Leadership

15.01.15

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

THURSDAY

No. 2,328

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Chibok Diary DAY 276 FG Targets $68.1bn Fresh FDI From 8 Free Zones

Chibok Community Faults NEMA's Figure > Page 2 Of 981,000 Displaced Persons

By Kingsley Alu, Abuja

The federal government is targeting $68.1bn fresh Foreign Direct Investment from eight newly licensed

free zones, the managing director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority

(NEPZA), Gbenga Kuye, has said.

He said the enhanced

efficiency of the agency, in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck

Abeokuta Meeting: 5 Questions Obasanjo Asked Jonathan > Page 13

Jonathan, had helped to fasttrack approvals for zones, based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for ➔ CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

as candidates sign violent-free election pact

Jonathan Blames Politicians, Clerics, Others For Crises 5

INEC must be above board – Buhari

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a warm embrace, in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu also in a warm embrace, in Abuja, yesterday. Photos by Remi Akunleyan

Soldiers Repel Boko Haram Attack In Biu, Kill Dozens > Page 8

2

chibok diary 276

Thursday, January 15, 2015

DAY

Chibok Tweets @ad_Vassilli Will #GEJ & Govt match for #ChibokiGirls over 230days&counting?

They'll rather clamp on #BringBackOurGirls #IamBaga @ZaraChiron #JesuisCharlie and we are all bloody hypocrites. Who gets to decide which lives are worth standing in solidarity over? #BringBackOurGirls @AishaYesufu I am from the North East and I feel like a failure. I should have come out earlier says a first timer at the #BringBackOurGirls Sit Out Members of #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group in a village square meeting at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY oyedele omokagbo

@SegunObasanjo I'm more ashamed about Nigeria celebrities. Same people that carry placards for #BringBackOurGirls have gone to wear uniform to support GEJ.

@VictorShikhman The solidarity march in France, unless it comes with policy changes, will be as effective as #BringBackOurGirls. Empty sentiment is nothing. @nursingdean Paris March don't forget #BringBackOurGirls let's hope France leads the world in standing up

Chibok Community Faults NEMA's Figure Of 981, 000 IDPs In Nigeria

By Ejike Ejike, Abuja

One of the leaders of the Chibok community in Abuja, Dr Allen Manasah has faulted the National Emergency Management Agency’s figure of about 981, 416 displaced persons in Nigeria as a result of insurgency.

Dr Manasah, who spoke exclusively to LEADERSHIP yesterday, challenged NEMA to go back and carry out authentic verification

@Bukkyshonibare Day 272 of abduction 34 days to Presidential Election #BringBackOurGirls

@JJTabane #bringbackourgirls....does anyone even remember? ...

Compiled by Ugochukwu Iroka

Dr Manasah, who alleged insincerity in NEMA’s assistance to the Northeast, also noted that after the agency had promised many truckloads of relief materials to Chibok, NEMA ended up bringing only two truckloads, which were not even full to the community.

Sidi had faulted the report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, alleging that they erroneously computed the report

of Nigerians displaced over 10 years to produce a bogus figure of 3 million displaced persons and giving his finding as 981, 416 displaced persons.

While enumerating the challenges the agency is facing in registering and catering for the IDPs, Sidi noted that mode of identification is a major challenge as some of the displaced persons do not come for proper registration.

Baga Attack: Tsambido Accuses PDP, APC Of Indifference

By CHIKA MEFOR, and Ejike Ejike,

Abuja @EnglishSmarts Let's not forget. 271 days since the kidnapping. #BringBackOurGirls

of all the displaced persons from the Northeast, who are currently scattered across the nation as the number could be double of what the agency is projecting.

He also faulted NEMA DG, Sani Sidi’s claim that the displaced persons in Abuja are hungry people and explained that before the insurgency, the people of Borno State are some of the highest producers of beans, maize and cattle rearers across the country.

The chairman of Chibok community in Abuja, Hosea Abana Tsambido, has blamed the PDP and APC leaders for not halting their campaigns after the killings of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram sect in Baga, Borno State.

Tsambido who was speaking during the usual sitting protest of the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group yesterday, stated that the government in power, PDP and the opposition, APC have shown that their campaigns are more important to them than the many Nigerians that lost their lives in the ongoing insurgency.

“Our leaders and the opposition, PDP and APC have really

shown unconcern to the plight of the people. If the APC wants to show us how good they will be if elected as leaders, I would have expected them to halt their campaign after the massacre in Baga.

They only observed one minute silence for the people killed. My thought is that if they come in, they will be like the present government.

“I am asking the leaders of the country and the opposition what they have done about the Chibok girls. What have they done about the insurgency? They told us that they care about the people; they would have shown that they care,” he said.

While speaking on the BBOG group’s visits to three elder statesmen on Tuesday, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Wole Soyinka,

and Ambassador Christopher Kolade, one of the members, Aisha Yesufu stated that the visits yielded positive result as they had promised to support the group in its quest to speak out for the abducted girls.

“They said that they are supporting us. They feel the hope of Nigeria lies with the BBOG group. They talked about the insurgency and the IDPs. We all went there with the BBOG Lagos and Abeokuta families. They told us that their days in the streets are over and urged us to take up the responsibilty to eductate the younger generation. We should take the message to people who don’t know what is happening, “ she said.

The group which marked the ninth month of the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, ex-

pressed sadness over the nonrelease of the girls, even after 275 days of their abduction, but added that it would not relent in its advocacy, even after 260 days of its campaign.

“Though it is 275 days, and 260 days of our coming out as citizens making demands, let us not look back. Let’s stand firm and continue. For 260 days we have been doing the same thing.

It is nine months. It is tiring but we have to continue.

“Exactly nine months ago, the girls were abducted and they are still waiting to be released. Parents of the girls are crying, wondering what their children are going through. People are moving on with their lives, forgetting that they might be victims tomorrow. But we will not forget.

