Daily Times of Nigeria

Labour, NCAA boss disagree over alleged recruitment without ministerial nod Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏThe

National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has accused the Director-General of the

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Muhtar Usman of administrative recklessness and un-

der-the-table employment of about 100 persons.

The union also accused Usman of

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failing to pay the salaries of recalled workers in the agency.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.185

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 2nd September 2015.

TOTAL

151.99

0.99

0.65%

STANBIC

22

0.35

1.59%

FO

236.08

-12.42

-5.26%

NB

124.5

-2.09

-1.68%

BERGER

9.05

0.43

4.75%

VITAFOAM

6

0.24

4.00%

SEPLAT

232.46

-12.23

-5.26%

WAPCO

101

-2.00

-1.98%

PDP, presidency at war over Akwa Ibom 6

Metuh: “If such terror can be unleashed on a state government, one can only Adesina: “PDP has got to a level of paranoia. While we ignore their rantings, we

imagine the fate of regular citizens in the hands of this administration that has con- also sympathise with them because they are still reeling from the bloody nose Nitinued to show unparalleled disdain for constitutional order, with heinous penchant gerians gave them at the polls. It takes a long time to recover from such buffeting for oppression.” and that is why they imagine vain things.”

L-R: Mr Fidelis Anosike, Publisher of the Daily Times; Mr Ibe Kachikwu, GMD NNPC; Chief Jackson Gius-Obaseki, former GMD NNPC and chairman Brass LNG, a recipient of the Thisday Lifetime Achievement award; and Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of Thisday and chairman of AriseTV Network at the Thisday 20th anniversary awards held at the Eko Hotel, lagos... on Saturday.

Chaplain denies closure of Aso Villa chapel 6

NNPC moves to recover $9.6b debt 6

All Africa Games: Super Falcons thrash host Congo 5–1

X8

Stay off my charity account, Kuku tells 12 EFCC

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Alarming accidents on our roads

I

f any topic continues to confound Nigerians, especially in recent times, it is that of increasing accidents on our roads. No day passes without gory news of vehicles and people getting involved in ghastly crashes on the roads and highways with attendant loss of lives and properties. Nigerians are beginning to ask whether there is any safe place in the country.

The reason is that road accidents are now commonplace in the village, town and city roads; and often involve heavy-duty trucks, commercial buses, private cars, motorcycles and tricycles. Only last Wednesday, a container-carrying heavy-duty truck skidded off the Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos and fell on two cars below, killing the occupants.

In another incident, a diesel-laden articulated truck veered off the road in Aba, Abia State, causing an inferno that burnt commercial and residential buildings, including seven cars and three commercial tricycles.

The same Wednesday, four persons died and ten were injured in a road accident along the Ogunmakin, Ogun State stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A day later, 14 persons reportedly lost their lives, even as 30 others were critically injured when an Ibadan- bound truck conveying petroleum products had a head-on collision with a passenger bus from Abuja, also at Ogunmakin.

Such devastating tragedies are symptomatic of what is happening on the country’s roads every day. We are not but worried as other Nigerians at the increasing rate of car crashes in the country. According to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) statistics, Nigeria records an average of 11 people killed on its roads daily.

This is not only alarming, the figures show that most of the victims are the young, productive and energetic segment of the national population.

The graphic picture shows that 6,052 people reportedly died from road traffic accidents in 2010, and in 2012, the figure rose to 6,092. In 2013, it was 6,450; while 4,643 lost their lives

in road crashes in 2014.

Even as there was noticeable decline, there can be no doubt that such high casualty figures are still frightening. Economists put the losses to the country at more than N150 billion annually. Incidentally, Nigeria, with a total road network of 204,200 kilometres, comprising 34,120 kilometres of federal, 30,500 kilometres of state and 129,580 kilometres of local government roads, lacks a coherent national policy on road standards, even as the country lacks appropriate road design to keep pace with increased vehicular traffic volumes and vehicle weights.

The embarrassing lack of road markings, safety barriers and signage, are responsible for the high road accidents and deaths on the roads.

Sadly, the United Nations ranked Nigeria as the second worst country in road accidents, coming 191 out of 192 countries surveyed, even as casualties being recorded are more than some countries involved in low intensity wars. Also alarming is the fact that observers predict the situation will get worse in future unless drastic actions are taken to curb the human tragedies on our roads. We believe the situation should not be so, if only road users will observe all relevant highway rules and desist from such risky habits of speeding, drink driving, dangerous overtaking, drug-driving and non-wearing of seat-belts and helmets.

We must point out the massive corruption in many of the road safety agencies, which makes it easy for almost anyone to acquire a driving licence without meeting the statutory and requisite qualifications. Most important is fact that most road accidents in the country are the result of bad and ill-maintained roads.

Finally, it is pertinent to remind the federal and state governments to enforce extant traffic laws rather than use them only for the raising of revenue, even as we admonish the FRSC to return to its core mandate of patrolling and enforcing laws on the highways.

Senator Chuk Hagel, former U.S. Defence Minister; Mr Fidelis Anosike, Publisher, Daily Times; and former head of the CIA and former Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates at the Thisday 20th Anniversary Awards in Lagos ... last Saturday

Rivers: Will the brickbats ever stop?

Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎ

It is doubtful if there is any state in Nigeria since the current administration took office where the present occupier of the governor’s seat and his predecessor are at daggers-drawn as Rivers State.

Since May 29, there has been no let up in accusations and counter-accusations between the Governor Nyesom Wike and his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi.

Weekly, if Wike is not accusing Amaechi of leaving an empty treasury, then Amaechi is accusing Wike of being corrupt and the worst thing

that has ever happened to Rivers State.

Last week Sunday, they were once again at each other’s throats. While Amaechi accused Wike of being corrupt and vowed never to appear before the Justice George Omereji Commission of Inquiry investigating alleged sale of the assets of the state by his (Amaechi) administration, Wike wasted no time same day to ask Amaechi to go and defend himself at the commission to prove his innocence.

The duo had earlier thrown tirades at each other over the state’s treasury. While Wike in a statement claimed that Amaechi’s administration emptied the state treasury before leaving

Words On Marble :

office, Amaechi refuted the claim, saying he left a total of N7.5 billion cash behind as balances in the state Internally Generated Revenue Account in several banks.

On and on the verbal war between the duo continues, making many to ask if the tirades will ever stop. Fact is that the unending verbal war between Wike and Amaechi has become irritating as well as a nuisance and must be brought to a quick end. So, for whatever reason, the sabrerattling politicians should sheathe their swords and allow citizens of the state to live in peace. After all, Rivers is not the only state where election was held during the last general election.

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Yemi Osinbajo “I think that the nation has high expectations and I know that things are just getting better by the day.”

Yisa Aremu

“in a country whereby the common wealth had been serially looted, only those who make sources of their wealth available to public interrogation will command genuine legitimacy.

Frederick Fasehun “They (Obasanjo, Tinubu) gave him (Gani Adams) wings and he has to fly with the wings they gave him.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

Navy, Air Force unite against oil thieves Segun Adio

Group News Editor

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Navy (NN) in a combined effort to combat illegal activities along the Nigerian water ways have re-strategised during a recent joint maritime operation codenamed “OPERATION SAUKAN MIKIYA”.

A Nigerian Air Force statement said the illegal activities, which include crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism that often result to environmental pollution, loss of lives and property, and huge losses in accruable revenue to the Federal Government, would soon become a thing of the

past.

The statement from NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the two days operation was held on 3rd - 4th September, around Port Harcourt, Brass River, Bonny River and seawards, up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

He said during the exercise, the Nigerian Navy deployed some patrol boats along the creeks of Bonny and Brass Rivers. NNS CENTENARY and NNS OKPABANNA were also positioned at the entry points into the rivers respectively, to monitor and block suspicious vessels within the creeks and the high sea.

While the Nigerian Air Force,

using its ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, was tasked to locate suspicious vessels within the creeks and high sea, as well as to report positions, names and other details to NNS OKPABANNA which was the air control ship for the exercise. The overall objective of the exercise was to enhance the security of Nigerian coastal resources and off shore interests, by assessing the capabilities of the NAF and NN in terms of monitoring and apprehending erring vessels, which are essential components of maritime security.

At the completion of the exercise, the statement said, the much needed synergy between

the NAF and Nigerian Navy was achieved as visual contact and communication were established with NNS OKPABANA and NNS CENTENARY. The NAF ATR 42 also monitored from the coast into the sea, and using Aeronautical Information System (AIS) to view into high sea up to EEZ. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar, also used the occasion to assure Nigerians that despite the serious involvement of the Nigerian Air Force in the war against insurgency in the North-East, all necessary support to stamp out illegal activities along the Nigerian water ways by the Nigerian Navy would be given as the need arises.

Police boss highlights importance of PCRC Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe Assistant Inspector Gen-

eral of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 9, Akila Usman Gwary, has said that the Police Public Relations Committee (PCRC), is a veritable tool in community security management in the country.

Speaking in Umuahia, on the occasion of an appreciation ceremony in his honour by the Zone 9 Police command PCRC, AIG Gwary described the outfit as important in community policing, and in ensuring that security is maintained.

While using the occasion to appeal to the public to help protect itself by giving information to the police, the Zone 9 AIG urged the PCRC to continue offering information to the police on what it should do, stating that if the outfit does not help, the police will have a difficult task of security maintenance in the country.

Speaking also during the occasion, which featured the investiture on His Grace, The Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion as the Grand Patron of the PCRC Zone 9, and fund raising for the construction of Zone 9 Police Joint Operations Room Complex, the Chairman of the Zone 9 PCRC, Dr. Ugochukwu Collins Obi said the honour to the number one cop in the zone was to commend his “gallantry, supervisory prowess and dexterity”, especially over his exploits in silencing kidnap kingpins and other criminal gangs in the zone.

5 News

Ekiti threatens to revoke ownership of undeveloped plots ÏÏÏEkiti

State government has warned that it would revoke ownership of undeveloped plots of land in the state-owned housing estates.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Prince Taelolu Otitoju, said that the move became necessary to curtail security threat posed to innocent residents of the estates by criminals that used such plots as hide-outs to unleash terror on the neighborhood.

Otitoju, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, while playing host to residents of the Omisanjana Housing Estate, charged the land owners to immediately develop them or forfeit ownership of the properties.

He also cautioned developers who had erected structures on lands allocated to them without paying prerequisite fees to immediately pay the required fees, or lose the properties.

The Commissioner spoke in response to plea by residents of the Omisanjana Housing Estate that government should find solution to threat posed by the abandoned 6.1 hectares of land allegedly purchased since 2006, but left unattended to.

Buhari visits Mahama on regional security Egena Egena L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Honouree, Sen. Bola Tinubu and Sir. Adewale Adeeyo during the award of Honorary doctorate degree in Political Science and Diplomacy for Tinubu held at the Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State… at the weekend

Lagos bars trailers from roads before 9pm Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏThe Lagos State government

has restated its determination to ensure strict enforcement of the Road Traffic Law 2012, restricting trailers and long vehicles from plying the metropolis between the hours of 6am to 9pm.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, who spoke to journalists on the backdrop of the fatal accident involving a container-laden trailer on September 2, said the trailer contravened Section 2 (i) and 2 (ii) of the Traffic Law. To this end, Whenu said the state government will henceforth go tough on any trailer and long vehicle that contravenes the law, as such vehicle will be impounded and made to pay the stipulated fine accordingly.

Meanwhile, leaders of various Transport Unions and Associations in the state, last weekend,

rose from a meeting with officials of the state government, with a resolve to support the new directive introduced in apprehending traffic offenders.

Whenu, at the meeting clarified the state government’s position on the new directive, saying that LASTMA officials have not been withdrawn from performing their statutory responsibilities on the road.

He said the new directive would pay more emphasis on flawless flow of traffic, while traffic offenders will now be booked and expected to pay their fines within the stipulated period in line with the state government’s covenant with Lagosians to make life easier for them.

He, therefore, solicited the cooperation and support of all transport operators in ensuring the success of this laudable initiative, and to also warn their members not

to see this act of humanness by the state government as a sign of weakness by attacking LASTMA or any other enforcement agents, as this would be sanctioned in accordance with relevant provisions of the law.

“The state government has also directed that all commercial passenger vehicles should obey all traffic rules and regulations by stopping only at designated busstops, close bus doors, while in motion, among other provisions of the law”, Whenu said.

Responding, the State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Muhammed, who spoke on behalf of other union leaders, welcomed the new initiative just as he pledged the support of their members in co-operating with the state government in maintaining law and order and sanity in the transport sector.

Abuja ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Buhari will today undertake a oneday official visit to Accra, the Ghanaian capital.

A statement, issued on Sunday

by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said that during the visit, Buhari would confer with his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and other issues of common interest to Nigeria, Ghana and other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The President is also expected to meet with the Nigerian community in Ghana and entrepreneurs before returning to Abuja.

Buhari

Buhari

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

PDP, presidency at war over Akwa Ibom Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) and the Presidency were locked in a war of words on Sunday over the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House last Friday by officials of the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS).

While the opposition party regarded the invasion as a sign that Nigeria is on a fast descent into dictatorship, the Presidency said that the party is imagining “vain things”, a consequence of its

comprehensive defeat at the last general elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ekerete Udo, had at the weekend confirmed to the Daily Times that the DSS officials ransacked the Guest House section of the Government House. He, however, dismissed reports in some quarters that the security officials seized a cache of foreign currencies during the raid. Some other reports claimed that the DSS officials seized large arms.

Udo dismissed both claims.

On Sunday, the PDP de-

clared that it would no longer stomach what it called the continued unlawful use of state apparatus of power by the Federal Government, being led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to harass elected officials of the opposition party, at any level across the country.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who issued a press statement in Abuja, said that by the invasion, the APC-led government crossed the line in unleashing the DSS, “now under the direct command of its member, Alhaji Lawal

Daura,” in violation of the constitutional immunity of the government house.

But President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said that the PDP’s statement was born out of electoral defeat.

His text message to the Daily Times read: “PDP has got to a level of paranoia. While we ignore their rantings, we also sympathise with them because they are still reeling from the bloody nose Nigerians gave them at the polls. It takes a long time to recover from such buffeting and that is why they imagine vain

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (right); congratulating the couple, Oyindamola and Temitope during the wedding of former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s daughter at our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island… at the weekend.

NNPC moves to recover $9.6b debt Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has begun the process of recovering over $7 billion in over-deducted tax benefits from JV Partners on major capital projects, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu disclosed on Sunday.

A report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari by its new management detailing its successes so far indicated that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu had commenced Performance Measurement & Benchmarking as well as Value for Money Review of NNPC and the JV Companies covering the period 2008 – 2013.

The report said that the process may lead to further

cost recovery.

Also, the report said that a reputable International Accounting Firm had been engaged by the NNPC to ascertain the exact amount due to government on the Strategic Alliance Contracts entered into by NPDC, where up to $2.46 billion of government money is to be recovered.

It also revealed that following an extensive investigation of the various toxic crude oil for refined products swap contracts, a total sum of $420 million had so far been reconciled in favour of NNPC and is now due for recovery from the legacy OPA/SWAP contracts.

Out of the reconciled amount, the sum of $277 million has been recovered in lieu of products and the recovery effort is still ongoing, the report added.

According to the report ,

the GMD of NNPC is committed to continued review of all existing contracts and addressing the ones that were not favourable to the Corporation.

It noted that significant cost reductions were also expected to ensure the Corporation remained profitable in the prevailing low crude oil price regime.

It added that progress was being made toward bringing back the nation’s refineries to full production, noting that the management of the NNPC was working to ensure that happened before the end of this year.

“If this is completed,” the report said, “it is expected to achieve an annual savings of about $1billion worth of foreign exchange from fuel import substitution and additional total saving of over $500 million annually will be

made from the petrochemical products of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.”

The report also disclosed that efforts at repositioning the NNPC have started yielding result on the nation’s economy.

According to its content, gas supply to the power plants that had hitherto been handicapped by the supply of much-needed gas, had improved significantly from about 630 to 861 million standard cubic feet per day, which has resulted in a more steady power supply being witnessed in the country.

The report showed that gas supply for power and peak generation had in recent times reached a historical high of 876 million standard cubic feet per day and 4,782 Mega Watts respectively.

things.”

The PDP cautioned that the invasion and what it called other flagrant instances of abuse of power by the APCled Federal Government are a clear recipe for constitutional crisis, civil unrest and avoidable anarchy in the land. It called on Nigerians and the international community to take copious note of the development.

The party said its investigations had shown that the DSS acted on the express orders from the APC Presidency, which it said had been in a desperate bid to destabilize and forcefully take over Akwa-Ibom and other PDP states.

It stated: “We have information that the DSS, acting on the instructions of the Presidency, occupied Akwa-Ibom State Government House, ransacking guest houses for no just cause.

“If such terror can be unleashed on a state government, one can only imagine the fate of regular citizens in the hands of this administration that has continued to show unparalleled disdain for constitutional order, with heinous penchant for oppression.”

The PDP continued: “We have also been made aware of plans by the APC government to stage similar invasions and unlawful assaults on other PDP states, including Rivers, Delta, Abia and Taraba, where electoral officers are already being hounded and

harassed by the DSS, who are also directly interfering in the activities of the election tribunals, in furtherance of APC’s desperation to take over these states.

“The PDP recalls similar action by the APC controlled police, which in July, sealed local councils in Rivers State and barred caretaker committees lawfully appointed by the state government from taking charge of the councils.

“We wish to restate that the PDP lost a general election and not a war. PDP states are not occupied territories but part of the Nigerian nation; its members are not prisoners of war, but free citizens in a democratic state.”

It added: “We invite Nigerians and the international community to note that never in the history of our democracy have we witnessed such a divisive government, whose actions and constitutional violations have so polarized the polity along its fault lines, while undermining national unity and cohesion, a development that spells doom for our democracy, if left unchecked.

“Finally, we wish to state categorically that as citizens of this country, we can no longer continue to stomach such brazen attacks on our members and elected officials.

The PDP will therefore hold several leadership and stakeholders meetings to come up with its response to this barefaced assault on our democracy. Enough is enough”.

Aso Villa chapel not shut, says Chaplain Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Aso Villa Chapel is

alive and fully functioning, its leadership declared on Sunday.

It described the rumour of the closure of the chapel by the Presidency as the handiwork of mischief makers.

To back up its position, the Presidency circulated pictures from the church service on Sunday to the public.

The social media had been awash with reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered that the chapel be closed down.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the church service on Sunday, however, the acting chaplain of the chapel, Pastor Joseph Sheyi Malomo, clarified that though there were some procedural issues last Sunday that needed to be sorted out, the presidency at no time ordered the closure of the chapel.

He appealed to Nigerians to ignore the rumour and focus rather on issues that would unite the country.

In his sermon titled ‘Securing the glorious destiny of out posterity’, Malomo declared that Nigeria had a unique glorious destiny.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Nigeria, China deepen strategic partnership Segun Adio

Group News Editor

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Navy said it

would ensure that the vessel provided it by the Chinese government would be used for fighting illegality at sea.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, who made the promise said, already, the vessel which came as a gift from Chinese government had been deployed to NNS Delta to operate under the Central Naval Command.

Ango, who spoke during a farewell party organised by the Western Naval Command in honour of 19 Chinese naval personnel, who came to assist in training Nigerian Navy personnel expected to work on board the vessel NNS SAGBAMA, added that the vessel would assist greatly in the fight against maritime crime and crude oil theft, especially in consideration of her speed and ability to react fast to situations when called upon.

Earlier, the representative of the Chinese Consul General, Mr. Li Yong, said with the rapid development of China-Nigeria strategic partnership, more frequent military exchanges and closer cooperation between both countries should be expected.

NGE appeals for release of Donu Kogbara ÏÏÏThe

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Garba Deen Dohammed, has made a passionate appealed for the release of Ms. Donu Kogbara – a columnist with the Vanguard newspaper, who was kidnapped on August 8, 2015, in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

Mohammed reminded those holding Donu, whom he described as a friend of the NGE, “should remember that they have mothers, sisters, wives and daughters whom they cherish and protect intensely”, adding that “Donu is also a mother, wife and sister to other people who care deeply about her.

They must not hurt her and should please release her to return to her family immediately.”

Mohammed observed that as a columnist, Donu had always stood for the truth, the poor and the downtrodden in her approach to national and local issues.

7 News

Dunoma: Airports repositioned to shape African aviation Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏIt has been asserted that the

new terminals at Nigeria’s major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu would make Nigeria the hub of aviation in Africa, when they were completed in 2016.

This was the view of Engr Saleh Dunoma, the Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at Panama, during the Annual General Assembly Conference and Exhibition of the Airport Council International (ACI).

Speaking as a panelist at the event, Dunoma said the comple-

tion of the terminals would stimulate robust traffic growth in passenger and cargo traffic, adding that they would improve passenger comfort and increase capacity.

He added that though the 7.2% increase for passenger traffic from the MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) as contained in the 2014 ACI World Airport Traffic Report, was commendable, this figure would experience a steady rise.

Earlier during the opening ceremony, the President of Panama, Mr. Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, welcomed members to the city, highlighting the importance of aviation, which contributes

significantly to Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In his welcome address, Joseph Fidanque III, the General Manager, Tacuma International Airport, said the Tacuma Airport was building a new terminal to accommodate growing traffic as the hub of region.

Also speaking on the theme “Airports: Shaping our future”, the Chair of ACI World, Hector Navarrette, said ACI “works across all aspects of the airport business, from our top priorities of safety and security to customer service, training, the environment, knowledge sharing and much more.”

In her presentation, Director General of ACI World, Angela Gittens said ACI was enjoying more collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to ensure that policy decisions were balanced among airports, airlines and air navigation service providers.

The ACI accounts for 590 regular members operating 1,850 airports in 77 countries.

It promotes the advancement of the collective interests of the world’s airports and the community they serve; promoting professional excellence in airport management and operations worldwide.

Bishop stresses need to avert sickle cell before marriage Nkiru Nwagbo Awka

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: Supreme Head, C&S Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Alao; representative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Yinka Ayandele and Primate Emmanuel Alder of C&S Church of Christ 'The Worshipers' at the 40th Anniversary service of the church held at Iponri, Lagos… on Sunday

Niger NDE trains 80 women in beads, wire making Saka Bolaji

Minna

ÏÏÏNo

fewer than 80 women from across Niger State are presently undergoing training in beads and wire works under the women employment scheme of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Niger State office. According to the State Co-ordinator of NDE, Engineer Abdullahi B. Mohammed, the training was set up for women in parts of the state to know how to make several articles from beads such as bangles, ear rings, necklace, attachment to shoes and bags among others.

At the training centre, in Minna, on Thursday, he advised the participants to attract with seri-

ousness to the knowledge being imparted on them adding that technical know-how was very vital to every production.

“Right now we are having 80 of the participants undergoing skill acquisition programme, which is part of our mandate to train people to be self-employed in order to reduce unemployment and poverty in our society. If we are able to provide training, we would have done enough by taking care of trainers’ fees, other logistics for organising such a training. The participants are being fed during the training period that sometimes last for at least one week, because it is possible to learn the trade within one week. But if one week is not adequate, there would be negotiations with the train-

ers who are locally sourced,” he maintained.

