Dtn 7-4-15

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 2nd April 2015.

EXCHANGE RATES Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

GAINERS

Selling(NGN)

LOSERS

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

NESTLE

936.6

44.60

4.76%

OKOMUOIL

28.29

-1.46

POUNDS STERLING

290.4132

291.1541

291.8949

FO

215

19.78

9.20%

PRESCO

28.5

-0.67

-2.35%

31

-0.61

-1.97%

44.45

-0.35

-0.79%

EURO

212.3268

SWISS FRANC

212.8685

203.8906

204.4107

213.4101

SEPLAT

443.99

14.49

3.26%

STANBIC

204.9308

NB

166.25

7.91

4.76%

UNILEVER

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NIGERIA

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TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.81

ABUJA

ENUGU

Low 27°C High 40°C

Low 27°C High 36°C

KANO

MAIDUGURI

LAGOS

Low 26°C High 43°C

Low 27°C High 36°C

Low 28°C High 45°C

-5.16%

N150

P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 34°C

Akiolu under fire over Igbo comment Ï L Əƅ ƕ ó9 Ɠ ƎƑ ƐƆƗ ƑƐ Ƈ ƅ ƐƆƔƐô Ï Ambode: &ƒƆƏƕƄ Ɨƕ ƓƈƋƋ ƄƆ ƇƆ ƈ ƌƕ ƒƐ

‘We dissociate Lagosians from the sentiment espoused by the Oba’ – Adeniji–Adele, Free Lagos Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏAnger

and disbelief spread round the country and beyond on Monday over a statement credited to the paramount ruler of Lagos State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

In the spirit of Easter: 0 ƌƈƋƕ ƍƈƅ ƈƅ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ z ƗƆƏƋ Ɨ ƌƑ ƆƌƆ Ɛ ^ ƏƊè ƄƑƉ êêê L Ɨ ƕ

PDP killing our members in Rivers, APC alleges

Ə ƆƏè ƍ Ɛ Ƌ ƈ Ɛ ƗƆƋ ƕ ƏƆƍ ƏƐ Ƒô ƍƋ Ɔ ƅƏ Ï ^ƆƐƈƐƈ 9M& Ï z Ɛ `& è ^ ƏƆƗƆƍƋ ƕƆƗ 4

PHOTO: Temitope Balogun

Lateef Ibrahim & Austin Aminu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised the alarm over what it calls the continued killing and maiming of its members CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Insurgents disguised as clerics kill 24 in Borno 4 Fayose, Omirin in war of words as House sits today 5

2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial For Buhari, history beckons...

I

t has been more than a week since the March 28 election that saw the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the next President of Nigeria. With this victory, Nigerians are earnestly waiting for the swearing in ceremony on May 29 to allow him settle down to the business of governance. There is no denying that many Nigerians expect that he would bring his moral credentials to confront the many ills plaguing the country.

These ills include corruption, lack of power supply and the ballooning cost of governance.

Definitely, a lot has been said about the sky high cost of governance in Nigeria, especially in the federal bureaucracy.

We are not oblivious that the task of slaying this dragon is very daunting, especially given the country’s political milieu that encourages all manner of heists by corrupt and parasitic officials.

However, that is not to say it cannot be achieved. All it requires is a focused and determined political will on the part of the new administration.

We have had cause in the past to lament the obscene cost of governance and the need to cut it down. But rather than abate, government officials have continued to pilfer state resources meant for the people’s welfare towards perpetuating their lavish lifestyles including those of their numerous cronies. Our concern is informed by the fact that in 2012, the Steve Oronsaye Committee which was commissioned by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the issue of bloated and overlapping government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) recommended the efficient down-sizing and/or consolidation of

several MDAs to check wasteful duplicity of government functions.

Incidentally, there are several reasons the cost of governance is increasing in Nigeria. The first is corruption, and the second is inefficiency and waste. Many of the government agencies have areas of overlap and duplication of functions, while many of the institutions are over-bloated. The number of staff, departments, units and committees are just too many. A comparison of the legislature in Nigeria and the United States of America amply demonstrates this.

The National Assembly in Nigeria with 109-member Senate has 54 committees and the 360-member House of Representatives has 84 committees. In contrast, the US Senate with 100 members and the House of Representatives with 435 members have 21 committees each with four joint committees.

More galling is the fact that the vast majority of Nigerians do not know the actual remunerations and maintenance costs of their legislators, which are shrouded in secrecy.

It is therefore pertinent that the President-elect drastically trim the overbloated bureaucracy. He should do so by eliminating the pomp and glitter around his office and setting an example in moderation. Buhari should also enforce the policy that mandates all top government functionaries to ride in locally manufactured cars, as was a rule some years back. Moreover, he should dispose of most of the 11 aircraft in the presidential fleet as Nigerians are yet to understand why the country should maintain such number of airplanes that is more than what many Third World countries have as national carriers.

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Poll: Is endorsement by the West interest-free?

Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏThe

successful outcome of Nigeria’s recent Presidential election has, no doubt, received a flurry of endorsements especially

by Western countries and groups. There is an urgent need for the incoming administration to be wary as such endorsements may not be without strings attached.

Leading the endorsements are the United States of America and countries in the European Union, among others. Most of these countries, particularly the US, in the run up to the election exhibited more than a passing interest in the poll, which was seen by many Nigerians

as an undue interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

Apart from piling pressure on the Federal Government on how it (US) wanted things to pan out in the election, the US deployed hundreds of marines in nearby Ghana for evacuation of its citizens should violence break out in Nigeria after the presidential election.

Other Western countries also made contingency plans for the evacuation of their citizens in anticipation of a possible beak out of violence in Nigeria after the poll.

So, when Western countries and groups began to fall over one another in congratulating the winner, loser and Nigerians on the successful outcome of the poll, it becomes clear that the endorsements were done in or-

Words On Marble :

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der to further the interests of the countries concerned.

Western countries, as always, certainly have their interests in endorsing Nigeria’s presidential poll as they are not ‘Father Christmas’. And these interests oftentimes are at variance with those of developing countries, Nigeria inclusive.

It is in view of this that not a few Nigerians are calling for caution on the part of the incoming administration in relating with the West. The incoming administration must not allow itself to be blinded by Western endorsement of the presidential poll to the point that Nigeria’s interest is sacrificed. The incoming administration must stand up to Western countries despite their endorsement of the presidential poll result.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects

Chief Commercial Officer

Deputy Editors

Noel Anosike

Doyin Awomosu

Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Tunji Okegbola

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Acting Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Lateef Ibrahim

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Editorial Page Editor

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Segun Adio Okay Osuji

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Andrew Ekejiuba

Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo

Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

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.

Carter G. Woodson

Whitney Young, Jr.

Condoleezza Rice

I am ready to act, if I can find brave men to help me

Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed.

We need a common enemy to unite us.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Akiolu draws flak over Igbo comment Continued from page 1 that Igbo residents in his domain should vote for his preferred Governorship candidate or face dire consequences.

Clarifying the comment, the palace on Monday said that the monarch was quoted out of context, while his choice candidate in the election holding on Saturday, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reassured all citizens of fair treatment if elected.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as numerous commentators in the social media

expressed anger at the purported statement which they said could hurt free choice in a democracy.

Ambode’s main opponent in the election is Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP. Oba Akiolu had, while receiving a delegation of Igbo leaders in his palace on Sunday, been quoted as saying: “On Saturday, if anyone of you goes against Ambode who I picked, that is your end. If it doesn’t happen within seven days, just know that I am a bastard and it is not my father who gave birth to me.”

The monarch who expressed his close relationship with President

Picnickers at Wonderland Amusement park in Abuja... on Monday

Goolduck Jonathan of the PDP who was massively supported by the Igbo in the March 28 election but who lost to Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, added: “Jonathan is my son and I speak to him everyday.”

He had continued: “By the grace of God, I am the owner of Lagos for the time being. This is an undivided chair. The palace belongs to the dead and those coming in the future. On Saturday, if anyone of you, I swear in the name of God, goes against my wish that Ambode will be the next governor of Lagos State, the person is going to die inside this water (Lagos lagoon).

But Ambode, in a statement on Monday, declared: “Every group in Lagos will be safe in my hands as governor,” adding: “I will not discriminate against any religious or ethnic group. It is our Lagos and we must build it together”.

The former Lagos state accountant-general added that he would be a governor for all.

The palace clarified the statement, saying that the monarch was quoted out of context. A statement by the Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, read in part: “Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akinolu. At the meeting the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and cooperation with Igbos in. Lagos.

They assured him of their continued good neighborliness with other tribes in Lagos and support everything that’ll further strengthen that harmony.

“Oba Akiolu on his part acknowledged the enviable performance of Governor Fashola and his contribution to the growth of investments in Lagos. He gave the assurance that he is not disturbed or angry with South-East and South- South votes for President Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbos. The Obas thereafter called on the Igbos chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they have earlier promised.

“He assured them of his contin-

Photo:TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Continued on page 6

Boko Haram disguised as clerics kills 24 in Borno ÏÏÏBoko Haram militants dis-

guised as preachers killed at least 24 persons and wounded several others in an attack in Borno State, a military source and witness said on Monday.

The attackers reportedly arrived in cars late on Sunday and gathered people at a mosque in the remote village of Kwajafa, pretending to preach Islam.

They then opened fire on them, an eyewitness, Simeon Buba, said.

The group has killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds, although a military operation against them by Nigeria and her neighbours, Chad, Cameroun and Niger in the past two months, has wrested back much of the territory it controlled.

“People didn’t know the Boko Haram men came for attack because they lied to our people that they came for preaching,” said Buba in a telephone conversation.

“They opened fire on them and killed many people,” he said, adding that houses were also set on fire.

Some people were being treated for gunshot wounds and burns at an undisclosed hospital in the state town of Biu on Monday, a source there said.

PDP killing our members in Rivers, APC alleges AIB awaits reports from coroner, Continued from page 1 and supporters in Rivers State allegedly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state and its governorship candidate, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

The killing and the maiming of the APC members in Rivers State, the party further alleged, are being aided by the security agencies.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who levelled the allegations at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, equally called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), and the Commissioner of Police in the State before Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Alhaji Mohammed, who noted that the attack started before the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections, added that the trend had become progressive-

ly worse as the governorship elections approach.

According to the APC spokesman, “We have called you (journalists) here today (yesterday) to intimate you with the worrisome development in Rivers State, where the PDP and its governorship candidate, Mr. Nyesom Wike, aided by the security agencies, have continued to kill and maim our members and supporters.

“Though this marauding started before the March 28th Presidential and National Assembly elections, it has become progressively worse as the governorship elections approach on Saturday (April 11th) “Last week, nine members of our party were killed in cold blood, while many others were injured, when armed PDP thugs invaded Obrikom and Obor communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State.

“These same thugs set ablaze

the residence of Vincent Ogbagu, our candidate for the House of Assembly elections.

“Dozens of our members have been arrested on frivolous charges, just to put them away.

“At least four persons were arrested just because they defected to our party.

“APC members have been subjected to persistent harassment and intimidation across the state, using the Police in Rivers and the Zone 6 in Calabar. Over 150 prominent members have been victims of this unprovoked persecution.

“And just today (yesterday), we received another sad news from Rivers. An APC chieftain, Christopher Adube, was reportedly shot dead over the weekend. Adube, who hails from the Egbema Local Government Area, was said to have been shot dead at his residence Continued on page 6

pathologists over plane crash Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Aviation Correspondent

ÏÏÏThe inability of

pathologists and coroners to submit their final reports on the October 4, 2013 Associated Airline’s plane crash in Lagos is the major reason the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), has not published its final report on the accident.

This was the submission of the Commissioner of AIB, Dr. Felix Abali in an exclusive interview with Daily Times at the agency’s headquarters at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The plane, carrying the body of former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Agagu, crashed shortly after take-off in Lagos, killing some of the passengers and crew.

Abali said that if the challenges associated with pathologists

and coroners handling the Associated Airlines plane crash, which claimed no fewer than 16 lives had been resolved, the AIB would have long ago released its final report on the crash.

He told Daily Times that it would be unprofessional for the agency to release the final report without looking critically at the inputs of pathologists and coroners, but gave assurance that such challenges would be resolved soon.

He added that in a bid to resolve such challenges in the future, AIB is currently working with a major pathologist in the country who he said has lots of connections with some of the hospitals in different states across the nation.

Abali said, “That takes us back to the problems we are having with coroners and pathologists.

We are actually still waiting for Continued on page 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

ÏÏÏThe State of

Israel has expressed willingness to assist Nigeria in the fight against corruption, terrorism and in the development of agriculture sector.

In a congratulatory letter signed by President Reuven Rivlin and delivered to the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, in Abuja, the Israeli leader noted that the two countries faced “similar dangers and challenges in our daily struggle against those who want to terrorise our citizens. The latest news regarding the Boko HaramISIS alliance underscores the need for like-minded countries to unite in the fight against such radical terrorist organisations. I assure you that in this important campaign, Israel stands shoulder-

A cross section of picnickers at Assembly ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta… on Monday PHOTO: DAVID IDOWU

Woman, kids burnt to death in oil spill fire Joe Ogbodu Warri

ÏÏÏTragedy struck Odidi com-

munity, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, as oil-spill fire killed a woman and her three children.

The incident, which happened on the Forcados Trunk line, belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has thrown the entire riverine community into mourning.

The midnight fire incident killed the mother of three and his children who were on a fishing expedition, after she attempted to light her locally made lamp.

Daily Times learnt that the deceased woman, Mrs. Ebosine Photo, (36), her children, Siyafa and Gift , 16 and six years, and an unnamed toddler, were on the night of the incident, out to mend their fishing nets and traps.

Giving a graphic detail of the incident, a community leader from the area, Friday Deinghan, described the magnitude of the spill and the associated fire as “unprecedented”, noting that efforts to get the company to carry out a clean-up exercise had been fruitless.

Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe Ogun State chapter of

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Ogun State Governor and the All Peoples Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the April 11, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, of plans to rig the governorship elections in his favour.

Israel pledges to support Buhari to-shoulder with Nigeria.

“I wish you every success in the challenging task ahead and trust that under your presidency, the relations of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Israel will continue to expand and strengthen.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Responding, General Buhari expressed his warm appreciation of the Israeli gesture and pledged to work with all countries for their mutual benefit.

Fayose, APC lawmakers in war of words Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe war of

words between the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose and the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state House of Assembly seeking his impeachment continued on Monday.

While the Governor took his cause to the residents of the state, the legislators accused him of instigating crisis.

Fayose also said that nobody asked him to resign as the Governor contrary to the rumour being peddled by some people.

The Governor, who featured in a monthly programme tagged ‘Mr Governor’s Explains’ on State-based media, urged his supporters not to be rattled by the impeachment fever, saying he would defeat the APC once again.

He said the impeachment threat could not rattle him in any way, because the plot against him was against the people of the state, who elected him.

The Governor said what the APC wanted was to take over Ekiti and plunge the state into cri-

sis the way they did after he left in 2006.

Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, Fayose said the plan to impeach him would not succeed as it did during his first term.

“What actually infuriated the APC is that during the June 21 election, I gave them 16-0. During the presidential election, I gave them 16-0 again. They know that I will give them 26-0 in the next Saturday election,” Fayose said.

He continued: “Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari emerged due to the grace of God. If President Goodluck Jonathan had won, would he have gone to impeach Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State or Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State?

“Buhari’s emergence can only be a threat to my seat when there is no rule of law, because Nigeria is a federation. Even the former Speaker, Hon Adewale Omirin is not the Speaker, so he cannot carry out any impeachment against me”.

Fayose urged the people of the State to come out en-masse during the April elections and cast their votes for the PDP to stem the tide

of violence in the state.

“My Government is a people’s government and no power of darkness can remove me from office because we are doing what is right. Must I be in the APC for me to be Governor? They were in the opposition before they took over and we will continue to exist together”, Fayose said.

But the 19 APC lawmakers told the Governor that violence would not work over his impeachment notice. Alleging that he is instigating crisis in the state, they said doing such was not the way to go in defending the removal notice served him by the Assembly.

The APC lawmakers, who said they were reacting to alleged violent attacks on residents and passersby in the premises of the House of Assembly by suspected thugs on Monday, said resorting to violence against Ekiti people was compounding the problems of the Governor.

In a statement by Wole Olujobi, the Special Adviser on Media to Speaker Adewale Omirin, the lawmakers said violence would not solve the burden of constitutional breaches that the governor

Ogun PDP accuses Amosun of purchasing 4,000 PVCs Abiodun Taiwo

5 News

In a press release signed by Comrade Ifekayode Akinbode, Director of Media and Publicity of Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organisation, the PDP accused Amosun of purchasing many of the uncollected PVCs for underhand use by his party.

The statements read: “It has come to our notice that the Governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle

Amosun, has purchased many of the uncollected PVCs for underhand use of the APC. “While Ogun INEC said about 400,000 cards remain uncollected, many of these cards are now in the possession of Amosun.

“This plot, according to what we’ve learnt, is the first in the line-up of a system, which the APC wants to deploy in rigging

Amosun

the gubernatorial and House of Assembly polls on Saturday.”

had allegedly placed on himself.

They frowned at the alleged invasion of the Assembly by thugs, wondering why a governor who had questions to answer on legal matters would get himself involved in other illegal matters such as the invasion of the Assembly by thugs to cause public disorder.

The statement said: “It is shocking that the governor would start any act of illegality bordering on public disorder when he is having a load of illegal acts on his head upon which he is facing removal from office.

“Ekiti people were shocked when news spread that the governor had asked his thugs to invade the Assembly and occupy the place to prevent the lawmakers from performing their legal duties.

“These PDP members were holding their meeting in their secretariat when instruction reached them that they must relocate to the Assembly premises where thugs were beating passersby and molesting motorists and residents.

All these illegal acts cannot save the governor.

“This is the way he invaded the court with thugs to beat up the judges. They tore court records in the Chief Judge’s office and beat up his secretary. Now is the turn of the House of Assembly. What the governor is doing is a confirmation that he does not believe and cannot tolerate democratic practice. But democracy is what Ekiti people want and so we expect people of conscience and good will to support efforts to allow Ekiti people enjoy democratic governance,” the statement said.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Anger over Akiolu’s comment on polls Continued from page 4 ued support and assistance where needed and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of liberation on the ground. It was within this context that that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up.

It was noted that whoever works against the throne and the interest and peaceful co-existence of Lagos would end up in the lagoon as per tradition.

“Oba Akiolu stated further that the Igbo people have not betrayed the throne. Lagos has also not betrayed the Igbo people. Lagos has done so much to make the Igbos comfortable and to prosper. For this, we expect reciprocal respect and understanding. The Oba of Lagos prays that the Lagoon and the throne will continue to bless and protect all those who reside and visit Lagos.

“Oba Akiolu is the father of all

irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion. In Lagos, we have an old traditional proverb that relates to the Lagoon. The Lagoon is unique to Lagos. The proverb stresses the need for unity and understanding when you do business in an environment and in this case when you live and do business in Lagos.”

The PDP, which condemned the monarch’s statement, also reacted to the impeachment notice served on Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose and said they are capable of truncating the democracy.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the PDP noted that the emerging political scenario in the two states few days before the governorship and House of Assembly elections were a threat to democracy in the country.

It declared: “The senseless and unpatriotic impeachment move against Governor Ayo Fayose by out-going APC state legislators and

the barbaric death threats on nonindigenes in Lagos by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu if they vote for the PDP candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje ascend to a height of unruliness that should not be accommodated”.

Also, a group of Lagos States indigenes, under the auspices of the Free Lagos, dissociated itself from the comments attributed to the monarch.

Signed by its convener, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, the group in a statement entitled: “LAGOS STATE MUST BE FREE –GEDEGBE L’EKO WA,” described the Oba’s comment as an embarrassment “to all of us.”

The statement read: “We are disturbed by reports coming out of THE IGA IDUNGANRAN PALACE concerning threats and curses made by His Royal Highness Oba Rilwan Akinolu with regards to the outcome of the Presidential Elections “We wish to dissociate every

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabi’u Kwankwaso (left); and President Elect, Gen. Mohammad Buhari during a courtesy visit to Buhari in Abuja… at the weekend

Coroner’s report on Agagu’s plane crash not out, says AIB Continued from page 4 their reports. Accidents as you know could be caused by a lot of factors. Assuming that one of the crew members was drunk, how do you determine this? It is through pathological reports that you can know the true state of health of such crewmember.

“If we don’t have such information, then the report is incomplete.

We cannot go and publish something and leave out some aspects.

What we have been doing is that we try to come to an understanding with them. We have been trying to write a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU), with them.

“As a matter of fact, we just started working with one of the pathologists who basically has a lot of connections with some of the hospitals in different states. These hospitals will work with this individual who will just report to us.

If that works, I think the situation would be alleviated.”

Abali gave assurance that the aviation sector was safe for flying despite some accidents recently, but said that accidents could not be totally eradicated in the industry; rather, it could be reduced to the barest minimum.

“Aviation industry is safe glob-

ally and will always be safe. Till now, except the one that happened over Ukraine that the people know the cause of it, the other two or three, we don’t know the causes yet and I think in accident investigation, it is not always right to speculate. It doesn’t do the industry any good and it will not enhance safety in the system.

“Until the black boxes are discovered and the true causes of the accidents are known, we won’t be able to comment much on them.

But, I want to emphasise here that aviation is still the safest mode of transportation anywhere in the world.”

right thinking Lagosian and resident from the sentiments espoused by the Oba. “Indeed, it is an embarrassment to all of us and we reject those words with all emphasis at our disposal.

“We have also been disturbed by some satanic texts going round which share the same sentiments as the Oba and implore everyone to ignore such threats and curses as ineffective and desperate 419.

“Lagos had always been free for all to do business and prosper and we shall fight to keep it so.