We will continue,” Aisha said.

3

our stand Thursday, January 15, 2015

A Plea For Condemned Soldiers

R

ecently, the Nigerian Army court martialled one general and14 other senior military officers for various offences they committed in the war against insurgency in the northeastern part of the country. Last year, 54 soldiers from the 111 Special Forces Battalion attached to the Seventh Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters at Maiduguri, were found guilty of mutiny and sentenced to death by firing squad.

The soldiers were found guilty of disobeying a direct order from a superior officer, after they were commanded to take part in an operation to dislodge Boko Haram from Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa towns in Borno State.

Prior to that, 12 soldiers had been sentenced to death by firing squad; they were found guilty of incitement and mutiny against their commanding officer. The general defence of all the soldiers was that they refused to obey the orders, because they were not provided with the requisite combat and support equipment to prosecute the operation.

The trial and sentencing of these soldiers have continued to generate heated reactions within

the polity, mostly from political parties. Some politicians are of the view that the soldiers had genuine reason not to follow orders. Certain retired senior military officers have also supported this view and recently, the United Nations pleaded for mercy on behalf of the soldiers.

It is pertinent to note that these soldiers, indeed, committed a serious offence. On joining the military, they swore an oath to defend the nation’s constitution and by extension, the whole country against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that they would obey the orders of the commander-in-chief and the officers appointed over them.

Editor Sadiq Abdullateef Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

They were, therefore, expected to uphold this oath, especially in a war situation such as the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram insurgency. If all soldiers were to refuse to follow orders for one reason or the other, by now, most of the country would have been taken over by the insurgents. We believe that no commanding officer would deliberately concede ground to the enemy or sacrifice his men flippantly. Before any commanding officer issues an order, he must have assessed all the variables and taken a decision in the best interest of the country, even if it entails sacrificing a unit to halt the enemy.

The raging campaign by Boko Haram is threatening the existence of the entire country. We must do everything possible to crush the sect. We, however, wish to lend our voice to the many pleading for the lives of these soldiers to be spared. We further call on the government to expedite efforts to equip and beef up the capacity of soldiers, to help facilitate their winning this war. More importantly, we urge soldiers to live up to the oath they swore the day they enlisted.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah

Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko

Leadership Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

4 news extra

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo I Shall Tackle Insecurity, Corruption, Unemployment Headlong – Buhari The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has expressed his determination to tackle insecurity, unemployment and corruption if voted into power.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the Osogbo City Sports Stadium in continuation of his presidential campaign to the state, Buhari said that Nigerians do not deserve the spate of insecurity, unemployment and corruption bedevilling the nation.

The APC presidential candidate who arrived the stadium late in the evening expressed appreciation to the residents of the state for their massive turnout at the campaign rally despite his late arrival.

He appealed to the people of the state to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), cast their votes for the party of their choice and ensure that they stand by their votes.

Also speaking, Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola told the people that the forthcoming election is to liberate Nigerians from 16 years of bad governance by the PDP. While noting that Osun State is APC’s stronghold, Aregbesola said that anyone who loves Nigeria must ensure that they vote out PDP in the forthcoming election.

By Joshua Dada, Osogbo

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: APC Hails Military’s Sacrifice The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the invaluable sacrifice of the Nigerian military in keeping the country safe and united in the face of unprecedented forces threatening its existence.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to mark the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the party said Nigerians owe the gallant men and women of the Nigerian military a debt of gratitude for their courage, perseverance and sacrifice in defence of all that they hold dear.

It called on all Nigerians to show their unalloyed gratitude to the men and women in uniform by supporting them unconditionally in their ongoing fight against terror, and also by remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their fatherland.

By George Okojie, Lagos

L-R: Former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; deputy chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) South, Engr Segun Oni; former APC chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and others, at the presidential campaign rally of the APC in Osogbo, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN.

PDP Loses Majority To APC In Reps APC-179, PDP-162

By Edegbe Odemwingie and Bode Gbadebo, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday emerged as the political party with majority members in the House of Representatives, a first by an opposition party since 1999.

By this development, the APC overtakes the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the dominant party in the House.

The PDP has dominated the House since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

The deputy chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Victor Ogene, yesterday released new figures showing distribution of House members and their party membership.

The new distribution shows: APC (179); PDP (162) other parties (19). The House has 360 members.

Yesterday, the gales of defection continued in the House of

Representatives as 10 members defected to other political parties largely on account of failed return bids in last year’s primary elections conducted across the country.

In separate letters of notification read at plenary by the Speaker of the House, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, the federal lawmakers cited ill-treatment by their former parties during the primaries.

The members are Chukwuemeka Nwogbo, Victor Afam Ogene

and Fort Dike (APGA to APC, Anambra); Ibrahim Bawa Kamba and Garba Musa Gulma (PDP to APC, Kebbi) and Abdulmalik Cheche (PDP to APC, Niger).

Others are Wilson Nathaniel (PDP to SDP, Adamawa); Zakari Ibrahim (PDP to APC); Madueke Anthony (PDP to PDM) and Benjamin Aboho (PDP to APGA, Benue).

Their defections followed similar action by five members on Tuesday who changed political parties.

PDP ‘ll Reclaim Lost Territories From APC – Mu’azu

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Adamu Mu’azu, yesterday declared that the PDP campaigns for next month’s elections show that the party is reclaiming lost grounds from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said the party’s influence is rapidly growing with the unstoppable PDP campaign train moving around the country ahead of the February 14 presidential election.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Tony Amadi, Mu’azu said after just six major stops in Lagos, Enugu, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Osogbo and Ado Ekiti in the heart of the South West, the party is reclaiming lost territories from the opposition All Progressives Congress.

“We have sent a strong message that Continuity is the best option for Nigeria so that the great works of the Peoples Democratic Party’s federal and state administrations will lead us to the Promised Land.