Mohammed enjoined the participants to pay more attention to the trainers with a view to learning this very scheme, saying women were a part of the youths for other special skills being handled by the Directorate like plumbing, hair-dressing, computer, GSM, satellite and electrical installations among others.

Also Miss Uyo Okpanachi, representative of the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, stated on the occasion that if the participants became the masters of their trades after the training, that they would be capable of attaining economic independence from their respective families.

Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Revd. Alexander Ibezim, has stressed a need for genotype counselling and other related issues before marriage to avert giving birth to children with sickle cell disorder.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Times, on Sunday, in Awka, Ibezim said that “despite the fact that we now live in an information age, babies with sickle cell anemia are still being born.”

He said that the Anglican Communion was committed to educating intended couples on the dangers of going ahead to marry when they were not compatible genotype-wise.

According to him, “Marriage is all about relationship and the end product of marriage is children.

Unless it is a marriage where children are not wanted, then there is no need to worry about sickle cell.

But you know that people these days are blind about love. Still, in the same marriage, you say ‘for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer.’ But after counseling people, we still leave them to decide what they want to do. So, that is why in the church you still see that despite the fact that that they pass through the institutional counselling sessions, people still say, ‘I love that girl, I will marry her,’ and they end up producing sicklers.”

Ibezim

8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Politics

Aregbesola

s Impeaching Aregbesola: Rage against Justice Oloyede

Justice Oloyede

Akinjide Akintola Following last week’s decision of the panel of the Osun State House of Assembly to dismiss the petition brought by Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede which sought for the impeachment of the state governor, Comrade Rauf Aregbesola over alleged gross misconduct, a groundswell of diverse opinions have been trailing the outcome.

While many are raging against the judge for daring to write the petition in the first place, others are praising her for her courage in the defence of the common man.

Two legal luminaries: Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke, S.A.N. and Professor Itse Sagay, S.A.N. descended hard on her, going as far as calling on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to disCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Season of scorecards

What manner of probes?

Akinjide Akintola Since President Muhammadu Buhari gave indication of probing the administration of his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, a lot of issues have been cropping up in the polity almost on a daily basis.

The President’s decision to institute a probe was sequel to startling revelations of the rot in the immediate past administration which appeared never to have been witnessed in the annals of the country.

Indeed, what happened in the aborted third republic which prompted the military intervention by the then General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983, appears like a child’s play to what transpired under former President Jonathan’s watch.

Even as this analysis is being written, fresh revelations are still being unearthed, some of which are yet as shocking as they are ridiculous Expectedly, a lot of conflict-

Buhari

Goodluck Jonathan

Ibrahim Lamorde

ing reactions have been trailing the development from across the country. Most of the commentators, even though agreed on the need for a probe in view of the recent developments in the country, they are however differed on the mode, scope and duration of the probe.

Many of the commentators who agreed with Buhari for a probe however expressed disappointment that he is limiting it to only his predecessor. They wondered why he is not extending the anti-corruption crusade to the previous administrations even though there were equally

allegations of massive corruption during their tenure which needed to be investigated.

Indeed, the National Co-ordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams had a different perspective to the issue altogether. In an earlier interview with the

Connection between corruption war and economic diplomacy, by experts Why Buhari must match corruption war with economic diplomacy Recently, the former Board Chairman of Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Musa Babayo launched his new book: Economic Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, capturing government’s anti-corruption crusade, economic and foreign policies and the way forward. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE writes.

Though President Muhammadu Buhari has already embarked on a global pilgrimage to right the wrongs and atrocities committed by successive regimes and improve the nation’s image in the comity of nations, his mission and intentions, however noble, may remain an exercise, if priority is not given to the fight against cor-

ruption, economic diplomacy and foreign policy.

The above realities were made known at the presentation of the book: “Economic Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy,” written

by Dr. Musa Babayo, immediate past chairman, Board of Tertiary Education Trust CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times, he said Buhari should start his anti-corruption war from the time he was ousted from office in a coup detat led by his army chief, General Ibrahim Babangida.

According to him, Buhari’s ouster truncated his crusade of cleaning the system which he had began after sacking the corrupt second republic government led by former President Shehu Shagari pointing out that he should start from where he had stopped.

Thus, he is insisting that Buhari should also commence the probe of Babangida that sacked him from the Presidential villa, the late General Sani Abacha’s government under which Buhari served as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Petroleum (PTF); General Abdusalami Abubakar and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regimes.

According to him, failure to do so will mean that Buhari is being sentimental and selective in his anti-corruption crusade.

Besides, he added that he will also be right if he assumes that Buhari is unable to probe Abacha because he (Buhari) served in his government adding that he would also be right to assume that he was unable to probe other former leaders because they supported his election bid.

However, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State is slightly different in his own condemnation of Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade. Fayose, who had since the last electioneering campaigns being a thorn in the flesh CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

9 Politics

Season of scorecards

Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

of the Buhari Presidency has pooh-pooh the corruption war.

According to him, President Buhari’s anti-Corruption crusade is selective and a witch hunt as it is directed against only members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while members of the Buhari’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) whom he alleged also ran corrupt governments are being shielded from prosecution by the anti-corruption agencies.

Besides, Fayose, and many others who shared the same

Ibrahim Lamorde views have also challenged the ruling party to name those they have kept accusing of corruption instead of making allegations in general terms.

Indeed, apart from some federal agencies under investigation, most of the former governors being prosecuted or being probed for alleged corrupt practices belonged to the opposition PDP fueling fears of persecution as being alleged.

The treatment of former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido and his sons by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his trial saga is still fresh on the

psyche of Nigerians. This is when compared with that of former Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako and his son. While Lamido is a member of the PDP, Nyako had defected to the APC from PDP. Lamido had also been scheduled to decamp to the APC alongside some seven PDP governors but backed down at the last moments, ostensible due to the charges filed against his sons by the EFCC of money laundering.

Lamido, whose recent treatment by the EFCC left a sour taste in the mouth about the limitations of power had calculated that remaining in the PDP

might allow him a soft landing and reprieve for his sons. He did not reckon that the APC was going to win at the centre which eventually accounted for his humiliation.

However, the question begging for answer is that: are former governors of the ruling APC saints that they have no skeletons in their cupboards which could warrant investigations and probable prosecution?

There have been long strings of allegations of how former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi bled his state. What about the recent allegations against former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde raji Fashola (SAN)? A non-governmental organisation recently published weighty allegations against him running into billions of naira.

What about former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi?

His controversial successor, Fayose had also made a lot of allegations against him. Indeed, he accused President Buhari of shielding him from prosecution by the anti-corruption agencies.

From the grapevine, these are part of the people being considered for plum political appointments by the president.

And these are the same people who have been accused of monumental corruption and for which calls have been made for their investigation and possible prosecution in this season of probes.

There is a general consensus amongst Nigerians for a change from our ways of doing things with impunity for 16 years, a development that led us to where we are presently. All eyes are now on President Buhari to walk the talk. We are in the season of probes, and it must be all encompassing not a witch hunt, selective or persecution.

cipline her for her indiscretion to serve as deterrent to others.

Besides, former presidential candidate of the defunct National Action Council (NAC), Dr. Olapade Agoro who described her petition as reckless and irresponsible called on the state house of assembly to begin the process of removing her from the judiciary.

However, the civil societies organisations in the state commended Justice Oloyede for rising like the legendary Moremi to the defence of the people accusing the legal luminaries of inciting the NJC against the judge over what they had no locus standi about.

In a statement by the two foremost legal practitioners but signed only by Professor Sagay,

they wrote: “We note with deep consternation and concern for the dignity and sanctity of the Judiciary, the petition recently sent by the Honourable Justice Folahanmi Oloyede to the Osun State House of Assembly, for the impeachment and removal from office, of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State.

“We are disturbed by the source of this petition because

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

it reveals the embarrassing and gross ignorance of the Judge regarding the process for the impeachment of Governors. We are also disturbed by this apparently reckless descent of a Judicial officer into the murky waters of partisan politics.

“The process for the removal of a governor by impeachment is

Fund. At the book launch, a coalition of activists seized the opportunity of the occasion to provoke a discussion on why the Buhari administration should beam its searchlight on reviving the country’s foreign policy and the anti-graft crusade.

In his lead paper, titled: “The right to accountable government in Nigeria,” A renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana was not happy that what should be a national commonwealth has been hijacked and placed under the control of a few hands. This, he said, runs contrary to nationalism and principles behind demands for independence.

According to him ,Nigeria has ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and is therefore under a duty to ensure the exercise of the right to development and respect the economic, social and cultural rights of the people, with due regard to their freedom and identity and in the equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind.

Falana is not comfortable with the politicization of government’s anti-corruption crusade; especially with allegations of vendetta being read into the Buhari government’s actions. He said, “Since the allegations of bias or persecution being leveled against the EFCC are deliberately designed to discredit the renewed fight against corruption and shield looters from prosecution, it is high time that the attention of Nigerians was drawn to the fact that corruption is fighting back.”

He noted that majority of the petitions that formed the basis of the ongoing investigation by the EFCC were submitted before the emergence of the Buhari administration.

On his part, Babayo said Buhari’s anti-corruption

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Aregbesola: Wind against Justice Oloyede’s soul CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Experts: Nexus between corruption war and economic diplomacy

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Rage against Justice Oloyede CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

clearly set out in Section 188 of the Constitution. It states as follows: “188 – (1) The Governor or Deputy Governor of a State may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2) Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly(a) is presented to the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State; (b) stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified….”

“Justice Oloyede is clearly not a member of the Osun State House of Assembly. She is not even a member of a Civil Society Organization. She is infact a member of the Judiciary, the third Arm of Government conferred with the responsibility of the interpretation of Laws, including the Constitution and the issuing of Orders, Judgments and Sentences.

“Indeed, it is the duty of someone in Justice Oloyede’s position to preside over a case for the determination of the issue, whether a purported removal of a Governor by impeachment is valid or not.

It is therefore a cause for great

embarrassment and shame that a Judge of the High Court is ignorant of the fact that she cannot initiate impeachment proceedings against the Governor. This raises a question whether she is fit to hold the office to which she has been appointed”.

Consequently, they argued that the Osun State House of Assembly acted in gross error in entertaining Justice Oloyede;s petition, saying the petition is an illegal document which should have been disregarded with contempt by the House adding that by setting up a Committee to investigate the allegations in the so-called petition, the House itself was displaying its ignorance of the impeachment process.

“Even more fundamental is the question whether a judicial officer should be publicly engaged in a bitter public confrontation with any other Arm of Government, particularly the Executive Arm of Government headed by the target of her tirade, the Governor, who appointed her into office. Specifically, is a Judge permitted to make public political comments and engage in public diatribes against the Government and the Governor of the State in which he or she is serving?

“The code of conduct for Judicial Officers is replete with provisions requiring a Judicial Officer

Aregbesola to act with dignity, decorum and a high standard of conduct. The preamble of the code, for example, provides that a Judicial Officer should actively participate in establishing, maintaining, enforcing and himself observing a high standard of conduct so that the integrity and respect for the independence of the Judiciary may be preserved.

“Again, rule 1 paragraph 2 of the Code provides that a judicial offi-

cer shall respect and comply with the laws of the land and conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary. By paragraph 1 of rule 2, a judicial officer is enjoined to be true and faithful to the Constitution and the Law, uphold the course of justice by abiding with the provisions of the Constitution and the law. He or she is enjoined to acquire and maintain professional competence.

“Finally, by rule 3(b)(ii), a judge in excising his constitutional right of freedom of expression should always conduct himself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of his office and the impartiality and independence of the Judiciary.

“Now, one may ask; by issuing this angry accusation of fraud, misappropriation of funds and general denunciation of the Governor of her State to the House of Assembly, has Justice Oloyede acted with decorum? Has she conducted herself in a manner that promotes public confidence in the Judiciary? Has she acted with integrity and impartiality with regard to a possible future party in her Court? Has she been true and faithful to the Constitution? Has she conducted herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office? Should she engage

in an open confrontation with her appointor and the head of the Executive Branch of Government? If the answer to all these questions is NO and if she has desecrated the temple of justice and brought down the dignity and respect for the Judiciary, what is she still doing on the Bench?

“Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this episode in Osun State is the apparent silence of the National Judicial Council in the face of gross breaches of Judicial Etiquette and Code of Conduct by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede. If this open display of indiscipline and crass irresponsibility by Justice Oloyede is left unpunished, the National Judicial Council will be guilty of gross dereliction of duty and the Judiciary in Nigeria will face a bleak future”, they stressed.

In the same vein, Dr. Agoro said the safest, best and quickest known means and ways of killing a cancerous cell before it kills the entire body system is to apply poison to kill it. According to him: good as it was, the timely dismissal by the state House of Assembly of Justice Oloyede’s “reckless, obnoxious and irresponsible petition seeking the impeachment of the State Governor Ogbeni Rauf, the fact must be faced that Judge Folahanmi Oloyede is a terrible CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

‘Connection between corruption war and economic diplomacy’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

drive should be pursued with all amount of vigour and radicalism, considering that over $157 billion has been lost by Nigeria, according to a Global Financial Integrity report, to illicit financial flows between 2003 and 2012. He said this is where the nation’s foreign policy formulators should intervene.

Babayo also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “turn his attention to the activities of multinational corporations in Nigeria, with a view to repatriating the funds stolen from Nigeria and putting a stop to further bleeding of the nation’s economy.” He drew a parallel between the economic policies of Buhari as a military Head of State and now as a civilian president and wondered if

there were lessons from his economic policies then that could be useful in the current administration.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and founder of Savannah Centre, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on his part, expressed concern about the fact that “Africa has the highest amount of foreign investments abroad.” He wondered how Nigeria and indeed Africa can be great, if the people do not invest at home. He said decades of talks on diversification of the economy from a mono-economy should now be translated into concrete actions, with all major stakeholders coming together to foster better economic management.

Gambari, who was former head of United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur, said government must tackle headlong the current socio-

Buhari

economic challenges, such as high poverty level, huge youth unemployment and perennial disconnect between the government and the citizens. He advocated “a new permanent inter-ministerial council which would provide an effective link between our general foreign policy endeavors with external trade and international economic interest.”

While entertaining questions from newsmen on why he deviated from Education into Economic diplomacy, Babayo did not hide his preference for the marriage of the two, maintaining that he was more connected with those in the educational sector because; “That was my immediate constituency. I had the responsibility of servicing them, identifying their needs and segmenting those needs and

developing specific products.

In this case, those projects that will not only meet their expectations but exceed them. That is the challenge of pursuing actions, policies, strategies, strengthening your internal systems and procedures that will help significantly in your effort to restore, to consolidate and rehabilitate educational infrastructure in all the tertiary education segment’’.

On the critical achievements he made as the helmsman of the interventionist agency, Babayo maintained that governance is about getting things done and adding value to peoples lives.

He said ‘’If those in government fail to connect with the people that they are entrusted with the responsibility of managing, then one will safely conclude that the government is not doing well’’.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

11 Politics

Ekiti APC to Buhari: Save us from Fayose Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have sent a save-our-soul appeal to President Muhammadu to save them from Governor Ayo Fayose.

According to them, the governor of Ekiti State has vowed to stop intimidate leaders and members of the party in order to run them out of town.

The SOS is coming on the heels of the eviction and sealing off of the houses of residents of Irewolede estate, most of whom are senior government officials who worked with the Kayode Fayemi administration.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who said this in a statement described the governor’s action was “barbaric, heartless and brutish, as a four-day-old baby and her mother were locked inside the house”.

“The action was like a movie from the blues as dangerous-look-

Fayose ing thugs and some policemen from the Government House invaded the estate and started harassing residents, sealing off their houses. “This caused panic among residents, including women and

children, some of whom suffered shock,” he explained.

He regretted that the governor behaved “in this reckless manner” even though there was a subsisting mortgage agreement, which al-

lowed the residents to pay over five to 10 years, but Fayose insisted that all the money must be paid within one month.

“As if this harassment was not enough, bulldozers have been moved into the estate to demolish structures which they claimed were constructed without approval in an apparent move to inflict pain on our members. If approval was not obtained, the right thing to do is to ask such people to pay the required amount and not to resort to demolition, which is in bad faith,” he said.

Olatunbosun added that the governor had earlier impounded monetised vehicles of political appointees who served in Fayemi’s administration.

He called on President Buhari to save APC members from the governor’s iron rule, warning that further harassment of APC members would be resisted by all means civil.

“Fayose should be called to order by all men and women of goodwill as his reign of impunity is becoming embarrassing to all citizens of the state. His continuous trampling on the fundamental rights of citizens should be checked without further delay,” Olatunbosun stressed.

Olatunbosun added that the governor had earlier impounded monetised vehicles of political appointees who served in Fayemi’s administration.

He called on President Buhari to save APC members from the governor’s iron rule, warning that further harassment of APC members would be resisted by all means civil.

“Fayose should be called to order by all men and women of goodwill as his reign of impunity is becoming embarrassing to all citizens of the state. His continuous trampling on the fundamental rights of citizens should be checked without further delay,” Olatunbosun stressed.

Impeaching Aregbesola: Hunter becomes prey CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

cancer in the body system of justice dispensation not only in Osun State but the entire nationhood of Nigeria that must be timely expunged out before further damages are done.

He said it therefore becomes pertinent that the Speaker of the state House of Assembly should within the next seven days kick start the process of “sending the nuisance value Judge Oloyede out of Osun State judiciary or one will be compelled to take the bull by the horn taking the necessary step beginning with a petition laid against her to the National Judicial Commission”.

However, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) faulted Mrs Solanke and Professor Sagay over their comments describing the statement by the two senior lawyers as a predetermined mere opinion over an issue of national importance and was made to save their Aregbesola in the face of the whole world over his financial recklessness and mismanagement of Osun commonwealth.

CSCEO noted that the statement by both Solanke and Sagay was not only in bad taste but very unfortunate, anti-masses, ungodly, evil and uncalled for.

Besides, the group in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman, the Deputy Secretary, Comrade

Bukola Idowu and the Director of Mobilisation, Rev. Theophilus Ayodeji accused the duo of deliberate plan to incite the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“What is their locus standi in this matter? Are they the only lawyers in Nigeria? The whole world knows that Prof. Sagay for years has been APC and Aregbesola’s consultant on legal matters. Why is it that the statement was signed only by Professor Sagay?

“We will appreciate if Chief Solanke could come out to tell all of us that her name was put in the statement to cover-up the obvious partisanship of Professor Sagay.

Mrs. Solanke needs to do this so as not to drag the family’s hard earned name into the mud.

“Are they saying that Mrs. Oloyede’s privilege as a judge overrides her right as a citizen of Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria particularly in a matter she was directly affected? First of all, Justice Oloyede is a Nigerian and an Osun indigene before being a judge.

“Paradoxically, the writer(s) of this statement were acting like judges making judicial pronouncement on issues they had no locus standi.

“Now that they were using their privileges as SANs to constitute themselves into a court of law, did the woman judge not deserve a fair hearing? Should they close their eyes and looked on the other side before pronouncing judgment

Aregbesola on Justice Oloyede?

“In our view, both Professor Sagay and Chief Solanke were supposed to be defenders in the temple of law but are now queuing behind a politician who had gagged the judiciary. Did they know that until few days ago it was over a year that courts sat in Osun State? Why didn’t they intervene in the comatose state of administration of judiciary in the state?

“They should find out how their learned colleagues have been eating and sending their children to schools even when the governor never missed a month without collecting his security votes while his wife has not failed in receiving on monthly basis, food allowances from our state’s “lean purse”.

“We recall that this was the same governor who wanted to foist Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, a No. 33 judge from Lagos judiciary on Osun judiciary as the Chief Judge (CJ) on the premise that he wanted him to become the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN).

Today, judges in Osun State were denied their rights to be represented at the Appeal Court because the same Justice Oyewole was nominated by Aregbesola as a judge representing Osun State at the Court of Appeal.

“Did they know that Aregbesola stifled courts in this state by holding back their basic needs? Did Prof. Sagay and Chief Solanke ever ask any of the judges in this state how they were faring? Maybe they need to know that Osun courts are virtually empty with judges providing for themselves writing materials because that arm of government was refused its funds by Aregbesola who is ruling the state like an Emperor.

“This is a state where within a year, over 366 retirees have lost their lives to avoidable deaths just because they cannot get money to treat themselves. For over eight

months, the pensioners were denied their meagre allowances.

Yet, the governor gets his security votes from the same Consolidated Account where pension funds are kept.

“Did they know that for three terms, pupils in both public primary and secondary schools in this state did not write any examination because Aregbesola could not provide ordinary chalks to schools? Did they know that pupils in this state wrote the last WAEC examinations without stepping into classrooms for over five months?

“Will someone like Justice Oloyede keep quiet because those unfortunate pupils were children of the poor? We are sure that if the educational foundation of both Professor Sagay and Chief Solanke were like this, they wouldn’t have reached the peak of their careers.

“Like all true loving indigenes of Osun State, we are bold to stand with courageous Justice Oloyede who has risen at this time as our “Moremi” to speak on behalf of the poor and the downtrodden”, the group stated.

It insisted that the judge has not erred in law as being postulated

by Solanke and Sagay, noting that what Justice Oloyede did in writing the petition as authentic citizen of the state, was in line with Section 39 of the amended 1999 Constitution which superseded any existing laws of the land.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Labour, NCAA boss disagree over alleged recruitment without approval Continued from page 1 However, the NCAA says the allegations are a tissue of lies.

The union accused the helmsman of interviewing the 100 new employees in the past two weeks in Abuja, without the required ministerial approval.

A petition to that effect,

which was sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello recalled that the workers who were employed in 2014, but later suspended in December of the same year due to alleged irregularities in their employment, were recalled in April this year by the former Minister of Aviation,

Chief Osita Chidoka.

NUATE, in the petition signed by its Acting General Secretary, Olayinka Abioye said that although the workers had been recalled and posted to different locations and offices, they were yet to receive salaries from the agency.

The union added that the workers were

recalled after concerted efforts and intervention from some quarters and the Federal Ministry of Aviation through a letter with reference FMA/ NCAA.T.4555/S.6/T2/31 and dated 27th April, 2015.

The letter directed that the individuals be recalled “with immediate effect.”

It was consequently given

L-R: Chairman, Financial Services Group, Mr Francis Ikenga; Mr. Remi Alo; Guest Speaker, Prince Abimbola Olashore and Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf during the 2015 Annual Seminar of the Financial Services Group, organized by the LCCI in Lagos… at the weekend

Stay off my charity account, Kuku tells EFCC ÏÏÏImmediate

past Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has asked anti-corruption agencies not to tamper with the account of his charity organisation, Keketobou Care Foundation, which he has been using to help the poor.

Kuku, who made the call in a telephone interview from his hospital in the United States on Sunday, said there was no public fund in the charity account, which has helped to render succour to indigent students, women and men over time.

Kuku was reacting to reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had frozen the accounts of close allies of former President Goodluck Jonathan,

including the Keketobou Care Foundation.

The former presidential aide, who is recuperating in an American hospital after a knee surgery, said there were no government funds in the account, which had a total deposit of N720,484 as at the end of July this year.