“The fear of Lagos is not the traders and businessmen who come

from certain parts to do business and settle and prosper in Lagos, making invaluable contributions to the development of Lagos.

“The real dangers are those that hide under the Yoruba race toga and rape Lagos silly and impose their will on Lagos State to the exclusion of Lagosians, albeit in collaboration with our royalty.”

I am sure I am speaking the mind of all the people of Lagos State, residents and indigenes alike by assuring all of us to go out and vote freely for whoever we want, but keep in focus and teach all those who seek to continue to exploit our resources a lesson they will never forget.

PDP killing our members in Rivers – APC Continued from page 4 “These are just some of the instances of what APC members and supporters in Rivers State have been subjected to in recent days,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed stated that it was very sad indeed that the terrorizing of APC members and supporters in Rivers State has been carried out despite the presence of the police and other security agencies in the state.

In his words, “In fact, most of the attacks were carried out with the collusion of the security agencies, who have exchanged the garb of partisanship for that of professionalism.

“Elements of the security agencies have also participated directly in the targeted harassment and intimidation of our members.

“Even when our members have run to the police for succour, they have found none. The case of the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, of the Gokana Local Government Area, Mr. Kadilo Kabari, was particularly astonishing.

“He and Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, were attacked by PDP thugs right inside the Divisional Police Headquarters at Kpor.

Their offence was that they dared to challenge PDP thugs, dressed in INEC kits, who were engaged in massive rigging during last week’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, That these PDP thugs could use a police station for rigging speaks volumes about the role of the security agencies in that election,” he lamented.

The APC National Publicity Secretary stressed that it was unfortunately that the violence targeted at APC members in Riv-

ers, especially during the last elections, was carried out in the full glare, and in most cases, with the connivance of INEC officials in the state.

His words, “Of course, it is needless to say that the collusion of INEC with the PDP and the police to pave the way for unbridled violence against APC members and supporters, and the subsequent rigging of the elections, was spearheaded by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Rivers, Ms. Gesilia Khan.

“This issue is already the subject of a very strong petition which our party has written to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

“We have decided to give the details of the relentless killing, maiming, harassment and intimidation of our members and supporters in Rivers State before, during and after the Presidential and National Assembly elections so that Nigerians can see that everything has been done, and is still being done, to make sure that free, fair and peaceful elections do not hold in the state. The attacks, arrests and intimidation targeted at APC members and supporters in Rivers have become even more widespread in the run up to the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“We are very concerned that the prevailing atmosphere of mindless violence and brigandage does not augur well for a free, fair and credible elections in the state.

“We are worried that no one has been held responsible even where our members have been killed, and that the police and other security agencies, as well as INEC, have turned themselves to appendages of the PDP.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

PDP expels Jigawa dep gov Dutse Mohammed

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has expelled the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud Gumel from the party.

According to the Gumel chapter chairman of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Dogo Kafinta, who confirmed the expulsion, it was a collective resolve of the Gumel Stakeholders of the PDP at its emergency meeting in Gumel.

Kafinta said the Deputy Governor's expusion was connected with his alleged anti-party activities during the recent presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

"Our resolve in expelling the Deputy Governor from our midst was informed by his anti-party activities during the just concluded presidential election", he added.

The Gumel Stakeholders have earlier accused the Deputy

Governor of involvement in wooing the communities in his polling unit (Kalanga ward) to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was also alleged that Gumel had already planned to defect to the APC. Sources close to the Deputy Governor said that he had accepted his expulsion in good faith.

Efforts by our correspondent to get him for further comments proved abortive.

Gumel

Remi Oladoye

Ibadan Ahead of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly polls in Oyo State, the Accord Party (AP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of conniving with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the elections.

APC also fired back with a warning that Senator Rashidi Ladoja, AP governorship candidate, should desist from his alleged sponsorship of falsehood against the APC administration in his bid to mislead the electorate.

The allegation was made by the Director-General, Ladoja Campaign Organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, while addressing newsmen in Ibadan on Monday.

According to him, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, and the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who was seeking re-election on the platform of APC, allegedly held two secret meetings before the March 28 elections and another meeting after the exercise.

Adeleke said the last elections were fraught with irregularities such as voting in the night, inadequate election materials, unavailability of result sheets and recording of election results on sheets of paper.

He alleged further that INEC released a number of unclaimed permanent voter cards (PVCs) to APC members, adding that APC supporters purportedly used the cards to vote on March 28 and would use same on Saturday.

“I am using this opportunity to tell the world that we will use all means to resist the plans of the state governor and the REC to circumvent the plans of the people of Oyo State”, Adeleke added.

ÏÏÏ

Guber poll: Ihedioha lobbies Imo APGA for support Val Okara, Owerri

ÏÏÏ The

Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship candidate for Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has appealed to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) supporters to vote for him in the forthcoming governorship election on April 11.

He said that he was the only candidate that could wrestle power from the incumbent Governor , Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Ihedioha, who made the appeal on Monday in Owerri, at a social reception organised by the APGA candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, expressed gratitude to the people for welcoming him saying that with his national and international connections,

he would provide sound leadership devoid of discrimination.

He stated that he had been upright and faithful in his political career, adding that if they voted for him to become the state governor, he would rule with the fear of God. “When I was elected the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, people thought it was not right for me to accept it because the position was zoned to the South West and Speaker to the North, but, thank God, the situation was reversed, they wanted a leadership that they could trust, and can be faithful to them, that was what led to my emergence. We would have been sidelined completely in the scheme of things. This was possible because you have somebody like me.

“I have done things that were

significant in my area. I attracted the Elele-Owerri road, which is being executed at the cost of N23.5 billion, I attracted Aba-Owerri road which Rochas Okorocha is claiming he did, which is not true, as everyone knows that the governor could not and has never provided a quality road like that before”, he added.

Ihedioha noted that, “this is the time for Owerri zone to join hands and take over power, which had been denied them for 16 years. Orlu zone had ruled for 12 years, under Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha, Okigwe, for four years, under Ikedi Ohakim. Now, it is the turn of Owerri zone to produce the next governor, but, you must join hands to struggle for power, we must protect the zone and restore the dignity of Owerri zone,” Ihedioha said.

Two killed, 10 rescued in Adamawa fire incidents ÏÏÏ

Oyo APC, Accord Party at loggerheads

L-R Former Minister of Power, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu; President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hattab Haddaoul during a visit to Buhari at the APC Campaign Office in Abuja… on Monday.

7 News

Two persons were confirmed dead in fire incidents in Adamawa in 2014.

State Director, Fire Services, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu disclosed this to newsmen in Yola on Monday.

According to him, only 10 people and property worth N25 million were saved from fire disaster in the year under review.

"In 2014, two persons were killed, while 10 people were saved in the state." Adamu said, adding that 102 fire incidents were recorded across the state with Yola North (Jimeta) Local Government Area recording 65.

He said that the revenue generation target for 2014 was N5million, but, due to insecurity challenges, the fire service only reaised N2million.

Osun: Victims of political violence urged to seek redress Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏOsun

State Police Command has asked people who were molested or maltreated to report at the nearest police station in the state to lodge their complaints.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Okaula, gave the advice in Osogbo as the state prepared for the State House of Assembly election on Saturday.

According to him, "So far, the election process has witnessed relative peace and orderliness.

The command expects such to prevail throughout the period of the remaining election.

"The command assures citizens who have been unjustly molested or have suffered any form of harassment or ill-treatment in the hands of thugs and criminals to report such incident to the nearest police station for appropriate actions”, he added.

Okaula also said that "Everyone is advised to eschew any act of violence. The command will not condone persons who engage in criminal and violent acts and we will ensure that the peace and security which citizens of the state currently enjoy are sustained”.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Politics

s

Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng

Buhari’s victory swells

Mu’azu

PDP National Chairman

bandwagon effect

Our Correspondent Ahead of Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections, more leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been moving to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what is being termed as a bandwagon effect.

The development appears to be following a pattern since the emergence of APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari as winner of

the March 28 Presidential elections.

The latest is the Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud, who along with his supporters have dumped the PDP for APC. With this development, Governor Sule Lamido’s political woes have deepened. The deputy governor will be received along with some of Lamido’s loyalists into the APC by chairman of the party, Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri, party’s gubernatorial candi-

date, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar and other APC chieftains in the state at his Gumel ward.

Already, the Deputy Governor’s defection has triggered apprehension in the PDP camp as many PDP members expressed surprise and further consider his action as a “betrayal of trust.”

Another decampee is the Campaign Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Buhari, be wary of the West Akinjide Akintola Amidst the euphoria of victory and a plethora of congratulatory messages pouring in from all over the world for the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, there is need to sound a note of warning from the onset.

This is about the intention of the world powers particularly the western world in our bourgeoning democracy. Going down memory lane, it was the United States of America that predicted years ago that Nigeria might break up as an aftermath of the ongoing general election in Nigeria. Even though Washington later made a denial, the grim picture painted of the two possibilities from the fallout of the election could not easily be forgotten.

The scenarios are that if Jonathan is re-elected, the north, already being devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency would go up in conflagration that would consume the whole of the country while if Buhari wins, the

SUSWAM: No regrets losing my senate ambition

Niger Delta people would go back into the trenches with the accompanying threat to oil installations, threatening the very existence of the country.

This was postulated on the theory that Jonathan as the incumbent would not want to vacate office and would be backed to the hilt by the Niger Delta militants who have already been disarmed and won over by late President Umar Ya’Adua with the Amnesty Programme costing the nation billions of naira in exchange for peace.

But against all calculations, President Goodluck Jonathan chose to be a statesman instead of a Gorbachev who would have seen to the balkanisation of the country. He conceded defeat to save the country from imminent war, even to the consternation of his Niger Delta people. It was this singular patriotic move that put paid to all evil prophecies about Nigeria championed by the USA. Thus, it is along this line that

“Jonathan conceded defeat to save the country from imminent war, even to the consternation of his Niger Delta people.

It was this singular patriotic move that put paid to all evil prophecies about Nigeria championed by the USA.” Buhari

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Freddie Adamgbe, Makurdi Contrary to speculations that Governor Gabriel Suswam has briefed lawyers to challenge his defeat at the Benue North East Senatorial seat which he lost to his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent, Senator Barnabas Gemade, the governor has as-

sured his supporters that he has put behind the loss behind him in order to focus on the battle coming up this weekend.

Governor Suswam who disclosed this during a reception organised for his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Solomon Wombo in Katsina Ala stated that he remains

grateful to God for his mercy which has made it possible for him to serve Benue State for the eight years both in the National Assembly and as Governor.

He noted that though his desire was to go again to Senate and influence development CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Suswam

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

9

Politics

More PDP leaders defect to APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

in Edo State and former governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Maj. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) who dumped the party on Sunday and moved over to the APC. Airhivbere contested the governorship election with incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole in November 2012, but was beaten by the latter. He later headed to the court but also lost.

He defected exactly eight days after the PDP lost the presidential election to the APC and was received by the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, as well as Governor Oshiomhole at an event held at Garrick Memorial College, in Benin, the state capital.

His exit from the PDP is believed to have further affected the struggle of the party to forge ahead after the major defeat it recorded at the presidential election.

At a reception to welcome him, he said he left the PDP because he needed the state to continue to enjoy the benefits of the APC from May 29 when the party takes over government.

Airhiavbere, while declaring that he would remain loyal to the APC and the State Government, said he was sure that the APC would fulfil all its campaign promises to Edo and Nigeria.

He noted that the state was lacking the presence of a Federal Government and that it was time for the state to begin to enjoy a good relationship with the government at the centre.

“I have decided to join the team of change that has come to the nation in the last election so that Edo State will continue to enjoy the benefits of the party at the centre.

“Any politician, who means well for this state will ground

Odigie-Oyegun

their arms of hate and join the change train of the APC government, ably led His Excellently, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole,” he said at the reception.

Ojezua said Airhiavbere’s defection would be difficult for the PDP to overcome especially as the State prepares for the House of Assembly election at the weekend.

However, it is believed that Airhiavbere’s defection is aimed at positioning himself for the governorship election holding in the state next year.

In Benue State where the APC won two senatorial seats and a number of seats in the House of Representatives, three top members of PDP led hundreds

Muazu

“Airhiavbere, while declaring that he would remain loyal to the APC and the State Government, said he was sure that the APC would fulfil all its campaign promises to Edo and Nigeria.”

of their supporters and party members to the APC, many of them publicly destroying their membership cards.

At a reception in Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West in the state, top members of the PDP, former council chairmen in the state as well as aides to incumbent Governor Gabriel Suswam, declared for the APC. The defectors, including two former chairmen were Abaji Godfrey Ichoghol; Andrew Ayande, a former Adviser to Governor Moses Adasu and current Senior Special Assistant to Governor Gabriel Suswam; Mr. Francis Nyibiam, as well as his colleague, Anta Ig-

baato.

An ex-Youth Director for the Governor Gabriel Suswam Campaign Organisation, Chief John Akperashi Gum, would be defecting to the APC on April 7 while the APC in the State says it is making plans to receive former Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani, and Emmanuel Udende, a PDP member-elect of the House of Representatives for the Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo Federal Constituency.

Akperashi has withdrawn all his campaign vehicles from the PDP Campaign Organisation and rebranded them with the campaign pictures of General Buhari and Chief Ortom, the APC governorship candidate in the state and formally donated them to the Ortom/Abounu Campaign Organisation.

In another development, a PDP chieftain in the state was beaten and stripped naked by angry PDP members in the state for campaigning for the governorship candidate of the APC in the 11th April election.

The incident happened at a birthday thanksgiving service of Solomon Wombo, a PDP member and Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, held at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State resulting in pandemonium.

It was learnt that irate youths at the event which had Governor Suswam and other PDP chieftains in attendance, descended on the man after they found a teenager distributing handbills with Ortom’s message titled: ‘Rotation of governorship position among Benue churches: The time for the Pentecostal.’

While beating the unnamed youth, he confessed that the handbills were given to him by a PDP Chieftain.

“An ex-Youth Director for the Governor Gabriel Suswam Campaign Organisation, Chief John Akperashi Gum, would be defecting to the APC on April 7 while the APC in the State says it is making plans to receive former Minister of Justice, Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani, and Emmanuel Udende, a PDP member-elect of the House of Representatives for the Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo Federal Constituency.”

Lawani

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Why Buhari should beware of the West CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Jonathan

Obama

Cameron

Buhari

the President-elect must view all these messages and offer of cooperation and assistance from the West with suspicion and be wary in accepting any form of assistance that could jeopardise our independence and pose a threat to our national security in the future.

Where were the West when the Boko Haram bloodthirsty killers almost brought the country to its knees, killing, maiming, beheading people including children, women and the aged? Indeed, led by the USA, they refused to sell the much-needed arms and ammunitions to check the activities of the Boko Haram marauders.

They did not even stop at that, they blocked every access the federal government made to purchase arms from other sources, thus subjecting our soldiers to the mercy of their murderous attackers and making them the laughing stock of the whole world.

Another important issue worthy of note for the President-elect is the controversial same-sex marriage bill which President Jonathan signed into law following its passage by the National Assembly. This singular populist

act earned him opprobrium from the international community and put him in the bad books of the West.

It should recalled that this issue was one of the campaign points raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Buhari in the rundown to the Presidential election. It was alleged that the Western Powers who were snubbed over the issue

by Jonathan pledged to support Buhari if he promises to revisit the issue.

Though, it will be easy to dismiss this allegation as mere campaign gimmick by a desperate government trying to cling to anything to remain in power, suffice it to say that the Presidentelect, as a former head of state would know that nothing comes for free. For every offer of assistance, there is a catch somewhere and it takes the discerning mind to know this at the appropriate time before it is too late.

The Jonathan administration learnt this bitter lesson when it was too late. It was when Washington offered to train our soldiers over the Boko Haram menace. Instead of bringing the equipment for the training, it said the equipment being used in the war front be brought back for the training. What happens in the meantime? Would the insurgents not overrun the whole place before the training is concluded? The refusal by the federal government led to a face-off and the eventual return of the trainers to their home country.

OYO GUBER: Candidates at war over Buhari’s posters Bolaji Omosanya, lbadan The Presidential and National Assembly elections in Oyo State in which the Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari and the party swept the polls has sent the losers going back to the drawing board.

During the election, the party’s Senate and House of Representatives candidates also came tops with the party winning all the three Senators as well as 12 House of Representatives seats against those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (1), Accord Party (AP) (0), Labour

Party (LP) (1) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) (0).

The development has also sent jitters down the spines of the leaders of the party on ways of checking it during the election coming up at the weekend in order to prevent what might turn out to be a bandwagon event.

This is so serious to the extent that a meeting was called by the stakeholders in the state in order to address their common problem.

Some of those present at the meeting which took place at the Bodija Home of the Accord Party National Leader and its Governorship Candidate, Sena-

tor Rashidi Ladoja were; Senator Teslim Folarin, governorship candidate of the PDP, Seyi Makinde, SDP, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory as well as Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun –Alli of the LP. Apart from looking for the way forward so that their parties will not suffer the same fate in the Saturday April 11 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly polls, Ladoja was of the opinion that the one just held was messed up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

One of aides of the Accord

Chieftain, Honourable Adeolu Adeleke also reiterated this saying that the party never accepted the results.

But no sooner had the dust settled on this matter when news went viral that photographs of the Accord and Labour parties gubernatorial candidates (Ladoja and Akala) alongside that of the President - Elect, were seen displayed on the same poster at some strategic places in Ibadan last Wednesday.

Expectedly, this drew the ire of the APC and the Senator Abiola Ajimobi government which promptly condemned the act by CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Ajimobi

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

11

Politics

Oyo Guber: Furore over display of Buhari posters by opposition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

describing it is an attempt by Ladoja and Akala to hoodwink the people of Oyo State.

“They can’t do that. That is fraud and they are known for fraud. They never voted for Buhari.

“They took money from Jonathan and openly canvassed for him. They voted for him. Why all of a sudden are they trying to associate themselves with Buhari?, they chorused.

Gov. Ajimobi also emphasised that they wanted to play on the intelligence of the people of Oyo State warning that any move to defraud them or twist the truth is bound to fail, even if “they wear Buhari’s mask”.

Not done yet, the APC Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Olawale Sadare in a statement described the posters as disgusting, evil and obnoxious, adding that it was a desperate attempt to win and a ploy to escape the anti - corruption crusade of Buhari after he must have been sworn in on May 29.

He said those responsible for the posters should be brought to book while members of the public should shun them as Buhari, a principled man will never associate with them but Governor Ajimobi who he said is the President -elect’s choice.

Interestingly, the Ladoja/ Akala camps and others have all come out to say that they had nothing to do with the posters and that they have all it takes to

win the gubernatorial election coming up this Saturday and do not need to go to such extremes.

In order to increase their chances, they have called on their supporters not to be jittery nor have sleepless nights over the victory of APC in the last elections, saying that the Buhari victory was a vote by all Nigerians not an APC magic and that things will be different in the House of Assembly and Governorship elections this weekend.

But if Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Engineer Seyi Makinde, governorship candidates of PDP, Accord, Labour Party and SDP thought their problem is half solved, they must have another thing coming.

Another kite was flown that all of them have stepped down and are ready to support one candidate for the much coveted number one seat in Oyo State.

But all of them have responded forcefully that there is no iota of truth in the rumour as everyone is his own man in the election.

However, Sadare will not let them be saying: “Now that the people of Oyo State have again shown their preference for APC, we strongly advise the followers Teslim Folarin, Rashidi Ladoja, and Adebayo Alao-Akala, to review their stance and jump out of the turbulent ship in order not to sink with them.

He said APC is ever ready

to protect their interest unlike some parties like Accord, “which neither has root nor capable of protecting their interest at the state and national levels.”

Gov. Ajimobi has also enjoined the people of Oyo State to give him and the APC their mandate again in Saturday’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

The ball is now in the court of his opponents to play their game in this political test of

“They took money from Jonathan and openly canvassed for him.

They voted for him. Why all of a sudden are they trying to associate themselves with Buhari?, they chorused.”

Ajimobi

Ladoja

Folarin

Alao-Akala

I’m fulfilled, no regrets – Suswam CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

to his constituency, but the dream never jelled may be because God has something else for him.

“I must appreciate God for His mercies to lead a very difficult state like Benue for eight

years. I have done my best for the state”, he stated.

He emphasised that he has already put behind his defeat during the senatorial elections which his opponent Senator Barnabas Gemade of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

emerged victorious.

He however urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters to ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming April 11th, 2015 gubernatorial and house of assembly elections.

Suswam

News 12 Ondo Police parades Owo robbery suspects, recover N9m Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe

Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ondo State Command, has arrested seven of the suspected armed robbers who attacked and robbed banks in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The armed robbers, numbering about 50, had, penultimate Thursday, robbed Eco, Wema, First, and Skye banks, simultaneously.

They were among the 91 suspected criminals paraded on Monday by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke, at the state’s police headquarters in Akure.

Addressing reporters on Monday at the Command headquarters, Eke said the suspected armed robbers were part of those that also killed seven policemen, two bank officials and over 13 members of the public, Daily Times learnt.

The sum of N9 million cash, 12,000 rounds of ammunition, six assault rifles, 17 AK rifles, three riot gunners, one revolver pistol, one chief revolver pistol, 11 dynamites and 142 magazines were recovered from the arrested bandits. Two sub-machine guns, six Beretta rifles and various other guns were also recovered.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Lamido, Aliyu committed political suicide staying in PDP – Kwankwaso Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏKano

State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwakwaso, has strongly criticised his counterparts, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, saying that the duo committed political suicide by not defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2013, five of the seven governors, called G7 in the PDP,

defected to the APC. However, Lamido and Aliyu refused to join them.

According to Kwankwaso, if the duo had not been selfish, they would not have been embarrassed by voters in Jigawa and Niger states, during the Presidential and National Assembly election.

