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Drama as Saraki’s lawyers walk out on tribunal Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe trial of Senate President Bukola

Saraki for alleged false assets declaration ran into an abrupt halt on Thursday at the

Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as lawyers representing Saraki staged a walkout in protest describing the trial as “judicial rascality.”

The lawyers about 20 in number led by

ÏDSS stops Dasuki’s medical trip abroad g6

Saka Isau (SAN), Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Mahmud Magaji (SAN) stormed out of the tribunal leaving their client in the dock Continued on page 2

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ÏAvoid waste, Buhari tells ministers-designate g2 ÏBuhari, VP, 36 Govs for HID Awolowo’s burial g24

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.225

Who wears the

Crown?

•Grace Oyelude First Miss Nigeria (1957)

•Ezinne Akudo Out-Going Miss Nigeria

SPECIAL GUESTS OF HONOUR Prof. Wole Soyinka Nobel Laureate

GUESTS OF HONOUR

Dame Grace Oyelude First Miss Nigeria (1957)

CHIEF CUSTODIANS Aremo Olusegun Osoba Doyen of the Daily Times family and former Governor of Ogun

Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi Former Managing Director Daily Times of Nigeria

•Gov. Willie Obiano •Mr. Babatunde Fashola •Sen. Remi Tinubu •Nduka Obaigbena •Sam Amuka •Innocent Okparadike •Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo •Raymond Dokpesi •Others

Venue: The Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Green Carpet: ǀƍƌ Ï^ƏƆé&ƒƆ Ɛë ƣƍƌ ÏShow Starts: 8pm prompt THE JUDGES

Adebola Williams

Betty Irabor

Chioma Ude

Helen Prest Ajayi

Jumoke Adenowo

Lanre Da Silva Ajayi

Mai Atafo

Mariam Mohammed

Ruth Osime

Wunmi Ogunbiyi

News 2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Confusion as Saraki’s lawyers storm out of tribunal

Ïd&` ^ Ɠ Ɛ M Ɛ ƍƏ ƄƆ dƆ ƐƆ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛô ƋƆ Ƌ ƐƆ ƌ Continued from page 1 without counsel.

This is even as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Thursday called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate the conduct of lawyers to Saraki, for walking

out on the CCT. Drama unfolded when the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, ruled that the trial will continue in view of the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Act 2015.

He dismissed an oral application by the defence counsel for a stay of pro-

ceeding pending the determination of an appeal lodged by Saraki at the Supreme Court.

Mahmud Magaji (SAN), who moved the oral application, had said it is one of the known Law that when a matter is pending at a superior court, the lower court must stay proceedings.

The ruling angered Magaji (SAN) and he announced the withdrawal of his service.

“I cannot be part of this judicial rascality,” he told the judge.

Ahmed Raji (SAN) also told the tribunal it is “most impossible to participate in the proceeding where

an appeal is pending at the Supreme Court”. They stormed out of the tribunal at about 12noon.

The Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the tribunal that the accused is entitled to a lawyer of his choice. He said Saraki should decide whether to defend himself or consult another lawyer.

Saraki, who sat in the dock said: “I found myself

in a new terrain. I will appeal to the lawyers to come back and if they refuse, I will approach another lawyer.”

“Mr. Chairman, if I am to brief another lawyer, it will take time and it would take one month to go through all the processes”, Saraki pleaded.

In his response, Prosecution Counsel, Jacobs said Continued on page 6

39th Miss Nigeria emerges Saturday Enakeno Oju

ÏÏÏCome

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Avoid waste, conserve resources, Buhari tells ministers-designate Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said, as vehicles that would administer the change agenda, the 36 ministers-designate must ensure reduction in government expenditures by avoiding waste and conserving resources.

The President also told them that they must route all their official communications and appointments to the Presidency through the office of the Chief of Staff, ostensibly to reduce unnecessary contacts and a situation whereby some ministers will burst into his office without due clearance.

He urged them, also, to uphold the high standard of probity and integrity that Nigerians eagerly expected of them.

Buhari spoke at a twoday presidential retreat with the ministers-desig-

nate taking place at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “You are coming on board the ship of governance at an interesting time. So much has been said about the state of our economy. It is expected that we make the running of Government at all levels as lean as possible, avoid waste and conserve resources. As Ministers, you must be the vehicle that will administer the change.

“You must keep in touch with your fellow ministers and share information, so that the conduct of government will be more efficient.

In addition, all communication and appointments from you to the Presidency should be routed through the Office of the Chief of Staff as is normal in this Presidential System.”

The President also emphasized that his administration’s economic fo-

cus would be policies that would ensure inclusive growth, saying “we will count our achievements based on the number of Nigerians we move out of poverty.”

He said the ministersdesignate and indeed all officials must count themselves privileged to have been chosen among millions of Nigerians at this time to be the instruments that would deliver the change his administration had promised.

“The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense. The expectations of Nigerians are high. Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge.

“I have invited you to join me in this urgent mission for our country.

I am convinced that in accepting this invitation you are also equally determined to take part in this patriotic undertak-

ing,” Buhari stated.

The President also charged that their main task was to turn the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto promises to practice and results, saying that they should equally live up to the high standard of probity and integrity expected of them.

He said: “Over the next two days I expect you to have a better understanding of the context in which we have taken the challenge of serving our country, as well as the strategies we have adopted to tackle them. I would also expect you to be even more determined to work as a team, and to live up to the high standards of probity and integrity which Nigerians expect of us.”

President Buhari said discussions at the retreat would emphasize the need to observe the rule of law so as to ensure that impunity was removed from government conduct.

Saturday, November 7, 2015, the grand finale of the Miss Nigeria Competition organised by Daily Times Nigeria will take place at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

This year, the 39th Queen will be crowned.

The winner will wear the Miss Nigeria crown, “a 14k yellow gold - regal piece of jewellery designed by Tebazile.

According to the Publisher, Fidelis Anosike, the pageant has gone through a metamorphosis of image re-vamp and they are determined to present women of pride and dignity that will serve as role models to women in the country and in Diaspora.

In his words, “Miss Nigeria showcases positive attributes of Nigerian women and encourages entrepreneurial empowerment in the young women that participate. The winner portrays exemplary qualities and serves as a role model for young women in the country and in Diaspora.

“We maintain our cultural standard the pageant has eliminated exposure of body parts by not competing or including a swimsuit pageant segment”, he added.

He stated that, this year the girls represent the 36 states of the federation, to promote the concept of unification amongst Nigerians and dissuade tribalism.

Speaking on Thursday at Eko hotel in Lagos, one of the judges and mentors to the contestants, Dr. May Ikeora, an ex-beauty

queen, entrepreneur and an academician who holds a Ph.D in Law from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, said she thinks the contestants are quite impressive, intelligent and ready to learn.

“This year’s theme is the ‘Metamorphosis’, it is a beginning of a new Miss Nigeria which remains a platform for women empowerment”, she said.

On the judging criteria, she said there would be an In-house competition and performance at the grand finale.

According to her, “the basis of elimination Inhouse is based on personality and comportment in the house while at the grand finale they will be assessed based on looks and beauty; stage presence; poise, calm and confidence; connection with the audience and responses to questions to be asked”.

An interesting dimension of this year’s competition is the fact that the Bank of Industry BOI has partnered with the organisers to present a business challenge. The winner will be given a loan to start up a business.

According to Mrs Betsy Obaseki, of BOI, the criteria for selection was first, the uniqueness of the business idea, elements of innovation, attractiveness, practicability, capacity to execute, implementability, viability, realistic budget, desirability to BOI, articulation during presentation, value addition, product differentiation and knowledge of industry.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Menace of gully erosion in South East

I

f there is any topic that has dominated national discourse in recent times, it is that of gully erosion in the South East geopolitical zone. Indeed, this ravaging force of nature in the zone and other parts of the country is not only alarming but also concentrating minds on how to combat the menace. The formation of gullies has become one of the greatest environmental disasters facing many towns and villages in southeastern Nigeria.

The region is fast becoming hazardous for human habitation, even as the governors are demanding the imposition of a state of emergency as a necessary step towards checking the scourge. The sheer magnitude of the problem is not only beyond the capability of the regional authorities to handle, the gullies have sacked towns and villages while forcing thousands of residents to relocate to safer communities.

Worst hit among the erosion prone areas are the towns of Nanka and Ekwulobia in Anambra State, where large tracts of land have been destroyed in recent years, even as highways running through them have been ruined by yawning gullies, leading to numerous accidents and deaths. In fact, the menace of gully erosion in the South East has reached an epidemic intensity.

However, it is noteworthy that the scale of the problem is eliciting both national and international attention.

Only recently, some Senators visited the affected areas and promised to bring Federal Government’s attention to the menace. Before the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the immediate past government of Goodluck Jonathan said it was negotiating with the World Bank to raise $400m special fund to tackle erosion in the South East. So far,

Nigerians are yet to know the status of that fund since the Jonathan administration left office. This should not be so, given that government is a continuum.

Aside, the South East, the incidence of gully erosion is rearing its head in places such as Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Kogi states. That is why the authorities must act immediately to halt the spread before the fury extends to other parts of the country. Before then, it is pertinent that state governments and other stakeholders carry out sensitisation campaigns on the causes of gully erosions.

It is embarrassing that until now, the authorities have continued to pay scant attention in this regard.

It bears repeating that some gullies result from natural cracks in the earth, even as most of are unnatural causes that can be prevented. Majority of them are traceable to bad management practices such as roads without proper drainage or catchments; unguided farming practices that cause flooding, indiscriminate felling of trees and improper channeling of floodwater. For long, there have been calls for funding of huge engineering projects to curb erosion menace in the country.

In the meantime, we call for immediate control measures that include reduction of surface runoff from impervious surfaces; drainage of surface runoff that would include the construction of interception ponds.

Most importantly, the people should be encouraged to plant grasses in open spaces to reduce the amount of bare soils exposed to the erosive force of the rains.

In addition, there should be intense forestation in areas more susceptible to gully formation including the planting of indigenous leguminous plants to stave further menace.

Buhari must rise against sycophants Segun Adio

ÎÎÎHere

we go again.

There are increasing calls now on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari come 2019. This repeated calls for tenure extension for the newlyinstalled government is getting louder by the day.

We are only five months into this administration and some political sycophants are already calling on the president to step into the ring again and contest the next general election.

The latest call was credited to a former governor

of Sokoto State and a serving senator, Aliyu Wamakko. He was said to have, last Wednesday, hosted some students where he ‘insulted’ them with his strange request.

“We cannot expect miracle from the president in view of the enormous damage done to the country, he needs to be given opportunity to be around beyond 2019.” These were Wamakko’s words.

In truth, four years may be grossly inadequate to clean up the mess left behind by successive administrations in the country.

But concerns are now being raised over these political jobbers calling on the president to run for a second term at this time

Words On Marble :

in the life of this administration.

The truth is that no one alive today in Nigeria would be able to clean up the so-called mess even in eight years, and so no one should actually be expecting any miracle from this government. But, there is enough time to correct some of the mistakes of the past while not necessarily attempting to right all wrongs of the past.

Senator Wamakko and those in the same school of thought should maintain sealed lips for the time being and allow President Buhari concentrate on this four years ahead of him. Enough of nonsensical patronage by self-seeking supporters.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

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

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike Group Executive Commercial/ Business Developement Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08086296714 Group Head Accounts & Control Samson Abiodun

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

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

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Muhammadu Buhari

Ebenezar Babatope

Tonye Princewill

“The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense…

Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge.”

‘’Those who love this country must drum it to the ears of the Hausa/Fulani nomads that they should kindly allow peace to rein in the Southwest. They must not take us for granted’’.

“Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a loser.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

5 News

Ooni: Palace workers express doubt over work termination

Lagos Assembly to hold town hall meeting in 40 constituencies

Sodiq Adekunle , Osogbo

Alade Tasma

ÎÎÎSome

palace workers during the reign of former Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, have expressed doubt that they may not be retained by Ooni-elect, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

It would be recalled that Oba Sijuwade joined his ancestors on July 28, 2015 at a London hospital after a brief illness.

Since the emergence of

Prince Ogunwusi, traditional rites have commenced immediately with a series of initiations that would last for 21 days at Ilofi shrine.

During the rites, Ogunwusi would be taken through the rudiments of his duties as the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition.

According to tradition, the new Ooni would not resume at the palace until the coronation rites are completed.

When our correspondent

visited the palace on Thursday, a retired soldier and the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Sunday Oyewande, who was employed by the late Oba Sijuwade was still on duty.

According to the CSO, he has worked in the palace for 28 years and willing to work with the next Ooni.

The CSO said, “I cannot talk to you about the security of the palace. I would only tell you that we really missed our late Kabiyesi (monarch).

He brought me here from the Nigeria Army.”

Also, the media aide to the late traditional ruler, Mr. Funmilola Olorunnisola, said when the new Ooni completes his coronation rites, he was not sure whether he would serve the Ooni-elect.

“I served the late Ooni for 30 years. I’m 65-years-old now. The late Ooni brought me to the palace despite the fact that I’m not from Ile-Ife. “I’m from Ijebu-Jesa. I will

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; European Union Commissioner for Trade, Mrs. Cecilia Malmstrom and European Union Ambassador/Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS, Amb. Michel Arrion during the 4th EU-Nigeria Business Forum held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos… on Thursday

just say that the decision is for our new Ooni whether I would serve him or not,” he added.

Mallam Sa’ad Isa, an indigene of Katsina State, who has been in the palace of Ooni of Ife for the past 15 years as the Ooni’s trumpeter, said his position was not different from others.

Isa, who was popularly known as Kakaki-Ooni, meaning the Ooni’s trumpeter, said the late Ooni got him from the late Emir Muhammadu Kabir Usman of Katsina.

While speaking flawless Yoruba language, the trumpeter expressed his willingness to continue with the new monarch.

Expressing doubt on whether Prince Ogunwusi would retain him, Isa said, “The late Oba Sijuwade, during one of his visits to Emir Kabir Usman told the Emir that he wanted me to follow him to Ile-Ife and remain in Ife permanently, to blow the Kakaki at his palace.

“Emir Kabir Usman released me and that was how I moved to Ife 15 years ago.

My family is in Ile-Ife. My children have married in Ife and I would prefer to continue with the new Ooni if he wants me, but if he does not want me, I will go back to Katsina.”

Contempt: Court adjourns suit against FRCN boss Titilope Joseph

ÎÎÎThe Federal High Court

in Lagos, on Thursday adjourned an application, filed by members of the Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, seeking to commit the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Jim Obazee to prison for contempt of court, till November 20.

The matter was adjourned by the presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang following a plea by the counsel to Obazee, Emmanuel Akpudugu, urging the court for more time to file his response to the application.

The lawyer to the defendants, Akpudugu informed the court that he had just been briefed on the case and he would require a short adjournment to file his response.

In the application, the shareholders want the FRCN boss jail over the implementation of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria- Guidelines/Regulations for Inspection and Monitoring of Reporting entities, published as Notice 94 in the official gazette of government dated October 6, 2014 (FRCN Regulations) despite being aware of a suit pending before the court challenging the financial

regulations which formed the basis on which Stanbic IBTC Bank and its directors were sanctioned.

The suit, which was filed by 10 members of the Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, led by the Chairman, Chief Timothy Adesiyan is also challenging the implementation of the FRCN regulations, despite the fact that there is a suit before the court, since February 27, 2015, challenging the FRCN regulations.

Through a letter that was signed by Obazee, the FRC sanctioned Stanbic IBTC over its audited accounts for 2013 and 2014 and suspended the Financial Report-

ing Numbers of the bank’s chairman, Mr. Atedo Peterside, and its chief executive, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, and also barred them forthwith from vouching for the integrity of any financial statements in Nigeria.

The FRC also suspended two other directors – Mr. Arthur Oginga and Dr. Daru Owei – for attesting to what it termed the “misleading” 2013 and 2014 financial accounts of Stanbic IBTC, as well as Ayodele Othihiwa of KPMG Professional Services for his firm’s alleged complicity in the infractions highlighted in the financial reports for the two-year period. Furthermore, FRCN

fined Stanbic IBTC a sum of N1billion for alleged contravention of the regulations.

The applicants had in February filed an originating summons before the court seeking the court to determine whether the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment can, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 73 of the FRCN Act, 2011 make regulations, proceed to “create new offences and impose sanctions and or penalties and or otherwise expand the scope of the principal Act itself, or lay down entirely new regulations which are not ancillary to the provisions of the Act”.

ÎÎÎ

The Lagos State House of Assembly ıs set to hold town hall meetıngs ın all the 40 constıtuencıes ın the state. The sessıon, whıch wıll be held simultaneously ın all the 40 constıtuencıes, ıs slated for Tuesday, November 10th, 2015.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade moved a motıon on the ıssue at plenary on Thursday. Accordıng to Agunbıade, the town hall meeting ıs necessary to further educate the constituents about what the legislators have been doing since assumptıon of office.

He explaıned that it is important for lawmakers to know the needs of their people and educate them about the works of legislators.

Reps summon NERC, others over poor power supply ÎÎÎThe House of Representatives on Thursday, expressed serious doubts over whether Nigerians were getting value for the privatisation of the power sector.

An ad hoc committee of the House said in Abuja that a situation where Nigerians were sent “crazy bills” by electricity distribution companies every month for power they did not consume was unacceptable.

In the face of the high tariffs, it observed that distribution companies had recently given notice of a plan to raise tariffs again.

The committee, which is headed by Mr. Benjamin Benson, has summoned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, all the Discos, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises to explain why Nigerians are not getting electricity supply commensurate to the bills they pay.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

DSS operatives invade Dasuki’s residence Ï dƎ Ƌ ƄƒéMd ô ƐƄƍ Ƅ ƊƄƕƆƃ Ɖ ƎƍƆƋ Ïóz Ɠ ƑƄ ƋƍƄƐƄ ƎƄƕ ƆƊ ƅƍ Ɗ Ǝƍ ƐƄƉƉƆ ô Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Abuja residence

of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, was on Thursday invaded by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The DSS operatives, who stormed the Asokoro, Abuja residence of the former NSA in the early hours, also succeeded in stopping him from leaving Nigeria to receive medical treatment in London,

United Kingdom.

The development came less than 48 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted him permission to travel abroad for medical attention.

Dasuki, it was gathered, had already been placed under house arrest at the residence along John Kadiya close, Asokoro, Abuja.

As at the time of filing this report, two operational vehicles of the DSS painted in black colour with plate number RSH590AS and KUJ-510AU

were still stationed in front of the former NSA’s house.

An associate of the former NSA, who did not want his name in the print, stated that the DSS were invading the residence of Dasuki without giving any reason.

The former NSA, it was learnt, had cancelled his Lufthansa flight to the United Kingdom immediately he got the news that the DSS had gone to the airport with a view to rearresting him.

Thursday’s invasion

was the second time Dasuki’s house would be invaded by the DSS. In July, this year, the former NSA’s residences in Abuja and Sokoto were stormed by DSS operatives.

During the two instances, the operatives thoroughly searched the houses before leaving.

Meanwhile, the DSS has explained that it prevented the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), from travelling abroad for medical treatment because he

R-L: Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi; Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and Wife of the Speaker, House of Reps, Hajia Gimbia Yakubu Dogara, during their courtesy visit at the governor’s Lodge, Enugu... on Thursday

refused to appear before a committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the $2 billion arms transaction by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The service stated that Dasuki was invited to shed light on his involvement in the arms procurement processes, but had consistently refused to honour the committee’s invitation.

The DSS, in a statement on Thursday by an official, Tony Opuiyo, accused the former NSA of grandstanding and blackmail.

The agency denied blocking Dasuki’s residence in violation of a subsisting court order granting him a relief to travel oversea for Medical services, describing the allegation as “unfounded and malicious aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Service.”

The statement read: “It may be recalled that Dasuki was initially arrested and charged to court for unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering, for which reason his international passport was seized and on the order of the court, returned to the registrar for custody.

“What has however brought the seeming standoff between Dasuki and the Service, despite the court-ordered release of his international passport on November 4, 2015, is his refusal to appear before a Committee undertaking the investigation of an entirely different case.

“The public may wish to note that the government set up the committee to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2billion arms transaction by the last administration, under which Sambo was the NSA. “It was on this premise that he was invited by the Committee to shed more light on his involvement in the deal. It therefore remains surprising and shocking that Sambo has refused to honour invitations of the committee but instead resorts to grandstanding and subtle blackmail of the Service.

“His refusal to appear before the committee has left the Service with no option than to adopt legal means to ensure his attendance.”

The service accused Dasuki of pulling all strings available to him to evade justice and put it in bad light, stressing that it was not persecuting him.

Drama as Saraki’s lawyers walk out on tribunal Continued from page 2 the withdrawal was a ploy to force adjournment on the tribunal.

He insisted that he would only concede a day adjournment. His submission angered about 51 senators who were already shouting.

Earlier, Counsel to Senator Saraki, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), had enjoined the tribunal to stay further hearing pending the determination of the appeal No. SC/852/2015 filed at the Supreme Court.

The appeal is challenging the split decision of Court of Appeal that the 13 counts charge were properly filed and tribunal properly constituted to try Saraki.

Tribunal chairman, Justice Umar, however ruled in favour of the argument of the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs that a stay in a criminal trial is not permitted under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Act 2015.

Jacobs had further argued that Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Act 2015 and the statue has overridden the decisions cited by the defence, especially as there was no order from the Supreme Court staying proceeding of the tribunal.

Justice Umar gave Saraki one week to reconstitute his defence team and adjourned to November 19 for trial.

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to “urgently investigate the conduct of lawyers to Saraki, for walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal after the tribunal refused their application for stay of proceedings in the asset falsification trial against the Senate President.

The organisation said that “it is the role of Sakari’s lawyers to serve their client’s best interests but in doing so they should not act in a manner that would put the administration of justice and the society’s confidence in the judicial system

and the fight against corruption at risk.”

In a statement on Thursday signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said: “Walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal for simply and correctly applying section 305(e) of the newly enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act is disrespectful. It offends the basic rule that lawyers should act with integrity and professionalism, maintaining his or her overarching responsibility to ensure civil conduct.”

“SERAP believes that a lawyer’s duty to the court is a fundamental obligation that defines a lawyer’s

role within the adversarial system. Lawyers should at all times act to promote the rule of law and the public’s confidence in the administration of justice and not to be seen to undermine it or facilitate an infringement of the law.”

“As we have seen many times, without the rule of law, the rule of the jungle takes hold and the economically and socially vulnerable fall victim to the strong and nobody is safe. The rule of law also creates a disincentive for would-be corrupt officials.”

“Senior lawyers especially have a responsibility to act as the guardians of the rule of law by contributing

to a strong judicial and legal system which is crucial to a well-functioning democracy and which in turn is necessary to satisfactorily prevent and combat years of official corruption in the country.”

“If at all Saraki’s lawyers are dissatisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal there are laid down processes that they should have followed to demonstrate their role as officers in the temple of justice rather than granting media interviews and literally abusing the Tribunal.

We urge the NBA to urgently investigate what exactly happened and to punish any professional misconduct that may have occurred.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6 , 2015

7 News

ÏÏÏThe World Bank says it would World Bank to spend N1 billion on water projects in Ekiti State.

Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Idowu Adelusi in a release on Thursday, said that the World Bank Task Team leader on the water project, Mr. Pier Mantovani, stated this when he led other delegation of the team to the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti.

Mantovani said such a project if fully completed would give the people access to potable water.

He said the state government would contribute $5 million as counterpart fund towards the project.

Responding, Governor Ayo Fayose described the project as a wel-

Agric college workers poised for showdown with Provost

ÏÏÏAcademic peace at the Col-

lege of Agriculture, More Plantation, Ibadan, may soon be shattered, as workers belonging to the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Thursday raised an alarm over the administrative style of the Provost of the college, Dr. Babajide Adelekan, kicking against the invasion of the college by men of the Department of State Security (DSS).

The workers, some of whom who were to write their promotional examinations, on Thursday, while addressing journalists through their Chairman, Comrade Olufemi Jokanola, said the problem with the provost started

spend N1b on Ekiti water projects come development, calling on the World Bank team to carry the state government along while executing the project.

Fayose, who decried the poor state of major dams in the state, however, added that his administration would do everything within its capacity to engage in developmental projects that would have positive impact on the citizens.

The team had earlier visited Ero and Ureje dams in the state to assess their conditions, as well as to chart the way forward on how to make them functional. when he warned them against their membership of ASUP, the union which they believed share common objectives with all Colleges of Agriculture across the country.

According to Jokanola, because of the refusal of the workers to take to dictation from Adelekan, he had continued to intimidate them through various ways – including issuing queries to the leadership of the union in the college, which had led to serious tension among workers.