According to Kuku, the amount found in the account was the proceeds from the launch of his book: “Remaking the Niger Delta: Challenges and Opportunities.”

He said before now, he had used his personal earnings and other donations by wellwishers to fund the account so as to provide enough funds for buying JAMB forms for poor indigenes of Ondo State and provide support to poor widows, women and traders in the state.

“I have always been using the Keketobou Care Foundation to help the poor and there is no evidence that the account has ever been funded with government money, as the records would show,” Kuku said.

He described as unfortunate any attempt by the EFCC or any other anti-craft agency to flag the account, saying that it was a politically-motivated move to implicate him and others who worked with Jonathan.

Kuku said while he was open and ready for investigation by the antigraft agencies, it was wrong for anyone to try to cook up malicious and politicallymotivated issues to smear his hard-earned reputation in a bid to suit predetermined goal.

Kuku said: “Keketobou

Foundation has only N720,484 balance as at today. The proceeds of my published and launched book “Remaking the Niger Delta” went in there for charity purposes as a public officer.

“It gave free JAMB forms to applicants, financial/ material support to the aged, widows and the physically challenged and helped in the local rehabilitation of walkways and drainages in my birth-place/town, Arogbo, Ondo State in the determined spirit to give back to my final place of return in life.

“The publication is false, untrue, malicious and politically-motivated to smear my hard-earned reputation. What on earth links my face to the alleged story about NIMASA?

effect by the agency.

The union stated that on receipt of their letter of recall, the previously sacked workers reported to the Director of Human Recourses (NCAA) for further directives.

NUATE continued: “It may interest you to know that having responded to their recall and resumed duties at their various posts, a ‘regularisation interview’ was conducted for these same Nigerians in June 2015, allegedly to correct and or regularise their employment.

“We are however worried and concerned about the disposition of the NCAA management to the plight of these persons, several of whom had been coming/ trekking to work on regular basis, dangling the identification of the NCAA on their necks with pride, but without hope of when their salaries shall be paid to them, or at what point their employment shall start counting whereas there were some of them who were twice lucky not to be counted among these group, but whose salaries had continued from the very beginning of their employment.”

It appealed to the Permanent Secretary to intervene in the matter by prevailing on Usman to approve the salaries of the affected workers.

But the NCAA has disclaimed the reports that 100 employees were interviewed in Abuja without ministerial approval.

Usman said the allegation was far from the truth.

According to him, he sought and obtained ministerial approval for renewal of contracts for 45 Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) whose contracts had expired.

“This was expedient to ensure the regulatory Authority was adequately staffed and well-armed to provide a robust safety oversight as statutorily required” Usman said the same ministerial approval was granted to his request to

proactively beef up staff strength in some critical areas in the Authority such as Medical Assessors, Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and additional Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) – all totaling 33.

Capt. Usman recalled that during Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recertification and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit, z part of the open items was prerequisite technical manpower.

He said there is an impending ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) in November. “The request and ministerial approval obtained is to ensure that Nigeria possesses adequate manpower to come out in flying colours again”, he added.

The DG also clarified issues arising from the non – payment of salaries to the staff that had been recalled and the outstanding ones yet to be recalled.

According to him, 113 applicants were employed before he assumed office. However, due to the impropriety of the employment, the minister directed that they be relieved of their appointments.

“After ceaseless agitations and representations, the decision was rescinded and they were recalled. At the process of documentation, it was discovered that there were irregularities and proper procedure was not adhered to”.

He said the ministry gave approval for a fresh interview for those who were not properly interviewed, adding that the exercise, those successful were recalled and have since commenced drawing salary from the authority.

According to the DG the, 47 others were yet to be regularised.

“The Authority is at the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for procedural confirmation.

It is at the end of this that appointment letters will be issued to the candidates,” he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday September 7, 2015

Al-Shabab militants seize towns in Somalia after AU retreat

Uganda soldiers at a military airbase in Entebbe carry the caskets of Ugandan soldiers who were killed in Somalia on September 3, 2015 attack by Al-Shabab millitants

ÏÏÏ Al-Shabab militants seized

two southern Somalian towns from retreating African Union forces Saturday, days after a deadly militant attack on an AU base in the same area killed dozens of Ugandan soldiers, Somali authorities said.

Lower Shabelle region Deputy

Governor Abdifitah Haji Abdulle, told VOA's Somali service that troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, had withdrawn from a key military base at El Salindi, 60 kilometers south of Mogadishu. He also said AMISOM forces retreated Friday from the town of Kuntur-

warey.

A local official said he had been informed by AMISOM that the militants entered the town few hours after security forces left. He said some residents started fleeing and described others as shocked and gripped with fear that militants would kill civilians.

Separately Saturday, an AMISOM convoy was targeted with a car bomb outside the nearby town of Jannaale.

Militants said they had killed several soldiers in the attack, a claim that VOA could not verify by late Saturday. AMISOM has not commented.

But local official Abdifitah Haji Abdulle told VOA at least one civilian had been killed and three others had been wounded.

Uganda confirmed Thursday that 12 of its troops attached to AMISOM had been killed when al-Shabab militants raided an AU base in Jannaale.

Ugandan military spokesman Paddy Akunda said the attack was a "game changer" and al-Shabab should expect an "appropriate response" from Ugandan soldiers in Somalia. In June, al-Shabab attacked another AMISOM base in the same region, killing more than 50 soldiers from Burundi.

AMISOM soldiers have been fighting al-Shabab in Somalia since 2007. AMISOM forces and Somali troops have recaptured large parts of Somalia from the al-Qaida-linked militants in recent years.

Malawi court gives key 'Cashgate' suspect 11-year jail term

ÏÏÏ A senior member of

Malawi's former ruling party has become the seventh person to be jailed for involvement in the multimillion-dollar government corruption scandal known as Cashgate.

A Malawi High Court in the eastern city of Zomba sentenced businessman Oswald Lutepo to 11 years in prison. Lutepo pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to defraud the government and money laundering.

Lutepo, 37, was arrested in 2013 on suspicion of taking money from the government through ghost companies that provided no state services.

He was accused of siphoning about $9.3 million, making him the second-largest beneficiary of the

Morocco Islamists win key posts

70 civil servants, politicians and business owners arrested in the $32 million scandal.

After the hearing, Lutepo told journalists the sentence was not fair, but hinted he was focused on the future. "The media has not been fair to me," he said. "You have branded me a thief, a person who has been faking madness and all that. But, you know, there is always an end to everything. What I am looking forward to is a new life, because I want to move on.”

Lutepo’s attorney, Oswald Mtupila, said he was shocked by the judgment. He said he had urged the court to consider the fact that Lutepo was a first-time offender and was remorseful about what he had done. He said his client should

ÏÏÏ Morocco's ruling Islamist

party won most of the country's key cities during Friday's local elections, further expanding its reach after four years of leading a coalition government that undertook major fiscal reforms.

The Justice and Development party, known by its French acronym PJD, came to power on an anti-corruption ticket in 2011, tapping into a desire for greater freedom when "Arab Spring" pro-

have a sentence of less than 12 months and that the court should consider a suspended sentence.

“My immediate reaction is that of shock, and indeed thoughts of appealing can not be avoided,” Mtupila said.

Anti-Corruption Bureau Deputy Director Reyneck Matemba said the sentence was fair, but noted that "we have a lot of way to go, and Mr. Lutepo’s witness statement as well as his confession have given us a lot of work to do.

And there are other people that we have to investigate further that Mr. Lutepo has told us about.”

Malawians have reacted differently to the length of the sentence.

Dreck Makwangwala, a resident of Chinamwali Township in

Zomba, said, “The money which he stole was enough for hospitals — enough for every development that would have taken place in Malawi. Eleven years is not enough for the crime that Mr. Lutepo did to Malawians. It is the same as killing. He should have been sentenced to death.”

But businesswoman Jennifer Lipenga said the court could have given Lutepo a lenient sentence, considering that “he uses a wheelchair” and that he has refunded some of the money he stole from one of his companies. The Cashgate scandal that came to light in 2013 forced several donors, including the European Union, to withhold their 40 percent contribution to the country’s national budget.

tests forced King Mohammed to devolve some royal powers.

On Friday, for the first time in its history, the PJD won control of all of Morocco's major cities including the capital Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakesh and Agadir.

Meanwhile, its rivals fielded more candidates and performed more strongly in rural areas.

Election results showed the PJD won 5 021 local or 174 region-

al assembly seats just behind rivals Authenticity and Modernity Party, or PAM, with 6 655 local and 132 regional seats and conservative Independence Party with 5 106 local and 119 regional seats.

The PJD has long portrayed itself as a fighter against the old guard that has controlled Morocco's politics and economy since it gained independence from France in 1956.

13 Africa Suicide car bomb kills AU soldiers ÏÏÏA suicide car bombing, tar-

geting an African Union military convoy in south-eastern Somalia, has killing several people, says a Somali senior military commander.

The attack occurred in Janaale, where the Islamist group al-Shabaab stormed an AU military base, killing about 20 soldiers.

"I can confirm that there are deaths and wounded," said the commander, who asked not to be named, without giving numbers.

He said details were still to be verified.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on pro-insurgent radio Andalus, saying it had killed several Ugandan AU soldiers.

Al-Shabaab on Friday conquered the key district of Kuntuwarey in the same region after Somali and AU troops pulled out of there, local officials said. The reason for the withdrawal was not clear.

Sudan arrests opposition politicians ÏÏÏSudanese

security agents have arrested four opposition politicians in Khartoum for giving a speech criticising the government, their party chief said on Saturday, as President Omar al-Bashir presses for a national dialogue.

Members of the Reform Now Party, founded by a former Bashir adviser, they were detained late Thursday along with three people who had been listening to their speech.

The party members, "who were carrying out this symbolic act to draw attention to the reality of the crisis, were arrested as they gave a speech to people in a public place," Reform Now head Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani told a press conference.

Among them were the party's chief for Khartoum state and his deputy, Atabani said.

The arrests come as Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges over the Darfur conflict, has been calling opponents to join talks to address the country's problems.

al-Bashir

World14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

35 dead in two days of clashes in Tajikistan ÏÏÏTajikistan

security forces killed 13 militants Saturday, the government said, a day after nine police officers and 13 militants died in fighting blamed on a renegade former deputy defense minister.

Abdukhalim Nazarzoda, dismissed from his post Friday in connection with an unspecified crime, was accused of belonging to the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikstan, which was effectively banned last week for its alleged links to Islamic State terrorists.

The government said Nazarzoda orchestrated Friday's armed attacks, including assaults on two police posts near Dushanbe. Militants also stole large amounts of weapons and ammunition from Defense Ministry storage in Dushanbe, officials said.

Police said security forces pursued the attackers and surrounded them Saturday at a remote mountain area 50 kilometers northeast of the capital. In addition to the 13 militants killed, 32 others were arrested, and more than 500 weapons

were recovered, the Defense Ministry said. Russian news reports late Saturday said Nazarzoda was holed up with the alleged attackers at Romit Gorge. The violence has stoked fears of new hostilities in the largely Muslim and impoverished Central Asian country, a

former Soviet republic that hosts 7,000 Russian troops.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Saturday by phone with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rakhmon.

A spokesman said Putin described the attacks as "an attempt to desta-

bilize the country."

Nazarzoda, 51, had worked in the Defense Ministry since 1999, when anti-government fighters were folded into state institutions after a five-year civil war that ended in 1997. An estimated 150,000 people died in the conflict.

Police officers secure an area in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, after armed clashes erupt, Sept. 4, 2015

Migrant crisis: Activist convoy drives to Hungary ÏÏÏA convoy of

cars driven by German and Austrian activists has crossed into Hungary to pick up migrants and help them reach western Europe.

Thousands - many of whom initially fled conflict in Syria - have made their way through Austria since Hungary removed restrictions on transit on Friday.

Buses and special trains have been taking them from the Hungarian border to Vienna and on to Germany. The Pope said every Catholic parish in Europe should host a migrant family.

Speaking during the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis appealed for "every parish, every religious

community, every monastery, every sanctuary in Europe" to take in a family.

On Sunday a convoy of about 140 cars left Vienna for the Hungarian capital, Budapest, as part of a private initiative dubbed "refugee convoy" One of the Austrian activists taking part, Angelika Neuwirth, told the BBC that their aim was to take them back to shelters in Austrian capital.

"I think this is my duty. I'm a mum, I'm a woman from Austria and I can't close my eyes anymore," she said. "We are all human. Noone is illegal." However, Hungarian police spokeswoman Viktoria Csiszer-Kovacs said anyone taking

migrants across the border was breaking the law.

Last week four Austrian activists who tried to do so were arrested for people smuggling but later released. However, in the latest move a number of activists were able to collect migrants in Hungary without being stopped by police.

German officials say 11,000 asylum seekers arrived in the country on Saturday, with another 10,000 expected on Sunday After days of confrontation and chaos, Hungary opened its borders with Austria and bussed thousands of migrants to the frontier on Friday. Many, frustrated at being prevented from boarding

trains in Budapest, had begun to walk along a motorway towards Austria. Many of the migrants had travelled north through the Balkans - Greece, Macedonia and Serbia - before arriving in Hungary. Hundreds more crossed into southern Hungary from Serbia on Sunday, where they were taken to a processing centre.

Media caption Locals have welcomed Latifah al-Dobah and her family to their new home in Germany, as Murad Shishani reports Germany, Austria, and Hungary have said the decision to allow migrants through is aimed at averting a humanitarian crisis, and will not set a precedent.

Netanyahu rejects call to take in Syrian refugees

ÏÏÏPrime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected a call by Israel's opposition leader to provide refuge to Syrian refugees, saying the country is too small to take them in.

Images in recent days of thousands of refugees herded on and off trains in Europe as they sought a safe haven from Middle East conflict struck a chord in Israel, a state created three years after the Nazi Holocaust which killed six million Jews.

Isaac Herzog, head of the main opposition Zionist Union party, appealed to Israeli leaders to "ab-

sorb refugees from the fighting in Syria", a northern neighbour that Israel considers an enemy state.

In public remarks at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel was "not indifferent to the human tragedy" of refugees from Syria and noted that Israeli hospitals have been treating wounded from its civil war.

"However, Israel is a very small state. It has no geographic depth or demographic depth," the rightwing premier said, suggesting that taking in Arab refugees would upset the demographic balance in a predominantly Jewish state where

about a fifth of the 8.3 million population are Arab citizens.

Though there have been no international calls on Israel to open its borders to Syrians, Herzog said Netanyahu had a moral duty to accept refugees.

"The prime minister of the Jewish people would not shut his heart and the gates when people are fleeing for their lives, with babies in their arms, from persecutors," Herzog said.

Citing dangers faced by Palestinian refugees who have long lived in camps in Syria, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said they

should be allowed into the Israelioccupied West Bank, where he exercises limited self-rule.

Netanyahu

10 dead after S. Korean boat mishap ÏÏÏTen people have been report-

ed dead and an unknown number of others are missing after a fishing charter boat capsized off the southeastern South Korean coast late Saturday night.

The South Korean coast guard said the 9-ton boat named Dolphin was found Sunday morning near the resort island of Jeju, hours after it left the nearby island of Chuja and lost radio contact.

The coast guard said three people have been rescued and flown to a nearby hospital.

One survivor told Yonhap news agency that the boat capsized "in an instant" due to strong waves.

He said he and other survivors climbed on top of the capsized boat and held on for more than 10 hours before being rescued.

A manifest showed 22 passengers traveling on the Dolphin, but at least four of those listed were not onboard at the time of the accident, and one of the survivors was not on the list. Dozens of military and civilian ships are searching the surrounding area for more survivors. Yonhap says South Korean President Park Geun-hye has ordered officials to "do everything possible for the search and rescue of the missing."

Saudi airstrikes destroy Yemen rebel site

ÏÏÏAirstrikes from a Saudi-led

coalition destroyed a key rebel encampment in the country's capital on Sunday, rocking downtown with blasts that also hit a school, restaurants and embassies, officials and witnesses say.

The strikes wounded 17 people, including school children taking final exams, medical officials said.

The Saudi and Emirati embassies were damaged, the reports said.

Yemen is torn by fighting between the rebels known as Houthis, allied with forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, against President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's coalitionbacked forces, as well as southern separatists, local militias and Sunni extremists.

Columns of grey smoke rose early on Sunday morning from the downtown Houthi encampment, the headquarters of the special security forces, where troops remain loyal to Saleh.

The Saudi-led and US-backed coalition, made up mainly of Gulf nations, has been launching airstrikes against the rebels since March.

The security officials said warplanes also targeted weapons caches in the mountains of Noqum and Ayban, east and west of Sanaa.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

15 Opinion

AfDB: What Adesina’s leadership holds for Nigeria

T Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye

he five year-term of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as the new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) commenced last Tuesday, following his formal investiture in Abidjan as the president of the development finance institution.

Adesina’s emergence marks Nigeria’s first opportunity to successfully produce a Nigerian to head the institution.

Nigeria’s presence conspicuously graced the investiture ceremony at the prestigious Sofitel Hotel, Abidjan, drawing many influential government representatives and private sector leaders, including Nigeria’s vice president, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors of Kano, Taraba and Sokoto states attended the occasion, while the agriculture commissioner and the secretary to the government of the state represented the government of Kogi State.

Views from Nigerians and nonNigerians alike converged around hopes of high expectation, given the performance of Dr. Adesina in

the position he held in Nigeria until May 2015. Prof. Osinbajo, commended Dr. Adesina for the “zeal with which he pursued his assignment as the former minister of agriculture in Nigeria,” while congratulating him for his victory at the bank’s election “in a race that was keenly contested.” The vice president expressed confidence that “Dr. Adesina will make a fine president and a successful one.”

Dr. Adesina, in his inauguration speech, promised to build upon the successes of his predecessors, particularly the immediate past predecessor, Dr. Donald Kaberuka.

“Five priorities will shape my work under my presidency, in a ten-year strategy.,” Adesina disclosed, listing them as “to light up and power Africa, feed Africa, integrate Africa, industrialise Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.” he promised that, under his leadership, “we will be more than a lending institution, providing a world class, knowledge building institution.”

To succeed, Adesina added, “we will build stronger partnership for impact. We will advance Africa’s priority. We will be a voice in sup-

port of Africa.” He expressed the resolve to steer the bank on the path of growing “our business and our revenue everywhere we are, and serve the private sector much better. We will become the development bank of choice for Africa.”

He specifically thanked Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, his fellow minister, “who campaigned tirelessly” for his election.

A former president of AfDB, Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, observed that the bank has grown tremendously from the initial 250 million dollars, revalued at 300 million dollars, to multibillion dollars today, with an impressive increase in capital base over its 50 years of existence.

He was positive that “the leadership is showing some direction for infrastructural development for the private sector,” noting that “the bank today is a voice for Africa.”

Dr. Ndiaye, who presided over the bank from 1995 to 2005, agreed that “what Dr. Adesina has in his programme reflects what the bank can do.” He said, for instance, that “power is important for Africa and will be the blood for our infrastructural development and agricultural development. He also thinks that

“integration is important” and that “the bank should be more involved.”

Ndiaye commended the emphasis on “the role of the private sector in order to reach the population.”

Nigeria’s permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture and rural development, Mr. Sonny Echono, at the Abidjan event, observed “this presidency of AfDB offers Nigeria a bountiful opportunity to harness our potential.” He was of the view that the bank’s focus on power, agriculture and rural development, is good for Nigeria, with the diversifying “away from oil that Nigeria’s president is pursuing to attain growth for our country.”

“The critical thing the bank will be bringing on board for us,” observed Echono, “is expertise” and opportunity to “leverage international finances, banks guaranteeing loans and supporting them.” He pointed out that the fact that Dr. Adesina “has headed agriculture ministry in Nigeria is going to be of tremendous benefit for us.” Mr. Echono advised that “we must begin to see development as something necessary that propels growth. We need to banish poverty so people will be in position to create wealth.”

Buhari: Fighting corruption is not rocket science

I Aloy Ejimakor

n Nigeria of the Buhari era, fighting corruption and the methodologies have become the mother of all public debates. The renewed and heightened interest corruption has generated has somewhat diminished the importance of other hot-button national topics, such as terrorism, adjusting to the fall in oil prices, and national unity.

Yet, the way the debate is going, the President may, despite his good intentions, lose the requisite focus and ultimately succeed only on the platitudes and prescriptions but not the cure. Such signs are there, judging by the Buhari’s recent appeal to lawyers to, reject corruption briefs. On the other extreme, the Sultan of Sokoto weighed-in by telling spouses to reject gift from their husbands if they suspect it to be from fruits of corruption. Both positions, as nice as they sound, suggest some national frustration and a lack of a clear handle on the task.

However, the most worrisome is the suggestion from some quarters that Nigeria needs special courts to succeed in fighting corruption. All of these declarations, sadly make fighting corruption look like some rocket science. It is my humble submission that, instead of a rocket science, fighting corruption is actually a basic science, comprised of basic laws, vision and guts.

Contrary to the President’s thesis,

lawyers are strictly bound by their professional calling to accept any case that tickles their fancy. A lawyer will not reject a brief just because society considers the offense alleged as heinous. Instead, it is the enormity of the crime, especially in terms of its monetary impacts, that is often the best selling point. Amongst these are corruption cases that are considered lucrative briefs because of the high personas and sheer quantum of the legal fees involved. Add the constitutional presumption of innocence and guarantee of fair hearing, then you see the more reasons why Buhari’s admonition will not fly, despite the bully pulpit, intentions, warts and all.

Lawyers are not to be expected to reject corruption cases, even when patently egregious. Therefore, instead of the appearance of suborning a universal rejection of cases, what Buhari requires is a gathering of equally skilled lawyers to prosecute corruption cases. When you have such lawyers, they will ensure that any corruption case in court will be backed by material, relevant and admissible evidence.. I say this because all the corruption cases lost by EFCC since 1999 stemmed from a systematic lack of sufficient and damning evidence. Most were dismissed for failure to prosecute.

The few that remained in the courts

are stacked on the back shelves, gathering dust and constituting a national embarrassment.

You do not need special courts to try corruption cases. James Ibori was not convicted by a special court but by regular British court. You cannot get a special court without Act of the National Assembly. Further, if the ultimate intention is to water-down the standard of proof in such courts, then a constitutional amendment is must, all with its many complications, difficulties and profound political risks to the President.

Recall that it is the Constitution, rather than any subsidiary law, that conditioned criminal conviction on proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt - a rigid requirement that goes to the basic tenets of Nigeria’s adherence to the common law and constitutionalism.

Given that special courts may be a tall order, some special ordinary rules will do, because, as opposed to laws/acts, head judges are empowered to promulgate such rules. I am not talking of rules of evidence or rules of criminal procedure, which even though adjectival, still require federal legislative action. I say this because dilatory tactics or lawyer-contrived delays contribute significantly to frustrating prosecutorial efficacy in the courts.

This is where I agree with the President that Nigeria needs tough and

upright judges to help with the anticorruption agenda.

We do not have to wait for corruption to occur before fighting it.

Corruption requires derring-do, especially coming from a Buhari now bound to act within the limits of the Constitution.

