the Board of Directors of the company and the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

"Orient is not only working assiduously in boosting the production capacity of its oil wells, the company is also developing the vast gas resources in the state.

“We are dealing with gas

development on two fronts.

The first one is the gas production we have right now, side by side with oil. We are looking at how to transform it to an income earning resource." Okoye explained.

However, it was gathered that the management of the firm has concluded an arrangement with an indigenous company - Nails & Stanley Ltd- to establish a gas plant in Umueje in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.

At a meeting, held on Tuesday, in Akure, the state capital, Mimiko said the disengagement was necessary as plans were on top gear to restructure and reposition his government for better service delivery to the people of the state.

He commended the leadership qualities of the outgoing aides mostly for their selfless services and cooperation with his government.

"I appreciate your self-

lessness and dedication to this government as I wish you well in your various future endeavour", he said.

Mimiko

isation, Agbekoya, has risen in defence of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over Senator Joseph Waku’s allegation that he was the mastermind of the petition which prompted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to invite the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, for questioning.

The group, who spoke through their leader, Akogun Taiwo Hassan Owolabi, regretted that such unverified allegation against the person of Tinubu by a frontline leader of the Pro-North Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), was capable of creating ethnic rivalry and disaffection amongst peace loving citizens of the country.

Owolabi challenged Sen. Waku to produce evidence for his claim, arguing that the APC National leader, is not a staff of EFCC and could not have instigated the arrest and ongoing probe of Saraki’s wife.

While calling on Yoruba politicians to rise to the occasion and defend one of their own in the face of what he called “grand plot to discredit all Yoruba leaders.”

Akogun Owolabi, warned Sen. Waku to refrain from such falsehood, which he said, is capable of truncating the country’s democratic process.

Said he: “Senator Waku should be advised to face his constitutional duties and stop raising unnecessary dust that could be interpreted as working against the ongoing anti-corruption crusade by Buhari led federal government.”

Waku had recently accused Tinubu of being behind Saraki’s wife ordeal by allegedly using his personal relationship with the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, to embarrass, and torment fellow party members as well as overheat the polity.

According to Waku, “I have chosen to speak out on this issue and make my finding on this issue known to the public. After days of painstaking enquiries,

I discovered that both Tinubu and Lamorde maintain a mutually beneficial relationship since the days of Lamorde as the EFCC Director of Operations, based in Lagos, between 2003 and 2007, when Tinubu was the governor of Lagos.

“I also discovered from my finding in EFCC that the so called petition against Mrs. Saraki was personally given to Lamorde by Tinubu, under the guise that he was submitting the petition on behalf of the APC leadership to punish Saraki for working against the party’s leadership on the choice of National Assembly leaders. This was followed by a promise to help secure a second term for Lamorde as EFCC chairman,” Waku said.

Toyin

Ajimobi seeks priority for skills acquisition by firms ÏÏÏSkills

acquisition of construction workers and entrepreneurship in the construction industry should be given utmost priority to put an end to cases of collapse building in Nigeria.

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, stated this at the 45th Conference and Annual General Meeting

of the Nigerian Institute of Building, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. ”Developing the skills of artisans will also put a check to the incidents of collapsed buildings that are now a common feature in the construction industry.

“It is imperative for your

institute and other professional bodies in the construction industry to come together to create a common platform and partner with governments at all levels and tertiary institutions to develop a more robust master plan for skills acquisition and development for the country” Ajimobi said.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Education Times Æ s Stakeholders seek uniform admission process into tertiary institutions

Principal, Babcock University High School, Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Adebawojo (left); presenting the overall best prize in Physical Health Education to Miss Naomi Joshua, during Babcock University High School 20th graduation ceremony, held at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State… recently

Sam Nzeh with agency reports

Stakeholders in the nation’s education sector have called for the establishment of a uniform admission process into tertiary institutions in the country.

This is coming on the heels of the complaints trailing the botched attempt by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to distribute candidates to universities apart from the first choice university for their Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna, Kaduna State, revealed that stakeholders are in support of the scrapping of Post-UTME, saying

it was a distraction introduced to extort candidates.

They said JAMB should be strengthened to serve as a onestop-shop for admission into tertiary institutions.

A teacher, Mr. Felix John, said securing admission was much easier when JAMB was the only body entrusted with such responsibility.

John said the advent of PostUTME made the admission processes costly, cumbersome and fraught with corruption.

Mr. John Umaru, a parent, argued that admission through JAMB was purely based on merit, while the Post-UTME had compromised the admission process.

Umaru said the cost implica-

Continued on page 28

Low internet presence, major problem of Nigerian varsities— NUC scribe ÏSays, NgREN

working to fix problem Sam Nzeh

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, on Monday, listed low internet presence as the major problem facing Nigerian universities Okojie also said the standard of Nigerian universities was high in spite of their low global ranking.

Okojie, who said this at the opening of a two-day workshop on African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project PostEffectiveness in Abuja, further disclosed that the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) is solving the problem of Internet connectivity in Nigerian universities.

He added that when solved, global presence of Nigerian universities will be improved.

His words: ``What has happened in NgREN is a big boom because of Internet connectivity to 27 universities; you can

almost share resources, knowledge and findings. ``The people that do the ranking do not really visit universities; they go to the Internet and find out what you are doing. ``Whatever research we are doing should be sent to the Internet. Money is going into the system for research. ``I am not disturbed; my concern is whether Nigerian universities are meeting local and national needs; whether we are number one or not does not matter.’’

Listing some of Nigeria’s universities’ achievements, the NUC executive secretary said the Redeemer’s University Centre of Excellence had tackled the problem of Ebola and developed a rapid response diagnostic test that could detect the virus in 15 minutes.

He said Nigeria could not have solved the Ebola issue if not for Redeemer’s University’s research; a feat which he said ought to have risen Nigerian universities up in ranking.

The NUC boss said ``Ebola is an international problem. ``We have made breakthrough whether they rank us or not; but let us concentrate; we have to rebrand our universities, they are

Okojie

good. ``Challenge our students with students from any part of the world and they will always prove themselves,’’ Okojie said.

He also disclosed that the ACE World Bank-sponsored project had disbursed more than N1.4 billion to the 10 ACEs in Nige-

ria.

He said that the first tranche would be shared equally among the 10 ACEs to avoid delays in implementation due to low liquidity.

According to Okojie, the Project Development Objective (PDO) of the ACEs is to sup-

port the recipients to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in areas that address regional challenges.

He said the objective also included strengthening the capacities of these universities to deliver quality training and applied research and to meet labour market demand for specific skills.

Dr. Tunde Adekola, a representative of the World Bank, said it was the first time Nigeria was receiving such massive support from the bank.

Adekola explained that the essence of accommodating state and private universities in the ACE project was to make it competitive.

He said the goal of the project was results, adding the World Bank would monitor it to ensure efficiency.

World Bank had earmarked 80 million dollars grant for the funding of ACEs in Nigeria, which would be released in tranches.

The ACE project was instituted in 2013 by the governments of Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Cameroun, Nigeria, Togo and Senegal, with support from the World Bank.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

27 Education Times

Creation of more technical schools, panacea to unemployment in Nigeria — GSTC principal

L-R: Director, Directorate of Command Schools Services, Col. Jubi Joseph Iferi; General Secretary, Nigerian Library Association, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Onyinye Alexander Osedo; Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps, Major General Sunday Adebayo; Director, Directorate Nigerian Army Library Services, Col. Charles Adisa Bossman and 81 Division Education Officer, Col. Bello Tsoho during the Directorate of Nigerian Army Library Services workshop held in Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos...on Tuesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Ondekus

Mohammed Idris Ondekus, principal, Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) Area 3 Garki Abuja, in this interview with Augustine Aminu, speaks on how Federal Government can tackle unemployment in Nigeria, challenges of his college among other issues.

Excerpts: Technical Colleges like yours could assist students and the nation at large to achieve technological independence and reliance but unfortunately they are expensive; what is your take?

Let me take you from your statement; self-reliance, our motor here is: Self Reliance, therefore technical schools in the country are the answer to developing countries.

Even in developed countries of the world, technical schools are the answer, the panacea to ever increasing unemployment rate in the country because when students graduate having learnt technical, or vocational skill, they are set to go without roaming the streets in search of job. He rather employs others with no technical job and skill which may assist him to work better. Trade, handwork is very necessary for persons and nations to achieve self-dependence and reliance. The unemployment might disappear with the advancement and promotion of technical skill and vocational colleges in the country. Technical schools are not expensive as one may claim, Private schools are more expensive than the technical schools in this country.

We have two technical schools in the FCT though one is for the Federal Government. Create more technical schools in the country, this is very necessary because if all the 774 local government areas in the country including the FCT were to have at least one technical school, it means most of our unemployment issues in the country

should have been solved. Imagine students graduating from technical schools going out there to empower many people, it means unemployment market could disappear in the country. Remember too that most people, Nigerians have this erroneous misconception that technical school is just for vocational studies only, they believe that only the dull students go to such school, but that is wrong because here in our school, for instance, students must study all the basic science subjects like Physics, Biology, Chemistry in addition to other core subjects like Mathematics and English language. Here what we do is that some students whom parents think that they might not do well in other academic field are thought how to use their hands this time through technical work. We have also seen a situation where some parents brought in their children, those who failed to do well in their junior secondary school in some subjects like Mathematics, Integrated Science, etc, but thought that they might do well here but could not.

So the fees here is relatively low when compared to what is obtainable in private schools. My opinion is that we have few numbers of technical schools in the country; some who might want to gain admission into technical schools in some places may not readily get such, so government should think of creating more secondary schools in the country.

Another milestone was recorded recently in your college; what’s was it all about?

Yes, we just staged another graduation ceremony for students under the 2014-2015 academic session that even supposed to form part of their future endeavours because as students they are always eager to graduate and that informed the school’s decision to organise such epoch ceremony for them. They

Continued on page 28

Educationists express fear over poor implementation of NCECE Some educationists on Tuesday said that the linkage classes introduced in public schools by the Lagos State Government to facilitate transition into primary school might not be achieved.

Dr. Ganiu Olaogun, Dean, School of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, said that lack of professional care givers would hinder the anticipated transition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that transition classes were introduced in public primary schools in 2004 in Lagos by the Bola Tinubu administration.

Olaogun said the linkage classes were introduced to assist children from various homes transit smoothly into the primary school environment. ``We must say that the practices of early childhood education as it affect the care and education of children in public primary schools today has not really enjoyed the care of professionals. ``Lagos State has 1,010 public primary schools and most of these have a linkage and the linkage is what we call either the crèche or the nursery. ``It is a very good and a beautiful contribution of the state government towards the implementation of early childhood education policy in public schools. ``But that policy would not achieve its goal of preparing the child for the smooth transition to basic education if it is not han-

dled by professionals,’’ he said. ``What is done today is that where those facilities exist, the heads of schools just draft anybody, including cleaners to take care of the children. ``So, we are beginning to show ignorance and lack of understanding of what the early childhood education should look like. ``And so, instead of encouraging parents and children to approach these facilities, we are actually driving them away.’’

According to him, poor appreciation of the policy is manifested in the non-engagement of professionals and the poor handling of children in existing facilities.

He said that administering drugs on the children or coercing them to sleep was not the ideal way of caring for children five years and below. ``Before the child gets to appreciate the importance of basic education, he is becoming disinterested in school. ``It is because of coercion, absence of care professionals and poor environment,’’ Olaogun said.

The lecturer also urged government to make a deliberate attempt in the training of teachers and in wooing end users to see how to assist the commission to make schools to perform optimally. ``Early childhood education is the root of all educational attainment. Research shows that a child with a very good early childhood education will have easy transition to all other levels of education.

``Such people will be able to contribute meaningfully to the society,’’ he said.