Speaking with reporters in his office, on Monday, Kwankwaso said that Lamido and Aliyu’s problem was that “they made a mistake by not coming

to the APC with us. I am sure they are loved here more than in the PDP. The truth is that they are not trusted there, and the results of these election have shown them that they made a huge political mistake.

“It would have been unthinkable for Aliyu to lose election on the platform of APC, but see the kind of blow the voters in Niger State have dealt him. They would have been more important leaders if they had joined the APC,” he said.

Transfer Benue REC before it’s too late, group demands Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏA

L-R: Wife of celebrant, Mrs. Olufunke Daniel; Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, and celebrant and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at the 59th birthday anniversary of the former governor, held at his residence in Maryland, Lagos...on Monday PHOTO: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Igbo northern group rallies support for Buhari Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Igbo people resident in

the Northern part of the country have demanded justice and equal rights, as they show support for the incoming administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Association of Ndieze Udo in the 19 northern states and Abuja, announced their support at a party, organised at the weekend to celebrate Buhari’s victory at the just concluded presidential election.

It would be recalled that a little before the March 28 election, the association paid a solidarity visit to Buhari to expressed its support

Kwankwaso also advised the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, not to waste his time in setting up probe panels against the PDP when he assumes office on May 29.

“We should move forward because expectations in the country are very high. Honestly, President Goodluck Jonathan is a friend and a good man. He is also a friend of the progressives, but he allowed himself to be misled by bad advisers,” Kwankwaso added.

and confidence in his aspiration to become the next president of the country.

The presiding officer of the association, Dr. Uche Egenti, described Buhari’s victory as the will of God, saying the ‘change’ has become inevitable to address the socio-economic woes the nation was passing through at the moment.

“We ensure that our people endorsed and voted massively for Gen. Mahammadu Buhari, because we believe that at this particular time in the history of Nigeria, we really need a change, and the name Mohammadu Buhari connotes discipline and the fight against corruption.

“We felt this is the area where

Goodluck Jonathan has done wrong, hence the need to rally round the man that will bring about discipline and fight the scourge called corruption.

“We also moved our team and visited Gen Buhari to express our support for him, and it was the best thing to do at the time because we need to demonstrate that it is not every Igbo man that will reason along with the greater chunk of those residing in the North, who knows the pain of Igbo man living in the North, and who knows the peculiarity of our environment.

So, we felt that to follow the tide is the best option at the time because we know that Gen. Buhari would win the election,” Egenti said.

civil society organisation, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State to avoid a blot on the commission’s integrity.

In a protest letter to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the centre’s Executive Secretary, Comrade Ola Oluwasanmi, called for the removal of the REC or the reposting of Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, from Benue State, for alleged compromise.

NMA greets Buhari

Buhari

Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏNigerian Medical Association (NMA) has congratulated Gen. Muhammandu Buhari on his victory at the March 28 presidential election.

It urged Buhari to unite the country more, as he is taking

over the running of the affairs of the country, come may 29.

The medical body said: “The NMA as the custodians of the people’s health believes that a healthy nation is reflected in the health of her citizenry in both the primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors.”

Towards effective governance and meeting the challenges in the health sector, in order to attain Universal Health Coverage, the association, in a statement signed by its president, Kayode Obembe, said the association was ready to collaborate with the government, as it has always done towards effective policy planning in charting a better health sector.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Kenya pounds al-Shabab bases in Somalia

Al-Shabab says it is at war with Kenya

ÏÏÏ Kenyan forces carried out airstrikes against al-Shabab targets in neighbouring Somalia, days after the militants killed 148 people in an attack at a university in southern Kenya.

Warplanes hit two camps in the Gedo region of southern Somalia on Sunday. There was no immediate report on possible casualties or damage from the strikes.

Al-Shabab has carried out multiple attacks in Kenya in recent

years, and warned that more would come unless the government withdraws the troops who are taking part in a multi-nation African force to combat the militants in Somalia.

Security forces battled the militants for 15 hours and rescued more than 500 students before killing the attackers.

Several Kenyan newspapers were critical of what they described as a slow response by the

government. The French news agency reported that it took special forces seven hours to arrive at the site.

Kenya's Interior Ministry said Abdirahim Abdullahi, one of four attackers killed during Thursday's assault, is the son of a Kenyan government official.

Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told VOA Somali Service on Sunday that Somalia-based al-Shabab is a re-

gional enemy that needs to be confronted. He says al-Shabab’s aim to target mostly Christians in Kenya is intended to separate Muslims and Christians, but he says that objective has failed as Kenyans understand the militants’ tactics. President Mohamud says al-Shabab "has no dignity” and can only attack "vulnerable targets." He told VOA there is nowhere in Islam that says“kill nonMuslims."

DR Congo opposition against third term for Kabila Egyptian forces ÏÏÏ An opposition leader in the 2016.” Kabila has not said whether overbooked. And also the budget kill jihadist Democratic Republic of Congo or not he’s going to seek a third is too high – $1.1 billion. What we has called on President Joseph term. But Fayulu said the opposi- are saying, according to the time group leader Kabila to categorically state that he will not seek a third term because the constitution prohibits him to seek another term.

Martin Fayulu of the Commitment for Citizenship and Development party said the opposition also wanted presidential election before local government elections.

This comes after President Barack Obama last week telephoned President Kabila and “emphasised the importance of timely, credible, and peaceful elections that respect the DRC’s constitution”.

A release from the White House said Obama “noted that President Kabila’s legacy as a leader who brought the DRC out of war and set it on a path of continued democratic progress would be consolidated by free and fair elections in

tion welcomes President Obama’s phone call because Kabila has been laying the groundwork for a third term.

“We as the opposition, we really appreciate what President Obama did. We think that according to what is going on elsewhere in Africa, mainly the example of Nigeria where President Goodluck Jonathan has organized election and things went smoothly, we think President Obama told Mr. Kabila to respect the constitution and we agree,” he said.

Fayulu said the opposition wants the election timetable as announced by elections commission changed to have presidential and parliamentary elections before local government elections.

“The timetable that was issued by the electoral commission is not comprehensive because it’s

we have now, we cannot organize in the same day the local election, municipal election and the urban election, plus the provincial,” Fayulu said.

He said the opposition wants would prefer to have provincial elections in 2015 followed by presidential and legislative elections in 2016.

Obama

ÏÏÏEgyptian

security forces have killed the head of a jihadist group responsible for deadly attacks on police, an interior ministry statement said on Sunday.

It said Hammam Mohamed Attiyah was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces during a raid on an apartment in southern Cairo. No date for the incident was given, and there was no immediate confirmation from Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt) Attiyah's reported death came hours after the group claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed a policeman in an affluent Cairo neighbourhood. Interior Ministry spokesperson General Hani Abdel Latif, describing Attiyah as a "fugitive terrorist", said he was "plotting and preparing to carry out criminal plans".

13 Africa Sudan rebels seize election materials ahead polls ÏÏÏRebels

in Sudan's South Kordofan said on Sunday they had captured a lorry carrying ballot boxes to polling stations for nationwide elections due next week, vowing to disrupt voting in the conflict-hit region.

The Sudan People's Liberation Army-North "ambushed and captured a vehicle loaded fully with ballot boxes" on Saturday on the road linking the state capital Kadugli with the town of Dilling, spokesperson Arnu Lodi said.

The SPLA-N will press its "military campaign plan" to stop elections in South Kordofan, Lodi said in the statement, warning civilians to avoid military sites "because they are legitimate targets".

But army spokesperson Colonel Al-Sawarmy Khaled Saad told AFP he had no information on the ambush.

Last month the SPLA-N announced its campaign to disrupt presidential and legislative elections slated for 13 April.

Spanish caver rescued in Morocco's Atlas mountains ÏÏÏ The sole survivor among

three Spanish cavers trapped for days at the bottom of a deep ravine in Morocco's High Atlas mountains was freed on Sunday after a complicated rescue operation, officials said.

Twenty-seven-year-old policeman Juan Bolivar, the only man to leave the ordeal alive, was admitted to the private Chifa clinic in Ouarzazate, southern Morocco, on Sunday night, according to an AFP photographer.

With eyes closed and bandages on his legs, Bolivar was transported from the scene by police and taken into the clinic on a stretcher.

All three potholers were initially found alive on Saturday morning, several days after they had gone missing after breaking off from a group of nine Spaniards to explore different caves.

But officials said late on Saturday that one man - 41-year-old Gustavo Virues - had died as rescue workers scrambled to reach the trio at the bottom of the 400-metre-deep ravine in an area where access is difficult and a helicopter cannot land.

Foreign 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Iran nuclear deal: US supports Israel, says Obama

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz (2nd Left) participates in Iran nuclear negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.

ÏÏÏPresident

Barack Obama has moved to reassure Israel that the US remains its staunchest supporter, amid Israeli fears over last week's outline agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.

He said Iran and the rest of the region should know that "if anybody messes with Israel, America will be there".

Critics have accused the president of conceding too much ground to Iran and endangering

Israel's security. But in an interview with the New York Times, Mr Obama firmly denied this.

"I would consider it a failure on my part, a fundamental failure of my presidency, if on my watch, or as a consequence of work that I had done, Israel was rendered more vulnerable," he said.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, was given a hero's welcome on his return from the talks.

Mr Obama said he recognised

the concerns raised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fierce critic of the deal along with the president's Republican opponents in the US Congress. He said Israelis "have every right to be concerned about Iran", a country that had threatened "to destroy Israel, that has denied the Holocaust, that has expressed venomous anti-Semitic ideas".

But he insisted that the preliminary agreement with Iran - a fore-

runner of a comprehensive deal, due to be agreed before 30 June - was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to curb the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.

Under the terms reached last Thursday, Iran must slash its stockpile of enriched uranium that could be used in a nuclear weapon, and cut by more than two-thirds the number of centrifuges that could be used to make more.

Pakistan weighs joining Saudi coalition in Yemen ÏÏÏ Pakistani Defense Minister,

Khawaja Muhammas Asif said Monday that Saudi Arabia has asked that his military provide ground troops, planes and warships to help a coalition battling rebels in Yemen. He spoke at the start of a parliamentary debate on whether to join the Saudi-led effort against the Houthis that began nearly two weeks ago with

Malaysia detains 17 terror suspects

airstrikes in support of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The president fled the country last month and went to Riyadh.

Pakistan has pledged to support the overall effort, but has not committed itself to any specific action or contribution. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he would defend Saudi Arabia from outside attacks. The fight against the

ÏÏÏ Malaysian authorities have

Houthis, who seized Yemen's capital last September before marching on the southern city of Aden last month, has included rebel attacks on Saudi border crossings.

As the fighting between the Houthis and pro-government forces continued, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday it has not been able to deliver some 48 tons of medical

supplies it has ready to send into Yemen. The organization said it has approval, but that logistical concerns about flying into the war-torn country are holding up the process. Senior Houthi leader Saleh al-Sammad said Sunday that the rebels are willing to hold peace talks if the Saudi-led coalition halts it campaign of airstrikes.

mation, saying a statement would be issued later.

The arrests come after the Home Ministry proposed two new anti-terror laws last week that will reintroduce indefinite detention without trial and allow the seizure of passports of anyone suspected of supporting terror

acts. Critics say the move is a revival of a controversial security law that was repealed in 2012, and warned the new law could be used to severely limit civil liberties.

Malaysian authorities have arrested scores of citizens for allegedly being supporters of the Islamic State militant group.

Italian ships pick up 1500 migrants at sea ÏÏÏItalian navy and coast guard

ships have picked up about 1,500 migrants at sea in just 24 hours.

Authorities said Sunday they received distress calls from three migrant vessels in trouble in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast.

On the way to the rescue site, they found two other foundering boatloads of migrants.

About 1,500 men, women, and children were taken to the islands of Sicily or Lampedusa. There is no word on the condition of the migrants.

Italian officials say the number of migrants making the treacherous Mediterranean crossing to Europe has soared in the first three months of the year compared to 2014.

Most are from North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, looking to escape war, poverty, and terrorism.

Fidel Castro makes first appearance in 14 months ÏÏÏThe

former president of Cuba, Fidel Castro, has made his first appearance in 14 months.

He met a delegation of Venezuelan officials on a solidarity mission to Cuba at a local school.

The 88-year-old revolutionary icon was described as "full of vitality" by local press.

He was last seen in public in January 2014 at the opening of a Havana cultural centre sponsored by one of his favourite Cuban artists, Alexis Leyva.

This time, official media showed images of a seated Mr Castro shaking hands with the Venezuelan visitors through the window of his vehicle, wearing a baseball cap and windbreaker.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, oil-rich Venezuela has become Cuba's closest ally.

Mr Castro was a close friend of the former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, who ensured Cuba received cheap oil. In return, Cuba supplied its ally with Cuban advisers, doctors and teachers.

The French authorities say they have ended the search for bodies at the site where a Germanwings co-pilot is said to have crashed his aircraft in the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board.

arrested 17 people, including two who had recently returned from Syria, for allegedly plotting terror attacks in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a Twitter message Monday that the 17 were arrested Sunday. He gave no further infor-

Castro

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

15 Opinion

Why PDP must merge with smaller parties

A Alfred Obiora Uzokwe

PC will now be in the saddle at the presidential and senatorial levels for the next four years. There are very high expectations of Buhari, especially from those that voted for him. Most of his supporters believe he will tame corruption, tackle and even defeat terrorism, unravel and solve the nation’s economic and electricity woes and more. He has unveiled his covenant with Nigerians and it looks promising.

I was talking to a friend of mine in Nigeria. She is a staunch supporter of Jonathan. Just after Buhari was declared winner, I called her.

“How about the PDP guys”, I asked.

“They are all in mourning”, she said. “Many believe that PDP is now dead”, she opined. I hasten to say that Nigerians believe in instant gratification. If they are not in the ruling party, if they are not provided with the platform to vie for and win elections immediately, if they are not in a position to get juicy contracts and oil blocks, then everything else is failing as far as they are concerned. For them, there is no such thing as taking time to build or rebuild a solid foundation over a period of time and reaping dividends

later. PDP was alive, to them, when it was the ruling party, but as soon as it lost, they are declaring it dead forgetting that there are other patriotic things a party can be doing even if it is not in power.

As soon as the election results were called, I predicted on Facebook that Nigerians would soon witness an avalanche of defections from PDP to APC. I prognosticated that political harlots and perambulators in PDP would soon commence an exodus from the party. After repudiating APC during the elections, some will now start groveling for platforms to run for elective offices.

Others will be seeking new oil blocks or opportunity to keep the ones they already have. Many will be looking for ministerial appointments and the like. Then there is Fani Kayode, the tactless PDP henchman who spewed hate and lies as far afoot as his duplicitous influence could reach.

He will be one of the first to slowly start eating his erstwhile caustic words, preparatory to begging to be taken back by APC. Recently, he said he was just doing his job and not all he said during the campaign were personal.

The unfortunate danger in political defections that we will soon witness from PDP to APC is that it will force Nigeria back to square one.

For 16 years, the ruling party turned Nigeria into a one-party state. The party was too big, too well financed and too dug-in to lose presidential elections or be defeated. Hence, they became complacent. Knowing that the party would always win elections no matter how they governed, members paid little or no attention to the needs of the people. Under the party, Nigeria’s economy tanked, insecurity grew, standard of education fell, the value of the naira continued on the downward trend. This dominance and attendant complacency would have continued had APC not merged with smaller parties, becoming a viable opposition that eventually dislodged PDP. Nigerians just needed to change the one-party system that is akin to the military administrations we had in the past.

Now that APC has won, the advice to PDP is: lick your wounds, dust up your behind and spend the next three months in retreat. Use that moment to take stock of what caused the defeat. This frank analysis should include: what PDP did wrong, what Jonathan did wrong. Should Jonathan have unleashed his wife on Nigeria as he did or should she have taken up just a measured and dignified role? Madam Patience helped alienate Jonathan from many Nigerians. The way she carried herself and

spoke to Nigerians, shutting down traffic whenever she visited, attempting to deny Chibok tragedy, fighting a governor as if she was an elected official, was strange and uncalled for.

PDP must also look at issues like the unnecessary time they expended on inanities. For example, while the issue of Buhari’s certificate may have made some dent on the man’s popularity, it is now clear from the election results that it had little impact on actual voting especially in the north.

One of the issues that split Jonathan’s camp and began to portray him, as “King Nebuchadnezzar” is the fact that he unnecessarily denied Gov Amaechi the opportunity to head the governor’s forum when the man clearly won. Once Amaechi became alienated from Jonathan, he played a major role in opposition APC. Also, the after action review should include looking closely at what APC did right and even what they did wrong. For example, there are videos circulating of underage kids thumb-printing ballot papers in the north in favor of APC. The result of this analysis and after action review will help PDP restructure in readiness for the next round of elections and then go into robust but constructive opposition.

Naira: Time to bring back its value

F Akinwale Akindeji

or those who grew up between the 1980s and 90s, one single note of N20 in one’s hand, perhaps in your pocket, was a lot of money. In my place, during the days of my childhood, it was called ‘Muri kan’. Understandably, it was the highest denomination of our currency then, with just N10, N1 and 50kobo as other denominations of our currency in notes. Then, I remember we had 1kobo, 5kobo, 10kobo and 25kobo as coins, which were spent by all.

However, ‘Muri kan’ was so unique as well as important that it was actually called the king of money in my place. The reasons are simple. One, it was a note that commemorated late Murtala Rahmat Muhammed, former head of state, reputed for his transformational efforts within his short spell in the saddle of leadership between 1975 and when he was brutally murdered.

Two, the note, being the highest denomination of money in the land was not just what everybody had in their possession; you definitely had to work hard to earn this ‘oba owo’.

And I remember clearly, that Nigeria’s currency value, despite all the austerity measures then, that I as a littel boy used to hear people lamenting, were still very appreciable.

I will share some experiences here. My father bought our black and white 14inch television set at N230 in 1983 or so. In fact, when I was to enter secondary school in 1991, the whole fee that was to be paid as a new student was N124.50k.

My father wanted to sell the TV because of this fee.

During my primary school days at IMG Primary School, Adeoyo, N4 near UCH Ibadan, my father would give just 50kobo to my elder sister and I as money for breakfast in school. Sharing formula; my sister takes 30kobo and I take 20kobo.

It was like that throughout my primary school years.

I had a unique experience which keeps reverberating in my memory.

In 1989, I went to the village with my father as was the practice during the holidays to move to the village to spend the holiday.

One afternoon, as I was returning from the market where I had gone to sell fire wood for just N1 after trekking God knows distance,

I suddenly saw a N20 note on the floor. With fear and uncertainty, looking around and seeing nobody, I picked the money and ran as if some people were running after me to ask for the money.

What I cannot forget about it is this: that year, I was meant to repeat my primary six classes having failed my first attempt at common entrance examination. I needed money to buy new notebooks.

The N20 that I found was handy; I bought all the 60leaves big note books and had some change left.

My common entrance fee was also N20. It took my father a while to raise the money to pay the fee.

This I remember irked my class teacher then, Mrs. Oke, who said, “you Nurudeen, you are repeating and you haven’t paid your common entrance money”. The N20 was not easy to come by, my father, God repose his soul, was just a driver in a private company. I doubt if he was earning N100 monthly then.

Today, however, I ask where is our N20 and I ask someone somewhere to bring back our ‘Muri kan’.

In my house, the same N20 note after being changed and changed and now in an annoying polymer form lies useless and worthless like

in almost all homes in Nigeria.

I found one on the window in my kitchen and that was what inspired this piece. My kids do not appreciate N20 whereas the oldest among them is just seven years old. Each time I give them either N5 or N10, it means nothing to them. I dare not spend N10 in my secondary school days in a day. You must explain how it happened.

Now, dear General Muhammadu Buhari, if you feel what I am feeling and what the generality of Nigerians are feeling, please help bring back our N20. We appreciate those who gave us N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1000 notes as our monies but the truth is those denominations are valuable just in name. They actually don’t carry the weight, perhaps aura and blessing of that green paper N20 note of the 80s and 90s that I grew up to know.

Mr. President-elect, nature has thrown a knife of opportunity to you at last, kindly grab the wooden edge now, carve a brighter future for us and generations to come.

History will reward you. This is a clarion call that our economy must be revived, our currency that stands at one dollar to N200 must bounce back.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Business Times

s

17

Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng

Nigerian Port Authority, Roro port, Lagos

Stakeholders task Buhari on maritime development Funmi Coker Maritime stakeholders in the country while congratulating Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari on his recent victory at the presidential polls, has tasked the incoming administration to pay special attention to the development of the maritime sector.

Capt. Niyi Labinjo, President, Nigerian Ship owners Association (NISA), in a congratulatory message to Buhari in Lagos on Monday, said,: ``This is in view of the tremendous contributions it can make to the economy in the face of decline in crude oil income.’’

The message said the Nige-

rian maritime industry had the potential of generating N7 trillion annually for government.

According to the message, the Nigerian maritime is rich in hydrocarbons, minerals and aquatic resources. ``Unfortunately, the maritime potential of Nigeria has remained largely untapped over the years by past administrations. ``This is evident in our crude oil sale policy which is on Free On Board basis while the over 170 million population depend largely on imports which are on Cost Insurance Freight. ``Over the years, the implementation of our shipping policies and regulations had no

significant effect on the Gross Domestic Product. ``This is despite the cabotage regime and Nigerian Content Development Act as shown in the complete absence of the maritime sector in the recent rebasing of the economy’’, Labinjo said.

He added that the maritime industry was capable of generating more than five million direct and indirect employments in next four years.

Similarly, in a separate development, the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS) on Monday urged the incoming government to assist shippers in reducing the costs of doing business at the seaports.

The President of the association, Mr Jonathan Nicol, made the plea in Lagos.

