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Aside Buhari, 3 ministers also sick
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ÏÏÏThe Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by
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WATCHOUT!
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 127
N150
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David Adelowokan G
oil and gas installations, the Niger Delta Avengers, has rejected an of-
fer of talks with the Federal government. The group said on Twitter on
Wednesday that it would have nothing to do with a committee authorized by the government to hold
talks with its members. Continued on page 6
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NSE QUICK BITE
Pity Buhari, don’t crucify him – Olunloyo g8
GAINERS AS AT 8th June, 2016 UNITYBNK
1.10
0.10
10.00%
OANDO
7.25
0.53
7.89%
LOSERS DANGSUGAR 6.33 CAP
36.12
-0.47
-6.91%
-1.88
-4.95%
Again, FG seeks to shield witnesses during Dasuki’s trial g6
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
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Editorial Bailout for textile industry
R
ecently, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr.Godwin Emefiele disclosed that the apex bank was planning a fresh bailout for the textile industry in order to revive it as a major employer of labour. He revealed that the intervention fund would come in a single-digit interest rate and long-tenured loans to investors in the sector, particularly those in the cotton and garment segments. According to him, the CBN is desirous to revive the textile industry and place it on the path of sustainable growth. Emefiele lamented a situation whereby a sub-sector known in the past to have employed more than one million Nigerians is not only comatose but has been overrun by cheap imports from Asia and other developing countries of the world. Like the CBN boss, we are also pained at this sad development and welcome in all totality any moves by the authorities to change the fortunes of the industry for good. Our agony is exacerbated by the fact that while those charged with protecting our the industry are looking the other way, smugglers are busy swamping the country with all manner of inferior textiles from all over the world. This situation is responsible for the closure of hundreds of textile mills in the country with attendant job losses and mass unemployment. Times was when cities such as Kaduna, Onitsha, Aba, Kano, Asaba, Funtua, Gusau, Lagos and a host of others were known mostly for their textile mills that employed hundreds of thousands of workers. Today, those mills are not only abandoned, they stand as sad monuments to their once glorious past. In the golden era of Nigeria’s textile industry between 1985 and 1991, the sector recorded an annual growth of 67 per cent as at1991 and employed 25 per cent workers in the nation is manufacturing sector.
In that period, there were about 190 textile companies, employing more than a million people and accounted for over 60 per cent of the textile industry capacity in West Africa. However, their fortunes took a turn for the worst in the early 1990’s. From the high point of 190 thriving textile companies, the number reduced to almost zero, with giants such as United Nigeria going under due to harsh operating environment. Following this, the Federal Government set up the N100bn intervention fund for the sub-sector in 2009 to be disbursed by the Bank of Industry (BOI). Unfortunately, the fund is yet to revive the fortunes of the textile industry. According to the Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textiles Workers in Kaduna, an estimated 700, 000 of their colleagues are still jobless. Investigations reveal that Nigeria imports more than N400 billion worth of textiles into the country. Sadly, most of these textiles and garments are imported without paying the required duties and taxes, thereby making the country to incur annual losses of N80billion. Investigations also revealed that some of those behind the smuggling of textile products are employees and operators of the textile firms that have closed shop. There is no gainsaying the fact that revival of the textile industry would revive cotton production and attendant jobs that go with it. For now, local demand of cotton has declined to 40,000 tons, while local production at present outstrips demand, forcing most farmers to export their produce to countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam. We therefore urge the Federal Government to adopt a protectionist policy for the textile sector so as to encourage the revival. It is fact that problems of the industry go beyond funding but more to do with the hostile operating environment that must be rectified for the sector to be turned around.
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Believe in the Naira We dream of a Nigeria where the Naira will be a popular international currency of transaction, but it will continue to remain a dream when YOU choose to rely on foreign over Nigerian. Demand for foreign exchange weakens the Naira and weakens the economy. That is why when you fly Arik Air to London Heathrow, New York JFK or Johannesburg, you demonstrate your belief and confidence in the Naira and in Nigerian. You are contributing to stimulating domestic growth and building a country we can all be proud of. #ArikAdvantage • 10 years of Safe and Reliable flying. • 28 new, state-of-the-art aircraft. • Fleet maintenance by world renowned Lufthansa Technik, Iberia & SAMCO. • Only West and Central African airline with a triple IOSA certification. • Employ over 3,000 Nigerians. • Unbeatable value to a network of 19 domestic destinations, 10 West and Central Africa destinations and 3 international destinations.
Fly Arik Air. Demonstrate your faith in the Naira.
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
5 News
News Analysis Sack: Beyond the threat to banks, others Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏ The threat by the Federal
Government to withdraw the operating licence of any bank and telecommunication company that failed to yield to its earlier directive to stop mass sack of workers in their employ, has heightened the need for a review of policies that have given rise to the action by the organisations. As the last count, no fewer than four banks had sacked hundreds of their workers for various reasons not unconnected to dwindling profits and unfavourable policies. Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the threat on Monday while addressing world leaders at the ongoing 105th session of the International Labour Congress organised by the International Labour Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. He said: “We will go a step further if they continue in their current sack spree. We know what to do. After all, the banks have their licenses given by the government. We know what to do. They need to comply. They need to come to the negotiation
table. “We did that in the oil industry and we succeeded. Even if you are going to layoff, there is a way to declare redundancy, there is a process. Section 20 of the Labour Act says it. You must call the unions and discuss with them. You don’t just treat them as slaves in their own country and you want us to keep quiet. “We want them to maintain the status quo. As far as I am the minister of labour, I will protect the interest of workers; same to the telecommunication companies, they are also talking about compiling lists without discussing with anybody.” The threat is commendable. However, beyond it, the Federal Government must look inwards to identify policies and actions that have made it possible for banks and others to retrench workers and discontinue them. Fact is that banks, telecommunication firms and others retrenching workers are doing so largely because of the worsening economic conditions in the country at present which is aggravated by government policies. So, as long as the economy continues to nosedive and government refuses to jettison policies and actions that are unfavourable to businesses, workers are bound to be laid off.
Three men arraigned for stealing N7.425m Rachel Akomolafe
ÏÏÏThree
men arrested by the police for allegedly stealing and receiving stolen goods on April 23, 2016, at Zebra Lane, Crown Estate, Lekki, has been arraigned before a Lagos state Magistrate court, presided over by Magistrate Aje Afunwa. The accused, identified as Patrick Ugoh, Michael Oboh, and Tajelanwa Ajibodu, allegedly stole 27,000USD, (7,425000naira), belonging to one Mr. Christopher Obianaga. One of the defendants,
Tajelanwa Ajibodu, was said to have received the stolen money from other defendants knowing full well that it was unlawfully obtained. Ajibodu was also alleged helping other defendants to escape being arrested by the police. Magistrate Aje Afunwa granted the defendants bail with the sum of 500,000 with two sureties, whose receipt of payment of tax must be verified and who must have an address in Lagos. The case was, however, adjourned till 26 September, 2016 for continuation of trial.
Monarch, son remanded in Kirikiri prison over murder Titilope Joseph
ÏÏÏThe
traditional ruler of Temidire Community in Alagbado, Lagos, Alhaji Nojimu Abioye and his son, Wahab Abioye was on Thursday arraigned before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja for allegedly killing one Rasaki Olaniyi Olatun-
ji otherwise known as Alhaji Gay. The arraignment came up months after Tunji Alaso was murdered in Alagbado. The suspects who were arraigned before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo both pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them in Yoruba Language.
FG begins recruitment of 500, 000 teachers Egena Egena Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Government will start to receive applications online for positions in the 500,000 direct teacher jobs scheme, through an internet portal-npower.gov.ng. While the portal would be live on Saturday June 11, applications are expected to start going in on June 12, a statement from the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said on Wednesday. It advised young unemployed Nigerian graduates to visit the website and apply. “It would be recalled that
President Muhammadu Buhari in his May 29th Democracy Day broadcast to the nation, formally launched the unprecedented social investment programmes already provided for under the 2016 Appropriation by the administration. “The 500,000 Teacher Corps, nicknamed N-Power Teach on the portal, is one of the three direct job creation and training schemes Nigerians can start applying for from Sunday, June 12. “Others are N-Power Knowledge which will train 25,000 Nigerians in the area of technology, and N-Power Build, which train another 75,000 in the areas of building services, construc-
tion, utilities, hospitality and catering, automotive vocations, aluminium and gas services. “All trainees would be paid for the duration of their training. “The N-Power Teacher Corps initiative which will engage and train 500,000 young unemployed graduates, is a paid volunteer programme of a 2-year duration. “Unemployed Nigerians selected and trained will play teaching, instructional, and advisory roles in primary, and secondary schools, agricultural extension systems across the country, public health and community education-covering civic and adult education,” the statement further read.
Cynthia Osokogu: Court orders defence to file written addresses ÏÏÏ A Lagos High Court in Ig-
bosere, on Wednesday, ordered counsel in the murder case of Cynthia Osokogu to file their written addresses on June 17 or face substantial cost. Osokogu, a student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her Facebook friends. Justice Olabisi Akinlade gave the order after counsel to the four accused told the court that they were not able to file their written addresses as ordered by the court at the last adjourned date. Akinlade said the case had
suffered delay because of the tactics of the defence counsel. She said the people who were waiting to hear the outcome of the case might think that it was the court’s fault. “People always think that it is the court that is delaying the case not knowing that it is the accused’s counsel. “At the last adjourned date, I gave the defence 14 days to file written addresses and the prosecution three weeks to respond to all the addresses. “The first and second accused have been in prison since 2012 and are still presumed innocent until proven guilty,” she said.
Akinlade said she had given the specific order to file written addresses to avoid continued waste of the court’s time. She adjourned the case to Oct. 27 for adoption of written addresses. Osokogu’s trial which was slated for adoption of written addresses on Wednesday, had suffered several setbacks. The accused in the matter are Okwumo Nwabufo, 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25. They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and possession of stolen goods.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Avengers reject talks with FG, blow facility Continued from page 1 “This is to the gen(eral) public we’re not negotiating with any committee. If Fed(eral) Gov(ernment) is discussing with any group they’re doing that on their own,” it said on Twitter. The minister of state for petroleum, Ibeh Kachikwu, had said on Monday that President Muhammadu Bubari had ordered a two-week cessation of military operations in the area to allow for negotiations. On Tuesday, the government ordered the immediate withdrawal of troops from Niger Delta communities amid allegations of harassment and indiscriminate arrest of locals. The Avengers, which previously attacked Chevron, Eni and Shell facilities, says it wants a sovereign state of Niger Delta, and has vowed to reduce Nigeria’s oil production to
“zero”. On Wednesday, the group announced that it had also blown up a Chevron well called “RMP 20” located next to Dibbi flow station in the Warri local government area of Delta State at 1 a.m. Attacks on oil facilities by the Niger Delta Avengers have reportedly slashed Nigeria’s output to the lowest level in 27 years. Total volume of crude shut due to the violence range from 700,000 to 800,000 barrels per day, according to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Also, the Avengers, in a statement published on its website, claim that their struggle is focused on liberation of the people of Niger Delta from decades of divisive rule and exclusion, that the wind of change has come and they are not running after pipeline contracts.
In the statement, the Avengers also dismissed the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as dead, and advised the general public to disregard statements from disbanded criminal elements, adding that they are political sidekicks from the Edo state governor and their political paymasters. “We appeal to the general public and all sane minds on the activities of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to disregards all purported statements and misplaced threat emanating from disbanded criminal elements like the so-called MEND that are political sidekicks and desperations from Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, Mr. Timipre Silva and their political paymasters to hold their political party to the jugular of the affairs of the Niger Delta Region. “ That our struggle is focused on
the liberation of the People of Niger Delta from decades of divisive rule and exclusion. We are watching keenly their regretful efforts at rebranding and regrouping criminal elements in the region for their short political gains and territories. “The NDA is unperturbed, we have mandate that is clearly a departure of those old tactics of the defunct so-called MEND that was indulged in kidnapping, hostage taking, sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering, bank robberies and social crimes…” Another new militant group, the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) has threatened to blow up Aso rock, where key government institutions including the presidential complex, the Nigeria national assembly and the Supreme Court Continued on page 12
L-R Acting Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Mallam Aliyu Na’Iya; Acting Director Project Management, Arch. Babatunde Olajide and Director Human Resource Management, Mallam Aminu Anas at the public hearing on a Bill for an act to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja… on Wednesday. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.
Again, FG seeks to shield witnesses during Dasuki’s trial Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Government has again applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to shield witnesses who will testify against the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in the criminal charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. Although similar prayer had early been dismissed, the government in a fresh motion on notice on Wednesday, prayed the court for an order to shield the identities of the witnesses and that the record of
proceedings should not to be made accessible to the public. The prosecution counsel, Mr. Oladipo Opkeseyi (SAN), also applied for an order to permit the witnesses to be addressed with Pseudo names in the cause of the trial of the ExNSA. The trial Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had in February dismissed similar motion on protection of witnesses on the ground that the defendant was facing terrorism charges, unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering charges. The other reasons the judge gave
then was that the government cannot ask for protection of witnesses having filed the charges and proof of evidence along with the names of the witnesses and put the same at the public domain for public consumption. But in the fresh motion, the government premised it on ten grounds, among which were that “Dasuki as a former NSA, a retired senior military officer and a Crown Prince of Sokoto Caliphate, commands large followership throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria who maybe aggrieved by his trial.” Government also claimed that
most of the witnesses are security personnel and have expressed fears of been identified by members of the public who are sympathetic to Dasuki. The prosecution also claimed in the motion that Dasuki while in office as NSA alleged imported into the country a large cache of highly sophisticated arms and ammunition for the national security purposes that have not been accounted for. Besides, government also alleged that huge ammunitions is feared to Continued on page 12
Aisha Alhassan
Aside Buhari, 3 ministers also sick Continued from page 1 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday started on a sad note with the disclosure that three ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet are currently sick. This disclosure came during the opening prayers at the commencement of the meeting offered by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal. Mohammed, who offered the Muslim prayer, was the first to pray before the SGF took his turn. He asked Allah to give them wisdom to take good decisions. The SGF in his prayer asked for quick recovery of three ministers who were not in attendance at the cabinet meeting due to one sickness or the other. First, he committed President Buhari, who he said was on medical vacation in London, into the hands of God for quick recovery. Next, he mentioned the Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Alhassan, who he said was recuperating in America where she had surgery. He also mentioned the Minister of Education, Malam Adamau Adamu, asking God to heal him of back pain he was having. Just as he was about to close that chapter of the prayer, someone bent over and whispered to him, ostensibly reminding him to mention the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman, who is also said to be sick and he did without disclosing the particular illness. Attendance at the meeting as at the time of filing this report was comparatively poor as only 22 out of the 36 ministers were present at the commencement of business. It would be that President Buhari on Monday left for London on a 10-day vacation during which he is scheduled to see Ear, Nose and Throat doctors in relation to what the Presidency described as his persistent ear infection.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
7 News
Apo killings: ECOWAS court fines Nigeria $3.3m ÎÎÎThe
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court has fined Nigeria $3.3m for the September 2003 killing of eight citizens at Apo district in Abuja. The regional court ordered the country to pay a compensatory damage of $200,000 to each of the family of the deceased citizens and $150,000 to each of those wounded.
The tragic incident occurred after a combined team of soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) carried out a raid on an uncompleted building at Apo. The late citizens, whom the DSS had claimed were insurgents, were later found to be commercial motorcycle operators who were taking refuge
in the building. Those killed were Nura Abdullahi, Ashiru Musa, Abdullahi Mamman, Buhari Ibrahim, Suleiman Ibrahim, Ahmadu Musa, Nasir Adamu and Musa Yobe. Those who sustained wounds were Muttaka Abubakar, Sani Abdulrahman, Nuhu Ibrahim, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Aliyu,
Yahaya Bello, Abubakar Auwal, Yusuf Abubakar, Ibrahim Bala, Murtala Salihu and Sanni Usman. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Incorporated Trustees of Fiscal and Civil Right Enlightenment Foundation, had on behalf of the deceased taken Nigeria, the army and the DSS to the regional court to
challenge the legality of the killings. In the judgement of the court delivered by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, Nigeria was found liable of brutal killing of defenceless citizens contrary to the provisions of the local and international law on the fundamental rights of citizens to life. A panel of three justices
led by Nwoke condemned the killings as barbaric, illegal and unconstitutional and a breach of the fundamental rights of the deceased. The court rejected the plea by Nigeria that its security agents killed the deceased in an attempt to defend themselves, adding that there was no evidence that any of the deceased carried arms.
Members of Federal Cadastre Miners Association and Activists for Good Governance during a peaceful protest calling on Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to stop alleged illegal and ‘double standard stop work order’ ...on Tuesday. PHOTO: OLAWALE ROTIMI.
London trip: Buhari should stop embarrassing Nigerians –Medical doctor Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha
ÎÎÎThe recent London trip
embarked upon by President Muhmmadu Buhari over an ear ailment has received condemnation across the country. This present trip is arguably the second of President Buhari’s visit since assumption of office. Nigerians who are irked by the present economic hardship in the country which they believe was occasioned by President Buhari’s economic policies have consistently viewed the current trip as senseless and a waste of the nation’s foreign exchange. They argued that the ailment which is not a major health challenge could be easily treated in any of the country’s specialist hospitals by specialists in ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat).
$40m fraud: Court admits Jonathan’s cousin, wife to N1b bail
250 investors storm Owerri for investment conference
Abuja
Val Okara
Andrew Orolua
ÎÎÎThe Federal High Court,
sitting Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted former President Goodluck’s cousin, Mr. Azibaola Roberts and his wife, Stella to bail in the sum of N500 million each and two sureties in like sum. The Roberts and their company - ‘One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited’, were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on
a seven-count charge after it was discovered that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Jonathan administration paid $40milion into their company bank account. Roberts and his wife Stella have denied the charges. Ruling on their bail applications filed by their lawyers, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and Gordy Uche (SAN), the court held that there was no material evidence before the court that the Roberts and his wife would jump bail or frustrate
their trial. Justice Dimgba noted that the “Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, enjoys that the bail conditions shall not be excessive. “All things considered, I grant the defendants bail on the following terms: the defendants are admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each, two sureties in like sum which shall in turn enter a bail bond of the sum of N500 million, the sureties must each be an owner of property in Asokoro
or Maitama District of Abuja” Justice Dimgba said. He ordered that the defendants, who were on Tuesday remanded in Kuje prisons, to remain in custody till their bail conditions are met. The trial has been adjourned to June 28, July 4 and 5, 2016 for hearing. The Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), brought the defendants to court after they had spent 80 days in custody.
Niger govt approves N87m IFAD counterpart fund Pita Chikwem Minna
ÎÎÎThe sum of
N87 million has been approved by Niger State government to balance the 2016 counterpart funds to execute projects under the International Fund for Agricul-
tural Development (IFAD). The state commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, made this known on Wednesday when IFAD/ Federal Government supervision team on rice and cassava value chain visited his minis-
try in Minna. Abdullahi said, “Before the coming of this regime, payment of counterpart fund for this programme was not encouraging. But we have vowed that in spite of paucity of funds we have been given approval to the balance of N87
million for 2016. “What we are waiting for now is the cash backing to ensure that the money is released toward the success of the programme in the state. As soon as we get revenue accruing to government we will release the money.”
Owerri
ÎÎÎA
two-day investment conference tagged, “Imo Investment Conference” that will attract over 250 investors and service providers is billed to take place in Owerri, the Imo State capital, between June 9th to 10th, 2016. In a statement issued in Owerri on Wednesday by Mr. Innocent Ogu, the President of African Legacy International Media Limited, organisers of the event said that the conference would attract a lot of funding opportunities in areas of agriculture, machine fabrications, auto parts and artisans. According to him, the twoday programme would assist the local businesses get connected with their foreign counterparts.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Politics
David Cameron
Æs
CANAN pleads with nations to return Nigeria’s looted funds
The Christian Association of Nigerians Americans, (CANAN) has pleaded with developed nations to help in reviving Nigeria’s ailing economy by returning the country’s looted money stashed in their banks. Executive director of CANAN, Dr. Ade Oyesile in a statement in New York, indicated that such money, which runs into billions of dollars, would be handy to pay civil servants both outstanding and current salaries running into months
of arrears. Referring to a recent statement credited to Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mr. Lai Mohammed, who put the amount of looted funds at $6.8 billion between year 2006 and 2013, he said, “the government can use those funds to cushion the very painful effects the removal of oil subsidies is having on civil servants in the country”. While commending United States for agreeing to return about $480 million believed to
Pity Buhari, don’t crucify him, Olunloyo, ex-Oyo gov Stories by Akinjide Akintola Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former Governor of old Oyo State at 81 is still a delight in his intellectual prowess as he was over three decades ago when he sat at Agodi government house Ibadan. Though he told this reporter that he was not feeling well, in this engaging interview, he spoke eloquently and passionately about the current economic crisis, the Niger Delta and Biafra agitations and other issues. Excerpts: You said Nigerians should pity President Muhammadu Buhari instead of vilifying him over the political and economic crisis in the country at the moment. How do you mean? Buhari is both a lucky and an unlucky man. He has been in power at a time when Nigeria was gentler than this. There was a time he lost an election and he was caught weeping. It is now that he has won
“Nigeria is what it is because its leaders are not what they should be.” – Chinua Achebe
Olunloyo
that he should weep. He should weep not for himself, he should weep for Nigeria. The problems that face him and his cabinet are
“Looking at faces of people, one gets the feeling there’s a lot of work to be done.” – Wole Soyinka
gargantuan. Yet, he has been fully exposed to the problems. My own line of reasoning which is logical and non-parallel is that he has
“The magician and the politician have much in common: they both have to draw our attention away from what they are really doing.” – Ben Okri
been governor of nowhere else but Borno State; he knows the terrain, he knows the people but there was no Boko Haram then. He had been Minister of Petroleum at a time of N2.8 Billion saga which is now chicken feed compared with what both civilian and military people steal. It used to be said that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, but the judiciary has been poisoned by the politicians through bribery and corruption by the legislature and the executive. Lawyers are the beneficiaries of these because they have made tons of money. Similarly, it has been said that the ministry and civil service are the last hope of good administration in this country; people like Asiodu, Ayida, Ebong and the Arch priest of the civil service, Sir Simeon Adebo; of whom we may never see the like again, a head of service who rode a Morris Minor or the administration of Awolowo which covered nine states now, no Deputy Governor, no First Lady, no array of cars and they worked
“Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’ in the same sense as there are ‘English,’ ‘Welsh,’ or ‘French.’’ — Obafemi Awolowo
have been looted by late dictator, General Sani Abacha and his family; Dr. Oyesile pleaded that both governments should expedite action on the terms and conditions for the repatriation of the cash in the interest of the Nigeria’s ailing economy. One of the conditions is for the US to advise on specific areas to spend the funds to avoid the cash being re-looted. He called on other nations where Nigeria’s looted money CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
three times a day. In the morning they worked in the legislature, in the afternoon, Executive Council, in the evening, the party secretariat, it was near his house. He was a visionary. As far as I’m concerned in my own judgment, I liked him very much, everywhere he was, Oke Bola, Ikenne or Park Lane, I always visited him even without appointments and he always attended to me. In the case of Buhari, he was minister of petroleum. Perhaps, the major problem of the three being faced in the country is the almost wicked rise and fluctuations in the price of oil, diesel, gas and kerosene which affect everything. This cost of fuel and then the nearly cover up of the fraud through subsidy... They are brilliant Nigerians. One of the most brilliant Nigerians in banking was Ajagbusi Ekun, Oba Dele Olasore, the Aloko of Iloko; if you go and read his book, you will be shocked to the bone marrow that the subsidy thing, he forecast it 29 years ago before it happened. I’m not surprised about events in Nigeria. The year he was made Managing Director of First Bank and announced Banker of the Year, he was removed largely for speaking the truth. 29 years now. So, one should feel sorry for Buhari. But he was a former Head of State…? Cuts in… He was a former Head CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
“I have one advice to give to our politicians. If they have decided to destroy our national unity, then they should summon a round-table conference to decide how our national assets should be divided. — Nnamdi Azikiwe
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
9 Politics
CANAN to world leaders: Return looted funds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
is stashed particularly other western nations to emulate
the US and show confidence in the financial accountability posture of the Buhari admin-
Cameron
istration to return her looted money. Only recently, President Muhammed Buhari said that Nigerians are “becoming impatient” with the process of repatriating stolen public funds, which he lamented, has “become tedious”. Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with the executive secretary of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, Buhari said: “we are looking for more cooperation from the EU, United States, other countries and international institutions to recover the nation’s stolen assets”. In October 2015, British and Swiss governments pledged to return looted Nigerian money stashed in various private bank accounts in their countries. Both countries promised to work with the Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and other anti-graft agencies in the fight against official corruption and theft.