For Mr. Simeon Fowowe, Head of Department, Early Child Care Education (ECCE) of the institution, there is need for immediate recruitment of ECCE professionals. ``I wonder what is happening to the federal, state and local government without any exception. ``One begins to wonder if the Early Childhood Education (ECCE) is the policy of the federal government. ``The state adopted it hook, line and sinker; they know that the first set of ECCE graduates in Nigeria was in 2013/2014. ``I wonder why government has not written to these institutions demanding for the recruitment of these graduates. ``When they know too well that in Lagos state they have about one 1,010 public schools and each of the schools have a nursery section,’’ he said. ``There is no single expert in Lagos state schools and yet they are comfortable. ``I wonder why the government will spend fortunes on training the trainers and yet no commensurate recruitment of professionals. ``Instead they allow the product of the trainers to be hijacked by private practitioners.’’

According to Fowowe, the first set of the ECCE graduate was 32 while the second set has 37.

He said that the number of professional caregivers turned

Education Times 28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Kano Gov’s wife urges parents to enroll girls in school Wife of Kano State governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Hafsat Ganduje, has called on parents in the state to enroll their female children in school to ensure a bright future for them.

Ganduje made the call during a reception organised in honour of APC women leaders at the Government House in Kano. ``We must educate our children so that when they grow they should be able to contribute meaningfully to the society,’’ she said.

She noted that there was a low enrolment of girls in schools, especially in the rural areas.

Ganduje said that it was regret-

Ganduje

table that in spite of the efforts of the state government toward promoting female education, many parents were still reluctant to send their wards to school.

She said that the governor was aware of the effective role played by women in his victory and would not disappoint them.

She urged parents and guardians to give their wards quality parental care, teach and inculcate good morals in them in order to secure their future.

She said quality parental care would make children grow to become healthy and successful citizens.

Ganduje therefore urged moth-

ers to make use of the available hospital services by attending antenatal and post-natal care, immunisation as well as by imbibing good diet and hygiene.

In her remark, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Zubaida Damakka, said that the state government would give priority to women in the state. ``Women empowerment is in the blueprint of the state governor and his tenure will include women because they will be empowered in different ways,’’ she said.

She said that government would train women in various trades for them to be self-reliant.

Give us uniform admission process for tertiary institutions— Stakeholders Continued from page 26 tion in processing admission had denied students from poor background access to tertiary education.

Mrs. Helin Tuga, a parent, said the government must simplify the process, to restore its integrity. ``Something must be done to address these problems and make the processes better, affordable and easier for everybody’’, she said.

David Daniel, a student, said sanity will return to admission processes into tertiary institutions if Post UTME was scrapped and JAMB assigned the sole responsibility of handling admission matters. ``I am a victim of the current double standard, I wrote JAMB four times, obtained the cut-off point, passed Post- UTME, but could not secure admission’’, Daniel said.

Alhaji Salwanu Maiwada, the Coordinator, National Teachers Institute (NTI), Study Centre in Birnin Kebbi, also supported the retention of JAMB as the final body for admission into tertiary institutions.

Some teachers and students in Kafanchan, Kaduna, frowned at double examinations required for admission into tertiary institutions.

They contended that this undermined the function of JAMB and posed as setback to education development.

They called for sole regulatory body that would be vested with the responsibility of conducting examination and standard criteria into tertiary institutions.

Mrs. Christiana Musa, tutor at Government Secondary School, Takau said some graduates of the

school wrote JAMB and had the required cut-off points.

Also, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan branch, Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, called for the scrapping of UTME to allow tertiary institutions to conduct their own examinations.

He said many universities started the Post-UTME ``because the JAMB- conducted examination lacked credibility.’’

Ajiboye said tertiary institutions should be left to conduct their own entry examinations, adding that a single entry examination would save cost.

Similarly, Mr. Wale Akinremi, the Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Ibadan Chapter, called for the scrapping of JAMB, arguing that it had outlived its relevance.

He said a study had revealed that Nigerian universities were not attracting foreign students because of JAMB which, he claimed, had not been able to defend its result.

Some parents, who spoke to NAN, also decried the hardship being faced in the admission process, calling for drastic measures to tackle it.

A parent, Mrs. Joyce Haruna, said it was unfair and harsh for JAMB to post applicants to universities different from their choice and areas of residence. ``It is unheard of that an examination body will just decide to take such drastic actions that can terminate the dreams of our wards’’, she said.

Mrs. Bisi Akinyele, on her part, said the current admission process was too cumbersome, stressful and expensive.

L-R: Guest of honour, Mr. Joseph Onyekwere; President, Damian Azubuike Foundation, Mr. Damian Azubuike; Chief Student Counsellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Apapa, Dr. Dele M. Aderigbigbe; Centre Director, NOUN Special Study Centre 4, Navy Capt. Stephen Olorunfemi Aiyepeku (rtd.) and Principal Officer Registrar, Dr. Ose Adusanya, during the presentation of two students’ notice board to the NOUN by Damian Azubuike Foundation, at the Nigerian Navy’s premises, Apapa, Lagos... on Tuesday. Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE

‘More technical schools, key to ending unemployment’ Continued from page 27 were very happy about everything that went on there because some of them received different prizes and awards from the school.

When you talk of different awards which were given by the school to some students, what were the criteria for such?

We had to embark on such projects because as you may agree with me, it is another good innovation that is aimed at encouraging students to focus on their academic work even as they equally want to achieve excellence in whatever they do now and in the future. What we did was to encourage those that excelled in their academic work with prizes and by this singular act those that were not doing well could as well challenge themselves. We also encourage other students who did well

not necessarily on academic excellence but in other endeavours that impacted favourably on other students, the school and themselves also. I think prize giving ceremony is an integral part of school event that all students particularly the graduating ones must always be happy to participate.

What are your challenges as a principal that you may want the government to address for efficient service delivery?

The challenges of school management is too numerous. I want to say that government cannot do it alone, hence the support of parents are needed. We remain grateful to the Acting FCT Secretary for Education, the Director FCT Department of Science and Technology and her wonderful management team for the provision of some needs of the school such as 200/400 double bunk beds/mat-

tresses among others. Kudos to the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for various projects carried out very recently in the school such as connection of waste to central sewage, provision double bunk beds, 30 sets of dinning furniture and regular payment of 12 staff. FCT Education Authority is trying, parents too are trying but like Oliver Twist that always look for more, I want to say that our problems are inadequate teaching and non-teaching staff, inadequate staff quarters, lack of generating sets, non-completion of abandoned projects, landscaping of school compound to prevent erosion as well as provision of workshop.

We hope that government would provide us with more workshops as well as set mechanism in place to prevent further gulley erosions from the tilting our premises.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

29

Inside Campus Æ s Mixed reactions trail Daily Times UNILAG’s ‘no noise’ policy

Kawthar Babatunde Opeyemi Unilag

A ‘no noise policy’ recently enacted by the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) seem to be generating lots of concerns from different student bodies on campus.

The new directive, which was contained in a statement released by the university authorities, a copy of which was sent to the institution’s student union body (ULSU), restricts social activities to specific places on campus.

In the same vein, all religious activities are henceforth prohibited in academic areas, and such activities should be confined to the university mosque and chapels.

The directive since its issuance has been and is still generating lots of reactions especially from religious bodies.

Some Muslim and Christian faithful believe it is a direct clampdown on religious activities. Some students, however, see it as a way of restructuring and maintaining orderliness in the university.

Mujidah, a 500 Level Computer Engineering student while commenting on the policy said: “I doubt if not allowing religious activities at all in academic area is going to work, but honestly I think the policy is just according to standard, it’s improper to hold noisy activities just anywhere on

campus.”

Before this policy was enacted, anywhere and everywhere could be used for religious activities on campus. For instance, the Amphi-theatre, the Students’ union block as well as the school’s main auditorium parapet were used for fellowship.

On the other hand, places designated as mosques could be found in some faculties-majorly faculties of Science, Social sciences and Faculty of Business Administration. The policy therefore means a stop to all religious activities out of official religious grounds of the university.

But in a swift reaction, the president of ULSU, Abiodun Martins, has debunked allegation of the union involvement in the formulation of the new policy, stressing that the students’ union was not contacted before the action was taken.

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) chapter of the school, however, appears silent on the new directive as no official statement has been issued by the Muslim students’ body.

When contacted, the leader of the association, Adeoye Abd’Rashid, said no official letter had been received from the school management regarding the policy but the body is slated to hold a meeting with the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA) to chart a way forward.

campus reporter, others become ambassadors

Eddy

Edigberhi Emmanuel UNIBEN A 300 level student of Medicine and Surgery of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Eddy Uwoghiren, has been made a global Youth

Tolulope

Ambassador with the Youth for Enlightenment and Welfare (YEW). Uwooghiren was nominated for the position alongside four other students.

In a congratulatory email sent to him from the International President of the movement, Shahzor Memon, commended Uwoghiren for his campaigns on health matters across the country, adding that the movement will continue to support him.

The statement reads in part: “I congratulate you on becoming one of our ambassadors.

Your application thrilled us. We marveled at how far you have contributed to the development of your immediate environment through launching campaigns on health matters ranging from blood donation drive, health awareness campaign, volunteering for free medical outreaches to rural dwellers in Nigeria, freelance Journal-

ism and other platforms. We strongly encourage you to keep the good work and help spread the message of YEW in your country. Accept the assurances of our warmest regards as we look forward to working with you”.

Other Nigerians chosen are Boris Nwachukuwu, 500 level Medicine & Surgery, University of Port Harcourt; Joseph Odewale, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and Michael Oluwaloseyifunmi , Lagos State University, Ikeja.

YEW is an internationally acclaimed Youth led social movement that with ambassadors all over the world who unite and support each other to launch advocacy campaign on issues of immense importance in their countries and connect globally to raise their voices for sustainable social change powered by social activism.

Alumni association wades into LASU unions, VC’ rift

Obafunwa

The Alumni Association of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has waded into the rift between staff unions and the ViceChancellor of the university, Prof.

John Obafunwa.

The Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr Abdulakeem Animashaun, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said it was inappropriate for the staff unions to be demanding removal of the vice-chancellor. ``The State Government had invited the staff unions’ executives, the university authorities and the association for a meeting. ``Another meeting rescheduled afterwards did not hold but discussion was still ongoing to end the crisis soon. ``Morally, it is not the duty of

the staff to dictate their leadership to the government but there are some internal factors propelling the crisis in LASU,’’ he said.

Animashaun said there was no time frame for the resolution of the crisis because the government was taking its time to resolve all the issues and provide a lasting solution. ``There is no doubt that there is crisis in LASU but we do not want to rush things because it is not how far but how well.”

According to the spokesman, there is no vacuum in the leadership of the university.

Meanwhile, Mr Saheed Oseni, Chairman of the LASU Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), told NAN that the union was holding talks with the State Government.

Oseni said that Gov. Akinwun-

mi Ambode had met with the union and the management team on assumption of office but that another meeting was rescheduled because conclusion was yet to be reached. ``It is the outcome of our rescheduled meeting with the governor that would determine our next line of action,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that LASU academic and non-academic staff unions had on March 19, 2015, disrupted the 20th convocation ceremony of the institution.

The unions are the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The unions were demanding removal of the vice-chancellor, repeal of ``No vacancy, No promotion’’ policy, among others.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Features Æ s IT WAS WINNINGS GALORE AS...

Golden Chance Lotto rewards sub agents in Lagos

A winnner with 42 inches TV set

Arthur ends a brief ride in one of the tricycles

Foremost lotto game company in Nigeria, the Golden Chance Ventures Limited, aka Golden Chance Lotto, last week celebrated their principal agents and sub-agents operating in seven branches spread across Lagos and Ogun States.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR weighs the lotto industry with prevailing economic realities and reports.

The event took place opposite the operation offices of the company on Afariogu Street, Ikeja, Lagos, and was the second in the organisation’s quarterly bumper prize awards for their operators this year.

A veteran of the pen and top marketer of Golden Chance Lotto, Mrs. Peju Akinbiyi in her keynote address announced the purpose of the award: “Golden Chance Lotto is appreciating everyone who is contributing to our success; and one of the ways we use to appreciate you is what we are doing today: appreciating our subagents for their immense efforts.

It is our prayer that they will succeed the more and continue to excel.”

The event anchored by Mr. Bayo Bankole, (Boy Alinco), paraded

the company’s hierarchy, from the founding Chairman, Honourable Idowu Obasa; the Managing Director, Charles Arthur and wife among others.

