Daily Times Newspaper For Friday 9th October, 2015

Senate sets tough conditions for screening ministerial nominees Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÎÎÎMinisterial nominees whose screening

will begin next Tuesday are not likely to undergo the usual smooth process, amid some tough conditions the Senate set for each

of them to meet before being confirmed as ministers.

Part of the conditions is that each nomi-

nee must enjoy the backing of at least two Continued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.206

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 28th September 2015.

NESTLE

859.7

39.70

4.62%

NB

146.04

5.97

4.09%

SEPLAT

249.9

-5.10

-2.04%

UNILEVER

45.13

-0.87

-1.93%

FO

250

10.01

4.00%

UACN

31.5

1.50

4.76%

JBERGER 41.88

-2.20

-5.25%

ZENITHBANK

17.52

-0.59

-3.37%

Falae: Yoruba threatens secession

Segun Adio, Group News Editor

ÎÎÎThe recent kidnap and subsequent release of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, by Fulani herdsmen in Akure, Ondo

State, may have taken another dimension as prominent Yoruba leaders on Thursday rose from an emergency summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with a threat that the Yoruba nation might reconsider its place in the Nigerian

federation if the country is not restructured to reflect genuine federalism.

“If we do not see any step in this direction within a reasonable time, the Yoruba may reconsider their place in a union that cannot

protect them and would not allow them to protect themselves and use all legitimate and peaceful means to attain self-determination,” part of the communiqué read.

The summit was held mainly against the background of the kid-

nap of the former SGF, who is also a chieftain of Afenifere, the pan Yoruba socio-political group, by the Fulani herdsmen and temerity of the herdsmen to return to his farm Continued on page 6

French g17 investors to increase investment portfolio in Nigeria

Fayose begs g 7 Senate to ratify Fayemi

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

CONGO HUMBLES SUPER EAGLES 2 - 0

Ajimobi, Aregbesola advocate sustenance of Wind of Change g8 Life &

Times Friday, October 9, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) exchanging greetings with UK Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. (Sir) Nicholas Houghton and British High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Paul Arkwright, shortly after the President received in audience the UK Chief of Defence Staff and his delegation at the State House, Abuja… on Thursday

Kehinde

Kehinde gL1 Odeneye The huge burden of a lawmaker in Nigeria

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Buhari’s Ministerial Nominees

D

ays ago, President Muhammadu Buhari submitted a list of 21 ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and eventual confirmation. The list includes: the immediate past governors of Lagos and Rivers states, Babatunde Fashola and Rotimi Amaechi respectively; former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Abdurahman Danbazzau; Aisha AlHassan; Abubakar Malami SAN; Audu Ogbeh; Ahmed Isa Ibeto; Amina Mohammed and Senator Hadi Sirika. Among others are: Dr. Chris Ngige; Solomon Dalong; Udoma UdoUdoma; and current Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.

Following this, a lot of commentaries and even criticisms have trailed the list, with opinions divided on the capability or otherwise of the nominees to occupy ministerial positions.

Some observers have been quick to question the rationale of keeping the nation waiting in anticipation of the list, only to discover that a majority of the nominees are known personalities that have been part of the country’s political circus for long.

Moreover, they argue that the list is not demographic and gender sensitive, especially in the light of the fact that youth and women are the least represented. Much as these arguments make for banner headlines, we are of the view that those on the list are eminently qualified to hold ministerial positions. Our position is backed by the fact that the constitution gives the President a wide berth to choose from among Nigerians those who in his estimation can diligently and effectively deliver on his campaign promises.

What is exasperating about the criticisms so far is that they are not backed by facts but rather on emotions and crass partisanship.

No one has pointed any breach of the constitution in this matter. For example, Chapter 6 Part 1. Section 147

of the Nigerian Constitution states that: “No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Federation unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives.” Going by the aforementioned, it stands to reason that all the nominees are eminently qualified and capable of bringing their vast experiences to bear on their assignments.

Even more cheering is the fact a personality like former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State made the list. There is no gainsaying the fact that Fashola stands heads and shoulders above his contemporaries when looking for someone capable of mobilising men and materials for national development. As governor of Lagos State, Fashola proved his uncommon leadership mettle, and also showed that with intelligence and hard work, Lagos State with a population of 20 million can be transformed into a thriving melting pot and the envy of any administrator. His infrastructural footprint attests to these giant strides.

There is an abiding belief that with Fashola as a Minister of the Federation, Buhari’s cabinet would have a reservoir of ideas to tap from in the daunting task of revamping the nation’s moribund economy.

While we await Senate’s confirmation of the nominations, it is imperative to remind the prospective ministers that the tasks ahead are not only daunting, they require resourcefulness, zeal, optimism and above all self denial to achieve the desired goal of taking Nigeria to the ‘Promise Land’.

We believe those that will get confirmation would be capable of demonstrating to all and sundry, their knack for hard work which has brought them thus far. Much as critics may still harbour doubts regarding the integrity of the President’s cabinet, it is wise to advise they keep faith in the capability of the team to make all the difference.

However, such faith would be worth the while if the prospective ministers demonstrate goodwill and diligence to duty. We hope and believe they can.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Group Managing Director

Fidelis Anosike

Noel Anosike

Group Managing Editor

GM Operations

Molara Wood

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari is a man that walks his talk. He’s never been known to chicken out on issues he is convinced about, especially if it affects matters of state.

True to his promise, he dispatched a sealed brown envelope through two of his aides, to the Senate President, keeping to his promise of end of September for the release of his would-be team.

A couple of weeks before then, he had, while on a tour of France, given his candid opinion on the relevance of ministers in a government. He was reported to have referred to ministers as ‘noise-

Words On Marble :

quickly come to the conclusion that the President’s list contained some real noise-makers, others still believed that there are still some individuals there with proven character and immense wealth of experiences in their various chosen careers. These may fall short of the classification of noise-makers.

Though Presidential assistant on media, Garba Shehu, had done a lot to reproduce the president’s impression of ministers, it is sending the wrong signal about those he eventually picked and the roles given them. This may affect the way his chosen ministers are appreciated in the final analysis. Nigerians are waiting to see how much noises Buhari’s ministers would make in the end.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08054934941 Konnie Agu 09033765031

Deputy Editor Sam Nzeh

More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

Segun Adio

makers,’ though his media assistant, Garba Shehu, has been busied with the laborious task of downplaying the import of that appellation.

At long last, the 21 names of Buhari’s choice candidates for the ministerial portfolios are already in public domain. More other names are still being expected, though.

Going through the list, one is constrained to agree with the President that ministers could truly sometimes be noise-makers. There are, in truth, some voluble characters in the list, real noise-makers.

But can the President superintend over the country without active support and collaboration of those he referred to as noisemakers? Answer is NO. While many would

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Buhari and his noise-maker ministers

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Frederick Fasehun

John Cardinal Onaiyekan

Itse Sagay

“We must put politics aside and we must restructure Nigeria on the basis of true federalism.”

““The change I am looking for is a change that will make Nigeria better; a change in which the ways of doing things will be different.’’

“Witch-hunt has never been a defence in court. The plea is guilty or not guilty.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

PDP to Gov. Bello: Stop complaining Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Niger State has advised Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to stop complaining and govern the people satisfactorily, as he promised them.

It said the constant complaint

by Bello of lean resources to pilot the affairs of the state was unacceptable, because the past administration of Governor Babangida Aliyu faced similar problem, but performed to the satisfaction of the people.

Bello had, recently, said that the state was left with only N100 or N200 million after the payment of salaries, and that he could not fund

other developmental programmes the administration had for the state.

A Chairmanship candidate of the party, Alhaji Danjuma Masu, who gave the advice, in Minna, on Thursday, said that the recourse to ‘complaints’ about shortfall in the income of the state “is an indication that the governor did not plan for the administration of the state. We don’t want to hear complaints from Bello. He promised to work; so he should work. Niger State needs prayers. We have a government that does not have direction,” Masu declared.

He, therefore, told the people of the state to work for the real new change in the forthcoming local government elections by voting

the PDP candidates into the 25 councils in the state.

According to him, “the state cannot afford to be a one party state. Let the APC be at the state level and the PDP at the local government levels; with this arrangement, we will know which party is good for the state.”

A sports administrator, Masu said he would use sport to create jobs for the youths of the state, while also emphasising job creation through capacity buildings of the youth and women.

He said 150 youths had already graduated from Masu Foundation, which he set up some years back, adding that more youths would be given employment using the platform.

He noted the insecurity situation in Minna, and the state as a whole, which had led to increase in kidnap cases, was the fault of the Bello administration.

Bello

Police quiz two for N7m fraud in Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde

L-R: Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Airport Command, Ikeja, Joseph Alabi; Assistant Secretary, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), Mr. Suleiman Idris; new Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Victory Niro Menta; Vice Chairman, LAAC, Mr. Imeh Akpan and Secretary, Mr. Ewos Iroro, during the LAAC Exco’s courtesy visit to the new C.P. , at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos … on Thursday

Improving national security our priority – Buhari Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari said, on Thursday, in Abuja, that significant improvements in national security remained the topmost priority of his administration, because other socio-economic initiatives could not be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country.

Speaking at an audience with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency, as quickly as possible.

“For a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured, because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally displaced persons, and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma. Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihood, have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.

“When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do.

Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising,” Buhari told Houghton, according to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

The statement quoted Buhari as saying that Nigeria appreciated Britain’s support for the retraining of her Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas, such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.

He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve upon security in the Gulf of Guinea, through which crude oil stolen from Nigeria was shipped.

Houghton said that the Buhari administration was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress, adding that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria had made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari, and assured him that London would continue to support Abuja’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

Ado Ekiti ÏÏÏA grade level 9 officer, Mrs Cecilia Akinleye and Mr Bello Olajide, a grade level 10 officer, who are officials of the Ekiti State Central Medical Store, Ado-Ekiti, are now in police custody in Ekiti State, currently being interrogated over fraud running into N7 million.

The two accused persons were handed over to the police on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, following the directive of the State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that a thorough investigation of the matter be conducted by the police.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that an audit of the finances of the agency, early in the year, showed that over N7 million was missing from the account of the agency.

Mrs Akinleye, a cashier in the agency, who is the prime suspect in the matter, had accused Olajide, the accountant, of collecting the money from her on various dates beginning from April this year.

According to her, before she started giving out the money to Olajide, few days after her posting as the cashier, she informed a fellow worker, Mrs Adekemi Ojuawo, that her boss asked her to borrow him the agency's money in her care. "Mrs Ojuawo warned me against doing this, but because he is my boss, when he came to ask that I borrow him the money again, I obliged him. I know this is against civil service rule.

"The first money he took from me was N100, 000, that was on April 16, 2015. He went ahead to borrow from the government money 36 times. The least he took was N50, 000 and the highest was N300, 000," she alleged.

5 News

Man, 35, stabs father to death in Lagos Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA

Lagos Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, has arraigned one Mr. Nelson Oamen, 35, for allegedly killing his father by stabbing him in his sleep with a broken bottles on his neck and chest.

Oamen, who is the fourth son, among eight children, is facing a one-count charge of murder.

The charge read: “That you Nelson Oamen, ‘M’, on the 18th day of September 2015, at about 1130hrs, at Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Sunday Oamen ‘M’ aged 75years by stabbing him on his chest and stomach with broken bottle and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The defendant was said to have allegedly killed his father because he (deceased) wasn't taking care of him and also refused to buy him a bus.

Govt assets’ privatisation totally unacceptable, says Ayade Egena Egena

Abuja ÏÏÏCross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Thursday, said that privatisation of government's assets which had characterised the Nigerian economy was totally unacceptable.

He said a situation where government takes public assets and sell them to a few people was not the best for the country, even as he expressed confidence in President Buhari's leadership to address the trend.

His words: "That is why I am very proud of Mr. President. Our President understands this very well and I'm sure that in the course of time, we will understand what he is doing.

"And when the results of his actions begin to manifest, Nigerians will know that he has come prepared and committed to take us to the path of glory. I must confess he is a very humble president".

The governor also proved wrong those making political colouration about President Muhammadu Buhari's postponed visit to the state, for the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of a 260km super-highway.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Falae: Yoruba threatens secession Continued from page 1 this week after his release.

The summit, for the first time in almost a decade, brought leaders of the various Yoruba groups together for a common cause of the ill treatment of the Yoruba nation in the country, particularly the incessant attack of the Fulani herdsmen on their hosts in the SouthWest zone.

The theme of the summit was National Insecurity and the Menace of Fulani Herdsmen in Yorubaland.

The groups that were represented at the summit included the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), the Oodua Foundation, Afenifere, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Coalition of Yoruba Autonomy (COYA), the Oodua Democratic Co-

alition (ODC), the Ominira Yoruba Apapo, and the Agbekoya Organisation.

The communiqué was signed by the conveners that include a former military governor of the defunct Western Region, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (chairman); Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Prof. Banji Akintoye; Sir Olaniwun Ajayi; Dr. Fredrick Faseun; Chief Gani Adams; Abi-

toye Tunde; Rasaq Oladosu; Oyebamiji Olalekan; Alhaji Hamad Raji; Dr. Kunle Olajide (chairman, planning committee) and Evangelist Kunle Adeshokeru.

Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State were represented by their deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo and Commissioner for Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseni respectively.

Other leaders at the summit included Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Dr Saka Balogun; Chief Kola Ogunjobi; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Chief Idowu Sofola SAN; Dr. Tola Adeniyi; Chief Shuaib Oyedokun; General Raji Rasaki; Prof. Lola Adekunle; Alhaji Rasaq Adekola; Chief Akin Omosebi; Chief Akin Onigbinde; Chief Seinde Arogbofa; Dr Olu Alabi; Chief Adebayo Akande; Prof. Toun Ogunseye; Alhaji AbdulJelil Adesiyan; Mr. Yinka Odumakin; Mr. Sina Kawonise; Chief Supo Shonibare; Mrs.

Bola Doherty; Professor Olatunde Oluwasanmi, among others.

The summit asked President Muhammadu Buhari to see to “the immediate arrest and prosecution of the abductors of Chief Falae and all perpetrators of the violent crimes which have been reported at different police stations in Yorubaland arising from cattle rearing activities.”

The text of the communiqué tagged “Ibadan DeclaraContinued on page 12

Governors Forum to meet over ‘pressing national issues’ ÎÎÎThe Nigeria n Governors

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (left) during a visit to a former governor of old Ondo State and APC chieftain, Evang. Bamidele Olumilua, at his Ikere-Ekiti residence… on Thursday

Senate sets tough conditions for screening ministerial nominees Ï d ƕ Ɔ ƅ ƌƈ ƆƆ ƌƑ Ɛ ƄƆ Ƅ ƅƊƆƗ Ƅƕ ƐƓ Ɔ Ɛ Ə ƇƏ ƌ Ɛ ƆƈƏ Ɛ ƐƆ Ï M ƌƈ ƆƆ Ɛ Ƒƍƍ ƏƐƆƗ Ƅƕ ƐƓ éƐ ƈƏƗ Ƈ dƆ Ɛ Ə ƌ ƕ ƄƆ ƗƏ ƍƍƆƗ Continued from page 1 out of the three Senators from his or her state, while two third of Senators must give their endorsements at the end of each screening.

The Chairman Senate Ad hoc Committee on Media and publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, at a briefing in Abuja on Thursday reiterated that petitions against any of the nominees would be treated along with the screening exercise.

In addition to a petition filed against the nomination of former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi last Tuesday by Senator Thompson Sekibo from Rivers State, the Senate again received another petition filed by Senator Danjuma La’ah from Kaduna State

against the nomination of Mrs. Amina Muhammed.

Opposition came against the nomination of Mrs. Muhammed on the basis that she is not originally from Kaduna, as her marital affiliation to Kaduna State came under attack.

The Senate President however referred the petition against Amina Muhammed to the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the Senate.

Melaye, while briefing the media said the Senate would observe constitutional requirements in the process of screening the Senators.

He said Sections 147, section 142 and section 120 of the Senate Rules would be strictly observed in the process of screening the nominees.

Melaye also told newsmen

that former National Assembly members who made the ministerial list would be given special consideration over others.

He said the process of their screening would be less cumbersome, although they would not be asked to just bow and go, like the practice had been in the past.

Melaye also disclosed that former Senators and former members of the House of Representatives among the nominees would be the first to be screened, being part of the special consideration reserved for them.

He also said the ministers would have to declare their assets after being confirmed by the Senate in line with rules.

Against this background,

Melaye said the Senate had requested for the resumes of each of the ministerial nominees, while each of them is expected to make not less than 115 copies available to the office of the Senate President latest next week Monday.

He reiterated his the earlier stance by the Senate that the process of screening will be thorough, rigorous and expeditious.

The Senate had hardly resumed sitting when members dissolved into a closeddoor session to deliberate on the process of screening the ministerial nominees.

Senators who spoke with Daily Times on the issue raised during plenary disclosed that members were generally advised to desist from the antics of lobbyists who may be mounting pressure on them to get cleared by the Senate.

Forum (NGF) on Thursday said it would meet to discuss “some pressing states and national issues”.

A statement signed by chairman of the forum, Abdulaziz Yari, said the meeting would hold on Tuesday.

Yari, who is the governor of Zamfara State, said the forum would receive presentations from strategic Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on some of the issues.

He also said some development partners would make presentations regarding proposed reforms and support to states at the meeting.

“The meeting will also dis-

cuss major issues affecting states of the federation and the well-being of the people as well as the forums’ peer review initiative.

“The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Federal Ministry of Health/ World Bank, Nigeria Communication Commission, NCC, and the UK Department for International Development, DFID, are also to make presentations at the meeting,” he added.

Others to make presentation to the forum, according to him, are the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI.

Boko Haram: Military warns of cluster bombs Monday Agu Jr. Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Defence Headquar-

ters on Thursday alerted Nigerians of the deployment of cluster bombs by Boko Haram insurgents in the country.

Acting Director, Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said this in a statement, adding that some catches of the cluster bombs were uncovered by the troops in Adamawa State.

A cluster bomb is defined as “a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub munitions.”

Abubakar said the Boko

Haram insurgents had been found to be using cluster bombs in pursuit of their agenda in the North-East.

He explained that small bombs were used against large areas containing columns of card, markets, places of worship, large contraction of troops and others.

The statement added: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform Nigerians living in the North-East and any other parts of the country to lookout for Cluster Bombs sometimes called scatter bombs as the Nigerian Army Engineers serving in Adamawa State have recovered some catches of these bombs in the contested areas in recent time.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

7 News

Eweoya reiterates commitment to uplift Oshodi-Isolo ÏÏÏA chieftain of

L-R: FCT State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr Olanipekun Alao; Deputy Director, Planning, NYSC, Mr Obong Attah; Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr Eric Fajemisin; and Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Ms Nike Bajomo at the commissioning of a water project donated by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited to NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja… on Wednesday

Fayose begs NASS members to ratify Fayemi Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏContrary

to insinuations that the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, would kick against the nomination of his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, he has ratified his ministerial nomination and urged the lawmakers representing Ekiti, in Abuja, to equally support his nomination.

Fayose made the declaration while discussing with student leaders of Ekiti origin at the

conference hall, in his office, on Wednesday night; that it was his wish for Fayemi to have a hitchfree screening at the floor of the Senate, come October 13, 2015, when the screening of ministerial nominees was scheduled to begin.

“Ekiti is my number one priority. I called all those who went to the House of Representatives and Senate from here that they must support him,” Fayose said, adding that, “promotion does not come from man, but from God Almighty.”

Fayose

Abeokuta

ÏÏÏFive high chiefs in Oke-Ona area of Egbaland have been arraigned before a magistrate court, sitting at Isabo, in Abeokuta, for an alleged illegal installation of one Rafiu Sanni Bankole as “Oluwo Ilugun.”

The five chiefs arraigned before Magistrate Anthony Araba were Rafiu Bankole, Kamoru Adeniran, Ayinde Akintoye, Jimoh Alabede and Soyinka Ishaq.

The Police prosecutor, Mr. Omo

Group reaffirms support for Buhari, lauds TETFUND scribe

Osagie, told the court that the chiefs committed the offence on May 31, 2015, when they broke into the ‘Ogboni’ house without the approval of Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso.

Osagie said the accussed conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by flouting the order of the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso.

According to the police, they brought uniformed military personnel attached to “Operation Mesa” to intimidate the people

of Ilugun and they forcefully entered 'Ogboni' house located at Ilugun and, thereby, committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 24 a (d) of the Criminal Code Volume1 Laws of Ogun State.

The accused, who pleaded not guilty were granted bail in the sum of N250, 000 and two sureties in like sum. The Chief Magistrate, Anthony Araba, ordered that the controversial shrine must remain closed pending the determination of the case, which has been adjourned to December 4, 2015.

Daniel Jolly

corruption in the country,” it said.

Its President, Alhaji Saleh Hussaini, has also condemned in strong terms, a report by a political group alleging corrupt practices in some Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) – including Tertiary Education fund (TETFUND), noting that TETFUND’s leadership, under Professor Bogoro, had executed meaningful projects in universities, polytechnics and College of Education.

Bauchi A non-governmental body, North East Empowerment Advocates for Inclusive Development Forum, has expressed its support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment in the fight against corruption, saying that it was the only way Nigeria’s image could be restored.

“We want to assure the people that no amount of distraction will derail the President in fighting

ÏÏÏ

munity, said he would continue to embark on projects that would improve the quality of life and economy of the people.

Eweoya, a legal luminary, who had at various occasions donated and inaugurated water projects, health and safety materials and signage among others to schools in the community, have had his contributions recognised and applauded by the Lagos State Government, Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Oshodi and Afolabi Nursery and Primary School, Oshodi, among others.

Ortom pardons 112 inmates Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏBenue

Five Egba chiefs docked over impersonation Abiodun Taiwo

the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State and the Chief Executive Officer of Nicities Nigeria Limited, Barrister Oluwole Eweoya, has assured the people of the Oshodi-Isolo community of his determination to continue to channel all his resources towards the development of the area.

Eweoya, who stated this in a chat with newsmen during his tour of the various Community Socio Responsibility (CSR) projects he had executed in the Oshodi-Isolo com-

State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has reiterated the resolve of his administration to wage a relentless battle against crime.

He made the disclosure, on Thursday, while announcing the pardon to some convicts at the Makurdi Medium Security Prison.

“The exercise is pursuant to the powers conferred on me as Governor, by Section 212 of the Constitution,” he stated, adding that it was sequel to his approval of recommendations made by the Benue State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“While the law creates offences and prescribes punishments, it also makes provision for a show of clemency on those punished, subjects to certain conditions,” he explained.

The Governor warned those still keeping arms illegally that the grace period was over and that the State Government would not tolerate criminal acts of any kind.

Ortom

He said the development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, assuring the people of the state that government would provide the needed logistics to security agencies to enable them perform their functions effectively.

He also gave one Bible to each of the freed inmates and transport allowances.

Earlier, the Controller of the Makurdi Medium Security Prisons, Oyigocho Ogbole, commended Governor Ortom on his peace and security initiatives, stressing that the stick and carrot approach the governor had applied to the amnesty programme would create the enabling for sustained development to thrive in the state.

Out of the 38 convicts who benefited from the amnesty, 16 had been released from prison custody, eight had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 14 had their sentences reduced to various terms of imprisonment.

Ortom also announced that fines of 74 convicts had been paid including those of inmates of Benue origin in Jos, Kaduna, Gboko and Otukpo prisons.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Politics

Æs

2016: Edo people must decide Oshiomhole’s successor Francis Ehigiator

Oshiomhole

Ogbemudia

Osunbor

Necessity, according to an English proverb, is the mother of invention. It indeed finds expression in the dictum that “when the need for something becomes essential, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it.” Erudite scholar, the late Chinua Achebe further justified this popular assertion via

Igbinedion

a captivating illustration in that spectacular novel – Things Fall Apart- wherein he wrote: “Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.” These two positions capture my thoughts on the prevailing political issues in Edo State.

The people of this great State CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Ajimobi, Aregbesola advocate sustenance of Wind Of Change The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has warned that nonadherence to party supremacy and discipline, as witnessed recently in the National Assembly, portends great danger for the polity and democracy in the country.

This is coming just as his Osun State counterpart, Comrade Rauf Aregbesola revealed that in spite of the encumbrances and spanners thrown by the opposition elements to truncate President Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition, the President triumphed because Nigerians desired change.

Both helmsmen were speaking at the distinguished personality lecture of the Department of Political Science and Diplomatic Studies of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State. Ajimobi who was the Guest Lecturer spoke on “Sustaining the wind of change.”

Comrade Aregbesola, was the chairman of the occasion, while the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Matthews Ojo, was the chief host.

Emphasising the need for caution on the part of the major players in the crisis that had pitted the leadership of the National Assembly against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Ajimobi noted that no arm of the government could afford to play the ostrich.