British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright, and Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Eric Mayoraz made the promises at separate audiences with President Buhari. CANAN became interested in the return of this money because of the undue long process it has taken for some developed countries to act even in view of the hard economic realities Nigeria is facing in the wake of dwindling oil price at the international market, Oyesile, who is also a financial expert, pointed out. Formed in November 2013, CANAN campaigned for and realized the designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US government, going against strong opposition of the opposition in the Nigerian government. CANAN was at the vanguard of Bring Back Our Girls in the US and has contributed significantly to the plight of victims of the nefarious activities.
Buhari was qualified and well prepared but unlucky - Olunloyo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
of State, he was a former governor of Borno, he was a former petroleum minister, I don’t count PTF, I think my friend, Abacha felt he was restless and wanted to keep him busy. So, the three most important problems facing Nigeria today, he had been there; head of state, how to run government, running a mono economy-oil and he’s trying to change things by appointing honest people like former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi going into Solid Minerals, some nations don’t have liquid minerals, only solid minerals like coal in South Africa for generations. But now, he is faced with all these problems; insurgency in the Niger Delta, Boko
EDO GUBER: PDP died of Injustice – Nwuche
Haram, the Chibok girls; in two years they found one girl. One of the most frightening things is that people with big names, people we regarded as aristocratic, well educated, people regarded as good soldiers in the military, Alex Badeh is national and international disgrace; Fani Kayode; I don’t want to comment on Falae. I feel sorry for Buhari, if they appoint you to carry a very heavy load, it is then you should cry. Nigerians are very funny, they would congratulate you, they would wax record for you. There is no room for him to sleep. Last time, he had a poor Attorney General, Chike Ofodile who gave Buhari a bad name by backdating death sentences and Decree 4 against the Press. All
these were mistakes and he must have learnt from his mistakes. But we have to sympathise with him. The variations in the policies are too severe. Air travels, David Mark, I used to mock him that he has two names, one from the Old Testament, David and the other from the New Testament, Mark. He used to say air travel, communications is not for the poor, forgetting that he comes from a poor, non-descript part of the country. Great men, Idoma but they are marginalised, there was no telephone in his town. On Buhari, people are already saying he is clueless like Jonathan. What’s the way out? If they are saying he is clue-
Tom Okpe, Abuja
anybody contesting or aspiring for any political position on the platform of the party must have a sense of being treated fairly and justly too. The former deputy speaker spoke at the National secretariat of the APC during the inauguration of the Screening and Appeals Committee for the upcoming Edo gubernatorial elections which he serves as Chairman, while Senator Nimbe Mamora is the chairman of the Appeals Committee. “What makes a party strong is the justice it dispenses in the
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudum Nwuche has said that what led to the dwindling fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the lack of justice in the way and manner it operated at all levels. He added that the first litmus test for the success of any political party is premised on the fact that party faithful and indeed
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Buhari
selection of candidates and the screening exercise is the first in that process. “What killed many parties in the past including the PDP is injustice. In APC, I know that will not happen”, Nwuche said. While inaugurating the committees, the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Isunazo said the party assembled eminent members of the party just as he charged the members to discharge their duties dispassionately, assuring them of the support of party leadership.
Bello
With this victory, we owe Kogi people good governance — Bello The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has hailed the historic judgments of the panel of judges handling petitions on Kogi State Governorship Election, which upheld his victory, saying the victory at the tribunal is a further call to give good governance to the people of the state. Governor Bello said it was obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded victory at both the November 21, 2015 general election and December 5, 2015 supplementary election and that the change the people voted for will spur his government to transform the state and empower the people. He said the victory dedication would not be complete without paying tribute to the late leader of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu, who died in the course of the election that changed the political history of the country, describing the late Prince Audu as a political martyr whose spirit will help enliven the New Direction resolve. The Governor called on all Kogi people to rally round his administration in its bid to create a state where opportunities abound for the people to aspire to their aspirations. He promised to ensure the protection of the rights of the people of the state and to open up new economic frontiers for inclusive empowerment. According to the governor, the state government is building a reliable database for payment of wages and improved workforce for effective service delivery to the people of the state adding that government will generate more revenue for infrastructural development and social security, and called on all his opponents to join his New Direction government to move the state forward, saying it is time to strengthen the ropes of unity across the state.
Politics 10 Group applauds FG on recovered funds, says Nigeria on path to recovery The Buhari Media Support Group has applauded the ongoing efforts of the Buhari administration in fighting corruption. This followed the recent disclosure of the recovery of looted funds running into hundreds of billions of Naira, Dollars and Pound sterling by the federal government. The group, in a statement by Mssrs Muhammad Labbo, Coordinator, Cassidy Madueke, Secretary said it was not surprised that the administration has achieved the feat considering that President Muhammadu Buhari has for long identified corruption as one of the major problems afflicting the nation. According to the group, it had always said without the integrity of the President, it would not have been possible for Nigerians to realise the level of looting perpetrated under the PDP administration adding that there was no doubt that the huge amount of money looted would be channelled towards projects that will positively impact on all Nigerians including security, infrastructure, social services, health and education. The group decried a situation where a few individuals use their privileged positions to siphon public resources, thereby shortchanging the generality of the people, stressing: “with the level of poverty level in Nigeria, it is indeed disheartening that Nigerians were mindlessly defrauded to the tune of trillions of naira and billions of dollars. It appealed to all Nigerians “to give their unalloyed support to the Buhari administration in its determination to curtail corruption in our public life, and recover all looted funds for the benefit of all Nigerians”, adding: “We must bear in mind that this administration means well and is working in the best interest of all Nigerians, and as a people we can only reciprocate by supporting the efforts of the administration”.
Buhari
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Olunloyo: Jonathan, a disgrace to Niger Delta, he lied to me five times
Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
less, who has clues? You can’t trust the civil servants entirely. When we were overthrown in the first republic, many of them took land in Ikeja. I’ve been in about 50 parastatals, All Defence and Technology agencies in Nigeria; Oodua group, WNDC, foundation members of NIPSS, Confab, TIC, Board of National Merit Award. I know the country very well, and I don’t have any land in Abuja or Lagos or abroad but I’m happy but I’m sad that the man who first made an impact on the Civil War was killed in front of his house, Gen. Mohammed Shuwa. Many of us have served Nigeria meritoriously both as military and civilians and nothing to show for it but we will be happy if those in government would improve on what we did. I don’t like the head of state being in trouble as he is now. A junior colleague of his in the military is being found with billions of naira and buying houses or renovating them worth millions for his son. In the Military, there are hopeless ones amongst them in the civilians, there are also hopeless ones amongst them. During the civil war which was very well conducted by Gowon,
there was a time we had only one million pounds left in foreign exchange and it was cocoa money. Cocoa now is almost confined to Idanre. The schools are hopeless, Oyo State came 24th out of 36 last year. Though Ibadan and some other towns have been beautified, but education is very important. As for Buhari, I’m very sorry for him. There are many people who can assist him in unofficial capacity. There things they could contribute and the roles of traditional rulers. The last election was of the bribing of traditional rulers and bribery by all the parties. You cannot put the whole of the problems on Buhari’s neck or it will break. And the APC is a synthetic which party contains CPC of Buhari and a small faction of the party, ANPP, ACN and many others like Atiku who recently wisely suggested reconstructing of the country which is a sing song several times. There is a lot of sense in what he says I don’t think there is equity, there is still murmuring in so called Biafra though nobody should be talking of Biafra now but group of eastern states. it took a long time before any Ibo man could become leader of any of the Armed Forces, Alison Maduekwe was the first as head of
Navy. Though the character of Igbos, they belief in the small villages and they are well knit and when it come to economy and they do not care about small posts. Look at Pius Anyim, former Senate President, the number three man downgraded himself to later become Secretary to the Government distributing Exco memos. That should not happen. One of the finest gentlemen who have occupied the post, we have many like Enwerem and my friend Chuba Okadigbo but Nnamani was one of the finest of them as senate president. So, people should leave Buhari and stop talking about his inadequacies because he has been prepared. That showed the nature of the complexity of this country; even when a man is honest or ostensibly so, and has been prepared for the office which he occupies and other offices where there are transcendental problems like Niger Delta, breaking of pipes, oil, downstream, upstream and the Chibok Girls and Nigerian Army can only free one pregnant girl after two years who may have been infected with HIV, I don’t know. It’s a disgrace. I think it’s wise for Buhari not to have gone yesterday to the Niger Delta. Let me give you the reason why it was
wise not to have gone. The day they were going to kill a head of state; they killed one head of state in Ibadan before my very eyes. I was driving my wife from the University of Ibadan to UCH when soldiers stopped us and told us that this would be the last time we would see such contingent, of this head of state. I have heard from Dahomey that he would be killed and he himself had heard, Ironsi; and he made a broadcast; he was coming for an innocuous meeting of traditional rulers of Nigeria which had been almost fossilized. He said: ‘I have heard, despite, the ugly rumours about my person, I’m nevertheless embarking on that journey’, and I laughed. The people who came to slaughter him were sharpshooters. They brought Murtala Muhammed and Theophilous Danjuma; these are soldier’s soldiers. He was told and he walked into it, just like Benazir Bhutto, beauty, brain and education. So, they might have killed Buhari yesterday, but if they killed Buhari, they would just kill the man, the problems of Nigeria will not be killed, it will get worse, and nobody might retaliate, we don’t need to retaliate, he will just be quietly buried and the problems will be there and they will get worse and worse. So, anything anybody knows that its the truth, that it can help, he should bring it out to help Buhari out. There is no question of changing to military and having Barde as Head of State; there is no question of bringing a Fani Kayode to be Vice President. He is my boy, I arranged a decent first class burial for his father for I was his follower, I always followed him; our popular dish was Eba and Turkey. When you come from a third generation of aristocrats, there are certain things that must not be found with you. You must not be accused of stealing. In my family, we can’t be accused of stealing. Way out of Niger Delta crisis? The problem of the Niger Delta is a military problem, insurgency there is very severe; they were indulged at one time, they were given money, amnesty, then money like protection money if they don’t break the pipes. Then my friend, Fasheun and OPC were asking for counterpart funds like that here too otherwise they will fall the pipes too. There are people I have great respect for, they Shouldn’t be doing that. I CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
11 Politics
APC youths set to proffer solution in ICT sector Tom Okpe, Abuja
Prof Yakubu
2019: INEC holds logistics workshops Operations and Logistics Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the country will converge in Lagos from Sunday 12 to 18 June 2016 for a-one week workshop that will lead to the formation of Electoral Operations Road Map for the 2019 General Elections. The workshop, with the theme: “Developing Effective Electoral Operational and Logistical Strategies for 2019 General Elections”, will hold at Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, from 9am to 5pm daily. Papers to be presented at the workshop include: Electoral Process and Automation Beyond the Smart Card Reader; Election Officials Management: Issues and Challenges; Prospects and
Modalities for Out of Country Voting; The Challenges of Managing Electoral Logistics Transportation in Nigeria; Election Logistics Management in INEC: Challenges and Way Forward and Forward and Reverse Logistics for Election Materials and Personnel. Others are: An overview of election administration platforms: Issues and Prospects; presentation and consideration of report of the committee on Review of Electoral Forms and Materials; Election Material Warehousing: Imperatives for Effective Store Management; Use of Inventory Data and Supply Chain Management in Electoral Logistics; and Delimitation of Constituencies in Nigeria: Impediments and Achievables.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing led by Chris Emejuru has said that Nigeria youth will find lasting solutions and prospects in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The youth Leader said the youth have a lot to offer in the country, and the party has recognised this fact along with other trades. Speaking with newsmen at the APC secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja, he said: “One of the key sectors we believe can empower youths as well as stimulate our economy is the ICT sector. “This Youth friendly sector has not only the capability of producing millions of jobs, but can create a technological atmosphere that in turn, bring more transparency, ease of initiatives, and a smooth relaxed new era of the way Nigeria operates”, he added. Emejuru said the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) are putting in place ICT capacity building exercises for university graduates in its Graduate Internship Scheme. His words: “As we speak, this pilot scheme has engaged 100 graduates receiving the benefit of this significant program. 600 more graduates are in the process
Oyegun
of receiving training in Software Development, Coding, and other Information Technology activities not only in the South West, but throughout all geo political zones in the country. “These initiatives that are ongoing for youths has got the attention of social media giant Facebook which stated, at the F8 developer conference in San Francisco, the United States of America April this year, is increasing its presence and deepening it’s partnership on the African continent because Africa
is the future of the information technology growth. “It has collaborated with African Developers especially in Nigeria including Entertainment, Jobber man, amongst others. However, without funding, how would opportunities, especially youths, be capitalized so as to produce the brand of a tech company like Facebook. “One particular example of progress made from a funding perspective is the Kaduna Startup Entrepreneurship Program KADSTED.
‘Buhari was wise not to go to Niger Delta’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
Olunloyo
think it should be an all out war, they cant be building under high tension wire and breaking pipes, when they know it’s a mono-economy, the country can collapse. Some countries have collapsed. Yugoslavia collapsedSerbia, Herzegovina and others, broke into many parts. Nigeria can also break like that. They say Nigeria can’t break, it has some inner strength, there is no inner strength, its an amalgam of tribes, some of which are still going naked; there are uncharted part of the country like that Sambisa Forest that is intractable like that Guilder game, Ultimate Search. Agitations for Biafra? It doesn’t appear they have followed Gowon’s idea of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ and the three Rs.
What we can do is to speak out, we should not keep quiet. We cannot place everything on the shoulders of Buhari. Fortunately, he has a brilliant Vice and some ministers too. The only thing is that Fashola is overloaded; they should bring out somebody to join him. We engineers marvel that this is the second time they are bringing a lawyer to that key ministry with no chemistry or biology or Physics background. Bola Ige was the first. It’s not good enough. In 2010 in Ibadan, you delivered a powerful, brilliant paper on why Jonathan, from the minorities should be supported to contest the Presidency in 2011. With his poor performance, do you regret your action? I do not regret, but I’m disappointed because he lied to me five times. It was Obasanjo who came to me; Obasanjo is my kinsman
and perhaps the closest person to my mother. I’m an Owu man with strong connections with Abeokuta. He told me you are the only one who can solve the problem. I asked him, ‘what’s the problem’, he said: ‘we are in quagmire. The man who was supposed to write a letter to the senate can’t write. How can one solve the problem’. I said: ‘give me a week, I will solve it. When they make Constitutions, they have discussions, committees, what Obasanjo asked to solve, I simply went into my library where we are now to look for the solution. The solution had been written 37 years earlier by Rotimi Williams. Whoever you are, man or woman, Gandhi, Ironsi, Presidents do die through natural causes or violence like Bhutto; they die, all human beings die. Chief Rotimi Williams wrote a clause in the CDC as chairman
of Obasanjo’s Supreme Military council cancelled it. I read further, the governor of Cross River in 2001, Donald Duke, was a member of the committee and he recommended that there should be acting President. So, I wrote my paper of brain work and patience and went to Abuja only to be told that I would wait for two days for an appointment. On the day I was to see him, I was being operated upon at an Abuja hospital for my prostrate. By the time I went back, they said the president had come and gone but that he would come back. He later came back and thanked me profusely promising to fly me abroad for treatment which he never did until he left office. He promised me five times, he phoned me in Ibadan and never did anything for me. What he did to me was terrible, I’m ashamed of him.
News 12
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Why FG hasn’t released N350b to reflate economy – Udoma Ï d ƕ ƍƋ Ɛ ƏƆƐƏƆ ƅ Ɠ ƏƊƆƏ Egena Egena ƄƑƉ
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Government on Wednesday explained why it has not been able to release the N350 billion to meet contractual obligations in order to boost the economy as it had promised since April. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma said government had been hamstrung by the processes and requirements that should be met before releases could be effected. He also stated that the current ad-
ministration had no plan to retrench workers despite the precarious economic condition in the country. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Udoma stated that the money was available, but that the process has to be fast tracked so that release could be made. According to the minister, who jointly addressed the press with his Information counterpart, Lai Mo-
hammed, while it was expected that money would be released for existing project soon, new projects may have to wait much longer due to the statutory requirements of procurement. Udoma had announced during the breakdown of the 2016 budget on May 13th that the N350 billion would be released the next day so as to halt the ugly spate of downsizing of the workforce by especially the construction companies in the country. He said: “As far as the N350 billion which was indicated, the money is available but there is a process and
this is part of the reasons we briefed council and there is need to fast track those processes so that very soon most of those monies will be released. “We expect in the ministry of works, they should have quite substantial release in the next week or so. “It’s easier for us for existing projects but new projects are a bit more difficult because of the public procurement (process). The public procurement (process requires that) you have to advertise and you have to wait for six weeks and so on.
ƒƆ ƆƏ ƏƆƉƆƅƐ Ɛ ƋƊ ƓƈƐ 01è ƄƋ Ɠ Ƈ ƅƈƋƈƐƕ Continued from page 6 are located. Meanwhile, former Niger Delta militants, under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, have appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to lay down their arms and consider the Federal Government’s call for dialogue. The LPCDI, which made the appeal in a communique it released on Wednesday, said the move would engender sustainable peace, save the environment and prevent annihilation of the Niger Delta people. The National Coordinator, LCP-
DI, Reuben Wilson, aka ‘General’ Pastor, condemned the actions of the NDA, appealing to them to give peace a chance. Wilson said the LCPDI stood for peace and would always do so because of the greater interest of the entire Niger Delta region. He stated, “If you take an honest look at the actions of the NDA, you will see that the bombing of pipelines and other vices will have a lasting negative effect on our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and even children in the communities who will not have a source of livelihood if the whole area is pol-
luted. “We also don’t want soldiers to invade our communities like they did in Borno State and rendered thousands of persons homeless. Rather, we advise them (NDA) to channel their grievances though the right method instead of destroying their own land and heritage to make their point. “We wish to appeal to the members of the Niger Delta Avengers and any other groups involved in the recent destruction of oil facilities in the region to reconsider their activities and yield to the call from the Presidency for a dialogue as a
means of finding lasting solution to their grievances.” The national president noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to commence the Ogoni clean-up exercise was a clear demonstration that Buhari has the region’s interest at heart and would do anything possible to alleviate the suffering of the people. Wilson said the continuous drop in the federal allocations/derivation to the Niger Delta states since the recent destruction of oil facilities began was of a great concern to the development plans and programmes of the states.
ƈ è 01 ƆƆƊ Ɛ ƈƆƋƗ ƓƈƐ Ɔ Ɔ ƗƑƏƈ # ƑƊƈô ƐƏƈ Ƌ Continued from page 6 be in the possession of persons who are sympathetic to the defendant. Government also said that the security of its witnesses will be blown up if they are made to testify publicly without any protection. In a five paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Emmanuel Ikpebe in support of the motion, the Federal Government averred that Dasuki served in the intelligence unit of the army and that a large quantity of ammunitions was found in his house when searched, in addition to various foreign currencies that the defendant could not explain the source. Consequently, the application prayed the court to hold that special circumstances have arisen to warrant the grant of the request. However, counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Daodu, SAN, told Justice Adeniyi Ademola that he has just been served with the motion that he needed time to respond. Justice Ademola subsequently adjourned hearing of the motion till June 23, 2016.
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
POWER SECTOR FACTS
MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (Federal, State and Local government) Debt accumulated over 3years= N93Billion
How much is provided in the 2016 Budget??? Answer = NONE…(Zero Naira)
MDAs PLEASE PAY YOUR BILLS!!! So we can serve Nigerians better
,
.