“Our message to the youth of this country is that the PDP is the only party in this election which can make their future greater than what it is – creating and securing jobs for them, giving them sound training as we have done in the past four years and empowering them through the You Win programme and other job creating strategies we have set out.

“We are also making the people aware of the lies making the rounds at APC rallies across the country. They say they will fix the roads of the South East and reopen the Coal Corporation mines and energise coal power for elec-

tricity.

“Have they told Nigerians how much it will cost? How will the money be sourced? You can only make a promise you can fulfill, for the days of empty promises are truly over.”

He said PDP will not sit idly while the APC is getting away with “telling cheap lies to gullible people who have no way of knowing that they are merely making empty promises.”

He continued: “We tell it as it is; what we have done and what we intend to do when we get a second term for the president.

We have hit the campaign road running and will tell the people the truth on the ground. By next week after rounding up the South East cities of Abakaliki, Umuahia, Owerri and Awka, the people of Nigeria will know that the devil you know is far better than the

angel you don’t know.

“For 15 years, the PDP has worked the Nigerian political terrain perfectly, deepened democracy to the point that freedom is embedded in all of us and we are not going to return to another bout of dictatorship of the 70s and 80s where progress is stunted with visionless leadership forced on us. Nigerians enjoy real freedom under President Jonathan, a situation the APC cannot maintain if they win.

“That is why people abuse President Jonathan in Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere without the secret Police looking for them.

“The PDP will continue to show the light for the people to find their way under the leadership of President Jonathan who have done enough to deserve the continuation of the transformation of Nigeria until 2019”.

NEWS 5

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Jonathan Blames Politicians, Clerics, Others For Crises

By Geoge Agba, Bode Gbadebo And Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

Leading candidates for the February 14 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) along with 12 other candidates entered into a peace agreement now known as ‘Abuja Accord’ that commits all of them and their respective political parties to peace before and after the forthcoming presidential election.

The accord, which has four stipulated conditions, was signed by all the candidates present along with their party chairmen in the presence of development partners and members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria.

The event, tagged “2015 General Elections Sensitization Workshop on Non-Violence,” was jointly organised by the office of the national security adviser (NSA) and office of the special adviser to the president on inter-party affairs at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja yesterday.

President Jonathan, however, used the occasion to call on politicians to stop the use of foul language during their campaigns. He also adduced reasons other than electoral malpractices as being the cause of post-election violence, especially the one that followed the 2011 presidential poll.

He said that inflammatory statements from politicians, instigations by religious leaders and provocative pronouncements by ethnic leaders were to blame for election-related violence and not necessarily electoral malpractices.

He illustrated the case of Bauchi State in the 2011 where 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps were killed in post-election violence even though he won only 15 per cent of the votes. And in Kano State where he won only 16 per cent votes, houses and other property of his supporters were burnt.

“So, violence is not necessarily caused by electoral malpractices,” he concluded.

The president also pointed out that certain mistakes done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were capable of sending the wrong signals to Nigerians about the credibility of the polls. Another factor, he noted, was a weak system which allows people of questionable character to join politics.

Accordingly, he warned INEC to ensure that the technology it is deploying for the 2015 elections is not liable to manipulation by anyone or group of persons.

He also implored the electoral body to ensure that all eligible Nigerians collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the day of the elections, warning that if it failed to do so, it could also spark off violence since some people may

claim they were disenfranchised.

Jonathan said, “The emphasis here is electoral violence, not electoral malpractices. With electoral malpractices, the courts can help to some extent but there is nothing the courts can do about electoral violence.

If a property is burnt, it is burnt. If you identify the person, yes, he can go in for arson charges. It is often difficult convicting people.

“If you look at the history of election in this country, for people of my age and above, we were told that there was electoral violence by the people of south west, and that violence led to the collapse of the First Republic.

“In the Second Republic which I was old enough to observe as a student, we noticed that at the beginning, political parties, the key actors, were even relating. After the elections, governors from different parties were even relating, but as the second round of elections were coming on board, the behaviour changed and people started insulting one another. I remember a particular day I was worried because as President Shehu Shagari was approaching one state, even the commentators on the radio were abusing him.

Jonathan warned that when politicians start abusing one another and insulting every institution, it could cause the democratic system to collapse.

On how to avoid violence in 2015, the president said politicians, religious and tribal leaders must be prudent in their utterances, even as he advocated a return to the old system whereby office seekers were subjected to screening by the security agencies rather than political parties.

“My conviction is that we must avoid provocative statements and stop threatening ourselves. One other thing that we need to rethink is the issue of clearing candidates by the intelligence agencies.

“When we came on board in 1999, candidates were cleared by the DSS and if you were linked to any kind of violent behaviour, or cultism, you would not be cleared. But later, the National Assembly changed this, saying that the parties should screen and clear candidates,” he said, even as he asserted that his party lacked the ability to do so.

“I belong to the ruling party; even in the PDP, we do not have the capacity to screen our candidates at that level. The only competent body that can do that is the DSS. Since then (when DSS stopped, and political parties started, carrying out the exercise) all kinds of character contest elections,” he said.

“For example, if a cultist takes a ticket to contest the chairmanship of a local government, you cannot stop him ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100

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promise for increased life span and other quality-ofhealth measurements such as increased energy, healthier skin, and reduction in age spots. You can now take nucleic acids in supplement form or simply load up on nucleic acid-rich food such as sardines, mushrooms, asparagus, wheat germ, salmon, and spinach.

FG Targets $68.1bn Fresh FDI From 8 Free Zones FROM FRONT PAGE

assessing requests.

Kuye, who spoke to journalists in Abuja yesterday, said the investments attracted already, and the incoming ones that had been sealed, provided a solid foundation for a stronger economy and greatly improved standard of living for Nigerians.

