EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 4th March 2015. Currency
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US DOLLAR
196
196.5
197
MOBIL
155.8
5.80
3.72%
FO
203
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300.664
301.431
302.198
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127
1.00
0.79%
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41.61
-4.48
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145
-1.50
-1.03%
153
-1.00
-0.65%
EURO
218.0696
218.6259
219.1822
OANDO
14.91
0.71
4.76%
NB
SWISS FRANC
203.8058
204.3257
204.8456
UBN
11
0.40
3.64%
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How ex-CJN’s son, wives, 5 kids joined terror camp Ï 6Ɔ ƒƈƋƕ ƄƆ ƏƗƆƗè 9ƄƏ ƈƌ nƓ ƈ Ƌ ƒƆ ƍ ƓƆƏ ƄƈƊƆ Ï ƌ ƇƏƈƆ Ɨ Ƈ Ƒ ƗƆƏƓƆ Ə Ƅ ƌƄƆƏè ƄƗƑƋLƑƐƐ Ƌ Ƅ
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ÏÏÏHe was always heavily
bearded. Spotting trousers that were slightly above the ankles, he was often seen proudly riding power bikes around Abuja. His name: Ibrahim CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
INSIDE
Life&
TIMES Friday March 6, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
s
Editorial Deploying soldiers for elections
G
iven the present divisive political climate in the country, it is not surprising that a lot of heated arguments have trailed the veracity or otherwise of deploying soldiers for the forthcoming elections. Expectedly, such arguments have followed predictable partisan lines with the Federal Government and the opposition holding differing views. Those in support of deploying soldiers base their arguments on the fact of insecurity in the country, especially in the Northeast where a raging Boko Haram insurgency is threatening to frustrate the holding of elections there. But those opposed to deploying soldiers across the country on elections days say it is not only unsettling; it has the unintended consequence of frightening away voters from polling stations. They say Nigerians always see soldiers as agents of any incumbent administration and so may be tempted to intimidate prospective voters into casting their ballots for the ruling party. Much as there are merits to two sides of the arguments, it still does not deviate from the fact that soldiers have a very prominent role to play in making the elections safe, especially for those willing to exercise their franchise. Given the vast geographical size of Nigeria, it would be foolhardy for anyone to expect that the police which currently are handicapped by lack of adequate manpower can effectively deploy personnel to the more than 122,000 polling booths all over the country. If we may ask, are those politicians
and political parties kicking against deployment of soldiers ready to obey the rule of law during and after the exercise, irrespective of the outcome? Also, no one is looking at the possibility of soldiers preventing whole scale rigging of the polls through ballot snatching, violence and irregular movement of election materials. Moreover, Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution and the Armed Forces Act, 2004 state “The President’s power to ‘determine the operational use of the Armed Forces in Nigeria for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order’ is a constitutional mandate donated by the constitution and the Armed Forces Act. It is interesting to note that even Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega has been consistent in arguing that under the present circumstance, only the military has both the manpower and capability to guarantee peace on election days. Also, it is pertinent to remind those against deployment that there are precedents to this rule. There is hardly any election in the country since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in 1999 that has not involved the active participation of soldiers for peace keeping and scaring away potential troublemakers. What the argument should be directed at is that soldiers be restricted to patrolling the highways while keeping safe distances from the polling stations. In that way, the fears of those not disposed to their presence would have been allayed.
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When will this Legislative meddlesomeness end? Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏLately,
the House of Representatives appears to have found attraction in meddling in areas that clearly are not in its purview, making many to worry how long it will take the lower legislative chamber to wean itself of ‘rascally tendencies’. This tendency again played out on Tuesday when the lawmakers resolved that the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, must not be removed. The House, after deliberating on a motion moved by one of its mem-
bers, vowed to initiate court action in Nigeria and at the International Criminal Court, over alleged plots to remove the INEC boss and further shift of the March 28 and April 11 election dates. Before this motion, the lawmakers had at different times, forayed into areas that they had no business getting into in the first place and always justified their actions on the ground that apart from lawmaking, the 1999 Constitution as amended, also empowers them to oversight the Executive and its agencies among others. While some of these actions had brought the lawmakers on collision course with the Executive on several occasions, resulting
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in non-adherence to most of the resolutions of the House, the lawmakers have failed to realise the extent their image is negatively been impacted by their ‘rascally behaviours’, including dishing orders, couched as resolutions, to the Executive. This only ridicules the lawmakers in the eyes of informed public and portrays them as deliberately fishing for trouble with the Executive. This ought not to continue. Our lawmakers must stop their meddlesomeness and face their main job - lawmaking. They should allow the Executive to do its work while being content with doing theirs.
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The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Mohammed Ali
Kofi Annan
Unknown
“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while socalled Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?
Many African leaders refuse to send their troops on peace keeping missions abroad because they probably need their armies to intimidate their own populations.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common – they both should be changed regularly and for the same reason!”
4
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
5 News
Chibok girls still alive – Jonathan Egena Egena Abuja
ÏÏÏPRESIDENT
Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that the over 200 girls, popularly known as The Chibok Girls, abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram insurgents nearly a year ago, are alive and would be rescued soon. The President also explained
YDP seeks further polls shift ÏÏÏThe
Young Democratic Party (YDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the forthcoming general election. The party said this on Thursday, after the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the commission to register it as a political party. Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, the party said contrary to insinuations, the court did not order INEC to register the party, but to issue a
Duke tasks APCON on integrity Joy Ekeke
ÏÏÏThe
Supervising Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has charged the new members of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, (APCON) to engage those who will safeguard the integrity of advertising communication. He made the call while inaugurating the sixth APCON Governing Council at the Press Centre
ACD declares support for Jonathan
why the rescheduled general election had been generating varied arguments, saying that it was a global trend whenever an incumbent was seeking reelection. Jonathan, who was a guest at an African Independent Television (AIT) live discussion programme, Kaakaki, in Abuja, on Thursday, said he was convinced that the school girls had not been killed because their
certificate and include YDP in the 2015 general election and called on INEC to re-schedule the election if it could not accommodate it on its ballot papers. Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, National Publicity Secretary of YDP, Mr. Ugo Nwofor, said there were only two options available to INEC, saying it could either reprint its ballot papers and include the party with a view to accommodate the party’s candidates or shift the elections. Nwafor said, “If INEC does not have the appropriation for logistics for re-printing the ballot papers, then INEC ought to, within the constitutional provision, further re-schedule the general election so as to accommodate our party. of the News Agency of Nigeria, National Theatre Annex, Iganmu, Lagos. “The products of advertising affect, virtually, every member of the society, influencing lives, attitudes and behaviours of individuals, positively or negatively. It is for this reason that advertising practitioners and those who use advertising to commit themselves to socially responsibly conduct, be conscious of the need to safeguard the integrity of advertising communication. “I charge you today to apply yourselves to the unwavering discharge of these responsibilities, with the resolve to lift the standard of advertising practice in Nigeria, and accord the profession the level of respectability it deserves.
Mathew Dadiya
ÏÏÏThe Advanced Congress of
Democrats (ACD) has declared support for the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan. National Secretary, Dr. Onwubuya Breakforth, said on
captors would have brazenly displayed their bodies to show off their bravery. He expressed regret that the Islamist sect, which was underestimated at the beginning, as it started as a non-violent group, later grew in capacity and had inflicted serious damage on the nation. He was, however, confident that with the military having 65 percent of the platform needed
to prosecute the war, the remaining territories under the control of the insurgents would soon be liberated. On why the Chibok girls have not been found, in spite of the military successes, he said: “We still have reasonable territories in the hands of Boko Haram.” We promised that we must get the girls. The good story is that they have not killed them, because the terrorists, when they
kill, they display. They use it to intimidate the whole society. The girls are alive. We will get the girls. “Luckily, we are narrowing down the area of their control. So, we will get them”, Jonathan said adding that the military had been reluctant to move in with full force because of the tendency of terrorists to use captives as human shield, saying, “That is why the pace had to be slow.”
R-L: United States Consul General Lagos, Jeffery Hawkins; presidential candidate of KOWA Party, Professor Remi Sonaiya; Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe and United States Consul Public Diplomacy Officer in Nigeria, Rhonda J. Watson during the Womenís History Month Programme organised by Access Bank in commemoration of the International Women’s Day at the Bank’s Headquarters in Lagos... on Thursday...
Senate queries SEC over N9b extra-budgetary spending Celestine Okafor & Sunday Isuwa, Abuja Senate Committee on Capital Market has queried the Acting Director-General of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Munir Gwarzo, over an extra-budgetary spending, amounting to N9 billion, without approval of the National Assembly. The query came during the budget defence of SEC for 2014/2015 at the National Assembly, on Thursday, during which the lawmakers also regretted that the commission only visit
the National Assembly at its convenience. According to the senators, the SEC erred by spending funds not appropriated by the National Assembly to pay staff salaries, while they wondered why SEC relied on verbal approval given by a Committee of the House of Representatives. Senator Danjuma Goje asked the SEC chief for the rationale behind the approval of N10 billion for Gombe State government, despite the fact that the first loan of N20 billion, borrowed by the state government was not applied to
what it was requested. However, in his response, Gwarzo explained that, based of zero allocation to the commission in 2014, by the National Assembly, due to the problems the lower chamber had with the former DG, Arumma Oteh, it was impossible for the commission to pay staff salaries. He said following this challenge, there was a meeting between the House Committee on Legislative Procedure and the SEC, during which the commission was advised to spend money to pay only the salaries.
Thursday, in Abuja that ACD resolved to support Jonathan’s re-election having carefully reviewed his achievements in office. Breakforth argued that the reason they adopted the PDP candidate was because ACD had assessed his Transformation Agenda since 2011 and realised
that, although, Jonathan inherited the worst government, there was genuine commitment and dedication on the transformation of the country. He said that Nigeria was on the path of true transformation urging Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that Jonathan was re-elected for a second term.
Jonathan
ÏÏÏThe
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
How ex-CJN’s son, wives, kids moved to ISIS terror camp Continued from page 6 Uwais, son of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais (rtd) believed to be the latest high profile Nigerian recruit in the terrorist Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS). More importantly, Ibrahim is also a close friend of the 2009 United States Christmas Day underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab. Justice Uwais is believed to be a family friend of Umar’s father and former First Bank chairman, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Muttalab. Ibrahim is reported to have left Nigeria with his two wives and five children for Syria to join the
ISIS which has been carrying out horrendous killings in a bid to create an Islamic state. ISIS is also called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Like Umar Abdulmuttalab, his younger family friend, Ibrahim Uwais is believed to belong to the Islamic Salafi sect which has its roots in Saudi Arabia. The Salafi are of two types: the moderate and the extremist. A security source told Daily Times on Thursday night that there were fears within his agency that Ibrahim belongs to the extremist group which encourages its faithful to die for their religion whenever the need for it arises. It was also learnt that Ibrahim is an out of control man and not
on good terms with the family. “Like the senior Abdul Mutallab, Justice Uwais is a moderate Muslim,” a highly reliable security source told Daily Times on Thursday, adding that the family is in shock by the decision of Ibrahim to join the ISIS terrorists. “He severed relationship with his family long ago,” another source disclosed, describing the suspected ISIS new recruit as a “non-conformist.” Security agencies believe that Ibrahim first left Nigeria for Dubai, then to Jordan, before he crossed into Syria. “That Ibrahim, his two wives and five children were able to make the snaky trips and ascertain the routes through which
they could get to the section under the control of the terrorists unhurt is a pointer that ISIS already has a foothold in Nigeria,” a senior security source told Daily Times. It was, however, learnt that Ibrahim did not embark on the journey with his large family at a go. “The wives and children left separately giving no indication that a plot was afoot. Then the father joined them,” the source said. Ibrahim, the third son of the respected retired jurist, is believed to have studied Business Administration at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, but dropped out. ISIS presently controls large territories in Iraq, Syria and Libya, where they have been brutal with their jihad. Coordinator of the National Information Centre on the war against terrorism and DirectorGeneral of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, had recently raised an alarm that the children of highly placed Nigeri-
ans were being recruited by the ISIS. He disclosed that government agencies were collaborating with organisations and aggressively educating Nigerian youths on the dangers of jihad and radicalism. “We are aware that recruiters for ISIS from South Africa are seeking to recruit young vulnerable Nigerians via the social media. This was why we alerted Nigerians last week of this development. As we speak, I am attending a programme in Lagos where we are actively educating the youths on the dangers of radicalism and jihad in order to discourage them. We are also teaching them on how to safely use the social media in order to help them detect fraudulent intentions,” Omeri said. At the age of 23, Abdul Muttalab confessed to and was convicted of attempting to detonate plastic explosives hidden in his underwear while on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253, en route from Continued on page 12
APC accuses FG of plot to produce anti-Amaechi documentary ÏÏÏThe
L-R. New Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Udem Ufot; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information, Dr Folashade Omolara Yemi-Esan; Hon. Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation & Supervising Minister of Information, Chief Edem Duke and Immediate Past Chairman (APCON), Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi at the Inauguration of the 6th Governing Council of (APCON) in Lagos…. on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
My bitter-sweet experience with Obasanjo, by Tinubu Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏFormer Lagos State Gover-
nor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday recounted the series of bitter and sweet experiences with former President Obasanjo. Tinubu, and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described Obasanjo as the first true father of the Nigerian nation, having, among others, dumped partisan politics to put the welfare of the country above all else. It was an occasion for old foes to reminisce on the days of yore;
for matters that caused tempers to flare years ago to be smiled upon with tolerant hindsight. It was the former president’s 78th birthday. Among the politicians who graced the event in Abeokuta were the leadership of the APC, led by its national chairman, John Odigie Oyegun; Tinubu; the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the Deputy National Chairman of APC, Chief Segun Oni and the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
The event which was organised by the Centre for Human Security, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), with the theme, “An Agenda for the Developmental Future of Nigeria”, was chaired by Prof. Akin Mabogunje. Tinubu told the gathering: “Obasanjo has trapped me innocently with the great wisdom of a 78-year- old. I am honoured to be here and many of you will see this as a rare occasion. But this is an opportunity to pay tribute to a nationalist, a teacher, a discipliContinued on page 12
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Presidency to produce a damaging documentary on Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in continuation of the on-going campaign of calumny against leading lights in APC by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC chairman in the state, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya says, “The plot, which was leaked to us by a patriotic Nigerian working in the Presidency, is intended to present Governor Amaechi, who is also the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, as a power-hungry and corrupt politician.” “Having sponsored the production and airing of similar discredited documentaries on APC Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), and the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the PDP-led Presidency and President Goodluck Jonathan’s strategists believe that Governor Amaechi is the next APC backbone to be targeted in this diabolical and desperate but futile attempt to stop APC’s march to victory in the March 28 presidential election.” Ikanya, in a statement on Thursday in Port Harcourt, made it clear that Amaechi has no skeletons in his cupboard and has nothing to
be afraid of, having served the people of Rivers State to the best of his ability in the past almost eight years. He continued, “We, therefore, wish to warn those behind this devilish and invidious plot to desist from executing it. We also wish to issue advance warning to media houses that may be tempted by the lure of lucre to promote or broadcast any satanic documentary on Amaechi to perish the thought or prepare to meet us in court,” Ikanya said. He advised President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to stop wasting public funds sponsoring ill-conceived documentaries designed to tarnish the reputation of APC leaders, as this cannot save the party during the forthcoming polls. “President Jonathan should know that the game is up as we expect him to work towards honourably leaving the stage as a statesman and avoid destroying the intuitions and people who have assisted him in his political journey. He has ran our economy aground and spread corruption as a way of life and the fact remains that Nigerians are tired of his maladministration, lack of vision and no amount of bribery or damage to any of our leaders will save him from the deafest that awaits him come 28th March, 2015,” Ikanya concluded.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
7 News
Niger SURE-P, Aisha Babangida train 500 youths, women Saka Bolaji Minna
ÏÏÏThe Subsidy Re-investment
Programme (SURE-P) in Niger State, in collaboration with Aisha Babangida Youth Leadership Series (ABYLS), has trained over 500 youths and women in Niger State, aimed at empowerment and self-reliance of citizens in the society. Director General of SURE-P in the state, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, who made this known in Minna at a graduation ceremony of 500 beneficiaries of trainees and presentation of starter packs, stated that it has been discovered that government alone cannot do everything for its citizenry, unless
in conjunction with the private sector to ensured the fulfillment of government objectives and programmes. Nuhu commended the daughter of the former military president, saying that the present administration, under the leadership of Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has done its best in the area of empowerment, engagement and employment of youths and women, especially under his agency (SURE-P). Aisha, in her address, said her vision was to see a prosperous nation with patriotic youths, adding that she intends to fill the gap of unemployment and empower the future leaders of the nation.
We’ll match any party ‘cash for cash’ – Adamawa APC Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏThe All Progressives Con-
gress (APC), Adamawa State chapter, has refuted a widely circulated rumor of the party running out of funds to finance the activities in the state, its to lack of financial support from former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is a leader of the party. One of the APC chieftains and also a publicity official of the party’s campaign organisation, Alhaji Uba Dan Arewa, who spoke to newsmen on the specu-
lation, said the story making rounds was falsehood being perpetrated by enemies of the party. Uba said some people are disturbed by the growing popularity and general acceptability of APC candidates in the state and were out to create confusion in the party by peddling lies to create friction between the gubernatorial candidate and its leader, Atiku Abubakar. Dan Arewa said the campaign team has enough fund to continue its campaign, which was earlier suspended for a while because of the shift in the general election.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (left) in handshake with Patience Jonathan during Patience’s visit in Abia State… on Thursday. With them is Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.
2015 Budget: Reps peg oil benchmark at $54 Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
House of Representatives, on Thursday, adopted $54 per barrel as the crude oil benchmark and an exchange rate of N198 to the dollar for the 2015 Federal Budget. President Goodluck Jonathan had, after two reviews, following the fall in global oil prices, proposed a benchmark of $65 per barrel of crude oil in the Appropriation Bill submitted to the National Assembly. House members equally recommended that the contentious
Kaduna-Abuja rail line to gulp N3bn Sunday Isuwa Abuja
ÏÏÏAbout N3 billion is required
for the completion of the KadunaAbuja rail line, the Minister of Transport, Sen Idris Umar, has said. The federal government had proposed a budget of N287.820 million for the completion of the rail line project, expected to be completed next month. It was gathered that the project would now get its share of the budget from the N5.294 billion allocated to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) this year, aside from the SURE-P funding. The corporation has the highest monetary allocation, compared with other parastatals of the Feder-
al Ministry of Transport this year. The Abuja-Kaduna rail line is one of the first standard gauge railway modernisation projects (SGRMP) undertaken in Nigeria. Speaking at a budget defence of the Ad-hoc Committee on SURE-P, Umar said the contract was awarded at 874.3 million dollars, about N161 billion, at the then exchange rate. “We need about three billion to complete the Kaduna-Abuja rail line. We want to commission the rail line by April, this year,” the minister said. He said the rehabilitation of Jeba-Kano rail line cost N5 billion, adding that all the other rail projects that have not been completed won’t be abandoned. The minister, who said that last
year’s budget performance was impressive, added that there were still outstanding payments for the Kaduna standard rail line. Umar said N10 billion has been proposed for rail lines rehabilitation, adding: “It’s important for us to approve the railway because it has come to stay under the Jonathan administration.”
Umar
Service Wide Vote of N360.94 billion be scrapped from the budget, and directed that all expected line expenditure under the Service Wide Vote be channeled to various line ministries for proper monitoring. The House passed these resolutions following the unanimous adoption of the report of the Joint Committees on Finance, Appropriation, Aids, Loans and Debt Management, and legislative budget and research on the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. Leading debate on the joint report, Chairman, House Com-
mittee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the 15-clause report recommended a crude oil production quota of 2.278mbpd, 2.327mbpd and 2.406mbpd for 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. He said the joint committee projected that non-oil revenue for the 2015 budget is increased from N3.539, 07 trillion to N4.024, 11 trillion. “Government should strengthen and consolidate its fiscal strategy to narrow the gap between projected and actual revenue for the period 2015-2017, curtailing oil theft and diversifying the economy to increase tax bases,” he added.