While maintaining that the workers would not bow to the intimidation and that ASUP had come to stay in the college, he disclosed that three queries were issued in a day to himself and the Secretary of the union, Comrade Eyitayo Oluade, for issuing a communique at the end of the union’s congress.

Health workers warn against reinstatement of Owerri FMC CMD Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏHealth workers drawn from

the three unions, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) have warned the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health of the implication of re-instating the suspended Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

The president of MHWUN, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, who read the text of the unions in Abuja, on Thursday, alleged bias in the manner in which the committee set up to investigate the matter came out with the resolution that was presently prompting the federal government to re-instate the embattled CMD.

The CMD was earlier suspended on alleged gross financial misconduct and high-handedness, denial of the 2013 and 2014 promotion arrears that run into several millions of naira, payment to herself for spending extra hour at work against the civil service rule.

The unions claimed that “according to the civil service rule sections 130117 to 130126, any officer above level 14 does not get overtime. But the CMD (who is a level 17 top salary officer) pays herself overtime running into millions of naira.

“She has also been protecting her husband (Dr. Bennett Uwakwem) who did his internship as a level 17 officer at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) four years ago.

“This is against the civil service rule as one cannot start work as a medical practitioner without the minimum requirement, the unions claimed”

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (right) congratulating newly-inaugurated Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperative Services, Mrs. Olasinmi Akindele-Odunmbaku in Akure… on Thursday.

Nigeria to expand maritime boundaries to 350 nautical miles Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari on Thursday, approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to oversee the conclusion of work on the submission

by Nigeria to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

If approved by CLCS, the submission could lead to the expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles.

A statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said Buhari gave the approval after being briefed by the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. M.B. Ahmad on the status of preparations for the submis-

sion in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the statement, President Buhari had consequently directed the Ministry of Finance to provide the funds required to conduct the geographical surveys which were essential for the submission.

The objective of the submission being prepared by the National Boundary Commission, the statement said, was to claim for the country a potentially rich maritime territory of up to 104,000 square miles without any war or litigation.

There is a strong likelihood of the presence of large deposits of hydrocarbons, gas and other mineral deposits in the extended maritime territory, the statement noted.

It added that a sovereign coastal state like Nigeria could extend its

Brittania-U vs. Chevron, others: S' Court to deliver judgment Jan Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏArguments

in the appeal brought by Brittania-U against Chevron Nigeria Limited and four others were, on Thursday, taken by the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja.

The five-man panel of the apex court, led by Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, fixed January 29, 2016 for judgment after listening to the submissions of the learned counsel for all the parties, who had canvassed their positions vigorously before the court.

At the proceedings, the lawyers representing Brittania-U, Mr.

Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), told the court that the pending appeal before it was in respect of the judgment of the Court of Appeal vacating the status quo order. He also urged the court to grant the motion for mandatory, restorative order to revert parties to status quo before the appeal was lodged. Interim injunction was granted by the Federal High Court on December 13, 2013, halting the assignment of Chevron OML 52, 53 and 55 to any of the unsuccessful companies – including Seplat, in the bid won

by Brittania-U in September, 2013.

Tarfa went ahead to inform the

maritime territory beyond 200 nautical miles, up to a maximum of 350 nautical miles, if it could prove scientifically that the natural prolongation of its land territory under the sea extended beyond 200 nautical miles.

“According to Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the continental shelf of a coastal state comprises the sea-bed and the sub-soil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breath of the territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance," the statement noted.

court that the appeal was against the decision of the Court of Appeal dated June 20, 2014, and the appellant’s brief dated October 31, 2014, filed the same date. He further told the court that the appellant filed a reply brief of argument on March 23, 2015 together with an amended brief of argument which was deemed filed on that date after 1st respondent amended its brief.

The lawyer representing the 2nd and 4th respondent appellants, Mr. Uche Nwokedi (SAN), informed the court that his clients had also filed their reply to the brief of argument. He further submitted that he filed a notice of preliminary objection to hearing of the appeal which was filed on same day with the reply to the brief of argument.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Politics Why Suswam must face trial, by Ortom

Æs

Benue State governor Samuel Ortom has insisted that that come what may, former Governor Gabriel Suswam must account for his eight-year stewardship in the state whether he likes it or not.

According to him, consequently, all legal and legitimate channels would be explored to make his predecessor account for his stewardship.

But he was quick to add that due process and the rule of law would be observed in the trial of Suswam.

He had during his previously emphasised the fact that his administration would not hesitate to probe the immediate past administration and also make sure corruption is effectively dealt with.

The Benue governor said he empaneled two different committees to probe into Suswam’s activities between 2007 and 2015.

Asked whether his visit to the President had to do with his predecessor, Ortom said: “No, it has nothing to do with the case of my predecessor. The law will take its course. We know that just like the

federal government and my government we believe in the rule of law and due process. That has nothing to do with my predecessor, I am handling the matter in a legitimate manner; it has to do with the rule of law and due process.

“I set up two panels: one judicial panel to verify the income expenditure from 2007 to 2015 and also a panel to verify the assets of government so that we can get things in the right perspective. I met a deficit treasury and CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Suswam

Afenifere: Time to heal old wounds

Adesanya

Akinjide Akintola Thank God that common sense was allowed to prevail at the end of the day at the last meeting of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere which culminated in the restoration of the leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who had earlier resigned his appointment.

The highly principled octogenarian had resigned in fury blaming lack of unity amongst the group as reason for his action.

The development had shocked not a few people who felt that this turn of events may sound the death knell for the organisation which has not seen the best of times since Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, its former leader passed on to glory in 1997.

Shortly after the late Pa Abraham Adesanya took over as leader, things have not been going on smoothly in the organisation.

Fasoranti The victory of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), an offshoot of the Afenifere in the 1999 elections in the South West appeared to have become the genesis of the whole problem as the organisation was unable to manage the success at the polls.

After the elections, it won all the six states in the south west and it then compelled all the governors to a weekly meeting in Ijebu Igbo, country home of Senator Adesanya. At the meeting they tried to appraise the activities and performances of the governors in line with the programmes of the party and Afenifere.

After a time, some of the governors felt the organisation appeared to be intruding too much or indeed trying to hijack their powers as governors of their respective states.

Subsequently, some started missing the weekly meetings and sending their deputies which later

Tinubu pattered out as many stopped going altogether, throwing the apex Yoruba group into serious crisis.

It was amidst the confusion and division that the then weakened AD lost woefully in the 2003 general elections losing five of its six states to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The only governor standing was Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State, who retained his seat while all the governors of Ogun, Segun Osoba; Osun Bisi Akande; Oyo, late Lam Adesina; Ekiti, Niyi Adebayo, and Ondo, Late Adebayo Adefarati lost out.

Following the disastrous outing, the schism in Afenifere became more pronounced with Bola Tinubu leading a faction of the group which had then Afenifere’s vice chairman, Chief Ayo Fasanmi as linchpin.

Despite spirited efforts to effect a settlement, the crisis appeared intractable until Chief Adesanya

passed on in 2007.

Interestingly, it was Afenifere leaders led by Chief Adesanya who insisted on fielding Tinubu as the governorship candidate of the party in the state in 1998. The late Funsho Williams won the primaries and the late Ganiyu Dawodu, fiery former chairman of Lagos City Council insisted that Funsho be allowed to run but he was over ruled by the other leaders.

Their reason was that Williams was a sort of military apologist, having been in the outgoing military government. Besides, Tinubu who was on exile during the draconian Abacha era assisted many other exiles in the then NADECO who fled the country for dear lives.

All these counted in his stead.

Thus, it is ironic that it was the same Tinubu who was to spearhead seeming factionalisation of the group which since then has CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

N11 billion loot: Group asks Audu to disqualify self As the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election draws nearer, a group, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has advised the former governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, Prince Abubakar Audu to disqualify himself from the race. According to the group, this was over the allegation of N11 billion fraud during his tenure as the state helmsman between 1999 to 2003, insisting that Audu’s insistence to contest the November 21st guber election was against the current anti-corruption stance of the present administration in Nigeria.

Consequently, the group commended President Muhammadu Buhari for distancing the Presi-

Audu CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

9 Politics

Afenifere: The price of disunity

N11 billion loot: Group asks Audu to disqualify self CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Osoba CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

not known any peace.

However, while Afenifere floundered, Tinubu’s political fortunes flourished across Yorubaland. By 2007, two more states, Ekiti and Edo had been added to his kitty.

And by 2011, almost the entire Yorubaland save for Ondo had been recaptured by his party.

Indeed, by then, by his uncanny political prowess he had ensured his total political domination of the South west politics, leaving the Afenifere leaders in the doldrums.

This further took its toil on the organisation as Tinubu appeared set to emerge the new political leader of the sophisticated south west region Even after the passing on of Chief Adesanya and Chief Fa-

Fasanmi

Adebayo

Akande

soranti took over, all efforts to resolve the crisis had proved abortive.

Different kinds of peace moves were made by Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and others but all failed to restore order.

What perhaps became the turning point was the last general elections where the Afenifere leaders backed former President Goodluck Jonathan while Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had teamed up with General Muhammadu Buhari’s Congess for Progressive Change (CPC) and others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) which later cleared the national elections.

In spite of the fact that efforts have failed resolve the crisis which perhaps necessitated the extreme action taken by Fasoranti following his frustration, the

time to heal old wounds can now be better than now.

Chief Seinde Arogbofa, the Secretary-General, of the group, urged calm following the resignation of Pa Fasoranti over an alleged polarisation of the group and its deviation from its set vision and goals.

The crisis had rocked the group in 2008 which led to the emergence of a splinter group — the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) with Mr. Wale Oshun as its current leader.

It was later resolved somehow with its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin returning to its original position as Spokesman of the main Afenifere.

Arogbofa said: “I know Papa anchored his resignation mainly on old age.

“We should not see what has happened as what has never hap-

pened; there is nothing new in it.

“We should be calm and begin to think and strategise on how to make and move the organisation forward,” he said.

“We will put heads together and set a new course for the group as we did when Pa Adesanya was old and could not go ahead.”

Also speaking, Mr Yinka Odumakin, the spokesman for the organisation, said what happened was not beyond their control. “We have some internal things to sort out. Nigerians will soon know when we are through. All is well with the Afenifere,’’ he added.

Its time the leaders find a common ground and resolve the crisis. In Yorubaland, elders are not wrong when they have issues with younger ones and Yorubaland is not bereft of elders. Its time to sheathe their swords.

Why Suswam must defend himself, by Ortom CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Ortom

the people of Benue state want to know what happened to their money: what happened with the SURE-P money; what went wrong with the excess crude money that came to Benue state; what went wrong with the shares of government in various corporations that were sold. Where did the money go? These are questions that are begging for answers, which the people of Benue state told me to verify and am doing that.

“My predecessor went to court and stopped the process with an injunction and we have also made our facts known to the court and we are waiting for a judgment on the 9th. But after verification I believe that I will ensure due process in handling the matter.”

On what he actually discussed with Buhari, he said “So many things. You know Benue State is entangled with a lot of challenges in security and of course the economy too. We know that we are not having it easy. Recently the President graciously through the Central Bank granted us a kind of bailout, though its a loan, but at a single digit to be paid over a period of 20 years. We are already paying our workers. We have accessed the N28billion, which we are paying as arrears inherited from my predecessor.

We also thanked him for appointing our son, Chief Audu Ogbeh, as a minister of the Federal Republic and also to brief him on the security.”

He continued: “So far we have been able to maintain law and or-

der in Benue State. We have been able to contain crisis between herdsmen and farmers through dialogue, understanding, give and take through win win proposition of government.

“The issue of criminality and kidnapping, raping, armed robbery and killings for which we introduced the amnesty programme, about 700 youths came forward to embrace the amnesty and surrendered over 400 different types of weapons and ammunitions. It has been a huge success and tomorrow Thursday and Friday, we are holding a retreat so that we can integrate them back into the society and make them useful to the state. All these were things I needed to brief the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

dency from the last Saturday’s grand rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Lokoja international stadium which witnessed APC bigwigs.

The group urged the party faithful to support the anti-corruption crusade of President Buhari, disagreeing with the notion that Buhari was waging a vendetta war against Audu.

In a statement, the CHRSJ’s Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Sulaiman, said the N11billion fraud allegation leveled against Prince Audu and his subsequent prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) was enough for the electorate in Kogi State voting against Prince Audu at the forthcoming election in the State. He alleged that Audu is a disgruntled element not fit to hold any leadership office again, stressing that the group has concluded arrangement to storm the State and mobilise the people of the State against the candidature of the Prince Audu.

Comrade Sulaiman who stressed that corruption has been the cankerworm that had eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria system, noted that the menace has also been the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy and development, advocating that the fight against corruption should be the joint responsibility of all and sundry in the land while the electorate in the country should CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Audu

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Kogi polls: Group asks Audu to disqualify self CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

not allow politicians like Prince Audu to emerge in any political contest again.

According to him: “The emergence of Prince Audu as the candidate of APC in the forthcoming governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is contrary to the anti-corruption stance of the President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Prince Audu’s candidature is a disappointment and disgrace to the ruling APC as a party with the change mantra the party stands for. It is better for Prince Audu to disqualify himself from the governorship race and allow the great party (APC) to field his (Audu) deputy, Honourable James Falake, representing Ifako/Ijaye Federal constituency of Lagos State in the House of representatives presently, to flag the party banner during the forthcoming governorship election .Audu has been tested in governance and failed the people with the question of N11billion allegation handing on his neck.

“The absence of President Buhari during the last Saturday grand rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Lokoja international stadium which witnessed the presence of few party (APC) bigwigs, deserves commendation and this development is commendable as this has

Why Suswam must account for stewardship - Ortom CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

President on because he gave me the go ahead when I started the amnesty programme and it has yielded results. Today we have achieved relative peace back home in Benue state. We have been able to bring down criminality to the barest minimum and people can now go about their normal duties in the state.”

On what his government is doing to key into the Presidential vision of food security in the country, Ortom said: “You Know Benue State is the food basket of the nation. This is one area that we have comparative advantage and we are preparing ourselves.

moral burden on the President, the ruling party and party leadership and followers should follow the stance of President Buhari as corruption cannot be fought with deception. It will not augur well for kogites to vote for politicians like Audu so as to save the State from future doom”.

It would be recalled that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier advised President Muhammadu Buhari, through a letter, to prevail

Lamorde

We are not just looking at rainy season farming, but also dry season farming. This is the direction we are going, we are already working with development partners, government and other interested private sector to draw out a road map towards this end and I believe that Benue state will be a major factor of producing food for the country and the rest of the world.”

Suswam

on the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) not to field Audu as its Kogi State guber candidate, in demonstration of its commitment to the ongoing anti-corruption crusade of Mr. President.

According to the EFCC’s letter dated September 21st, 2015 with reference number-EFCC/ EC/SGF/03/59 and titled: FRN vs Abubakar Audu& 1other in charge No: FCT/CR/115/2003, EFCC’s chairman reminded the

Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), of Prince Audu’s trial for corruption.

The EFCC’s letter reads in part, “Prince Audu was arraigned by the Commission for abuse of office, theft of public funds and money laundering during his tenure as Executive Governor of Kogi State between May 29th, 1999 and May 29th, 2003 at both Kogi State High Court, Lokoja in 2006 and Federal High court, Apo, Abuja in 2013.

Audu

“While not being unmindful of the Constitutional presumption of innocence of all accused persons until proven guilty, we are nevertheless greatly concerned that swearing in another accused person as Executive Governor in Nigeria, may not be in consonance with the current anti-corruption policy of the new administration”.

CHRSJ Chief further explained that immediately the SGF, Engineer Babachir Lawal received the Lamorde’s letter, SGF wrote the ruling party’s National Secretariat in Abuja to take necessary action on the subject matter. In the SGF’s letter dated September 22th, 2015 with reference numberSGF:/30/s.11/T, noted that: “I wish to forward the attachment document from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the above subject matter for your information and action”.

Sulaiman therefore urged the good people of Kogi State to summon uncommon courage to vote for candidate of their choice out of other contestants in the race by reject Prince Abubakar Audu during the forthcoming governorship election in the State so as to serve as deterrent to other politicians that were enjoying the conversion of public wealth into their personal pursue when entrusted with the position of authority”.

…Liberate yourselves, APC tells Kogi people The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun has urged the people of Kogi to vote out Gov, Idris Wada, in order to liberate themselves from poverty and underdevelopment..

Drumming support for the APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, said the election was an opportunity for the people to end years of bad governance in the state and called on the people to embrace change and “dump the bad past.

“The state is still stuck in the failed promises of transformation,” Oyegun said and stressed that it was time for Kogi people to vote wisely in order to protect the future of their children.

Oyegun said the APC is targeting 80 per cent of the votes during the governorship election, pledging that it would bring about total change in the lives

of the people. Audu promised to work for the progress and development of the state, saying that he was on a rescue mission to save the state from total collapse.

Odigie-Oyegun

The governorship candidate promised to adhere to the principle of rotation by being the first governor to give effect to the arrangement.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

11 International Politics

How Obama’s legacy will shape 2016 presidential polls His name won’t be on the ballot on November 8, 2016, but Barack Obama will be one of the most important factors in who becomes the next president of the United States.

Voters will likely face a choice between Hillary Clinton, who served in Obama’s cabinet and has said she will look to build on the president’s policies on many issues, and a Republican candidate who has pledged to repeal the Affordable Care Act, suspend Obama’s executive actions on immigration and climate change, and sever the nuclear accord with Iran.

Obama’s legacy is complicated, creating challenges and opportunities for both parties.

The Upside for Democrats The most obvious boon for the eventual Democratic nominee is that the president has strongly embraced a changing America, where a growing number of people are openly gay, lesbian or transgender, either non-religious or practicing a faith other than Christianity, and nonwhite.

His support for gay marriage, measures to legalize the largely Latino population of undocumented immigrants and appointments of Asians, blacks, gays and Latinos to key posts, often for the first time in U.S. history, has solidified the Democratic Party as the one perceived as more inclusive. That gives Clinton, or whoever is the Democratic nominee, a key advantage in swing states like Virginia or Florida.

It’s not only that the growing number of minority voters back Democrats, but that many moderate white voters are also likely to favor gay marriage and be wary of measures like those favored by Donald Trump that would limit the rights of Latino migrants.

On these cultural issues, the official positions of the Republican Party, like opposition to gay marriage, will force the GOP nominee to campaign on positions that are in the minority among Americans.

“I believe we will never again elect a president that opposes same-sex marriage. The rhetoric has cooled some, but the Republicans are still more than a couple of steps behind the country, and dozens of steps behind younger Americans of both parties. Watching a politician explain to younger voters why they oppose marriage equality is so uncomfortable it makes you cringe, it’s almost as if they are speaking two separate lan-

Obama guages,” says Dan Pfeiffer, who was President Obama’s top political adviser until earlier this year.

The Downside for Democrats For Democrats, the most obvious challenge posed by Obama’s legacy is on foreign policy.

U.S. presidents have limited power to alter events abroad.

But the rise of the Islamic State, an increasingly assertive Russia and sectarian conflicts throughout the Middle East have happened on Obama’s watch. On the campaign trail, Marco Rubio, one of the leading GOP 2016 candidates, says all these crises show America is being “humiliated” by foreign leaders.

And Obama’s foreign affairs record includes a number of blunders, perhaps most notably when referred to ISIS as a “jayvee team” only eight months before he was forced to start U.S. airstrikes to fight the Sunni insurgent organization.

Clinton of course was both the president’s secretary of state and a key architect of the Iran nuclear agreement. She has already started campaigning against some of Obama’s foreign policy moves, arguing the president and his team should have been forceful in taking on Russian President Vladimir Pu-

Hillary tin and not allowed relations to become so tense between the U.S. and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But it will be hard for Clinton to suggest every mistake in Obama’s foreign affairs approach happened after she left the State Department in 2013.

Obama’s emphasis on diplomacy and cautious posture in terms of intervention abroad were what he campaigned on: a complete reverse from the muscular, aggressive foreign policy of George W. Bush. The president has brought most U.S. troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan and not started another war effort with large numbers of troops.

So the Republican candidates must avoid seemingly like they will repeat Bush’s approach, which the public strongly opposed. If they oppose the nuclear deal, GOP candidates must illustrate how they can restrain Iran’s weapons development without starting a war.

Political scientists argue that one of the most important factors determining which party will win a presidential election is the economy. And on this issue, the Obama legacy is mixed.

He has presided over a recovery from the deep recession that

started in 2008. Because of that job growth and Obamacare, the number of Americans without health insurance has plunged downward.

At the same time, wages in the middle-class have been largely stagnant and many of the gains in the recovery have gone to the wealthy, as even Clinton has argued.

“Our poor families are becoming poorer, and 70 percent of us are earning the same, or less than we were 12 years ago.

We need new leadership, and we need action,” said ex-Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley in last month’s Democratic primary debate, using words Republicans will likely repeat next fall in suggesting Obama’s party should not have a third straight term in the White House.

The Uncertain Big Picture These policy results in part shape a fourth critical factor that will help determine which party wins the White House: Obama’s overall approval rating. Currently, between 45 and 50 percent of Americans approve of the president. If he maintains that number, he will be much more popular than Bush, who had just a 25 percent approval rate when Obama was elected in November 2008. At the same time, Obama is

unlikely to reach 57 percent, the approval ratings of both Ronald Reagan in November 1988 and Bill Clinton in November 2000.

Both of those presidents’ designated successors won the popular vote, although Gore’s eventually lost the Electoral College, and the White House, to George W. Bush.

Obama, according to his aides, is deeply invested in having a Democrat succeed him, aware that some of his biggest accomplishments, like Obamacare, could be reversed by a GOP president and Republican-controlled Congress.

What is unknown is how he will position himself over the next year, aware that his decisions will affect the prospects of the Democratic nominee. The president has been very aggressive in his seventh year, speaking out bluntly on racial issues that he had often been silent about before, pushing through the Iran deal, fighting for the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership and proposing to make community college free and universal.

He is already intent on pushing through either this year or next a bipartisan bill that would reduce jail sentences for non-violent offenders of drug crimes.

And the president is considering an executive action to expand background checks for gun sales, taking on an issue that many Democrats say hurts their chances of winning elections.

Obama’s actions next year may have little impact. There appear to be relatively few swing voters in America, so a large swath of the country’s vote is already known, a year from the election. It’s hard to see either the Democratic or Republican presidential nominee getting below 45 percent of the vote.

But Obama’s legacy is already on the ballot next year, even if he is not. Clinton is not his vicepresident, but some of Obama’s top staffers now work for her, and she is campaigning to expand his policies, particularly on economic and cultural issues.

Perhaps the most consequential president of this era was Ronald Reagan and that was in part because George H.W. Bush, Reagan’s vice-president, was in office and achieved one of Reagan’s biggest goals: the fall of the Soviet Union. Obama is already a historic figure, for having been the first non-white person elected president. But his push to make American more inclusive would look even successful if he helped ensure his successor was the first female president

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Okorocha tackles Uwazuruike on plight of Igbo Monday Agu, Jnr

ÏÏÏ

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday in Owerri, flayed the media reports credited to the founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, describing the governor as Igbo saboteur, saying that the MASSOB leader is economical with the truth.

Chief Uwazuruike was quoted to have said that apart from Governor Okorocha being Igbo saboteur, he has also been aiding and abetting the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government in the continued marginalization

of the Igbo, and then asked the Igbo to ignore the governor.

In a statement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Governor Okorocha, who is also the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum, said although Chief Uwazuruike had made his claim and his allegation, the indisputable fact remains that the real Igbo saboteur “is Chief Uwazuruike himself and not Governor Okorocha, because all over the world, the real enemies of their people are those who fail or refuse to tell them the truth.”

The governor noted that

obviously, what might have prompted Chief Uwazuruike’s media attack on Governor Okorocha this time was the governor’s condemnation of the violent protest in the name of Biafra some weeks ago, adding that his remark that Igbo people would not use MASSOB as a platform to ask for what is due for them in an entity called Nigeria.

“Chief Uwazuruike had used his MASSOB to adopt and support the PDP and former President Goodluck Jonathan when they held sway and, he should mention one project the PDP-led federal government or former President Jonathan did in any part of Igboland.

“The MASSOB leader was part of the hate campaign against the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, while Governor Okorocha was telling his Igbo kinsmen to read accurately the body language of the rest of Nigerians and today, it is left for Ndi-Igbo to tell themselves the truth about who was the real saboteur, Uwazuruike or Okorocha?, he asked.

The statement asked Chief Uwazuruike to tell his audience why MASSOB went to bed throughout the period Jonathan was President only for MASSOB to wake up from their deep slumber now that President Buhari is the president.

Perm Sec warns on consequences of incessant strike Akor Ejumene

Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh has expressed deep concern on the preponderance of strike actions especially within critical sectors like health, in order to avoid truncating the attainment of the national goals and aspirations.

