Daily Times of Nigeria Newspaper - Monday, 9th of February 2015

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.41

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May 29 swearing-in won’t change – Jonathan 6

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We broke the news...

Why my regime executed drug peddlers, jailed journalists – Buhari Segun Adio, 1Ə Ƒƍ MƆƓ &ƗƈƐ Ə

ÏÏÏFORMER

military ruler, Major General Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday defended some of the most controversial actions of his regime and accepted responsibility for them.

Gen. Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, the All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC), said that his military regime took those actions to clean up the country and restore dignity to the citizenry.

The Buhari junta, which was in power between 31 December 1983 and 27 August 1985, attracted criticisms for executing drug convicts with retroactive laws and for jailing journalists under a decree that made it an offence to publish a report that could

embarrass the government, whether true or false.

The military regime executed Bernard Ogedegbe (29), Bathlomew Owoh (26) and Lawal Ojuolape (30) for dealing in drugs. The case of Owoh drew particular global attention because at the time the offence was committed, the maximum punishment in the country’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Cote d’Ivoire lift 2015 AFCON trophy, beat Ghana 9-8 on penalties

8 8

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Molade Okoya Thomas(1935-2015)

I

t was the great English Bard, William Shakespeare who penned the inimitable words; “When beggars die, there are no comets seen, the angels blaze forth the death of princes”.

The death of Molade Okoya- Thomas last week captured the essence of that timeless saying in broader relief. The late Okoya- Thomas was indeed a prince both in life and in death. And all Nigerians are gathered to mourn his great passing away.

In life, the late Okoya-Thomas was a colossus in all true ramifications.

He was not only a philanthropist par excellence, Okoya-Thomas blazed the trail of using private resources to serve the good of the greater society.

The late PrinceMolade Alexander Okoya-Thomas was born in Lagos on June 8,1935 to late Hassam OkoyaThomas and late Alhaja Suwebat Okoya-Thomas.

He received his elementary education at Princess School, Lagos from 1942-46.and later proceeded to Baptist Academy where he passed out as the beat graduating student in 1956. After his secondary school,he left for the United Kingdom and studied commerce at Balham and Tooting College,London from 195659 and also attended Columbia University,New York in 1981.

In 1959, he was employed as an accountant with CFAO,Lagos. The late Okoya-Thomas was appointed Director,Transcap Nigeria Limited;

Director,Niger Motor Industries Limited;Chairman, Studio Press Nigeria Limited and was the Chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited from 1987.

In Lagos State, late Okoya-Thomas served on numerous boards including;member, Lagos City Council from 1971-75;member, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation;Chairman Board of Trustees Glover Memorial Hall and Tom Jones Hall. For his service to industry and enterprise, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, the highest national honour by the French to a foreigner.

He was a consummate sports personality and that trait was traceable to his school days, when he was a Joint All Nigeria Record Holder of 4x220 yards relay race.

For four decades, Okoya-Thomas was the sole sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championship, a record by every standard. In furtherance to his love for sports, he built a modern sport hall for Lagos State University(LASU),Ojo in 2009.

Definitely, no tribute would be more befitting to the memory of the late philanthropist, than to call on other well to do Nigerians to emulate in his foot steps.

He showed that riches are nothing if they do not serve the needs of the less fortunate in society.

Late Okoya-Thomas lived by this example. Therefore,present and future generations will always remember the legacies he left behind.

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Yemi Ogunsola

ÏÏÏSome

clowns masquerading as skilled contractors keep telling Nigerians that with 95% sand and 5% adulterated cement, they will build lasting structures, even enviable skyscrapers. And though for years the said structures have kept crashing down, some pitiable souls keep believing the jesters.

Oh, they are men and women of faith alright, the con contractors and their fans. If you take the trouble

to move close to them, you hear them piously humming their trade mark tune: “We worship the God of miracles, we know, yes we know oo…” even as they busily, craftily mix abundant ash with little cement and make up the rest with ordinary sand.

They have been busy building their faith without building their character. But as has become clear to all but the self-delusional, righteousness (Probity, integrity, accountability) are the intangibles that exalteth a nation, not faith. Not even abundant crude oil.

A nation is great in nothing if weak in character. No

Words On Marble :

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Con contractors amount of faith or pious mumblings or loud affirmations will sustain structures built with adulterated/corrupted cement. They will and must crash.

Talk is cheap. These jesters can mouth big things; but they lack the character to achieve them. Any weakling can compare himself to Mandela or Awolowo, but it takes strength of character to come near either.

Corruption goes with putrefaction, decay, stench. Whichever nation, leader, group or political party (ruling or opposition) cuddles corruption to its chest like precious gifts goes nowhere but down…

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Deputy Editors Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head of Operations

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Bisi Abidoye Segun Adio

Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Editorial Page Editor

Business Editor

Sports Editor

Head, Sales & Marketing

Okay Osuji

Andrew Ekejiuba

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Moses Ebong

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

Deputy Head Graphics Afeez Odeseye

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

Frank Herbert

Nuhu Ribadu

Barack Obama

All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible

Corruption is the enemy of any

If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists to protect them and to promote their common welfare all else is lost.

good government, it stagnates meaningful development; so fighting corruption is going to be part of my system

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

5 News

PDP to Jega: Probe your staff over PVC losses Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the level of involvement of some of its staff on the lopsided distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The party made the call in its reaction to the postponement of the general elections to March 28th.

The party, in a statement Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh,

pointed out that it was in support of the reasons adduced by INEC in shifting the polls, which bother mainly on security concerns in the north east zone.

The party stated that the timelag has provided ample opportunity for INEC to look inward and probe including the ad-hoc staff on their roles in the PVCs debacle.

It would be recalled that Prof.

Attahiru Jega had relied on powers of the Commission as provided by section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), and an advisory from security forces over their inability to pro-

vide adequate security for the election, in postponing the election.

“However, on account of the reasons adduced by the security forces and INEC, we believe that this shift, which is still within the constitutionally-allowed period, can be accommodated,” Metuh stated.

He added: “INEC must also use this period to attend to our earlier call to address the issue of denial of PVCs to non-indigenes in select states.

“This is especially as the INEC Chairman himself acknowledged that only 45,829,808 mil-

Jega

lion, representing 66.58 percent of the total number of registered voters have received their PVCs. “INEC itself has confirmed that as at last week, well over

PDP members in Share run into hiding for fear of attack Ola Yekeen Ilorin

ÏÏÏMembers

L-R: National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd); National Chairman APC, Chief John Oyegun and APC chieftain, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu at a press briefing on the postponement of Feb. 14th election in Abuja…on Sunday.

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Sharia police arrest street beggars in Kano

Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏKano

State Sharia Board, popularly known as Hisbah, has arrested about 46 street beggars comprising 34 almajiris, eight female adults and four men within Kano metropolice.

According to the board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Muhammad Yola, said the Kano State Government has mandated them with the responsibility of keeping the city’s streets free from beggars as a law was enacted prohibiting the act within the ancient city. He further explained that two

Information mgt, a boost to peaceful elections

out of the men had been charged to court, while the remaining two and the eight females who were first time offenders would be released. For the Almajiris, he said what the board normaly does is to invite their Mallams and make them sign an undertaking that their students won’t go back to the street anymore.

Furthermore, he stated that his officers won’t relent in getting rid of beggars who were in the habit of begging for alms on major roads in the state. This he said, poses great danger to their lives and others on the road. He

said people must know that begging is not Islamic although one is allowed to solicit for help should he be in a dire situation adding that Shari’a only permits him to ask for what he needs to solve that problem while insisting that if he must add a kobo on the amount he needs in case of money, that additional kobo is “haram”.

“So people must learn to be hard working and useful to themselves and the society” Yola stated.

He also called on their relations to take care of them and discourage them from going to the street as it is against the law of the state.

Chijioke Kingsley

of Plateau State that his office will ensure that politicians did not heat up the polity with words capable of throwing the state into unnecessary crisis.

Hon. Abubakar was a grass root politician and he was Chairman of Wase Local Government Area

Jos

ÏÏÏThe

Commissioner for Information in Plateau State, Hon Muhammed Abubakar Badu, who took over from Bar. Olivia Dazeim, during the reshuffling of cabinet last year, has assured the people

of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Share, home town of Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, have run into hiding for fear of being attacked by the opposition.

PDP chairman in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Salami, on Sunday, told our correspondent on phone that many PDP members have deserted the town due to threats of attack.

Salami, a native of the town said he has left home with his family when hoodlums allegedly threatened to burn down his house and vandalise any property

Political parties sign peace accord Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Police Com-

mand, on Sunday, invited political parties in the state to sign a peace accord just as it was done in Abuja. The event during which the accord was signed, took place at the Nigerian Police

in Plateau State for three consecutive times. Given his background, he knows that politicians are capable of destroying the peace of the state and by extension the entire country if the information they spread are not properly managed.

two million voter cards were either not yet delivered to INEC by its contractors, lost or stolen.

“For instance, we are aware that in Borno state, 90 percent of the PVCs were handed over to state government officials, who distributed them by proxy contrary to laid-down procedures.

“Also in Owerri North Local Government of Imo state, the LGA of our National Woman Leader, only new registered voters have received their PVCs. Citizens with old voters card have not had any replacement and this scenario abounds in other places”, he said.

belonging to PDP members in the town.

“As I am talking to you, my family members and I, as well as many PDP members and supporters are hiding in the bush awaiting security agents to rescue us,” he said.

The chairman added that he had to take to his heels as the hoodlums threatened that the attack earlier visited on a PDP supporter from Share, Mallam Sikiru Ayesoro, would be a child’s play.

He said that houses and properties belonging to PDP members in the town had been marked for attack as it was allegedly the case at Isapa, home town of PDP governorship candidate few days ago.

Salami said though, he has contacted security agents and PDP hierarchy over their dilemma, members of the opposition party, APC led government should be held responsible for any untoward actions.

Officer’s Mess, Milla road, Bompai.

According to the Command, it was aimed at controlling what could happen if things are left unchecked.

The outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderinle Shinaba, who was recently promoted to the rank of AIG, said such agreement is necessary observing what happened in the state in recent times where lots of cars were set ablaze by thugs from opposing parties and cases of loss of lives. According to him, the Nigerian Police Force would not relent in bringing to book any person or group that causes a set back to fragile level of peace enjoyed in the state. He said politicians must not as a result of their selfish interests push the youths into violence. He said the Command would hence forth not tolerate inflammatory comments made by some politicians.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

May 29 swearing-in won’t change – Jonathan Akinjide AKintola, Augustine Aminu & Sunday Isuwa

ÏÏÏFollowing

the adjustment of the dates for the 2015 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11

on Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan has restated his commitment to the sanctity of May 29, 2015 as the terminal date of his first term.

According to him, May 29 is, has been, and will remain sacrosanct.

On his part, the presidential candidate of the

All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), urged Nigerians to remain calm and do nothing to worsen the current security situation. Buhari however, alleged that though INEC acted within its constitutional powers, the shift was engineered by the PDP and

the INEC “has been gravely compromised.”

The new dates must be sacrosanct, he warned.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan appealed to all stakeholders to accept the adjustment of the elec-

L-R: Convener, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Kofoworola Akerele Bocknor and Deputy Consul-General of South Africa in Lagos, Miss Thandi Mgxwati during a town hall meeting for Women in Lagos at the weekend.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

tion dates in good faith, as the electoral body has a responsibility to conduct credible elections in which every Nigerian of voting age is able to exercise his or her civic right without any form of hindrance.

“It is the President’s understanding that INEC’s decision ought not to generate acrimony since it acted within its powers under the law and in consultation with all relevant stakeholders,” the statement said.

The president therefore urged the international community, civil society and the electorate to continue to support the administration’s commitment to a free, fair, credible, and nonviolent electoral process.

Also speaking at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, Buhari called for utmost restraint and calm but declared that the postponement, a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert the electoral process.

“PDP administration has now engineered a postponement using the threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and breadth of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the North

East.

“It is important to note that although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised.”

According to him, though he shared in the disappointment and frustration of this decision which has raised so many questions, “we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.”

Buhari warned that any act of violence can only complicate the security challenges in the country and provide further justification to those who would want to exploit every situation to frustrate the democratic process.

“If anything, this postponement should strengthen our resolve and commitment to rescuing our country from the current economic and social collapse, from this desperate band. Our desire for change must surpass their desperContinued on page 8

Gunmen kidnap ex-Gov. Dariye’s father Buhari defends execution of Owoh, others Moses Ikyaa-Gba, Jos

ÏÏÏTension

is currently visible in Bokkos Local Government area of Plateau State over the whereabouts of the father of the former Governor of Plateau State and a Senator representing Plateau Central in the National Assembly, Senator Joshua Dariye.

He was said to have been kidnapped suspected gunmen on Saturday night, a witness in the community revealed.

The victim, who is said to be in his late 80s, was abducted at his residence in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government area of the state.

Our source further said the kidnappers fired gun shots in the air to scare residents of the area before the victim was abducted and

taken to an unknown destination.

Our correspondent gathered that some PDP elders accused the former governor of playing double politics during electioneering campaign in Pankshin Local Government at Nenfur arena.

The police in the state have confirmed the incident.

The victim’s son, Senator Dariye, currently represents Plateau Central in the Senate and is seeking re-election .

The politician could not be reached for comments as at press time. But our source, a close associate to the former governor, said he has been told of the incident.

Meanwhile, the gunmen that kidnapped Mr. Dariye Dafweng, father of Senator Joshua Dariye on Saturday

have asked for 10 million dollars as ransom. ``We have just confirmed that the kidnappers dropped a letter in which they asked for N10 million dollars,’’ Maj. Gen. Dave Enetie, Commander of the Special task Force (STF), maintaining security in Plateau State, told newsmen in Jos on Sunday.

He said that the kidnappers also left telephone numbers to facilitate contacts with the family of their victim. ``We are trying to get a copy of the letter and the phone numbers to help our efforts to secure the release of Dariye’s father,’’ he said.

Enetie said that STF personnel had been dispatched to nooks and crannies of the state to locate the kidnappers, in addition to the efforts of search teams combing neighbouring states.

Continued from page 1 legal code was six months imprisonment. The Buhari government enacted a Decree 20, which had a retroactive effect and carried the death penalty.

Also, under Decree No. 4 of 1984, the Buhari military government jailed two reporters, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor for publishing reports that it considered embarrassing to government officials.

His question-and-answer session with the Al Jazeera television, went thus: People accuse your leadership during that regime of cracking down on civil rights, of executing people who had not committed capital offences.

We said we suspended parts of the constitution and we made laws before we sent people on trial. So, we accept

responsibility for whatever opinion and whoever is expressing it. The question of executing people was about people dealing in drugs. We said cocaine and associated drugs were not developed or produced in Nigeria. People who want to make money at the expense of health, lives of people go to the countries that produce these substances and make Nigeria a transit camp for drugs, destroying Nigerian communities and extend the destruction even to developed countries just to make money. We were concerned that if people want to make money, they should go out and work hard and make money, not to go and bring drugs, sell it and destroy our youth, sell it and destroy other countries just to make money. We made the law, that whoever did it should be executed. Let him go and make the money else-

where, not in Nigeria. The second accusation that you made on the trampling on human rights is about the Nigerian Press. We said we cannot stop the press from criticizing people or institutions. But please, let them have investigative journalism. Let them try and verify facts before they accuse government of offence and others of misdemeanor to spoil their names and reputations. We never held any secret tribunal. The tribunals, six of them throughout the country, we got the intelligence community, Navy, Army, Air Force, Police, national security organisations, to form the investigative panel that based on documentation, people were charged, military tribunals, they were tried. There was nothing secret about it.

Continued on page 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

7 News

POLLS SHIFT

PDP afraid of failure, says Ngige Doris Nnabuenyi Awka

ÏÏÏFormer

Anambra State Governor and South-East Coordinator for Gen. Mahammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Chris Ngige, has described the shifting of the dates for the country’s general elections as a show of fear on the part of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He spoke to our correspondent, in Awka, on Sunday, and noted that the reasons for the postponement were not failure on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but an indication of PDP’s fears of ultimately losing the general election.

He, however, contended that the extension by six weeks can only be to the advantage of Nigerians if the exercise is conducted in a free and fair manner, but added that if after the six weeks period the same old story is still being told, then, there might be no need for yet another extension.

Ngige noted that: “It is the electoral law and the constitution which empower INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to fix dates for the general elections and so that does not allow interference from both political parties and tjeir candidates.

“However, Jega may have seen the postponement not from within INEC, but from the military which said that they would

not guarantee security of lives and property on the earlier dates, due to security challenges in the northern states posed by Boko Haram.”

Even so, he wondered whether six weeks would be enough for INEC to conduct a free and fair election.

Ngige

end. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

APGA backs INEC’s decision Abuja

ÏÏÏThe All Progressives Grand

Alliance (APGA), has expressed its support for the postponement of 2015 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party described the postponement as the right thing to do in view of the security situation in the north-eastern part of the

country that might not make for a peaceful general elections.

It said this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the APGA Chairman, Mr Victor Chigozie Eneh, in which it urged registered voters to use the window of opportunity to collect their permanent voter card to enable them vote for candidates of their choice.

It urged INEC to provide a

Ola Yekeen Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Kwara State, has said thew decision of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Atahiru Jega, to postpone February general elections to March and April was a welcome development.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Rex Olawoye made this known on Sunday during an interview with our correspondent. Olawoye said there was nothing bad in INEC postponing the election, especially as the postponement bordered on security situation in

level playing field to all political parties participating in the elections and put its house in order to ensure free, fair and acceptable polls.

“APGA welcomes the shift of date for the elections and hopes that the security agencies will conclude their operations in the North East States of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Gombe affected

by Boko Haram insurgency and restore peace in the zone.

some parts of the country.

Olawoye, therefore, called on PDP members and the people of the state to co-operate and bear with INEC in its quest to ensure a free, credible and acceptable elections.

He appealed to INEC to keep faith with the new election dates as any other postponement may have adverse effect on the nation’s democratic experiment.

“PDP will not want another shift of election dates; this should be the only postponement as the whole world is watching us,” Olawoye added.

The PDP spokesman declared that the postponement would cause further expenses on the purse of the party.

Shift in election no threat to APC - Osun Dep Gov. ÏÏÏOsun

L-R: General Manager, Customer Services, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Ebele Okoye; Director of Administration, Barrister Ikechi Uko; Comptroller of Immigration Service, (MMIA), Chizoba Dibi; Regional Manager, South West, FAAN, Mr. Remi Aromiwura and NDLEA Commander, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Mr. Hamzat Umar, at the FAAN Customer Service Appreciation Day/Cancer Awareness Workshop, in Lagos at the week-

Lateef Ibrahim

Kwara PDP hails Jega

State Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, has stated that the shift in the dates for the general electionwould not have negative effect on the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Speaking in Otan Aiyegbaju, the headquarters of Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state, while joining Catholic community to observe the annual “Oke Maria” pilgrimage, LaoyeTomori called for sustained prayers for peace during the elections in the state and the country at large.

While condemning terrorism ravaging some states in the North, the deputy governor also described the killing of innocent people in the North-east a desecration of human life.”

She, however, called for more

prayers to end the security challenge facing the country, adding that true worshippers should remain steadfast in keeping with the faith.

Similarly, two civil society groups based in the state – Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) and Centre for Sustained Dialogue (CSD), have accused the leaders of the country’s security agencies of engaging in partisanship and acting the script of President Goodluck Jonathan by forcing the postponement of the general elections. In separate press statements signed by Comrade Ismaeel Uthman for OCSC and Comrade Hakeem Omotosho for CSD, both bodies described the postponement of the election as an attack on Nigeria’s democracy and a civil coup aided by President Jonathan.

Adamawa Rep’s candidate slams military for meddling

He said the military are main to protect the country against any external aggression, but appeared to have been enticed with the juicy gratification of undue incentives by the government. Duhu said the military were yet to fulfill their promise to the menace of Boko Haram within four months, and yet, decided to meddle with the affairs of government by agreeing with People’s Democratic Party to have the February dates of the elections shifted.

“The postponement of February polls came to us as a surprise, as we were gearing and seriously planning towards the general polls.

Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏ An All Progressives Congress (APC), aspirant in Yola, who hopes to represent the people of Michika/Madagali in the House of Representatives, Abuja, Alhaji Umar Duhu, berated the military for meddling in the country’s democratic process.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

May 29 swearing-in won’t change – Jonathan Continued from page 1 ation to hold on to power at all costs…

“We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days.

Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law.

The APC candidate however warned that the new date must be sacrosanct: “I wish to state strongly that our party will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections of March 28th and April 11th, 2015 must be sacrosanct.”

Mixed reactions have continued to greet the shift, with the North and South holding different positions.

Elephants dim Black Stars! ÏÏÏIvory Coast won their first Africa Cup

of Nations since 1992 in dramatic fashion, beating Ghana 9-8 on Sunday via penalties.

Wilfried Bony smashed his spot-kick against the crossbar but the Elephants recovered in the shoot-out, eventually taking the title when goalkeeper Boubacar Barry saved from his opposite number Razak Braimah and then stepped up to score.

It was an exciting end to a game that had been anything but, with Premier League stars Bony and Yaya Toure unable to create enough to win the game in 90, or even 120 minutes.

Toure forced Razak Brimah into a save from an early free kick, and was generally more involved than he has been in the tournament’s previous games.

Black Stars Christian Atsu, who has shown throughout this tournament why Everton made such an effort to secure him on loan this season, was the best player on the pitch for much of the game.

Some of those who hailed the decision included former chairman of the committee for last year’s national conference, Senator Fermi Okurounmu; former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide; an Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo while All Progressives Congress (APC) leader and former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita condemned the decision.

But both former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Major Abubakar Umar, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former governor of Osun State and immediate past National chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande declined comments.

Chief Akinjide told Daily Times that it was a very good thing to do. “It’s the right thing and quite reasonable and it makes sense,” he said.

Accident claims 12 lives on Ife-Ilesa expressway

You’ve managed to attract the support of fairly significant political figures in Nigeria.

Wole Soyinka the widely internationally acclaimed writer and former President (Olusegun) Obasanjo, former President (Ibrahim) Babangida. They’ve all come out very strongly against the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan and thereby support your candidacy. But nobody has come out with a real endorsement of Muhammadu Buhari as the right man and the perfect man to be the President of Nigeria.

If people don’t like Buhari’s face for what he did as a military Head of State, let them join either the ruling party or any of the mushroom parties and vote against me

Daily

TIMES

Nigeria VALENTINE GIFT ITEMS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES ‘‘I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When i think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon’’ – Author Unknown

Are you looking for a gift item to express your love to your partner or someone you admire? We will publish top-rated shops and companies to visit.

ÏÏÏTwelve people have died in an auto

crash involving a Toyota Sienna space wagon and a Toyota Hiace bus along the Ilesa-Ife Expressway on Sunday evening.

According to sources, the accident occurred a few minutes past 4pm.

The driver of the Hiace bus reportedly veered off the road and ran into the Sienna bus, travelling from Abuja for Lagos.

Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), in Osun State, Mr. Mohammed Hussein, confirmed the accident but declined further comments.