He stated, “Based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for assessing Free Zone requests, the president approved the following: Centenary City Free Zone (Business and Tourism Destination), with expected investment of about $18bn; Ogogoro Industrial Park, Lagos (oil and gas activities) $160m; and the Nigeria International Commerce City, Lagos, (formerly Eko Atlantic City), $38bn.

“Others are Badagry Creek Industrial Park, Lagos, $1.3bn; Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Free Zone, $25.5m; Dangote Refinery/ Petrochemical Park, $9bn; Lekki Deep Sea Port (under Lagos Free Trade Zone) $1.4bn, and Samsung Heavy Industries and Mega Construction Integrated FZE (under LADOL Free Zone), $300m.”

The managing director added that NEZPA was currently at advanced stages for the approval of the proposed Kogi Industrial Park and was also presently consulting with the Cross Rivers State government on the establishment of an Automotive Industrial Cluster in the state.

“This is sequel to a bilateral relation agreement between Nigeria and Japan, where Japan has proposed to help develop an auto industrial cluster in Calabar. This is being done in conjunction with the National Automotive Council. Consultations are

also ongoing for the revamping of the Idu Industrial Area located in Abuja,” he stated.

Kuye noted that since he assumed office in 2013, the agency had undergone a massive transformation characterised by the restructuring of its organogram to reflect the new NEPZA “which is to be driven largely by in-depth research and excellent investor relations.”

He said, “In order to complement the directives of the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in putting in place a robust methodology for assessing investors’ applications for Free Zone status and a rigorous method of process engineering to enhance efficiency and productivity, we have been able to reduce the delays which usually characterised the operations of the Authority.

“A major characteristic of the old NEPZA was the frosty relationship the Authority had with other regulatory agencies. The feud, which had hitherto engulfed the management of NEPZA and some other agencies, has been laid to rest while NEPZA staff members are more equipped for their jobs than ever before with competitive staff welfare packages.”

He noted that the need to review the NEPZA Act CAP N107 LFN 2004 also became imperative as the Act hampered the full realisation of the Authority’s mandate and also hampered the Authority from taking its place as an industrialisation agency in line with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan.

“In view of this, the Agency has embarked on the review of the Act which is currently at the National Assembly with a view to amending it and getting it passed as soon as possible,” he said.

6 news extra 2015 Budget Scales Second Reading In Senate, Reps The Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday passed for a second reading the 2015 Appropriation Act just as senators described the critical parameters upon which the N4.357trillion 2015 budget estimates were based by the executive as unrealistic.

The Senate consequently referred it to the Committee of Finance and Appropriation for further legislative work and expected back in plenary in four weeks. The budget proposal was hinged on the speculated $65 oil price benchmark, projected oil production of 2.2782 million barrel per day and average exchange rate of N165 to a US dollar.

Lawmakers in wide ranging contributions faulted the parameters being projected by the executive.

Leading the debate Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba ( SAN) explained that out of the N4.357 trillion budget, N2.616trillion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, N627billion for capital expenditure, N943billion for debt servicing and N411.8million .

Senator Ndoma-Egba further stated that the budget estimates is predicated on oil benchmark of $65 per barrel and oil production of 2.2782 million barrels per day.

Read more on LEADERSHIP online

By Adesuwa Tsan and Jonathan NdaIsaiah, Abuja

Stella Oduah, Andy Ubah, Others Not In INEC List Of Senatorial Candidates

Former minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, serving senator Andy Ubah were some of the senatorial candidates whose names did not appear in the senatorial list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The senatorial primaries in Anambra State were characterised by confusion resulting in preelection disputes in which a court order directed that the faction led by Ejike Oguebego should conduct the primaries.

As such, in Anambra North, John Okechukwu Emeka emerged as a candidate through a court order. Same applied for Okonkwo Annie Clement, for Anambra Central and Ubah Chukwunedum Chris, in Anambra South.

This comes as former governor of the Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, was listed as the senatorial candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) for Abia North.

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Thursday, January 15, 2015

L-R: Chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu; President Goodluck Jonathan; minister of defence, Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd) and chief of army staff, Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah, at the inauguration of cenotaph at the National Cemetery in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Twitter War: I’m Not Above Nigeria – Jonathan

By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja

As twitter war intensifies ahead of the forthcoming February 14 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said, he is not above Nigeria.

Jonathan, who stated this yesterday in a twitter post by his special assistant on new media, Reno Omokri, through the Twitter handle @renoomokri, cautioned religious leaders against inciting their followers.

The president tweeted with the hashtag #GEJonNonviolence, stressed that such instigating preaching threatens the nation’s unity and insisted that it must stop from all quarters.

The president who lamented the 2011 post-election violence which engulfed some parts of the country and led to the killing of 10 corps members and the wanton destruction of lives and prop-

erties, said the struggle to rule is not a struggle to conquer.

The tweet reads, “At the end of elections we don’t need to kill people and have their houses burnt” #GEJonNonviolence “10 youth corpers who were involved in the elections were slaughtered” #GEJonNonviolence “Some religious leaders preach hate and instigate their followers”- #GEJonNonviolence “Hate preaching instigating crisis, threatening each other, we all must stop it”-President Jonathan #GEJonNonviolence.

“The struggle to rule is not a struggle to conquer”-President Jonathan #GEJonNonviolence.

“INEC needs to come out in very clear terms to promise all Nigerians that they would vote”President Jonathan #GEJonNonviolence.

“Nigeria will not end”-President Jonathan #GEJonNonviolence.

“The law passed by the NASS that it is the political parties that screen; it has not worked and it will not work. Goodluck Jonathan is not above Nigeria.” #GEJonNonviolence.

“In 2011 at the Appeal Court 7 justices heard and 7 justices upheld the elections” #GEJonNonviolence.