Titus Akhigbe
APC senator’s aides defect to SDP in Edo
Benin
ÏÏÏThe numerical strength and
chances of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the polls in Edo North got a boost recently, as Senator Domingo Obende’s (representing Edo North at the National Assembly) senior legislative aide, Hassan Enakhele, led thousands of APC members to defect to the SDP. The ceremony, which took place in South–Ibie Kingdom of Etsako West LGA, was witnessed by SDP leaders across Edo North, led by the BoT Chairman, Chief Usman Shagady, and Abubakar Momoh, Etsako rep at the House of Representatives, who is also the SDP Senatorial candidate. Speaking after receiving the SDP membership card, Enakhele, a former House of Assembly
aspirant of the party, poured encomium on Abubakar Momoh for his able representation of Etsako federal constituency at the National Assembly, and that the Edo North people are looking up to him to replicate his achievements across Edo North and also provide leadership for Edo North people in elective capacity, after the exit from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. In his remarks, Alhaji Shagady said the six weeks extension granted to INEC is a blessing in disguise for the party to further receive more decampees from the PDP and APC.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Politics
s AFEGBUA
Kassim Afegbua
Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser to Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole of Edo State on Media Affairs and Publicity spoke to TITUS AKHIGE on a number of issues affecting the polity. Excerpts:
SDP, made up of turn coat politicians
The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, has often raised allegations of reckless spending of state resources against Governor Adams Oshiomhole. What is
your take on this? As far as we know, the PDP state chairman and his sinking co-travellers are not just desperadoes who are looking for relevance, they are also individuals who do not have the intellectual capacity to understand the dynamics of governance, the execution of processes of governance and the delivery of services to the majority of the people. He is at best a dramatist, a very bad one at that, who is trying effortlessly to make an impression
in a state where they have lost relevance. It is understandable that having been denied the patronages and grand acquisition that used to be the hallmark of PDP rulership in Edo State, they’ll naturally be crying like the baby cow looking for milk to suck from a cow that they have sucked dry in terms of the collective patrimony of Edo State. But, again, we have a basis for comparison. PDP state CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
BIPI:
APC has already lost Rivers
In this interview with AUGUSTINE AMINU, Hon. Evans Bipi representing Ogu/Bolo constituency of Rivers State and leader of the sixmember anti-Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers explained the political scenario in Rivers State. This is against the backdrop of the recent challenges that have pitched the two major gladiators, the PDP and APC at loggerheads for sometime now with each trying to outdo the other ahead of the forthcoming elections. Excerpts: Why is Rivers State so important in these coming elections? It is important because of its strategic nature as a commercial base and its natural resources in the country. It is strategic politically because from time immemorial, the state has been a PDP State and very central to the aspirations of the South-South people. It is because who controls Rivers State controls the entire South-South politics and by extension whatever happens in Rivers State is replicated by every other state in the South.
Buhari
“There is no local government in the state that the PDP does not have structure go and see for yourself. The APC are the ones enlisting thugs, hooligans, touts and area boys to disrupt most PDP gatherings across Nigeria.” Why the do or die attitude of politicians in Rivers State? The PDP, as the largest party in Africa has its own democratic tenets, so also it has basic internal mechanism and structure on ground on how certain things are done unlike other parties that do not have, but are controlled by one man. In PDP, we have internal democracy where rules, guidelines and party hierarchy are followed
Borno indigenes in Lagos rally for Buhari
in doing things including due process. We also have disciplinary organ in place to discipline erring members who engage in anti party activities or who fall short of the rules and principles of our party. You all know that the PDP has structure in the state and it has controlled the state since democracy came into being. So our structures are solid and can withstand any challenge from any party whatsoever. It is because of the forthcoming elections that political gladiators are beating the drums of war and fanning the embers of disunity. What you are seeing is as a result of the election which is caused by the opposition party in the state. It is the opposition party that is so desperate that wants to take power by hook or crook or any means possible not the PDP led by Nyesom Wike. There is no local government in the state that the PDP does not have structure go and see for yourself. The APC are the ones enlisting thugs, hooligans, touts and area boys to disrupt most PDP gatherings CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Last Sunday witnessed another massive support for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) especially General Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos. The turn out was a rally of sort to drum support for Buhari in pursuit of the desire of northern leaders to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from
Bipi
retaining his seat after the 2015 elections. Convener of the rally, MaiKanuribe of Lagos State and Sarkin Hausawa of Ijora land, Apapa Local Government Area, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed gathered youths of Borno State origin to support Buhari last weekend. According to Alhaji Moham-
med, it is high time his people vote for the right candidate. He stated that, his support for Buhari was bourn out of the desire for good governance saying: “I believe Buhari is an honest man and we need an honest man to rule us in this country. Jonathan has failed us and I’m not ready to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
9 Politics
2015 POLLS
PDP postponing the evil day CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
chairman and his renegades piloted the affairs of this state for 10 good years and the record they have to show is that of apathy, depression, degradation and personal agrandisement at the expense of the state. So, if they now woke up suddenly and they see the monumental achievements of a comrade governor in a state that was hitherto classified as a poor state by the PDP when they were calling the shots so you can understand their anger. They are not angry that we are doing so much; they’re angry that we have come to put a lie on the long held notion that the state has no money to develop itself. But you and I know, with verifiable evidence, that since the intervention of the comrade governor in Edo State, he has been able to alter the narrative of under development to a positive narrative of development and wonderful achievements. The governor is from Edo North Senatorial District. Are you not worried about the growing popularity of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) based on the defection of Engr. Abubakar Momoh to the party? (Laughs). You and I know that in this country, you cannot just wake up in the morning and give that kind of adulation to a party that has not even been able to find its feet whether at the local, state or national level. Even the leadership of the SDP is phlegmatic. The leadership of the party is made up
Falae
of failed politicians, turncoat politicians, who at every turn of elections want to register a party, a party I will call briefcase party, that they’ll use to negotiate. You already heard them endorsing Jonathan. A party that has a clear cut ideology and philosophy of governance would not condescend to the level of endorsing a candidate of another party when you realise that their chairman, Chief Olu Falae, used to be a presidential candidate some 15 years ago. That is to tell you that even on arrival, they’ve considered themselves dead. Engr. Abubakar Momoh had enjoyed so much support from the ACN and now that the party has metamorphosed to the APC has decided to jump ship. Let’s see how he will test his popularity. But I have witnessed a few of his rallies and I have seen one or two canopies mounted in different localities where he spoke to people. I don’t know if that is what you call popularity. What is your view about the rescheduling of the elections? Nigerian politicians, especially those that are domiciled in the PDP, are fond of working from answer to question. Having noticed that Buhari and the APC have taken over the political space in a tsunami form and knowing fully well that if elections were to hold on that lovely valentine day (February 14, 2015) they would be defeated, they decided to rake up all manners of security concerns and ordered that the elections be postponed. You now begin
to wonder if a ruling party has suddenly developed cold feet towards elections. That should naturally tell you that they are not ready for elections and they know that the results would be against their whims and caprice. Again this is Nigeria where anything goes. We have stated our position when the postponement was made. We have also watched President Goodluck Jonathan on media chat telling Nigerians that he was not consulted before the postponement was conceived. Forgetting that two days earlier they held the council of state meeting where he reportedly argued that security concerns are posing threat to the elections and now opted for postponement. Again, if the C - in - C was not briefed about security situation with respect to conduct of such a general election, it shows that he is not in charge. Nigerians, we tolerate all kinds of bestiali-
“Nigerians are speaking with one voice that they need a change. You can imagine when a president goes to a state and say ‘I am sorry, I have not done anything for this state for the past six years.”
“A party that has a clear cut ideology and philosophy of governance would not condescend to the level of endorsing a candidate of another party when you realise that their chairman, Chief Olu Falae, used to be a presidential candidate some 15 years ago.”
AFEGBUA
Special Adviser to Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole of Edo State on Media Affairs and Publicity ties and want to wear the cloak of morality and decency. In the 21st century, we have very apt examples in UK, USA and even some of these developing democracies. Afghanistan had election under war situation; Iraq, Pakistan and others. You now begin to wonder what the rational is. More so, when the INEC chairman (Professor Attahiru Jega) boldly said if 2011 was adjudged to be free and fair the preparation for 2015 is more than that of 2011. That should give us confidence that the INEC was ready for the elections. But like I told you, PDP has
“When Jega boldly said if 2011 was adjudged to be free and fair, the preparation for 2015 is more than that of 2011. That should give us confidence that the INEC was ready for the elections.”
started developing cold feet. They are just postponing the evil day. March 28th is just around the corner when Buhari would be elected president of Nigeria. Nigerians are speaking with one voice that they need a change. You can imagine when a president goes to a state and say ‘I am sorry, I have not done anything for this state for the past six years. When you give me the opportunity once more, I am going to do more.’ Do more of what? More of nothing! It’s a simple logic. We’re working towards March 28 and April 11 when our candidates at different stages of the election will come out victorious.
Jega
Politics 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
across Nigeria. It was alleged that you caused the violence in Okirika? How can you say such a thing! The news also came to me as a surprise and a rude shock. It is sad that on that very day, we lost our mothers’ stakeholders from Bayelsa State. Whenever anything happens in Rivers State, if my name is not mentioned then there is no story. The fear of Bipi is now the beginning of wisdom from the APC. Where were you on that fateful day? I had just left Bayelsa heading for Abuja for an important meeting when I was called by one of our members asking me where I was and he eventually informed me that Dakuku said that he saw me at the rally leading a group of persons. Infact, when I heard this I was disenchanted, disappointed and lost my respect for Dakuku, for linking me with such dastardly act. It is a slight on my person, name and reputation for what I stand for all these years. But I want Dakuku to prove these allegations or otherwise he should be ready to hear from my lawyers soonest to prove this in court. Hon. Dakuku alleged that you were seen with men and youths on that day? For heaven’s sake, what kind of democracy are we practising, when for everything or anything, you mention people perceived to be your political opponent just to drag their names into the mud? How can that be? Can he mention just one person that sighted me at the venue, Okrika or what I was wearing? Even the
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
‘Amaechi
has overstepped his bounds’ “Rivers people are peace loving people but Amaechi has changed the tide to that of disrespect for constituted authorities. That single act was what led to our fight in the House when the governor wanted everyone to join him in insulting the President and his wife.”
Emmanuel Iruaya that said he saw me, when he was invited to Channels Sunrise TV on the 19th February, 2015, he denied it and said he doesn’t know what they are talking about. How is Okrika my business! Well, am not surprised, we all know Dakuku, he has verbal diarrhea, he talks from both sides of the mouth. He shouldn’t be taken seriously; he loves cheap publicity and undue attention. Dakuku is fond of cooking up cheap stories but this is the height of it. How can? Inciting my own people against me won’t help his cause at all.
They know me as one that hates injustice and will always stand for the truth and the voiceless. What is your relationship with Dakuku? For now, I don’t have any problem with him. It’s unfortunate the governor of the state has resorted to insulting statesmen and elders of the party. Rivers people are peace loving people but Amaechi has changed the tide to that of disrespect for constituted authorities. That single act was what led to our fight in the House when the governor wanted every-
Amaechi one to join him in insulting the President and his wife. Some of us refused to be part of it and that led to the serious fight witnessed then in the House of Assembly. I want to use this medium to tell Dakuku to desist from banding my name and throwing tantrums at me because we all know that APC has already lost the election in Rivers State and they are crying wolf. Look at Dakuku, he has no followership or structure in
the state not to talk of the pedigree to become the governor, yet he is carrying on as if the state belongs to him. Rivers is a PDP state and come March 2015 elections, it will return to PDP under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, who is a grassroots leader and a man of the people. What is your view about CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Oyo 2015: Those to be rejected Adelere Akanji At the moment, every politician is campaigning and canvassing for votes. Some of the voters are innocent, unassuming and unsuspecting of some of these politicians. Some of our people might not know what some of them have done in the past that they don’t deserve our attention any further. Some of them were given the mandate to lead us, as governors, senators, representatives but their actions had proved our error of judgment by voting for them. It
is obvious that they needed the position to get a pound of flesh from their enemies when they appeared to be friends to them. Some of these unsuspecting friends went out of their way to support and canvass vote for them. Having won, they became lords and overseers of the people. They toss the people here and there. At a point, they may dump the party upon which they rode to become what they became. I will mention names here so that our people especially in Oyo State may be wary of these selfish politicians.
Senator Femi Lanlehin He has never been a committed party member all his life. When in Lagos, he was a diehard supporter of the then governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He was a man who showed commitment and enthusiasm to the governor and the party –AD then. All of a sudden, probably because he was promised a better position in Oyo State, he thereafter dumped AD and became a PDP stalwart. Because of his insatiable desire for power when he did not get what he wanted in PDP, he moved to the legacy ACN through which he became
a Senator because unsuspecting people voted for him. His aim was to become the Governor of Oyo State (which is not bad anyway) under ACN before he was compensated with a Senatorial seat. Still very ambitious to become the governor, he started a clandestine movement and would not see eye to eye with Governor Ajimobi because he knew that the governor would want to go for the second term as provided for in the Nigerian Constitution. Despite all the moves by the party to reconcile him and the governor, he frustrated CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Ajimobi
Politics 11
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Time for Oyo people to shine their eyes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
the efforts. He moved to the Accord Party where he hopes to go back to the senate again. Is that a leader? Is this not selfishness? Does he deserve any support again? Senator AyoadeAdeseun This is the most selfish politician who thinks of himself alone. Like Lanlehin, he has never been a committed party man. He looks for where it appears to be rosy for him always. He is not ready to sacrifice for the development of the party and the electorate who gave him their mandate. All along, he was a progressive but for one thing or the other and because his interest overrides the interest of his constituency, he is now a conservative. By their fruit, we shall know them declares the Bible. He doesn’t deserve our votes any longer. The damage he has done is enough. He should not be given any mandate again to go and scuttle it. A man who is not ready to sacrifice is not worthy of any position of leadership. His Senatorial district should shine their eyes. Anyway his new party is in disarray now. Only people who are like him will vote for him. Unfortunately, the so called Yoruba leaders are disappointing their people. They are not steadfast, committed and trustworthy. They are too jealous of their members who are on the side of the people. They are Awoists by mouth not by deeds. Their actions had betrayed the Yoruba. By the grace of God we shall have time to write on some of these leaders in the near future. Senator Rashidi Ladoja The governorship candidate of the Accord Party is another politician all must watch closely, be cautious of and not be taken seriously. What accord should the people of Oyo State have with Ladoja who
“Unfortunately, the so called Yoruba leaders are disappointing their people. They are not steadfast, committed and trustworthy.” himself is not in accord with himself and with others? He should not forget so soon what he did to the investment of the state when he was the governor before he was impeached. His government then was deficient in character, integrity, and honour. Ladoja as a person lacks the essential electoral value and grassroots appeal. He has not been the hero of the masses as he claims. He would be a burden to the state. His administration then left a sour taste in the mouth of the people especially, the management and staff of the legacy Trans International Bank Plc. He would be a serious embarrassment to the investment of Oyo State if given another chance to rule. He was a misfit and still a misfit who got into power by default. He has no focus and the capacity to rule but can destroy what has been established for personal gain and out of selfish vendetta. Trans International Bank was flourishing before he became the Governor of Oyo State. What did he do to cripple the bank? Hitherto the bank has been enjoying the patronage of the State governments of Oyo and Osun the prime movers for the establishment of
Ladoja
Lanlehin
Ajimobi
the Bank. All of a sudden, in February 2005, he withdrew the accounts of Oyo State and not done with that, he instructed, as a matter of urgency, all the chairmen of Local Governments including other accounts of his ministries, department, agencies and all parastatals to close their accounts with the bank. The management rose to the situation by appealing to him. There were meetings upon meetings. At a point he seemed to have reached an accord with the management that the state would return the accounts to the bank and said he had entered into an accord with Wema Bank to give the bank a certain amount of money as a relief to start business all over again. He even went on air to announce that all was now well with the Bank. In his speech he likened TIB to a vehicle that has ran out of fuel but now being refueled and appealed to the people to resume business with the bank. It was later discovered that all was
a ruse. The Wema Bank Management denied any discussion with Ladoja. Is that a man of accord or agreement to be trusted? The aftermath of the withdrawal of all government accounts was a sorry tale of woes and sorrow. The teeming customers saw TIB as weak because the bank which has been well positioned and very healthy financially could not oblige her customers with their cash and other demands again. Every member of staff was being molested, embarrassed, rough-handled even to the point of being beaten at times by the angry customers. Many times too we used police protection. All ex-TIB staff and families and friends will not forget this. We later discovered that he was in discord with one of the major individual shareholders of the bank. This was an important personality, well respected and a chief in Ibadanland. The man as old as he was then did not mind to prostrate for him so that he would be able to sheath his sword against TIB. He reached an accord
with the man. Yet he reneged. Every notable Ibadan man and woman was sent to plead with him. Initially as usual, he accorded them respect giving them the assurance that he would do something positive. But at their back he was adamant and had made up his mind to ensure the death of TIB. That was how he ruined a once vibrant, viable, well-structured and profit-making bank that gave employment to a lot of people. Because of this brutal and wicked act many members of staff including the management staff lost their job. Today, some have died, sickness has overtaken the lives of some. Yoruba adage says “Enitikofekajeunkofekagbe aye” He who denies one a daily livelihood does not want one to live. He should also not forget in a hurry that when he assumed office, he sacked all the newly recruited civil servants employed by the administration of Lam Adesina, throwing them into employment market again, just out of jealousy and political vendetta.
‘Why card readers should be discarded’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
the Card Reader Machine proposed by INEC? Up till now, what we are hearing through the media is the inadequate distribution of election materials, non-completion of PVC’s, the training of INEC adhoc staff which is being delayed including the non-test running of card readers and also the distribution. So, how can we trust the system of INEC? As for now, it is impossible. I
think the card readers should be jettisoned for everybody to vote. When the card reader does not read your cards what do you do at the voting centre? Do you wait for INEC chairman or the state commissioners of INEC before you can vote? I think it is absurd and very alien to Nigerians and it will disenfranchise so many people on that elections day. It should be discarded once and for all. Since there is no rally, how
are the parties going to canvas votes for the elections? Both parties have been there twice to campaign so there is nothing new. The people are tired of an arrogant Governor who has no regard for anyone. Our people have been sensitised for a long time. They are aware of the time for the elections, the presidential elections, the governorship elections including the one on April 11. They are all coming out en mass to cast their votes for their in-laws whom
they know have done them proud. All Okrika people will vote for Jonathan, Wike and on April 11, they will vote for all the PDP candidates. So there is no going back on that, including voting me for the elections. The people of Okrika will not take nonsense from a man insulting their son and in-law. It’s abominable in our tradition. The youths and elders have concluded in Ogubolo region and the entire Okrika land that there should not be rally anymore.
Bipi
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Tinubu, Oyegun, others honour Obasanjo at 78 Continued from page 6 narian and a tutor in dignity and boldness.” The APC leader spoke further: “Yes, it is true, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics, what is common is common interest. “Once upon a time, some nine years ago, I went to the Villa, and President Obasanjo asked me to walk out and was just abusing me in the papers and I said, ‘Baba, you are a tenant here, this house belongs to Nigeria, if I get to Ota, you can send me out. I brought files about Nigeria’ and he said, ‘that is true, sit down’. “If I would tell you several events that occurred between the two of us in the interest of the nation, I would write an epistle but
today is not for that. But how do you celebrate truly and honour a man who has kept you on your toes, no matter who you are. Between Baba Olusegun Obasanjo and myself, what I can say is ‘gratitude from me because you kept me on my toes’. “Each time, we disagreed on things, principles. I took him to court one time as the President and he saw me and said, ‘You took me to court, we can’t be friends after the court’ and I responded, ‘I didn’t take you to court, I took Nigeria’s President to court’ and he said, ‘get out of my way’ and I told him, ‘I wouldn’t get out of the way until I get what I want.’ In his address, Obasanjo xrayed the importance of good leadership and why Nigerians should not experience poverty.
His words: “Loyalty and relationship must be guided and controlled by what is true, what is right and what is in the best interest of the majority; and I believe that some of the things you have been saying refers to that. Loyalty to Nigeria should not be undermined by anything except the truth, what is right and what is in the best interest of this great country of ours. May God continue to bless Nigeria. “We have listened to two beautiful lectures, addresses, presentations or what you will call them. For me, it has been very instructive and I have not been disappointed by either of the presenters and it has met the expectation. “But you have seen that they haven’t presented us with magic as solutions to our problems and
there’s nothing they have told us that is impossible. But all they have said boils down to one thing and one thing only: leadership. And until we get it right, anytime we do not get it right, we cannot get any other thing right. Don’t let us deceive ourselves, whether it is security, science and technology or innovation or the development of the economy or education, they all boil down to leadership and at all levels. May God give us the leadership that occasions like this deserve in Nigeria. Because we have that, we will get there.” The former President, who said he still believed that things would still be better for the country, said, “I am an incurable optimist about this country. And may be because I have seen a little bit in my short span of life, a little bit of what is possible and a little bit of what can go wrong and what can be made to go wrong. Then, may be that is why I am an incurable optimist and I believe that all will be well in this country. We have no choice anyway, all has to be well… “My concern is that we have too many ‘think tanks’, we need more of ‘do tanks’. The point is we can do and we have no reason why we can’t do and we have also seen that one individual can make a difference. “There is no reason why any Nigerian child, at this point in time should not have a basic educa-
tion, food and nutrition. Not only the Nigerian child, any Nigerian should not go to bed without food. We have the resources to achieve all that, that we are not achieving it does not mean we don’t have the resources. It is because we haven’t managed our resources well. “If all other things are right, there should be no reason for any Nigeria who wants to be employed not to have the opportunity for employment. And if all those things that all these young ones are expecting are not there, in 15 years’ time, they will be good recruits for Boko Haram or its equivalent. Don’t let us deceive ourselves.” In his remark, the national chairman of the APC, Oyegun, extolled the virtues of Obasanjo. His words: “Few weeks ago, we saw somebody tearing a party card on his behalf and we all went ecstatic. So leaders of the party quickly conveyed a get-together and deliberated whether we should issue him a fresh card. But we sat down soberly and discussed the issue and at the end of the day we said, ‘we use this word, nationalist, statesman, very, very loosely in this country and wise counsel prevailed. And we said, ‘This event is more significant than we think. This man has crossed a threshold, he has now become truly father of the Nigeria nation’.”