Shortly after the accident, there was a gridlock on the road, with motorists stuck in traffic for several hours before the road was eventually cleared after policemen and other road users joined the rescue effort to save the lives of some of the victims.

Buhari defends execution of Owoh, others Continued from page 1

Special focus on gift shops

and persuade their constituencies to vote against me. It is as simple as that. I keep maintaining that Nigerians will be amazed how physically Nigeria can be secured if people are allowed to choose whoever they want to represent them as members of legislature, as Governors and as President. We will be amazed.

Can I, with respect, put to you another criticism that is levelled against you, General Muhammadu Buhari and that is: You are a very popular figure in the North but that popularity doesn’t extend beyond. You’ve been accused of being the leader of the North, and somebody who doesn’t extend that appeal to the other parts of the country.

In fact, you’ve been accused of not really respecting the diversity of Nigeria. What would you say to that?

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

9 News

POLLS SHIFT

NDF hails INEC

Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (middle); his wife, Olufunso (right) Children of the late philanthropist, Chief Molade OkoyaThomas, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (2nd left); Tosin Alobo Bakare (2nd right) and Mr. Deji OkoyaThomas (left), during the governor’s visit to Thomas’s in Lagos... on Sunday.

Augustine Aminu

ÏÏÏA

civil rights organisation, National Democratic Front (NDF) has hailed the decision by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the general election as a patriotic decision in the interest of the nation.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Coordinator, Comrade Philip Agbese said Jega’s decision cleared the air on some of the allegations that he had been procured to do

the bidding of a particular ethnic group and certain political actors.

According to him, “it has shown his interest in respecting the rights of about 22 million other people who have a right to vote and be voted for at the polls”.

He further commended what he termed the remarkable improvement in inclusive democratic ethos like hearkening to the voice of the “majority of political parties who, overwhelmingly, supported the postponement”.

He further appealed that INEC and the security chiefs should see this as a window to address the basic challenges confronting the commission and how to conduct a free, transparent and credible general.

Coup against democracy – Fayemi, Rep Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏFormer

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi have described the shift in dates by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a coup against democracy.

Speaking in Isan Ekiti, his country home, during a service marking his 50th birthday, Fayemi said the Presidency, in collaboration with the military, coerced INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to get the presidential election postponed against the wishes of Nigerians.

Fayemi added that there would be more revelations soon to com-

Watch out for Plan B – Osun Speaker Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏSpeaker,

Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has said that the postponement of the general election was just one of the plans of the Peoples Democratic Party to force its candidates on Nigerians.

Among the plans, the speaker alleged, was the likely sacking of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Salaam, in a statement issued and signed by his media aide, Goke Butikakuron on Sunday, urged

plement the audio tape of how some people allegedly rigged the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Those fingered in the alleged election rigging included Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, PDP governorship candidate in Osun State in the last election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan and some military officers.

Fayemi expressed disappointment at how the military, a sacred institution, could have been enmeshed in acts that could subvert the democratic process, saying such trend was dangerous to the survival of democracy.

The ex-governor, however,

All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful not to relent in their move to bring change in government.

He explained that “with the given scenario that led to the postponement of the general election, the independence of INEC was being tampered with, while the body language of some stakeholders was becoming suspicious.

“Nigerians should be on the lookout for Plan B of the PDP-led Federal Government. The orchestrated Plan A of the script, thought to be a speculation had been unfolded. It is only for the country to be watching out for Plan B,” he added.

Group commends military, INEC

vowed that he and like-minded people would resist “anti-democratic forces” from derailing the country’s constitutional democracy.

He said: “It was apparent that the military and presidency, as well as some merchants of retrogression, boxed INEC to a tight corner to get the postponement to achieve their devilish motives.

“I believe what we are expected to do as democrats must be those things that would strengthen democracy. For the military to be saying that it would overcome insurgency it had failed to curtail in five years, was that not standing logic on its head? You could see that Nigerians are very unhappy.

“To me, this is more of a civilian coup against democracy, be-

cause for the military to have said that it cannot provide security for INEC during February 14 election implies that it is hand-in- glove with the presidency. This is a travesty and a danger to our democracy. The military is a product of Nigeria and not the father of Nigeria and it must do everything to protect this democracy”, he said.

Speaking on the audio tape that was trending on social media, which detailed how some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts and the military allegedly rigged him out of power, Fayemi said: “it should not be a surprise to anybody that such happened because what I said after the election is not different from what is unfolding now.

Faparusi said the shift was

Fayemi

“provocative, unjustifiable and suspicious’’, adding that it would be difficult for the military to overcome the Boko Haram it had failed to exterminate in five years, within six weeks, urging Nigerians to be vigilant about the new development.

TUC pleads for calm, caution ÏÏÏTrade Union Congress of Ni-

geria (TUC) has pleaded with Nigerians to be calm over the recent postponement of the 2015 general election by six weeks.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Saturday, February 7, announced a shift of the general election.

In a statement jointly signed by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal, TUC said “there is no doubt that

ÏÏÏA group, Christian Citizenship Network International, has expressed support for the military and National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)

Nigerians, and the world at large, feel greatly taken aback by the development, what with INEC’s assurance of its preparedness!

“The postponement may be construed as a great setback and capable of truncating the frail peace the country has at the moment, as it will be very difficult to convince the opposition parties and many Nigerians on the sincerity of the act, yet we sue for peace and appeal to all to take it in good faith in the interest of our country as March 28 and April 11 set for the elections

are around the corner”, the statement read.

“The Congress appeals to all Nigerians to remain calm and desist from violence and any activity that would compound this development. We believe that, God-willing¸ the dates chosen will come soon and the elections will be held. It must be noted that it is better to be late than to be the late.

If the postponement will ensure peaceful, free and fair elections devoid of crisis, we are for it.

“We know that the INEC pan-

for shifting the general election dates saying that it would protect the country from violence.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega at the weekend shifted

the general election scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 citing insecurity as the reason for the postponement.

News 10 Account for ward devt funds, Niger APC tells Gov Aliyu Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏNiger State All Progressives

Congress (APC) on Sunday told Governor Babangida Aliyu to account for the billions of naira deducted at source from local government accounts, which he did not disbursed to the ward development committees over the years.

The ward development project policy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration has been used to siphon local govern-

Group sensitises Lagos community on credible polls Ebere Obinagwam

ÏÏÏA group, the Voluntary Po-

licing Sector (VPS), has sensitised the people of Isokoko, a Lagos community on the way forward to credible and peaceful election.

Speaking on the topic: ‘2015 Polls: Objectives and Lessons from Previous Elections’, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mustapha Olusegun, pleaded with the people to maintain peace in the forthcoming election and not encourage war because, to him, war is never a good thing to experience.

He reminded them that the civ-

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

ment funds and further impoverished the grassroots.

APC, in a statement in Minna by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said although the concept of the ward development policy would have brought real development to the people if it were properly implemented, but the administration had allowed corruption and fraud to swallow its implementation across the state.

Vatsa stated that the government had failed the people in this programme. He expressed dismay that the party governorship campaign team has been inundated with complaints from the rural dwellers in the interior villages about the poor implementation of the programme, while government was making noise about its success on the pages of newspapers. il war, which claimed many lives, was as a result of violence during an election.

Olusegun, who is also operations officer II of Isokoko in Agege community, stated that the police are well equipped and ready for the election.

He, therefore, urged parents to address their children not to be used by anybody because their tomorrow is their future, and advised community leaders and parents to assist them too in the fight.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dopemu police station, Catherine Ugorji (DCO), also explained that the situation now is a test for both the police and the civilians to work together towards a peaceful and a credible election.

“We all have our integrity to protect, so we must work together for a peaceful and a credible election.’’

Catholic body preaches against election violence Nduka Uzuakpundu

ÏÏÏA non-government body, the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), has appealed to the youths in the country, alongside operatives and supporters of the various political parties, to be law-abiding in the run-up to and after the March/April general election.

The primary intent is to help the cause of peace, which the country very much needs, especially amid worsening political tension caused by ill-advised, incendiary comments by some politicians from different geo-political zones.

The National Secretary of CYON, Mr. Kingsley Onyeneke, told Daily Times in Lagos that the 2015 general election offered Nigerian youths, who constitute near-

ly 60 percent of the country’s swarming population of about 170 million, an ample opportunity to vote for candidates whom they believe would strive to better their lot through official policy and intensive programmes on crucial areas as education and employment.

He said that before then, the youths should collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) from centres designated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In addition, Onyeneke advised that the youths, who are the future leaders of the country, should resist being used by any politician to breach the law throughout the election period and the immediate post-election period.

L-R: Adamawa State Positive Change Initiator, Alhaji Abubakar Kari (left) in handshake with Adamawa PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, at the endorsement meeting of Ribadu in Yola, on Sunday.

With them is the state PDP ViceChairman, Alhaji Jingi Rufa’i

Discordant tunes over renaming of Nsukka Stadium after Chime Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏAngry

reactions have continued to trail the move of Nsukka Local Government Area Chairman, Mr. Charles Ugwu, over the renaming of Nsukka Stadium after Governor Sullivan Chime.

Ugwu had announced, to the surprise of the crowd during People’s Democratic Party’s campaign, that the stadium would, henceforth, be called ‘Sullivan Chime Stadium’, as an appreciation to the governor for ensuring that the governorship position was zoned to Nsukka.

Some residents of the area who spoke to Daily Times said the chairman is confused. “He has not done anything since he assumed office and has just seven months to complete his two-year

term.”

A councilor of the council who preferred anonymity, because he was not asked to speak on behalf of the councilors, said the legislative house was astonished at the announcement as the chairman never informed them before going public with his decision.

“All I have to say is that the chairman doesn’t have the blessings of the councilors on the renaming of the stadium, as we were not consulted. He is on his own,” he said.

According to Desmond Omeje, a party chieftain in Nsukka, “as a party man, I have come to realize that one should always accept the decisions of party leadership, but not when such decisions are taken without proper consultation from appropriate stakeholders.”

Continuing, he said: “The sur-

Chime

prise decision by the chairman to rename Nsukka Township Stadium after the governor is totally unacceptable,” adding that if it must be renamed, “we the people of Nsukka will have a say. Our councilors have to debate it,” he said.

Aregbesola vs Omisore: APC, PDP disagree over verdict Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏMixed reactions have greeted

the political atmosphere in Osun State over the recent judgement by the election tribunal hearing matters arising from the August 9, 2014 election in the state.

While APC and Aregbesola viewed the judgement as being worthy, PDP and Omisore disagreed with it, agitating that the panel be probed.

The three-man panel, led by Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime, upheld the victory of the All Progressives

Congress (APC), Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who secured 394,284 votes against the petitioner, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who had 292,747 votes.

The panel gave a unanimous judgment and dismissed the petitioners’ case, stating that all the witnesses called by the petitioner have all failed to prove any allegation was right.

According to Aregbesola, in a swift reaction to the judgment, ‘insanity’ in Nigeria’s society for Omisore courage to approach the election tribunal without evidence.

He said: “It is pertinent to state here that ab initio, those who went to the tribunal knew that the petition lacked any substance whatsoever. It is a sheer waste of the time of the judiciary…and they knew!

“One is appalled by the fact that a candidate who knew that the entire state rejected him and the political party he represents, performed abysmally in the build-up to the election, during the election, and compounded his woes by failing to meet up with the required deadline set by the rule of the court, would be taunting us with any fake victory,” he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III at the Year 1436/2015 Mawlud Nabiyy celebration organized by Oyo State Government… on Sunday.

Photo: OYO STATE GOVERNMENT

We’ll deliver Ogun to Jonathan - Daniel Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏWith the postponement of

the general elections to March and April this year, the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called on the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), not to relent in its efforts in convincing the electorate to vote for President Jonathan.

Daniel, who affirmed that the PDP remains the party to beat in Ogun State as it’s poised to deliver the state to President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming general elections, said the postponement by INEC will give the Party more opportunity to campaign vigorously.

The PDP, he said, remains the most populated in numerical strength which puts it in a strong

position to claim electoral victory at all levels of election.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of coordinators for presidential campaign in Ogun State, held at Legacy House, Onikolobo, Abeokuta on Saturday, Daniel said the current restructuring going on in Ogun PDP has clearly shown that the party is back on its winning ways and rock steady to wrest power from the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the State.

“Once a good structure is laid, we are heading towards winning elections”, he stated.

On the presidential election, the former governor said the best thing that could happen to the country is the re-election of President Jonathan having performed creditably well in spite of the myriads of challenges facing the nation.

“After the unification rally held in Abeokuta on October 2014, the PDP has put its house in order.

There is no possibility of rigging elections and we shall win fair and square when elections come”.

He then implored members of the PDP as well as the good people of Ogun State to vote massively for the President for a better Nigeria.

In his own remarks, the Ogun State Coordinator of Presidential Campaign Organisation. Hon. Segun Seriki said the process of taking over power in Ogun State has been completed with the day’s event. He said that the cluster of movers and shakers of the political terrain in Ogun State in the PDP is a testimony that it has internal capacity to manage crisis which made it unique as a political party.

NGO sensitises RTEAN on security at parks, highways Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏA

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), based in Niger State, Noma and Co. Consultancy Services (NOCOS), on Sunday, sensitized the Minna branch of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on security at motor parks and highways.

The State Coordinator of the NGO, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, who disclosed this at a one day workshop, said it was aimed at

raising security consciousness among members of the association.

“None is spared from militant attack because their aim is suicide mission, to destroy life and property hence this workshop.

“Fighting crime is the responsibility of both government and the ordinary man on the street,’’ he said.

Adamu also explained that the workshop which centres on bomb detection, safety of property, security law and ethic practice, would raise the security awareness of members of the

association thereby ensuring security of lives and property at the motor parks.

Earlier, Alhaji Diko Manu, Chairman of the association in the state said that the workshop would put members on security alert, adding that “the training will help us protect the lives and property of our passengers.”

Manu, who was represented by a member of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Alfa said “there is need for us to be security conscious because peoples’ lives and property are entrusted in our hands during journeys.”

11 News

2015 Elections: Ondo CAN calls for prayers

‘Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe Chairman of

the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ondo State, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, has called on all Nigerians to intensify their prayers for the peaceful conduct of next month’s general election.

Bishop Ketiku made the call on Sunday at a well-attended church service held at the Christ Like Ministry in Akure, the state capital.

He said Nigeria as a country, needed prayers more than ever before to avert pre and post elections violence that has already beclouded the atmosphere through the utterances and behaviours of the politicians and their supporters.

ASUU urges Aregbesola to intervene in UNIOSUN crisis Michael Bamigbola Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, to wade into the management crisis rocking the Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

The South West zonal coordinator of the Union, who addressed a press conference in Osogbo, last weekend, said the crisis should be nipped in the bud to save the image of the University in the academic community.

Ajiboye said, ‘’it was with disgust that the union got to learn about the suspension of three

The CAN Chair noted that the political campaigns of the participating politicians in the next month’s general elections is already threatening the corporate existence of the country and maintained that only ‘deep prayers’ could solve the break up.

The Bishop, who also doubles as the General Overseer of the Christ Like Assembly affirmed that Nigeria and her citizens are loved

by God adding that all religious leaders in the state would continue to come together in organising prayers for peace and unity to reign supreme.

“If not for the hand of God upon this country, it would have disintegrated long time ago but we thank the almighty for his love upon this nation and her citizens. principal officers of the university by the Chairman of the governing council.”

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the university’s governing council, Prof Olawoyin, had on Feb 3rd, 2015, suspended the Vice Chancellor, the Bursar and the Registrar of the institution.

Also Governor Aregbesola had named five member panel to look into the crisis.

Ajiboye however charged Governor Aregbesola to inaugurate the panel without further delay to save the University from crisis, adding that ‘’the suspended officers should be re-instated to allow them appear before the government panel.” ‘’It is only the Visitor that can sack or suspend such officers. We stand by the governor as the Visitor to the university and we commend him for seeing the need for a visitation panel.

Alleged N70m fraud: Plot to remove Bayelsa PDP chair thickens Akam James Yenagoa

ÏÏÏThere is palpable tension in

the fold of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Bayelsa State, over a plot to remove the Party Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba over alleged diversion of N70million provided by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dezianne Allison-Madueke, for the Presidential campaign rally in the State.

According to those plotting the removal of the accused Party Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), allegedly diverted N40million out of the N70million provided for the Party and also had

a substantial share from the remaining N30million unknown to the members of the State Working Committee of the Party.

The move to sack the Chairman is already creating tension among his loyalists and aides of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. Those calling for the removal of the accused PDP Chairman attributed the incident where Sam Inokoba collapsed during the presidential rally to the pressure created over the alleged fund diversion.

The discovery, that the sum given to the party was N70m and not N40m was made during the PDP presidential rally which was attended by the Minister.

Africa 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Kenyan lawmaker, three others killed in Nairobi

ÏÏÏA

Kenyan lawmaker was shot dead early Saturday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, along with his two bodyguards and driver.

George Muchai, a trade unionist and member of Kenya’s ruling coalition, was returning from a family gathering and had stopped to buy a newspaper along a main street in the central business district when gunmen attacked, The

Associated Press reported a senior police official as saying.

The official said the killing looked like an execution-style hit.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the killings. He said he expects the police to “mobilize all resources” to ensure the gunmen are “speedily apprehended.”

The majority leader in Kenya’s

parliament, Adel Duale, has called for an investigation, describing the shooting as “heinous” and “barbaric.”

“This is a sad day for the Jubilee Coalition,” Duale said. “The coalition has lost one of its best members of parliament; the country has lost a leader.”

He said the government “is under obligation to protect the lives and property” of all Kenyans

“and also to provide more security for the top leadership of our country.” Opposition leader Raila Odinga also denounced Muchai’s killing, saying it was part of a wider pattern of political violence and insecurity in Kenya.

The East African country has suffered a wave of violence linked to Islamist militants angry over Kenya’s military involvement in neighboring Somalia.

Tunisia arrests 32 militants ÏÏÏTunisia arrested 32 militant

Onlookers gather at the scene after Kenyan lawmaker George Muchai, his two bodyguards and driver, were shot dead on a main street in Nairobi, Saturday.

South Sudan defends delay of human rights report ÏÏÏSouth

Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei has defended an African Union decision not to release a report on human rights abuses committed during South Sudan’s conflict.

“This document, even if it is released, will it bring peace to South Sudan?” Makuei told South Sudan in Focus in a telephone interview.

“The government believes the best way is to keep the report, pursue peace and, after reaching peace, then you come to issues of accountability,” he said. “There’s no way you will hold somebody to account at a time when we have not yet reached peace. That is a complicating factor.”

Human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have slammed the

decision by the A.U.’s Peace and Security Council to withold the report, which was supposed to be released at a summit late last month.

Makuei dismissed the rights groups’ criticisms. “The so-called human rights organizations are not serious... They don’t want peace for South Sudan,” he said.

The Commission of Inquiry for South Sudan was set up by the Peace and Security Council last March to investigate human rights violations by parties to the conflict in South Sudan.

Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo headed the committee, which was also supposed to make recommendations on accountability, reconciliation and healing.

The so-called human rights

Obasanjo organizations are not serious...

They don’t want peace for South Sudan.

Makuei said making the report public now, before the conflict in South Sudan has been formally ended, would be putting “the cart before the horse.”

Islamists, some returning from fighting in Syria, who planned “spectacular” attacks, officials said Saturday.

News of the arrests came one day after a secular-Islamist coalition cabinet headed by Prime Minister Habib Essid took office.

The new cabinet faces many challenges, including Islamist groups that emerged after a 2011 uprising.

“Counterterrorism forces foiled plots to carry out spectacular attacks against vital installations, including the Interior Ministry, security stations and civilian buildings in the capital, Tunis,” said Mohammed Ali Aroui, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

“During the past three days, we arrested 32 terrorists from this group planning to attack targets in Tunis and other cities,’’ he said, adding that the group included “several terrorists returned from fighting in Syria.”

Aroui said troops killed Tunisian and Algerian militants in Mount Chaambi near the Algerian border.

Since a 2011 uprising in Tunisia toppled the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the country has become a major source of jihadi fighters traveling to Syria.

With an economy heavily reliant on foreign tourism, Tunisia has been cracking down on Islamist militants.

“Our priority will be to strengthen measures to combat extremism and strengthen security capabilities to confront terrorism and the protection of the democratic transition,’’ Essid said this week.

The number of Tunisians fighting in Syria has been estimated at 3,000. A few hundred have returned to Tunisia, and many have been tracked down and arrested.

Mozambique president meets opposition

ÏÏÏMozambique’s new president

Filipe Nyusi on Saturday met the country’s opposition leader for the first time, since taking power, in a bid to calm a vote dispute that has led to threats of a parallel government.

It was the first time the two met face-to-face since Nyusi took the reins of power last month.

Opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama told reporters that he was “very satisfied” with the meeting with “my brother, the president”. Nyusi only said the meeting was “good”.

Renamo chief Dhlakama, who claims the October elections which brought the Frelimo party back to power had been fraudulent, boycotted Nyusi’s inauguration ceremony and his party shunned the opening of parliament.

But after the talks held at a Maputo hotel, Dhlakama said his lawmakers would take up their seats in parliament “very shortly”.

He has threatened to form a parallel government in parts of the country where his party came out top in the election.

Zambia, Zimbabwe to strengthen bilateral ties

ÏÏÏZambia and Zimbabwe seek

strong diplomatic and bilateral relations following an official state visit by newly elected Zambian President Edgar Lungu to the neighboring Southern African country, according to the Zambian presidential press secretary, Amos Chanda.

He says Lungu thanked Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe for his support and advice during the transitional period in Zambia after the January 20 presidential by-election.

Mugabe urged the then-presidential contestants Lungu, from the ruling Patriotic Front and main challenger Hakainde Hichilema from the opposition UPND to ensure their supporters do not engage in acts of violence that could threaten the country’s peace and stability or undermine the credibility of the vote.

Lungu made a day’s trip to Zimbabwe on Friday, where he paid a courtesy call on Mugabe who is the current chairman of regional bloc as well as the chairman of the African Union (AU).

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

37 killed in Baghdad bomb blasts

North Korea tests new anti-ship missile

ÏÏÏNorth Korea has tested a new

Municipal workers clean up the site of a suicide bombing, one of several explosions that left at least 37 people dead in Baghdad, at the weekend.

ÏÏÏBaghdad’s

decade-old curfew ended Sunday, even though a series of bombs killed at least 37 people and wounded scores more Saturday.

In one case, a suicide bomber set off explosives on a busy street near a restaurant, killing at least 22 people and wounding many others.

There was no immediate claim

of responsibility for the blasts.

The attacks came ahead of the government’s lifting of its nighttime curfew in the capital, which was intended to reduce violence and kidnapping.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry in Munich, where

Jordan launches 56 airstrikes at ISIS

Leaders to discuss ‘last chance’ Ukraine peace bid

ÏÏÏAn official says Jordan has

launched dozens of air strikes against the Islamic State group since the militants released a video last week showing the killing of a Jordanian fighter pilot.

Jordan has said it would retaliate harshly for the slaying of the pilot, who was burned to death in a cage. Jordan has been a member of a US-led military coalition against the Islamic State group since September. After the release of the video, it said it would intensify bombing raids.