He made this assertion in Abuja on Thursday at the formal presentation of the report of the fact-finding committee into the industrial crisis that paralysed activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for the substantial part of 2014 and middle of 2015.

Illoh stressed that if vari-

C&S Church gets new leader ÏÏÏThe Sacred C&S

in attendance the cream of the Nigerian Christendom will be con ducted by the Supreme Head of C&S Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Alao.

In a release issued by the organisers, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State is expected to be the special guest of honour at the event.

Ambode to boost agric for revenue

of revenue generation, not only to government but also to individuals and private organisations through the various Agro allied value chains.

He commended the organisers for the theme of this year’s forum, “Unlocking Opportunities for Diversification”, saying it was apt as it would afford participants focus on addressing the obstacles to the effective development of the agricultural value chain.

Church el-Bethel, Shillo Cathedral, Agege, Lagos, will install a new Minister in Charge. The Minister- in -Charge is Senior Superintendent Apostle Adebola Odubela.

The event, billed to have

Oyetubo Olabimpe

L-R: Aremo Taiwo Alimi; Chairman, Media Sub-Committee, Rev. Mrs. Tola Oyediran; Chairman, Central Planning Committee, Mrs. Tokunbo AwolowoDosunmu and Chairman Programme Committee, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa at a press briefing on the burial programme for late H.I.D Awolowo at Ikenne, Ogun State… on Thursday. Photo: DAVID IDOWU

You are in safe hands with my husband, Aisha Buhari to Nigerians Moses Oyediran

Enugu The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has assured Nigerians that her husband’s administration will usher in unity, love and integrity in the country, adding that they are in safe hands in his administration.

Mrs. Buhari, in an address on her maiden visit to Enugu State to flag-off her health screening initiative programme, noted that Nigerians are in safe hands under her husband’s administration as he would safeguard their future through

ÏÏÏ

good governance.

She noted that her husband is committed to promotion of health status of the rural women and the less privileged.

According to Mrs. Buhari, her love for the down trodden has necessitated the introduction of the screening exercise, especially this period of economic hardship when rural women lack the financial strength to access healthcare delivery.

In her words: “This health screening exercise will be attending to not less than 2,000 women from virtually

all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.”

She stated that volunteer health professionals will be rendering free medical health services to the women, adding that the screening tests include cervical cancer, eye check, diabetes, high-blood pressure and others.

She said “I am delighted, we are all gathered here with all the governors’ wives of this region to provide these selfless services.

It is important to know that this exercise is voluntarily with all the medical person-

nel rendering services free of charge.”

In a welcome address, the wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi expressed deep appreciation over the first lady’s kind gesture towards the rural women and the less privileged in the state, describing the exercise as a miracle.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi praised Mrs. Buhari for her prompt response to the cries and groaning of widows and the less privileged in the state, adding that not less than two thousand women in the state will be accessing free health care daily for promotion of better health and prevention of impending health crises as well.

ous actors in industrial disputes would embrace social dialogue in resolving their differences, the developmental agenda of government would be realised, adding that all management and Union officials should see social dialogue as an indispensable tool in the resolution of disputes and also bargain in good faith. ‘’In his words: “The penchant to resort to strikes and disruption of work processes remains inimical to the overall development of the country, and more importantly and in the case of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri (FMCO), jeopardising the lives of Nigerians who need the services of the Centre in order to stay alive.”

ÏÏÏLagos State governor,

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, said the agribusiness sector remains one of the most viable areas that the Federal as well as State governments must begin to pay serious attention to boost its revenue generation in the wake of dwindling oil prices.

Governor Ambode who spoke at the 4th European Union-Nigeria Business Forum 2015 holding at the Eko Hotels and Suites, said the harsh times in the oil sector and its attendant impact on government revenue makes it imperative to look inward for creative ways of growing the economy of the country and boosting gross domestic product.

To this end, he said the agricultural sector serves as a ready alternative source

Amode

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Obama, Netanyahu to meet on Mideast security ÎÎΓMy friends, for over a

year, we’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal.

Well, this is a bad deal. It’s a very bad deal. We’re better off without it.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could not have been more blunt, as he stood before Congress on March 3 and delivered a pointed critique of U.S.-led efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.

Netanyahu spoke at the invitation of then-Republican House Speaker John Boehner, as the Obama administration worked to hammer out the agreement between the P5+1 and Iran.

Several Democratic lawmakers boycotted the speech, calling it an affront and an effort to undermine the American president.

President Barack Obama did not meet with Netanyahu during that U.S. visit, citing the impending election in Israel. But less than a month after the Iran deal was reached, he offered a counter to Netanyahu’s concerns in an August 5 speech at American University.

“A nuclear-armed Iran is far more dangerous to Israel, to America, and to the world than an Iran that benefits from sanctions relief,” Obama said. “I recognize that

Prime Minister Netanyahu disagrees, disagrees strongly.

I do not doubt his sincerity.

But I believe he is wrong.”

It is against this backdrop that Obama and Netanyahu will meet on November 9 for talks in the Oval Office, their 13th meeting, and their first since the Iran nuclear agreement was reached in July.

“The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister regional security issues, including implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to peacefully and verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and countering Tehran’s de-

stabilizing activities in the region, “ White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

Earnest noted the talks would focus not only on Iran, but the fight against the Islamic State militant group and Israel’s security.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has previously described the level of security cooperation that’s been offered by the Obama administration as ‘unprecedented.’ That, I think, is an indication of the president’s personal commitment to the security of Israel and to the unshakeable bond between our two countries,” he noted in September when announcing the visit.

13 Foreign

China summit ‘first step’ to normalise ties – Taiwan ÎÎÎTaiwan’s

president on Thursday defended a historic summit with China as the first step to normalising relations between the leaders, as opponents wary over a rapprochement after decades of hostility accused him of selling out the island.

Ma Ying-jeou will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Singapore on Saturday, in a dramatic recognition of a seven-year period of warming relations which has raised fears selfruled Taiwan’s security may be at stake.

It will be the first time leaders from the two sides, separated by the narrow Taiwan Strait, will have met since their split at the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949, which left Taiwan to forge its own identity as a democracy.

In an address to the nation, Ma hailed the meeting as “for the welfare of the next gen-

eration”.

“Both sides of the Strait should work towards lowering hostility, broadening communication and deepening interaction. This is the first step towards normalisation of meetings between the leaders,” he said.

But the summit has been slammed by opponents who say he is trying to influence presidential elections in January, which the ruling Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) is set to lose.

Both Ma and his party have seen support plummet partly due to anti-China sentiment in Taiwan, as concerns grow over Beijing’s influence.

“We’re angry that Ma is going to sell out Taiwan,” said Hsu Ya-chi, spokeswoman for the pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union, one of the opposition parties that suspect some sort of secret deal between Ma and Xi.

Tanzania swears-in new president ÎÎÎTanzania’s

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2015.

Russia, Egypt dismiss US, UK claims bomb brought down jet ÎÎÎRussia

and Egypt on Thursday dismissed suggestions by Britain and the United States that a bomb was likely to have brought down a Metrojet flight packed with Russian vacationers coming home from an Egyptian resort, saying the claim was premature.

A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, insisted that aviation investigators were working on all possible theories as to why the Airbus A320-200 carrying 224 people crashed on Saturday in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing everyone on board. He said naming just one possibil-

ity was mere speculation.

“One cannot rule out a single theory, but at this point there are no reasons to voice just one theory as reliable — only investigators can do that,” Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Wednesday spoke of a “significant possibility” the crash was caused by a bomb and Britain immediately suspended all flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort where the flight originated.

Egyptian officials have condemned Britain’s travel ban as an overreaction. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah

al-Sisi was in London on a state visit on Thursday, facing what is likely to be a tense meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The plane crashed in the northern Sinai, where Egyptian forces have been battling an Islamic insurgency for years. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for downing the plane but offered no proof. Sisi has called the ISIS claim “propaganda” designed to embarrass his government.

Egyptian Antiquities Minister Mamdouh Eldamaty rejected the US and British allegations outright. “[The crash] not a terror

act. It was an accident,” he declared on Thursday, speaking at the ancient city of Luxor as authorities opened three tombs to the public for the first time in an effort to encourage tourism. “[It’s] very sad what happened, but we have to wait for the result of the investigation.”

Egypt’s presidential spokesperson, Alaa Youssef, also said Egyptian authorities wish the US and Britain had “waited for the result of the ongoing investigation”.

Metrojet has suspended all flights of Airbus A321 jets in its fleet after the crash, the Russian Federal Transport Agency said Thursday.

new president, John Magufuli, was sworn in Thursday, despite continuing disputes over the October 25 election.

Magufuli and Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan took the oath of office in front of cheering crowds at Uhuru Stadium in the capital, Dar es Salaam.

In a short speech, Magufuli promised to work hard to implement the pledges he made during the campaign.

The election extended the longtime rule of the CCM party both in the presidency and in parliament.

The opposition says the presidential election was rigged and has rejected the results, while the semi-autonomous Zanzibar region annulled its polls because of alleged irregularities.

European Union election observers said the polls were well organized but said a lack of transparency undermined the opposition’s trust in the electoral process.

Tanzanian presidential candidate of the ruling CCM party, John Magufuli, displays his ballot paper before casting his vote in the presi-

John Magufuli dential and parliamentary election at his hometown Chato district, in Geita region, Tanzania, Oct. 25, 2015.

Tanzanian presidential candidate of the ruling CCM party, John Magufuli, displays his ballot paper before casting his vote in the presidential and parliamentary election at his hometown Chato district, in Geita region, Tanzania, Oct. 25, 2015.

Magufuli is Tanzania’s fifth president since the country won independence from Britain in 1961. Unlike many African countries, Tanzania has a history of peaceful transfers of power. President Jakaya Kikwete stepped down this year after completing two terms in office.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

African nations must close ranks to fight terrorism-Buhari Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Buhari said, on Thursday, in Abuja that recent developments had made it more important than ever before for Nigeria and other African nations to close ranks and work together against terrorism.

Speaking at an audience with a Special Envoy of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Buhari said that since terrorism no longer respects national borders, the international community must urgently evolve

and implement more effective collaborative measures to enhance global security.

“Good neighbourliness is essential for the security and economic development of African countries,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying.

It added: “Terrorism no longer respects borders. Therefore, we must keep on improving upon joint measures and actions against terrorism and other trans-border crimes. It was with this necessity in mind that I visited all of Nige-

ria’s neighbouring countries immediately after my assumption of office and we will continue to do our best to strengthen regional and international co-operation against terrorism."

The Special Envoy, Mr Agapito Mba Mokuy, Buhari that the security of Nigeria was very important to the entire West African region.

Mokuy, who is also Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, said that Mbasogo was impressed by the progress Nigeria was making, under Buhari’s leadership, especially towards ending the Boko Haram

insurgency.

He delivered an invitation from Mbasogo to Buhari for a visit to Equatorial Guinea at his earliest convenience.

Buhari

Lab scientist seeks govts, manufacturers’ partnership Lara Adejoro

ÏÏÏA

L-R: Director, Community Development, Mrs. Yinka Gisanmi; Special Adviser on Communication and Communities, Mr. Kehinde Bamgbetan; Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLG & CA), Alh. Olohuntele Folami; Permanent Secretary, MLG & CA, Mr. Jafar Sanuth and Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Community Affairs, Alh. Tajudeen Quadri, during the press briefing of MLG & CA in commemoration of 2015 community day celebration held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos… on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Religious leaders urged to partner FG to fight social malaise Oyetubo Olabimpe

ÏÏÏNigeria’s

religious leaders have been called upon to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to cleanse the country of its myriads of problems, since they were part of the contributors to the nation’s woes.

This was the submission of Supreme Head of Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Prophet Solomon Alao, when he paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Lagos State television on Thursday.

Prophet Alao, who laid blame on the doors of religious leaders

as well as traditional rulers for providing fertile grounds for corrupt government officials by not telling them the truth, maintained that the Federal Government alone could not cleanse the nation of its woes. He said that the government needed active collaboration of the clergymen to achieve the feat.

Said he: “People have always talked about the problems of corruption and other vices in the country, but I dare say that most of us in the cassock are responsible for the problems of the country. Most of us give prominence to corrupt men and women. We are

also going to be at the forefront of cleansing the country from this mess,” he said.

On his part, General Manager of Lagos State television, Mr. Deji Balogun, said the station would continue to partner with religious organisation to ensure that the nation, especially Lagos State, was rid of men and women of questionable characters. He also said that the station was poised to sell the programme of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the people of the state, where the state would become a reference point not only in Nigeria, but in the West African sub-region.

laboratory scientist, Mr Kehinde Adegoke, has urged federal and state governments to partner with manufacturers in the procurement of laboratory equipment to enforce standard.

Speaking with our correspondent, Adegoke, a former Chairman, Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital, Research Institute and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), LUTH chapter said, involving the manufacturers in the procurement process entailed the government being involved in direct negotiation on the supply of the equipment to reduce their cost.

He added that ultimately, it would make laboratory services affordable to patients and save many lives through proper diagnosis.

“Government needs to involve the manufacturers of medical laboratory equipment, through a partnership as in the developed countries, because the cost of procuring the equipment is enormous. What is obtainable in advanced countries is that they don’t really buy this equipment, what they do is equipment placements.

They arrange with the manufacturer to supply the equipment.

“They buy consumables and reagents from the manufacturers and also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will make them to be responsible for maintenance and repairs of the equipment.”

He suggested that government should follow the model of partnership with the manufacturers in placing medical equipment in the hospital and creating a revolving fund for the purchase of consumables and reagents.

I’ll not retrench civil servants in Kogi if … Audu

Monday Agu, Jnr

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate in the November 21 election in Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu, has assured workers in the state that he would not retrench any one of them if voted to power He told the civil servants that they should disregard speculation being peddled around by his opponents that he would retrench them.

Audu disclosed this while speaking at Oguma, the headquarters of Bassa Local government, on Thursday, during his campaign rally tour in the council.

He explained that the end of percentage salary payment to workers in Kogi State would end as soon as he was voted in and taken oath of office.

Audu added that such rumours remains a figment of imagination of mischief makers, who were out to sow seeds of discord in society.

Security has no limit - Expert Jacob Ogodo

Abakaliki A security expert and retired Commissioner of Police, Chief Frank Odita, has declared that any effort at tackling security of life and property in Nigeria without first focusing on rebuilding the family unit and values would remain unsuccessful.

Odita said that the concept of security had no limit or dimension, noting that security which was the foundation, upon which every human activity in any society revolved, should be the business of everybody as the police and other law enforcement agencies could not police every inch of the country, alone.

Speaking on the topic “Community Policing: Success and Challenges”, in a training workshop for town union executives and community development associations, organised by a nongovernmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with Agape Foundation and Abakaliki Local Government Area, Odita stressed that a secured family leads to secured environment. “Every family built on oneness, fear of God and true moral principles will be a secured family and produces secured environment. Parents must be in control of children, know their friends, teach them morals and ask questions when they come home with expensive items you didn’t buy for them,” he said.

ÏÏÏ

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

15 Opinion

Senate ministerial clearance: Trick or treat?

A Magnus Onyibe

fter nearly four months waiting for President Muhamadu Buhari to name his cabinet, it took the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria about three weeks to scrutinise the list of ’36 wisemen’ for the statutory clearance.

Now, the Senate was supposed to size up the ministerial nominees for their content and character commensurate with the high expectations of integrity and probity.

With Buhari anchoring his delay in naming a cabinet on his desire to put forward Nigerians with excellent professional qualifications and sterling ethical and moral pedigrees, expectations rose to the highest crescendo that the nominees would be of impeccable character. However, the jury is still out on whether or not, the Presidency kept its promise or the eighth Senate met the high expectation of Nigerians with respect to making the nominees pass the litmus test.

What buttresses the assertion of a hanging jury is that at the end of the screening exercise, nearly half of the 109 senators, comprising of nearly50 opposition PDP, refused to assent to the approval granted one of the ministerial nominees resulting in chaotic final deliberations and a dramatic walk.

Amongst many other causes of the rumpus, by far the most significant and lightening rod for the firestorm in the senate is the approval given the immediate past rivers state governor and Buhari’s presidential campaign organisation’s director general, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

PDP senators stiff opposition to approval of Amaechi as minister is borne out of the belief that he betrayed his former PDP colleagues by jumping ship to APC. This is more so as the aggrieved senators further allege that it is Amaechi’s influence, in large part that enabled President Buhari to garner enough votes from the SouthSouth zone.

In a highly polarised society like Nigeria where ethnic and religious fault lines have continuously defined political outcomes and sometimes leading to political chasm, Amaechi’s perceived intransigence was unprecedented.

In fact, Amaechi sympathisers even stretch the argument further by pointing out that, had he not been politically dexterous, the misfortune that befell Timipreye Silva, the former governor of Bayelsa State, whom the PDP leadership foreclosed his second term bid four years ago by arbitrarily disqualifying him from contesting.

Ironically, the same force (betrayal) propelling PDP senator’s vocifer-

ous denouncement of Amaechi’s nomination as minister is the counterforce (loyalty) galvanising APC senator that rallied behind him.

In the light of the foregoing, who is right or wrong between PDP, now in opposition and Rotimi Amaechi, their nemesis, (without whom PDP might have still been the ruling party) is now irrelevant.

Evidently, the bi-partisan coalition amongst senators that served as bulwark for the emergence of senator, Bukola Saraki, as the president of the eighth senate is now under threat. The walkout by PDP senators from the chambers, in protest against APC insistence on clearing Rotimi Amaechi, reminded me of the walkout staged by PDP stalwarts led by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, from the Eagle Square venue of a PDP convention last year in protest against former President Jonathan’s sudden changes in the leadership architecture of the party.

On a lighter note, my belated advise to PDP senators is that, it would have been more elegant if they had turned their chairs and their backs against the senate president in protest while remaining in the chambers.

It could have also relieved the embattled PDP senators of the hiatus of going to the press to contradict themselves on an issue, which they had argued in favour when PDP was the ruling party. Let’s recall that

PDP justified the senate approval for Musliu Obanikoro and Jelili Omotola who had judicial enquiry issues hanging on their necks at the time they were seeking and received senate clearance as ministers.

Clearly, PDP senators who were determined to extract their pound of flesh from Amaechi, felt betrayed by senate president, Bukola Saraki.

However, lumping Amaechi’s approval with the other 17 nominees on the final day without thoroughly debating the content of the Sam Anyanwu-led ethics committee investigation, must have been like a kick in the groin that riled PDP senators. Against the backdrop of recent Court of Appeal ruling turning down the senate president’s request to halt his trial by Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, and the possible ramifications of his losing PDP senators support is grave and ominous.

As the saying ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’ portrays, senate president, Bukola Saraki, has once again found himself being drawn into the arena of intensive horse-trading to retain his exalted office.

The above scenario compels the question; is Saraki’s role in superintending over the approval of all the ministerial nominees, including Rotimi Amaechi or indeed the senate’s blanket approval, a trick or treat?

Indian Declaration: Between Olisa Metuh and Femi Adesina

I Aloy Ejimakor

n this Buhari era, aspects of the news media, especially social media, tend to hyperventilate on Buhari because this generates a buzz that attracts attention to blogs. Olisa Metuh, the PDP mouthpiece seems to know this and thus never misses an opportunity to weigh-in negatively on every bit of what Buhari says. Yes, what Buhari says is news and therefore could be reported or reacted to

by PDP. That is not the issue. The issue is the spin the PDP, through Metuh, continually puts to each and every of Buhari’s pronouncements; and then harsh words that are quickly purveyed against anybody that defends the President, including most notably the President’s Special Adviser on media, Femi Adesina – who, I might add, is merely doing his job. So, what is the news? The news is that Buhari spoke truth to Nigerians, to Indians, to the world – on the true state of affairs in Nigeria. My hunch is that vast majorities of Nigerians do not have any issues with the President’s candor, even though expressed overseas. It is no secret to foreigners, and it’s one of the main reasons Buhari was elected; and Nigerians and for-

eigners are not the three mythical monkeys – see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil.

Rather, it appears that Nigerians prefer, in the interim, to be pained by the truth. Yet, the PDP would not have any of that; it will rather the President played ostrich to Nigerians, to Indians, to the world.

And when Femi Adesina, as the President’s spokesman, did his job by pushing-back against the spin, a few partisans that still lived in the immediate past came out to traduce him. That is taking opposition politics to a new low.

What is new in the President’s public remarks on corruption? It is like speaking about piracy in China or ISIS in the Arab world. What is new and news is what is going to be done about corruption. The purpose of such candor, I assume, is to give comfort to Indians and to the rest of the world that Buhari, unlike his predecessors, will take no prisoners. Anybody who understands the dynamics that drive foreign investments knows too well that it is such candor and assurances that propel foreign-investor confidence.

The way it’s going about it, PDP might have as well told Obama to have denied the Meltdown, Putin

to deny the troubled rubble, Greek to deny its persistent recession, the Arab world to deny ISIS; and all nations that have issues to deny them all. Such a path will be counterproductive.

Better yet, it appears Team PDP’s slick PR machine has done a masterful job in misdirecting news coverage of the President’s overseas public remarks by feeding the public a daily dose of negative spins, presumably with the intent of dogging the President and his handlers with distractions. If the opposition believes that this the way to behave in opposition, permit me to say that it is wrong. The only fair way to be in opposition is to offer alternatives that make sense. If I might ask: What would have been PDP’s reaction if Buhari had, while in India, announced a general amnesty on corruption?

Apparently, the way PDP is handling its role in opposition suggests that it has not learnt any lessons from its previous spell in power. The sad truth is that from the inception of its unprecedented run on federal power, PDP managed to alienate Nigerians by going to sleep on of issues Nigerians considered hot button. The number one is corruption

in all its garden-varieties – whether it is a plain-sight stealing and heist of public funds, or putting many yams before the goat. It therefore challenges commonsense that PDP is still in the same old world, which is probably why it rankles the party each time the President waxes strong against corruption..

In the past, Nigerians were finessed by platitudes, pleasantries, and lip service on dealing with corruption.. Now, Buhari is in-charge and he knows too well that the mandate he received was largely due to his promises to deal with corruption.

It is reasonable to wager that former President Jonathan might be regretting not taking on corruption as aggressively as Buhari is now doing. Metuh’s thesis that Jonathan defended Nigeria against charges of corruption does not serve Jonathan’s legacy well. When PDP travels this path, Nigerians suspect that the party’s main preoccupation is all about changing the trajectory of the public (domestic and international) consciousness.

Certainly, post-Jonathan Nigeria has seen a noticeable damper on corruption, thanks to Buhari’s famed ‘body language’.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Fly Arik,

arrive with a

Special 9th Anniversary Give-Away From November 4 2015 to January 30, 2016 fly Arik Air and you could touch down at your destination with any of the incredible gifts on board; iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Beats By Dre headphones, laptops, cameras, 3D Smart TVs and 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema systems. #ArikCares

Nigeria and West Africa’s Leading Airline

Business Times Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

17

Arik Air rewards passengers with surprise gifts Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Arik Air, is rewarding passengers with surprise gifts midflight in what the company calls the ArikCares Special GiveAway.

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

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

Banji said the campaign, designed to endear passengers to the airline will run from November 4, 2015 to January 30, 2016.

During a flight, a lucky draw will be done using ticket numbers of passengers onboard.

The ticket number to be pulled out goes home with a gift handed out in mid-flight.

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

Jide Alade, Associate Vice President – Marketing & Communications, added further: “Nothing you do for your customers can be too much. So, while giving out an iPhone 6S or a 3D TV mid-flight seems pretty cool, a smile of satisfaction on a passenger’s face is worth much more than a million 3D TVs to us. ”

L – R: Ms. Bennedikter Molokwu, Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Ag. Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc; Mrs. Chioma Madubuko, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Engr.

Mansur Ahmed, Group Executive Director Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communication, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc at Closing Gong Ceremony at the NSEon Thursday in Lagos.

Ogun records N544 bn investment in 2014 – Ashiru

Charles Okonji

The Ogun state government has announced that a total of N544 billion investment was recorded in the last 12 months which makes it the largest industrialized state in the country, when added to the total number of existing ones.

This was made known by Otumba Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner, Commerce and Industry, Ogun State at the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, held yesterday in Ota, Ogun State, with the theme “‘The Nigeria’s Non-oil Export Challenges: Are there potential market opportunities in West African?”

He added; “For Nigeria to position effectively in the global market, Nigerian goods for export must meet competitiveness

standards, identify international benchmarks, invest in skills, technology and innovation, provide conducive and stable export policy environment, intensify Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations, address issues of market failure, partner with Bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce on export opportunities and promotion.”