What we need is a whole-scale reinvigoration of our non-judicial state institutions, such as the FIRS, ICPC, Police, Bureaux of Public Procurement, Accountants-General, Auditors-General, Attorneys-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Land/Real Property Registries, the CBN, and others whose functions bear some nexus to nipping corruption in the bud.

The current tactics of ‘shaming’ suspected corrupt public figures, in place since 1999, does not cut it, and has contributed to making a mockery of the corruption fight.

Shaming is when EFCC takes a well-publicised action to arrest or invite those against whom a petition has been preferred. This tactic transitorily panders to the public hunger for a payback, but in as many few days, the scandal is off the radar and life goes on. We never hear of it again.

The foregoing is by no means exhaustive; but those close to President Buhari should advise him to try them out.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

Business Times

s

17

BoI, partners grow Africa on $60m equity capital for SMEs Stories by Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, Business Editor The Bank of Industry (BoI) has created a new category fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, the bank entered into a partnership with Grow Africa Equity Partners Limited to set raise $60 million Venture Capital Fund for small businesses.

Under the arrangement, the bank has made an investment commitment of $6 million to aid provision of equity capital for fast growing businesses.

Indeed, the Venture Capital Fund aims to provide equity capital, along with strategic and operational support to early stage

and fast growing businesses involved in technology, agriculture, consumer goods and services sectors.

BoI’s Managing Director, Rasheed Olaoluwa in a statement at the weekend, said: “Nigerian businesses cannot be built on debt alone. It has long been part of the bank’s vision to find ways to provide sorely needed equity capital and business advice to promising Nigerian businesses.

Our partnership with Grow Africa is one of the avenues for realising this vision and we remain committed to the pursuit of our core mandate of providing longterm financial support to small, medium and large companies/ projects in Nigeria’s key sectors’.

Olaoluwa added that the investment commitment was informed by the track record of Grow Africa’s partners, the developmental impact of their existing portfolio and their strong pipeline for potential new investments.

On his part, the Chairman of Grow Africa Equity Partners Limited, Adedotun Sulaiman, noted that with the right type of support, Nigerian business can become global leaders.

Sulaiman who also chairs the Boards of Interswitch, SecureID, IDEA, New Horizons and others, said: “Over the past 10 years, I have provided capital and advice that have helped several businesses grow from ideas into multi billion Naira industrial leaders.

Through this partnership, I hope to see many more entrepreneurs realise their dreams of creating leading companies and delivering massive value to Nigeria’.

Managing Director of Grow Africa Equity Partners Limited, Afam Edozie, added that, “we are extremely pleased with this partnership with BoI, and this is a strong signal of the bank’s commitment to supporting indigenous Fund Managers to catalyse growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.

“This new investment will increase development impact and socio-economic benefits through the creation of additional jobs, development of local entrepreneurship and will

create additional fiscal revenue to Government. The Bank of Industry has demonstrated that they share our dedication and passion in helping to build world class industries in Nigeria”.

The Bank of Industry is Nigeria’s leading industrial development financing company, with a loan portfolio of N592 billion to projects in Nigeria’s real sectors of Agro-Processing, Solid Minerals, Gas & Petrochemicals, as well as Engineering & Technology.

Similarly, it supports SMEs through a network of 14 offices across Nigeria and 122 Business Development Services Providers (BDSPs).

L-R: Managing Partner, Redmediaafrica, Mr. Chude Jideonwo; Publisher, Tw Magazine, Adesuwa Onyenokwe; Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman and Executive Director, Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Omowale Ogunrinde, during a press conference on get ready for work in Lagos... Friday

PENCOM sets global stage to boost pension fund investments in Africa The National Pension Commission (PenCom) in demonstrating its leadership role in the continent is again setting the stage for global participation in Africa’s pension sector, which has been identified as a sustainable vehicle for infrastructural development with plans to host the second edition of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ in Abuja.

Nigeria’s contributory pension regulator PenCom widely acknowledged for its transparent administration by major global stakeholders, under the leadership of its Director General Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, is riding on the back of its excellent reputation to integrate the continent’s

pension fund sector with the global investment community.

The second edition of World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ will hold on the 5th and 6th October 2015 at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria and has its theme as “Building sustainable pension systems in Africa” and is expected to attract diverse experts from across the world in the areas of investments, infrastructure financing, real estate and other pension related fields.

Announcing this in Lagos at the weekend, Anohu-Amazu disclosed that the upcoming edition promises more yield than the first edition hosted by Nigeria

last year which was adjudged a success as over 400 delegates from 23 countries, including 15 African countries were in attendance.

She further disclosed that in line with the theme of the 2015 conference, a number of subthemes have also been carefully selected that would resonate with all stakeholders in realising the objective of enhancing pension administration in Africa.

“You will agree with me that Africa today, faces huge infrastructure challenges and pension funds, as long-term capital are ideally suited for investment in infrastructure. However, infrastructure financing is still a major challenge for most African

countries despite the availability of huge aggregate of pension funds,” she said.

Anohu-Amazu disclosed that the plenaries on “The real deal: Structuring pension investments for sustainability” and “expanding investment frontiers for pension funds” both aim to address the issue of sustainability in the investment of pension funds and the frameworks that need to be developed to achieve wider scope for investment of pension funds.

On the progress of micro pension plans in Africa, she noted that not much has been achieved so far, stressing that it was appropriate to focus attention on the huge opportunities that ex-

ist in this area to encourage African countries take bold steps to come up with suitable and innovative pension plans, that would adequately cater for the needs of informally employed individuals.

In his remarks, Harry Smorenberg, Founder and Chairman of the World Pension Summit, noted that Africa’s growth story, particularly Nigeria as its largest economy, has been well documented, however with such growth comes a responsibility, expectation and opportunity to leverage capital growth, using pension funds as an instrument for further economic and social development.

Aviation18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

NAHCO deploys new N1.5bn equipment to airports Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Arik Air resumes flight services to Benin Airport

Arik Air, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest carrier has announced the resumption of its normal flight services to Benin Airport effective today Monday 7th September, following the reopening of the airport by the

Foremost ground handling company, NAHCO Aviance, has announced the deployment of new equipment in major airports across the country.

The Company in a statement noted that the equipment started arriving the country in August and were currently being deployed to all airports where NAHCO operates.

The statement by the Head, Corporate Services, Ahmed Bashir Gulma, disclosed that the sum of N1.5billion was invested in the new equipment.

According to him, “We are deploying these new equipment in the airports to satisfy our domestic and international clients. The equipment are the types you will find in the best of modern airports in the world.”

Gulma further disclosed that the first batch of the 131 units of Ground Support Equipment,

(GSE) arrived the country last month and had been deployed even as the Federal Government was still putting finishing touches to the airports it was re-modelling across the country.

Among the GSE are aircraft passenger steps, self-propelled pallet transporter, belt loaders, wide aircraft cargo loaders, aircraft tow loaders and towable toilet service units.

Others include towable fuel bowsers, pallet dollies, container dollies, baggage trailers, belt loaders and ACUs. Industry watchers say retooling was a cardinal principle of management of the Company.

Nahco aviance constantly reequips for added efficiency.

The Company has a culture of deploying state-of-the-art equipment as part of its re-investment strategies.

Only last March this year the Company reported that it invested more than N700 million in equipment purchase. This was

disclosed by the MD/CEO, Mr. Norbert Bielderman in a speech at the first Nigeria Air Cargo Summit on March 2, 2015.

This purchase, as disclosed, by Bielderman was preceded by another huge investment in equipment in the two years preceding 2014.

The Chairman, NAHCO, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, stated on the sideline of the inauguration of the NAHCo’s Learning and Development Centre in Lagos in March 2013 that, “In the last 24 months, we have invested over N11.3bn ($70m) in equipment and are putting things in place to ensure that the flow of cargo is efficient.”

With the present acquisition, the Company has further boosted its global rating as the foremost ground handling company in West Africa.

Meanwhile, the Company’s IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification has been renewed till 2016.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Arik Air Sunday began one flight into the airport after the reopening and commenced normal flight operations today.

Benin Airport was temporar-

ily closed by FAAN on June 20, 2015 to facilitate rehabilitation works on the airport’s runway.

The closure was initially scheduled to last 20 days but was further extended by FAAN. Notice to Airmen, NOTAM

was sent to adequately inform airlines’ operators and passengers of the development to enable them make alternative arrangements for their flight operations during the period of the closure of the airport”

Kenya Airways announces Bi-Courtney hosts orphanage, donates gifts $290m annual loss Kenya Airways has announced its biggest ever annual loss, partly blaming the $290m (£188m) shortfall on a decline in Kenya’s tourism sector.

This is as the airline seeks the sum of $200m loan to help it through the difficult period.

The airline stated that it incurred the massive loss due to competition and travel advisories warning about terror threats in certain areas by some governments across the world.

Finance Director of the airline, Mr. Alex Mbugua told investors that the airline had been hit by competition from Gulf carriers, adding that competition from within the continent was also a factor, with Ethiopian Airlines becoming a major regional rival.

Losses were forecast, but these were “much worse that they were expected to be”, African Aerospace magazine editor Alan Peaford said.

Tourism numbers are down because of the attacks in Kenya

by Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab, he added, but Kenya Airways has also been late in responding to the challenge of Ethiopian Airlines.

Kenya Airways moved to upgrade its aeroplanes ordering its first Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2013, some two years after Ethiopian Airlines.

But, the timing was unfortunate as it coincided with the tourism slump and the “growth of the fleet was not matched by revenue growth,” the airline’s Mr Mbuga acknowledged.

As a state-owned company Ethiopian Airlines does not publicly declare its profits or losses, making it hard to draw a financial comparison between the two airlines.

Kenya Airways has also been hit by insuring itself against fuel price rises at exactly the time when prices have been falling.

The airline is now looking for a $200m loan to help it through this period.

As further demonstration of its social responsibility, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, has played host to children from a Lagos-based orphanage, Light for the Lost Orphans Home (LLOH).

The children, accompanied by their minders, were first taken on a guided tour of the terminal before being hosted to a party at the terminal’s conference hall.

Highlights of the party included fun games, dance competition and career talk.

While addressing the children and their handlers, the Chief Operating Officer, BASL, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, commended the owners of the orphanage for their noble efforts. She observed that “we can only be sure of having a better society when resources are pulled together to make life meaningful for the less privileged in our neighbourhood. There are great potentials waiting to be harnessed among these kids and it is only reasonable and worthwhile not to allow those potentials to waste away”.

She added that “the facility tour, coupled with other exposures, will forever remain indelible in their minds. It has opened another vista in their quest for knowledge and this I think will help them as they grow in life and learn more”.

The orphanage’s founder, Evang. Ebenezer Anyaene, lauded the management of BASL for the kind gesture, while encouraging other corporate organisations and wealthy Nigerians to emulate

the gesture by company.

Also, coordinator of The Divine Eagles Support Ministry, Mr. Sola Ajide, who facilitated the visit by the children, commended BASL for its efforts at promoting the cause of the vulnerable and under-privileged members of the society.

Awoniyi later presented gift items, including foodstuffs, beverages, books and clothing to the visitors on behalf of BASL.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

19 Interview

Nigeria needs gas policy to attract investments in the sector — Umole - ED, Oando

Oil and gas plant

Franklin Umole is Executive Director, Corporate Development of Oando Gas & Power. In this chat with Daily Times, he articulates the critical relevance of the gas sector to the nation’s diversification and industrialization agenda and how it can be primed to best deliver.

What is your assessment of the gas market in Nigeria today as it stands and what can be done to attract more investors into the sector?

I think the gas journey in Nigeria is one I would say is just beginning. It is in its infancy compared with other industrialized nations.

We still have a long way to go. We may not have more than three thousand kilometers of pipelines and that’s is a far cry from what is needed for a country that covers over nine hundred thousand square kilometers.

So there is a long way to go but as they say, the journey of a thousand kilometers starts with one step and we have taken that step. For Nigeria to actually join the League of Nations in terms of gas industrialization, quite a few things still needs to be done. The sector needs to be given proper incentives because it is a long term business just by its nature so you need investment and capital that are long term.

You need capital that actually buys into the future of the country and the government plays a big role in that. We have in excess of over a hundred and eighty trillion cubic feet of proven reserves in Nigeria. For that to be developed there has to be a concerted effort towards creating value from the upstream business of gas. Across the value chain, the major areas are: gas exploration, gas infrastructure development,

‘‘We have in excess of over a hundred and eighty trillion cubic feet of proven reserves in Nigeria. For that to be developed there has to be a concerted effort towards creating value from the upstream business of gas.’’

Umole

gas processing, gas transportation and gas distribution to the last mile customer, which Oando Gas & Power is actively involved in. So looking at the areas enumerated, a holistic approach is needed if Nigeria is to properly release its gas potential.

Specifically, how do your activities tie into the provision of power, which has stalled industrialization efforts in the country?

That’s a good question. Oando Gas & Power is already a key player in the power space. We have developed a couple of independent power stations albeit captive power. Power plants that enable Lagos get water supply from the Water Corporation, power plants that provide power for the Lagos State Secretariat and environs as well as light up streets in the Ikeja area. Combined, Oando already provides directly, power in the neighbourhood of 22 megawatts. We supply gas to various customers in the Lagos environment as well as the Port Harcourt environment and up to fifty per cent of the gas that we supply in these areas are also used for power. If you put that in context, Oando also enables another one

hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty megawatts of power generation in Nigeria. If I look at our portfolio of projects for the next three years, we would have developed or enabled another one thousand megawatts of power across the country also covering the northern states where there is no gas today.

What exactly are some of the benefit of the CNG and virtual pipelines in the country?

CNG which stands for Compressed Natural Gas and is a virtual pipeline which is the broad umbrella for getting gas to customers even if they don’t have a pipeline is essential, and it’s a way to say that for people and consumers who are not connected to the physical pipeline, there must be a regime and a way for them to get cheaper fuel. Cheaper fuel is essential for industrialization and industrialization is essential to create economies in different parts of Nigeria. Oando has been at the forefront of this; we have a CNG compression plant in Lagos where we distribute gas to consumers who are not on our gas network up to two hundred kilometers away from Lagos. This has helped industries reduce their operating cost significantly.

It has also ensured that they are not depending on higher costing

diesel, or even LPFO for their operations. We have run this plant for a year and half and we have plans, to expand it.

We are looking for the best distribution model, we are evaluating multiple options in terms of transporting the gas and we are evaluating technologies that would transport more gas in even smaller containers. So these are some of the in-house work that Oando is doing to ensure that CNG remains competitive and gas remains the fuel of choice for the industrialists and the people who are actually creating the industries and wealth in the country.

What plans has Oando gas and power for further developing the pipeline network?

We at Oando believe that there should be gas in every part of the country. The cheapest and most effective way to deliver gas is still by pipeline and Oando is partnering with other industry players to extend the pipeline networks to all corners of Nigeria .We’ve just completed a study to build a pipeline from somewhere along the Escravos-Lagos pipeline, popularly called ELPS; what we call the ELPS-Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba pipeline and this pipeline would take gas from the Lagos axis all the way to Jebba while opening up all

the areas in between. So we envisage that in the future due to that transmission pipeline, we would be able to create gas grids and gas networks in Ibadan, Ilorin into the Jebba area, and in other areas in between.

Oando has also expressed interest to be involved in the government’s aspiration to build up to five thousand kilometers of pipeline across the country, that is still work in progress in NNPC and we believe that with the management in NNPC, when they pick that up, Oando is a willing partner in that venture. That pipeline network of five thousand kilometers would take gas from the southeast to the north east, take gas from the Niger-Delta to Sokoto, Kano and every other part of this country.

Should the PIB be revised?

And if so, how can it impact the gas sector and drive investment?

I think maybe the more important question is should the fiscal policy around oil and specifically gas in this particular instance as well as regulatory framework be revised? Certainly yes! It is difficult to answer the question whether the PIB should be revised because it is unclear which version of the bill we are actually looking at. But certainly what we have as policies and regulation as we speak, we all agree needs a revision.

We at Oando believe that the PIB should include as I stated earlier on, a clear incentive that is geared deliberately towards national development. We don’t think that national development is going to happen just by itself.

Such a framework needs to be clearly articulated to drive and integrate all the players in the sector such that Nigeria can grow from using her natural resources.

Energy 20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

L-R, Hanspeter Ackermann, Chief Investment Officer/Executive Director; Uche Orji, Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director; Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Chief Risk Officer/Executive Director - all of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority at a press briefing with Business Editors in Lagos on Thursday….

IFC, World Bank kick-start 1st Annual Nation’s Armed Forces to protect oil, fuel pipelines— Kachikwu Powering Africa summit in Abuja Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo International Finance Corporation and World Bank Group, will kick-start the 1st Annual Powering Africa meeting at the Hilton Transcorp in Abuja on 14th and 15th September.

Daily Times findings reveal that top on the list of discourse, will be the Nigerian Power Sector, especially after President Buhari recently ensured the signing of the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee which will enable the 450MW Azura project move forward swiftly.

This move by the present ad-

ministration is said to have put Nigeria in the eye of the international investment community who have been waiting for a success story before getting involved in the market. And with this show of good faith and commitment by the President, the sector seems poised for take-off.

To guide these discussions and give investment advisement, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Ms U. Aisha Hassan-Baba, will join the delegation, as well as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority represented by Obinna Ihedioha.

Development financiers are also making a strong show at the meeting with the FMO, GIZ and KfW confirmed, and of course, the African Finance Corporation, who will lead discussion on releasing private sector capital.

Beyond the obvious case for increasing gas to power generation in the country, there has been an overwhelming interest in making a case for renewable integration, particularly from the solar developers – Pan Africa Solar and Access Power will fly the flag for cleantech to discuss the rich landscape for development of sustainable resources in Nigeria.

Warri Refinery to resume production early November The Acting Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), Engr. Solomon Ladenegan, has said that measures have been put in place to ensure that the plant is back in full operation by early November in good time for the three months fast track moratorium.

He said this during the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s tour of the facilities last week. The 37year old refinery which has been undergoing phased rehabilitation exercise, was shut last week due to technical hitches in one of its

units.

During the tour, Dr. Kachikwu urged WRPC to ensure that the facility which has the capacity to process 125, 000 barrels of crude oil per day, resumes production within 90 days.

Dr.Kachikwu while touring the adjoining Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Jetty and Depot in Warri, also during the facility tour of the refining and the adjoining Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Jetty and Depot in Warri, pledged to give full support in making sure the company meets up with the 90 days ultimatum.

“So whatever you need to do to get your refinery back on track please do it now because this is the time. It’s a 90 days Fast-Track programme and whatever you need me to do to make that happen, let me know,’’ the GMD assured.

He also enjoined the management of the plant to resuscitate the Petrochemicals plant which was commissioned in March 1988.

On the state of PPMC storage facility, Dr. Kachikwu promised to end the era where the company rely heavily on private depots to store a bulk of its petroleum products.

The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said that the nation’s armed forces will soon be deployed to guarding the nation’s oil and fuel pipelines.

The GMD revealed this last week Wednesday when speaking on the Corporation’s effort to curb the activities of oil thieves in the country.

“Efforts are in top gear to fix all the crude and petroleum products pipelines across the country. The Nigerian Airforce would be engaged to provide aerial survey of the pipelines, the Nigerian Army Engineering corps to fix and police the pipelines and the Nigerian Navy to provide marine surveillance for

the network of pipelines,” he said.

Crude oil theft or “bunkering” is a major problem in Nigeria, with estimates that the country loses some $6 billion in revenue every year because of the practice.

NNPC has more than 5,000 kilometers of pipelines across the country, some located in creeks and forests.

Kachikwu also said the ongoing phased rehabilitation of all the nation’s four refineries- expected to produce 20 million liters of petrol daily at full capacity, will reduce petroleum products importation.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, accounting for more than two million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia insists no going back on excess oil production With market shares being its major concern, Saudi Arabia has remained unchanged by the pressure to reduce oil production.

With the country being Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) largest producer of oil, major oil producers have been trying to convince Saudi Arabia to cut production to reduce price from sliding.

Instead, according to an estimate from Platts, output from the nation has increased to about 10.45 million barrels per day in

July from 10.1 million in April.

According to the Wall Street Journal last week, Venezuela has asked OPEC to hold an emergency meeting and to consider a coordination with non-OPEC Russia to discuss strategy to cut down oil-price rout.

If Saudi Arabia makes sacrifices and cuts own production, oil prices will move higher, and that will benefit every other producing nation, said Patrick Kerr, owner of private-investment firm, The Kerr Organization.

Daily Daily Times Times Nigeria Nigeria Tuesday, August 18, Monday, September 7, 2015 2015

21 21

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

Public Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

ASSOCIATION OF YORUBA LANGUAGE GRADUATES OF RADIO LAGOS

INYABA YOUTH ASSOCIATION

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

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

TRUSTEES – 1.Abubakir Ismail olaniyi 3.Aka omobolanle Sekinat 5.Aderemi Emmanuel Adepoju 7.Price Temitayo williams Bangbose.

9.Adeyinka Ademola Adefisoye

TRUSTEES : Mr. Eric Ubabuko-Member Rev. Barr. Echezona Asomugha-Member Mr Greg Azubogu-Member Mr Edward Adili-Member Mr Richard Udoye-Member

2.Akindele olukona Abiodun Bilikisu 4.Abosede Adegboyega 6.Lawal omotayo Ramota 8.Bello oluwatoyin Deborah 10.Adesina faruk Adeosun.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To encourage the youth of yoruba speaking area in Promotion the culture, norms and value of the yoruba both at home and diaspora

Mr. Fidelis Edoka-Member Mr John Anene-Member Mr Nnanna Arinzechi-Member Mr Azuka Abiaefo-Member Mr. Ejike Chukwunenye-President

Aims And Objectives 1. To pursue the development of Ngo Inyaba community.

2. To explore and utilize as priority, the abundant God given talents and potentials of the indigenes of the community for common good.

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

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

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: BARR. AUSTIN .U. NWAROH Solicitor

OMOLUABI QUARRY PRODUCT MARKETERS ASSOCIATION

HOLY JEREMIAH CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH OF ZION.

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

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

TRUSTEES – 1. Ayofe Kamode 2. Aderisi Oyewumi Rasiday 3. Shittu Mokaila 4. Babawale Abdulahi Olawale

TRUSTEES: 1. Olagundoye Foloruso Akinola. - General Overseer.

2. John Adewole Oloye. - Secretary.

3. Omololu David Adeleke.

4 Dayo Ebose.

6. Orimoloye Akinwalehinmi.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To protect the interest of its members

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach and evangelise the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To cater for the welfare of their members.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

5 Felix Akinbinu.

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

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT FOR FOUNDATION .

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and Allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1chief Bisi akande 2.Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolabi(RTD) 3.James Ogundele 4.Mr shola Ajiboye 5.David Aderemi Adewuyi .

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To promote scientific research and indigenous Innovation Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi street.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ASSOCIATION OF TEACHING STAFF KOGI STATE UNIVERSITY. The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Dr. Usman Ogbo 2. Dr. Sylvester Ogba 3. Mr Friday August.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide welfare of members.