Since Thursday, Jordan has carried out daily attacks. Government spokesperson Mohammed al-Momani said on Sunday that Jordan has launched dozens of airstrikes since the pilot’s death, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, another coalition member, the United Arab Emirates, says it is sending a squadron of F-16 fighters to Jordan.

ÏÏÏFrench, German and Ukrai-

nian leaders are to discuss a lastditch peace bid for east Ukraine with Vladimir Putin on Sunday, after the US called for “deeds” from the Russian leader accused of masterminding the conflict.

President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel were to join Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Putin for a phone call, after Western leaders warned the peace drive may be a “last chance” to stop all-out war.

In a dramatic gesture at a gathering of world leaders in Germany on Saturday, Poroshenko brandished passports and military ID cards he said were seized from Russian soldiers deep inside his territory, offering what he said was “evidence” of Russia’s presence in the country.

“Today a former strategic partner is waging a hidden war against a sovereign state,” he said at the Munich Security Conference.

Fresh fighting in the former

U.S. officials said they discussed efforts to fight the Islamic State militants and the importance of a comprehensive approach to providing sound local governance, reconstruction and economic opportunity in areas liberated from the group.

In another development, the remains of at least 16 members of

Soviet republic claimed eight civilian lives, separatist authorities said, with Kiev accusing the rebels of massing heavy weapons ahead of a new offensive.

Merkel set the conference agenda in Munich as she championed the peace plan that she and Hollande took to Putin in Moscow late Friday.

“It is uncertain whether it will lead to success, but from my point of view and that of the French president it is definitely worth trying,” she said.

German Foreign Minister

Angela Merkel

13 World

the Yazidi religious minority were found in a mass grave in northern Iraq.

Yazidis are ethnic Kurds whose ancient, monotheistic religion has links to Zoroastrianism.

Yazidis have suffered repeated bouts of discrimination over the centuries, in particular from Arab Muslims.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier told national television the fate of the joint European push would be known in “two or three days”.

US Vice President Joe Biden injected a note of caution: “Given Russia’s recent history, we need to judge its deeds not its words.

Don’t tell us, show us, President Putin!”

A senior State Department official said the plan is based on a widely flouted ceasefire deal reached in Minsk in September, but admitted the initiative was still “very much in flux and evolution”.

Hollande told French TV station France 2 that the proposal includes the creation of a 50- to 70km demilitarised zone based around the current frontline.

But this idea appeared to face opposition from the Ukrainian president, who has lost territory to the rebels since the Minsk deal.

“There is only one line, and that’s the line from the Minsk agreement,” Poroshenko said.

anti-ship cruise missile that can hit targets with “ultra-precision,” according to a state media report issued Saturday.

The test comes before planned joint military drills by South Korea and the United States, which North Korea has criticized.

North Korean state media did not give the date or location of the missile test, which it said was monitored by leader Kim Jong Un. “Respected comrade Kim Jong Un watched a test-firing of new type of anti-ship rocket to be equipped at Korean People’s Army naval units,’’ the state-run KRT television report said.

Experts interviewed by news agencies said the cruise missile appears similar to a weapon built

by Russia, which is capable skimming just a few meters above the sea and flying very quickly.

North Korea is under increasing pressure from international sanctions related to its nuclear and missile programs.

Tsunami drill unfolds across 40 countries ÏÏÏForty

countries lying along the Pacific Ocean from Asia to the Americas are putting their tsunami early warning systems and escape drills to the test this week, with the key message for some coastal communities being “run and seek higher ground”.

Loudspeakers, sirens and signs marking evacuation routes are being used in tsunami simulation exercises in countries including Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, to ensure warnings reach atrisk coastal communities and get them to safety.

The United Nations-backed initiative aims to test communication systems used in earthquake and tsunami warnings and improve how countries prepare and respond to disasters.

Nearly 75 percent of deadly tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean and connected seas, according to the U.N., causing thousands of deaths and high economic losses.

National emergency response centers and agencies in 40 countries can choose one of six simulation exercises involving earthquakes off the shores of Japan, Tonga, the Philippines, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

Countries participating in the five-day drill that wraps up on Friday span from Thailand, China and Australia, to the Pacific Islands, the United States and south through to Chile.

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

2015: Limits of propaganda and threat appeal

T

Alexander Ifeanyichukwu

he 2015 general elections will remain one of the most fiercely contested in Nigeria for a long time to come, furthermore they further elevated the use of propaganda, fear and threat appeal in the opposition party’s desperation to snatch power at all cost.

For any critical observer, a clear pattern has evolved in the way and manner the two leading political parties – PDP and APC have approached the campaigns. While the PDP with President Goodluck Jonathan as its standard bearer has emphasised more on its achievements in the last six to four years, the same cannot be said of the APC. The initial campaign of the APC which showcased the beautiful pictorials of the various development projects in the APC controlled states have suddenly given way to a campaign of castigating and denouncing any and everything the PDP at the centre may have achieved.

This obvious deviation from its earlier approach can only

signal a wrong approach by the APC campaign managers who succumbed to the quick reminder from the PDP, what they were showcasing as achievements by APC governors especially in Kano, Rivers and Kwara, were essentially accomplishments by these governors before their defection to the APC. Unfortunately, this painful truth seem to have caught the APC campaign machinery off guard, as the party has resorted to more aggressive use of the unpopular propaganda, fear and threat appeal.

All that seem to emanate from the campaign office of the APC is informing Nigerians of schemes to truncate the election, imagined plan to elongate the tenure of the Presidency and most recently reminding Nigerians of certain phraseology, like “unpatriotic elements”, “this is Nigeria’s season of anomie”, and call on the electorate to “kill PDP before it kills us”, all as part of the sustained threat capable of causing panic.

Our history is replete with delusions created by crowds at political rallies organised by

political parties leading them to adjudge their candidates winners before the actual election is conducted. When such turns out differently, then violent reaction is easily encouraged. The post 2011 experience is still fresh in our memories.

The moment a political party veers off from canvassing for votes based on the issues of the day and rather focuses attention on the wrongs of opponents without necessarily proffering better and realistic alternative, it descends to the unpalatable use of unconventional approach, usually propaganda embellished with the condemnable act of threat appeal.

The adoption of the fear appeal which is clearly an attempt to arouse fear in both the electorate and opponents is targeted to divert behaviour through threats. This is condemnable at this stage of our democracy and the attacks on the campaign train of an incumbent president, is a wrong signal for our democracy.

Often, those who adopt fear and threat appeal use them as a defensive mechanism but studies over time have revealed that

the results are usually mixed.

While this election, in the perception of the APC presents it the biggest opportunity to clinch power at the centre, adopting fear and threat as instrument of persuasion should not be encouraged in the present circumstance.

It is getting clearer by the day that between the two gladiators in the presidential race, one is a much sober and amenable to democrat than the other that thinks use of force in whatever form is acceptable in as much as an end is achieved.

But history has shown from generations that the fear and threat appeal always end in failure for those who have trusted it because they usually do not know when they overdo it.

Reality is that with just days to the elections, Nigerians are getting a clearer picture of who the true democrats are and the pretenders are unleashing their fangs against the same people they seek to serve.

Can the APC return to the issues that will benefit Nigerians, please?

Resisting the allure of a lie

“I

Yinka Adeosun

f you must tell a lie, be brief, that’s why adverts are short”. The whirling nature of life today projects a radical departure from this unwritten aphorism that defines the creation of persuasive messaging. We are inundated with barefaced lies shielded in shades of hypocrisy and falsehood. From the office, to the community, on the television, on the internet, lies have taken over the entire space. In fact, lies often dubbed creativity are features of some profession. Like corruption, it has become a norm rather than the abnormal.

The other day, I met a young man whose name as it appeared on his national identity card was different from what he filled on a form. On a closer check, the name which my organisation has in her records was a complete departure from the other two.

When quizzed, he insisted all were his names, arguing blindly.

Not even his surname was constant. This is the ugly situation that permeates our society.

Every day we are assailed by the reality of a growing race of insincere people. The average Nigerian has thrown away caution and embraced dishonesty.

Falsehood has taken root in the lifestyle of the populace. Even when confronted with the truth, he wants to argue his cause ostensibly to be vindicated.

More so, in this season of elections, campaign promises are as loud as cymbals. If one considers how politicians toy with dishonesty, one will not be far to conclude that falsehood is now part of our nationhood. From government to the governed, politicians to professionals, young and old, almost everyone is guilty of this untoward character.

The social media is the worst hit of truth muzzling and lie vending. The rate at which people design and distribute disinformation and misinformation on the social media is alarming. While one cannot deny the relief brought about by the

social media via the internet, it has become a conduit in the hand of jesters and the falsehood industry at large. Sadly as Mark Twain quipped, “a lie can travel half way round the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Thus, falsehood and disingenuous manipulation of texts, images and videos go on and become pervasive with media illiterates consuming it hook, line and sinker.

Honesty adds value to a person just as dishonesty diminishes from it. Lying can take you to enviable height, but such does not last. People who forged results to secure admission into the tertiary institution have been shown the way out in their final year.

The joy of their new status is cut short abruptly and their expectation of graduation is dashed. In the same vein, people who have jumped to the top have been shown the way down when the law of karma came for its pound of flesh. Ask Salisu Buhari and he would tell you how his edifice of speakership crumbled and his political career was drowned

in the mire of falsehood. He has since bowed into oblivion.

Liars are a burden to nation building. Their vestige of falsehood is calamitous to not just their age-grade, but also generations after them.

If your first name is liar, ‘thievery’ is your surname; for by nature, liars are thieves. It is second skin to them. Electoral season is one of promises – of heaven and earth: promises which are not intended to be fulfilled. It is amazing how politicians peddle half-truths and sometimes absolute lies in order to score cheap political points. They elevate deceit in order to pull down opponents. If Nigerians learn from history, they would have learnt that such attitude betray the sincerity of intention to serve; for they rob us of the truth and pay us with incompetence and maladministration. People who make promises and renege on them without a sense of remorse are as dangerous as serial liars.

What shall it profit a man if he tells a lie that eventually brings disgrace to him?

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

15 Opinion

Only true federalism can save Nigeria Never can true reconcilement grow where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep.’ Satan, in John Milton’s Paradise lost

T

E.O. Eke

he conduct and attitudes of Islamic North and South in the current campaign to elect a new president suggests that Nigeria is far past the rubicon and its existence as a united country run from Abuja for the interest of the criminal minded elites is over. It is the cruel misfortune of Nigeria that the political parties have not done enough to prevent election violence and it is simply wisdom for the usual target in the North to leave now.

The sovereignty of Nigeria is under question as no country can claim national sovereignty, if it is unable to protect all parts that compose and constitute it. Nigeria’s continued existence now hinges on adoption of true federalism, which would enable the North to continue as an autonomous Islamic nation with the real Boko Haram Sharia, but retaining the Nigerian identity and west, East and South uncouple themselves as federated autonomous nations from the present contraption to attempt to build

civil societies that would join the post modern 21st century world.

True federalism should now be adopted out of necessity for there is no better option that can both secure the advantage of belonging to a potentially great nation and retaining the freedom to decide ones destiny and that of his people for those constrained by ethnicity.

Failure to adopt true federalism would result in the demise of Nigeria as we know it today.

Such an arrangement should seek to secure the right of minorities in the North to protect them from intolerance and oppression of Islam, which seeks to destroy anything different from it. No one can see what some Muslims have done in Pakistan in the name of sharia and not fear for any minority in an Islamic nation.

A time must come when men should take their destiny in their own hands and seek to decide their future by their actions. The Nigerian experiment in its present form must now be brought to an end peacefully or it will end violently.

It is a dangerous thing for the rest of Nigeria to continue in a country, where Boko Haram and

Fulani herdsmen are well armed and many illiterates in the region intoxicated by intolerant and very prejudiced version of violent Islam.

The cry for one Nigeria no longer has any meaning in a country, where corruption and injustice are defended because of sectarian considerations and the North already under Sharia and seeking to extend its influence through violence and ethnic cleansing of minority non-Muslim groups.

There is no longer any basis to argue for one Nigeria as we know it today.

One Nigeria, as conceptualised in 1960 has been an impossible dream. Many innocent people, Igbos in particular, have paid the blood price and there is no evidence that the mindset that gives itself expression in violence in the pursuit of its objectives in Nigeria, will change soon.

The seeds of eternal conflict between reason and extremism have been sown. It would be the height of folly and cowardice to leave our future and those of our children to their mercy and hope that they would shrink from the

evil they have dedicated their lives to pursue. No one can expect mercy of Muslim fundamentalists who do not care to be just.

Wise people must recognise when a dream is unrealisable as a result of variable that would yield neither to reason nor force. No people can share a country with others who believe in things that can mutate into Boko Haram, ISIS, Aquaeda, Taliban and El Shabab. Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan,and many other Islamic countries, are evidence that Islamic countries cannot guarantee the liberty and are intolerant of diversity and plurality of views.

It is this sectarian attitude based on magical and dichotomous thinking about cosmos dualism(God and Satan), which Muslims accept as truth, which is at the root of this intolerance and ignorance.

This is a state of mind that is very resistant to change and finds it difficult to leave others alone.

Sadly, it often sees its mission as the conversion of non-Muslims by preaching or conquest. This restive nature provides impetus and justification for terrorism in the name of Jihad.

What Jonathan should not say at rallies

T

Alfred Uzokwe

hese days, President Jonathan seems to have come to terms with the fact that presidential campaigns are not for the soft-at-heart or the fainthearted. It is also good to see that he is no longer timid but has been delivering his own attacks aimed at Buhari. When the campaigns first started, he seemed excessively deferential to Buhari.

The problem, though, is that the statements that Jonathan makes on the campaign trail tend to deepen the belief by some that he is somewhat clueless about what really matters. It is one thing to respond to a campaign attack or to make an attack of your own but it is important to ensure that the things you say make sense, are effective and are capable of creating doubt about your opponent.

Nigerians are looking for Jonathan to specifically tell them why, after six years in power, they still have to reelect him. They want to hear the specifics of what he did to move the nation forward and what he plans to do if reelected. They want to hear tangible reasons why

he feels he is better than his challenger. Nigerians want to know why he should be given four more years to fight corruption when he has had six full years without tangible results.

Unfortunately, so far, he has not been to make the case. He says things that are rather peripheral or even tangential to the issues at hand.

For example, most Nigerians believe that the bane of the nation has been endemic corruption and so want that cankerworm excised.

That was why Nigerians hailed when the EFCC was first born under Obasanjo. They relished watching on TV as Obasanjo paraded some of the corrupt officials although he later turned that into a witch-hunt. But one would not know how badly Nigerians want corruption rooted out of the system by listening to President Jonathan.

He is also skewering Buhari for jailing people who defrauded the nation and was quoted as saying that Governor Jim Nwobodo was jailed for stealing funds akin to what you use to buy a car.

By continually castigating a former head of state for daring to fight corruption, he seems to be sig-

naling that he will not pursue that and EFCC will remain docile under his watch. If I were him, I would actually be saying that Buhari and I agree that corruption should be fought and that I will keep fighting it.

Most Nigerians still remember that General Babangida was and is still despised for what he did when he was in office. It was under his watch that Dele Giwa was killed and many media houses silenced in one way or the other. Corruption basically became institutionalised and inflation ran amok. He annulled the freest and fairest election in Nigeria that was won by Moshood Abiola. IBB has tried to come back a few times as a president but Nigerians roundly rejected him.

One would think that with this type of resume, any politician would keep far away from Babangida.

During one of Jonathan’s campaign rallies, he took time to recite the reasons that IBB adduced for overthrowing Buhari and said it was for the same reasons that Nigerians should reject Buhari. So Jonathan is now using a former corrupt dictator’s reasons for staging a coup to back up. If he says that Buhari was draconian in his

time and used IBB’s utterances to justify that, he seems to be implying that he is in bed with IBB. Jonathan is trying to legitimize IBB. This does not make sense.

During a speech recently, Jonathan said Buhari cannot even remember his phone number and yet wants to rule Nigeria. If he makes that statement in the United States, senior citizens would come after him because it smirks of age discrimination. As if that was enough, Jonathan made a statement that was so hyperbolic.

He said that part of the reason why the army was failing in the anti-terrorism fight was that Buhari did not buy a single rifle for them when he was in power. It not only sounds unbelievable but childish especially when he says that it is the reason why he, Jonathan, cannot fight insecurity. First of all, by that, he is admitting that his administration has failed in the fight against terrorism. Also, laying the blame on the doors of a head of state that ruled 20 years ago for just 20 months before being booted out of office, is a wild stretch. What Jonathan does not realise is that by saying that, he actually indicts his own party, PDP.

16

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Politics

s Moffat Ekoriko

Buhari

Why I ‘ll not vote Buhari The last may not have been heard about the political battle in Bayelsa State. The state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in the last few weeks has been under intense pressure over the rumoured plot to unseat him as the governor of the state and the series of attacks over alleged lull in the economy of the state. In this interview, Governor Dickson bares his mind to newsmen on plots to unseat him and the recent attacks on the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

AKAM JAMES was there. Excerpts: February 14 will make it your third year in office. It seems you are uneasy. Can you identify the challenges you have faced and how you are facing up to them?

I have been in political service for quite some time and I had been exposed to service for our people even before I ventured into partisan politics. At no time did I believe that being the governor of Bayelsa State was going to be a bed of roses. The cynicism of much of the Bayelsa public, the negative mindset and the passion for believing negative rumours and blackmail, and the way false propaganda spreads in this state.

Some of these things I had a fair idea of but I didn’t know the extent and you won’t even know until you are a governor.

When we came in, the revenue situation was not as bad, it was far better during the days of my predecessor at least towards the end of his tenure but then I didn’t also imagine that some time down the line, we will be managing de-

17

ductions from our monthly revenue such that as at today, what we presently receive is about 40%, even going to less than 40% of what we received when I started.

When I came in and I looked at my programmes and the available funds, I thought I had funds to embark on these ambitious programmes in every sector but I didn’t imagine that about a year down the line, funds will dry up.

The political challenges are always there, even challenges you didn’t expect will come from every quarter. Again one thing I have discovered is that unlike other states, our people are used to pulling somebody down, to imagining negative things, stories and even saying negative things. We don’t know much about how to support somebody to succeed; it is as if in leading the state to the next level, they don’t have any role to play.

When you look at the way they behave; even leaders, elected officials, and the way they take governance as if it is the responsibility of only one man, the governor, it is simply amazing. If you are in the National Assembly you don’t owe any obligation to anybody, to your state and even that much to your constituency. If you are a Minister you just stay far away and do your job, in whatever office. Even within the state our attitude is to stay far from the problem and then worse still, throw bricks at the governor and the government. We do not have the intention of sharing the vision and supporting anyone who is CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

One must admit that the performance of the present administration has fallen short of expectations in two critical areas.

One is corruption and the other is insurgency. In the case of corruption, the impunity of the corrupt has reached intolerable levels.

However, the Boko Haram insurgency is a totally different matter.

No insurgency thrives without popular support in the area it operates, and Boko Haram is no

exception. I am surprised that Nigerians have not wondered why Boko Haram is not effective outside the North East. Even the Northwest, contiguous in geography, population, religion and culture has been spared. The political elite in the northern part of Nigeria must share the blame for Boko Haram. The administration takes part of the blame for not having the foresight to see that Boko Haram can metamorphose into a deadly force threatening the very existence of Nigeria as

a nation state. It initially treated Boko Haram with kid gloves.

However, it is only an insincere person that will say the Goodluck Jonathan government has failed.

The administration has rebuilt the institutions on which a modern and prosperous Nigeria can thrive. It has done well with roads, the railway, agriculture and even the aviation sector. Nigeria has become a more democratic society where the rule of CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Nobody can intimidate me –Dickson

Dickson

Low turnout at Kaduna PDP Presidential rally Victor Jibrin, Kaduna If the turnout of people at political rally depicts acceptance or rejection, success or failure

of a contestant in a contest, then the crowd at the PDP presidential campaign held in Kaduna last Saturday is as good as concluding the opinions that the PDP may

have lost the 2015 presidential race in the state. This development, political pundits see as a slight on the political pedigree of Vice President Namadi Sambo, a son

of the soil.

Before berthing in Kaduna, the melting pot of northern politics, Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo campaign train had hit

several states of the federation, canvassing for support for the renewal of their mandate. In all the places the team had visited, CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Not change for change’s sake CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

law thrives. Compare Jonathan’s long rope for Rotimi Amaechi (the Rivers State governor who never misses any opportunity to go personal with the president and his wife) with the way Obasanjo treated governors who dared oppose him.

If Nigerians think the president could have done better and want change, the question is: must it be change for change’s sake? If we want change, what are we changing for? My fear is that we cannot change for Buhari because his candidacy as a change agent is flawed on grounds of age, company, character, convictions and style.

AGE Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, a leading APC governor, has already made this case against their candidate. He said that Agbaje at 57 is too old to succeed him as governor of Lagos. If a 57-year-old is too old to rule Lagos, one of the 36 states in Nigeria, why is a 72-yearold man not too old to rule Nigeria? No sane man appoints a man in his 70s as chief executive of a company. Anybody of that age is in retirement. I therefore cannot understand the position of those who see nothing wrong in handing over Nigeria with all its problems to a 72 year old to run.

Some people have argued that we need a tested hand. My question is what would happen to Nigeria in 10 year’s time when all the tested hands: Buhari, Obasanjo, Babangida, Shagari and Shonekan would no longer be capable of being called to lead Nigeria? Others have argued that Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (76) is old. Check out how she contained (or failed to contain) Ebola and it would be

clear that Liberians made a mistake in electing her. Some have argued that Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari’s running mate is young and would make up for the age of his principal. Nothing can be more deceptive. Experience has shown that in Nigeria, the vice president is a spare tyre. He is relevant to the extent the president wants him to be. Abubakar Atiku (as vice president (1999 – 2007) was very powerful when Obasanjo gave him the leeway. He became totally irrelevant when Obasanjo decided to do otherwise. Assuming it was possible for Osinbajo to cover up for Buhari and become the de facto president, then this will be a big fraud on Nigerians.

We would be using Buhari to get Osinbajo into office as Nigeria’s president. Osinbajo is not the candidate in this election; he is a running mate. He is not under scrutiny as the man we want to surrender our collective destiny to for the next four years.

When a leader is very old (like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe), a cabal forms around him, takes over the government and runs it in his name. In this case, Buhari’s government would be run by a cabal. In other words, a group of unelected Nigerians would take over our government through the back door. I tremble at the thought of those who will make that cabal.

COMPANY Talking about the cabal, my other reservation with the Buhari candidacy is the company he shares. Buhari has been sold as Mr Clean but as Sule Lamido, governor of Jigawa State, pointed out, he is surrounded by not so clean men. No one is ever greater than the mafia that brings him to power. How would Buhari deal with those in his company? I leave

My question is what would happen to Nigeria in 10 year’s time when all the tested hands: Buhari, Obasanjo, Babangida, Shagari and Shonekan would no longer be capable of being called to lead Nigeria?

Buhari

“Buhari’s government would be run by a cabal. In other words, a group of unelected Nigerians would take over our government through the back door. I tremble at the thought of those who will make that cabal” it to Nigerians to work out 15 per cent of Nigeria’s federal revenue.