“In 2011 at the Supreme Court 7 Justice heard the matter and 7 justices upheld the elections” #GEJonNonviolence.

“I thank General Buhari and the chairman of the APC my big uncle, John”-President Jonathan #GEJonNonviolence.

Buhari Performed Better Than Jonathan - Saraki Former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, has faulted the claims of President Jonathan on his performance, insisting that the figures did not match.

Saraki, who stated this yester-

day in his tweet via his Twitter handle @bukolasaraki, with the hashtag #FactcheckGEJ, queried why fuel pump price remained high despite the falling oil prices at the international market.

According to him, the president’s promise to do everything humanly possible to end violence, has not been matched with action.

He said, Buhari’s achievement in two years on road construction and rehabilitation in his PTF days, was twice better than Jonathan’s claimed achievement in six years.

Saraki was a two term government under the PDP and a senator of the PDP before his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year.

The tweets read, “#FactcheckGEJ if truly president GEJ has improved power, how come almost N1 billion is still in the budget to fuel villa generators?

Northern Elders Endorse Buhari For Presidency, Vow To Resist Interim Govt

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

Ahead of the February 14 presidential election, the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) said it is throwing its weight behind All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the group they are backing Buhari for the presidency because he is a better candidate when compared to President Goodluck Jonathan to move the nation forward.

The elders, however, warned against any attempt to form interim government as being

canvassed by some element in the country, saying that any design to disenfranchise Nigerians in next month’s elections, would be rejected.

While addressing newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, the secretary of the NEF and former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University(ABU), Zaria, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, appealed to Nigerians to support the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidency.

He said a vote for Buhari/Osinbajo would end the fear, impunity and destitution characterised by the Jonathan administration in the country.

“The Northern Elders Fo-

rum has welcomed the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate who has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“Our endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, in the same manner Nigerians from all parts of the country are supporting his candidature, is based on our belief that he and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo have the integrity, commitment and experience to resolve our security problems, fight corruption and fix our economy.

“We welcome the overwhelming nation-wide support they are enjoying, and we appeal to all Nigerians to support them to a victory that will end fear, impunity and destitution in our land.”

Speaking further, Professor Abdullahi averred that they were aware of a planned Interim National Government being muted in some quarters, warning that “such illegal arrangement” should not be allowed to truncate the February elections. According to him, the February election must hold under most secure and peaceful conditions possible.

news NATIONAL 7

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Katsina Youths To Defend Shema’s Legacies - Gambarawa Youths in Katsina State have vowed to support and defend Governor Ibrahim Shema and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the forthcoming elections, the leader of Youth Clubs and Association, Mal. Ayyuba Gambarawa has said.

Gambarawa spoke to newsmen in Kaduna after a meeting of all youth leaders of the group in Katsina where they deliberated on issues bordering on the forthcoming elections.

He said that on account of the tremendous achievements of Shema’s administration in the past years, they have vowed to throw their unflinching support and loyalty to him as well as the PDP.

By Millie Ibe, Abuja

Jonathan’s Govt Is Corrupt-Asari

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has said that corruption in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is endemic, although it does not stop him from supporting his administration.

The former militant leader also threatened war on any successor of Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that fails to probe his administration.

Dokubo-Asari spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt while fielding questions shortly after attending a town hall meeting organised by NDPVF, in conjunction with the Niger Delta People Salvation Front (NDPSF).

He queried why people should be blaming Jonathan for all the country’s woes, pointing out that the country has over 800 governments, made up of 774 local government areas, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NDPVF leader said, “We

have over 800 governments in Nigeria. There are 774 local government areas, 36 states and Abuja.

Is Jonathan governing all of them?

Is there no corruption in Rivers State? Corruption is high in the states controlled by the All Progressives Congress.”

The ex-Niger Delta agitator frowned at the politicians castigating Jonathan on corruption, stressing that failure of Amaechi’s successor to probe him would be hellish.

On the forthcoming general elections, the warlord declared,

“We condemn in its totality act of violence against our own people.

There is no need for Kalabari-Kalabari violence, Ikwerre-Ikwerre violence, Ogoni-Ogoni violence, Okrika-Okrika violence. There is no need for Itsekiri-Itsekiri violence, Urhobo-Urhobo violence, BayelsaBayelsa violence. There is no need and no basis for it.

“What we are saying is that our people will work amicably among ourselves. We will vote Goodluck Jonathan come February 14. We will vote Goodluck Jonathan.

short news

Stop Heating Up The Polity, Tukur Tells Politicians

2015 Election Not About Religion-Wada The governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada has said that the 2015 presidential election must be based on previous track records saying that there is no reason for voting along religious line.

The governor who stated this yesterday at the Government House Lokoja while addressing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)stakeholders stressed the need for all party members to work for the victory of PDP in all the elections.

He said because of the complex nature of the composition of Nigeria, there is always the need for Muslim/Christian ticket, saying that this must not be misunderstood to mean that one must vote for the candidate of any political party.

While warning some appointees who may want to engage in anti-party activities in what ever form to desist, Wada maintained that President Jonathan has delivered on his promises to the people of Kogi state.

By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

General Polls: Adamawa Christian Youths Turn Spiritual A coalition of youths from various Christian denominations in Adamawa State have sought the face of God for peaceful general elections in the state.

Speaking at the occasion yesterday in Yola, the national youth coordinator of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Kadzai, said the occasion was to create awareness among the youths on the need to desist from political thuggery.

He called on the youth to make use of their numerical strength to usher in good governance by ensuring that they vote credible candidates in the February polls.

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

Stranded commuters waiting to board vehicles to work at Nyanya Bus-stop in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Feb 14 Poll: APC Woos PDP Stalwarts In Edo

By Juliet Alohan, Abuja

Ahead of the February 2015 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun wooing stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State with a view to ensuring landslide victory for its presidential flag bearer, General Muhamadu Buhari.