In his address, the Chairman, Honourable Idowu Obasa explained the reason for the rewards: “Sub-agents are the company’s link to stakers. They are the engine room and we are today oiling our engines to make them function smoother and faster.

“Besides being our sub-agents, they double as forecasters; they ensure our kiosks are kept clean and ensure prompt payments. In fact, they are ambassadors of the company.

“So the prices are rewards for your work and they will increase in value as your sales will increase in value, because we are ready to expand the horizon.”

Said Mr. Chairman.

Ghanaian born Managing Director, Mr. Charles Arthur opened his address by declaring that the day is a Wonderful Day and went on to explain why: “There are many lotto companies in Nigeria, but we have never seen or heard of any lotto company doing what we’re doing here,“ he began.

Arthur acknowledged that without the sub-agents the company will not be in existence;

Ghanaian Winner, Evelyne receiving key to her

“We’re in the raining season; whenever you go out, you will see them at work; during the dry season, they are there. If we send our papers to the kiosks, if they don’t open them, the stakers will not have them, so we are appreciating them today.”

This is just the beginning; he said assuredly, we’ve not started at all. Quoting his Chairman, Arthur said, the reward for hard work, is more work. “After you take your winnings home today, you’re not going to rest on your oars, but you’re now going to work harder.

“We are giving you tricycles, fridges and plasma TVs today; next time, what do you expect Golden Chance Lotto will give

to you?” The people responded, ‘motor’, others said, ‘houses’ and Arthur acknowledged even that would become a small thing if they work harder.

“There is no work that is not good; it depends on the way you do the work. If you are made the managing director of the World Bank and you don’t know how to go about the work you will not benefit anything from it, but if you are made an ordinary scavenger, if you know how to do that work you will benefit from it. I am therefore encouraging all the subagents to work harder.”

Category A package of the prize giving event comprising a brand new tricycle with N30,000 cash went to the agent with the

highest sales in their respective branches in a quarter.

Category B, a double door deep freezer with a cash price of N20,000 went to the sub-agent next to rthe highest in sales in their branches while Category C prize went to the agent that raked in a high sale in their respective branches. The prize for this category was a 42 inches Plasma television sets with cash a price of N12,000 to smile home with.

Winners were drawn from Principal Agents and Sub-Agents from Ikeja, Surulere, Sango, Epe, Okokomaiko, Sagamu and Abeokuta branches with Scoober’s Ikeja branch standing out.

WINNERS It was a win and win day for all seven branches. Ikeja branch had six winners who carted away 2 tricycles, 2 deep freezers and 2 TV sets along with cash prices of N30,000, N20,000 and N10,000 respectively.

Sango and Sagamu branches drew level with Ikeja branch in their 2 2 2 winnings while Okokomaiko, Epe, Surulere and Abeokuta branches won 1 each of the prices with accompanying cash prices respectively.

19 years old Oshinaike Abiodun, a business education student of Tai Solarin University won a deep freezer.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 5, 2015

31 Features

The price for hard work is more work — Chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Tricycle winners opened with George Samuel of Scoober’s Ikeja branch. He’s an Ishan from Edo State.

Ghanaians competed favourably with their Nigerian counterparts with Sagamu and Sango branches c and Okokomaike celebrated Ghanaian winners Daily Times gathered that the total gift package comprise 19 units of tricycles, 19 units of deep freezers and 19 units of 42 inches Plasma TVs that cost the company N14 million.

The Company The ten years old lotto organisation started from 55 Awolowo Way, here in Ikeja is founder Idowu Obasa’s second coming as an earlier attempt at the game of numbers did not do well. About a decade ago, Ghanaian lotto veteran, Charles Arthur convinced Obasa to give it a second chance and the result is their success story today.

At an exclusive interview in his Afariogun office last week, Arthur who has been in the lotto business for all of 29 years revealed that Lotto started in Nigeria as Weekly Lotto but later changed its name

to Peoples’ Lotto; Weekend Lotto followed later.

Dynamics of the game “Lotto is a game played with numbers; ours is based on balls numbered 1 – 90.

“We feed the balls into a popcorn-like machine, then draw it before a live audience. The first five balls that come out with twodigit figures are considered the winning numbers.”

The line between Lotto and the old Lottery games appears slim; Arthur explained the difference: “Lotto is fixed odds, which means the winnings are fixed and, as our rider says, It is the surest way to be a millionaire. If you play N1 and win, the price you’ve won is times 240, that is N240. N5 x 240 wins N1,200; N5,000 wins N1.2m. Sometimes we can sell like N10,000 and stakers win more than N200m.”

So how do you manage that?

“The day they don’t win at all, or they win little, we use the accrued money to offset winnings on the days they win a lot. The money that accrues when they don’t win does not belong to us; we keep them and this always

helps us to create a balance by paying promptly no matter how much a staker wins.

“People think we share the money if stakers don’t win but it is far from the truth. If you share the money, the day they win, how do you pay them? That is how lotto business is.

“But lottery is not fixed, and the proprietors don’t lose like in lotto; they are structured to always gain because if they sell like N100,000, they set aside about 10% of the sales; the 90% remaining they share to winners. But if you’re playing lottery you don’t know how much they’ll pay if you win because it’s not fixed.

“Now, lotto started before lottery; but because it’s easier to win lottery, people started patronising lottery the more. That did not diminish the potentials of lotto business though, and that is our drive: we are doing serious intensive marketing now so as to maximise our share of the market.”

Legality The game is open to people 18 years and above; that is the legal yardstick. People below 18 are barred from staking in lotto.

Arthur and Akinbiyi at the event.

Workforce Lotto business absorbs a reasonable share of the unemployment market as the MD said.

“We’re not only in Lagos State, we cover about 17 states now with our corporate head office at 55 Awolowo Way. We are empowering, encouraging idle hands to be self employed, confident, productive and useful to the society.”

Some occupational hazards A 50-years-old Ghanaian subagent, Mr. Akupa, who is married ‘with four pickins’ all living in Ghana, told Daily Times at the marketer’s office on Friday he has been 15 years in the lotto business in Nigeria. His network cov-

ers Agidingbi, Grammar School, Okeira, Ogba, Ifako and Sakamore in Agege area.

Akupa has operatives in kiosks in each outlet and coordinates their sales every day. One of his outlets is recorded to have sold N5.3million in three months.

But it’s not all rosy, he told our correspondent.

“Sub-agents can run away with cash; some as little as N20,000 and others up to N150,000. We have no security against that because we cannot be with all of them at the same time. When that happens we have to pay with our own money, so it is a business of win some, lose some.” He concluded.

JUST HUMAN 11.10am. This cobbler at Ogude Road, Ojota is not praying. His snore could be heard some meters away. Photos God’s Covenant Snr/040

7.45 a.m., by Railway crossing, Agege. Not sleeping, but talking to heaven before the day’s sale. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/041

the overall best prize in Physical Health Education to Miss Naomi Joshua, during Babcock University High School 20th graduation ceremony, held at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State… recently

education sector have called for the establishment of a uniform admission process into tertiary institutions in the country.

This is coming on the heels of the complaints trailing the botched attempt by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations The National Chairman Board (JAMB) to distribute canof Labour Party, Alhaji didatesAbdulkadir to universities apart has from Abdulsalam, said choice that the university party is fullyfor the first prepared for the forthcoming their Post Unified Tertiary Magovernorship elections in triculation Examination (UTME).

Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Besides, he said the party’s A survey conducted by the executive committee under News Agency of Nigeria in Kahis leadership remained duna, Kaduna revealed that the one State, recognised by the Independent National stakeholders are in support of the Electoral Commission (INEC). scrapping of Post-UTME, saying Abdulsalam told the News

stop-shop for admission into tertiary institutions.

A teacher, Mr. Felix John, said securing admission was much easier when JAMB was the only body entrusted with such responsibility.

John said the advent of PostUTME made that the admission proAbuja on Monday the discountenance the purported current rocking the hand over cessescrisis costly , cumbersome and of the party’s party on the whereabouts of certificate to the labour withcertificate corruption.movement by its former its fraught registration wouldMr. not diminish party John the Umaru, achairman, parent, describing it as andargued its “glory”. that admission“inconsequential”. through He said rather, the On the forthcoming Kogi JAMBinwas purely based and on merit, intrigues the party would Bayelsa governorship make it stronger and more polls, comhe said that the party while the Post-UTME had vibrant, adding that the would field candidates and promised the admission process. party was set to consolidate participate actively.

Umaru said the cost implicaon its strong structure “We are prepared for the

Politics

Æs

g BUSINESS g Education g News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in

to serve the interest of Continued Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to

election and ready for it; our

on page 28

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Labour Party ready for Kogi, Bayelsa polls, says chairman

g Politics

ABDULKADIR ABDULSALAM National Chairman LP

S’Sudan P13 FirstBank, EDC Low internet PDP’s peace 13 Africa displaced parley flops as presence,major major boost awareness, Low internet presence, problem PDP’s peace parley flops children not in Dickson’s aides problem of 14 miners killed P28 access tovarsities— NUC S’Sudanscribe displaced children not in school in Liberia mine of Nigerian school as Dickson’s aides fume fume Nigerian varsities P8 resources for 17 ÏSays, NgREN “It is shocking — NUC scribe P20 Business working to fixSMEs Times Æ s that Ebikake, who was the Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday August 5, 2015

ÏÏÏ

Daily Times Nigeria

ÏÏÏ

Almost half of 800 000 children driven from their homes by

State radio in Liberia says 14 men illegally mining for gold in

port the recipients to promote almost share resources, knowlWednesday, August 5 , 2015 South Sudan's civil conflict are not Liberia's west fell victim to a landregional specialisation among attending school, a group of huedge and findings. slide. They were trapped under manitarian organisations said on rubble and are presumed dead. participating universities in ar``The people that do the rankTuesday.

It says the miners, all from Sieas that address regional chaling do not really visit universiThe East African nation has erra Leone, had reportedly dug a lenges. ties; they go to the Internet and been in civil conflict since a power deep hole near Liberia's border struggle between President Salva with their country and were burHe said the objective also find out what you are doing.

Kiir and Machar turned violent ied in a landslide. The radio reportincluded strengthening the ca``Whatever research we are in December 2013. The conflict has ed the incident in the remote area Sam Nzeh pacities of these universities doing should be sent to the Inoccurred last week, and it took L-R: The new Group killed tens of thousands of people time for word to reach the capital, to deliver quality training and ternet. Money is going into the Managing Director and displaced nearly two million.

Despite the difficult humanitarMonrovia of the Nigerian applied research and to meet system for research.

The Executive Secretary, ian situation, many children priHundreds of people from Sierra national Petroleum labour market demand for spe``I am not disturbed; my conNational Universities ComLeone cross the border into LibeCorporation (NNPC), oritized the desire to go to school cific skills. ria to illegally mine in the mineralmission (NUC), Prof. Julius cern is whether Nigerian uniDr. Emmanuel Ibe before other basic needs, including shelter and food, according to a rich Gola Konneh District.

Dr. Tunde Adekola, a repreKachikwu (right), Okojie, on Monday, listed low versities are meeting local and joint report by World Vision, Save Liberian authorities have not Dr. Joseph Thlama sentative of the World Bank, internet presence as the major national needs; whether we are been able to put a halt to illegal Dawha (left), during the Children, Intersos and Care. said it was the first time Nigeria Some parents and children problem facing Nigerian univer- number one or not does not matmineral mining, especially in rea brief hand-over told researchers they had taken mote border regions. was receiving such massive supter.’’ sities ceremony at the matters into their own hands by NNPC Towers on port from the bank.

Listing some of Nigeria’s Okojie also said the standard constructing temporary school Tuesday.