“Also, engaging Nigerians in Diaspora to take optimal advantage of trade preference programmes, such as African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and others, export of value added products against commodities, simplify export producers and documents and imbibe E-commerce culture to reduce cost and time.”

Mr Wale Adegbite, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria( MAN), Ogun State Chapter stated that there is the need to sustain and expand local capacities of manufacturers outside

the country because of the face of emerging global competition which had been a major challenges.

“If this problem is not addressed; it could jeopardize the new and existing investments, which will lead to reduction in employment as well as reducing income to the country.”

Adegbite stressed that the expectation that millions of jobs would be created, with the introduction of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), would be a mirage if the Nigerian manufacturing sector was left to shrink.

He added that the economic hardship and challenges experienced in the country as a result collapse of the price of crude oil in the international market poses great problems to the nation.

“Our leaders need to diversify the economy away from oil to non

oil-export, it is therefore, very important that the Federal Government should make policies that would stimulate the nation’s real sector toward improving production,” he said.

He said that the diversification of the Nigeria economy could be visible only if consistent policies were made by the federal government, stressing that the manufacturing sector provides the biggest opportunity for Nigerian economy to expand and tackles the challenges of unemployment, but for this to take place, special incentives should be given to the sector.

He said that repositioning the manufacturing sector was a joint responsibility of the Federal Government, State Government and the private sector, urging the state government to set goals, marched with strong political will and resources, to achieve set goals.

Keystone Bank empowers female entrepreneurs

Philip Ikeazor, MD, Keystone Bank

Keystone Bank, has through its Pink Network organised a training program aimed at growing the businesses of its array of female entrepreneurs.

This is part of the bank’s continuous effort towards supporting female entrepreneurs, the training, which held in Lagos, was termed PinkPreneur and it’s the first edition of sessions that would be held regularly.

Various facilitators taught on

efficiently using social media to promote businesses, business education and importance of creating a sustainable business structure as well educating the participants on the benefits of the flagship Pink Account.

One of the facilitators, the founder, Masterpiece Resource Development Centre, Mrs. Module Oyekunle spoke on discovering and developing their business and career ideas, gave partici-

pants business tips on properly setting up a business in Nigeria and the basic structures one must put in place to be able to succeed as well as using the Pink Marketplace to sell and expand their customer base.

Speaking at the training, the Divisional Head, Product and Marketing Support, Keystone Bank, Temitayo Olutoye said the bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs, which was

the strategic reason for creating the Pink Network and the training sessions.

On the benefits of the Pink Account, she said: “This account is about financial inclusion and making it possible for women to express themselves. It is also a simple account that speaks to the need of every woman. It is about speaking to the needs of women and bringing us together and letting us express ourselves.”

Business News 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

OLX partners MoMo security Joy Ekeke

L-R: Company Secretary, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK), Mr. Uche Uwechia; One day Deputy Governor, Abdul’ Liadi Faaiz of Omole Senior Grammar School; One day Governor, Master Idowu Sonoiki of Ikotun Senior High School and Marketing Director, West Africa GSK, Kerry Alexander , during the 15th One day Governor of ‘Spelling B’ Education competition’s visit to the Company at Ilupeju, Lagos recently.

MTN debunks ‘making up’ with NCC on $5.2bn fine

Ï0irm urged to respect host countries’ laws Tony Nwakaegho MTN Group in a statement issued today, debunked the reports making the rounds that it has resolved the issue of the $5 billion fine with the Nigeria Communications Commission.

MTN’s statement noted that it was in good books of the regulator and added it continues to engage constructively with Nigerian authorities at all levels but no resolution has been reached at so far.

“The company has noted, with concern, the speculation and false information in the media. MTN particularly cautions against reports purporting that the company has agreed a resolution with the NCC on the fine. It is false as no resolution has yet been reached. MTN continues to engage the authorities in Nigeria on this matter.”

MTN also said it will inform its shareholders on any material developments on its engagements with Nigerian authorities via the Stock Exchange News Service of the JSE Limited (SENS) and asked the shareholders to exercise caution when reacting to information that has not been released by the company.

MTN said it has operated in Nigeria for over a decade and has always conducted its business in accordance with established principles related to sound corporate governance.

The firm adds it has made significant investments in connecting customers to its network in

Nigeria as it has in other markets and values the role of governments and regulators.

“In conducting our business, MTN is always mindful that our growth has not only been due to the success of our commercial propositions. We therefore remain committed to maintaining solid partnerships with regulators, governments, communities and our markets, including Nigeria, to build a sustainable industry that contributes to the growth of local economies.

“Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company’s securities until a further announcement is made,” the firm said.

The license renewal and extension was unexpted as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had imposed a $5 billion fine on MTN Nigeria over the timing of the disconnection of 5.1 million subscribers in August and September.

In a related development, Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s deputy president has urged MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s biggest mobile-phone company, to follow the rules in countries where it is operating.

Ramaphosa, in an address to lawmakers in Cape Town yesterday, said the government would be taking note of what “is happening with a view of seeing how the company involved responds and reacts” to its challenges.

“We would like our companies to comply with the laws and regu-

lations of countries where they operate, without violating them.

“It does seem like in the case of Nigeria, there were issues, and those issues need to be addressed.

“If this fine is indeed imposed as it is, it is going to impact on South Africa as well, as our revenue fortunes from a taxation point of view are going to be lower.”

Agency reports indicated that comments by Ramaphosa, a former chairman of MTN, suggested that South African authorities might leave MTN to face its problem as it seeks to have the penalty reduced.

South African authorities might also be reluctant to confront their Nigerian counterparts following a series of diplomatic spats that have soured relations between the Africa’s two biggest economies.

The most recent occurred in April, when Nigeria’s government allegedly ordered its two most senior diplomats in South Africa to return home for consultations following a wave of attacks against immigrants, including Nigerians, in Johannesburg and Durban.

“South Africa does not have a track record of defending its national company champions internationally,” Nic Borain, a political analyst, who advises BNP Paribas Cadiz Securities, said.

“On the face of it, this fine seems seriously over the top. Ramaphosa’s words about the issue seem weak as they veer too much on the side of caution,” he added.

OLX, one of Nigeria ‘s leading online classified has partnered with Mobile Monday Nigeria (MoMo) a global community of mobile industry developers, designers and influential individuals who facilitate cross-border business cooperation and development to further safeguard online transactions on its website.

This was disclosed at a press conference themed “Making Ecommerce more secure in Nigeria” in Lagos recently.

Speakers at the event were Ope Adeoye, Manager, Strategy and Alliances Interswitch; Femi Taiwo, CEO/CTO INITS Limited; Jameelah Ayedun MD/CEO, CR Services and Lola Masha; Country Manager,OLX. According to Lola Masha, the partnership with MoMo is to further enhance OLX commitment to keeping the site safe and secure for its users.

Masha also added that “working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, OLX has been able to catch two scammers on the site showing our dedication to keeping OLX users’ safe and ensur-

ing that every user experiences a smooth transaction on the site”.

Furthermore, Jameelah Ayedun, described it as a new vista for online retailers in Nigeria, stressing that OLX is championing the way by empowering OLX users to conduct more accountable business transactions.

She said, “We are delighted to partner with OLX towards providing a safe and secure way through which more people can transact business online.

Speaking on the partnership, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Charles Okafor stated that “the Nigerian Police Force is actively working with OLX to ensure online offenders (scammers) are caught and brought to justice”.

He also commended OLX on their dedication to keeping their site safe for Nigerian citizens.

OLX is available in more than 40 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy, sell or exchange used goods and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post an ad through the mobile app.

WIMBIZ targets 1,000 women for 14th annual conference Funmi Coker The Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) is set to hold its 14 annual conference and has targeted to empower about 1000 women to aspire for leadership positions.

The conference tagged “Leadership… Step Up and Stand Out!”will take place on November 16th and 17th, 2015 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference will critically look into Nigeria’s growth and development by examining trends, opportunities and best practices in various sectors. WIMBIZ, whose objectives among other things are to educate and challenge women to maximize their potential, is also tilted towards elevating the attraction and retention of women in workplace.

According to the Chairperson, WIMBIZ, Mrs Osayi Alile, the event will attract over 1000 women, to discuss a broad range of issues centered around a cutting edge theme that is topical and relevant.

She also stressed that, it will identify salient issues concerning women in the workplace and in business, particularly in the areas of leadership capacity building and avenues for networking for growth. ”The theme was selected as a result of the need for women to arise to the challenge of leadership. In the past, women had no input in decision making in Africa but this has improved tremendously overtime.” Alile said

Alile

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

19 Real Sector Digest

Enterprise Strokes

Rescuing Nigeria’s battered economy Ï Ƒ Əƈô ƌƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ ƓƈƐ ƑƐ ƍ ƏƐƇ Ƌƈ Stories by Siaka Momoh I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months is that we are so much battered, although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.

Cabinet job-seeking politicians who have been cleared and some who probably must be lobbying or hoping for plumb ministerial positions must by now be nursing their wound as tough acting and calculating President Buhari

has said some of the cleared ministers will not have portfolios.

This is a departure from what obtained in the past when apart from 36 ministers representing states of the federation, ministers of state also existed along with them. And we also had a retinue of special advisers and advisers to special advisers. What an economic waste! All done in the name of giving jobs to party faithfuls.

Speaking on Tuesday shortly after Senate President Bukola Saraki presented the list of ministers to him, the president said he limited the number of his

nominees to 36 in line with the constitution. He commended the senate president and the leadership of the senate for the screening, saying the exercise was done “within record time”.

“If I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36.

The President further said “I think there is some enthusiasm in some parts of the presidency today that portfolios are to be given to the 36. The constitution certainly says there must be one member of the cabinet from all the states but the constitution did not say I must have 36 ministries.

For Mr President, what he has seen in the last four months since taking over the reins of government is a Nigeria with a battered economy. “Whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s newspapers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, is that we are so much battered. “Although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors,” he said.

For him, any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than Nigerians. He argued, “So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the coun-

try, I am going out looking for investors. But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services. They know our needs.

The economy of human resources, I believe will make them eventually come and help us.”

The message is therefore clear that it is no longer business as usual. The days of licentiousness are over. The days of two ministers for a ministry are over; the days of advisers to special advisers are over. It is time for real business, not time for jobs for the boys. It is certain this will be part of the Buhari’s address to ministers at their inauguration.

• A flow of private sector funds into the agribusiness sector in 3ADI countries to be facilitated.

• Large-scale agribusiness development programmes to be developed as public-private partnerships, which will trigger economic growth, improve food security and reduce poverty.

• On an inter-agency level, the project will create additional synergies and will further strengthen the collaboration between UNIDO, other UN organizations and public/private partners.

Impact/Outlook By 2020, the technical assistance, reforms and attraction of private sector investment through the 3ADI programme are expected to result in productive and profitable agricultural value chains wherein: • SMEs will be effectively linked to domestic/regional markets; • Income of producers in-

creased through participation in value addition processes; • Higher value and differentiated agricultural products supplied to local, regional and global markets; • Higher proportion of consumer price retained in countries where primary production takes place; • Natural resources utilized in an overall sustainable manner; • Sector provides an effective basis for industrialization and generation of increased employment; • A second round of countries is expected to join the 3ADI framework during its second year of implementation.

This agribusiness and agroindustrial development project, which is currently ongoing, according to UNIDO, will cost EUR739000. Project duration is August 2010 – August 2020.

G 9 ƐƆƏ Ɛƈ Ƌ jƏ ƗƆƇ ƈƏ ƍƆ Ɛ Ɨ ƕ The 29th edition of The Lagos International Trade Fair, will hold from Friday, 6th to Sunday 15th November 2015, a statement from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said.

The fair will focus on exploring the business side of the creative industry and allow our multitalented idealists and creators turn their passion into wealth, not only for themselves but also for the Nigerian economy, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the LCCI is inviting all to an opening Cocktail and Lagos Inspired cultural concert holding at 6.00pm on Friday, 6th November 2015 at

the Freedom Park, Broad street, Lagos to unveil its upcoming Lagos Creative Industry Fair.

According to the LCCI statement ,signed by Segun Alabi, the chamber’s corporate communications manager, the Lagos Creative Festival EKO AKETE’ organized by LCCI in conjunction with CORA & Freedom Park will be used to showcase the Creative Industry and explore the linkage between the creative industry and the formal businesses. The Lagos Creative Festival will compose of the different subsectors such as Arts, Music, Performance Arts, Literature, Fashion, Nollywood, etc.

RETHINKING AGRIC

^Ƒ ƈ Ƈ Ə ƍƏ ƗƑƅƐƈƒƆè ƍƏ ƇƈƐ ƄƋƆ ƒ ƋƑƆ ƅ ƈ Selected pilot countries are: Afghanistan, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania.

It is time to rethink agriculture; what with oil losing its value in recent times. In large parts of the developing world, the potential of agro-enterprises remains unexploited as a result of limited access to markets, information, infrastructure, technology and finance.

Nevertheless, the agricultural sector is still the backbone of economic activity, employment and livelihoods in developing countries. Strengthening the sector and adding value to agricultural commodities are instrumental in en-

hancing food security, stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty in a sustainable manner.

Strategy The High-level Conference on the Development of Agribusiness and Agro-industries in Africa held in Abuja in March 2010 launched the African Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (3ADI). The Conference mandates UNIDO, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to initiate joint action in the areas of agribusiness value chains, food security, policies, financing and related trade.

The initiative calls for the accel-

erated development of agribusiness and agro-industries to ensure value addition to agri-cultural products of developing countries.

Selected pilot countries are: Afghanistan, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo,Ghana,Ha iti,Liberia,Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania.

UNIDO’s interventions include productivity and competitiveness improvement, quality improvement, and facilitating access to markets. UNIDO also supports an investment programme designed to significantly increase the proportion of agricultural produce in the selected countries and transform it into differentiated highvalue products.

Expected results:

Real Sector Digest with Siaka Momoh

Motoring 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

VW slips into first loss in 15 yrs

tag of 7.66 million yen (R872 000), but it should end up costing just R530 000 after government subsidies. Honda also plans to launch the Clarity in Europe at a later stage.

Berlin - Volkswagen posted its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years on Wednesday and said the 6.7 billion euros ($7.4 billion) set aside to cover the costs of its rigging of diesel emissions tests was likely just a start.

The news came as the carmaker’s new CEO was about to fly out to China with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other business leaders to promote trade in a major export market and try to limit the damage of a scandal that has rocked the auto industry.

Almost six weeks after it admitted using illegal software to cheat US diesel emissions tests, Europe’s biggest carmaker is under pressure to identify those responsible, fix up to 11 million affected vehicles and convince regulators, investors and customers that it won’t make the same mistakes again.

The biggest business crisis in its 78-year history has wiped more than a quarter off VW’s stock market value, forced out its long-time CEO and tarnished a business held up for generations as a model of German engineering prowess.

VW reported on Wednesday a third-quarter operating loss of 3.48 billion euros, in line with the 3.47 billion-euro loss forecast in a Reuters poll of analysts.

It set aside 6.7 billion euros in the July-September period to cover costs related to the scandal, up from the 6.5 billion announced a week after the cheating became public on September 18.

As an expression of Kia Motors Nigeria indelible contributions to Lagos State Government and its unalloyed support for the state, the company has donatedNigeria’s best-selling car, the 2015 Kia Rio as a token of its commitment to the growth of Lagos State. The gesture is rooted in the objective of Kia social responsibility to contribute to the development of society as an upright corporate citizen and staying true to the company’s unwavering commitment to the industrialisation of Nigerian economy.

Kia has continued to contribute immensely to the growth of its local community and the state through its corporate social responsibility initiatives. “The donation of Kia Rio to the state is consequent upon our increasing efforts to positively impact the communities we’re in. We foster a framework for collaboration with the government and recognise local initiatives for expanding the involvement in social con-

tribution initiatives for the state” said Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director, Kia Motors Nigeria.

“We are proud to partner with the Lagos State government for the actualisation of the state’s mega city project by advancing the frontiers of the industrialisation of the state with our assembly plant in the state” continued Jacky. At the car presentation for the state government, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff, Lagos State, express the government’s appreciation to the management of Kia Motors Nigeria for the donation of the 2015 Kia Rio to the government and posited that the government will always provide an enabling environment for the success of the local businesses.

Through socially responsible management, Kia Motors aims to delineate its vision and role vis-àvis our employees, partner companies, shareholders, customers, local communities and humanity at large.

Hydrogen Honda for mass market Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Tokyo Motor Show - Honda has unleashed its answer to the Toyota Mirai, which hit the scene earlier this year as the world’s first mass produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle is Japan’s second attempt at a mass market hydrogen-powered car.

Of course, this is not Honda’s first attempt at such a vehicle the previous FCX Clarity was made a available for lease in limited numbers in the US, Japan and Europe, but now buyers in those markets will actually be

able to buy the latest version of Honda’s fuel cell vehicle.

The new Clarity also makes some advances and even one-ups the Toyota Mirai in two important ways.

Firstly Honda has managed to reduce the size of the fuel cell stack and power generation system by 33 percent, allowing Honda to stash the whole lot under the bonnet. This allows for a roomy cabin that, according to Honda, “comfortably” seats five adults. It still gives up some boot room though, to accommodate the large hydrogen fuel tank.

Which brings us to the Honda’s other advantage, in that it can travel a claimed 700km between refuels, versus the 480km

you’ll manage in the Toyota.

Honda is also quite proud of the 130kW output that makes for very decent performance.

The Clarity goes on sale in Japan in early 2016 with a price

Kia donates 2015 Rio to LASG

L-R: Abiodun Bamgboye, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff and Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director, Kia Motors Nigeria at the presentation of the 2015 Kia Rio in the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Lagos State recently.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

HAPPY IS THE DAY EVANGELICAL MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Ogunjumo Joel Ola President 2. Isaih Abidoye Ojetade 3. Ogunjumo Christianah Motunrayo Oladipupo 4. Ogunsina Joseph Oluwatob Aims and Objectives are: (1) EVANGELISE FOR CHRIST (2) SPEAKING THE WORD OF TRUTH OF GOD (3) CARING FOR THE WIDOW AND NEEDY Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

INSIGHT OZOEMELAM I formerly known as Mr. Emmanuel Ozoemelam, now wish to be addressed as Mr. Insight Ozioma Ozoemelam.

All former document remain valid.

OGUNYOMBO KAFAYAT I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akeusola Folashade Kafayat, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunyombo Folashade Kafayat, all former documents remain valid. LASG, TEPO and general public take note.

21 Public Notice

BLESSING OZIOMA I formerly known as Miss Blessing Egba Isong, now wish to be addressed as Mrs Blessing Ozioma. All former document remain valid.

BADMUS WASIU ADIO

I formerly known as Gbadamosi Wasiu Adio, now wish to be addressed as Badmus Wasiu Adio.

All former document remain valid.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

BETHRAPHA DIVINE FOUNDATION

This is to notify the general public that the Original Deed of SUBLEASE dated 14th September, 1998 and Registered as No 14 at page 14 in volume 566 of the Lands Registry in the office at Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria in respect of Area 1, scheme 1 block R, Plot 10, OPIC Estate, Isheri, Ogun state is missing.

The general public should please take note.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Akande Bolatito Roseline - Chairman.

2. Ajala Babatunde Simon.

3. Jimo Olayinka Olatunbosun - Secretary.

4. Jinadu, Oluwakemi Yetunde.

5. Uyakonwu, Christian Nkem.

6. Oyeleye Toyin Peter.

ESOGBEMI UNITED FRUITS SELLERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA 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, 1990.

The Trustees are: I. Mrs, Silifat Ajoke Dosumu Chairperson, 2, Mrs. Sauliat Kikelomo Lasisi Vice Chairperson 3 Mrs. Kuburat Ayoka Bodunrin Treasurer 4, Mrs, Caroline Abosede Arowosafe Secreatry 5. Mrs. Oluwakemi Abike Eweje Chief Whip 6. Mrs. Risikat Arinpe Bakare Finacial Secreatry, 7. Mrs, Elizabeth Ajoke Elegbede Adviser, 8. Mrs. Taiwo Adenike Adeshilola Auditor Aims and Objectives To co-operate and seeks for the progress of every member of the association Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: OSHINMI ALIMI GLOBAL SERVICES O8O2833O387 O8O97575799

Aims and Objectives: 1. To reach out to many special needs of children within and outside the state and the nation at large.

2. To help them develop their potential and put their skills into reality.

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

Signed: Secretary

IPONRI GRAMMAR SCHOOL, OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Ajibike Adeniji Ayooluwa -President 2. Olanrewaju Amusan - Vice President 3. Olayinka Ramoni Fashola - Secretary 4. Aliga Henry - Treasurer 5. Olasupo Adekunle Taiwo - Public Relation Officer 6. Mr. Akeem Ojora -Member 7. Naomi Onyeka Nwosu - Member 8. Alhaji Hamed Ayo Zubair - Member 9. Mrs. Julie Omotayo - Member 10. Hassan Lawanson - Member 11. Chidi Pascal Egbijor - Member 12. Ajagbe Saheed Nosiru Aims and Objectives: 1. To foster unity among members 2. To assist one another.

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

Signed: Henry Aliga Godson C. Nwosu & Co

ABDULRHMAN ALHASSAN

I formerly called Aminu M. Ibrahim, now wishes to be known and called Abdulrhman Aminu Alhassan. All former document remain valid General public note.

UFOMBA NENE TREASURE I formerly known as Miss Ngwu Nnennaya. C., now wish to be addressed as Mrs Ufomba Nene Treasure. All former document remain valid.

ADEKUNLE FUNMILAYO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunniyi Omolola Funmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekunle Omolola Funmilayo all former documents remain valid. LASG, TEPO and general public take note.

UWAKWU CALISTA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Eze Ogechukwu Calista now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uwakwu Ogechukwu Calista all former documents remains valid. (UBA) and the general public take note.

THE SUPREME WISDOM OF GOD MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Evangelist (Mrs.) Uzoma Geraldine Akpuru.

2. Brother Uchenna Cletus Akpulu.

Aims and objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus christ to the whole world .

2. To promote the advancement of christian religious activities generally.

3. To engage in christian educational and missionary activities.

4. To establish seminaries for the training of preachers.

5. To hols series of worship for members in church buildings and other appropriate places.

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

Signed: Onyekachi Uko

THE FENCED TOWER OF GOD 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, 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Babaniyi Elijah Tunde Founder 2. Joseph Olayode Secretary 3.Babaniyi Yemisi Felicia.

Aims and Objectives: use anyone with you in as much is for penticostal church.

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

Signed: Secretary

ETERNAL WITNESS CHRISTIAN OUTREACH

LOSS OF LAND DOCUMENT

OBA PATRIOTIC UNION, LAGOS

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, 1990.

Trustees

”On 21/08/15 at about 1929hrs one Engr, Ejiofor umeano M of Dawaki Layout came to Dawaki policestation and reported that on the 20th June, 2014 while parking his personal Document from his office at suite FA 40 Bannex plaza wuse 2 to his house, he later discovered that his Land document bearing DAN-ASABE ISHAKU plot NO. i205 file No. BA 14720 of 19/02/67 covering about 1000 SQ.M located at Dawaki extension layout was missing and all effort made to trace the above land document provedabortive, hence he reported.

ACTION TAKEN: The complainant was advised to go to any court of law and swear an affidavit to enable him obtain replacement from the authority concerned. Entry made by Inspr. Meshack Danbaki Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

SUPOL HARUNA YOHANNAOFFICER IN CHARGEDAWAKI POLICE STATIONDUSTSE ALHAJI DIVISION, FCT ABUJA

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Union/Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for adding and removal of Trustees In Accordance with the Provisions of The Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990 part C. The Trustees are: Old Trustees: 1. Sir Emmanuel Ibeachum - Retained 2. Chief Anthony E. Agina - Retained 3. Late Mr. Emmanuel Emechebe - Removed.

4. Mr. Christopher Etoniru - Retained 5. Mr. Ifediba Maduabum - Retained.

New trustee Appointed.

1. Chief Basil Okeke - Added Reason for change of trustee: The death of Mr. Emmanuel Emechebe.

The Trustees Are: 1. Biyere Bello Martins 2. Afolabi Morolake Oluwatoyosi 3. Biyere Folahan Babafemi Aims and Objectives : 1. Teaching the word of God 2. Preaching the word of God.

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

Signed: Straight Path Consulting

DIVINE KINGDOM SALVATION CHURCH The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees Are:1.Rev Ayodele Mathew Adebayo 2, Rev Mrs Ayodele Stella Bolatiwa 3, Pastor Fagoroye Abiodun Bamidele 4, Pastor Samuel Oke Emmanuel 5, Otokiti Johnson Milla Aims and Objectives: To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any Objection To The Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja Within 28 Days Of This Publication.

Signed: Trustees

Aims and objectives: 1. To promote brotherly and sisterly relationship amongst members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the 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: Trustees.