Nicol said that high port charges had affected the costs of doing business in Nigeria, adding that this had encouraged diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries. ``We have a very big problem in the maritime sector. We believe that government will stick to the maritime sector as one of the most important aspects of the nation’s economy. ``This will enable other Nigerian shippers who have gone to the neighbouring ports to come back. ``We pledge our support for the incoming government in the

aspect of revenue generation at the ports, `` Nicol told NAN. He said that Nigerians were still expecting basic infrastructure such as good roads, water supply, uninterrupted power supply, good health facilities and free education.

He, however, pleaded that government should reverse the automotive policy which imposed a 70 per cent levy and duty on imported vehicles, pending the large production of Made-in-Nigeria cars.

Nicol said, ``If the automotive policy comes into existence without sufficient production of cars in the country, such a policy can destroy the transport sector.’’

50 youths to benefit from CBN’s N220bn MSME fund Tony Nwakaegho Following the launch of the Youths Entrepreneurship Strategy in Oil and Gas Industry, 50 youths has been identified as beneficiaries of the N220 billion set aside for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) through the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and are billed for entrepreneurship training.

Daily Times gathered that part of the N220 billion set aside for Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would be utilized to fund the Youth Entrepreneurship

Strategy.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, while addressing the youths at the launch organized

by Anabel Leadership Academy in Abuja recently, noted that the Federal Government was fully determined to empower the youths as the power

of the youth in the economic development cannot be underrated.

According to Aganga, the Nigerian youths form a very substantial segment of the population; hence government want to empower them in order to stem the tide of unemployment, poverty, hunger and

squalor.

He called on the youths to take advantage of the window of opportunities created for them adding that “Apart from empowerment through entrepreneurship training and certification, you must take advantage of the power reform and industrialization.

Money 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Education, critical to economic growth, SSANU tells president-elect Joy Ekeke

Buhari

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) on Monday called on the President-elect, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari to make education his major focus in Nigeria’s quest to become a major global economy.

The National Vice President (West), Mr Alfred Jimoh made the call in Lagos.

Jimoh said that having been a one-time president of the coun-

try, Buhari was in a position to have a better understanding of the needs of the sector and its strategic place in national development.

According to him, for a nation to attain its dreams of becoming a top economy as well as be respected among comity of nations, it must have a sound education sector that will enhance human capital development. ``Gen Buhari seems to understand the system and that

Eni to reach decision on Coral FLNG investment

by Q2 Tony Nwakaegho Italian oil and gas company Eni said it expects to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) for its Coral Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) development in the second half of 2015.

The Coral project, located offshore Mozambique, comprises construction of a Floating LNG (FLNG) unit fed by subsea wells.

The development plan for the gas discovery located in Mozambique’s Rovuma basin was formally submitted to the local authorities at the end of 2014.

An FLNG unit is able to process and convert natural gas to liquefied natural gas (LNG) on site and ready for export. This method of LNG production is cheaper as there is no need for construction of subsea pipelines and onshore processing plants. Another in favour of FLNG versus onshore plants is that FLNG it can be remobilised if necessary. The FLNG option is useful when natural gas field are far away from coast, and in ultra-deep waters where pipe laying is pricy and difficult.

In its report, Eni said: “In Mozambique, where Eni has made the greatest discovery in its exploration history with a mineral potential of about 2,500 billion cubic meters of gas in place, we plan to finalize gas contracts and obtain the necessary production licences, in order to make a final investment decision for the project Coral floating LNG in the second half of 2015.”

Dickson

NGO

commends Dickson on N50m SME funding scheme

education, among other key sectors, is one of the areas he would strive to turnaround, when he takes over the mantle of leadership. ``Currently there are many challenges be-devilling the sector which need urgent intervention. ``We congratulate him on his victory as the incoming president of our great country but having said this, we would like him to, on getting into office, to quickly settle down to work.

``We actually want a situation where he would quickly convene a meeting of stakeholders in the sector, in order to bring to the table all burning issues and come out with a lasting solution.” ``Such meeting will in no small measure bring about the desired change that has been long expected in the entire sector and therefore the long expected national transformation and development attained,’’ he said.

Lara Adejoro

this is commendable,” he said.

During a visit to the markets, Governor Dickson, who presented an instrument for N20m to the Swali and N5m to the Kpansia market Traders Associations, explained that, it was a revolving loan scheme to help them improve their businesses, as well as boost the State’s economy.

The Governor also urged the leaders of the market associations to liaise with the State owned Izon Ibe Micro Finance bank, which will guide them in administering and facilitating the process to the benefit of their members.

Governor Dickson also disclosed that, due to the importance the government attaches to the welfare of traders, it intends to open outlets of the Izon Ibe Micro-Finance Bank Limited in the various markets to render banking services and support indigenous businessmen and women.

According to the Governor.

“The office of the Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Investment is open to all traders in the market to give you support in your businesses. Soon the Izon Micro-finance Bank Limited will soon be launched and a branch will be built within the market premises.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has been lauded by Grassroot Vanguard for launching a N50 million revolving loan scheme for market traders in the state over the weekend.

The commendation came through the NGO’s state coordinator, Chief Olalibo Osain Ibokolo, describing the Gorvernor as a visionary leader. He said that the launching of the scheme is geared towards empowering traders at the grassroots as well as boosting the local economy in the state and urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund.

According to Ibokolo, “A revolving loan is a financial measure primarily used for development and expansion of small scale business particularly for those who have no credit history or other types of loans from financial institutions. You are therefore required to pay back in other to create the opportunity for others to benefit as well.

“I want traders to take advantage of the loan provided by the Restoration Government under the able leadership of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, as he has promised to do more if the loan is properly utilised by the market traders in the State, I believe the time for empowerment has come.”

“The Governor of Bayelsa State over the weekend presented an instrument of N25m as a revolving loan to traders in the Swali and Kpansia markets in Yenagoa.The amount is part of an initial N50 million micro finance revolving loan scheme for market traders, the Governor is also expected to visit other markets later to disburse the remaining sum of N25 million,

A revolving loan is a financial measure primarily used for development and expansion of small scale business particularly for those who have no credit history or other types of loans from financial institutions.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

19 Maritime

Freight forwarders to expose quacks via electronic platform Stories by Funmi Coker The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has said that it would soon create an electronic platform that would enable members of the public especially importers identify genuine and duly registered freight forwarders.

Speaking while addressing members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA) when he visited its secretariat, the Registrar of the Council, Sir Mike Jukwe said after the creation of the platform, anyone who engages the service of an unregistered freight forwarder would be liable to prosecution.

He said: “Like NAFDAC, when you buy a drug and you want to confirm the authenticity of that drug, all you just need is to scratch, send a message and you will receive a message immediately with the server telling you whether the drug is genuine or not.

“ That is what is going to happen with freight forwarding very soon. When you are going to engage the services of a freight forwarder, all you need do is to send a message and you receive a confirmation whether the freight forwarder is registered or not.

“The law said, it is an offence to engage the services of a freight forwarder that is not registered by CRFFN. As much as the illegal freight forwarder is guilty, the one who engages his services is also guilty. So we are coming up with this system for the members of the public.

That is one of the standards we are setting in line with international best practice.”

Jukwe said that CRFFN was also working to ensure that unregistered practitioners were not allowed to operate. He said that the council’s enforcement officers had been deployed to create awareness on requisite qualifications for practitioners.

He added; “Like every other profession, it is no longer going to be as it used to be where a

NIMASA workers to get

allowances ÏÏÏ The Senate Committee

Jukwe freight forwarder charges different tariff thereby lowering the standards and sometimes criminality comes in.

“We will be like other profession where we will have standard tariff and when we are done with that we will also come in with standard billing template so that your invoices will be the same. It will carry your logo and

CRFFN logo and the information will be there for you to fill.

This will help to eliminate manipulation of figures or words.”

Jukwe said that arrangement for the collection of practitioners operating fee had been put in place with 60 per cent of the collection going to CRFFN; 35per cent to the five accredited association and 5 percent to the agents.

on Marine Transport has tasked the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA to make full payment of its workers allowances before its 2015 budget can be approved.

The Senate was disturbed by the non-payment of staff allowances and had invited the management for meeting to find out why the payments had not been made.

It was learnt that while housing and children education allowances had been paid, the furniture and leave allowances are still being awaited.

It would be recalled that the management of NIMASA came under serious attack following media report of the agency’s inability to pay workers’ allowances.

After the intervention of the Senate, the management at a time allegedly called for a meeting where it assured workers of the payment of their allowances on or before the first week of April Some of the allowances, include housing, furniture and children education, were usually paid in the first week of January.

NSC sets up committee to enhance freight forwarders’ capacity Nigerian Shipper’ Council (NSC) has set up a technical committee whose task it is to appraise the relevance of training, ethics and professionalism for the freight forwarders.

Its Executive Secretary, Barrister Hassan Bello said that he dreams of a time when freight forwarders would be so trained, that they would become self-regulating and able to collectively negotiate with service providers and importers.

“This industry must be selfregulating. People must learn to respect rules”, he admon-

ished further, tasking stakeholders to further embrace the use of robots too, so as to make the vision of timely delivery of cargo, easily achievable.

“We want to reduce the human content at the ports. We don’t need to be at the port, before we can clear our goods.

And it is for this reasons, that we need relevant knowledge.

He added: “We need knowledge. We need enviable equilibrium. We need a reliable balance in the industry amongst industry’s critical stakeholders.”

He said that NSC as an eco-

nomic regulator, would leave no stones unturned, in the desire to evolve a robust and strong industry, knowing full well that the chain may in no way, be stronger than its weakest point.

Earlier, while welcoming council arrowhead and his team, the President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu had indicated that the association had deliberately kept mute, even at the risk of being mistaken for being docile, only to enable political campaigns period lapse, stressing that the body may protect its own interest, if industry situations worsens further.

He noted that the face-off between the Seaport Terminal Operators (STOAN) and the council may be resolved outside the court.

Bello dropped the hint during an official visit to the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, at the ANLCA Secretariat, Dikko Inde House, in Lagos.

He said: “We don’t want regulations to be done by the court.

Regulations must be done by the industry itself, because we know what the industry. The Court knows the law.

Global Business 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Central banks’ reserves decline, threaten emerging markets

Hassan Rouhani, IranianPresident

Iran: Crude prices gain 5% as Brent’s slowdown continues Oil prices jumped as much as five per cent on Monday as traders reassessed how quickly Iran could increase exports after a preliminary nuclear deal and anticipated that a months-long rise in U.S. inventories may be slowing.

Brent crude tumbled nearly four per cent on Thursday after Iran and six world powers announced a framework agreement on the OPEC member’s nuclear program. But initial expectations of a quick recovery in oil exports were tempered by views that it could take up to a year to roll back sanctions.

“While clearly a bearish headline, a final deal and full lifting of sanctions still faces a number of obstacles,” Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note.

“Even if a final deal is reached,

we do not expect any physical market impact before 2016,” the analysts said.

Oil extended gains after industry intelligence group Genscape reported that stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, barely rose last week, according to traders. It would be the smallest increase in stocks since November at the delivery point for the U.S. crude contract traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent May crude LCOc1 rallied $2.62 to $57.57 a barrel at 11:22 a.m. EDT, having reached $57.85 intraday.

U.S. May crude CLc1 was up $2.30 at $51.44 a barrel, just below its $51.61 intraday peak.

Also supportive on Monday, top exporter Saudi Arabia raised the prices for all the crude oil grades it will sell to Asia in May,

raising prices a second straight month.

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif, said on Saturday U.N. sanctions would be lifted immediately after a deal, but the United States released a fact sheet on Thursday saying that sanctions would be lifted as Iran demonstrates compliance with any deal.

“Both sides will describe the deal differently,” said Olivier Jakob of Swiss-based consultancy Petromatrix.

Concerns over fighting in Yemen supported prices, as fighting between a Saudi-backed coalition and Shi’ite Houthi forces continued in the port city of Aden.

A weaker dollar following Friday’s disappointing U.S. jobs report for March also buoyed crude oil prices on Monday.

Venture-backed U.S. IPOs record worst drop in two years ÏÏÏ U.S. initial public offerings

by venture-backed companies fell to a two-year low in the first quarter of 2015, according to data from the National Venture Capital Association and Thomson Reuters.

About 17 venture-backed companies raised $1.43 billion in the three months ended March, compared with 37 that raised $3.40 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to the report.

The last time the number fell below 20 was in the first quarter of 2013, when eight venturebacked companies raised $716.9 million.

Box Inc, an online data storage provider, had the biggest IPO in the latest quarter, raising $201.2 million. It began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 22.

Life sciences companies dominated the IPO market, with 13 of

the 17 offerings coming from the sector.

The average amount raised was $84.3 million, down from $92 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Among venture-backed mergers and acquisitions, only 16 of the 86 during the quarter reported deal size. The average deal size was $128.1 million, compared with $245.8 million a year earlier.

The decade-long surge in foreign-currency reserves held by the world’s central banks is coming to an end.

Global reserves declined to $11.6 trillion in March from a record $12.03 trillion in August 2014, halting a five-fold increase that began in 2004, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

While the drop may be overstated because the strengthening dollar reduced the value of other reserve currencies such as the euro, it still underlines a shift after central banks -- with most of them located in developing nations like China and Russia -- added an average $824 billion to reserves each year over the past decade.

Beyond being emblematic of the dollar’s return to its role as the world’s undisputed dominant currency, the drop in reserves has several potential implications for global markets. It could make it harder for emerging-market countries to boost their money supply and shore up faltering economic growth; it could add to declines in the euro; and it could damp demand for U.S. Treasury bonds.

“It’s a big challenge for emerging markets,” Stephen Jen, a former International Monetary Fund economist who’s co-founder of SLJ Macro Partners LLP in London, said by phone. They “now need more stimulus. The seed has been sowed for future volatility,” he said.

China Sells Stripping out the effect from foreign-exchange fluctuations, Credit Suisse Group AG estimates that developing countries, which hold about twothirds of global reserves, spent a net $54 billion of this stash in the fourth quarter, the most since the global financial crisis in 2008.

China, the world’s largest

China, the world’s largest reserve holder, together with commodity producers contributed to most of the declines, as central banks sold dollars to offset capital outflows and shore up their currencies.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor reserve holder, together with commodity producers contributed to most of the declines, as central banks sold dollars to offset capital outflows and shore up their currencies. A Bloomberg gauge of emergingmarket currencies has lost 15 percent against the dollar over the past year.

China cut its stockpile to $3.8 trillion in December from a peak of $4 trillion in June, central bank data show. Russia’s supply tumbled 25 percent over the past year to $361 billion in March, while Saudi Arabia, the third-largest holder after China and Japan, has burned through $10 billion in reserves since August to $721 billion.

Euro’s Decline The trend is likely to continue as oil prices stay low and growth in emerging markets remains weak, reducing the dollar inflows that central banks used to build reserves, according to Deutsche Bank AG. Such a development is detrimental to the euro, which had benefited from purchases in recent years by central banks seeking to diversify their reserves, according to George Saravelos, co-head of foreignexchange research at Deutsche Bank.

The euro’s share of global reserves dropped to 22 percent in 2014, the lowest since 2002, while the dollar’s rose to a fiveyear high of 63 percent, the International Monetary Fund reported March 31.

“The Middle East and China stand out as two regions that are likely to face ongoing pressures to run down reserves over the next few years,” Saravelos wrote in a note. The central banks there “need to sell euros,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

s

Cartoons from our Archives

563 BC Buddhists celebrate birth of Gautama Buddha On this day, Buddhists celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, thought to have lived in India from 563 B.C. to 483 B.C. Actually, the Buddhist tradition that celebrates his birthday on April 8 originally placed his birth in the 11th century B.C., and it was not until the modern era that scholars determined that he was more likely born in the sixth century B.C., and possibly in May rather than April.

According to the Tripitaka, which is recognized by scholars as the earliest existing record of the Buddha’s life and discourses, Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha, the son of the king of the Sakya people. The kingdom of the Sakyas was situated on the borders of presentday Nepal and India. Siddhartha’s family was of the Gautama clan. His mother, Queen Mahamaya, gave birth to him in the park of Lumbini, in what is now

1950

southern Nepal. A pillar placed there in commemoration of the event by an Indian emperor in the third century B.C. still stands.

At his birth, it was predicted that the prince would either become a great world monarch or a Buddha--a supremely enlightened teacher. The Brahmans told his father, King Suddhodana, that Siddhartha would become a ruler if he were kept isolated from the outside world. The king took pains to shelter his son from misery and anything else that might influence him toward the religious life. Siddhartha was brought up in great luxury, and he married and fathered a son.

At age 29, he decided to see more of the world and began excursions off the palace grounds in his chariot. In successive trips, he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse, and since he had been protected from the miseries of aging, sickness, and death, his charioteer had to explain what they were.

McCarthy publicly attacks Owen Lattimore

Senator Joseph McCarthy labelled Professor Owen Lattimore “extremely dangerous so far as the American people are concerned” in a carefully worded public speech, but stops short of calling him a Soviet spy. The speech was yet another example of McCarthy’s ability to whip up damaging Red Scare hysteria with no real evidence.

In February 1950, the littleknown Senator McCarthy gave a speech in which he charged that there were over 200 “known communists” in the Department of State. When pressed for particulars, McCarthy made an appearance before a special joint session of Congress. During the course of presenting his “evidence,” McCarthy declared that Professor Owen Lattimore was a “top Soviet spy.” Lattimore, an expert on Chinese history, had served as a special consultant

about Chinese affairs during and after World War II and had been a consistent critic of the Nationalist Chinese regime of Chiang Kai-Shek. Word soon leaked out about McCarthy’s charge. Though Lattimore decried the senator’s statements as lies, there was nothing he could legally do, since McCarthy’s testimony was protected by congressional immunity.

On April 8, 1950, McCarthy gave a public speech in which he continued his attacks on Lattimore. He started by stating, “The reason we find ourselves in a position of impotency is not because our powerful potential enemy has sent men to invade our shores but rather because of the traitorous actions of those who have been treated so well by this nation.”

He called Lattimore “extremely dangerous,” and declared that the professor had been “invaluable to Russia.”

Daily Times April 7, 1961

1953 Kenyatta jailed for Mau Mau uprising

Jomo Kenyatta, leader of the Kenyan independence movement, was convicted by Kenya’s British rulers of leading the extremist Mau Mau in their violence against white settlers and the colonial government. An advocate of nonviolence and conservatism, he pleaded innocent in the highly politicized trial.

One of modern Africa’s first nationalist leaders, Kenyatta was a great defender of Kenyan and African culture, and wrote eloquently on the plight of Kenyans under colonial rule. He played little part in the Mau Mau uprising of 1952 but was imprisoned for nine years along with other nationalist leaders. Upon his release in 1961, Kenyatta became president of the Kenya African National Union and led negotiations with the British for selfrule. In 1963, Kenya won independence, and in 1964 Kenyatta was elected president. He served in this post until his death in 1978.

1953

WPA established by Congress

On April 8, 1935, Congress voted to approve the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a central part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”

In November 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, Governor Roosevelt of New York was elected the 32nd president of the United States.

In his inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Roosevelt promised Americans that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself ” and outlined his New Deal--an expansion of the federal government as an instrument of employment opportunity and welfare.

In April 1935, the WPA was established under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, as a means of creating government jobs for some of the nation’s many unemployed. Under the direction of Harry L. Hopkins, the WPA

employed more than 8.5 million persons on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in 1943. The program chose work that would not interfere with private enterprise, especially vast public building projects like the construction of highways, bridges, and dams. However, the WPA also provided federal funding for students, who were given work under the National Youth Administration. The careers of several important American artists, including Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning, were also launched thanks to WPA endowments. Although its scale was unprecedented, the WPA never managed to serve more than a quarter of the nations unemployed. Its programs were extremely popular, though, and contributed significantly to Roosevelt’s landslide re-election in 1936.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Monarch extols virtues of Kwara LP guber candidate Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

traditional ruler of Obbo Ile town in Kwara State, Oba Rufus Oluwasegun Adebayo, has urged politicians to emulate the humanitarian gestures of Kwara State Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Mike Omotosho. He said this while receiving the LP campaign team, which paid him a courtesy visit at his palace at Obbo Ile. The monarch stated that the humanitarian and community empowerment initiatives of Omotosho are worthy of emulation by every politician and prominent community citizen.

While recalling some of the programmes of the Mike Omo-

tosho Foundation like training of unemployed graduates, scholarship scheme for indigent students, vocational training and micro credit scheme for women, and free medical mission for the community, he said if other prominent citizens and politicians embarked on such initiatives the community would be the better for it.

Omotosho said that the purpose of the visit was to receive the blessings of the monarch and also find out the needs of the community, so they can be included in the party’s rural development plan for the state.

The monarch thanked the LP candidate for the visit and prayed for his success at the polls.

23 News

Kwara CNPP endorses Gov Ahmed’s re-election bid Ola Yekeen Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Congress of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Kwara State chapter, on Monday, said it was in support of the re-election bid by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 election.

The chairman of the body, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, announced this at a news conference held at the Nigerian Union Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ilorin.

Lawal, who was also the state Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), was joined by the governorship candidates of about 13 other political parties in the state to de-

clare their support for the APC in the forthcoming election.

He said the support of the CNPP for APC candidates was informed by the outcomes of March 28 Presidential and National Assembly polls, in which APC emerged victorious.

“It is no longer news that General Muhammadu Buhari won the general election held on Saturday, March 28, and the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, had taken courageous decision to congratulate Buhari before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner.

“It is heart-warming and encouraging as Nigerians made their choice in a free and credible

Ahmed

election that Buhari won overwhelmingly,” Lawal said.

He described APC and its candidates as those to be beaten in the coming election by virtue of the trend of the previous ones.