How ex-CJN’s son, family moved to ISIS terror camp Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje (middle) with Igbo traditional fathers after the conferment of Agbaje with an Igbo chieftaincy title of “Ezi Nwanne Ndigbo” by Eze Cyril Anomneze (3rd right) in Lagos… on Thursday Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Boko Haram kills 68 in Borno ÏÏÏBoko
Haram insurgents killed 68 people, including many children, in a massacre in Njaba village, Borno State, two witnesses and two vigilantes said on Thursday. The insurgents, heavily armed, stormed the village on Tuesday “from all directions”, said Falmata Bisika, 62, who escaped to the state capital, Maiduguri, where she spoke to newsmen. “The terrorists were armed to the teeth,” she said, recounting the insurgents’ rampage through Njaba, which saw them fire on
fleeing residents, including “teenagers and the elderly”. “It is very unlikely (that) I will ever go back,” she said, adding “four of my grandchildren have been killed.” Another resident, Mimuni Haruna, 42, said he hid in a silo at the back of his house during the prolonged attack before running to Maiduguri, roughly 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Njaba. “I participated in the counting of dead bodies. Sixty-eight people were killed,” Haruna said, adding “most of the houses in our village have been destroyed.”
Vigilante leader, Ali Mulai, said the attack began at about 5:00 am. “The victims included boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 19 and other older residents who were either shot dead or slaughtered,” he said. Another vigilante whose is from Njaba confirmed the attack and said his father was among those killed. Requesting anonymity, he said he believed the assault was launched from Gwoza, where Boko Haram is believed to be amassing fighters.
Continued from page 6 Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day, 2009. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed to have organised the attack with Abdulmutallab; they said they supplied him with the bomb and trained him. Connections to Al-Qaeda and Anwar al-Awlaki have been found, al-
though the latter denied ordering the man to do the bombing. Abdulmutallab was convicted in a U.S. federal court of eight criminal counts, including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder of 289 people. On February 16, 2012, he was sentenced to 4 life terms plus 50 years without parole.
Ogbeni-Oja, Bayo Kuku, is dead ÏÏÏThen death has occurred of
Chief Bayo Kuku, a philanthropist extraordinaire. The late Chief Kuku, who had been bed-ridden for years for an undisclosed ailment in Lagos, breathed his last yesterday afternoon at the age of 85.
A family source who confirmed the death of the Ijebu High Chief said arrangement was on to give him a befitting burial. He is expected to be buried according to Islamic rites at his palatial mansion in Obalende area of the town today.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
13
International 14
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
163 white farmers face eviction from Zimbabwe farmlands
Rescued migrants disembark from an Italian Coast Guard ship in the harbour of Augusta, Sicily, Southern Italy, on Wednesday.
ÏÏÏ Zimbabwe’s lands and re-
settlement minister, Douglas Mombeshora has reportedly moved to evict, at least, 163 white commercial farmers in Mashonaland East as government intensifies its war against white farmers. This comes a few days after President Robert Mugabe vowed to expel the country’s last remaining white farmers from their land.
Korean journalist slashes US envoy’s face ÏÏÏA militant Korean nation-
alist has slashed the face of the US ambassador to South Korea at a breakfast meeting in Seoul, but the envoy was not seriously hurt. Mark Lippert, 42, was also cut on his left hand, with blood spattered over the breakfast table. Security officers subdued the attacker, one pinning him down with a shoe on his neck, until he was arrested. North Korea has described the attack as “just punishment for US warmongers”. The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said he had delivered a “knife shower of justice”. The attacker, named as Kim Ki-jong, 55, appears to have broken his ankle during the attack and was taken away on an am-
“We don’t need a white man to continue to guide us. No. We are now equipped with skills,” Mugabe was quoted as saying during a party to celebrate his 91st birthday in Victoria Falls last Saturday. According to New Zimbabwe. com, more than 160 white commercial farmers in Mashonaland East province will soon be re-
bulance trolley after questioning. South Korean police, who are in the process of obtaining warrants to search his home, are seeking to establish whether he has close ties with the North, the BBC’s Stephen Evans reports from Seoul. Mr Lippert had hospital treatment but later wrote in a tweet: “Doing well and in great spirits... Will be back ASAP to advance US-ROK [Republic of Korea] alliance!” US President Barack Obama called his ambassador to wish him “the very best for a speedy recovery”, a US official said. Nobody believes that proNorth Korean groups represent a majority of South Koreans but they are still a significant minority and part of the political landscape. In November, South Korea’s constitutional court ordered that the Unified Progressive Party be dissolved even though it had five members elected to parliament. The authorities said the UPP posed a threat to South Korean democracy. One of its leaders was jailed.
moved from their properties as the government claims they are occupying the land illegally. The government purported that scores of white commercial farmers were still occupying vast swathes of land under the guise of special sectors protection, yet they are engaging in farming activities which are not covered by the scheme, the report said.
ÏÏÏAn Iranian diplomat held
hostage in Yemen for more than 18 months, has been freed following an intelligence operation, Iranian state media say. Nour Ahmad Nikbakht was greeted by officials and tearful relatives at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if Mr Nikbakht was freed in an armed raid. A deputy foreign minister only said that he had been rescued “from the clutches of terrorists in a series of complex and difficult operations”. Saudi diplomat Abdullah alKhalidi was released on Monday after being held by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) since March 2012. ‘Fewest possible casualties’ Mr Nikbakht was abducted in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in July 2013. Armed men stopped his car, forced him into their vehicle and sped away before security forces reached the area. “I was kidnapped by unknown gunmen and terrorists as I left my home to go to work,” he told Iranian state television on Thursday.
The land grabs were set to continue despite Mugabe publicly admitting a few days before his birthday celebrations that he blundered by giving ill-equipped black farmers vast tracts of farmland seized from whites under his controversial land reforms. “I think the farms we gave to people are too large. They can’t manage them,” he was reported as saying. Meanwhile, News Day reported on Thursday that the European Union had warned Mugabe over his threat for more land grabs saying the move could ruin business re-engagement efforts between Zimbabwe and the EU block. The EU recently lifted restrictions on most government officials, but retained Mugabe and his wife, Grace on the sanctions list. “Whites will never own land in Zimbabwe” Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party launched the land reforms in 2000, taking over white-owned farms to resettle landless blacks. Mugabe said the reforms were meant to correct colonial land ownership imbalances. At least 4 000 white commercial farmers were evicted from their farms.
Iranian ‘operation’ in Yemen frees kidnapped diplomat “I was in an extremely difficult situation and I did not know what was happening in the outside world,” he added. No group claimed responsibility for Mr Nikbakht’s abduction, but Yemeni tribal and security sources told the AFP news agency that he was held by AQAP militants in a remote area between the southern provinces of Shabwa and Bayda. Gunman in Yemen (file photo) Yemen is gripped by political uncertainty and fighting between rival armed factions Ahead of his release on Monday, Iranian officials said that the diplomat was in good health. At one point in late January it was feared that he had been beheaded.
Italy rescues 1,000 migrants at sea,10 drown ÏÏÏ
Rescued migrants disembark from an Italian Coast Guard ship in the harbor of Augusta, Sicily, southern Italy, March 4, 2015. Rescued migrants disembark from an Italian Coast Guard ship in the harbor of Augusta, Sicily, southern Italy, March 4, 2015. Italian authorities say ships from the coast guard, navy, and several cargo vessels rescued more than a thousand migrants from North Africa and the Mideast from the dangerous Mediterranean over the past two days. Officials said Wednesday one rubber boat carrying migrants overturned, drowning 10 people Tuesday, but more than 1,000 were rescued from seven other small boats and taken to Italian ports. The men, women, and children claimed to be from Syria, Libya, Tunisia, the Palestinian territories, and sub-Saharan Africa. They are apparently seeking to escape violence or poverty for a better life in the European Union.
Drug use on the rise in Kenya
ÏÏÏDrug use in Kenya has risen fast in the past few years, according to religious leaders, politicians and charities working to tackle the problem. They say domestic use has soared as international drug cartels have turned east Africa into a major transit route for narcotics from Afghanistan. Some of the drugs spill onto the local market, they say. Juma Ngao, a director at Kenya’s National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) said the Indian Ocean port towns of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu have been hardest hit because most drug shipments come by sea. “There is an easy market for drugs on the coast,” said Phylis Mwema, who runs a youth rehabilitation organisation in Mombasa. “Youth are uneducated, idle and jobless, and the only thing they can do is drugs.”
Kenyan’s President
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
15 Opinion
Governor Orji and haters of Abia
G
Madubuko Hart
overnor Theodore Orji of Abia State is an enigma, no matter what the likes of Ferdinand Ekeoma, Ebere Wabara and co. are writing in praise of Alex Otti, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Ferdinand Ekeoma lied in an article titled ‘Otti and Misplaced Aggression of Abia Oppressors’ published on page 20 of a national daily (not Daily Times) of March 3, 2015. Just a fortnight, from the propaganda mill, traducers like these persons circulated an story that Governor Orji was pelted and booed at the burial of pioneer Catholic Bishop of Aba, late Bishop Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia; a story that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, had condemned in its entirety. In his rebuttal, titled, “Gov Orji not Booed at Bishop Ezeonyia’s Burial in Aba” Ajunwa said Abia State Government has described as false and misleading the report that Theodore
Orji was booed and pelted with sachet water at the burial of late Bishop Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia. Ajunwa added that the Sun newspaper report and the pictures therein never happened. Shedding light to what happened at the venue; “the environment at the CKC, Aba venue of the funeral mass for was calm when Governor Orji arrived at 10 am with his wife and other government officials, Ajunwa said. On arrival, the Governor and his delegation moved straight into the cathedral without any incident. No time the governor was booed or jeered at, not talking of pelting him with satchet water. From the above, we can see those who are the real haters of our state. They are the hack writers who sit in the comfort of their rented hotel rooms to dish out malicious stories that never happened. However, there will never be a comparison between Governor Orji and Otti, because ‘Ochendo’ as he is fondly called, is in class of his own. It was Governor Orji who awakened the political consciousness of our people, and not whoever. He
was the man who destroyed godfatherism in the state and has vowed against its resurgence. His records in the issue of governance speak for him. Ndi-Abia extol him anywhere he went. The governor took the Abia project as that of the people and has done creditably well in governance. It is as a result of this foresightedness that power must shift to the Ukwa/Ngwa area that Abia people have vowed that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be re-elected in the 2015 elections. And the person to be elected is no other than Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD), who has been tested and trusted. From all walks of life, not only are the people supporting Ikpeazu, they are volunteering to make sure he is elected. Millions of our people are in this business, no matter what the persons like Ekeoma and Wabara are writing against the government of Abia State. Ekeoma lied in an article where he said, “The latest desperate but uncivilised acts of violence is the threatening of traders with seizure of their
shops should they fail to vote for Orji’s candidate, while tricyclists and commercial bus drivers with Dr. Otti’s posters and stickers are beaten up and forced to remove them. One is then forced to ask, why have these Abia oppressors failed to channel this misplaced aggression against the many bad roads and collapsed infrastructure scattered all over Abia? Why have they not deployed their destructive energy in rendering quality leadership to Abians? Why have they not put half of the present anti Otti effort in the payment of workers’ salaries? The reason is simple, they are the enemies of Abia, they are the slave masters, they are afraid of change.” It is the duty of the people to sieve the chaff from the wheat. If the governor were desperate like Otti, he would not have given any of the gubernatorial candidates a level ground to campaign. In a nutshell, Governor Orji will not stop to crusade about the change he has started in Abia State. He would not go back, no matter how many million rented writers are lying against him.
March election and Yoruba ‘elders’
W
Moshood Fayemiwo
hen some selfstyled Yoruba “elders” met recently through back-hand deals put together by retired Brigadier Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa, President Jonathan’s chief of staff, majority of Nigerians, especially Yoruba, should not be fooled. The Yoruba people, by nature and tradition are cultured and cosmopolitan. I am a Yoruba and cherish my identity with passion, but I will not allow self-seekers to represent my interests in the corporate entity known as Nigeria. Never in the history of the Yoruba people had our collective future as a people been traded or bargained for on the altar of mere porridge by political brokers. Chief Ladoke Akintola and his group tried it in the 1960s and we knew the outcome. Chief Akin Omoboriowo and his gang attempted the same in in 1983 and again, the rest is history. Every Yoruba that has procured his/her Permanent Voters Card should use it wisely on March 28, 2015. Thank God for the new
social media. The days of information oligopoly are over. Nigerian youth and Yoruba people in particular want a president that will administer them with guarantee of lives of property and make the Nigerian nation safe. Millions of our youths are educated and have done what is expected of them, yet with all the degrees and university education, they cannot find jobs. The rate of inflation and the cost of living to the average Nigerian under President Jonathan are issues that should weigh heavily in the minds and hearts of our people when they enter the polling booth. Many of the industries and businesses in Yoruba land are dying and in comatose due to the epileptic power supply in the nation. The roads, bridges and highways are in such a state of disrepair and pitiable sights that Jonathan didn’t care a hoot until when he was planning to campaign for second term. The gangland activities of unemployed youths that are commonplace in Yoruba land are parts of the shortsightedness and abysmal failure of the Jonathan administration. The PDP -led Federal Government has failed the Nigerian
nation, and has failed the Yoruba people in particular. Nigeria is currently in a serious financial mess, but the APC governors have been very prudent in managing the dwindling allocations from the PDPcontrolled Federal Government to impact on the Yoruba people. Any serious observer and objective political analyst will readily admit that the APC governors have performed better than their PDP counterparts in the South West of Nigeria. This is the more reason Yoruba voters should be wise and think seriously on how their interests should be taken care of in the forthcoming presidential election. The presidential election in particular is not about Goodluck Jonathan or Muhammadu Buhari; rather, it is about whom between the two can use Nigerian resources to develop our people. This brings me to the ludicrous group of characters that assembled at Ibadan the other day and proclaimed themselves “Yoruba leaders.” A look at the characters would seem as if they hold the future of all Yoruba in their hands and they would deliver the Southwest to their paymaster. It is amazing how human memories
are so short. Isn’t it funny that Chief Richard Akinjide has now become one of the leaders of the Yoruba race? Was this Akinjide not the same person that invented the Twelve TwoThird Formula that deprived Chief Obafemi Awolowo the presidency of Nigeria in 1979? Apart from nominating his daughter, Jumoke as minister and what else has he done for the Yoruba people? If Chief Olu Adebanjo wanted us to go into history and remind us that Gen Buhari jailed some Yoruba leaders, how about what some of the Yoruba Leaders have done to undermine fellow Yoruba? Governor Olusegun Mimiko has now suddenly become a Yoruba leader? He was once in the AD, he was with late Papa Adebayo Adefarati, and later changed his party and went to the PDP, only to ditch the party and went to the Labour Party. Is Mimiko supporting Jonathan against Osinbajo, because of Mimiko’s love for the Yoruba people or for Mimiko’s love for Mimiko? The Yoruba people must know the antecedents of these characters and make wise and informed decision on Saturday March 28, 2015.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Features
AIG Mbu
Should security officers be made to pay toll?
s The recent encounter of the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, AIG Joseph Mbu, with some toll gate attendants at the Lekki toll gate has generated some controversies. Daily Times took the matter to some concerned citizens who expressed their opinions. Chief Giwa–Amu, Lagos based lawyer, human rights activist
In the course of their official duties, I suggest they should be exempted say, for instance, a trailer carrying an armoured truck to a battle zone, would it be wise to ask the driver to pay at a toll gate? In the case of policemen going about their lawful duties, I believe it would be responsible for them to be exempted, but in the course of their civil obligations, security agents or not, they ought to pay. However if your question is
premised on the recent Mbu encounter with the toll gates in Lagos, I think he ought to have been respected. If not for his person, the high office which he occupies should be taken into consideration. When you look at it broadly, you may say security agencies, especially the policem should pay tolls fees, but like I said earlier, in the present circumstances of security challenges, they should not be asked to pay. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Keji Hamilton:
Drug abuse is more damaging than graft, insurgency
I was still alarmed when something like a television screen appeared before me and I saw scenes of my life
keji-Hamilton and family
Like the Saul of Tarsus, ex Kalakuta, junkie and robber, Keji Hamilton concludes his testimony today. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reports with additional report from JOY EKEKE. While he was still alarmed at the realisation that his body was suddenly throwing out cocaine
with blood, something stranger than fiction happened. Even though it was decades ago, his voice lowered to a whisper as he told Daily Timesin pidgin: ‘My brother, fear catch me’. His story: “I was still alarmed when something like a television screen appeared before me and I saw scenes of my life from the
day I left home till the moment I was sitting in that hotel room with my vomit still all over me. “When the screen disappeared, I realised I have been crying all the time the screen was showing me my life. I was weeping, catarrh filled my nostrils, and one question kept ringing in my head saying: ‘Keji, is this how you will
live, marry, settle down and train your children?’ and the answer was, ‘Ah,Keji, you’ve missed it.’ “But I have always been a Muslim and don’t know how to pray the Christian way. Isummoned up courage and prayed this prayer: ‘You voice that has spoken to me, if you can deliver me from drugs, I will serve you all the days of my
life.’ “After that prayer, I can’t say I knew what happened; but let me tell you: before that night, if I had not smoked to stupor, I cannot sleep; but that night, I knew that I didn’t smoke; I couldn’t smoke or drink even if I wanted to, but when I slept, I didn’t open CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
19 Features
Drug: It was Jesus who did it. Police should pay tolls since the law says so No force could have done it CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
“My deliverance from cocaine and heroin, marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes was instant. It happened that moment,and it was Jesus that did it.’’
Keji CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
my eyes until about 8.30 the next day. For the first time in the years before I became a bad boy, I slept like a baby.” But the voice was not done with Keji yet. “As I woke up, I heard the voice say, ‘You think you can stop this drug habit yourself ?’ Then he said, ‘You have stopped.’ And he said again, ‘Try and eat now.’ “You know that junkies don’t eat well, but when I heard that voice say ‘go and eat now’, I rushed downstairs, bought food and I finished it all. Normally if I don’t smoke heavily, I cannot eat, and after I force a little food down, my stomach would be aching, and it is so with all junkies. But now, I ate all that food and I felt no pain.” Without knowing why, Keji walked down to Texas, the drug joint, and another revelation hit him. “As I got there, I saw the joint like I was seeing it for the first time. The dirty gutter, the stinking odour and all the guys there
smoking and looking funny revolted me and I turned back. “As I was walking away, one guy who was smoking called me, ‘Keji, come take smoke now?’ I turned back and told him: ‘that thing you’re smoking, I will never touch it again until I die’ and I walked away. That was how I quit the joints and drugs and marijuana forever.” For a junkie of that degree, Keji boasts of the power that healed him: “My deliverance from cocaine and heroin, marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes was instant. It happened that moment,and it was Jesus who did it. Nobody; no powerand no force anywhere that could have done it.” Journey into the ministry “So now I got born again, the Lord told me I should devote my life to Him and divorce myself from all my past and I did. Everything I had before, I destroyed them. I escaped with only one jean trouser, one navy blue shirt and one night canvass and since I didn’t have money, and with
my level, I could notgo begging anybody for anything, so I just entered into fasting that lasted for 237 days. I was squatting with someone somewhere all this time because I had left the brothel where I got my encounter. The rehab The drug rehabilitation centre owned by Province 16 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) took off in 2009.It is a 45 bed-capacity three-storey building in a residential neighbourhood at 16, Ikpoh Street, off Olatilewa Street, Ikate, Lawanson in Surulere, Lagos. Kejiis the ministering priest and coordinator of the centre. He told Daily Times how it all started. “I was invited to minister in one of their parishes and as I was preaching, I told them some people are suffering out there, while they (the church) are enjoying in air-conditioned rooms. It was my vision and the excellent spirit of the RCCG that brought about the rehab centre.” How do you get the junkies? “I go to drug joints and minister to them and I go with packets of foods so after preaching, I share foodsgive them from getting those on the streets and drug joints, parents and children who have drugs problem also call personally.
However, since our police officers on a daily basis are faced with dire situations and circumstances of an urgent and immediate nature, then this should preclude them from having to pay tolls. Engineer Onsachidi If any security personnel is driving his personal car, he should be gentlemanly enough to pay his toll when demanded. But if on the contrary, that is if he is performing his civic duties in an official car, for Christ sake, he should be exempted from paying such tolls. Let us not forget that the policeman also pays his tax into the coffers of the government. Mr. Mike Etilo, Auto-Engineer “I think policemen should not be exempted from paying tolls because I believe that they should be seen to be law-abiding and should be seen to be doing just that. They should pay tolls since the law says so. Comrade Azeez, business-
The treatment Drugs are highly spiritual even CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Giwa-Amu
man I think policemen should be exempted from paying tolls because they are always on essential duties and because of the intricacies of their job that sometimes end in tragedy. These are people that are statutorily mandated to ensure sanity in the society and as such their jobs cannot always be determined. Many times, they respond to emergencies which oftentimes take them pass these tolled areas. Mr. Chris Oraukwu If you ask me, I don’t think it is sensible and rational to say security personnel or policemen should not pay toll fees. They should be made to pay toll fees. If they do not pay, how would they lead by example? They pride themselves as law-abiding citizens and they should remain as such. What is good for the goose, they say, is good for the gander. They should not be exempted from paying toll fees. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Features 20
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
When it comes to toll payment, should policemen be exempted?
Lekki toll gate
Comrade Azee CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
Matthew Aramunde, Police and Security Analyst Well, in this clime those on essential duties are never given their due recognition. Nevertheless, security personel who make sure most times that we sleep with our two eyes closed should be given some measure of respect in things like toll fees
payment and the likes. That, for me, would have compensated them for the risk and hazard that their job entails. Remember that it is not everyone that can go through the kind of rigour that they go through, and when it comes to small issues like toll fees payment, they could be overlooked and exempted.