Positioned to emPOWER Nigeria
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News 14
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Plateau NLC urges Lalong to pay outstanding salaries with recovered loot
Chijioke Kingsley, Jos
ÏÏÏThe
L-R: Navy Capt. Olumide Fadahunsi; Chief Executive Officer, Restoration Foundation of Nigeria, Mr. David Omaghomi and Director, International Ocean Institute Nigeria, Dr. Mabel Yarhere, at the 2016 World Ocean day in Lagos… on Wednesday.
NIS recruitment scam: Paradang testifies against Abba Moro Andrew Orolua, Abuja
ÏÏÏFormer
ComptrollerGeneral of Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), David Shikfu Paradang, on Wednesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was not aware the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, was embarking on a recruitment exercise, in which 20 job applicants died in March 2014. Paradang (rtd) disclosed this in his testimony as the 1st prosecution witness in the 11- count criminal charges brought against Moro, the then Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Interior, Mrs. Anastasia DanielNwobia, a deputy director in the ministry, F.O. Alayebami, one Mahmood Ahmadu (at large), and the contracting firm that handled the recruitment job, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd, for allegedly defrauding 676, 675 job-seekers the sum of N676.6 million. Asked by the prosecutor whether he knew why he was in court, standing on the witness box, Paradang told the court he was there as a witness on the matter relating the botched 2014 Nigerian Immigration Services recruitment exercise that led to the death of over 20 job applicants across Nigeria. “I am sure it is about the
Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in March 2014 and matters relating to it,” Paradang told the court. He said he was however shocked when he saw reports in the media about a recruitment exercise by the NIS. “I was surprised about the recruitment exercise, because I was not aware of it,” he said. “Then I told him (Abba Moro) that ‘it would have been fair enough for you to inform the head of the service that you were recruiting. “‘And that at least in the service we had a delegated authority to recruit from a certain cadre.’” He said he also asked if that
authority had been withdrawn from the Nigerian Immigration Service. He said that I should not worry, but I asked why shouldn’t, Paradang added.
the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Wednesday, said that he was only joking when he said that Decree 4 should be brought back to deal with erring journalists. Umar said this through Ibraheem Alhassan, spokesman of the CCT. Decree 2, a repressive law against the press, was promulgated in 1984 by the Muhammadu Buhari military government.
Alhassan, in the statement, also said that the CCT chairman was only “teasing” the media. He said: “We wish to correct an impression created from the remarks made by the honourable chairman during Tuesday’s sitting, while cautioning media practitioners against misrepresentation of what transpired in the court, where he teasingly said, ‘if I have my way I would have bring Decree 4 to take care of erring journalists.’
“The statement by the chairman was made as a joke; not to intimidate any of my esteem colleagues from observing their statutory functions as mandated by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as anchored in liberal democratic society like ours. “Consequently, before the controversial statement on Decree 4, the chairman, also after granting the request of learned SAN Agabi, to seek medical
Oshiomhole not a dictator, says Commissioner
Titus Akhigbe, Benin
ÏÏÏThe
Abba Moro
I was just joking about Decree 2, says CCT chair ÏÏÏThe Chairman of
Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Plateau State wing has appealed to the Plateau State governor, Hon. Simon Lalong, to urgently convert the recovered N2.7 billion into the payment of outstanding four months’ salaries of primary school teachers for the months of June to September 2012. Addressing news men, in Jos, the state capital, on Wednesday, the state chairman of the union, Comrade Gunshin Yarlings, also lamented the refusal of the state government to appoint primary school teachers as education secretaries, regretting that nomination of education secretaries were made from the secondary school sector, ministry and tertiary institutions. “NUT wish to state that the age- long relegation of primary school teachers to second class level will no longer be condoned.”
attention, he, in a lighter mood, recommended to Agabi to take a ‘rest at Transcorp Hilton’ but surprisingly that aspect of his remarks was downplayed in the report. “However, the area that needed explanation also is the warning the chairman passed to general public in court, upon complained by Rotimi Jacob (SAN), which he said somebody from the gallery unruly remarked that he should ‘sit down’.
Edo State Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo, has charged politicians to work harmoniously for good governance and the progress of the state. On the forthcoming governorship primaries of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, the commissioner stated that members of the party were looking forward to a free and fair outcome as promised by the national executives of the party under the leadership of Chief John Odigie Oyegun. “The national executive of the party has promised us of impartial arbiters in the primaries and we have no reason to doubt their assertion,” he stressed. On agitations in some quarters that the governorship position should be zoned to the central district of the state in the spirit of fair play and good neighbourliness, Adodo stated that he had never been an apostle of “turn-by-turn” which, he stated, bred laziness and infective ness in governance.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
15 Opinion
Imperative of Abia- Australia exchange programme
R Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
ecently, 120 teachers and selected Education Secretaries in the three senatorial zone in Abia State were afforded the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge through a training programme facilitated by an Australian- based Non- Governmental Organisation, Precious Kids Education Empowerment (PKEE). The four- day programme is part of the state government’s efforts to give education a place of pride .The programme which was conducted by some experts addressed some critical areas such as classroom management, teacher- student relationship, first aid and security alert. The training came at a very auspicious time. For instance, the “security alert” component of the training was particularly relevant in the face of kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country. The training is expected to equip school officials and administrators with skills to enable them take a pro-active approach to their schools’ safety through a variety of different tools and methods. Security, according to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a basic human need. If a school is threatened, it will affect the student and teacher attendance including physical and mental state. Besides, no parent would want to expose his
ward to danger in a school that is not secured. A safe and secured learning environment would not only afford the students and teachers the opportunity to concentrate but would reflect on their overall performance. Classroom management is another component of the training that requires a critical approach. Students define the term as the measure adopted by teachers to ensure that classroom lessons run smoothly despite disruptive behaviour. It also implies the prevention of disruptive behaviour. They are actions and methods the teachers use to achieve a successful and conducive learning environment. A report by the US National Education Association in 1981 states that 36 percent of teachers said they would probably not go into teaching if they had to decide again because of “negative student attitudes and discipline”. Arguments by notable scholars state that once a teacher loses control of their classroom, it becomes increasingly difficult to regain control. Research also indicates that the time a teacher has to correct misbehaviour caused by poor classroom management skills results in a lower rate of academic engagement. Effective classroom management involves clear communication of behavioural and academic expectations as well as a cooperative learning environment. The list of the advantages of classroom
management is inexhaustible. The teacher- student relationship is another strategic component of the training programme. This component has a strong relationship with classroom management because student relationship fosters a conducive learning environment. On the contrary, a sour teacher- student relationship would engender a hostile learning environment. This component is as important as salt is to food because the student spends appreciable number of hours with his teacher daily. The need to provide first aid services in schools cannot be overemphasised. The basis of this claim is that health problems arise in schools that require urgent attention before the arrival of emergency service providers. Providing staff with first aid training is very essential. This will ensure prevention of more damage and saving of lives. On this note, there is a call to review the first aid component of the training to include students. Proponents are of the view that equipping students with such training will make them cater for the welfare of each other. To buttress this argument, emergency health situations can arise in hostels or football pitches when the teachers are not available and the students are the ones to respond to the situation. Training students in first aid services is not only helpful in the school environ-
Buhari: 365 days of ineptitude (2)
I Adetokunbo Pearse
f it were some leaders of APC who campaigned to give Nigerians an equitable quality of life, should those leaders not be answerable now for the failure to perform? If the president rode on a set of ideas to get to the presidency, would it not be right to say that he is an interloper who has perpetrated a monumental fraud on the people? To develop a strong economy, President Buhari must come to terms with the complexities inherent in the capitalist democratic system. The state of the economy is inextricably tied to the cultural politics of the government in power and to the social climate within which it functions. Put in the popular idiom of social activists; ‘no justice, no peace’, and by extention, ‘no peace, no growth’. The president must desist from utterances and actions that create the impression that he is ethnocentric, bigoted, or biased in anyway. To this fundamental template, one can add specific suggestions. The president should agree to devalue the naira. An average of the bank rate of approximately N200 to the dollar, and the parallel market rate of N300 is good enough. Such an exercise will stabilise our currency at N250 to the dollar, and create investor
confidence. In order for the decision to remove subsidy not seen as another punitive Buhari Policy, the President must quickly tell Nigerians how much has been saved and what is to being done with the funds. Government’s determination of a N145 price tag for a litre of petrol is uninformed, even malicious. If government with its unlimited access to foreign exchange is selling fuel at N145 per litre, how can government know the cost of a litre to marketers? Direct intervention to protect consumers from high prices even when government is directly involved in production and distribution will only make things worse for the consumer. Unwittingly, government has created the current economic dilemma in which the ‘black market’ has become the ‘real market’. In order for the government to have a judicious account of spending and performance in the ministries, the president must get rid of some of his ‘noise maker’ ministers. The noise of corruption around the minister for transportation is too strong. Rotimi Amaechi should go. Chief Audu Ogbe lacks the vitality to tackle the herdsmen crisis, or introduce vital innovations in the
agriculture ministry. He should go. Beautiful and articulate as she is, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the finance minister lacks the experience and status needed to negotiate Nigeria’s position at the international level. Finance is the epicenter of a nation’s lifeline. Nigeria’s finance minister must be a person of world renown. Mrs. Adeosun does not fit this ticket. Alhaji Lai Mohammed has outlived his usefulness. He was an efficient hatchet man during the 2015 campaign. Lai Mohammed continues to operate on the level of a campaign propagandist. He has become a liability to the Buhari administration. Nigerians know him today as the minister of misinformation. Haunted by his name, Lai is known around the country as “Lai”, the “liar”. Lately, he has added graft to his other shortcomings. He is alleged to have pressured the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and other agencies of government for millions of naira to fund his trips abroad. The administration will do itself and Nigerians a favour to relive Lai Mohammed of his duties. The rationale to allocate the three vital Ministries of Housing, Works and Power to one man was always questionable. Mr. Fashola’s failure to
ment, but also in the community. Indeed, this programme reflects Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s commitment to “ develop an all-inclusive master plan to drive development and progress in the education sector; and to promote the emergence of Abia as an education hub/destination by attracting and fast-tracking the establishment of internationally recognised education providers; taking advantage of the secure environment and social infrastructure”. Before now, the administration had initiated the Education for Employment Programme (E4E). A programme conceptualised to ensure that education leads to employment by imbuing the youths with the technical skills to enable them become selfemployed or sought after. E4E will reactivate Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) in the state. In the future the programme will graduate over 100,000 youths trained in various technical and vocational skills. The programme is with the engagement of United Kingdom-based Kiara College to revive vocational and technical education in the state. The programme is aimed at elevating the state to a Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) hub of the country. Ukegbu, a public policy analyst wrote from Umuahia, Abia State.
perform so far is evidence enough for us to argue that two ministries must be stripped away from him. Leave him with perhaps, the Ministry of Works. Another flawed appointment was the allocation of Minister of Petroleum to the President. General Buhari has brought no benefit to the ministry. Rather, he has been a clog in the wheel of progress. Kachikwu’s initial suggestions to remove oil subsidies, and privatise oil wells were rejected by Buhari, yet when the oil industry fell into disarray, the National Assembly summoned the Minister of State, instead of Buhari. The president is doing a disserve, to Nigerians by keeping the portfolio of oil minister when he has no time to do the work, or even to explain the problems in the industry. Unfortunately, things have become worse during the past 365 days under Buhari. Perhaps the only way to help Nigeria achieve its growth potential is through constitutional review, which will decentalize federal government, and empower the geo-political zones as federating units, with states as administrative components. Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse is Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of PDP MATTERS and Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the party
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Features Æ s
Titilope Joseph On Sunday June 12, 2016, Prophet Temitope B. Joshua will be 53. The cleric deserves to be celebrated from different perspectives, especially at a time like this when the nation is passing through some kind of recession. He has put smiles on faces and has become the greatest friend of the poor and downtrodden in society. Apart from his healing and deliverance gifts, Prophet T.B. Joshua walks tall in several aspects of human endeavours. The story of his life is an excellent demonstration of God’s ability to use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. With just primary school education, the General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations has established himself as a force to reckon with in God’s vineyard. His ministry is arguably the most visited Christian ministry in the whole of Africa and has continued to attract scintillating reviews from the international media. Tens of thousands of visitors from across the world have continued to throng the IkotunEgbe based ministry in search of spiritual succor. But it does not end there. The man of God understands the challenges of the troubled world and has maintained a rare reputation for helping individuals, institutions and nations overcome their spiritual as well as socio-economic challenges through crusades and humanitarian efforts. Though enemies of the church would always ascribe negative things to the man of God, he has consistently maintained that it is unnecessary joining issues with the world; instead he has channeled most of his time into
TB Joshua @ 53: Celebrating a man of uncommon philanthropy
TB Joshua
catering to the needs of the lessprivileged in society. Uncountable number of people both Nigerians and foreigners have continued to benefit from his ministry’s milk of human kindness. Through his ministry’s Emmanuel TV Partners, millions of lives, nations and destinies have been changed across the world. According to the man of God, true love always searches for whom to help whenever and wherever it is in a position to do so. How he has been able to maturely manage the bad press emanating from the collapsed building incident remains very phenomenal. He has maintained
a calm and unperturbed disposition - a quality that can only be God-given especially in situations of crisis. T.B. Joshua is the only Nigerian pastor that is hardly seen around the corridors of power. You will never find him in any government house because he believes that a true servant of God should be for all and not frolic around with politicians. We have seen some Christian leaders who have rubbished their reputation because of money and partisan politics but Prophet Joshua prefers to empower the masses. In the last two years, the man of God has received both nation-
al and international recognitions for his exemplary service to mankind. He was recently ranked amongst the most famous prophets in the history of mankind. The ranking was contained in a publication by an America-based research organization – www.Ranker.com. According to the organization, the ranking was based on votes from over 250 million people worldwide. A statement on its website read, “From reputable, prominent, and well known prophets to the lesser known prophets of today, these are some of the best professionals in the prophet field. If you want to answer the
questions, “Who are the most famous prophets ever?” and “What are the names of famous prophets?” then you are in the right place. The publication which parades a total of 71 prophets named T.B. Joshua as number 13 in the world and number one in Africa followed by the late Joseph Ayo Babalola who occupies number 32 in the world and number 2 in Africa. Only these two prophets are named from Africa. The list included great biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Elisha, Micah and Paul the Apostle, amongst others. The publication describes Prophet T.B. Joshua thus, “Temitope Balogun Joshua (born June 12, 1963), commonly referred to as T.B. Joshua, is a Nigerian preacher. He is the leader of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a religious organization that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, Nigeria. He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet, Irohin Odua. He was recognized as one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by Pan-African magazines, The Africa Report and New African Magazine and also listed among world’s most famous prophets”. Born on June 12, 1963, in a rustic village of Arigidi in Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria, Joshua is said to have spent 15 months in his mother’s womb. His birth CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
THE OGONILAND CLEAN-UP:
Buhari moving to right the wrong of the past ÏMop up arms in Ogoniland and rid the communities of violent militants - Godwin Gininwa
Johnson Eyiangho (NAN) Buhari
Shortly after his assumption of office, President Mu-
hammadu Buhari approved several actions to fast-track the long delayed implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland. The president’s approval was a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the Ogoni people when he visited the area in January 2015 to solicit their votes. It would be recalled that oil
spillage and pollution in Ogoniland began in 1968 at Ejamah, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, and in 1970, the area recorded another spill at KDere in Gokana Local Government Area. The multinational oil company, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, is said to be responsible for the spills and its attendant envi-
ronmental pollution. Commenting on the spills, Mr Fegalo Nsuke, the Publicity Secretary of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni Prople (MOSOP), said that it was quite vexing to note that Shell made no tangible attempt to clean up the spills till date. ``Since Shell pulled out in 1993, there had been no normal activity in Ogoniland oilfields. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
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Features
TB Joshua : A man of uncommon philanthropy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
and early development is also said to be shrouded in mysteries after narrowly escaping a boulder from a nearby quarry which came crashing inches near him in his parents’ house. The name ‘Temitope’, meaning “what you (God) has done for me is worthy of thanks”. He attended St. Stephens’ Anglican Primary School but failed to complete secondary school due to poverty. While in primary school, he was referred to as the small pastor and led evangelical activities. His ambition to join the Nigerian Army went crashing after the train that was to convey him developed fault along the way and left him
TB Joshua
stranded for six days. Prophet T.B. Joshua also washed people’s feet on the muddy corners of Lagos and worked as a poultry attendant to earn a living. His ministry, The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, alongside the Emmanuel TV Partners, has become synonymous with acts of charity, healing and humanitarian efforts across the globe. Last year he was listed among the world’s famous people by www.thefamouspeople. com. The avalanche of evidence that the man of God is truly of God notwithstanding, some persons, for reasons best known to them, have decided to continue their campaigns of calumny against
him. In the face of all the hatred and condemnation, Prophet T.B. Joshua has remained rather calm and focused on his divine mandate to liberate the oppressed from the shackles of the devil. What other truth is greater than showing love to others? For even Jesus attested to the biblical truth that, whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren that you do unto me. Like John the Baptist like Jesus and like T.B. Joshua, a prophet is without honour in his own home. No amount of falsehood can truncate the noble and glorious trajectory of truth. It is only a matter of time. Truth, like an immortal seed, will always prevail.
Implementation of the UNEP report is beyond politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
``However, we have had cases of illegal mining and stealing by Shell’s agents but no oil company is officially operating in Ogoniland today,’’ he said. Nsuke stressed that the struggle for Ogoniland’s clean-up and the remediation of its environment had claimed several lives, including the lives of Ken SaroWiwa, Agbarator Otu, Edward Kobani Theo Orage, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuinen. As part of preparations toward the launch of the clean-up, the minister of environment visited Ogoniland between March 3 and March 4 to inform the people of the impending exercise and seek their cooperation with government on the project. The minister’s first port of call in Ogoniland was the palace of Gbeneme of Tai kingdom, Godwin Gininwa, who is also the President, Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoniland, where she met with traditional rulers and other leaders of the area. At the meeting, Mohammed conveyed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the UNEP report and pleaded for the people’s cooperation. Responding, Gininwa had commended President Buhari for keeping to his promise to clean up Ogoniland. ``We are happy that he kept faith because less than 100 days into his government, the president directed several actions to fast-track the implementation of the UNEP report, as he promised,’’ he said. Nevertheless, Gininwa appealed to Buhari to mop up arms in Ogoniland and rid the
Ogoniland
Since the discovery of oil in Oloibiri (Bayelsa) in 1958, the environment in the Niger Delta area has been degraded and livelihood of the people negatively affected. This has led to agitations and public outcry, championed by notable sons and daughters of this region. Let me at this junction emphasise that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is committed to changing the narrative of environmental degradation, pollution, erosion, desertification and unhygienic conditions in Nigeria - Hajiya Amina Mohammed communities of violent militants, saying that this was very important as the area’s clean-up was imminent. ``Ogoni is faced with a dangerous situation as there are arms in almost all the communities; hence the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers endorses continuous deployment of the military to Ogoni,’’ he said. Sen. Magnus Abe, who was one of the dignitaries on hand at the palace to receive the minister, pleaded with the people
to bury their differences so as to ensure the realisation of the clean-up’s objectives. ``I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Ogoni people that the implementation of the UNEP report is beyond politics. This is not a fight we started today. ``I do not think it will be right, proper or fair for us to do anything that will give anybody the impression that we cannot bury our differences for the sake of our land.
``If we do that, it will be very, very unfortunate. Anybody that creates that atmosphere is doing Ogoni people a great disservice and that will not be right,’’ Abe said. After the meeting at Gbeneme’s palace, the minister proceeded to Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, where she held a stakeholders’ meeting with a cross-section of Ogoni people. Mohammed described the proposed clean-up of the area as
a ``right step to right the wrong of the past’’. She believed that the exercise would mark the end of the long years of the struggle and the dawn of a new era for Ogoni people. Mohammed admitted that the apathy of the government and oil companies to the plight of the Ogoni people, whose land had been degraded over the years by oil spillage and pollution, had created considerable tension in the area. ``We must protect the environment, it exists for our prosperity. ``Since the discovery of oil in Oloibiri (Bayelsa) in 1958, the environment in the Niger Delta area has been degraded and livelihood of the people negatively affected. ``This has led to agitations and public outcry, championed by notable sons and daughters of this region. ``Let me at this junction emphasise that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is committed to changing the narrative of environmental degradation, pollution, erosion, desertification and unhygienic conditions in Nigeria,’’ she said. Mohammed promised that the clean-up would be used to ``jump-start a sustainable livelihood agenda for the people of the Niger Delta that is less dependent on oil. ``We intend to use the process to create jobs, improve capacity of the Niger Delta on environmental management and improve the economy. ``The process of the clean-up
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I formerly known and addressed as ROSIJI FOLAKE OLUWAKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE OLAJUMOKE All former documents remain valid. General public to take note
BLACK SWAN TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS FOUNDATION
DYNAMIC KINGS AND GOOD FRIENDS CLUB OF ABA.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.
The Trustees are : 1.Tosan Mogbeyiteren -Chairman 2. Adebiyi Olusolape 3.Tinuke Omolara Adeyi 4. Omar-Ikaige Michael-Secretary
The Trustees are : 1. CHINELEOBI EMMANUEL IHUKA -PRESIDENT. 2. THOMAS JAMES CLINTON -SECRETARY. 3. MADUABUCHI JOEL - MEMBER
THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To create awareness on technological improvements in the medical and other fields by developing interactive software solutions to help endusers benefit from the use of such software solutions
THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO SEEK FOR AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF OUR MEMBERS. 3. TO UPHOLD THE DIGNITY OF THE CLUB.
Any objection to this registration must reach the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Any objection to this registration must reach the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
SIGNED: Secretary
SIGNED: president
THE ADVANCEMENT CHURCH
THE AGAPE MIRACLE CENTER INT’L
N0. 54, TOMBIA EXTENSION ROAD, G. R. A. PHASE 3. PORT HARCOURT. The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission, Abuja for registration under part’ ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Acts of 1990.
THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990
TRUSTEES 1 IKEOKWU KENNSTA UGOCHUKWU 2 IKEOKWU TOCHI OBIAGERI 3 GODSWILL DANJUMA NJOKU 4 OLIVER ABBA 5 KENNEDY C. OBI AIMS AND OBJECTIVE . 1 To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus christ 2 To affect humanity / society through foundational teachings and preaching of the word of God 3 provide a conducive atmosphere for believers to fellowship and worship with liberty .
TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR MICHAEL OBIOMA NWAMOH- GENERAL OVERSEER 2. ELEDER CHIZU OKOROCHA-TREASURER 3. DEACONESS CHINENYE OKOROCHA -SEC 4. DEACONESS CHARITY NWAMOH 5. MRS IFEANYI AKPAN-MEMBER 6. ELEDER DR EMEKA UMA -MEMBER 7. ELEDER (P ROF) CHIMA UGAH- MEMBER 8. CHIGOZIRIM NWAMOH -MEMBER AIMS: TO WORSHIP AND HONOR GOD 2. TO REACH THE WORLD WITH THE WORD OF GOD .
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.
SIGNED SECRETRAY
SIGN: TRUSTEES
CORRECTION OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as STEPHEN ETIM ANKAK and ETIM EDET ANKAK. That both names belong to one and the same person. Henceforth, i wish to be known and addressed as ETIM EDET ANKAK. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.
KUDIRATU OLUWAKEMI ADUNGBE I Formally known and address as OLUWAKEMI ADEYEMI ADUNGBE now wish to be known and addressed as KUDIRATU OLUWAKEMI ADUNGBE . All former documents remain valid. general public take note.
OGUNJEBE-RUNSEWE ABIOLA BEATRICE I Formally known and address as RUNSEWE ABIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNJEBE-RUNSEWE ABIOLA BEATRICE . All former documents remain valid. general public take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE The descendants of onalaja family igbede village imodi ijasi odogbolu ogun stata. The general public is hereby put to notice that all the piece/parcel of land measuring over 1500 acres with coordinates nos Area A 746352.491MN, 591161.059ME and Area B.747141.316MN and 589329.175ME at Apa, Igbede village Belongs to the onalaja family of igbede village via imodi ijasi odogbolu LGA ogun state.. Beware of fraudsters/419. Any information about the said land should be directed to the head of the family trespasers will be prosecuted call: 08023626020 CHUKWUEMEKA ISAAC NWATU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. HON. EMEKA NWATU 2. MRS IFEOMA EMEKA NWATU 3. MISS CHIDIMMA NWATU 4. OKENWA ANAYO AGBO 5. MR. JOHN OZEH 6. MR CHUKWUNONSO R. UGWU
Chairman
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To assist indigent and brilliant children to achieve their educational pursuit. 2. To provide financially assistance to window in order to carter for their children. 3. To provide educational counselling services to people Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Hon. Emeka Nwatu Chairman
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
23 News
IGP commissions Police estate in Yola Tom Garba, Yola
ÎÎÎThe
Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has reiterated the desire of the present management team of the Nigeria Police to provide conducive accommodation to the Inspectors and rank and file who were in need. Arase spoke in Yola Wednesday at the commissioning of one hundred semidetached bungalows named Gambo Jimeta Police Housing Estate. The Inspector-General of Police, who was represented by the Adamawa State Police Commissioner, Ghazzali Mohammed, announced that the housing estate was not a police barracks, but an estate that equally cater for the civic populace. The Nigerian Police Mortgage Bank, the IGP announced, had put in place a convenient home ownership package with easy repayment terms for the mortgage to be deducted from the monthly emolument of the beneficiaries over an extended period of time. EDOHONRE MODUPE DEBORAH I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS VICTOR MODUPE DEBORAH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EDOHONRE MODUPE DEBORAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE
MMADU CHINADU SAMUEL I, formerly known and addressed as DIMOHACHIE BENEDICT NNANDI now wish to be known as MMADU CHINADU SAMUEL. DATE OF BIRTH 11-04-1979 . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.
ELEKWACHI EBERE VIVIAN I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MWANKWO EBERE VIVIAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ELEKWACHI EBERE VIVIAN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE
IGBEKELE FOLASHADE GRACE I Formally known and address as ADEWOLE FOLASADE GRACE now wish to be known and addressed as IGBEKELE FOLASHADE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.
MRS ADUGBO ADEOLA OLUWAKEMI I Formally known and address as MISS ADENIYI ADEOLA OLUWAKEMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADUGBO ADEOLA OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.
L-R: International President, Society of Women Engineers Technology and Scientists Africa, Abuja Chapter, Mrs. Vera Egwuatu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Habiba Lawal and Executive Director, Sustainable Development Centre, Mr. Ahmed Sanda at the 2016 World Environmental Day in Abuja… on Wednesday.
Onu wants end to importation of herbal products Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
ÎÎÎMinister of
Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has condemned the rate at which Nigeria imports all forms of herbal products from different parts of the world. The minister, while speaking at the fourth Annual Clinical Research and Public Health Emergencies in SubSaharan Africa, said that “the spate at which Nigeria imports all forms of herbal products from different parts
Onu of the world is unacceptable and does not make sense.” He argued that the country’s biodiversity and biore-
sources were extremely rich, vast and diverse, which, if properly exploited, can meet the country’s needs and the rest of the world. “We have so much capacity in Nigeria and if we rely on what we can do for ourselves as a people we would build a very strong economy.” Onu insists that the sharp drop in the price of crude oil and its attendant effect on the reduction of the availability of foreign exchange has left the country with no other option than to look inwards to
Kwara Assembly urges FG to link community in 2nd Niger Bridge project Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin
ÎÎÎThe Kwara House of As-
sembly, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to include the construction of the second Niger Bridge linking Edu Local Government Area of Kwara with Niger State in 2017 budget. The House made the call in its resolution after adopting a motion without notice on the non-construction of the bridge moved by lsiaku Aliyu-Adam, who represents Edu constituency He said in his submission that the construction of the
Gov. Ahmed bridge would ease transportation of farm produce between the two states. He said the construction of the bridge would also reduce travelling on river, which he said was risky.
Meanwhile, other members who contributed to the issue, including the House Leader, Hassan Oyeleke, said that the construction of the second Niger Bridge was long overdue. The Deputy Speaker, Mathew Okedare, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary, urged National Assembly members from Kwara and Niger states to work towards the construction of the bridge. The House urged the Kwara State Government to pursue the construction of the bridge to ease the transportation of farm produce.
source her needs. “Nigeria’s problems can best be solved by Nigerians. We can no longer continue with the foreign taste we have developed over the years.” In a related development, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said that the Federal Ministry of Health would continue to develop incentives for everyone who wanted to invest in the health
sector – including research. Adewole who was represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, noted that the Buhari administration was committed to working with the organisers to redress some of the problems in the health sector by using local resources, building the capacity of researchers especially in research on local herbs.
Plateau govt boosts information spread to communities Tom Okpe Abuja
ÎÎÎThe Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has said that his administration was set to subsidise the cost of SetTop Boxes for its citizens as the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting spreads from the state capital Jos, to the entire state. Lalong announced the subsidy plan, in Jos, on Tuesday, while responding to a request to that effect by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who paid him a courtesy Visit along with members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on DSO. He said that the state was prepared to take full advantage of the DSO for the benefit
Gov. Lalong of the citizenry. “On our part, we are taking this seriously and we have advised the Commissioner for Information to also start processing, for the advantage of the citizenry, here on the Plateau, because even if they cannot afford to acquire the boxes, we are preparing to subsidise for them,” the Governor said.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
NLC mourns late Western Sahara President, Abdelaziz Idu Jude Abuja
ÏÏÏThe leaders of the Nigeria La-
bour Congress have described the death of the President of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), President Mahamed Abdelaziz, as that of a struggling comrade. In a press release made available to the Daily Times, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the NLC stated that the his death was a devastating blow to the struggle for the independence of the people of Western Sahara, who had been under oppression and colonial shackles of Moroccan authorities and presently remained the last colonial enclave in
Africa. According to the labour statement, Mr. Abdelaziz died after an illness in the United States, on the morning of May 31, 2016. “We recall meeting the Saharawi President in 2014, when he paid a state visit to Nigeria and was at the Headquarters of the NLC to inaugurate the offices of the National Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara, which is hosted by the NLC and located at our National Headquarters. On that occasion, we saw in him a highly committed, politically conscious, amiable and focused leader radiating determination and confidence in the victory of his people
over those who have emasculated their freedom for decades”. According to the statement signed by Comerade Kiri Mohammed, who is currently holding forth for the NLC president, Ayuba Waba, the Abdelaziz, was a founding member of the Polisario Front – the movement that was formed in 1973 by the people of Western Sahara to fight for their independence. The late president, was also the organisation’s third Secretary General, as well as head of a battalion and later chief of the military district of the SADR. The NLC further stated that under the leadership of Abdelaziz,
the struggle of the Saharawi caught overwhelming global attention, especially at the United Nations, which brokered a ceasefire in 1991. This is in addition to ensuring that his country, Western Sahara, became a founding member of the African Union. The struggles of the Saharawi was effectively internationalised and did not only gain diplomatic recognition across all continents, but, also, sat at major international conferences and meetings attended by world leaders. Indeed, Western Sahara became popularly known as a State within a State fighting vigorously for her own independence under Abdelaziz.
L-R: Managing Director/ CEO, UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; Chairman of the Board, Mr. Daniel Owor Agbor and Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Godwin Samuel, during the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the company, in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos...on Wednesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Senate summons Ngige, Emefiele, others over banks retrenchments ÏÏÏThe
Senate has summoned the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and bank chiefs, to appear before its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions over current retrenchments in banks. This followed a point of order raised by the Chairman Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim, on the floor of the Senate, on Wednesday. He said taht his attention
was drawn to media reports, on Wednesday, to alleged directive given to banks by Ngige to suspend ongoing retrenchments. He said it was necessary for the minister and other stakeholders to appear before the Senate to give explanations on the directive. The law-maker argued that given the sensitive nature of the industry, any misguided statement could have negative effect on the economy. “Without any prejudice to the position of the minister, as the Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other
Financial Institutions, we need to invite the minister. “We also need to invite the Central Bank and banks to know if they are talking at all about retrenchment, because all the banks in Nigeria are private companies. “We want to know the basis of the directive and the basis of the threat,” Ibrahim said. The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, confirmed that Ibrahim spoke to him on the matter, which he said, was generating concern among relevant stakeholders.
We robbed on highway not street – Suspects Oguntade ISMAILA
ÏÏÏThe Police Command in Lagos
State has arrested two suspected armed robbers, who specialised in using locally- made, cut-to-size double barrel guns and a live cartridge around Amukoko in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government. The suspects were intercepted by the local vigilante security men around 1.00 a.m. on their way for robbery operation after which the gang nabbed and handed them over to police at Amukoko. The suspected armed robbers are Micheal Oguava, 26 and Toyeeb Anifowose, 29. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said that the suspects were caught with the weapons, and that investigation was ongoing, while effort was in progress for the possible arrest of other fleeing members of the gangs. He also thanked the members of the public for their support for their useful information on how to curb crime and that crimes had reduced in the state due operational strategy and quantum of logistics and moral support given to the Command by the State Government. He said that campaign on suspected criminal hide-out was being intensified with the co-operation and collaboration with other security agencies to reduce any form of crime. He also said that the Command had rolled out permanent phone numbers for each Police Division and Area Command in the state and called for the assistance of the public in providing adequate information to combat crime.
Ekiti: Tension as HoS orders senior officers back to work Fayose
Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏTension
is mounting in Ekiti State as the Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, has ordered Level 13 officers and above and those on essential services back to their offices to commence work immediately, in spite of an ongoing strike. Consequent upon this, the police
has deployed Armoured Personnel Carrier and several Hilux vans in the new and old Governor’s Offices, as well as the State House of Assembly, probably to ward off attacks on the resuming workers as labour unions picket. The anti-riot policemen frisked those entering the area and conducted a thorough search on vehicles entering the government offices, particularly those at the Secretariat and new Governor’s Office, while police also beefed up security in other government offices.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
25 Opinion
Nigeria now looks like an ICU
Magnus
Onyibe ÏÏÏ
Some of us are familiar with intensive care units, ICUs of hospitals where cries of pain from people in anguish rend the air. That’s where people involved in road accidents, fire disasters, domestic violence and sundry tragedies, often of life threatening magnitude, are taken to for urgent attention and timely remediation. In ICUs, practically everybody you are likely to find would be in oxygen masks, dialysis machines and in spasms or death throes. If a patient survives ICU, and proceeds to none emergency sections of the hospital, he or she is likely to live long enough to tell the story. What l glean from President Muhammadu Buhari’s democracy day speech last May 29, 2016 marking his first year in office as president of Nigeria, is a message of hope, with a further call for patience by long suffering Nigerians and a promise that their fortune would soon change for the better. However, the reality is
that the living condition of Nigerians across the spectrum right now, fits the description of an ICU because, life has been, to say the least, brutish, traumatic and tragic, such that the average Nigerian does not know if he can survive till the next day, how much less another one year, if existing fundamental structural imbalances are not re-engineered. Below are five prevailing circumstances that underscore my characterization of Nigeria as an ICU. (1) Undoubtedly, the president has done a very commendable job of prying out from the sticky fingers of looters, Nigeria’s wealth – although the promise to reveal the sum and name culprits remains unkept. However, the exercise did not happen without taking its toll on the economy and the collateral damage can be equated to the calamitous consequences of chasing a bull into a China shop. Recent reports in the media monitoring a tier one bank foreign exchange, FX allocation from CBN indicates that the largest amount of fx sold by the bank last week is to foreign conglomerates who are pulling out their funds owing to the uncertainties in Nigeria. Apart from portfolio and equity firms that have retreated from Nigeria in the past few months, foreign airlines which are unable to repatriate their funds are currently in the forefront of businesses deserting Nigeria. With astronomical exchange rate, factories closing down, biting unemployment and galloping inflation, lots of people are in distress. With the foregoing indi-
ces, Nigerians can be said to be in ICU and are likely to remain there for much longer than they might have imagined as pervasive poverty continues to reign supreme. (2) As tumultuous as the anti-corruption war has been, stepping down Boko Haram insurgency alert level from code red when it appeared as if there were equal number of people worshiping inside churches and mosques, as there were security personnel guarding the houses of worship, has been the most notable accomplishment of president Buhari, in the past one year. Compared to the past, the dreaded terrorist group can now be safely said to be struggling to get noticed through occasional detonation of improvised explosive devices, IEDs here and there and once in a while. That is a welcome development for Nigerians in the north east where the number of Internally Displaced People, IDPs, estimated to be in millions, are now returning to their homes. As parents who have lost children are consigned to mourning the loss of their loved ones and the young lads who are now orphaned are left to care for themselves, returning home is not such a great respite to the hapless victims, so they remain in ICU as they try to cobble their lives together. (3) Although the horrendous killings in north east Nigeria which earned Boko Haram the reputation of being the most brutal terror group in the worldworst than ISIS, Al Qaeda and Taliban-has abated, the orgy of killings by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen of children, women and men
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is the new face of terrorism. What this implies is that, despite the near subjugation of Boko Haram in the north east, Nigerians in the southern part, have now joined the number of people in ICU owing to terrorism franchised to the so called herdsmen who are now spreading it like wildfire nationwide. We don’t need Americans, the French and British military now helping us to defeat Boko Haram to also teach us that the most likely fall out of the defeat of the terrorist group would be dispersal of terrorists nationwide which would equally be catastrophic if we don’t guard against it. Since the existence of Nigeria as a country, Fulani cattle herdsmen have traveled from Sokoto to Enugu with their animals’ wares seeking pasture without molestation and they never carried arms beyond the traditional bows and arrows. In fact as a young correspondent in Nigerian television authority, NTA about twenty years ago, in the cause of trying to establish the unity and blending of various Nigerian tribes through trade, l followed the cattle trail from Sokoto to Enugu. In the course of that journey, I met an adult Fulani cattle rearer/trader whose parents had migrated to Enugu and he was born and brought up there. He spoke Igbo language flawlessly and he was very proud of his Fulani heritage as he was full of encomiums for Enugu, his adopted home where he was fully integrated with his own family which he had started in Enugu.
Today, Nimbo people who suffered the horrific misfortune are symbolic of the Igbos in ICU as a result of the mayhem unleashed on them by their guests of many years. (4) As if the tales of woe have been structured to be unending in Nigeria through mutation of conflicts into different forms, the people of the oil rich Niger Delta, particularly Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta State are now under siege following recent critical oil/gas national assets vandalism. With the invasion by the Nigerian military through aerial and sea bombardments, in the bid to fish out the perpetrators of the damage to oil/ gas infrastructure, casualties have been much and families have been displaced as most of the indigenes have fled into the forests. Invariably, a new crop of IDPs, like the ones that are currently being resettled in Boko Haram ravaged north east Nigeria, is about to build up in south south Nigeria. So living in starvation and fleeing from threat of death from the military, Niger Delta indigenes who are the goose that lay the golden eggs-90% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange comes from oil/gas exportare now slipping into the lCU category. (5) Similar circumstances apply to the people of south eastern part of Nigeria engaging in the struggle for self-rule. Agitating for secession from Nigeria ostensibly owing to marginalisation, some lgbos, under the auspices of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and Independent Peo-
ple of Biafra, IPOB have been vociferously making their case. Operator of the unlicensed Radio Biafra being used to mobilize support for the cause, Nnamdi Kanu has been detained by government authorities several months without bail and the apparent unconstitutionality of the measure along with their determination to mark the day the state of Biafra was declared, are fueling bloody clashes between the self-rule agitators and government security agencies with avoidable human fatalities on both sides. In the light of the sad circumstances described above, ethnic nationality agitators in the south east are in lCU for daring to exercise their right to express their opinion and desire for self-rule. Considering that freedom of expression is one of the fundamental and core values of democracy, the military may have a lot of explaining to do, which is why l would suggest they also arm themselves with video cameras so that they can have evidence to prove that the protesters were armed and thus compelled the application of deadly force to disperse them. A claim that protesters vehemently dispute. In the absence of such evidence, the claim that protesters were shot at by the military in self-defense would be hollow. If any keen observer of developments in Nigeria that is less charitable should conclude that our dear country is now like a war theatre and Nigerians are in ICU where war casualties usually end up, that judgment may not be wrong.
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26
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Health Æ s
WHO hails Thailand over elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis The World Health Organisation has congratulated Thailand for having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, becoming the first country in Asia and the Pacific region and also the first with a large HIV epidemic to ensure an AIDS-free generation. The Minister of Health of Thailand was presented with the certificate of validation during a ceremony which took
place in New York on the eve of the United Nations General-Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS. “This is a remarkable achievement for a country where thousands of people live with HIV. Thailand’s unwavering commitment to core public health principles has made elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis a reality, a critical step for rolling back the HIV epidemic. Thailand has
NATIONWIDE STRIKE:
demonstrated to the world that HIV can be defeated,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said presenting the certificate of validation to Thailand in New York. “Thailand has turned around its epidemic and transformed the lives of thousands of women and children affected by HIV,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “Thailand’s progress shows how much can
be achieved when science and medicine are underpinned by sustained political commitment.” “By investing in strong maternal and child health care and national AIDS prevention measures, Thailand has demonstrated there are ways to protect children from the global AIDS pandemic response,” said Karin Hulshof, Regional Director, UNI-
Continued on page 27
HIV red ribbon
Doctors begin strike today
Doctors to begin nationwide strike today
Buhari
The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has said that they will commence a nationwide strike today, Thursday June 9th. President of the association, Muhammad Askira stated this on Tuesday, following the decision to go on strike was taken at the associations ordinary general meeting in Jos from May 30th
to June 5th. Askira said the decision is taken as the federal government could not meet its demands of better working condition and better remuneration. “Sixteen out of 58 federal tertiary institutions or centres were exempted from the initial centre based strike for the commitment of the chief medical director of the hospitals to imple-
ment the federal government’s directives. If by midnight on Sunday, June 19, our demands are not met, all the members of the association, including those exempted, would join the indefinite nationwide strike. Due to the failure of the government to address the demands of NARD, it has declared a total and indefinite strike. “NARD has to take this painful
decision in order to highlight the plight of our hardworking members who have had to endure a long period of deprivation and disenfranchisement.”he said He said the association would continue to be open to discussion and ready to partner government to ensure effective health care service delivery to Nigerians.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
World Environment Day: FG yet to commence concrete actions to save environment – ERA/FoEN Stories by Lara Adejoro To save Nigeria’s diverse ecosystems from further ruination, the Federal Government must go beyond mere words on the issue of transiting from fossil fuels-based economy and put in place the relevant laws to checkmate the activities of the extractive corporations, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has advised. ERA/FoEN’s recommendation is coming as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the World Environment Day which is celebrated June 5 annually. To mark the event, ERA/ FoEN organised a workshop in Abuja with the theme: Natural Resource Governance: Bridging the Gaps versus Break Free from Fossils The workshop brought together community-based groups, civil society, the academia, legal experts, the media, and government representatives to brainstorm on oil-induced conflicts and disempowerment of local communities as well as recommendations on the way forward. ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Uyi Ojo said: “We are delivering this message straight to our government. The era of sloganeering on preserving the environment is over. This year’s commemoration helps us mirror the local picture of ruined environments, livelihood losses
and systematic depletion of wild life. Our government must now go beyond mere talk, to taking concrete actions that will reverse the chaos that has been unleashed on us under a regime of fossil-fuels dependence” “Nigeria is yet to come up with a new economic pathway that is not dependent on fossil fuels. The significant drop in oil pricing requires an alternative economic blueprint that is envisaged within a post petroleum economy for Nigeria. There is also the misdirection in policy such as opening discussions with the Russian government on building nuclear power plants here in Nigeria. This, no doubt, is very disturbing” Ojo noted that the current administration may have demonstrated willingness to tackle some of the identified issues such as the Ogoni clean-up which was flagged off on June 2. He added however, that for it not to have given concrete time lines on commencement of the Ogoni clean up and to deliver on any of the set objectives of the UNEP report is worrisome. Re-echoing ERA/FoEN’s argument that Nigeria must look away from dirty energy, he insisted that the ecological disasters caused by fossil fuels dependence makes it imperative for the current administration to declare an Environmental State of Emergency in order to address the situation.