The governor said: “for the new wave of change to be sus-

Ajimobi tained, the legislature must not only be stable and predictable, but parliamentarians must

Aregbesola learn how best to support party positions on important national issues.

“The recent event in the National Assembly, in which the time-tested principles of party

supremacy and discipline were rubbished, may not augur well for the polity.

“While not casting aspersions on anyone, more so that the Senate President (Senator Bukola Saraki) and the Speaker of House of Representatives (Hon. Yakubu Dogara) are eminently qualified to occupy those positions; the snag, however, is that the views of the APC, which was the platform that brought them to the parliament, was not sufficiently respected in matters of national interest.”

Since the APC felt strongly on the issue of Federal Character in the election or appointment of principal officers of the House, which Ajimobi described as a cardinal legal, moral and constitutional principle that should be respected by the party faithful, he said that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Diezani: Buhari Group mocks PDP

Alison-Madueke

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), an organisation dedicated to promoting President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda for change, has mocked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the arrest in London, of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke on money laundering

charges.

Madueke was a key figure in the PDP administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group challenged PDP to appoint a formidable legal team to head for London and defend the former Petroleum Minister, who CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Buhari

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

9 Politics

Edo people must decide Oshiomhole’s successor

Oshiomhole CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

have been taken for granted since the inception of democratic governance in 1999; deceived and hoodwinked with outright lies, rhetoric and propaganda by their successive political leaderships.

They came with sweet promises, dangled carrots before them, but unfortunately reneged on the promises once in the saddle of political governance.

The truth is that in the history of Edo State, no governorship candidate has inspired more hope in the people before an election like Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

His labour background and promasses posture endeared him to them. And when he retrieved his

Ogbemudia mandate through the courts, the comrade governor enjoyed popular support. He was also able to secure a second term mandate for several reasons, but largely not because his performances were outstanding. This is an issue for examination at another time.

But seven years down the line, the manifest quandary with its attendant hopelessness that has permeated every part of the state is gradually spilling over. With different revelations springing up, possibilities abound that the political curtain of deception has fallen off the face of the people and they can now see what some of us had seen and foreseen from the outset. Of course, some of us knew, ab-initio, that propaganda

Osunbor is always a disservice to good governance and has been greatly and unfortunately exploited as part of governance in Edo State. But in the long run, propaganda will always fizzle out like we are experiencing now. Some of us knew very well that the end would definitely expose the management and/or otherwise of Edo resources.

It is indeed gratifying that the people are gradually showing remarkable readiness to take their destiny in their hands and liberate the state. “Once bitten, twice shy,” they say, and by implication, Edolites are no longer ready to be caught napping again; hence, they have commenced serious stocktaking ahead of another election

Igbinedion year. This is apt and wise, since in Nigeria, most public officials have found ways of circumventing the process of rendering public account of their stewardship to the people. But, as the people of Edo, especially some individuals who served in the government of Oshiomhole, have started giving accounts of their experiences, the revelations across the state are scary and worrisome.

Almost every day on different media platforms, tales of woes are shared concerning the terrible state of affairs in Edo. The one that recently caught my attention was an interview granted by one Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, a two-time Commissioner and a close ally of the comrade gover-

nor, in Daily Sun of September 29, 2015, at pages 26 and 30. He revealed the feeling of emptiness that is now likely to be the lot of other public officials in Edo State, including those still in the cabinet of Gov. Oshiomhole. According to Omo-Ojo, “But on a general note I can’t be bold enough, in all honesty, to say we have delivered on our promises, except we do so in the next 12 or 13 months.”

The pertinent question here is: can 13 months achieve the things that were not done in 83 months?

Definitely in this case, it may suffice to say that a camel will be able to find its way through the eye of a needle than for any meaningful CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Buhari Group mocks PDP over Diezani’s ordeal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

is currently facing corruption investigation in the UK, preparatory to formal trial.

In a statement, BMSG reminded the PDP of its previous allegations that the anti-corruption war is a political witch hunt against political opponents, wondering why the opposition PDP is yet to accuse the UK police of witch hunt for daring to investigate Mrs Alison-Madueke.

It noted that President Buhari could not have told the British police how to do their job, or dictated to them to arrest innocent people and charge them to court merely because they were part of the unseated PDP government.

The BMSG also recalled that

Buhari

Buhari

the PDP has repeatedly sought to discredit the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administra-

tion, stressing that the President would never cause to or pencil down anybody for investigation

or trial when there is no evidence linking them to wrongdoing.

Besides, it explained that, as a man who is conscious of his integrity, President Buhari would be the last person to link innocent people to crimes they didn’t commit.

The group expressed surprise why the PDP leaders have abandoned Alison-Madueke to her fate in London, despite her loyalty to the party and illegally funding the erstwhile ruling party with state resources while she was in government.

It therefore advised the PDP to stop belittling and disparaging the anti-corruption war through unhelpful allegations that President Buhari is using the crusade to witch hunt his political opponents adding that the consequences of corruption harm the larger

society, regardless of whether they are APC or PDP supporter.

The group then advised the PDP leaders to sincerely and patriotically join hands with the federal government to make Nigeria better.

The group then challenged the PDP to freeze the billions of Naira handed in by the former Minister to the party as oil sector contributions preparatory to the last election until a full certification is obtained on the legality of its sources pointing out that this will proof whether the PDP is toeing the line of the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration as it is claiming.

The group also advised the PDP leaders to sincerely and patriotically join hands with the federal government to make Nigeria better.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Why Party supremacy, internal democracy must be supreme, by Ajimobi, Aregbesola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

lawmakers ought to toe the party’s line.

Ajimobi blamed the financial insolvency stifling socioeconomic development in most states on what he called the manifestation of brazen corruption that characterized the former President Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Federal Government.

He traced the country’s pervading precarious financial woes and insecurity to mediocre leadership at the federal level, which, he said, promoted administrative ineptitude, unwarranted aggrandizement-cum brazen corruption and lack of vision.

Refraining from what he called blanket condemnation, Ajimobi, nonetheless, acknowledged that few of the PDP governors provided effective leadership in their respective states, adding that none of the political parties was bereft of good materials.

His words: “It is common knowledge that two reasons are responsible for the drop in statutory allocations to the states; which are theft of over 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the fall in oil prices from over $100 to about $50 per barrel.

“While the fall in oil prices might have been beyond (former) President Jonathan’s control, it remains unclear why no single oil thief was caught or apprehended, beyond a few

????? pipeline vandals”, he wondered.

He adduced these and many other reasons for the decision of Nigerians to embrace the change slogan of the APC, which swept the PDP out of power after 16 years of the party’s firm grip on the country.

In order to sustain the change agenda of the Buhari administration, he called for total rebirth, moral rectitude and patriotism on the part of citizens, while calling on the government to liberalize the solid mineral sector and to diversify the economy from the oil sector.

Calling on the National As-

????? sembly to tinker with the law that places mining of solid mineral resources in the Exclusive List and make it Concurrent, he said a lot of revenue was daily being lost to illegal miners, who have capitalized on the inability of the FG to effectively control the sector.

Beyond these, he also advocated improvement on national security; adherence to professionalism by the mass media that dwells more on investigative journalism; robust legislation by the legislature, overhaul of the education sector and improvement on the country’s for-

eign policy.

Aregbesola noted that the change electioneering slogan that brought Buhari to power was an idea whose time had come.

In spite of the encumbrances and spanners thrown by the opposition elements to truncate Buhari’s ambition, the Osun State helmsman said the President triumphed because Nigerians desired change.

Aregbesola said: “For those who care to know, the election of President Muhammadu Buhari was the culmination of the struggle by the progressives

since independence. Hence, he won despite all the obstacles and odds.

“After the Ekiti electoral heist that saw to the emergence of a PDP government, the evil machinery was moved down to Osun State. Their calculation was that if Osun could be seized, other South-West states will become low-hanging fruits for them.

“But, my victory foretold the eventual triumph of President Buhari. It was a strong statement that the APC had become unstoppable. The recent media attacks targeted against me was for no other reason than that I played a major role in stopping the PDP from holding on to power. But, I’m not worried”, he stressed.

For the country to benefit fully from the change in guard at the federal level, he admonished citizens to change their attitude to work, and to critically assess the impact their activities is having on the society and the economy.

The VC of BOWEN commended Aregbesola for his contributions to the growth and development of the institution; while applauding what he called Ajimobi’s relentless efforts at urban renewal, as well as social, industrial and infrastructural revolution in Oyo State.

Ojo saluted the doggedness of the two governors that saw to their winning election for second term in office, especially Ajimobi, whom he said broke the second term jinx in the state.

2016: Edo people must decide Oshiomhole’s successor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

development to come by in the next one year. Unfortunately, this is not the best of times for economic growth in Nigeria. Almost all the states in Nigeria are on lifesupport of bailout funds. Today, Benin City, the state capital is in a serious mess, threatened by flood.

So, also, some other parts of the state are ravaged by flood due to weak and/or lack of supporting infrastructure.

Only recently, some youths from Egor Local Government Area of the state, pelted members of the State House of Assembly with water sachets in protest over the dilapidated state of roads in

their areas. If Oshiomhole can feel the pulse of the people, he will realise that the frustration is real; it is growing and the people are indeed very hysterical. What happened in Egor is just one among other unreported cases in the state. The reactions we are seeing all over the state today, are as a result of years of neglect. The people are becoming increasingly agitated, especially now that his government is in its last lap, yes home stretch.

The unemployment situation in Edo is alarming and contrary to the promise of 10,000 jobs Oshiomhole made at the inception of his administration, his erstwhile commissioner, Omo-Ojo,

contended that he has failed to meet up this expectation. According to him, “The number one thing I have today is the issue of the youth empowerment. We came up with this theme ‘ByeBye to poverty’ and we equally said ‘Let the People Lead’. Those two things were very attractive because they fell within my own believe about leadership. And in fact I am not too happy at all, after seven years, I can’t honestly, face any of our young boy or girl and tell them we have provided for this number of people. We promised them we will provide 10,000 jobs during our administration.”

What is now even more disturbing is the second tranche of the

foreign (World Bank) loan that was recently acquired by Oshiomhole. The people are worried that a good part of the money may be used for political and election purposes. Although some concerned Nigerians tried to prevail on the State House of Assembly and the Senate not to approve the loan; however, the protests that greeted the process of approval, will definitely make more people to increase their searchlights on how the loan is utilised. It is noteworthy that many people are now more alive to their responsibilities, coming out to ask questions.

Edo people did not make a mistake when they conceded to and embraced the democratic form of

government like every other part of Nigeria in 1999, as the best alternative to military rule. They did so believing that they would be best served by their own representatives. The people should not despair; they should in their good consciences make the best choice on who will better serve them ahead of the next gubernatorial election and ensure that person succeeds Oshiomhole. While they must insist that Oshiomhole gives account of how the state resources were utilised, on no condition should they allow the comrade governor to dictate who will succeed him. That will amount to meting out a raw deal and an unfair treatment to Edo people.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

11 Politics

Osun bailout war: Group tackles Aregbesola over diversion A group, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) has carpeted the state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola for the alleged diversion of N34.988 billion bailout fund released to the state by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It was for the purpose of paying the backlog of salaries and pensions due to all the categories of workers and retirees alike for a period of seven to eight months, alleging that the Aregbesola’s government reluctantly pay the two, three and four months salary arrears respectively to the affected workers and retirees from the accumulated monthly allocation to the state and local governments from the Federation Account.

The development was unveiled following grumblings within the state workforce and retirees, on the rationale for the state government to pay only two to four months salaries and pension from arrears due to them after the Federal Government has bailed out the state from the salaries and pension palava.

The group, according to its chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman also condemned the recent threat to the lives of Journalists practicing in the state by Aregbesola at a public function as it affects the lives of Mr Femi Makinde of Punch Newspapers, Mr Wole Ige of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, Mr. Abass Okandeji of MITV, Mr Niyi Folorunso and others, stressing that Aregbesola detests criticism against his maladministration and called on well meaning Nigerians, including President Muhmmadu Buhari and security agencies not to treat Aregbesola’s threat with.

Comrade Sulaiman faulted the illegal diversion of the bailout fund by the state government at the expense of the suffering people of the state, particularly, the workers and retirees, describing the development as anti-people, ungodly, unconstitutional and undemocratic. He therefore called for the declaration of state of emergency whereby the Federal Government would take over the payment of backlog of salaries and pension due workers

“We have every authority to say that Mr. Aregbesola has only used the state and local government share of monthly allocations from the Federation Account to pay only the two, three and four months salary and pension arrears recently paid to some workers in the state and local government. It is on record that the state and local government share of the federal allocation has been released to Mr. Aregbesola up to date.

Aregbesola

and retirees respectively in the state.

His words: “CSCEO believes that government should be people–oriented and development

programmes should be directed at improving people’s welfare and well being but the reverse is the case for Osun people in the hands of Mr. Rauf Aregbe-

sola, who since his taking over as governor of the state has embarked on programmes and policies that have diminished the value and dignity of our people, impoverished them and sent many of them to early graves.

“In our state, there is a clear fight between good and evil, justice and injustice, truth and falsehood and the CSCEO has resolved to remain focused and objective in our fight against evil, injustice and all forms of falsehood. We are ready to tell the truth no matter whose ox is gored.

“While seeing the Civil servants as essential key to national development and nationbuilding, the CSCEO is worried

over the misapplication of the Federal Government / Central Bank of Nigeria (FG/CBN) bailout loan recently released to Osun State to pay the backlogs of salaries and pension due to workers and retirees by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.We are informed that Aregbesola has diverted the #34.988 billion bailout fund and that is why the state government cannot pay the backlogs of eight months’ salary and pension arrears as directed by President Mohammadu Buhari.

“We have every authority to say that Mr. Aregbesola has only used the state and local government share of monthly allocations from the Federation Account to pay only the two, three and four months salary and pension arrears recently paid to some workers in the state and local government. It is on record that the state and local government share of the federal allocation has been released to Mr. Aregbesola up to date.

“We cannot hide our disposition to query the rationale behind Aregbesola’s administration’s failure to use the bailout fund to pay the total arrears of salaries and pension, particularly that of the workers in the state owned tertiary institutions that have been on strike for many months now despite the importance of the education sector to the future development of our state and her citizens.

This insensitivity of Aregbesola to workers plight in the state has done serious damage to the people of the state most especially the students who are now idle and at the mercy of unscrupulous politicians who engage them for nefarious activities”, he said.

The group added:”We would recall that in the recent past, the lives of some journalists have been terminated under suspicious circumstances in Alimosho area of Lagos State, “Similarly, we will like to remind you of former Aregbesola’s Personal Assistant (P.A),Mr. Sola Aderibigbe who petitioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) over Rauf Aregbesola, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola on Lagos State Local Government funds and Aderibigbe has been missing since 2010 without any clue till date”, it added

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Ooni stool: Four shortlisted for kingmakers Ï 1ƈƆ ƈ Ƈ ƌƈƋƕ ƌƆƌƄƆƏ Ƈƈ Ɛ ƒƆƏ ƋƋƆ ƆƗ ƌ ƈƍƑƋ Ɛƈ Ƈ ƅƏƆƆ ƈ Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÎÎÎFresh

crises on Thursday rocked the Giesi Ruling House of Ile Ife, Osun State, over alleged manipulation of screening of candidates that showed interest in filling the vacant stool of Ooni, even as the screening committee has shortlisted four candidates.

The search for the next Ooni has been narrowed to only Giesi Ruling House which has 7 royal families.

They include Moniki Royal Compound; Waniki Royal Compound; Luugba Royal Compound; Debooye Royal Compound; Idu Royal Compound; Idu-Ofin Royal

Compound and Agbedegbede Royal Compound.

Our correspondent on Thursday learnt that the latest crises was not unconnected with how the screening committee allegedly manipulated the screening exercise to favour only contestants from Agbedegbede Royal Family.

The shortlisted names are expected to be presented to the kingmakers for onward presentation and ratification of the state government, all the names purportedly selected were from Agbedegbede Royal Compound.

But in a protest letter addressed to the Ife Kingmakers by six of the seven royal families, signed by Venerable

Samuel Ishola Ojo from Moniki Roral Compound and Prince Babatunde Olafari Olasaare from Luugba Royal Compound, copies of which were obtained by newsmen, the aggrieved families alleged that the screening exercise was “a one man show.”

They claimed the committee chairman, Professor Adekanye Aderibigbe, alleged conducted the screening alone.

The letter reads in part: “Following the recent receipt of the letters from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dated 14th September, 2015 and letter from Ife-East Local Government dated 16th Septem-

Flooded Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, Lagos after a heavy downpour… on Thursday.

ber 2015, we the undersigned representatives from the royal compounds from Giesi Ruling House came together to protest the following anomaly: “The composition of the screening committee did not reflect the representatives of the entire Royal Compounds that constituted the Giesi Ruling House, as all members of the committee came from only Agbedegbede Royal Compound to make the committee look as if it is only Agbedegbede alone that constituted Giesi Ruling House.

“List of the contestants from different royal compounds within the Giesi Royal House were not made known

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Ebola scare: Ten quarantined as FG dispatches medical team Calabar Lara Adejoro

ÎÎÎTen persons have been

quarantined after coming into contact with a patient with Ebola-like symptoms in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, officials said on Thursday, a year after Nigeria was declared free of the disease.

This is even as the Federal Government on Thursday confirmed that it has dispatched a team of medical team to Calabar to ascertain the suspected Ebola scare.

A patient came to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on Wednesday with symptoms consistent

with the viral hemorrhagic fever, staff of the hospital said.

He was reported to have died at about 2pm, after symptoms related to the deadly Ebola virus manifested before he finally passed away.

The the patient, whose identity could not be ascertained, was brought in from Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state with high body temperature while at the same time was vomiting, stooling and bleeding from nose.

The patient died shortly after samples were taken from him for investigation.

“We have sent blood sam-

ples for testing and quarantined identified contacts,” the hospital’s chief medical director, Queeneth Kalu, said, just as the National Emergency Management Agency confirmed that 10 people were in quarantine.

However, the Federal Ministry of Health has ruled out the case of Ebola, saying that it suspected that the patient could have died of Haemorrhagic fever.

According to the Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof.

Abdulsalam Nasidi, a team has been dispatched to Calabar to verify the case.

He said: “The NCDC team is on the ground and

containment measures are already being put in place.

The samples are being tested and we should know (the result) by tomorrow (Friday).

“The Federal Ministry of Health is sending additional support tomorrow (Friday).”

Nasidi also said that the government is awaiting the result of the laboratory investigation.

He assured Nigerians that there was nothing to fear about as appropriate measures have been taken to protect the people and even those who might have had contact with the patient.

to all royal compounds concerned or the public.

“The criteria for screening were not spelt out for all and sundry to be abreast or appraised. History concerning other royal compounds within the Giesi Ruling House has been distorted to pave way for Agbedegbede alone to present candidate(s) to the vacant stool of Ooni of Ife. “It remains a public knowledge that we had earlier subjected our sons in the race to participate in the screening, hoping that the integrity of

the committee members will not give room for suspicion.

Our calmness, cooperation and tolerance should not be taken for granted, we only believe that Giesi should do things differently and amicably to make Ile-Ife greater again.”

The aggrieved families therefore urged the kingmakers to cancel the earlier screening and called for fresh screening by a new committee that will comprise all the royal compounds in Giesi Ruling House.

Falae: Yoruba threatens to pull out of Nigeria Continued from page 6 tion of Yoruba Leaders of Thought on Fulani Herdsmen’s Siege on our Nation” was entitled “We Shall Take it no More.”

The communique read in part: “After an extensive and inclusive debate on the threats to our survival as a people especially by the unprovoked, unwarranted and mindless serial attacks on the economic rights of our people by nomadic Fulani cattle rearers, which have snowballed into loss of precious lives, raping of our women and criminal abduction of our people for ransom; the following communiqué was adopted: “Summit observed that despite the non-aggressive disposition of the Yoruba people, we have been victims of crude aggressions, violent violations from our hostile neighbours from pre-colonial days till modern time.

“From the 18th century Fulani Jihadists onslaught against Yoruba space, through the travails of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the June 12 saga to the latest war declared on our people by the Fulani herdsmen, we have always risen about the hurt on us to strive to make our neighbours see the need to deal with ourselves peaceably in justice and fairness not because we are cowards but because God created to fight only as a last resort.

“We have since the amalgamation of Nigeria gone to every part of the country to live and work respecting our

hosts and posing no threat to them because our fathers say when you are in the city of lepers you have to fold your fingers.

“Summit paid glowing tributes to the memories of our illustrious sons and daughters who became sacrificial lambs in the course of these aggressions against us over the years such as Adekunle Fajuyi, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Suliat Adedeji, Layi Balogun and hundreds of our people mowed down on the streets of Lagos by ethnic cleansing forces of the late General Sani Abacha; “Summit recalled that in spite of the untold injustices meted on us over the years within the Nigerian project, we remain the only one out of the biggest tribes that has never questioned the corporate existence of Nigeria even with the obvious and sustained agenda of forces of domination to deny us the opportunity to live our civilisation, build on our golden achievements of the Awo years and move at our own pace; “Summit was alarmed by the recent abduction of a foremost Yoruba nationalist and Nigerian patriot, Chief Olu Falae by Fulani herdsmen on his farm the day he turned 77. His violent abduction during which machete cuts were inflicted on him was sequel to the running battles he has had with nomadic Fulani cattle rearers who at various times destroyed his crops and thereby denying him the sweat of his labour.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday October 9, 2015

13 International

NATO ready to deploy troops in Turkey

UN condemns death of peacekeeper in CAR

ÏÏÏThe United Nations has re-

Dutch soldiers are seen standing next to a Patriot missile battery at a military base in Adana, southern Turkey, Jan. 26, 2013.

ÏÏÏNato is ready to deploy to

Turkey if needed, the chief of the military alliance said on Thursday, amid new tensions with Russia over its recent intervention in Syria.

"Turkey is a very strong and capable ally, but NATO of course is always ready to augment and to support," Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. "We are in constant dialogue with Turkey, looking ... if there is any need to do more. "We have increased our ability to support and help all allies, but of course also including those who are really close to the vi-

Rwandan court paves way for Kagame third term ÏÏÏRwanda's

Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Paul Kagame to run for a third seven-year term when his current term expires in 2017.

The court ruled Thursday that amending the constitution to remove the current two-term limit

olence, close to the turmoil we see to the south - in this case, Turkey.

So if needed, we deploy," he added.

Stoltenberg was speaking after NATO defence ministers discussed the four-year conflict in Syria, which entered a new phase last week with the start of airstrikes by Russia.

The strikes are ostensibly meant to help fight the Islamic State extremist group, but are in practice targeting other opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the West says. Tensions rose further after Russian warplanes operating in Syria twice violated the

airspace of neighbouring country and Nato member Turkey last weekend. Nato officials have said that the violations do not appear to have been accidental.

Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul asked during the ministers' meeting for a stronger Nato presence and air defence capabilities in his country, but did not request an intervention by the alliance's crisis response force, sources said on condition of anonymity.

Nato has ramped up the force to 40 000 troops because of Russia's actions in Ukraine, but has said that it could also theoretically

be deployed to southern trouble spots. Stoltenberg said Nato would consider "further needs along our southern borders" in the coming months. "We don't have to deploy the Nato response force ... to deliver deterrence," he noted. "The important thing is that any adversary of Nato will know that we are able to deploy." He sidestepped questions about whether the defence ministers had discussed the possibility of sending ground troops to Turkey, saying: " is ready to defend and protect all allies against any threat, and that of course also is valid for Turkey."

for presidents is legal, as long as the process respects the law.

The opposition Green Party had petitioned the court to block the proposed changes, after Rwanda's parliament passed a motion in July supporting another term for Kagame.

Voters would still have to approve any changes in a referendum. The amendment would be likely passed, given Kagame's control of media and politics in the East African country, and his popularity for keeping the peace

since the end of the 1994 genocide.

Last month, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about the moves to keep Kagame in power. Spokesman John Kirby said "We do not support those in positions of power changing constitutions solely for their political self-interest."

Kagame is the latest in a string of African presidents seeking to eliminate or sidestep term limits.

Later this month, the Republic of Congo holds a vote on constitutional changes that would allow

President Denis Sassou Nguesso to extend his 18-year stay in office.

In Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza triggered weeks of violent protests and a failed coup attempt by running for a third term.

Critics said Nkurunziza was violating a two-term limit in the constitution. The country's constitutional court ruled the president's first term in 2005 did not count because he had been elected by parliament instead of voters.