CHARACTER I find Buhari’s character flawed, thanks to the certificate scandal. The issue is not whether Buhari has a school certificate or

not. The issue is that he either lied or had chosen to treat Nigerians with contempt. The matter is this simple: Buhari says he had a certificate and it was with the army.

The army says he never submitted one but joined the force with a recommendation letter from his principal. He lied about this.

To get around it, he has come out with a statement of result issued by his former school. That has stirred more controversy. What the general needs to do is ask Cambridge Assessment, the body that conducted the examination, to provide a copy of his certificate. If indeed he had a certificate but has failed to ask Cambridge Assessment for a copy, he is simply treating Nigerians with contempt, the same way he did when he refused to appear before the panel on human rights.

At the end of the 2011 elections, Buhari said he would not run again but here he is. What else is he telling us he would not do when he is elected but would do?

HIS CONVICTIONS During the campaign by Obama for the American presidency, it turned out that he sat under the sermon of one Rev Jeremy Wright

who preached hate message. That incident almost sunk the Obama campaign. He had to go to extraordinary length to distance himself from the man’s views. In Nigeria the man who said his ambition is to implement sharia throughout Nigeria is running to be the president of a secular state like Nigeria. My question is: at what point did Buhari purge himself of this conviction? As Nair El Rufai (former federal minister and now APC governorship candidate for Kaduna) once put it: ‘His (Buhari’s) insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known’. As a military leader, he was autocratic, when did he become a democrat.

If he was a democrat, why did he say the blood of baboons would flow if he loses the 2011 election leading to the post election violence that cost many lives? What democrat cannot stand losing an election?

LEADERSHIP STYLE My last problem with Buhari is leadership style. When he first came to power, I was 16 then and remember that Idiagbon was the face I saw every day on TV doing this or doing that so much that the government was known as Buhari/Idiagbon administration. In the history of Nigeria, there has been no such government. There was no Babangida/Aikhomu government. Even Gowon who was very young did not have a Gowon/ Awo government. In PTF, he literally handed over the agency to Afri Projects Consortium (APC) to run. When scandals emerged, he remained Mr Clean and the corruption was laid at the feet of APC. His inability to assume and take full responsibility for his mandates worries me. Does it mean that he would surrender the government to some other person to run: Osinbajo or the cabal?

I believe that the challenge of 2015 means we need an effective, strong and capable government.

Unfortunately, those asking for change have not presented a candidate that fits the bill. I would rather not vote for Buhari. I cannot see the change and how much it would be.

Ekoriko is publisher of NewsAfrica, a London-based pan African magazine.

I believe that the challenge of 2015 means we need an effective, strong and capable government. Unfortunately, those asking for change have not presented a candidate that fits the bill

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

19 Politics

‘It’s a pity people now prefer stomach infrastructure’ development over the years have almost lost their ability to identify people who mean well for them such as what we are doing and so they stay disconnected; We are busy building roads, schools, and funding education for their children, but they don’t value all of that; they value much more when someone comes may be at Christmas, and buys rice, shares to them and gives N5,000 to them; then they are happy. They forget all that you are doing to develop the state and all of that.

With what we have been able to put on ground there are governors who will beat their chest if they do what we have done in eight years and their people will appreciate what is going on. But here, everything you do comes down to how much you have given to somebody. But I know that a lot of well-meaning people appreciate what we are doing and I want to thank them for their support.

Dickson CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

steering the ship of state.

We don’t have that shared vision of service delivery, it is the responsibility of only one man. I am not just talking about people outside the government that is the attitude from people within.

They are the same people who earn the salaries, the same people through whom jobs are executed month after month; contractors are paid through them, they know the true state of the finances and then when they go out either they

don’t relate with their people and just concentrate on themselves and families and think of how many cars to buy and houses to build and they portray the government inadvertently or sometimes even deliberately in that type of negative light, whereas in other places where even salaries are lower, appointees are fewer, government bills are far less, people have shared vision.

Unfortunately, the people themselves because of a combination of poverty, illiteracy and under-

This is the season of politics all over the country and Bayelsa is no exception. What is the government doing to ensure the delivery of free, fair and credible election in Baylesa State?

This state has less political challenges. We are far more stable politically than many other states around because of our mature tolerance and approach to handling political issues. Secondly, the political calendar is such that the governorship election is not coming up right now and some-

“All those who mean well for this state should be rallying round me as leader of the PDP, the President’s party, to solidify the home-base and then mobilise support for the President” times that is why we wonder why some people have started getting unduly excited. After all there is no governorship election or nominations right now to take place in this state. All those who mean well for this state should be rallying round me as leader of the PDP, the President’s party, to solidify the home-base and then mobilise support for the President.

But unfortunately, you are aware of the deliberate acts of distraction that are going on. But as I said we are not distracted, we are committed to doing what is right and proper. I am a tolerant politician and a democrat. I have always believed in the fact that people should be encouraged to exercise their franchise freely and that has been demonstrated

in so many ways unlike the situation that existed before we came.

You know what happened when in 2011 the CPC Presidential candidate now APC Presidential candidate visited Bayelsa. You know what the government at that time did and how that rally was disrupted. In contrast you saw the steps my government took to ensure their safety and guaranteed their right under the laws and constitution and thus peacefully had their political rally. Any other outcome would not have sent out the right message to Nigeria from the President’s home state. You can see what is going on in other states which we condemn but you can imagine what would have happened if there had been some violence right here. They would have used what happened here as a justification.

Human memory is very short; they have forgotten their past experiences when people who disagreed with the powers-that-be then would not be allowed entry into Baylesa. You can see how people who disagree with us are operating freely in the state and my only requirement is that they should do so within the confines of the law because there is a difference between opposition politics and subversion and even treason.

I myself faced a commission of enquiry in this state; I faced warrant of arrest. For two years, I came into Bayelsa secretly because of the prevailing climate.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

PDP rally suffers low turnout in Kaduna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

including Katsina, the home state of General Muhammadu Buhari, the dreaded Presidential candidate of the major opposition party, APC, they were impressively received by unprecedented crowd of supporters and admirers of PDP. Alas, the reverse was the case in Kaduna.

Jonathan may have deliberately skipped Kaduna, the Zonal Headquarter of North-West, to finish up with states in the zone before coming down to round off his campaign in the crocodile city, in a grand style, giving

its uniqueness. But the poor crowd that attended what should have been the mother of all his campaign rallies in the zone was the least the embattled President and his campaign team ever expected.

Prior to the date, organisers of the presidential campaign rally headed by the Kaduna State Coordinator, Alhaji Hussaini Jallo, a onetime Executive Secretary, PTDF, had told newsmen at a press briefing that about two million supporters would be mobilised for the rally, with a view to giving Namadi

“Sambo had moved down to Kaduna a day to the campaign with a view to putting finishing touches to necessary arrangements for a successful rally to avoid any embarrassment”

Sambo and his boss, Goodluck Jonathan, the sense of belonging.

Ahmadu Bello Stadium, was the venue.

The famous stadium has a capacity of 24,000 but disappointedly, the crowd that turned out to welcome President Jonathan was not up to ¼ of the number envisaged. That quickly signaled to the visibly disappointed campaign team that the impression created by the organisers was a ruse. As if the low turnout was not enough to make one sad, the humiliation the event suffered with shouts

of “shaiBuhari” dominating the venue, was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back, as Mr. President had to rush his programme and left in what can best be described as “annoyance”.

Sambo had moved down to Kaduna a day to the campaign with a view to putting finishing touches to necessary arrangements for a successful rally to avoid any embarrassment. However, his presence did not help matters in any way as the crowd was scanty, despite the paid advertisement on television announcing the event.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics 20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Why I ditched Nyako during PDP crisis - Ngilari Wale Akintunde-Yola Ahead of the Presidential election, Governor Bala James Ngilari of Adamawa State has given an insight into why he ditched his former boss, impeached Governor Murtala Nyako during the political crisis that rocked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state which led to defection of Nyako and his teaming supporters to All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that he does not believe in the APC ideology.

The Governor said that if he had believed in the ideology of APC, he could not have ditched his principal wondering what magic the APC will perform for taking over from PDP in the state.

According to him, the APC cannot take Nigerians to the promised land as he vowed to mobilise 1.5million out of 1.7million registered voters in his state for President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14th Presidential poll. This, he said is to justify his belief in President Jonathan’s transformation agenda which he vows to support.

Ngilari who debunked media reports which fingered him as one of the Five PDP governors,

secretly working for the victory of the Presidential candidate of APC said that there is no truth in the reports.

The governor described the publications as malicious and calculated attempt to dent his good image adding that he is committed to President Jonathan’s second term bid and nothing can distract him from delivering Adamawa State to PDP Presidential candidate.

The governor in a statement by Mr. P. P. Elisha, Director of Public Affairs, Government House Yola, said that there has never been a day he ever contemplated working against the interest of his party not to talk of President Jonathan who he regarded as a brother.

According to him no reasonable person will trade away a winning horse which President Jonathan represents.

He explained that if Governor Ngilari believes in APC ideology there would have been no need for him to ditch his former boss when he defected to APC. Already, Ngilari has constituted a 7- man campaign organisation saddled with the responsibility of working for President Jonathan and Malam Ribadu’s victory at the polls.

“The Governor said that if he had believed in the ideology of APC, he could not have ditched his principal wondering what magic the APC will perform for taking over from PDP in the state”

Nyako

‘Nigeria depends solely on crude oil sales’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

But the environment we have created is such that everybody comes around. So we are committed as a government to support the fact that people should freely come out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice without intimidation and violence and we are working with the security agents to ensure that that happens.

I call on all those who have registered to please go and collect their PVC because that is your right and power; with that you can determine who becomes your leader at all levels, and for the population that they have recorded against us, I don’t think that represents our true voting strength but that is the number recorded against Bayelsa.

That is what I have been doing here not to talk of the ones that I do in Abuja, working with friends

across the country to ensure that the President gets the support of Nigerians. But we in this state owe him all our votes if only you all freely exercise our mandate.

And for those elements in the PDP who are playing primitive politics of being a card carrying member of one party or even being a stakeholder of one party and supporting candidates of another party, I call on you to urgently retrace your steps because that is antiparty, and that is not the way we do politics. I call on you to close ranks, support the candidates of your party.

When you came in you talked about turning Bayelsa into a mini-Dubai but with the fall in revenue accruing to the state do you still have that vision? Secondly, do you plan town hall meetings in the vari-

“I came in with a vision to provide security, to bring about development and to spread prosperity” ous local government areas to let the people understand your administration’s plans, policies, programmes and constraints?

There are many of my officials who are always out there explaining various aspects of our policies. We have several people who are doing that particularly those

who are in the information team.

I didn’t want deliberately to play politics too early because I knew that I have a very heavy mandate in terms of development. I came in with a vision to provide security, to bring about development and to spread prosperity. As the campaigns go on, I will also be going round with our candidates.

That is the difference between my kind of politics and the politics of the old Bayelsa that most of these elements represent because they are still living in the old Baylesa where when you want to be a leader, you go arm some boys and then use them to intimidate and overawe your people. They don’t see anything wrong with that and there are a number of politicians who are so- called leaders, who belong to that school of violence.

Our vision of Bayelsa being the new Dubai is on course even in

the light of the current financial realities. Everyone in Nigeria and indeed the world knows what is happening to the world economy and in the economies of countries like Nigeria that depend solely on crude oil sales. And for a state whose revenue depends wholly on derivation, I don’t need to tell you how affected we are. You now see why from beginning I talked about the need for diversification of our economy so that we don’t depend too much on this very volatile commodity called crude oil over which we don’t have any control over. But for some of our people, everything is free. Because you have a government that is called the government of Bayelsa State, it must be an ATM machine where people will just plug in their cards and they see the cash because they feel the government has plenty of money.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Features Drug addicted parents are a concern to all

All over the streets and in the neighbourhood, children abound who ought to be in school but are idle, hawking or engaging in one mischief or the other.

But when a child, like Farid Galadinma, was born to drug addicted parents, what can the future possibly hold for the child?

FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON ponders on these issues.

21

s Children’s day, an event set aside to celebrate children is observed all over the world. On Children’s Day, tributes are paid to all children the world over. A delight and beloved by all, children win over our hearts with their angelic eyes and innocent smiles; it makes one realise that perhaps, that’s the way God wanted us to be. The holiday is meant to honour children and minors.

However, the day is not just

a day for the kids to stay at home or visit exciting places; there is more to it than what is celebrated: it is a day for sober reflection; a day parents should sit back and ponder what we do with the precious gifts given to us by God. Every child is important, even those living on the streets.

However, for innocent Farid Galadinma, his story was not the same as he was thoroughly CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Farid

Refuse heaps and pot holes litter a major road in Aba

Infrastructural decay and the future of Aba Since 1999, most states in Nigeria have witnessed tremendous infrastructural transformation. But this cannot necessarily be said of Abia state, especially Aba, the commercial nerve of the state. MAGNUSUGWUBUJOR explored the level of neglect in Aba, and filed in this report.

Residents and the business community of Aba, Abia State have cried out for help as roads in the commercial hub of the South-East geo-political zone of the country have become terrible. The infrastructural networks of Aba and surrounding towns are in a state of decay, a disgrace, an eyesore and a national shame. The road networks in and around the city put the infrastructural vision of Gov. T.A. Orji to serious question.

During a visit to most part of the commercial city, our correspondent was greeted with heaps of dirt and dilapidated road network. At a time when most state governments are

aggressively developing infrastructure to woo investors and advance the socio-economic fortunes of the citizenry, Aba has not received the required infrastructural developmental efforts that would enhance smooth economic and commercial activities in the state.

In the past 16 years of the return of democratic governance in Nigeria, Aba has witnessed an abysmal attention from successive governments. Residents are miffed and for a long time now have continued to lament on the dilapidating and poor infrastructural developCONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Features 22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Government failed to deliver CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

ment in the city and have concluded that the state governor, Theodore Orji, has completely failed to deliver dividends of democracy to the electorate.

In a chat with some with some of the residents, a young business man who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that governor T.A Orji has deliberately neglected the city of Aba and should be held to account.

“It is unfortunate that Chief T.A Orji may go scot-free after his tenure and if that should be allowed to happen, then Abia state is doomed. I cannot understand why Aba, which is acclaimed as the business hub of the Igbos should decay under his administration.

“Where are the Igbo elders?

Does it mean they can’t call Gov. Orji to order? Where is the federal government, where is the EFCC and all the others? It is a shame that propaganda has replaced reality. This governor has failed the electorate and should not be allowed to go to the Senate.”

Another resident who gave his name as Chike Obiazo also said, “When you see so many bill boards all over the place with the picture of the governor and his supposed achievements which he calls ‘legacies’, you begin to wonder where the legacies are, when Aba, which generates a lot of revenue in the state is in this horrible state. As far as I am concerned, the socalled publicised ‘legacies’ can bedescribed as a charade.”

It would be recalled that a group of lawyers in the state under the aegis of the Coalition of Human Rights (CHR) had, in 2012, protested against the abandonment of roads and

Farid started his journey on a rough note

other infrastructures in the city of Aba which led to the unprecedented economic downturn of the state. According to the report, the group stated that if nothing is urgently done to remedy the situation, Aba would face imminent collapse.

One fact that stares most residents of Aba in the face is that successive governments in the past failed to pay attention to the plight residents go through on daily basis in the face of the deplorable condition of the roads. One Cosmas Igbokwe, an employee of a hospital along the dilapidated Faulks Road told Daily Times that Aba roads are a nightmare. “Any government that can tackle the infrastructural decay in Aba will definitely gain the support of the

“Where are the Igbo elders? Does it mean they can’t call Gov. Orji to order?

Where is the federal government, where is the EFCC and all the others? It is a shame that propaganda has replaced reality. This governor has failed the electorate and should not be allowed to go to the Senate.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

deprived of good childhood.

Born to Shehu Galadinma and Iyabo Adekoya, both drug addicts, Farid began his journey into the world on a very rough note.

Little wonder statistics show that some eight million children of school age are out of school in Nigeria.

Sad, you may wonder. While the right of the child is paramount and looked up to as the

Another eyesore in Aba town

people,” he said, and went further: “That would be the magic wand that will generate more internal revenues because most people who have left Aba on account of bad roads will return,

more businesses will be established and Aba will regain her old glory.”

Igbokwe pointed to the heaps of refuse littering the city and lamented the health risk of Aba

residents.

“Imagine the heaps of refuse at every turn and government is not doing enough to arrest

future of every society, the case of many Nigerian seems bleak with the nature of treatment they get both from their parents and the society at large.

If the world must continue to be fruitful, then the lives of children should be considered by every government and all individuals. The kind of life the child lives today would determine the kind of youth and adult he or she become tomorrow.

Consider the life Farid was

born into before the hand of providence reached out to him: How Farid escaped the horror of drug addicted parents Iyabo Adekoya, Farid’s mother would set out as early as 7a.m. without bathing the poor child and use the child as an instrument for begging for alms to sustain her drug addiction.

Amongst her numerous sympathizers was Testimony Ahanon, a makeup artist who also does manicure and pedicure at Ikeja. She usually gives Iyabo

money for the sake of the child.

“For long I have been wondering why this lady, looking so unkempt would be taking the baby round places begging for alms.

‘It took me some time before I understood why”, Testimony disclosed to Daily Times.

Wholly resolved to give the baby a better conducive environment to grow, Testimony became more interested in the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

23 Features

dividends of democracy But one thing that has remained worrisome in the minds of the average Abian is how government will neglect a commercial city like Aba where industries are located and major economic activities take place

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

the situation.

“Everywhere is a refuse dump, especially around the

market areas and some along the road sides thereby defacing the city. Refuse block the drainage systems, and some houses are even built on drainage and water ways.”

According to some residents, this has caused a lot of problems during rainy seasons.

As the rains are coming soon, residents have expressed fear and concern over the problem

of flooding in the city. The Permanent Secretary at the Government House, Umuahia, Mr. Nwachukwu Agomuo in a report some time ago said that the major problem with Aba roads is the drainage. According to him, Abia State government had awarded contracts to clean up all the drainages in Aba. Nwachukwu in that report also stated that most of the roads abandoned in the past, such as Ohanku, Obohia and over 20 other roads have been awarded and contractors have been mobilised, pointing out that work is going on at the sites.

But despite these efforts, a visit to Aba shows, on the contrary, a city which infrastructure is still very poor. It was gathered that most of the roads which the state government managed to rehabilitate are

either uncompleted or poorly done and so are already breaking down. Residents are asking Gov. Orji to take a cue from the governments of Akwa Ibom and Imo states that are neighbours where infrastructural development is giving a full and aggressive attention in order to transform the socio-economic fortunes of the people.

There is no doubt that infrastructure in Aba is in a sorry state and as a result, most businesses are moving away.

Moreover, it was gathered that most access roads in and out of Ariaria market, one of the biggest in the South-East was reconstructed through the collective efforts of several market and business in Aba. Although our correspondent could not reach any of the association officials, some business people confirmed this.

Meanwhile, pursuant to the 2015 general elections, gubernatorial candidates of various political parties have been crisscrossing the length and breadth of the state, especially Aba, making the usual promises of fixing the roads if voted into office. But one thing that has remained worrisome in the minds of the average Abian is how any responsible government will neglect a commercial city like Aba where industries are located and major economic activities take place. Our correspondent gathered that there is a wide spread of apathy and disappointment among the residents.

Be that as sit may, whoever emerges the next governor of Abia State will have to urgently fix Aba roads in line with democratic norms and for the benefit of the state and its citizens.

His parents met at a drug joint CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

child and for that sake, she continued to give alms to this woman who began to make it a habit to come to her with all manner of excuses, including a claim that she wants to take the baby to the hospital.

After becoming friendly with the mother of the child and the

father as well, Testimony made a shocking discovery.

“Although I am still single, but I love children with passion and can’t afford to see a child suffer; I would want to do all in my power to ensure that the child is as comfortable as possible. That was what moved me into closely monitoring Iyabo, so that I could think of ways to

assist the baby.

After inquiring from people on what the parents of the child do for a living, I was told that they are both addicts and that they met each other at the drug joint. I also learnt that the lady in question is a mother of four other children from various fathers and that each time she got pregnant; she goes to

her family house somewhere in Surulere and on four different occasions, would sneak from home leaving her child at the mercy of her parents and relatives to cater for. It is for this reason she could not go back home to repeat the same process.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Testimony

Features 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

I don’t want Farid to grow up to be like us –Father CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Testimony further disclosed that the father of Farid, on the other hand, is from a prestigious family in Sokoto, the Galadinma family, but due to his lifestyle, he is ashamed to go back to his home town.

Also because he has no relatives here in Lagos who could take care of the baby, he was forced to leave the child in the mother’s care, even though he knows the child is not safe with her.”

Recently, the father of Farid came to her shop and implored her to be looking after the baby for them, having noticed her special interest in the child.

“He told me that Iyabo was not taking proper care of the child because of her state and that being a man and also with his predicament, he may not be able to give the child the adequate care he needs.

Testimony wanted to decline for good reason. “Even if I have not had any particular encoun-

ter with such situation, I have heard all kinds of stories about drug addicts who would turn around and harass you with claims that you stole the baby from them after taking care of the child.

“So I said okay, I will, but only on the condition that we will go to the police station to sign an undertaking that he kept the baby in my custody, and that he is doing that because he is not in a good mental state due to drug addiction. He willingly agreed and we went to the police station at MAN centre police post in Wemabod Estate, Ikeja where he and two of his close friends signed the undertaking.”

Meanwhile, Shehu Galadinma, confided to Daily Times that he had to keep the baby with Testimony Ahanon because he is not happy with the way Iyabo, begs with the child to raise money for drugs.

“I am not happy to have a child and not be able to take care of him. Farid is my first

child and I love him so much and the way his mother is at the moment, she will not be able to take care of him. I felt I should look for someone more responsible, who would help me care for the baby because I don’t want Faidi to grow up to be like us.”

Commenting on his absolute trust on Testimony, Galadinma remarked that he has known the lady for some time.“I have come to know her to be a good and God-fearing person who has passion and rare love for children, although she did not know that I have been studying her for so long.”

I am not happy to have a child and not be able to take care of him. Farid is my first child and I love him so much and the way his mother is at the moment, she will not be able to care for him well

Abule-Chair:

A village of craft and style They have been there for decades, crafting out wonderful works with cane and colours. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR snooped around the Cain Village at Maryland, Lagos over the weekend and brought you this weekday starter.

A pricey cane sofa at Maryland

Testimony

Farid

Weaving the cane after forms and patterns has become a trade of passion and family heritage that has become synonymous with indigenes of Niger Delta and River States. Under the U-turn Bridge at Maryland, there are numerous showrooms of works of craft and styles.