Adekola explained that the esof Nigerian universities was universities’ achievements, the buildings or collecting money to pay a teacher. "We are protected in sence of accommodating state high in spite of their low global NUC executive secretary said school. Soldiers don't attack us or and private universities in the the Redeemer’s University Cenranking. abduct us there," a 15-year-old boy ACE project was to make it comOkojie, who said this at the tre of Excellence had tackled the explained why going to school was important to him. Another boy petitive. opening of a two-day work- problem of Ebola and developed said children in South Sudan learn ÏÏÏ Hundreds of illegal miHe said the goal of the project a rapid response diagnostic test shop on African Centres of in school how to cope with dangergrants, mostly from Ethiopia, waswithresults, adding the World Excellence (ACE) Project Post- that could detect the virus in 15 ous situations, for example how to SPLA-N fighters practice a mortar as others watch near Jebel Kwo village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in remain detained in Malawi in South Kordofan, Sudan May 2,would 2012 Bank monitor it to ensure detect landmines. appalling conditions after they Effectiveness in Abuja, further minutes.

Sylva Dickson Enterprise Development Centre, has berthed a multi-pronged ists. SMEs owners and key stake- of the economy.

Adesola Akindele failed to reach their destination, efficiency.

Heof Pan said couldprogramme not to holders in general will be invited According to First Bank’s ExAtlantic Nigeria Univer- SME support disclosed that the Nigerian Re- a School chart a veritable course for SME to be part of the conversation. ecutive Director, Lagos & West, Africa, a humanitarian orLast weekend’s peace parley electionWorld kake and Ebikitin Diongoli have which had in attendance have started to emanate from the camped to other South parties, if the In continuing bid to help the sity, Lagos.

Bank had earmarked the search and Education Network have Accordingsolved to a statement

by Ebola developmentissue in a new if and re- The programme will open a twit- Mr. Gbenga Shobo, sponsorship Small and Medium Enterganisation has said.vowed According of the Peoples Democratic Par- prominent members including feuding groups many of whom PDP fields Dickson thatto their former boss, in the forthAni-Mumuney, Group invigorated era, emphasizing ter handle for audience interac- of the programme is in sync with prise (SME) sector access Folake 80 million dollars grant forthethe (NgREN) is solving the problem not for Redeemer’s University’s Okojie Without (MSF), ty (PDP) to reconcile feuding chairman Governor Seriake Dickson, canof the party’s Board want party to dump incum- coming polls, the Doctors party will lose Borders necessary resources to grow, Head, Marketing & Corporate boundless opportunities for en- tion during the online streaming the Bank’s strategy to build caBank, trepreneurial business develop- and would also feature a monthly pacity amongst SME players and First Bank of Nigeria migrants were detained while not be governor of Bayelsa State Dr. of Haliru Moham-in bent governor, Seriake Dickson to the ruling AlltheProgressives funding ACEs Nigeria, research; First a feat which he said good. of Internet connectivity in Limited Ni- Communications, ria. members in Bayelsa appeared to of Trustees, live Panel where listeners can foster the growth and develophas commenced the sponsorship the sponsorship objective is to ed- ment,” she said. have hit the rocks. again. med was called to mend fences who is seeking a second term in Congress (APC) as being feared on their way to South Africa in ucate, inform and build capacity She explained that the procall in to participate during the ment of small and medium scale On July 16, the night the Muslim institutions that riskin destabi- intelligence services brought ÏÏÏAlgeria is in thethe grips of po- tranche of an SME Radio programme, which wouldtivebe released ought to have risen Nigerian gerian universities. ``Challenge ourbusinesses students in Nigeria. “We are He said Thethat meeting of first the stakeholdEbikake in order to prepare partythe forarmy office. in many quarters. fromand Diongoli, who ‘The Economy & You’ the pro- for small business owners by pro- gramme will focus on SMEs and online streaming,” she said. fasting month of Ramadan ended,the lising amid a difficult re- more firmly under control.

The search of jobs. Statistics them with the resources how the economy is affecting Mumuney added that the pro- committed to providing practical litical intrigue, as the president tranches. gramme, which will run concur- viding universities up in their ranking.

He added that when solved, ers by formeramong Presi- victory on Tuesday under the austo manypresident of them esConsequently state’s forfromhelp any part of faced would bespearheaded shared equally Malawi-based Childspoke Rights, Adenterprise, from budget to with grammestudents will feature seasoned on relevant challenges the .area around the gional situation,"According Louisa Hanoun, is surrounded by a, the nears death and rumours of coup troops flooded rently on www.edcradioonline. needed to grow their businesses.

“Given the growth of the SME said policies, ``Ebola from exchange is rates to professionals and successful by small businesses and SMEs Goodluck Jonathan presidential ahead However, 48project hours those, said who have Commissioners forand TransParalegal Aid Centre Theofbarely ACE institutcom Nigerian every Thursday atuni3pm and The NUC boss global presence of Zeralda leaderafter ofwas the pecially Worker's Party close worked knit groupmer of advisers, in- vocacy the world and they will always the 10 dent ACEs to avoid delays in residence attempts swirl.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Rhythm FM 93.7 every Sunday at sector and their role in economic incentives. “Once a month, the SME Entrepreneurs in finance, will have an unrestricted access of the forthcoming governorship the meeting, discordant tunes under Dickson before they de- port and Sports, Mrs. Marie Ebi(Crapac), show that large numbers amid talk of a possible and sustainable na- problem. in governments a Monday press conference. programme would focus on spe- construction, food and hospitali- to the archived materials from Now, the unprecedented firing cluding his brother Said. ed in attack.

2013 by the of an international versities will be 6.15pm improved. is a joint initiative with expansion prove themselves,’’ Okojie said. implementation due to low litional development, FirstBank cific sectors and sector special- ty, as well as other critical sectors ‘The Economy and You’”, he said.

Rumours flew that it was an at- "There are too many rumours and "Someone will come and whis- of African migrants are passing of three top generals is generating Burkina Faso, Republic of Be``We have made breakthrough His words: ``What has hapHe also disclosed that the ACE quidity . through Malawi en route to South fear that a power struggle within tempted coup or an attack by radi- too much speculation — the presi- per in his ear that this one is not nin, some Ghana, Nigeria, pened in NgREN is a big boom whether they rank us or not; but World Bank-sponsored project news- Cameroun, dent must speak."

According the while in agreement with you or that one Africa. Anecdotal reports are that regime will breakto into theOkojie, open cal Islamists, Lawmaker 800 youths agric to curb illegal migration —the papers cited anonymous officials President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, dislikes your family, and he lis- the numbers have been on the inTogo and Senegal, with support unleashing a new cycle of theObjective let us concentrate; we in have to re-training because of Internet connectiv-engages had disbursed more than N1.4 Project Development Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Speaking to Daily Times, Hon. to embark on the project, Hon. cose syrup which is used in the Lara Adejoro 78, hasn't done much speaking, tens," said a former government crease in the past two years, possibloodshed that plagued the coun- that the whole thing was a hoax. ourState universities, areof the billion Umudike, Abia and Ser- Oguns whothey is a member Ogun continued: “Almost10 every confectionary industry is costity to 27 universities; you can inbrand to the ACEs in Nige(PDO) of the ACEs is to sup- from the World Bank. bly because other nations, such as

problem

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Global Entrepreneurship Summit: How Nigeria can benefit Political crisis looms in Algeria after coup scare

Juliet

Chukkas-Onaeko

ÎÎÎFor observers and pro-

fessionals in the country and within the continent alike, the recently concluded 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which was declared open by the President of the United States of America, Mr. Barrack Obama, reflects a new dawn for Nigeria, Africa and millions of its young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

However, worthy of great importance is to understand that as fertilizer is to the enhanced and improved production of bountiful harvest of crops; so also is the acquisition of skills, particularly technical and vocational skills to the making of true and sustainable entrepreneurs that can identified industrial needs, meet manpower for development requirement and become job and wealth creators.

Launched by President Obama in 2009, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit for a start aims to bring to-

Constituents in in Esan North East and Esan South East Federal Constituency in Edo State have started reaping the dividends of democracy promised them by their representative, Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, who last week organised a five day seminar for farmers on useful methods to sustainable agriculture.

The training which kicked off on Monday at St Benedict Catholic Social Centre, Ubiaja, Edo State was organized in conjunction with the National Root &

gether young and budding entrepreneurs and investors from across the African continent and around the world.

This latest summit, coming on the heels of the vastly acclaimed and very successful visit of President Muhammadu Buhari, (GCFR) to the United States of America, is a positive signal to the rest of the world that Africa, nay Nigeria’s time to blossom economically and industrially has indeed arrived.

So, in agreeing with President Barrack Obama as he consistently identify entrepreneurship, particularly amongst young people as representing the future of not only Africa, but of the world, the question that becomes appropriate and imperative to ask would be how Nigeria, with its mega youth population and position as the undisputed economic leader on the continent can benefit from the outcome of this summit alongside previous ones in the immediate and long term.

Firstly then, known it must be, by aspiring young entrepreneurs and other stakeholders that the Global Entrepreneurship Summit has pledged almost over five billion dollars to upcoming

young entrepreneurs in Africa and around the world in the last six years. More than four billion dollars was pledged in 2014.

Secondly, smaller and lesser endowed countries like Morocco, Cote d Ivoire and Senegal have already benefited immensely from the establishment of an academy by Carmaker Volvo, for 140 entrepreneurs.

The academy will also focus on the maintenance of industrial and commercial equipment’s. If these nations can so benefit, why not Nigeria?

Bringing into consideration, the warm and cordial relationship that currently exists between the United States of America and Nigeria, particularly when viewed in the light of President Buhari’s recent visit, Nigeria, it can be rightly predicted, can and should be able to receive even more extensive support, both from the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Department of State’s Global Entrepreneurship Programme to help the nation’s young entrepreneurs start and grow businesses through start-up competitions, awareness events and mentoring.

As part of these benefits,

gius Oseasochie Oguns Foundation (SOOF).

The seminar tagged Root Crops in industry: Sustainable uptake of edible roots crops as industrial raw materials in Esan land in food, confectionary and bakery industries, the seminar, had resource persons from renowned institute who trained Edo farmers on different methods on the use of cocoa yam and high yield cassava stems among others.

About 800 youths and farmers benefitted from the program which is said to be the pilot scheme of the project.

House of Representatives said that the training will be a continuous exercise and he hopes to train over 20,000 farmers in his constituency.

“My political platform is an opportunity for me to do more for the people. Today we are going to be having training for farmers and the recourse people are coming from the National Root & Crop Research Institute, Umudike, and for the whole week (Monday to Friday), they are going to be training farmers on the use of cassava, cocoa yam.”

On the reasons why he decided

forth night there is a bus load of youths leaving for Europe through the desert in search of greener pastures and most of them die in transit so all this is geared towards stopping that trend.

“The idea is to set up something for the cooperatives and create wealth but my real target is actually the youths. If in the next one year they can see what is happening to the farmers and the cooperatives, we shall attract a lot of youths. We are talking about high yield cassava which has awesome potentials. “Glu-

ing Nigeria a lot of foreign ex- try in the 1990s. change. We import it to the tune The stakes for the oil-rich nation of N2billion annually. Meanwhile, we have the potential to — a key US ally against terrorism manufacture it locally. With this — are especially high because of project we won’t be able to service the market but it is a start- the dramatic fall of oil prices and ing point. the rising threat from extremist “Bakers also don’t have enough flour so they can also use groups across the border in Mali, cassava to bake. As soon as the Libya and Tunisia. These develproject begins to run, we will get land and build a farm village for opments have put the regime on the youths and assist them with weaker footing in a country still tractors. We can make the agriemerging from a traumatic civil cultural sector as glamorous as Oil and Gas,” Ogun added. war.

Nigeria can also through the global entrepreneurship programme, benefit from the floodgates of American investments that will expected to inflow into the country. The global entrepreneurship summit can connect the country’s emerging entrepreneurs with leaders from business, international organizations and governments looking to support them from around the world.

It is on record that since 2009 when the United States of America came on board as one of the major anchors of the summit, the programme has successfully helped young and even established entrepreneurs from throughout the Muslim world to generate more than 80 million dollars in revenue for their companies through its Global Innovation and Science and Technology initiative, (GIST).

Thus, Nigeria, with its huge population of young, educated, mobile and urbane Muslims, can also benefit from the “GIST” initiative in ways that will help produce young job creators, curb insecurity and empower women and children in the country.