Netanyahu bars ministers from holy site

ÏÏÏThe Israeli prime minister

has barred all Cabinet ministers and Jewish lawmakers from visiting a sensitive Jerusalem holy site, fearing any high-profile spectacle could further enflame tensions that have gripped the country for weeks, an Israeli government official said on Thursday.

Benjamin Netanyahu's move to try and calm the situation puts the Israeli leader on a collision course with hard-liners within his own governing coalition. They have been putting intense pressure on Netanyahu to respond to the surge in violence with a tough crack-

down and increased settlement activity.

But Netanyahu is also wary of angering the American administration and risking another fullfledged uprising with too tough a response that could lead to a higher number of casualties on both sides. The Jerusalem hilltop compound lies at the heart of recent tensions. It's revered by Muslims as the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven and by Jews as the site of the two Jewish biblical Temples.

Many Palestinians believe Israel is trying to expand Jewish

presence at the site, a claim Israel adamantly denies and considers slanderous. Under a longstanding arrangement administered

by Islamic authorities, Jews are allowed to visit the site during certain hours but not pray there.

Netanyahu ordered the ban because he was concerned that any visits to the site could spark further violence, according to the Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under regulations.

In 2000, then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount shortly before the second

Netanyahu

Palestinian intifada erupted.

The new Netanyahu directive sparked an angry response from Uri Ariel, a Cabinet minister from the pro-settler Jewish Home party, who recently visited the site and drew Palestinian claims of a provocation. He said on Thursday that he would take the issue up directly with Netanyahu.

ported that one peacekeeper in the Central African Republic has been killed and another injured by armed attackers north of the capital, Bangui.

A U.N. spokesman said Wednesday a convoy traveling between the towns of Damara and Ngerengou was attacked by unidentified gunmen, Tuesday, about 55 kilometers north of the capital. The spokesman said the peacekeeping force returned fire.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Kimoon has condemned the attack.

He urged the attackers to lay down their weapons, and called for swift action to bring the attackers to justice.

On September 28, the Central African Republic's interim leader, Catherine Samba-Panza, returned home early from the U.N. General Assembly because of reports that dozens of people were killed during three days of clashes involving Christians and Muslims, sparked by the death of a Muslim man.

At least three people died when protestors gathered in downtown Bangui to march on the presidential palace.

Tunisia lawmaker escapes assassination bid ÏÏÏA lawmaker with Tunisia's

main, anti-Islamist political party said he escaped an assassination bid while driving to work on Thursday in the coastal city of Sousse.

The popular resort city was the site in June of a beachfront massacre in which a jihadist gunman killed 38 foreign tourists.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Sousse massacre and the killing in March of 21 people at the national museum in Tunis. Ridha Charfeddine, who said he was unharmed, told Jawhara FM radio he was shot at from another car on the road.

"I wasn't able to see the shooter sitting in the back seat," added the legislator with Nidaa Tounes, the party of President Beji Caid Essebsi.

"It's a miracle that I'm still alive," said Charfeddine, who is president of a first division football club, Etoile Sportive de Sahel. He is also the main shareholder of Attasiaa TV. Earlier this week, the private channel's executive director, Moez Ben Gharbia, claimed in an online video that he had "all the information" about the assassination two years ago of two left-wing opposition figures claimed by ISIS.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

HURIWA asks Okorocha to step down or be impeached Esther Ogunyemi

ÏÏÏTo avoid looming danger and total breakdown of law and order as well as salvage the state from further economic downturn due to the absence of effective checks and balances, a call has gone to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to tender his resignation forthwith or be impeached by the State House of Assembly.

Making the call, a non-governmental and civil society group- Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), in a statement by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf.

Fearing that the increased but unprecedented mass poverty in Imo State could precipitate social anarchy in the immediate future, the Rights Group has also tasked the Imo State House of Assembly to shake off its notorious toga, as the 'Assembly of executive bootlickers’, and embrace their constitutional roles as those elected through a popular mandates to provide the much needed checks and balances.

"HURIWA is shocked that there's indeed a docile and dysfunctional state House of Assembly in Imo State, whose members pursue their selfish financial enticements, even as the so- called chief executive allegedly embarks

on reckless misapplication of public funds, in pursuit of vainglorious adventures to paint himself as father Christmas in the North by building free schools for internally displaced persons.

“Governor Okorocha has done no single durable rural infrastructures all across Imo State but fritters public funds in media propaganda claiming some phantom achievement and other frivolities, such as the meaningless and bogus foreign trade missions by the governor, and over 100 of his hireling and sycophants to Turkey at public expenses even when pensioners haven't been paid in the past two years" the statement said.

HURIWA condemned the twin

evil plots of the current administration in the state, which are targeted at mortgaging and selling off prized public assets to cronies of the governor who had spent all his growing up years in the North West.

Okorocha

PDP raises campaign committees for Kogi, Bayelsa guber polls Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe National Working Com-

mittee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up national campaign committees for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, scheduled for November 21 and December 5, 2015 respectively.

The Kogi State campaign committee has Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Chairman; PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Walid Jibril as Deputy Chairman, while the National Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Victor Kwon serves as Secretary.

This was contained in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, in Abuja.

The Kogi committee also has the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, seven PDP state governors, and other key stakeholders as members.

In the same vein, the Bayelsa State campaign committee has Acting BoT Chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed as Chairman, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Chairman, while the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Barr. Onwe Solomon Onwe serves as Secretary.

Also on the Bayelsa committee are Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, four PDP state governors and other critical stakeholders

Ambode moves to light up Lagos by Dec

ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has initiated moves to fulfill one of his campaign promises to illuminate all nooks and crannies of communities and adjourning boundaries in the state before the end of the year.

This was made known on Thursday at a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Public Works Corporation and Lagos State Electricity Board, as a follow up to the promise of Governor Ambode, during the maiden Town Hall Meeting, held at Ayobo Ipaja, last Tuesday.

Addressing newsmen, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofeek Fashola, said efforts are in top gear to illuminate major roads in the state, including all adjourning boundaries in Ogun State, as well as Federal and State roads.

He said that the work would be delivered in phases, starting with Ikorodu to the Lagos Island, Ojodu Berger to Lagos Island, and in addition, about 67 communities in Ibeju Lekki, which have been in darkness for about five years, will be connected to the national grid.

NIMC registers seven million Nigerians ÏÏÏThe National Identity ManA section of Ogbenogbo, Ogbegbuya and Goodwill/Trade Fair communities protesting at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company's headquarters in Benin, Edo, on Thursday over alleged persistent blackout in their communities for over two years.

Commercial bus driver shot dead by cop over N20 Abiodun Taiwo

Abeokuta A Police Corporal in Ogun State, whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time, on Tuesday, reportedly shot dead a commercial driver, identified as Likinyo Olumide at Sagamu toll gate, along Lagos-Benin expressway.

An eyewitness, Folake Egbeuwalo, who was one of the seven passengers in the vehicle driven by the late driver before the incident, explained that the driver was shot dead after he had parked beside the road after he was stopped by some policemen.

It was gathered that the driver, who was 42 years old, was survived by six children and a pregnant wife.

Egbeuwalo, who spoke with newsmen at Police Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, said the incident occurred at 9:45 pm on Tuesday, they were

ÏÏÏ

coming from Lagos where they went to buy some goods and heading back to Okitipupa in Ondo State.

According to the witness, “the late driver was our permanent driver. He used to carry us from Okitipupa to Lagos. So, the man carried us from Idumagbo, Lagos Island and as we were coming, we met many policemen and soldiers on the road, we stopped and settled them.

"When we got to Sagamu toll gate, as we were coming, we did not know that there were policemen on the road, they asked the driver to park and immediately, he parked. The driver came out of the car, as the man came down from the vehicle, he stood beside the vehicle and the police moved to the other side of the road and gunned him down immediately”.

Egbeuwalo further said, the Policemen ran away immediately the man died and later came back

and took away the corpse in one of the Hilux vans marked NPF104 OD. She, however, lamented that all the passengers were abandoned and slept on the high way as none of them could drive the car after the death of the driver.

A younger brother to the late driver, Likinyo Solomon, lamented the death of his elder brother, who he said was survived by six children and a pregnant woman.

When asked to comment on the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police zone 2, Balade Hassan, who was on a visit to Ogun State, Wednesday, said the policeman would face the wrath of the law. The AIG said "the regulation is clear and the constitution is clear about the right to life of all Nigerians, so, if anybody takes the life of anybody, be it a policeman or civilian, not as provided by the constitution, you will get the full wrath of the law".

agement Commission (NIMC), has said it has enrolled seven million Nigerians on its database out of the 13 million estimated for the pilot scheme. Mr Chris Onyemenam, the Director-General of the commission, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Onyemenam said the commission’s facilities had the capacity to register 300 million citizens, urging Nigerians to utilise the opportunity and register for their identification cards.

According to him, the Federal Government considered it necessary to centralise the process of ascertaining the identity of every Nigerian within a national framework.

“Right now in the database, we have about seven million Nigerians, which is quite poor because there have been a deliberate effort

by NIMC, through third parties, to do better than this record.

“These third parties have not been able to deliver in four years; as such, by February this year, those contracts were terminated.

“So, if we did not do what we had done and were waiting for them, NIMC would have nothing in the database.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

15 Opinion

Abuja blasts signify Boko Haram’s last gasps

L Levi Obijiofor

ast Friday’s bomb blasts in Abuja that claimed no fewer than 20 lives and scores of injured people must be seen as the handiwork of the architects of terror. More significantly, the explosions represent the last kicks of a disorganised Boko Haram, a terror group that has been decimated by the superior firepower of the armed forces and security agencies. Ever since Boko Haram militants were dislodged by soldiers from their forest hideouts in the north, the members have been looking to regroup as they search for new places of abode.

Boko Haram is desperate. The terror group is approaching a breaking point. The more distressed the leaders become, the more suicidal and audacious their actions are likely to become. Sadly, while leaders of the evil organisation recruit, brainwash, and radicalise teenagers to carry out suicide bombings on the false assurance that they will receive their reward in heaven, the same leaders make conscious efforts to safeguard their own lives so they can continue to enjoy life to the maximum. That is the paradox of Boko Haram’s ideology and weird religious practices. They misinform

and delude vulnerable youth in our society on the basis of a crank religious creed and false promises. Why can’t Boko Haram leaders make haste to take their own lives so they can quickly receive their so-called reward in heaven?

The leaders of Boko Haram are approaching their twilight. Some of the famished and distraught members are handing themselves in to security agents. Other members and their leaders are on the run as they try to evade capture by soldiers.

They have tried every trick and failed. Suicide bombing has become the evil organisation’s preferred way of sending a message of fear.

Boko Haram is running out of options. Soldiers have smoked them out from their forest hiding places and now the terrorists have resorted to using teenage suicide bombers to create the impression they are not suffering casualties in the war front.

It is all a smokescreen. The fact is that Boko Haram militants have been dislodged from their previous impenetrable Sambisa Forest hideouts. Now, they have dispersed across the northern states and are engaging in hit-and-run bomb explosions to create the impression they are still a formidable and organised terror group. That is no longer the case and the soldiers chasing them understand that sporadic bomb

explosions are what civil society can expect from a terrorist organisation that has nowhere to hide, to regroup, or to strategize.

The public should expect more of these irregular bomb explosions until the remnants of the terror group have been rounded up or obliterated. The armed forces and state security agents need time, patience, and determination to see through this last phase of the campaign to drive away the terror group that used the northern states as the bastion of their evil operations and machinations.

In his official response to the Abuja bomb blasts, President Muhammadu Buhari described the blasts as “cowardly attacks”. He said the war between security forces and Boko Haram militants is not driven by ideology, no matter how quaint Boko Haram’s philosophy might be.

Buhari said: “It is clear this battle is not ideological.

There are two or three implicit messages in Boko Haram’s continued use of suicide bombers to cause death, destruction, and fear. One, the organisation wants to convey the message that even in its disorganised state, even as the armed forces try to demolish the remaining ragtag members of the terror group, the insurgents still have the capacity and a pool of teenagers

ready to strike Abuja and other strategic cities anytime and anywhere they choose. Two, Boko Haram believes that the continued death and destruction of civilian population could help to strike fear into the hearts of citizens and to show that it has the terrorists, the weapons, and the determination to continue to embarrass the armed forces and other security agencies.

One key concern about the bombings in Abuja and the most recent ones in Maiduguri is the impact they will have on the psyche of the people. There is, already, so much anger and disappointment among people in Abuja who feel that despite all the assurances given by security forces that the city would be guarded from any terror attacks.

If Abuja had been protected, some people argue, the terrorists would not have managed to enter the city to detonate explosives strapped to their bodies.

While this is a valid point, the problem with fighting terrorism is that you can never be one hundred per cent certain that you have provided enough security to safeguard the lives of the people. the citizens that they are safe from terrorists. Of course, it is important to be prepared and to do the best to minimise any attack.

Understanding President Buhari’s gaffes

T

Ikechukwu Orji

here has been a lot of noise on the socalled numerous gaffes by President Muhammadu Buhari. It is amazing that we focus on irrelevant issues. We have made a game of making a mountain out of a mole hill. Although gaffes can be dangerous and has ended the political careers of outstanding politicians but it is instructive to know that it is endemic to the human condition. A good case in point is Todd Akin, a Senatorial candidate in Missouri, USA. His infamous comment on ‘legitimate rape’ cannot be explained away by public relations experts. That particular comment banished Akin to the electoral graveyard.

Another remarkable incident is the Edwin Muskie’s snowflake tears. An emotional outburst on a snowy morning ended the presidential aspiration of Edwin Muskie.

Senator Maine was the democratic front-runner when a New Hampshire newspaper ran two sarcastic articles, one accusing Muskie’s wife of being a drunkard and off –colour humour. Muskie held an unscheduled press conference in front of the newspaper’s office, offering a lachrymal rebuttal to the attacks. The press insisted

that he cried, but the Senator said it was melted snowflakes. Sadly, that ended his presidential aspiration and George McGovern then became the one to contest with Richard Nixon in 1972.

Let me now highlight some of the gaffes by President Buhari and see if they have deeper political implications. During his recent visit to Germany, Buhari referred to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, as President Michelle. He obviously forgot to address her as Chancellor because the title of the President in Germany is that of Joachim Gauck.

In the same day, President Buhari called the country West German instead of Germany.

It could also be recalled that when Christine Amanpour of the Cable News Network (CNN) interviewed Buhari, he made another slip. Buhari referred to his party as All Progressives Confidence instead of All Progressives Congress. He also called Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission. Also at a tumultuous Presidential Campaign in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Buhari called his deputy, Professor Yemi Osibande instead of Yemi Osibajo.

These kinds of slips are not peculiar to President Buhari. It is part of our make-up as fallible

humans. David Cameron made an apparent slip on the General Election Campaign trail when he said career defining instead of country –defining. The students of political history will also remember John Major’s cabinet ‘bastards’ remark.

Obama also mistakenly referred to Nigeria bringing peace and stability to the Easter part of Africa instead of Western Africa. Gordon Brown infamous comment on Gillian Duffy during a walkabout in Rochdale was not necessarily a reflection of his inner feelings. The main fact that he referred to Gillian as a bigoted woman became a hot national issue and it awakened reminisce of the famous Prescott Punch in 2001.

John Prescott was the Labour Deputy Prime Minister in the UK. He punched a protester who threw an egg at him during a visit to Rhyl in North Wales. The unfortunate and unforgettable brawl happened as the Labour Deputy stepped off the so-called Prescott Express campaign bus. The electronic media clearly captured Prescott throwing a left jab at the protester.

These issues will not define Buhari’s presidency. What will matter at the end of the day is his capacity to tear into the economic and political filth inside government.

He has a done a good job at least by

successfully conveying a sense of urgency. It is a well fact that Buhari walked into the worst situation of any Nigerian president. The so called biggest party in Africa, PDP, was solely into governance for material gain and social promotion.

Their members in government were busy piling up considerable personal fortune. That is why it is gratifying to know that Buhari has successfully wrested control over the tone and direction of government policies.

Buhari may not be breaking new ground with his speeches but we know where he stands on issues.

His mannered speaking style which verges on monotony will not diminish the importance of enthusiasm.

The man may not be given to poetic discourses but he will not offer vagaries about process. Buhari is a man of conservative bent with no iota of celebrity status. In an age of lost authority, Buhari has managed to maintain his.

All that Buhari needs to do now is to have a smarter government and to get a set of results that he can claim as he leaves office in 2019.

He should endeavour to lay a solid foundation for broad based prosperity and to create a framework for continued Nigerian leadership in Nigeria. I am close to him with my words and prayers.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Business Times Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

17

Ministerial nominees must declare assets publicly, says TUC Joy Ekeke

Saraki

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and his colleagues in the red chamber of the National Assembly to ask all President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees not only to declare their assets but must make such declaration public, as one of the preconditions for their confirmation as ministers.

This will be in the public interest as both the President and vice president have set the ball roll-

ing, TUC said.

Saddened by revelations of the arrest of the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the British authorities and the amount of money that was said to be in her possession, as well as reports that many other government officers have generously helped themselves to the public till, the TUC emphasised the need to verify the financial and material statuses of each nominee before they are allowed to assume such high offices.

In a press statement jointly

signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.)

Musa Lawal, the Congress noted that the time has come for various government ministries to be headed by only persons of ascertained and proven integrity in all ramifications; not “socially insensitive ministers with hearts of stone who will tell us they are answerable to the President and not the Nigerian people. We do not need ministers who are only interested in buying and paying cash for mortgages in choice cities all over the world.”

The workers’ leaders said “although we have waited so long for ministers to be appointed, we are willing to wait a little longer provided we get it right. We are on the same page with other wellmeaning Nigerians who feel that the President has already taken too long to form a formidable team, but a few more days should suffice for the Senate and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to investigate the nature, value and locations of declared assets.

This is necessary because Nigerians voted for this govern-

Continued on page 20

French investors to increase investment portfolio in Nigeria Christian Oparugo

As part of the steps taken

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to rejuvenate the economy, CEO of NSE Mr. Oscar Onyema on Wednesday received a host of French delegates led by Mr. Pierre Gattaz, President of MEDEF (French Commerce of Chamber) and Mr. H.E. Denys Guer, French Ambassador to Nigeria.

During the visit, Mr. Pierre expressed excitement at the promising business environment of Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a discovery for us, and we are very motivated to be here” he said.

Nigeria is the first African country to be visited by the MEDEF team in their quest to ensuring the fulfilment of their ambition to winning new markets worldwide and creating one million jobs in five years.

“We are not here for a week or a month, we are here for a long

BASF West Africa honoured as Top Employer in Nigeria

lasting sustainable partnership.

Being my first visit in Africa, this may take some time, but I want to re-motivate all French companies to be here and participate in the development of your country because all your needs can be done through investments.” Mr Pierre continued.

Mr. Pierre who came in company of delegates from 50 other companies promises to bring in diverse investment commitments to the country.

“Currently Nigeria has Lafarge, Total and other French companies listed on its exchange, but more would be encouraged to get listed. France can bring human values, knowledge and training to the people.” he further explained.

Mr. Pierre also confirmed that the companies are happy at the atmosphere surrounding the Nigerian Business environment and hopes to encourage more of them to commence business and investment in the country.

Siaka Momoh BASF West Africa has received certification as Top Employer Nigeria in the Top Employer Institute’s Africa category.

This global frontline chemical company received the award at a gala ceremony held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand South Africa first week of October 2015.

The annual international re-

L – R ..His Excellency Denys Gauer, Ambassador of France to Nigeria; Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Pierre Gattaz, Chairman of Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF) and Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman Heirs Holdings at the Closing Gong Ceremony at The Exchange on Wednesday.

search undertaken by the Top Employers Institute recognizes leading employers around the world: those that provide excellent employee conditions nurture and develop talent throughout all levels of the organization, and which strive to continuously optimize employment practices.

To further reinforce the validity of the process, all answers were independently audited,

meaning this research has verified that BASF West Africa has an outstanding employee condition which has earned them a coveted spot among a select group of certified Top Employers. Since establishing its office in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2012, the global chemical company’s West African presence has made a significant impact in the industry. But it is for its remarkable employee of-

ferings that BASF West Africa is now being recognized.

According to Andrew Bailey, Managing Director, BASF West Africa, this certification serves as confirmation that BASF West Africa operates to global standards both externally and internally.

“At BASF we are continuously working to optimise our employee conditions and we strive to re-

Continued on page 20

Interview 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

The BRISIN project: An Education management perspective In response to the lack of adequate information flow from many sectors of the Nigerian economy to, particularly the education sector, the Federal Government introduced the Basic Registry and Information Systems in Nigeria (BRISIN) project, designed to monitor and collect adequate data and information on the activities of all sectors of the economy, by providing an infrastructure for information flow from Local government levels, to the state and national levels. .. “As available data becomes more complex and extensive, weaving it into a visualization that invites engagement, understanding and decision-making is a bigger challenge, with a bigger opportunity for payoff. MATHEW DADIYA reports with views from Anago B. Ikechukwu, National Coordinator (Education), BRISIN Nigeria.

Perhaps, this could be welllinked to Med Jones analysis which states: The socio-economic well-being theory explains that when the members of a socio-political system share the same economic interests and the existing system produces enough economic opportunities to meet the needs of the members, they are likely to tolerate existing differences and work together towards shared benefits. On the other hand, when the system fails to produce enough economic opportunities over a long period of time, the members of the system are likely to compete more aggressively for existing resources, causing divisions among the members to grow stronger. The degree of social cohesiveness will diminish and divisions could take different forms such as ethnic, religious and geographic conflicts and at times class warfare or civil wars. If not managed properly, such socio-political systems can become dysfunctional. If the dysfunction is left untreated, at a certain point it will take more energy to fix the system than to let it collapse.

The Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria otherwise known as the National Integrated Data Infrastructure (NIDI) is a Federal Project designed to monitor and collect adequate data and information on the activities of all sectors of the economy, by providing an infrastructure for information flow from the ward, local government, to the State and National levels.

It is an institutional service unit that will ultimately enhance Nigeria’s economic efficiencies by producing, managing and disseminating quality data and information needed to act as a decision support system to implementers/stakeholders at all levels. It is an enabler of growth and development.

Many years of research have provided clear evidence that education is a key factor to the growth and development of a nation. However, the question facing government and decision makers especially in the light of increased competitive and resource constraints, is how to maximize individuals learning opportunities and encourage human capital formation using minimal resources. To achieve these objectives, decision makers must understand how resources are translated into learning outcomes, particularly with regard to efficiency and effectiveness of existing processes.

This requires a constant monitoring of the learning system in education by collecting and examining data and information used in the process of educational decision-making.

Thus, a project that will establish a unified education management information system and a standard set of educational indicators is needed to act as a decision support system to educators at all levels. The project will grasp the opportunity of national efforts to return and restructure the education system. Also, it will benefit from the increased inter-agency collaboration and will complement their efforts into common aims instead of their diversification.

For almost two decades, the educational sector in Nigeria has been in the dark, because educators did not have proper access to reliable data. This contributed to the fact that educators for long could not generate enough information that can be used in the planning and implementations of programmes to improve the education system by providing recommendations for actions into educational access, quality and efficiency.

Access to quality timely data

Dr Anthony Uwa , Head of BRISIN

‘‘Dissemination of education data can help improve accountability as well as school performance, for example, the quarterly/yearly transfer of national and or intervention agency grants towards LGA’s, States.’’ can improve decision making and ensure that resources are targeted at areas in most need and where returns will be highest.

Conversely, a lack of education data and information can lead to poor resource use.

However, the demands for information are not static or limited to certain variables. Policy makers are under pressure to respond to new policy demands. It is important they have appropriate information to make informed decisions. BRISTIN will respond to such demand, and those working in this area must understand how this impacts on the demand for information, particularly in relation to change in the nature and objectives of education policy and civil society amongst others.

Dissemination of education data can help improve accountability as well as school performance, for example, the quarterly/yearly transfer of national and or intervention agency grants towards LGA’s, States. This will empower parents and schools to exert pressure on the appropri-

ate institutions, all of which will reduce leakages and ensure adequate availability or resources at school level.

The Federal Government, through the Basic Registry information Systems in Nigeria (BRISIN) is committed to eliminating imbalances of the past through redress and the equitable distribution of resources. The education system is a vehicle for transforming a greatly unequal society into a more egalitarian one.

Of course, this initiative would assist the Federal and State Governments in investigating the challenges of poverty, unemployment, social and educational inequality. Thus, mobilizing all educational and communication channels for realisation of national goals, partnership and interagency collaboration become imperative.

Important is the amount of resources and time required to establish an integrated database in developing countries. The lack of institutional structures and capacity that help generate a demand for integrated data and

information systems is a major challenge. A major concern also appears on how to improve the commitment of decision makers/implementers and Senior Management to the whole process of data collection and its analysis.