This sprite young lady who was too shy to give her age but gave her name as Mrs. Theresa Igbukolo, from Umunede, Ika Local Government Area of Delta State was seen putting finishing touches to a beautiful

The weavers are like the Chinese when it comes to business: they won’t let you go away with your money; instead, they will weave something at a price your pocket will be comfortable with

balloon bed she crafted on her own. Though a fashion designer married only last year to Igbukolo, a cane weaver who was absent at the time of Daily Times visit, Theresa had picked up the skill by spending time with her husband at his workshop under the bridge in the small community of cane weavers called Abule Chair, at Maryland, Lagos. Their products in this busy workshops of arts and craftsmen and women and children include dinning chairs, tables, settees, garden furniture fit for gardens, swimming pools, lobbies, living rooms as well shopping baskets, baby cots, swing, divan chairs, indeed, forms and patterns of all imaginations are weaved here. Draw your own pattern and they express it out with the cane but the prices do not come cheap. The weavers, Daily Times gathered, are like the Chinese when it comes to business: they won’t let you go away with your money if you can’t afford their product; rather they will weave something for a price you can buy. The balloon sofa in the photo here costs N60,000.

Although there are few other nationalities in the cane weaving business here, majority of came from Delta State.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Chronicle Today in History

25

s Cartoon from our Archives

Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1970 Workers get £2.5m ‘mercy’ pay advances The administration of the Central Eastern State spent more than £2.5 million in ‘mercy’ salary advances to its civil servants who reported in Enugu for reinstatement. The advances to the employees were meant to assist them to settle down quickly and “equip” themselves. In addition, the returning civil servants are each given three weeks casual leave to find their relations and settle down more comfortably.

These two privileges are the first of their kind in the history of public administration in Nigeria. The salary advance was even the more novel it was not deducted from the employee’s salary “until after some time.”

1900 Davis Cup competition established On February 9, 1900, the solid silver trophy known today as the Davis Cup was first put up for competition when American collegian Dwight Filley Davis challenges British tennis players to come across the Atlantic and compete against his Harvard team.

Davis, born in St. Louis, Missouri, won the intercollegiate ten-

1825

Presidential election decided in the House

1825 Presidential election decided in the House As no presidential candidate received a majority of electoral votes in the election of 1824, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to elect John Quincy Adams, who won fewer votes than Andrew Jackson in the popular election, as president of the United States. Adams was the son of John Adams, the second president of the United States.

In the 1824 election, 131 electoral votes, just over half of the 261 total, were necessary to elect a

nis singles championship in 1899.

In the summer of that year, he and his Harvard teammates travelled to the West Coast to play against some of California’s best players. Impressed by the enthusiasm with which spectators greeted the national competition, Davis decided to propose an international tennis event. He won the support of the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association and personally spent $750 on the construction of an elegant silver trophy bowl, 13 inches high and 18 inches in diameter.

In February 1900, Davis put the International Lawn Tennis Challenge Trophy up for competition.

Great Britain, regarded as the world’s leading tennis power, answered Davis’ challenge, and on August 8, 1900, three top British players came to the Longwood Cricket Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, to compete against Davis and his all-Harvard team.

Davis had devised a three-day format for the event that still exists today: two singles matches on the first and third days, and a doubles match on the second day.

He was captain of the U.S. team and on August 8 received serve on the very first Davis Cup point, which he hit out. He ended up triumphing in the singles match,

candidate president. Although it had no bearing on the outcome of the election, popular votes were counted for the first time in this election. On December 1, 1824, the results were announced. Andrew Jackson of Tennessee won 99 electoral and 153,544 popular votes; John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts received 84 electoral and 108,740 popular votes; Secretary of State William H. Crawford, who had suffered a stroke before the election, received 41 electoral votes; and Representative Henry Clay of Kentucky won 37 electoral votes.

As dictated by the U.S. Constitution, the presidential election was then turned over to the House of Representatives. The 12th Amendment states that if no electoral majority is won, only the three candidates who receive the most popular votes will be considered in the House.

Daily Times February 9, 1961 however, and the next day with Holcombe Ward defeated the British doubles team. Rain forced the cancellation of two of the singles matches, and the first Davis Cup ended with a 3-0 Harvard sweep 1950 McCarthy says communists are in State Department

Representative Henry Clay, who was disqualified from the House vote as a fourth-place candidate, agreed to use his influence to have John Quincy Adams elected. Clay and Adams were both members of a loose coalition in Congress that by 1828 became known as the National Republicans, while Jackson’s supporters were later organized into the Democratic Party.

Thanks to Clay’s backing, on February 9, 1825, the House elected Adams as president of the United States. When Adams then appointed Clay to the top Cabinet post of secretary of state, Jackson and his supporters derided the appointment as the fulfilment of a corrupt bargain.

With little popular support, Adams’ time in the White House was for the most part ineffectual, and the so-called Corrupt Bargain continued to haunt his administration.

During a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican-Wisconsin) claimed that he has a list with the names of over 200 members of the Department of State that are “known communists.” The speech vaulted McCarthy to na-

1992

tional prominence and sparked a nationwide hysteria about subversives in the American government.

Speaking before the Ohio County Women’s Republican Club in Wheeling, West Virginia, Senator McCarthy waved before his audience a piece of paper.

Magic Johnson returns for All-Star Game

1992 Magic Johnson returns for All-Star Game After stunning the world three months earlier with the news he had contracted the HIV virus and was immediately retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers, basketball great Magic Johnson returns to play in the 42nd NBA All-Star game in Orlando, Florida, where the crowd greeted him with a standing ovation.

On November 7, 1991, Earvin “Magic” Johnson held a news conference to announce he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. At the time, Johnson, was one of the biggest stars in basketball, having won five NBA championships with the Lakers and played in 11 All-

Star games. At the time Johnson went public with his diagnosis, AIDS was highly stigmatized and considered a disease that affected only the gay community and drug addicts. Johnson’s announcement signalled to the public that heterosexuals were also at risk for the disease.

Despite not playing during the 1991-92 regular season, fans voted Johnson, a hugely popular point guard known for his passing skills and infectious smile, to the All-Star team representing the Western Conference. Prior to the All-Star game, some players, including Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, expressed concerns that Johnson posed a health risk to other players.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Business Times

s

Service delivery: Expert calls for better employee engagement Akintayo Opeoluwani

Bakshi, Vice President customer service, Airtel

Businesses could suffer loses in six major areas from failures in customer service delivery, an expert cautioned at the 4th CEO Breakfast Forum of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Nigeria chapter.

Ajay Bakshi, vice president, Customer Service of Airtel Net-

works Nigeria, identified the areas such firms could suffer loses to include loss of current customers; loss of potential customers; loss of future customers; loss of reputation; loss of employee; and loss of profit and sales.

According to him, customer service is at the heart of every business, the reason experts

across the world have declared 2015 the Year of Customer Service.

Bakshi spoke on ‘Managing Customer Service Impact on Reputation and Bottomline’ at the IABC event, and described customer service as not just a fad but also a critical business tool that could make or break a company.

Nigeria, Taiwan hold talks as trade volume drops to $800m Charles Okonji Volume of trade between Nigeria and Taiwan has dropped to $800 million in 2014, from $1.2 billion in 2013. However, the Taiwanese government said it is currently seeking ways of increasing economic ties with Nigeria, especially in the areas of trade, investment and skills development.

The Representative and Head of Mission of Taiwan in Nigeria, Mr. Morgan Chao, disclosed this during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, in Abuja recently.

Chao said Nigeria was a strategic trading partner to Taiwan, given the country’s (Nigeria) abundant human and natural resources.

He said: “In 2012, the trade volume between Nigeria and Taiwan was $1.6 billion. In 2013, it was $1.2 billion, but last year, it was $800 million only. This shows that the trade volume between Nigeria and Taiwan is decreasing.

Therefore, we need to do more to be able to increase the bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and Taiwan. We are known for our cutting edge manufacturing and industrial products, while on the other hand, Nigeria is renowned for its abundant raw materials and natural resources such as crude oil and agricultural products.

“So, if both countries cooperate and work together to increase our trade volume, it will be a win-win

L-R Director of Trade, Mr. Felix Aksipata. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and Head of Mission, Taiwan Trade Mission, Mr. Morgan Chao during bilateral meeting in Abuja recently.

situation for us. And as the Representative and Head of Taiwan’s Trade Mission in Nigeria, I want to promote increased bilateral economic, trade and investment relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan. Also, I will persuade my government on the need to buy more goods, especially crude oil and gas-related products from Nigeria. The current decline in the price of crude oil in the global market is having a negative impact on the Nigerian economy, and Taiwan, being a good friend of Nigeria, will like to lend our support to Nigeria at this auspicious moment.”

In his response, the Minister of Industry, Trade and investment,

Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said that Nigeria had adopted a strategic approach in its trade and economic relationship with its foreign trading partners.

The minister explained that such strategic approach involved encouraging its trading partners to invest in the establishment of manufacturing plants in Nigeria and utilize the country’s local raw materials in order to create jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.

He said: “Nigeria-Taiwan trade relations is anchored on the Memorandum of Understanding on trade signed by both countries on November 1990. The MOU de-

sired to complement and facilitate the private sector initiatives towards promoting trade and development of greater and enduring economic ties between Nigeria and Taiwan.

“As a country, we have adopted a strategic approach towards increasing our trade volume with our trading partners, including Taiwan. In order to achieve this, we are encouraging our trading partners who want to increase their economic ties with Nigeria to come and invest in establishment of manufacturing plants which will add value to our raw materials, create more jobs and generate wealth for our people.

AfDB issues 1.375% $1bn global benchmark African Development Bank (AfDB) has successfully launched and priced a new 1 billion 5-year US dollar global benchmark due February 12, 2020.

This is the AfDB’s first US dollar global benchmark of the year.

The transaction was announced last recently with initial price thoughts of midswaps +2 basis points area.

Indications of interest exceeded USD 1.6 billion overnight, which enabled the Bank to tighten price guidance to midswaps plus 1 basis points area when opening books at 8:15 a.m. the following day. The orderbook grew extremely quickly, reaching $2 billion after only one hour of book-building, with investors showing little spread sensitivity.

Given AfDB’s strong liquidity position, the deal size was capped at a maximum of $1 billion from the outset. Consequently, the decision was taken to close the orderbook at 9:20 a.m. London time, well ahead of the originally anticipated schedule. The deal recorded the largest ever level of oversubscription for an AfDB debt offering.

The strength of the orderbook allowed the lead managers to price AfDB’s new benchmark at midswaps flat (equivalent to US Treasuries plus 17.6 basis points), at the tight end of the original price guidance.

Kaberuka, AfDB president

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

27 Companies & Assets Access to become one of top three banks in 2017

Fiscal briefs Unity petroleum plc: Unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended 31 December, 2014 - Revenue 2014: N5,742,820 2013 N1,692,362; Profit After Tax (PAT) 2014: N64,938 2013 N20,015.

University press plc: Unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended 31 December, 2014 - Revenue 2014 N1,672,614 2013 N 2,109,785; Profit After Tax (PAT) 2014 N 221,884 2013 N 285,559.

Afromedia plc: Unaudited financial statements for the first quarter ended 31 December, 2014 - Revenue 2014 N102,146 2013 N101,802; Loss After Tax (LAT) 2014 (N284,539) 2013 (N256,696).

Avon crowncaps and containers (Nig) plc: Unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended 31 December, 2014 - ‘000 Revenue 2014 N3,194,436 2013 N3,686,270; Profit After Tax (PAT) 2014 N10,957 2013 N147,177.

Dangote Flour Mills plc: Unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended 31 December, 2014 - Revenue: 2014 N10,665,354; 2013 N8,364,193; Loss After Tax (LAT) 2014 N2,920,568; 2013 N2,806,855 Red star express plc: Unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended 31 December, 2014 – Revenue: 2014 N5,000,472; 2013 N4,716,333; Profit After Tax (PAT) 2014 N309,090; 2013 N308,719.

Dangote

Orjiako, Chairman, Seplat

Seplat concludes acquisition of interest in OML 53 onshore Stories by Adesola Akindele

a.akindele@dailytimes.com.ng

SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc. notified The Nigerian Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange, that it has completed the acquisition of a 40 per cent working interest in OML 53, onshore north eastern Niger Delta from Chevron Nigeria Limited (“CNL”). NNPC holds the remaining 60 per cent interest in OML 53.

The up-front acquisition cost to SEPLAT, after adjustments, is US$254.6 million, of which US$69.0 million had previously been paid as a deposit in 2013 and US$185.6 million paid at completion. The adjustments to the up-front acquisition cost include a deferred payment of US$18.75 million contingent on oil prices averaging US$90/ bbl or above for 12 consecutive months over the next five years.

The Company estimates net recoverable hydrocarbon volumes attributable to its 40 per cent working interest to be approxi-

mately 51 MMbbls of oil and condensate and 611 Bscf of gas (total 151 MMboe). SEPLAT has been designated as Operator of OML 53 pursuant to the Joint Operating Model approved by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Madueke.

OML 53 covers an area of approximately 1,585km2 and is located onshore in the north eastern Niger Delta. The Jisike oil field, located in the north western area of the block, is currently the only producing field on OML 53. Current gross production from Jisike is approximately 2,000 bopd (approximately 800 bopd on a 40.00% working interest basis). Existing infrastructure on OML 53 at Jisike comprises flow-lines, phase one separation facilities and a flow station with a design capacity of 12,000 bopd and 8 MMscfd.

Oil production is then sent for further processing at the nearby Izombe facilities on OML 124 from where it is then exported via pipeline to the Brass oil terminal.

Group Managing Director of Access bank Plc Mr. Herbert Wigwe at the Facts Behind The offer Presentation held at The Nigerian Stock Exchange Thursday 5th February disclosed strategic plans of the bank to be firmly entrenched as one of the top three banks in the Nigerian banking Sector through capital to be raised from both local and international markets.

“We want to become one of the top three banks by 2017, and we have come out with our long term strategic plan. As part of the plan, we have decided to raise funds to support that. We planned to raise $1billion in both debt and equity to support our long term goal. And by 2017, we will be firmly entrenched as either number one, two or three banks in the market.”

Access Bank on Monday 26th January, 2015 began sales of shares to existing shareholders by way of rights issue of 7.63 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N6.90, aiming to raise N52.6 billion ($275.10 million) at a ratio of one new share for every three held by existing shareholders.

The NSE reports that Access bank indicated that the funds raised from this rights issue would provide the Bank with additional capacity to further consolidate its leading corporate banking business, and deliver additional capital headroom to support the bank’s increasing market share in the SME and retail segments Wigwe further affirmed that the proceeds from the offer will be used to upgrade the Bank’s information technology platforms to enable it provide better services, for the refurbishment and creation of electronic branches, to augment the bank’s working capital, to Support risks asset growth, to upgrade the Bank’s branch networks and further improve the working environment.

The offer is expected to close

on March 04, 2015; Access bank is working with lead issuing house; Chapel Hill, and joint issuing houses; Marina Securities, Stanbic IBTC, Renaissance Capital, Vetiva Capital, Greenwich Trust, Futureview Financial Services and WSTC Financial Services.

To help ease sell pressure and relieve inconveniences, Wigwe, addressed the concerns of brokers on how to manage the current share price which is below the offer price, he insisted that the management of share prices would be sorted with the principles of demand and supply and while the fundamentals of entreprise is important, speaking to institutional investors, family offices, high network individuals and people who have an understanding of the long term future of Access would create no fuss about the decision to invest.

Wigwe, GMD, Acess Bank

tors meeting held at in Lagos on Wednesday, 28 January 2015, Mrs. Aderonke Olayemi Onadeko and Mrs. Morati Adedoyi-Adeyinka were appointed as Directors of the Company with immediate effect subject to ratification of shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting.

Sanusi

Executive appointments Lafarge Africa Plc retires Sanusi Lafarge Africa Plc., notified The Nigerian Stock Exchange of the retirement of Chief (Dr.) Joseph Sanusi, as a Director of the Company. His retirement has since been ratified by the Board of the Company at its Meeting of 29 January 2015.

Berger Paints disengages MD Berger Paints Nigeria Plc. notified The Nigerian Stock Exchange of the disengagement of Mr. Tor Nygard as the Company’s Managing Director with effect from 1 February 2015. His tenure as Managing Director ended on the 31 January 2015.

The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Jatin Madan, will oversee the affairs of the Company pending the appointment of a new Managing Director.

New Directors Rak Unity Petroleum Plc. notified The Nigerian Stock Exchange that at its Board of Direc-

Aviation 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Mobile devices to drive 85% future travels Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Experts in travel business say 85 per cent of future travels worldwide will be driven by mobile devices.

At a one-day seminar in Lagos

by National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies with the theme, Consolidation: Future of Travel in Nigeria, the experts observed that due to technological advancement, travel agents would witness significant drop in profits except they consolidate.

About 10 years ago, many air travellers in Nigeria were dependent on travel agencies to handle all their travel needs from ticket purchase to airport facilitation, hotels, pick up cab amongst others.

Today this is gradually fading due to technology. Many now do this through their mobile phones, laptops and computers from the comfort of their offices and homes.

Due to this development, the business of travel agencies are recording a huge setbacks in the area of profit.

To worsen the situation, the zero per cent commission by foreign airlines announced over seven years ago has had huge negative impact on their business and loss of jobs.

The removal of zero commission, according to statistics, would save foreign airlines $5 billion annually.

President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Mr. Aminu Aguatu, said this had affected their contribution to the gross domestic product of the travel industry.

This perhaps informed the de-

Aviation committee wants airport charges slashed The committee of Aeronautical and Passenger charges has called for the harmonisation of various charges in the aviation industry to reduce the financial burdens on customers.

Such charges include navigational related charges, enroute and terminal charges known as navigational charge.

This was contained in the proposal made by the aeronautical and passenger charges committee led by Ahonsis Unuigbe.

According to the committee, violation of airspace fees should be merged with violation of air navigation regulations while the duplication of contractor registration fees by the airspace management which is being charged by the civil aviation should be controlled by NCAA. The committee also decried the excessive cargo vehicle surcharge, car stickers apron pass, documentation of clearing

agents fees and the retention of N100,000 as against an increase of N250,000.

It also proposed the reduction in import and export royalties to five cents per kilo as against 10cent earlier proposed

by NCAA. The Unuigbe-led committee also called for the enforcement of passenger bill of rights as well as a public awareness campaign to increase awareness about the bill of rights.

Other proposals by the committee also include integrated automation of the airport management system, improved debt recovery by the regulators from airline operators and the establishment of an economic regulatory.

The committee was set up by the Aviation minister to look into the aeronautical charges in the sector with a view to making amendments.

Chidoka, Aviation minister

cision of the body to consolidate in order to explore other ways of survival and profitability.

Country Manager, International Air Transport Association, IATA, Mr. Samson Fatokun, said consolidation of the travel agencies is possible if properly handled and implemented, adding that agents must be creative.

From the legal point of view, Barrister Dele Adesina, advised agents to work with like minds and must have written agreement to avoid problems in the future With the changing landscape and dwindling commissions, the agents believe that consolidation is the way forward to stay in the business.

Airforce to support FAAN on security The Nigerian Airforce has been called upon to continue its support to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) especially in securing the Nigerian Airports.

This appeal was made by the Managing Director/CEO, FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, during a courtesy call by the Air Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Airforce.

Engr. Dunoma appealed for closer collaboration between the

Airforce Airport Command and the Aviation Security (AVSEC) especially at this period of electioneering campaigns and the general elections.

He assured the team of the Authority’s support and assistance as both institutions are pursuing a common goal.

Earlier, the AOC pledged the support of the Airforce in the area of security and other sundry issues.

Captain Usman Muhta, NCAA DG

15 helicopter pilots graduate, get offer letters

22 foreign airlines granted clearance by NCAA

Fifteen cadet helicopter pilots, four females and 11 males trained by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) have graduated.

Speaking in Lagos at the official presentation of letters of employment to the 15 cadet helicopter pilots, Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr. Femi Ajayi, said that the Fed-

Twenty-two foreign registered privately operated aircraft have been issued with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Flight Operations Clearance Certificate (FOCC) and Maintenance Clearance Certificate (MCC).

This was made known at the weekend by the management of NCAA in a notice sent to the media.

eral Government local content policy was aimed at growing the aviation, oil and gas industry in the country and also to discourage capital flights.

Ajayi stated that the Federal Government was also encouraging Nigerian companies to be part of the local content development drive which is real for the aviation, oil and gas industry.

The operators of the registered aircraft are authorised to operate within Nigeria strictly for private operation only and not for hire or reward (not for commercial purpose) according to Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 8.2.1.9.

The successful operators are Air First, ANAP Business Jets, ATT Aviation Support Ltd., AVJET Corporation, BUA

Group Limited, Chrome Air, Delmon Aviation/C&K, Dominion Air,EAN Aviation Limited, Executive Jets, Ferry Aviation Dev. Serv., Gitto Construzioni, Grenfact Ventures Ltd, Gyro Air limited, NAMCO Nig. Limited, Orlean Invest West Africa, Prime Air, Project Eagle Air Ltd, Southern Air, SWAT Technology Ltd, Tag Aviation Ltd and Toucan Aviation Support.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

29 Capiatal market

Interview 30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Privatisation, best thing to happen to Nigeria’s power sector- Ikeja Electric boss Engineer Abiodun Ajifowobaje is Managing Director/CEO, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc. In this interview, the Ikeja Electric boss appraises the over one year handover of Distribution companies to the private sector, lists measures put in place by the company to connect with customers and reveals challenges facing the power sector among other issues.

Excerpts:

Ajifowobaje It’s over a year since the Federal Government handed over the Distribution companies to the private sector; so, how has Ikeja DISCO fared in the last one year?

It has indeed been a very challenging journey but I will say interesting and forward looking.

The challenge to make a change in the power sector and by extension empowering Nigerians has been the driving force that guided the company’s operation in the last one year. When the baton was handed to us on November 1, 2013, we immediately hit the ground running and I am happy to say that with the support of our customers and stakeholders, we have established a foundation for enhanced service delivery driven by our contact center, ongoing infrastructure upgrade, robust customer engagement and deployment of new technology.

The high point of this first year and one which I am very passionate about is our change of identity from IKEDC to IE which stands for IKEJA ELECTRIC. For us, this is not just a change in logo or identity; it is a whole new paradigm shift that promises innovativeness and service delivery at its best.

Can you shed more light on this change from IKEDC to

Now, more than ever, Ikeja Electric remains committed to upgrading service excellence within our network Ikeja Electric?

The new logo symbolises renewed dynamism, professionalism and innovation and we have earmarked several engagement activities to ensure customers are carried along with the identity change which will be reflected across all our touch points with customers. Now, more than ever, Ikeja Electric remains committed to upgrading service excellence within our network. Our new look is a symbol of a new spirit, new energy and a new drive that promises a brighter future for our customers. In fact, Ikeja Electric as we go along will become known and embraced as a symbol of service excellence and reference point for innovativeness in the sector. I must also add that the change in logo implies new digits and email address for its contact center operations which have been widely commended for bridging the gap between the company and its customers.

Customers can now reach us on 01-4483900, 07000225543 and 08000225543 or send an email to customercare@ikejaelectric.com for instant access to solutions for their queries and complaints.

From your own perspective, can it be said that transferring Distribution companies to private sector is a justified step

by the Federal Government?