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

Signed Barr Gbenga Olagundoye

Signed Umeanozie Marcel Esq

BABUSSALAM INYASS FOUNDATION.

KURUDU POLICE HOUSING ESTATE OWNERS & RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

LOTTO PRINCIPAL AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF DELTA STATE

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

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

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) Sheiha Bilqis Niasse.

(3) Saida Hafsat Niasse.

(5) Saida Fatimat Niasse.

(7) Saidi Abdulmalik Usman.

(9) Saidi Muazu Dauda Anuhi.

(10) Saidi Ahmad Tijani Abdulazeez

TRUSTEES 1. CP Muhammad Mustafa 3. Mr. Eidenoje Ekeoba 5. Mr. Martin Adeoye 7. Dr. Joel Okwuchukwu Oruche

(2) (4) (6) (8)

Saida Ummuhani Niasse.

Saida Ramatullah Niasse.

Saida Aminat Ozohu Usman Khalifa Ahmad Rufai Shuaibu.

- Secretary.

2. Mr. Oregbesan Olalekan 4. CSP Joyce Nyam 6. Chief Longinus Ibe (CP Rtd) 8. Alhaji Mohammed Kolo

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To seek and promote the welfare and interest of landlords and residents of the Estate

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To Promote the Islamic Culture.

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

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

SIGNED. BARR. USMAN. MUHAMMED

JOYFUL CALLERS COUNSELLING MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and Allied matters Act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES – 1. Rev.canon Dr James Adebayo Famonur 3. Dr (Mrs) Esther Adenike Luogon 5. Mrs Funmilola A. Kolade

2. Rev.frederick O. A Luogon 4. Mrs Joyce Adeola Olufemi

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To care for all categories people including the hurting and needy souls with the love of Jesus Christ and the comfort of the holy spirit 2. To help people in the areas of pre – marital and marriage counseling 3. To promote educational needs of adolescents and singles.

4. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through Cross – Cultured mission awareness programme in churches, schools and public places.

5. To organize training and hold seminars, symposia, convention and conferences.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Edodo Mode-Chairman 3. Chief Ojo Rickson Adegoke-Treasurer 5. Samuel Edeki

2. Igho Iheme James-Secretary 4. Udu Collins Ifeanyi

AIM AND OBJECTIVE :.

1. To promote love, unity and true understanding among the members.

2. To promote and protect the interest of members and show concern for their welfare.

3. To arbitrate on matters affecting the members.

4. To Co-operate with any lawful or appropriate authority in a view of seeing that businesses are done successfully in welders and its environment.

5. To ensure that the rights and privileges of members as entrenched are protected.

6. To create a body corporate through which the Association shall be represented in government programmes and enjoy the benefits therefrom Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registration general Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the day of the publication.

Signed: Secretary

TRICYCLE OWNERS AND OPERATORS ASSO OF NIG OGUN-STATE CHAPTER The general public is hereby informed that the above named Body has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Alhaji Morufu Ajani Bolaji 2. Comrade Muideen Kunle Olasupo 3. J.P. Waheed Adaleko 4. Alhaji Komolafe Abiodun 5. Alhaji Oyede Rafiu 7. Chief Nureni Shobowale 9. Alhaji Rasak Bada

Signed Trustee

HILTON MARITIME CLUB OF TINCANISLAND The general public is hereby informed that the above named Club has applied for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Olatunde Oluwaseun A.

-

Chairman Secretary Deputy Chairman Financial Secretary 6. Alhaji Ayo Ogunsholu Jubril 8. Alhaji Rasak Olabode 10. Hon Lola Awoniyin Omosanya

- President

3. Awonusi Ibrahim D.

-

Social

5. Ayodele Olajide

-

7. Egbailo Shola

- Member

P.R.O.

9. Akinbola Hammed R

- Member

2. Oyedokun Sheriff Adeshola 4. Okuagba Gideon Ovie

-

-

Secretary

Treasurer

6. Olafimihan Bolaji Yusuff - Member 8. Alabi Bukola O.

- Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To help the needy and to move the nation forward

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster unity among members

Any objections should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission,

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

Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed Sec

Signed by: BRAINTRUST & SPRINGBOARD CONSULT

Signed Secertary

08023078234, 07060991908

BEFORE AND BEYOND CHILD BIRTH INITIATIVE

WORD COVENANT APOSTOLIC MINISTRY

FUNMI LABI EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

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

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. tosin matthew-akinsiku 2. damilare matthew-akinsiku

TRUSTEES 1. APOSTLE OLUNLOYO SAM OLUSEGUN 2. SISTER OLUNLOYO ABIOLA OLUBUNMI 3. EVANG. TELLA OLUSOLA ISAAC 4. BRO. ABOLAJI AYODELE DAVID

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Adedoyin John Owolabi 2. Pastor (Mrs) Adedoyin Julianah Olufunmilayo 3. Pastor Dr. Ajayi Adedayo Olufemi 4. Pastor Ivbarue Paul 5. Mrs. Gureje Bolanle 6. Mr. Idowu Oladiran Ibukun

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. Educating pregnant women and new mothers on health related antenatal and postnatal issues.

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

SIGNED. TRUSTEE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Aim and Objective: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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

Signed: Trustee

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

Signed Trustee

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

23 Public Notice EMINENT GOOD BROTHERS INTEGRATED CLUB

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

ADVANCED COMRADES CLUB

This is to inform the general public of the loss of the under listed

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

This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. MR. UMEH ANAYO – CHAIRMAN 2. MR. MBA CHRISTIAN 3. MR. UNEGBU OLISA 4. MISS ALADESAWE ADESOLA – SECERTARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Okekeocha Cyril Ifeanyi 3.Obasi Chijioke A.p 5.Achu Vitus Chukwunonye

land documents belonging to Mr. Rueben Ike Ezewulu.

The documents are as follows 1.

Original certificate of occupancy registered as 78/78/1993g

2.

Original building plan

3.

Original purchase receipt

4.

Original conveyance

5.

Original survey plan

The said documents have been declared missing all efforts to trace them proved abortive if found please contact the nearest police station or or Lagos State lands Registry General Public should take

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.

To promote unity and peaceful co – existence among members and individuals at large.

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

BERACHAH EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

IBRAHIM OLUBUKOLA

MARY – SHERRY CHIYEM

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

I, formerly known and addressed

I, formerly known and addressed as

as

OMABABA I SHERRY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Richard Ibeh 2) Pauline Anyanwu 3) Celestina Chinonso Ibeh 4) Umoh Sampson Effiong 5) Oha Ugochi Evangelyn AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace, moral and ethical values among the youth.

2. To empower less privilege in the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Barr. Suleiman Mohammed Jaji 08036207463

MISS

FASOLA

OLUBUKOLA

CHIYEM

FEYISAYO , now wish to be known

OSAKWE – OMABABA, now wish

and addressed as MRS IBRAHIM

to be known and addressed as MARY

OLUBUKOLA LATIFAT FEYISAYO.

– SHERRY CHIYEM OSAKWE. All

Nigeria Immigration Service and

former documents remain valid. The

the

public

should

please

note.

general public should take note

2.Azudinfe Chinedu Mathias 4.Obianka Chibueze

1, To facilitate the welfare of members of the club 2, To create a platform for social interaction amongst members.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: by: trustees

SEKINAT BOLA RASAQ

ABIOLA OLALEKAN DAVID

I, formerly known and addressed

I, formerly known and addressed as Abiola Olalekan Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Abiola Olalekan David. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research and the general public

as Sekinat Bola Oyeyemi , now wish to be known and addressed as Sekinat Bola Rasaq . All former documents remain valid. Divine Deligate Church Abuja and the general public take note.

please take note.

ENGER ENOBONG GEORGE

MRS MARIA IGIEWE

I, formerly known and addressed

EBIEKURAJU OLANIKE TITILAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as

DAVID FUNSHO ANIJESU

as ENGR ENOBONG

I, formerly known and addressed

I, formerly known and addressed

as Miss Ikuomola Olanike Titilayo

as David Folorunsho Anifa, now

, now wish to be known and

wish to be known and addressed as

addressed

mr

GEORGE

Miss Okoye Nkechi Miriam, now

UKUT , now wish to be known and

wish to be known and addressed as

addressed as ENGER ENOBONG

Mrs Egwuonwu Nkechi Miriam.

GEORGE UFORO.

All former

All former documents remain

documents

valid.

valid. The general public should

remain

The

general public should take note

take note

VICTORIOUS MOUNTAIN MINISTRY

LIFEPATH CHRISTIAN CENTER

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Prophet Ezekiel Babatunde (2) Olabimpe Babatunde (3)Olumide Folarin (4)Babatunde Orundami (5) Oludare Apalowo.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations (2) To win souls for Christ.

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

Signed: Solicitor Seun Adeyeye & Co. (Babawumi Chambers)

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

Trustees are (1) pastor max taffi balogun (2) pastor adeola taffi balogun (3) brother clever lagos , Aims .. to preach the gospel of jesus christ and deliver men from the bondage of devils ..

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

sign chairman

as

Mrs

Ebiekuraju

David Funsho Anijesu. All

Olanike Titilayo.

All former

former documents remain valid.

documents

valid.

The general public should take

remain

The

general public should take note

note

UMABOR GREAT BROTHERS CLUB This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Board of trustees are...

(1)odo stephen ugochukwu__ chairman (2) eze andrew okafor __ secretary (3) ugwuanyi boniface (4)ugwuoke ikechukwu (5)nwodo simon chinwuba Aim and objective_ (1) to promote unity, leve and togetherness among members, (2) to render assistance to one another in times of need (3) to do all other things considered beneficial to members Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. signed secretat

UNITED WE STAND CLUB OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Mr. Obiora Vincent. 2. Emmanuel Odigbo. 3. Mr. Elias Orji. 4. Mr. Sylvester Nwabu. 5. Mr. Oyiboka Augustine. 6. Mr. Ugochukwu Alaneme. 7. Mr. Francis Erosoba. 8. Mr. Donatus Umeh AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

2. To foster peace, love and unity among members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi Street maitama Abuja. Within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Assets declaration: Okowa urges Nigerians to be concerned about Buhari’s change promise Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏAs reactions continue

to trail the asset declaration of President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice-Presidentr Yemi Osinbanjo, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Sunday declared that the hue and cry over the President’s asset was totally uncalled for, saying that what he had been declared was his personal wealth, which ought not to be the business of Nigerians.

Okowa said Nigerians should be more concerned about the Buhari’s campaign promise of change, which he said should be

paramount to the people adding that Buhari declaration was a welcome development.

Besides, the governor disclosed that, in spite of the huge debts he inherited from the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, his government had put in place measures that would bring respite to the people by restructuring his administration’s expenditure to save cost.

Okowa, who spoke in Benin, the Edo State capital at the 13th anniversary celebration of Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International Incorporated, also admonished the congregation to pray fervently in

order to heal the land of all the challenges bedeviling it, just as he called on Nigerians to desist from raining abuses on it leaders.

He told journalists that Buhari’s asset declaration was “is personal; the man has declared his asset which is a welcome idea that he has come out to do.

But his personal wealth and all he has at the moment is not supposed to be the business of Nigerians. The only thing that we should concern about is what is going to be his output in government. That is where we should concentrate on.”

Okowa whose election is being challenged at the tribunal said God being merci-

ful and faithful to him said that were still challenges ahead and urged Christians to pray for the unity of the country.

He said: “Trusting God is very good, because God has manifested in my life. I can see the manifestation of God in this church and the same way God has grown it, God can also grow in your lives. When I listen to our father Pastor Omobude there is still a lot of Jordan to cross. There is still a lot of land to be conquered.

Please take note of that so that you will not relax that we have arrived. It is a time to pray more, not only for the church but for Nigeria and all the states.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (2rd left); his wife, Dolapo (left); Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); the Celebrant & General Overseer, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo (middle); his wife, Peace during the 70th Birthday Special Thanksgiving Service of Okonkwo at the TREM Headquarters, Gbagada… on Sunday

FMBN lauds Ugwuanyi on low-cost housing scheme Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Federal Mortgage

Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), at the weekend, commended Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for subsidising the houses funded by the bank, appealing to other state governors to emulate the gesture, in order to make houses affordable to civil servants across the federa-

Ugwuanyi

tion.

Its Managing Director, Mr Gimba Yau Kumo, said that the allocation of the 100 housing units in FMBNfunded Elim Estate, Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu, through balloting, was one of the activities lined up to mark Ugwuanyi’s 100 days in office Kumo, who was represented by the Enugu Zonal Co-ordinator, Simeon Agada, and Enugu State Office Controller, Chris Ibuzo, assured the Enugu State Government of FMBN’s readiness to continue partnering with the government in the area of delivery of residential housing estates in the state.

The keys to 100 one-bed-

room flats at Elim Estate, Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu, were, on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, handed over to civil servants on grade levels 01 to 10, by Ugwuanyi, he said.

He also disclosed that the State Government had paid 30 per cent of the cost of the houses, while the balance (70 per cent) would be paid for through mortgage financing by FMBN under the National Housing Fund (NHF) Scheme.

Kumo also informed the state governor that Elim Estate was one of several housing estates funded by the FMBN in the state – alongside Goshen Estate, Jubilee Estate, Vivian Estate, all in Enugu Urban and El-tabera

Estate in Nsukka, as some of the other housing estates funded by the bank.

In the same vein, Ugwuanyi outlined a threepronged event embracing the presentation of keys to 100 units of one bedroom flats at Elim Estate, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu procured for civil servants, the presentation of vehicles to security agencies and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as well as the presentation of tractors to farmers in the state.

He said that his administration was providing the 100 housing units to the civil servants in line with his policy of addressing the fundamental needs of the people.

Reps seek NEMA’s assistance for Atakumoksa market fire victims

Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

No fewer than N500 million assets were lost during the Atakumosa market inferno that occurred at Ilesha area of Osun State.

This was contained in a letter of assistance addressed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by the lawmaker representing OsunEast Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Also, lawmaker representing Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, has solicited for the assistance of NEMA for the victims of the fire disas-

Police arrest more masquerades in Enugu

Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏThe Police in the uni-

versity town of Nsukka, at the weekend, arrests more masquerades for torturing and extorting money from residents of the area.

It would be recalled that two masquerades were arrested last week after robbing one Chinonso Ezewaji, a trader of N57, 000.00 and his handset along NsukkaObollo-Afor road.

Daily Times gathered that, in the past few weeks, masquerades had continu-

ter.

Omoworare and Famurewa in letters sent to the Director General of NEMA said they felt the agony of the victims of the fire outbreak.

Famurewa, who met with the NEMA D-G, said the fire outbreak has wreaked havoc on the lives of the traders in the market and on the economy of his constituency.

Omoworare in his letter titled: “Request for assistance on the fire outbreak at the Atakumosa market in Ilesa-West Local government, State of Osun,” sent to the NEMA Chairman, described the incident as ugly and unfortunate. ously mounted road blocks in some areas in Nsukka and the latest arrest of the two was carried out on Nru community in Nsukka Local Government Area, after they engaged policemen in physical fight.

A police insider who pleaded anonymity told Daily Times that the police began a clamp down and surveillance on masquerades in the area following complaints from residents of brutality, extortion and robbery on Ugwu-Nkwo, Orba road/Nru junction.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the masquerades in police net were arrested after they attacked a staff of Radio Nigeria in Nsukka and a lecturer at the University of Nigeria.

RRS nabs fake policemen in Lagos ÏÏÏThe operatives of

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, have apprehended the duo of Lawal Hakeem, 43, and Abiodun Ibrahim, 32, for impersonating policemen at Mile 2, on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at about 19:00 p.m.

The RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, noted that the police, while on patrol duty, sighted the two of them in mufti in a suspicious movement, and policemen approached and interrogated them on their business in the area. They identified themselves as police officers hoping that the policemen can let go of them. “The RRS operatives

continued interrogations, after a while, one of them, Lawal Hakeem, showed his cloned police identification card. The RRS men looked at the I.D card critically to discover that it was a fake one.

Immediately both of them were arrested and bundled into the squad’s vehicle and driven to the headquarters for further investigations’’, the Commander revealed.

On arrival, one of them, Abiodun Ibrahim, confessed he is not a police officer, but an intimate friend to Lawal Hakeem, adding that he was just trying to settle dispute that ensued between him (Hakeem) and one private car driver at the spot of arrest before the policemen surrounded them.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

25 News

Cultural tourism: Ekiti herbalists woo private investors

Some of the10 celebrated journalists by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council; General Manager, Lagos Television, Mr. Deji Balogun; his counterpart from Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr. Yinka Adagun; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Habib Aruna; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi; General Manager, Radio Lagos/Eko fm, Mrs. Funke Moore; Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina; National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Waheed Odusile and their host, Chairman of NUJ Lagos State Council, Mr. Deji Elumoye during the reception at the Combo Hall, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos… at the weekend

Niger: Bello blames ex-Gov. Aliyu over non- employment of CRK teachers Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏ The governor of Niger

state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has blamed his predecessor Babangida Aliyu for the unemployment of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) teachers in the State.

Bello, stated on Sunday at the Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service of the Diocese of Minna that the moral aspect of every child is tied to religious bodies.

He told the congregation that he will ensure the employment of Christian religious teachers in public schools across the state, adding that religious bodies should assist in the moral upbring of children.

According to him, "I am very much interested in the moral development of

the children of the state. Already, there are Islamic religious teachers, but something went wrong along the line. The past administration did not do the right thing.

"I am going to put everything in their proper perspective to ensure that there is moral development in the state."

It would be recalled that at the tail end of the previous administration, the Christians, led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), requested severally for Christian religious teachers in public schools since there are Islamic religious teachers, but it all turned in the deaf ears.

Bello, who was represented by the Chief Special Adviser (Political), Mr. Solomon Nyaze, also admonished religious leaders not

to preach inciting messages that will threaten the peace of the state.

In his message, the Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Zaria, Rev. Ali Buba Lamido, called on the government to expedite action in ensuring the employment of CRK teachers in the state if it must brew good morals.

According to him, "Previous governments in the north did not give much opportunity in the teaching of CRK in schools, especially in the far north. We do experience a situation where CRK is not being taught and it's not acknowledged in the curriculum of the schools.

"It is only desirable that this is afforded a very good privilege where Christians will also be taught. We are talking of moral development, it can only come through the teachings of

religion, and you have to balance it.

"If you have Islamic teachers, you must have Christian teachers. It is advisable that government employs CRK teachers because the subject is part and parcel of the School Certificate Examinations."

Speaking also, the Chairman of the Anniversary Committee, Abraham Yisa urged the government to take advantage of the change it preaches and employ more CRK teachers.

"When you are talking about change in the society, CRK is important. This is the basis of bringing up the child in the right way. It is partnering with the government to bring up children in the right way. It will help in tackling the problems government at all levels are having today", he added.

Ex-Nigerian envoy explains Jang’s victory at tribunal Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏA

former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Pada Kasai, has said there was a technical error in the legal team that stood as counsel to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Northern Senatorial candidate, Eunice Sambo, who lost at the tribunal to the incumbent Senator Jonah David Jang last weekend.

Kasai, who also contested the Northern Senatorial

primary election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Sen. Jonah Jang at the 2015 polls, said that, as a lawyer, he noticed that the filing and the non-pleading of some important documents the counsel relied on were occasioned with some technical errors.

He stated that he was not speaking for the APC, adding that if APC appeal, they might stand a chance as some of the votes that were supposed to be cancelled at the polling units where not cancelled by the presiding

officers, and as you know the law gave the presiding officers the right to cancel any polling unit with the case of over voting.

"So when you say you are recording the genuine votes and throwing away the excess, I don't think that is the correct position of the law and on appeal, that can make a head way", he said.

Recall that Eunice Sambo of the APC dragged Sen. Jonah Jang of the PDP to the tribunal sitting in Jos, challenging the victory of Sen. Jang and on Saturday, 5th September, 2015, the

tribunal dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petition lacked merit and upheld the victory of Sen. Jang as the only elected Senator representing Plateau Northern Senatorial district of Plateau State.

Jang

Gbenga Sodeinde

sector that can change the economy of the State, if well harnessed.

Orisamika expressed happiness over the promise made by the governor to liaise with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) on the need to upgrade some major festivals in the State to national status, particularly the Udiroko annual festival in Ado Ekiti. He said the nonchalant attitude to cultural issues and tourism in general, had led to the gradual extinct of cultural festivals in the state, describing the situation as very disturbing and unfortunate.

Umahi illuminates Abakaliki metropolis

project was part of activities marking his 100 days in office, just as he promised to do more.

He said: "We are going to commission more roads, water, electricity and also do stomach infrastructure.

And we are going to continue that way.

"Remember that when we came, this Gunning road, Ogoja road, New Market road and Nkaliki road were impassable, but today we have made them passable and put street light.

"So I want Ebonyi people to have hope. The most important thing is that when you hear the amount being used in doing all these, you will know that it is God who has brought us to power.”

Ado Ekiti ÏÏÏEkiti State chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) has called on private investors to key into Governor Ayo Fayose’s agenda to propel cultural tourism in the State through huge investments in the sector for rapid expansion of the state’s economy, for more revenue earnings.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti last weekend, the Chairman of the Association, Chief Jacob Orisamika, described tourism, particularly cultural festivals, as a critical

Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏEbonyi state Governor,

Chief Dave Umahi, has reiterated the readiness of his administration to ensure constant electricity supply and power generation within the territory of the state capital.

Chief Dave Umahi made this known while commissioning the second face of street light project of his administration.

The governor said the commissioning of the second face of the street light

AFBA warns Senate over probe of EFCC boss Titus Akhigbe

Benin

ÏÏÏLeadership

and members of the African Bar Association (AfBA), on Sunday, tasked lawmakers at the upper chamber of the National Assembly to exercise caution in the probe of the chairman of the anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Larmode, and other organs of the Nigerian state.

Also, the body has commended the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh (SAN), over the success of the it’s recently concluded 55th annual general conference, held in Abuja.

The African lawyers declared that “while the Nigeria senate has the constitutional right to use its oversight functions to ensure that various organs of the state perform constitutionally, and in the very best interest of the citizenry, it has no constitutional power to try organs of the state in the media.”

The AfBA director of media, Samuel Abasilim, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin, Edo state capital, pointed out that any allegation of crime against the EFCC or any of its official, should firstly be reported to the Nigerian Police Force, which has the constitutional responsibility to investigate such criminal acts.

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Ebonyi workers begin seven-day warning strike Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏWorkers

in the employ of the Ebonyi State Government have commenced a seven-day warning strike to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the administration's Special Salary Committee that recommended the payment of old salary structure to them.

The warning strike is contained in bulletin No. 12 of organised Labour (Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, etc.) Ebonyi State tagged, “Rejection of Dr. Sam O. Egwu’s

Committee Reort and Seven-Day Warning Strike.”

The organised labour said it rejected the report submitted by the Egwu Committee, which it said was biased and lopsided, because opinion of the organised labour was not sought before it was submitted to the government on September 2, 2015.

The labour groups added that they would stick to the structure approved by the state government, which took effect from February 2015.

“The Committee submitted its report on September 2, 2015, without recourse to organised

labour submission based on the economic reality in the state.