The links between institutional building, capacity development and data utilization cannot be underestimated and one which requires time significant resources and political commitment, for integrated data sustainability over the medium term.

Change, they say, does not happen by learning new information. It happens when you change how you view and react to other people, events and things around you.

Therefore, the development of a National Integrated Data Infrastructure involves nurturing a new management culture more than establishing a data and information system. It makes it possible to do many things that previously could not be done.

Spot business trends, prevent diseases, help to secure accurate citizen identification, prevent the malicious intent of committing crime, secure border control from smugglers and illegal immigration, as well as enhancing regional security by enabling data and information sharing within regions. If managed well, the integrated data infrastructure can be used to unlock new sources of economic value, provide fresh insights into science and hold government to account.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Industry Chieftain

Real Sector Digest

Robert Rose: Discovered that fat-filled milk is close to fresh cow milk Stories by Siaka Momoh He found out that it would be healthier and competitive to produce; that it would have all the same vitamins and nourishment as fresh cow milk.

Robert Rose is the founder of the Promasidor Group. That was far back in 1970. He found out fatfilled milk is very close to fresh cow’s milk and far superior to other powdered milk that he had tasted. The product is made with fresh cow’s milk where the butterfat was replaced with a stable vegetable fat.

Robert Rose found out, that it would be healthier, that it would be competitive to produce, and that it would have all the same vitamins and nourishment as fresh cow milk. He found out one would not have problems of carting liquid over long distances in Africa with a requirement for refrigeration. He found out it would have a much longer shelf life than existing full cream milk powder where animal fat was unstable and went

19 Money

rancid after a number of months.

Test marketing Test marketing started in Kinshasa in 1980 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), one of the most impoverished countries in Africa. “Mobutu’s policies had resulted in nearly all economic activity grinding to a halt and the shops were empty. So we launched with a 100 grammes pouch which was packed locally in Kinshasa. There was little disposable income and 100g was a move in the right direction,” he said.

Promasidor in Nigeria Promasidor (Nigeria) Limited, was set up as part of Rose’s African dream of making milk available to the continent following its successful incipient operations in the DRC among other African countries. The company has been operating here since 1993.

Over the years, it has achieved tremendous growth and has also reached out to the Nigerian people in several ways. One of the many things Promasidor is doing here is the mathematics competi-

Cow goat milking

tion.

Opportunities and challenges Africa is two per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it could be 25 per cent or more. It is one of the objectives of Rose to set up a foundation across Africa and in Nigeria which will encourage improved governance generally and which will grow equity across the continent.

Huge opportunities Robert Rose worked for an international business, which is into food business for 26 years.

He started working at the age of 16 and qualified as a chartered accountant when he was 21. He joined the international food business and worked in Zimbabwe. He worked very hard and was managing director when he was 28 and was in charge of Africa at 30.

So he got to know Africa very well where there were huge opportunities and potentials that nothing was being done to develop it.

Said he: “I realised that if one invested in Africa, one would make better returns than in Asia

or anywhere else.” For him, “The feeling today is that the opportunities in the continent are even bigger; in the next 50 years, the opportunities will even be greater in Africa than anywhere in the world; the Far East, especially China is growing very fast, at about eight per cent per annum but it does not have the resources that Africa has.” So he felt his company could work it out so that it could grow better.

Market share Promasidor has not reached its potential in Nigeria. One of the things it intends to do is to grow its market share in Nigeria. It started with powder milk but has added liquid milk and it is deep into building another factory before it runs out of space at its present plant.

For Rose, “Nigeria is Promasidor’s biggest market because there are more people in Nigeria than any other country in the continent. Nigeria’s population is 170 million and at the moment Promasidor sells to about 600 million people in Africa”.

Raw Materials According to Rose, “It is just not practicable for Nigeria to efficiently grow its own milk. At best it could meet three to four per cent of its dairy requirements.”

So Robert Rose had to depend on New Zealand because in both Northern and Southern Island of New Zealand, they have good rainfall and can actually grow crops better and cheaper than most countries of the world, so they have bigger cows that can produce milk.

New Zealand can grow milk and cow at probably a quarter of the cost that can be done here in Nigeria and the climatic condition is conducive for the cows there and so the climatic condition encourages huge quantities of milk production. The plant where its milk is produced has become the biggest in the world.

It has three towers and one produces 30,000 tons per hour of finished milk product. The other two produce 23,000 tons each per hour; so all together is 76,000 tons per hour.

Agricultural resources shrink as land grabbing heightens Since 2000, more than 36 million hectares - an area about the size of Japan, has been purchased or leased by foreign entities, mostly for agricultural use.

Today, nearly 15 million hectares more is under negotiation.

A recent report by U.S.-based Worldwatch Institute says as land grabbing is currently growing, agricultural resources are shrinking.

It says as global agricultural resources shrink or shift, countries are crossing borders to obtain new farmlands. According to the institute, “Since 2000,

more than 36 million hectares---an area about the size of Japan---has been purchased or leased by foreign entities, mostly for agricultural use. Today, nearly 15 million hectares more is under negotiation.”

“Farmland is lost or degraded on every continent, while ‘land grabbing’---- the purchase or lease of agricultural land by foreign interests---- has emerged as a threat to food security in several countries,” writes Gary Gardner, contributing author of the Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World 2015: Confronting Hid-

den Threats to Sustainability.

About half of grabbed land is intended exclusively for use in agriculture, while another 25 percent is intended for a mix of agricultural and other uses. (The land that is not used for agriculture is often used for forestry.) Land grabbing has surged since 2005 in response to a food price crisis and the growing demand for biofuels in the United States and the European Union. Droughts in the United States, Argentina, and Australia, has further driven interest in land overseas.

“Today, the FAO reports that

essentially no additional suitable agricultural land remains in a belt around much of the middle of the planet,” writes Gardner.

As a result, the largest grabbers of land are often countries that need additional resources to meet growing demands.

Over half of the global grabbed land is in Africa, especially in water-rich countries like the Congo.

Asia comes second, contributing over 6 million hectares, mainly from Indonesia. The largest area acquired from a single country is in Papua New Guinea, with nearly 4 million hectares (over

8 percent of the country’s total land cover) sold or leased out.

Money 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Is Microfinance Catering for the Poor in Nigeria?

Nwabunka

Olisa Egbunike The long term target of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in floating the Microfinance Policy, Regulatory and Supervisory Framework in 2005, was to stimulate economic growth and create funding for the economically active poor people.

This was further emphasized in the 2011 revised policy document which states that “The potential of microfinance in poverty reduction, economic growth and development coupled with the emergence of fast growing Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), has effectively put the issue of microfinance on the political agenda of most developing countries.’

Nothing short of a policy like this is required in a country where the 2007 joint survey by the Federal Bureau of Statistics showed that 92.4 per cent of Nigerians survive on less than two dollars (N395) per day. In the same vein, the Millennium Development Goal report of 2008 also showed that 54.4 per cent of the Nigerian population is poor while 35 percent are extremely poor.

Generally, the two separate surveys revealed that the increasing Nigerian poverty was traceable to

the absence of social infrastructure and adequate and structured financing for the teeming poor Nigerians with entrepreneurial spirit.

Available statistics also revealed that in spite of the 1,020 microfinance and institutions licensed between 2006 and 2010 by the CBN, cumulative micro-credit services remain at less than 10 per cent of the aggregate national demands.

This throws up some questions like, how many microfinance Banks do we need to meet the needs of the poor? Are the existing Microfinance Banks really practicing Microfinancing? Are the regulatory bodies looking at the proportion of poor clients being financed by the MFBs? Are the methodologies being employed pro poor? To mention a few.

In addressing these questions, Dr Godwin Nwabunka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre, a Microfinance Institution said that the Modern Microfinance is no more new to the World. There are practices in other climes that are adaptable to our cultural and social environment.

One of the problems bedeviling our Microfinance Institutions is the sudden transformation of the

old Community Banks to Microfinance Banks without them having a good grasps of the requirements of Microfinance. Most of them have a commercial Banking background which is at total variance to Micro financing.

This probably explain why the CBN had to withdraw the operating license of 224 microfinance banks in 2010 due to insolvency.

Although CBN had since re-issued 121 licenses, it left a far reaching effect on the confidence and trust of the poor people who have lost their hard earned income to these moribund banks. It also made the tongue to wag on the efficacy of Microfinance in solving the problem of Poverty.

Nwabunka continued by saying that in as much as Nigeria has many MFBs and MFIs, the issue is not about numbers, the issue is about where these banks are located vis a vis where the poor resides, most Microfinance banks are located in cities and big towns while statistics shows that the poor people of Nigeria stays in the rural areas, it is then safe to imply that most MFBs still serve the interest of the non poor. Infact most of them continue to compete with the commercial banks, instead of complementing them.

Mr Adesoji Tayo, the Executive Director also added that for the MFBs and MFIs to be able to meet the need of the poor the following must be done: the loans and savings products must be simple enough to meet the needs of the poor; there must be simplicity in repayment pattern; lenders must ensure that they do not borrow more than what they need; The methodology employed must be the one that will meet the need of the poor; the office location and structure must be accessible to the poor in terms of location and simplicity; The staff must be friendly and transparent enough to encourage the poor; Pricing must be transparent enough for the poor woman to understand, there must be no hidden cost; collateral should not be a consideration for loan; repayment should be made so simply and adapted to the frequency of income generation of the client.

Mr Tayo further added that gone are the days when microfinance depends on grants and donations as donor are now fatigued. Nowadays financial institutions should be financially sustainable and they should meet the loan needs of their clients in a

profitable manner and still serve a large number of the excluded poor. Nigerian Microfinance Banks should develop themselves to a point where they can attract funds from international microfinance vehicles. He advised that there is no way grants can be enough to meet the need of the teeming poor Nigerians except we introduce commercial funds.

While the poor people require our empathy, they do not require sympathy, it has been proven that the poor can make use of commercial funds and still marshall their ways out of poverty. If we need to indeed support the poor out of poverty, Microfinance practioners must be ready to provide loans in a sustainable manner, repeatedly to the borrowers as long as they require the loans in a graduated manner, watching them row their own capital while saving for the raining days.

Internally, the Grooming Center CEO also charged operators of micro-finance institutions to come together join existing associations both locally and internationally and through this develop platforms for information sharing and knowledge exchange.

Dr Nwabunka further stated that Grooming Centre recognizes the paucity of knowledge in Nigeria and has taken it upon itself to mentor other MFBs or MFIs willing to improve their models of operations to serve the poorest of the poor. The mentoring includes provision of professional guidance on staff recruitment, training, ethical standards, code of conducts, documentation, periodic monitoring, rating and funding support.

To date, two of the Banks being mentored had gone through international rating by Microrate USA, one of the four internationally acclaimed raters and have been successful.

In conclusion, Microfinance can make a big impact in Nigeria if the practitioners see it as a social business and base their work on the four goals of microfinance as enumerated by the UN World Summit on Microfinance. These goals are: Goal 1: Targeting the Poor Goal 2: Provide a Positive Measurable Impact in Health, education and Goal Three: Sustainable Progress Through MFI Fiscal Sustainability Goal Four: Reach and empower women.

TUC asks ministerial nominees to declare assets Continued from page 17 ment because of their yearning for something positively different from the usual.”

The Congress charged the Saraki-led Senate to do the needful no matter whose ox is gored, insisting that, in order to ensure thorough screening, the upper legislative chamber must go beyond mere looking at the profiles and other personal documents of nominees. “We have been so much deceived by very nice profiles of people who turned out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing and wrecked havoc on the nation’s economy.

Thus it is not enough for the nominees to go and dangle lofty curricula vitae containing flawless academic qualifications and multiple public offices they have occupied in the past. Rather we want the Senate to focus on the things that are of greater relevance to the public interest, such as the nominees’ integrity or lack of it, as well as their past records of verifiable performance or otherwise. It must not be business as usual. Let us properly sift the grains from the chaff and separate the sheep from the goats before we trust anyone with ministerial appointments,” stressed the TUC.

BASF honoured as Top Employer in Africa Continued from page 17 cruit, retain and attract the best employees,” he said.

“Our focus is on fostering the individual’s unique talents and meeting that person’s development objectives in the best possible manner, thereby allowing BASF’s corporate objectives to be fulfilled at the same time. Only by fully leveraging the potential of our employees can we meet the constantly changing requirements of our business,” he added.

According to Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona, Vice President and Head of BASF Business Center South Africa and Sub-Sahara, the company has a strong focus on developing its employees.

“We want to enable employees to strengthen their contribution to the company’s success by having the right people at the right time at the right place,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

ISAACS AND DAMIAN FOUNDATION

21 Public Notice

PRAISE-WORTH CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATION CENTRE

This is to inform the General Public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Dr. (High Chief) Olusoji Isaac Ijidale - Chairman 2. Nwaneri Uchechukwu Damian - General Secretary 3. Chief (Mrs) Faith Omoyemi Ijidale - Member 4. Nwaneri Adaeze Peace - Member

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Kilanko Olatayo Iyiola 2. Mrs. Kilanko Kehinde Christianah 3. Mr. Kilanko Olayemi Olayiwola

Aims and Objectives: 1. To mobilise community support and participation for health innovations and activities at the grassroots.

Aim and Objective: 1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objective to this registration of the above organization should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street P.M.B 198, Maltama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objective to this registration of the above organization should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street P.M.B 198, Maltama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

CONVOY OF HOPE INITIATIVE

ASEJERE ASSOCIATION OF MILLS GRINDERS

HEALING CHRIST APOSTOLIC BIBLE INTERNATIONAL MISSION MO CATCH E MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Moses Akojo Monday.

2. Atonda Matthew.

3. Adesile Adebowale Samson.

4. Kumayon Tunde Sonaton.

5. Ogunleye Annah Tosin.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus 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 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

GREATERLIFE RESTORATION ASSEMBLY

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Akogun Tunde Afolabi 3. Mogaji Kayode Afolabi 5. Mr. Abiola Ayobola 7. Mr. Edward Efe 9. Barrister Ayodele Adekambi

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Olowofayoku Gani Olusina 2. Ojediran Gbenga Josiah 3. Olaniyan Fatimo Mojirayo 4. Shokunbi Tawakalitu Atok 5. Mustapha Mujidat 6. Afolabi Ezekiah Tajudeen

Trustees.

1. Tommy Iniobong Emmanuel.

2. Emmanuel Jumoke Janet.

3. Barr. (Mrs) Jackson Mercy A. 4. Jackson Alice Mary.

5. Ekpoafia Ediomo Imeh.

6. Runsewe Ayodele Olufemi.

7. Charles Nwaigwe I.

2. Chief Babajide Olatunde Agbeja 4. Hon. Jeleel Adesiyan 6. Prince Adeniyi Oladeinde 8. Prince Bayo Adeleke 10. Asiwaju Oladimeji Ayinla

AIMS: 1. To cater for the less privileged in the society

Aim and Objective.

1. To promote the welfare of members

Any objective to this registration of the above organization should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street P.M.B 198, Maltama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objective to this registration of the above organization should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street P.M.B 198, Maltama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

CHRIST WONDERFUL PROPHETIC WORLDWIDE MINISTRY

UNIVERSAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS

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

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

Trustees 1 Pst. Moses Segun Ahisu Hodewu 2. Pst. Solomon Zindozin 3 Elder James Hodewu 4. Deaconess Abigail Hodewu 5. Bro. Pius Hodewu

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Professor Tolulope Wale Yoloye -- Chairman (2) Mr Omoruyi Jonathan Pedro Iyawe - Secretary (3) Dr.(Mrs) Mosunmola Adebunmi Amusan (4) Dr.(Mrs) Comfort Folake Onabanjo (5) Dr. Bernard Festus Azuka (6) Dr. (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Adeyanju

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

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) To encourage academic exchange of knowledge (2) To improve on research efforts of individuals

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

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

Signed: Straight Path Consulting 08023694015

THE ETERNAL SACRED ORDER OF CHERUBIM & SERAPHIM CHURCH OGO SIONI OLORUN ELIJAH LOOSE The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the corporate Affairs commission for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. M.I.S-Da-silva Juliet 2. Apostle Arowojobe Sunday Isaac 3. Special Apostle-Akinbowale Festus Oluwafemi- Chairman 4. M.I.S-Adesanya Titilayo Tokunbo 5. L/Evang Matthew Grace Olajumoke - Secretary 6.Apostle Ogunyobi Olalekan Rasak 7. M.I.S-Cole Omolara Olayinka 8. Apostle Sulaimon Samsideen Aims AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To promote the culture of Christianity and its etiquettes 2.To invite other people to the way of Christ with wisdom and good instruction 3.To propagate Christ to the society and to the world.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Solicitors Adebayo Cole

GIFT OF GOD EVANGELICAL MISSION

LOSS OF A DEED OF GIFT

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

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

This is to inform the general public of the

The Trustees are: 1. Mr Ayoola Barnabas Akintunde - President 2. Mr Ojo Ademola Olujimi - General Secretary 3.Mr Dele James 4.Mr Lawal Segun Morounfolu 5. Mr Tijani olamilekan Ganiyu.

The Trustees are: 1. Bro Fatonji Stephen. President (General Overseer) 2. Pastor Owolabi Kolawole (chairman) 3. Bro. Odeyemi Oluwadamilola (secretary) 4. Deaconess Omokhunu Flora Aina (member), 5. Bro Akinrinola Olatunde – (Member)

ated at No. 3,Olaide street, Ikate, Surulere,

Aims.

To foster unity among members

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: J.O Jacob Olutunde

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

HIS MULTIPLICATION CHRISTIAN CENTER

GOOD SHEPHARD CLUB OF NIGERIA

DE-ONWARD SOCIAL CLUB OF ALAGBADO

loss of a Deed of Gift of a property situregistered on 9th September 1993 as No. 80 at page 80,in volume 1948 at the Lands Registry, belonging to Leno Laitan Adesanya of No. 26, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive INTERNATIONAL EVANGELICAL PASTORS ASSOCIATION

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

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja for registration of Incorporated Trustees under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Daniel Chukwuemeka.

2. Daniel Oluwasolabomi Morenike.

3. Rotimi Caleb Tolulope.

4. Ilibeno Shadrach E. 5. Ikoabasi Charles Aniefiok.

TRUSTEES 1. Mr Ephraim Ugwu - Chairman 2. Mr Justine Odimegwu - Vice Chairman 3. Mr Chinemerem Michael - Sec, 4. Mr Benedith Michael .. Fin. Sec 5. Mr Ifejikalu Chibuike.. Treasurer.

The Trustees are:1. Stephen Cleophas Ben - Founder And President 2. Michael Imoh-Denny - Vice President 3. Samuel Okonji - Public Administration Director/ PRO 4. Isaac Odeyemi - Director Of Finance/ Treasurer 5. Kunle Adeleke -Director Of Events & Secrtary 6. Emanuel Ben Okonji ……… Director Of Events.

7. Chima Uzoma .. Director Of Events.

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

Aim and objective 1. To help the less privilege 2. to be our brothers keeper.

Any objection to the proposed registered should be directed to the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of this public Signed: Barrister UCHE I. ILOANI. 08023200059

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Chairman

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To unit gospel evangelists, ministers and pastor 2. To preach and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ 3. To train missionaries, pastors and Christian workers.

Any objection to the registration of the above named should be forwarded to the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of the publication of this notice.

Signed: President

Public Notice 22 EWE OF ISOLO RESTORATION AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Chief Rasheed Agunbiade - President 3. Mr. Akin Sunlola - Member

2. Mrs. Tolu Jaiyeola - Secretary 4. Mr. Issa Farounbi - Member

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. Youth empowerment 2. Promoting and imbibing cultural and moral values amongst our youth 3. To help the less privilege in our midst e.g. widows, orphans, handicaps, motherless and the needy 4. To see to the growth and development of Isolo community andits environment Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: ALABA ADELEYE & CO. (LEGAL PRACTITIONERS), 66, ALLEN AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

LIVINGWORD BIBLE CHURCH ONDO WORLDWIDE

WARRI PEOPLES PROGRESSIVE UNION

This is to inform the General public that the above named MINISTRY has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990

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

THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) Past. Adeyemo Festus Taiwo - President (2) L/Evan. Adeyemo Esther Oluwakemi - Vice President (3) Past. Adeyemo Adesunbo Abioye - Treasurer (4) Mr. Adeyemo Funminiyi Idowu - General Secretary (5) Past. Abolaji Olanrewaju Samuel - Member (6) Mr. Agun Olorunfemi - Member (7) Mrs. Olanrewaju Taiwo - Member

THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) TOJE Freeman Oghogho - (Chairman) (2) Apresai Doubra- (Secretary) (3) Apresai Ekiyo (4) Onome Samuel Omamoke

THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES ARE:(1) To preach the full gospel of Jesus Christ (2) To raise up a formidably army of Christ for the end-time harvest of souls into God’s kingdom (3) To bring many sons unto glory through teaching, preaching and healing ministries as the LORD of the harvest has appointed.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED BY:- TRUSTEES

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1.To promote, advance and protect the development, welfare and general interests of members 2. To foster, nurture and promote friendliness and understanding among members.

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

SIGNED BY:- SECRETARY

WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN DOG BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

SIR OTHIHIWA OGHOGHO AYODELE FOUNDATION

AMALA NWOBODO FOUNDATION

Notice is hereby given that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (Cap 20) 2004.

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 FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) Sir Ayodele Oghogho Othihiwa (2) Lady Sally Aruoriwo Othihiwa (3) Sir John Mark Erigbe (4) Bar. Osagie Rawlings Uagbale

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) Dr Olakunle Tolulope Sowunmi (2) Adekunle Samuel Ayeni (3) Elizabeth Sowunmi (4) Victoria Oluwakemi (5) Oluwafisayo Sowunmi,

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:(1) To promote the socio-economic and educational well being of the less privileged (2) To support initiatives that will improve access to better healthcare (3). To support rural community and entrepreneurial development (4). To promote vocational education, training and provision of scholarship opportunities for indigent students.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:To bring members together

THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:1.Nwobodo Amala Lydia 2. Nwobodo Emeka THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:To assist members financially and train them in school

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

Signed by:- SECRETARY

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 BY:- O. R Uagbale Esq Solicitor and Advocate, 50 Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.

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

SIGNED BY:- SECRETARY

MALARIA CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION

SPREAD THE GOSPEL MINISTRY

ADA – ENUGU FOUNDATION

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 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Lynette Chinemerem Ndukwe 2. Herbert Karsten Meissner AIM AND OBJECTIVE:

This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied for registration under part “ C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Nathaniel Azeez Yusuff - President 2. Elizabeth Funke Nathaniel - Secretary 3. Amos Orovo Audu - Treasurer 4. Moses Ojo Isa 5. Isaiah Oladele Folaranmi

TRUSTEES 1. Mrs. Uzo Nsude Nnamani 2. Adanna Uche Olatoregun Aims and Objective To render charitable services in the society and assist the less privilege.

Seek eradicate Malaria in Nigeria.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED. SECRETARY

LOSS OF DOCUMENT Loss of original Deed of Assignment – This is to notify members of the general public that the original Deed of Assignment dated 21st April 2010 and registered as No. 2 in page 2 volume 2342 at the land Registry, Lagos in respect of property at No. 20, Fola Jibowu Street, Gbagada, Lagos is missing and all efforts to locate same have proved abortive.

BUNGUDU MUTUAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED. SECRETARY

TABERNACLE OF POWER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

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

Signed:- Trustees

TSAFE MUTUAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

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 1 of 1990

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

Trustees 1. Mejiuni Olushola Joseph, 2. Amupitan Remi Taiwo Susan, 3. Adeshina Micheal Oladele 4. Bara Dennis Omeiza.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Adamu Faruk 2. Abdullahi Rukkaya Idris 3. Sani Shuaibu

AIMS & OBJECTIVE (a). To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ to the whole world. (b). To raise Christians that will pull down the strongholds of the kingdom of darkness

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide good health care for the people in the Community.

2. To provide affordable health care facilities to the less privileged in the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: LAWYER-MRS.KEMI PAULA KALEJAYE, 08052084193 & 08164963424

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

Signed: JEMIMA ANIGBORO 08023619207

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

BLACK DIAMOND FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

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

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ibrahim Hassan 2. Muhammad Sunusi 3. Abdullahi Usman

Trustees 1. Evang. Yuke Odje 2. Pastor. Abiba Odje 3. Deaconess Aishat Omokhorepo Adebayo 4. Pastor Andie Oghenocuko Nakpodia 5. Mr. Dafe Odje

Trustees 1. Ladele Oluwaseun Kolawole - Chairman 2. Ategbole Gbenga 3. Umar Mohammed Mustapha 4 Barr. Peter Along. - Secretary 5. Prof. Oyinlola Olaniyi 6. Engineer Kayode Ayanleye 7. Mrs. Naomi Adelabu

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide good health care for the people in the Community 2. To provide affordable health care facilities to the less privileged in the society.