The best thing that could happen to the power sector in this country is the privatization. Nigerians should give kudos to Federal Government for this laudable achievement. Prior to the privatisation, the industry was in need of fresh investments to boost capacity and supply. Privatisation has given the sector a boost with the introduction of private sector initiative, which is completely changing the operational framework of the sector all over the country.

It is as if there is no difference between the pre-privatisation and post privatisation period. Electricity supply has not improved contrary to people’s expectation. What’s your take?

Transition to uninterrupted power supply is work in progress in Nigeria and I am certain that the advent of privatisation will deliver that project in our nation.

However, Nigerians must realise that it will take time to reach the desired levels of gas availability, infrastructure, human capital and financial backing needed for the transformation to be complete. We all need to work together to ensure this happens. Every Nigerian needs to have a stake in the transition; we should work together to stop the activities of vandals and those that specialise in energy theft and destruction of power facilities and installations.

Is there anything your company plans to do to ameliorate the power problem now that there is inadequate allocation from the National grid?

Well, in the face of inadequate allocation, we have to ration power supply to our customers. We resort to what we technically call load-shedding. Let me explain better; our daily maximum power demand is about 1,250MW, while

what we have gotten between the day we took over and now on average is about 300 to 400MW. What we have to put in place is a sustainable effective load management to ensure that there is equitable power allocation to all levels of our customers. We are also looking at alternative sources to compliment the allocation from the grid. This is what we call embedded generation to feed some customers within the locality outside the national grid system. Plans are already on-going to achieve this. We have received

‘‘Transition to uninterrupted power supply is work in progress in Nigeria and I am certain that the advent of privatisation will deliver that project in our nation.’’ proposals from many companies who have expressed their willingness to partner with us in generating power. We have invested over N1billion in network rehabilitation and expansion in the last one year and we are continuously investing on infrastructure upgrade, new technology and human capital development.

One of the problems plaguing the industry is vandalism of power equipment. How has it affected your company and what are you doing to mitigate against it?

Vandalism is like a virus which is destroying the power industry

in Nigeria. The socio-economic implication of vandalism is colossal. It throws communities into darkness and hit the commercial and industrial activities of the affected areas. By the time we took over, there were 42 transformer substations out of circuit due to vandalism. We had to spend huge sum of money to bring the substations back, so that the affected communities can have their power supply restored. Such money spent to replace stolen/damaged equipment would have been better used to expand the network.

What we have done is to enlighten the public through the media on the effect of vandalism. We are also partnering with security agencies in Lagos, soliciting their support in curbing vandalism.

We have visited the State Security Services, the Lagos State Police Command and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. We are also in constant touch with the Community leaders propping them to assist in securing these equipment in their domains.

It is evident that the Power industry has over the years had image problem. What is your company doing to change the perception of the company in the eyes of the public?

The image problem of the power sector is basically as a result of inadequate power supply. The billing and metering issues are also there. For us in Ikeja Electric, I am sure the public will agree that we are currently moving away from the past in terms of service delivery. This is still work in progress and this is why we are taking on a new identity to help us move the conversation of effective service delivery further. Unlike in the past, customers can now contact us without leaving the comfort of their homes or offices through our call centre. Once a CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

31 Interview

Transition to uninterrupted power supply is work in progress - Ajifowobaje CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

call or e-mail is put through, customers are sure of getting a feedback to their complaints via our call centre which I have stated above. We also have a rebranded walk-in customer care with properly trained customer service executives who courteously handle customers’ issues. Moreover, we are constantly empowering our field operations staff to serve customers with respect and courtesy.

Our outlook has also changed with our rebranded new service vehicles and properly kitted technical staff while at work who are always ready to be of help to customers.

Extortion has been a thorny issue in the Power industry. Over the years, people have accused staff of DISCOs of extorting money from them in rendering service. This has not stopped.

What is your take?

Ikeja Electric has always been against extortion in any form by our staff. This policy has been communicated to all staff and they are aware that any staff caught in this web will be summarily dismissed if proved to be true. We have also communicated this to customers at various engagement sessions, encouraging them to always demand for proper identification from our staff and report anyone who requests for money to render duly approved services. The challenge we have been contending with is the fact that most customers who report extortion back out when asked to prove it. But the company’s policy is that customers should not bribe our staff while our staff know that they should not ask for bribe to do their job.

We are very resolute when it comes to upholding our integrity and professionalism Public opinion on staff attitude of the privatised power sector is not different from the defunct PHCN. Is there anything your company is doing to change the attitude of your staff ?

It’s a whole new world for us at Ikeja Electric. We carry out periodic staff development programmes, which border mostly on attitudinal change and a paradigm shift that puts the customer first. Ikeja Electric has a policy of regular training and learning sessions for all classes of staff.

We also hold quarterly town hall

‘‘In Ikeja Electric, our customers remain the focal point of all our operations and processes. We hold all our customers in high esteem’’ meetings where the Board and Management meet with all staff to create harmonious relationship and better understanding of the company’s policy and focus. I strongly believe there is a paradigm shift in staff work ethics and attitude.

Many communities have accused your company of charging them for transformer installation. Are communities supposed to pay for installing transformer and accessories?

Ikeja Electric does not charge for transformer installation. We have heard reported cases of communities contributing money to get transformer installed.

This I say emphatically is not at the instance of the management of Ikeja Electric. We have discovered along the line that there is always connivance between some community leaders and some perceived staff of Distribution Companies in this regard. In Ikeja Electric, our policy is that we don’t demand money from any customers to install transformers or other electrical equipment.

As a company in transition, how have you been relating with your customers?

Well in Ikeja Electric, our customers remain the focal point of all our operations and processes.

We hold all our customers in high esteem. I can say that we have made a lot of progress through our regular forums of engagement with customers. In fact, we believe that Ikeja Electric comes first in this regard. Since takeover, we have held series of meetings with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) within our network. These fora are held

regularly to create better working relationship with our customers.

At these meetings, outstanding problems are resolved while issues raised are amicably resolved and customers are educated on the operations of the company.

We have opened channels of communication where customers can reach us and get feedback. I just mentioned the call centre, which is very much at the heart of the company. The Ikeja Electric call centre is the first of its kind in the power industry to cater for the customers within the Business Units in English, Yoruba and Hausa languages via telephone calls and e-mails for quick response to complaints. We also contribute to development in the community through social responsibility initiatives. We have had free eye surgeries for customers, medical checkup, malaria treatment, high blood pressure checks as well as awareness missions to schools to educate students on how power works and how we can sustainably use power to the benefit of all.

What is your company doing to give pre-payment meters to customers and when?

Metering is a key issue in distribution companies. We have realised there is wide gap in customer metering. Over 70 percent of our customers are either without meters or have meters that are obsolete. We are poised to fill this gap. For now, we have ordered meters and will start metering before the end of the year. We will be rolling out 500,000 meters in the next three years aimed at ensuring effective billings on electricity consumption of customers. We are working on a robust metering model that will promote transparency in billing and eradicate energy theft.

So far, about 136,000 customers within the company have been provided with prepaid meters to date. The ugly side of it is that some people have perfected the act of by-passing the meters.

To date, about 36,000 customers have been discovered to have bypassed the meters, which poses a serious challenge to the company.

We are working with the security operatives in the state to enforce prosecution of offenders and urge all our customers and members of the public to report people involved in this act as it ends up affecting the network, a develop-

Ajifowobaje

ment which throws more homes into darkness, economic losses from surges and possible death through electrocution.

Inappropriate billing, what customers call estimated billing, is what many of your customers are getting. This many perceive to be cheating. What do you have to say on this?

Estimated billing is unavoidable for customers who don’t have meters or customers with bad meters. We use scientific methodology through energy delivered to the transformer feeding the customers. However, metering of customers will solve the problem associated with estimated billing.

This is where we are headed in Ikeja Electric and I am confident that we will achieve this.

How would you describe the progress you have made in terms of CSR initiatives?

Ikeja Electric is socially responsible as we have since established a framework for reaching out to the communities where we operate and impacting lives positively through our initiatives. We have organised corporate social responsibility programmes in various communities within our network. We carried out health

programmes which involved free hypertension and diabetic checks and treatment, free eye tests with free eye glasses and surgery, where necessary. We also carried out enlightenment programmes in Senior Secondary Schools on electricity valve chains, conservation of energy, illegal connection and vandalism. Educative gifts were freely given to the participating schools. With regards to our installations, I am happy to say that the accident rates have dropped within the network following our robust strategy and investment in re-conductoring of weak lines. We have also concluded arrangements to carry out safety enlightenment campaigns within the network. Very soon, people will be seeing various safety signs along our network to draw public attention to dangerous electrical facilities. The government and the public have roles to play.

Living, trading and working under high tension lines should be avoided to reduce the risk of electrical accidents. We will always be ready and willing to spearhead initiatives aimed at ensuring safety within the sector as the vision of Ikeja Electric is to extend our services beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Politics

s Moffat Ekoriko

Buhari

Why I ‘ll not vote Buhari The last may not have been heard about the political battle in Bayelsa State. The state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in the last few weeks has been under intense pressure over the rumoured plot to unseat him as the governor of the state and the series of attacks over alleged lull in the economy of the state. In this interview, Governor Dickson bares his mind to newsmen on plots to unseat him and the recent attacks on the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

AKAM JAMES was there. Excerpts:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.41

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

February 14 will make it your third year in office. It seems you are uneasy. Can you identify the challenges you have faced and how you are facing up to them?

I have been in political service for quite some time and I had been exposed to service for our people even before I ventured into partisan politics. At no time did I believe that being the governor of Bayelsa State was going to be a bed of roses. The cynicism of much of the Bayelsa public, the negative mindset and the passion for believing negative rumours and blackmail, and the way false propaganda spreads in this state.

Some of these things I had a fair idea of but I didn’t know the extent and you won’t even know until you are a governor.

When we came in, the revenue situation was not as bad, it was far better during the days of my predecessor at least towards the end of his tenure but then I didn’t also imagine that some time down the line, we will be managing de-

ductions from our monthly revenue such that as at today, what we presently receive is about 40%, even going to less than 40% of what we received when I started.

When I came in and I looked at my programmes and the available funds, I thought I had funds to embark on these ambitious programmes in every sector but I didn’t imagine that about a year down the line, funds will dry up.

The political challenges are always there, even challenges you didn’t expect will come from every quarter. Again one thing I have discovered is that unlike other states, our people are used to pulling somebody down, to imagining negative things, stories and even saying negative things. We don’t know much about how to support somebody to succeed; it is as if in leading the state to the next level, they don’t have any role to play.

When you look at the way they behave; even leaders, elected officials, and the way they take governance as if it is the responsibility of only one man, the governor, it is simply amazing. If you are in the National Assembly you don’t owe any obligation to anybody, to your state and even that much to your constituency. If you are a Minister you just stay far away and do your job, in whatever office. Even within the state our attitude is to stay far from the problem and then worse still, throw bricks at the governor and the government. We do not have the intention of sharing the vision and supporting anyone who is

One must admit that the performance of the present administration has fallen short of expectations in two critical areas.

One is corruption and the other is insurgency. In the case of corruption, the impunity of the corrupt has reached intolerable levels.

However, the Boko Haram insurgency is a totally different matter.

No insurgency thrives without popular support in the area it operates, and Boko Haram is no

Politics

FeaturesAfrica2112News Aviation 28 Business

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Children’s day, an event set aside to celebrate children is observed all over the world. On Children’s Day, tributes are paid to all children the world over. A delight and beloved by all, children win over our hearts with their angelic eyes and innocent smiles; it makes one realise that perhaps, that’s the way God wanted us to be. The holiday is meant to honour children and minors.

However, the day is not just

a day for the kids to stay at home or visit exciting places; there is more to it than what is celebrated: it is a day for sober reflection; a day parents should sit back and ponder what we do with the precious gifts given to us by God. Every child is important, even those living on the streets.

However, for innocent Farid Galadinma, his story was not the same as he was thoroughly CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

If the turnout of people at political rally depicts acceptance or rejection, success or failure

Yinka Odumakin

Associated Press reported a se- parliament, Adel Duale, has called nior police official as saying. for an investigation, describing The official said the killing the shooting as “heinous” and looked like an execution-style hit. “barbaric.”

Kenyan President Uhuru “This is a sad day for the JubiKenyatta said he was “deeply lee Coalition,” Duale said. “The shocked and saddened” by the coalition has lost one of its best killings. He said he expects the members of parliament; the police to “mobilize all resources” country has lost a leader.” to ensure the gunmen are “speedHe said the government “is unStories by Chukwuemeke ily apprehended.” der obligation to protect the lives The majority leader in Kenya’s and property” of all Kenyans

Iwelunmo

“and also to provide more security for the top leadership of our country.” Opposition leader Raila Odinga also denounced Muchai’s killing, saying it was part of a wider pattern of political violence and insecurity in Kenya.

The East African country has suffered a wave of violence linked to Islamist militants angry over Kenya’s military involvement in neighboring Somalia.

ÏÏÏMozambique’s new president Filipe Nyusi on Saturday met the country’s opposition leader for the first time, since taking power, in a bid to calm a vote dispute that has led to threats of a parallel government.

It was the first time the two met face-to-face since Nyusi took the reins of power last month.

Opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama told reporters that he was “very satisfied” with the meeting with “my brother, the president”. Nyusi only said the meeting was “good”.

Renamo chief Dhlakama, who claims the October elections which brought the Frelimo party back to power had been fraudulent, boycotted Nyusi’s inauguration ceremony and his party shunned the opening of parliament.

But after the talks held at a Maputo hotel, Dhlakama said his lawmakers would take up their seats in parliament “very shortly”.

He has threatened to form a parallel government in parts of the country where his party came out top in the election.

Tunisia arrests 32 militants

Zambia, Zimbabwe to strengthen bilateral ties

Dickson

have lost the 2015 presidential race in the state. This development, political pundits see as a slight on the political pedigree of Vice President Namadi Sambo, a son

decay and the future of Aba

of 10 of our countrymen and women who have been hoodwinked by the “change” mantra why they desperately need change, they are likely to answer “because we have to stop corruption”.

If you engaged them further by asking the kind of miracle that would make a platform owned by the notorious poster boys of corruption to divide their own kingdom, the honest ones amongst them begin to wear the appearance of fans of “Dundee United”.

But the irredeemable say “anywhere is better than here”.

It is when you raise the bar to the level of asking what is the source of corruption in Nigeria that you see how ignorance has taken over public discourse in our country.

It is so bad that if Isola Oyenusi, Lawrence Anini and Ali Bakar were to come up with a political party and profess to fight corruption, many of our depressed citizens would hit the roof and chant “change we can trust”.

Let me call Prof Chinweizu to wade in here.

In his recent article, entitled: “Nigerians And Their Anti-Corruption Charade”, the foremost intellectual argued correctly: “ANYBODY who thinks that, under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, any government, party or president can eradi-

cate corruption is like a man who expects a worm to give birth to a lion, or who wants to go to heaven but doesn’t want to die.

“If Nigerians are at all serious in their endless noisemaking against corruption, they must, as a first step, get rid of their 1999 Constitution. Anybody who is claiming he can end corruption but who isn’t campaigning to get rid of the 1999 Constitution is a fraud”.

- See more at: http:// www.ngrguardiannews. com/editorial-opinion/ columnist/195741chinweizu-nigeriansand-their-anti-cor r uption-charade#sthash. n36O2kG7.dpuf It is apt to reproduce the provisions of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution. The Section provides thus: 1.

Notwithstanding

anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to Subsection (2) of this section: a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office; b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and c) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued; Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section applies, no account

BENIN CITY

Captain Usman Muhta, NCAA

15 helicopter pilots graduate, get offer letters

22 foreign airlines granted c

Fifteen cadet helicopter pilots, four females and 11 males trained by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) have graduated.

Speaking in Lagos at the official presentation of letters of employment to the 15 cadet helicopter pilots, Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr. Femi Ajayi, said that the Fed-

Twenty-two foreign registered privately operated aircraft have been issued with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Flight Operations Clearance Certificate (FOCC) and Maintenance Clearance Certificate (MCC).

This was made known at the weekend by the management of NCAA in a notice sent to the media.

shall be taken of his period of office.

1.

The provisions of subsection(1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.

2. This Section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office” is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office.”

The overall effect of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution is that elected officers mentioned in Subsection(3) of that section are protected from arrest,

ENUGU

The committee of tical and Passenger ch called for the harmon various charges in th industry to reduce the burdens on customers Such charges includ tional related charges and terminal charges navigational charge.

This was contained i posal made by the aer and passenger charge tee led by Ahonsis Unu According to the c violation of airspace fe be merged with violat navigation regulatio the duplication of c registration fees by th management which charged by the civil should be controlled b The committee als the excessive cargo ve charge, car stickers ap documentation of

Airforce to support FAAN on security

eral Government local content policy was aimed at growing the aviation, oil and gas industry in the country and also to discourage capital flights.

Ajayi stated that the Federal Government was also encouraging Nigerian companies to be part of the local content development drive which is real for the aviation, oil and gas industry.

prosecution, imprisonment, civil and criminal proceedings while their tenure lasts. And if there has been a case standing against any of them before being elected into office, such a case shall terminate or at least be put in abeyance during the continuation of their tenure in office. Nigerian courts have reinforced this provision in IMB Securities PLC V Bola Tinubu (2001) 45 WRN1; where the court held that the defendant who was then a state governor was immune from legal proceedings. On the contrary, this section does not prevent these officers from suing other people.

The writer and the Guardian Newspaper were sued for libel by Brigadier-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2006 as a sitting governor of Osun state....

To be continued.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR MONDAY 9-02-2015 ABUJA

Aviation c airport ch

South Sudan defends delay of human rights report

Corruption and the 1999 constitution ÎÎÎIf you asked nine out

Anybody who is claiming he can end corruption but who isn’t campaigning to get rid of the 1999 Constitution is a fraud

ÏÏÏA Kenyan lawmaker was shot dead early Saturday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, along with his two bodyguards and driver.

George Muchai, a trade unionist and member of Kenya’s ruling coalition, was returning from a family Farid gathering and had stopped to buy a newspaper along a main street in the central business district when gunmen attacked, The

Experts in travel business say 85 per cent of future travels worldwide will be driven by mobile devices.

At a one-day seminar in Lagos

by National Association of NiÏÏÏTunisia arrested 32 militant geria Travel Agencies with the Islamists, some returning from fighting in Syria, who planned theme, Consolidation: Future “spectacular” attacks, officials of Travel in Nigeria, the experts said Saturday. observed that due to technologiNews of the arrests came one cal advancement, travel agents day after a secular-Islamist coalition cabinet headed by Prime would witness significant drop Minister Habib Essid took office. in profits except they consoliThe new cabinet faces many chaldate. lenges, including Islamist groups that emerged after a 2011 uprising.

About 10 years ago, many “Counterterrorism forces foiled air travellers in Nigeria were plots to carry out spectacular atdependent on travel agencies tacks against vital installations, including the Interior Ministry, seto handle all their travel needs curity stations and civilian buildfromGeorge ticket purchase to airport Onlookers gather at the scene after Kenyan lawmaker Muchai, his two bodyguards and driver, were shot ings in the capital, Tunis,” said dead on a main street in Nairobi, Saturday. facilitation, hotels, pick up cab Mohammed Chidoka, Aviation minister Ali Aroui, a spokesamongst others. man for the Interior Ministry.

Refuse heaps and pot holes litter a major road in Aba ÏÏÏZambia and Zimbabwe “During past three days, we From tothe consolidate the legal point ofseek view, Today this is gradually fading cision of the body strong diplomatic and bilateral arrested terrorists from this explore32other ways Barrister Dele Adesina, advised due to technology. Many now in order to group relations following an official Residents and the business aggressively developing infraplanning to attack targets of survival and profitability . he said, agents work withelected like Zamminds community of Aba, Abia structure to woo investors and do this through their mobile stateto visit by newly in Tunis and other cities,’’ State have cried out for advance the socio-economic bian President Edgar Lunguagreeto Country Manager, Internaand must have written adding that the group included phones, laptops and computers help as roads in the commercial fortunes of the citizenry, Aba thetoneighboring Southern in Af-the “several terrorists returned from tional Air Transport Associament avoid problems from the comfort of their offices hub of the South-East geo-po- has not received the required rican country, according to the fighting in Syria.” litical zone of the country have infrastructural developmention, IATA, Mr.Aroui Samson Fatokun, future With the changing landand homes. said troops killed Tuni- Zambian presidential press secbecome terrible. The infrastruc- tal efforts that would enhance ÏÏÏSouth Sudan Information decision byDue the A.U.’s Peacedevelopment, and several states of the federation, of the soil. the travel and dwindling commis, Amos Chanda. sian and of Algerian militants scape in retary to this the said consolidation tural networks of Aba and sur- smooth economic and commerMichael Makuei has Security Council to withold the says agents Lungu thanked ZimbaBefore berthing in Kaduna, the canvassing for support for the rounding towns are in a state Minister cial activities in the state.

Mount Chaambi near the Algerian if properly sions,Hethe believe that business of travel agencies are agencies is possible an 16 African report, which was supposed to of decay, a disgrace, an eyesore defended In the past years ofUnion the re- debwean President Robert Mugabe melting pot of northern politics, renewal of their mandate. In all handled andborder. implemented, add- consolidation is the way forrecording a huge not to release a report on be released and a national shame. The road cision turn of democratic governance at a summit late lastsetbacks in the Since a 2011 uprising in Tuni- for his support and advice during Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi the places the team had visited, networks in and around the city human in Nigeria, Aba has witnessed rights abuses committed month. area of profit. ing that agents must the be regime creative. totransitional stay in the business. period in Zambia sia toppled of Zine ward El the Sambo campaign train had hit put the infrastructural vision during an abysmal attention from CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 South Sudan’s conflict.

Makuei dismissed the rights Abidine Ben Ali, the country has after the January 20 presidential To worsen the situation, the of Gov. T.A. Orji to serious ques- successive governments.

Resi“This document, even if it groups’ criticisms. “The so-called become a major source of jihadi by-election. tion. dents are miffed and for a long zero organizations per cent are commission by is released, will it bring peace human rights Mugabe urged the then-presifighters traveling to Syria.

During a visit to most part time now have continued to latoment South Makuei not serious...

Theyairlines don’t want foreign announced over on Sudan?” the dilapidating andtold With an economy heavily reli- dential contestants Lungu, from Since 1999, most states in Nigeria have witnessed tremendous infrastructural transformation. But this cannot of the commercial city, our cor- South in Focusdevelopin a tele- peace for South Sudan,” he said. respondent was greeted with poor Sudan infrastructural ant on foreign tourism, Tunisia the ruling Patriotic Front and seven years ago has had huge necessarily be said of Abia state, especially Aba, the commercial nerve of the state. MAGNUSUGWUBUJOR heaps of dirt and dilapidated phone interview.