SPEAK THE WORD GOSPEL CHURCH

YEMI AJIBADE PRAYER MINITSRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are: (1) Evang. Chinyere Ogudu (General Overseer) (2) Deaconess Chinyere Richard (Secretary) (3) Mr. Ikechuku Nwikpo (Treasurer), (4) Mr. Benneth Joseph Ogudu (Member)

This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 The Trustees Are: 1. Yemi Ajibade 2. Toyin Ajibade 3. Olawunmi Suliat Olaniyan 4. Ayobami Joshua Ajibade 5. Tolulope Adelayo Ajibade Aims And Objectives 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To encourage Christians to be more involved in prayer Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: OLUSEUN FADELE ESQ AL BARKA PLAZA, AWOLOWO JUNCTION, IBADAN

The Aims And Objectives Are: (1) To preach the gospel to the unsaved through out the world, (2) To promote fellowship among believers, (3) To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ by all scriptural means Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Lawal Taofeek Babatunde

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

N5,000 stipend: APC Senators acting party’s script, says PDP Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Wednesday’s rejection by All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators of the N5,000 monthly stipend, which they promised Nigerians during the electioneering, underscores the monumental hypocrisy of their party in getting to power by means of deceit and false promises to Nigerians.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Thursday, said that the development is a clear confirmation of the fact

that the APC is a party of hypocrites, who never had the intentions of honouring any of their campaign promises.

The PDP declared that “it is absolutely obvious to all that the APC came to power riding on monumental lies and deceit in making promises they had no intentions to keep. All they wanted was to get into power and they achieved this with their lying tongues.

“Indeed, the unanimity displayed by the APC Senators in rejecting the promised N5, 000 monthly welfare package, especially coming after their party and the Presidency had

made futile efforts to distance themselves from it, further stresses the duplicitous spirit of the APC and its reprehensible insensitivity to the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians, especially the unsuspecting youths, women and the indigent, who they shamelessly swindled with false promises.

“From the foregoing therefore, Nigerians should not expect any sincere action from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government on the other promises, including monthly allowance to discharged but unemployed NYSC members, free meals and

scholarship to school children, free houses, bringing the naira to the same value with the dollar.

“Our position remains that the APC has sufficiently confirmed to the world that they have a lot to learn on the leadership values of honesty, integrity, credibility and forthrightness.

“Finally, we invite Nigerians to note the powers amply vested on them by the constitution under a democracy as we urge them to stand on such powers and hold the APC and its government accountable for all their campaign promises”, the opposition party declared.

L-R: Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Alao; General Manager, Lagos State Television, Mr. Deji Balogun and Snr. Supt.

Apostle Adebola Odubela during a courtesy visit of Prophet Alao to LTV in Lagos… on Thursday

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that in some Bank I registered my name as Roseline John in another Bank; I recorded my name as Udeh Roseline .J. the above names refers to one person.

My full name is Udeh Roseline John. All former documents remain valid Banks and general public take note.

ISOLA AINA OPEYEMI I Formerly Called Miss Oke Aina Opeyemi now wish to be known and called Mrs Isola Aina Opeyemi.

All other documents remain valid.

Ayedire Local Govt Osun State & general public should take note.

Ogunyemi Esther

ÏÏÏAs part of

strategies to grow market share and expand customers reach, companies under the Dangote Group are storming the Lagos International Trade Fair which kicks off today (Friday) at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and two other centers, in Lagos.

Companies from the Group that are exhibiting at the fair include Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Agrosacks, NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), Dangote Rice limited, Dangote Cement Plc, and Dansa Foods Limited among others.

ÏÏÏDealers

Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed up six erring filling stations within Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for violating various regulations under the downstream petroleum sector and fined N2million each.

Similarly, all the affected filling stations were suspended from operations for two months.

The Operations Con-

troller of DPR in Kwara State, Mr. Salvation Philips, who led inspection visits to some filling stations within Ilorin announced immediate suspension of operations and payment of two million naira fine on Super Moon Nigeria Limited, along Ajase-Ipo road, for overpricing of pump price and threatening the lives of DPR officials.

According to him, the station was reported to be overpricing which made the Agency to intervene

but after the intervention, the station’s officials reverted to overpricing and threatened the lives of DPR officials with touts.

In his reaction, the Deputy Director of the filling station, Mr. David Micheal, who debunked the allegation of threatening the lives of DPR officials admitted that some customers disrupted the activities of the DPR officials in the station.

Also fined for two million naira was NIPCO Filling station, along Ajase-

Ipo for under-delivering where the DPR boss directed the filling station’s management to re-adjust its pumping machines to normal before dispensing the remaining fuel.

Others fined for various violations are Yemsonat Filling station, New Yidi Road, Alkad Filling station, Western Reservoir road, Rockfield Filling station, Fate Road and Sollant Filling station, ItaAmo which was fined for diverting 22, 000 litres of kerosene.

BLESSED ISA MUSA I formerly known and addressed as Bala Musa Isa now wish to be known and addressed Pastor Blessed Isa Musa all former document remain valid general public should please take note.

Some of the products to be displayed at the fair include Dangote sugar, Dangote salt, Danq (seasoning), tomato paste, various ranges of fruit juice products and bottled water from Dansa Foods. Dangote Sugar will be offering customers different sizes of granulated sugar packs at the fair.

A statement from Corporate Communications Unit of Dangote Group, said the fair has become a veritable venue for the introduction of new innovations to Dangote products and that visitors to the group pavilion at both fairs will have the opportunity of buying products of these companies at reduced prices.

Ondo yam dealers lament attacks on members Akure

Kehinde Akinpelu

I formerly known as Arikpo Williams will now wish to be known and addressed as Arikpo Willians Ibiang. All former documents bearing my names remain valid. UBA Bank and general public take note.

Dangote group assures of pocketfriendly prices at Lagos fair

Tosin Ajuwon

DPR seals filling stations in Ilorin

ARIKPO WILLIANS IBIANG

in tubers of yam in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, have sent a save-our-soul message to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase and the monarch of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, over alleged harassment of its members by some youths in the town.

Its Okitipupa branch chairman, Mr. Dare Ogunmolu, who addressed journalists in Akure said his members were frequently molested by enrage youths whenever they are returning from any business trips around Ondo town.

Ogunmolu said the hoodlums often waylaid their vehicles along IfeOndo road and demand

for outrageous ransom from them before they are allowed to pass through the town.

He said any of the traders that refuse to heed to their demands would be delayed and molested in the process.

“This has become a regular occurrence and source of concern to us.

This incident happens around Ondo, along IfeOndo road. The youth are not members of NURTW in the area. They are hoodlums and touts. They frequently take undue advantage of our members whenever they are returning from business trips.

They extort money from us and dispose us of our goods when we refuse to heed to their demands.

This has happened on several occasions” Ogunmolu said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

23 News

Bayelsa guber: Dickson campaign group tasks FG on security

NAFDAC DG bags US Congress award

Akam James

ÏÏÏThe

Yenagoa ÏÏÏThe Dickson/Jonah Campaign Organisation has called on the federal government to provide adequate security during and after the electioneering towards the December 5 gubernatorial elections in the Rivers State, stressing that it was the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that the election was peaceful, free and fair.

The Director -General of the organisation and the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Fred Agbedi, who stated this during a press conference to unveil

the campaign itinerary, said the campaign outside the capital city, Yenagoa, would commence on Friday with a visit to Brass Local Government Area. He called the All Progressives Congress (APC), to also go about its campaigns peacefully.

Agbedi, who was flanked by the Deputy-Directors for Administration, Operations, Media and publicity, Mr. Talford Ongolo, Claudius Enengesi and Jonathan Obuebite, respectively, noted that the call for adequate security became imperative because of attacks on the convoy of the governor by thugs suspected to be APC supporters in Yenagoa.

The PDP campaign is

expected to climax in Sagbama Local Government Area, where Governor Seriake Dickson hails from.

Agbedi said, “For the past one week, we have been going round the Yenagoa metropolis. We have visited so many communities and we are prepared to reach all the eight LGAs, communities and Senatorial zones.

“We know that the PDP belong to Bayelsa and we must ensure that the Present Governor, Seriake Dickson, who is our sole candidate, is elected back to Creek Heaven.

“We, therefore, call on all the Council Chairmen and community leader to come out en mass and participate

in the on-going campaign.

“On security, the government is trying its best, but we are still calling on the Federal Government to ensure security before, during, and after the campaign and election.

“We, in the PDP, are only asking for peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election. We want total free, fair and peaceful conduct.

We also urge the opposition party to imbibe the spirit of peace during their campaign; we do not want any form of violence. My advice to the eligible voters on the election day is to go out, ‘cast your vote because that is your civic right and I believe that our dear party will win’”.

Akor Ejumene Abuja

Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has received a prestigious honorary award – the Georgian Bureau – from the Black Caucus of the United States Congress, under the auspices of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), for his global leadership in the fight against counterfeit products.

The leader of the delegation, Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler, who led two other Congressmen to present the award to Orhii, in Abuja,

Kano govt approves loan for rice production Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: Secretary, Conference 57, Hon. Ajala Razaq; Chairman, Hon. Kolade Alabi and Assistant Secretary, Hon. Adeola Olajobi during a media briefing on the allegations of deduction of LG funds by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Conference Room, Bariga Local Council Development Area Secretariat, Bariga… on Thursday

Choose your successor from within, Oshiomhole urged Titus Akhigbe

ÏÏÏEdo

State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has been called upon to narrow his successor among those who have worked closely with him in his administration, in order to ensure continuity and consolidation.

A pressure group, known as the Edo Continuity Forum, (ECF), which made the call, at a press briefing, in Benin City, on Wednesday, also lauded Oshiomhole as he gets set to mark his

seventh-year anniversary in office and insisted that the state could not afford to experience any downward trend in development.

The Chairman of the group, Mr Sunny Aguebor, told newsmen that the body had to embark on the mission after a careful study of succession plans in the South-South geo-political zone, and came to the conclusion that continuity was pertinent to sustain development.

“We have understudied the activities of this present

government, since its inception and we are pleased to announced to you that the government has done very well in the areas of infrastructural development, wealth creation, capacity building and prudent management of resources.

“The administration of Brig General Smauel Ogbemudia recorded a lot of achievement in the then Bendel State. Between his administration and the coming of late Prof. Ambrose Alli there was a huge gap and downward trend in

development, because there was no continuity after the initial foundation laid by S.O. Ogbemudia.

“After the exit of late Prof Ambrose Alli of blessed memory, the state suffered from total neglect and lack of direction among the comity of states in Nigeria.

The state, which used to be the heartbeat of Nigeria, was relegated to the background. This trend continues until 2007 when God sent us a political messiah to rescue us from the situation we were in.”

said Orhii and his team had worked tirelessly in fighting the menace of counterfeiting of medicines and other regulated products.

Responding, a visibly elated Orhii said the honour showed the increasing international awareness and concern about the global menace of drug counterfeiting and a robust resolve to combat the problem frontally.

While dedicating the US Special Congressional award to the staff of the agency and the hapless victims of drug counterfeiting, Orhii thanked the Black Caucus of the US Congress for the inspiring honour and promised to sustain the war against counterfeit regulated products.

Kano State Government has approved the sum of N1 billion as a loan to state rice association, to enable it participate actively in rice production.

The Commissioner for Information, Comrade Mohammad Garba made this known, on Thursday, while briefing newsmen in his office on the outcome of the weekly state executive council meeting presided by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Garba said that the gesture was in response to the dwindling revenue from crude oil and the determination of the federal governments to revive the agricul-

tural sector. The loan, Garba said, was to serve as a substitute, noting that the sum of 100 million naira would be disbursed to wheat farmers to procure seeds and other activities related to wheat farming.

Garba said that the Council further approved N570 million to Ministry for Water Resources to repair the of Tomas irrigation site at Tomas dam.

The Council also approved nearly N5 million for the Ministry of Health to conduct the accreditation of some courses at the School of Health Technology and N615 million for the Ministry of Environment to procure 40 refuse disposal trucks, amongst others.

Gov. Bindow fires ADSU VC Dan Kurama Garu Yola

ÏÏÏThe

lingering crisis that had been rocking the Adamawa State University (ADSU) reached a denouement, on Thursday, with the sacking of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gabriel Shalla.

The development was confirmed by the Commissioner of Higher Education, Alh. Ahmad Rufa'i.

The removal of Shalla was after many attempts of reconciling issues concerning financial, ethnic religious, and tribal feuds within the

leadership and the university community.

The Bursar, Dr. Moses Zarwa, has been appointed to serve as acting vice-chancellor.

Bindow

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Kano institute to admit female drug addicts Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏGovernor

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said that it had plans to admit 160 females to Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, as a part of effort to address drug abuse.

He disclosed this when members of the Kano State Youths Awareness Against Drug and Other Related Crimes (KASYADAREC) paid him a courtesy call at the Government House.

He said the step was being taken because the menace of drug abuse had tran-

Traffic gridlock at Arepo by Lagos-Ibadan Expressway… on Thursday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Funds: Ogunlewe’s allegation against Ambode untrue, baseless – LG chairs Oyetubo Olabimpe

ÏÏÏThe Conference of

Local Government Executive Secretaries in Lagos State has debunked an allegation by the former Minister of Works and chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Adeseye Ogunlewe, that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was causing underdevelopment at the grassroots by deducting 80 percent from funds accruing to the local governments.

At a press conference, on Thursday, the Executive Secretaries described the allegation by Ogunlewe as “blatant falsehood”, which was nothing short of “an act of gross irresponsibility and a clear evidence of desperation of a man whose

political diminution has inflicted an advanced state of abnormal behavior”.

Executive Secretary of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Chairman of Conference of Local Government Executive Secretaries, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, who addressed journalists alongside his colleagues, recalled the shameful role played

by Ogunlewe in the past against the people of Lagos, and wondered where the former Minister “suddenly and mischievously discovered his love for Lagosians so much that he felt it was his responsibility to raise a false alarm.

“For the information of teeming Lagosians, it is on record that in 1999, the

people of Lagos East Senatorial Constituency voted Senator Seye Ogunlewe on the platform of the progressive party, Alliance for Democracy. In a classic case of betrayal of trust, he crossed to the rival PDP and became the Minister of Works. As a minister, Senator Seye Ogunlewe actively conspired with other members of the PDP to withhold the funds due to the Local Governments of Lagos State for 23 months in violation of an order of the Supreme Court – the highest court of the land.

“Through the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), he (Ogunlewe) unleashed mayhem on Lagos motorists and engaged our Lagos State Traffic

Management Authority (LASTMA) in a war from which many still carry the scars till today,” David recalled.

The Executive Secretaries said in the last five months, they had had the opportunity of working with Ambode, whose deep passion for the autonomy of the local government was immeasurable, adding that the respect he had for the political and administrative personnel was equally exemplary.

While urging the public to disregard the allegation, the Executive Secretaries said rather than deduct from the funds of LGs, Ambode elected to empower the twenty LGs and 37 Local Councils and Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Buhari, 36 govs to attend HID Awolowo's burial Abiodun Taiwo

Abeokuta ÏÏÏPresident Muhammed Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and all the thirtysix state governors have been scheduled to attend the burial of the late matriarch of Awolowos dynasty, Late Hannah Idowu Awolowo.

The Ogun State government represented by the Secretary to the State government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, stated this while addressing a joint press conference organised by the burial Planing committee

of Mama Awolowo held at Ikenne, Ogun State.

Adeoluwa said apart from the invitations sent to the Governors, all the Senators and other notable personalities were expected at the burial.

The burial programme which would start from November 19, will be end with the final funeral service on Wednesday November 25.

The Chairman, Programme Committee, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo, said the burial was taking a highly visible dimension in rec-

ognition of the place of "mama took in the history of the country.

"Mama had predicted that her burial should take this dimension, and apart from the little additions, we have planned to follow the outline as planned.”

While thanking Nigerians and other notable personalities that had identified with the family, since Mama HID Awolowo's demise, she said the love showed how truly Nigerians were well disposed to the family.

She said the programme

would start from November 15 with the lying in state at Park Lane, Apapa, and Ibadan, on Monday, November 16, with final burial on Wednesday November 25.

Late HID Awolowo

ÏÏÏTropical Naturals Lim-

ited – manufacturers of Dudu-Osun Black Soap and other range of personal/ skin care products like Dudu-Osun Moisturizing Lotion and Tropical Naturals Shea Butter – would be making a grand appearance at the forthcoming Lagos International Trade Fair slated to commence on November 6, 2015 and end on November 15, 2015.

According to the Brand Manager; Mr. Lamidi Kazeem, all hands are already on deck to make the experience memorable to all guests that would be visiting the stand of Tropical Naturals Limited.

scended males, lamenting that not just young girls but even married women now engage in the unwholesome act.

The governor explained that when admitted, the inmates would spend at least six weeks receiving medical attention and spiritual counseling to ensure they were adequately reformed.

Ganduje stated that the state Task Force Committee on Drug Abuse as well as Hisbah Board were collaborating with relevant national and international agencies in the crusade against the menace, hoping that KASYADAREC would join hands with such organisations in order to achieve the expected result.

Dudu Osun set to dazzle at Lagos fair He said the brands were specially formulated and ideal for the entire family by providing all-time protection and nourishment for their precious skin. “At Tropical Naturals, we carefully select our natural ingredients for the well-being of the family and we harness the power of nature to satisfy the skin’s need. From the No.1 African Black Soap to our new entrant body lotions, we keep the skin disease-free for generations to come,” Kazeem said.

Man jailed seven years for stealing ammunition Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA

30-year old man, Nasiru Bello, has been sentenced to seven (7) years’ imprisonment by a Lagos State Magistrates Court sitting in Ikeja.

The presiding Magistrate, B.O. Osusanmi arrived at this decision, after the convict pleaded guilty to the two counts charge of stealing made against him by the police.

Bello was alleged to have made away with an AK47 rifle with breech No. 0713 and 16 rounds of live ammunition of 7.6mm caliber, property of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

He was also said to have committed the offence on August 28, 2015, at Olowu Street, Ikeja Lagos.

The convict was also accused of having in his

possession, one AK47 rifle with breech No. 0713 and 16 rounds of live ammunitions without license, issued to him by the appropriate authority, which he could not give satisfactory account of.

In his statement, Bello told the court that he was coming from a club around 3 a.m. in the morning and when he got to Maryland he saw a police vehicle and a single police man inside.

"The police man was drunk and also vomited on his uniform. So I tried to help him. While I was going so, he did not respond. I saw AK47 rifle on the ground which belongs to the police man. I intended to take it to a nearby police station, but I was afraid that I the police would detain me. That’s why I did not take it to the police station. I took the gun to somewhere, where I kept it.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

25

Features Æ s Lagos Island: A paradox of pride and filth Eko, the dearly beloved Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and business hub is a city under pressure.

ALIMI AHMED toured the space-tortured Isale Eko (downtown Lagos) and noted that the pride of Lagosians is torn between Excellence, filth and slums.

Lagos, the city of hard-core dwellers and a refuge for all comers is chocking for lack of space.

For that and other reasons, pressure has been mounting on both the government and individuals living there, as demand for housing continues to rise far beyond what the urbanised areas can ac-

Binuyo Street, Idumagbo, Lagos Island.

commodate.

Apparently, this is the reason for the high number of slums within Lagos metropolis. A closely related reason for the increasing number of slums is the daily influx of immigrants into the city.

Typical slums are found in Ikotun, Ejigbo, Majidun-Ikorodu, Ogba, Kio-Kio village, Pako, Isale Eko in Lagos Island and the popular Ajegunle. These are residential areas where many dwellings are unfit for human habitation.

A visit to the hinterlands in many of the above areas would reveal the unhealthy, cramped, poorly ventilated and unclean environment where families bear

and raise children and socialise.

Lagos Island In spite of elements of development visible on the Lagos Island, the area is still one of those begging for development even with the rapid development taking place daily across Lagos metropolis.

Lagos Island happens to be the principal and central local government area of Metropolitan Lagos. However, it only has a few indications of its share in the City of Excellence.

Isale Eko presents a picture of a child unwilling to grow despite the development attractors in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

THE RED MEAT AND CANCER REPORT:

Nigerians, others react to WHO release Ï^Ƅ ƋƉƄ ƏƉƕ ƉƆƊƆƎ ƃ ƏƊƋƎƆ ƅ ƍƄƕ ƊƄ Ǝ ƕ Ɛ Ɔƕ ƃ ƏƊƆ Ƌƍ ƃƄ Ƅƕ ƊƄ Ǝ z6R ƕƐƆ ƍè #ƍê jƄƍƄ M ƍ Ǝ The recent World Health Organisation’s report linking cancer risk with consumption of processed meats has met with uproar, criticism and skepticism across the globe. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR chronicled these reactions and reports.

The report based on recommendations of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, linked colorectal cancer to the consumption of red meat and other processed meats.

Placing processed meats in the same category as plutonium, processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do cause cancer, according to the WHO release.

Reactions from the United Kingdom were very diplomatic.

The Cancer Research (UK) in a press release said the analysis published WHO meant to give a reason ‘to cut down rather

Favourite 100% processed suya

than give up red and processed meats’, hinting that an occasional bacon sandwich ‘would do little harm’.

Statistics in the UK shows that around six out of every 100 people get bowel cancer at some point in their lives. So if people are to eat an extra 50g of bacon a day for the rest of their lives, then the risk would rise by 18% to around seven in 100 people getting bowel cancer.

“So that’s one extra case of bowel cancer in all those 100

That time it was the very delicious and meaty grass cutter, the best of bush meats that doctors thought carried the Ebola virus. It took strong willed customers to continue eating bush meats but it affected the hotel business drastically — Okezie

lifetime bacon-eaters,” argued Sir David Spiegelhalter, a risk professor from the University of Cambridge.

Another school of thought from the health community reasons that WHO has now placed processed meat in the same category as plutonium just as they placed alcohol as they definitely do cause cancer. However, this does not mean they are equally dangerous. A bacon sandwich is not as bad as smoking, for exCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Features 26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

In the 1970s, stock fish used to be poor man’s special fish and meat. It was so cheap everybody loved it, until these same doctors said it has no nutrient or whatever; but you see, people were not fooled. Shortly after that, even big men started eating it until the price went out of poor man’s reach — Chikadibia

A busy processed meat spot at Jakande Estate.

: 34,000 cancer-related deaths annually caused by diets high in processed meat – UK Study

PROCESSED MEAT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

ample.

“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal (bowel) cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr. Kurt Straif of the World Health Organisation said.

Nigerians react Under the processed meats category however, Nigeria and other parts of the world are taking stock of the WHO report as it affects the popular chewy and

meaty suya and the extremely dry kilinshi among other frozen/processed local meats.

“A source of worry is that all frozen meats imported into Nigeria and other parts of developing nations fall under this classification, especially in West Coast of Africa,” said Barrister G.P. James, a public affairs analyst and cleric.

According to the report, a 50g of processed meat a day – less than two slices of bacon (or N200 worth of suya – increases the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%.

Probably leaving a leverage

to defend the ridiculous, the world health body stressed that red meats were ‘probably carcinogenic’ but there was limited evidence substantiate this. It however concluded that meat also had health benefits.

“Obviously!”, screamed hotelier and frozen foods marketer, Julius Okezie. “No medical analysis can convince sensible people that meat is not good for the body otherwise God would not have given them to man for food.

“That time it was the very delicious and meaty grass cutter, the best of bush meats that doc-

tors thought carried the Ebola virus. It took strong willed customers to continue eating bush meats but it affected the hotel business drastically.

“Before then it was monkey meat which our forefathers believed cure malaria that this medical people put into their black book.”

Two regular customers joined the conversation at Okezie’s popular eatery and bar along Ojota road, Ogudu. Emmanuel Chikadibia, still picking his teeth after a good meal, said, “Know what I think? These doctors will stop us from eating any meat at all if they have their way. How can jolly good meats like bush meat, suya and kilinshi carry deadly diseases like cancer and Ebola?

“In the 1970s, stock fish used to be poor man’s special fish and meat. It was so cheap everybody loved it, until these same doctors said it has no nutrient or whatever, but you see, people were not fooled. Shortly after that, even big men started eating it until the price went out of poor man’s reach.”

The second fellow who gave his name as Steve believed cancer has nothing to do with fresh or processed meats.

“If what they are saying is true, human beings would have finished since long time ago.

Lagos Island is the central LGA of Metropolitan Lagos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

area, while tilting towards becoming the largest slum in the Lagos metropolis. The poorer Eastern side of the Island hosts the main markets and the poorer housing shanties. The island is extremely crowded and congested.

Without doubt, many of these blighted areas in Lagos are more or less legitimized for all manner of illegalities.

The presence of urchins and Area Boys(Street Thugs) keep activities in the Island upside down with their habit of smoking mar-

ijuana and cigarette, drinking local gins among other unprintable things.