To this end, Kwankwasiyya Nigeria, a group led by the executive governor of Kano State, and former presidential aspirant in APC, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday paid a visit to the former chief of staff to the Edo State government under the Osunbor administation, Hon. Isaiah

Osifo, to woo and plead with him to join the APC in Edo State.

The visit to Osifo, a former senatorial aspirant under the PDP who is considered a mass mobiliser, was led by the Kwankwasiyya Nigeria, national coordinator, Southern Mandate and senior special assistant to Edo State government on Inter Party Relations, Comrade Ikonomwan Francis.

In a statement signed and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday by Francis, the group told Osifo that the party recognises his political capacity and sagacity in ensuring that APC had an over whelming victory over the PDP in Edo State.

It would be recalled that Edo State was

one of the states where the PDP recorded victory in the 2011 presidential elections despite having an APC governor.

Francis said the group have KwanKwaso’s mandate to work assiduously and ensure victory for the APC in next month’s elections by reaching out to selected stalwarts of the PDP like Osifo to ensure the goal is achieved.

“Edo State is very dear to the heart of our principal, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso being that the national chairman of APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun is from Edo State. Our principal has put in place a mechanism to ensure that his followers and supporters across the country.

Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday cautioned political actors and political parties against making inflammatory statements, noting that there is no need to heat up the polity ahead of next month’s general elections.

The charge

by Tukur comes as political parties and their presidential candidates signed peace pact yesterday for peaceful poll.

Tukur, who spoke with newsmen at his residence in Abuja, urged politicians to caution their supporters at all times to be decent and law abiding.

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Rivers: Amaechi’s Govt Neglected Ogoniland – Wike

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, has accused the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of neglecting Ogoniland in the area of basic amenities.

He said that it was a wicked act for the state government to de-

liberately refuse to provide potable drinking water, electricity and good roads for the people of Ogoni, who the governor claims to love.

Wike spoke yesterday at Mogho community in Gokana local government area of the state, during the campaign rally of the PDP. He said, “PDP government is not like the APC government. It is unfortunate that a government that has been there for almost eight

years could not give water to the Ogoni people.

“They claim that they love Ogoni people, yet, they refused to provide light to Ogoniland. It is an act of wickedness for the government to deliberately refuse to provide good roads.”

He urged the people of Gokana to vote massively for the PDP in the February general elections, saying that if elected he will pro-

vide all those basic amenities the APC government denied them.

Katsina Youths To Defend Shema’s Legacies - Gambarawa Youths in Katsina state have vowed to support and defend the personality of Governor Ibrahim Shema and the peoples Democratic Party PDP across the state ahead of forthcoming elections, The Leer of Youth clubs and association, Mal. Ayyuba Gambarawa has said.

8 NEWS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Jonathan Blames Politicians, Clerics, Others For Crises FROM PAGE 5

because there is no structure to do so, but before this time they were stopped”.

Jonathan further called for a change in the laws that will eliminate the winner-takesall practice in executive and parliamentary elections, which makes politicians and their agents turn desperate and violent.

Fingering religious and ethnic leaders as being part of the electoral problems, he said, “They preach hate preaching to instigate their followers to be confrontational and sometimes label some people or candidates as the enemies of their faith, either Islam or other religions.

We always tend to follow what they say, so their enemies must be fought.

“The other factor is the pronouncements of ethnic or tribal leaders. Some of them make provocative statements that are very inflammatory as if they want to divide the country.”

Urging INEC to ensure that all eligible Nigerians collect their Permanent Voter Cards before election day, the president said: “If some people do not have their PVCs, the conclusion is that, from the beginning, INEC wants to rig the election and there is the tendency for this to lead to violence. I have told INEC that they must make sure that every eligible Nigerian is able to vote.”

Calling for the amendment of the electoral laws, he said, “We need to rejig our laws in a way that will not encourage violence.

If you look at the presidential system we borrowed, we lack the technology, so I believe that the key thing is not just about violence in 2015 election, but how do we make sure that, from 2019, electoral violence if basically reduced in this country.

“If we must end violence, we continue with this method;

Jega

we will just be talking and talking and nothing can be done. The idea in Nigeria that in Parliamentary election, the winner takes all is a problem,” Jonathan said.

Meanwhile, to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Buhari, electoral malpractices were responsible as he recalled that when he was poised to win the 2007 presidential election, INEC’s computers were programmed to cut his votes by 40-60 per cent.

Speaking at the event, Buhari said the manipulation was discovered when agents of his party compared results obtained in the field with what was available on INEC computers.

“In 2011, from two states in the northern part of the country, we were lucky to get competent party agents.

When results started coming in from some of the big states, we tried to get the results that were announced, that were physically brought to the INEC headquarters in Abuja. Then we compared the results against the INEC results, and put it in the computer. What came out was that the presidential candidate of that party was programmed to lose 40% of its scores.

“When it was done in another state, it 60% or it was 26%. The agents made a presentation and showed it to them (INEC

officials). Of course, INEC officials in charge of the states must be computer literate; we showed them: ‘This is what we got from the field’; we put it into your computer, and the computer had been programmed to discount us by 26%’.

“They said OK. They said yes, let the party write. The party wrote, quoting the example.

We were even assured by INEC that they would look into it. The next thing we saw was the result being announced that we had lost that election.

He also insinuated that the judges were not fair in some of their judgements.

“In 2011,” he continued, “I said that I, as presidential candidate, would not go to court, but I made sure my party went to court. We spent about nine months, and again it was the same story. There’s no way the ruling party would lose judgement.

“In 2011, some of you know that retired Justice Ayo Salami headed the tribunal for the presidential candidates, which starts from the high court, and again we made our presentation that in a number of states the election was not conducted according to electoral act. The states were mentioned, and we demanded the register to be brought to court to prove our case.