Group dumps Ribadu for APC guber candidate Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThere is a shift in the ter-

rain of Adamawa State politics. There, a group known as Ribadu Support Group (RSG) has swung their loyalty and support to gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Dr. Modibbo Ahmed, and would henceforth wish to be addressed as the Modibbo Support Group

INEC: Card reader’ll be used for guber, state Assembly polls Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏNotwithstanding

the hiccups experienced concerning the use of the Card Reader during the last Presidential and National elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the card reader would still be used in next Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly election.

It stated that it had identified the challenges with the card reader and had taken adequate measures to address them.

The commission, in a statement at the weekend by its Secretary, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, said the provision of the guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 general election, which outlined what is to be done if a card reader failed and cannot be replaced by the commission within a speci-

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (right); Dr. Chris Ekiyor (middle) and others during the party’s campaign rally in Asaba, Delta State… on Monday

(MSG).

The leader of the group, Yahaya Mahammed, said that Ahmed was the most respected and most dignified candidate, who had value and respect for the people of Adamawa State.

“Having observed the political terrain and courtesy received from our former party, we believe only a man with the qualities of the likes of Dr. Modibbo Ahmed can restore dignity to our state,” Yahaya said.

Lagos PDP chieftain urges vote for Agbaje

ÏÏÏA

Jega

fied time frame, was clear.

The relaxation of the guideline during March 28 election, Ogakwu stated, was only with respect to the presidential and National Assembly elections held on that date.

According to her: “The Commission has reviewed the operation of the card reader in the March 28 election, identified the challenges and has taken adequate measures to address them.”

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Ibrahim Babatunde Olorogun-Etti, on Monday, described the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, as a charismatic leader with a strong moral belief of how things should be.

“Mr. Jimi Agbaje is the perfect person for the governorship job.

He will make the difference in the politics and development of the state,” he said.

Olorogun-Etti, who spoke on Lagos Island, urged the electorate to assess Agbaje based on his antecedents and track records.

“Jimi Agbaje is a large-hearted philanthropist, a reputable hu-

manist and a God-fearing individual. He has the capacity to drive the state in the direction that we all want. So, he is just the natural choice of the people,” the PDP leader said.

He warned those working against Agbaje, urging traditional rulers, politicians, women and youths in the state to support the gubernatorial ambition of the PDP candidate.

Olorogun-Etti said Agbaje would uphold the values of communal harmony that makes Lagos State a unique model for us all.

“He will drive productivity and growth; he will raise the standard of living in the state and improve the lot of everyone. He will lead

the state to the next level; he will run an open government with accountability standards. He will deepen the mechanics of governance and service delivery.

“He will embark on a large housing development for low income earners; he will create the enabling environment for investors within and outside to invest in Lagos State, in order to create more job opportunities for the people.

“He will improve water supply and distribution networks; boost the tourism sector, upgrade existing roads and ensure that all roads in the state have adequate drainage system to aggressively check the menace of flooding and erosion.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Rivers guber poll: APC'll crush PDP, says Ikanya Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Monday, declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, will be mercilessly crushed at the April 11 governorship election.

According to APC, Wike and PDP’s woes had been further compounded, now that Governor Amaechi has triumphantly returned to lead the gubernatorial campaign, after successfully piloting the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation to victory in the March 28 presidential poll.

"If PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan could not withstand Amaechi’s knockout punch, there is no way Wike and Rivers PDP can survive our hurricane during the polls,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said.

Ikanya, in a statement, warmly welcomed Amaechi back home and thanked him for re-joining the state's APC campaign train.

"Our spirits have further been lifted by the return of the 'Lion of Niger Delta politics', an exemplary leader who, instead of taking a break after the bruising presidential campaign and election, came straight to Port Harcourt to take charge of our

state's campaign train,” Ikanya said.

He disclosed that the state's APC governorship and House of Assembly campaign team has become greatly boosted, following Amaechi’s Easter message and rousing speech, while addressing APC supporters at Saturday’s victory rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

"As Governor Amaechi rightly said in his Easter message, there is need for the good people of Rivers State to troop out in their millions this Saturday, to elect a new and capable governor in the person of Dr. Dakuku Peterside and the APC lawmakers that will join him, to complete the excellent job the

Amaechi administration has started.

"Amaechi and his team have worked hard over the past eight years to put Rivers State on the path of sustainable progress. The greatest tribute we can pay to this great visionary is to elect Dr. Peterside to continue this progress, as we gladly release Amaechi for greater service at the federal level, with effect from May 29,” Ikanya said.

Amechi

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (left); and Imperia Majesty, Eze Isaac Ikonne of Ngwa during the conferment of OgbuhereUzo 1 of Aba on Ikpeazu in Abia State… on Monday

Political gladiators jittery in Delta as party faithful seek realignment Joe Ogbodu Warri

ÏÏÏThe

outcome of Saturday, March 28 presidential election, won by General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is beginning to upturn the political calculation of Delta State governorship election, as politicians seek realignment in the state.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

which have Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Labour Party (LP)'s Chief Great Ogboru as its flag bearers, are contending with fresh challenges, posed by the emergence of Buhari at the centre, as the stage is set for huge realignment with Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, the APC candidate in the state.

Among the early birds nursing defection is Chief Ayiri Emami, an Itsekiri youth leader and the pro-

ponent of the Tony Obuh project during the last PDP primaries, who the grapevine said may have pitched tent with Emerhor, with several others still negotiating to follow suit.

Sources said that the proposed visit of Buhari to Asaba, this week, may be the game changer for Emerhor who, until now, had lost hope in the race, following the obscurity of his party in the state.

But recent moves by a

handful of PDP faithful set to defect to the APC, thus abandoning the Okowa/ Utuaro's ship, which until last Saturday, appeared to be cruising home unchallenged, is giving Emerhor hope. But Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who had been severally accused of not showing commitment to the Okowa's ticket, has been upset by the development and is already pulling all strings to ensure PDP victory at the polls.

Idu Jude

Abuja ÏÏÏPresident Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to be more patriotic and make more sacrifice for the growth and development of the country.

The President made this call at the Presidential Villa, when the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), paid him Easter homage, on Sunday.

Jonathan reiterated that no nation could effectively develop without the patriotic zeal and sacrifice of its citizenry and, therefore, urged Nigerians to brace up to the challenge.

According to him, Easter is significant to Christianity, as the celebration is all about the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ to humanity.

He thanked the FCT residents for finding time to pay him this Easter homage, saying that it was a season of love and sacrifice.

Easter: Jonathan calls for patriotism, sacrifice The President used the occasion to also thank Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve at various capacities from Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State to the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the past 16 years (1999-2015), stressing: “I am indeed grateful to Nigerians.” Also speaking at the occasion, the Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, appreciated the contributions of President Goodluck Jonathan to the development of the country, noting: “You have made Nigeria to be a pride of Africa and your name would surely be written in gold".

Delta youths urged to shun militancy, violence ÏÏÏA former special advis-

er to former governor Peter Odili of Rivers State, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, on Monday, urged youths in the Niger Delta to shun any act of violence and militancy.

Sara-Igbe, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that youths should resist any attempt to lure them back into the creeks.

He said any attempt to resort to militancy would be crushed by the Federal

government.

Sara-Igbe, a security expert, said Niger Delta people should learn from the way the government was dealing with Boko Haram and shun any plan to return to militancy.

According to him, any attempt to return to militancy in the Niger Delta would be crushed by the Federal Government. "So, the best we can do is to embrace the new government diplomatically, so that we can be part of it and have a voice.’’

Presidential polls: Anenih congratulates Buhari, lauds Jonathan Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja ÏÏÏChairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has urged those who may still be aggrieved by the outcome of the March 28 Presidential election to emulate the selflessness and magnanimity of President Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded victory to General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), so that Nigeria may enjoy peace and march to greatness and prosperity.

Anenih commended

President Jonathan’s statesmanship in conceding defeat, saying he had made an indelible mark on the sands of time. He also congratulated General Buhari on his victory at the polls and hoped that his administration would take Nigeria to greater heights. The PDP BoT chair, in a two-page statement on Monday, in Abuja, titled, “Marching on with Hope”, said: “A keenly contested Presidential election, which many predicted would spell doom for Nigeria, has ended, gloriously, with everyone a winner".

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

25 News

Crisis in Osun PDP after Presidential, NASS polls

Don’t waste your votes, Ajimobi urges electorate

Sodiq Adekunle

Ă?Ă?Ă?Oyo

Osogbo

Ă?Ă?Ă? Crisis has resurfaced

in the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the party's loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recently concluded Presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

The APC maintained the lead in majority of the National Assembly seats and also pulled higher votes in the presidential poll.

Some of the party members alleged that those at the helm of affairs were not yielding to advise which, ac-

Easter: Church donates food items to less privileged Akor Ejumene Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?As

part of activities marking the Easter celebrations, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Phase IV, Kubwa, Abuja has donated food items to the less privileged in the area.

The church shared the joy of Easter with children at Divine Wound of Jesus Orphanage, Ark of Refuge Orphanage, Kubwa Divine Orphanage Home, as well as patients at General Hospital, King’s Care Hospital, Unity Clinic and Maternity, and inmates at Police Area Command, Kubwa.

The food items donated to the less privileged include rice, noodles, toiletries, fruit juice, baby milk, diapers and biscuits. Others are bibles, the church’s daily devotional-Seeds of Destiny, cloths and footballs.

The Pastor of the church, Great Olusegun Ayodele, prayed for the recipients and urged them to have faith in God who is able to change their situation, emphasizing that with God all things are possible.

Pastor Ayodele further urged the recipients to turn away from sin and accept Jesus, who rose from death, which is the reason for the Easter celebrations.

cording to them, is the major factor affecting the success of the party.

Earlier, a crisis had rocked the party over alleged misappropriation of funds by a top official, but was resolved internally.

Another crisis resurfaced again few days after the Presidential and National Assembly election, with a prominent member of the party, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, alleging that his life was being threatened.

In a letter dated Monday, March 30, 2015 and addressed to the state Commissioner of Police, Ogundokun accused the Osun PDP's gov-

ernorship candidate in the August 2014 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore and his agents, of planning to assassinate him.

Ogundokun alleged that on March 30, he got a phone call on his private number around 7.48am, where he was threatened with assassination on matters relating to him and Omisore. “Omisore began a campaign of calumny, blackmail and accusation of anti-party activities against me for my boldness at disclosing before Mr. President and others at Aso Rock Villa, of his selfish role, dictatorial tendencies and his failure to take

Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

advice and listen to voice of reason during the gubernatorial election in Osun State, in which he was our party’s candidate," he noted.

The letter read in part: “I seek, with respect, your command’s protection for my person, by deploying your men to guard and guide me in my daily activities, in order to save my life from the destructive machines of Senator Iyiola Omisore and his agents. It is only when I have protection that my immediate and extended families, as well as well-wishers, will have the confidence that I can live to see my old age."

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State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Monday, urged voters in the state to vote for him and all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday's governorship and House of Assembly election, saying a vote for other candidates will be a waste, in view of APC's victory at the centre.

He made the appeal while speaking on an MITV programme monitored in Ibadan, the state capital.

The governor said votes for any of these parties – Accord, Labour or Social Democratic parties – is a vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said had already crumbled in Nigeria, stating that the state could not afford to play opposition politics now when it stands a great chance of benefitting immensely from a federal government that is wholly the party’s.

He said having demonstrated their love for change and progress by voting mas-

Ajimobi

sively for the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and its National Assembly candidates in the state on March 28, Oyo State cannot afford to opt out and operate as an opposition state again.

According to him, several initiatives of his administration, which required the approval or cooperation of the Federal Government, could not succeed because of the Federal Government's refusal to play its role.

But now that the APC has taken over the Federal Government, Ajimobi urged voters to repeat the same massive support for him and the party in the April 11 election, just as demonstrated in the last election.

Politicians charged to imbibe spirit of concession Okechukwu Onuegbu Awka

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try have been charged to imbibe the spirit of concession, as displayed by President Goodluck Goodluck Jonathan, sequel to the outcome of the March 28 presidential election.

A chieftain of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Ernest Okechukwu Ezenwa, recalled that President Jonathan, who was the presidential candidate of the PDP, had conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of All Progressives Congress (APC), hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, officially announced the winner.

Barrister Ezenwa, who stated this on Monday, during an exclusive interview with our reporter in Awka, advised politicians to see

politics as a call to render selfless services to humanity, and not as a do or die affair, even as he described the outgoing President as a true democrat and an epitome of transparency.

Ezenwa further urged Nigerians to forget about the outcome of the National Assembly election and vote for all the candidates of PDP on Saturday, stressing that his party members were grassroot oriented politicians with prerequisite experiences to steer the ship of Nigerians.

The former PDP House of Assembly aspirant in Aguata 1 State Constituency, while congratulating the winner of Anambra North Senatorial poll, Dr. Andy Ubah, and his counterparts for Aguata Federal House of Representatives, Eucharia Anazodo, also enjoined the electoral umpire to ensure that the loopholes which characterised the National Assembly election would not surface on Saturday.

Law 26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Law

s

Afolabi: Electoral offenders should be prosecuted by Police, AGF Mr. Akeem Olatunde Afolabi, a Senior Advocate, is an indigene of Offa town in Kwara state. He read law at the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto and graduated in February 1994. Akeem, who had his Masters Degree (LL.M) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State was called to the Bar in March 1995. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, he spoke on the concluded presidential election and the lessons to be leant from it, the performance of the members of the seventh National Assembly, election petition tribunal, appointment of judges and sundry issues.

How would you rate the performance of the seventh national assembly considering their inability to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and other important bills?

Well, let me limit myself to the Petroleum Industry Bill, I don’t know much about other important bills which they were unable to pass since the proclamation of the President by which this current National assembly came into being. Their inability to pass the PIB saddens one if we are to look at the time for which the bill has been on since the last National Assembly.

I don’t know what has been holding this current National Assembly back to complete this exercise once and for all, those who are in the petroleum industry have always told us that if the bill is passed, it will impact positively in the petroleum industry in Nigeria and if that was to be so, I just wondered why it took long to pass the bill.But let us give them the benefit of doubt

that it will be passed before their tenure expires because we still have about two months before the end of this administration. I hope that they will do the needful before the assembly is wound up when a new set of legislatures come on board in June 2015.

There are suggestions that legislative work should be part time basis so as to reduce the cost of governance.

Do you share this view sir?

Absolutely, I agreed with those that hold that notion. The amount of money we are spending on legislatures in Nigeria is just too much and if I may recall, a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria cried out as to the amount of money our legislatures are receiving. By and large, if you look at the amount of money we are pumping into the National assembly to sustain these legislatures; it will not be a bad idea if we can adopt the concept whereby we make the membership of those in the National Assembly a part time basis.

To me, when you look at the amount of money we are spending on those people and you try to compare it with the people who have spent so much of their lives in the executive arm of government for example, somebody in the parastatals, for God sake, you will see somebody who has put 30 years in a particular ministry before he or she is made a Permanent Secretary, how much is he earning? Compared to somebody who is barely 30 years of age and he is elected to the National Assembly, if you look at the amount of money being spent on these legislatures such as constituency projects and all that you begin to wonder what projects they are executing at the constituency level.

I believe that should be the

“It is unfortunate that after election even when people are arrested because of the election, once declaration of results has been made hardly do you hear anything about those who committed these offences.”

responsibility of the executive arm of government and that is why you see in most situations because there is always the need that their own interest are protected if the executive submits a budget to the National Assembly you will be hearing stories that what the executive submitted is not sufficient and so they have to increase the budget proposal of a particular job or contract which the executive arm of government intend to carry out. I believe as a means of cutting cost, it will not be a bad idea if we can adopt the concept whereby legislative exercise should be on a part time basis in terms of the money we paid them so that you will only receive allowances

Afolabi whenever you sit and I believe whenever we adopt this procedure it will reduce tremendously the amount of money we spend on these people.

The presidential election has come and gone, what lesson shall we learnt from the exercise.

You must always have it at the back of your mind that there is always a day of reckoning and that power belong to the people, after four years you have to return for them to reassess their views ofperception or position about what you have done in office. If you have done well, they might decide to re-endorse you and if you have performed below expectation, I think the masses who actually have the right and power will ensure they use their power to remove you from office.

That you have the opportunity in the first place to occupy any office don’t think you’re the best candidate and the best person with the best qualification that can only be elected in election into any particular office, it is just an opportunity which you’ve and if at the end of the day the Nigerian people who vot-

ed you into office decides to have a change of government I think we must all respect the wish of the Nigerian people whichever way it goes, nobody should force himself on the Nigerian people.

Once they have spoken you just have to take it. That is my own perception.

Conflicting results emerged prior to the end of the election in social media and the radio stations by some people, under the electoral act who has the power to announce results?

Basically, the responsibility of making announcement of result is that of the Independent National Electoral Commission and no other person. Since we concluded the exercise on Saturday we have been seeing all sorts of results posted on various social media. It is quite unfortunate and at times the thing do cause unnecessary confusion. So, under the electoral act and let me say statutorily, it is the responsibility of INEC and whatever result comes from INEC should be taken as the authentic result so whatever any CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

27 Law

Electoral offenders should not go scot free – Afolabi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

other person has posted nobody should give credence to such a result. In all, INEC has the prerogative, the exclusive power to make announcement as to the result of any election.

The police arrested some electoral offenders such as in the past but, nothing is done to prosecute these set of people, does the electoral act provides for the prosecution of electoral offenders?

Sure, you see under the electoral act, there are some categories of actions that are classified as electoral offences and I believe adequate penalty or sanctions have been provided under the electoral act, it is unfortunate that after election even when people are arrested because of the election, once declaration of results have been made hardly do you hear anything about those who committed these offences. I think the police should be up to their responsibility and working with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in most deserving situation must ensure that those people who are caught in perpetrating one or two electoral offences are made to face the music, they should be prosecuted so that whatever judgment or conviction is sustained in the court of law would serve as deterrent to other people, it should not be business as usual.

In the course of election if you engaged in any illicit act and you’re caught, you should be made to face the music. I think that there should be a serious synergy between the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the police as an institution and even the body saddle with the responsibility of conducting election in Nigeria so

that when people are caught you must ensure that they are made too account for their misdeed in the course of the election, they should not allow the thing to go just like that, it does not augur well for the development of our electoral system.

I want to appeal to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police as the head of that institution and INEC as a body responsible for the conduct of the election to ensure that they follow each case to a logical conclusion.

When you’re caught, you should be made to face the appropriate sanction which you’re entitled to if you’re found guilty after a conclusive prosecution. You have every opportunity to say whatever you want to say and if they can prove or sustain the allegation against you then you must be made to face the music.

What are your expectations from the election petition tribunals that are set up across the country to deal with election matters?

Well, they’ve been set up prior to the conduct of the election. As we speak now I wouldn’t know whether in terms of assigning portfolios as regards to which particular state they are supposed to sit, I wouldn’t know if the President of the Court of Appeal has done that but prior to the conduct of the election, the judges that will sit in various panels in the tribunals of the various states have all been sworn in. We just hope that they will ensure that people who got into office through back door maybe in terms of one or two tricks in getting the wills of the people circumvented would be made to get out of that office and the actual candidate who won the election would get justice and be sworn in. They are men

“If you have done well, they might decide to re-endorse you and if you have performed below expectation, I think the masses who actually have the right and power will ensure they use their power to remove you from office.”

Afolabi of repute and integrity and I believe they will uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is done to all concerned.

Some lawyers have argued that 180 days is not sufficient to decide electoral matters, others have argued otherwise. On which side of the divide are you?

You see, we must appreciate what led to the amendment of the constitution when the issue of 180 days was brought in.

Prior to the last amendment, we had cases in which election petition matters lingered on for up to three years at times when the term of the sitting governor in most elections is four years.

A lot of people believe that because of the fact that there was time lag; the sitting governor will always do whatever he can do within his power to continue to frustrate the proceedings of the tribunal. But in a bid to check this mischief, I think the

National Assembly brought in the issue of 180 days but, by and large, if you look at it, I don’t think the mischief which they sought to cure as at then has actually being cured because we now have a situation by which most election petition matters are not heard on its merit because 180 days to conduct an election petition with regards to the decision of the supreme court, your days starts to count in the first day of your petition so much so that even if there were interlocutory appeals in the course of the proceedings that does not stop the 180 days.

Assuming your petition was struck out at the lower court in a governorship matter and you decided to appeal up to the supreme court, the 180 days will continue to run by the time you come back from the supreme court you discovered that the 180 days have lapsed and the court does not have jurisdiction to

entertain your matter with regards to the constitution as the thing is so provided therein. I think there is a need to revisit that provision in the constitution that talked about 180 days and have a sort of modification so that the 180 days should be 180 days of actual sitting of the tribunal. So that if somebody has an interlocutory appeal to prosecute from the tribunal up to the supreme court, whilst his appeal were pending in the court of Appeal and the supreme court, his 180 days should not count. It should stop so that by the time he comes back and succeeds at the supreme court then he will continue from where he stops by the time he filed his appeal.

But we have a situation where the 180 days start reckoning from the very day you filed your petitions so that by the time you come back from the supreme court, the time lag start reckoning has become spent so I believe there is a need for a slight modification to ensure or make provisions to the effect that the reckoning of 180 days will be 180 days from the day of actual sitting of the tribunal.

Some lawyers have argued that politicians should not be involved in the appointment of Judges at the state High Court. What is your take?

Well, when we look strictly at the provisions of the constitution and you talk of the politicians except you’re saying a governor as a politician because it is the provision of the constitution that the appointment has to be done between the governor of a state and the National Judicial Council. It is the constitution that vested the power of appointment on the governor of a state while recommendation is to be done by the NJC until that one is change.

“I think the police should be up to their responsibility and working with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in most deserving situation must ensure that those people who are caught in perpetrating one or two electoral offences are made to face the music.”