The Commission of Inquiry Hich-and The Nigerian has on Airforce Airport Hakainde Command has been Airforce cracking down Is- main challenger explored the level of neglect in Aba, and filed in this report. road network. At a time when “The government believes for Southnegative Sudan wasimpact set up byon their busiCONTINUED ON PAGE 22 the ilema from the opposition(AVSEC) UPND lamist militants. been called upon to continue its the Aviation Security most state governments are best way is to keep the report, lossCouncil of jobs. the Peaceness and and Security “Our priority will be to strength- to ensure their supporters do Federal Airports especially at this period of elecpursue peace and, after reaching last March to investigate human The removal of zero commis- support to the en measures to combat extremism not engage in acts of violence peace, then you come to issues of rights violations by parties to the Obasanjo Nigeria (FAAN) tioneering and the that couldcampaigns threaten the country’s strengthen securityescapabilision, according to statistics, Authority ofand accountability,” he said. “There’s conflict in South Sudan. organizations are not serious... peace and stability or undermine ties to confront terrorism and the pecially in securing the Nigerigeneral elections. savepresident foreign They airlines $5 peace for South protection of the democratic tranno way you will hold somebody Formerwould Nigerian don’t want the credibility of the vote. an Airports. to account at a time when we Olusegunbillion Obasanjo headed the Sudan.

He assured team of the annually .

Lungu madethe a day’s trip to Zimsition,’’ Essid said this week. have not yet reached peace. That committee, which was also supappeal by fight- babwe on Friday, where he paid a said makingThis the report The was numbermade of Tunisians President, NationalMakuei AssociaAuthority’s support and assisis a complicating factor.” posed to make recommendations public now, before the in ing in Director/CEO, Syria has been estimated courtesy call on Mugabe who is theconflict Managing tion of, Nigeria Travel Agencies, Human rights groups Am- on accountability reconciliation South Sudan has been formally at 3,000. A few hundred have tance both institutions current chairman of regionalare re- theas FAAN, Engr.

Saleh Dunoma, nesty International and Human and healing.

Mr. Aminu Aguatu, said this ended, would be putting “the cart turned to Tunisia, and many have bloc as well as the chairman of a common goal. call by the Air pursuing Rights Watch have slammed the The so-called human rights before the horse.” during a courtesy the African Union (AU). been tracked down and arrested. had affected their contribution Earlier, the AOC pledged the to the gross domestic product of Officer Commanding of the Nisupport of the Airforce in the gerian Airforce. the travel industry.

Engr. Dunoma appealed for area of security and other sunThis perhaps informed the decloser collaboration between the dry issues.

Low turnout at Kaduna PDP Presidential rallyInfrastructural of a contestant in a contest, then the crowd at the PDP presidential campaign held in Kaduna last Saturday is as good as concluding the opinions that the PDP may

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, February 9, 2015

All over the streets and in the neighbourhood, children abound who ought to be in school but are idle, hawking or engaging in one mischief or the other.

But when a child, like Farid Galadinma, was born to drug addicted parents, what can the future possibly hold for the child?

FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON ponders on these issues.

dailytimesng

Victor Jibrin, Kaduna

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, February 9, 2015

P12 Mobile devices s Kenyanlawmaker, Nobodycan can three Mozambique Infrastructural Kenyan president Nobody meets to drive 85% Drug lawmaker, three opposition others killed in Nairobi intimidateaddicted me decay and the Mobile devices to drive intimidate future travels parentsme are others killed in future of Aba –Dickson a concern 85% future travels P 28 –Dickson 17to all 21 Nairobi

Price: N150

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

a nation state. It initially treated Boko Haram with kid gloves.

However, it is only an insincere person that will say the Goodluck Jonathan government has failed.

The administration has rebuilt the institutions on which a modern and prosperous Nigeria can thrive. It has done well with roads, the railway, agriculture and even the aviation sector. Nigeria has become a more democratic society where the rule of

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exception. I am surprised that Nigerians have not wondered why Boko Haram is not effective outside the North East. Even the Northwest, contiguous in geography, population, religion and culture has been spared. The political elite in the northern part of Nigeria must share the blame for Boko Haram. The administration takes part of the blame for not having the foresight to see that Boko Haram can metamorphose into a deadly force threatening the very existence of Nigeria as

LAGOS

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

The operators of t tered aircraft are auth operate within Nigeri for private operation not for hire or rewar commercial purpose) to Nigerian Civil Aviat lations (Nig. CARs) 8.2 The successful are Air First, ANAP Jets, ATT Aviation Ltd., AVJET Corporat

Life&

TIMES Monday, February 9, 2015

Mr. Ibu

condemns Nollywood’s politicking L2 P

Funke Akindele back with ‘Jenifa’ L2 P

Eating right promotes sound sleep L7 P

Eyola’s Valentine edition PL4

Movie L2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

Mr. Ibu Stories by: Mutiat Alli

castigates colleagues over involvement in political campaigns

Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor otherwise known as Mr. Ibu, has castigated his colleagues, especially, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) led by Ibinabo Fiberesima, for being involved in partisan politics. According to him, they are “a bunch of opportunists, who chase after politicians for monetary rewards”.

Mr. Ibu, who disclosed this in an interview, noted that “Nollywood, as a whole, does not have good leaders.

All they do is attach themselves to politicians and seek political offices, instead of restructuring the industry.

We don’t even have a standard office; we are not united and we are not financially structured. You can ask the up-and-coming stars how they cope; they will tell you the truth of what they pass through to have a role in a movie, especially, the ladies. “I don’t want to join those that bother the government. I don’t want to be seen as a beggar because I want a political appointment. I still want people to respect me, by letting my work speak for me. I will only go to a Government House when I am invited by the Governor himself and not to go and beg for a favour, all in the name of AGN. “As for me to disguise as an AGN member or a sycophant to seek for his assistance, that I cannot do and will never do. I don’t want to be embarrassed by any politician. I know many of my colleagues that were have chased out of the Government House because they were looking for assistance. I am a proud actor and I command respect for myself. I am not a broke ass. I am a famous actor –a very good one who earns a great pay. Why then should I belittle myself because I need attention or I am looking for financial assistance? It is not possible,” he concluded.

It is important to note that numbers of actors and actresses including Ibinabo Fiberesima, Omoni Oboli, Joseph Benjamin, Patience Ozorkor, Ini Edo, Toyin AimakhuJohnson, and Rita Dominic amongst others, have been drumming support for President Goodluck Jonathan on his second term bid.

Ali Nuhu, Alex Ekubo to star in Jenifa TV series

Casts from Jenfa TV series

Nollywood actress and brand ambassador, Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifa by her teeming fans, has announced the return of her hit movie Jenifa as a drama series to debut soon with special involvement of Kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu and

Nollywood finest, Alex Ekubo.

According to information made available to Life &Times, a good number of actors in the original Jenifa would be involved alongside new faces.

Funke, in a chat said “First of all, my fans and team demanded that we

make Jenifa movie a TV drama series which has always been my dream too and the involvement of new acts is to help spice up the show and that is the reason why I have acts like Alex Ekubo, Ali Nuhu, Wunmi Obe and a host of others on set”.

Dazzling Mirage opens in cinema

Tunde Kelani’s anticipated movie Dazzling Mirage will hit the cinemas on February 20, 2015. Kelani said that the movie was to raise awareness about the sickle cell anaemia and help people make better-informed decisions.

Written by Ade Solanke, Dazzling Mirage is an adaptation of Yinka Egbokhare’s novel of the same title.

The movie features actors like Seun Akindele, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Kunle Afolayan, Lala Akindoju, Bimbo Manuel, Bukola Awoyemi, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and Caroline King amongst others.

Film house opens in Apapa In line with its commitment to roll out 25 cinemas in Nigeria by 2018, and take cinema entertainment to every region, the Film House, arguably, the fastest growing cinema chain in Africa, has added a five-screen 2015 super digital model cinema at The Apapa Mall, Apapa.

Film House, Apapa has five digital screens including two 3D screens. All screens have 7.1-surround sound, High Frame Rate (HFR) and stadium luxury seating.

Kene Mkparu, CEO of Film House Cinemas noted that “setting up a cinema is quite an arduous task so seeing this brand new cinema, and, importantly, seeing our guests happy to get their own local cinema, makes me give thanks to God for making this possible. In addition, this cinema will contribute to the all-important distribution outlets that Nollywood film producers need to realise more revenue from their films”, he said.

Funke

Tayo Faniran

makes acting debut

Nigeria’s representative at the Big Brother Hot Spot show in South Africa, Adetayo Faniran shortly after his Pay Porte endorsement deal, has made his acting debut alongside Folashade Abimbola in a short flick entitled The Anniversary, directed by Seun Okegbemiro. It tells the story of a couple trying to find their way to love after several failed attempts.

Excited Tayo announced his new acting move via social media, ‘good things coming my way, Pay Porte ambassador, music thing, new car…. on to movie”.

Faniran

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

L3 Extra

Bobbi Kristina’s bathtub incident sparks criminal investigation Authorities have their eyes on Nick Gordon as the number suspect in Bobbi Kristina Brown’s bathtub accident.

TMZ reports that Georgia police believe that foul play may have been a factor in the incident that left Bobbi Kristina unconscious in a tub last month.

Bobbi had some suspicious-looking injuries that caught the attention of the law enforcement. It’s unclear how she may have gotten those wounds, but she and Nick, reportedly, have a history of violence in their relationship.

As such, cops are looking into a possible fight they may have had about an hour before Bobbi was found face down in the tub penultimate Saturday.

TMZ identified a man named Max Lomas as the person that discovered her. He was reportedly stopped by Bobbi and Nick’s house around 9 am, but he did not see Bobbi while hanging out with her

boyfriend. However, he had been told that she was in the bedroom. Shortly after Max’s arrival, Nick wandered off. Then, at about 10 am, a cable guy came by the house and Max had to let him in.

Max found Bobbi when he had to let the repairman into the bedroom, and he immediately screamed for Nick. It was learnt that Nick went in and administered CPR while someone called 911.

However, there are now reports that Nick rushed around the house to tidy it up before emergency crews arrived, cleaning a few blood stains in the process.

Both Max and Nick were interviewed by authorities the day of the incident, but neither of the men have spoken to them since. Max’s lawyer is demanding that he get immunity before he speaks to cops again, and Nick has hired a legal team. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

Bobbi and Gordon

MTV announces premiere date for Teen Mom’s new season

Jennifer Lopez

back with Casper Smart?

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart quietly hung on last Thursday night, leading to the obvious question...

Casper was out at the Z Zegna & GQ event in Hollywood where he hung out with Nick Jonas.

There are plenty of photographs of Casper leaving the event with no sign of JLo. But TMZ learnt she was actually waiting in the car for him as he left.

They went to Hotel Cafe in Hollywood where the photograph was snapped.

It’s the only pic of the 2 of them that was taken the entire evening.

They supposedly broke up in April but they’ve been seen together from time to time, and they’ve taken great pains to avoid photographs. Remember when she ducked in the car?

And you may recall Casper’s dog was at JLo’s house recently when the dog bit someone.

Jennifer and Smart

Just a few days after confirming that Farrah Abraham is returning to Teen Mom after all, MTV has finally announced the premiere date for the new season of Teen Mom, as well as new clips featuring each of the four girls!

The new season will officially premiere on drumroll, Monday, March 23 at 10pm on MTV. And, the show is officially changing its title to Teen Mom OG, aka Teen Mom original girls, perhaps to differentiate itself a bit more from Teen Mom 2.

According to OK!, this new season was only supposed to include Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood. The

Selena Gomez fts new boyfriend, Zedd in video Selena and Zedd are reportedly filming the music video for a song they’re working on very soon!

According to HollywoodLife.com, the couple have started filming a music video in Los Angeles with a sexy “1970’s or 1980’s glam” look penultimate weekend.

Selena and Zedd’s music video for I Want You To Know reportedly got underway in Los Angeles Sunday, February 8, as casting agents were even looking for extras for the shoot.

Their team is “looking for all ethnicities ages 21-28 hip, but not hippie. This is 1970’s or 1980’s glam. Think Bianca Jagger or Halston or Andy Warhol in their coolest phase,” according to OceanUp, who obtained an alleged casting notice for the video. They’re also looking for “elegant cool but not hippie types.”

Selena and Zedd

cast revealed at the Ask Teen Mom special that Farrah wasn’t returning not because the girls didn’t want her back, but because MTV felt that her choices—i.e her sex tape, sex toys and erotic novels—weren’t in line with the message the show is trying to portray.

But it seems the network has changed its mind and producers agreed that the show feels more complete when it tells four stories instead of three.

In addition to their everyday lives as moms, season 5 will follow Farrah’s professional endeavors and life with her new boyfriend, Simon Saran and others.

Eyola L4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

Fashionable Valentine’s Day gift ideas Series of Eight by Eyola

Perfumes, jewellery, lingerie, box of chocolates and flower bouquets are great gifts but let’s face it, it becomes extremely predictable during Valentine’s season.

Save these gifts for birthdays or any other special occasion and try your hand at something completely out of the box this Valentine’s Day.

1

ne

Gift cards. The gift that keeps on giving is the gift card, which can be just as thoughtful as a physical gift. Usually a card, paper gift certificate or a virtual e-voucher via email, this highly popular alternative gift idea is highly recommended.

Have you ever experienced getting a gift that you were not so fond of? Gift cards eliminate the chances of this ever happening by giving the choice of purchase entirely to the recipient, who has the power to buy exactly what they want. To make this gift look less lazy and more personal, gift wrap your gift card in aesthetically pleasing packaging. Take advantage of gift cards available at Eyola’s Private Showroom (Lekki, Lagos), available in two packaging varieties – Minimalist and Luxurious. The gift card can be redeemed against Eyola’s range of luxury items that include Eyola’s SMA men’s suit accessories, women’s wears and custom-made blazer jackets.

2

wo Personalised, Customised, Monogram, Bespoke. While bespoke and personalised products have always been the epitome of luxury, customisation and monogramming have caught the attention of the luxury market in recent years. Once a method for basic alterations (customisation) or merely for identification (monograms), luxury brands have revolutionised the art of personalisation. Ladies and gentlemen, don’t panic --- buy this Valentine’s. If you have left it to the last minute, why not turn a potential disaster into the most unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift. On the day, be cool, calm and collected delivering to your other half with a laptop computer coupled with a bottle of champagne or wine. Make sure you have researched a brand your loved one might like that offers customisation, and have the web page of your chosen brand al-

ready open. Customise or design a product with your significant other and order the finished masterpiece. Here are a few international brands that offer personalised products: Customisable trainers (NikeiD), bespoke handmade suits (Cad &The Dandy), customised design-your-own blazer jackets (Femme De Rose), personalised perfume (Floris London) and even monogrammed high heel shoes (Prada). Gifts with a personal touch makes your other half feel valued and special.

3

three His and hers. Gifts for your loved ones and yourself in the process, with bathrobes, dressing gowns or a onesie in his and hers versions for a playful light-hearted gift. Monogram your initials or get a playful message embroidered onto your chosen item. Shared fashion experience. Experiences can be the most precious gift. An unforgettable shopping trip to Paris would be hard to forget. Why not create something that will be a constant reminder of your love. Perhaps designing a blazer jacket from scratch for your partner at www.femmedrose.com or designing a pair of Converse trainers for each other at www.custom-converse.co.uk. You will have your other half in mind whenever you wear your joint creation.

4

our Timeless and memorable. Ok, you tried so hard but you’ve found yourself coming back to buying jewellery for your significant other half. Jewellery can be a great gift for both women and men. No matter your budget, you can always give that extra added personal touch by engraving a personal heartfelt message on it.

5

ive Spending quality time. I would not advise this as the only gift for obvious reasons, but sometimes actions speak louder than material goods. Women appreciate quality time just as much as they do gifts. Love is intangible and material things can be, rather, impersonal some times. Why not give the gift of spending quality time by doing something simple, but, fun. For something more construc-

tive, perhaps, arrange your closet space or redecorate the décor or layout of a room together. Or why not create your own signature cocktail or get in touch with your inner child by customising T-shirts. Every time you enter your closet or your newly designed room and whenever you wear your customised T-shirt or sip your signature cocktail, it will be a constant reminder of the love and bond you share. For the more adventurous couples, share a firsttime unforgettable experience –- a boat ride, picnic, helicopter ride, cooking class, exploring a new town… the possibilities are endless.

7

even Get a mini makeover. A spapampering day for a completely new style from head to toe. Use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to explore new territories as a couple. Try a new look whether it is a new hair cut or a complete style transformation and unveil an entirely new you.

8

ight Give the gift of a career. If your loved one would like to explore a career in fashion, for example, why not offer a gift of a fashion course. Thoughtful gifts are a sign of an attentive, loving and supportive partner.

Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day. Remember that acknowledging your loved one is not limited to one day in the year.

Try to keep the spirit of Valentine’s alive throughout the year and express your love to your Valentine, not just on February 14, but every day. Ɛ ƅƐ ƌƆë Ï jƓƈƐƐƆƏ z ƏƋƗ&ƕ Ƌ Ƒ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɛ Ɗ&ƕ Ƌ Ï0 ƅƆƄ Ɗêƅ ƌƃ&ƕ Ƌ ÏzƆƄ ƈƐƆë ƓƓƓêƆƕ Ƌ êƅ ƌ Ï&ƕ Ƌ ô ^Əƈƒ ƐƆ d ƓƏ ƌ GƆƊƊƈè G ê jƆƋë ƠƤƠÖ ǀƠǀ ǀǀǀǀ &ƌ ƈƋë ƈ Ƈ Ɔƕ Ƌ êƅ ƌ.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

L5

Wellness L6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

Beat cancer for good Lara Adejoro

o.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng Cancer can be capital-intensive, complex and life-threatening. It has no respect for age, race or status. It is a term used for diseases in which

abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Cancer is not just one disease, but, many diseases. There are

more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start - for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in melanocytes of the skin is called

melanoma.

However, authorities in cancer management uphold that, with the right food, nutrition, physical activity and easily-achievable lifestyle changes, one can reduce the risk of having cancer.

How to beat the scourge, by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) : Body fatness

Ï Ƅ ƉƄ Ƌ ƆƂƉƄ ƑƆƎ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ normal range of body weight Ï& ƏƍƄ Ǝ Ǝ Ƃ ƕƓ ƑƄƆ Ǝ Ǝ ƍ Ə childhood and adolescent growth projects towards the lower end of the normal BMI (Body Mass Index) range at age 21 ÏL Ɔ Ǝ Ɔ Ƃ ƕƓ ƑƄƆ Ǝ ƑƆƎ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ normal range from age 21 Ï Ɛ Ɔƕ ƑƄƆ Ǝ Ɔ ƕ Ɔ ƃƍƄ Ƅ in waist circumference throughout adulthood

Physical activity

Ï Ƅ Ƌ Ɠ Ɔƃ ƉƉƓ ƃƎƆƐƄ Ƌ ƍƎ ƅ everyday life Ï Ƅ Ɗ ƕƄƍ ƎƄƉƓ Ƌ Ɠ Ɔƃ ƉƉƓ ƃƎƆƐƄè equivalent to brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes every day Ï ƅƆƎ Ƅ ƆƊƋƍ ƐƄ è ƆƊ ƅ ƍ Õƞ minutes or more of moderate, or for 30 minutes or more of vigorous,

physical activity every day ÏGƆƊƆƎ ƄƕƄ Ǝ ƍƓ ƂƆƎ Əƃ watching television High levels of all types of physical activity protect or may protect against some cancers, and also that low levels increase the risk of these cancers. Ɛ Ɔƕ ƑƄƆ ƎéƄ ƃƆ ƅ ƕ and drinks Ï ƏƊƄ Ƅ Ƅƍ ƓéƕƄ Ƅ ƅ ƕ sparingly Ï Ɛ Ɔƕ Ə ƍƓ ƕƍƆ ƈ Ï ƏƊƄ ƅ Ǝ ƅ ƕ Ƌ ƍƆ ƉƓè Ɔƅ at all

Preservation, Processing, Preparation

Ï Ɛ Ɔƕ Ɗ ƏƉƕƓ ƃƄƍƄ Ɖ æ ƍ Ɔ ç ƍ pulses (legumes). e.g. association of

mouldy groundnuts and aflatoxins that are implicated in Cancer of the GƆƐƄƍê Ï Ɛ Ɔƕ ƉƎéƋƍƄ ƄƍƐƄƕè ƉƎƄƕè ƍ salty foods; preserve foods without using salt ÏGƆƊƆƎ ƃ ƏƊƋƎƆ ƅ Ƌƍ ƃƄ Ƅƕ foods with added salt to ensure Ɔ Ǝ ƈƄ ƅ ƉƄ Ǝ Õ æƼêƽ sodium) a day Ï# Ǝ Ƅ Ǝ Ɗ ƏƉƕƓ ƃƄƍƄ Ɖ æ ƍ Ɔ ç or pulses (legumes) Methods of preservation that do not or need not use salt include refrigeration, freezing, drying, bottling, canning, and fermentation

Dietary supplements

Ï ƆƊ Ǝ ƊƄƄƎ ƏƎƍƆƎƆ Ɖ ƄƄƕ through diet alone

Breastfeeding

ÏL Ǝ Ƅƍ Ǝ ƂƍƄ ƎƅƄƄƕì ƃ ƆƉƕƍƄ Ǝ

be breastfed Ï ƆƊ Ǝ ƂƍƄ ƎƅƄƄƕ Ɔ ƅ Ǝ exclusively up to six months and continue with complementary feeding thereafter 1. Breastfeeding protects both mother and child Ƽê ó&ƒƃƉƏ ƆƐƄƉƓô ƊƄ ƏƊ ƊƆƉƈ only, with no other food or drink, including water in accordance with the UN Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding

Avoid added sugar

Food, nutrition, body composition, and physical activity also affect the risk of diseases other than cancer.

Thus, sugar is a considerable culprit Ɔ Ɔ ƃƍƄ Ɔ ƍƆ ƈ Ǝ jƓƋƄ Ƽ #Ɔ ƂƄƎƄ and through its cumulative effect of increasing body fat, ultimately increases obesity and thus a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

Quality diet, quality sleep Are you suffering from insomnia? Check your diet. Eating the right foods in the hours before you hit the bed may help you fall asleep faster and even improve the quality of your sleep. Here are some foods to help with that.

Turkey Turkey is rich in the amino acid tryptophan which helps promote a restful, deep sleep. Tryptophan itself doesn’t make you sleepy. It helps the brain make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is necessary for sleep and relaxation, and melatonin, a neurohormone that has recently become popular as a supplemental sleep aid.

Almonds Almonds contain magnesium, which promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation and they have the added benefit of supplying proteins that can help maintain a stable blood sugar level while sleeping, and help promote sleep by switching you from your alert adrenaline cycle to your rest-anddigest cycle.

Tea Yes, avoiding all caffeine in the evening hours is key, but some decaffeinated varieties can help get you into a sleep mode. Tea is very helpful and safe sleep aid. Green tea contains theanine, which helps promote sleep. Just be sure you get a decaf green tea if drinking it at bedtime.

Milk Yogurt and milk and have a surprising sleepinducing nutrient. A glass of milk, especially a glass of warm milk, before bedtime is an age-old treatment for sleeping troubles Oatmeal You eat it for breakfast, but could a bowl of warm oatmeal is also, soft, soothing, easy

to prepare. It’s rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and potassium—the who’s who of nutrients known to support sleep.” But go easy on the sweeteners; too much sugar before bed can have an anticalming effect. Instead, consider topping your bowl with honey.