Onsachidi
Chris
Mike Auto-Engineer
Drug: The rehab is a drug-free, faith healing centre CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
though some people don’t want to agree, but I know this because I’ve been a victim. So when they come, wetake them through six months discipleship training. It is a drugless processthat flushes out all the drugs in their system and we achieve that in six months. After admission, we take them through sessions of deliverance and casting out different demons from them. But the deliverance doesn’t make them completely
healed. We have to transform their minds as Romans 12 v. 2 says: “Do not be conformed to the things of this world, but be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind.” You know some of them have been smoking for most of their lives, so they already have a mindset that needs to be readjusted. We have lecturers who take them on 38 subjects that include integrity, humility, endurance,
patience, fear of God, marriage and child upbringing. After that, we conduct examination and grade them. They also go through Baptismal classes after which we get them baptised. The last segment is when they learn some songs and drama in preparation for their graduation. How much does the centre charge per patient? The rehab is a drug free, faith healing centre. We don’t use
drugs. Then I assure you that patients in this rehab don’t pay one kobo. It’s all free. Keji asked: Where will they get money from? People we pick from gutter, dustbins and drug joints: where would they get money to pay? Is there any other organisation that funds the centre outside the Redeemed Church? No, is it’s just the Province 16 arm of RCCG known as Apapa Family, and some personal dona-
tions. There’s already a structure set down whereby people give, which is the essence of Christianity anyway. More addicts admitted to the rehab The 7thsession of interviews and admission of new sets of drug addicts recovered from joints, streets and some brought in by relations took place on Saturday February 21st in Lagos. The joyous occasion took place CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
21 Features
‘No robber goes to rob without taking drug’
Keji (middle) with newly admitted drug addicts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
at the Tabernacle Parish, Metro cinema, Onipan, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos. In an exclusive interview with Daily Times during the programme, coordinator and boss of the rehab, Pastor Keji Hamilton threw some light on the success rate of the centre. “When 10 drug addicts are brought out and reformed, the success ratio is 65 to 70 percent, and this is about the highest anywhere in the world.” How is he able to manage drug addicts with so much ease? Keji analysed his formula of dealing with them. One way out of drug is to put them in confinement where they have no access to drugs. Then during the period of in-house reformation, they have no access to drug because they are in a confined area. Every morning, we
have a minister who takes them through morning devotion, then we feed their souls with the Word of God by searching the Scriptures together before breakfast. Then they are given three balanced meals each day while they undergo many other training programmes. How do drugs affect children in and out of school and the society at large? Peer group, drugs addiction can happen from the school. Even right now as we speak, the drugs students are using are not even cocaine or heroin: they use prescription drugs, and pain killers like Bicolyn that they are supposed to be taking one spoon at a time, but they will take the full bottle and even add iced cubes. Then the effect of drug is terrorism, militancy among other dangerous, spontaneous
actions. No armed robber goes to rob without taking drug. Students now put drugs into their foods and drinks, and after a short while, they become addicted. The results are many, including lack of interest in education, they fail to attend classes, and eventually become school drop outs. All social vices are the result of drugs. And I discovered that people, especially parents do not know what drugs look like; not the colour, or smell nor and how they are obtained. Keji’s parting word to government and parents. Government of every state should rise up to the fight against drugs in the society. Parents also should join in the fight by scrutinising their children; observe their lifestyles, the friends they keep and their behaviours. Most children are involved in drugs; some mothers know they show up
at the centre for counsel, but their husbands don’t have any idea. Parents should educate their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and the Church should do the same because this is what is eating deep into our society. It is through teaching and awareness that young ones can be saved from drugs. Invite teachers from this centre to teach the young ones at home, schools and Churches because we know what drugs are and what they can do. When a child is aware of the street names of drugs, the colours and is warned of the dangers, they will not be easily lured into drugs and alcohol. Drug abuse is more damaging than corruption and insurgency. It is everybody’s responsibility; if we rise to the challenge, our tomorrow will be peaceful because our children are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. Scorecard
The centre has rehabilitated over 140 drug addicts since 2009. The total intake so far, at 45 bedcapacity per admission comes to 270 patients because we have admitted six sets. This new set takes us to the 315 mark. But the ones that are saved, delivered, returned to their families and working etc, are 140 persons both male and female, and many of them are married also. That is why I am always quick to mention the sponsors of this rehab because there are other churches that are not interested in this vision. Also, there is need for government to support us in this course because it involves a great deal of money. Don’t pocket God’s money, and don’t pocket government money: use it for the betterment of humanity to the glory of God. That is the whole essence of living.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6 , 2015
Today in History
s
Today in History Cartoon from our Archives
Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
1945
Daily Times March 6, 1961 1902 Real Madrid founded On this day in 1902, the Madrid Foot Ball Club was founded by a group of fans in Madrid, Spain. Later known as Real Madrid, the club would become the most successful European football (soccer) franchise of the 20th century. With its trademark blue-andwhite uniforms (originally inspired by those of an English team), Madrid began to make a name for itself in Spain almost right away. From 1905 to 1907, under their first coach, Englishman Arthur Johnson, the team won three titles in a row in the Spanish League, known as La Liga. These were just the first of 29 La Liga championships through 2006 for Real Madrid, including an impressive five consecutive La Liga titles from 1986 to 1990. Real Madrid’s legendary status internationally was solidified under the leadership of Santiago Bernabeu Yeste, who played for the team from 1912 to 1927 and served as club
president from 1943 to 1978. In 1953, Bernabeu began to stock his roster with the best players he could find from around the world, instead of just the best in Spain, beginning with Madrid’s most famous soccer icon, Italian star Alfredo Di Stefano. The resulting team won the European Cup, Europe’s football championship, an unprecedented five times in a row, from 1956 through 1960. Bernabeu then switched course in the 1960s and built a team entirely of Spanish players. In 1966, Real Madrid won its sixth European cup with a team of Spanish “hippies” who rivalled the Beatles in popularity on the European continent In 2000, soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, selected Real Madrid the best football team of the 20th century. Two years later, the club celebrated its 100-year anniversary with yet another European club championship, behind the imported stars Luis Figo of Portugal, Zinedine Zhidane of France, Roberto Carlos of Brazil and Raul
of Spain. Real Madrid has won a record nine European championships, seven Spanish Super Cups and three world championships. It is one of the few teams that is still owned and operated by its members. 1919 New German attacks at Verdun: Battle of the Flanks During a punishing snowstorm, the German army launched a new attack against French forces on the high ground of Mort-Homme, on the left bank of the Meuse River, near the fortress city of Verdun, France, on this day in 1916. The Battle of Verdun began February 21, 1916, with a German bombardment on the symbolic city of Verdun, the last French stronghold to fall during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Though the Germans had advanced speedily since the start of their advance, capturing Verdun’s major protective fort, Fort Douaumont, on February 25, the French were by no means ready to give way, and the battle soon settled into a stalemate, with heavy casualties on both sides.
Dutch Resistance ambushes SS officer —unwittingly
1945 Dutch Resistance ambushes SS officer—unwittingly Members of the Dutch Resistance who were attempting to hijack a truck in Apeldoorn, Holland, ambushed Lt. Gen. Hanns Rauter, an SS officer. During the following week, the German SS executed 263 Dutch in retaliation. The Dutch Resistance was one of the fiercest of all the underground movements in Nazi-occupied Europe. “The Dutch never accepted the German contention that... the war was over,” wrote the Dutch foreign minister in a post war account of life under Nazi occupation. “[T]heir acts of resistance and sabotage grew more audacious as time passed.” Those acts of resistance and sabotage included harbouring Allied soldiers and pilots who either parachuted or crash-landed within Dutch territory, harbour-
1983
1983 Kohl elected West German chancellor Helmut Kohl, the interim chancellor of West Germany since the fall of Helmut Schmidt’s Social Democrat government in 1982,was elected German chancellor as his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party is voted back into power. Elected as Rhine-Palatinate state premier in 1969, Kohl served the post until 1976, when he became federal chairman of the CDU and led the opposition to Chancellor Schmidt’s government. In 1982, with Germany suffering under persistent economic difficulties, he organized a successful no-confidence vote in the West German Parliament against
ing Dutch Jews, and killing German troops. The Resistance was composed of representatives from all segments of Dutch society, ranging from the most conservative to communists. Rauter was head of the SS in Holland and answered directly to Heinrich Himmler, the SS commander. In 1941, during a strike that broke out in Amsterdam among Dutch workers to protest the round-up of almost 400 Dutch Jews, Hauter ordered the SS and German troops to open fire on the strikers, killing 11. The Jews, whom the strikers were trying to protect, were deported to Buchenwald. All were dead by the fall. Rauter was riding in an SS truck, filled with food destined for the Luftwaffe (the German air force) based near Apeldoorn on March 6, 1945, when some young members of the Dutch Resistance ambushed the truck.
Kohl elected West German chancellor
Schmidt and was subsequently named interim chancellor. In March 1983, the West German people confirmed him as chancellor, and in 1987 German economic recovery led to his re-election. In the fall of 1989, the communist government of East Germany collapsed, and Kohl led the efforts to reunify the two Germanys. In March 1990, in the first all-German elections in six decades, Kohl was elected the first chancellor of a reunified Germany. During his third term as chancellor, Kohl oversaw the formidable task of absorbing East Germany’s crippled economy into the West and was an advocate of the movement for a united Europe.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
23 Public Notice
INNOVATIVE CARE FOUNDATION
GBAGADA RENAISSANCE MUTUAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
SETH BUACHIE WORLD EVANGELISM
The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
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 general public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
Trustees. 1) Ashia Valentine Ineji - Chairman, 2) Okim Christopher Rikpen -Vice Chairman, 3) Okpokiri Peter Adi -Secretary, 4) Eze John Fred -PRO, 5) Aboh Julius Ajaba -Treasurer, 6) Ashia John Ineji 7) Ngobor Joseph
Trustees. 1. Seth Buachie 2. Sandra Buachie 3. Abdul Kadir Gadzama 4. Francis Isibor
Aim and objectives. To provide medical assistance to the less privilege in the society
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
TRUSTEES 1.Mr.Chibueze Onejeme 2.Mrs.Ifeyinwa Onejeme 3.Mr.Anaeze Onejeme 4.Mr.Uchenna Onejeme AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1.To provide enabling atmosphere and support initiatives that wi ll proffer succour to humanity. 2.To support,encourage and endorse best practice on how to handle the elderly in the society. 3.To foster the interest of members. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Barr. Mrs.Ugochukwu Ndigwe - Ogbonna 46 Ziks Avenue Awka. 08037565297
OWNERS OF PHARMACY ASSOCIATION OF BAYELSA STATE The general public is hereby notified that the above association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 Trustees 1. Mr Hilary Okeke 2. Mr Nnameziri Sunday Irechukwu 3. Mr Kanu Boniface Vincent 4. Chief Emmanuel Chris Kolia 5. Mazi Cyriacus Okoli Aim and objectives. To promote their business operations and to foster unity, peace and progress amongst members. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: BARR IKENNA OKOLIE 08037744266
NAHWE INITIATIVE FOR AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Dr Lawrence Ezenwa 2. Egwunyenga Ifeanyi Mike 3. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu 4. Warri Ovoke Friday. 5. Delight Anichie 6. Sussana Egwunyenga 7. Emmanuel Ogbe 8. Eric Nwachukwu 9. Iheanyi Nwagwu Aims and Objectives. To promote initiatives aimed at upliftment of living conditions of citizens in the society. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, PMB 198 Maitama Abuja within 28 days of the date of this publication. Signed : Barr. Ohazuruike Tochukwu
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SOLUDERO SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named association. has applied for the “CHANGE AND ADDITIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES” to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. Trustees. 1. Samson Araba - President 2. GANIYU ODUFUYE. - Former Vice president. REPLACED Isunmoila Alani. . NEW Vice president. 3. Muliku Bakare . Gen. Secretary 4. Abdul Jelili Mustapha. . - Treasurer 5. Azeez Dada. . Financial secretary 6. Olaito Salami. -Auditor general 7. Samson Sonde. Asst. Gen. - Secretary 8. Olusegun Falola - PRO 9. Adamson Ali - Org. Secretary 10. Amusa Sanusi - Chief whip 11. Adeneye Odukoya - Member Aims and objectives remain the same. . Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the publication. Signed :Trustees.
NOVELGRACE FORUM
Aim and objectives. To award scholar to indigent members. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the publication. Signed : Secretary.
PILGRIM OF THE EARTH MINISTRY INT’L THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:1- Mr Adejoke Adedayo Adedokun 2- Charles Akinsade 3- Lawyer Sunday Ajayi 4- Temilola Omonayin 5- Asteria Akinfolarin
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1) Educating children and youths against societal pitfalls 2) Propagating positive family values. 3) To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: Taking care of the less privilege children and fighting against human trafficking.
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 TigrisCrescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Secretary
SIGNED: Maduka Okoli Esq. 8/10 Broad Street, Lagos
LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the original letter of offer of terms of Grant /
BN 396 issued by the federal government
Signed: SECRETARY
Trustees. 1. Ahanihu N. 2. Mohammed Bashir H. 3. Chinasa Ugwueri. 4. Abdulkadir Ibrahim.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Tope Netufo 2) Sam Itama 3) Elizabeth Emeka Obasi 4) Gloria Modupe Itama 5) Eseose Itama
Barr. Harry Ogwuche Obe. bearing file No
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
Kaura District of FCT Abuja, belonging to
THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE:To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
UGWUERI EMMANUEL FOUNDATION
The general public is hereby notified that the above named FORUM has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.
Conveyance of Approval on plot 826 within
THE TRUSTEES ARE:1- Ogunyinka Ayodele 2- Akinyemi Elizabeth Adetokunbo 3- Adeniran Taibat Adenike 4- Adeyeye Bodunde 5- Akanbi Kehinde 6- Sule Kehinde 7- Adeniran Adewunmi Abayomi
Signed: Secretary
Signed; Secretary
LET TRY CHRIST ANOINTED TIME MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named has ministry applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
Aims And Objectives To propagate the Gospel of Christ through Missionary Work and Planting of Church and Para church
on the 8th day of february, 2002. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found kindly return to the nearest police station, AGIS and the general public should take note.
NGOZI AUSTINE-ODEN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ngozi Ile now wishes to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozi Austine-Oden. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should take note.
OPARAH CHIOMA CECILIA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Njoku Chioma Cecilia now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oparah Chioma Cecilia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
CHINDA CYNTHIA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Amadi Cynthia now wishes to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Chinda Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should take note.
OSIKWU CHIKODI PEACE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agba Chikodi Peace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osikwu Chikodi Peace. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General Public take note
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria 0ƏƈƗ ƕè L Əƅ Õè ƾƠơǀ
Reps to probe oil block sale by Shell Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu Abuja
ÏÏÏ The House of Repre-
sentatives has resolved to investigate plans by AngloDutch Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to relinquish its interests in oil block OML 11. This follows the unanimous adoption of the motion sponsored by Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, com-
plaining that the sale of OML 11 by Shell may be in contravention of the Local Content Act. Based on the adoption of the motion, the House, on Tuesday, mandated its Committees on Local Content, Petroleum (Upstream) and Justice to invite the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke and the managing director of Shell to probe the bidding process of the sale
of the oil block. Nkem-Abonta expressed the need for compliance with the Local Content Act in order to accommodate host communities in the proposed sale of OML 11 by Shell. He added that the communities hosting the said oil block are the Gokana and Tai, two Ogoni communities and Adoni, Opobo and Bonny communities all in Rivers State,
ƋƋƈ éL ƗƑƆƊƆ
as well as the Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa communities in Abia State respectively.
ƑƏƐ Ɖ ƈƋ ƐƓ ƊƈƗ ƍƍƆƏ ƈ #ƆƋƐ Monday Osayande Asaba
ÏÏÏ An Asaba High Court on Thursday sentenced two persons to nine years imprisonment each for conspiracy to kidnap one Markson Ovuozuorie Macaulay, the son of the Secretary to Delta State Government. The two convicts, Sunday Ugbegbo (26) and Odiako Omovigho (28), were each jailed four years with hard labour. Delivering judgment in Suit No. HC2/9C/13, Justice Cletus Emifoniye said that
their sentences should run concurrently, starting from June 18, 2012, the day they were arrested. The prosecution had told the court that the convicts were arrested and charged with kidnapping the SSG’s son at his home town, Owologbo in Isoko North Local Government area of the state, while the third person, Blessing Obakpororo, was killed by the police, in an attempt to escape arrest on the fateful day. The prosecution said the SSG’s son was kidnapped by the convicts, but was re-
leased without the payment of the $100 million ransom they had demanded. The prosecution further told the court that the Mobile Police team attached to the SSG’s house arrested the convicts after chasing them with AK 47 raffles. The two convicts had attempted to retract their confessional statements during their trial, but later pleaded guilty having seen that the evidence against them was overwhelming and convincing. Justice Emifoniye therefore jailed them having been satisfied, beyond reason-
Lƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ ƆƆƊ &n Ƒƍƍ ƏƐ Ƈ Ə &Ƅ Ƌ éƈ ƇƆ ƐƆƗ Ɛƈ Akor Ejumene
Abuja
ÏÏÏ The Supervising Min-
ister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has called on the European Union (EU) to support the concept of medical diplomacy in order to help strengthen health infrastructure and systems of developing nations, especially nations whose economies and healthcare systems had been adversely affected by the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He made the call in Brussels, Belgium, in his address at the EU, highlevel, International Conference on Ebola, on Tuesday.
Alhassan said that the concept of medical diplomacy had emerged, strongly, in recent times, due to frequent outbreak of diseases, with great pandemic potential. Alhassan observed that, as long as the Ebola Virus Disease was prevalent in any country, the entire world runs a certain risk. He attributed Nigeria’s success to strong government leadership, effective control measures put in place to interrupt transmission of the virus, collaboration among the various tiers of government, robust multi-sectoral cooperation, early community engagement and aggressive public enlight-
enment. The Minister also stressed that close collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the US Centres for Disease Control, (CDC), EU CDC, China CDC, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and other development partners, as well as civil society groups, was paramount in containing the disease. He said that Nigeria was doing everything possible to prevent a resurgence of the virus, noting that a $41 million-plan was being evolved for the nation’s post-containment preparedness, prevention and control of the Ebola Virus Disease.
able doubt, that their action amounted to an unlawful imprisonment of Markson Ovuozuorie Macaulay, in a manner to prevent any person from having access to him (Markson).
^ ƅ ƈƆƇƐ ƈ Ƌ ƌ ^#^ ƒƆƏ ^y
ÏÏÏ
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr. Adeshina Ogundimu, has decried the rejection of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC)’s Permanent Voter Card (PVC) readers by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC chieftain, who was one of the aspirants for the House of Representatives from Lagos Island, said that the rejection of the machine by the ruling PDP meant that the party was not ready for a free, fair polls. In a statement, issued in Lagos, by his media officer, Ganiyu Salami Otolo, stated that the card reader machine was introduced by INEC for the purpose of conducting credible elections, whose results would be widely accepted by majority of Nigerians and the international community. It was also stated that the alleged buying of PVCs by the PDP agents might be
true, judging from the party’s stand on the issues of card readers. Ogundimu, therefore, called on INEC to reject calls, by some disgruntled Nigerians, that the card readers should be rejected and go ahead with its plan to give Nigerians credible elections. He also asked the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to shut AIT television station for derogatory documentaries played on the station against APC Presidential Candidate, General Mohammed Buhari (rtd) and the party’s National Leader, Asiwuju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that such documentaries should not be allowed in the name of politics. According to Ogundimu: “NBC has a guideline on political broadcast and if such documentaries are allowed to be aired, and the station could go scot-free, then, NBC guidelines are just on the paper.”
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
N’Delta ministry owes N41.76b debt
Major oil marketers meet Aviation Minister Idu Jude Abuja
Ă?Ă?Ă?In a bid to stem the ris-
ing wave of fuel scarcity in the country, major markets have held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka. The meeting held on Thursday, was set to find a way out before the menace hits the Nigerian Aviation Industry. Speaking earlier in a highlight, the executive secretary to the group Mr. Obafemi Olaore, said his association has decided to pay a curtesy visit to the Minister, as major Aviation stakeholders, who have been in the business for a long time as far as the Nigerian Aviation Industry has lasted. “Having operated in the market for a long time, as far as the Aviation industry is concerned, the group has lots of experience and we have come to share with the Minister in terms of the sales of the product, availability and safety measures� he said The Minister said that the courtesy call by the group, has become very necessary especially now that his administration is about to release a road map on how to develop the industry in conformity with the ‘Mr. President’s transformation agenda’. “We would like to discuss and come to an agreement on making the Aviation fuel available, because it
is the pillar of the Aircraft and it keeps the Aircraft alive.� He said. About six oil marketing
companies were present during the Meeting, these includes Oando Oil Company, Texaco Oil Company,
and Mobile Oil Company. Also among the companies includes MRS Oil Company and others.