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

Signed: JEMIMA ANIGBORO 08023619207

Aim and objectives 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all Nations 2. To teach Christian the principal of prayer welfare.

Aim and objectives 1 Harnessing the potential which could lead to developing certain areas of the Economy.

2. Scouting , Discovering potentials at all levels that can foster sustainable development

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

Signed: Barr. Vincent Odje

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

Signed: BARR. PETER ALONG. - SECRETARY

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Oshiomhole clarifies N3.5tr pension fund Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has clarified his position on the pension fund, saying that he never accused PENCOM of diverting N3.5 trillion pension fund, because it had nothing to do directly with pension money, in the first place. He said, rather, that his position was about how pension funds operators invest hard-earned workers’ money in Federal Government Nigeria Bonds and Treasury Bills, which, in turn, was grossly mismanaged through funding consumption.

He said, besides, that: “recently, a section of news media attributed comments to me regarding the way and manner in which pension funds to the tune of N3.5 trillion were drawn down to support recurrent expenditure and not infrastructure development. In the said reports, the impression created was that I had accused the National Pension

Commission (PENCOM) of colluding with the Federal Ministry of Finance to divert the said amount.

“Considering the manner in which this serious economic issue that borders on the future of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of the Nigerian workers who make contributions to the pension funds, is being misrepresented and trivialised in the media, I wish to make some clarifications and set the record straight.

“As someone involved from the outset in the crafting of the PENCOM Act, I am very much aware that under the law, PENCOM is a regulator of the financial institutions and operators that deal directly with the management of the pension funds and pension assets, namely: the pension funds administrators (PFAs) and the pension funds custodians (PFCs). I could not have said, therefore, that PENCOM diverted pension money because it has nothing to do directly with pen-

sion money.

“Indeed, I recall that when the pension reforms, which led to the creation of PENCOM, were being formulated, the selling point of the contributory pension scheme was that pension funds should be a source of cheap and long-term funds that would be used to support programmes and investments that would enhance workers’ welfare, such as housing and the creation of a robust mortgage system.

“However, what turned out, in the management and operations of the pension funds, was a completely different ball game. It is open knowledge that the PFAs are among the major subscribers of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds and treasury bills, which are instruments of FGN’s domestic borrowing, issued periodically by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), respectively – on behalf of the Federal

Government. FGN bonds, as debt securities are generally considered safest – relative to other debt instruments in the capital market, because they are governed by the “faith and credit” principle; offer attractive rates and guaranteed returns, at least in theory. “It is, therefore, not a new revelation that total subscriptions of pension funds to the FGN Bonds are in excess of N3.5 trillion or about 70% of the total funds (estimated at N5.1 trillion) so far accrued under the contributory pension scheme. It is, also, not a secret that, in the last five years, under the previous administration, the Federal Government had engaged in monthly bond issuances, as a means of raising finance to fund recurrent expenditure and service domestic debts, rather than finance capital projects, which was the main purpose of bond issuance if domestic borrowing was to be a productive and beneficial activity to the national economy.

Ogun Assembly confirms 18 commissioner nominees, approves 20 advisers

Abiodun Taiwo

Abeokuta ÏÏÏThe Ogun State House of Assembly has confirmed the 18 Commissioner-nominees, and granted approval for the appointment of 20 Special Advisers as requested by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The approval was sequel to the presentation of the report of the Committee of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, after which a motion for its adoption, as amended, was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Adeyinka Mafe, seconded

by Hon. Rasaq Oduntan and supported by the rest of the House. It granted the approval through “H.R. 014/2015 – Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Whole House on the Confirmation of Commissioner Nominees and Approval of Special Advisers”.

Consequently, the Majority Leader moved the motion for the clearance, approval and confirmation of the nominees’ appointment, seconded by Hon. Yetunde Sogbein and supported by the whole house.

Oluomo said that the committee members had

DEALERS ON OUTBOARD ENGINE ASSOCIATION WARRI, DELTA STATE

23 News

Moses Oyediran

Enugu ÏÏÏGovernor of Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, acted out his passion for viable student unionism, in the country, when he announced the plan of his government to donate a Student Union Centre (SUC) to his alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The gesture was made at the Princess Alexandra Unity Hall and Theatre, the venue for the 55th Founders’ Day Lecture, to the happiness of the students, who eulogised Ugwaunyi.

On completion, the proposed centre would provide the Student Union Government (SUG) a venue, where its members would comfortably deliberate on policies of student welfare and also begin the process of learning leadership.

While delivering the 55th Founders Day Lecture entitled “Legislation as an Instrument for Social Justice in a Growing Democracy, Ugwuanyi enriched the knowledge of the university dons, as well as other members of the audience, as he demonstrated his legislative knowledge.

He stated that social justice remained the panacea for “our society that has become theatre of conflicts of various dimension spawned by various reason such as lack of access to life-chanc-

Ugwuanyi donates student centre to UNNwelfare es, discrimination, lack of inclusion, restrictive market, to mention but a few.”

Quoting Chapter 11 (13 – 21) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said that the constitution had provided for equitable representation of all the component units of the federation.

“The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out, in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies,” he said.

scrutinised the nominees’ curriculum vitae – including interview and found

them worthy of the appointment to the position commissioner.

MRS ADAORA GLORIA OKONGWU

MRS. NKECHI MARIA UDOH_LEVI

EKWULOBIA TIMBER AND FOREST PRODUCTS DEALERS ASSOCIATION

I formerly known and addressed

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechi Maria Okezie, now

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990

as Miss Adaora Gloria Mogbo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adaora Gloria Okongwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechi Maria Udoh_Levi. All Former documents remain valid.

Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board and the general public take note

MRS ODUFALA ABIGAIL TITILOPE I, formerly known as Miss Akanbi Abigail Titilope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odufala Abigail Titilope. All former document remain valid.

General public take note.

THE PASSION OF CHRIST PROPHETIC & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

Ugwuanyi

Trustee 1. Beford Okeke. - Chairman 2. Ugochukwu Eze - Secretary 3. Ezeonwuka Emmanuel. - Legal Advice.

4. Ezeokonkno Edmund. - Member.

5. Udoye Clement. - Member Aim and objectives 1. To foster mutual co-operation and understanding among the members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

ABDULRASHEED BELLO ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

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 1 of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) For Registration Under Part C of The Companies And Allied Matters Act LFN Cap20 2004.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) For Registration Under Part C of The Companies And Allied Matters Act LFN Cap20 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr.Patrick Lugard Okogbe-Chairman.

2. Mr Aghogin Anthony-Secretary.

3. Mr Evuive. Wilson-Elder.

4. Mr Eghagha John Evruzakpo-Elder.

5. Mr Ekwofia Paul-Elder.

6. Mr Ekime Peter Bosaigbene-Elder.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Evang. Promise Chukwuemeka; 2. Pastor James Nathaniel; 3. Evang. Chima Okorocha; 4. Mr. Emeka Ibegbunam; 5. Evang. Ifeoma Egbe.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. AlhajaSakirat Bello 2. Mr. MoshoodAbiola Bello 3. AlhajaKudirat Kike Lasisi

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To abide by the provisions of the constitution of the association.

2. To participate in all the activities of the association as stipulated by the constitution.

3. To be of good conduct in all the association meetings at all time and in all place.

4. To aviod act which can bring the association to disrepute or ridicule.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ, 2. To deliver people from the powers of darkness.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication SIGNED: J.K.NANA CROWN KINGS CONSULTANCY CO. 08037769526

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed:Barr Hyginus Chinedu Ugwu, - ESQ

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Provision of financial, material and moral assistance to widows and orphans.

2. To provide for the education of indigent and needy children from the Muslim Community.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Victor Gwam (ESQ) 21/25 Broad Street Lagos. victorgwam@yahoo.com; 07045302144

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Plateau Assembly tackles incessant attacks Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe

Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, on the floor of the House deliberated on ways to find lasting solution to the wanton killings in the state.

The latest attack that brought the issue to the front burner is the attack in Mangu Local Government Area of the state, where scores of persons were killed in Mangu community, by unknown gunmen.

Our correspondent had reported that the gunmen, numbering about 100, had invaded the Mangu com-

munity and shot indiscriminately at the people who were just waking up from their sleep.

When the issue was raised by the Speaker, Hon. Peter Azi, members reacted with emotions, suggesting ways in which the incessant attacks could be brought to a halt.

Hon. Joshua Madaki, member representing Jos-East and Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges, while commenting on the issue blamed security agencies for their lapses.

According to him, "it is regrettable that security agencies whom are primarily assigned to protect

lives and property of citizens havefailed in their responsibilities, making the case in Plateau a sorry one where an operation or attack will last for three solid hours without any repeal or arrest from security agencies."

Hon. Madaki said the attack on Plateau has been on for decades with insurgents hiding under the faces and names of unknown gunmen to execute their ungodly act. He said if care was not taken, generation yet on born will inherit the attacks. He reiterated that it was quite unfortunate that attacks could go on continuously for three days from one community to the

other in the midst of two sectors of the military without any attempt from the military to arrest or rescue the situation.

Also, Hon. Naanlong Daniel, member representing Mikan Constituency and Abubarkar N Mohammed, member representing Qan'pan Constituency, expressesed their dismay over the unfortunate incident, calling on the Federal government to take urgent steps in addressing the crisis.

Hon. Mohammad called on government and security agents at all levels to arrest and prosecute those responsible in carrying out the dastardly act.

Pa Fadoju is dead ÏÏÏA community leader, in Ondo

town, Pa Lawrence Ayoola Fadoju, has passed on. This was last Friday. He was aged 80. He died in his home during a brief illness. A successful farmer, Pa Fadoju, before his death, co-ordinated the late Pa A. Akindiose’s various cocoa, palm oil and kolanut farms, besides his personal farms.

His contribution to the growth of the Catholic Church at Lafia village, where he grew through the ranks of laity and became the Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Parish Council till his death, are of note. His son, Dr. Andrew Fadoju, an associate professor of education, at the University of Ibadan, took after him in religion. Today, he is the chairman, Parish Finance Council of St. Agnes’ Catholic Church, Apete in Ibadan.

Pa Fadoju was the secretary of 56 amalgamated communities that comprised Ojuoluwa, near Bolorunduro, Sasere, Toibo, Lafiaji, Gberedu, Ladapo and Obado among others.

He played politics at Ward level; he was the secretary and chairman in succession of the defunct Social Democratic Party, (SDP) at different times at Ward 12 of the Old Ondo Local Government Area.

A community leader, in Ondo town, Pa Lawrence Ayoola, has passed on. This was last Friday. He was aged 80. He died in his home during a brief illness. A successful farmer, Pa Fadoju, before his death, co-ordinated the late Pa A. Akindiose’s various cocoa, palm oil and kolanut farms, besides his personal farms.

His contribution to the growth of the Catholic Church at Lafia village, where he grew through the ranks of laity and became the Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Parish Council till his death, are of note. His son, Dr. Andrew Fadoju, an associate professor of education, at the University of Ibadan, took after him in religion. Today, he is the chairman, Parish Finance Council of St. Agnes’ Catholic Church, Apete in Ibadan.

Pa Fadoju was the secretary of 56 amalgamated communities that comprised Ojuoluwa, near Bolorunduro, Sasere, Toibo, Lafiaji, Gberedu, Ladapo and Obado among others.

He played politics at Ward level; he was the secretary and chairman in succession of the defunct Social Democratic Party, (SDP) at different times at Ward 12 of the Old Ondo Local Government Area.

L-r: Chief of Staff, Bauchi State Government House; Alhaji Abdu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; deputy governor of Bauchi State, Mr Nuhu Gidado and acting rector, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, Mr Suleiman Lame during the 55th zonal executive council meeting of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi Chapter, in Bauchi… on Thursday

Tribunal: Kashamu, others know fate today Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, will today, deliver judgments on 12 petitions pending before it.

The Tribunal had reserved judgments on the 12 petitions since 3rd of August when all Counsel adopted their written addresses.

One of the cases to be determined is that of the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu, whose election result is being challenged by the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, Dapo Abiodun.

APC is also challenging the result of the House of Representatives election of Ijebu-North/Ije-

bu-East/Ogun Waterside, which returned Adesegun Adekoya of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as against Biyi Ismail of APC. Results of 10 seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly are also under contention before the three-man tribunal panel headed

by Justice Ebiowei Tobi. however, the tribunal has warned members of the public not accredited for the proceeding to stay away from the premises of the court.

Speaking with our correspondent on the development, Secretary to the tribunal, Regina Kuhe, said the decision to restrict movement within the court premises was to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Kuhe explained that the tribunal had prepared accreditation tags for journalists, direct litigants, counsel and direct participants who will be allowed into the

premises.

She appealed to the general public to cooperate with the security operatives for effective crowd regulation in the area, adding that the tribunal will not allow the recurrence of the last incident when thugs invaded the court premises with canes.

Her words: “the decision is for security reasons and because of the last incident, we need to control the crowd effectively and as such we have given out accreditation tags to direct litigants, direct participants, court officials, journalists and the Counsel.

“General public is advised to cooperate with the security for effective crowd control of the premises. It is a public place but there is a limit to movement when the judgments are read”, she said.

It was gathered that judgments would be in three segments which would likely spread till Saturday.

NPA advocates improved port infrastructure Akor Ejumene

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdulahi has advocated the provision of adequate port infrastructure by the Federal Government and the private sector to facilitate export activities through the nation’s seaports.

Abdulahi, however, pointed out that other factors which might be extraneous to the NPA are also critical towards achieving enhanced export activities in the nation’s seaports.

He stressed that the provision of appropriate port infrastructure was necessary to enhance trade in the economy, assuring that the Authority would encourage any effort designed to change the trade orientation of the nation from import dependent to export.

The Managing Director was speaking through the General Manager Capital Project, Engr.

Rufai Mohammed, in a paper titled “Providing Enabling Port Infrastructure to Enhance Trade”, at the just concluded 2-day International Sea trade and Investment Convention (ISIC) 2015, under the theme “Exploring New Trade Frontiers”.

Retired Enugu teachers lament unpaid pension arrears Moses Oyediran

Enugu ÏÏÏRetired primary school teachers in Enugu State, have raised a dirge that they are being owed backlog of pensions running to 27 months, specifically in 2004.

The elder statesmen are also lamenting that some of them are yet to receive their gratuity after retirement since 2002 till date.

The retired teachers from the three senatorial zones, unveiled their woes when they paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, in his office.

A delegation of the retired teachers, led by their chairman, Chief Matthias Onovo and the secretary, Chief Ben Nwachi, disclosed that they had written relevant authorities in the past without any positive result, saying that as a result of the lack of payment of their pension and other entitlements, some of their colleagues have died while many are bed-ridden for lack of fund for medical care.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

25

Features Æ s Money laundering and terrorist financing:

GIABA to the rescue

For three days delegates from sixteen African countries gathered at the Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos to fight a common cause: money laundering and terrorist financing. BABAJIDE OKEOWO reports.

Since the 9/11 incident of 2001 at the World Trade Center where over three thousand people in the United States of America lost their lives to terrorism related activities perpetrated by the dreaded Al-Qaida group, governments around the world has been

forced to pay more attention to the activities of insurgent groups.

Not long thereafter, the United Kingdom got its own share of terrorism when a terror group on the 7th of July, 2005 struck in the heart of London leaving in their trail over one hundred people

dead.

Africa is not left out as Nigeria has been drawn in a long battle with the Boko Haram insurgent group for six years running. Since the advent of the group in 2009, Nigeria has lost over 15,000 people with millions of her citizens internally displaced.

Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hamas, Palestine Liberation Front, the Taliban and ISIS are some of the terrorist groups tormenting the world today.

Their operations are well or-

The number of convictions for money laundering and terrorists financing remains low in the region while freezing and confiscation of properties, incomes and assets from organised crime organsations remain a challenge — Coulibaly

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

THREAT OF INFRASONIC/ACOUSTIC WEAPONS:

Scientists warn of deadly phase of terrorism

ÏGeo-physicist says infrasound weapon

was used during Nigeria’s civil war.

3-Clamp-System Infrasonic generator powered by a laptop

A 28khz Ultrasonic generator disguised as a control meter, so unsuspecting it could be tucked anywhere.

September 12 is around the corner and multinationals and residents of EgbeIkotun area of Lagos Mainland will be reliving memories of the collapse of a six-storey building last year, the first of its kind in Lagos, thatclaimed a record 116 lives, mostly South Africans.

Our features desk conducted a study on infrasonic weaponry submission of scientists and engineers as cause of the collapse.

In these exclusive interviews around the country, GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR talked with experts who fear that insurgents may have resorted to infrasonic weaponry and caught security agencies napping. His reports.

In New York City of America, it was called 9/11 (September

11). In the City of Lagos, Nigeria, it became known as 9/12 (September 12). Thirteen years stood between both tragedies with varying devastations that humbled the security, technology and national ego of both countries.

America held terrorists responsible and the alQaedaresponded,”Right ho!” In Nigeria, the suggestion of a possible terrorist attack sparked off a controversy that pitted the state government against science, construction engineers and the Church. Lagos State Government wrestled science and technocrats in the building industry up to the judiciary.

The state-organisedinquest indicted the engineers and their employers of ‘criminal negligence’. As you read this, all parties are warming up for the drama that will unfold in the courtrooms in the near future.

Now, buildings had been collapsing in Lagos and other parts of the country in a stereotype pattern that raised no dust, so why did commonsense/logic clash with science and technology in this particular collapse?

Daily Times took the question to military and security experts who expressed apprehension that infrasonic weaponry may have sneaked into the shores of South-Western Nigeria through insurgents that have terrorised the country for six years, claiming over 15,000 lives.

Now, buildings had been collapsing in Lagos and other parts of the country in a stereotype pattern that raised no dust, so why did commonsense/logic clash with science and technology in this particular collapse?

Daily Times features desk took the question to military and security experts who exCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Features 26 SONIC WEAPONS:

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

It is alarming — Biochemist Seeing the way government is ignoring dangerous signals and chasing after shadows makes me worry that insurgents may have penetrated and tested the ground of Lagos successfully and authorities don’t even know it yet — Retd Capt Olagundoye

An aircraft powered ultrasonic surveilance.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

pressed apprehension that infrasonic weaponry may have sneaked into the shores of South-Western Nigeria through insurgents that have terrorised the country for six years, claiming over 15,000 lives to its notoriety.

Retired veteran soldier in the Nigerian army, septuagenarian Michael Oga Oyediran, discussing the reality of infrasound energy weaponry in this part of the world, said he was alarmed at the September 12 incident and how government inquest handled the matter. He spoke at his home at Felele, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“Considering the evidence of those engineers and the scientist, I became very worried because infrasound implosion technology was used in my time

during the Nigerian civil war.”

A combat captain and blasts specialist in the late General Adekunle-led 3rd Marine Commando during the Nigerian civil war, Oyediran was one of few Nigerian soldiers trained by the British in the blasts and explosives science and technology in 1966. He recalled his first assignment on the field at this exclusive interview.

“Our training in London was extended by three months because we needed time to specialise in some sensitive postoperation radiation control and in the handling of some related equipment.

“I was drafted to the 3MCO, the code name for 3rd Marine Commando, when Nigerian soldiers entered into the then Midwestern State, particularly the Ukwani-speaking town called

Obiaruku in 1967.

“One of the most illustrious sons of the town, his name was Idise Dafe, I remember, had a castle by the river side away from the town. He had fled before we arrived, but his American wife and her dog were there, and we had orders to blow up the house.”

Oyediran, who personally conducted the assignment, said the preparation took about three hours but the main operation took only three minutes and it was over.

“The castle came down in a straight line about 8 o’clock in the night; it was so successful that by the time it was daybreak, it was hard to believe that a house once stood there, and there was no debris around it.

“We didn’t call it infrasound energy then, of course, but the

process and methods are very similar.”

Also speaking on the September 12 tragedy, Rtd Capt. ‘Tele Olagundoye, also of the 3MCO said in retrospect: “About ten years ago, bomb blasts and suicide bombings were ‘foreign news’ from places like Afghanistan, the Gaza strip and later in Iraq and so on. Even when insurgency started to build up in the North six years ago, bomb blasts and suicide bombings were still foreign news.”

“But you see, I watched the collapse of that building on YouTube. The way it collapsed brought back memories of some of our operations during the Nigerian civil war and made me fear that terrorism has gone deeply scientific.

“But you see, bloody news is just news insomuch as the tragedy happens far away from your terrain. Since these six years of insurgency, Lagos State and the rest of the South-Eastern and South-Western parts of the country have been spared the bloodbath.

“Now, seeing the way government is ignoring dangerous signals and chasing after shadows makes me worry that insurgents may have penetrated and

tested the ground of Lagos successfully and authorities don’t even know it yet.

“If government agencies and the judiciary are ignorant of this, they can be excused; but the military and security agencies of today who must have read the history of the Nigerian civil war cannot be excused.”

Characteristics of infrasonic/ related weapons A material science and explosives specialist at the Nigerian Defence Academy Post Graduate School, Kaduna who spoke to our correspondent in confidence for official reasons threw some light on the characteristics of infrasonic and related weapons.

“When a building collapses, especially a high-rise one that holds a large amount of deadweight besides the live-weights, and after its collapse the foundation columns remain intact, its steel and concrete pillars protruding from the ground are not stressed ... that effect can only be the result of high energy infrasound absorbed over a programmed period of time,” he said.

“The way it works is, the strength and constituent atoms of the building will lose their CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

GIABA: Fight against terrorism, money laundering must be total – Coulibaly CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

chestrated signifying a very complex but well organised organisation with hierarchies of operators in charge, begging the question of who the people behind these terrorist groups are.

It is in the light of this that Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has come together to sensitise the Civil Society Organisations on their role in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Understanding GIABA GIABA was established by the

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Authority of Heads of State and Government in the year 2000.

The creation of GIABA is a major response and contribution of ECOWAS in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

GIABA is a specialised institution of ECOWAS that is responsible for strengthening the capacity of member states towards the prevention and control of money laundering and terrorist financing in the region.

The war against Terrorist Fi-

nancing and Money Laundering (ML/TF) GIABA organises workshops in different countries to sensitise the public on their role in the fight against Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering.

It was the turn of Nigeria to host the workshop titled Sensitising Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on AML /CFT Requirements.

The workshop, the third of its kind is a follow up of similar workshops for Civil Society Organisations previously held in CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

A group photograph of all participants at the Workshop.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

27 Features

GIABA: There is need for total societal mobilisation – Nduka CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Dakar, Senegal, and Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

In the welcome address delivered by the Director, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and GIABA National Correspondent, Francis Usani, he revealed the importance of CSOs to the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

“Let me quickly state that the influence of the CSOs in the anticorruption battle cannot be overlooked. The fight against money laundering and terrorist financing has received prominence on the agenda of the international community since the mid 1900s, which resulted in the adoption of several regional and international conventions.

“The fight against money laundering and terrorist financing should be analysed within the framework of the security of

States; it is a collective struggle that calls for individual and community involvement in an all inclusive manner,” he said.

Speaking further, Coulibaly disclosed that the ambition of GIABA is to be at the forefront of a regional coalition against money laundering and terrorist financing by fostering and maintaining a culture of compliance with AML/CFT standards. These also include strengthening regional and international cooperation and enhancing its reputation as an associate Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member.

In the keynote address titled ‘The International Dimension of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risks: Mobilising Total Societal Support’, Professor Osita Agbu, representing the Director General (DG) of National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Prof. Bola A. Akinterinwa stated the need for concerted ef-

forts and collaboration among all stakeholders to combat the risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing.

In his words, “the fight against money laundering and terrorists financing requires concerted efforts and collaboration among all stakeholders. The case for societal mobilisation becomes even more strident in the vulnerability of West Africa states to money laundering and terrorists financing due to the geography of the region, porous borders and existence of weak institutions and fragile states,” Agbu concluded.

Also at the workshop, Dr. ‘Buno Nduka, Director, Programs and Projects GIABA took participants through an extensive lecture on the process of money laundering.

He defined money laundering as a process or acts of concealing or disguising the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legit-

Cross section of participants at the workshop

imate sources. He disclosed that the process of money laundering consists of three steps; Introduction of proceeds of crime in the financial system (placement), Transactions to convert or transfer the funds to other locations or financial system (layering), and reintegrating the funds into

the legitimate economy as clean money and investing it in various assets or business ventures.

In his conclusion, Nduka stressed that for the ongoing onslaught against terrorism financing and money laundering to be successful, there is need for total societal mobilisation.

SONIC WEAPONS: Infrasonic weapons are more deadly on living things than on buildings – Osariemeh CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

strength (or grip) because a high degree of resonance radiation has penetrated its atoms.