27 Health
Thailand is first country in Asia to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis Continued from page 26 CEF East Asia-Pacific Region. “Thailand’s achievement inspires its neighbours to greater action. There are still 21,000 infants who are born with HIV each year in the Asia-Pacific region, and more than 200,000 children who are growing up with HIV.” Untreated, women living with HIV have a 15-45% chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. However, that risk drops to just over 1% if antiretroviral medicines are given to both mothers and children throughout the stages when infection can occur. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health 98% of all pregnant women living with HIV have access to antiretroviral therapy and the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been reduced to less than 2%. In 2000, an estimated 1000 children became infected with HIV. In 2015, the number of children who became infected with HIV through mother to child transmission was reduced to 85, a decline of more than 90%, a significant achievement in a country where an estimated 450 000 people were living with HIV in 2014. At the same time, sustained efforts and success in preventing new HIV infections have helped reduce HIV among women of childbearing age. According to
HIV red ribbon
Thailand’s health authorities, between 2000 and 2014, the annual number of women newly infected with HIV fell from 15 000 to 1 900 – a 87% reduction. Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage framework ensured
essential health services were available to both rich and poor. The country’s commitment to equitable access has ensured that both Thai citizens and migrants are covered for HIV treatment.
World Sickle Cell Day: Coalition holds Red Umbrella charity walk In commemoration of the 2016 World Sickle Cell Day, the Coalition of Sickle Cell NonGovernmental Organisations in Lagos State, comprising Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiaitve, Dabma Foundation, Genotype Foundation, Tony May Foundation, Temitayo Awosika Help Foundation, Crimson Bow Nigeria, Nirvana Initiative, Sickle Cell Aid Foundation, Nike Opalemo Sickle Cell Foundation and Africa Sickle Cell Support Foundation, will hold a charity walk to create awareness to the problems posed by sickle cell disorder. The walk tagged: “SCD: Walk for Life” will hold on Saturday,
11th June, 2016 The walk, which will kick start activities to commemorate WSD, will bring together people from all works of life to advocate the recognition of the disorder as a major public health problem in Nigeria where 1-in4 people are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene and over 150,000 children are born annually with symptomatic sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria. According to the coalition of sickle cell NGOs, the walk will traverse the route from the Lagos Police College via Simbiat Abiola Way to Awolowo Way and terminate at LTV Agidingbi Ikeja from 7.00 – 10.00am on Saturday.
L-R: Mrs Warder Ayibakuro - Women activist from Ikarama; Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo - ERA Executive Director; Dr Sofiri Peterside - Don from UNIPORT and Celestine Akpobari of Ogoni Solidarity Movement
Pele auctions off memorabilia collection P
ele is auctioning off his entire collection of awards and memorabilia, with his winners medal from the 1962 World Cup final fetching £140,800 on Wednesday. The legendary Brazilian - who was voted Player of the Century by FIFA in 2000 - has arranged for over 2,000 souvenirs he gathered during his distinguished ca-
Pele
reer to be sold online. That includes all three of his World Cup-winning medals, with each lot given an estimated price of £70,000-£140,000. The 1962 trinket just cleared the higher end of the estimate but the 1958 version - won when Pele was just a teenager - went for far more than expected on
Tuesday, selling for a final fee of £200,000. The auction for the 1970 medal has yet to close, but a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy is expected to be the most expensive of all the items up for grabs. The starting price was set at £140,000, yet auctioneers Julien’s predict it could go for as much as £420,000.
Bullish Bale backs Wales to make an impact
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Thursday, JUNE 9, 2016
TUC:
So sad to say
goodbye to Keshi T
Ronaldo tops Forbes rich list Ronaldo
C
ristiano Ronaldo has been listed as the highest-paid athlete in the world by American business magazine
Forbes. The Real Madrid forward is the first footballer to ever top the annual list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes, having earned $88m in the last 12 months - $6.6m more than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who is second. There are five Britons in the top 100, led by Lewis Hamilton in 11th on $46m, with Rory McIlroy at 17 ($42.6m), Gareth Bale at 25 ($35.9m), Wayne Rooney at 49 ($26.1m) and Andy Murray at 74 ($23m). Endorsements make up £32m of Ronal-
do’s earnings and this is the first year since 2000 that someone other than Tiger Woods or Floyd Mayweather has led the way. Indeed, Woods has dropped down to No 12, with his $274,000 by far the least amount in terms of salary and winnings. Fortunately for the 14-time major winner, he garnered $45m in endorsements in the last 12 months. Mayweather is No 16, one place above McIlroy, who added $7.6m winnings to his $35m worth of endorsements. There are only two women on the list Serena Williams ($28.9m) at No 40, and Maria Sharapova ($21.9) at No 88. FedEx Cup winner Jordan Speith ($52.8m)
was the biggest climber of the year, moving up from No 85 to No 9. The American, who is 23 in July, is also the youngest on the list, ahead of Barcelona forward Neymar. There are 10 different sports and 23 countries represented on the list, which is dominated by Americans (65) thanks to soaring salaries in baseball, basketball and American Football. Forbes figures include all salaries and bonuses earned between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, with endorsement incomes an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income through conversations with industry insiders.
he Trade Union Congress (TUC) are saddened by the sudden death of ex-International footballer and coach, Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the only Nigerian coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations. In a statement made available to Extra Time and jointly signed by Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama (President) and Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree (Acting Secretary General) of the Union said Keshi achieved a rare feat in 2013 by becoming the second Nigerian to win the AFCON trophy both as a player and a coach. He died almost six months after his wife’s demise of. The duo said history will not forget the legend, patriot, great footballer, amiable father and husband who died suddenly in the early hours of Wednesday June 8, 2016 in Benin City, Edo State. “We are however thankful to the Almighty God for the joy and happiness Keshi and his team brought to millions of Nigerians whenever they came out victorious in any football competition. Our heartache occasioned by economic hardship was often overwhelmed and massaged by the victory songs which often ignited our hope and made us temporarily forgot our pains.
Keshi
Thursday, June 9, 2016
EXTRATIME
29
Anderlecht, Nigerians abroad mourn Keshi T
Keshi
he Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht of Belgium on Wednesday expressed shock and sadness over the death of Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles of Nigeria’s coach. Spokesman for the club, Mr David Steegen, in a telephone interview with the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described
Keshi as an icon of the club. ”We are very sad over the death of Stephen Keshi; he is an icon of the club who did a lot of good things. ”We received the news of his death with sadness and have expressed our condolences,” Steegen said. Keshi, 54, played for RSC Anderlecht from 1987 to 1991. Also reacting to the death, Sunday
Nigeria football won’t be same without
Keshi – Buhari
Oliseh, a former captain of Super Eagles and Keshi’s successor as manager of the team, said:”We have lost an iconic hero”. Oliseh on his Twitter handle added”horrible news and sad day as our legendary captain and brother, Stephen Keshi, dies”. Similarly, some Nigerians in the Diaspora and sports enthusiasts are
Keshi
P
resident Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday commiserated with the family of former Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, and Nigerians over the African Nations Cup (AFCON) winning coach’s untimely death. According to a post on the Presidency official social media handle, President Buhari lamented that “Nigeria on Wednesday lost a great sportsman, football player, coach and citizen. “Nigerian football will not be the same without Stephen Keshi. He gave this country his all. May his soul rest in peace,” he summed.
CAF commiserates with NFF
on Keshi’s death T
he Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Issa Hayatou, on Wednesday condoled with the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and Nigerians on the death of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi. Hayatou in a statement on CAF website expressed his “dismay” and “immense sadness” at the death of the former Eagles’ captain. He paid glowing tribute to the deceased, who was the only African
coach to qualify two African teams to the World Cup – Togo in 2006 and Nigeria in 2014, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. “’His other enviable record was being the only African trainer to have steered a team to the Second Round of the FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. “He had achieved the same feat as a player with the Super Eagles at the country’s maiden participation at the Mundial in 1994, in USA,” he said. The CAF president conveyed the
mourning Keshi across Europe. Mr Ken Gbemudu, a UK-based sport promoter and childhood friend of Keshi, said the nation had lost a great talent”. Similarly, Mr Bimbo Afolayan, former Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, said Keshi was”a very patriotic Nigerian, who served the nation wholeheartedly”.
condolences on his own behalf, the CAF Executive Committee and African football family on the demise of Keshi, who was a jewel to his family, friends and the Nigerian football family, who are badly affected. “This is a man, who was twice winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria; in 1994 as captain and in 2013 as a coach, with the latter earning him the distinction of Coach of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards,” NAN quoted the CAF president as saying in the statement.
Keshi,great patriot, achiever - Okowa
D
elta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has described the sudden demise of former Super Eagles Player and Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi as tragic and a monumental loss to football in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world. The Governor in a tribute and condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, extolled the leadership qualities and sterling contributions of the former Super Eagles Captain and Coach to the growth and development of football in Nigeria and Africa. According to Governor Okowa, the sterling contributions of Stephen Keshi to the development of football in Nigeria and Africa is legendary, commendable and worthy of emulation as a great patriot and achiever having led Nigeria to win the African Nations Cup twice as a player and Coach. Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with the family of the late Stephen
30
Thursday, June 9, 2016
EXTRATIME
EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016…
Desailly demands
fast France start M Boateng
Boateng fears terror G
attack at Euro
ermany defender Jerome Boateng has told his family not to attend any Euro 2016 games out of fear of a terrorist attack during the tournament. The terror attacks carried out on Paris in November 2015, killing 130 people, raised fears over the potential for repeat incidents at the European Championship, which gets under way in the capital on Friday.
Nearly 100,000 French security forces will be deployed to safeguard the tournament, but Boateng remains concerned something could happen during the upcoming finals. “My family and children will not be visiting the stadiums. The risk is simply too big for me,” the Bayern Munich man told reporters. “Of course, on the one hand it is sad that you have to think about matters like this. On
the other hand, so many things have happened recently that make you think about things. “I only want to think about football during the tournament and I feel better when I know my family will not be inside the stadium. “But in the end, that is a decision everybody should make for themselves.” Germany meet Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in the group stages.
arcel Desailly says France are obliged to win their opening matches at Euro 2016 and should be focused on building confidence for the knockout stages of the tournament. Didier Deschamps’ hosts are among the favourites to win the European Championship and were handed a relatively straight-forward route to the round of 16, having been drawn against Romania, Albania and Switzerland in Group A. Desailly, who won the World Cup on home soil with Les Bleus in 1998, as well as Euro 2000, believes one of France’s biggest challenges will be coping with the burden of expectation weighing down on the team. “I’m curious to see how Didier will set up his tactics, his offensive structure, how they are going to cope with the pressure that they must have on their shoulders being the host of this Euros,” he said. “Lots of questions will be answered in the first game. I love Romania, but come on, when you look at our squad you have the potential of saying we can make it, we can win if we start well. If all the players play at their level we are supposed to pass this first obstacle,” he said of Friday’s opening game in Paris. The former Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea star went as far as to suggest if Deschamps’ side are unable to earn maximum points from their first two matches, they stand little chance of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy for a third time.
Bullish Bale
backsWales to make an impact G
areth Bale insists Wales are not going to Euro 2016 “just to make up the numbers” as they prepare for their first appearance in a major tournament since 1958. Chris Coleman’s squad open their Group B campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday. England and Russia are the other two nations in the pool, yet Bale - a two-time winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid - believes Wales can more than match any opponent they face. “All the teams that have qualified are very good teams, but we’re not going there just to make up the numbers,” he said. “No matter who we play, we feel confident in our abilities. Our aim is to win every game, and if we do that, we win the tournament. “We’re going to go there and give our best, that’s all we can do.”
Bale
Don’t judge Pogba on goals —Deschamps F
rance coach Didier Deschamps has stressed people cannot expect Paul Pogba to score a hat-trick each game because the Juventus man has other tasks in midfield. The playmaker enjoyed an impressive club campaign that saw eight goals and 13 assists in 35 Serie A appearances, Pogba influential in Juve collecting a fifth successive Scudetto. He is one of France’s undisputed key men heading into Euro 2016, but Deschamps has attempted to protect the 23-year-old against the high expectations. “I am happy with Pogba. People expect him to score a hat-trick and to entertain the crowd with tricks. But he is a midfielder. He can score goals, but he has another job to do as well,” the France boss told reporters.
Pogba
“He has extraordinary technical qualities, but he’s not there to do crazy things each time he touches the ball. He has to find the right balance. He knows that the team sometimes needs him in a bit more neutral role. He can be useful and efficient in that role. “I don’t need to tell him what to do going forward, but there is also a role for him without the ball that he is capable of. And he is already doing that much more than before. “People always expect more from him because he is still young and shows a lot on the pitch. I have a clear idea of what I want from him. He can score goals and give assists. But it does not mean he has not put in a good performance if he doesn’t contribute with a goal or assist.”
Thursday, June 9, 2016
EXTRATIME
31
EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016…
Cole tips
England for
quarter-finals Robson-Kanu:
I’ll be ready
for Wales
opener
H
Robson-Kanu:
al Robson-Kanu has promised he will be ready for Wales’ Euro 2016 opener against Slovakia after suffering an injury which he says “panicked people”. The winger said he suffered a ruptured plantaris - one of the fascial compartments of the lower leg and the longest tendon in the body - on Wales’ pre-Euros trip to Portugal two weeks ago. The injury looked like having serious consequences for his participation in the tournament, and Wales manager Chris Coleman said on Tuesday that the striker would be assessed right up to the naming of his team for Saturday’s Group B opener in Bordeaux. But Robson-Kanu, who is without a club after leaving Reading at the end of the season, said: “I’ve trained. I’m feeling good, feeling fresh. Come Saturday I’ll be 100%. “I was always confident I would be fine, even though a few people around me were panicking. “It was a ruptured plantaris and apparently it’s quite impressive to come back from that so soon. But it was just innocuous, no-one was to blame for it. My focus was just getting back on the pitch.
Digne determined to deliver on France promise
L
ucas Digne says the France team must do everything possible to make it a successful Euro 2016 on home soil. Didier Deschamps’ side are among the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, as they prepare to open the tournament against Romania in Paris on Friday. Paris Saint-Germain defender Digne, who spent last season on loan at Roma, is determined to seize the opportunity presented to the squad. “It’s a dream,” he told reporters when asked about playing a European Championship as hosts. “It’s just fabulous. The World Cup before Brazil, I watched the competition in the cinema with friends,” he said, referring to South Africa in 2010. “Events like that, it’s fabulous. In addition, being in France, with all the hype, it’s just magical. “There are more expectations because it is at home and because we have had good results in friendlies. Everything must be done to achieve a good Euro campaign.” France have exited the last two major tournaments at the hands of the eventual winners in the quarter-finals, going out to Germany in 2014 and Spain at Euro 2012. According to Digne, some impressive performances under Deschamps, albeit not in competitive action, have led to renewed optimism over the national team’s chances.
A
ndy Cole thinks England will do well just to make the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Roy Hodgson’s men are rated as fourth favourites for glory at the tournament in France - which starts on Friday – after winning all 10 of their qualifiers. Despite the positivity caused by a run of five wins from six games coming into the competition, a sequence that includes victories over France, Germany and Portugal, Cole is not optimistic over their hopes. “If England get to the quarters they would have done well,” former England striker Cole told reporters. “I don’t think they have got enough to win the tournament. If you look at the group that they came through in qualifying, they were expected to win that comfortably and they did. “But when you look at all the other nations player for player, what players would you take out the English team and put in the Spanish or German team? I think you could most probably name two players if that, so that is where you look at the quality of the other teams. “When it comes to tournaments it is very difficult to have the mentality to win things. That is the toughest thing and every player wants to win, but I’m not sure England have enough quality to go out and win the tournament. “I know people are questioning defensive areas at the moment, but that’s the England team for you. If it’s not the defence it’s people questioning your midfield or your strikers.” Hodgson’s side have been drawn in Group B for the tournament along with Russia, Slovakia and Wales. Cole has enjoyed seeing England’s younger talents play a key role ahead of the showpiece and hopes the presence of a more inexperienced squad will ease the pressure on them.
No favourite for Euro title — Augenthaler
K
laus Augenthaler believes it is tough to pick a favourite for Euro 2016 – but admits Germany’s adaptability always makes them competitive at a major tournament. While he never lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy in his international career, Augenthaler was part of the West Germany squad that triumphed at the 1990 World Cup. Joachim Low’s Germany were also crowned world champions in Brazil two years ago. Just like their
Eriksen
counterparts 24 years earlier, they recorded a 1-0 win over Argentina in the final. Low’s squad are fancied to go far at Euro 2016 too, although Augenthaler acknowledges France should be considered strong contenders on home soil. “It is hard to say which nation is the favourite,” the former Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg manager said. “Germany is always one of them at the European Championship. The home nation, France, is of course one of the favourites.
Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 018447948. DAILY EDITOR: BIODUN DUROJAIYE
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016
VOL. 2. NO.127
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Boateng fears terror attack at Euro P 30
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I
lla community of Asaba, Delta State wore a gloomy look, on Wednesday with the shocking news of the death of their son, and until recently, the Chief Coach of Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. When the Daily Times visited the community, virtually everyone, young and old were in uncontrollable tears and gnashing of teeth over the incident. When our correspondent probed some elders of the community what they thought was likely to be the cause of Keshi’s death, they suspected ‘witchcraft play,’ vowing to get to the root of the cause of his death. One of the men, who pleaded anonymity, says: “We will get to the root in the death of our Brother. It is not ordinary. His wife just died few months ago. Here is our beloved son lying death in suspicious circumstance.” They apparently linked the shocking death of both husband and wife within a few months to a diabolical means. In the meantime, family members of the late soccer tactician, said a toxicological autopsy will determine the actual cause of the ex-Super Eagles coach’s death. Rather, they believed the report of an autopsy that would be commissioned would reveal the actual cause of his death. A member of the late Stephen Keshi’s family, Rickey Aburime, warned against speculation about the cause of Keshi’s death. He alsom used the opportunity to debunk earlier report that Keshi also died of heart attack. Aburime said Keshi was meeting some friends and family members at his Benin City resident when he suddenly fell sick. According to Aburime, it took less than 15 minutes to rush the ex-Super Eagles captain to the hospital after the crisis started but was already dead by the time they got to the hospital.
Kinsmen link Keshi’s death to ‘witchcraft’ Autopsy will determine cause of death - Family
Business Times Daily Times Nigeria
Militants push oil price to $51 – highest in 8 Page B2 months FG, Innoson sign MoU on youth empowerment
Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The recent visit of the Minister for Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalong, to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company plant (where a long range of passenger cars and commercial vehicles are manufactured) and Innoson’s Kiara Academy, Nnewi, where ex-militants from the Niger Delta are being trained, was indeed a veritable morale booster for the trainees. Run under the presidential amnesty programme and codenamed E4E (Education for Employment), the exercise is part of Federal Governments efforts to stem restiveness in the Niger Delta, and at the same time empower the youths in the area towards a more sustainable livelihood. The youthful minister was at the Enugu and Nnewi facilities of the Innoson Group preparatory to the plan by the ministry to go into partnership with the auto plant and the academy towards the empowerment of more youths in the country. And, coming only a couple of months after the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul T. Boro, paid a similar visit, the presence of the minister further underscored the E4E at Innoson as an important tool for youth CONTINUED ON PAGE B2
FG removes Bulk Electricity boss Page B3
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Emefiele, bank officials to appear before Senate over massive sack Page B4
No industrialisation without improved electricity – CEOs tell FG Opeoluwani Akintayo Business leaders in the country have said there can be no meaningful industrialisation in Nigeria without improved power generation in the country. Oando Group Plc This was contained in a statement signed by Oando Group Plc CEO, Mr Adewale Tinubu, and made available to newsman in Lagos on Wednesday. According to Mr Tinubu, Africa is “potentially the largest power market in the world”, based on available resources and demand
for electricity. The statement said that Nigeria’s power sector was one of the key issues discussed at World Economic Forum on Africa, held in Kigali, Rwanda in May. According to the statement, speakers on different panels spoke on how power shortages affect their businesses, while players in the energy industry deliberated on the challenges, opportunities, and trends. Tinubu said that, “We are losing a wonderful opportunity to leapfrog out of poverty by not having a more sustainable or ro-
bust energy policy”. “I think without a doubt, the biggest challenge we have to economic growth is really our poor consumption of energy, and invariably our very expensive consumption of energy. We are never going to become an exporting country and continent until we lower our cost of energy and we take advantage of these different [energy] sources.” Although there has been some momentum in developing power projects in recent years, sub-Saharan Africa still has a long way to go with hundreds of millions of
people not having access to gridconnected electricity. Tinubu noted that the private sector can play a significant role in power generation only if there is a friendly business environment. He gave the example of Nigeria that has become reliant on private diesel generators, which are pricier to operate compared to industrial power. “What was missing was having an enabling environment, which the government has finally CONTINUED ON PAGE B2
L–R: Dr. A’isha Mahmood, Special Adviser to Central Bank Governor on Sustainable Banking; Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE; Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Capital Market, NSE; Hadiza Elayo, Special Adviser, Technical, Ministry of Environment; Cima Sholotan, Lead, CSR, NSE; Joseph Owolabi, West Africa Lead, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst &Young (EY) and Douglas Kativu, Director, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Africa at the Nigerian Capital Market Sustainability Seminar at the NSE yesterday.
Govt threatens to sanction financial institutions over sack of workers Joy Ekeke The Federal Government has warned the management of financial institutions and telecommunication companies in the country to stop further retrenchment of workers without following due process. Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, gave the warning in Geneva while addressing newsmen on the side-
lines of the on-going 105th session of the International Labour Conference (ILO). “The Federal Government gave the licences to the banks to operate and if its directives are not adhered to the licences will be withdrawn if the need arises,“ he said. Ngige was reacting to a statement by the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Mr Segun
Oshinowo, who was quoted as saying that it was the inalienable right of an employer to determine the optimal staff level it requires to sustain its operations. The minister had earlier directed banks and financial institutions, to suspend further retrenchment of workers following reports that some of them have embarked on that. “We know what to do. After all
the banks have the licences given by the government. We know what to do. They need to comply. “Financial institutions need to negotiate. We want them to maintain the status quo. As far as I am the minister of labour I will protect the interest of workers’’ the Minister said. He said NECA was protecting the interest of the organised private sector and it has a right to air its opinion.