“The panel looked at it and they wrote INEC to produce it. It was not produced. Justice Salami was redeployed. Another justice was brought who reversed that decision; that has become history.”

Buhari wondered why before every general election, there must be a new Electoral Act, as was the case in 2002 for the 2003 election, in 2006 for the 2007 election, in 2010 for the 2011 election, adding that in December, he expected another Electoral Act for this year’s election, but that has not been the case.

Soldiers Repel Boko Haram Attack On Biu, Kill Dozens

By Kareem Haruna, Maiduguri

Soldiers of the Nigeria Army in Borno State yesterday triumphantly walked over corpses of slain Boko Haram terrorists after a heated gun battle between them and the insurgents at a village near Biu town, security sources said.

Boko Haram had early yesterday morning attacked the towns of Yimirshika, Shaffa and Azare but did not see victims to kill as the residents had fled after learning of the impending invasion.

The terrorists, according to a spokesman of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Muhammed Gava, who were disappointed by the situation, decided to march on towards Biu town, driving in two trucks, but they were killed to the last man by soldiers who lay in ambush for

Politicians, Greatest Threat To Nigeria’s Democracy – Kukah

By Kunle olasanmi, Abuja

Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev Hassan Kukah, has identified politicians as the greatest threat to the country’s democratic enterprise.

Bishop Kukah, who made this comment yesterday while speaking at a workshop on the forthcoming general election, organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, warned politicians not to derail the country’s democracy.

He said, “There is the need to make the point that the greatest threat posed to our democracy is posed by the composition of the political class. The political space has been occupied by very many undemocratic and undisciplined people; people who have continued to threaten the very foundations of the existence of our democracy.”

Kukah noted that no matter

Counter-Terrorism Operations: Jonathan Urges Military To Weed Out Saboteurs

BY BODE GBADEBO, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the military high command to identify the officers and soldiers that are loyal to the country and as well remove those that are sabotaging the ongoing counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations in the North-East.

Jonathan stated this yesterday at the unveiling and commissioning of the National Cenotaph at the National Military Cemetery located along the Airport road in Abuja.

He assured that government

would always remember those who have served the country meritoriously especially the military and para-military officers who had paid the supreme price in order for the country to be in peace.

“I am not saying there are no black legs among us. There are definitely few cases where some people exhibit behaviour that is a bit abhorrent, not expected of them to do so.

“It is the duty of the officers to detect those who are committed to this country early enough, so that those who would create problem for them, those who would betray

others and lead to massive death of officers and men when they are in operations are removed from service earlier enough. If we are able to filter among ourselves and we are able to identify those people, they may be deployed in different ways,” Jonathan said.

The president added that the cenotaph project was dear to him, explaining that it was kind of a memorial for the remembrance of Nigeria’s past heroes. This is coming a day before the annual Armed Forces Remembrance day today where wreaths will be laid in honour of the fallen heroes.

He therefore commended

them.

Gava narrated what happened: “After failing to achieve their evil mission in Yimirshika, Shaffa, Azare villages of Hawul local government area, they decided to drive towards Biu, but unknown to them, the soldiers in Biu Barracks, who had mobilized, waited in ambush in Azare where they engaged them with heavy shootout that left not a single one of them alive.”

The source said the two Toyota Hilux vans the insurgents came in and other assault rifles were recovered by the military.

A top security officer in Maiduguri who spoke to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press confirmed the report.

the Nigerian armed forces and other security operatives for all their effort in ensuring that the country remained one.

Earlier, the chief of defence staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said the sacrifices being made by the men and women in uniform were in line with the oath taken to defend the country against internal and external aggressions and specifically like the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

Badeh said that the cenotaph will serve as a symbol of the gratitude of Nigeria and Nigerians to the officers for their sacrifices.

how well prepared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies might be, these characters are hellbent on foisting their undemocratic tendencies on the system.

At the occasion tagged “National Workshop on Countdown to the 2015 Elections, with the subtheme: Are Nigerians Ready? Kukah pointed out the challenges that all stakeholders in the electoral system must watch out for.

“Our preparedness will be based on identifying some criminal tendencies like rigging, disenfranchisement of the electorate, various strategies of manipulating the system, and the connivance of officials associated with the electoral process,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the NBA’s Committee on Voter Education and Mobilisation, Chief Joseph Daudu, lamented the resort to violence by politicians in the course of campaigning.

He condemned the recent shooting of innocent returnees from political rallies in Port Harcourt as well as the burning of opponents’ vehicles and houses in the country, urging political office seekers to recognize the rights of opponents.

In a welcome address, the NBA president, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, admonished the electorate to resist the allure of gift items from politicians. He said Nigerians needed a serious government that would move the country forward.

“We need a government that can attend to our needs, address our insecurity challenges. How we determine the coming elections will determine our fate in the next four years,” the NBA president stated.

news south-west 9

Thursday, January 15, 2015

We’re Duly Registered- ASUSS The Ekiti State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) yesterday insisted that the body has met all constitutional requirements to be registered as a union.

The body while reacting to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) petition to Governor Ayodele Fayose to derecognise the union said its members should not be punished for opting out of the NUT. The ASUSS chairman in the state, Comrade Sola Adigun while speaking with newsmen yesterday, described the NUT chairman, Comrade Samuel Akosile’s petition to the governor that the union was not properly registered, as signs that NUT members are uninformed.

On the allegation that the union was out to cause confusion for Governor Fayose, Adigun said, “As at July, 2008, the members of the body was more than 4,000, which was supported by section 3 subsection 1 of the Trade Union Act that recommended only 50 members can register as a union”.

Flaunting several documents to back his claim that ASUSS was duly registered as a trade union by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Adigun described Akosile’s request as selfish and laced with hypocrisy.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

SDP Accuses APC Of Neglecting Rural Areas In Ogun Ogun State chapter of Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state of neglecting rural areas.