It is noteworthy that over $3.2 billion was recently put aside to support micro,

Then on July 26, the army announced a series of new appointments in key positions, showing that three powerful generals — the heads of counter-espionage, the Republican Guard and presidential security — had all been replaced. The sackings have provoked a flurry of speculation that the country's elites are on the brink of an all-out war.

"These dismissals touch sensi-

however, since he suffered a stroke in April 2013 that restricts him to just a handful of heavily scripted television appearances.

He didn't appear in the election campaign he won last year — except to vote in a wheelchair — and his speeches are read by surrogates. Yet he — or at least his entourage — appears to be clinging to power, as generals are fired and the once powerful

minister who has since resigned and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"It reminds me of the situation at the end of Bourguiba's reign when officials were appointed in the morning and fired that evening," he said, referring to former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba, who was overthrown in 1987 after he became senile.

Mozambique, are making it harder for undocumented migrants to travel through their countries.

Most of these migrants have been imprisoned since December and do not have identity documents. As "prohibited migrants" they were ordered by the Malawian court to be repatriated within 3 months of their initial arrest, but they remain imprisoned, MSF said.

Obama urges African youths to build on progress

ÏÏÏ smalland medium-sized enterprises, while another 80 million dollars was mobilized in private capital for startup accelerators in the developing world, particularly Africa.

Nigeria can be part of the countries that can access this funding- all things being equal- It is my candid belief that accessing this funding by the nation’s young entrepreneurs will go a long way in achieving President Buhari’s objective of addressing the challenges of youth unemployment in a sustainable manner.

According to the American President, “Entrepreneurship creates new jobs and new businesses, new ways to deliver basic services, new ways of seeing the world — it’s the spark of prosperity. It helps citizens stand up for their rights and push back against corruption.”

I strongly believe that entrepreneurship, added with technical and vocational skills, and effectively blended with the restless and innovative Nigerian spirit, can provide ownership and self-determination.

Entrepreneurship can, and will brings down barriers between communities and cultures and builds bridges that help everyone On the heels of a landmark visit to Kenya and Ethiopia, where President Barack Obama declared “Africa is on the move,” he honed the message, this time to 500 young leaders visiting from sub-Saharan Africa.

“The continent has archived historic gains in health from fighting HIV/AIDS to making childbirth

safer for women and babies. Millions have been lifted from extreme poverty. So this is extraordinary progress,” Obama said.

“And young people like you are driving so much of this progress, because Africa is the youngest continent.”

The president urged the Mandela-Washington fellows of the

take on common challenges together.

Lamentably though, it is hard sometimes to get the trainings and the skills required to run a business as professionally as it needs to be in this competitive world, It is even harder to tap into the networks and mentors that can mean the difference between a venture taking off and one that falls flat.

It is in that light that the Federal Government be commended for its total focus and commitment towards the acquisition of technical and vocational training by Nigeria’s youths, using the interventionist agency of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF).

Committed towards creating entrepreneurs and job and wealth creators, the ITF has successfully expanded and deepened its training programmes, successfully matched skills with existing opportunities and is on the verge of completing a national skills survey that will identify specific and general areas of skills requirements required by the country’s industrial sector.

Youth African Leaders Initiative to build on the progress Monday in Washington.

His administration launched the Youth African Leaders Initiative five years ago, to support emerging African leaders as they “drive economic growth, enhance democratic governance, and strengthen the civil society struc-

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

tures that will help the continent grow and prosper.”

The fellowship, which President Obama announced during his 2013 trip to South Africa, this year connected the young leaders to 20 U.S. universities, where they spent six weeks expanding their skills in everything from entrepreneurship to civic affairs.

Obama

Dr. Mrs. Juliet ChukkasOnaeko is the Director General / Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF).

Life&

TIMES Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Samuella

Elumelu Beauty with brains

L2,7

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Models in Nigeria are poorly paid and not treated with respect Quadri Olowolagba She is one of Nigeria’s fastest rising models and entrepreneurs. A former participant at the first only ‘House of Models’ reality show in 2012 and a contestant at the 2013 Silverbird sponsored Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant, Ella as she is fondly called, is the C.E.O of The Royal Agency, a modeling agency for beauty queens. Of Benin City, Edo State extraction, she shuttles between running her modeling agency and her television job with Silverbird television. The graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, opens up to Life and Times about her journey in life as a model.

Life&

T E A M

How did modeling start for you?

It all started when in 2012, I contested in a reality television show, ‘House of Models. It was a show that was shown across Nigerian and Ghanaian television stations.

I actually won the contest. I then began my modeling career professionally in 2013, and moved on to contest at that year’s Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant where I represented Oyo state. It has been a roller coaster ride since then. It’s been wonderful, I have met a lot people who have helped to boost my career. I have done quite a number of runway shows, advertisement modeling and many others too numerous to mention.

However, were it not for my older brother who gave me the push, I probably won’t be what I am today.

Growing up, I used to stand in front of the mirror and mimic models. I never really believed I had what it takes to be a model. So motivating me, I got into the reality competition, my first ever, which I won.

That brought me a bit of fame and opportunities. My participation at the beauty pageant also gave me greater opportunities such that, even though I didn’t win, I was able to make something out of my participation, I floated my own modeling agency, specifically set up to groom beauty queens. The agency has been doing well much to my surprise. Queens signed on to my agency have done commercials for different brands like Etisalat, Globacom, Nature’s Gentle Touch relaxer and several other brands.

What was the experience like contesting on such a huge platform as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and more so, at the stage when you got eliminated?

Well, MBGN was a wonderful experience starting from the auditions. We had two different rounds of auditions, state and the regional

auditions. When you scale through the auditions, you go into boot camp to prepare you for the pageant. I passed all those stages and was chosen to represent Oyo state but I got eliminated for reasons best known to the judges.

As a model, how do you juggle being one and running your own modeling agency?

It’s not been easy I must say. But I got to a point in my life where I decided to be dynamic. Sometimes I am tempted to want to go out there and do some modeling jobs, you know, get jobs on my own outside of the agency but I have a brand to build and I have to be selfless.

Some of the personal jobs may be very lucrative but it would be to the detriment of my agency to get those jobs for myself when I have people signed on to my agency. It has been a bag of mixed feelings but the experiences I have garnered so far just helps to make everything go well.

Do you plan to venture into other aspects of entertainment, say, acting?

Well maybe not acting but producing. I also work with a production company and I have been garnering as much experiences as I can. I want to own a production outfit and produce my own shows and movies as well.

With your hands in different pies,

how are you able to make out time for each of the things you are involved in?

It’s not been easy, but I have learnt to manage my time. I also believe in the saying that nothing is impossible. There are people who do different things at the same time so it is very possible to manage everything as long as you prioritize.

What would you say has been the highest point of your modeling career?

For me or for my models?

For you

it was my hair preference. I cut off my hair completely. Then I would walk into places and everyone will be like, who is that girl, she has got guts and very bold. So yeah, my hair used to be my selling point.

Most models are really fashionable. What does style mean to you?

Style for me is all about your looks. Some people look to magazines for help If they are unable to juggle up anything, or if they need help on

I think it’s the commercial I did for inter switch.

The company that controls ATMs. I am not going to say how much I got paid, so don’t bother asking.

But it was good money.

How did you feel clinching the deal?

I felt really good to be honest. As at that time, I didn’t really know what type of opportunity I had then, I just felt thankful to God. I think I appreciate it more now than I did back then. And I am happy to look back now and say, ‘yes I did it.’

What will you say is your unique selling point as a model?

At some point,

how to follow trends. But to me, style is not something you learn from the magazine. You don’t learn to be stylish, it’s just something that comes from within you.

You could look gorgeous putting on something very simple.

People still believe that modeling like acting is for the never do wells or easy girls. What is your take on this?

Every occupation has it’s hazards. Naturally, with modeling, these girls have no choice but to deal with men who sometimes harass them. That is a true fact. But I will say it all depends on much value you place on yourself. If you are desperate, you will be treated as such. I don’t think anybody can mess you up if you are not desperate. Innocent girls get harassed simply because they put themselves in such situation.

If you ever find yourself as a victim, what would you do?

I can never be harassed because I have never been desperate in my life. Like I said, it isn’t

Continued on L7

Samuella Elumelu

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu Music Correspondent n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng Akintayo Opeoluwani 08029030427

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

L3 Global fashion and beauty news

Nkarenyi Ukonu and Mutiat Alli

Sophia Webster collaborates with Coca-Cola

Fashion stylist, Veronica Odeka launches nail polish line

Sophia Webster

Vane nail polish Sophia Webster’s Coca Cola shoes

Young British fashion designer, Sophia Webster’s name has been on the lips of quite a number of fashion forward people since she launched her label in 2013. She quickly achieved cult status among those who can appreciate bold red prints of lips on their stilettos. Her pop motifs and primary colors have attracted celebrities who can appreciate the power of florals. She started out in fashion when as an art student on her foundation course in London, she discovered that she wanted to be a footwear designer and two years after, her own name was on a line of strikingly original and graphic accessories many couldn’t get enough of. Her latest collaboration with beverage company, Coca Cola has seen her producing a limited-edition capsule collection of high heels and bags that incorporates the iconic Coca-Cola logo in celebration of the 100th year anniversary of Coke’s contour body, which is still on-going. According to Coca Cola global licensing manager, Marsha Schroeder, “We are thrilled about the Coca-Cola collection with Sophia, she is an incredibly talented designer known for her unique aesthetic and witty designs. As we celebrate the 100 th Anniversary of Coca Cola, our collaboration with Sophia Webster is an exciting chapter in the story of our brand.”

The pieces will be available in stores and online in September.

Celebrity fashion stylist, Veronica Odeka, of the Vane Style Showroom, has officially launched her own line of nail polishes, Vane nail polish. The collection which features a wide range of colours and comes in a simple bottle, featuring a detailed cap has already been endorsed by one of her celebrity clients, Genevieve Nnaji. According to her, the polishes are aimed at providing premium luxury nail lacquer with non-toxic ingredients and materials that enhance healthy nail growth in a perfectly packaged 15M bottle.

Veronica Odeka

AFDEC trains aspiring fashion designers Yomi Makun of Yomi Casuals set to open flagship store Lekki area of Lagos State is no doubt, fast becoming the fashion district of the cosmopolitan city, what with the growing number of fashion and beauty outlets daily springing up within that axis. One person who plans to have a space in the already burgeoning commercial area come next month, is men’s wear designer, Yomi Makun, the creative director of the label, Yomi Casual. Yomi who is the brother of hugely popular comedian, Ayo Makun (AY), also plans to unveil his new collection at the store opening as well as officially re introduce the faces of his brand, actors, Zack Orji, Desmond Eliot, Don Jazzy, Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, Ebube Nwagbo etc at the same event.

Yomi Makun

As part of its corporate social responsibilities, The African Fashion Development and Empowerment Centre (AFDEC), hosted 100 shortlisted nominees at the July edition of the 2015 Give her a push (GHAP) program, an event co-hosted by the UK DFID GEMS 3. Over 100 women running their own micro and small businesses in the Nigerian fashion industry benefited from the intensive and comprehensive training on basic finances and book keeping, taxation, marketing, stress management, just to mention a few. The event featured Temitope Olanre-Alade, one of Nigeria’s leading bespoke fashion designer who mentored and encouraged the ‘Fashionprenuers’ to hold on to their dream and be consistent in excellence delivery. AFDEC is a social enterprise committed to identify and promote creative and exceptional women who are operating in micro, small, businesses in the African fashion space.

As an NGO, they partner with different organizations and associations to help support women in the fashion industry, through capacity building and exhibitions.

Temitope Olanre-Alade

Continued on L7

Fashion & Style L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Nkarenyi Ukonu

fascinator with confidence Wear your

A fascinator is a small headpiece different from a hat because it has decorations mounted on a base like a comb, headband or clip, and attached to the head. They are made of various types of fabrics and materials, all of which are combined to create a unique design and can be worn to weddings, cocktail parties, Polo races, garden or tea party. A few common materials used to create fascinators include: • Sinamay: A fabric made from banana plant fibers and is often used to make the base of a fascinator, as well as decorative loops or curls.