ExtraTime 28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

CAF HONOURS AU COMMISSION K CHAIRPERSON

Kuje wins FOSLA U-13 soccer tourney Kehinde Soyoye

T

he Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will receive the Platinum Order of Merit of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) today in Cairo.

This will be during the 37th Ordinary General Assembly of CAF which officially opened on Monday evening in the presence of the FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter.

“Through this award, the Confederation of African Football intends to recognise the immense

contribution of the chairperson of the commission of the African Union for an emerging Africa, particularly through its vision, Agenda 2063, but mostly importantly show gratitude for the support she has always been able to demonstrate with CAF since she took office.

“Since June 14, 2012 CAF and the African Union have partnered in dealing with a number of social responsibility campaigns through our competitions, particularly in the fight against AIDS, Ebola, malaria,

and the promotion of education and the culture of peace on the continent, “said CAF President Issa Hayatou.

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union will be the second person in the history of the CAF to receive this distinction. The first being the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the opening ceremony of the 30th Orange Africa Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea 2015 on 17 January, 2015 in Bata.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AU Commission chairperson

uje Area Council has emerged as the new champions of the 2015 FOSLA U-13 Football Competition.

The Kuje boys defeated the Karshi boys by two goals to one. Their two goals were scored in the first half of the game, while Karshi scored their consolation goal in the second half.

The Kuje team had earlier dethroned the 2014 champions, Abuja Municipal Area Council, in the semifinals, after whitewashing Abaji Area Council by three goals to nil, while Karshi eliminated Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils by a lone goal each.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of FCT Football Association Alhaji Musa Talle frowned at the continual report of Nigerian players failing the MRI test at U-17 tournaments, saying that the national team coaches should beam their searchlight to FOSLA Academy to pick the players with the right ages for the tournaments.

Fight of the Century coming Mutiat Alli

M

ulti Choice, owners of DStv, has announced to his esteem fans that the much publicised ‘Fight of the Century’ between Floyd Mayweather and

Manny Pacquiao on May 2 will be broadcast live across Sub-Saharan Africa only on DStv’s SuperSport.

The entire tournament will be broadcast to DStv Premium bouquet subscribers in High Definition from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Unlike other international broadcasters, who are charging a premium for the super fight, the event is included in SuperSport’s Premium offering among its other blue ribbon content with no surcharge.

The bout is a match-up between

two of the greatest boxers of all time – Mayweather, the undefeated 11time world champion and holder of the WBC and WBA titles, and Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion and winner of 10 world titles.

“We are blessed if we have a true

super-fight once every 20 years . . . this one measures up in every way,” said Motheo Matsau, Head of Marketing at SuperSport.

The tournament, culminating in The Fight of the Century, will air from the early hours of Sunday, May 3.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

FIBA AfroBasket:

D’Tigers looking set for hostilities at the 2015 AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia

NIGERIA DRAWS TUNISIA, T

he draw for AfroBasket 2015 took place at the Carthage Acropolium in Tunisia’s capital city of Tunis over the weekend.

The results of the draw are as follows: Group A: Tunisia; Uganda; Nigeria; Wild card 1 Group B: Angola; Mozambique; Wild card 2; Morocco.

Group C: Egypt; Gabon; Mali; Cameroon.

Group D: Cote d’Ivoire; Cape Verde;

Beverley off for four months

A

fter surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist penultimate week, Houston Rockets guard, Patrick Beverley will require four months of recovery, league sources revealed.

Beverley’s ligament had to be reattached, a procedure that crushed a fleeting hope before the surgery that a two-month recovery period could’ve had Beverley back for the Western

Conference Finals – if the Rockets advanced that far.

Beverley, 26, is expected to be in a cast for 10 weeks and expected to be near full recovery when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Houston remains determined to resign Beverley to a long-term deal, but there will be plenty of interest from other teams to pry him away.

Beverley was an important part of the Rockets’ push for a Western Conference championship.

He averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 56 games for Houston this season.

Houston is 50-24, a half-game behind Memphis for second place in the conference standings.

Patrick Beverley

M

be in the limelight, with newspaper and radio journalists eager to hear the words of a coach who has just taken over arguably the most dominant team in the history of African basketball.

Lopez is now at the helm of a side that has captured 11 African

Uganda in Group A Wild card 3; Zimbabwe.

The first phase of the tournament will be played in a round robin format, with every team taking on its three (3) opponents in its respective group.

All teams will then advance to the Round of 16, where Group A crosses with group C (A1-C4, etc.), and Group B with D (B1-D4, etc).

The tournament will be played in a knockout format from the Round of 16 onwards (Quarter-finals, Semifinals and Final).

AfroBasket 2015 will be held from August 19-30 in the Tunisian cities of Nabeul and Tunis and serves as a qualifying event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

It is the third time that Tunisia will get to stage the AfroBasket, having previously hosted it in 1965 and 1987.

The teams designated as ‘Wild cards 1, 2 and 3’ who will round out the event’s 16-team field will be announced at the end of April.

DSTV LEAGUE FACES ABRIDGED

SCHEDULE

F

ollowing the qualification of Nigeria senior men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, for the 2015 FIBA AfroBasket Championship after the two-leg victories over Burkina Faso counterparts, fresh indications are brewing that the DSTV League faces likely interregnum in the season’s schedule for the two affiliated conferences as a result of the clash with the camping programme likely to be submitted by the technical crew led by the Kano Pillars Basketball Club handler, Sani Ahmed.

Revealing this to Extra Time under the plea of anonymity, a member of the D’Tigers technical crew revealed that they envisage D’Tigers camping programme will be long and may dip into the latter end of the season’s hostilities.

“It’s very good that we have qualified for the AfroBasket, but the work is still in progress for the team. “We have an intensive camping ahead, but I know clubsides will not take it lightly following the mass invitation of their best players

Lopez eyes Rio ticket for Angola oncho Lopez has been in the spotlight before as a national team coach and currently sets his sights at securing Rio 2016 Olympic ticket for Angola.

Following his appointment as Angola national team coach, Lopez once again knows what it feels like to

29 ExtraTime

championships since 1989, participated in seven FIBA Basketball World Cups since 1986 and taken part in five Olympic tournaments since 1992.

Angola go into every AfroBasket with only one acceptable result for the players, the coaches, the fans

NBBF boss, Tijani Umar

when the season is at the peak.

“Some clubsides have started complaining already from the first week and the coaches are affected too.

“The federation needs to address such issue ahead of the camping period,” he said.

Extra Time learnt that clubsides’

and the federation.

They go into the event expecting to win.

Last year, Angola were deprived of their most important player at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, AfroBasket 2013 MVP Carlos Morais, yet still managed to win two of their

chieftains are not favourably disposed to the likely exodus of the best players to the national camp, even as there’re talks of hastening the weekly fixtures by playing matches on Wednesdays and Fridays ahead of the FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia later in the year.

three games in the Group Phase.

They defeated Korea on opening day and later defeated Australia.

In that 80-69 win over Korea, Olimpio Cipriano and Yanick Moreira each poured in 16 points for the Angolans, while Eduardo Mingas had 14.

ExtraTime 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Boxing

Quillin: I’m creating my own story!

M

Athletics

uch has changed since boxing fans last saw Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin in the ring 12 months ago.

For starters, the 31-year-old Quillin no longer has his WBO middleweight title. Due to boxing politics and what many would deem a poor business decision, the undefeated New Yorker passed on a chance to defend his title for the highest payday of his career. Instead, he sat on the sidelines, was stripped of his belt, lost the chance to make millions and seemingly gained ring rust instead.

Ahead of his return to the ring on Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York against the man who currently holds that title, Andy Lee, Quillin said he understood the criticism leveled at him but that he had no regrets about what he decided to do.

“I made a lot of tough decisions but it kind of defined me as a man,” Quillin (310, 22 KO’s) recently explained. “I was able to take control of certain things that I thought were right for me and right for my family. I took some time off.

A lot of people don’t understand that because they’ve never sacrificed so much of their time.

“My sacrificing is being away from my family but this time I actually wanted to be there with my family. Having a baby and then having an uncle who just passed right before I got into to camp. I had to three-year programme leading up to make a sacrifice retirement because he said he would not going to bow out of action after the World Mills ned reaso his funeral,” ” 2017, in hips pions Cham he said. before throwing some doubt into the mix. “People have always set retirement times and sometimes they go back on it so we wait and see if it becomes a reality.”

PROTECT , Y C A G E L R YOU S L L E T S L L MI

T L O B C

in the 100m (9.59), 200m (19.19) and the 4x100m (36.84) to his CV, Bolt, who announced that he will be hanging up his spikes after the 2017 Worlds in London, will be focused on staying on top and ensuring his legacy is intact when he does decide to call it a day.

“As you know Bolt has expressed from his standpoint that he is in a

Tennis

oach Glen Mills has charged Usain Bolt to protect his legacy, ahead of his threesong, which gets going with swan year a return to Beijing for this year’s IAAF World Championships.

Now with six Olympic gold medals, 10 World Championship medals (8 gold), records

Golf

Rusty Woods set for Masters’ return

F

ormer world number one Tiger Woods will have to match the achievements of his good friend Darren Clarke to win a fifth green jacket in this week’s Masters.

Woods has started just two events in 2015, shooting a careerworst score of 82 to miss the cut in the first of them and withdrawing through injury after just 11 holes of the second.

That led to the 14-time major winner taking a break from competition to work on his game, during which time he dropped outside the world’s top 100 for the first time since September 1996, a slide which continued on Monday as he fell from 104th to 111th.

European Ryder Cup captain Clarke was coincidentally ranked 111th when he won the Open

Championship in 2011, with Keegan Bradley then winning the US PGA when ranked 108th.

Since then, Ernie Els has been the lowest ranked player to win any major - 40th at the 2012 Open while Rory McIlroy was eighth when he won the Open at Hoylake last year and world number one when he claimed a second US PGA title three weeks later.

Murray perplexed as Djokovic strikes again

A

ndy Murray admits he is short of reasons to explain why he has lost another crucial match against rival Novak Djokovic, as the Serb star lifted the Miami Open for the fifth time after a three set contest.

Having lost the first set and worked hard to tie the match at a set apiece, Murray failed to match Djokovic in the final stages as the world number

one found another level and routed his opponent with a third-set bagel, winning in 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-0.

In the hot and humid conditions, where both men became a tad irritable as the sun beat down, the Scot just couldn’t offer any threat by the end. It does little to end suggestions that he lacks the all-round strength of his main competitors.

This defeat for Murray is his seventh in a row against the eighttime Grand Slam champion and his third of 2015 already – the clay court season hasn’t even started yet.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

ExtraTime

31

: S R E G D O R

BRIEFS

Sergi replaces sacked Martinez at Almeria

NO CRISIS T A G N I T E E M !

L O O P R E LIV B

rendan Rodgers has rubbished reports of a dressing room revolt at Liverpool and insisted there was no crisis meeting on Sunday.

It was claimed in a national newspaper that Rodgers accused several players of not playing for him following Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League hammering at Arsenal.

Senior players were said to have taken exception to the Liverpool manager’s comments, but Rodgers

played down talk of unrest at Anfield.

He said in a press conference on Monday: “We have lots of meetings.

It was no different to ones we have had all season. It was nothing.”

Liverpool appear unlikely to secure a UEFA Champions League spot after back-to-back defeats in crunch clashes with Manchester United and Arsene Wenger’s men.

Rodgers does not feel that his players are overawed by the big occasions and stressed that

Liverpool remain a work in progress.

“We are at where we’re at. I don’t think it’s a mental barrier. We’re adapting and learning,” he said.

“We didn’t start well at Arsenal, and that’s more on ourselves. We haven’t created in the last four games.”

Rodgers revealed that Mario Balotelli (knee) faces late a fitness test ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn Rovers.

Almeria have wasted no time in replacing Juan Ignacio Martinez as coach, hiring former Spain international Sergi to lead them through the last nine games of the Liga season. Martinez paid for a 4-1 drubbing at home to Levante with his job on Sunday, and less than 24 hours later, Sergi has been installed as the man to turn around their season.

The Andalusian club sit 18th in La Liga, without a win in seven league games.

Rodgers

Refs unfair to Marseille, says Remy

A Ayew

Mourinho

hails Remy’s commitment

L

oic Remy’s ‘ready-to-go’ attitude has impressed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after two match-winning goals in as many games.

The French striker tapped in a square pass from Eden Hazard to give Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday, having also scored the winner in the London club’s 3-2 triumph over Hull City before the international break.

The goal against Stoke took Remy to five in the Premier League season, while it was just his fourth start, and Mourinho applauded the

28-year-old’s ability to make an impact regardless of the amount of time he spends on the pitch.

“Remy keeps himself in great condition, even without having played many minutes to be ready for us,” Mourinho said after the win against Stoke.

“He’s a great boy and his contribution is already crucial, with these two match-winners in the last two matches.”

With Diego Costa (hamstring) likely to spend a period on the sidelines, Remy could be set for more game-time.

AYEW

ndre Ayew pointed to unfair treatment of Marseille by match officials following Sunday’s damaging 3-2, defeat to Paris SaintGermain.

Marseille twice took the lead against the reigning champions at Stade Velodrome, only to ultimately suffer a loss that leaves them five points behind table-topping PSG. Ayew was sent off after the final whistle for protesting to the referee.

“I told him that we were fed up and I received a second yellow card,” he told reporters.

“As we are now not allowed to speak to the referees anymore and to tell them anything, that’s how it works.

“The staff of the team went to see him.

He said to them that I didn’t say anything bad. It is just that I came too close to him.

That’s not good for the ‘image’ apparently.

So I got another yellow card.”

Ayew continued: “PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi made several fouls during different times of the game. At the fourth one, the referee gave him just a warning.

“For us, the first foul after 10 minutes saw Alaixys Romao booked. Why it was, I do not know.

“We are not going to spend more time talking about it. It’s been happening for a while, it works this way for Marseille.

“We have to forget about it and just play football.”

Benzema

Benzema lauds ‘phenomenal’ Ronaldo Karim Benzema hailed Cristiano Ronaldo’s “phenomenal” talent after the Real Madrid forward produced a stunning five-goal salvo in Sunday’s 9-1 demolition over Granada. Having opened his account after half an hour, Ronaldo went on to record an eightminute hat-trick before completing the rout in the closing minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. His haul saw him reach 300 goals after just 287 games for Real, and Benzema - who scored twice against Granada himself - was full of praise for his strike partner.

Ibrahimovic

Marseille still in title hunt –Ibra Marseille’s title hopes suffered a major blow with a 3-2 defeat to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Marcelo Bielsa’s men remain in contention for Ligue 1 glory. PSG came from behind on two occasions to claim victory in a thrilling Classique and move back to the top of the table, one point clear of Lyon. Bielsa’s Marseille are now five points back with seven matches to play, yet Ibrahimovic refused to write off the men from the Stade Velodrome.

Tech Times

Extra

Don’t tag me a Yoruba actor -Yemi Solade

L2

TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.81

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Jonathan, Buhari and their supporters

Adegbenro Adebanjo

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The build up to the 2015 presidential election was akin to that of a nation preparing for war. The two main political parties threw in everything into the battle: name calling, character assassination, loads of criticisms most of which were completely unnecessary. Tension was high and it was obvious that the country was sitting on the keg of gun powder that needed just a little nudge for a cataclysmic explosion. The prediction that heavens would fall during and after the election was looking like a Nostradamus forecast.

Some even said that it would signal the end of Nigeria. Yes, both sides beat the drums of war.

Yes, both sides called out their strong men and asked them to go for broke.

Unfortunately some persons danced to the drums of war and tension and violence gripped the nation in the jugular.

In some locations heads were broken, limbs were shattered, guns boomed and people died including innocent bystanders.

And the fear was that if the situation was that bad then, what would happen during and after the election? Were these wars in the name of election about the greater good of the Nigerian nation or personal aggrandizement and positioning to get a bigger cut of the national cake?

The election of Saturday March 28 held and the result began to trickle in. And the social media heightened the tension as both sides began to claim victor y and call their forces to war. Exodus began in different parts of the country as people felt they were no longer safe in places outside their ethnic origins. Then, before our very eyes at the National Collation centre a drama that could have plunged the country into chaos began to play out on Tuesday March 30.

One of the officers of a party seized the podium to reject and try to abort or stop the democratic process. An action the late M.K.O. Abiola would have described as trying to abort the pregnancy

of baby that was already born. Tension gripped the land as many watched the macabre drama live on television. Many hearts skipped a beat. Offices in different parts of the country began to shut down and a number of people voted with their legs. The country was on the edge. Everybody including the international community was expecting the worst explosion.

Then enter President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. With a phone call to candidate Muhammad Buhari conceding defeat; the tension was defused.

By not following the path of the hawks that championed and canvassed and worked behind the scene and openly for the ‘Orubebelization’ (Cancellation) of the electoral process, Mr. President deserves the appreciation of Nigerians. By conceding defeat and congratulating the winner, General Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. President has shown that He is a patriot who has lived up to his claim that the ambition of being president is not worth

the blood of any Nigeria.

Thank you ,Mr. President, for steering Nigeria away from the precipice and refusing to follow the inglorious path of Laurent Gbagbo who plunged Cote d’Ivoire into avoidable crisis that led to thousands of death and carnage of unimaginable proportions. Mr. President Your decision to ensure the full ‘Jegalization’ (Sanctity) of the process and rejection of ‘Orubebelization’ in its entirety has become a major milestone in our history. You are truly a Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and a Defender of Democracy.

Let us nominate and welcome our dear President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan into the league of respected statesmen.

Thankfully the action of Jonathan struck the right chord with the President elect, General Buhari.

Thereafter the tension died. The elements knew too. The salubrious air from the open environment gushing with refreshing verve and caressing and soothing the

body, accentuating the joy of the old and young was clearly discernible all over the country. The environment too is leaping for joy joining the people of Nigeria to praise our God for the Great Things He Has Done for our land.

However it would appear some Nigerians especially supporters of both men don’t want the war to end. They have continued the war songs.

And some have stepped up the campaign to denigrate the person of the outgoing president thereby raising tension in the land. Of course we must speak truth to power. By all means we must criticize our leaders and point out their frailties, foibles and what they have done and are doing wrong. But when we begin to mock, debase, disrespect, abuse humiliate and denigrate them with our words in the name of criticism and expressing our opinion, it smacks of malice.

I think some persons are going overboard in their criticisms of the outgoing leader. As the incoming leader has affirmed, Jona-

than deserves to be shown respect as the man who currently occupies the number one position in our land. We should start winding down on politics and begin to focus on how to guide the incoming order. What is clear is that the last act of Jonathan has won a lot of admiration for our country in the international arena.

He has saved our country from a potentially debilitating politically induced self-immolation. He has given a refreshing fillip to our democracy. This is an imperishable legacy. If you think the concession of Jonathan is nothing go and ask them in Kenya and Cote Divoire where Uhuru Kenyatta and Laurent Gbagbo refused the result of Presidential elections some years back. Thousands were massacred and the scars of the political war are still hunting and hurting both countries.

Adebanjo sent this piece via obanijesu@yahoo.com.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

Life&

TIME Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Yemi Solade: A consumate actor

How a wife can build her man’s libido L4 P

Dealing with peer influence and pressure PL7

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 7, 2015

Don’t tag me a Yoruba actor -Yemi Solade

He is a distinguished thespian who needs little or no introduction.

With almost four decades in the movie industry, Yemi Solade speaks as an authority. In this interview, he opens up on a myriad of issues ranging from his thoughts on politicians using his colleagues as instruments of campaign, his dislike for being stereo typed, why he has never been attempted

Mutiat Alli

interesting revelations.

How have you been able to maintain your youthful despite your schedule? frame and to be physically and men-

ness, I however mind what I eat,

unnecessarily. I have always taken my life very seriously. I take very good care of my skin. always indoors and that saves

because I select the events I attend, and that helps hereditary. Looking young runs in my family. I come from a family where people blessed because remaining young, even though I am 55 years old, recently landed me too,

because I practice preventive medication. I had to quit

certain things like smoking about 15years ago and now I take little alcohol. I also have peace of mind in my home. I am married to one woman who understands me inwardly and outwardly and will not give me unnecessary pressure. comfortable with what I have. I am also one person with an orientation to always look my best everyday no matter what I am putting on. I can call myself a fashionista in the sense that I design what I wear.

Are you planning to have a clothing line or do you already have one?

May be in the nearest future I may decide to have one because I have my name embedded on some of my clothing items. I give my local tailors the designs I want and they just sew it. The real truth is that I know how to combine colours and different clothing items You said looking the way you look now, landed you an acting role recently. Would you mind sharing what the project is all about?

First let me say that I always like to keep a beard because of the mature look it gives but I decided in 2015, to wear a new look . I recently went for a reading without my beards and shortly after, I got Ebony life Television and as soon as I stepped into their conference

since gone for several photo shoots as Rev. Oluwatobi.

You are hardly ever seen featuring in Yoruba movies these days. Would it be right to say you have deliberately reduced your appearance in the Yoruba movie sector?

Even the world knows that I have.

In the last seven years, I have minded the frequency with which I titioners. I have my reasons. I discovered that a lot was going wrong in the area of boosting the image of practitioners in that sector. Besides, I just wanted to let the world know that I am not solely about ally trained dramatist from the University of Ife. I refused to join any group to be under any boss for apprenticeship. I have a degree which I did not acquire by being taught in barrassed and sometimes, speechless when movie producers walk up to me and ask if I can act in English

T E A M

all ceremonies like others do or run around politicians like houseEditor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378

Considering your level of strictness and professionalism, do the Yoruba scripts even come at all? dard formats, they come like what let me go there at all. Even what they consider a script, to an aver-

ing to change all of that by writing good scripts, using dialogue, scene descriptions, but the percentage of such producers is still minimal, so what we still have is producers

movie producers is that they can go as far as wanting to telling you the story lines via telephone conversation and what I do to such set of people is to disengage their calls. I want to be arrogant to people like that, who do not want the industry to progress. Somebody like Tunde because they have also set their own standard. I am the police of the understand it and they are quick to tell me to take red wine for a scene and you are coming with a tea cup

to have done his home work properly; Google me or ask around, before trying to engage me. I let my

Life&

work to come out and for people to enjoy it. So yes, I act more in Soaps.