“They are the sections that protect private investors. They are the employers’ body and the people I am talking to are also employers. The banks’ boards, the banks’ chairmen and the banks’ managing directors,’’ the minister said. He said that the unions were also cautioned when necessary and that he had directed the union not to picket the banks because of the retrenchment issue.
Business News B2
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Brief
Militants push oil price to $51 – highest in 8 months Oil prices jumped to the highest level in eight months on Wednesday due to ongoing supply disruptions in Nigeria and strong Chinese oil demand data. Industry data had shown a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories on Tuesday, indicating an easing of the supply glut, and a weak dollar which also boosted prices. Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose to the highest level since October 12, up 32 cents at $51.76 a barrel at early trading. It earlier touched $51.83 a barrel. US crude futures climbed 20 cents to $50.56 a barrel, after reaching $50.67 earlier, also an eight-month high. “The market sentiment is positive; the trend and the momentum points to further gains,” said Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank. Supply disruptions caused by a string of attacks by the Niger Delta Avengers has brought Nigeria’s production to the lowest in 20 years. On Tuesday, Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, said output had dropped to below 1.3m bpd from 2.2 million bpd as at the start of the year. At the same time, Chinese trade data showed on Wednesday that its May crude oil imports made the biggest year-on-year jump in more than six years. This has added to hopes that the economy of the world’s secondlargest oil user may be stabilising.
Sovereign Trust Insurance settles N.3bn claims in Q1 2016 Kayode Adelowokan
L – R: Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry, BOI, Waheed Olagunju Abia State, Commissioner for Justice, Umeh Kalu and the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu during the signing of Memorandum of understanding on N1 billion Enterprise development Fund for Entrepreneurs in Umuahia, Abia State yesterday.
Dangote Group joins Afreximbank The Dangote Group, Africa’s leading indigenous conglomerate, has become the latest entity to join the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as a shareholder. Information released by Afreximbank showed that the Dangote Group completed the process of acquiring equity in the Bank on 30 May 2016 with a “substantial investment”. “I consider Afreximbank a good vehicle for fostering regional integration in Africa which aligns with our vision and mission for growth and development across the continent,” said Dangote Group President/CEO Aliko Dangote. Welcoming the action by the Dangote Group, Dr. Benedict Ora-
mah, President of Afreximbank, said that the investment was “a strong vote of confidence in the Bank by, arguably, the largest indigenous corporate in Africa”. “The massive investments the Group is making across Africa makes it a partner of choice in the delivery of our Intra African Trade Strategy,” continued the President. “Working with the Dangote Group, we will build supply chain financing across Africa that could reach $1 billion in the short term, promoting intra-regional trade and growth of SMEs and creating much needed jobs.” Afreximbank has four classes of shareholders, divided into classes A, B, C and D, which are made up of a mix of African governments, central banks, regional and sub-
regional institutions, African private investors, African and non-African financial institutions, export credit agencies and nonAfrican private investors. Class “A” shareholders are African states, African central banks and African public institutions, including the African Development Bank, while Class “B” is made up of African financial institutions and African private investors. Class “C” shares are held by non-African investors, mostly international banks and export credit agencies, including Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank, China Exim Bank and Exim India. Class “D” shares, a tier approved in December 2012, are fully paid par value shares that can be held by any investor.
FG, Innoson sign MoU on youth empowerment CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1
Kachikwu
empowerment and sustenance of peace in the south-south region. While touring the plant in Nnewi, the minister was pleasantly surprised that such a gigantic project was located in that part of the country. He commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, for his foresight and ingenuity in
setting up the vehicle company. Dalong commended the trainees for taking a wise decision by accepting to undergo the training. He made them understand that in no distant time they would realise that the training had changed their lives for better with the future bright. “You have taken a wise decision as you accepted to do this training which will help you become self-reliant tomorrow. It requires patience and being fo-
cused to be able to justify your stay here. The Federal Government meant well for you and would not like the youths to be wasted because the youths are the strong bone of any nation,” the minister told them. Impressed that so many young people embraced the programme, the minister said that the initiative is an indication that the Federal Government is interested in ensuring a brighter future for the young ones.
Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has continued to demonstrate avowed commitment towards prompt claims settlement as the underwriting firm paid out a total sum of N386,933,565.26, (Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira Twenty-Six Kobo) as claims in the first quarter of the year. In a statement recently released by the organization and made available to the media, the total claims figure was duly verified by the Industry’s regulatory authority, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM for the period under review. A rundown of the claims composition paid revealed that Motor Insurance claim recorded the highest figure of N151,401,865.12, (One fifty-one million, four hundred and one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-five naira, twelve kobo) followed by General Accident accounting for N140,800,782.03 (One hundred and forty million, eight hundred thousand, seven hundred and eighty-two naira, three kobo) while N78,830,490.06(Seventyeight million, eight hundred and thirty thousand, four hundred and ninety naira, six kobo) was paid as claim under Fire Insurance. Other figures as released by the organization are N9,900,023.79 (Nine Million, nine hundred thousand, twenty three naira, seventy-nine kobo) for Marine & Aviation Insurance while N6,000,403.46, (Six million, four hundred and three thousand, forty-six kobo) was paid as claim under Engineering class of insurance. While commenting on the claims payment, the Divisional Head, Technical, Mr. Rufai Tajudeen reiterated the fact that the company is totally committed to settling all genuine claims within agreeable periods.
No industrialisation without improved electricity – CEOs tell FG CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1
realised and has privatised the power system, liberalised tariffs and in the process we are now seeing the private sector getting involved in building new power plants, and we are now attracting
global capital. “The difference is that power is now seen as a business opportunity for investors to make a return,” said Tinubu. “People now have access to cheaper power than when the government was subsidising
and [was] unable to meet that demand.” Oando boss suggested the development of more regional mega-projects in the continent. Mr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), noted Africa “can-
not industrialise” without improving power generation capacity. According to John Rice, vice chairman of General Electric, there are some well-intentioned initiatives geared towards meeting the energy gaps, but challeng-
es related to financing, bureaucracy, traditional risk analysis, and decision-making based on election cycles have led to delays. AfDB boss Adesina noted that over the next decade Africa must strive to attain “universal access to electricity”.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
B3 Business News
United, Iberia Airlines pull out of Nigeria as $600m funds are blocked U.S. airline United and Spain’s Iberia are pulling out of Nigeria as the government is urged to release more than $600 million in air ticket sales blocked by the West African nation’s chronic foreign currency shortage. The International Air Transport Association’s regional manager flew to the capital, Abuja, this week to negotiate with the government after the organization representing airlines warned: “The inability of airlines to access forex in Africa’s largest economy, if not solved, will affect air transport services to, from and within Nigeria and undermine the country’s position as West Africa’s aviation hub.” According to the Associated Press, United Airlines spokesman Kevin Johnston confirmed Wednesday that the airline’s last flight from Lagos to Houston is June 30. Nigeria is United’s only destination in Africa.
Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalong (third form right) watches as Innoson Chairman, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, explains a point with an Innoson vehicle engine at the plant in Nnewi, Anambra State… on Wednesday.
FG removes Bulk Electricity boss Opeoluwani Akintayo The Federal Government has asked the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Rumundaka Wonodi to resign. Mr. Wonodi who was alleged to have over-stayed his tenure, broke the news of his removal to staff of the company at the end of a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Louis
Edozien, on Monday. Confirming his removal in a statement, Mr. Wonodi said he had since handed over to the next most senior official of the agency. “Yes, there is a communication by the government that my tenure had ended and that I should hand over to the next most senior official of the commission. I have since handed over to the next ranking General Manager in charge of Finance, Waziri Bintube,” Mr. Wonodi said on on Wednesday. Mr. Bintube, the acting MD/
NUCECFWW workers seek FG’s capital development schemes Charles Okonji The National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) yesterday called on the Federal Government to work out new measures that would hasten the fulfilment of its promises to the sector. Amechi Asugwuni, President, NUCECFWW, who made this call while addressing newsmen in Geneva, Switzerland noted that the Nigerian government should hasten
the fulfilment of its pledge to work to improve the economy while responding to the statement made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, that the government would soon deploy cash backing for the capital development scheme. The Minister had pointed out that the capital development scheme involves payment to road and building construction contractors who are now being owed, to enable them settle the outstanding entitlements of their workers.
CEO, would be reporting to the Director, Finance & Accounts, Federal Minister of Power. Mr. Wonodi, who was appointed to the office in August 2011, was alleged to have over-stayed his tenure. But, last January, following the dissolution of Boards of Federal agencies and parastatals, Mr. Wonodi had claimed that he was not aware of any specific tenure for his office, as the agency was not a public agency, but a Public Liability Company (PLC). Prior to his appointment, he
had led the Regulatory & Transactions Monitoring team of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), mandated to drive the federal government power sector reform road map. Besides, he had led the team of Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Presidential Task Force on Power experts to establish the Bulk Trader charged with the responsibility of executing vesting contracts with the 11 privatized Power Holding Company of Nigeria successor distribution com-
panies for the onward sale of purchased electricity. NBET is a wholly-owned Federal Government company incorporated on July 29, 2010 as scheduled in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005. The company serves as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for buying electricity in bulk from power generation companies (GENCOS) for resale to the distribution companies (DISCOS), in addition to other ancillary services for the GENCOS.
GMOs not healthy for Nigeria, says FG Charles Okonji
Osinbajo
The Federal Government has stated that it will not allow the importation of Genetically Modified Organisms that are not good for the country as it will cause strong health challenges to the populace. Mr. Rufus Ebegba, DirectorGeneral of the, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, stated no citizen or farmer would be forced to consume or plant genetically modified crops. He assured that the agency
would ensure the effective regulation of modern bio-technology for the benefit of Nigerians. He said; “No genetically modified organism that is not good for Nigeria will be allowed into this country either from the international arena or from our institutions, industries or companies that will be producing that. I want to assure you that the National Bio-safety Management Agency is poised to effectively regulate modern biotechnology for the benefit of Nigerians and to allay the fears of members of the public and those, who wish to consume GMOs.
Money Market B4
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Emefiele, bank officials to appear before Senate over massive sack Stories by Motoalni Oseni Following the gale of massive sack that is currently sweeping the banking industry, the Senate has summoned the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Godwin Emefiele and top managements of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), to explain what necessitated the incessant downsizing of workforce among the Nigerian lenders. The summons came after the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, threatened on Tuesday to withdraw the licence of any bank that further sacks its employees. But the Senate said it would investigate the threat, with a point of order raised on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by Rafiu Ibrahim, Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. The Daily Times of Nigeria notes that the federal government had since last Friday issued a directive, urging banks to halt the retrenchment of workers, but some banks allegedly went on with the exercise. Skye bank on the 6th of June, laid off 300 of its staff, disregarding the Federal government directive to all banks to halt all re-
trenchment exercise. According to the management of the bank, the sacking of 300 of its workers was because the affected staff failed in their 2015 appraisal. The affected workers got to work only to be handed their termination of appointment letters and severance packages. Last week, Ecobank fired 1040 of its staff while Diamond bank sacked 200 members of its staff. It would be recalled that the mass sack commenced with the retrenchment of over 1,400 workers by Ecobank and Diamond Bank. In the first quarter of 2015, Diamond Bank sacked over 1,000 workers in what it dubbed as a realignment of its operations for a tougher 2015. With the bank’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the year ended December 2015, dropping to N7.1billion from N28.10billion in 2014. Its Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at N5.66bn, down from N25.49bn it achieved in 2014. The bank, in a statement said: “In the bank’s last appraisal, only 200 staff whose performance scorecards were adjudged to be lower than the minimum required to drive its strategic growth plan for the business year were relieved. With its trim-and-fit workforce, the bank is sure to meet its target for the current business year.”
Brief Investors, others may wait till July for new FX regime modalities Motolani Oseni
EMEFIELE:
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, GOVERNOR
There are indications that investor; forex traders’ entrepreneur who make use forex to import raw materials for their productions may wait a bit longer, as Nigeria’s Minister for Finance Kemi Adeosun, disclosed in London to foreign bond investors that the is still working out the details of a new currency policy and may make an announcement within the next month. In an effort to borrow money from foreign bond investors, Adeosun and her team spoke to investors and provided an update on the policy. According to Bloomberg, two analysts who were present at the meeting revealed that one of the investors Kevin Daly, a money manager at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, informed Bloomberg that it could be ”days or weeks.” He also revealed that Nigerian authorities said they’re”having discussions, including with local banks.” Bloomberg also reports that the central bank was represented at the London meetings by Alvan Ikoku, its director for trade and exchange. Another analysts; Richard Segal, an emerging market analyst at Manulife Asset Management explained what he said.
Expert tasks CBN on swift adoption of flexible FX regime As the Central Bank of Nigeria continues to tinker with the nation’s foreign exchange regime, a renowned banker and entrepreneur, Mr. Adebola
Akindele has urged the apex bank on swift adoption of the proposed flexible Forex regime. Speaking in an interview with The Daily Times of Nigeria in La-
L-R: Supply Chain Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Cephas Afebuameh; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale, Human Resource Director, Monica Peach; and Acting Deputy British High Commissioner, Ahmed Bashir during the visit of the British High Commissioner to the Guinness Nigeria Plc Ogba Brewery plant in Ikeja, Lagos..recently.
gos, Akindele who is the founder and Group Managing Director of Courteville Business solutions Plc, a Nigerian Stock Exchangelisted company under the ICT sector, said that the Monetary Policy Committee MPC and the CBN only came up with a statement but haven’t executed it up till this moment. According to him, “It is still of lip services to a lot of things that we should be doing, it makes it all unclear. MPC or no MPC, nothing is clear. Even though I believed so much in the Nigeria as a nation and I also believed in the economy and the Nigerian government, as well as in Nigeria person or people but policies must be clear cut, we need to know where we are headed and need to know what we are doing. “We need to be able to plan for all of these things; we even need to input all the issues relating to
policy somersault. You need to include them in your budget so that you know where you are headed. “If we know we are going on flexible Forex regime let us immediately start, sincr they made that pronouncement nothing like that has been affected. You still apply for business travel allowances and you don’t get everything you want. They should just make up their mind on want to do and effect it, so that we know where we are headed. Speaking on the mass sack that is currently rocking the banking sector, he stated that economic downturn is hitting hard virtually on all the sectors of the economy, “You wake up today and because of different reasons such as the recent happenings in the banking sector. Where some of them are laying off, industry are letting people go, companies are closing down because of forex.
Commenting on the contributions of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in growing the nation’s economy, Akindele, who has three decades of professional experiences spanning audit, banking, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and technology, said : “SMEs should be the fulcrum on which the economy runs; SMEs should be the core of any economy,” adding that SMEs play a critical role in the development of any economy. According to him, it is easier for a few big businesses to fail and fail the economy in the process, adding that millions of small businesses scattered all over the country will not fail at the same time no matter what. “When a country relies on a mass like that which are doing well, it is only a matter of time before the economy will start doing well,” he added.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
29,500 Naira Value (m)
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Capital Market B6
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Equities market continues descent as market cap drops N129.6 billion Stories by Afolabi Adesola The Nigerian equities market continued on a negative trend on Wednesday, as the NSE All Share Index declined further by 1.37 percent to close at 27,098.18 points against 0.45 percent lost previously to close at 27,475.48 points. This is even as investors await defined directives and
Lately, financial institutions have embarked on a retrenchment spree, with almost 2,000 workers in the banking sector losing their jobs, despite the directive by the Federal Government to halt such actions until the outcome of a conciliatory meeting to be held by stakeholders on July 2nd, 2016. The retrenchment spree is in a bid to salvage revenue, cut cost and operate on efficient levels, Chief research Analyst of Invest Data Consulting limited Ambrose Omorodion have said. “Commercial banks are different from the Central Bank and their sole aim is to make profit for those who have invested in them. In other to give investors good dividend, the financial institutions will have to cut costs that will positively impact their bottom line.” he said while reacting to the recent sack of 175 staff of Skye bank, 200 staff of Diamond bank and 1040 staff of Eco Bank. “The reason why people are complaining is because the economy is in a very bad state. When a worker loses his/her job either by retiring, resigning or by retrenchment in an economy that is well to do, such person can set up his or her own enterprise without fear, but in the Nigerian economy where you have to cater for basic infrastructure such as electricity, water and the rest, needed to run your business, start ups are no longer encouraging” he stated. Rotimi Fakayejo, CEO of Entreprise StockBrokers also opined that regulatory guidelines from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will impact negatively or positively on banks earnings, given the direction it takes. Mr. Fakayejo explained that business has not been as usual for financial institutions “when the naira was within the N157- N197 rate to a dollar, banks had adequate business to grow their earnings, but the present Foreign Exchange (FX)
take off on the flexible exchange rate policy from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. In the same vein, market capitalization dropped N129.6 billion to close at N9.307 trillion against N42.3 billion lost previously to close at N9.436 trillion. Leading the day’s 28 losers were Dangote Sugar with a decline of 6.91 percent or 47 kobo to close at N6.33 per share, CAP depreciated by 4.95 percent or
N1.88 to close at N36.12 per share, Airservice Plc lost 4.92 percent or 9 kobo to close at N1.74 per share while Portland Paints Plc and Nigerian Breweries dropped 4.88 and 4.78 percent to close at N1.95 and N130.1 per share respectively. Conversely, Unity Bank topped 16 gainers, adding 10 percent or 10 kobo to close a N1.10 per share, Oando followed with a gain of 7.89 per-
cent or 53 kobo to close at N7.25 per share, while Forte Oil garnered 5 percent or N9.80 to close at N205.80 per share. Flour Mills Nigeria Plc and N.E.M Plc also gained 4.98 and 4.76 percent or N1.06 and 4 kobo respectively to close at N22.36 and 88 kobo per share respectively. Topping the day’s traders were Wapco which traded 60.9 million shares worth N30.5
billion, Access which sold 34.9 million shares worth N185.3 and UBA which exchanged 19.6 million shares valued at N82.4 million. At the end of the day’s trading, investors in 3,591 deals had traded 261 million shares valued at N1.22 billion compared to a total of 183.24 million shares worth N2.01 billion exchanged in 3,488 deals on Tuesday.
Director General, Lagos Chamber Of Commerce & Industry [Lcci], Mr Muda Yusuf; Director (Policy), Africa International Division Of The United States [Us] Chamber Of Commerce, Leila Ndiaye; President, Lcci, Chief Mrs Nike Akande And Senior Director, International Division Of The Us Chamber Of Commerce, Kyla Holland, During A Business Visit To Lcci In Lagos
Why more bank job losses are imminent Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP
27,098.18 3,591.00 261,008,348.00 1,215,510,085.57 9,306,854,484,731.43
policy from the CBN has gravely affected banks.” he said The paucity of FX has affected many businesses and LC financing. Invariably, business is not as forthcoming as before and this
has impacted on first quarter results, with more significance in the second quarter.” “Earlier this week, on the 6th of June 2016, as soon as news from the CBN came in on the release of
the FX guidelines, stocks immediately tumbled, because the release date were undefined. As at today 8th June things have not changed but we are hoping that this trend would not continue for too long if FX policy is put in place it would affect foreign investment and those that have taken their monies would begin to return them back, hoping that by the fourth quarter of the year, things will begin to stabilise. However, in this part of the world where the government is the biggest spender, the reduction in output of crude has further reduced income, but with an increment in output spurred by a
swift end to the Niger Delta crisis, increased revenue is certain. This will inform more expenditure by the government and stimulate the economy, times are tough now, but there is a ray of hope”. Me. Fakayejo explained. As helpful as the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has been in curtailing waste, the depletion of liquidity in the banks as a result of the policy is one of the reasons responsible for the rationalisation of workers. With over 20,000 bank accounts of Federal ministries and 600 government parastatals closed, the Banks have lost valuable cash that could have been invested.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
Briefs Three states lead enrolment in Cowbellpedia qualifying exam The National Examinations Council, NECO has released the results of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Qualifying Examination, conducted on Saturday, 19th March, 2016. There are four perfect scores from three schools. A total of 46,698 students, comprising 4,892 (junior category) and 22,443 (senior category), sat for the qualifying exam in 235 centers across the country. This year’s enrolment is forty per cent above last year’s figure, with three states recording the highest enrolment growth. These states are Kaduna, 214 percent; Kebbi, 164 percent; and Sokoto, 146 percent. From the 46,698, enrolment figure, 108 students (54 each for ju-
Bayswater launches Choco Love food drink Bayswater Industries, makers of Mr. Chef seasoning cubes, has launched Choco Love, a new nourishing cocoa beverage drink from its stable, to raise the bar in the food drink market segment. Managing Director of Bayswater Industries, Mr Piyush Nair, who spoke at the trade launch of the brand in Kano, described Choco Love as a mild food drink to be enjoyed by the family. “We formulated Choco Love as an affordable nourishing drink based on the African concept of ‘family’ which entails sharing love and unleashing the confidence within each individual,” Nair said, adding,
nior and senior categories) are to proceed to the second stage, which is the Television Quiz Show. This figure is made up of the top 20 for the two categories; and 34 best scores, based on one per state. The second stage, which will be in a quiz format, will be further sub-divided into preliminary, semifinals and finals. The show will serialize into 13 episodes and will be aired on 14 television stations across the country. The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry, acknowledged the support given by the NECO, state Ministries of Education, school principals, teachers, the press and other Partner agencies for their support for the initiative over the years.