• Feathers: Such as goose, ostrich, guinea fowl, or peacock.

• Crinoline: A stiff fabric that‘s used to create architectural decorative elements.

• Lace: Which adds a delicate beauty to pretty much anything.

• Silk flowers: A fairly traditional decorative element that adds a touch of femininity to a fascinator.

Fascinators will usually come attached to one of three things: a comb, a clip, or a hair band.

Kike

• Hair band: It is the easiest fascinator attachment as it sits across the crown of your head, and supports the fascinator. Once you wear it, your fascinator won’t move.

• Comb: It is the most comfortable fascinator attachment an it works best with thick hair and updos, so that it has something to grip to.

• Clip: It is the most versatile of the three attachments as it can be worn with any hairstyle and hair type. It is usually used for small, lightweight fascinators.

Etiquette of wearing a fascinator • Yes, there are etiquette rules for wearing any type of fascinators.

Remember that others cannot see through your fabulous headwear, so out of kindness for others who may want to watch the goings-on, do not wear a fascinator at the symphony, movie theater, or any occasion with stadium seating.

• Also, if you are taller than your escort, you may not want to wear a towering fascinator.

Quick rules for styling a fascinator

Nkiru Anumudu

• A fascinator is usually worn to the side, and traditionally it is the right side.

• If your fascinator comes with an elastic strap, don’t wear it under your chin. Instead, wear it behind your ears and fasten it to the nape of your neck with bobby pins.

• Keep it in proportion to your head, body, and hairstyle size. For example, if you have a big head or big hear, do not wear a dainty fascinator.

• Keep your hairstyle simple so it does not distract from your fashion accessory. A simple ponytail, a slicked-back style, or a slightly-curled free-falling style look best.

• Keep it stylish and classy. There is no need to sport a 3-foot ostrich feather off the top of your head! Start small and simple.

• Consider the event you’re attending. If it’s the races, you can go as crazy as you like, but if it’s a friend’s wedding or a Christening, you may want to choose a more subdued fascinator.

• Think about what you are wearing, and choose a fascinator accordingly. Fussy dresses require simple fascinators, while a plain dress leaves more room for you to add drama with your choice of fascinator.

• Invest in a good hatbox to store your fascinator when not in use. This will keep it free of dust, and ensure it stays in perfect condition until the next time you wear it.

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

L5

Fashion & Style

Monaliza Chinda

Winnie

Bunmi

Leke Ajayi

Soraya Adji-Onyekweli Ene Maya-Lawani

Joy Ejiro

Beauty L6

8

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Nkarenyi Ukonu

ways to make your

pedicure last

Cuticle oil Top coat

It’s not uncommon to leave the salon and discover you have chipped nail polish. You can stub your toe, trip and scrape your new polish or smudge the color as you’re putting sandals on to leave. One sure way to damage your newly polished toes is to put on shoes. Even when you think your polish is dry the material can stick to newly-polished nails. Wearing shoes that are too tight increases your chances of a ruined pedicure. Besides, one may not have the luxury of time to get a nail salon appointment on a regular basis. Rather than leave out this beauty indulgence, learn how to get more mileage out of your polish.

Nice looking pedicured feet

Moisturizer

Rimmel nail polish

Pumice stone

Smooth it out: Having a nice polish on your toe nails can make your feet look more presentable but not if you have dry, callused skin. Use a pumice stone to regularly slough off dead skin from your feet to keep them soft, smooth and sandal worthy

Moisturize: If you’re not already moisturizing on a regular basis, it’s a must that you start.

Moisturizing your feet not only helps your pedicure look better by keeping your skin and cuticles soft and hydrated, but it also helps your feet stay smooth and look great in between trips to the salon.

Carry cuticle oil: Another way to make your pedicure last is to carry a cuticle oil and keep your feet soft, moisturized and prevent the polish from chipping. Having rough or dry cuticles can mean painful hangnails and unsightly rough skin. Keep a small bottle of cuticle oil in your bag or at your desk to apply on your cuticles and nails one to two times a day to prolong the life of your pedicure

Top your topcoat: The top coat that the manicurist applied in the salon typically wears

Save money with an at-home

pedicure

If you’re trying to save money, you can easily give yourself a pedicure at home in between salon visits.

off in a couple of days, so prevent your polish from chipping and keep your toes looking fresh with a touch-up. It helps the toes to maintain its high shine and luster.

Keep them covered: This tip might go against the whole point of getting a pedicure but it’s one to think about. Although we get pedicures in order to show off our well-groomed feet, constantly exposing them to the elements can lead to chipped or faded polish, or dry and rough skin. Of course it’s okay to wear open toed shoes and sandals, but make sure you protect your feet and keep them covered on days you can.

Avoid heat: You might think that once you get fast-dry top coat on your nails, you are pretty much good to go, but not quite. Nail polish takes about 12 hours to harden so if you get your pedicure and run to the sauna or jump in a hot tub, you’re running the risk of ruining your pedicure!

Bring your own polish: If you’re unsure whether your nail salon carries new bottles of polish, why not bring your own? Many salons use nail polish thinners to prolong the shelf life of nail polish, so if you want to ensure you’re really getting a fresh coat, bring your own nail olor. This way, you can do your own touch-ups if you accidentally smudge a toe nail.

Dodge fragrances: If you like to use scented body lotions, the fragrance in the lotion might not be great for your pedicure. Synthetic fragrances have been known to make nail polish crack, so when you’re moisturizing your feet, go for unscented lotions or use essential oils to keep your skin soft.

At home pedicure

• Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10 minutes to soften the skin and ease any aches and pains. To get the spa feeling, add a few drops of essential oil to the water for some instant aromatherapy.

• Wash your feet with an exfoliating scrub to get rid of rough patches and remove dead skin. Tackle particularly dry areas with a pumice stone.

• Trim nails making sure to trim straight across rather than in a curved fashion. This will help guard against painful ingrown toenails.

• Soften cuticles by massaging toes with cuticle oil.

• Moisturize feet with a rich cream, taking time to also massage tired calves and legs. Make sure there is no moisturizer left on your toes or the polish won’t adhere.

• Start with a clear base coat which will help stop nails from yellowing. Let dry and then add one coat of color.

• Add a second coat of color and then a top coat so polish lasts longer. Let dry for at least 30 minutes, which means no shoes and no running around.

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

L7 Interview

Models in Nigeria are poorly paid and not treated with respect Continued from L2 a do or die affair. I don’t need to listen to your immoral terms to get what I want, there are many ways to it. I can’t imagine myself falling into the trap.

What do you think about modeling as a career in Nigeria, especially against the backdrop of how well models are treated in the Western world?

If there is one major problem about modeling in Nigeria, it is that we are not treated with enough respect. Those from other countries are treated with so much respect, but here in Nigeria, it is as if we are the ones begging to do the jobs. Again, the remuneration is poor compared to the millions our counterparts earn in America and Europe.

Can you tell us more about your educational background?

I am a graduate of Medical Physiology. I get asked all the time what a young lady with my kind of degree is doing in the entertainment field. I studied medical physiology because I wanted to have a medical background and it has been working out well for me. I still have plans to further my education.

What fond childhood memories can you readily recall?

My childhood years were wonderful years. I was born in Benin, that was where I had my secondary school education. I grew up in a small knit family and I am the only girl. Growing up was fun. I thank God for the kind of childhood I had.

Where do you see yourself and your modeling agency five years from now?

In the next five years, I want my agency to become a household name, not just locally but internationally. I ac-

tually want to build that brand to its greatest height and the inspiration to do that comes from my cousin who is the originator of Nigeria’s Next Super Model (NNSM), Joan Okorodudu is not called the godmother of modeling agencies in Nigeria for nothing. She is my role model. She is a strong and hardworking woman. Sometimes I just look at her and say thank God we have the same blood running through our veins. She inspires me in so many ways. I want to be like her. Just like she has built her own brand, which is an international brand right now, I want mine to be on the lips of everyone, local and international. I was actually going through the newspapers yesterday and they were talking about top 80 brands around the world and NNSM was among the 80. I see my agency there in the next five years.

I want to be like her in the next five years.

Global fashion and beauty news Continued from L3

The real story behind the Peta, Hermes and Jane Birkin fiasco In the past few days, model and singer, Jane Birkin’s request for Hermès to remove her name from the iconic bag has caused wild spread media frenzy. Since the Birkin is highly regarded as the holy grail of fashion, with people willing to go on a year or multiyear-long waiting lists, some jumping the line by overpaying by up to 100 per cent, just to have a taste of owning it. To now think that fashion’s ultimate status symbol may bear a different name could be shocking to some and perhaps ‘sacrilegious’ to others.

Costing $10,000 per bag with the crocodile version going for up to $300,000, the Birkin bag is a symbol of wealth and is much-loved by celebrities. But the version made out of crocodile skin has attracted the ire of animal rights activists, Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which has prompted an outcry for a change of name by none other than the person it was named after. Results of investigations into the treatment of crocodiles and alligators used in the production of the luxury bags had earlier been published

by Peta, an exposé on crocodile farms from Texas to Zimbabwe, where the animals are allegedly crammed into barren concrete pits before being ‘crudely hacked’ to death. Peta said it takes two or three crocodiles to make one of the cherished handbags.

“At just one year old, alligators are shot with a captive-bolt gun or crudely cut into while they’re still conscious and able to feel pain,” said Peta.

For this reason, Jane who is the muse for the luxury bag is asking that the French company, makers of Hermes, remove her name from its crocodile-skin bag after learning of the cruel methods used to make the famous accessory.

“I have asked Hermès to debaptise the Birkin Croco until better practices in line with international norms can be put in place,” Birkin said in a statement. Aside from being the muse for the Hermès handbag, Birkin is best known for her No 1 hit, Je T’Aime (Moi Non Plus), written by and sung with her former husband, Serge Gainsbourg. In another interesting twist, the animal rights organization, famous for its shocking media campaigns, announced

that it has purchased a share in the French fashion house on the Paris stock exchange in order to put pressure on the company to end its sale of exotic-animal skins. Aside from ensuring that it will certainly help send the message to Hermès and other brands that their customers and celebrities do not want animals to be abused for vanity’s sake, it would help shore up publicity on the increasingly popular trend of cruelty-free, faux leather handbags made by designers such as British designer, Stella McCartney. This makes one to wonder if Peta’s move may potentially change the iconic handbag or Hermès in a major way. According to Antoinette Hunter, Managing Director of Lilac Blue Ltd, the largest purveyor of Hermès handbags in Europe, She said, “The impact on Hermès in the US and Western Europe may well be felt over the next few months.

The elite clientele will likely show some concern.” But she however doesn’t see it affecting sales across Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. So far, the luxury manufacturer has taken a relatively diplomatic approach to the incident, issuing a statement that an investigation is underway at the Texas farm and that the luxury house’s friendship and confidence shared with their celebrity muse, is not influenced in any way.

Hermes Birkin crocodile bag

Jane Birkin

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Showing on

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140 AMC Channel

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Wed, 5 Aug | PG13

A special military unit ventures into the Demilitarised Zone of Korea to destroy a North Korean nuclear power plant slated to start producing nuclear weapons. Adrian Paul, Michael Biehn, Mark Edward Anderson. (1997) Stephen Milburn Anderson.

101 M-Net West

00:00 Plastic 02:00 Crush 04:00 The Voice 05:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 06:00 The Goldbergs 06:30 Grey’s Anatomy 07:30 Grey’s Anatomy 08:30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 10:30 Mike & Molly 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Battle Creek 14:00 Elementary 15:00 Chicago PD 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 The Middle 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Modern Family 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Blacklist 20:30 CSI: Cyber

154 Africa Magic Family 00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Star Gist 01:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:30 Days Without Rain 08:55 Living With Trisha 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Jara 14:30 Family Ties 15:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 16:00 Prem

16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Mary Slessor 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Airtel Touching Lives 20:30 President For A Day 21:25 Family Ties 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 23:40 53 Extra

‘S3/E779 - 3/779’. Star Gist shines the spotlight on African and international celebrities. The show also features the latest news and takes you behind the scenes of magazine, movies and music video shoots.