What was discovered at Isale Eko axis in the Lagos Island was a real eye-opener. A visitor to the community needs not look further for the true definition of anarchy; such person should rather brace himself for the sight of the unhealthy life humans live in that ghetto.

Urban slum, unstructured markets, which serve as havens for Area Boys to perpetrate illegalities, lend credence to the level of anarchy in the area. One of the

markets is one Oja Oba Market located a stone throw from the palace of the Oba (king) of the Idumagbo Community, Oba of Idumagbo.

Oja Oba is a typical example of a large slum in the Lagos Island community. From the length and breadth of the market, it is a complete eyesore with the displeasing condition of the environment. Both the back and front indicate a complete opposite of the Lagos Mega City. All around the premises of the market are filth of varying magnitude with CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Partying time at Isale Eko

You remember when government banned importation of iced fish; that period, health workers backed by police and soldiers were seizing and destroying iced fish in Lagos markets and cold rooms.

“But people soon realised that they were wrong and the market picked up again. I won’t be surprised if they wake up one day and say turkey and frozen chicken that are poor man’s meats today are dangerous to our health.

Death will come when it will come and suya or bush meats have nothing to do with it.”

Peter Ossai who was listening over a rich meal of fufu with egusi soup, chipped in that someone he knew in his village died of good health!

“This man was very careful in my town; he didn’t smoke or drink, not even minerals. He ate clean home cooked foods only; he wouldn’t touch electric switch so that he won’t be electrocuted and did everything moderately without stress.

“Then one day news came that Mr. Live well is dead and people said ah ah, so somebody can die of good health too?”

Daily Times talked with seasoned homoeopathist and nutritionist, Dr. Stephen Mbanegbu on the WHO report. He reviewed CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

27 Features

Isale Eko presents a picture of a child unwilling to grow CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

accompanying offensive odour.

The one-way road leading out to Idumota axis from the market is another journey to a similar but a little more developed area.

On the Idumota streets are UBA Bank, GT Bank with more than one branch sited across the area.

The presence of these banks and other big companies in Idumota however, does not save the environment from the fate of Oja Oba Market.

At the market, you get things at their cheapest; from food to clothing, as well as marijuana and local gins. One can get a piece of clothe for as low as N100 or 150, depending on the size. The ones for teenagers could go for N50 if well bargained.

Women are not exempted. At every corner, one can hardly differentiate between responsible women or ladies and sex workers.

Obviously, virtually every lady or supposed mother you see is likely a sex worker, either part-time or full-time.

The Local Hotel Serving as Hideout to Area Boys and Sex Workers Fishermen’s Cottage is sited at the heart of the market where

Inside Isale Eko, anything goes

it is safe for smokers as well as drunkards. Upon investigation, our undercover reporter gathered that not only men smoke weed at the biggest beer parlour in the market, young and old women who are the full-time sex workers there, also have the tradition of smoking weed as a means of socializing. Unsafe as it may sound, the reporter passed a couple of days at the hotel to gather as much information as possible.

The beer parlour is surrounded by different forms of illegal and unspeakable transactions.

Among them are herds of retailers of weeds and cigarettes as well as local gins. The beer parlour and a public bathroom adjacent to it, serve as hideouts to smokers of weeds and hemp each time the policemen go there for parade. However, the security operatives, according to a source, parade the smokers only to let them off the hook a stone throw from the parade spot after they must have extorted bribes from them.

The whores at the hotel, are the worst on this earth. Regardless of the filthy environment they operate, they live there as though it is CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

PROCESSED MEAT: Avoiding red meat is not a protective strategy against cancer – Meat Advisory Panel

Seasoned suya spot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the analysis in line with our local content of red or processed meats in general.

ADVERTISEMENT What is processed meat?

The health consultant started with a breakdown of what constitutes processed meats: “Processed meats describe any category of fresh meat that has been modified to either extend its shelf life or change the taste, and the main methods in-

clude roasting or smoking with fire, curing or adding salt or other preservative es.

“However, simply putting beef through a mincer does not mean the resulting mince meat is processed, unless it is treated or modified further.

Dr. Mbanegbu revealed category of processed meats to include hot dog or the popular suya, shawama, salami, corned beef, ham as well as canned meat and meat-based sauces and explained where the danger lies.

“It is the chemicals involved in the processing that could increase the risk of cancer, because high temperature cooking such as on a barbeque can create carcinogenic chemicals.

Estimates suggest that about 34,000 deaths from cancer every year could be traced down to diets high in processed meat,” the doctor said.

Also, a UK Cancer Research study found that red meat risk in comparison with other factors includes 21% of bowel cancers caused by processed or red meat; 86% of lung cancers caused by tobacco and 19% of all cancers caused by tobacco compared to a mere 3% of all cancers ascribed to red or processed meat.

That of course, is in contrast to one million deaths from cancer caused by smoking and 600,000 attributed to alcohol each year. The study said red meat does have nutritional value too and is a major source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12. The WHO findings were important to help countries give balanced dietary advice.

Prof Tim Key also of the Cancer Research UK and the University of Oxford, said: “This

Processed meat grill spot at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos..

decision doesn’t mean you need to stop eating any red and processed meat, but if you eat lots of it, you may want to think about cutting down.

“Eating a bacon bap every once in a while isn’t going to do much harm – having a healthy diet is all about moderation.”

Dr. Teresa Norat, one of the advisors to the WHO report and from Imperial College London, said there were many factors causing bowel cancer.

“People should limit con-

sumption of red meat and avoid consuming processed meat, but they should also have a diet rich in fibre, from fruit and vegetables and maintain an adequate body weight through life and limit the consumption of alcohol and be physically active,” she told the BBC. The Meat Advisory Panel, the industry body, said “avoiding red meat in the diet is not a protective strategy against cancer; the focus should be alcohol, smoking and body weight.”

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Hope rising to curb child mortality worldwide A typical weekend at Isale Eko.

Virtually every supposed mother you see is likely a sex worker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

the best in the world or the peak of life they can have.

Can’t this kind of miserable life be avoided?

An answer was offered by the response of one of the prostitutes. Isilat, who likes to be called Ejide explained, “Honestly, I really can’t say. Anyway, they say old age takes things away from you, so I think old age could take it from me when the time comes.

But considering the swiftness with which you get the money, one wouldn’t want to let go. For instance, I get N3,000 for just ‘short time’ sometimes depending on the style I offer a client.

Sometimes I get less than that.

And most of all, one gets as much as N5,000 or N8,000 for day-break service, so what more can I get?

“I’m a big girl; I take care of myself and my son. Even the selling I do at Idumota Market during the day does not earn me much.

So, as for me, I can’t say when this hustling would stop.”

Evidently, most of these people (the sex workers) are unwilling to leave the work because of the material benefits attached to it.

The common practice among them is to do menial jobs like hawking during the day, but when the night falls, another job (prostitution) takes over till the day breaks. Another hustler, Amina, who is not up to 20, revealed that she has been in the business for quite a while. Accordingly, she does the job, not only in Isale Eko, but in places like Ojuelegba, Ajah, Ikorodu etc.

Indeed, this is Isale Eko where you find life at its lowest ebb!

Since year 2000 when governments committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the lives of 48 million children under the age of five have been saved globally. God’s Covenant Snr reviews the global effort and reports.

The number of children who die from mostly preventable causes before they turn five now stands at 5.9 million a year – a 53 percent drop since 1990.

Even more promising is the rate of reduction – or speed at which mortality is decreasing – is happening twice as quickly as it was in 1990.

Simple, high-impact and cost-effective solutions that contributed to this dramatic reduction in under-five deaths include skilled birth delivery, ante-natal and post-natal care, exclusive breastfeeding, immunizations, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, improved water and sanitation, oral rehydration therapy for diarrhea, and antibiotics for pneumonia.

Despite these promising results, too many children are still dying every day from causes we can prevent.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working with coun-

Lower mortality, cheering news for mothers

try governments and partners to scale up effective interventions and end preventable child and maternal deaths within a generation.

In an effort to boost global efforts to improve child survival, the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group of the WHO and UNICEF recently updated information on the causes of child deaths.

The body reported new estimates of the major causes of death in children younger than 5 years.

Experts used multicause proportionate mortality models to estimate deaths in neonates aged 0–27 days and children

aged 1–59 months, and selected single-cause disease models and analysis of vital registration data when available to estimate causes of child deaths.

New data from China and India permitted national data to be used for these countries instead of predictions based on global statistical models, as was done previously. We estimated proportional causes of death for 193 countries, and by application of these proportions to the country-specific mortality rates in children younger than 5 years and birth rates, the numbers of deaths by cause were calculated for countries, regions, and the world.

JUST HUMAN No, it’s not a mass wedding. They are members of the Drama Ministry of the Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos creating awareness before their epoch live presentation, ‘BRIDGES’...recently.

Art Review Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

29

Rare poems about Nigeria The Contemporaries opens at Wheatbaker As the global art world gathered in London recently for the Frieze art fair, The Contemporaries, an exhibition showcasing works by eleven cutting edge Nigerian contemporary artists, went on display at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Contemporaries which runs from October 12 to November 13, 2015, is supported by Veuve Cliquot.

The stunning exhibition of 21 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and mixed media works, is a timely reflection of current trends in Nigeria and makes stirring and sometimes, tongue-in-cheek comments about a nation expectant of change.

Participants at the exhibition included Nnenna Okore, Duke Asidere, Uchay Joel Chima, Gerald Chukwuma, Raoul Olawale da Silva, Anthea Epelle, Taiye Idahor, Chika Idu, Adeyinka Akingbade, Tony Nsofor and Onyeama Offoedu-Okeke.

A kaleidoscope of art that offers fresh perspectives on environment and development issues, feminism, unity, identity, history and tradition, and freedom of expression, draw on the artists’ unique heritage and perspectives were displayed.

WEEKEND LINES The Cake The cake we made Snatched from piggies cankers The rapacious bites We hated with love The cake we changed Warmed in franchise ballotwaves Hope of equities That all may munch

A collection of poetry by Samuel Osaze transports its readers to Nigerian social-political dilemma. Femi Morgan offers a review of the new book Samuel Osaze’s Aroma of a Burning Bush seeks to explore national, social and popular issues in his debut collection of poetry. The book opens like an epilogue with a commentary by Reginald Chiedu Ofodile. This commentary impresses upon the reader his own postulations on the book. In my opinion, the book leaps into several prisms of meaning that do not necessary conform to the intellectual remarks of Ofodile, this is what makes Osaze’s Aroma of a Burning Bush a splendid collection.

The poet’s style is in free verse which serves the content and the imagery of the collection. There is no form to fire and there are different forms of fire. It is within the tensions of fire and aroma that the poet considers the environmental and socio-political as well as the emotional, sensual and philosophic verses in no strategic order. Nigeria becomes the land torched by forest fire without a face to claim responsibility. The political class convolutes into a reductionist slave driving class that deprives their ‘animals’ of food until they can no longer bear the pain, yet protest is caged You muzzled the mouth of the horse/ That does gently tread the corn? / Afterwards you cast out seeds/ Like a charmer after a hen (10).

For the poet, the Nigerian citizen is trudging the desert

without a ‘Moses’ and without a ‘promised land’ and the imagery of selfishness is apt. Nevertheless, the people rely on flashes of hope that are packaged as lies on their necks of fantasy, while the wealthy drink from the source

of thirst. The poet assumes the voice of the silence and the mummers; he hopes that words which constitute the nationhood can be used to reconstruct its ruling class. Poems like To the Slave Driver (10), Gnashing of a

Nation’s Teeth (20) amongst others are political poems that cut a trope for second and third generation poets because of despotic governments in the country.

Nevertheless, new democratic circumstances have led many into a more profound dismay.

This is the reality that the poet reinvents with the apt metaphor of contrasts in the history of Nigeria. The fact remains that the people are disillusioned as leaders have not kept their campaign promises instead they have enriched themselves with mansions overlooking shanties in places like Kaiama, in the poem, Kaiama 2010 (27).

I am particularly impressed by the poetry of performance in this collection. These poems such as After the Dance (21), Upon Seeing an Esan Maiden Dance (30), The Last Dancer Takes Over Arena (31), The Prophets of Fire (33), Bird of Sorrow (36), and Sanitary Priests’ Chant at Okede (48). After the Dance hints on the motivations of celebration of political class of the land who steal from the land leaving the people bereft of wealth and purpose. The motivation for the dancer is money yet underdevelopment stares everyone in the face. Osaze eases the tension of the reader with the dexterous use of performatives. The Prophets of Fire speaks of the clash of the times, between tradition and modernity, between ritual and reverence, between the chants and the hymnals.

With Aworan Imole, Emmanuel Eni aims higher

The cake our ache Oozing regional rage Some foils vainly folded Emptiness of deception Our waits shall await The cheers of the celebrant N-I-G-E-R-I-A To see our lots Written by Olapade Simon Eni

With about 30 works, which include paintings of what he described as his new experiment in light, Emmanuel Eni, will on the evening of Saturday November 14, continue to engage art collectors and critics, particularly observers of his works. The show will hold at Mydrim Gallery, 74b Norman Williams Street, South West Ikoyi Lagos.

From his past shows such as Art Merchant, he had stressed the importance of light panting as his new art experiment. The new solo exhibition with title Aworan Imole will feature over

30 works that will set the viewers on a mind voyage within the period of the public showing. It is Eni’s fourth solo show since last year. Although he has staged several exhibitions in the last seven months the new show according to him is an attempt to showcase his new experiment to the public.

Eni’s works are characteristically bohemian. They are robust and vast in scope. Aworan Imole according to the artist called Blackman in European Kitchen will also feature other experimental works which the painter said he has never exhibited before.

Art Review 30

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

Group enlightens photographers on skills

Judith Uzoma

Photographers in Ikorodu area of Lagos now want to know who is who among their practitioners.

They said, their profession of the art industry is no longer going to be an all-comer affair as they evolve a system whereby every practitioner’s work will mark him out.

The body made this known recently at a one-day seminar for photographers organised by Direct Vision Concept (DVC) in collaboration with Lagos State Professional Photographers Association of Nigeria (LSPPAN) Ikorodu chapter.

The forum held in Sherifyt Royale Suite, Odogunya, Ikorodu came under the theme Exposure Triangle even as it turned into a lively debate. It was planned to expose practitioners in the photo art to standard ways of turning their ventures into lucrative enterprises.

Facilitators were the former Chairman Society of Nigerian Artists, (SNA) Lagos State Chapter and Yabatch lecturer, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, Nikon Photo ambassador, Uche James as well as many others. The colourful event which paraded and established new acts also featured a photo exhibition.

In his opening speech, the convener, Mr. Olumide, said the event

Uche Iroha, Olumide and others at the closeing ceremony

was initiated to help professionals who are engaged in the photo work develop interest on how to grow and manage photo business in Nigeria. According to him, such knowledge will not only help them but help reduce the number of unprofessionalism in the industry.

“We want to separate the wheat from the chaff so that we can put works of true professionals in a better perspective. The aim is also to work for the promotion of our member’s interest particularly on issues of intellectual property; protection of vital infringement which has caused untold damage to many professional photographers,’’ Olumide said.

Stitches of Partnership: Nike Okundaye, Tola Wewe comes again with colour, forms Agozino Agozino With over 35 years experiences as artist, culture promoter and art entrepreneur, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye, a globally-respected member of the Osogbo School of Art seem to have broken into the pinnacle of her calling. But the OgidiIjumu, Kogi State born art promoter is not yet content.

Come tomorrow evening, Mrs Okundaye and former Ondo State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Mr. Tola Wewe will present a new collection of their paintings titled; Stitches of Partnership to the public.

The show which opens at Nike Art Gallery, Elegushi Road Lekki, will run till November 17.

It is a way to round off the year as well as offer collectors their new works and embrace their medium. Each of the two artists will feature 20 paintings, which will be juried, but the works will be mirroring individual artist’s studio traits to daily happenings in the society, ranging from culture, to environment and other social issues.

The collaborative effort which will feature the two top artists, who have in their various endeavors produced remarkable art works in the last two decades, will be graced by prominent art aficionados The hosting of the exhibition, according to the management of Nike Art Gallery, is due primar-

ily to the public and popular demand to view the works of the artists. The opening event will feature dance performance, Nigerian cultural food and wearable arts.

“It will feature painting that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland in Nigeria. Works are drawn from the archives of the two artists and they are paintings that will thrill any art lover,’’ the gallery said.

Nike Okundaye is the brain behind the Nike Art Empire.

She is one of the most respected internationally known female

artists from Nigeria, who have made astounding strides in textile, visual arts and mixed media painting. Some of her work can be found amongst the collection of George Harrison (Beatles pop group member), the White House (seat of power in the United States of America), and museums worldwide.

There is hardly any important museum in the world that does not have Mrs. Okundaye’s work.

She is an artist of many parts. She drums, directs, plays, dances, paints and trains young adults to do all of the listed.

However, she is most outstanding in paintings and designs of adire, beadwork and batik. She was once described as an artist who used detailed and arresting batik images to chronicle her society’s contradictory views towards women. ‘Mama Adire’ as she likes to be known, has won countless awards from around the world, not only for her artwork, but her contribution to her community at wide and the impact she has had on people’s lives.

One of Nike’s proudest achievements was in the year 2000, when she was invited to Italy by the Italian government to train young Nigerian sex workers on how to use their hands to engage in creative ventures.

Tola Wewe is a founding member of the Ona movement which emerged in February 1989. The movement is a group of schol-

Okundaye ars, critics and practicing artists committed to pursuing artistic excellence through the adaptation and interpretation of traditional materials and methods, forms and styles of contemporary Yoruba art and design.

Wewe, whose works are widely acclaimed for their originality, simplicity, surface texture

and mastery of colours, is considered one of the most talented artists. His work is a hybrid of African and western sensibilities and images, reflecting his own training and experience as an international artist.

Wewe’s work has been exhibited across Europe and the US. As a full time artist, he lives and works in Ondo State.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 6, 2015

31 Opinion

Our Killer Cops ance, one of the policemen, who was later identified as Corporal Musliu Aremu, allegedly opened fire on the tricycle which he had moved a few meters away from the checkpoint, killing his wife who was carrying their 11 months baby and in-

ÏÏÏHe ran the best time

in the world that year. He was certainly our best individual prospect in the 1981 world athletics championships; but when he honoured our country’s invitation to the pre-championships trial, he was shot dead by by a trigger-happy police man at Ojuelegba. We lost Dele Udoh, an enterprising 400 meters runner, who drew national and global attention to his sport and to our then young sporting nation. Our prospect of winning the gold medal died the moment Dele breathed his last on the arms of his distraught wife who witnessed the killing. Our nation was turned into mourning.

The dastardly murder of Dele Udoh didn’t prick the conscience of IGP Adamu Suleiman’s Nigeria Police Force, neither did it make the High Command of the Force to reel with shame and remorse, nor made it to own up to the callousness of its officers. Instead, the Nigeria Police Force organized a media parade of Dele Udoh’s bullet-ridden body and wraps of Indian hemp carefully placed closed to his lifeless body.

The criminal cover-up

didn’t stick with the more discerning public that later forced a public inquiry on the nation. The result of that inquiry is akin to what the inimitable Fela once famously described as government magic. “Dele Udoh died as a result of accidental discharge”, the public inquiry announced to a bewildered nation. Government magic, truly!

Put the 1981 calendar away and fast forward yesteryear to the now for a moment and ponder over the fates of our slain compatriots, Comfort Godwin and Beauty McLeod ( the mother of the teenage lawn tennis star, Angel McLeod) who were killed by the police in September and October of this year. This is the fact of the murder of Comfort Godwin as reported by the Sun newspaper of October 25, 2015: “ Udoh and his family were returning from a vigil when they were flagged down by a stopand-search policemen who allegedly demanded for money from them. He was said to have pleaded that he had no money on him as he was not operating a commercial basis.

Irked by his non-compli-

“The prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and regulations which they are directly charged and shall perform such duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by or under the authority of this (the Police Act) or any other Act”.

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juring Udoh on his shoulder and jaw”. But for the irrepressible women’s rights campaigner, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the dastardly killing of Comfort would have gone unnoticed, unreported and unheard by those compatriots who joined Dr Odumakin to seek justice for the slain woman.

The long arms of the law have now caught up with Corporal Musliu Aremu.

He is presently standing trial at the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the unlawful killing of Comfort Godwin. Good for him.

The duties of the police as preserved by Section 4 of the Police Act include “the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and regulations which they are directly charged and shall perform such duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by or under the authority of this (the Police Act) or any other Act”. Gleaning the Police Act, there is nothing that empowers police officers to walk the streets of our country and demand bribes from impoverished citizens, who end up paying with their lives when they don’t meet the unlawful monetary demands of these killer cops and there is nothing that entitles rogue officers to turn their Kalashnikovs on harmless citizens. The Police Act is very clear

and in fact, it charges every police officer to “protect life and property”; but what do we experience daily? The breaches of the Police Act by the same police officers charged with the responsibility of preserving it.

These officers seemingly get away with even the most heinous abuses of the fundamental rights of citizens because we have the 1999 Constitution that derogates on the fundamental right to life.

A police officer can kill a citizen for the purpose of “suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained”. Welcome to the Nigerian jungle of predators and preys!

It isn’t that our police officers don’t understand their duties, but there is a certain savagery that possesses them when they put on their uniforms, slung the Kalashnikovs across their shoulders and march like game keepers in search of errant games in the Nigerian jungle. Possessed by savagery, they lust for the blood of innocent citizens- killing those who unfortunately stand in their paths, burying others in shallow graves that our prying eyes do not uncover and throwing many citizens, like those unfortunate activists of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) whose bodies were found floating on Ezu River in 2013, into the many brackish

waters that dot our landscape. Today, the men and women of the Nigeria Police Force treat our nation-state as a captive state; and like the occupation force that it is, it simply takes our citizens either as captives or as bounties of the war of desecration of citizenry.

The truth is: men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are not above the laws of our land; they are not superior to citizens who maintain them with their taxes, but our country is a deep jungle where all manner of law enforcement officerswhether of the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Airforce, Customs and Excise, Prisons or Civil Defence- run free and prey on defenseless citizens.

No one documents the excesses of the Nigeria Police Force than my good friend, Okey Nwanguma.

As the coordinator of the globally respected Network of Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), I take whatever he says as the truth. He has consistently called attention to the many killer cops on the prowl in our country, but it doesn’t appear that anyone in authority listens to him or his group.

“Our country is broke and police officers have not been paid, please, behave well when you approach stop-and-searchcheckpoints”, he advised me recently. Christmas is fast approaching, please, keep out of the arms and harm’s way of our killer cops, dear reader. “Life has no duplicate”.

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Life&

TIMES Friday, November 6, 2015

Victor

Ikpeba

Still making waves after retirement

L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

My childhood ambition was not to be a professional player – Victor Ikpeba Victor Nosakhare Ikpeba was once fondly known and addressed as the Prince of Monaco because of his exploits in that part of the world. He remains one of the Nigeria’s finest, based on his uniqueness and getting to the apex in world of soccer. The former African footballer of the year is also remembered for the mark he made while he played for Monaco in France.

In interview with ISAAC OGUNTAYO, the former Super Eagles striker speaks on his playing days, what he missed most about active football, highest point of his career and temptations of being a star. Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

We have seen musicians who made fortune in their hay days but lost it; some ex- internationals have suffered the same fate.

How did you escape it to retain your fortune and relevance?

I think it’s very difficult to agree with when the society says maybe former boxers, musicians or football players. They should not forget that in the 80s, 90s, not majority of these singers or players earned a lot of money. We should be realistic; it was few Nigerians that went abroad, played to the highest level and made money from football. For example, I won’t fault the musicians if the past because things were not like this back then because now, musicians have endorsements and these corporate bodies are really doing well for them but if they fail to utilise it, may be in the next ten years, some of them may be struggling but seriously, we don’t want to see anybody struggle in life.

In my own case, maybe I was lucky because I won’t say I have not lived life crazily too but I think I was well advised and I took the advice. My friend like Sam Audu and some of my few team mates were like, Victor, you have the personality and you can talk and that was why I engaged myself with Supersport and I enjoy doing it. I am happy about the whole thing…if you are one of the best Nigerian footballers who have gone there and come back and still involved in the system….I am also involved with Delta State FA. But before I got myself engaged, most people don’t know I had my own transport company. I had to tell myself that if you don’t do anything with this money you make, it will go away. Basically, I want to

live a good life….I have my home, I have my family, and I have the basic things… I have seen life, I lived in one of the most glamorous places on earth, Mountain Carlos and I have also experienced the other side…. I lost my wife….it is beyond money but I try to live my life modestly. My advice is that you should engage yourself always…for the ex- internationals that are struggling, it touches my heart that they do but I count myself lucky that I was accepted

by Supersport, it has given me the platform to be where I am today.