6
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Ă?Ă?Ă?Gubernatorial candidate under the banner of Social Democratic Party
Benue State governor
in Benue state, Rev Sam Gar has stated that the resuscitation of the party in the state is to provide good governance, wipe away the massive corruption, collaspe economy and the near dearth of education and health institutions in the state. Rev Gar who disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Makurdi yesterday said SDP is the only party of hope for the people giving that the Peoples Democratic Par-
ty and All Progressives Congress have failed the people. According to him, his coming on board is to rescue the state from its current rudderless situation saying Benue needed a priest like himself to replicate the feat achieved by the late Fr Moses Adasu in just one year in office. He noted that the society has continued to degenerate because politicians are allowed to preside over affairs rather
Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu Abuja
Ă?Ă?Ă?On
Thursday, The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs said that they are groaning under a liability of over N41.7billion because of the non-release of funds to the ministry in 2014. Defending its 2015 budget proposals before the House Committee on Niger Delta, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru, said the ministry was going through difficult times financially, adding that apart from the payment of staff salaries, the ministry’s funds are controlled by the Budget Office. Dr. Oru disclosed that out of the N1.159billion appropriated for the overhead costs in 2014, only N810.2million was released, leaving a shortfall
than professionals insisting that whence they are elected they consider such positions an opportunity to loot the treasury and engage in primitive accumulation of wealth. Rev Gar promised to block all the leakages that have contributed in retarding the growth of Benue state saying SDP as a welfarist party will concentrate in tapping the abundant natural resources in the state for the good of all.
of N349.2 million. “The budget execution was only 69.99 per cent of appropriation,� he said, explaining that the ministry was unable to execute majority of its projects because of the shortfall. The minister went ahead to say that based on the nonrelease of the entire funds appropriated for overhead costs in the 2014 budget, the ministry has outstanding liabilities of N131.8million as at December 2014. He added that N49.5million was appropriated for capital expenditure in 2014, whenceforth N20.6million was representing 41.76 per cent of the appropriation for capital projects that was released to the ministry. Answering questions from lawmakers, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Fatima Bamidele, disclosed that the ministry spent a staggering N8million on recharge cards in 2014.
Our fears over card readers -Aliyu Egena Egena Abuja
Benue SDP guber candidate unveils mission Freddie Adamgbe
25
Ă?Ă?Ă?Niger
State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, on Thursday said the misgivings being expressed by some Nigerians over the proposed use of card readers in the March 28 and April 11 elections were borne out of fears that difficulties may arise in their operations, especially in rural areas. The Niger State governor expressed optimism, however, that the controversy would be put to rest when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was able to convince Nigerians, especially the political parties that there was no cause for alarm. Governor Aliyu spoke to State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. In his words, “I think we are still discussing that matter. The concern
of many people is that the card reader may have difficulties particularly in the rural areas, but we have been told that if they are charged, they will be okay. “The stand of many of the political parties is that where you have difficulties, what happens? “I remember when they were registering me for the National Identity card; for me alone, it took about one hour. Suppose there are difficulties in the polling units where you have 500 people and it takes the card reader a long time to do.
Aliyu
26
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Tourism
s
Nigerians in their Adire attire at the last carnival in Austria
Austria hosts Adire carnival June 29 Tayo Adelaja
A talking drummer and Nigerians ladies on parade at the last carnival
The much-awaited Festival of Music, Art and Culture (FESTMAC 2015), will hold in Vienna, Austria, from June 29 to July 4, 2015. This would be the second time the international cultural jamboree would be taking place in the historic city of Vienna. The first version, tagged Adire Carnival, held in June, 2013 and was a success. It was attended by international dignitaries, including Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs.
Yewande Amusan; Hon. Femi Ojodu of the Ogun State House of Assembly; Chief Shina Williams, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Culture and Tourism. Others were a royal father, Oba Isiaka Ajede, Ogirimadagbo of Ilodo kingdom. From the Nollywood, were the like of Obi Emelonye of the Last Flight to Abuja fame; Odunlade Adekola, Mr. Latin and others, with Fuji maestro, Sefiu Alao (a.k.a. Omo Oko), on the bandstand. This year’s edition was endorsed by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, Abel Ayoko. The event would also be jointly spon-
sored by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDOE), Europe-Austria Chapter, National Association of Nigerian Community Austria (NANCA) and the Embassy of Nigeria, Austria. The festival kicks off on June 29, 2015, with a film show at the Afro-Asia Institute, Vienna, with the award winning film from Ebun Oloyede (Olaiya Igwe), entitled Mystery of Unity, a film on peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. From June 30 to July 3, the Afro-Asian Institute would also
Continued on page 27
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
UNWTO condemns damage of cultural, religious artefacts The World Tourism Organisation, (UNWTO) has expressed shock at the systematic destruction of cultural and religious artefacts in Syria and Iraq, the last of which was the Mosul Museum in Iraq. A release by the organisation read: “On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO joins UNESCO in urging immediate action to safeguard the world’s cultural heritage. “As stated by UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, the recent systematic destruction of Iraq’s unique cultural heritage is intolerable and must come to an end immediately”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The world’s diverse cultural heritage tells mankind’s story; it tells our story. It gives a sense of pride and self-esteem to local communities, and motivates millions of people to travel and discover the world each year. As such, cultural artefacts are a source of understanding, tolerance and respect between peoples and nations. These inexcusable acts of terrorism are attacks on these values and the international community must stand united in condemning them”, he added.
27 Tourism
NCPC flags off 2015 Easter pilgrimage Tunde Atobatele The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has flagged off the 2015 Easter pilgrimage to Israel, Rome and Greece with the airlifting of pilgrims from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented at the event by Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, advised the intending pilgrims from the state to pray for peace in Nigeria and total defeat of insurgency in the North East. “As you go to the Holy Land, pray for peace in Nigeria and total defeat of the Boko Haram in the North East”. The President also advised them to obey all rules in the Holy Land so as not to bring shame to Nigeria. Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also urged the intending pilgrims to pray for the nation, saying that the problem caused by Boko Haram had brought hardship to every tribe and not just the people of the North East. Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara urged the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the Holy Land. He added that the Commission was collaborating with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), for the promotion of Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme, which would afford every Christian the opportunity of obtaining a ticket to Israel through raffle draws. Opera added that the Commission would introduce some innovations in this year’s pilgrim-
R/L Executive Governor Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano (2nd right) and wife, Ebere Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara and the Chairman, Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Levi Monanu after inspecting the air craft that would convey the Pilgrims for the 2015 Easter Christian Pilgrimage at Akanu Ibiam international Airport, Enugu State
age to strengthen its activities. According to him, “we are introducing basic leadership and skill acquisition programmes, the youth pilgrimage as well as Christian Pilgrimage Lottery Scheme. “These innovation will be our thrust in reaching more Christians who otherwise have remained untouched”. He commended Obiano for his consistency in sponsoring a large number of pilgrims to Is-
rael, adding that it was a thing of joy that Anambra pilgrims were the first to commence the basic leadership and skill acquisition programme in Israel. Earlier, Chairman of NCPC, Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh advised the pilgrims not to take laws into their hands while in the Holy Land, rather, they should move as a team. The theme for this year’s pilgrimage is Pilgrimage a tool
for Moral Transformation and Spiritual Rebirth: moving to stability. About 200 pilgrims from Anambra State were airlifted to Israel as the first batch on Sunday, March 1, 2015. Last year, the Commission also flagged off the Easter pilgrimage exercise to Israel with the airlifting of Anambra State pilgrims and that was also the first time the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was used by NCPC for its operations.
Clourful Adire on parade in Austria Continued from page 26
Fuji musician, Sefiu Alao(left) with others at the last carnival
host different Nigerian cultural dances and music from different states of Nigeria. The grand finale would be on July 4, with the Nigerian Carnival 2015, tagged Carnival of Peace. The carnival train would take off from the Nigerian Embassy in Vienna (Rennweg 25) and terminate at the Hofburg, the seat of the Federal Government of Austria. The train is expected to shut many major roads in the city, including the popular Ring Road (Ring Strasse) in the city centre.
This year’s event also coincides with the centenary birthday of the late Adunni Olorisa (Susanna Wenger), the Austriaborn Osun princess. Engr. Oluyemi Ogundele, chairman of NIDOE, Austria chapter said “Just like last year, we are expecting VIPs like Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Mbanefo (DG NTDC) amongst others. We are also expecting Nollywood stars like Ebun Oloyede, Mr. Latin, Bimbo Oshin, Regina Chukwu, Ojopagogo, Opebe, Lanko Omo Oba Dubai and many others.
28
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Business Times
s
NERC assures MAN of a downward review in energy tariffs Charles Okonji The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has assured manufacturers of a downward review of electricity tariffs under the new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). The assurance was made by Dr. Babajide Taiwo, Ibadan Forum Chairman, NERC, in a meeting held with manufacturers in the Western Zone, which covers all South-western states, including Edo and Delta states at the Ogun State Secretariat of MAN in Sango-Ota on Wednesday. He said that the issues bordering on hike and discriminatory electricity tariffs as being alleged by MAN would be amicably addressed and both parties would ‘smile’ on the long run. It will be recalled that the association’s President, Frank Udemba-Jacob had on Tuesday led MAN’s delegation to the headquarters of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja following the threat made by the steel sector of the association, on imminent and massive closure of industries across the country as part of means to press home their demands. Udemba-Jacob was quoted thus: “The hike in tariff as well as the astronomical increase in
fixed charges in the face of estimated billing as against actual consumption is the order of the day. These the association considers unfair and worrisome. “MAN also viewed the wide disparity in the tariff charges and the fixed charges across the Discos as unfair and discriminatory, more so, when considered against the background that companies within the high rate tariff and fixed charges bracket are also competing with their counterparts in other zones as well as imports from outside the country.” But, at the MAN’s Western Zone meeting, Sam Amadi, Chairman of NERC, who was represented by Babajide Taiwo in Ibadan Forum Office of NERC, assured that they will implement urgent and effective solutions to the problem identified by MAN in the electricity tariffs charged by DISCOS, saying that there would be acceptable solutions to the issue. “On the issue of new tariffs, the headquarters is already looking at it and I can assure you that within the next few days they will come out with solutions that will be acceptable to both parties. When the issues come up now, we need to find solutions that is why I am here. We have discussed
Amadi, NERC Chairman
and based on assurance I am getting from Abuja, I want to assure MAN that there will be smile at the end of the day.” In his response, Dolapo Ogutuga, Vice National President, MAN, Western Zone, noted that the situation could spark off and
worsen the country’s inflation rate if not urgently addressed, saying that cyclical effect of the action taken by NERC and DISCOs on hike and discrimatory electricity tariffs could worsen the economic situation in the country.
Cote D’Ivoire seeks to strengthen trade ties with Nigeria Charles Okonji The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has expressed confidence on the initiative and willingness of Cote D’Ivoire business community to partner with their Nigerian counterparts. The 2nd Deputy National President of the association, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, disclosed this during the courtesy visit on NACCIMA by the Cote D’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria and Benin Republic, Mrs. Toure Kone Maman recently. Maman said she was in the NACCIMA Secretariat to share her country’s progress in the area of cocoa, cashew and coffee production as well as enlist NACCIMA’s support and participation in their forthcoming ‘SARA’ Agriculture Exhibition scheduled for April 2015 in Abidjan. She said, apart from participating in the exhibition, there will be a platform for Nigerian businessmen and women to have B2B meeting with their Ivorian counterparts, stressing that Cote D’Ivoire is committed in building partnership with Nigeria as a big brother especially in the area of agriculture and trading between the two countries.
Auto policy: FG, stakeholders pledge sustainability … 10 more auto plants come on-board Emmanuel Ogbonnaya The Federal Government, vehicle manufacturers, dealers and licensed Customs agents, among other stakeholders, have agreed to leave no stone unturned in their bid to ensure that the ongoing implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan is sustained in line with global best practices. The stakeholders agreed that the sustained implementation of the policy with periodic reviews
to suit economic needs was in the interest of Nigerians and the Nigerian economy. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said that the extensive stakeholders’ consultations and collaboration had afforded the Federal Government the opportunity to access the level of progress so far recorded in the implementation of the policy with a view to addressing major challenges facing players in the sector. The minister, who spoke after a meeting with members of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents in Abuja, added that with the level of success so far recorded, 10 more auto plants had final-
ised plans to begin operations in Nigeria before the end of this year. Aganga said, “Within the past one week, we have been holding consultative meetings with stakeholders in the automotive industry, including all the vehicle assemblers across the country and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents.’’ Aganga, who expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made so far with the implementation of the seven-month old auto policy, said government and operators in the sector were focusing on local production of vehicle component parts in order to create more jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.
L-R: Director-General, National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; and National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, during a stakeholders’ review meeting on the auto policy, in Abuja ... Wednesday
Daily Times Nigeria Friday,March 6, 2015
Alomo Bitters gets hologram seal around bottle cap Godwin Anyebe In a fresh attempt to help consumers differentiate between original and fake Alomo Bitters drink, Kasapreko company Nigeria Limited, producers of the beverage alcoholic drink unveiled the brand’s new security features. Speaking during the unveiling recently in Lagos, the Managing Director, Kasapreko Company, Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kojo Nunoo said that the introduction of hologram seal around the cap is one of the initiatives by the company to checkmate criminal faking of Alomo Bitters by unscrupulous profiteers and protect consumers against the consumption of substandard products which endanger human life. According to him, patrons of their esteem drink can now continue to enjoy their favorite ,herbal drink that comes in 75 centiliter glass and 200 millimeter pet bottles now fortified with a hologram seal around the bottle caps. Noting that hologram is a silver like shinning seal which is similar to that found on the non-polymer Nigeria naira notes, and it has been strategically positioned around the cap of every bottle for easy identification of the authentic brand from imitation. “This initiative is a security standard for global brands, and essentially it is meant to ensure clear brand differentiation and to highlight the unique features that distinguish alomo bitters from the imitated version and other substandard products in the market”. He stated.
29 Brands & Marketing
Amstel Malta to reward students at the AMVCAs Opeoluwani Akintayo Official sponsor of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Amstel Malta, is set to reward eleven Theatre Arts students across the country for their outstanding academic excellence with an all-expense paid trip to the AMVCAs, makeover sessions and an exclusive date with Genevieve Nnaji. Technical awards will hold on today, Friday, March 6 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre and the main award event tomorrow at the same venue. According to Amstel Malta Brand Manager, Hannatu Ageni Yusuf, “the initiative came to life because the brand which has been the official sponsor of the AMVCA since its inception in 2013, felt a need to encourage these Theatre Arts students who have done well in their academics and give them a tip of what to expect in their career paths.” The eleven students are: Bare Mitchel Uzuajeme, Jesse
Bankole .O, Aribisala Ayobami, Kalu Nnamdi, Korie Priscaline, Ode Isaiah, Uniloh Fidelia, Isong Mfoniso Effiong, Okiriguo Princewill Ehis, Mark Jonathan Tukura and Okuku Precious and were selected across five prestigious institutions in the country: University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin and University of Abuja. Kalu Nnamdi, leading 400Level Theatre Arts student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, expressed his delight at the invitation. He said: “This is such an amazing opportunity coming on a platter of gold. It really came to me as a huge surprise. I have seen Amstel Malta’s involvement in the movie industry for a long time now and it feels really good to be one of the beneficiaries this time. I’m really eager to meet with the other students in my field and most importantly the very talented Genevieve.’’ Sincerely, I really can’t wait”,
Ashiwaju
Dufil reveals consumer engagement, CSR plans for the year Godwin Anyebe Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of popular noodles brand-Indomie Instant noodles, has revealed its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and consumer engagement plans for the year. This was issued in a statement made available to newsmen by the Public Relations/ Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, recently in Lagos. According to him, the various CSR and consumer engagement activities slated to take place this year include sampling of about 7,000,000 consumers nationwide; celebration of Indomie Fan Club 10 years anniversary, Christmas parties; education workshop for 3,000 teachers, donation of science laboratory equipment to schools, Ramadan and Easter celebrations among
others. Ashiwaju further stressed that the rationale behind its 2015 plan was in line with the company’s objective of ensuring maximum consumer satisfaction. The sampling exercise will be strategically executed not only to serve a feedback mechanism, but to further strengthen the bond between the brand and consumers’, and also assist the brand in aligning its offerings more accurately in meeting consumers’ expectation. “Dufil Prima Foods Plc prides itself in embarking on initiatives that enables us give back to the society. This is because we cherish our loyal consumers, as our existence is based on their continuous patronage. These various activities are conducted every year as a way of saying thank you to consumers for their unflinching support, ” he siad.
AAAN builds capacity for marketing executives, journalists Godwin Anyebe Sixty-five associates drawn from advertising agencies, communications outfits, corporate organisations and a representative of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN, have concluded a three day marketing communications training organised by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, recently in Lagos. According to coordinator of the training, Mr OlakanmiAmoo-Onidundu, the training, which is an
annual event, was a professional development programme focused on the first tier of industry practitioners “to up-skill them in craft and business.” He said the goal of the training was to see the advertising and marketing communications profession taking its pride of place among other professional groups, adding that agencies and clients would feel the impact of such training through the quality of jobs delivered by participants. Through the training, he said media, advertising, public rela-
tions, sales and marketing associates would gain better understanding and grooming in the rudiments of practice and be helped to proffer better values and enhanced career development. “This is hands-on; it is beyond what they give you in the higher institutions. Here, the training is delivered by top executives of the profession who I liken to professors in higher institutions. Most of them are people who have put in more than 20 years of professional practice and know their
subjects thoroughly well,” he said. The event which held between Tuesday and Thursday featured contemporary topics which were laced with accounts of practical experiences, such as Ethical Issues in Business, Fundamentals of Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Research Methods, account Management Principles, Copy Strategy, Reputation Building and Management, Effective Presentation, Digital Advertising and Social Media Marketing and
various case studies. It drew high calibre facilitation from renowned industry egg heads such as President of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, and Chief executive of SO&U Advertising, Mr Udeme Ufot, AAAN President, Mr Kelechi Nwosu, Professors Gbade Sote and Omololu Soyombo of the University of Lagos, CEO, Insight Communications Limited, Mr Jimi Awosika, COO/Executive Director, 141 Worldwide and a host of others.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Politics Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Features
AFEGBUA
Business
Features s Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
s Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser to Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole of Edo State on Media Affairs and Publicity spoke to TITUS AKHIGE on a number of issues affecting the polity. Excerpts:
News
SDP, made up of turn coat 163 white politicians
s
The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, has often raised allegations of reckless spending of state resources against Governor Adams Oshiomhole. What is
your take on this? As far as we know, the PDP state chairman and his sinking co-travellers are not just desperadoes who are looking for relevance, they are also individuals who do not have the intellectual capacity to understand the dynamics of governance, the execution of processes of governance and the delivery of services to the majority of the people. He is at best a dramatist, a very bad one at that, who is trying effortlessly to make an impression
in a state where they have lost relevance. It is understandable that having been denied the patronages and grand acquisition that used to be the hallmark of PDP rulership in Edo State, they’ll naturally be crying like the baby cow looking for milk to suck from a cow that they have sucked dry in terms of the collective patrimony of Edo State. But, again, we have a basis for comparison. PDP state
Politics
BIPI: Should security NERC assures APC has already Business Times farmers face officers be made MAN of a International 14 lost Rivers downward BIPI: eviction to pay toll? P8 Cote D’Ivoire seeks review in energy from Zimbabwe Italy rescues APC has already lost Rivers NERC assuresP18 MAN of a tofarmers strengthen trade face eviction 163 white 1,000 migrants tariffs farmlands ties withThe Nigeria P28Zimbabwe recent encounter of drown their official P14 of In the course at sea,10 downward review in energy tariffs from farmlands the Assistant Inspector- duties, I suggest they should be Should Charles Okonji
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2015
VOL. 1. NO.60
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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has assured manufacturers of a downward review of electricity tariffs under the new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). The assurance was made by Dr. Babajide Taiwo, Ibadan Forum Chairman, NERC, in a meeting held with manufacturers in the Western Zone, which covers all South-western states, including Edo and Delta states at the Ogun State Secretariat of MAN in Sango-Ota on Wednesday. He said that the issues bordering on hike and discriminatory electricity tariffs as being alleged by MAN would be amicably addressed and both parties would ‘smile’ on the long run. It will be recalled that the association’s President, Frank Udemba-Jacob had on Tuesday led MAN’s delegation to the headquarters of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja following the threat made by the steel sector of the association, on imminent and massive closure of industries across the country as part of means to press home their demands. Udemba-Jacob was quoted thus: “The hike in tariff as well as the astronomical increase in
fixed charges in the face of estimated billing as against actual consumption is the order of the day. These the association considers unfair and worrisome. “MAN also viewed the wide disparity in the tariff charges and the fixed charges across the Discos as unfair and discriminatory, more so, when considered against the background that companies within the high rate tariff and fixed charges bracket are also competing with their counterparts in other zones as well as imports from outside the country.” But, at the MAN’s Western Zone meeting, Sam Amadi, Chairman of NERC, who was represented by Babajide Taiwo in Ibadan Forum Office of NERC, assured that they will implement urgent and effective solutions to the problem identified by MAN in the electricity tariffs charged by DISCOS, saying that there would be acceptable solutions to the issue. “On the issue of new tariffs, the headquarters is already looking at it and I can assure you that within the next few days they will come out with solutions that will be acceptable to both parties. When the issues come up now, we need to find solutions that is why I am here. We have discussed
Kassim Afegbua
In this interview with AUGUSTINE AMINU, Hon. Evans Bipi representing Ogu/Bolo constituency of Rivers State and leader of the sixmember anti-Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers explained the political scenario in Rivers State. This is against the backdrop of the recent challenges that have pitched the two major gladiators, the PDP and APC at loggerheads for sometime now with each trying to outdo the other ahead of the forthcoming elections. Excerpts:
security officers be made to pay toll?