“Choco Love is a product borne out of love and formulated to share family love.” He said the product, which was researched and tested over 18 months, retains a distinctive Nigerian taste and is made from best international ingredients like malt extracts, milk powder, vitamins and minerals, cocoa powder, chocolate and vanilla. Nair explained that Choco Love also aspires to help children achieve a healthy balance of physical and mental development, saying “Choco Love releases every ounce of energy in a child; it nourishes and it unleashes inherent confidence with which the child would grow to be an achiever and a true future leader.” He said the trade launch in Kano was the first in a series of market roll outs to formally introduce Choco Love to the public. “Ahead of the May 27 Children’s Day celebration, we hosted a Choco Love
B7 Brands & Marketing
Continuous capacity building is key, says AAAN boss Stories by Godwin Anyebe The new president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Oluwasona has said that a continuous capacity building will be the key of his administration. To achieve this, the president disclosed that there will be a continuous capacity building programs under his regime, and it will happen at different levels which will address issues such as; capitalization, talent development, and the bottom line of their businesses among others. And for the future plan, he stated that the association’s academic unit will come into practical existence under his new administration. “We will start running the academic very soon with the right curriculum and quality marketing so that our global counterparts will look and admit to the fact that yes there is an advertising academic in Nigeria. It is also worthy of note that, our sister bodies such as the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), among others will also benefit from the academic.” Oluwasona who said what drives him to this position is his passion and commitment for excellence and professionalism, pointed out that; “when I look around, I realised that standards are falling, lots of things are going down, and I said to myself something must be done. I refused to be part of those who will only criticise and refuse to something that will effect change in the indus-
OLUWASONA: try. I can tell you that what caught my fancy when I joined this industry more than a decade ago is totally gone. The respect, value, reputation among others good factors that comes with the advertising industry is no longer there.” “Therefore, I want to bring together our members and see
New president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) how we can move the industry forward without bias. I want to ensure that members of the association are aware of those critical issues that affect the business of advertising in Nigeria and proffer critical solutions that will enhance productivity from the product to the marketplace.” He noted.
Hollandia Evaporated Milk: The brand that connects with consumers At a time like this when the Nigerian economy is facing different challenges, consumers are looking forward to a brand that truly connects and offer value for money. They are in search of a brand that offers lots of benefits to meet their demands based on limited purchasing power. In the market today, there are a variety of dairy products that position themselves as value adding brands but struggle to deliver on their promises or properly connect with consumers.
The reason being that some of these brands are largely seen as elitist brands and they have made numerous attempts to break the perception but still find it difficult to get the strategies right . While trying to get it right, a brand fast-tracked its efforts and took over the market space. The brand, known as Hollandia Evap took time to win consumers’ confidence and stand out amongst other brands in the dairy category. It made inroads into the Nigerian market and rightfully claims to be the real
‘’Wazo’’ milk for consumers. Unlike other brands, Hollandia Evap earned its market leadership through innovation and modern technology which has enabled the brand to have more than double the market share of other brands in Lagos alone. According to the A.C Nielsen Retail Audit Data report, in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, “Hollandia Evaporated Milk has more than double the market share of the most popular brand. (HEM 33.9%, Popular Brand 14.3%).
Motoring B8
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 9, 2016
2017 Nismo GT-R with extra attitude Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Nurburg, the infamous Nurburgring has been described as boot camp for cars; it’s where they go to get attitude. It’s also where Nissan performance division Nismo does most of its test and development work - especially on hooligan tools such as the GT-R. Which is why Nismo’s kick-ass version of the 2017 GT-R was introduced to the world at the ‘Ring. Where else?
Volvo introduces XC90 twin engine plug Volvo has introduced a vehicle that, in the right circumstances, could sip less than two litres per 100km during your work commute. The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, launched in South Africa last week, is able to silently whisk around solely on electric power for up to 43km, a distance longer than the average one-way commute. When Volvo representatives quoted a consumption claim of 2.1l/100km in our pre-drive press briefing it was met with predictable scepticism, but we managed to even better the claim with the XC90’s onboard computer showing 1.5 litres per 100 during the first part of our drive on the urban roads of Joburg’s northern suburbs. For most of the urban driving the SUV stayed in zero-emission mode, with its rear wheels powered by an electric motor fed by a Lithium-ion battery pack.
Like the standard model, the revised GT-R has a new front treatment, with a new bumper and an enlarged grille to help cool the uprated engine - but the Nismo’s bumper is made of carbon-fibre, for additional lightness and rigidity, with carefully crafted canards to improve airflow around the car and over the wheel-arches (a major source of drag) as well as helping to give it more downforce than any other Nissan production car to date. It also has a reinforced bonnet -
the Nismo guys found the standard panel was deforming at extreme speeds, to the detriment of aerodynamic efficiency. Under that bonnet is a tweaked version of the hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbo VR38DETT V6, wearing a pair of the high-flow, large diameter turbochargers normally used in the GT3 racing version. Rated power is up from 419kW to 441kW at a surprisingly conservative 6800rpm, driving all four wheels via a sixspeed dual-clutch gear-box. The stiffened body structure
of the 2017 GT-R has also allowed the Nismo samurai to tighten up the springs, dampers and antiroll bars; in particular, the GT-R’s driver-adjustable Bilstein DampTronic active suspension has been upgraded with Nismo-tuned shock absorbers. Combined with the added down force provided by the Nismo body kit they measurably improve handling, road-holding and the overall balance of the car; slalom times and mid-corner speeds, say the slide-rule sensei, have improved by
Coscharis Motors takes delivery of the new MG GT, GS It was excitement all the way recently at the Lagos corporate head office of Coscharis Motors in Lagos as it received the very first set of the all - new MG GS (SUV) and MG GT (Sedan), to the already existing variants in its arsenals as the official representative of the Morris Garages brand in Nigeria. The arrival of the two MG variants is a proof of the company’s commitment to always set new standard in the history of automobile market in Nigeria, and with the hope to replicate this success by making the Morris Garages one of the preferred brands in the Nigeria market. The new MG GS and MG GT cars are expected to be the toast of all auto freaks in Nigeria because both models are crafted with precision and pure refinement in the turbo-
charged engines, interior and exterior designs, aerodynamics and many active safety systems that will meet the needs of young consumers with individualised and intelligent vehicles, novel design language, power assembly and intelligent technology. According to Abiona Babarinde, General Manager Marketing, Coscharis Motors, ‘’the two new MG variants are set to turn the tide in
the mid-sedan and SUV segment in the market. Customers and prospects who enjoy pure driving dynamics will take advantage of the many engineering prowess and examplary features the models offer. It is equally significant to note that the MG GS is the first SUV of the MG brand that is definitely going to excite our customers in the Nigerian market as it’s going to compete favourably in the SUV segment’’.
nearly two percent from the previous GT-R Nismo. Upgraded accommodation The latest Nismo also gets the redesigned dashboard of the 2017 GT-R, with its new eight inch touchscreen display and vastly simplified layout that reduces the number of switches on the centre stack from 27 to 11, while a new display control on the carbon-fibre centre control allows you to operate the infotainment functions without having to reach out to touch the monitor.
Still economical for an SUV Once our route took us onto freeways the petrol engine started doing most of the work and the fuel consumption rose to 7.7 litres per 100km, but it’s still impressively economical for a sports SUV with outputs of 300kW and 640Nm. There are three modes the driver can choose from at the flick of a switch: Pure (electric power only), Hybrid (the default mode when you start the car which maintains an optimal balance between electric and petrol drive), and Power which makes the full petrol and electric power available for maximum acceleration. In Power mode the Volvo has the ability to scoot from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds and reach a 230km/h top speed. The switch between petrol and electric drive happens almost imperceptibly; it’s a smooth power flow with no pauses or lurches.
Life&
Times Thursday, June 9, 2016
Indomix:
From Music to Sound engineering
L2,3
P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday June 9, 2016
People appreciate me more being a sound engineer than a musician
-Iloyi
Oluwole Adebayo
Iloyi Oluwole Adebayo, popularly known as Indomix, is chiefly a producer and music engineer who is responsible for the first class mixing and mastering of many songs in Nigeria. Indomix put together the vocals, ad-libs, sequence, progression, after-effects, finishing, and gloss of many songs; without his job, you definitely would have a headache, listening to anything fresh song from the artistes. Indomix have worked with major A-list artistes in the entertainment industry which includes Adewale Ayuba, Reminisce, Faze, D’banj and a host of others. Cornered in his studio, the cool-headed engineer in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, led us into his work, passion for the industry and why sound engineers must be recognised and other issues. of another shot with the sole aim of recording the audio and video at the sometime. Whenever the artistes come for their part of the audio, my team will take their video cut too since they are usually busy. What have you been up to? I have been working, mixing and mastering songs and let me give you an expose: D’banj will be dropping another song titled ‘Superstar’ as mastered by yours truly. I have equally just done a new set of photo-shoots. The ministry is seriously moving, am not relenting, I am doing everything to up my game.
Life&
T E A M
Like other colleagues of yours who have released mix tapes, any plan on releasing yours too? I have actually released one but that was like two years ago and my major plan was to shoot a video for the mix tapes but when I schedule a time frame for the shoot it does not usually tally with the artiste schedule too, so I had to lay low on it but I as I speak, plans are in for the release
Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli
Seriously it was favourable but believe me sincerely, I was not 100 percent serious with the music career thing because while I was doing music, I discovered I could do production and mix maxing and through that everybody want to have something to do with me as a sound engineer. The fact remains that I began to understand that people appreciate me more been a sound engineer than a musician. Professionally, your sound engineering career started when? First of all, you will see that all my entire life movement encompasses music in one way or the other. Professionally, I started the sound engineering job in 2005 and since then I have been able to set up with a few equipment.
You started out a musician, why the sudden shift into sound engineering? I think the major reason why I quitted being a musician was the fact that I hate facing the crowd and you know when you are a musician, you must face the crowd whether you like it or not because they are the people you are selling out to.
As a sound engineer, you started out with which artiste’s work? People began to reckon with my trademark when I did Ole song for Naija Ninja artiste, Sound Sultan. Although I have been doing job as a sound engineer but the major one that had my trademark on it was that of Sultan featuring W4 and
Was it that the music industry then was not favourable for you enough?
Continued on L3
Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo
Photography Quadri Olowolagba
Graphics Daniel Ekiye
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday June 9, 2016
L3 Interview
‘Sound engineers need to be recognised, appreciated too’ Continued from L2 2Face Idibia. With the buzz your first major job brought for you, how did you feel about it? I was amazed because I had done several jobs that I did not put my trademark on but when I saw how appreciative the Ole job was, I was excited and ever since I don’t miss putting my mark on every job done because then I was the first sound engineer to include trademark in jobs in the history of Nigerian Entertainment. So why did it take you so long to be known in the industry considering the good jobs you have done in the past? It all boils down to the artiste you work for. The way the music industry in Nigeria here is being operated is totally different to what is applicable overseas. Every artiste you have supported while growing up is quick to navigate from you once they become very popular and make in the industry because of the cut you are entitled to when their work begin to enjoy massive buzz. I believe what you do and if you keep doing it well, it will make you a major person one day. How then did you come about the name Indomix? First, when people hear about it, they are like ‘this guy really loves taking Indomie noodles’ which is not far from the truth. I was known as Indomie before now when friends will attribute me as somebody who is skinny as Indomie pastas but as time went on, I began to get use to the name. Luckily for me when I met Faze, the first thing he told me was since I mix songs also, why don’t I add the word mix to my Indomie stage name and that was how I came about the name, Indomix. Has the money started coming in since you ventured into sound engineering? As you can see, I am living fine and doing quite well as an average Nigerian man who believes the almighty can still do more favourable blessings. If the money is coming in, I will say my business has been moving so well because here in my studio, all my equipment are worth more than millions of naira and all we can only pray for is for enlargement of our coast. Considering the fact that in the entertainment industry, we have several people in your trade, what makes Indomix unique? Everything I do is unique because I have my own way of doing things through my professional touches on artistes’ jobs. The fact is people know the kind of songs and beat they want, so when you listen to my jobs, you definitely have an idea that it is coming from my stable. I can’t praise myself; fans can only do while God will crown it all. Having worked with top A-list artistes in the industry, who are you more comfortable working with? (Sigh), you want to cause trouble here. I love working with virtually of them because they are cool headed and fun to be with. In reverse, which of them give you more time in the studio, making one corrections or the other? This is very serious. With all due respect, I will say Faze. He love his jobs done in an orderly manner because by the
time you are done with his job and he listens to the job, there is always one correction or the other to make. But in all he is very amiable and nice brother in the industry. Another person is Olu Maintain. Despite the fact that Faze takes much time. Pirates are really killing the entertainment industry, are you also affected in this crisis? Yes I am also affected big time because aside from the money artistes pay for services rendered, you will also be having percentage on each job you did. Take for instance, when an artiste’s album sells 20 million copies, you are also entitled to the share too since you were part of the album but because piracy is really killing and in a way has taken over most of the credit in the entertainment industry that is no longer visible as artistes these days struggle to make money put into the production. Also, it is important to note that the Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are good platforms but it becomes sickening when a blogger puts an artiste’s complete album on his or site for free download. They can do that on singles and not album.
coming artistes? Usually for the monetary aspect of it, when they come we discuss on it depending on which of my services they need. Artiste who do not have anything at hand, there are certain criteria they must meet up like, if they understand metronome (Counts), understand keys, then the work is much easier but on monetary terms, as we progress then we discuss on it. How long did it take you to get acquainted with the magic of mix and maxing? It was a gradual process; I started with a small radio and computer. While I was working in a computer business center, few clients will come around there and I did their jobs and I got paid for it because then the money was just coming in bit so I could not afford a big studio then. But I can tell you that from that small business center, I made several hit songs for some of the made entertainers now.
As an individual, what do you think can be done to stop this act? Let me say here that an individual cannot do it all alone without the support of the entire entertainers and also there is need for the government to come to our aid in curbing this illicit act. Punishment a n d proper sanction should be given to whoever is found guilty. H o w m u c h does it cost to get your services most especially for up-
With your vast knowledge in sound engineering, did you actually study it professionally? Funny enough I did not study anything related to sound engineering but the fact is that I picked interest in music at a very tender age because at five, I was a chorister in church and I took the lead most of the time during church service. Away from music, how was growing up like for you? The road was very rough but you need to just to stand up tall. It was not easy at all and that is the more reason I help people in the street most especially those that have got some kind of talents that needed to be seen in the outside world. Like seriously, being where I am today is just the grace of God because some memories can never be forgotten so
Seriously it was favourable but believe me sincerely, I was not
100 percent serious with the music career thing because while I was doing music...
soon. How did your parents react when you informed them of the kind of job you wanted to venture into? First my father is late now; he died about 22 years ago and while growing up majorly, we never stayed with our mother but my eldest
brother whom we all lived together with was in total support of my career as he paid most of the time for my studio fees while I was still doing music. It got to a point I had to leave the house for the them and I went down to Abeokuta where I had no siblings but once in a while I came home dressed in same shirt and trouser I left home with to say hello to my other siblings and my elder brother will ask how music and life is going with me and I respond that it was fine but he will laugh and in response, he said ‘fine with one shirt and trouser? In all, my siblings supported me likewise my two younger ones. You talked about appreciation not coming for sound engineers, what do you think can be done to rectify this? Seriously, I don’t know what is wrong with organisers of awards ceremony. They give credence to artistes alone leaving out those of us who are the brain behind their success. When they have nice beats and they voice on it, people enjoy and want to keep listening to the tracks but when it comes to recognitions, we are majorly left out. Unlike other countries, the sound engineer award category is usually uppermost in their ceremony as they value them so much. I am not lobbying for an award but the fact remains that we need to be recognised and appreciated too. I am sure organisers of awards listening carefully to music and at the tail end they hear the name of the sound engineer too, for instance, Indomix, Sheyman and a host of others. They have several categories of awards and no matter the good quality of the song, it must pass through a sound engineer, so we are making a clarion call to organisers of awards to create platforms for us too. If you are given a chance to correct one thing in the entertainment industry, what will that be? That will definitely be sentiment because this is majorly paramount among entertainers; you know the right channel to take when handing issues because of sentiment and issue of clique, and you give it to the wrong hand. If you really want the industry to grow better than what it is not, sentiment and clique should be put aside.
Discography
• Reminisce – ‘Book of Rap Stories’ (Album), ‘Local Rappers ft Olamide, Phyno • Sound Sultan – ‘SS4’, ‘Me, My Mouth & I’ and ‘Back from the future’ (Albums) • Faze – ‘Originality’ (Album) • Rugged Man – ‘MMM’ (Album) • Vector – ‘King Kong’ ( Oringinal & Remix ft Phyno, Reminisce, Uzi, Sarkodie) • TM Naija – ‘Magawu’ • Terry G – ‘Free Me’ (Album) • D Banj – ‘Oyato’ • Oristse Femi – ‘Destiny’, ‘Ekele dirig’i, ‘Money’ and ‘Ilaje’. • Sinzu – ‘Carolina’ ft Davido • W4 – ‘Kontrol’, ‘Foreign Dance’ • LKT – ‘Alaye’ ft Davido • Jaywon – ‘Meet Jaywon’ (Album) • Jabless – ‘Over Ground’ (Album) • Essence – ‘Facebook Love’ • Goldie - ‘Gold’ (Album) • D’banj- Emergency • Banuso-Jaywon • Gbadun-Jaywon • Excuse my French-Olu Maintain • Reminisce- Owo re • Ycee-Su mi • D’banj- Superstar
Music Gist L4
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday June 9, 2016
Mutiat Alli
Korrekt set to Industry Beef 101: Terry G drop Fa mi re do finally apologises to Jimmy Jatt aaa
Fast rising singer, Kingsley Okonkwo, better known as Korrekt, is set to drop yet another massive tune titled, ‘ Fa mi re do’, as produced by Pay beats and mixed and mastered by leading sound engineer, Indomix. Korrekt’s love for music started officially at age 16 when he discovered he could play some musical instruments and having listened to top act songs from musicians that includes 2Face Idibia, Sound Sultan, Bob Marley to mention but few. Currently studying Computer Engineering at Kharkiv National University, Ukraine, Korrekt’s first buzz in the entertainment industry was when he released Gba Gbe featuring CDQ which enjoyed massive airplay in
radio stations. On his forth coming work, Korrekt disclosed that the industry should ready for this as he is ready to raise the tempo of music in the entertainment industry. Fa mi re do will be released in a couple of weeks both the audio and video as we recently just concluded the video shoot in Ukraine Kiev as directed by Anton Shantohin.
Korrekt
2016 is surely a year of amusement in the industry with several beefs ruling the entertainment industry. While we are still trying to lay behind the beef between YBNL act, Olamide and Mavin boss, Don Jazzy which took centre stage in the beginning of the year and several which have come by from song stealing to artistes and record label issues and the latest being the beef between Nigeria’s leading Disc Jockey, Jimmy Jatt and Singer Terry-G. Over the weekend at the Muson Centre, venue for ‘D’Good, D’Bash & D’Funny’ concert, Terry G slapped DJ Jimmy Jatt’s protégé, DJ Phriz, who was holding the table down for him. According to reports, the crowd was turned off due to his misbehaviour on stage, and efforts to get him off stage proved abortive which made the show organisers ask the DJ to cut off his music. “I think it was a reaction of an unruly artiste. The DJ has been coordinating the performances without issues. Terry G wasn’t even billed to perform. He called the organiser and begged to perform then they gave him a time frame and he used more than his time. The organizers used their voice-over guy to
call him from the backstage that his time was over and he said if he hears the voice he’ll cause trouble. Then he went on to perform about three more songs. He was messing up and people were leaving while he was performing. The organisers were losing crowd and they went to tell the DJ to stop playing his songs so Terry G can get off the stage. But he didn’t leave the stage – he continued performing and making music with his bell and he wasn’t leaving still, so they went back to the DJ and told him to play another artiste’s song, and my boy obliged,” Jimmy Jatt said.
When asked if he’ll press charges against Terry G, he said: “I personally will request a public apology from him just so we have a gentleman’s agreement, because I feel I was the one slapped. Apart from that, if it wasn’t my boy involved and an artiste slaps a DJ in my presence, I’ll stand up for the DJ’”. However, few hours after the issue dragged, Terry G finally pen down a public apology via his Instagram page to both DJ Jimmy Jatt and his protégé DJ Phriz.
Bash causes Frenzy at ‘D’Good, D’Bash & D’Funny’ concert Mr. 2kay drops video for Woods, Ace comedian, Bash, whose real name is Bashiru Ahmed Adekunle, amused guests with his incredibly exuberant performance at the maiden edition of D’Good, D’Bash & D’Funny which held at Shell Hall, Muson Centre on Sunday, June 5, 2016. The humour-merchant effortlessly evoked laughter among the audience with his hysterically hilarious gigs – making several people roll off their seats. Bash quipped about the exasperating issue of long queues at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and shared several hilarious experiences and encounters of his. Other comedians who joined Bash on the night include Bovi, Akpororo, Gordons, Seyi Law as well as musical acts including, Sound Sultan, Lil Kesh, 9ice, Terry G, Gabriel Afolayan and Next World Music CEO, Jaywon. Produced by Bunmi Davies, the show was attended by a number of big names in the industry including top-notch artistes, actors and comedians like Odunlade Adekola, Mercy Aigbe, Iyabo Ojo, Alex Ekubo, Okey Bakassi, Black Face and several others.
Terry G
DJ Phriz
Jimmy Jatt
off his “Count it all Joy” EP
Pop sensation, Mr. 2kay, has just released a new video for one of the beautiful renditions off his ‘Count It All Joy’ EP titled, “Wood”. This is actually one of the most popular songs off the EP, which was released in February 2016. The video for “Woods” was initially intended for online audience only, but considering the subject matter of the song and the outcome of this video, it may not only go viral , it will definitely get mainstream rotation -both on radio and TV. The video, which begins with Mr. 2kay, vibing to the beat alone, cuts into scenery, with each frame captivating the viewers, plus-the message of the song is very relatable. The Grafton records signee, delivers a fine performance from start to finish. ‘’Woods’’ is a delightful track filled with clever innuendos and metaphors. The hook is catchy with an infectious melody and Mr. 2kay’s vocals are articulate and smooth. The song was produced by Hans Mills and video directed by Adams Gud. The Count It All Joy EP is available on iTunes, MTN Music Plus and other digital platforms.
BET Awards 2016: Falz nominated as Best New International Act
Bash during one of his performance
Nigerian singer, Falz has just been unveiled as a nominee for the 2016 BET Awards Viewers’ Choice in the ‘Best New International Act’ category. He battles other talented up-and-coming artistes from around the world including Emtee (South Africa), MHD (France), Tkay Maidza (Australia), WSTRN (UK) and Section Boyz (UK). Voting for the Viewer’s Choice category is now open, and will close on June 22, 2016.
Hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, the 2016 BET Awards will witness performances by Alicia Keys, Maxwell and more, as well as a star-studded tribute to legendary pop icon Prince featuring Sheila E., The Roots, D’Angelo and Janelle Monae. The BET Awards will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles from 23-26 June 2016 and it’ll premiere on BET (DStv channel 129) on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 19:00 CAT.
Falz
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday June 9, 2016
L5 Movie Gist
Mutiat Alli
Desmond Elliot, others to feature in Nigeria Police TV series Nigeria actor cum lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, alongside Segun Arinze are some of the notable faces that will feature in the first ever police TV series, an initiative of the Nigeria Police Force which will be based on the activities of the force. Speaking at the gathering, the spokesperson of the Force, Mrs. Olabisi Kolawole, revealed that the television series, titled “Beyond your sight”, will be effective in informing members of the public about the new police force while strengthening the bond between the masses and the Police. Kolawole said: “Consequently, ‘Beyond your sight’ documents, serializes and disseminates landmark operational intelligence, investigative exploits and processes of prosecution by the Force. “In so doing, the police TV series aims at bringing to the fore the concrete efforts of the Nigeria Police at preventing and unraveling crime; while educating and enlightening people.” She went on to add that the programme is aimed at informing citizens about their personal security as well as
the collective responsibilities of the masses towards the national security. ‘Beyond your sight’ is set to be a 13-episode programme produced by renowned Nollywood producer, Lancelot Imasuen.
Olubadan endorses Funmi Awelewa’s latest project, Omo Ibadan It was a memorable moment for Nollywood rising actress, Funmi Awelewa better addressed as Morili, when the delectable actress was hosted by the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso1). The beautiful and highly talented actress paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan recently and she was warmly received by His Royal Majesty. The actress was at the palace to intimate the Olubadan about her upcoming movie project, Omo Ibadan, a production she was putting together to spotlight the ancient West African city. Excited Olubadan received the actress and her crew who stormed the palace, and the monarch gave his blessings and pledges his supports for coming project. The monarch described her concept as a noble one which he has no doubt will uplift the city on completion. The pretty, witty and highly talented actress popularity is soaring by the day, thanks to the success recorded by her first self- produced comedy blockbuster movie, “Morili - Aromimawe”, which is fast becoming the favorite of many home video lovers.
R-L: Segun Arinze, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and Desmond Elliot
AMAA 2016 hold this weekend ….As Mike Ezuruonye, Chris Attoh announced as host This weekend, all road to the city of Port-Harcourt for yet another edition of the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). The awards night is set to hold in Port Harcourt after nine consecutive editions in Bayelsa State, one in Abuja, Lagos, and South Africa respectively. In a keen contest, top Nollywood filmmakers will battling for the ultimate prize in several categories that includes Award achievement in visual effect, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Diaspora Film, Best Costume Design to mention but few. Iretiola Doyle, Omoni
Late Nollywood actress, Henrietta Kosoko to be buried tomorrow
Mike Ezerounye, Kgopedi Lilokoe and Chris Attoh Oboli, Dakore Akande and Nse Ikpe-Etim are jointly nominated for the Best Female Lead Act alongside
Zina Ojei, Adesua Etomi and Fulu Mogoveni. Meanwhile, talented actor, Mike Ezuruonye and
Chris Attoh will be hosting the award alongside South African, Kgopedi Lilokoe.
Stars grace the premiere of Gidi Blues Africa Magic, the continent’s leading provider of premium entertainment content, and ace Nigerian filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi, last Saturday in Lagos premiered Gidi Blues, an unusual love story filled with intrigue and suspense told with a ‘Lagos-state-of-mind.’ Gidi Blues features a stellar cast which includes Gideon Okeke, Bukky Wright, Tina Mba, Lepacious Bose, Hauwa Allahbura, Nancy Isime, Banky W and others. The movie promises high-quality entertainment with humour, music and drama, and also dwells on the unpredictability of Lagos city where anything can and often does happen. Filmed in iconic Lagos locations like Idumota market, Makoko, Victoria Island, Isale Eko, Lekki, Freedom Park and Broad Street, Gidi Blues showcases Lagos city and the unique energy of its people. Akin, played by
Gideon Okeke, is an indulged playboy from an affluent family who accidentally meets an interesting beauty, Nkem, in an unpredictable place. Nkem is a beautiful, confident but unusual young lady who devotes herself to her work as a community volunteer in the belly of the city’s worst slum. Their encounter drags Akin into a whirlwind experience that unravels his world. Speaking on the movie, the Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu said: “Gidi Blues is the result of inspiring creativity, innovative filmmaking and exciting storytelling. At Africa Magic we take pride in bringing to life the best of film and television content out of Africa through partnerships with some of the best talent out of the continent and Femi Odugbemi’s work as a filmmaker is very well renowned. We are indeed excited to premiere Gidi Blues and cannot wait for
movie lovers in Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world to see it.” Speaking further on the movie, the Producer and Director, Femi Odugbemi said: “Gidi Blues was exciting as it was challenging and we are extremely delighted with the finished work. The movie deals with the famous spirit of Lagos, the resolve within every Lagosian that confronts every challenge with the belief that all is surmountable. Gidi Blues is also a love story which seeks to inspire young people to give back through community volunteer work. For example, Makoko, the fishing slum under the Third Mainland Bridge, is where the lead characters find meaning in their lives as they volunteer as teachers and also start initiatives that support and empower the disadvantaged in the community.”
Burial arrangements for late Nollywood actress and wife of legendary actor, Jide Kosoko, Henrietta Kosoko have been announced. Details released by the family on Wednesday morning indicate that there will be a Christian wake and artiste performance on today, Thursday June 9, 2016 between 4pm and 9pm at LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos, while she will be laid to rest tomorrow, Friday at Atan Cemetery, Yaba Lagos. Henrietta Kosoko, aged 52 died on Monday, June 6, 2016 at R-Jolad Hospital, Bariga, Lagos, after losing her battle with diabetes. Meanwhile, colleagues of the late actress still remembered her kind words, advice and loving nature as they mourn her on their various social media platforms. Here are few of such comments below; Yomi Fabiyi: She is just too down to heart. Even if she doesn’t have money, she doesn’t run out of credit to check on you. She will go as far to say I am happy you are progressing but don’t forget me. I have been calling her “French Lady” since 2006 and she doesn’t finds fault in you. Always smiling. Got to your house and am not told you went out but that I can’t see you again. May God give the Kosoko ‘s the fortitude to bear this loss. Respect ma and journey well. I will personally miss you Fench Lady.
Late Henrietta
Mixed Grill L6
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday June 9, 2016
Mutiat Alli
MultiChoice Africa opens History Channel to all DStv Compact Subscribers from June 13 – July 11
John Ugbe This month, MultiChoice Africa continues to bring its Compact Subscribers more entertainment and value with the HISTORY® channel open month. The channel will be available to all DStv’s Compact subscribers across Africa from Monday, June 13 to Monday, July 11. Making its debut on HISTORY (DStv 186) on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30pm, is the highly- anticipated television event Roots, the fourpart, eight-hour series developed by HISTORY and produced by A+E Studios. During this four week openwindow HISTORY will broadcast new and exclusive shows, along with top-rated return titles that Compact subscribers will not have had access to previously. Roots will also be repeated on Lifetime on Sundays at 8pm (from June 19) following its debut on HISTORY. Based on the best-selling novel by Alex Haley, Roots recounts the journey of one family’s will to survive, endure, and ultimately carry on their legacy despite enormous hardship and inhumanity. “Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America,” said LeVar Burton, co-executive producer and the actor who played the lead role of Kunta Kinte in the original 1977 version. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever.” Spanning multiple generations, the lineage begins with young Kunta Kinte, who is captured in his homeland of The Gambia and sold into slavery. Throughout the series, the family continues to face adversity that reveals powerful truths about the universal resilience of the human spirit.
Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy meet with Jay-Z Few Nigerian entertainers are definitely enjoying their 2016 year with lots of achievements to brag about. First, it was Star Boy music act, Wizkid touring countries with Chris Brown and several international collaborations. Next was Davido signing up deal with Song Music amongst others and the most recent and arguably the biggest is the move by Mavin record female act, Tiwa Savage who was spotted in a meeting alongside Don Jazzy with Jay Z at the Roc Nation headquarters in New York. Earlier this month, two respected Nigerian A&R execs, Tola Odunsi and Bizzle Osikoya hinted that Jay Z is considering signing a management deal with Tiwa Savage. If the deal pulls through, Tiwa Savage will join superstars like Meek Mill, Rihanna, Big Sean, DJ Khaled, Shakira and others who all have management deals with Roc Nation.
Jay-Z, Tiwa and Don Jazzy
How Kcee ignited Umuahia fans at Legend Real Deal Experience
Kcee & local Dancers
Fans of Limpopo crooner, Kcee in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, were treated to an unforgettable event last night as Legend’s Real Deal Experience rolled into town. The evening was filled with good cheer and excitement as Kcee performed all of his biggest hits at Abia Hotel field. The Taste, Tell and Win promotion and the Real Deal Experience game shows were not left out as a host of contestants went home with remarkable prizes like Refrigerators, Generators, televisions, Face Caps T-Shirts, and Free drinks. The Real Deal Experience tour which kicked off on April 3rd, 2016 saw live band, Tipsy Cavano, thrill the crowd. Kcee did not disappoint the already elated crowd as he brought his a-game and killer dance moves
in entertaining and holding the attention of his audience. The ecstatic Kcee known for his pullover hit with Wizkid said; “I can’t begin to recount my experience with the people of Umuahia. They came ready and I am really grateful to have such loyal fans. It was an awesome performance. I love them” Brand Manager, Legend, Oluseun Lawal added: “Legend is trying to, through the Real Deal Experience, give the consumers a chance of a lifetime to see some of their biggest stars and also enjoy Legend. We are happy people had fun as we were aiming for them to have an evening they will not forget in a long while and the prizes from the competitions were fantastic add-ons. Congratulations to all of the winners tonight!”
Gulder celebrates Yemi Blaq Babajide Okeowo Gulder, the premium lager beer from Nigerian Breweries Plc celebrated its ambassador, Mr. Yemi Olatunji, better known as Yemi Blaq, who recently turned a year older. The birthday ceremony took place last week with his colleagues, friends and officials of Nigerian Breweries during the Nollywood Beer Academy, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc., in Ibadan, Oyo State. Edem Vindah, Corporate Media/Brand PR Manager, NB Plc, explained that the brand is proud of Yemi Blaq because he represents Gulder’s ideals of the “real man who is responsible, hardworking, demonstrates leadership and respect for others.
Gulder, Edem added, stands for the ultimate sign of achievement, masculinity, respect, selfassurance and success and also a premium quality beer for young success conscious men and women Blaq, who became a Gulder brand ambassador last year, came into the movie industry in 2005. He has featured in over 250 films and he is seen as a hard working movie producer and one of the most famous in Nollywood. Blaq was born and raised in a family of four siblings in Ondo State Nigeria and grew up knowing he was going to go into the arts. From his primary school days, he got a lot of encouragement and support. After he played the
role of the incorruptible judge in Olu Olagoke’s ‘The Incorruptible Judge’, his teacher came home and said to his mum, ‘oh this one is going to become an actor. Since then he has nurtured it up. “I always wanted to act, I always loved acting. I used to act back in my days in school. I studied theatre arts in school. I travelled and after I came back, I joined the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN),” he said. Yemi believes he was one of the lucky ones because he got into the industry when everyone said it was a bit tough.
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday June 9, 2016
L7
Opinion
Femi Isaac
Brand your
Blindness with Rasaq Adekoya
Waithood, Restricted Future and Productive Denial to Persons with Disability in Nigeria
Basket Mouth
Buhari
Basketmouth to Buhari:
Please address every issue in a timely manner As I am learning to stop complaining and get used to the electricity situation in my beloved Nigeria, I can’t help but worry about other bigger problems facing my country at large. Once again a land already polluted with blood and oil is reported to be witnessing beheadings by religious fanatics, murders by herdsmen, and bombing of oil pipelines by a supposedly impoverished and marginalized Deltan posse, let’s not talk about the Biafran agitators, kidnapping and robberies…confusion everywhere. I am an entertainer so I try to leave politics for politicians (because I believe everybody should maintain their own lane). However, I can’t seem to understand why my beloved country will not intervene to help alleviate the sufferings and helplessness of its people. When the poor cry for help and are ignored, it can be a recipe for turmoil and when the rich also cry, can’t afford to travel because flight tickets are out of their reach, can’t afford to eat as they used to and all channels of their lush incomes are closed overnight, then you begin to sense a whiff of desperation. The media also reports bias in the security handling of issues as it affects the North, West, East and South. In my humble opinion, I do not think it will hurt PMB to address these issues from time to time as much as he addresses the
issue of corruption. It hurts my senses when I hear people praising the likes of Ayo Fayose or calling for return of corruption (hard to tell if they are serious or joking) hearing the soothing voice of our leaders will go a long way in strengthening is as we plunge further into the unknown. So in all of these, I am listening to hear the wise words of President Buhari, I know he has opinions about all these because I know he reads the papers and he has access to security reports, but sometimes it’s like his media advisers don’t get his memo or they seem to get it a week after he sends it and by which time other depressing issues have taken over. This government seem to have forgotten the power of technology and social media in today’s dispensation and is failing to use the various available platforms to monitor and address issues weighing its citizens down. We are all collectively responsible for what befalls our country. We are the country. The rest na just land. Please address every issue in a timely manner so as to avoid coming across as being biased to certain religious or ethnic sentiments.
Waithood, is a portmanteau term of “wait” and the suffix “-hood” which means “waiting for adulthood”, Professor Alcinda Honwana says. Waithood represents a period of suspension between childhood and adulthood, in which young people’s access to adulthood is delayed or denied. While their chronological age may define them as adults, they have not been able to attain the social markers of adulthood: earning a living, being independent, establishing families, providing for their offspring and other relatives, and becoming taxpayers. Young Africans including those in Nigeria face serious challenges of social exclusion, joblessness and restricted futures. Meanwhile, those living with disability are completely marginalized and denied their right to inclusive society with opportunities. This article is to highlight the numerous career choice for persons who are blind in Nigeria and their struggling experiences to explore their productive capacity with regard to waithood. In spite of their struggle of going through rehabilitation process after becoming disabled and their continuous pursuit for their career, many blind has been denied equal political, social and economic opportunities. I will like to broaden your undivided attention by developing some fundamentals and limiting the scope of this piece to three dimension: First, most blind persons spend more years to attain a degree qualification than their sighted counterpart. This has been a direct result of ignorance about rehabilitation centers and lack of information on the productivity of a blind person by the public. I remembered the story of Adenike Oguntope who had a gun shot in her eye in 1998 which lead to blindness when she was 18years old. She had stayed indoor for 13years before she knew about the vocational training center for the blind in 2011 and enrolled in 2012. It was after her 2years program she decided to enroll back to tertiary institution. Adenike’s story is one out of many. Imagine how old she will be when she graduate from university and the possibility to get employment and social opportunities considering the age limit factor placed by Nigeria institutions as eligibility criteria for employment and empowerment for applicant? Second, after passing through tertiary institutions that are mostly running education system that are partially inclusive to the blind, corporate entities denied the visually impaired engagement opportunities because they don’t know what the blind are capable of doing even when qualified? I’d suffered this phenomenal in the past after I lost my sight. It is important to establish this fact that blindness does not translate into
incapacitation. With the advancement in technology, the blind can do almost every job, compete with their sighted counterpart and be productive. Let’s face it. Among the ex trainee of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, some who had improved on what they learnt has become champions in their career. They have blind persons who are medical doctors, lawyers, website developers, mobile apps developer, teachers, and business and education administrators. Some are entrepreneurs that produced shoes, bags, batik and home care product like hand wash, bar soap, toilet wash, dettol etc. While you can give opportunities for those producing this to supply your organisation like hotels , schools, churches, factories etc, others who needed employment can work as virtual assistant, social media manager, business developers, customer service attendant, legal officers, administrators, corporate communicators, public relations etc in sectors like banking, telecommunication, insurance, oil& gas, hotel & insurance, branding, media, government ministries, department and agencies just to mention few. These are not imagination to come true. Few organisation have already absorbed few blind into their organisations. And it’s very important, as a social responsibility, your organisation adopt qualified blind into your labour enrolment and consider productivity rather than age as a special consideration for the visually impaired. Third, the future of non-profit institution like the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind is at jeopardy if not fully funded. Comparing the two thousand numbers of graduant that FNSB has produced since 1956 to the five million blind in Nigeria as stipulated by WHO, it is glaring that their is need for the public, corporate organisations and individuals like you to donate vigorously to the purse of this society to expand their capacity and efficiency. Even with the little funds they have received in the past, they had prudently utilized it to produce effective result in which I, personally is a beneficiary. Adopting such institution like FNSB as your social responsibility is a means not to restrict the future to the lives’ of the blind. Dianne Singerman, the first person to raise the notion in 2007, described “waithood” as passivity. I realised that the gear has changed as young persons, mostly the blind who doubles his effort to meet up with his sighted counterpart, are proactively engaged in serious effort to create new forms of being and interacting with society.
TV guide L8
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday June 9, 2016
Showing on
Showing on
Movies Comedy Channel 104
Movies ACTION Channel 110
22:28
13:00
Thu, 9 june |16 SL
Thu, 9 June | PG 13V
Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and Danny star in this film about three salesmen who dissect life as they wait for a man who could make or break their sales targets. Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey.(1999)John Swanbeck
Jackie Chan turns on the charm in this action film. A chauffeur is thrust into the world of international espionage when he puts on a suit that gives him extraordinary powers. Jackie Chan, Jennifer Love Hewitt. (2002) Kevin Donovan.
101 M-Net
23:35 Behind The Scenes: Unbroken 00:00 Chicago Med 00:50 Behind The Scenes: 1st Project 01:20 Shakesspeare School Year 02:28 Behind The Scenes: Walking On Sunshine 02:40 Behind The Scenes: Annie 03:15 Made In Hollywood
04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:59 The Middle 06:29 Sarah Graham's Food Safari 07:30 Chicago Med 08:30 From Rough 10:04 Behind The Scenes: The Theory Of... 10:30 The Goldbergs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 Shades Of Blue 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 The Big Bang Theory 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Kevin From Work 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:33 My Story
118 Telemundo
23:40 The Face Of Destiny 00:30 Elena's Ghost 01:20 Broken Angel 02:10 Broken Angel 03:00 The Face Of Destiny 03:50 Fearless Heart 05:20 Elena's Ghost 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 The Face Of Destiny 07:50 Fearless Heart 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 The Face Of Destiny 12:00 Fearless Heart 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 The Face Of Destiny 16:10 Fearless Heart 17:00 Broken Angel 17:50 Broken Angel 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 The Face Of Destiny 20:20 Fearless Heart 21:10 Broken Angel 22:00 Broken Angel 22:50 Husband For Hire
120 BBC Brit Entertainment
23:14 The Graham Norton Show
11:10 Would I Lie To You?
00:04 An Idiot Abroad
11:40 QI
00:54 The Cube
12:15 The Cube
01:41 Police Interceptors
13:05 Top Gear
02:29 John Bishop's Australia
14:55 Police Interceptors
03:24 Undercover Boss USA
15:45 Undercover Boss USA
04:10 Pointless
15:55 Would I Lie To You?
05:00 The Cube
16:20 QI
05:50 Would I Lie To You?
17:00 Pointless
06:25 QI5
18:00 Top Gear
07:00 Police Interceptors
19:00 Dragons' Den
07:45 Top Gear
20:00 QI
08:40 Pointless
20:30 Youngers
09:35 Undercover Boss USA
21:10 Top Gear
10:20 Ducks Quacks Don't Echo
22:05 Top Gear: Special: Best Of British
155 AfricaMagic World
152 AfricaMagic Epic
00:00 Music On Africa Magic
00:40 World's Wildest Police Videos 01:30 Freakshow 01:55 Extreme Reality Clips 02:20 Sexy Car Wash 03:15 Sexy Car Wash 03:45 Video Zonkers 04:10 South Beach Tow 04:35 South Beach Tow 05:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 05:45 World's Wildest Police Videos 06:35 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 07:25 Video Zonkers
07:50 South Beach Tow
09:00 Good Morning Africa
08:40 Most Shocking
10:00 Lies That Bind
09:35 World's Wildest Police Videos
10:30 Lies That Bind
10:30 World's Wildest Police Videos
11:00 Lies That Bind
11:30 Baywatch
11:30 Lies That Bind
12:30 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking
13:00 Music On Africa Magic 14:00 Music On Africa Magic 15:05 Music On Africa Magic
01:00 Good Morning Africa
16:00 Star Gist
11:10 Maiden Of Destruction
02:05 53 Extra
16:35 Deal Or No Deal Sa
01:26 Mirror And Beauty
12:39 Sacred Skull
02:45 Star Gist
17:25 53 Extra
02:25 Africa Rising: Behind The Scenes
14:20 Twins Of The Rainforest
03:15 Star Gist
18:00 Jara
14:48 Behind The Scenes: The Place
03:45 Jara
18:30 Tinsel
15:00 Enemy Must Obey
04:25 Jara
19:00 Lies That Bind
17:02 Enemy Must Obey
05:00 Goodmorning Africa
19:30 Lies That Bind
06:01 Only Hope
19:10 The Mastermind
06:00 Deal Or No Deal SA
20:00 Jacob's Cross
07:50 Mother's Tears
20:55 Behind The Scenes:Next Dean
07:00 53 Extra
20:55 Jacob's Cross
09:31 Painful Secret
21:05 Royal Desire
07:30 Star Gist
21:55 Jacob's Cross
05:35 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room
23:50 World's Wildest Police Videos
08:15 South Beach Tow
00:10 Mystic Mirror
03:40 Impostor
23:00 Most Shocking
08:00 Jara
12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 23:37 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room
128 SONY MAX
13:30 South Beach Tow
14:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 15:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 16:00 Most Shocking 17:00 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 18:00 South Beach Tow 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Baywatch 20:00 Extreme Reality Clips 20:30 Rude Tube 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Freakshow 22:00 Sexy Car Wash