Most of you chose football out of passion because there was no monetary attraction back then. What was your original ambition?

Sincerely, my childhood ambition was never to be a professional player but I loved football from the beginning. I mean when I was four, five and it was later I knew my father was involved in football too so, maybe its genetic (laughs). When I was in primary, secondary schools, I liked football.

I was involved in table tennis…inter house sport, I was passionate about sports. As a young boy, I think I was thinking of becoming a lawyer because I loved the way the lawyers dress but later when I had the opportunity to go to YabaTech to do Business Administration, I said maybe I would go to banking sector, even at a particular time, I thought I might even join the army. Never in my wildest dream had I thought I would become a professional footballer but when that window of opportunity opened, I was invited for the under 17 and I took it. I said I wanted to make name for myself because I had the talent and I believed in

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

myself. When I was in ACB bank, what they were paying us was not much but we were very passionate about the football we were playing; we wanted to be like Amesimeka, the Chukwus, Odegbema, Muda Lawal because those were big household names in the 70s and 80s in Nigeria. Of course, we knew the remuneration abroad was better than what we were getting back here but my focus was to do well in Belgium and move to a bigger country.

In your prime as a famous footballer, you never lost your head. What was the secret?

I think I had a humble beginning. I grew up with my grand mum and how you are brought up is also very important. When the opportunity came and I went abroad, I give credit to Liecht FC. They did not stay I should go and stay in the academy or hotel. I was placed in a Belgian family. I was adopted by a family so I had stability. For two years… after training, I go back home. It is very important for a young boy to have stability when they move abroad, so, you don’t engage in negative things because football can attract a lot of negative things… you wouldn’t have time to settle down or be focused because you are running around, trying to have

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

fun. I was never a young boy that wanted to go to party. I was really focused on what brought me over there and two years after, I went to take my wife to join me so that was very key and contributed to my progress. And when clubs back then noticed you were serious, they wanted to take you because they are like, he’s serious, and he has a wife and all that. You see that boy from Monaco, Marshal, he’s 19 and he has a wife, kid. Footballers need stability because it is not easy for a single guy to be at home alone all the time and get focused on his career. I think stability was the key for me. I was not carried away by the crazy things that come around football and negative things of life and I think that was why I was able to get to the next level.

What do you miss about your footballing days?

I think it was more of preparing myself for life after football than

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

e v e r concentrating on what I would miss but of course, that is not to say you don’t sometimes reminisce on memories of your playing days. There is a beginning and there is an end…. fifteen years as a professional soccer player, played in about five, six different clubs. The experience was fantastic; some experiences were not great but I would take it because it’s not everything that will be fantastic in life but in summarising everything up, I am happy. I had it to the highest level.

Some of my colleagues did not get to that level, so I take pride for the fact that I played for Super Eagles, and was part of the Olympic team that won gold. I could have continued my career to play Qatar or China but I decided to stop because I had it all after fifteen years. It was not about money anymore, my kids are very young,

Continued on L3

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

L3 Interview

‘Marriage comes with a lot of packages’ Continued from L2 they lost their mother and this is the time I need to play the fatherly role more to these children. And to think of it, how much do you need for a normal life? I need a normal life. Maybe I don’t spend the kind of money I was spending when I was still playing (general laughter) but I am happy with the way my life is going.

What is your philosophy about life?

Philosophy of life changes… because I grew up in the bank of river Etiope, let me say Sapele.

From a very small town, then got to Lagos, to Belgium…I have seen everything. Yes, it’s good to have money but what you need in life are basic things. Your home, you have your car and what you need monthly to take care of yourself and family and be happy. People might say it’s easy to say for me but the truth is that I have gone through that. When you even have so much money, you are not living yourself because there are so much people around you who are just all about money and money…. it’s tragic in a way and I am sure people will understand what I am trying to say. The more money you have, the more followers you have and the lesser your money goes, so the people around you become. So, for me, it’s my family and my happiness but that does not mean you don’t care about others. I lost my wife which was a big setback for me; it made me see life differently. I keep saying it, if money could save my wife, I may have been able to rescue her but if money could not save her, then I don’t want to be carried away by vanity at this stage of my life. I just want to live a stable and decent life, give the best to people around me, especially my children. What made me as a person is football and I think one of the things that make people happy in this country is football. With my experience and my success, I believe some of people contributed, so this is what makes me happy. Money can’t make me happy because I have seen it.

When do you consider as the highest point of your career as a footballer?

Definitely, the highest point of your career was when I moved from Liech to Monaco. It was like moving from a normal European town to a small beautiful city and

money everywhere. I played with some great footballers, Kinsman, Trezeget and so on. When I look at that moment of my life, it was fantastic and if I could turn the hand of time, I would want to go back there. I must say moving to Monaco really changed my life and till today, people still call me Prince of Monaco and if not for my exploits, if I wasn’t so successful, they would not have called me that. That was a key point of my life and I am very appreciative of that.

You appear to be so attached to your late wife that you mention her often. Could that be why you have not remarried?

No….. I will remarry but it’s not easy to get married. It’s tough. I see marriage as what every man and woman should get involved in but it takes trust and trust matters a lot when it comes to marriage. The way I was living those days has changed compared to now. I am still a young man though….men at sixty years get married and I am not sixty yet. I am not even fifty, so I still have time (laughs) to remarry. I am not saying women are not there…I had another French/ Congolese woman that had two kids for me. We had issues… I am taking my time, when it will happen, it will happen. Marriage is a nice thing because you need stability as a man. You need a woman at home you can share ideas with, talk to, play with, laugh with; you can fight sometime and settle.

Marriage comes with a lot of packages and I think you want to have a woman who is your best friend. I am old fashion in some ways, so it’s not something that will happen for one year, six months or five years and it scatters. It’s should last forever, so it’s difficult to trust from both sides and so I am taking my time but certainly, at the right time, I will remarry.

You must have been so skillful to have continually escaped from ladies who attracted to you?

(Laughs) Seriously, women want to get married. I won’t say I have not found myself in situations but what I am saying is that it’s tough and my situation is very peculiar in some ways and I don’t want to jump into what I will regret tomorrow. I don’t want to repeat…. you know sometime this marriage thing is about luck because you can’t really say what will happen in future, so, it’s pretty difficult. Peo-

ple might be wondering why I have not remarried and so on. I am taking my time, I need time because I have suffered a lot…losing someone that was very dear to you… but I have to move on and I am not comparing the women I meet now with her because I met her in late 80s, so, it’s a different world. The women we had that time and now are different. I pray one day I will get the right woman that I will be happy with; she will be my friend, a friend to my kids because whoever that is going to marry me is going to marry my kids too.

What makes a woman ideal for you?

Ideal woman is so tough. Everything in a relationship looks beautiful in the beginning. The begin-

ning is always beautiful; it is later that is the problem and that is the problem for me. It’s challenging for both sides. A woman that goes out with you….he’s famous, he’s well known, she faces problem with too…the challenges are so much because we live in a society where gossip and all those things happen. Dem go say dem see your husband with one woman dey talk, dey take coffee, they saw your wife with….you know it’s difficult. There are a lot of things that destroys relationship. It’s not that you people don’t love yourselves but there are lot of external pressures that make relationships suffer a lot. I also say for a relationship to really last, a woman has to be very patient, especially when you are with a man that is well known, it’s not money.

If woman really wants to love a man, it does not need money.

Basically, you are taking your time?

Yes. Because, I don’t want to be changing women every other five years, two years. I lost one, the other one, we had issue. Although, we are still very close, we take care of the kids, we have a fantastic understanding and I can understand why she does not want to come to Nigeria. Basically, if I want to settle down, I want to settle with a woman that I will spend the rest of my life with. I don’t want a marriage that will become problematic. That is the major fear but sometimes you have to take risk in

life. There is nothing wrong to try, I will keep on try and I am sure I will get there (laughs).

How has coping as a single father been?

Yea…coping as a single father?

I brought one of my daughters here (the venue of the interview), I decided this one will be here with me in Nigeria; she is in one of the private schools. My work gets me busy and that is why I will say I’m very grateful to Supersport that makes me move around. I’m involved with the federation too. I’m involved with state’s FA……basically, I manage myself, although something is missing which is a woman because I notice and feel it every day. It’s difficult but in all, I am managing well and playing my role as a father.

How do you relax?

I like to be in my house…Supersport is there and I have everything I may need in my house. I have some zip of beer and I watch television. There is so much to watch on television and I don’t really like to move around at night.

I stay at home, knowing what is happening in the world of football and what is happening around the world generally. I have a cook that makes me good meal during the week, so I relax, eat, have good wine. Sometimes, I hang out with friends.

How and what does it cost

you to maintain your dread?

It cost me just between five and ten thousand Naira to clean up in a month. There was a time I wanted to take it off but a lot of my friends were like no, no don’t take it off, it goes with you and I left it. There was a time I said I would take it off if Arsenal won the EPL but they didn’t win and I will not even go there anymore.

You also have dresses in things that fit you. Is any of your parent like that?

I no know o but see o, I think I have always had this fashion sense because I could remember when I was about five, six, I used to be selective about what I wanted to wear. I would say this is what I want and when I see my pictures with my grandmother, it reminds me of those days. I also think travelling abroad, when I got to Monaco, the fashion thing came out more. I love to dress very simply and wear things that are close to my body. Funny enough, I don’t buy things like when I was still playing. I think it’s in me because I know what I want when it comes to what I want to wear. I can wear a material of two or three thousand naira but you won’t know that is the price. I have a good tailor and I know what to look out for if I want a shirt or T-shirt, be it blazer…I want it to be fitted in a particular way so when I go out, I look smart.

The whole thing about it is to look smart and I like to look smart.

Society Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Quincy Ayodele jets in from USA

Between Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and MTN When Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made public his assets recently, one of the companies that was visible he has interest in is MTN, where he is believed to have huge shares with the South African owned company. The man of God turned politician was a silent millionaire before he joined politics.

Born on March 8, 1957 in Lagos, Prof. Osinbajo is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Senior Partner in the Law firm SimmonsCooper Partners. A Professor of law, he was the Head of Department of Public Law at the University of Lagos from 1997 to 1999. Regarded as one of the finest advocates in Nigeria, he studied at the University of Lagos, Nigeria (LLB, 1978) and the London School of Economics (LLM, 1980). With over 31 years of litigation experience, he served as the Special Adviser to the Attorney General of Nigeria (1988-1992), and later became the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State in 1999 and was reappointed for a second term in 2003.

If you are one of those who require the services of Quincy Herbal Slimmers with the intention to have the head honcho attend to you personally, the wait is over as the delectable Queen of herbal slimming in Nigeria, Dr. Quincy Ayodele, is back from USA after several months on vacation. As per her social life, we scooped the socialite has started attending events. It will interest you to know that she has been spotted at different events.

Yemi Osinbajo

Quincy Ayodele

Sade Okoya on business trip to Germany

Sade Okoya

Aliko Dangote bereaved

Information reaching us from the grapevine has it that the beautiful wife of one of Nigeria’s business tycoon, Sade Okoya, is on a business trip with husband to Germany. According to source, she will be touring other European countries aside Germany. In case you don’t know, Sade and Chief Rasaq Okoya spend most of their time touring different parts of the world for business opportunities. Shade, the adorable wife of man of means, Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya, is a down to earth lady of style.

Jay-jay Okocha in law suit mess If information at our disposal is anything to considered, then we can tell you authoritatively that the legal battle to enforce the judgment of a federal high court sitting in Lagos, delivered nearly two years ago against the former captain of the Super Eagles, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and his wife Nkechi, shareholders of a limited liability company, Jay-Jay Okocha Group West Africa Limited, jointly formed with Okocha and his wife, is taking a new dimension as the parties involved are putting legal machinery in motion to enforce the said judgment.

Since the judgment was delivered on Monday, February 24, 2014 by Justice Ibrahim Buba, it was alleged that the ace footballer and his wife did not obey the judgment of the court, neither did they appeal the judgment. Rather, instead of obeying the judgment or make amicable settlement, they have been dribbling the petitioners up and down. Some of the shareholders of the company which was incorporated to carry on business as sports promoters, to arrange, organise, finance and present sporting eventss alleged that Okocha and his wife, Nkechi, who are chairman and Managing Director of the company respectively, were conducting the affairs of the company in an illegal and oppressive manner.

Aliko Dangote

No one at the moment seems to understand the complexities of grief and joy better than African richest man Aliko Dangote.

Only recently, the world acclaimed President of Dangote Group was named by Bloomberg among the 50 world most influential personality. Among those who made the list were the US President, Barack Obama, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and Pope Francis, with Dangote at Number 41 on the list.

Meanwhile, one will assume the business mogul should be in a good mood but not when he lost his niece, who was also his adopted daughter to the cold hands of death few week ago.

Fatima Bello Dagote, who lost the battle with brain cancer, lived in a private hospital for 2 years in the United Kingdom.

She was reported also to have lost her own father alongside Ibharim Abacha in the ill-fated plane crash in 1996.

It was said that Dangote single-handedly brought up Fatima along with his own children after she went through school and graduated from the university under the Billionaire’s care.

Fatima’s death has left Dangote mourning, casting a gloom on what is supposed to be period of happiness.

Where is Mohammed Abacha?

Okocha

Although the Nigerian political scene has been kept off activities in recent times, many elites are still feeling the wrenching emptiness that has caused by the absence of Mohammed Abacha to be on the socio-political scene.

The presence of Mohammed Abacha has not been felt on the nation’s politics scene for quite some time, provoking speculation about the whereabouts of the man whose name once inspired awe and opened doors.

The eldest surviving son of the late former Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, seems to have recoiled into a shell of anonymity for reason known only to him.

A few years before the 2015 general election, he was touted as the heir to the seat of the Kano State governor. It was almost certain that nothing would come between him and the governorship seat of the state until he was booted out of reckoning by master politician tacticians, and since then, he has maintained a low profile.

Mohammed Abacha

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

L5 Society Gist

Isaac Oguntoye

Dolapo Oni, Sijuwade’s latest daughter In-Law’s most kept secret

Ikorodu Chairmanship aspirant, Japheth Odesanya, declared missing A few months to the local government Japheth Odesanya election in Lagos State, the family, friends and associates of immediate past Secretary to Ikorodu Local Government Council, Comrade Japheth Odesanya, 41, has been declared missing.

Japhetism, as he is fondly called by admirers, is a chairmanship aspirant. He left his house last Sunday without his car and said he was going to see someone in Lagos Island briefly and come back but he’s yet to return as at the time of filing this report.

The amiable former SUG President of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, according to family sources, left home since Sunday, November 1, 2015 and he has since then not returned home or reported to have been seen anywhere.

Is Omowunmi Akinnifesi married?

Omowunmi Akinnifesi vanished from the social scene just when it seemed that she was about to become one of the most sophisticated and enduring ladies on scene. The ex-beauty queen turnedbusiness woman and Lagos State ambassador for environment seems to have opted for a low profile lifestyle.

So noticeable has been her absence that the social circuit now is abuzz with speculation on her where-about. In 2005, Akinnifesi was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria at the age of 18, making her eligible to represent Nigeria in the Miss World pageant in China that same year.

At the Global Beauty contest, she shone brightly Omowunmi Akinnifesi for the Chinese government and today, Omowunmi is currently the CEO of Elle Poise, a public relation and ushering company. But when it seems she’s there to stay, she has vanished from the social radar to the dismay of her fans and high society.

While she reigned as the Nigerian Beauty queen, no A list event was complete without her as she dazzled all and sundry with her modish outfits and stunning walk on red carpet. As would be expected, her sudden disappearance from the social scene has given reason for rumour and speculation that the beauty queen has married secretly.

Everybody have secrets; some are kept to add spice to their lives, some are to create anxiety. Secrets are kept for many reasons. For the recently wedded Dolapo Marcy Oni, whose marriage to Prince Gbite Sijuade could not be attended by the monarch before he joined his ancesstors, her secret has more to do with her personality.

She’s regarded by many as the television girl who had also delved into acting by her role in the TV drama series “The Desperate Housewives Africa”.

Little did many know that her real name is Dolapo Olowu and that the Oni she adopted was her mother’s maiden name. Her mother was also the former Director General of National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) during former President Obasanjo’s administration from 1999 to 2007. Close source revealed that she adopted her mother’s maiden name because she will prefer to earn a living without it being handed to her under the influence of her parents.

About Pastor Chris Oyakilomeh’s Beautiful daughter, Sharon Carissa Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his wife Anita need little or no introduction. He has always being in the public glare as the General Overseer of the Love World Believers Mission, simply known as the Christ Embassy.

His wife also became more prominent during their widely reported separation which is still attracting serious media attention, with all sort of allegations and counter-allegations which is portraying that marriage may have been a failure they were both working hard to stay in.

However, one positive thing that has come out of the whole wedding was let out sometimes back and it is Sharon Carissa, the beautiful daughter the marriage produced. The lady who had been kept firmly off the prying eye of the media was exposed during her birthday recently and most eligible men in her father’s church have been giving becoming the man popularly referred to as Pastor Chris a serious thought.

Lara Banjoko gets her groove back Like a gold fish, Lara Banjoko is worth admiration. Her beauty and strong will have also endeared her to many. The former top manager at Spog Oil and Gas was widely regarded as the goddess of the Nigerian Petroleum industry and not many could contend with her status on the social scene.

Blessed with a blend of beauty, intellect and confidence that few women can boast of, Lara bestrode the Nigeria social scene like a titan, causing many to believe that her name would soon boom in the social scene for decades. But she fell off the radar a few years back after parting ways with Spog Oil amidst controversy with the company Chairman, Jide Omokore.

But now she’s back with a bang. The success driven woman recently floated her own company, Zone 4 Energy, one of Nigeria fast growing Oil and Gas brand. She was sighted recently at an event, and from all indications, things are looking up for her.

Sharon Carissa Lara Banjoko

Dolapo Oni and Gbite Sijuwade

L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

L7

L8 TV guide

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 6, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

117 Universal Channel

105 M-Net Movie Family

01:20

03:30

Fri, 6 Nov | PG13

Fri, 6 Nov | PG

R&B star Eric Benét stars in this touching film. When an angel visits a young girl, she realises that her long-lost mother is in trouble and sets off to find her. Eric Benét, Erica Gluck. (2011) Joanne Hock.

101 M-Net West

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

155 Africa Magic World 00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:30 Family Ties 02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:30 Perfect Union 08:30 Living With Trisha 09:20 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 14:30 Nowhere To Be Found 15:00 Family Ties

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:45 The Weakest Link 01:30 Silent Witness 02:25 Come Dine With Me 03:10 EastEnders 03:40 QI 04:10 Top Gear 05:00 Spy 05:25 QI 05:55 The Thin Blue Line 06:30 EastEnders 07:00 Antiques Roadshow 07:50 The Weakest Link 08:40 The Chase 09:25 QI 09:55 Would I Lie To You? 10:30 Deal Or No Deal 11:05 My Family 11:35 Hell’s Kitchen USA 12:20 Top Gear 13:15 Come Dine With Me 14:10 Celebrity MasterChef 15:05 The Weakest Link 16:00 Casualty 17:00 The Chase 18:00 The Cube 19:00 New Tricks 20:00 The Graham Norton Show 21:00 Dragons’ Den

15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Jane And Abel 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Goal Diggerz 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Perfect Union 21:00 Family Ties 21:30 Goge Africa 22:05 Living With Trisha 23:00 53 Extra

‘S9/E6 - Back In the Saddle’. Because he was seen on national TV, Harm is told to leave the CIA. Meanwhile, Mac defends Harm’s JAG replacement when it is discovered she never gained admission to the bar. David James Elliott. (2003).

128 SONY MAX

00:20 Most Shocking 01:15 Kenny vs Spenny 01:45 Freakshow 02:15 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 00:45 The Weakest Link

10:30 Deal Or No Deal

01:30 Silent Witness

11:05 My Family

02:25 Come Dine With Me

11:40 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:10 EastEnders

12:25 Top Gear

03:40 QI

13:25 Come Dine With Me

04:10 Top Gear

14:15 Celebrity MasterChef

05:00 Spy

15:05 The Weakest Link

05:25 QI

16:00 Casualty

05:55 The Thin Blue Line

17:00 The Chase

06:30 EastEnders

18:00 The Cube

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 New Tricks

07:55 The Weakest Link

20:00 The Graham Norton Show

08:40 The Chase

21:00 Dragons’ Den

09:25 QI

22:00 Lee Evans: Big Live At The O2

10:00 Would I Lie To You?

23:45 The Pool Master

155 AfricaMagic World 00:00 Noose Of Gold 00:30 Good Morning Africa 01:30 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:05 The Mastermind 08:00 Star Gist 08:30 Prem 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara 12:30 Jara

02:45 Tool Academy 03:40 Most Shocking 04:30 South Beach Tow 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:30 Exposed 05:55 Exposed 06:20 Video Zonkers 06:45 Repo Games 07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking 10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games

13:00 Series TBA 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Tattoo Nightmares 20:30 Tattoo Nightmares 21:00 Hip Hop Squares 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny

NIGERIA DROPS IN FIFA RANKING TO 59 g X2

g X4,5

ROONEY IS DESTINED FOR GREATNESS Ex-IAAF boss,

R E A J K –SOLS g X7

loving Neymar g partnership

Suarez

X6

RABIU IBRAHIM

Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 2004–2007: 2007–2009: Senior career 2009–2010: 2009–2010: 2011: 2012–2013: 2013–2014: 2014–Till date: National team 2007: 2009: 2011: 2015–Till date:

Nigeria U-17 Nigeria U-20 Nigeria U-23 Nigeria

Sporting CP Real Massamá (loan) PSV Celtic Kilmarnock Trenčín

Gateway Sporting CP

Rabiu Ibrahim March 15, 1991 (age 24) Kano, Nigeria 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) Attacking midfielder Trenčín 10

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Ibrahim

Rabiu

contract, pending a work permit application which was granted on the 23rd.

On January 2, 2013, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels confirmed that Ibrahim had signed a two-year contract with the club on a free transfer. The 21-year-old decided to move to Rugby Park in search of regular first-team football.

Ibrahim was a member of the Nigerian under-17 team in the 2007 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, scoring in the first match against France as the nation went on to win the competition.

Before the tournament, he had been dubbed the new Jay-Jay Okocha, and helped the side win that year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations held in Togo, scoring twice against Eritrea in the group stage (8–0).

Aged 16, he was included in the senior team squad by German coach Berti Vogts for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside U-17 teammate Haruna Lukman. However, a groin injury prevented him from participating in the tournament.

In 2009 Ibrahim helped Nigeria win bronze in the African Youth Championship in Rwanda, netting against Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, with the national team booking a place in that year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup where he appeared in three matches.

Ibrahim gained his first Super Eagles cap on June 13, 2015, playing 32 minutes in a 2–0 home win over Chad in Kaduna for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

RABIU IBRAHIM ABOUT

Poster!

Rabiu Ibrahim (born March 15, 1991) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Slovak club FK AS Trenčín as an attacking midfielder.

Ibrahim was born in Kano. In the summer of 2007 he signed for Sporting Clube de Portugal for ¤450,000, in a joint ownership agreement with his previous club Gateway FC. Shortly afterwards, it was reported that Premier League sides Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal were interested in signing him, but nothing came of it.

With Sporting, Ibrahim participated in the 2008 Bellinzona U-19 International Tournament, with the Portuguese eventually winning the trophy.

In the competition, in which he was eventually voted as the best player, he was deployed as a classic number 10 in a 4–2–3–1 system; one year later, he again led the Lisbon club to the final stage of the same tournament.

In October 2009 Ibrahim twice rejected Sporting’s offer of a professional contract, and was at that time sent on loan to Real Sport Clube in the third division. In January 2010 he drew interest from Scottish Premier League giants Celtic, but the deal never materialised due to undisclosed reasons believed to involve work permit issues.

Shortly after, on March 11, 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the Eredivisie side, PSV. In December 2011 Ibrahim’s agent reached a mutual agreement with PSV to terminate the player’s contract, due to limited first team action.

On January 18, 2012 Celtic announced that, after a successful trial period, they had agreed terms to sign Ibrahim on a three and-a-half-year

X4

EXTRATIME

Friday, November 06, 2015

EXTRATIME

Friday, November 06, 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

Only

MOURINHO can fix Chelsea problems –Mendes g X7

DIACK, under investigation!

g X8

X5

X2

Friday, November 6, 2015

EXTRATIME

Lagos SWAN honours AMBODE Nov 26

Super Eagles players celebrate with Coach Sunday Oliseh (left) following their recent 3-0 demolition of Cameroun in an international friendly.