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 QI

L8 TV guide

128 SONY MAX

00:25 Most Shocking 01:20 Sexy Car Wash 01:50 Rude Tube 02:20 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 00:30 The Weakest Link

11:00 My Family

01:20 Silent Witness

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

02:15 Total Wipeout UK

12:20 Top Gear

03:10 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:40 QI

14:15 Hell’s Kitchen USA

04:10 Top Gear

15:05 The Weakest Link

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

17:10 The Cube

06:30 EastEnders

18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 Dragons’ Den

07:55 The Weakest Link

20:05 Top Gear

08:45 The Cube

21:05 Hell’s Kitchen USA

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

22:00 Live At The Apollo

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:50 QI

155 AfricaMagic World 00:00 Music Block 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA 03:00 Music Block 04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 The Bleeding Heart 07:30 Star Gist 07:55 Star Gist 08:25 Star Gist 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Star Gist 14:30 Star Gist

02:45 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal 03:10 Hip Hop Squares 03:35 Most Shocking 04:30 South Beach Tow 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers 12:05 Video Zonkers 12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:35 South Beach Tow 15:05 Most Shocking 16:05 1000 Ways To Die 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Video Zonkers

15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Lies That Bind 16:00 The Dzigbordi Show 17:00 So Wrong So Wright 17:30 So Wrong So Wright 18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 18:55 Kumwesu 19:25 Kumwesu 20:00 The Mastermind

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Jerks With Cameras 20:30 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Sexy Car Wash

Dream Team retur ns, goes on break g X3

Poster!

PHILIPPE COUTINHO g X4-5 Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Bale

Ideal for RedDevils

–Robson g

, I s s e ‘INM FOR MexIcO FRIeNdly’ g

X7

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g X2 FeRNaNdez Backs PlatINI FOR FIFa tOP JOB

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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Iniesta

FErNaNdEz backs PlatINI For FIFa chaNgE

handed Barca armband

Andres Iniesta will take over as Barcelona captain following the departure of Xavi to Al-Sadd, it has been confirmed.

Iniesta had served as Xavi’s deputy in recent years and has been elected as the European champions’ skipper for the 2015-16 campaign by his team-mates.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were re-elected as second and third choices, while Javier Mascherano is now fourth in line for the armband.

Centre-back Gerard Pique has missed out, despite recently revealing he would like to captain his boyhood club one day.

E

x-France international Luis Fernandez has backed former team-mate Michel Platini to change FIFA’s ways if he becomes president of the governing body.

Platini, 60, has announced he will stand to replace Sepp Blatter, who is stepping down, in February’s election.

Fernandez, who was a team-mate of Platini’s in the national team in the early 1980s, believes the former midfielder can lead FIFA to change.

The body has endured several difficult months after a number of its officials were arrested in May. “If he becomes president of FIFA, I’m 100 per cent sure he’s got something in his mind,” Fernandez said.

“I know him and if he got this position, he’ll want to make progress, he’ll want to move forward, he’ll want to find

solutions.

“He’s like that, he’s someone who thinks that football needs to be more exposed, more open, so that everyone is able to play football, and join competitions.

“His project will be that in every country, the main project is football, the game, and that all the scheming stops. It’s something that probably irritated him when he learned about it.

“Some say he supported it, but he supported it during a short time, but then he realised he had to stop because he’s not someone like that. He wants to improve football.”

Platini is expected to have competition from the likes of former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon, Brazil great Zico and Liberia FA chairman Musa Bility.

Fernandez believes Platini has proven what he can do during his time as UEFA president, a position he was elected to in 2007.

OLISEH VOWS TO CRUSH TANZANIA

N

Iniesta

igeria coach Sunday Oliseh has said the Super Eagles have to beat hosts Tanzania next month so as to stay on track for qualification to the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

The Eagles are second in their qualifying group behind Egypt with only the group winners’ guaranteed automatic passage to Gabon 2017.

The three-time African champions failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

“The match in Dar es Salaam is very, very crucial, not only because it will

Platini

be my first match as head coach, but also because we have no choice than to win. The three points are important for us to keep up the tempo in our group,” said Oliseh.

“We are on the same three points with Egypt, though they have scored a goal more. That is why we cannot afford any slip along the way.

“We will deal first with the match in Tanzania, and then we will start thinking about the CHAN qualifiers with Burkina Faso in October, and then the World Cup qualifying fixture in November (against Zanzibar or Djibouti).”

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

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X3

Robbers attack Giwa FC Chijioke Kingsley,

Dream Team line up before a match.

DREAM TEAM RETURNS, GOES ON BREAK Andrew Ekejiuba Sports Editor

H

ead Coach of the U-23 National Team, Samson Siasia has given his players a one-week break to go and unwind, rest with their families and get set for the task ahead.

Addressing the players before departing Pointe Noire for Nigeria, Siasia warned the boys to remain focused and be good ambassadors of the team in their various clubs as any negative

report from their clubs will be taken serious by the team’s management.

Led by chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the U-23 team delegation landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja few minutes after noon on Tuesday, aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight after they booked their place at the 2015 CAF Championship by edging past Congo at the weekend.

Nigeria beat Congo 2-1 on aggregate

after they drew 0-0 in Pointe Noire on Sunday.

The team will now go on a week-long break to reconvene in Abuja and prepare for next month’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

They are drawn in Group B along with defending champions Ghana, Egypt and Senegal.

The All Africa Games will serve as a litmus test for the CAF U-23 Championship, which is the African zone qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

RecoRd bUy ‘AyAyA’ joins AbiA WARRioRs

T

he first player to command a million Naira transfer fee in the Nigerian league Emeka Nwanna aka ‘Ayaya’ has joined Abia Warriors on loan till the end of the season.

The striker made history in 2001, when Enyimba splashed a then record fee of a million Naira to sign him from Rangers.

‘Ayaya’ revealed that he decided to pitch his tent with the Umuahia outfit to contribute his quota towards the realization of the club’s aspirations.

The former Calabar Rovers, Heartland of Owerri and Kwara Utd hitman, said Abia Warriors are professionally run and now hopes to help the club pick a continental ticket at the end of the season.

“I love Umuahia because I started my career here with then NEPA Football Club of Umuahia when I was still in the secondary school and I had hoped to return here one day and when the opportunity came, I never hesitated to seize it with both hands,” said Nwanna, who has also played for clubs in Tunisia and Qatar.

Nwanna

Jos The players and officials of Giwa Football Club of Jos were attacked by armed robbers on their way to play NPFL side, Abia Worriors FC in Umuahia.

Confirming the incident, in a telephone interview, Media Officer of the team, Sammy Adesoji, told our correspondent that they were attacked around Okigwe, in Imo State.

Narrating their ordeal, Adesoji said, “We were around Okigwe, at about 9pm on Monday, on our way to Umuahia to play Abia Worriors, when we sighted a roadblock, so our driver slowed down, only to discover that the people stopping us were armed robbers.

“They were carrying guns, and forced our driver out of the car, and gave him serious beating and now he is receiving medical attention.

“The robbers told the players that they are aware that their salaries are paid promptly so they should bring their money, phones, ipads among others.

He added that, “…as they were collecting our items, they heard a patrol team approaching and so took to their heels into the forest.”

“Honestly we thank God and commend the effort of the security patrol team who rescued and escorted us to our destination”.

Dstv League: NBBF suspends 3 refs Vivian Chioma Orekyeh

In a bid to give the game of basketball a sound footing in Nigeria, the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has suspended three referees for alleged incompetence and improper and unprofessional conduct during the Savannah Conference 6 Challenge held in Kano between July 21 and 26.

The suspension will be in place pending investigation of the matter which occurred during a crucial game that was reportedly mishandled by the trio.

The suspended referees are Mohammed Keybir, Isa Aliyu and Abdullahi Galoji.

Meanwhile, the NBBF has continued with programmes to ensure that referees are well equipped to handle matches in the various leagues in the country as well as replace some of those who have retired.

Towards this end, a Special Female Basketball Referees Clinic was held during the recently concluded Zenith League finals in Lagos.

According to the referee instructor, Popoola Babatunde, 12 referees who participated in the clinic were taken through fitness, written and practical tests and only five were successful.

“The participants were able to learn more about basketball officiating within the three days the clinic lasted. They were taken through the rules of the game, mechanics of officiating, game management and psychology of officiating basketball,” he said.

To be certified fit to officiate league matches, the instructor said, the participants were expected to score 100% in fitness test as well as 60% each in the written and practical tests.

The successful participants, he disclosed, include Amoo Abosede, Abdsalam Nimat, Abidogun Olawunmi, Aina Margaret and Yahaya Rukayat.

NBA coaches commence Top 50 Camp in Lagos Kenneth Adeyemi

U

nited States of America-based Masai Ujiri alongside five other NBA coaches are working with 18 Nigerian coaches at the Top 50 Camp in Lagos to ensure the players get quality training.

The Top 50 Camp which is a Nestle Milo project for the Nigerian youths is targeted at exposing the enormous potential of Nigerian youths and abundant basketball talent in the country.

Ujiri said the Nestle Milo Top 50 Camp Program is the only organized one in the

country which is result-oriented for the growth of the game of basketball.

“Apart from teaching them the basics and fundamentals in basketball, they learn other life values. Our Milo Top 50 Camp is planned, here we talk of timing and how to interact with others.

“It is not all the players that make it to the NBA, but they can play in other leagues across the globe,’’ he said.

One of the coaches Jama Mahlaela of Toronto Raptors who is working with Ujiri described some of the kids as bundle of

talent, noting that what they need at this stage is proper guidance, grooming and close monitoring.

The Brand Manager Nestle Milo, Bola Audu says the brand will continue to instill the values of hard work, fair play, discipline and team.

“Nestle’s reward as regards the basketball project is the smiles on faces of these players.

We regard the Top 50 Camp as the icing on the cake where the players are exposed to quality training under the supervision of world class coaches,” she said.

Ujiri

Philippe Coutinho Philippe Coutinho Correia June 12, 1992 (age 22) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ) 1.71 m (5 ft 7 1⁄ Attacking midfielder/Winger Liverpool 10

Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama Inter Milan Espanyol (loan) Liverpool

Brazil U-17 Brazil U-20 Brazil

Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:

Youth career 1999–2008:

Senior career 2009–2010: 2010–2013: 2012: 2013–Present:

National team 2009: 2011–2012: 2010–Present:

INFORMATION

PERSONAL

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EURO TRANSFERS

Bale

BRIEFS

Barca win race for Gerson

Barcelona have allegedly beaten off competition from Roma to land Brazilian prospect Gerson from Fluminense, according to reports.

The 18-year-old is one of the most exciting talents currently plying their trade in South America and has courted interest from a host of big European clubs this summer.

ideal for United, says Robson

Akpom joins Hull on season loan

S

igning Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale would make Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal “a very happy man” in the wake of Angel di Maria’s imminent departure, according to Bryan Robson.

With Di Maria on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain after just one season at Old Trafford, Bale has once again been linked with a move to United, despite Real boss Rafael Benitez’s insisting the 26-year-old Wales international is not for sale.

Former United captain Robson, who won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time in Manchester, believes Bale is just the player for Van Gaal.

“Bringing Bale in would be a really good signing if it was to happen,” said the 58-year-old.

“The good thing with Bale, and this is what the manager likes, is he can play in two different positions - he can play wide coming in and also as a centre-forward.

“It will be really difficult but if the manager can add him to the squad I think he will be a happy man.”

Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom has moved to Hull City on a season loan.

The arrival of Akpom is a big boost for manager Steve Bruce who has been keen to improve his attacking options following their relegation from the Premier League in May. Londoner Akpom travelled to East Yorkshire on Sunday night ahead of completing his move.

Pogba

joins Thistle

Partick Thistle have completed the signing of Mathias Pogba, brother of France and Juventus star Paul Pogba. The 24-year-old striker joins on a one-year-deal with the option to extend by a further year.