It is like when a living person grabs an object firmly; but when the person dies, the ability that made that grip possible will ease out and the grip disappears, then the object inside the grip will fall off, or in this case, disintegrate.

“Also, ultrasound is called the ‘unseen invader’ because it has the ability to cover long distances and dislodge or disintegrate obstacles or chosen targets with little or no loss of energy and intensity and, it achieves all these without being seen. The only evidence of ultrasound or radiation is the damage they have done: that is the wonder and our fear.”

Unraveling the reaction when a connection is made between an infrasonic source and a chosen target, Hassan employed a scientific word ‘Resonance’ which he says, occurs when a connection is made between a source and a target which are vibrating at the same frequency.

“When this happens, the materials become joined and are said to be resonating; and once resonance has been established, an energy exchange takes place on the surface of the membrane of each cell or atom. Therefore, if the source of energy is more powerful, it directly impacts the targeted material, resulting in a biological reaction or, in the case of the collapsed building, a physical reaction.

Infrasonic Conop Diagram

“Now, let me tell you the worrisome part of this science: Resonance can be induced by generating electromagnetic radiation with a unit called infrasonic pulse generator, which can establish a link with a selected target, for instance again, like that of SCOAN building that collapsed.

“Once this connection occurs, and the power level of the generator is increased (just like you would adjust the power output of your normal generating set while it is working), it will automatically transfer the energy to the building. If the intensity level is high enough, the building can suffer a crumbling collapse.

“When an aircraft was reported to have hovered over that environment a while before the building collapsed, scientists know what has taken place; it is not supposed to be knowledge

for governors or judges; but if judges cannot accept analysis of professionals in that terrain, the consequence in the short or long run may turn out to be like holding a tiger by the tail.”

That appears pregnant sir; can you simplify what you mean by ‘consequence’ and ‘tiger-bythe-tail?’

“Okay; suppose for the purpose of this discussion, that the insurgents have knowledge of this area of infrasonic weapons and the government or security men don’t: it means they can choose selected targets and strike at will. And because people would be looking at structural or soil failures for the cause of the disaster that will follow, the terrorists are shielded and free to continue wreaking havoc unknown and unrecognized; that is my definition of holding

Continued on page 28

Sound Canon.

According to military records, France was using infrasonic generators which operated at 7 Hz on its civilian population back in 1972. And by 1973, the Squawk Box was used by the British Army in Northern Ireland.

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

SONIC WEAPONS: I saw this technology during the Nigerian civil war – Oyediran

Flash back to Sept. 12,2014 at Egbe, Lagos.... TB-Joshua (INSET) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

the tiger by the tail.”

Vibration frequencies (VF) Daily Times sought to know how sound could possibly become such deadly weapon of mass destruction. A military biochemist who served in the Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS) during the war, Rtd Major Bob Osarieme revealed that acoustic weapons (another name for infrasonic weapons) are more deadly on living things than on non-living things like structures, buildings, stationary aircrafts, etc. He gave some details.

“All of the chemical reactions in the cells of living organisms or in non-living materials, at the atomic level, are caused by electromagnetic oscillation, pulsations, and vibrations which science classifies as vibrational frequencies (VF). All physical matters vibrate at their VF respectively.

“Our worries in the scientific circle go beyond the collapse on September 12 because the scientific knowledge that played out in that collapsed building is not the worst of infrasonic weapons.

“It has been established in our field that increasing the power level of infra and ultrasonic vibrations can destroy internal organs and cause mass deaths of a large number of people caught in it.

“But most worrisome is that, numerous kinds of the generators that produce powerful sonic waves are modified and small enough to be hidden in furniture such as end tables or cabinets in a living house, offices, theatres, and stadiums, etc. Nothing can be deadlier than that.

“Now, this is our fear: if insurgents have advanced their weaponry to that level and our securi-

ty agencies and army, who don’t even have physical weapons to match theirs, what is that telling you? The SCOAN building collapse will become like a child’s play.”

Could that explain why the September 12 tragedy did not follow the normal pattern of collapses caused by structural failure or failed soil?

“Indeed it does. The approach was so scientific and thorough that it left the government and its agencies with no clue outside the usual known causes of collapsed buildings --- even when it did not follow the normal pattern of structural failure or failed soil known in construction engineering.”

In his conclusion, the biochemist referred to the smoothness and success of the operation in a crowded city like Lagos: “It is alarming, and the implication should not be ignored. Whoever would have targeted that building with such concentration must be versed in the science of infrasonic dynamics. It looked more like a tactical strike in the most unsuspected and strategic city in South-West Nigeria, the nation’s commercial hub and capital, and that is an unhealthy development.”

Nuggets to ponder: •Report of Lagos State Material Testing Agency which claimed the guest house collapsed due to defects in its foundation.

•A geo-technical engineer in practice for over four decades, Mr. Folayan, told Magistrate Oyetade that the soil under the foundation of the collapsed building did not fail. He gave professional reasons for his conclusion: “After the collapse, all foundation pads of the building were intact; the steel and concrete pil-

lars protruding from the ground showed no trace of stress or cracks.

“Especially, the Coroner ignored the CCTV footage which showed the six-storey building falling down in less than four seconds – a manner consistent with controlled or externally induced demolition. *The interim report and investigation by the Nigerian police force pointed to sabotage by external forces.

An explosives expert and researcher, Mr. Biedomo Iguniwei, who testified before the Coroner had said that the collapse was caused by an infrasonic weapon fired at the Church by the aircraft that hovered over the building.

In the early 1990s, Russia had developed a 10 Hz VLF modulator capable of targeting individuals over hundreds of meters, causing pain, nausea and vomiting. It was adjustable up to lethal levels. Since as far back as 1997, the US DOD has had an interest in creating generators in the infrasonic and ultrasonic ranges of 7 Hz and 20-35 kHz respectively which can cause these effects and research has been ongoing to advance them.

CONCLUSION It has been known that infrasonic and acoustic weapons exist long before now as shown from the above study.

It is also known in the weapons research community that

certain nations have taken the research to the next level.

Infrasound weaponries with high enough intensity can cause vibrations to structures at the atomic level causing the kind of destruction of September 12.

As of today, infrasonic weapons research has gone deeper underground which is inversely proportional to the advances made in production and testing with the consequent destruction like the type seen at the September 12 collapse. If it happened to a building in Egbe, can it be prevented from happening anywhere else in the city or in the country as a whole?

Supposing for one frightening moment - even if for the purpose of this argument – that scientists are right and that insurgents have ventured into the realm of infrasonic/acoustic?

The consequence would be a disaster unimaginable.

For some time now, security agencies have handled with caution rumours that Boko Haram may have penetrated Lagos city.

Rumours also have it that the sect are threatening to blow up the 3rd Mainland Bridge and some sensitive places in the mega city. Recently word was noised around that some Boko Haram suspects have been arrested in Lagos.

In the light of all the hush hush information management, it is expedient that the government of President Muhammadu

Buhari should fall back on his military pedigree and ensure that what experts fear most does not come to pass. With the alliance being formed by governments of the Chad Republic and the Cameroonian security forces, our own security forces should make haste and ensure the security of the electorate they have vowed to protect.

Intensive investigation and probing should be geared towards accessing the infrasonic and acoustic option so the insurgents don’t beat us to that as well. The Chibok girls nightmare is still starring the nation in the face.

A stitch in time, saves nine.

Additional source: International Journal of Scientific Engineering & Research (IJSER, 2014 EDITION). IJSER is a one-stop open access source for a large number of high quality and peer reviewed journals in all fields of science, engineering and technology.

JUST HUMAN

3.02pm. Agbole, Idimu, Lagos. The fellow suddenly sat up seconds after the first shot like he had perceived ‘something’ just happened! Photo God’s Covenant Snr/066

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Art Review

29

Æs

Sustaining Sofowote charity legacy with concert With the passing away of the founder and chief executive facilitator of Glowing Channels Foundation (GCF), Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote, the organisation could not stage its annual concert last year; the first time in its 17 years of existence.

But, GCF appears to have woken up from its slumber, with its recent outing in memory of its departed founder. Agozino Agozino reports.

The late music and arts impresario, Mrs. Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote, must have been pleased to see one of her last wishes being fulfilled.

One year after the music and arts impresario passed away in Spain, after battling with cervical cancer for almost three years, the Glowing Channels Foundation (GCF) has moved on, by staging a special concert at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, in line with her wish that the show should go on after her demise.

As in previous years, an array of established and budding talents thrilled the patrons of the concert with musical and dance performances, as well as poetry recitals. Though the attendance was poor, compared to previous concerts, the audience was delighted by performances put up by composer, singer and soloist Yinka Davies, singer, composer and pianist Femi Ogunronbi and Abuja-based mechanical engineer, mathematician and shipbuilder, Meche Ekechukwu,

who entertained them with Italian classical and English contemporary music. Others who performed at the concert are: Johnpaul Ochei, Ibukun Kafaru, Seye Aluko, Roli Afinotan, Kelechi Sunday Nwuko, Fatima Anyekenam, Iquo Diana Abasi, Cella Fusi, Joseph Omotoye (a.k..a. Jojo), Notes and Tones choral group, Footprints of David, the Ibadi Dance Troupe.

The audience cheered, as artist after artist, group after group appeared on stage to entertain the audience. It was, generally, an evening of classical, choral, hymnal, instrumental and highlife music, spiced with poetry recitals.

In his brief remarks, the chairman of this year’s show, Mr. Olusegun Ajanlekoko, showered some praises on members of the foundation for not only continuing the legacy of the late Mrs. Sofowote, but also for putting up a good show. Ajanlekoko, who is also the Managing Partner of CEP Nigeria Ltd and immediate past president of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), said the concert is not only an occasion to remember the noble deeds of the late Mrs. Sofowote, but to swing in it.

The organisers however believe that their best is yet to come. A member of the Board of Trustees of GCF, Akin Orebiyi, said the number of groups and persons featuring on the show would be reduced in subsequent years, to cut down on time and provide more fun and entertainment. He added: “We’re going to concentrate on

Notes and Tones performing at the 2015 concert1

the variety and quality of what we feature; not the number of artists we’re able to showcase.

“From next year, we’re going to flesh it up with one or two drama pieces and we will also make sure that we concentrate on the type of music that would lift peoples’ spirit, so that they would be bubbling with joy as they are leaving the show.”

The late Sofowote inaugurated the Glowing Channels Foundation late in 2009 to ensure that the yearly charity concert organised by her since 1999 under the aegis of Glowing Channels Ventures outlive her. This was at a time she had no idea she was going to take ill. According to Orebiyi, she just felt that it was more proper to put a system in place that could continue even when is not around. But, the foundation could not get its acts together that year and she had to step in to rescue the show not only in 2009, but 2010, 2012 and 2013.

He said it was only after her death last year that it dawned on them that this is an assignment or a duty that has been bequeathed to them.

Orebiyi said they also recognised that there is nothing loftier for any human being who has been bequeathed with a lofty legacy to continue in that tradition and even raise the bar in that respect.

The GCF Board of Trustees

A group led by Julius Amakor (extreme right) performing on stage1

member added: “That’s why we came together this year, to see what we can do. She died on Thursday September 18, 2014 and was buried on October 2, 2014 in Lubeck, Germany. We could have had a concert last year, but because of the little time we had between October and December, it was not possible. So, this year, we felt we should do it in October to coincide with the first anniversary of her funeral.”

Orebiyi, who studied drama, with a specialisation in play production and play directing, said the foundation is facing a number of challenges with regards to the organisation of the concert. His words: “First of all, Mrs. Sofowote has developed the concert into a brand; a brand woven specifically around her personality and individuality, therefore it was a challenge for us to be able to reach out to people in her absence; people doubted whether we can

continue the show in her absence.

“In fact, people still find it difficult to come to terms with her departure and to picture a Glowing Channels concert without Funke Sofowote on stage. It still hasn’t jelled yet. So, we have that challenge when we try to reach out to people. We could still see some kind of reticence; this affected the attendance this year.

In subsequent years, apart from those who have been attending the concert over the years, we hope to attract new faces to the show.”

This has also affected its charity projects for the year 2016. Glowing Channels’ charity projects are financed primarily from the gatetakings, as well as the proceeds from sale of raffle tickets. But, there was no raffle draw during the last concert. As a result, Orebiyi said charity projects might not feature next year. But, he is optimistic that things will pick up in the second year of running the show under the aegis of the foundation.

Alexievich wins Nobel Prize in literature

Alexievich

Svetlana Alexievich, the Belarusian writer whose oral histories have recorded thousands of individual voices to map the implosion of the Soviet Union, has won the Nobel prize for literature.

The Swedish Academy, announcing her win, praised Alexievich’s “polyphonic writings”, describing them as a “monument to suffering and courage in our time”.

She becomes the 14th woman to win the prize since it was first awarded in 1901. The last woman to win, Canada’s Alice Munro, was handed the award in 2013.

Alexievich was born on the 31 May 1948 in the Ukrainian town of Ivano-Frankovsk into a family of a serviceman. Her father is Belarusian and her mother is Ukrainian. After her father’s demobilisation from the army

the family returned to his native Belorussia and settled in a village where both parents worked as schoolteachers. She left school to work as a reporter on the local paper in the town of Narovl.

She has written short stories, essays and reportage but says she found her voice under the influence of the Belorusian writer Ales Adamovich, who developed a genre which he variously called the “collective novel”,

Art Review 30

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Passionate artist, Adeyemi, says environment inspires his art Agozino Agozino For anyone in search of an artist who is overwhelmingly passionate about his calling, Dr. Kunle Solomon Adeyemi, a principal instructor at the School of Art Design and Printing Technology, Yaba College of Technology(Yabatech), Lagos is the one to meet.

Art still thrills him as much as his art thrills his guest. Walking into his studio at 48, Oduduwa Street, Olorunsogo, Mushin Lagos, which also serves as a display room of his recent works, an array of finished works greets the visitor. Walking into the studio is like entering into a warm embrace of colors as ranges of beautifully finished and on-going works tell the story of an everworking versatile artist. Captivating drawings, images of serenity as well as surreal pieces compete for the guest’s attention.

Living, to the ever-smiling Ondo state born studio print-maker is about a triangle – home, school and studio. Adeyemi may not have reached his creative landmarks but his creativity keeps his guests convinced that he is consciously heading there.

His paintings stand out for their raw elegance and he has an impressive tale about each of them.

His finishing entices any art lover.

Adeyemi who has taken part in many group and solo exhibitions both in Nigeria and abroad including his recent Knowledge Across Boundaries at Quintessence gallery Ikoyi, Lagos, says he has never regretted becoming an artist. “I will tell you I have never regretted becoming an artist in my life. For me, art is always an exciting and rewarding activity though it calls for personal commitment, hard work, risk-taking, self- motivation and

Adeyemi

sensibility,” he told Daily Times.

According to the soft spoken artist who has equally received many awards for his works, it is not easy being a successful artist. But he explained that a passion for the drudgery of artistic creativity and an advice by an elderly cousin, one Adewole, has propelled him since childhood.

“My own art actually started when my father took me to a cousin of mine, late Dr. Adewole, who used to be a medical Doctor in Lagos. My father actually wanted me to be a medical doctor like him. But I will say it was the man who actually discovered me because after looking at my results, he advised my father that he should allow me go for the arts.

For me, I always tell people that the first step in the beginning of any successful life is for an individual to introspect and ask what his calling in life is. Why a lot of people make mistakes in life is that they first of all dabble into the pursuit of money without asking themselves what talents they are endowed with, and how to develop such talents. I am today an artist and an instructor, and I am happy, because I think God has helped me to discover my passion. I did not start first to seek for material gains.

I am happy to have identified my passion and interest in arts and creativity,” Adeyemi said.

Born in Ondo state, Adeyemi who is the former Chairman, Society of

Nigerian Artists (SNA) and currently the national Vice President of SNA, said that he was inspired to pursue his artistic inspiration because art, to him, mirrors life. He said environments inspire his paintings.

Beyond helping him to develop a strong philosophical mindset, which he treasures, being an artist has equally helped him to be able to solve many of the critical questions of life. And according to him, this is why most of his themes have revolved around the culture, history and myths of Yoruba race. Using his painting works to debunk the claim that artistic works are satanic and evil, Adeyemi has since produced several works all of which aim to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas as well as the aesthetics values of arts. He strongly believes that art should mirror a society, its mores and norms.

He equally describes the art as the most effective means of expressing culture, history, tradition and values of the people.

Adeyemi attended School of Printing and Graphic Arts,Yaba, Yaba College of Technology(Yabatech), University of Benin, Lagos State University Ojo, as well as Delta State University, Abraka where he recently bagged his Phd in Art History. He said art has brought him more fulfillments in life.

Among his exhibitions are Symphony of Forms, held at Quintessence Gallery, Ikoyi Falomo, Lagos. A New Down, a solo exhibition of experimental

works at Galleri Astley, Uttersberg, in Sweden. New Wine hosted at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

Ogun-god of iron, visual experience in print-making, at Ekenwa Campus, University of Benin, among other several solo and group exhibitions.

He has also featured in several workshops and seminars.

All these as well as his several public and private commissions, he informed, are part of the things that keep him moving. As a part of his dream of sustaining his artistic dream, Adeyemi also revealed plans of a forthcoming solo exhibition he is packaging to hold in Sweden soon.

Although the date has not been fixed, the show will attempt to bring his recent works to the European audience. It will bring to fore the relationship between culture and environment.

Giving further insights, he said: “Art means more to him than painting. It means an expression of personal desires as well as being able to communicate ones culture and history. He therefore sees his practice as a platform to express what he has cherished from childhood, his culture and his values of his society. Today, that holistic approach to art practice has led to a successful career as a studio artist, print-maker, academic and respected art instructor of repute.”

The painter said his up-coming show will be a showcase of paintings and print design works. He said that the objective of the show is to reveal the diversity of arts.

Wheel of Fortune IV, 2011.

Paintocast on board by Adeyemi

U.S. based Ekpuk speaks to Lagos’ warmth Last Saturday, members of the Lagos art community sat on a round table during a filmic art talk delivered by U.S based Nigerian artist, Victor Ekpuk, who is rounding off his four months Residency programme in Lagos, courtesy of Arthouse Foundation.

The impressively attended event organised by Arthouse at Kia showroom, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island Lagos, was moderated by art critic and scholar, Dr. Kunle Filani, who described the speaker as a unique painter. The Residency which Ekpuk started at the Arthouse recently was part of the preparation ahead of his next major solo exhibition, which is scheduled for next year in the U.S. Ekpuk who is a Nigerian-born artist based

in Washington, DC has a good story to tell as he said the residency offered him the opportunity to engage more critically with his works. The Akwa Ibom State, born painter whose face beam with joy throughout the event was full of praises for the foresight of the organisers for initiating the programme.

He expressed his delight for the organisers, whose dream for Nigerian artists is setting up the residency Ekpuk eulogised. He canvased support for the residency both from the art community and corporate Nigeria as to make a success of the programme.

It was a robust discourse as he also served pictures of some of his notable works and his studio while offering illuminative explanation of how he conceptualized the predominantly

monumental works. Many of his works as well as questions and answers were on the pictographic writing known among the Ibibio people as Nsibidi, which Ekpuk said holds much inspiration for him.

“Nsibidi was practiced long before the white man came to Africa with his kind of writing. Among the numerous male cult societies that practiced Nsibidi, the Ekpe society had an extensive use of the symbol,’’ he said.

Founder and chief executive of Arthouse, Mrs. Kavita Chellaram used the opportunity to throw more light on the program which she said was established recently as a network that would support cross-cultural exchange between Nigerians and international artists.

Victor Ekpuk, in front of one of his works.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

31 Opinion

The art of the possible

ÎÎÎ Today, many things when one happen in our country that one screams, “how seeks answers make did that happen? How is that possible? How can it in the ideal be possible? How could it possibly be?” That things rather than happen at all points to the art- the art of that which invents the possible and in the reality the probable or creates that seems to possess - in one’s own which many meanings, depending on how the invention endeavors, and creation are viewed, by scratching the surfaces experiences of things and of words to reveal what lends itself out as truth or untruth-that and shocks one out of one’s comfort zone and makes imagination one think the makers of things as master artists - one seeks whose masterpieces one stands in front of the galto scratch lery of oneself to view and admire. I confess that the art isn’t always about the the surfaces genius of the master artists, or is it about admiring of things to the canvases of their long it is also about uncover what brushes, what evinces disgust and despair at those individuals who claim the moral high lies beneath. ground by preaching the

finer things that make all true human agencies what they are - integrity, ideals, aspirations- only for those individuals to compromise the littlest of things and beliefs, auction the rational in the auction halls of the irrational and sit reason on its head, yet seek the understanding of the rest of us.

But, it isn’t every time that one should scream his head off when certain things happen, or despair at things when they happen.

There are times, like now, when one merely poses the questions, “how did that happen? How is that possible? How can it be possible? How could it possibly be?”, in order to understand what informs certain decisions, what makes certain things happen; how those decisions can be rationalized beyond the limits and bounds of reason and how those things that happen can also be judged, matched against what is real and unreal, what can be assumed and what can be imagined as possible or impossible.

So, when one seeks answers in the ideal - rather than in the reality - in one’s own endeavors, experiences and imagination - one seeks to scratch the surfaces of things to uncover what lies beneath. Thus, to understand what is possible, one has to cut through the visions of the makers of things to reveal things that would have happened that didn’t happen and strip the probable or the possible bare. Here, the answers

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one seeks lie perhaps in the things that don’t happen, that if they happen they would invariably strip the makers of things those benefits that accrue to them. Or to put it another way, things happen to satisfy the interests, whims and caprices of the makers of things, or to placate those who oppose the makers of things.

So, here, to seek answers is to understand the imperfect decisions we make, the “art” and the “possible” of what makes things happen.

Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable the art of the next best, the Iron-Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck once expressed.

Well, in the light of Bismarck’s acclaimed dictum, can one describe those ministerial-nominees currently being screened by the Senate as “the attainable, the next best”? No list of ministerial-nominees in our recently history has drawn public opprobrium as the list that was submitted a few days ago to the Senate for confirmation.

Many have criticized President Buhari for submitting names of politicians adjudged as corrupt, as unrepresentative of the change that was secured by fifteen million voters. While some supporters of the President view his choice in the context of what is good or what is best - context that admits only what is pragmatic, who actually makes things happen, no matter his or her moral characteror what realpolitik allows.

To understand and appreciate the argument of the supporters of the President, in the context of Bismarck’s dictum, it is essential that one understands the nature of power and appreciates the clarity Bismarck provides for our politics. The understanding and clarity, here, is that which provide and shed light on politics and its essence. Negotiation and bargain lie at the core of power politics. Since power and politics aren’t played by aliens in the red plains of Mars, it is only natural that in those political arenas that are not shaped by ideology, power is made real, suffused with the blood, tears and sweat of the practitioners of politics, those who make power politics what it is in the real world- of compromises and of flexibility. True, and as it is in the real world of politics, voters do not always get what they voted for or what they want and desire.

However, does the foregoing suggest that one needs to go beyond what is “attainable” to seek the real best? If Bismarck is right, one has to live with those that have been presented as the “attainable, as the next best”.

A few days ago, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark announced his formal withdrawal of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and retirement from partisan politics. At eighty-eight, Chief Clark announced his retirement more than a decade too late.

Politics and power have

long been the preserves of our geriatrics and grandees, so much so that death remains the prefect who constantly rings the bell to call time for them. This shouldn’t be so in a country with a vast youth reserve, with a restless demography, universally held out as the face of tomorrow, whose today still seeks redemption from the sins of yesterday.

Significant as Chief Clark’s retirement is, it certainly raises questions about the contributions of his generation to the making of un-modern Nigeria, the ghettoization of politics and governance. The question, I presume, many would ask is his contribution to his homeland, the Niger-Delta, particularly during those years when he wielded a great deal of influence over his godson, ex-President Jonathan. Isn’t instructive that he admitted in his retirement announcement that his godson, like late Umaru Yar’Adua before him, was weak on corruption? The question remains: did Chief Clark draw the attention of his godson to his weakness? The temptation, here, is to seek understanding of what informed Chief Clark’s retirement and the possible reason for withdrawing membership of the PDP; but there are certain things one should not subject to enquiry because the outcome serves no useful purpose, even to the enquirer, and this is one!

I wish Chief Clark a happy retirement.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.206

Price: N150

Blatter hits back at Ethics Committee –X8

HAYATOU LIVERPOOL

SET TO –X7 UNVEIL KLOPP TODAY

NAMED FIFA ACTING PRESIDENT

ANDREW EKEJIUBA WITH AGENCY REPORT

C

onfederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou has taken charge as FIFA Acting President after football’s world governing body suspended its president Sepp Blatter.