Friday, March 6, 2015
in doing things including due
process. We also have disciplin“There is no local ary organ in place to discipline ÏÏÏ Rescued migrants disemerring members who engage in government in the bark from an Italian Coast Guard Charles Okonji anti party activities or who fall The land grabs were set to con- ship in the harbor of Augusta, Sicstate that the PDP does short of the rules princiGeneral of Police inandcharge exempted for instance, a tinue despite Mugabe publicly ilysay, , southern Italy, March 4, 2015. of our party. You all know The Nigerian Association admitting a few days before his Rescued migrants disembark not have structure go ples that the PDP has structure in of Chambers of Commerce, Inbirthday celebrations that he of see Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, AIG trailer carrying an from an Italian Coast Guardarmoured ship the state and it has controlled and for yourself. blundered by giving ill-equipped in the harbor of Augusta, Sicily, dustry, Mines and Agriculture the state since democracy came black farmers vast tracts of farm(NACCIMA) has expressed conItaly, March 4, 2015. would it Joseph with some truck to asouthern battle zone, being. So our structures toll The APC are theMbu, into Italian authorities say ships fidence on the initiative are andsolid and can withstand land seized from whites under his controversial land reforms. ones enlisting thugs, from the coast guard, navy , and any challenge from any party willingnessattendants of Cote D’Ivoire gate at the Lekki be wise to ask the driver to pay “I think the farms we gave to several cargo vessels rescued whatsoever. It is because of hooligans, touts andto partner business community people are too large. They can’t more than a thousand migrants the forthcoming elections that toll gate has generated some atheawastoll gate? with their countermanage them,” reported political gladiators are beating from North Africa and the Midarea boys toNigerian disrupt as saying. parts. the drums of war and fanning east from the dangerous MediterMeanwhile, News reported case most the embers of disunity. Times What controversies. Daily InDay the ofthe pastpolicemen goranean over two days. The PDP 2ndgatherings Deputy National you are seeing is as a result of on Thursday that the European Officials said Wednesday one President of the across Nigeria. ” association, the election which is caused Union had warned Mugabe over rubber boat carrying migrants
Why is Rivers State so important in these coming elections? Iyalode Alaba Lawson, disclosed It is important because of by the opposition party in the this during the courtesy visitstate. on It is the opposition party its strategic nature as a comWhy the do or die attitude that is so desperate that wants mercial base and its natural reNACCIMA by the Cote D’Ivoire sources in the country. It is stra- of politicians in Rivers State? to take power by hook or crook Ambassador tolargest Nigeria and BeThe PDP, as the party tegic politically because from or any means possible not nin Republic, Mrs. Toure Kone Africa has its own democrattime immemorial, the state in the PDP led by Nyesom Wike. tenets, recently so also it. has basic There is no local government Maman has been a PDP State and very ic internal mechanism and was struc-in in central to the aspirations of the state that the PDP does Maman said she the on ground on how certain not have structure go and see the South-South people. It is be- ture NACCIMA Secretariat to share Rescued migrants from an Italian Guard ship the harbour of Augusta, Southern Italy, on Wednesday. things are indone unlike other Sicily, cause who disembark controls Rivers StateCoast for yourself. The APC are the her country’s progress in the controls the entire South-South parties that do not have, but are ones enlisting thugs, hooli“We don’t need a white man moved their properties as Zimbabwe’s lands and recontrolled by one man. In PDP, area of cocoa, cashew and gans, cof- from politics and by extension whattouts and area boys to continue to guide us. No. We the government claims they are settlement minister, Douglas internal democracy ever happens in Rivers State isto we fee have production as well as enlist disrupt most PDP gatherings now equipped with skills,” Mombeshora has reportedly rules, guidelines and occupying the land illegally. replicated by every other statearewhere NACCIMA’s support and parquotedare as followed saying The government purported moved to evict, at least, 163 white Mugabe CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 party was hierarchy in the South. ticipation forthcoming a party in to their celebrate his that scores of white commercial commercial farmers in Mashona- during birthday Agriculture in Victoria FallsExhibition last farmers were still occupying vast land East as government intensi- 91st‘SARA’ . of land under the guise fies its war against white farmers. Saturday scheduled for April 2015 inswathes Abi- Last Sunday witnessed According to New Zimbabwe. of special sectors protection, yet This comes a few days after another massive support for the djan. they are engaging acPresident Robert Mugabe vowed com, more than 160 white com- candidates of the in Allfarming ProgresShe said, apart from particiCongress (APC) tivities which are not especially covered by to expel the country’s last remain- mercial farmers in Mashonaland sives pating in the exhibition, there Muhammadu the scheme, the reportBuhari said. in ing white farmers from their land. East province will soon be re- General will be a platform for Nigerian Lagos. The turn out was a rally of sort to drum support for Buworsen the country’s inflation businessmen and women to hari in pursuit of the desire of have B2B meeting with their Ivo-An Iranian rate if not urgently addressed, bulance diplomat held leaders to stop Presitrolley after question- northern thatGoodluck Jonathan from saying that cyclical effect of the ing.rian counterparts, stressingdent hostage in Yemen for more than Buhari Cote Korean D’Ivoire is who committed in has been freed folpolice, are 18 months, action taken by NERC and DIS- South lowing an intelligence operaprocesspartnership of obtaining warbuilding with NigeCOs on hike and discrimatory in the tion, Iranian state media say. rants to search his home, are electricity tariffs could worsen ria as a big brother especially in Nour Ahmad Nikbakht was seeking to establish whether he area of agriculture and tradthe economic situation in the hasthe close ties with the North, greeted by officials and tearful ing between the two countries. country. the BBC’s Stephen Evans re- relatives at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Thursday. ports from Seoul. It was not immediately clear Mr Lippert had hospital treatA militant Korean nation- ment but later wrote in a tweet: if Mr Nikbakht was freed in an alist has slashed the face of the “Doing well and in great spir- armed raid. US ambassador to South Korea its... Will be back ASAP to adA deputy foreign minister at a breakfast meeting in Seoul, vance US-ROK [Republic of Ko- only said that he had been resbut the envoy was not seriously rea] alliance!” cued “from the clutches of terhurt. US President Barack Obama rorists in a series of complex Mark Lippert, 42, was also cut called his ambassador to wish and difficult operations”. on his left hand, with blood spat- him “the very best for a speedy Saudi diplomat Abdullah altered over the breakfast table. Khalidi was released on Monrecovery”, a US official said. Security officers subdued the Nobody believes that pro- day after being held by al-Qaattacker, one pinning him down North Korean groups represent eda in the Arabian Peninsula with a shoe on his neck, until he a majority of South Koreans but (AQAP) since March 2012. was arrested. ‘Fewest possible casualties’ they are still a significant miNorth Korea has described nority and part of the political Mr Nikbakht was abducted the attack as “just punishment landscape. in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in for US warmongers”. In November, South Korea’s July 2013. Armed men stopped The North’s Korean Central constitutional court ordered his car, forced him into their veNews Agency (KCNA) said he that the Unified Progressive hicle and sped away before secuhad delivered a “knife shower Party be dissolved even though rity forces reached the area. of justice”. “I was kidnapped by unit had five members elected to The attacker, named as Kim parliament. The authorities known gunmen and terrorists Ki-jong, 55, appears to have bro- said the UPP posed a threat to as I left my home to go to work,” ken his ankle during the attack South Korean democracy. One he told Iranian state television and was taken away on an am- of its leaders was jailed. on Thursday.
ÏÏÏ
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Daily Times Nigeria
took the matter to some coning about their lawful duties, I his threat for more land grabs say- overturned, drowning 10 people ing the move could ruin business Tuesday, but more than 1,000 were cerned citizens who expressed believe it rescued would be responsible re-engagement efforts between from seven other small Zimbabwe and the EU block. boats and taken to Italian ports. their opinions. for lifted them be but in The EU recently restric- toThe men,exempted, women, and children tions on most government offi- claimed to be from Syria, Libya, cials, but retained and Tunisia, the Mugabe course of their civil the Palestinian terri- obligahis wife, Grace on the sanctions tories, and sub-Saharan Africa. list. They are apparently seeking to or not, Chief Giwa–Amu, Lagos tions, security agents “Whites will never own land in escape violence or poverty for Zimbabwe” a better life in the European based lawyer, human rights they to pay. Mugabe and his rulingought Zanu-PF Union. party launched the land reforms activist However if your question is Bipi in 2000, taking over white-owned
pre enc Lag bee per occ con W you esp pay lier es sho
NASS andDrug theabuse exercise of is more damagi legislativethan powers graft, insurgency AIG Mbu
Alozie Anaekwe
Keji Hamilton:
Amadi, NERC Chairman
and based on assurance I am getting from Abuja, I want to assure MAN that there will be smile at the end of the day.” In his response, Dolapo Ogutuga, Vice National President, MAN, Western Zone, noted that the situation could spark off and
Auto policy: FG, stakeholders pledge sustainability … 10 more auto plants come on-board
Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
ÎÎÎThe
Also the collapse of Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1990 was as a result of her majority Tory backbenchers in Westminster rebelling against her authoritarian leadership style
pivotal position that the legislature occupies as the second estate of the realm cannot be over emphasized as it exists as a way of checking the exercise of executive power and balancing the power equation necessary for the smooth functioning of constitutional, democratic and statutory institutions. For one, there is no way funds can be appropriated or expended without recourse to the parliament, witness the numerous ‘government shutdowns’ in the United States where various executive bodies and agencies had to temporarily close down and lay off their workers due to a dispute between the White House and Congress particularly the House of Representatives over the appropriate federal debt ceiling leading to a refusal of the House to pass the quarterly budgetary proposals. Previously, the U.S. Congress had also clashed with the White House during the Vietnam War over the latter’s authority to conduct military operations in the South-east Asian country and neigh-
The Federal Government, vehicle manufacturers, dealers and licensed Customs agents, among other stakeholders, have agreed to leave no stone unturned in their bid to ensure that the ongoing implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan is sustained in line with global best practices. The stakeholders agreed that the sustained implementation of the policy with periodic reviews
bouring states like Laos and Cambodia. As for the United Kingdom, the doctrine of separation of powers does not exist as parliament is supreme and it exercises executive and legislative powers simultaneously with the Prime Minister’s executive cabinet composed of members of parliament who automatically return to their parliamentary seats in the event of their resignation, dismissal or dissolution of parliament. In any case, any major decision of the Prime Minister’s cabinet must be approved by Parliament and in several cases the latter has balked on authorizing some controversial policies, the most recent being its refusal to authorize British Military involvement in the Syrian war. Also the collapse of Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1990 was as a result of her majority Tory backbenchers in Westminster rebelling against her authoritarian leadership style after the dramatic ouster of Sir Geofrey Howe as Chancellor of the Exchequer and his subsequent denuncia-
to suit economic needs was in the interest of Nigerians and the Nigerian economy. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said that the extensive stakeholders’ consultations and collaboration had afforded the Federal Government the opportunity to access the level of progress so far recorded in the implementation of the policy with a view to addressing major challenges facing players in the sector. The minister, who spoke after a meeting with members of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents in Abuja, added that with the level of success so far recorded, 10 more auto plants had final-
ised plans to begin operations in Nigeria before the end of this year. Aganga said, “Within the past one week, we have been holding consultative meetings with stakeholders in the automotive industry, including all the vehicle assemblers across the country and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents.’’ Aganga, who expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made so far with the implementation of the seven-month old auto policy, said government and operators in the sector were focusing on local production of vehicle component parts in order to create more jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.
Korean journalist slashes US envoy’s face
Borno indigenes in Lagos rally for Buhari
ÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏ
Drug use on the rise in Kenya
farms to resettle landless blacks. Mugabe said the reforms were meant to colonial landmed, it is high time his people retaining hiscorrect seat after the 2015 ownership imbalances. vote for the right candidate. He elections. At least 4of 000the white commercial Convener rally , Mai- stated that, his support for BuKanuribe Lagos State and Sarfarmersofwere evicted from theirhari was bourn out of the desire use in Kenya has“Irisen governance saying: kin Hausawa of Ijora land, Apapa for goodDrug farms. fast Buhari in the past years, accordis anfew honest man Local Government Area, Alhaji believe religious leaders, politicians wetoneed an honest man to Mustapha Mohammed gathered anding us in this country . Jonathan youths of Borno State origin to ruleand charities working to tackle hasthe failed us and I’m not ready to support Buhari last weekend. problem. According to Alhaji MohamON PAGE 10 has TheyCONTINUED say domestic use soared as international drug cartels have turned east Africa into a major transit route for narcotics from Afghanistan. Some of the drugs spill onto the local market, they say. Juma Ngao, a director at Kenya’s National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug “I was in an extremely dif- Abuse (NACADA) said the Indian ficult situation and I did not Ocean port towns of Mombasa, know what was happening in Malindi and Lamu have been the outside world,” he added. hardest hit because most drug No group claimed respon- shipments come by sea. sibility for Mr Nikbakht’s ab“There is an easy market for duction, but Yemeni tribal and drugs on the coast,” said Phylis security sources told the AFP Mwema, who runs a youth rehanews agency that he was held bilitation organisation in Momby AQAP militants in a remote basa. “Youth are uneducated, idle area between the southern and jobless, and the only thing provinces of Shabwa and Bay- they can do is drugs.” da. Gunman in Yemen (file photo) Yemen is gripped by political uncertainty and fighting between rival armed factions Ahead of his release on Monday, Iranian officials said that the diplomat was in good health. At one point in late January it was feared that he had Kenyan’s President been beheaded.
ÏÏÏ
Iranian ‘operation’ in Yemen frees kidnapped diplomat
tion of Thatcherite rule as ground for the other on as speedy passage of the ‘divisive and ‘autocratic’. those key issues, each ea- yearly budgets. The comEven in our relatively ger to protect and advance mittee system has been nascent democratic dis- its constitutional duties thoroughly revamped and pensation, parliament as and prerogatives. overhauled with a greater represented by the NaHappily, it must be emphasis on hard work, tional Assembly and other noted that while the vari- professionalism, comstate and local legislative ous political arms of the petence and exemplary bodies, has continued to executive and legislature performance leading to play their constitutional have been jostling for ad- the placement of round roles and in many cases, vantage against the other, pegs in round holes at the collision and conflict be- the administrative appa- headship of the various tween the executive and ratus underpinning both committees. The old arlegislature has become arms have been operating cane system of past CNA the norm rather than the and interacting with each administrations where exception as none wants other optimally to move favouritism, cronyism to cede authority to the the democratic process and sectionalism were other in order not to be forward. For instance, the order of the day has marginalized in the con- the administrative arm been long discarded and stitutional order of af- of the National Assembly consigned to the dust heap fairs. headed by the Clerk to the of history. As a result, the The National Assembly National Assembly and various committees are family has at times been at keji-Hamilton dag- and Chairman of the Keffi performing at optimal Like the Saul of with Tarsus,the ex Execwith blood,Emirate, something stranger day I left home till and the moment live, marry, settle down and train gers drawn Alhaji Salisu invigorating levels Kalakuta, junkie and rob- than fiction happened. Even I was sitting in that hotel room your children?’ and the answer utive over the implemenMaikasuwa has provided thus leading to quick pasber, Keji Hamilton concludes though it was decades ago, his with my vomit still all over me. was, ‘Ah,Keji, you’ve missed it.’ histation testimonyof today. GBUBEMI to a whisper as he “When the screen sage disappeared, “But I have always been a Musthe budget,voice thelowered critical support services of numerous bills GOD’S COVENANT SNR re- told Daily Timesin pidgin: ‘My I realised I have been crying all lim and don’t know how to pray passage of key legislation, and infrastructure for efthat have impacted posiports with additional report brother, fear catch me’. His story: the time the screen was showing the Christian way. Isummoned up from JOYconduct EKEKE. “I was fective still alarmed when me my life. I was weeping, and prayed this the of oversight legislation tively caon courage the welfare of prayer: While he was still alarmed at something like a television tarrh filled my nostrils, and one ‘You voice that has spoken to me, thewas appointasbefore wellme asand providing the the Various fedthefunctions realisation thatand his body screen appeared question kept ringing in mypeople. head if you can deliver me from drugs, suddenly out government cocaine I saw scenesplatform of my life from saying: ‘Keji, is this how will I will serveincluding you all the days of my mentthrowing of key forthefree flowing eralyoulegislators officials e.g. ministers, interactions and consulta- the leadership of the Naservice chiefs and ambas- tions between and among tional Assembly have had sadors. The implementa- the lawmakers and politi- to commend the vision, fotion or non-implementa- cal stakeholders through cus, fortitude and patriottion of the budget as well public hearings and inves- ic fervor of Alhaji Salisu as the over-sighting of the tigative tours around the Maikasuwa in pushing vast MDA bureaucracy country which has result- the NASS reforms to their has been the main stick- ed in relevant alterations logical conclusion. ing point between the two of various sections of Anaekwe sent in this arms of government and the 1999 constitution and piece from Port Harbarely has one shifted the Electoral Act as well court.
I was still alarmed when something like a television screen appeared before me and I saw scenes of my life
L-R: Director-General, National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; and National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, during a stakeholders’ review meeting on the auto policy, in Abuja ... Wednesday
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life “A kne tell had not tha sm to,
Life&
TIMES Friday March 6, 2015
Opral Benson L3
P
turns 80
Kunle Afolayan L6,7
P
A revolutionary in movie industry
L2
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
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L3 Society
Isaac Oguntoye
Opral Benson
celebrates 80th Birthday Chief (Mrs) Opral Mason Benson needs little or no introduction. The one and only Iya Oge of Lagos, was 80 three Fridays ago and rather than celebrate, the honorary Consular General of Nigeria to her country of birth, Liberia and wife to late lawyer and politician, Chief TOS Benson, chose to have a low key birthday bash. Many had thought that the CEO of Chique Afrique Enterprises would have painted the town red judging by her status within the society but the octogenarian socialite sim-
It was a sad day for many Dada as the publisher of Bravo maga-
Private Cemetery after a service of songs was held for him at the RCCG Look and Live Parish, Akute where many of his associates had converged to pay their last respects. The late publisher of Bravo Weekly, a celebrity journal aside
ply gathered few family members including her children in her home to thank God for giving her another opportunity to witness another addition in good health. Still looking quite
a platform for upcoming journalists to exhibit their creativity. The father of seven had suffered from third degree burns from his generating set on the night of Saturday Feb-
day coincided with the 30th anniversary of her beauty school, Opral Benson Beauty and Training School, Yaba, Lawoman whose success in life lies in qualitative and sound education.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dada Eriye buried amidst tears
gave up the ghost just when help from bank executives and GovOpral Benson
made promises to help offset his Dada Eriye
Between Mercy Johnson’s husband and the Minister of Works almost his wedding to Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, the Edo State born business magnate, Prince Odianosen Okojie has surprisingly been living
Andus and wife
Is Olawale Jimoh Akanni Andus on Social Exile? The difference between people who succeed in life and those who lenges and not necessarily the absence of challenges. This above notion applies to Olawale Jimoh Akanni Andus who was once a top socialite. At the moment the man who used to control both Ikorodu and Lagos Island seem to be on AWOL from the social scene. A far
Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya stages comeback, makes political statement
described as a good husband but also a good father to his beautiful children. So hard is he working to put the misery of for his current family that he has now taken up construction contracts to the list of
cry from his days of yore when he was virtually everywhere, throwing money like a drunken sailor. Many attribute his absence from the social scene with his inability to settle his home as a polygamist. A close pal of his divulged to Life & Times pending when he would be able to settle his challenges. It was fun galore on Saturday, gos State Support Group of APC Governorship Candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, stormed the city of Ikorodu with fanfare to canvass for votes for its candidate ahead of the next Governorship election, led by the convener of the Ikorodu division of the group, a highly respected grass root mobilizer, former secretary to the Lagos State Government, Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya. It was surprising to see Princess Adenrele spreading the gospel of APC as she had stayed away both from the political scene and the social scene after her tenure as the secretary of the State ended, during Goverterously led the team who painted the
Ifeanyi Ubah
Prince Odianosen Okojie
are unaware that his company has been behind some contracts awarded him directly by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen. According to sources, so industrious and level headed is the Italian returnee that he caught the eye of the minister and both have since enjoyed a good working relationship.
whole town with their party color even as some passers-by joined in the exciting road show as they danced to the Nigerian songs that wafted from the Disc Jockey. The event which was part of activities of the State Support Group for the governorship candidate across the State saw Princess Adenrele alongside some Party Candidates and leaders of the Group spreading gospel of the Party as well as thanking members of the public in the area for their continued support for its candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode. The Road show which started at the entrance of Ikorodu Town called Ogolonto took the team down to the Palace of the Monarch of Ikorodu Town who prayed for the success of Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya the group in the coming election.
Jide Adediran
Core media boss, Jide
Adediran
smiles to the bank That Jide Adediran is currently smiling to the bank is not in doubt what with the way and manner he has been executing some political jobs. The CEO of Core Media Sertions group relying on past, present and future media platform to deliver unbeatable results for clients, investors, stakeholders and audiences wherever they are, is by all means enjoying his relationship with the powers that be. According to those close to him, the busy media entreprenuer has had his hands full with projects since the beginning of the general election campaign. While some are complaining about the postponement of the general elections, Jide is busy getting ready the campaign schedules for the All Progressive Congress party in their next round of campaign. Aside handling media content, the dynamic businessman also provides sound equipments for big events, most of which are contracted out to the Lagos State government, one of his major clients.