“The Egwu Committee, which hitherto professed to be neutral in the mediation process surprisingly submitted its report to the government, which warranted the Head of Service to issue circular HOS/EPM/0074/141, which labour was not aware of.

“That Engr. Dave Umahi government is unwilling to pay workers salary on the current salary scale even when the economic reality of the state clearly shows that government can conveniently and comfortably pay the salary and have enough funds

to take care of other projects.

“That the salary table as approved by Ebonyi State Government and established as in establishment circular NO 3/2015 with Ref: NO:HOS/EPM/0074/20 dated 9th April 2015 with effect from February 2015 remains sacrosanct and irreversible.

“That we reject the report of the Dr. Sam O. Egwu led-Committee, because it is biased and did not accommodate the representations of organised labour.

“All workers are hereby directed to commence warning strike from September 4 to September 11, 2015,” it stated.

Akpabio speaks from London, disowns twitter, Facebook accounts

ÏÏÏThe Senate Minority Leader,

Senator Godswill Akpabio, has disowned Twitter and Facebook accounts opened on his behalf, advising those who were doing so to desist from such, as he had not authorised or cause to be opened any Facebook or Twitter account on his behalf.

He also charged Nigerians, particularly the political class, to desist from politicising disasters and tragedies, but work towards the unity and progress of the country without any political or ethnic coloration.

Akpabio, who stated this in a statement he personally signed, thanked God for his survival and said he remained grateful to Nigerians for their prayers and display of concern.

The former governor specifically thank President Mohamadu Buhari, Vice- President Yemi Osibajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dogara, his successor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, his colleagues in the National Assembly and former president Goodluck Jonathan for their concern and expression of lovewhen the accident occurred.

He also expressed the appreciation of his family members to traditional and religious leaders, who have been calling on a daily basis to inquire about his well-being.

Akpabio

Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi (left); Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo (2nd left); Commissioner in charge of Africa Maryland state, United State of America (USA) Dr. Anu Eesuola (right); her husband Mr.Olusola Eesuola (2nd right) and others during a courtesy visit to governor’s office… at the weekend

Man docked for sex with his 14-yrold daughter Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏA

34-year-old man, Muhammed Ahmed, has confessed to have had sex with his daughter (name withheld) for no fewer than six times.

Ahmed, while making the confession when paraded by the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said, “I only have sex with her six times, since April 2015.”

However, the man has been remanded by an Osogbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

Ahmed was arraigned on a two count charge of “unlawful intercourse and assault.”

The prosecutor, Mr. Duro Adekunle, told the court that the accused was arrested while having sexual intercourse with his daughter.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Habibat Bashiru, ordered the accused person to be remanded in Ilesa Prison.

She subsequently adjourned the case to October 30, 2015, when the formal bail application of the accused was expected to be filed at the High court.

Two suspected electricity vandals electrocuted in Enugu Moses Oyediran Enugu

100 days: Amosun urges Ogun residents to be hopeful Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏOgun State governor, Mr. Ibi-

kunle Amosun, has called on residents of the state to be hopeful, noting that the current challenges across the country were but a passing phase.

He also reiterated his total support for the policies and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that “they will bring within our reach and attainment the dreams of our people for a happy and prosperous nation.”

In a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Ajimobi thanked the people of the state for their abiding faith in his administration.

He said, “Challenges are human phenomena. Great nations of today had, at one time or the other, been confronted with challenges, which they successfully surmounted. Your unflinching support saw us through the first term. I have no doubt that your unwavering solidarity will make us to surpass expectations in our second term in office.”

According to the governor, “We have spent the last 100 days restructuring our finances due to the sudden economic downturn in the country. We participated in the federal government bail-out programme with the active support of our House of Assembly. The Treasury Single Account (TSA), which we introduced, in 2011, and has now got nation-wide acceptance, has enabled us to block leak-

ages in the system. We now look into the future with confidence,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, as we reform our governance in line with current realities, we have paid greater attention to our environment. We are engaging local and foreign investors with tangible results in the number of companies now berthing in Ogun. We are taking stock; looking into new initiatives to raise our internally generated revenue and consolidate our achievements through timely completion of all ongoing projects. We are laying a strong economic base for the future. We have hopes of a better tomorrow.

“We shall remain focused and continue to work even harder to make Ogun State far better than we met it,” the governor said.

ÏÏÏTwo persons who specialised

in vandalising installations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) were, at the weekend, electrocuted while attempting to pilfer the company’s property.

Mr. Eugene Aniowo, EEDC’s Public Affairs Manager, who made the disclosure to journalists in Enugu, on Sunday, said the incidents had been reported to the police.

Aniowo said that the two men, Francis Ezeugwu and his accomplice, whose identity still remained unknown, were shortcircuited on top of EEDC pole at Okpunnoegbu Ekulu Nnewi and Agulu town.

He also said that another young man of about 25 years of age was currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Anambra State for burns to his body while attempting to vandalise the EEDC’s 2.5 MVA transformer, which served customers within Nnewi town.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Adamawa Gov tasks pilgrims on conduct at Hajj Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe

governor of Adamawa state, Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow, on Sunday, advised the 2015 intending pilgrims in the state to take the pilgrimage as a divine opportunity.

Bindow gave the advice at the farewell ceremony to 2015 intending pilgrims in Yola.

He urged them to use the opportunity to pray for families, elders, leaders and the state in particular.

He also solicited for prayers for his administration and the President Muhammadu Buhari. ``I implore you to consider your selection for this pilgrimage as a divine opportunity. ``There are many people who

had wished to visit the holy land even once in their life time but could not due to one reason and the other. ``I will advise you to take the pilgrimage serious and sacred and use the period to pray for our parents who have died, families, and the country at large. ``I also appeal to you to pray for our dear state, and to pray for me too for God to guide me to lead you well. ``And most importantly, pray for our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, to achieve his vision of changing Nigeria for the better.’’

Bindow

456 cattle rustled into Plateau, MACBAN alleges ÏÏÏMiyetti

Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), last weekend, said 456 cattle belonging to two of its members were allegedly rustled

by Tarok youths of Langtang South Local Government area of Plateau State.

MACBAN President for North Central, Alh. Danladi Chiroma, told journalists in Jos that the rustlers had crossed over to Ibbi Local Government Area of Taraba State to rustle the cattle, and in the process killed one of the herders.

Alh. Chiroma said after concerted efforts by security agents from Taraba and Operation Safe Haven in Plateau, Tarok youths from Langtang South had returned 24 cattle out of the 456, an action he described as unacceptable.

He said, “Returning 24 cattle

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

ÏÏÏThe

Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has said that there is no basis for the 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), over salary arrears owed to primary school teachers’.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said the teachers’ ultimatum was unwarranted and misplaced as the state government is not responsible for the salaries of primary school teachers and other local government workers.

While blaming the delayed salaries on the sustained drop in federal allocations to all tiers of gov-

when you have stolen 456 is unacceptable and we will not let this go. The Ponzhi Tarok, Domkat Bali, and the Senator representing Plateau South, Gen. Jerimiah Useni cannot pretend not to know what is happening, they must take responsibility for the actions of their people and ensure that those cattle are returned. For over 10 years now, no Fulani man is allowed into their communities so why should they now cross over to our communities to steal our cattle?”

Operation Safe Haven Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, on Sunday, confirmed the rustling of cattle into Langtang South, but said security agents had received conflicting figures from the owners and that the report had reached them late.

27 News

NAN faults Buhari’s change drive in 100 days ‘Tosin Ajuwon

Akure ÏÏÏThe National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has faulted the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his covenant of ‘change mantra’ as he attained 100 days in government.

In a statement, issued by NANS vice president on National Affairs, Timileyin Ayenuro, on Sunday, to journalists in Akure, the Ondo state capital, said Nigerian students were worried over the nonfulfillment of such promises made during the electioneering period.

Ayenuro said President Buhari, during his campaign, made no fewer than 13 promises to Nigerians which are: Reduction of fuel price to N45 per litre; subsidise oil price at $100 a barrel; pay the poorest 25 million people N5, 000 every month; guarantee 40,000 megawatts of electricity in four years; post NYSC stipends; provision of free meal ticket per day for all Nigerian school children, and also provision of three million jobs in his first year in office.

NANS disclosed that President

Muhammadu Buhari has not only failed to deliver on his numerous "100-day in Office promises", but his media machinery are intentionally and falsely in the bid to cover the ineptitude of failing the "100-day integrity test" in the court of public opinion, denying these lofty promises made during the electioneering campaign.

“Nigerians taught the change they expected had come. But amazingly, after 100 days in office, Buhari, whom they described as ‘Baba Go Slow’ because of his sluggishness in executing government policies, has not achieved any of the promises” Ayenuro added.

He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari should be aware that Nigerians mean business and ready to see developments around the nooks and crannies of the country as promised in his change mantra.

He said the recent lopsided appointment made by the administration of President Buhari is an indication of where his government is heading and advised that the federal character must be

followed suit in subsequent positions.

“He needs to know that we have a federation that should be run through established laws. All the federating units must be part of the government to avoid unnecessary litigation against constitutional violations. There are still many more appointments to be made and Nigerians are watching to see what will happen” he stated.

The statement, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the recommendations contained in the National Conference, stressing that the report is the only way to solve Nigeria’s myriad of political and economic problems.

“Buhari must do whatever is necessary to ensure the implementation of the confab report.

The implementation will further re-launch and revamp the nation.

Non- implementation of the report will amount to turning deaf ear to the voice of the people.

Since governance is about people, government should do what the people want”, the statement said.

Lagos State Commandant, War Against Indiscipline (WAI), Adeoye Gabriel; Assistant Director General, National No basis for NUT L-R: Orientation Agency (NOA),Mr. Raphael Bowoto; Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Eze Dr Cyril Mosuala Anomeze and Security Practitioner, Mr. Richard Okenna during the 2015 Lagos State Camp of (WAI) programme held in Lagos… at the weekend ultimatum, says Lagos won’t be home to terrorists, says Ambode Kwara Gov

ernment, Governor Ahmed said the state government has always kept labour unions, including the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the NUT abreast of the salary crises and efforts to resolve them.

Continuing, Governor Ahmed said his administration had been augmenting the dwindling federal allocations to Local Government Council’s since 2014, the latest being the N800m released to supplement the shortfall in August 2015 federal allocation to the local government councils in the state.

Ahmed Alimi

ÏÏÏGovernor

Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has reiterated his commitment to ensure terrorists do not find a place in the state, while urging residents to continue to live peacefully together and practice their religions with respect for one another.

Governor Ambode stated this on Sunday at the thanksgiving service climaxing the 40 founder’s day Anniversary of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church of Christ ‘The Worshippers, held at the church’s headquarters at Iponri, in the me-

tropolis.

The Lagos State governor, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Agege, Dr. (Mrs) Yinka Ayandele, also vowed to ensure that residents of the state practice their beliefs without fear of molestation by any group against the other.

Said he: “The government of Lagos State is committed to ensuring that our state is a no-go area for religious extremism. As a people of this great state, I enjoin us to renew our vows of chastity and dedication to the goodness of God.

As Christians, we should relate to all and sundry by setting good examples as Christians in the country,” he said.

At the occasion, Supreme Head of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Solomon Alao, informed the gathering that Nigeria would remain indissoluble forever in the face of challenges that may arise. He said that the April general election in the country had shown that God would not leave the country to the machinations of the devil.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Our Heritage

s

Discover the pride of Bayelsa Agozino Agozino Known as the Pride of the nation, Bayelsa State is home of Ijaw nation. The state is characterised by its mangrove landscape and biodiversity potentials. Its capital, Yenagoa, is a fast developing city which, apart from the huge oil reserves, is determined to position itself on the cultural and tourism landscape of the nation.

A lot of factors make this dream quite realisable for the young state which is barely 14 years old. Apart from hosting of the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, which is one of the most important cultural initiatives to be embarked on in Africa in the last decade,Yenagoa, the capital of the state has been one of the major spotlight. Bayelsa offers the scenery that will excite average film makers who have typical African stories to tell because of the ecological potentials. A trip to Bayelsa is best undertaken by flight to the Port Harcourt Airport, located at Omagwa, Rivers State. In the absence of an airport in Bayelsa, this offers the best entry point to the state.

A typical ride to Yenagoa from Omagwa Airport will take about two and half hours owing to the nature of the road, which

on its own offers its own unique spectacle of the region. In the absence of a flight, there are many adjoining routes to Yenagoa which could be connected through towns like Ughelli, Port Harcourt and Elele, a town popular with many Christians, because of a Catholic priest named Father Edeh.

The moment one enters Yenagoa, visitors are hit by the vigour of a new state trying to take bold initiatives. This could be seen from the various constructions going on at every nook and cranny of the town. The several constructions going on hurriedly and all at once are clear evidence about the determination of the town to move to the next level.

Most parts of the town presents an avalanche of sprawling projects. The road network of Yenagoa is interesting in a unique way in that one straight road links the town from the major roundabout, which holds strong presence of some of the famous sons of the land, especially in the political circles.

Yenagoa, although strongly populated by the Ijaws also boasts of people from other ethnic groups. The Ijaws, who are the indigenes, are mostly engaged in fishing and craft, while the Igbo population in the town

are mostly engaged in business, trading in sundry goods ranging from imported articles to food stuffs. The Yoruba in Yenagoa are involved in the construction sector which is a buoyant part of the Yenagoa economy. People from other parts of Nigeria and even beyond can also be seen engaged in providing sundry services in the growing town.

Yenagoa offers a wide range of dishes from local to continental, as most hostels-which rank as either three or four star hotels avail such delicacies. But a typical visitor to Yenagoa would find the fish very appetising. The state boasts of many fishermen; this means that many varieties of fish abound in Yenagoa. Most restaurants serve fresh fish pepper soup, while the dry variety is also very popular. People in Yenagoa are also crazy about plantains and the locals have a tasty delicacy prepared from roast plantain and dry fish over a paste of crayfish, pepper and palm oil. Other sea foods like lobsters and prawns also form part of the dishes that would gladden the hearts of visitors to Yenagoa as such species are abundant in the Bayelsa waters.

Bayelsa has the largest oil and gas reserves in the country and gets a huge chunk of the federal

allocations for its resources. But while the entire town smacks of oil, a visitor may not see crude oil flowing anywhere. This is essentially because the crude exploitation happens in the creeks of the state. The state boasts of the operations of the major oil companies which are involved in crude prospecting in the town.

Yenagoa offers all kinds of transportation save from flights, but helicopter services are popular, especially amongst the oil companies. At the city, there are branded buses and taxis which take people to their destinations.

However, like most Nigerian towns, the use of bikes, popularly called Okada is common and a ride costs between N50 and N150, depending on where one is going. The state, however, has a difficult terrain, especially for people assessing the riverside areas. Flying boat trips to some locations within the state from Yenagoa could take as long as three and half hours.

Many tourist sites exist in Bayelsa State. There are two museums in Nembe, called Olodi Museum and Mangrove Museum. They are stocked with artefacts dating back to hundreds of years. An Oil Museum has been proposed by the Federal Government for Oloibiri in Ogbia Local

Government Area to commemorate the first striking of oil in commercial quantity in Nigeria which happened in 1956. The museum, when established, will serve as a centre of excellence in petroleum history, entertainment and learning.

At Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area, where the present governor, Timipre Sylva hails from, there are the Commonwealth Graves of British soldiers who died in the Nembe-British War of 1895 (otherwise known as the Akassa war). In nearby Akassa, there is

“

The state boasts of the operations of the major oil companies which are involved in crude prospecting in the town�

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Onobrakpeya clocks 83 Agozino Agozino

Renowned artist and printmaker Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya last week, clocked 83 years.

Onobrakpeya was born in Agbarha-Otor in Delta State.

He was raised as a Christian, but also learned the traditional beliefs. His family moved to Benin city when he was a child.

He attended Western boys High School, where he was taught art

by Edward Ivehivboje, among other subjects. He also attended drawing classes at the British Council Art Club in Benin City.

Onobrakpeya was inspired by the watercolour paintings of Emmanuel Erabor. After leaving high school, Onobrakpeya was hired as an art teacher at the Western Boys High School

the Slaves Transit Camp. There is a War Boat in Aleibiri which is a tourist wonder, Manila and Bronze heads were discovered in a forest in Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area. The beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches at Twon-Brass, Okpoama, Olodiama, Koluama, Sangana and others at Odi, Kaiama, Nembe and the evergreen expanse of mangrove lands in the deep south of the State are also of great tourist value.Monuments in Bayelsa State. Gloryland Cultural Centre: This is the natural home of many events taking place in Yenagoa. The Gloryland Cultural Centre is an imposing structure in the middle of the Yenagoa town which can seat thousands of guests. It is the first choice when events of huge magnitude are being contemplated in Bayelsa and consists of two rows of floors.

Kaiama Isaac Boro Memorial: The name, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro and the town of Kaiama are symbols of the Niger Delta peoples’ struggle for economic and environmental justice. In 1966, Boro took up arms against the Nigerian Government and the oil companies which he jointly accused of bringing misery and environmental devastation to local communities.

(1953–1956). In 1956 he left for Ondo, where he taught at the Ondo Boys High School for a year.

The Zaria Arts Society, later called the Zaria Rebels, was formed on October 9,1958 by a group of art students at the college led by Uche Okeke with the aim of “decolonizing” the visual arts as taught by expatriate Europeans. Onobrakpeya has said that the college gave him technical skills but the Zaria arts society, a discussion group, shaped his perspectives as a professional artist. The society gave him the confidence to seek a personal expressive idiom. He elongated his figures, ignored perspective and evoked the supernatural through ambiguous decorations.

Onobrakpeya is among the most successful artists to have emerged in Africa during the 20th century, with continuing and commanding influence on the generation of artists in Nigeria, who have come to maturity in the post colonial period.

Onobrapkeya has received an honorary D. Litt. from the University of Ibadan in 1989. He has equally received an honourable mention at the Venice Biennale.

He was honoured with the Fellowship of the Society of Nigerian Artists SNA on June 6, 2000.

He was honoured with the Pope John Paul II award for painting the life of Saint Paul, the Fellowship of Asele Institute award, the Sadam Hussein award, the Solidra Circle award, and Fulbright Exchange Scholar award.

Onobrakpeya

Pomp as TAMPAN hold festival in Lagos Agozino Agozino It was a day to remember recently in Lagos when the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Somolu/Bariga chapter rolled out drums to honour some of its patriarchs and other individual who have contributed to its growth.

TAMPAN which prides itself as a leading theatre body in Lagos lays claims, not only to being on the vanguard of the motion picture industry but to a rich legacy in discovering and developing creative talents. In celebration of that feat, the organisers rolled out drums in honour of some of those who contributed conspicuously to their achieve-

ment of reckoning. Among those honored with various awards were 10 people who have distinguished themselves in the body’s history.

Some of the recipients of the awards include Senator Anthony Adefuye, who was honoured with the TAMPAN father’s icon award, Chief Sesan Adio (King of comedy) Pa Felix Olufowobi (Apase Ajeweje itage TAMPAN) Others include, Gbadegbesin Adeyemi (Olori Akeweje Itage), Femi Onileagbon (Award of excellence) Mrs Toyin Adewunmi (Award of excellence) Chief Kehinde Oseifa (Apase oluomo itage), Lateef Ekundayo Ade Ogo(Award of excellence) Akande Olawale and Chief Rasheed Akinola.

29 Our Heritage

30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7 , 2015

Features NEW FOREX POLICY:

Nigerians gasp over high inflation

Chicken, the average family’s succor

Ï^ƏƈƅƆ Ƈ ƇƏ ƖƆ Ƈ Ɨ è Ƈƈ è ƏƈƅƆ Ə Frozen fish

The recent Federal Government policy on importation which stems free flow of the US dollars have met with panic reactions from importers, especially of foodstuffs and frozen foods. Our features desk felt the pulse of the populace and reports that inflation is wrestling frozen foods and grains out of the average families’ table. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR, JIDE OKEOWO AND JOY EKEKE reports.

Inside the pots and on most tables across the country, rice, frozen food items like turkey, chicken, gizzards, sausage etc form the contents in most homes. These are some of the food imported meats and grains most Nigerians depend upon for sustenance. Now, at the first hint of the dollar squeeze and restriction over importation of most of the food items, many homes are lamenting that the new forex policy has caused panic inflation that is pricing the meats and rice out of their reach.

Daily Times investigation revealed that the restriction has sent the prices of the items up by more than 35 percent in major markets in the city of Lagos from

late July to date ... and the prices are still rising.

Trust the Nigerian opportunistic system. Barely hours after the FG announcement, the Nigerian Customs and Immigration personnel which had been having field days seizing and confiscating such imports smuggled across the border started a fresh campaign, such that local traders coming in with few cartons of frozen foods or just few bags of rice fell victims in the hands of customs and immigration officials.

David Adesanya, one of the major frozen foods dealers at Ikorodu main market mourns that the decision to ban these food items is a negative one that is having adverse effect on Nigerians. He told our correspondent that the hardship importers of the stuffs go through to bring the products into the country was a nightmare before now.

“The major challenge we face is with Custom officials; most times they seize the goods at will and don’t return them to us; sometimes we are compelled by them to pay almost the same price as the seized goods before we get them.

“Now, with this new ban, the problem has quadrupled, causing scarcity of the products and

as you know, when there is scarcity, there is bound to be a rise in prices,” he said.

The price hike is so uniform in all the markets, with insignificant variation that you would think the whole traders in the city had held a meeting to peg the prices.

Mrs. Comfort Okorocha, a housewife who had spent hours in the market but unable to buy much, lamented the sharp increase in what she called ‘essential food items’ her family needs to survive.

“The house keeping money my husband gives to me was barely manageable before; now this new policy of a thing has worsen the situation for me. How am I going to manage? My husband has stretched himself to give us what he gets and it would be unreasonable to press him for more.

“The prices of all the food items I buy for the upkeep of the family have almost double in some cases. What kind of change is this?” Comfort queried.

A cross section of traders who spoke with Daily Times lamented that the ban may lead to food crisis in Nigeria; saying that most traders that import the banned items have had their goods worth millions of naira confiscated by custom officials.

One major raw foodstuffs mer-

My worry is in the area of crime: to minimise crime, food should not be priced out of peoples’ reach, because a hungry man is not only an angry man, he or she is unpredictable.

People will device one crooked way or the other to survive; that is my fear. — Onomor chant at Mile 12 market, Obinna Chibuike disclosed that since the federal government publicly announced the ban on importation of certain food items into the country, the traders were forced to jerk the prices so as to cover up for expenses incurred from custom officials and transportation.

“I can tell you that since the federal government disclosed their intention to ban importation of food items, importers were forced to increase the prices of such commodities so that they can recover expenses incurred from Custom men while bringing the items into the country,” said he.

Our investigation also revealed that the new policy has caused the quantity of frozen food items like turkey, fish, shrimps, gizzard and prawns that dealers used to import to drop drastically, further

causing a price hike.

Two major hubs of frozen foods, Orile and Suru-Alaba markets sold one carton of the products at a uniform price of N10,000 up from N7,500 (for turkey) and N9,500 up from N7,000 for chicken.

One kilogram of turkey that sold for N750 now sells for N1,000 while chicken sells for N900 up from N700 in the same market as you read this.