The Camerounian, 69, is FIFA’s most senior vicepresident and has been in the role since 1992.

“I will serve only on an interim basis,” Hayatou said in a statement.

Blatter announced in June he would step down and FIFA set presidential elections for February 26,

2016.

Hayatou added: “A new president will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress... I myself will not be a candidate for that position.

“Until the Extraordinary Congress, I pledge that I will dedicate my best efforts to the organisation, the member associations, our employees, our valued partners, and football fans everywhere.

“FIFA remains committed to the reform process, which is critical to reclaiming public trust. We will also continue to cooperate fully with authorities and follow the internal investigation wherever it leads.”

Hayatou has faced allegations of corruption in the past, which he has denied. He was reprimanded

by International Olympic Committee in 2011 over allegations he accepted bribes for World Cup TV rights in the 1990s.

He was elected CAF president in 1988 and earlier this year he controversially oversaw changes to the body’s rules on age limits so he could continue into the next decade.

Hayatou has also faced allegations of accepting bribes related to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

Allegations of corruption have torn FIFA apart over the last few months and the organisation on Thursday provisionally suspended Blatter, secretary general Jerome Valcke and vice-president Michel Platini for 90 days.

The punishments were handed out by the ethics committee of football’s world governing body, which is investigating the three men.

It also banned ex-FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon for six years.

Life &

Times Friday, October 9, 2015

Kehinde

Odeneye The huge burden of a lawmaker in Nigeria

L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Why Nigeria lawmaking cannot be compared with UK, US –Hon Kehinde Odeneye Hon. Kehinde Olusegun Odeneye is a native of Ijebu Ogbogbo community in Ogun State. He’s presently representing the Ijebu Ode/ Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency.

The second term House member has a burden to help the indigent people in the society. In this interview, he spoke on his journey into politics, family and state of the nation. Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

You are a fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and not an ordinary politician. As a two time representative of your people in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, how would you describe your foray into politic?

Before I proceed, I would like you to understand my impression on politics as a profession. I was once one of those out there that hate politics with passion. I hate politicians and I criticise them with all my strength. I›ve never for once see something good in politicians. My own case is like a football match. When we are watching football; to average viewers, all the players on the pitch are not good especially the team that suffers set back at that particular match. Any slight mistake from a player will be taken up against the player by the followers. In the light of this, my people from Ijebu central see me as a football spectator who knows how best a player could handle the ball and get it into the net.

Now, let me take you a bit down memory lane. The drama that led to my emergence started in 2010 at a particular party which I attended in the company of some selected friends. At that party, I was hoping to thaw the atmosphere by creating a topic for discourse; and I told one of my friends at the party who was a very strong politician, I said: ‘my guy, your time is fast approaching, I think it is time for you guys to pick someone with like mind, someone with the seal of transforming our communities and create a better future for our youths’. I was actually not referring to House of Representatives alone, I generalised it to include all elective seats from local to federal level. My sole concern then was to enlighten them to bring forth people of integrity that will occupy

the political seats of our domain.

As I was talking, that politician friend jammed my frequency and said: ‘haven’t we be inviting you into politics to come and do it for us since you claim to have idea of how things could be transformed’.

I told him that no, if it is politics, count me out, but in any way my assistance is needed within my area of endeavour, I will be keen to render it for the love of my community and the entire state.

Out of amazement, I asked him: ‘why me, are you saying you’ve searched, and you couldn’t find anybody that could do it within the entire constituency’. He replied and said, of course there could be but I believe much in you than anyone else.

I was yet to be totally convinced because I still have somebody, whom I’m very sure within myself that will never for any reason buy the idea of me going into politics let alone vying for political post.

That person is my wife. When I got home and freshened up, I relaxed but I was disappointed when I told my wife and to my surprise, my wife said: ‘it is okay now, at least, if you can create time for it, I will support you because they believe in you that is why they are calling on you’. I was so shocked when she said this. That was when the interest started and I prayed over it. During the time I was praying, I did not have up to N100, 000 in my bank account and I ended up spending millions without any fund raising programme for myself. A lot of miraculous events happened along the line but I will keep that for another day.

As an emerging politician who has not contributed much to the party, how were you able to convince the party leaders within your constituency to choose you as their candidate to represent the party at the federal level?

You know the notion is that nobody wants to work with a Chartered Accountant. Whenever I attend meeting some will be giggling among themselves that, this man, a chartered accountant indeed, this one wouldn’t have money to spend. Some will say, chartered accountant, they are all misers, they hardly deep hands into their pockets and bring out money.

I heard a whole lot of comments

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

about myself and profession but since I had made up my mind and prayed that I’m going to do it I said to myself that this people must have a change. I tasked myself to change their orientations and I started working towards it. I let them realised that if I’d come to this forum to do the same thing just the way other people have been doing it, then I don’t think I have business coming here. It was not quite easy to convince them that I’m the right choice they’ve never made because I wasn’t in politics before and they are seeing me as a greenhorn. That is why I will always be grateful to people in my constituency, not only the leaders but all the entire sons and daughters of the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency because they believe in my zeal for change.

One thing I was known with then was that I always have ideas to issues. But when it comes to active politics I was irrelevant because it was not in my system then. So, for people to have such amount of trust and respect for somebody with that low political profile I think they deserved more than their expectations from me. Of course, they knew then that I can deliver in any capacity I find myself but what they are skeptical about is my political orientation and my understanding of politics.

Because this theory is of two major entity, it is important for you to know what they are expecting from you and it is also another thing for you as a leader to know what to give to them that will better their lives. At times, they might be expecting you to give them A, whereas B is the answer to their request because you already know that there’s no way they will have B without possessing A but if you give them the A requested for they might likely not have the touch of B before you leave the office. So, as a reasonable leader, it is behooves on you to map out what exactly is the answer to the request of your people. I carried out this study and I got it very well. At that period of seeking for the ticket, there was nothing I did out of my selforiginality.

As a Chartered Accountant and having worked in various capacities among which was the group manager at a bottling

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Hon. Kehinde Odeneye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

L3 Interview

company, Why did you choose to go into politics?

As I said earlier, I was one of those that hated politics with a passion and I always wonder why people attach ugly incidents to politics but at a time I said to myself after I had been convinced by friends and family that how long are we going to continue these criticisms. I felt there must be change. I felt I shouldn’t be the determinant of problems; since I’ve been able to identify problems, then I should be able to find solutions to the problem if truly I’m doing a constructive criticism. So, when the encouragement started coming from many angles, I felt yet it was time for me to prove my administrative skills.

What is your take on the anticorruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari?

The emergence is of President Buhari is divine. I think there are some things he was destined to put in place for the betterment of Nigerians which he could not achieved during his military regime that God now wants him to complement and also achieved because He brought him when virtually all Nigerians had lost hope for a better future.

I’m fully aware that some critics of change have been tagging him with many adjectives like calling him Baba Go-Slow and all that but I can tell you that at this point in time, when Nigeria has nothing to bank on than oil, everybody knows that oil its no longer what it used to be. So, Nigeria situation is like coming from boom to doom. But thank God for blessing us with President Buhari. I am in full support of the war against corruption, because there has never being fight before rather what we experienced was lip service things. Before the wave of condemnation of Buhari for embarking on war against corruption, I knew that there was going to be condemnation because Nigeria is not used to this kind of war in the past having been governed by one inactive political party for 16 years.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid off the huge dept owed by Nigeria during his tenure, had it been he had known that Nigeria situation would be messier and the debt rate would skyrocket eight years after his government; perhaps he would have left the debt unpaid and use the money for development of the nation. We paid the debt and barely a year after the debt was paid, it had grown into almost the same amount that was paid. Yes, it is professional in accountancy to say it is good to borrow fund for developmental purposes but in the case of past administrations, no traces of development was found anywhere for the debt incurred. That was where the problem started. So, I think Buhari’s emergence is divine because he came when everybody from local to international communities hoped that Nigeria was going to collapse.

So, as part of the fulfillment of his promises to the electorate during the campaign, I think President Buhari needs to fight against corrupt leaders and why he formed a squad for that mission is basically for accelerated

hearing.

He has set up noncorruptible judges, because there is no way the war could be excellently fought when corrupt people are saddled with the responsibility of trying corrupt people. If the war is not fought now, when would it be fought? According to information made available, this is a country where somebody has funds that could run the entire budget of the country for a whole year in his personal account and we are having a lot of infrastructures that needed attention. Where do you expect government to get funds for that project when a group of cabals have milked the country dry? In essence, it is a must to fight corruption and bring the culprits to book. One thing is to steal money and invest it in the economy but these people we are talking about, they stole the money and used it to develop another economy entirely just because they want to shield their wealth out of the prying eyes.

Some people believe that Buhari is being partisan in fighting corruption.

What is your take?

It is good to criticise because criticism makes one to be more strong; but one thing is that before one could criticize, there must be enough evidences. There are proofs and facts made available to the president that these particular persons or group are corrupt before they carried out investigations on them. If anybody either among the opposition party or individuals feels somebody somewhere is or was corrupt, let the person make his or her facts and proof available; I’m sure such suspect can never be a sacred cow in this administration. APC members are not exception in this course.

If anybody feels I, Kehinde Odeneye is corrupt, don’t be shy to bring forth your facts

and proof.

You seem to believe so much in President Buhari’s vision but recently, he promised Nigerians that legislators’ salaries would be slashed; how do you see this?

One thing ought to be known, President Buhari has no power to slash any salary not even his own. There is a body, ‘revenue and fiscal commission’ has the responsibility to determine not even slash. But in reference to economic situation, it can determine which particular salary and remuneration to go to either elected officers or civil servants.

When I read in the papers that President Buhari said he’s going to slash salary, I just smile because the power is not bestowed on president, only the body in charge has the power to decide on that and that’s why he lashed out on the commission that they should know what to do. They should be the one coming up with a recommendation and when it has gotten the presidency approval this is when the action could be carried on. I’ve heard lot of people talking about legislators earning much. Good! I will seize this opportunity to educate those that are not in the know. I heard the head of the commission saying that no honourable member will earn more than one million naira salary; I just smiled because I’ve never earned a million naira since I’ve been in the house over four years ago as a salary for a month; my basic salary was N967,000 and I will be paid N762, 000 after tax had been removed and out of that N762,000 I don’t get more than two hundred plus that will go straight to my account because they will also remove a particular percentage for the loan we’ve incurred and we’ve taken another loan now. That is what most people don’t understand because weeks

back when it was announced that so-so amount of money is going for wardrobe, car and house allowance, some people were shouting no, it is too much. But I can tell you that majority of this money are loans which would be deducted from our salaries. At least, I just gave you the lowdown on how much I eventually get as salary at the end of the month for my last four years. This is how it is for every other honourable member.

Of course, we do get allowances for instance, in 2011, I met a budget of N150b, though I don’t know when they started that N150b budget but that was what we met at the 7th assembly. We ran that N150b for three years. Out of the four years in that budget, we have National Assembly Legislative Commission, we have Public Petitions Commission there and other agencies. Most people think the money only goes to National Assembly alone but it is not like that. National Assembly itself has staff and each member of the National Assembly also have staff. National Assembly itself do award contract for the maintenance of the build because maintaining that building incur capital expenditure. And despite all these expenditures, we still slashed down the budget by removing 30% out of it which makes the total budget to amount to N120b and that’s what we are running currently even though the allowances being taken by the 7th assembly members had been reduced again. Now the question is this, should I as a legislative member be involved in empowerment programmes; should I be building blocks in schools; should I be responsible for health care delivery; should I be the one paying for WAEC or GCE forms? If I ask you all this, I know you will say constitutionally, the answer is no but all these are being expected from me by my constituents. If you don’t do them, I can bet you, you will be tagged as the worse candidate ever produced in that constituency.

Forget the fact that it is not your fundamental and primary responsibility. I use out of my personal money to take care all these expenses. As I’m talking to you now, I’ve nothing less than 8,000 youths learning one skill acquisition job or another, be it barbing, hair-dressing, tailoring, motor mechanic and so on. I’m going to pay N5,000 per each apprentice for learning alone. And it is not as if after learning we would throw them to the street to hassle for equipment, I’m also going to equip them once they graduate.

I did it in my first four years and I will still do it again. Those that were empowered then are out of the burden of unemployment in the country; they are all in one way or the other contributing to the economy of the country presently. I laugh when people compare Nigeria legislature to that of UK or US. I can tell you categorically that the amount spent on congress in either UK or America is far better than Nigeria. They even have consultants, they have lawyers as aides that they employed and they don’t embark on empowerment or provision of social amenities to the community. Nigeria and America are not in any way comparable.

Huge amount paid to lawmakers is loan to be repaid –Hon Kehinde Odeneye

Society Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Sanders, Otieno, Wainaina lead panAfrican speakers at The RED Summit in Lagos

Biola Alabi

Wale Tinubu

Wale Tinubu bags Africa Executive Awards Top socialite and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Mr Wale Tinubu is presently in a joyous mood as he recently received the ‘Africa Executive of the Year’ award at the third edition of the Oil and Gas Council’s 2015 Africa Assembly Award dinner, which was held at the Inter Continental Le Grand, Paris, France. The award recognises the contribution of Wale Tinubu’s leadership positions and excellence in the African oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the occasion, Tinubu

was quoted as saying that the accolade was a testament to the collective organisational belief at Oando in the tenets of entrepreneurship, innovation, and perseverance.

“I am extremely humbled by this achievement, and it serves as further motivation to keep evolving, whilst creating opportunities, surpassing our milestones, and strengthening Africa’s active participation in the global marketplace,” Tinubu added.

Princess Toyin Atobatele celebrates with less–privileged

Princess Toyin Atobatele celebrates

Friends, family and well-wisher gathered penultimate Tuesday to celebrate top socialite and businesswoman, Princess Toyin Atobatele’s birthday. The Pretty Princess and wife of a socialite clocked another year and she celebrated with the less-privileged. She’s the CEO of Wendy’s Place around Omole axis in Ikeja. The paragon of beauty is sure leaving no stone unturned when it comes to her business skills.

Kenyan author, journalist and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, Binyavanga Wainaina is leading other pan-African speakers to participate at the inaugural edition of The RED Summit holding in Lagos at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. Other speakers at the summit are the Executive Producer of Coke Studio Africa, David Sanders; Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Corporation, Louis Otieno; award winning television host, Anita Erskine; former Managing Director of MNET Africa, Biola Alabi; Chief Executive Officer

of leading lifestyle blogBellaNaija, Uche Pedro; Chief Executive Officer, Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor; General Manager of Beat FM, Deji Awokoya; former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Communication and Public Affairs Manager of Google West Africa, Taiwo KolaOgunlade; Corporate Communication Director of Africa Practice, Rimini Makama; award winning journalist, Tolu Ogunlesi; Senior Correspondent at New African Magazine, James Schneider; and

many more. The RED Summit holds on 15-18 October, in Lagos, Nigeria and will include a 2-day conference, West Africa’s largest inter-school media town hall, and an evening to celebrate icons of the media in Nigeria.

“This summit will be West Africa’s biggest media talk shop” said Chude Jideonwo, Managing Partner of Red Media Africa, organisers of the summit. “We will draw lessons from veterans in West Africa’s media over the decades and chart the course, with other media stakeholders, for the future of the media in West Africa.”

Olokun Festival set to kick-off As you are reading this, all hands are on deck to make sure this year’s Olokun Festival becomes a success. According to the organisers, this edition starts Thursday, October 8 to Thursday October 22nd, 2015 with lots of activities ranging from; music, cultural displays, stage performance and the grand finale lecture by Prof. Muyiwa Falaye of University of Lagos. Olokun Festival Celebration is an annual event, promoted by Olokun Festival Foundation mainly to showcase the cultural values and tradition of the Yorubas. This has become an annual ritual,

providing an opportunity for prominent people and dignitaries to come to Nigeria from every part of the world. Tourists and adventurers annually

Gani Adams

come from across the globe including United Kingdom, America, Asia, Europe South America, North America, Caribbean and some West African countries to Nigeria to witness and see for themselves the beauty inherent in the Yoruba culture.

According to Otunba Gani Adams, the reason for celebrating Olokun festival annually is borne out of the desire to project the Yoruba Culture to the world and to promote the values that have made the Yoruba race one of the most respected races across the globe with rich cultural heritage and tradition.

Diageo, IARD to reduce harmful drinking As part of its effort to create a positive role for alcohol in the society through partnerships and programmes, Diageo Plc, a global leader in beverage alcohol, has joined International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) to commemorate the second year of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments

to reduce harmful drinking.

The Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to reduce harmful drinking is an ambitious programme of actions aimed at reducing harmful drinking over a fiveyear period which started in 2013 and will end in 2017.

The IARD is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the global public health issue of harmful

drinking and to promoting responsible drinking. The programme, coordinated

by IARD, is in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. It also conforms to the target set for governments around the world by WHO to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in harmful drinking by 2025.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

L5 Society Gists

Isaac Oguntoye

Daniel Alabrah awarded most outstanding voice of AJ City

Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos saves victim of 25-year long domestic violence abuse

In line with the mandate of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to stem the tide of all forms of abuse, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has intervened in a case of domestic violence that had been perpetrated for over 25 years by a man on his wife.

Coordinator of the DSVRT, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi in a statement, said the case was brought to fore when a relative of the victim spoke out to the media on the ordeal.

She said the Team immediately proceeded to contact the victim, Mrs. Oridota Oladele, a 63 year old and bread winner of her home, to enlighten her on her rights, support services at her disposal, and ascertain what she wanted out of the situation.

“The Director of Citizens’ Rights, Mrs Omotilewa Ibirogba, with other team members met with her, and she insisted that all she required was officials of government to talk to her husband to desist from acts of physical, psychological, emotional and verbal abuses which are all crimes contrary to the Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007.

“A referral letter was subsequently written to Isokoko Police Station which is a representative of the Police Force in DSVRT and houses a Family Support Unit. Some members of the Team also accompanied the victim to the Station where the matter was duly reported.

Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya

Daniel Alabrah FORMER LAGOS SSG, PRINCESS DENRELE BECOMES OWU CHIEF Everyone who witnessed the classic turbaning of Chief (Princess) Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya, former Secretary to the Lagos State Government under former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola as a Chief, ‘Omowonuade’ title in the Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta last week Friday October 2nd 2015 by the Paramount ruler of the Kingdom, Oba of Owu, Kabiyesi (Dr) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu (Amororo II) will but agree that it was a well deserved one. This is considering the outpouring of encomiums showered on the Princess. The event which attracted Business and Political bigwigs in the society was held inside the Palace of the Monarch, Abeokuta, Ogun State as part of activities to mark this years Owu Day Festival. The annual Owu Day festival tradition started in 1999 and has attracted participation by several Owu indigenes and people from all over the world.

On October 9, 2010, the Olowu of Owu Oba Dosunmu publicly declared the second weekend of the month of October as Owu’s public celebration of the goodness of the Almighty God. This declaration was made to usher in the new Omo Olowu festival which is to henceforth replace the previous Owu Day Festival. According to the Oba while speaking and explaining the literary meaning of the title: “it is a special Chieftaincy title given Princes or Princesses; she has ceased to bear Adenrele but now ‘Omowonuade’.

Many do not know she’s also our daughter here, I have been all over her to accept the title for long but she has been reluctant, I thank God she accepted it today. Everybody will agree with me it’s purely on merit’. Princess who was full of praises for the Monarch and the entire Owu Kingdom at large said: “It has been a well deserved home coming for me, my great, great, great, grand-mother was married to them in Owu so I am at home here. The title is on me to keep projecting the socio-cultural heritage of the Kingdom and that of Yoruba at large well as I used to”.

The ‘Best of Ajegunle City’ Awards has been bestowed on the former Head of Media and Communication of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Mr. Daniel Alabrah as he was voted the most ‘Outstanding voice of the people 2015’ in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The award was in recognition of the very best inspiring talents to have emerged from Nigeria’s most famous ghetto community‎. Allabrah who was excited to be honoured by Ajegunle community said: “ I don’t see anybody who gets an award and is not excited, am particularly excited because this is coming from people who know me, I grew up in this community and I moved on from this community, but I didn’t forget the community. I will say that I’m happy that my own people recognise me, all I can say is that awards are meant to spur you to greater heights.

“I can also thank God that he made it possible for me to come out of a community like this that people do not reckon with, but the story today has changed, the story of Ajegunle is no more the same. No one would believe that somebody like me could come out of that environment, but today here I am a proud representative of Ajegunle community and am not ashamed to say it because the president of a country could be the child of a poor man. I am happy to have made impact beyond Ajegunle.”

The president of the Best city award, Mallam Afrika, told Daily Times about the initiative: “It’s an inspiration bringing all the talents together to bring out the very best in them, it’s like a competition I started over three months ago, we have the best M.C, the best D.J, Best makeup artistes etc, trying to bring the very best from all of them. It’s a competition that has to do with voting, talent display and eventually the best of the best is what we see today and that’s why we are here celebrating, Adding that, “It’s just a vision of discovering and building talents from the grassroots, we don’t have any supporters yet, but we believe that good things can always come out from the ghetto, that’s why we are doing this, this is just a maiden edition, by the next edition we intend to give out a car and other gifts.”

Retired Supreme Court Justice, George Olusola Oguntade, Mrs Modupe Oguntade, Mrs Adenike Ibiyemi, The Oloja of Epe Land, HRM Oba Kamarudeen Ishola Animashaun, Mrs Adeyinka Adeniyi, Chief (Dr.) Mrs Shade Okoya with Hubby Chief Rasaq Okoya doing the price given and presentation of award to the best students of Neander International School km 78, Lekki-Epe Expressway recently.

Harvest of talents at Neander Int. School It was a celebration of talents at Neander International School, in Epe recently when Neander awarded best students in each classes. In case you don’t know, Neander is own by retired Supreme Court Justice, George Olusola Oguntade and his wife Mrs Modupe Oguntade.

L6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

L7 Events

e r e h W ’ ‘N hen W Compiled by: Onyegbula Onyenaturuchi

What: Empowerment Laughter Day When: November 1, 2015 Where: Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.

What: K1 live on stage When: October 10, 2015 Where: Limelight Hotel, Ago Iwoye, Ogun state.

What: Jungle Justice Stage drama When: October, 18th -25th 2015 Where: Ethnic Heritage Centre, 35A, Raymond Njoku Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

What: Greatest of all time (GOAT) When: November 14, 2015 Where: Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

What: Football for a cause When: October 18, 2015 Where: Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.

What: Face of Democracy Nigeria When: 24th October 2015 Where: Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, October 9, 2015

L8 TV guide

Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

141 Eva Channel

00:45

03:00

Fri, 9 Oct | 16

Fri, 9 Oct | PG 13

Aka Nneka My Princess. A rebellious prince is forced to choose a wife hoping that this would make him settle down. However, the prince is determined to have his way regardless. Nuella Njubigbo, Charles Okocha. (2012) Ifeanyi Azodo.

101 M-Net West

03:00 Caught On Camera 04:00 The Voice 05:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 06:00 Modern Family 06:30 The Blacklist 07:30 Battle Creek 08:30 Iron Man 3 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 NCIS: New Orleans 14:00 Hawaii Five-0 15:00 The Fixer 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 The Odd Couple 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Resurrection 19:30 Arrow 20:30 The Bag Man 22:30 The Deadly Game

154 Africa Magic Family

00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Star Gist 01:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Good Morning Africa 03:27 Secret Room 03:49 Behind The Scenes: Invasion 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love

07:25 Paul’s Puzzle 08:30 Living With Trisha 09:25 Mashariki Mix 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Nowhere To Be Found 14:30 Nowhere To Be Found 15:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:00 Prem 16:30 Tenant 17:30 Mary Slessor 18:00 Jane And Abel 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Goal Diggerz 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Days Without Rain 21:30 Goge Africa 22:05 Living With Trisha

‘S1/E59 - 1/59’. A tearful Marthita confides her secret to Olvido. Regardless of his pain, Armando refuses to see a doctor. Everybody celebrates the birth of Iran’s baby girl, except Iran.

155 AfricaMagic World

00:25 Most Shocking 01:20 Sexy Car Wash 01:50 Rude Tube 00:30 The Weakest Link

10:25 Deal Or No Deal

01:20 Scott And Bailey

11:05 My Family

02:10 Come Dine With Me

11:35 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:05 EastEnders

12:25 Top Gear

03:35 QI

13:25 Come Dine With Me

04:05 Top Gear

14:10 Celebrity MasterChef

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

15:05 The Weakest Link

05:25 QI

16:00 Casualty

05:55 The Thin Blue Line

17:00 The Chase

06:25 EastEnders

18:00 The Cube

06:55 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 New Tricks

07:50 The Weakest Link

20:00 The Graham Norton Show

08:35 The Chase

21:00 Dragons’ Den

09:25 QI

22:00 Live At The Apollo

09:55 Would I Lie To You?