Events L4
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Isaac Oguntoye
Sammie Okposo Celebrates Wife
40 @
Grace Garden event center in Lekki Phase 1 was the venue for the soiree and by 4pm of Saturday 21st of February, the length and breadth of leagues, stakeholders in the showbiz industry, celebrities, socialites and
Julius Agwu and wife, Ibiere
Ozioma, as she clocked 40.
Celebrant and husband Sammie
RMD with mystery lady
Titbits from the soiree
Mary Ali Baba
Timi Dakolo and wife, Busola
Joseph Benjamin and Patrick Doyle
Mudiagga Enajomo and Jude Odita
About the birthday girl
She is Ozioma (nee Mkparu) but is fondly referred to as Ozy. From Anambra State, she is the younger sister of Kene Mkparu, the MD/CEO, The Filmhouse Limited, cinema houses and Film One Limited, She met and married Sammie on the 1st of July, 2010 at the Lagoon Restaurant and Banquet Hall, Lagos.
Mike Abdul and Monique step out formally The birthday party afforded Mike Abdul, one of the members of gospel group, Midnight Crew, an opportunity to make a relationship rest any rumour about him and his lover, Monique. Mike had been having it rough with his wife, gospel singer, Vivien Stephen Eva, and when the centre could no longer hold, Eva reportedly moved out of her matrimonial home a few years ago. Every speculation about his romance with Monique, a gospel singer, they both made a surprising appearance at the birthday party and were practically all
Sammie and Wife
over each other. How their newly wedded couple. paths crossed? Monique is an artiste under Spaghetti Who was the lady with record label owned by Mike. RMD?
Timi Dakolo loved up with wife recording artiste constantly step out at events with their spouse but one person who seem to have made it a religion is none other than singer, Timi Dakolo. The winner Africa in 2007 makes no pretence about his love for his wife and uses every available means to profess his love constantly. The soul singer who is blessed with three children was at the event with his former banker wife, Busola and they radiated like
The actor who is currently the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State made it to the event looking dashing in a blazer. But at the event, all eyes were momentarily turned in his direction by a sight that got many whispering and some wonlady got so overwhelmed by his presence and hastily took a seat on, wait for this, his laps and proceeded to start a conversation. Sure that their position would be regarded by many as awkward, the duo stepped out and continued with the conversation which lasted for over an hour.
They may have probably been discussing some busi-
Comedians raise the roof Comedians MC Abbey, Akpororo and MC Bash were on hand to thrill guests with rib cracking jokes. MC Abbey doubled as the MC while the other two strictly cracked ribs. Akpororo brought down the roof when he started cracking jokes about poverty using himself as a case study.
Sammie Okposo serenades wife Dressed in a sky blue blazer, the gospel singer and Globacom ambassa-
dor stormed the event in was time for him to make a speech, he went emotional saying, “Happy birthday my love, my wife, my queen, my girlfriend, my friend and my co-pilot. I celebrate her, I thank her for all her love, care, support, prayers and advice. I really appreciate the unconditionally love she shows me in spite of my faults, failings, shortcomings and mistakes. I have no plan B. I love her forever. I will choose her again and again. Happy Birthday. God bless, keep, protect, increase and honour her always.�
Entertainment On the bandstand was
band who thrilled guests with live music from all genres of music. They were at their very best doing justice to the songs they rendered. Sambandstand as he was busy welcoming guests and making sure they were comfortable.
The guest list Guests who made it to the party were Madam Ozioma, Nwanne Mkparu, Patrick Doyle, Julius Agwu, Don Bishop, Duncan Mighty, Arinze Okonkwo, Helen Paul, Ras Kimono, Mary Ali Baba and several others.
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 6, 2015
L5
Events
Chief Rasaq Okoya Honoured
Isaac Oguntoye Penultimate Thursday, the Pat Utomi Centre For Values In Leadership, (CFVL), gathered family members, friends and business associates of Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya (CON), the Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies and RAO Properties Company Limited to host him on the occasion of his 75th birthday at CFVL premises on Balarabe Musa Crescent. The ceremony which began with a lecture themed, Productivity Growth: The challenge of public-private partnership, was anchored by the host himself, Prof. Pat Utomi. In his speech, Okoya who was extremely happy to be hosted by a highly revered man like Prof. Utomi in honour of his contribution to the manufacturing and real estate sectors of the economy. “When I started business in my youth, I never anticipated with all humility that I would be as successful as I am today. I give Allah all the glory for this”, he said He thanked Prof. Utomi and his team as well as the distinguished panelists of the lecture and all that were present.
75
@
emony when she walked in an hour after the ceremony began. Her presence indeed spoke volumes of the otherwise strained relationship she had with her father. She was in the company of a certain man whose relationship with
Razaq, vivacious Senator Florence Ita-Giwa was conspicuously absent. Not one to miss out at any event that revolves round Okoya, there is no doubt that that her absence would have been as a result of circumstances beyond her control.
Oke Ona Osile of Egba land, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, Prof. Pat Utomi, Kuburat Okoya, Razaq Okoya, Shade Okoya and Erelu Ojuolape Ojora
but she was seen introducing who is married to a Commissioner in Ogun State and the
He is Yeye Ogunwusi.
The entire Okoya clan; children, in-laws, extended family members were fully on ground to be a part of the event to celenbrate the patriach of the Okoya family.
Justice Adesola Oguntade, of the Supreme Court, was at the ceremony with his wife, Modupe, to honour his long time friend. It is worthy of note that Adesola Oguntade ship spans several decades. So intimately close are they that their respective wives are equally close. In fact, Shade sees Modupe as her older
Ajibola Ogunshola and Adenike Akande Tayo Parkes
-
The Oke Ona Osile of Egba was at the ceremony in his capacity as an in law to the
Modupe Oguntade and Labike Adeola
the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State, is
ever miss out on any Okoya soiree, the ebullient mon-
-
Chief and Alhaja Sherifat Olugbode
Shade Okoy’s mother Otunba Ojora, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora and Otunba Subomi Balogun
The billionaire industrialOkoya was very much present at the lecture. Full of life, she wore a permanent smile on her face as she welcomed guests. She sat right next to her husband. On Razaq and Sade Not one to let anyone take the shine from her, Shade did not only proved it to all and
matched up with her status as the wife a billionaire. They wore the same attire and she complemented hers with an expensive set of beads. She glowed like a newborn baby side.
daughter of the landlord of Oluwanisola Villa, Biola, stunned everyone present at the cer-
The former Minister of State for Defence and later, Interior, Demola Seriki, who has been missing in action on the social scene for a while graced the ceremony in company of his wife, Wosilat who is the only sister of Chioef Razaq Okoya. The light skinned Lagosian made himself comfortable as he smiled and waved at everyone who glanced his way.
were unfortunately, not at the event for undisclosed reasons, which is very unlike them. They are known to always accompany their soirees. One other crucial person missing at the cer-
Abba Folawiyo and Princess Yewande Onilere
Joko Oni
Kemi Okoya, Biola Okoya and Yeye Ogunwusi
Demola Seriki
Perhaps, his father stood in for him as well.
Otunba Subomi Balogun, Otunba Adekunle and Erelu
Socialites Abba Folawiyo, Princess Yewande Onilere and Senator Ita Giwa are not called the three musketeers for nothing. They are very good friends and their friendship has spanned several decades. Even though quite unlike most group of friends, they do not share the same belief to always adorn the same attire, they are always together at functions. At the lecture held in honour of Chief
Olugbode etc.
The Panelist
Razaq and Shade Okoya
Wosilat Okoya
Interview L6
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 6, 2015
Why I left banking for movie industry Kunle Afolayan
Make artists prepare Kunle for a role in October 1st movie
Mutiat Alli Born September 30, 1974,
glorify the Almighty and my fans who have been voting since the nomination was announced. I appreciate and re-
director and producer, Adthe same category.
-
-
ning movies; Irapada (2006), The Figurine (Araromire)
and other issues. Your movie October 1st got nominated in 11 categories
Sincerely my hopes are high and I have very strong feelings that I will be going home with a few laurels if not the coveted
my hard work in the movie, October 1st and in all since The mandate of the public will prevail at the end of the day. I am just going for the award like others to enjoy the show whether I win or not.
It has always been there, but I started nursing the ambi-
I feel great and honored that my work is been appreciated
Life&
T E A M
edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in not just one category but in 11 different categories. What more can I say than to
lived as a child whose parents were striving to survive. The money my father had then was used to feed multitudes, so there was no such attention for us. Also, the kind of training we had was different. I practically grew up on the street, learning street trades and all that. So even though I was seen to have been born with a silver spoon, I was in fact born with a wooden spoon. And today when I look at what we went through then and how we managed to survive, it helps me in telling my stories better, because I am able to cut across people in different background, age grades and class.
early 2000, coupled with the
hood memories can you I have so many of them and they have helped immensely in moulding me into what I have become today. Despite the fact that my father was wealthy and well known, I
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
start in this country and what was obtainable in early 2000 was totally different from what it used to be. I felt that I could contribute my own quota to the industry.
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
Are you in the industry be-
cause my father passed on in 1996 before I came into acting ended up doing this business because my father did it and because I grew up in a home Well I am not the only child doing this, there are many of us and we all are doing great in
Were you ever a part of No, the closest I got was going to locations sometimes to see how things were done. And when they realize that we were disturbing, they would send us back home. But when ther started sending me on tour with the other members of the group, where we travelled to other states and through that, I was able to learn the making.
Irapada, Figurine and
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Kunle Afolayan and wife, Tolu
thank God that they have really worked. glad that in a short time that I worthwhile. Once I dream it, I actualize it, because I was determined from the onset. I to be famous or make money, but because I had a dream to revolutionize the industry in my own little way and contribute my own quota into what I think the industry should be. And those are all the elements
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
you invest in your produc-
age sometimes and not money, because very few people make, in terms of budget and their money from just this market. You have to have other sources of recouping your
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 6, 2015
investments, which is why I always consider the local and international market and so far, I have no regret whatsoever, because I have always managed to break even. And where I think I have really gained a lot is that every project I have done always more or less like building a platform. of credit and ancestry and that would enable you to do the next one and still good, that would also pave way for another one, and that has helped a lot. You appear to be a very hardworking person, how do you manage your career and at the same time have time for your family? The same way Dangote has managed to build his empire and still manage his family, the same way those who started before me, Ogunde, Ade Love and others have managed to separate their family from their businesses, is the same There is time for everything and family values are very important. But you should be able to pay bills and you have to work to do that. So my family shares the same thoughts and it has been great. Why did you take a long break off the screen after your role, Aresejabata in Saworoide, only for you to bounce back winning the hearts of so many?
I was a banker when I took up the role of Aresejabata, I took time off work to play that role. Two years after, Agogo EEwo was shot and I also managed to feature in a few other
longer and I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do. I resigned my job in 2004 and set up my movie production company. What projects are you currently working on now? Well, after the latest, October 1st; ries is titled Eko Law.
good script to you? It depends on what you are looking to get and who your audience is. Sometimes you want to write a script and shoot it just for the people of Lagos. Sometimes you might consider Nigeria or the international market. If you want to write a story for the people of Mushin, your story must have things that the people of Mushin can relate to, they should be able to movie and that is the only way it can appeal to them. So a script that tells the story as it is, is a good one. In essence, a good script is determined by its content and who the person behind it is.
intelligence and all, how much do you put into your productions?
at the realm of affairs as the execuraise funds for them. I direct them and I see to all the departments. It has not been easy though, but it always turns out to be how it was dreamt, because of the hard work that is being put into it. More so, the kind of team I work with right from the beginning have been dedicated and they always share my passion and dream. And that is why we have been able to get it up to this level.
is the production value. Looking at most of the English speaking movies these days, they even lack content, there is no story and all there is to -
problem though, which I think cannot be collectively solved because it is in other parts of the world. As big as Hollywood is, there are people who are producing DVD and high quality
What do you feel about entertainers publicly campaigning for political candidates as some have been doing lately?
dustry where freedom of expression is allowed and you can pick your
to believe in something. I also believe in something, and very soon everyone is going to publicly see those -
Recently, 30 Days in Atlanta
the fact that, to an extent, our work lieve that the current administration has been good and should continue, then you should vote Goodluck. But if you believe that there needs to be someone new, then you should vote for another candidate. How do you think the Yoruba sector of Nollywood can be improved to match up with their English counterparts? In terms of the quality of Yoruba movies, they have better stories compared to the English speaking ones. The only thing I think they
Mixed Grill Game
Catch-Words Solution 01
L7 Interview
Arrows Crossword - 02
October 1 followed closely behind at number four. Do you see your movie overtaking 30 Days in Atlanta in the near future? one platform. The Nigerian cinema are so many other platforms around will do well in this territory but would not do well in other territories. I make ery territory. Because of the genre
that lengthy. And most times, my makes them unsuitable for viewing by minors and that also reduces the
ternational audience. What we have made from October 1 in Nigeria so far is more than N100m, but it is not
screenings on other platforms. There is really no competition. 30 Days in
in the cinemas as this will give a lot of people encouragement to do similar projects.
Kunle’s
discography He was born September 30th, 1974 He Majored in Economics He has three children He is married to Tolu Afolayan His brothers, Gabriel and Aremu, are also actors His father, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, (Ade-Love), was a renowned Nigerian artist of the second half of the 20th century.
e r e h W ’ ‘N hen W Nigerian Entertainment Conference Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 @ Eko Hotel, Lagos. Single, Married & Complicated premiere, Sat. April 4, 2015 @ The Prestigious Gibson Hotel, Dublin 1, Ghana. Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards ( AMVCA), Sat. March 7, 2015 @ Eko Hotel The Duplex, coming to cinemas March 6. Produced by Emma Isikaku Walk Against Rape, March 10 @ Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 6, 2015
Showing on
L8 Television
Showing on 106 Movies Action
127 SONY CHANNEL
01:50
02:50
Fri, 6 Mar | 16 V
Fri, 6 Mar | PG13
Jennifer Lawrence is a teenager caught in the throes of a terrifying mystery. After moving to a new town, a mother and daughter soon uncover its chilling secrets. Elisabeth Shue, Jennifer Lawrence. (2012) Mark Tonderai.
‘S2/E14 - 43 Minutes’. Alex is on her way home to unwind after a long day at work, but all that changes when she witnesses a traumatic accident and is forced to return to work. Michael Shanks, Kristopher Turner, Julia Taylor Ross, Erica Durance, Daniel Gillies. (2013)
101 M-Net West
00:00 Gotham 00:30 CSI 01:30 Jack Taylor: The Magdalen Martyrs 03:00 Suits 04:00 Inside Out 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 MasterChef Australia 08:00 2 Broke Girls 08:30 Chicago Fire 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Fun Size 12:30 Modern Family 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Blue Bloods 16:00 The Fixer 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 MasterChef Australia
00:00 Fearless Heart 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Aurora 03:00 Fearless Heart 03:50 Labour Of Love 05:20 Thu Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labor Of Love 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00 Labour Of Love 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 Labour Of Love 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart 20:20 Labour Of Love 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Fobidden Passions 22:50 Aurora
252 Silverbird 00:00 Lies That Bind 00:30 Lies That Bind 01:00 Jara 01:30 Katemba Mu Kkooti 02:00 Fashion Coast 02:30 Tinsel 03:00 The 5 Brides 04:30 Tinsel 05:00 Homecoming 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 So Wrong So Wright 07:30 So Wrong So Wright 08:00 So Wrong So Wright 08:30 Jara 09:00 The Dzigbordi Show 10:00 Channel O Africa: Basement 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lis That Bind 12:00 Rolling With Faith History
120 BBC Entertainment
118 Telemundo
12:30 Doof 13:00 Jara 13:30 Tinsel 14:00 Making Of A Star 14:30 Katemba Mu Kkooti 15:00 Channel O Africa: Basement 16:00 Football Legends 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Lies That Bind 18:00 Making Of A Star 18:30 The Comedy Club Live In Lagos 19:30 Channel O Superfan 20:00 Goal Diggerz
00:00 The Cube
08:45 QI
00:25 Top Gear
09:20 Would I Lie To You?
01:15 Call The Midwife 02:05 Come Dine With Me
10:35 Deal Or No Deal
02:55 EasEnders
11:15 My Family
03:25 The Weakest Link
11:50 My Family
04:10 Top Gear
12:20 Top Gear
05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
13:20 Come Dine With Me
05:25 Q
14:10 The Cube
05:55 Mr. Bean
15:05 The Weakest Link
06:25 EastEnders
16:00 Casualty
06:55 Antiques Roadshow
17:00 The Chase
07:50 The Weakest Link
18:00 The Cube
254 Channels 00:00 News Track 00:30 Movie 02:00 Sunrise Daily 04:00 News Track 04:30 Health News 05:00 News Track 05:30 Channels Beam 06:00 News Track 06:30 Turning Point 07:00 Sunrise Daily 09:00 News Track 09:30 Sports This Morning 10:00 Business Morning 11:00 News Track 11:30 Almond Finance & Wealth 12:00 News Track 12:30 Health News
124 E! Entertainment
00:00 Keeping Kardashians
Up
With
The
01:00 Keeping Kardashians
Up
With
The
02:00 Giuliana & Bill 03:00 Dr. 90210 04:00 Dr. 90210 06:00 Blinging Up Baby 07:15 Celebrity Style Story 08:00 Giuliana & Bill 09:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 10:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 10:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 11:00 E! News 12:00 Giuliana & Bill 13:15 Celebrity Style Story 14:00 Keeping Kardashians
Up
With
The
15:00 Fashion Bloggers 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 16:15 Celebrity Style Story
13:00 News Track 13:30 The Beam 14:00 News Track 14:30 Network Africa 15:00 News Track 15:30 Channels Book Club 16:00 News Track 16:30 Earth File 17:00 News Track
17:00 Keeping Kardashians
Up
With
The
18:00 E! News 19:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 19:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 20:00 Keeping Kardashians
Up
With
The
21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The Hamptons 22:15 Celebrity Style Story
XT Exclusive
SENEGAL X2 APPOINTS NEW COACH
Poster! PETER SHILTON
X4,5 Friday, March 6, 2015
AMERICA PGA
PARTNERS WEXFORD GOLF
Z E R A SU
X7
D L E I F N A MAKES
RETURN key to Blues, says Parlour
X2
SUPERSAND
EAGLES BATTLE X3 GHANA
X2
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
A Cisse
BALOTELLI: ‘SOMEONE
liou Cisse has been appointed coach of Senegalfollowing the post-Africa Cup of Nations departure of Alain Giresse. Giresse - who took over in 2013 left his post after failing to guide Senegal through the group stages of the recent African showpiece. However, former midfielder Cisse will take up the position after spending time as part of the nation’s coaching setup in recent years. Cisse made 35 appearances for the Lions of Teranga and was a key fixture in Senegal’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002.
DOESN´T LIKE ME’
L
CISSE APPOINTED
SENEGAL COACH
Balotelli
iverpool striker Mario Balotelli posted a cryptic message on Instagram after being left on the bench in Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley. Brendan Rodgers’ side cruised to a comfortable victory at Anfield thanks to strikes from Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge. However, Balotelli, who has endured an eventful and predominantly disappointing first season on Merseyside, was left to watch from
BENTEKE A
Benteke
EYES FA CUP GLORY
fter lifting Aston Villa to a morale-boosting win against West Brom, Belgian striker Christian Benteke wants to do the double over their West Midlands rivals as Tim Sherwood’s men bid to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Benteke netted an injury-time penalty as Villa beat West Brom 2-1 on Tuesday to end their 12-match winless streak in the Premier League. The two rivals will resume hostilities in the sixth round of the FA Cup at Villa Park on Saturday, with
the sidelines as Liverpool continued their fine form to further boost hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification. The Italy striker posted a picture on the digital photo-sharing site of his Liverpool team-mates celebrating Sturridge’s goal with the caption: “Someone doesn’t like me. But differently of what they say about me I’m a team player and I’m so proud of my team, of this win and of these fans! Let’s keep going bravi ragazzi!!! YNWA!!!”
Benteke hoping to fire Villa into the semis. “Everyone is now looking forward to Saturday as we try to do the same (beat Albion again),” he said. “I hope the FA Cup can be special for us. Just because we beat West Brom on Tuesday it doesn’t mean that we have an advantage. “It’s another competition. But I have my faith. I’ve had a really bad time but I knew that if I worked hard I would get some good times back as well. I’m optimistic about the future.”
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
RIO 2016:
Team Nigeria will deliver medals, says GUMEL
Gumel
Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
P
resident of the Nigeria Olympic committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has declared that Nigeria’s contingent to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will not be in Brazil to complete the number of countries participating at the Games, but will compete effectively for medals. Gumel made this declaration moments after a botched Budget Defence of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and its affiliates at
the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja. The NOC President, who was at the NASS Complex to defend the Budget of National Lottery Commission as its Executive Secretary, told the sporting media that the NOC is making frantic efforts to ensure that the shameful outing of the country at the London 2012 Games where she failed to win a medal does not repeat itself. He said the NOC, NSC and the Federations are working in synergy to making sure that athletes’ preparations are not hindered for any reason, adding that the programmes are yielding dividends already. He maintained that every allowance due to the athletes for their preparations would be disbursed to them at the appropriate time and pointed out that the country’s elite athletes are making waves at their various bases. Gumel revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has empowered the Lottery Commission to purchase sporting equipment for primary schools across the nation.
Bartholomew Ibenegbu (left) in action for Supersand Eagles.