The cold stores dotted along Oshodi Expressway had only two cold stores with limited stock of the items.

One Nogozie Okereke, a housewife who was there to window shop told our correspondent she used to buy frozen turkey for her family because it was cheap. “But now I don’t buy at all because CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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Fiscal Irresponsibility As “Bailout” Yinka Odumakin

Clause 3 of this section makes non -compliance with the provisions an offence, which exactly is what the so-called bailout is all about.

ÎÎÎ

“As good a gesture as the bailout is, it may lead to moral hazard as the states continue with financial recklessness leading to financial insolvency. Why are we borrowing to pay salaries in stark violation of Section 41 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act?”-Mr Remi Babalola, former Minister of State for Finance.

“They say they are restructuring N18.8b of our commercial loans and with the 9% interest, by the time the money is repaid in 20 years we would have paid an extra N36b as interest. That means the N18b would have become N56b” -Gov Ayodele Fayose.

If “Boko” had not truly become “Haram” in Nigeria, our public intellectuals would have by now been able to break down the bondage recently packaged by the Federal Government for about 26 states of the Unitary Republic of Nigeria in the name of bailout. The APC megaphones would have been too ashamed of this wrong-headed decision instead of having the audacity of counting it as an achievement.

Section 41(1)(a) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act states “Government at all tiers shall only borrow for CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (emphasis mine),

provided that such borrowing shall be on concessional terms with low interest rate and with a reasonably long amortization period subject to the approval of the appropriate legislative body where necessary.”

Clause 3 of this section makes non-compliance with the provisions an offence, which exactly is what the so-called bailout is all about. For, rather than borrowing money for capital expenditure and human development, N388b recently approved for the states to pay arrears of salaries was a fiscal act to encourage financial recklessness and abuse of public trust as it is widely known that most of the states could not pay their workers due to either waste or theft of the funds meant for that purpose. Without asking the governors to give accounts of how they misapplied their allocations, they have been buoyed to

Buhari

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

further mortgage the future of their states while we are supposed to be fighting corruption.

There was no legislative approval for these loans which were packaged under the table in the most brazen violation of fiscal responsibility. Shorn of all pretenses, the states drawing these loans are technically under RECEIVERSHIP! What the Federal Government has done is akin to what someone who has a wayward relation living beyond his means would do to dig him further into the trench while deceiving himself that he is helping out. Imagine the scenario where a fellow who is earning N100,000 a month decides to go and rent a flat in Ikoyi where he pays a rent of N250,000 monthly. Within six months he has gathered “gbese” of N1.5m on rents and he runs to his brother to bail him out of the “quagmire “ (I borrow that from one

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of the chronic debtor-governors).

If the man he runs to has a better gumption than his debtor-brother the first thing he must do is to get him out of Ikoyi to Abule-Egba where his income can comfortably pay for a house and still be able to meet other obligations and then find ways to clear the debt he is owing in Ikoyi to remove the shame he has invited upon himself.

But if irresponsibility runs in their DNA, he could choose to serve as guarantor to his brother to go take loans from a bank to pay the six months arrears to be repaid over 20 years at 9% interest. The implication of this is that he would pay the arrears of his irresponsible lifestyle of six months and begins to acquire new debts on rents and the interests on the loan he has taken which would immediately reduce his income to N90,000 while he still pays a rent of N250,000 monthly in addition to outstanding principal. His condition has been worsened by the unreasonable “bailout”.

This is exactly what the Federal Government is doing to the states all in a desperate bid to keep the Abuja “command and control centre” when it has become all too obvious that the panacea is to restructure the country and

create new corridors of prosperity that would give a new lease of life to the federating units. Restructuring debt to plunge into greater indebtedness over a longer period can only be a cause for celebration as is currently the case only in Nigeria. It is clear except to the naive that none of those states would be able to do any capital project in the foreseeable future.

Little wonder the APC folks can make promises to a people like these and renounce them in 100 days and yet they are not asking what they should now expect in the remaining 1350 remaining days.

Anyone still in doubt that these “maga” will continue to pay and the conmen will continue to shout “hallelujah “?

We wait at the observatory to see where the yoyo will end. A man is sick and the native doctor says the cure is in him just saying “to” but he squeezes his face and starts to grumble “why should I be saying to to to about because I want healing?”

The authentic Prophet the heavens sent to Nigeria, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti summed it up a long time ago when he sang: “He just dey perambulator and still dey same same place.”

Now he has moved to a worse place. Second base jare!

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Life&

Times Monday, September 7, 2015

Angelique

Kidjo

African music icon Extraordinaire

L2,3,6

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Born Angelique Kpasseloko Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, Angelique Kidjo is a Grammy award winning singersongstress, activist and UNICEF goodwill ambassador videos. She was once described by Times Magazine as

movie project, Kidjo who is played one of the lead roles divulged in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI how excited she is back in Nigeria, working with Kunle Afolayan, music and other issues Excerpts:

Angelique Kidjo:

Why I’m excited working with Kunle Afolayan

When last did you visit Nigeria?

I was in Nigeria in March this year, and my current visit is the second time in one year; this is very rare but I must say that I am very much excited about being home again. I am proud of my root as an African woman.

Life&

T E A M

You said you grew up in Benin; what memories do you still have of Benin?

I still have a lot of good memories, because I still have family there and I go there every year pretty much. I have memory of summer holidays especially when I came to visit my aunties in Lagos; my cousins also come. We storm the place, go everywhere, speak different languages like Pidgin, Yoruba; and we came up with a lot of funny, dangerous ideas of games and my mum

beaten by somebody because

to you. But the thing is, the feeling of being protected and loved like any child is indescructible; like you can do anything; and that comes with childhood and when you have a loving family, everything works perfectly because you know well that if you hurt yourself, even if they yell at you, they are still going to do nothing to you. I have a lot of good memories of my brothers too; them teaching me how to defend myself because I was so small and skinny.

Were you the only female in the family?

No, there were ten children of seven males and three females, so I was the last girl.

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

What was it like, growing up with brothers?

Wow, I would climb trees, do karate, play soccer; and my mum would ask me, what are you made of, are you a girl? I wanted a girl and see what I got, a tom boy.

How many of the Benin Languages do you speak?

You left Benin in 1983 to study jazz in Paris, and ended

and candomblé of Brazil, the salsa of Cuba. Is this

testament to the resilience of the human soul. Slavery had deprived African people of their rights and

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

dignity, but they found a way to resist and keep their identity and pride alive through music. In a way it is the dialectic of the master and the slave: today the whole world has embraced the rhythms and the melodies of the slave to whom humanity was denied. In every country I visited in the Americas, I felt at home, musically. I was able to start a dialogue through songs, even when I was not speaking the language.

when it comes out, you are going to see it.

appearing in a movie?

I have done some movies. My

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Continued on

Graphics Luke Utomi

Pfromfrom

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“

‘I would climb trees, do karate, play soccer; and my mum would ask me, what are you made of, are you a girl?

I wanted a girl and see what I got, a tom boy’ ‘I am the type of person who likes to challenge herself, because I hate boredom’.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

L3 Interview

Discography

ÏPretty (1981) ÏEwa Ka Djo (Let’s Dance) (1985) ÏParakou (1990) ÏLogozo (1991) ÏAyé (1994) ÏFifa (1996) ÏOremi (1998) ÏKeep On Moving: The Best Of Angelique Kidjo (2001)

ÏBlack Ivory Soul (2002) ÏOyaya! (2004) ÏDjin Djin (2007) ÏÕÿö (2010) ÏSpirit Rising (Live) (2012) ÏEve (2014) ÏSINGS with the Orchestre

Philharmonique du Luxembourg (2015)

Albums ÏLogozo ÏAyé ÏFifa ÏTrilogy ÏOremi ÏBlack Ivory Soul ÏOyaya! ÏDjin Djin ÏÕÿö ÏSpirit Rising ÏEve

Continued from

Pfromfrom

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to win?

How excited are you acting alongside Kunle Afolayan?

Acting for you, how did it all started?

You sound like a very strong, hard woman

How did you react when you were announced the winner?

Looking back at your story, not many Africans are opportune to win the Grammy Grammy, how did you feel, did you ever think you were going

Continued on

Pfromfrom

L6

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As entertainers, don’t keep your expectations too high –Angelique Kidjo

Wellness L4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Chiropractic therapy Maria Oluwatimilehin With an increasing number of people engaged in several activities in the world today, many individuals overuse their body in their day-today activities and end up having musculoskeletal complaints such as back aches.

Instead of using drugs or undergoing surgeries, there is an alternative way to solving back pains: it is called chiropractic.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health profession that adopts a drug-free, hands-on approach to body pains and health care. It places emphasis

for back pains

on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.

Facts about back pain Back pain includes Upper, Middle and Low back pains Back pain (especially the low back pain) is one of the single most leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for

Causes of back pain Back pains can occur as a result of: Sports injury Muscle strains Repetitive stress such as sitting without proper back support.

What does Chiropractic care for back pain involve?

For a patient to undergo chiropractic therapy, the chiropractor of the patient, perform a physical examination of the patient and do lab tests to determine the best chiropractic treatment to administer

to the patient.

The most common therapeutic method used by chiropractors

method involves applying a controlled amount of force on the affected part. This manipulation or adjustment will restore mobility to the tissues and joints of the affected part, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness and allowing the tissues to heal.

The chiropractor may also recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises including nutritional, dietary and lifestyle

counselling.

Some of the foods that can aid back pain relief when consumed include berries, pineapples, ginger,

therapy The advantages of chiropractic care include aiding proper alignment structure especially the spine thus enabling the body to heal; it is used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, spines and connective tissues; and it restores back the function of the tissues and spines.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

L5 Buzz Byte

Mutiat Alli

Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari unite in new movie Minions ranked 3rd highest grossing movie

will be featuring alongside Ghanaian Diva, Nadia Buari after missing out in the movie industry. Both acts are expected to play along Red” which is currently in its postproduction stage.

Following the announcement that the Universal studio

producer, Usman Uzee, popularly known as Concept the two acts will play the major role in the movie as fans have been yearning for a comeback of both stars in a movie.

behind

single year.

Furious 7 while Jurassic World

have been a lover of the light-skinned actress who was delivered of a set of twins some months ago.

“Red” also stars Esther Nkem, Bimbo Manuel, amongst others.

Usman produced the recently premiered movie

Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari

2face gears up for FORTYfied th

Tony Okoroji

Nigerian music industry charges president Buhari on intellectual property revolution

birthday celebration, music icon,

The Nigerian music industry has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to kick-start an intellectual property revolution in Nigeria. This was made known in a statement issued by Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of

All stars tribute billed to hold September 20, 2015 at the Eko Expected to grace the concert are DJ Jimmy Jatt,

is an annual event held on September 1 in Nigeria, to draw attention to the widespread infringement of the rights of song writers, composers, performers, music publishers, record labels and other stakeholders in the music industry in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Okoroji said “We, in the Nigerian music industry today call on President Muhammadu Buhari to spark an intellectual property revolution in Nigeria, without

New Single Alert

The duo of Peter and Paul Okoye (P-Square) is not resting on their oars as they open up the month of September with a banging

over by the digital economy and the digital revolution, the Nigerian nation will hugely regret it if it does not quickly tool itself with the full understanding of the concept of intellectual property and the economic necessity to defend intellectual property rights.

Chief Okoroji however tasked the government of President Buhari to take proactive steps in boosting the Nigerian creative sector by enforcing the laws on intellectual property rights. He Music, the untapped encapsulates our long sung message to

The tune is however written and produced by Paul Okoye

New Video Alert visuals for his waving making

by Fliptyce and directed by

2face Idibia

period of important soul searching for the Nigerian nation.

Buzz Byte L6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Mutiat Alli

The Future Project opens registration for new employability programme – ‘Ready. Set. Work’ amongst others.

It is important to note that the future project is

As part of The Future

Nikoms Center, Edmund Crescent Entrance.

According to the National

total number of 77.1% of young people between force are either employed or underemployed. While

Career Coaching Nigeria

programme towards future awards.

the Charles Novia

Photo of the day

to empower young people and as they enter the workforce, TFP is premiering Ready. Set. Work. a job fair and employability program that will assist young entrants into the job market and make them more appealing potential employees billed to come

Charles Novia tags BBA’s Tayo Faniran, worst actor Tayo Faniran shortly after he made an appearance in Tinsel.

Charles took to his twitter to examine the acting worst actor on Nigerian TV. Here are few of his comments on the actor, my award for the worst actor on Nigerian TV presently, would be the ex-BBA housemate, Tayo Faniran

on the statistics, efforts are being made towards

Mfon Ekpo

support systems.

Speakers for the program include Opeyemi Awoyemi

Interview

Tayo Faniran

profession, There must be something else the dude him about any acting ambitions.

Mr. Ibu looking dashing as he tries an head gear on

I hate boredom –Angelique Kidjo Continued from

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designers who come in with clothing that

or shorts and a touch of African fabrics shirt, accessories and the likes.

in any of them. A stylist then came up and said, mum are you a singer, and I asked her back, are you a worker here or what do you think Grammies is about? She

How do you handle your music schedule with your matrimonial life?

Well, fortunately for me, my husband happens to be my partner on this, because

Pfromfrom

24/7. Basically, we were friends before passion together. Not only that, we had a excited although I did not expect that I was going to win, a little bit of shock was in it

our union going on. As I said, my current

up to take it, but I did not know what to say The same thing happened the second time I won the Grammy because I am always like, if you keep your expectation

You seems not be on the list of entertainers who rock designers and red carpet?

th

The work of your foundation, Batonga, is now eight years old.

Which of its successes are you most proud of?

Batonga is a modest foundation but it allows me to support girls from different with them, I feel so uplifted by their accomplishments and their passion. I know they will be the next leaders of the continent.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

L7 Buzz Byte

Mutiat Alli

ON

Set

On set (Pics: CEO) Movie Title: The CEO Produced by: Kunle Afolayan Directed by: Kunle Afolayan Cast: Angelique Kidjo, Wale Ojo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Hilda Dokubo, Peter King, Aurelie-Eliam, Nicolas Panagiotopoulos, Fatim Layachi, Jimmy Jean-Louis Location: Inagbe Beach Resorts& Leisure, Lagos.

CEO Clapper board

Rear view of Inagbe resort

CEO Director, Kunle on set

Lola Maja gets Angelique Kidjo face in shape

Angelique Kidjo on set

Movie Title: The Injury (Pics: TI) Produced by: Joseph Amobi Directed by: Ilochi Olisaemeka DOP: Uyi Enabulele Cast: Esther Audu, Mila Fache, Micheal Edeh, Brown Igboegwu, Obay, Micheal Godson, Happy Julian-Uchendu Location: Asaba

Esther Audu and Mila Fache

Illochi Olisaemeka and some cast members on set Micheal Godson checks picture frame Micheal Edeh, Browny Igboegwu and Obay

Cast and crew member praying on set

Title: DJ Da Yan Mo video Featuring: Olamide, Lil Kesh and Viktoh Produced by: DJ Jimmy Jatt Directed by: OMG Location: Ikeja, Lagos.

Its all umbrella affair on set

Jim, causing stir

YBNL Lil Kesh takes verse

Jimmy Jatt on set

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 7, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

Fear The Walking Dead

21:00

20:20

Mon, 7 Sep | 16

Mon, 7 Sep | 18

The gods of the land choose the next king of the Omokabia kingdom. However, the community elders feel that the family chosen is not suitable to be next in line for such power. Emeka Enyiocha, Kanayo O Kanayo. (2004) Franklin Chinedu Nwoko.

101 M-Net

07:30 Suits 08:30 Life Of A King 10:30 Playing House 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Royal Pains 14:00 Proof 15:00 The Whispers 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Goldbergs 18:30 Madam Secretary 19:30 Revenge 20:30 State Of Affairs 21:20 State Of Affairs 22:15 Carte Blanche

new characters and storylines set in the city of Los Angeles.

118 Telemundo

00:30 Cruel Love 01:20 Cruel Love 02:10 Cruel Love 03:00 Cruel Love 03:50 Cruel Love 00:45 Made In Hollywood 01:40 Transformers: Age Of Extinction 04:30 Entertainment Now! 05:00 Carte Blanche 06:00 The Big Bang Theory

06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 For Love And Justice 17:50 Cruel Love 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 For Love And Justice 22:00 Cruel Love 22:50 Husband For Hire

120 BBC Entertainment

00:00 Music Block

13:30 Star Gist

01:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

14:00 Goge Africa

02:00 Good Morning Africa

14:30 Mashariki Mix

03:00 Good Morning Africa

15:00 Windeck

04:00 Music Block

16:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

17:00 Kumwesu

06:00 Good Morning Africa

17:30 Coco Bill

07:00 Star Gist

17:45 Coco Bill

07:25 Windeck

18:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti

08:30 Coco Bill

18:30 The African Child

09:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti

19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist

09:30 Kumwesu

20:00 Karma

10:00 Good Morning Africa

20:30 Windeck

11:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

21:30 Goge Africa

12:00 Music Block

22:00 Affections

13:00 Tinsel

22:30 Star Gist

128 SONY MAX

00:35 The Cube

12:05 Dangerous Roads

01:20 Undercover Boss USA

13:00 Top Gear

02:05 Undercover Boss USA

14:00 Police Interceptors

02:50 Undercover Boss USA

14:55 Undercover Boss

00:50 1000 Ways To Die

03:30 Undercover Boss USA

15:55 Would I Lie To You?

01:15 Tattoo Nightmares

04:15 Undercover Boss USA

16:30 QI

01:40 Tattoo Nightmares Miami

05:00 Bankers

17:00 Pointless

02:05 Atomic Dog

05:55 QI

18:00 Top Gear

03:30 Exposed

06:30 Police Interceptors

19:00 Royal Marines Commando School

04:00 Exposed

07:15 Top Gear 08:15 Pointless

20:00 The Gadget Man

09:05 Undercover Boss

20:30 Bad Robots

04:30 Exposed

21:00 Top Gear 10:55 Would I Lie To You?

22:05 An Idiot Abroad

07:05 Whaddyado

11:30 QI

22:55 The Wrong Mans

07:30 Hole In The Wall

155 AfricaMagic World 06:30 53 Extra 07:00 Star Gist

08:00 Sports Gone Wild Patrol 09:30 Extreme Reality Clips

07:30 Star Gist

154 AfricaMagic Family

08:45 Coco Bill

L8 Television

08:00 Deception 08:30 Jara 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 Edge Of Paradise 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Jara 12:05 Deal Or No Deal Nigeria

12:30 Whaddyado 13:00 Hole In The Wall 13:30 Sports Gone Wild Patrol 15:00 Extreme Reality Clips

13:00 Music Block 14:00 Music Block 15:00 53 Extra 15:30 53 Extra 00:00 Music Block

16:00 Star Gist

01:00 Good Morning Africa

16:30 Star Gist

17:00 Hole In The Wall 17:30 Sports Gone Wild 18:00 Whaddyado 18:30 Extreme Reality Clips

02:00 Music Block 03:00 Music Block

18:00 I Love My Country

Patrol

19:00 So Wrong So Wright

20:00 Lock Up

05:00 Good Morning Africa

19:30 Happy New Year

06:00 53 Extra

22:00 Music Block

NPFL: ENYIMBA, SUNSHINE X3 SLIP X4,5

PLOTS RED AAG: DEVILS Nigeria’s Falcons 5-1 trounce hosts Congo FALL AT OLD Arsenal will be lucky to finish fourth, says TRAFFORD E

INGS

X6

JOSEPH OBINNA METU

was

Poster!

BIZZL

METU

Obinna

round he only placed sixth in his heat, which

exchange and they were eliminated.

Metu also took part in the 200 metres individual,

Championships. At the 2007 All-Africa Games he won a bronze medal in the 200 metres and a gold medal in the 4x100 metres relay.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing he competed at the 100 metres sprint and placed 2nd in his heat after Francis Obikwelu in a time of 10.34 seconds. He improved his time to 10.29 seconds for the next round, but his time was only the 6th time of the heat and he was eliminated.

Together with Onyeabor Ngwogu, Chinedu Oriala and Uchenna Emedolu he also competed at the

Joseph Obinna Metu (born July 12, 1988) is a Nigerian sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres. His personal best time is 10.16 seconds, achieved in July 2008 in Leverkusen.

About

Nigerian

Metu Joseph Obinna (age 27) July 12, 1988

OBINNA METU Athletics Sport: metres 100 and 200m Events: record All-Africa Games (4x100 m Relay) 2007 Algiers Gold medal: (200 m) 2007 Algiers (100 m) Bronze medal: 2011 Maputo Bronze medal: ships record m African Champion Novo (4x100 2012 Porto Silver medal: relay)

Full name: Born: Nationality:

PERSONALION INFORMAT

EXTRATIME

Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

Monday, September 7, 2015

X8

X6

X5

Monday, September 7, 2015

Misfiring

COSTA t r o p p u s s t ge X7

X2

Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

OPINION

Ikeme keeps his

head as Nigeria falter!

Solace Chukwu

I

Ikeme: A rare bright light in a disappointing day in Dar es Salaam!

f Nigeria c o a c h Sunday Oliseh was previously unaware just how difficult the task on his hands is, the flash of illumination from watching Tanzania stream forward unchecked time and again must have burnt his retinas. If it did not, then his own side’s subpar performance would have done the trick.

It is difficult to reach

Has Sunday Oliseh taken hold of a poisoned chalice?

any sweeping conclusions about Oliseh on the basis of this game, for the chief reason that this is his first game in charge of the Super Eagles. For the bulk of the side, comprising the foreign-based players, there has been roughly four days of preparation under a new management and ethos.

One might even argue the former national team captain is unfortunate. For one thing, the timing of his appointment and the nature of his predecessor’s fall from grace draped him in a messianic toga that is bound to hang heavily. Then again, taking over with qualifiers for the 2017 AFCON already underway completely robbed him of margin for error; indeed, the surprise would have been if Tanzania had been roundly spanked.

As it was, the Super Eagles looked understandably like a team with no real conviction in their actions or movements.

There is a general idea of what is required, but a lot of drilling and practical application of learned theoretical aspects is still needed to work out the bugs in the system.

For a football team to truly succeed, its components must be assured of their ability to function synergistically, and of the efficacy of their strategy.

Until this happens, and it is a process for which timing is hard to predict, the same issues that beset the team in Dar es Salam will continue to manifest: the absence

of cohesion, in attacking, defending and transition; as well as a lack of proper shape. These are not signs of impending doom, much like an infant stumbling is not unusual. Only with time will it be apparent if the theory in itself is ineffective.

In the meantime, the positives must be taken.

Oliseh’s handling of a potentially dangerous situation in-game was particularly pleasing; Haruna Lukman, tasked with bursting forward to link up with Emmanuel Emenike from a #10 position, can have no complaints about his withdrawal after half an hour. His general apathy was evident in his body language, as he sashayed across the park with insulting insouciance. It is not hard to theorize that he may never pull on a Nigeria shirt again— to be faulted once again for a toxic attitude seems wilfully perverse.