Banana Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium, which help to relax overstressed muscles. They also contain tryptophan, which convert to serotonin and melatonin, the brain’s key calming hormones.” You can take it as a smoothie: Blend one banana with one cup of milk or soy milk (and ice, if desired). Pour and enjoy!

Hard-Cooked Egg This is a better bet. Eat an egg or other protein-rich food like moinmoin or beans and you will not only fall asleep, but stay asleep.

Cherries A glass of cherry juice may be an effective way to fall asleep faster, says a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Rochester.

In their study, they found that cherries, particularly tart cherries, naturally boosted the body’s supply of melatonin, which helped people with insomnia.

Cereal There’s no need to feel guilty about having a small bowl of cereal before you sleep, especially if it’s a low-sugar. Complex carbohydrate–rich foods like cornflakes, increase the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream, increasing the sleep-inducing effects.

Foods to Avoid Stay away from big meals at night Try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and make sure its light, rich foods within two hours of bed. Fatty foods take a lot of work for your stomach to digest and may keep you up. Also avoid spicy or acidic foods in the evening, as they can cause stomach trouble and heartburn.

Avoid alcohol before bed Many people think that alcohol will help them sleep, but it’s counterintuitive. While it may make you fall asleep faster, alcohol reduces your sleep quality, waking you up later in the night. To avoid this effect, stay away from alcohol in the hours before bed.

Cut down on caffeine

You might be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Consider eliminating caffeine after lunch or cutting back your overall intake.

Avoid too much liquids in the evening Drinking lots of water, juice, tea, or other fluids will make you to constantly visit the bathroom throughout the night. Caffeinated drinks, which act as diuretics, only make things worse.

Quit smoking Smoking causes sleep troubles in numerous ways. Nicotine is a stimulant, which disrupts sleep, plus smokers experience nicotine

withdrawal as the night progresses, making it hard to sleep.

Basic table setting tips

Here are some tips that will help you to remember the order of plates and utensils: Ï j Ǝ Ƅ ƉƄƅƎ ƅ Ǝ Ƅ ƋƉ ƎƄ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ ƅ ƍƈê Ï j Ǝ Ƅ ƍƆ Ǝ ƅ Ǝ Ƅ ƋƉ ƎƄ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ ƈ ƆƅƄ ƕ spoon. The knife is placed to the right of the plate with the sharp edge toward the plate.

To the right of the knife is the spoon. Ï Ƒ ƎƄƍ Ɖ Ƅ Ƃ ƐƄ Ǝ Ƅ ƈ ƆƅƄê Ï j Ƅ ƂƍƄ ƕ ƕ ƂƏƎƎƄƍ ƈ ƆƅƄ Ɔ ƋƎƆ Ɖ Ï M ƋƈƆ ƃ ƂƄ ƋƉ ƃƄƕ Ə ƕƄƍ Ǝ Ƅ ƅ ƍƈ ƍ on the plate for an informal setting.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday February 9, 2015

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An honest cop and his comrades discover sinister forces at work while attempting to bust drug traffickers. They are up against corruption that extends into the police force itself.

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I won’t forgive YATTARA – GYAN X3

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GARAGOMBE blasts Pinnick for implementing MAIGARI’S agenda

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k Rangers 0 - 1 Southam pton Swansea Ci ty 1 - 1 Su nderland Everton 0 0 Liverpool Burnley 2 2 West Bro mwich Albio n

Kalu Uche scores in Levante’s win

N

igerian attacking midfielder, Kalu Uche, was among the goalscorers as Levante coasted to a 4-1 win over Malaga at the Ciutat de Valencia at the weekend.

Playing in only his second league match for Les Granotes since joining the Spanish La Liga club in the January transfer window, he netted the fourth goal though it was David Barral who stole the show with a hat-trick.

Malaga went into the lead after 24 minutes through Juanmi’s finish from inside the six yard box.

Barral would score the first of his three goals two minutes later to even the score.

E Es Y IcD ore as

s WEST BROM

claims dramatic draw Brown Ideye (left) heads home the equaliser to give West Brom a share of the points after being 2-0 down at Burnley.

B

rown Ideye came off the bench to score as West Brom came back from two goals down to claim a draw at fellow Premier League strugglers Burnley.

The striker was introduced at half-time and made a quick impact by heading in his side’s equaliser from a corner.

It looked unlikely that the Baggies would get anything from the game after headers from Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings gave Burnley a 2-0 lead.

But Chris Brunt’s headed goal gave them hope before Ideye earned them a point.

It is an important point for Tony Pulis’s side, who remain two points and two places above 17th-placed Burnley in the table, but even more significant in the circumstances.

Last week’s 3-0 defeat at Tottenham checked the progress that had been made in a five-game unbeaten run under Pulis since his appointment.

This, though, demonstrated the kind of spirit and determination Pulis instilled at Crystal Palace during last season’s escape from relegation and will give the 57-year-old’s current side hope of achieving a similar outcome.

Ideye’s future at West Brom had looked bleak, with the Nigerian record signing, 26, reportedly coming close to a move away from the club in the transfer window.

But he seized his opportunity at Turf

Moor with a well-taken glancing header from Brunt’s corner.

Burnley twice had penalty shouts turned down and both sides had chances to win the game. The Clarets’ Jason Shackell had a header cleared off the line by Joleon Lescott and Berahino, who came on for the injured Victor Anichebe in the first half, was denied when Tom Heaton and Ben Mee combined to prevent his close-range shot finding the goal.

MOURINHO: Mourinho

C EPL title race not over yet!

helsea manager Jose Mourinho insists the Premier League title race is far from over, even though his side beat Aston Villa to extend their lead on the table.

Branislav Ivanovic scored a stunning winner to give the Blues a 2-1 win at Villa Park, which saw them move seven points clear thanks to Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at home to Hull.

But with 14 games to go the Blues boss insists there is plenty still to play for in such an unpredictable division.

“Seven points means seven points, we have 14 matches to go,” said Mourinho. “We are speaking about 42 points to play for and in 42 we have a

lead of seven. I think it’s nothing.

“I would say in another league – done. In the Premier League, I would say far from done because the Premier League is the only league where any team can take points from the top teams.

“You go to other leagues and the teams from the second part of the table, they play the top teams and they lose, they lose easily with big results.”

Mourinho also complemented the display from Aston Villa, who ended a run of six Premier League matches and almost 11 hours without scoring as Jores Okore netted early in the second half.

Pellegrini not ready to make Toure excuses Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to blame the continued absence of Yaya Toure for his team’s collapse in 2015 following their 1-1 home draw with relegation-threatened Hull City. The defending English Premier League champions are now seven points behind leaders Chelsea, have exited the FA Cup at home to Championship side Middlesbrough, and have gone four games without a league win -- their worst such run in over five years.

Godin fractures nose, avoids surgery

A

tletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin does not require surgery, after having his nose fractured in their 4-0 La Liga thrashing of Real Madrid.

The Uruguay international headbutted Sami Khedira’s upper arm in an aerial challenge and came off second best; requiring treatment after just eight minutes had been played at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico later revealed Godin, 28, suffered a nasal fracture, but cleared the defender of any long-term damage - meaning he should be fit to take his place for Atletico’s trip to Celta do Vigo on February 15.

Monday, February 9, 2015

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AFCON 2015

Issa Hayatou (left) with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter.

HAYATOU blasts international media

A

frican football boss Issa Hayatou has attacked international media coverage of Equatorial Guinea’s violencemarred Africa Cup of Nations semifinal, claiming it “perpetuated colonisation”.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President rounded on the reporting of Thursday’s game when home fans turned on Ghanaian supporters as Ghana won 3-0.

CAF responded by fining Equatorial Guinea $100 000, holding back from imposing a crowd ban on Saturday’s third-place play-off between the Africa Cup of Nations hosts and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hayatou told a press conference in Malabo before the game: “The press always dramatise, particularly the western press.

OBIANG blames semifinal violence on‘childish fans’

E

quatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang says the “childish behaviour” of fans was to blame for the violence that marred the Africa Cup of Nations hosts’ semifinal loss to Ghana.

Thursday’s game in Malabo descended into chaos as Equatorial Guinea fans turned on Ghanaian supporters, pelting them with plastic bottles and chairs, with the unsavoury scenes leaving 36 injured.

The 2015 Nations Cup hosts were fined $100 000 on Friday by

“When something bad happens in Europe, they say it’s an error.

When something happens in Africa, they begin talking about corruption.”

He compared the reporting of Thursday’s violence with the coverage given to a Euro 2012 qualifier between Serbia and Italy stopped due to crowd trouble.

“What happened in that match between Serbia and Italy? “It’s the same as what happened here, but when it’s Africa it’s different.

“It’s irrelevant that it’s a semifinal.

It’s a football match. The western media are simply here to perpetuate colonisation.”

Speaking at the same press conference, FIFA boss Sepp Blatter said the success of the competition - some over-enthusiastic fans aside - has justified its last-minute move to Equatorial Guinea.

N A Y G

vows never to forgive

YATTARA Gyan

B

lack Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan has vowed never to forgive Guinea ‘keeper Naby Yattara.

Gyan was hit in the abdomen by the goalkeeper in the final seconds of their quarter-final clash against Guinea.

Yattara did get sent off but has had no retrospective punishments since.

“I am appealing to CAF to punish that guy because you can’t come from your club and hurt somebody in Africa and go

A Obiang organisers the Confederation of African Football.

He said: “The African continent and the international community applauded us for the courageous decision to stage the CAN despite the lack of time to prepare, precarious economic conditions and the difficulties associated with combating the Ebola epidemic.

“And now they are astonished at the childish behaviour shown by the citizens of Malabo which cannot be justified by events on the pitch.

ll the key cities in DR Congo are agog with celebrations after their national team finished third by beating Equatorial Guinea 4-2 on postmatch penalties in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations third place match in Malabo on Saturday night.

It was a massive consolation for DR Congo who enjoyed their best AFCON run since finishing third again in 1998.

However, it was heartbreak for the hosts, especially after the semifinal riot that marred their 3-0 loss to Ghana last Thursday at the same venue.

Robert Kidiaba saved one post-match penalty while Equatorial Guinea missed their first spot kick to set the tone for DR Congo. Javier Balboa stepped up to take Equatorial Guinea’s first spot kick but fired it wide.

DR Congo had Cedrick Mabwati, Lema Mabidi, Chancel Mbemba and Gabriel Zakuani to thank who all converted their spot kicks.

Second half substitute Raul Bosio saw his spot kick saved by Kidiaba, while Juvenal Owono and Ellong Doualla successfully converted but the damage was already done.

scot-free. It doesn’t speak well of African football otherwise anybody can just come to Africa to hurt someone and go back just like that,” Gyan said.

“It was a very dangerous and wicked tackle which could have ended my career, clearly the guy came here just to hurt me and he must not be allowed to go free because that should not be part of football,” he went on.

“I cannot forgive him.”

Coach Avram Grant has also weighed in on the urge for stiff punishment.

“What happened with this goalkeeper and what he did to Asamoah Gyan is an opportunity for everybody at CAF to show how they protect their players,” Avram Grant said.

The ‘keeper, who features for Arles in France’s Ligue 2 has already said he will not apologize for the tackle.

DR Congo celebrates

third-place finish

DR Congo players celebrate their third-place finish.

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A N I L

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Monday, February 9, 2015

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NFF BOILS! Gara-Gombe accuses Pinnick of prosecuting Maigari’s agenda Andrew Ekejiuba

N

igeria’s foremost football critic and former Chairman of Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has taken a swipe at the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying that the new board is hugely administered under the influence of former NFF boss, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Speaking exclusively to Extra Time, the highly travelled and experienced football technocrat added that maladministration and corruption still reign supreme in the Glass House of Nigerian football.

“As I speak, the 2013/2014 account of the NFF has remained unaudited because auditing the account will expose the financial recklessness of the Aminu Maigari-led Board, so Pinnick is doing everything possible to protect Maigari and his cohorts.

“Nigerian football stakeholders need to know the financial state of NFF and bring all those that have embezzled NFF’s finances to book.

“Maigari is seriously controlling the new Board because the welfare of the civil servants working in NFF are yet to be attended to, talkless of being discussed, which is very abnormal. This kind of attitude weakens the moral of the workers there,” GaraGombe said with a tinge of regret.

“Today, we have staff in NFF that are having overlapping functions. Even the NFF secretariat itself, needs total overhaul because we have staff that are disgruntled, some needs to be promoted and we even have staff with declining productivity, but Pinnick is being manipulated by Maigari not to address these issues,” he added.

Gara-Gombe, however, called on the relevant anti-craft agencies to look into the massive corruption going on in NFF.

Former NFF boss, Aminu Maigari

Niger FA

election screening holds Feb 10

Andrew Ekejiuba

Mike Otanwa

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creening of candidates for election into the board of the Niger State Football Association will hold on February 10 at the secretariat of the Ministry of Sports in Minna.

Extra Time gathered that the Chairman of the Referees Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, will also join other contestants in vying for positions on the new board.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Justice Yunusa Kontagora, in a statement promised to ensure that all the candidates vying for the various offices would be screened according to the NFF statutes. According to him: “ The screening of the candidates is very important to the Electoral Committee because we want to be transparent and that is why we are doing everything possible to ensure that all the candidates are well informed of the date and venue”.

T Late Edet Umoh

PGAN

he Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) has issued families of deceased members with claims of life insurance benefits due them.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Festus Makelemi, Director of the body, said: “This is to further communicate that we have not forgotten them and the moments they spent with us was indelible in our minds.

“We may not have gratuity to offer families of our late members, but for being professional golfers, this is our own measure to support them in this trying times; we hope it will help address the immediate financial challenges these families are facing.”

honours late members with insurance benefits

Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala (right) expected to explode at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Canada 2015: Falcons must avoid brigade approach – Otis

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ormer Super Falcons striker, Shola Otis, has said fire brigade approach will spell doom for the side’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Canada and that this must be avoided for success to be achieved.

The reigning African champions will campaign at the upcoming quadrennial global football showpiece in Group D alongside former champions, USA, Sweden and Australia.

Otis said she is shocked to learn that the Super Falcons are not in camp four months to the commencement of the

championship.

“It has become our norm of starting preparations for a major championship at the eleventh hour, especially when it concerns the women folk.

“We always leave a lot of things to chance, so if the side didn’t get good result at the World Cup nobody should blame the team.

“It’s also quite shocking that the players are in their respective homes four months to the kickoff of the World Cup, while their counterparts in other countries are in close camp, playing top flight friendly matches.”

Monday, February 9, 2015

EXTRATIME

FEDERATION WATCH

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he Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has commended Football Fans Organisation/VOX Nigeria, the organisers of the football fans social network, for its laudable initiative which will provide a platform for social network interaction.

Speaking in Abuja, the minister said “when the festival eventually holds, it will gather and entertain many sports-loving Nigerians. This will discourage people fighting each other at stadia, but serve as a platform through which dialogue will be established on social media.”

He noted that in line with sports development in Nigeria, the private sector are becoming very interested in sports and therefore applauded their efforts in showing keen interest in areas that will attract followership.

“We feel you people in the private sector will pick an aspect of sports to galvanise and support as an instrument of transformation,” Danagogo said.

While assuring the organisers that the NSC will work with them, Danagogo mandated them to come up with the expected needs of the organisation, while promising the assistance of the NSC. Contributing, the Director General, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye said: “I sincerely believe the younger Nigerians will use the platform to keep their minds busy and lessen criminal vices”.

Leader of the group, Mr. Tam Oben emphasized that the concept of Football Fans Organisation is the need to bring the excitement constantly experienced in football by fans all over the world, stressing that it has succeeded in attracting major players and brands associated with football to key into this idea.

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Gaiya

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Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, he tasked the Federations to go into open camp in preparation for the AAG. Elegbeleye stressed the need for Team Nigeria to do very well in Congo and advised the chairmen to go cap-in-hand to get sponsors to keep the athletes in good shape before they enter into close camping in May after the National Sports Festival in Calabar.

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he Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Godfrey Ali Gaiya has expressed dismay at the inability of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to receive its budgetary allocation.

Speaking during the stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Gaiya said it was unfortunate that NBBF could not get their allocation as and when due, but assured the General Assembly that he would make sure their allocations are released to them with immediate effect.

He added that arrangements are in top gear for the national Basketball team to resume camping for the joint 2015 All Africa Games/ Afro basket tournament with support from

and educate athletes for the country. Over 400 students are expected to take part in the programme.

Meanwhile, the NTF is set to invite athletes to open camp in preparation for the All Africa Games billed for Congo in September.

Umar

Chukwumerije in action

the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Gaiya further revealed that a plan has been put in place to implement the national youth team programme respectively for the U-16 levels ahead of the zonal championship for boys and girls. He said, as part of ways of protecting players’ right and improved welfare the NBBF would arbitrate between the players and club owners on any dispute, especially on players’ salaries.

Meanwhile, two affiliated bodies of the NBBF namely; Nigerian Basketball Coaches and Referees have elected their executives to run the affairs of their associations for next two years.

NBBF rectifies its programmes of activities

AAG: NSC, Federation chairmen intensify plans

FCT pledges support for Taekwondo he Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Education Board will collaborate with Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) to develop the sport in Abuja.

A member of the NTF Board Chika Chukwumerije says he will use the Chika Chwumerije Sports Foundation to develop

With Osaretin Emuze

GAIYA BEMOANS NBBF’S INABILITY TO RECEIVE ALLOCATION

O G O G A DAN S D N E M COM S N A F L L A B T O O F N O I T A S I ORGAN s the days for the All Africa Games (AAG) in Congo draws near, the National Sports Commission (NSC) last Friday met with chairmen of the various Federations to chart the way forward for the Games.

Sources close to the Commission told Extra Time that the NSC met with the chairmen on the preparation for the September All Africa Games. The meeting which was chaired by the NSC

X7

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he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has rectified its programmes of activities for 2015. In the official communiqué released at the end of their stakeholders meeting in Abuja , the Federation came out with the following resolutions: “That the commencement date for 2014/2015 DStv Premier League is March 13, while that of Zenith Women’s

League is slated for March 20.

“That a code of conduct for players, team officials was adopted and agreed to take effect from this year’s season.

“That teams should provide insurance cover for their players and provide standard medical teams.

“That the Nigerian referees should be graded in order to operate in various leagues without unnecessary interference to other leagues to which they do not belong to.

“That during all-star games, basketball legends as well as some prominent members of SWAN should be given prominence instead of musicians and actors.

“A programme for the national challenge cup was presented and adopted “.

Monday, February 9, 2015

X8

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

REDS

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ordon Ibe earned platitudes from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after an impressive maiden Merseyside debut in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Everton.

Teenaged winger Ibe was the standout player in a scrappy Goodison park contest, rattling the post with a powerful first-half effort.

Anfield captain Steven Gerrard was quick to praise Ibe after the contest, and those sentiments were echoed by Rodgers, who praised the contribution made to the youngster’s development

by Derby County in a recent loan spell.

“We’ve been waiting to put Jordon in,” Rodgers said.

“We called him back because he felt he can really contribute.

“He had a great spell on loan, which is what we want for our young players, to get that experience.

“He went with an outstanding manager in Steve McClaren, had a good time at a good club but it was time to come back and feature.

“I had no qualms about putting him in. Very pleased for him in that intensity of a game.”

BRIEF

Rodgers

Carragher, Rodgers disagree on Liverpool’s form

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S S O B ’ S D E R

DELIGHTED WITH IBE

Jordon Ibe (right) starred against Everton on Saturday.

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cauldron of a Merseyside derby, man-ofthe-match Ibe showed his class.

Usually deployed on the right side of midfield, Ibe – who made his Reds debut in an end-of-season clash with QPR in 2013 - was used at right wing back at Goodison Park but slotted into Liverpool’s system with ease.

“There was a lot of young British talent out there but he can be a big player,” said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after the game.

“He’s tactically very good, you can see his quality in the one versus one situation; he can beat people, he puts a shift in, gets back and works and he’s only going to get better and stronger.

He was outstanding.”

Solidarity: Jordon Ibe proud to play for Liverpool!

In a game of few clear-cut chances Ibe looked the most likely to spark a breakthrough; the teenager smashed a long range shot against the post and nearly teed up Daniel Sturridge with a cut-back in the second half.

He was composed in possession, too, completing 94.4 per cent of his passes (only Alberto Moreno and John Stones were more accurate), while Jordan Henderson was the only Liverpool player to surpass the 10.99km he covered.

Skipper Gerrard described Ibe’s efforts as “sensational” - especially as the youngster only found out he was starting on Friday - and the future seems bright for the England U-20 international.

IBE: Behold Liverpool’s next star!

“What I really like about him is the way he strikes the ball,” said Harry Redknapp. “This isn’t a fluke. Some players can do that. That’s a gift. Some players can hit the ball so cleanly.

It’s something you can’t teach, it’s something you’re born with.

“But if you’re defending against him and slow him down the line that’s exactly what he’ll do – and he’ll beat you with pace. And if you say to him come inside he goes and you can’t stop him.”

As Gerrard prepares to hand over the baton to the next generation, the teenager he handed the man of the match prize to on Saturday night seems set to be among the leading “I wish to state categorically that I am lights of Liverpool’s future. not the owner of that account. One impostor somewhere is using my name and pho-

NFF bo

REDS should tie Sterling, Jordan to new deals

–Gerrard

SPECIAL FEATURE

iverpool’s Jordon Ibe showed his potential with a man of the match performance against Everton at the weekend.

The 19-year-old is no secret weapon – he was recalled from his impressive loan spell with Derby after netting five times for the Championship titlechasers – but in just his second Premier League start for Liverpool, in the

amie Carragher disagrees with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers who claimed his side were fantastic in their goalless Merseyside derby draw with Everton.

In Steven Gerrard’s last participation in the fixture, Rodgers had hailed his side’s all-round game during the stalemate at Goodison Park.

But former Liverpool defender Carragher felt his side didn’t live up to the performances displayed in recent weeks.

“I don’t agree with Brendan Rodgers, they were not outstanding,” he said.

“Steven Gerrard got it right in his interview, they done OK. If you compare it to the form Liverpool have been in of late then it wasn’t outstanding.

“In the two League Cup games with Chelsea they were outstanding.

“There was a period for maybe 2025 minutes were we felt Liverpool were in control of the game and the goal was coming but they never went and created that chance.

“They had the one where Jagielka produced an unbelievable block on the six-yard box but they certainly weren’t outstanding. They were OK and they did enough.”

Carragher looked ahead to Liverpool’s forthcoming fixtures and suggested games with top-four rivals in quick succession, coupled with only being able to secure a point against Everton, could make their quest for Champions League football a difficult one.

“You’re talking about the top four now for Liverpool which is obviously the target for them, but the fact that Spurs and Southampton, who are Liverpool’s next two opponents, both won today won’t help their cause,” he added.

“After those games comes Manchester City, so that makes the current four-point gap to the top four a challenge to overcome considering there next fixtures.”

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to tie key duo Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling to new contracts. Captain in waiting Henderson has just 18 months left to run on his current deal, whilst joint top scorer this season Raheem Sterling has been negotiating terms of a new deal for several months, with a new deal still yet to be signed.