22:50 QI

155 Africa Magic World

00:02 Music Block 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA 03:00 Music Block 04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:05 Last Angel In Hell 07:20 Star Gist 07:55 Star Gist

08:25 Star Gist 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Star Gist 14:30 Star Gist 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Lies That Bind 16:00 The Dzigbordi Show 17:00 So Wrong So Wright 17:30 So Wrong So Wright 18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 19:00 Kumwesu 19:30 Kumwesu 20:00 The Bleeding Heart 21:45 Jara 22:15 Music Block

02:20 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 02:45 The Boondocks 03:10 Rude Tube 03:35 Most Shocking 04:30 South Beach Tow 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers 12:05 Video Zonkers 12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:35 South Beach Tow 15:05 Most Shocking 16:05 1000 Ways To Die 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Video Zonkers 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Tattoo Nightmares 20:30 Skin Wars 21:30 Hip Hop Squares 22:00 Sexy Car Wash 22:30 1000 Ways To Die

PACQUIAO PLANS TO RETIRE g X2 NEXT YEAR

Poster!

TOSIN OKE

g X4,5

Friday, October 9, 2015

Coutinho delighted over Liverpool stay g X7

A M A E ENY

M O R F S E RETIR L A N O I T A INTERN L L A B T O FO

Gotze

committed to Bayern

g X3

g X6

X2

Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

S T E L G A E TINA BEAT ARGEN E M A G T S E T IN

and Bamgboye who d Chinedu Madueke ure sec lets Eag n lde Go igeria’s scorer Victor Osimhen ine set up team’s top ent Arg ir the r ove win a 2-1 e on for the opener. n a revelation counterparts in a test gam Bamgboye, who has bee d the business che rea y the g the squad as inin y rejo sda ce dne sin We A in the team FIF the for n atio par -place finish at the Africa end of their pre Chile after their fourth in d hel be to Cup rld s, scored the Under-17 Wo Under-17 Cup of Nation ute to give ek. min st we t 51 from nex second goal in the l nue ma Em ch, Eaglets head coa eria a 2-0 lead. rds are in the Nig k through Julio Amuneke and his wa Argentina got a goal bac their of leg l fina as the the for ital Argentine cap ny to reduce the deficit to defend the Conech 2-1 try the eria Nig get as to ns on d atio prepar n Eaglets hel rs ago in the UAE. Golde yea o tw n wo y the phy tro for Tuesday victory.

The match was scheduled tponed because evening but had to be pos in the Argentine of weather conditions game to be the capital which forced y. sda shifted to Wedne ilipino boxing legend Manny two halves The game was divided into Pacquiao says he is likely to organisers and of 40 minutes by the retire from the sport after hter of the two Argentina started the brig one more fight next year. n defence. sides testing the Nigeria Pacquiao, who lost to Floyd the into get The Eaglets were able to Mayweather in his last fight, wants 21st minute the in red sco and game to run for a seat in the Philippines bination between through a beautiful com senate in 2016.

Floyd Mayweather (left) throws a punch at Manny Pacquiao when both clashed on May 2, 2015.

N

F

Pacquiao plans to retire next year Britain’s Amir Khan is one potential opponent for 36-yearold Pacquiao, with American Terence Crawford among the other contenders.

“I think I’m ready. I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years,” the six-weight world champion said.

“If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family.

“I will have to give up the other things that require my attention.”

Pacquiao said he “cannot say” whether his last fight would be a rematch against Mayweather,

with the American having pledged to retire after his defeat of Andre Berto.

The Filipino, who underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff after the fight against Mayweather, boasts a fight record of 57 wins, six losses and two draws.

Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

NBF sets up sub-committees ANDREW EKEJIUBA

ENYEAMA

RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

N

igeria soccer icon Vincent Enyeama has announced his retirement from international football after a career that saw him win 101

caps.

The 33-year-old Lille shot-stopper has had a fractured relationship with new head coach Sunday Oliseh, a feud which came to a head this week.

Enyeama had arrived at the Super Eagles’ training camp in Belgium late having had extra time off agreed following the death of his mother. However, he arrived to find he had been stripped of the captaincy, which had instead been handed to Ahmed Musa.

Reports then suggested Enyeama had been expelled from Nigeria’s training camp in Belgium on Wednesday, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came out to describe the incident as a “misunderstanding which has now been resolved”.

Enyeama has now removed himself from the squad, though, bringing an end to a Nigeria career that saw him play in three World Cups.

He wrote on Instagram: “I have fought a good fight for more than 13 years. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion.

“Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only God can reward me for my 13 years of national service.

Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigeria senior football team, I am no more the goalie of the team, I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties.

“I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter worldwide. It has been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me. God bless Nigeria.”

Enyeama, who also represented Nigeria in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, said it had been an extremely difficult time for him.

“It has been the most difficult period of my life, losing my mother and the emotion.

“After playing for the Super Eagles for 13 years, you never think that it would end like this but the time has come.

“There is never a good time to leave but I will always be a fan of the Super Eagles and Nigerian football.

“I played at three World Cups, won the Africa Cup of Nations and fought alongside brave compatriots so I am leaving on a high.”

Determined to build on their success achieved at the just concluded 11th All Africa Games held in Congo Brazzaville, the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) rose from its recent meeting to set up seven different Sub-Committees to facilitate the affairs of the federation.

Vice President of NBF, Suleiman Zango Ibrahim, told Extra Time that the sub-committees whose functions are with immediate effect will not only help in fast tracking the federation’s activities, but will also assist in the smooth running of boxing in the country.

Adding that the present Executive Board of Members of NBF led by Gen. Kenneth Minimah (Rtd), the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, have resolved to take Nigerian boxing to greater heights, and hence cannot afford to fail.

The sub-committees include Marketing/Sponsorship which has Mr. Osondu Ogbu who is representing the South-East on the board as chairman. Other members include

the Vice President Suleiman Zango Ibrahim, Daniel Udoh, Azania Omo Agege, Mallam Yarma Farouk and Secretary General of NBF, Olusola luke.

Technical Sub-Committee has Mr. Daniel Udoh from the South - South as chairman, while the vice president, Suleiman Zango Ibrahim, Brig. Gen. Joseph Ayeni and Osondu Ogbu are members.

Finance and Budgeting Committee has Mallam Yarma Farouk as chairman.

Ethics /Disciplinary Committee is headed by Mallam Ado Datti.

The other sub-committee include the NBF youth and women committee that has Mr. Azania OmoAgege as chairman with Lukmon Lawal, Alh. A.F. Masha, and vice president, Suleiman Zango Ibrahim etc as members.

Reference/Judges sub-committee has Alha. A. F Masha as chairman while Doping Control Committee is headed by Dr. Ratimi Fasidi as chairman. Secretary General of NBF, Olusola Luke is serving as secretary of all the committees.

L-R: Member of NSCDC sports team; Ajiduah Chris, NSCDC football team coordinator; medallist, Tijani Nureni; Makanjuola Victor; NSCDC State commandant Gabriel Abafi; medallist Azike Onyeka Vera; Sports Coordinator Lagos command, Mr. Dorosinlorun Olayinka; Member of NSCDC and Mefor Chibuzor, NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer.

AAG: NSCDC REWARDS OUTSTANDING OFFICERS Onyegbula Onyenaturuchi and Joy Anyim The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, Thursday, officially celebrated and appreciated some of her officers who had distinguished themselves as Team Nigeria athletes in various sporting activities at the recently concluded All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

The three officers who returned with medals are Makanjuola Victor, who won two bronze medals in men’s athletics; Azike Vera who won a gold medal and two silver medals in weightlifting and Nureni Tijani who won bronze in 400 meters sprint.

Speaking at the event which took place at the NSCDC headquarters in Ikeja, the state commandant, Gabriel Abafi, who received the medalists appreciated the athletes for making NSCDC proud and the entire country at the All Africa Games.

Abafi further urged them not to relent in their duty posts so as to enable them go further in life.

The officer in charge sport in Lagos Command, Mr. Dorosinlorun Olayinka, advised the winners to be serious and committed in their training by improving themselves for other tasks ahead. He also urged the government to provide essential sporting equipment in order to improve the skills of the athletes.

Tosin Oke (born October 1, 1980 in London, England) is a Nigerian track and field athlete, who competes in the triple jump. Born a dual national, he initially competed for Great Britain. He set the current UK junior indoor record and was 1 cm shy of the outdoor junior record.

He was the 1999 European Athletics Junior Championships Champion, and came 5th at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. After multiple indoor and outdoor UK titles, he later switched to compete for Nigeria. Since competing for Nigeria he has won back-to-back African Championships in Athletics titles and the Commonwealth Games championship and is the current All Africa Games Champion.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics Oke finished seventh in the triple jump final, the best Nigerian result of the Games.

Tosin went to Amhurst Primary School, now called Brook Community School, where he left early to attend Secondary School in Nigeria’s best Federal Government School – King’s College Lagos. After just under 2 years, he returned to London to attend Christ’s College, a private School in Blackheath, followed by A-levels at Thomas Tallis sixth form. From there he went on to study Chemistry at the University of Manchester, and Osteopathy at the British School of Osteopathy.

Oke began competing in 1997 for Cambridge Harriers, South-east London. Within 2 years, at age 18, he won the 1999 European Junior Championships with a jump of 16.57 metres, and in the same year jumped the UK indoor junior record of 16.12m, that still stands today. He also finished fifth at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and twelfth at the 2002 European Championships.

In 2003 he came fourth in the European Cup. His 16.65 metres from the 2002 Commonwealth Games was his

About TOSIN OKE

Tosin Oke Nigeria/United Kingdom October 1, 1980 (age 35) 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in) 77 kg (170 lb) Nigeria Athletics Triple jump Mizuno

2011 Maputo Commonwealth Games Gold medal: 2010 New Delhi

All Africa Games Gold medal:

Achievements and titles World ranking: 7th Personal best: 17.23m Gold medal: 2012 Porto Novo Gold medal: 2010 Nairobi

Name: Nationality: Born: Height: Weight: Country: Sport: Event: Club:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4 Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

Tosin Oke

In 2009 at the Mobil Nigerian National Championships, Tosin jumped a World Championship B standard of 16.65m, and represented Nigeria for the first time at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. At the World Championships he did not reach the final, but came 7th in his qualification group achieving a new personal best of 16.87 metres. He finished the year ranked 47th in the world.

In the 2010 season, Tosin jumped a series of personal bests indoors, finishing with 16.89m in Birmingham. In his finest season so far, he went on to win the 2010 African Championships in Nairobi, Kenya with a personal best jump of 17.22m, 1 cm off the Championship record, and to top it off, became the 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion in New Delhi, India with his second furthest jump ever—17.16m. Oke finished the year ranked 9th in the world.

Due to the long 2010 season, Tosin decided to give the indoor circuit a miss. He opened up outdoors in Daegu with a modest 16.74m, and within two Meets jumped 17.14m at the Nigerian National trials, backed up with a 17.20m in Barcelona – where he got injured, and a 17.21m at the Diamond League meeting in London – where he got injured again! Needless to say, with multiple injuries, the World Championships in Daegu was not a happy hunting ground; he jumped 16.60m, came 8th in his qualifying group, but did not make it to the final. Two weeks later, a heavily strapped up Oke, was able to rise to the occasion for his country, and jump a last gasp 16.65m at the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique for the gold medal. After the end of season heroics, Oke finished the season ranked 14th in the world.

Tosin opened up the 2012 Olympic season with a bang, a 17.23m personal best at his National trials in Calabar really signalled his intent for the year ahead. A few days later he went to Porto Novo for the 2012 African Championships in Athletics, to defend his title.

He did so with a 5th round jump of 16.98m a distance he deemed sufficient to retain his title, and make his countrymen proud once again. His next competition was the Diamond League in London, where he came third to Christian Taylor & Leevan Sands with a jump of 16.93m in the rain and wind of London.

Next it was the big one, the 2012 Summer Olympics...Oke was ranked 11th in the world going into this competition, and qualified with relative ease with a jump of 16.83m to come 9th overall in the qualifying round. The final was a different affair, he managed two very different 16.90m+ jumps and was suffering from runway issues due to a recurrence of his hamstring injury from 2011. He came a creditable 7th, but knew the opportunity for an Olympic medal was lost after his great start to the season.

He finished the season ranked 8th in the world, and is due to see the world-renowned Dr.Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt to solve his hamstring problem.

personal best for many years.

In August 2007 he finally set a new personal best, jumping a World Championships B standard of 16.86 metres at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

In 2008, Tosin declared his interest in competing for his country of origin, Nigeria.

EXTRATIME

Friday, October 9, 2015

X5

X6

Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

De Gea: Madrid saga has made me grow!

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Cristiano Ronaldo (left) receives an award from former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

RONALDO:

anchester United goalkeeper David de Gea feels he has matured and grown following his failed switch to Real Madrid.

De Gea was all set for a Madrid homecoming, with Keylor Navas to move in the opposite direction, but the transfer papers were not lodged on time as the Spanish window shut last month.

The Spain international has since signed a new four-year deal at United and reclaimed his position in the starting XI, appearing in seven consecutive fixtures in all competitions, having been cast aside by manager Louis van Gaal at the start of the season.

Turan

C

in a documentary about the former Manchester United manager.

“I said, ‘Boss, I don’t feel good.’ We were in a key moment in the league and the Champions League, but I said, ‘Boss, I don’t feel good. I want to see my dad.’

“He said, ‘Cristiano, you want to go one day, two days, one week, you can go. I’m going to miss you here because you know you are important, but your dad comes first.’

“When he told me that, I thought: ‘This guy’s unbelievable.’

“He invited everyone to come for lunch, come for tea … an English cup of tea!

It was a family with him. He was a football father for me.”

M

ormer Barcelona director Toni Freixa believes the Liga champions should be able to register Arda Turan despite a FIFA transfer ban and has criticised the club for not forcing the issue.

Turan joined from Atletico Madrid during the close-season but is unable to play until 2016 due to Barcelona being under a transfer ban for breaching rules relating to registering youth players.

Following a serious knee injury sustained by Rafinha

last month, Barca approached FIFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the possibility of fast-tracking Turan’s registration.

A club statement urged FIFA to provide “a more concrete answer” on the issue and opened up the possibility of taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Freixa, who ran unsuccessfully to become Barcelona president in July, does not feel such steps need to be taken.

“I don’t think it is anything for FIFA to be complaining about because they don’t have any jurisdiction in this case,” he said.

“It is as simple as starting proceedings with the LFP to register Turan and getting a medical tribunal to rule if Rafinha’s injury is longterm or not.

Gotze

Gotze committed to Bayern

ario Gotze insists he never considered seeking a move away from Bayern Munich before this season.

Gotze scored the extra-time winner for Germany against

“I am a guy who likes to let the bad things and difficult times behind,” De Gea stated.

“I spent a lot of tough times and I know what it is. We must move forward, working equally and always strong.

“It’s a learning process that gives football hard moments but that make you mature and grow. These are things that you learn in the world of football.

You have to keep working and try to improve in every training session.”

De Gea - on international duty as Spain prepare to host Luxembourg in Euro 2016 qualifying today - added: “Everyone who works for Manchester respected me, I tried to help and I am very grateful to them.”

Freixa critical of Barca over Turan absence

FERGIE WAS MY FOOTBALL FATHER! F ristiano Ronaldo has voiced his admiration for former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and has described the Scot as his “footballing father”.

The Real Madrid star worked under Ferguson at United between 2003 and 2009 and he has nothing but fond memories of his former boss, stressing that the 73-year-old was there for him when he needed him most.

“When my dad was sick in London and was in hospital - very bad, in a coma - I had a conversation with Ferguson,” Ronaldo said

De Gea

Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final but his struggles to nail down a regular starting spot with the Bundesliga champions continued.

Now in his third season at the Allianz Arena since a controversial switch from Borussia Dortmund, the

23-year-old conceded that missing out on selection for big games “was not easy” but maintained that he is happy at Bayern.

“The last two years were certainly like a maturing process for me,” he said.

“I feel very, very happy here. I am glad to be a Bayern player.

“I would love to be the face of FC Bayern. I’ve played a good part in the first two years and I want to play an even greater part.”

He added: “I never wanted a transfer. It’s quite possibly that other clubs had interest, but I had no interest leaving Bayern.”

Gotze left Dortmund under a cloud after sitting out the 2013

Champions League final against Bayern with a hamstring injury – a match scheduled to be his last before an already sealed move to Bavaria.

The player expressed regret over that period, not least allowing a negative public perception of his transfer to develop.

“I made my own mistakes, but a lot of things that have been twisted,” he said.

Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

Arsenal opponent fails dope test Dinamo Zagreb’s Arijan Ademi has been provisionally suspended for failing a doping test after the Champions League win over Arsenal in September.

The 24-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes of Dinamo’s 2-1 home victory against the Gunners at the start of the Group F campaign on September 16.

An Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain owngoal and a header from Junior Fernandes gave the hosts a two-goal lead, with Olivier Giroud being dismissed in between, and although Theo Walcott scored for Arsenal, they were unable to take anything more from the match.

The player can request the analysis of the B sample this evening and the subsequent analysis of the B sample would then take a few days.

If it is also positive, the case would be referred to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary (CEDB) for a decision on the sanction to be imposed.

Klopp

LIVERPOOL

SET TO UNVEIL KLOPP TODAY

J

urgen Klopp is set to be formally announced as Liverpool manager today after the Premier League side called a news conference “for a major club announcement”.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss is the front-runner to replace Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked on Sunday, and Klopp was pictured preparing to board a flight from Dortmund to Liverpool on Thursday.

Reports have suggested he will put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Anfield before his unveiling on Merseyside.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm a press conference will be held this morning at Anfield for a major club announcement,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

Klopp garnered a reputation as one of Europe’s best coaches during a seven-year spell at Dortmund, where he challenged the domestic dominance of Bayern Munich.

The 48-year-old won two Bundesliga titles and claimed the DFB-Pokal, while also making it to the Champions League

final in 2013 only to lose out to Bayern at Wembley.

Klopp left Dortmund in May following a difficult final season in which the club flirted with relegation before eventually securing a Europa League spot.

Having initially insisted on taking a

sabbatical, Klopp looks set to be in place for Liverpool’s Premier League fixture at Tottenham on Saturday, October 17.

The German is in line to take over a side who have endured a stuttering start to their campaign and sit 10th in the Premier League.

Coutinho delighted over Liverpool stay Philippe Coutinho is “extremely happy” at Liverpool and has no plans to leave the club amid links with Real Madrid, claims his agent Kia Joorabchian.

Coutinho has emerged as a transfer target for Real, who have reportedly opened talks with Joorabchian.

La Liga champions Barcelona and Manchester City have also been linked with the Brazil international.

However, Joorabchian insists his client is determined to lead Liverpool to the Champions League.

“Philippe is extremely happy at Liverpool. He signed a new long term contract towards the end of last season that represents his ambition and his feeling for Liverpool,” said Joorabchian.

Coutinho

Mourinho thanks Abramovich for saving his job

Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has thanked Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for sticking with him despite the club’s woeful start to the season.

Chelsea’s Premier League title defence looks dead in the water after their opening eight games of 201516 returned as many points – leaving Mourinho’s men 16th in the table.

Defeat to Porto in the Champions League has also done little to lift the mood at Stamford Bridge, where

Mourinho has fallen out with his players and backroom staff already this term.

But a club statement earlier this week confirmed that Mourinho remained their first-choice to lead the team – and the Portuguese is determined to make the most of Abramovich’s faith.

Mourinho said: “This fills me with pride. It shows the faith Roman Abramovich has in a manager who has won three Premier League titles. I thank him and will continue to work hard.

“Chelsea’s results are really poor at this time.

“I can’t, and have no desire of hiding the truth. I’m struggling to come up with an explanation.

“However, I can assure you we are working harder than ever and we will improve. We also have the Champions League that we aren’t giving up on.”

Mourinho also hit back at claims from Fabio Capello that his methods lead to burnout among players.

X8

Friday, October 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Blatter hits back at Ethics Committee S

uspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has responded to his provisional exclusion from world football’s governing body, claiming that the Ethics Committee “did not follow the Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Code”.

Blatter, along with UEFA president Michel Platini and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, was suspended for 90 days on Thursday, following approval

by FIFA’s adjudicatory chamber of a recommendation made by the ethics committee.

The Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against the 79-year-old last month into allegations that he signed an “unfavourable”

television rights contract with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in 2005 and made a “disloyal” payment to Platini in 2011.

The sanctions against Blatter can be extended by up to 45 days, a move that would effectively end his 17-year reign, given the FIFA congress where a long-term replacement will be chosen is scheduled for February 26 next year.

The 79-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and a statement released by his lawyers questioned the conduct of the Ethics Committee.

“President Blatter was disappointed that the Ethics Committee did not follow the Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Code, both of which provide for an opportunity

Hayatou vows not to contest FIFA presidency

Blatter

to be heard,” the statement read.

“Further, the Ethics Committee based its decision on a misunderstanding of the actions of the Attorney General in Switzerland, which has opened an investigation but brought no charge against the President.

“President Blatter looks forward to the opportunity to present evidence that will demonstrate that he did not engage in any misconduct, criminal or otherwise.”

However, contrary to the statement from Blatter’s lawyers, the FIFA Code of Ethics does not oblige the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber to offer a personal hearing before issuing a suspension.

IOC president, Bach slams FIFA

The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, has urged FIFA to “act swiftly to regain credibility” in the wake of Sepp Blatter being relieved of his duties amid a host of internal suspensions.

FIFA president Blatter was one of three senior officials - along with Michel Platini and Jerome Valcke provisionally suspended for 90 days by the organisation’s Ethics Committee on Thursday, while Chung Mong-joon was banned from all football activity for six years and fined 100,000 Swiss francs.

The investigation into Blatter’s conduct relates to allegations that he signed an “unfavourable” contract with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in 2005, while he is also accused of making a “disloyal payment” in 2011 to Platini, whose bid to replace Blatter as FIFA president appears all but over.

Blatter, who denies any wrongdoing,

Bach

has subsequently been replaced by Issa Hayatou at the helm of world football’s governing body.

And Bach believes the latest developments at FIFA should represent

a watershed moment.

In a statement, Bach said: “Enough is enough. We hope that now, finally, everyone at FIFA has at last understood that they cannot continue to remain passive.

“They must act swiftly to regain credibility because you cannot forever dissociate the credibility of FIFA from the credibility of football.

“FIFA must realise that this is now about more than just a list of candidates.

This is also a structural problem and will not be solved simply by the election of a new president.

“They must do two things immediately: they must accelerate and deepen the reform process in order to comply with accountability, transparency and all the principles of good governance, as expressed in our reform programme, Olympic Agenda 2020.

In relation to “procedure” the code reads: “The chairman of the adjudicatory chamber may summon the parties to a hearing at short notice or set them a short time limit in which to submit written statements.

“The chairman of the adjudicatory chamber may make his decision on the basis of the case files available to him, without hearing the parties, in which case the parties shall be summoned to a hearing or invited to submit written statements after the decision has been issued.

“After hearing the parties, the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber shall confirm, revoke or amend his decision.”

Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou has stated he will not contest the presidency on a permanent basis, insisting he will replace the suspended Sepp Blatter as an interim measure only.

Hayatou - as the longest-serving vice-president on FIFA’s Executive Committee - is to serve as interim president following Blatter’s 90-day suspension.

FIFA announced on Thursday that Blatter, alongside presidential candidate Michel Platini and general secretary Jerome Valcke, had been suspended following approval by the governing body’s adjudicatory chamber of a recommendation made by the organisation’s ethics committee.

It follows allegations that Blatter signed an “unfavourable” contract with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in 2005, one that experts claim handed over World Cup television rights for a fraction of their market value.

The 79-year-old Swiss is also accused of making a “disloyal payment” in 2011 to UEFA chief Platini for work carried out for FIFA by the former France international.

Both deny any wrongdoing.

Platini

Platini fumes over ‘FIFA leaks’ Michel Platini has insisted reports he was to be suspended are “insidious” leaks by a FIFA source designed to damage his reputation.

Platini issued a statement shortly before it was revealed that the UEFA president and FIFA president Sepp Blatter had been suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee for 90 days following an investigation into a £1.35m payment made to the Frenchman by FIFA in 2011.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke

was also suspended for 90 days.

Platini has always remained determined to push his candidacy for the FIFA presidency with elections in February and on Thursday morning he said he would “stop at nothing to ensure that the truth is known”.

In a statement, Platini said: “It was reported last night that the investigatory chamber of the FIFA ethics committee intends to recommend to its adjudicatory chamber that I be given a 90-day suspension.