SUPERSAND EAGLES BATTLE GHANA TODAY Andrew Ekejiuba
N
igeria’s Supersand Eagles will play Ghana’s Beach Soccer National Team today in their first outing at the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban, South Africa. The Nigeria delegation, led by NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, arrived in Durban on Wednesday morning. The 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup quarter-finalists will file out against the Ghanaians at 3.30pm South Africa time (2.30pm Nigeria time) today. In other matches, Morocco will
battle Cote d’Ivoire from 1pm SA time; Senegal will clash with Mozambique from 2pm and hosts South Africa take the beach against Seychelles at 4.45pm. The three-day tournament continues on Saturday with the clash of the loser of South Africa/Seychelles against the loser of Morocco/Cote d’Ivoire at 1pm and the loser of Senegal/Mozambique against the loser of Nigeria/Ghana at 2.15pm. The first semifinal will start at 3.30pm and the other semifinal at 4.45pm. On Sunday, the loser’s final will start at 3.30pm while the final kicks off at 4.45pm.
X3
AAG QUALIFIERS: We are ready for GABON
– AMAO
Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
C
oach of the national U-23 team, Fatai Amao, has declared that though there were some lapses in the squad that walloped an Abujabased National League side, Supreme Court FC 6-0 on Wednesday preparatory to their second leg encounter with the Gabonese national U-23 team, the Nigerian team is ready to overrun their opponents. Amao, popularly called Arsenal in his playing days, stood in for his boss, Samson Siasia, when the Dream Team whitewashed Supreme Court boys at the Abuja National Stadium. He told the sporting press that the Dream Team is work in progress, but added that it does not mean they are not ready for any strong opposition, as they march towards the 10th All Africa Games male football qualifiers. Amao maintained that the technical crew and the players are aware of the fact that the country was absent at the last edition of the Games held in Maputo, Mozambique in 2011 and to return to the centre stage, they must put in their best at every stage of the qualifiers. He noted that the boys have been cautioned earlier not to underrate the Gabonese side because of their 4-1 away win. “We used this match against Supreme Court FC to identify some lapses in the team. Having accomplished that, we are not going to leave any stone unturned in our bid to maintain a clean slate against the Gabonese. “We defeated them on their home soil two weeks ago; we can still repeat the performance here on our soil,” he said.
AYC: ALAMPASU
CONCERNED ABOUT F/EAGLES FORTUNES Mike Otanwa
D
espite seemingly losing his first choice status to Joshua Enaholo, Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu, has said that he was more concerned about their performance in Senegal than regaining his position as the team’s number one choice goalkeeper. The Nigerian U-20 team departed Nigeria for Senegal on Wednesday for the Africa Youth Championship, and Alampasu says he is more concerned about the team having a good outing. “I am really not bothered about who is first choice,” he said. “I think the focus is on us doing well in Senegal than who is first choice goalkeeper. “We have worked together as a team and we understand each other and we know what we want, and I am not bothered but if the coaches pick me, I will be Alampasu ready,” he said.
Amao
NRA SET TO SANCTION CLUBS, ERRING REFS Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
S
ecretary General of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Prince Morouf Oluwa, has cautioned club managers who are in the habit of influencing referees officiating in their matches to desist, as the association will leave no stone unturned to expose them to the public, even as he emphatically declared that the association will not hesitate to sanction any of its members found culpable. Oluwa gave the warning in Abuja while speaking with Extra Time in an exclusive interview. He said as the 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season kicks off this weekend, the NRA has already beamed its searchlight on its members and will certainly deal with any member who wants to drag the name of the association to the mud. He was speaking at the backdrop of allegations that Nigerian referees are influenced by the bribe they take from club officials in taking decisions when officiating matches.
X4
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
PERSONAL INFORMAT IO
N Full name: Peter Shilton Date of birth: September 18, 1949 (ag e 65) Place of birth: Leicester, England Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Playing position: Goalkeeper YOUTH CAREER 1963–1966: Leicester City SENIOR CAREER 1966–1974: Leicester City 1974–1977: Stoke City 1977–1982: Nottingham Forest 1982–1987: Southampton 1987–1992: Derby County 1992–1995: Plymouth Argyle 1995: Wimbledon 1995: Bolton Wanderers 1995–1996: Coventry City 1996: West Ham United 1996–1997: Leyton Orient NATIONAL TEAM 1968–1972: England U-23 1970–1990: England TEAMS MANAGED 1992–1995: Plymouth Argyle
R E T E P
SHILT
TON
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
X5
About Peter Shilton ÏÏÏ ^ƄƎƄƍ GƄ ƉƆƄ d ƆƉƎ R & æƂ ƍ dƄƋƎƄƊƂƄƍ ƟƢè ƟÖƽÖç Ɔ ƅ ƍƊƄƍ & ƉƆ ƅ ƎƂ ƉƉƄƍ Ƒ ƋƉ ƓƄƕ ƉƈƄƄƋƄƍê 6Ƅ ƃƏƍƍƄ ƎƉƓ Ɖƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƍƄƃ ƍƕ ƅ ƍ ƋƉ ƓƆ Ɗ ƍƄ ƊƄ ƅ ƍ Ǝ Ƅ & Ɖ ƕ ƊƄ ô ƎƄ Ɗ Ǝ Ɠ Ƅ ƄƉ Ƅè Ƅ ƍ Ɔ ƟƼƾ ƃ Ƌ è ƕ Ƅ Ɖ Ɖƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƉƉéƎƆƊƄ ƍƄƃ ƍƕ ƅ ƍ Ǝ Ƅ Ɗ Ǝ ƃ ƊƋƄƎƆƎƆƐƄ ƋƋƄ ƍ ƃƄ Ɔ Ƒ ƍƉƕ ƅ ƎƂ ƉƉê j Ƅ 9006d ƍ ƈƄƕ d ƆƉƎ Ɗ Ǝ Ƅ Ǝ Ƌ ƎƄ ƈƄƄƋƄƍ ƅ Ǝ Ƅ ƼƞƎ ƃƄ ƎƏƍƓ Ɔ Ƽƞƞƞê
“
QUOTES
good at
be ÏÏÏ 6Ɔ ƠƞéƓƄ ƍ ƃ ƍƄƄƍ Ɔ ƃƉƏƕƄ ƄƉƄƐƄ ƕƆƅƅƄƍƄ Ǝ “As a goalkeeper you need to you and of t fron in ple ƃƉƏƂ è ƎƑ &Əƍ ƋƄ ƏƋ ƅƆ Ɖ ƕ Ɗ ƍƄ organising the peo t’s going wha see to Ǝ Ɵèƞƞƞ ƃ ƊƋƄƎƆƎƆƐƄ Ɗ Ǝƃ Ƅ ê d ƆƉƎ Ɖ d nee You motivating them. a ƍƄƋƍƄ Ƅ ƎƄƕ & Ɖ ƕ Ǝ n&0 &Əƍ ƟÖƢƞè Ǝ Ƅ Just like good on and react to the threats. ƟÖƢƼ 090 z ƍƉƕ ƏƋè Ǝ Ƅ ƟÖƢÕ 090 z ƍƉƕ er Shilton manager in business.” – Pet ƏƋè n&0 &Əƍ ƟÖƢƢ ƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƟÖÖƞ 090 z ƍƉƕ ƏƋê 6Ƅ Ǝ Ƅ ƕƆ ƎƆ ƃƎƆ ƅ ƋƉ ƓƆ ƐƄƍ Ɵƞƞ try to win “To play in the World Cup and ƉƄ ƏƄ ƊƄ ƅ ƍ ƅƆƐƄ ƕƆƅƅƄƍƄ Ǝ ƃƉƏƂ ê d ƆƉƎ ƕƆƕ ultimate.” the was land Eng something for Ǝ Ɗ ƈƄ Ɔ z ƍƉƕ ƏƋ ƅƆ Ɖ ƕƄƂƏƎ Ə ƎƆƉ Ǝ Ƅ Ƅ – Peter Shilton ƅ ƠƼè ƂƏƎ Ƅ ƋƉ ƓƄƕ Ɔ Ɵơ ƅƆ Ɖ Ɗ Ǝƃ Ƅ ƕ ƍƄ Ǝ Ƅ ƍƄƃ ƍƕ Ɵƞ ƃƉƄ ƄƄƎ Ɔ z ƍƉƕ ƏƋ league these ƅƆ Ɖ ƑƆƎ 0ƍƄ ƃ ƈƄƄƋƄƍ 0 ƂƆƄ ƍƎ ƄƔê “The money is in a different ÏÏÏ #ƏƍƆ Ɔ ƎƆƊƄ Ǝ M ƎƎƆ Ɗ 0 ƍƄ Ǝè d ƆƉƎ Ƒ Ɗ Ɠ Əƍ è Ɔ ƃƉƏƕƆ Ǝ Ƅ 0Ɔƍ Ǝ #ƆƐƆ Ɔ ƃ ƊƋƆ ƆƋè ƎƑ &Əƍ ƋƄ ƏƋ è n&0 dƏƋƄƍ ƏƋè ƕ Ǝ Ƅ 0 ƎƂ ƉƉ GƄ ƏƄ ƏƋê
cial memories days, of course, but I have spe today don’t ers play ch whi of the 60s and 70s celebrity attitude have. There wasn’t the same a bit more and media exposure. We had ton Shil freedom.” – Peter
X6
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
SUAREZ
TO MAKE ANFIELD RETURN EVANS DENIES L SPITTING AT CISSE Jonny Evans (right) and Papiss Cisse exchange words
uis Suarez will make an emotional return to Anfield for an allstar charity game later this month. The Barcelona striker, who left Liverpool last summer, has been confirmed to play along with Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Thierry Henry, John Terry and Didier Drogba. Current Liverpool players who are not on international duty will also play some part and the teams will be picked and captained by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. The event has been organised by the Reds’ official charity, the Liverpool FC Foundation, and the money raised will go to the club’s community programmes and other charities. Tickets for the game on Sunday, March 29, are priced at £20 for adults, £5 for juniors and £15 for over 65’s.
Suarez
ENRIQUE
EYES CUP
TRIUMPH
B
arcelona have reached the Copa del Rey final but head coach Luis Enrique will only be satisfied when his players lift the trophy. After what has been a turbulent first season in charge for Enrique, Barca beat Villarreal 3-1 at El Madrigal stadium on Wednesday for a 6-2 aggregate victory to set up a final against Athletic Bilbao on May 30. “We are going through a positive spell,” Luis Enrique said.
“To play in the final is very nice but finals are there to be won. “Barcelona have to win titles. Let’s see if we can. I don’t care where the final is played, the important thing is we are there.” Enrique, who replaced Tata Martino at the helm of Barca last summer, praised rivals Villarreal, who never gave up despite trailing 3-1 from the first leg. “They pressured us even after our first goal and they had two or three good chances in the first half be-
M
anchester United defender Jonny Evans has denied spitting at Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse. Evans and Cisse were involved in an incident five minutes before half-time in Wednesday’s Premier League fixture between their sides at St James’ Park. Television pictures appeared to show Evans spitting at Cisse as the Senegal interÅnational rose from the turf after the pair tussled for the
ball with the game goalless. Cisse stretched out to grab his rival in response and seemed to spit back in Evans’ direction. The FA is already probing the incident and will study the referee’s report and review the match footage before deciding whether to take any action against the pair. However, Evans has strongly denied any wrongdoing in a statement issued on United’s official website.
MERSON WRITES OFF CITY HOPES
P
aul Merson believes Manchester City will struggle to retain their Premier League title and thinks Manchester United will miss out on a Champions League place. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have stuttered of late and defeat at Liverpool at the weekend left City five points behind Chelsea, having played a game more. Both sides earned three points on Wednesday night, but it was Chelsea’s 1-0 success at West Ham that helped convince Merson that the title is heading south. “They rode their luck against
Leicester, who should have had two stonewall penalties. Chelsea are a good, good team, and I’d be shocked if Chelsea threw this away. “Chelsea have some tough matches coming up, and if City can win their next six, then they are in with a chance. “But that was a big win at West Ham (for Chelsea),” he said. Merson also insisted that his former club Arsenal have the experience to finish third, while predicting heartache for Manchester United fans in their quest to return to the Champions League.
GOMIS’ FAINTING EXPLAINED
S
Enrique sides their goal,” Enrique added. “Villarreal were in it until we made it 2-1. We knew it was going to be tough. Villarreal are one of the best teams in the league.” Barca have won the cup a record 26 times but will face a stern test against an Athletic side that has also enjoyed plenty of success in this competition. Athletic, who won 2-0 at Espanyol on Wednesday to reach the final, have lifted the title 23 times in their history.
wansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening – but it is not the first time the striker has experienced health problems. Gomis suffers from vasovagal attacks, which caused him to lose consciousness three times at previous club Lyon, with the latest episode occurring while he was training with the French national team in 2009. Certain triggers cause his heart rate to slow, which leads to a drop in blood pressure and him fainting when there is a lack of blood flowing to the brain. Sufferers regain consciousness when they fall to the floor, as blood flow to the brain is restored.
Gomis
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
GOLF TIMES
X7
With Teddy Okiemute Mike Otanwa
S
Olapade
OLAPADE marks first career win on playoff
100 GOLFERS tee off at Corporate Golf Challenge Mike Otanwa
T
he management of Concierge Sports Limited has announced that approximately 100 golfers have confirmed readiness to tee off at the maiden edition of Concierge Sports Corporate Golf Challenge taking place at the
Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate, Lagos, this weekend. The event, which is billed for Saturday, has interest drawn from Corporate Nigeria according to the organiser. “We have quite a number of interests among the local golf fraternity,” says Kayode Oguntayo an Executive of Concierge Sports, adding that his company’s aim is to use the event to strengthen the ties the game of golf has with Corporate Nigeria. “With the support of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, as a Headline Sponsor and Hospitality host, the event is essentially created as a platform for the corporate world to latch on to and tap into the huge potentials that the game of golf and its immediate community presents.”
unday Olapade has won the Francis Olo Pro-Am Championship on the first playoff hole at the Otukpo Golf Club in Benue State. He had tied Ghana’s Emos Korblah after 72 holes of play with 288, level par to force the game into playoff, which he won to claim his first PGA Tour win since turning professional in 2011. “I thank God for this victory” he said, adding that it would not have been possible if he did not get the measure of support he has enjoyed. “When you have people who believe in you, it gives you a lot of courage” he added He had led the field of 97 players that teed-off the first round with a 68, four under par, and by the end of the third round Chukwudi Okoro, who was equally seeking a maiden win, rose to the top of the leaderboard. Olapade’s last day carding, 73, one over, was just enough to keep him afloat after Korblah who was playing from a group behind shot ahead with 70, two under par to force the game to playoff. “I think this is the moment he has been waiting for. This win I believe is a defining moment for his career. He has come close severally and the morale booster he gets from here may launch him into the winning circle further” says Liadi Jaiyeola who is a senior professional at Olapade’s home club, MicCom Golf Club. Third day leader, Okoro’s five over par in the closing round left him in the third place just one shot off the leaders and beating Gift Willy and Ebela Desire who placed joint fourth with two stokes adrift. The PGA also announced that the Pa Mark Memorial Tournament earlier scheduled for next week has been put on hold.
Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State Governor, .
GHANA, TOGO, others set for W/Africa Junior Tourney
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hana, Togo, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire have confirmed their participation in the maiden Lagos International Junior Open Golf Championship from March 13 to 15 at Ikeja Golf Club. The tournament is being organised by the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) in conjunction with the Lagos State Government. The 54-hole competition is open to junior players between ages 5 to 19 and it is a gross event with a cut after 36 holes of play. According to the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Vice President, NGF, Kunle Dada, the tournament is aimed at fostering
T
AMERICA PGA
partners
Wexford
Golf
Wexford Golf’s Joel Burger making a tee off.
KENYAN GOLF COURSES GET RECOGNITION
K Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board.
enyan golf courses received a thumbs up from visiting expert writers on a familiarisation tour of the country. The golf writers and publishers, who were on a week-long tour of the country facilitated by the country’s top tourism marketer, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), said in Mombasa
that Kenyan’s unrivalled beautiful sceneries, peoples hospitality were unmatched the world over. German golf author Albert Haller, said Kenya has interesting golf course facilities of different styles. “You have a fantastic mix of golf courses found in the various parts of your country which present quite
friendship among the participants as well as develop the sport in the West African region. “This event promises to be a very interesting and unique one because our junior players will not just be competing among themselves, but against players from outside the country. This will also foster friendship amongst them. “Our sincere gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who has always been a good supporter of sports in the state and the Commissioner of Youths, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi for the sponsorship of this great event,” he said.
different playing experiences for golfers,” Haller, an avid traveller himself said. KTB managing director, Muriithi Ndegwa said that the tourism agency played host to key golf travel writers in Kenya for a week in a bid to showcase the country as a golf destination.
ravellers will soon be able to tee off and take off at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The PGA of America and Wexford Golf, a twin-city golf development firm, have collaborated to debut PGA MSP Airport, an interactive golf concept. The first of its kind located in a U.S. airport, PGA MSP anticipates a March 2015 opening. Billed as a “golf lifestyle facility,” it will feature retail, food and beverage and a hands-on golf experience with lounge. Wexford Golf’s Joel Burger said the PGA MSP layout, encompassing more than 12,000 square feet, will enable golfers of all ages and skill levels to play dozens of the world’s top courses on industry leading simulators, receive instruction from PGA Professionals and get custom fit for clubs. Golfers interested in a practice session can sharpen their putting on the practice green and fine tune their swing at the virtual driving range. “The focus of PGA MSP is to engage both existing and new golfers in a fun and unintimidating environment staffed by the best in the business, PGA Professionals,” said Burger. The PGA MSP facility is located in a region boasting a rich championship golf tradition. Five PGA Championships have been hosted in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area since 1932.
X8
Friday, March 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
REAL MADRID
ANCELOTTI’S Adruriz
REAL STUMBLE AHEAD OF BILBAO TRIP
T
he last thing that troubled Spanish leaders Real Madrid need right now is a difficult away match. However, that is exactly what awaits them on Saturday in Bilbao. The Basques will approach the match in a state of euphoria after reaching the Spanish Cup final Wednesday with a deserved 2-0 win at Espanyol. “Now we have to forget all about the cup final for a few weeks, and focus on Saturday’s game against Madrid,” Bilbao’s ageless striker Aritz Aduriz, who scored the first goal Wednesday, said. “They are an excellent team but I just know it will be a close game. They have won on their last few visits to us, but I think that this time it is going to be very tight.” Adruriz, 34, is enjoying a remarkable Indian summer, leading many fans to call for his return to the Spanish national team.
REAL LOSES BITE
W
ith Real Madrid’s attack losing its potency and the team faltering in crunch has started to turn tide games the against Coach rapidly ingly surpris Carlo Ancelotti. Such is the level of expectation at the Bernabeu that winning a coveted 10th European Cup last season and overseeing their Spanish record 22-match winning streak before Christmas, has done little to bolster the Italian’s position. They are two points clear at the top of La Liga and well placed to progress to the Champions League
which he began the season and has a modest seven goals in 2015, while Karim Benzema has five and Gareth Bale three. Their combined total is the same as Lionel Messi’s at Barcelona. Real’s poor return from league matches with their direct rivals has also been highlighted and the board led by President Florentino Perez is month. said to feel that while Ancelotti is on g winnin tch During Real’s 22-ma the players, he lacks run they averaged more than three good terms with necessary. goals a game but now have 24 from authority when of credit due to the lot He lost a the past 13 matches. 4-0 hammering by Real’s of r Cristiano Ronaldo has been unable manne month. last Madrid o to sustain the sensational form with Atletic
quarterfinals with a 2-0 win at Schalke 04 in their last 16 first leg, but they are not playing with the same gusto as earlier in the campaign. Fans and the Madrid media alike have been harsh in their criticism of the side and that puts extra significance on the Clasico against second-placed Barcelona later this
Ancelotti
REAL, JUVE, ROMA
BATTLE FOR RAHMAN R
eal Madrid have joined and wouldn’t allow him to leave Juventus and Roma after such a short time. in competing for the “However, anything could happen signature of highly-rated Augsburg later after the season has ended,” he defender Baba Rahman. admitted. According to report, the Spanish Rahman began his career at giants monitored the 20-year-old’s Dreamz FC of Ghana’s Division performances for Ghana during Two and after impressing was then the recent Africa Cup of Nations, transferred on loan to Asante Kokoto following some excellent displays in of the Premier Division, before a his first full season in the Bundesliga. move to Germany’s Greuther Furth Rahman was widely tipped to and a subsequent 2.5m Euro switch move to one of Europe’s big clubs to Augsburg in July 2014. during the January transfer window Rahman but his agent Kurt Okraku, chief executive of Proton Sport, believes it is something that could happen come the summer. “It’s true that there are clubs after Baba but Augsburg did not accept a move in January, considering the investment they’ve made in him,
Khedira
KHEDIRA
RETURNS FROM INJURY
S
ami Khedira has returned to training with Real Madrid and could play in Saturday’s La Liga match at Athletic Bilbao. Germany international Khedira has been troubled by a string of injuries over the last 18 months, the most recently a hamstring problem
suffered in Los Blancos’ 4-0 humbling at Atletico Madrid on February 7. News of the 27-year-old World Cup winner’s impending comeback will be welcomed by Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently short of midfield resources with Luka Modric and James Rodriguez
still sidelined through injury. It was revealed in a club statement which also suggested that first teamers Pepe, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Karim Benzema had picked up minor knocks that could make them doubts for Saturday.