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478

that scene? I will tell you to go away understand what a goblet is in the producing. What is their level of edeven know how to use or place the simplest cutlery.

As a veteran in the industry, when do we get to see you produce your own movie?

I have actually done one and for two years now, I left it languishing in the studio. I am not the regular movie producer, I take things one at a time. Like I said, I shot the movie in March, 2013 and I hope to complete it this year. I titled it then, Bi Ogiri O Lanu with that name again as some producers have already used that title but that is not a problem as I can always get a new title. The funniest thing is that I did not even feature in the movie. I am not part of those set of people who will write, direct, produce and even act in their movie because they want to force their popularity on people. When I am done with the other things delaying the productions, I intend to premiere it,

Continued on page 3 Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday April 7, 2015

L3 Interview

Don’t tag me a Yoruba actor

-Yemi Solade

Continue from page 2 are undisciplined when it comes to political parties/candidates across the country recently.

anybody doing anything he or she tion and freedom of speech. This is why we live in a free society, but one

wisely when we do all these things.

to. I can work with a politician, but I will not dance around any of them I think I stand a better chance of affecting the people because what we do transcends every strata of the society. We are not caged or con-

what my colleagues are doing, but I may not join them in doing same because I mind what I do. Those things

Yemi Solade and family and do business with it because I inencouraged. It is a platform to projmy time as a producer. I do less acting these days because I select the

globe. If for instance, I run into an Eddy Murphy and we speak and along the line, we become friends

I want to be part of it, regardless of

Next, there will be headlines like

anything and everything.

for our credibility because the actors abroad are better known than us here in Nigeria, so collaborations with them is on good side for me.

What is your take on the much touted Nollywood and Hollywood collaboration?

rather we come together as a set of people who form and shape opinions in the society, and encourage one another to serve this society beyond just showcasing our talents and entertaining the public. Some of us are well rounded and suitable for such positions too. Some of us can be governors, senators, ministers, and commissioners too. So I are doing. I just think that some of are, and we limit our potentials and what we can do. If we can produce an RMD who is a commissioner in Delta State, then that shows that this industry can still produce many more RMDs. But, I think the activities of my colleagues boil down to

the overall picture that we are trying to create. There are too many splinter groups within the fold and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is just one of them. It would interest you to know that AGN does not have that kind of geographical spread. If you look at the structure, you will notice that AGN is populated by a sect of before being a Yoruba man, and I am an actor of international repute.

I ply my trade all over the world. You

think I want to segregate myself by pitching my tent somewhere and getting stigmatized. When these -

not seen any English actor among

have access to them anymore.

actor, then I have a problem with that. He went to a University and studied the same course as I did.

He was in Uniben while I was in Ife.

of those that studied Political Science in school are in government now? Anybody can be a politician, coming out to have their share of

Warri actor. RMD is a Warri actor.

profession, and I did not learn Dramatic Arts in Ife under Wole Soyinka -

A Federal High Court in Lagos recently annulled the election that ushered in Ibinabo Fiberesima as AGN president.

I am an advocate of that re-orientation of the nomenclature that has

stakeholder in the industry?

Yoruba, Hausa, and we still do it in

actors but some of us ply our trade

Continued on page 7

Music & Movie Chart

Opeoluwani Akintayo and Mutiat Alli

Top 10 music chart

Nigeria

1.Wizkid-Ojuelegba 2.Falz Ft. Yemi Alade- Marry Me 3.Iyanya- Finito 4.Kiss Daniel – Woju 5.Mavin- Looku Looku 6.Phyno- Yayo 7.Korede Bello- God Win 8.Olamide- Falila Ketan 9.M.I Ft Moti- Bad Belle 10.Charass Ft. Davido & Phyno-

Top 10 music chart

International

1.Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk 2.Ellie Goulding- Love Me Like You Do 3.Maroon 5- Sugar 4.Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartneyFourFiveSeconds 5.Hozier- Take Me To Church 6.Ed Sheeran- Thinking Out Loud 7.Sam Smith- Lay Me Down 8.Omi- Cheerleader 9.The Weeknd- Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) 10.Lost Frequencies- Are You With Me

Top 10 movie chart

English

1.October 1st 2.30 Days in Atlanta 3.Gone Too Far 4.Apaye 5.Lekki Wives 6.Tango with me 7.Single, Married and Complicated 9.Flower Girl 10.Mirror Boy

Top 10 movie chart

International

1.Home (2015) 2.Get Hard 3.The Divergent Series: Insurgent 4.Cinderella 5.It Follows 6.Kingsman: The Secret Service 7.Do you believe?

8.The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 9.The Gunman 10.Run All Night

Relationship L4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 7, 2015

Wife, be the help meet: Build his libido Great ways to improve your husband in bed

Honey spread: Have you tried rience of a life time you must exspread it on his chest and nibble your way to his tits and hear him Change position: If he is usually on top, change places with him, or lie side by side or do the chair one; him sitting and you …..... It gives a deep satisfying orgasm for both of you.

Do a strip tease dance for him: You know that men are easily aroused by what they see. So girl, give the best strip tease act you can

Ngozi Ndubisi

ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com A couple in their 50s was celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, an attending angel asked that they make a wish each for being so nice.

Wife: A trip around the world with my darling husband. Instantly, an airline and cruise tickets were in her hands and money as added bonus.

Husband: A female companion of 30 years younger than me. Instantly, he was turned eighty-four! his good sense of humour! Judg-

But seriously wives, this complain of poor performance and the men wanting a younger female companion should stop. According to research, women from the age of 50 and above should be very active in that department. So why are you not showing your man what

you know you can actually learn a lot from these old mummies you tend some women forum that cuts across the young and the old; all classes of married women, you hear and learn a lot, like the under listed. Try any or all of these and

his eyes and physically.

Flirt with him: A sweet 63 year old lady tells us how she keeps her husband of 37years panting and coming back for more over and over. Once in a while, while preparing for work, she drops her towel in front of her husband and bends all the way touching her toes (in the guise of picking the towel) the grab her from behind, only to be rethe promise of later, spices up their day.

Wake him up seductively daily: with your body. Touch him without actually touching him. Blow some breeze along his neck or ears each morning and watch his transformation from a routine husband to a sex machine.

Show some loving care: Show him a little undivided care when he comes back from work and on most weekends. If he comes home tired, irritated and in a foul mood, give him space. But when you know he is well rested and relaxed, offer him a warm oil massage, but girls trailing up and down his body as you massage him.

Start tonight, do something sexually crazy that will keep asking and coming for more. Never pass your husband without touching him and give a look that promises more if he dares.

Foods that can enhance your sex life up your sex life with these super duper foods. There is nothing better than a romantic home cooked R-rated dinner to help turn up the heat in your love making: 1.

Berries: These are probably the most sensual foods for both the man and the woman. Your creativeness with your berries may indicate how creative you are sexually.

2.

Citrus fruits: Like oranges, grapes and adding lemon to your drinking water can literarily boost your bedroom performances. Research also shows that vitamin C can improve the health of crease the fertility of both man and woman.

3.

Figs: Are packed with very important for a healthy heart and have a long history of being a fertility booster.

4.

Seeds and Nuts: Almonds have actually been described as a sexual stimulant and can reduce infertility and miscarduce healthy fats and nutrients for our sex hormones.

5.

Arugula: Dark leafy greens are essential for our sexual health and arugula has been known to be an arousal aid.

6.

Avocados: This fruit is said to be one of the healthiest foods in the world. This fruit balances hormones, stimulates fat loss, loaded with teasers and if dipped in chocolate, drives your pleasure centers crazy.

7.

Dark Chocolate: This food can trigger and set you in the mood and also produces the brain chemicals needed for sex.

8.

Seafood: One of the best sources for libido boosting zinc is the oyster. Other seafood types are wild salmon and herring and are essential also for healthy hearts.

Money back if these does not work.

Phrases that piss of a spouse and kills the sex:

For more erotic advice, suggestions and help, email Ngozi Ndubisi: ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com

The Love Dare Week 4:

Day 28: Love completes each other If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

The dare

Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their views and recommendations. If you have ignored their inputs in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.

Day 29: Love meets sexual needs his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

The dare

If it’s at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honours what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God

to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

Day 30: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.

The dare

What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse’s life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a darWhether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

Day 31: Love is accountable Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.

The dare

Find a marriage mentor, someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you.

If you feel that counseling is needed, appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

Day 32: Love is God’s word Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

The dare

Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resources that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin by submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.

DAY 33: Two with one mind and one heart If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by the Father.

The dare

Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it’s in the morning, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don’t forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

Day 34: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

The dare

Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this in prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

Day 35: Love endures

Love never fails.

The dare

Spend time in your personal prayer, write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse.

Include why you are committing to your marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place

Day 36: Love is a covenant Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

The dare

Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home.

Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family members present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God’s eyes and the high honour of being one with your mate (Spouse).

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday April 7, 2015

L5

Kiddies World L6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 7, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Story time

Know your heroes/heroines

Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti

-

-

body are found in your ear sects?

of your body?

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

-

9

healthiest foods for kids and teens

Fruits:

Peanut butter: Peanut butter is an ideal source for protein, vitamins, magnesium and dietary

Whole grains: -

-

Water and tea: Fish: Convincing little ones to

Poem: Success

Vegetables:

a loop called confusion, Cheese: an engine called Perseverance, a driver called Jesus,

Nut:

Beans: Does your little one love -

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday April 7, 2015

L7 Teen’s World

Parents-children relationship

Teenage peer influence and peer pressure Ngozi Ndubisi

ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com Friendships are very much an integral aspect of the teenage years. them through their adolescent (teenage) era. This period, friendship that are more intimate, exclusive and more constant is developed. Many parents worry that their teenage children could fall under negative

informed and good decision. Teach them exit strategies or ways to say No! to negative pressures.

Some common pressures teens and young adults face: Pressure to try drugs, alcohol and to smoke cigarettes or weeds Pressure to engage in premarital sex either by a partner or by friends Pressure to encourage risky online behaviour via social media Pressure to steal.

Pressure to partake in illegal licensed cars, cheating in exams, copying done assignments or ditching school entirely.

Pressure to dress in certain uncomfortable ways.

Pressure to join gangs or fraternity.

the teenagers to reject their family values and beliefs, as well as, be pressed into engage in high risk behaviours.

In spite of these fears, peers play the teens lots of positive opportunities, despite the negative connotations of the parents. The actual fear and concern by parents and other adults, should be when the teens are seen becoming too preoccupied with these friends. Positive peer innorms, and practice their autonomy and the social support needed to deal with some their challenges.

Instead of watching your teens fall

Walking away from peer pressure

them with the skills necessary to resist negative behaviours and reach

Teens give in to pressure by their peers because they want to belong, -

Interview

Teenagers ing it, worrying other kids may make fun of them. No matter the reason you are pressured into acting contrary to your better judgment, or common sense, you can walk away and be liberated and be safe today.

It will be tough but you can do it by: Deciding to choose better friends: If you choose friends who are loose, you probably will be to, so choose friends who are not loose or who do not do negative things.

Paying attention to your own feel-

ings and beliefs: Your inner strength walk away and resist doing something you are better off not doing.

Joining force with another friend willing to say No!: This makes it easier to resist and have someone who will back you up when you say No! Staying away: If you face peer pressure when alone, you can simply stay away from such people and stick around with.

Don’t tag me a Yoruba actor Continued from page 3 scribe to that school of thought that calls me a Yoruba actor and calls Olu Jacobs an English actor. I think

tion of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), AGN and others.

Given all of this though, AGN is

not a body of general practitioand that needs to be checked.

Now, the AGN is populated by the

get to understand this better when you even tune into your cable TV offering movies in different languages. I have never been too happy or favorably disposed to the happenings in the AGN. I am a dormant member of the Guild, and I was not trained to be tribalmy life as an actor for close to four Igbo man and a Benin man successfully and so convincingly that even the owners of the culture and languages were impressed. too and it was well loved by Ghanaians. An actor is not supposed ethnic or cultural norms. But since practitioners decided to classify themselves and now we have so and Movie Practitioners Associa-

body. We have bodies that cover the entire hemisphere. TAMPAN, for instance, covers everything. writers, directors, technicians, costumiers, and make-up artists, all in one body. So AGN, Actors

cover everywhere.

You are currently the ambassador of the Nigerian Entertainment Health Insurance Scheme (NEHIS) but it is a known fact that Yoruba movie entertainers put up a nonchalant attitude towards their health. How do you intend to propagate this laudable initiative in your ambassador?

I actually started last year to sensitize my colleagues. I have invited the scheme organizers to the national meeting of TAMPAN, in September, some six months

ago while I was the pioneer head of the association but now Dele Odule has taken over as the president. I just hope that he will continue from where I stopped.

On my own part, I am not stopping. I just collected some of the health scheme forms which I will distribute to the state chapters. I think people should stop their traditional beliefs on health issues. I am pained when I see some actors taking a shot of concoctions, tion, some in funny colors and only God knows what must have been mixed together to come up with the mixture. I am not cut out for all this traditional things they indulge in. I am a typical Yoruba Man, I dress the Yoruba way and I cherish my culture as I always who will say he is more Yoruba than I am. But when it comes to not subscribe to taking a shot of some concoction that has no dosage or guide on how it should be ingested. I have never seen any orthodox medicine that is alcohol based. If you want to take gin if you add this and this together, then you will have this concoction and when you take it, you will be okay, one time. Ordinarily when you take alcohol you get high,

or, teacher or a parent could be your saving grace which could prepare you if such occasions arise again.

Not all peers are bad, join some who will positively change lives and pressure others into doing what is right.

Talk to us on any issue you want

-Yemi Solade

then when you have malaria and you take gin with some sticks of whatever thing they put in the mixture, what then becomes the outcome of the illness you are trying to cure?

But some of your colleagues take the local herbs as aphrodisiac.

Taking local herbs as a form of aphrodisiac is a different thing, work for me because I know the aphrodisiac that will work. There is Viagra, I can control it because there is a guide on how it because you never know where they may have cut the stick from, may be from the cemetery and they put it in one pot and just add schnapps. Ordinarily it may work for them but I am so sure it will never work for me.

How do you unwind when you are not on location?

I exercise and try to relax a about me is that I dance Shoki a lot because I move along with what is applicable with the trends. I dance to other legendry music like songs from Sunny Ade and a host of others. I use all the slangs available and I have all the fun I want.

L8 Television

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday April 7, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

ED Channel 190

107 M-Net Movies

14:30

01:00

Sat, 11 Apr | 16SNL

Tue, 7 Apr | PG13

In this British comedy that cleverly questions the institution of marriage, a newly-wed couple begins to feel the honeymoon phase slipping away and reality seeping in. Rafe Spall, Rose Byrne, Minnie Driver.

Selim and Leila were farmers in southwest Syria. The day their village was shelled by government forces they decided to leave the country. We get an intimate view of their struggles and the

101 M-Net West

00:00 Behind The Scenes: Transformers Age...

01:26 Behind The Scenes: The Arrows...

04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Two And A Half Men 06:30 Arrow 07:30 Celebrity Masterchef South Africa 08:30 Rio 2 10:07 Behind The Scenes: Planes Fire...

10:30 The Middle 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:47 Behind The Scenes: The Theory Of...

12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Elementary 14:00 The Slap 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

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 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labour 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 Forbidden Passions

00:20 Top Gear

128 SONY MAX

10:55 My Family: Christmas 2007

02:05 Come Dine With Me 12:20 Top Gear

02:55 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me 04:10 Top Gear

14:10 Total Wipeout UK

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:55 Spy

17:10 The Cube

06:25 EastEnders

18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:55 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 Rev. 08:35 The Cube

19:35 QI

09:25 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:05 Would I Lie To You?

10:15 Deal Or No Deal

20:40 Michael McIntyre: Hello Wembley!

154 AfricaMagic Family

01:05 1000 Ways To Die 01:30 1000 Ways To Die 03:00 Hole In The Wall 03:30 Hole In The Wall

155 AfricaMagic World

00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:14 Star Gist 02:07 At Home With Michelle Attoh 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Channel O: Volt 04:30 Channel O: Volt 05:00 The Comedy Club Live In Lagos 06:01 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist

07:26 Wager 08:41 Living With Trisha 09:24 Comedy Club Live In Lagos 2010 10:16 Good Morning Africa 11:11 Tinsel 11:39 Star Gist 12:05 Channel O: Volt 12:32 Channel O: Volt 12:58 At Home With Michelle Attoh 13:49 Choice 14:00 Through The Eyes Of An African 14:32 Ise Dale 15:30 Coco Bill

05:00 Perils Of The Sentimental Swordsman

07:15 Hole In The Wall 07:45 Hole In The Wall 00:58 Noose Of Gold 01:31 Good Morning Africa 02:43 The Dzigbordi Show 03:40 Good Morning Africa 04:50 Good Morning Africa 05:01 Good Morning Africa 05:16 Noose Of Gold 06:05 Foot Print 06:36 Foot Print

07:06 Star Gist 07:39 Star Gist 08:10 Lies That Bind 08:37 Lies That Bind 09:02 Good Morning Africa 10:06 So Wrong So Wright 10:35 So Wrong So Wright 11:05 Affections 11:33 Jara 12:08 Jara

12:43 Katemba Mu 13:00 Music On Africa Magic 14:08 Noose Of Gold 14:39 Noose Of Gold 15:12 Deception 15:43 Foot Print 16:14 Foot Print 16:45 Lies That Bind 17:10 Lies That Bind 17:36 Star Gist 18:08 Star Gist

09:10 What Went Down 09:40 Repo Games eos

12:55 Hole In The Wall 13:25 Hole In The Wall 13:55 What Went Down 14:25 Exposed 14:50 Exposed

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Tech Times

s

TT 1

Inye Kemabonta, Editor, Tech Times inye@technologylaw.com.ng

The Case for Regulated Information Systems (IS) Audit Profession in Nigeria Between late 2002 and early 2004, there was a strong advocacy by NITDA, under the late Prof Olalere Ajayi, for the creation of an Information Technology (IT) cadre in the Federal Civil Service. The push eventually received the assent of the Federal Executive Council. The implementation began with six pilot Ministries, among which was the Federal Ministry of Education. The import was that MDAs would have departments of IT with establishment positions up to directorate level.

The reasons for the agitation for the creation of an IT cadre and establishment positions were several. NITDA had been born just about two years thence and realized that Information Technology would not flourish if graduates of IT who found themselves in the civil service did not see a career path. At that time, IT functions were being undertaken by the Planning Research and Statistics Department (PRS).

The Directors of PRS departments were not IT professionals. Therefore IT programs suffered poor implementation.

The second reason was that since Information Technology had become a key enabler of governance, it needed special attention. The third reason was to attract IT graduates into the civil service due to the advent of e-government, and the massive deployments of IT infrastructure in government.

By 2006, the impetus had waned and a return to status quo was subtly ordered. That meant that the implementation of the IT cadre would not go beyond the pilot stage. But by 2011, a Ministry of Communication Technology was created

and Information Technology came within its purview. The matter was revisited by the new Ministry, this time with greater vigor and success. The success has been underscored by the establishment of a thriving Council of Heads of ICT Department chaired by the Honorable Minister of Communication Technology. The Council now serves, among other things, as a platform to implement standards across government.

While all of these developments are certainly praise worthy, something else which is desideratum for sustained development and delivery of best value to government and the nation is severely lacking in the system. I speak about the absence of an Information Systems (IS) Audit cadre. On the surface, this does not appear critical, but close examination will show that today the reasons for mandatory financial audit as part of corporate governance, good as they are, actually pale against the real need for mandatory IS audit in an economy driven no longer by mere capital but

by knowledge ( and by its derivatives such as technology).

Among the time-honored factors of production, labor won the battle long time ago. But labor didn’t win as labor. It won because it acquired critical information and knowledge, and became innovative, generating technology in the process. The truth though

is that over the centuries the sharp lines which divided the factors of production have blurred, but with knowledge becoming a clear key factor.

Application of knowledge can make or mar the progress of any company or corporation today. Knowledge errors or technology glitches can bring down century-old corporations. This accounts for the emergence of Information Systems (IS) audit as a core process in corporate organizations overseas.

U n f o rtunately, IS audit has not r e a l l y caught on in Nigeria.

Only a few private sector corporations recognize its value. But every year, corporations, especially government MDAs, spend billions of naira in procuring and deploying enterprise Information Systems. It is more alarming that within government MDAs there is no institutionalized framework to evaluate the outcome of IT investments, the sustained security of the technologies and the business value of Information S y s t e m s.

B u t

on the other hand financial audit has enjoyed longstanding corporate acceptance. Yet Information Technology has assumed a very important position in the survival, efficiency and competitiveness of businesses. The entire cash flow of all Fortune 500 companies is linked to Information Systems (Adewoye, 2007). Adewoye has argued that Technology directly affects how managers decide, how they plan and what products and services are produced.

The fact that IT spend is huge and that Information Systems are a dominant feature in business processes are not surprising at all. The real surprise is that Information Systems audit, unlike financial audit, is not yet a regulated profession in Nigeria in spite of the quantum of investments in Information Systems and the place of IT as critical infrastructure in both the public and private sector business processes. Its practice is limited to a few discerning industries such as banking but is almost non-existent in government MDAs. This is where NITDA has a critical developmental and regulatory role to play. Its position as the clearing house for IT in Nigeria puts on her doorsteps the responsibility of developing the framework for, and enabling the emergence of, an Information Systems Audit profession in Nigeria.