Mike Otanwa

L NIGERIA DROPS IN FIFA WORLD RANKING TO 59

N

igeria has dropped seven places to 59 from 52 on the monthly FIFA rankings, according to the November rankings released on Thursday by world football governing body FIFA. The three-time African champions who accumulated 582 points, down from the previous 600, consequently dropped to 12th on the continent.

Cote D’Ivoire still top the rankings on the continent, with Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo Guinea, Congo DR and Egypt, following in that order, ahead of Nigeria.

Belgium top the world rankings for the first time in history, with the Red Devils jumping two places to replace previous

leaders Argentina who are now third.

World champions Germany kept their second place, while the biggest climbers in the top 10 are Chile who are now fifth, having moved up four places.

England, who are ninth after moving up one place, and Austria who are 10th after moving up one rung, have each made slight progress.

agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed solidarity with Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), indicating his pleasure to his formal investiture as Grand Patron of the association. The event slated for November 26 has been designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the body.

Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Fred Edoreh, revealed in a statement that the office of the governor has sent words to confirm the date of the event which shall also feature an honours ceremony for members who have distinguished themselves in the profession and other industries, as well in service to sports development, society and humanity.

“I can tell you that we have got words from the office of our governor

on the event. His Excellency has confirmed Thursday, November 26 for the investiture and the honours ceremony for our stars and legends.

The occasion will also afford us an opportunity to appreciate the patrons, friends and supporters of Lagos SWAN - individuals, institutions and corporate organisations - who have aided us these years to grow. It will be great for us to celebrate the golden jubilee of our association in such a special way.

“It is a red carpet day for sports writing. It is a celebration of excellence and inspiration, a day for all of us in Lagos SWAN to recommit to the profession in pursuit of excellence, while also strengthening our partnership with our government and all stakeholders in sports to achieve the vision of using sports as a platform for youth, social and economic development,” Edoreh said.

Battle for NPFL relegation survival begins

T

he battle for survival in the Nigeria league will be fiercer than the battle for the championship as two teams are set to join Taraba and Bayelsa United on relegation with Kwara United, Dolphins, Sharks, Lobi Stars and El Kanemi Warriors all in danger.

FC Taraba and Bayelsa United are already doomed

for relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL) with two rounds of games to the end of the season on November 15.

Both teams currently with 34 points from 36 games cannot tally more than 40 points with two games to go which won’t be enough to save them from going down to the second-tier of Nigeria league.

Kwara United look destined to make an instant return to the Nigeria National League (NNL) having secured promotion to the elite league just last season.

With 39 points, Kwara can be sure of three points from the remaining two games. On Sunday, they travel to fellow strugglers Sharks who must win the game to escape the drop.

Both Kwara United and Dolphins are fighting against relegation.

Friday, November 6, 2015

EXTRATIME PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES

DEDEVBO

Saturday, November 7, 2015 13:45 Bournemouth v Newcastle 16:00 Leicester City v Watford

promises World Cup ticket in Jo’burg H

16:00 Man United v West Brom 16:00 Norwich City v Swansea City 16:00 Sunderland v Southampton 16:00 West Ham United v Everton 18:30 Stoke City v Chelsea

Sunday, November 8, 2015 14:30 Aston Villa v Manchester City 17:00 Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 17:00 Liverpool v Crystal Palace

ead Coach of the Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s national team; the Falconets, Peter Dedevbo, has assured fans that the Girls; come Sunday in Johannesburg will deliver as they seek to book a place in next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

SERIE A FIXTURES Saturday, November 7, 2015

Dedevbo

18:00 Hellas Verona v Bologna 20:45 AC Milan v Atalanta Sunday, November 8, 2015 12:30 Torino v Inter 15:00 Empoli v Juventus

Gaya cries foul over Nationwide board polls

15:00 Frosinone v Genoa 15:00 Palermo v ChievoVerona 15:00 Roma v Lazio 15:00 Sassuolo v Carpi 18:00 SSC Napoli v Udinese 20:45 Sampdoria v Fiorentina

LA LIGA FIXTURES Today’s Match 20:30 Las Palmas v Real Sociedad Saturday, November 7, 2015 16:00 Celta Vigo v Valencia 18:15 Levante v Deportivo La Coruna 20:30 Eibar v Getafe 20:30 Rayo Vallecano v Granada 22:05 Malaga v Real Betis Sunday, November 8, 2015 12:00 Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol 16:00 Barcelona v Villarreal 18:15 Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon 20:30 Sevilla v Real Madrid

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES Today’s Match 20:30 Hannover 96 v Hertha Berlin

Saturday, November 7, 2015 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen v FC Cologne 15:30 Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart 15:30 Borussia M’gladbach v Ingolstadt 15:30 Hoffenheim v Eintracht Frankfurt 15:30 Mainz 05 v Wolfsburg 18:30 Darmstadt v Hamburger SV Sunday, November 8, 2015 15:30 Borussia Schalke 04

Dortmund

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v

33 schools battle for LagosGTBank Masters Cup L-R Corporate Social responsibility Manager, GTBank, Tolu Onipede; Chairman FGHECA, Alhaja Riskat Yussuf and COO Media Vision Ltd, Jimi Shogbesan during the draws for the GTBank Masters Cup held at Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School, Itire, Lagos.

F

ormer House of Representatives chairman on Sports Godfrey Ali Gaya has raised alarm over the delay in the announcement of sales of forms for elections into the board of the Nigeria Nation-wide League One. Gaya has openly declared his intention to contest for the chairmanship position, a situation that has created panic among interested candidates including incumbent chairman, Ahmed Muazu Kawu.

In an exclusive interview, Gaya declared: “I smell foul play somewhere.

No one is talking about sales of forms for the election and this is creating anxiety amongst candidates interested in contesting positions in all the league body elections.

“I was told a fortnight ago that the forms would go on sales last week but up until now that we speak, the Nigeria Football Federation have not said anything concerning the elections, which from my knowledge should not exceed the 6th of December.

Speaking to reporters as the Nigeria contingent prepares to travel out for the reverse fixture, Dedevbo revealed that there was a re-jig of the side’s training schedule because of the urgent need to correct the lapses noticed in the last game.

The Falconets go into Sunday’s game with a 2-1 advantage.

Andrew Ekejiuba

T

hirty-three secondary schools in Lagos have been drawn into four groups to battle for the Season V of the Lagos-GTBank Masters Cup which is expected to kick off later this month across ten centres in the state.

The Season V which has three debutants will see 21 boys and 12 girls schools slugging it out for the prize monies of N750,000; N500,000 and N350.000 for the first, second and third placed teams respectively

in both the boys and girls categories.

In the boys’ category, Kings College Lagos, Ansar Ud Deen College Isolo, Eko Boys High School and Baptist Academy Obanikoro will slug it out in Group A, while St Finbarrs College Akoka, Federal Government College Ijanikin, Chrisland Schools and Whitesand School Lekki will battle each other in Group B. Teams in Group C include: Jubril Martins School Iponri, Ansar Ud Deen Grammar School, Methodist Boys High School and Corona School, with Group D consisting of Western

College, Dowen College Lekki, Anwaru Islam Agege, FSCT Yaba and Unilag International School.

Group E will see St Gregory College battle Addrao International School, CMS Grammar School and Green Springs Schools in the last in the boys’ category.

In the girls’ category, eight schools will qualify automatically to the quarter-final stage as, Ansar Ud Deen College Itire, Jubril Martins School Iponri and Methodist Girls Collage Yaba will slug it out in Group A. Ansar Ud Deen High School Isolo, Holy Child College Ikoyi and Corona School will trade tackles in Group B with defending champions, Queens College Yaba, Andrao International Victoria Island and Western College Yaba battle for supremacy in Group C. Group D has Federal Government College Ijanikin, Greenspring School and Federal Science Technical College Yaba.

The Masters Cup sponsored by GTBank, is being facilitated by Lagos State First Generation Heritage College Association (LAFGHECA).

NPFL: Osas eyes eighth finish for FCIU

F

C Ifeanyiubah (FCIU) striker, Jolly Osas has enthused his side will be comfortable with an eighth finish at the ongoing 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The newcomers are 10th on the 20-team top flight on 50 points with two matches on the season’s calendar.

Osas said an outright victory

against Nasarawa United and a point at struggling side, Kwara United will secure the side the dreamed eighth finish on the league log.

“Yes, league title and continental ticket are outside our reach right now with two matches to end the ongoing league season.

“However, our realistic target at the moment is to finish the season either on the eighth or ninth position, at least,

an emphatic victory on Sunday against Nasarawa United and a point at Kwara United will guarantee us an eighth finish.

“We will feel achieved and comfortable if we realise the new mark as newcomers in the outgoing season.

“We have even performed far better than traditional teams in the top flight with our present placement.

“Eighth position will guarantee us

a strong platform to fight for the league crown as well as ticket to the continent in the new season,” said the former Heartland winger.

The Nnewi outfit will welcome to their abode, Gabros International Stadium the Solid Miners, Nasarawa United in Sunday’s match day 37 clash while the next port of call and last match of the season will be at Kwara United in llorin.

RABIU IBRAHIM

Rabiu Ibrahim (born March 15, 1991) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Slovak club FK AS Trenčín as an attacking midfielder.

Ibrahim was born in Kano. In the summer of 2007 he signed for Sporting Clube de Portugal for ¤450,000, in a joint ownership agreement with his previous club Gateway FC. Shortly afterwards, it was reported that Premier League sides Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal were interested in signing him, but nothing came of it.

With Sporting, Ibrahim participated in the 2008 Bellinzona U-19 International Tournament, with the Portuguese eventually winning the trophy.

In the competition, in which he was eventually voted as the best player, he was deployed as a classic number 10 in a 4–2–3–1 system; one year later, he again led the Lisbon club to the final stage of the same tournament.

In October 2009 Ibrahim twice rejected Sporting’s offer of a professional contract, and was at that time sent on loan to Real Sport Clube in the third division. In January 2010 he drew interest from Scottish Premier League giants Celtic, but the deal never materialised due to undisclosed reasons believed to involve work permit issues.

Shortly after, on March 11, 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the Eredivisie side, PSV. In December 2011 Ibrahim’s agent reached a mutual agreement with PSV to terminate the player’s contract, due to limited first team action.

On January 18, 2012 Celtic announced that, after a successful trial period, they had agreed terms to sign Ibrahim on a three and-a-half-year

ABOUT

contract, pending a work permit application which was granted on the 23rd.

On January 2, 2013, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels confirmed that Ibrahim had signed a two-year contract with the club on a free transfer. The 21-year-old decided to move to Rugby Park in search of regular first-team football.

Ibrahim was a member of the Nigerian under-17 team in the 2007 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, scoring in the first match against France as the nation went on to win the competition.

Before the tournament, he had been dubbed the new Jay-Jay Okocha, and helped the side win that year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations held in Togo, scoring twice against Eritrea in the group stage (8–0).

Aged 16, he was included in the senior team squad by German coach Berti Vogts for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside U-17 teammate Haruna Lukman. However, a groin injury prevented him from participating in the tournament.

In 2009 Ibrahim helped Nigeria win bronze in the African Youth Championship in Rwanda, netting against Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, with the national team booking a place in that year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup where he appeared in three matches.

Ibrahim gained his first Super Eagles cap on June 13, 2015, playing 32 minutes in a 2–0 home win over Chad in Kaduna for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 2004–2007: 2007–2009: Senior career 2009–2010: 2009–2010: 2011: 2012–2013: 2013–2014: 2014–Till date: National team 2007: 2009: 2011: 2015–Till date:

Nigeria U-17 Nigeria U-20 Nigeria U-23 Nigeria

Sporting CP Real Massamá (loan) PSV Celtic Kilmarnock Trenčín

Gateway Sporting CP

Rabiu Ibrahim March 15, 1991 (age 24) Kano, Nigeria 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) Attacking midfielder Trenčín 10

PERSONAL INFORMATION

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EXTRATIME Friday, November 06, 2015

Friday, November 06, 2015

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Rabiu

Ibrahim

EXTRATIME

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Friday, November 6, 2015

EXTRATIME

EURO

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Suarez

loving Neymar partnership Neymar

BENZEMA

CHARGED IN SEX-TAPE CASE

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eal Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy as part of an investigation into a sex-tape plot involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema spent the night in custody in Versailles after giving himself up for questioning and was on Thursday charged after being put before a judge on allegations he was part of a plan to blackmail the Lyon midfielder.

Reports also revealed that Benzema has been placed under judicial supervision, meaning he cannot meet with Valbuena.

France coach Didier Deschamps announced his squad for the upcoming

friendlies with Germany and England on Thursday afternoon, with both players omitted.

Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, denied Benzema had any involvement in the alleged plot and is confident his client will soon clear his name.

He told reporters: “Karim didn’t participate in anything he is accused of, no blackmail or extortion. This doesn’t make any sense.

“He has been accused and charged by the prosecution. This is not proof of culpability. It’s only the beginning of the affair.”

Benzema is the second high-profile name to report to police over the case after former France international Djibril Cisse was questioned last month before being released without charge.

Guardiola

reassures Arsenal fans

P

ep Guardiola has reassured Arsenal fans his Bayern Munich side will not take their foot off the gas as they aim to secure

top spot in Group F. Following Wednesday’s 5-1 drubbing in Munich, the Gunners’ hopes of progressing to the knockout-phase are

uis Suarez says he is enjoying his partnership with Neymar as the pair continue to thrive for Barcelona in the absence of Lionel Messi.

Neymar scored twice and Suarez once as Barca beat BATE Borisov 3-0 on Wednesday to put them on the brink of qualification from Group E of the Champions League.

The match was the ninth of the season Barca have played without Messi, who suffered a knee injury in late September.

Of those nine they have lost just one, with Suarez and Neymar combining to score 17 of the 20 goals they have netted in that time.

“Right now Leo is missing and that adds to the need for us strikers to connect whenever possible,” Suarez told reporters after the win over BATE. “If you play next to a footballer of the great quality of ‘Ney’ then, obviously, you enjoy the games and the partnership a great deal more. Beyond winning it’s obviously very satisfying to help the team with assists and goals.”

After scoring on Wednesday, Suarez now has hit nine goals in eight appearances in all competitions.

now dependent on other results in the group.

Should Bayern and Olympiakos draw on November 24, the Gunners will be eliminated from Europe’s elite-club competition in the group stages for the first time since the competition adopted its new format in 2003/04.

However, asked to assure Arsenal that Bayern would not settle for a stalemate against the

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aris Saint-Germain midfielder Angel di Maria hit out at former club Real Madrid and claimed he was sold last year to fund their transfer activity.

Di Maria was sold to Manchester United for a British-record £59.7million in August 2014 but the Argentina international never settled in the Premier League, eventually sold to French champions PSG in a deal worth £44.3m the next summer.

The 27-year-old returned to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time since leaving Madrid on Tuesday, unable to prevent a 1-0 Champions League defeat.

Still disgruntled by the manner of his exit from the club, Di Maria told reporters that he was sold to cover the costs of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos.

“I didn’t go for the money. I wanted to renew my contract but they didn’t want that. They had to cover the cost of their big summer signings,” Di Maria said.

“An offer came in of €75 million and they transferred me to Manchester.

“They didn’t even let me go out the front door, if I went out the back door it was because of them, not me.”

No chance of Dortmund catching Bayern

–Watzke H

Benzema

Madrid sold me to cover ‘big signings´ —Di Maria

ans-Joachim Watzke believes Borussia Dortmund have no hope of catching Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race.

Dortmund have been largely impressive since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in the dugout and sit second in the Bundesliga having lost just once all season, although that was a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s side, who enjoy a fivepoint cushion in top spot.

And Watzke believes the title race is already dead in the water.

“It makes no sense to talk about Greek champions, Guardiola said: “You make this question to a coach and a club then you have to know it is impossible to not try and win the game.

“Arsenal fans need to be calm.

The players are going to go and try to win against Olympiakos, we might not be able to do that but not because we weren’t fighting but we want to be first in the group.”

chasing down Bayern,” Watzke said.

“Bayern have dropped just two points so far. If they keep this up the entire season, they will spill eight points over the course of the season.

“We are only looking at our own performances. We cannot afford to get carried away now.

“We are on the right track, though, and Thomas Tuchel has already made his mark on the team. But the season is still long and we must remain hungry.”

Dortmund will resume Bundesliga action against Ruhr rivals Schalke on Sunday.

Guardiola

Friday, November 6, 2015

EXTRATIME

Only MOURINHO can fix Chelsea problems –Mendes J ose Mourinho is the man to solve the ongoing malaise at Chelsea, his agent Jorge Mendes has insisted.

Mourinho has come in for widespread criticism following a dismal start to the season, which has seen Chelsea take just 11 points from as many games in the defence of their Premier League title.

The Portuguese has continually courted controversy amid Chelsea’s poor run and was handed a one-match stadium ban alongside a £40,000 fine for his behaviour in last month’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham, a game in which

he was sent to the stands.

Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev provided welcome respite for Mourinho and Mendes dismissed talk of an impending departure from Chelsea, saying: “He doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody.

“He knows what to do. Many people are saying these things but there is no chance he will leave. He will solve the problem. He is the best.

“At FC Porto he won the Europa League, the league, the Champions League. Mourinho] won everything.

“After that, in Chelsea he was amaz-

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PETIT

blasts Arsenal’s lack of fighting spirit

F Mourinho

ing. After 50 years he won the league and everyone was very happy with him.

“At Inter Milan, nobody expected Inter could win the Champions League no way. Even the quarter-finals seemed quite impossible.

“At Real Madrid against the best team in the world he still won the league. He is special.

ormer Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit bemoaned the lack of fighting spirit in the Gunners’ ranks after their Champions League mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Arsene Wenger’s side were 3-0 down inside the first half on a nightmare evening at the Allianz Arena, and ended up on the wrong end of a 5-1 drubbing against the German champions.

Two goals from Thomas Muller, plus strikes from Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba and Arjen Robben heaped the misery on Arsenal on a humbling night on the continent.

It leaves their chances of progression to the last 16 hanging by a thread, especially given Olympiakos’ 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners must now win their last two games, and hope Bayern Munich beat the Greek outfit, as well as scoring at least two goals against them themselves.

Petit, speaking after the loss, revealed that he was less than impressed with his ex-side’s display.

Rooney is destined for greatness

–Solskjaer F

Solskjaer

ormer Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes club captain Wayne Rooney will go down in history as one of the best players of all time.

Rooney closed the gap to Bobby Charlton’s club-record 249 goals to 10 with his winner against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

He became England’s highest goal scorer with his 50th international goal in September’s 2-0 win over Switzerland and former fan favourite Solskjaer claims Rooney will leave a long-standing legacy.

“Wayne’s a legend at the club, he’s been fantastic since he arrived,” he said.

“He might thank me for getting that injury as we needed strikers back then when I got injured, so we signed him.

Willian: Chelsea on the right track!

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illian believes Chelsea are making steady improvements following their 2-1 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.

The reigning Premier League champions have been struggling to find their best form this campaign and sit 15th in the league table after 11 games.

They have endured similar difficulties in the Champions League, but

Wednesday’s win at Stamford Bridge saw them climb to second place in Group G with seven points from four games, two points clear of Kiev.

“Confidence is coming for us and the results are coming as well,” Willian said.

“We have to keep going and keep fighting on the pitch. We lost some games and it’s been difficult for us but we are trying to play better.

“We know we have to improve more

and keep going in the same way.”

Chelsea needed an 83rd-minute goal from Willian to see Dynamo off, yet the Brazilian was pleased with his side’s overall performance.

“I think we played well but we had a difficult moment during part of the second half,” he added.

“They scored the goal but we fought until the end and I scored the second goal, it was very good for us.”

Sorensen

Stoke sign Danish teenager

SORENSEN D

enmark U-17 international midfielder Lasse Sorensen has joined Premier League outfit Stoke City, on Wednesday.

Sorensen, 16, will link up with Stoke in January on a three-year deal.

The Danish youth star is relishing the opportunity to move to England.

“When you get such an option, it applies just to say yes, because it is not certain that you get the offer again,” Sorensen said.

“When you think about football, you associate it with England, and to come to a Premier League club is a dream come true for me.

I have had a fantastic time in EfB, and now I have made a choice about my future.”

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Friday, November 6, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Paris Masters:

Athletics

MURRAY

thrashes Davis Cup rival Goffin

EX-IAAF BOSS DIACK UNDER INVESTIGATION!

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amine Diack, ex-head of the IAAF, is being investigated over allegations he took payments for deferring sanctions against Russian drugs cheats.

French prosecutors - acting on information supplied by the World AntiDoping Authority (WADA) - suspect Senegalese Diack, 82, of receiving money in 2011.

The IAAF’s new president Lord Coe was questioned by French police on Tuesday, having offered to co-operate.

Athletics’ world governing body says

it is “fully co-operating” with inquiries.

It confirmed police had carried out searches and interviews at its Monaco headquarters.

WADA president Sir Craig Reedie told reporters he was unable to comment on the Diack case until the publication of a report by an independent commission into the allegations of systemic doping.

However, the organisation did confirm that the French criminal investigation were a result of “information passed on” by its

B Diack

commission “to the relevant authorities”.

WADA will publish the findings of its report into allegations of widespread doping on Monday, in Geneva.

The International Olympic Committee, of which Diack is an honorary member, said its ethics commission will also investigate the claims.

Diack ended his 16-year reign as IAAF president in August, when Briton Coe, a double Olympic 1500m winner, was elected as his replacement.

ritain’s Andy Murray swept past Belgian David Goffin at the Paris Masters - three weeks before their likely meeting in the Davis Cup final.

Murray, seeded second, won 6-1 6-0 on the indoor hard courts to reach the quarter-finals, where he will play French 10th seed Richard Gasquet.

Belgium will host Britain in the Davis Cup final in Ghent from November 27-29.

Murray now has a 2-0 record against Goffin, but if they meet in Ghent it will be their first match on clay.

“Obviously clay is seen as being my

worst surface, but I still feel like I play well on that court,” said the Scot.

“I don’t know what speed the court’s going to be. If it’s quick, then I think that will help my serve a lot. If it’s slow, then I feel like I can track a lot of balls down on the clay, which is positive.

“But it was good for me to get the chance to play him before the Davis Cup and see his game and the speed of his shots and where he maybe makes some mistakes from and things that he likes to do.

“Obviously with the result, that’s a positive. I mean, mentally for me it’s a positive win.”

Tennis

Murray

McIlroy, Spieth trail Grace in HSBC tourney

R

Golf

McIlroy

ory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are five shots off Branden Grace’s lead after day one of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

South African Grace’s nine-under 63 gave him a one-shot lead over three players in Shanghai, while USA’s Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed and England’s Danny Willett are two back.

McIlroy played despite struggling this week with food poisoning.

“It was probably a little better than I was expecting out there to be honest,” the world

Cricket

lot better.”

Willett, 28, is still hopeful of pipping overall leader McIlroy in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings.

The Englishman was disappointed to drop his only shot of the day on the ninth - his final hole but delighted to still be in contention to end the year as European number one.

Masters and US Open champion Spieth will replace the absent Jason Day as world number one with a top-10 finish.

England collapse to Pakistan defeat

E Pakistani cricketers celebrate after going unbeaten in eight series in their adopted home of the UAE.

number three said.

“When I was hitting balls this morning on the range I had not been out of bed for basically 48 hours, so I was really stiff,” added the 26-year-old Northern Irishman.

“I needed to loosen up quite a lot, but when I got out there I felt pretty good.

“I’ve lost 10 pounds since being here. I can’t remember the last time I was this light. But hopefully if I have a couple of good meals over the next couple days and rehydrate and I’ll be feeling a

ngland subsided to a 127-run defeat in the third and final Test against Pakistan and a 2-0 series

loss.

Resuming on 46-2 in pursuit of an unlikely 284, England lost four wickets for 11 runs in the first hour and were eventually bowled out for 156.

On a pitch turning sharply, only Alastair Cook resisted with 63 and was the ninth England wicket to fall.

Yasir Shah took 4-44 and Shoaib Malik 3-26 to give Pakistan’s spinners a total of 17

wickets in the match.

In contrast, England’s trio of slow bowlers returned combined figures of 7-423 from 115.2 overs.

England, who have lost seven of their past nine Test matches away to Pakistan, are without a series victory abroad for three years and slip from third to sixth in the world rankings.

Though England were found wanting against the turning ball, they ultimately paid the price for errors over the first four days.

While they can rightly point to losing Ben

Stokes through injury, England must also reflect on a first-innings collapse that saw their last six wickets fall for 78 runs.

Not only were England’s spinners very poor in the second innings, but Mohammad Hafeez, who made 151, was afforded two dropped catches and a missed stumping.

Cook’s men came some close to winning the first Test and were competitive for large parts of the series, but were defeated by batting collapses, fielding errors and inferior spin bowling.