He spent the second half of last season with Crawley Town, where he scored 2 goals in 17 appearances for the League One side.

Villa, Liverpool chase Barca’s Traore

Leno hints at Leverkusen exit

Bernd Leno is eager to play for a top international club outside the Bundesliga but maintains he is happy at Bayer Leverkusen for the time being. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has impressed at the BayArena since moving from Stuttgart in 2011 and was linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid last season.

However, Leno maintains he would welcome a move to one of Europe’s top clubs at some stage in his career.

Gradel agrees Bournemouth return

Bale

Pedro will decide his own future –Enrique

Premier League new boys Bournemouth have completed the signing of Max Gradel from SaintEtienne, subject to international clearance. Gradel returns to Dean Court having previously played for the club on loan in 2007-08. After agreeing an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old, Bournemouth have handed Gradel - who becomes Eddie Howe’s seventh new signing - a four-year contract.

Mel makes case for Ceballos

Real Betis coach Pepe Mel insisted Dani Ceballos will be in the squad for the team’s opening La Liga match, despite interest from Real Madrid. Ceballos - out of contract at the end of the 2015-16 season has been linked with a move to Real in recent weeks after playing a key role in Spain’s successful Under-19 European Championship campaign.

Real are reportedly willing to loan the 18-year-old back to Betis, however Mel is confident of keeping hold of the starlet.

Pedro

B

arcelona head coach Luis Enrique says Pedro will decide his own future amid continued links to Manchester United.

Enrique is keen for Pedro to stay at Camp Nou, but the Spain forward is believed to be open to a move in search of more regular first-team football with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez well established as Barca’s first-choice front three.

On Tuesday, it was put to the former Celta Vigo boss that Pedro would be missed should one of Messi, Neymar and Suarez pick up an injury.

Enrique replied: “Maybe some players might leave but right now there’s nothing to comment on.

“I don’t like to talk about hypotheses. It’s not nice to talk about negatives, I like to think things will work well.

“We’re prepared to deal with problems that may arise over the season.

“He’s a fantastic top-class player who won everything and showed for club and country what he can do.

“I want him to stay, I’ve known him since the B team, but there’s no changes and if there are changes that will be down to the player.”

Barca’s penultimate pre-season friendly comes against Roma in the Joan Gamper Trophy today before the Supercopa Espana against Sevilla next week.

A

ston Villa are aiming to beat Liverpool to the signing of Barcelona winger Adama

Traore.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Traore, with reports in Spain claiming he was set to fly into Merseyside to hold talks and undergo a medical.

However, Villa have now entered the race for Traore and are hoping to be given permission to talk to the 19-year-old about a move to the Premier League.

Villa are ready to offer €10 million to Barcelona for Traore, with the Catalan club looking to include a buyback option in any deal for the winger before sanctioning his departure.

The Spain under-19 international has come through the ranks at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy

Romagnoli

but has been unable to establish himself, making just four appearances for the club.

The teenager is keen on a move away in search of regular first-team football and Villa believe this could give them a big advantage over Liverpool in the race for the winger’s signature with competition for places more intense at Anfield than at Villa Park.

Arsenal, Chelsea in transfer war for Romagnoli

A

ccording to reports, Arsenal and Chelsea are both targeting Roma defender Alessio Romagnoli.

The young centre-back has been compared to former Lazio and AC Milan star Alessandro Nesta, who lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and the Champions League twice during his decade at the San Siro.

Arsenal and Chelsea pursuits of the junior Italy international, who boasts 27 caps for Azzurri across the youth levels, have been made considerably easier by fellow suitors AC Milan dropping out of the race to sign him.

New manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, who oversaw Romagnoli’s development during a 30-game loan spell at Sampdoria last season, was willing to pay as much as £20million for the 6 foot 2 centreback, but negotiations between the clubs have ground to a halt.

It’s believed Roma want in excess of £25million – but whether Arsenal or Chelsea are willing to meet that valuation remains to be seen.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

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Mourinho relishing relationship with Abramovich

Messi J not

RULed oUt oF Mexico FRiendLy –MaRtino

L

Messi

ionel Messi has not been ruled out of Argentina’s friendly against Mexico in Texas in September, according to Coach Gerardo Martino.

After Messi led Argentina to the Copa America final in Chile in June, the Barcelona star indicated he wanted a short break from international duty after being criticised for failing to end his nation’s major trophy drought, which extends back to 1993.

But Martino said he was not aware the 28-year-old is unavailable, ahead of him finalising his squad for the September 8 clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

“Messi is not absent from the friendly match,” Martino told reporters.

“The evidence will be next week, when I will give the list.”

Martino also defended his captain, claiming Messi was a victim of his own supreme ability - much like Diego Maradona.

“I should not give my opinion on this. No analysis resists a debate against Messi,” he added.

“His best performance with Argentina was by far in the last Copa America.

“The same thing happened to Maradona before the World Cup in 1986.

“As an Argentinian, it would be a total disappointment if Messi wouldn’t ever play again in the national team.”

Benitez explains Ronaldo’s Audi Cup absence R

eal Madrid coach Rafael Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from his squad for the Audi Cup is due to a back problem rather than any fallout between the pair.

Ronaldo and strike partner Karim Benzema will not feature in the pre-season competition in Munich due to back and thigh injuries respectively.

The Portugal captain’s absence follows reports of disagreements between Ronaldo and Benitez in training - something the latter has been quick to deny.

However, the former Napoli boss maintains Ronaldo is simply not being risked, with Real getting their La Liga campaign underway on August 23 at Sporting Gijon.

“He’s a great professional and someone who is very competitive, he wants to win every single small game or situation,” Benitez said.

“I’m really pleased to work with him, I’m sorry because he’s not here, but there’s no problems between us. I said before, he’s a very competitive player so I am pleased with that.

“He had a lower back problem so we decided to leave him there.”

Ronaldo

ose Mourinho has revealed his previous differences with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich are long behind him and they now enjoy a harmonious relationship.

The Chelsea boss was sacked

by Abramovich in 2007 despite claiming two titles in his first three seasons at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho departing after an indifferent start to the 2007-08.

Trophy-laden spells with Inter and Real Madrid followed before the 52-year-old was lured back to the Premier League by Chelsea in 2013, Mourinho winning his third English title in his second campaign back at the club.

As Chelsea prepare to begin their latest title defence against Swansea City this weekend, Mourinho is delighted with his working environment.

“In my first period, my personal relationship with Abramovich was very good but professionally we had some interferences and a bit of a disagreement with some ideas,” he said.

“In this moment we don’t have this problem. When I left Real Madrid to come here, Mr Abramovich asked me to fight for titles.

“In my first season we were almost there, in my second season we did it and in my third season if you are close, you can always do it.”

Kukesi punished after Europa League abandonment

U

EFA has handed Legia Warsaw a 3-0 victory after their Europa League thirdqualifying-round first leg with Kukesi was abandoned after 52 minutes.

Last week’s clash was halted early in the second half after a Legia player was injured by an object apparently thrown from the crowd in Tirana after the visitors had taken a 2-1 lead.

UEFA’s match delegate formally abandoned the fixture following the incident, and Kukesi have now been punished ahead of the return leg in

Warsaw on Thursday.

A UEFA statement read: “The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has decided to declare the match FK Kukesi against Legia Warsaw as forfeited.

“As a consequence, FK Kukesi is deemed to have lost the first leg 3-0. In addition, the Albanian club has been ordered to play their next two UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors.

“The second match behind closed doors is deferred for a probationary period of two years. FK Kukesi have also been fined €70,000.”

Ferdinand: Di Maria will regret Man Utd failure!

F

ormer Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Paris SaintGermain-bound winger Angel di Maria will regret his failure at Old Trafford.

Di Maria is on the brink of joining PSG after he was pictured in Doha ahead of his reported medical in the Qatari capital on Monday.

The Argentina international’s imminent switch to the French champions comes just 12 months on from his record £59.7million move to Manchester, where he failed to settle despite enjoying a bright start to life at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with United, said Di Maria’s reputation has been tarnished forever.

“He will now always have on his CV that he was a failure at Man United,” Ferdinand said.

“As a professional, I wouldn’t want something like that on my record. If I could rectify it by staying and trying to prove myself, I would have done that.

“As a fan, I would have liked for him to stay there and prove he can

Di Maria perform for Man United. That is what we all wanted to see when the club paid so much for him last summer, but that isn’t happening, it seems.

“I can understand why some fans are disappointed that he is leaving so soon, but this is a business. United may have looked at it this summer and manager Louis van Gaal has probably come to the conclusion that he doesn’t fit into his system for whatever reason. At that point, you have to cash in.”

X8

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME Mr. Uchenna Duru is the head coach of the New Arrival Martial Art Club. He has contributed immensely to the success story of Nigeria in Karate by winning medals for three different states, namely Ekiti, Ondo and Edo at the National Sports Festival. Duru attributed his breakthrough in the sport as a result of his dedication, hard work and love for the game. In this exclusive interview with YETUNDE RAJI the experienced Karataker opens up on his journey to stardom, his challenges, achievements and aspirations.

Excerpts:

hindering the development of our game.

But we are still looking forward to making the game more popular and competitive like football, table tennis and basketball.

Today, we have people holding ND, HND and Diploma certificates who as practitioners of the sport.

Are you married?

Yes, with one child.

Why did you take to Karate as a sport?

I started learning Karate as a means of selfdefence, and I discovered that as a sporting activity it has a means of making practitioners gain physical fitness. Though some people may see it as a mere sport, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way of life for me.

What efforts are you making to attract the attention of government to the plight of your club?

Frankly, government has not helped us in any way, but we are seeking for help from government and individuals so that we can move the sport forward.

We are hoping to make our requests soon to the appropriate authorities for help in this regard.

What are the challenges you have faced in the sport?

After I stopped featuring at the National Sports festival, I believed thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need for me to develop younger generation of Nigerians in Karate. So, when we started the New Arrival Martial Art Club there were no facilities to train with; and a lot of people were criticizing us for venturing into the sport, but we thank God that we have moved forward in the game.

As you can see, we are training in an open space where people are parking their cars and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no proper funding whenever we are going for competitions which is seriously

Which competition is your club looking forward to?

We just finished one competition two weeks ago; it was the 2nd Zalinab Sale International Female Open Karate Championship.

Karatakers from other countries like Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic participated in the competition where my team finished third.

We won only a silver medal and we are preparing for another competition. You can see us training right away.

Our next competition is coming up on August 22, at Rowe Park, Yaba, tagged as South West U-18 Karate Championship, and all

My

INTERVIEW the karatakers from all the states in Nigeria are going to take part in the competition.

How is your club preparing for the championship?

We are preparing very well for the competition, and as you can see, we are in a training session ahead of the event.

Only three karatakers in my club are going to participate in the championship.

What are your expectations at the competition?

We are aiming to win every available medal at the competition because my athletes have trained very well for the event and they are good to go!

How long have you been into karate?

This year will make it 18 years since I started practicing karate.

Frankly, I embraced the sport in 1997 and I have represented three states, namely, Ekiti, Ondo, and Edo at the National Sports Festival.

I won medals in those three competitions I featured in at the National Sports Festival.

R e m e m b e r,

life, My

at the National Sports Festival you can only be allowed to feature in three editions, after that, the organisers will want to see new faces and that was why I decided to discover more athletes for the game from the grassroots.

I started my own dojo (training ground) in 2011, that is four years ago, and my ambition was to help in the grassroots development of the sport.

However, during trainings, I often make these budding karatakers know that karate is also a way of life!

What is your favourite colour?

Purple is it!

Any advice for athletes who may want to take to karate as a sport?

My advice for the people out there is just to let them know that karate is not a dangerous sport anymore and to also let them understand that we have bankers, lawyers, and even police officers who are involved in the sport.

Practitioners of the sport do have the opportunity of representing Nigeria and winning medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other international championships which is inspiring.

There are other professional karatakers outside the country earning a living through the sport.

Therefore, my appeal is that we need the help of government to make the sport more competitive and attractive by sponsoring major events in Nigeria.

Karate!

Duru opens up on his love for the martial art sport

Duru