The times are most auspicious for the establishment of a regulated IS Audit profession.

Most commercial and public entities have migrated their businesses to the online environment, automating their pro-

Jack, DG NITDA

NCC puts Nigerian telecom on world map - Ajayi PAGE TT 2

CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 2

Cisco’s mobility IQ solution enhances business growth

LG commences global launch of new mid-range smartphone

National Broadband Council approves Cable Landing Points in Four Coastal States

PAGE TT 2

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Tech Times TT 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

NCC puts Nigerian telecom on world map- Ajayi

Cisco’s mobility IQ solution enhances business growth

Ogunlade

Tony Nwakaegho Cisco has unlocked the power of visual network knowledge and now drives unparalleled business outcomes for service providers with the latest mobility Software as a Service (SaaS) analytics solution, christen Mobility IQ The SaaS solution, hosted on Cisco Cloud Services, provides advanced insights and an unprecedented bird’s-eye view across Wi-Fi, 3G and long term evolution (LTE) network activity in real-time.

According to the latest annual update of the Cisco Visual Networking Index Global

Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2014 to 2019, global mobile data traffic will grow nearly 10-fold over the next five years, aided by the ongoing adoption of more powerful mobile devices and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connections, combined with broader access to faster cellular networks.

It is predicted that global WiFi offload traffic will exceed global cellular traffic by 2019, which underscores the increasing importance of small cell technologies in many carriers’ mobile service delivery strategies.

Speaking on the new solution, General Manager, Cisco, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mr. Dare Ogunlade, said “Mobility IQ is a great example of Cisco executing on its service provider strategy in Nigeria, enabling our customers to drive profitable business outcomes through transformation.

The Case for Regulated Information Systems (IS) Audit Profession in Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1

Ajayi

Engr. Lanre Ajayi is the President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) which is a professional, nonprofit, non-political umbrella organization of telecommunications companies of Nigeria inaugurated on December 10, 1993. He spoke with Tony Nwakaegho in an interview during the recent stakeholder forum on spectrum held in Lagos. Excerpts: What are your impressions of the NCC research process and stakeholders’ forum on 70/80GHZ Band?

It’s a good thing for the regulator to seek the input of the stakeholders before coming up with a regulation. We consider it a privilege; we appreciate it and simply hope that whatever input that has been gathered at this event be put into consideration before the regulation is passed. From all indications a couple of operators were consulted before the general consultation, which I consider a great thing. It is always nice to have a basis to call for public consul-

tation, so the earlier the better for people that were consulted were given some points which could be discussed before a general plenary like this. I think the process is good to have specific consultation and a general consultation.

What is your assessment of the NCC in terms of regulation?

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been doing a good job in terms of regulating the industry. They’ve been able to balance the requirements of the operators with that of the consumers to a large extent. But just like in every other thing there’s always room for improvement. There are areas where they certainly can improve. We have noticed a great deal of consultation when it comes to issues of spectrum but in other areas of regulation we only hope that wider of consultation can also take place. NCC must be commended for its excellent regulatory role which has put the Nigerian telecoms sector on the world map.

Briefly let us into your pro-

jection for the ICT industry going forward?

The industry has been a great contributor to the Nigerian economy; contributes more than 100 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that’s a big one if you compare it to some other sectors of the economy. And with the right regulatory policy and political environment we can see a continued growth and greater contribution of the industry to the national economy.

What is your take on light licensing model?

NCC has indicated it as an option but I would have preferred light licensing without a fee. In the sense that we still need to know who is operating from where; we still have to keep track of who’s using what frequency and at what location and then you’re given approval before you proceed. But it does not necessarily have to attract fees. If there are countries that are not collecting fees according to the presentation we got, then CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 3

cesses, running high security risks and requiring rigorous IS audit. Information infrastructure has become Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), requiring legal protection. A regulated IS audit practice will be a natural bastion of that protection.

Already, several NITDA-inspired actions have prepared the grounds for the emergence of the IS audit profession in both the public and private sectors. In January 2013, the National Information Systems and Network Security Standards and Guidelines version 3.0 was published by NITDA. On December 5 of the same year the Control Objectives for IT and Related Technologies, version 5.0 (COBIT 5) was adopted as a framework for the governance and management of enterprise IT in Nigeria.

Both documents are major planks on the platforms for the security and management of Information Systems for national development. A regulatory and compliance framework for both documents will be a critical step in the evolution of the IS audit profession.

If NITDA takes that step, as its mandate demands, the Agency would have bequeathed to the indigenous IT industry one of the most far-reaching IT development and governance mechanism.

The instant benefits of the evolution of an IS audit profession and the creation of an IS audit cadre in the public service are many. Every organization in the public and private sector would employ an IS auditor the same way they employ a financial auditor. This will create jobs. Audit departments would have these two main streams of audit for the entrenchment of stronger corporate governance principles.

Every organization will require the services of an external IS audit the same way they hire external auditors to authenticate their books and give an independent, objective view of investments to ensure probity and accountability. This will create more jobs and build great Nigerian companies in the mold of Deloitte, PWC, and Ernst and Young.

–by Inye Kemabonta, email: inye@technologylaw. com.ng

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

ATCON woos foreign investors to Nigeria

LG commences global launch of new mid-range smartphone

CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 2

why do we think we have to collect money? The issue of fees becomes important when demand outstrips supply and you’re looking for a way of apportioning resources to someone who will use it most effectively then you can use fee as a factor when the issue of spectrum will come in. But this is a spectrum that we most usually have demand less than supply, so why applying fee? We need to encourage innovation and lower tariff by giving operators opportunities to have lower cost. Except it becomes important to use fee to determine who is serious about operation then I don’t see the need for a fee. The licensing operation will commence soon.

Before now there are other frequencies and people have been doing microwave deployment.

This is just an opportunity to do more. Even for broadband they have been deploying other spectrum this is just an additional spectrum that is being released.

What conditions need to be met before Nigeria could meet global standard in terms of broadband deployment?

For Nigeria to meet up with global standard, broadband must become ubiquitous with the necessary environment created for operators to deploy the broadband facilities.

The required spectrum including the suspended 2.6GHz and the 700MHz auctions must be completed while conductive environment with stable power supply; reduction in taxation, vandalism; appropriate Right of Way (RoW) among others would help to expand the broadband reach across the country. The association has gone a long way in advocating for wide deployment of broadband through various fora, that government should create the enabling environment that would foster speedy penetration to the remotest part of the country and also making it affordable.

The clamour for local content in the ICT sector has not taken root like what is being CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 4

TT 3 Tech Times

L-R: Tani Fafunwa, Managing Director, Resourcery, Tunde Fafunwa, Managing Director, Kitskoo Cloud Services and Monu Ogbe, Executive Director, Kitskoo Cloud Services at Kitskoo Forum for Information Technology and Business Executives held in Lagos, recently.

Kitskoo advocates valuable business, IT relationship for organisations Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Kitskoo Nigeria, a cloud services provider has through the company’s quarterly forum entitled: “Love IT or Leave IT” advocated for a valuable business and Information Technology relationship for growth in organizations.

Managing Director, Kitskoo Cloud services, Tunde Fafunwa who made this position known at the forum in Lagos, emphasize that the major challenge between information technology and business is communications.

According to him, “The main challenge appears to be communication, because if we look at one side of Information Technology (IT), the problem is that some businesses do not understand IT. On the other hand, the business representative would say that IT does not understand the business. So, the most important thing is communication. That is why we are providing the forum for both sides to meet and share their goals.

“Infrastructure cuts across several areas. If you want to access the internet, make a call, buy goods online, or get connected, you need your mobile device.

If you do not have the mobile device, signal or connection, the problem has started. Our approach is talking to those who

are providing the infrastructure about the kind of changes and trends coming up which they really need to be prepared for. Are they really prepared for increase in data? How are they building the network?

“At the same time, we are advising the companies. Yes, there are problems, but these days, people have the mobile devices, access the internet, downloading files, accessing applications, buying things from Jumia; as a company, how are you going to deal with that situation, even as the infrastructure is developing.

You cannot sit back and wait for everything to work perfectly before you get into the market, because your competitors are already using the infrastructure even at the state it is.”

Fafunwa urged organizations to change alongside the changing consumer trends in spite of infrastructural challenges in the country, adding that his company has made firm commitment in assisting organizations address some these challenges that confront them.

“Our commitment to any company when we engage with them is that we are going to help them get through and keep their customers. We are going to help them acquire, grow and retain their customer base. Our method for doing that can take multiple parts.

LG Electronics said it has commenced the global launch of its new mid-range smartphone starting from South America to be followed by Europe, Asia, Middle East Africa and North America.

The LG’s premium which is an affordable series comprised of Magna, Spirit, Leon and Joy that was first unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in early March.

It was noted for bringing sophisticated design, optimized performance and effortless user experience to a broader range of consumers. By combining the most essential hardware with LG’s premium design elements and user experience, the company has created the perfect balance of style and usability.

The Magna and Spirit are specifically designed to fit more comfortably in the palm of one’s hand with its subtle 3000mm radius curved display.

In-cell touch display technology on the Magna, Spirit and Leon brings the on-screen images closer to the fingers for improved sensitivity and more direct touch response.

And with the new development, LG is carrying over popular UX features originally designed for its premium smartphones. Gesture shot,

for instance, makes it easy to take selfies with a hand gesture that starts a three-second countdown. Glance view allows users to quickly access key information such as time, recent messages or missed calls with a simple downward swipe of the screen, even when the display is off.

President and Chief Executive Officer, LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, Juno Cho said “Millions of customers around the world today are seeking reasonably-priced devices that don’t sacrifice on looks or features. Our newest mid-range smartphones are designed with both new and experienced users in mind all over the world who know a good deal when they see one.”

Cho

Gilat Satcom unveils satellite service for rural Africa Gilat Satcom has unveiled the launch of its ‘Village Island’ portfolio, which will enable rural villages and remote communities in Africa where Average revenue per units (ARPUs) are low to take control of their digital futures.

According to the company, Village Island has been developed to provide internet, Voice over IP (VoIP) and Internet Protocol (IP) video over a private satellite network and will be launched at the Innovation Access Digital Africa summit, which is set to take place during 14th-16th April at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Gilat Satcom disclosed that this will allow connectivity for individual villagers starting from USD 1 a month.

The company also stated that its Village Island will be provided by governments, NGOs, cellular and telephony operators, major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and others to a group acting as the Village Nano-ISP. This group could be a church, a school, a vil-

lage chief or another community organisation.

The private Village Nano-ISP will be responsible for selling the services direct in the village, billing users and paying the monthly service charge to the provider.

Gilat Satcom provides detailed business plans to enable both the network providers and the Village Nano-ISPs to build profitable and commercially sustainable services.

Director Marketing and Business Development of Gilat Satcom, Eran Yoran stated thus: “Providing affordable access in Africa is an ongoing theme for the telecoms industry. There are many entrepreneurial people living in rural Africa who would gladly run a network if they had the tools and know-how available to make it work. We have worked for a long time to provide a solution which is both affordable for the village end-user and profitable for the entire supply chain.

Tech Times TT 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Lagos Chamber of Commerce& Industry Unveils ICT Expo The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has unveiled the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Expo tagged ‘ICTEL EXPO’ which is scheduled to hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos between 15th and 18th of April, 2015.

ICTEL EXPO 2015 themed “Connecting Businesses, Creating Opportunities” offers four days of inspiration, innovation and information, according to LCCI is an event which aims to bring together the stakeholders in the ICT industry, both indigenous and international that will last for four days.

So far, the ICTEL Expo has received the support and endorsement of most of the key industry stakeholders; Nigerian Information Technology

Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Nigeria Internet Registration Agency (NIRA), Federal Ministry of Communication Technology (COMTECH), Computer Professionals Registration Council Of Nigeria (CPN) and Co- Creation Hub(CCHUB) Application for participation for the ICTEL EXPO 2015 is open for brands, organizations who want to seize the opportunity provided by the platform to give visibility to their products, services. The EXPO also promises to provide excellent networking opportunities for business decision makers, innovation mangers, enterprise solution providers, startups investors and all other stakeholders in the ICT industry.

NCC puts Nigerian Telecom on World map- Ajayi CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 3

experienced in the oil and gas sector. What is the way forward?

The local companies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector should gear up efforts towards adding value to telecom hardware products that are being imported into the country and by so doing, would ensure their growth and be more competitive in the industry and globally. What value are we adding to products imported when more things are being done in this country and the situation should be on how to make a difference? Also, some of these equipments can be manufactured locally, and this is what would drive the local content policy being clamoured for by stakeholders in the sector.

What is your view on the refusal of telecom companies to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange?

It was a good idea for such companies to be listed Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as such step would make more people part owners of the firms and mutually beneficial to both the existing investors and the Nigerian people. When you own a company, no matter how tiny the part of the company you

own, you feel a sense of protection for that company. So, when more Nigerians begin to own the companies, they will be tempted to protect those companies. Maybe it may even impact more in the area of infrastructure protection. If you have a share in one Telecoms Company and you notice vandals destroying the property of that company, chances are that you will be more inclined to intervene.

However, Telecoms companies should not be forced to get listed on the NSE, but be allowed to do so voluntarily for the benefit of the companies and their operating environment. NSE listing of telecoms companies would help to save their infrastructure in the country.

What has ATCON done so far to develop the industry?

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has been making efforts to ensure that Nigeria becomes the preferred country of choice for Africa investment destination, aimed at driving technology development in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

ATCON’s efforts are in line with that of the federal government that is making conscious efforts to woo foreign investors to Nigeria to invest in broadband development and penetration.

National Broadband Council approves Cable Landing Points in Four Coastal States Omobola

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The National Broadband Council led by the Minister Of Communications Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, have approved the building of fibre optic cable landing points in four coastal states to be funded by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) which will assist in widespread diffusion of high capacity internet bandwidths around the country.

The Federal Government has planned to encourage telecommunication operators to establish cable landing points in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Ondo States aside from Lagos State, which houses international submarine optic cables from Main One Cable Company, MTN’s West Africa Cable System (WACS), SAT 3 from the NITEL and Globacom’s Glo 1 cable.

Johnson hinted that the cable landing points will promote the rapid establishment of recov-

ery and restoration agreements among the cable companies and delivery of additional landing points for national security and resilience purposes.

“Additional landing points in the country would not only reduce vulnerability and risks associated with a single point of failure but would make it faster and cheaper to lay terrestrial cable from these points to other parts of the country. The council called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the USPF to look into the possibility of providing financial incentives to accelerate this,” Johnson said.

The broadband council disclosed that progress has been made on the implementation of the broadband plan in the last 18 months, especially the increased capacity rolled out by telecom operators and other infrastructure providers which had resulted in a two per cent increase in broadband penetration in 2014.

According to the Minister of

Communications Technology, government and telecom operators also reviewed the progress on the ministry’s Smart State Initiative aimed at getting concessions from state governments (right of way reductions, standardization on levies and charges on telco infrastructure). States yet to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the initiative with the ministry were urged to do so to accelerate the pace of broadband infrastructure rollout within their states.

Bayelsa, Ondo, Katsina, the FCT, Lagos and Cross Rivers State are smart states while Anambra, Delta, Gombe and Osun states have agreed to become smart states. The council reiterated that the initiative geared at engaging authorities at the state and local government level to address the issue of multiple taxations which will accelerate the roll out of critical infrastructure across Nigeria and help Nigeria meet its broadband target of a five-fold increase by 2017.

ZTE Corporation selects Mitsumi as distribution partner for Africa ZTE Corporation has selected Mitsumi Distribution as its strategic distribution partner for Africa with the agreement expected to cover Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Namibia, Tunisia, Cameroon, Madagascar, Burundi, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The companies have agreed to co-invest in technical support staff, sales, and market de-

velopment activities to enable the adoption of ZTE’s products; including switches/routers, video conferencing, data centre, WLAN, CCTV and CPE. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mitsumi Distribution, Jagat Shah said “Mitsumi is proud to cooperate with ZTE as its strategic distribution partner in Africa. ZTE is ranked as the top vendor for its networking and telecommunication products and will help boost our growing product portfolio.

Shah

CAF HONOURS ZUMA

Poster!

GABRIEL

AGBONLAHOR

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MEETING AT

Mills tells

to protect his legacy

BOLT

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ABOUT GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor, born October 13, 1986, is an English professional footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.

He is a product of Aston Villa’s Academy, and made his first-team debut in 2006 following loans to Football League clubs Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. Since then, he has made 300 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring in ten consecutive seasons. With 73 goals, he is Aston Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, having scored in ten consecutive league seasons.

Formerly a regular with England under-21, Agbonlahor made his senior international debut in 2008 and earned three caps overall.

He was one of four children born to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother in Birmingham. However his parents separated while he was still young and he lived with his father, without any contact with his mother for around 20 years.

Agbonlahor’s ancestry qualifies him to play for Scotland or Nigeria at international level, but he chose to play for his homeland of England.

On September 20, 2006, Agbonlahor was pencilled in as a player in the Nigeria U-20 team for the match against Rwanda. He turned down the call, whilst not ruling out playing for the country in the future, but subsequently pledged his future to England.

XT Exclusive Gabriel Agbonlahor Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor October 13, 1986 (age 28) Birmingham, England 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Striker/Winger Aston Villa 11

Aston Villa

Aston Villa Watford (loan) Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

England U-21 England

Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 1994–2005: Senior career 2005–Present: 2005: 2005: National team 2006–2009: 2008–2009:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

GABRIEL

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EXTRATIME

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

– Redknapp

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AGBONLAHOR Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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L O O P R LIVE

Ozil is so special

Gabriel Agbonlahor Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor October 13, 1986 (age 28) Birmingham, England 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Striker/Winger Aston Villa 11

Aston Villa

Aston Villa Watford (loan) Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

England U-21 England

Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 1994–2005: Senior career 2005–Present: 2005: 2005: National team 2006–2009: 2008–2009:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

GABRIEL X2

EXTRATIME

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

AGBON

Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor, born October 13, 1986, is an English professional footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.

He is a product of Aston Villa’s Academy, and made his first-team debut in 2006, following loans to Football League clubs Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. Since then, he has made 300 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring in ten consecutive seasons. With 73 goals, he is Aston Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, having scored in ten consecutive league seasons.

Formerly a regular with England under-21, Agbonlahor made his senior international debut in 2008 and earned three caps overall.

He was one of four children born to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother in Birmingham. However his parents separated while he was still young and he lived with his father, without any contact with his mother for around 20 years.

Agbonlahor’s ancestry qualifies him to play for Scotland or Nigeria at international level, but he chose to play for his homeland of England.

On September 20, 2006, Agbonlahor was pencilled in as a player in the Nigeria U-20 team for the match against Rwanda. He turned down the call, whilst not ruling out playing for the country in the future, but subsequently pledged his future to England.

ABOUT GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

NLAHOR X3

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EXTRATIME

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rsene Wenger has revealed that he needs another player to score 10-15 goals in a season for his team to actually challenge for the title next season.

The Gunners have scored 62 goals in the league thus far and Wenger insists that they can smell more goals coming their way in the seven matches left in the season.

However, the Frenchman is disheartened by Aaron Ramsey’s failure to keep his goalscoring form running this season.

The Welshman took the Premier League by storm in

ARSENAL

the preceding year but has failed to replicate it thus far, mostly owing to a series of injuries, which hindered his recovery.

Ramsey assisted two goals in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates and is showing signs of recovering his best form with the Gunners nearing the business end of the season.

However, Wenger’s words may give some insight into Arsenal’s plan in the upcoming summer transfer window, where they have been linked heavily with Morgan Schneiderlin and Paolo Dybala.

Wenger

WENGER

DROPS MASSIVE TRANSFER HINT REDKNAPP:

Higuain

Ozil is so special!

amie Redknapp has been full of praise for Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, following the German’s “brilliant” performance against Liverpool.

The World Cup winner scored in a 4-1 hammering of the Reds at the Emirates on Saturday.

The 26-year-old has faced plenty of criticism for dipping in and out of form since his £42.5m move from Real Madrid in 2013, but Redknapp believes that the midfielder deserves credit for his performance against Liverpool.

“There’s no doubt that Mesut Ozil is an easy target for ex-pros and pundits, but when he’s at his best he is worth paying to watch,” Redknapp said.

“I’d much rather see a quality

HIGUAIN

A Ozil

player do something special t h a n a b u n c h of grafters with nothing to show for it. Against Liverpool, Ozil was at his brilliant best in a massive game.

“You don’t become a Real Madrid hero or win the World Cup without being something special. Ozil is just that.”

Arsenal are now second in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal in pole position to land

rsenal are in pole position to land Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, according to reports.

Napoli lost to Roma over the weekend putting their qualification for next season’s Champions League at risk.

And reports in Italy suggest that Higuain could look to leave if the Serie A club are not playing in Europe’s top club competition next term.

Napoli remains in the Europa

League this season and could yet qualify for the Champions League by winning that competition.

But Higuain has reportedly told Napoli that he has no intention of taking part in the same competition next season.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Higuain in the past, but their defeat to Arsenal over the weekend may have handed the Gunners the advantage in the race for the Argentine star.

Mertesacker praises Bellerin impact

A

rsenal defender Per Mertesacker has said that Hector Bellerin has been a great addition to the back four this season.

The 20-year-old scored the opening goal as the Gunners beat Liverpool 4-1 on Saturday.

Mertesacker has admitted that Bellerin has impressed him after stepping in as a result of Mathieu Debuchy’s injury problems.

“He’s given us a lot of energy this

season,” Mertesacker said. “He’s stepped up because we’ve had a lot of injuries but he gave us such a great energy and he’s capable of producing great performances.

“To put in such a good performance in front of our fans makes me delighted.

I’m proud of our performance because we kept going. It was a hard-fought win in the end and we deserved it with the way we played.”

Bellerin has netted two goals in 20 appearances this season.