His exit, aside the obvious strategic value, will serve as an indication the coach is willing to act swiftly and decisively. If there was even a smidgen of doubt that Oliseh has the ruthlessness to succeed at the helm of the Super Eagles, it is surely now dispelled.

“If we hadn’t made that early change,” he stressed post-match, “we would have lost.”

Lukman’s ignominious exit provided a stark contrast to events at the other end of the pitch, where there was vindication.

Carl Ikeme, making his debut at the ripe old age of 29, produced a performance charged with desire to make up for lost time. As the rest of the team crumbled around him, he was a veritable bulwark, all bristly and defiant.

The Wolves ‘keeper spoke of his surprise at his call-up, incredulous like the Biblical matriarch Sarah at his good fortune. It must have seemed even more fantastical to learn he would make his debut; to shake off the looming spectre of a veteran with a century of caps was doubly impressive. His first save showed impressive agility, denying the fleet-footed Mbwana Samatta, while for his second he showed brilliant positioning to tip a fizzing free-kick over the bar.

Like a true showman though, he saved his best for last, lightning reflexes down low to deny Thomas Ulimwengu from pointblank range, before falling gratefully on the rebound.

If Lukman was the reason the team nearly lost, Ikeme was the reason it did not.

All of 29, as Rudyard Kipling’s poem goes, he showed himself a man by keeping his head while the rest of the team charged around like decapitated chickens. Where there once was despair at Enyeama’s impending retirement, there is a ray of light.

Nigeria may have lost two points, but it gained a son. Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ ƓƓƓê Ƌêƅ ƌ

Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

NPFL WITH ANDREW EKEJIUBA NPFL RES ULTS

IfeanyiUbah 2-0 FC Tara ba Heartland 2 -0 Rangers El Kanemi 2 -1 Lobi Wikki 3-1 A kwa 3SC 2-1 Sun shine Nasarawa 1 -1 Wolves

Enyimba defender, Emmanuel Anyanwu, conceded penalty against Giwa FC.

Title hopefuls Enyimba, Sunshine disappoint L

eague leaders Enyimba and Sunshine Stars slipped in their chase for the Nigeria league championship after they lost at Giwa FC and Shooting Stars, respectively, on Sunday.

Giwa kept intact their unbeaten run in the league against Enyimba when they won 1-0 in Jos and Shooting Stars edged past Sunshine Stars 2-1 in a southwest derby.

However, Enyimba remained on top of the standings with 52 points from 28 games, four points clear of Warri Wolves, who toppled Sunshine Stars from second

spot.

Giwa have 46 points from 28 games to within touch of the front runners.

The only goal of the game was a 74th minute penalty which was converted

by Giwa captain Charles Henlong after Enyimba defender Emmanuel Anyanwu handled the ball inside the 18-yard box.

In Ibadan, home team Shooting Stars upstaged Sunshine Stars 2-1.

Tope Orelope was the match winner for ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ when he tucked away a penalty in the 82nd minute.

Cletus Itodo, who marked his birthday on Saturday, opened the scoring for the

home team in the 23rd minute.

Nigeria U-20 striker Wasiu Jimoh failed to score from the penalty spot after Stephen Eze handled Yinka Adedeji’s free kick in the 34th minute.

And Eze was sent off for second yellow card for hand ball.

But 3SC old boy Okiki Afolabi equalised for Sunshine Stars in the 39th minute.

Shooting Stars had Nigeria U-23 goalkeeper Abiodun Akande back in goal for this game after he was dropped from the All Africa Games squad.

3SC now have 41 points from 28 games.

NPFL action between Kwara United and Dolphins.

KWARA CAGE ABIA WARRIORS, AS IFEANYIUBAH SHOCK TARABA

K

wara United pipped Abia Warriors 1-0 on Sunday in a Nigeria league game to boost their chances of surviving the drop.

Kwara now have 32 points from 28 games.

Abubakar Salmon was the hero for the Ilorin team when he scored the only goal in the 55th minute.

Ismaila Gata, who shone against Kano Pillars, missed several scoring chances in the first half for Kwara United.

Ifeanyi Ubah bounced back from the humiliation at Enyimba when they defeated FC Taraba 2-0.

Taraba battling to survive demotion fell to the Coach Daniel Amokachi-led team as former Plateau United striker

AbdulWahaab Bidemi opened scoring in the 58th minute.

Stephen Chukwudi made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute.

Meanwhile, El Kanemi defeated Lobi Stars 2-1.

Lobi were without leading scorer Tony Okpotu, who picked up a knock in the midweek game against Dolphins.

Heartland stun rivals Rangers 2-0

H

eartland defeated regional rivals Rangers 2-0 in a Week 28 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.

Heartland now have 43 points from 28 games, while Rangers have 39 points.

Fortune Omaniwari who joined up from Sharks recently, opened the scoring for ‘The Naze Millionaires’.

As ‘The Flying Antelopes’ searched for an equaliser, Chidiebere Ajoku doubled the lead

for the hosts as he scored in the 83rd minute.

In the second minute, Rangers striker Razak Adegbite’s effort at goal was diverted

by Wale Doyeni.

In the 10th minute, Babangida Hassan of Heartland hit the goal post with a cracking 20-yard shot and two minutes later, Okey Odita’s last minute tackle stopped Bright Ejike of Heartland.

In the 34th minute, Ejike failed to score from deep inside the box.

Wolves go second after Nasarawa draw

W

Gbolahan Salami of Warri Wolves

arri Wolves continued to press for the Nigeria league title on Sunday when they moved to second spot after they picked a point in 1-1 draw at Nasarawa United.

The Coach Paul Aigbogun team are now second with 48 points from 28 matches, following Sunshine Stars 2-1 loss to Shooting Stars in Ibadan.

They are four points shy of leaders Enyimba and a point ahead of Sunshine Stars.

Nasarawa United took the lead on the stroke of half time through hotshot Esosa Igbinoba, who has now scored 11 goals this season.

Michael Egbeta ensured the host team did not win when he equalised for the Warri side with 11 minutes to the end of the game.

WIKKI THRASH AKWA UNITED TO STAY IN CONTENTION

W

ikki Tourists continued with their challenge for the Nigeria league title after they beat Akwa United 3-1 in a Week 28 game.

Wikki thus remained fourth on the league table with 47 points from 28 games.

Victor Yakubu, who scored the first brace of the season, has rediscovered his goal-scoring form after he got the opener in the 25th minute.

He has now scored five goals after scoring in his last two games for Wikki.

Ukeme Davies then gave Akwa United hope of getting a favourable result when he equalised in the 50th minute.

However, Mubarak Umar restored Wikki lead to take his goals’ tally to nine.

Ebenezer Odeyemi made it 3-1 for Wikki in the 79th minute.

Wikki Tourists of Bauchi coach, Maikaba.

JOSEPH OBINNA METU

round he only placed sixth in his heat, which

was

Metu also took part in the 200 metres individual,

exchange and they were eliminated.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing he competed at the 100 metres sprint and place d 2nd in his heat after Francis Obikwelu in a time of 10.34 seconds. He improved his time to 10.29 seconds for the next round, but his time was only the 6th time of the heat and he was eliminated.

Together with Onyeabor Ngwogu, Chinedu Oriala and Uchenna Emedolu he also competed at the

Championships. At the 2007 All-Africa Gam es he won a bronze medal in the 200 metres and a gold medal in the 4x100 metres relay.

Joseph Obinna Metu (born July 12, 1988) is a Nigerian sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres. His personal best time is 10.16 secon ds, achieved in July 2008 in Leverkusen.

About

na Metu Joseph Obin 8 (age 27) July 12, 198 Nigerian

Athletics Sport: 0m metres 100 and 20 : ts n Eve ames record elay) All-Africa G (4x100 m R 007 Algiers 2 l: a Gold med (200 m) 2007 Algiers l: a d e m ze n Bro to (100 m) 2011 Mapu l: a d e m Bronze record mpionships (4x100 m African Cha Porto Novo 2 1 0 2 l: Silver meda relay)

Full name: Born: Nationality:

L PERSONA ION INFORMAT

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EXTRATIME Monday, September 7, 2015

Monday, September 7, 2015

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Obinna

METU

EXTRATIME

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Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

EURO

INGS PLOTS MAN UNITED FALL AT OLD TRAFFORD

D

anny Ings has warned Manchester United to expect a Liverpool backlash when the Premier League arch rivals clash at Old Trafford after the international break.

Liverpool slumped to a surprise 3-0 home defeat against West Ham last weekend, the London club’s first win at Anfield since 1963, with defensive lapses and a red card for Philippe Coutinho which rules him out of the United game - providing cause for concern.

But Ings, who made his competitive

Liverpool debut in the West Ham setback and scored at Old Trafford last season for former club Burnley, is confident that Brendan Rodgers’ men will respond next Saturday.

“I think any game after a loss like that all the lads will be chomping at the bit to play and put things right, and with the quality we’ve got at this club, I’m sure we can do that,” the striker said.

“It’s a learning curve. A lot of the other teams at the top end of the table lost at the weekend as well but it’s a huge

Arsenal will be lucky to finish fourth, says

learning curve for us moving forward to make sure we don’t step our foot off the gas.

“At the start of a new season, teams come in fresh and hungry after preseason and there are sometimes an upset in results. We were part of that unfortunately against West Ham, but we are moving forward and the confidence is still high in the camp.

“A few of the lads are away during the internationals now but I’m sure when they come back they will be hungry.”

Misfiring COSTA gets backing

BIZZLE S A

rsenal will be lucky to finish fourth in the Premier League, according to British rap artist Lethal Bizzle, who thinks Arsene Wenger is on borrowed time at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have not failed to qualify for the Champions League since the 1997-98 - Wenger’s second season in charge of the north London club having taken over in August 1996.

But aside from poaching goalkeeper Petr Cech from rivals Chelsea early in the summer, Arsenal fans had relatively little to get excited about in this summer’s transfer window as deadline day passed by with a

whimper.

The transfer inactivity has riled famous diehard Gunners fan Lethal Bizzle - real name Maxwell Ansah - who is concerned that last year’s third-placed team will be nowhere near the top of the table in 2015-16.

“I don’t know what Wenger’s playing at, he’s very stubborn,” the grime musician said. “I just think if we really want to challenge for the title he needs to pull his finger out and adapt to the whole wage system.

“If we want something quality, we’re going to have to pay £30 million, £40m or £50m to get a top player in.

I think he’s so stuck in his ways and he’s so reluctant to do that. Until we manage to do that, we’re way off the title, Chelsea are the champions and they’ve strengthened.

INGS

pain coach Vicente del Bosque has backed Diego Costa, despite seeing the Chelsea forward draw another blank in Saturday’s European Qualifier against Slovakia.

Holders Spain leapfrogged their opponents at the top of Group C thanks to a 2-0 success in Oviedo but Costa again failed to find the net and has now scored just one goal in eight appearances since opting last year to play for La Roja instead of his native Brazil.

The 26-year-old - who has struck just once so far for Chelsea - did win a penalty, converted by Andres Iniesta after Jordi Alba’s early header.

But he otherwise struggled to test Slovakia’s well-drilled defence before making way for Paco Alcacer 15 minutes from time.

“Of course I would like him to score but he did some good work,” Del Bosque told reporters at his post-match news conference.

“Against a team playing so defensively the player who has the most difficult job is the one in his position.

“He moved well, he kept the defenders busy. We have to be patient. A lot of the time when he gets the ball he has his back to goal.”

Spain will travel to Skopje to play bottom side Macedonia in their next Qualifier on Tuesday, while Slovakia - also on 18 points but second d u e to an

inferior head-to-head record - host Ukraine.

Costa

‘Hector’s EPL journey is romantic’

M

Hector sealed a Deadline Day move to Chelsea

ichael Hector’s journey through non-league football to Chelsea’s latest recruit has been described as ‘romantic’ by one of his former team-mates, who has likened the defender to Rio Ferdinand.

Hector - who has had loan spells at a number of non-league clubs including Bracknell Town, Horsham and Oxford

City - completed a £4m Deadline Day switch to Chelsea, and has returned to Reading for the remainder of the season.

The Jamaica international made his Football League debut during a season-long loan at Barnet in 2011/12 and former Bees skipper Anwar Uddin believes other young players can learn from Hector’s remarkable rise.

“It’s great seeing him play regularly for

Reading and moving up to the highest level of the game with Chelsea but playing on loan at lots of lower division teams has really aided his development,” Uddin said.

“It’s important that lower league clubs can help develop and groom these superstars and play a part in the development of the next generation of household names.

“Players like Michael Hector will always be synonymous with the clubs he went on loan to, in the same way everyone associated with Preston is proud they had a young David Beckham on loan.

“For me that’s quite romantic and something that is a good tradition we have in England, that connection between the lower leagues and the elite level,” he added.

Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

POGBA

UNSURE OVER JUVE FUTURE!

P Pogba

aul Pogba has suggested he could be ready to leave Juventus at the end of the season following months of speculation.

The France star was heavily linked with a host of Europe’s elite clubs over the close-season, most notably Barcelona, with Juve having rejected an €80million offer from the Spanish and European champions.

While Pogba remains a Juve player, the 22-year-

old has hinted this may be his last season in Turin.

“I don’t know about an agreement being reached with Barcelona. I am at Juventus, I am only thinking about Juventus… today I am at Juventus, but I do not know for how long,” he told reporters.

“Why did I stay? Why not? It was not a certainty that I would leave, I could very well have stayed.

“We will do this year and then see how things go.”

F

“My next move doesn’t have to be an absolute top club, there are other good projects that are exciting, teams who need help,” the 48-yearold explained at the International Radio Exhibition in Berlin on Saturday.

“I stay informed, read and meet a lot of people - there are ordinary little things that are great fun. I miss nothing from football currently.

“I don’t know where I’ll be heading to but right now, that’s not important for me because I know that if I will have the right feeling it will be a wonderful next chapter.

“You will see what happens and I find it exciting right now not knowing what will happen next.”

The former Mainz boss - heavily praised for his style of play as Dortmund challenged Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga - also reiterated his desire to return to coaching when the time is right.

“Most of the time in life, the next day is pre-planned. In my case, the next year is completely unplanned,” he added.

“I don’t know when to continue, where to continue but I know that I will continue.”

S

G

Pique

ermany coach Joachim Low says Mario Gotze remains key to his plans despite the midfielder’s club future at Bayern Munich appearing far from certain.

Gotze scored twice in Germany’s 3-1 qualifying win over Poland on Friday, showing little sign of rustiness despite struggling for game time under Pep Guardiola so far this term.

Reports had suggested Gotze was of interest to Italian champions Juventus, with the 23-year-old having started just two games for Bayern this term.

Gotze’s late goal against Argentina won Germany the World Cup in Brazil last year and Low says he remains the man for the big occasion.

“It’s difficult to talk about Mario Gotze’s situation in Munich. Perhaps there is even more competition for him, with, for example, Robert Lewandowski,” Low told reporters ahead of today’s qualifier with Scotland.

EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS Today’s Matches Armenia v Denmark 17:00 Albania v Portugal 19:45 Finland v Faroe Islands 19:45 N.Ireland v Hungary 19:45 Romania v Greece 19:45

RESULTS OF EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS Luxembourg 1 - 0 Macedonia Ukraine 3 - 1 Belarus Spain 2 - 0 Slovakia Estonia 1 - 0 Lithuania San Marino 0 - 6 England Switzerland 3 - 2 Slovenia Russia 1 - 0 Sweden Austria 1 - 0 Moldova Montenegro 2 - 0 Liechtenstein Serbia 2 - 0 Armenia Azerbaijan 0 - 0 Croatia Bulgaria 0 - 1 Norway Italy 1 - 0 Malta Faroe Islands 1 - 3 N.Ireland Greece 0 - 1 Finland Hungary 0 - 0 Romania Georgia 1 - 0 Scotland Germany 3 - 1 Poland Gibraltar 0 - 4 Ireland Belgium 3 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina Cyprus 0 - 1 Wales Israel 4 - 0 Andorra Czech Republic 2 - 1 Kazakhstan

Klopp

LOW UNWORRIED BY e u iq P t a s le t is h W GOTZE´S ’ e t a n ‘unfortu BAYERN e u q – Del Bos TROUBLES

pain coach Vicente del Bosque labelled whistles at Gerard Pique “unfortunate” after the Barcelona defender received a mixed reception in Oviedo.

Pique was the target for some fans during Spain’s 2-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Slovakia on Saturday, with the 28-year-old’s reputation having taken a hit following his rant at an assistant referee in the Supercopa de Espana.

While other sections of the stadium deliberately cheered the centre-back in an attempt to drown out the whistles, Del Bosque confirmed he had heard the taunting.

“I find it unfortunate that there are people that whistles a player of the national team,” the coach said at his post-match news conference.

“The performance of the public in Oviedo has been fantastic these days. Gerard has played fantastically good football today.”

EURO

Denmark 0 - 0 Albania

Klopp not focused on return at top club ormer Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says he does not necessarily have to return to management with one of world football’s elite clubs.

Klopp left Signal Iduna Park at the end of last season, having guided Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and a UEFA Champions League final during his seven-year spell.

The German turned down interest from Ligue 1 side Marseille in August, but says he would consider the right project even if it is not at a major club.

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“I’ve talked with him on the phone many times. He is a top professional and he lives for football.

“Sure, at Bayern there is a lot of competition, but even there he will still play a lot of games during the season. With us, Mario has always given everything.

I trust him. I told him to persevere and fight.

“You will often see a young player have something of a hangover following a major tournament.

“But Mario is my man for important games. He has a knack of scoring when you need it most, he is technically good and can play in a number of different positions.”

Netherlands 0 - 1 Iceland Turkey 1 - 1 Latvia

Gotze

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Monday, September 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Arik Air to sponsor Ekundayo’s fight Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Super Falcons Desire Oparanozie (2nd right) scored four goals against Congo

AAG:

Nigeria’s Falcons trounce hosts Congo

N

igeria women’s team, the Super Falcons, began their quest to win a third All Africa Games football event gold in Congo Brazzaville on a very sound footing after they thrashed hosts Congo 5-1 in the opening game on Sunday.

The Coach Christopher Danjuma-led team had Desire Oparanozie netting four of the goals, three in the first half.

Chinasa Uchendu completed the demolition with the other goal.

Despite missing several foreign-based stars, the likes of FL Minsk of Belarus duo of Onome Ebi and Esther Sunday, BIIK Kazygurt (Kazakstan) and Guingamp of France striker Desire Oparanozie were available for selection.

Port Harcourt teams emerge winners of ARS 5 RESULTS OF AFCON QUALIFIERS Mauritania 3 - 1 South Africa Swaziland 2 - 2 Malawi Zimbabwe 1 - 1 Guinea

Namibia 0 - 2 Senegal Lesotho 1 - 3 Algeria Seychelles 1 - 1 Ethiopia Sierra Leone 0 - 0 Ivory Coast Mauritius 1 - 0 Mozambique Rwanda 0 - 1 Ghana Chad 1 - 5 Egypt Sao Tome 0 - 3 Morocco Kenya 1 - 2 Zambia Guinea-Bissau 2 - 4 Congo Comoros 0 - 1 Uganda Botswana 1 - 0 Burkina Faso Benin 1 - 1 Mali South Sudan 1 - 0 E. Guinea Madagascar 0 - 0 Angola Central African Rep. 2-0 DR Congo Liberia 1 - 0 Tunisia Djibouti 0 - 2 Togo

COHEN blasts English FA for abandoning

Greaves

Tanzania 0 - 0 Nigeria

Burundi 2 - 0 Niger

A

rik Air, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest carrier has offered to sponsor any of London-based Nigerian boxer, Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo’s fights in Nigeria.

The offer was made by the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide when the welterweight boxer - who is on the sponsorship bill of Arik Air - paid a Thank-You visit to the airline’s head office in Ikeja, Lagos.

Sir Arumemi-Ikhide who stated that Arik Air would be willing to pick up the bill for the fight in Nigeria, is happy with the Larry’s progress in

professional boxing and promised to be present at the ring side when he fights for the African Boxing Union (ABU) crown in London this October.

The Arik Air Chairman disclosed that his interest in boxing and sports generally was influenced by his late father who was a boxing enthusiast.

Larry who was accompanied on the visit by another London-based Nigerian boxer, Olusegun Ajose and his coach, Daniel Adekunle, was full of praises to Arik Air for all the support he has received in his quest to become a world champion. He promised not to let the company and Nigeria down.

Airtel CEO, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya with Port Harcourt boys who emerged winner of ARS 5 national finals

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Sports Editor t was sheer victory for the boys and girls from Port Harcourt on Saturday as they emerged champions of the fifth edition of Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 football tournament.

The Sports Complex of Yaba College of Technology was agog as Port Harcourt girls lifted the trophy after defeating Abuja girls 2 goals to nil, while the Port Harcourt boys emerged champions in the male category through a penalty shootout which ended 3 – 1.

Team Lagos had held the Port Harcourt boys to a goalless draw in full regulation time, but they failed score more than once during the shootout.

In the female category, team Lagos won the third place while Abuja won the third place for the male category.

The three-day contest, which kicked off on September 3, featured a total of six teams who represented the North, South and West regions. Port Harcourt boys and girls represented the South, Abuja teams represented the Northern

I

Region while boys and girls from Lagos represented the West.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, while presenting the medals and trophies to the Port Harcourt teams, congratulated the youngsters for their outstanding performance in the championship.

He noted that their hard work and preparation earned them the victory.

Ogunsanya noted that Airtel remains committed to creating opportunities that will provide a ladder for talented young boys and girls to climb to stardom, maintaining that the telecommunication company is passionate about unlocking the potentials of exceptionally talented Nigerian youth.

Other top executives of Airtel Nigeria such as Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa; Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Emeka Oparah; General Manager, Brand & Marketing, Dele Anifowoshe; Rajat Jain, Director, IT; Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region, Oladokun Oye among others were at the event.

O

ne of England’s World Cup heroes from 1966 has criticised those at the top end of the English game for failing to help Jimmy Greaves who urgently requires money to pay for muchneeded hospital treatment.

The 75-year-old former Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham striker suffered a stroke earlier this year and needs regular physiotherapy to treat his condition.

A public appeal via the internet was set up soon after Greaves left hospital in June and finally, this weekend, the £30,000 target has been reached with the money expected to cover the cost of 500 hours of treatment.

However George Cohen, one of England’s full-backs when they won the World Cup at Wembley 49 years ago, has blasted those in football for not providing the money immediately.

Speaking to the media before the £30k target was reached, Cohen - also 75 - said: “It really is sheer madness that this money hasn’t already been raised for Jimmy by people within the game.

“For one of the greatest players I’ve ever met to be left in this situation is very sad.

“Jimmy gave a lot to the game and he deserves to be helped now.

“In football terms, £30,000 is not a great deal of money. You’d have thought it could be raised easily.

“It’s an average wage for most footballers in the Premier League now - some of these guys are getting more than £100,000 a week.

“Someone in football could easily give Jimmy the full £30,000 in one go.

I’d do it immediately if I had the money.”

Tottenham, one of his former clubs, have paid for part of Greaves’ treatment, and the Football Association has also made a contribution, understood to be a four-figure sum.

Jimmy Greaves pictured six years ago