This accusation was made by the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Senator Akin Odunsi, at the party’s mega rally held yesterday, at the Ake Palace Ground, in Abeokuta.

Odunsi maintained that there is no evidence of governance in all the rural areas of the state.

The rally had in attendance two chieftains of Afenifere, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the party and former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba, eight current members of the National Assembly who recently dumped APC for SDP among others.

Odunsi revealed a 7-point programme which included integrated rural development and agriculture; qualitative education; integrated power project; creation of friendly and conducive environment for industrialists towards industrialisation and employment creation.

By Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti

Artisans, Tradesmen Drum Support For Folarin

By Adebayo Waheed, Ibadan

The over 80 tradesmen and artisans’ associations in Oyo State have expressed their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin in the forthcoming election.

The president of the group, Alhaji Hamzat Yusau Kolayode while addressing members in Ibadan yesterday, said the former Senate Leader deserve their support considering his antecedents.

Kolayode who recalled that Folarin had

been of assistance to the associations, said if elected, he would empower them more.

According to him, the PDP governorship candidate will provide them with necessary tools that could sustain them on the job.

They argued that Folarin have always had the masses and artisans at heart, saying “he will always support us for better Oyo State.”

“Artisans will be more productive as he will put in place policies that will support us in whatever we do,” he added.

Meanwhile, the governorship can-

didate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, has assured the people of Oyo State of better days in 2015 and beyond.

Folarin’s director of Media and Strategy, Victor Oluwadamilare, in a statement urged the state’s residents not to despair in the face of daunting economic and social challenges, noting that “with a concerted effort, determination and synergy between the people and a government with a human face, the New Year holds a lot of promise.

L-R: General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; director, University of Ibadan (UI) zoological garden, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji and vice chancellor, UI, Prof Isaac Adewole, at the commissioning of newly upgraded UI Zoological Garden, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN.

Osun: Tension Mounts As Supporters Destroy Billboards Of Rival Candidates

By JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

The senator representing Osun Central senatorial district in the Senate, Prof.

Sola Adeyeye, yesterday condemned the destruction of billboards and defacing of campaign posters by unknown people in Osun State.

He particularly accused supporters of the opposition candidate in the district of defacing his billboards and

equally condemned his supporters who also defaced campaign posters of PDP candidates across Osogbo, the state capital.

People of Osogbo woke up yesterday to find campaign posters and billboards of Prof Adeyeye of All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the senatorial district, Dr. Daisi Aina destroyed by unknown people.

Campaign posters and billboards of both politicians in Aiyetoro, Odi Olowo and Olaiya areas in Osogbo were defaced thereby creating tension in the state capital.

Reacting to the development during a chat with newsmen in Osogbo, Prof Adeyeye described the development as “reprehensible and irrational”, saying politics should be approached with decorum.

short news Amosun Backs Reps Over Use Of TVCs Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun has supported the call by the House of Representatives that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should allow voters to use Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs), if Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are not ready before the February polls.

He said this yesterday at Atapele Ward in Imeko Afon local government during his re-election campaign tour to the area.

The governor submitted that considering the hitches that have trailed the distribution of PVC, INEC should reason with Nigerians by allowing the TVC. “My position is that I will support anything that would enable all our people to cast their votes.

If they are able to distribute the permanent voter cards, that would be the best scenario.”

“But in a scenario where we are still waiting for the Permanent Voter Cards, and people have not been able to receive them, then they should look into the possibility of making sure that everybody can vote.”

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Don’t Militarise Elections, Aregbesola Warns Jonathan

by JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has warned President Goodluck Jonathan against militarisation of the forthcoming elections to avoid violence.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Presidential Committee on

Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) on proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria in collaboration with the Osun State government, Aregbesola said all registered political parties should be given a level playing ground.

Aregbesola who was represented by his deputy chief of staff, Mr. Gbenga Adebusuyi while

speaking on the theme: “Ballot Without Bullets”, said “If we all want ballots and not bullets, there must be a level playing field for all the political parties.

“We are on the march again.

Elections are here. The state must also de-escalate and demilitarise elections. If we take out these two factors, we will be able to clean our streets and com-

munities of small arms and light weapons. Then, our elections will be free of violence.”

Aregbesola who recalled that the recently concluded August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state was conducted with lots of impunity, said “The heavy deployment of the military to the state before, during and after the election was criminal and absurd.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

10

Thursday, January 15, 2015

OUR ISSUE WITH MAJ. GEN. MOHAMMADU BUHARI’S QUALIFICATION 1. Qualification to contest election is a constitutional and a threshold matter by virtue of S.131 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) that cannot be waived for anybody except as provided by the constitution 2. It is also a statutory requirement for political parties and candidates. see S. 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

3. It is immaterial whether a person has the qualifications he/she listed on the INEC Form. What is required of all candidates is to present photocopies of the relevant certificates for the scrutiny of constituents and that is why INEC is mandated to display all the particulars and sworn affidavits.

See S.31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

4. Rather than do that, Gen. Buhari is asking INEC or whoever cares to go and see the Secretary of the Military board.

5. Why this defiance and arrogance to the laws of the land and national institutions like INEC. Why should someone seeking the highest office of the land treat the public with this level of disdain?

6. As it is today, Gen. Buhari has no document submitted to INEC for verification other than the INEC form CF001 he filled and a sworn court affidavit all of which are documents of INEC and the court respectively. He has not attached any qualification document to his nomination form with respect to the February 14th presidential election, contrary to the prescription of s. 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (AS Amended).

7. Is it right and expected that someone who is seeking employment directs those who are about to employ him to go looking for his credentials?

8. What documents Gen. Buhari been presenting to INEC in his 3 previous participations? Is he suggesting that after each of the elections, he returned his documents to the Secretary of the Military Board? - Doesn’t he have copies of his credentials?

9. Given that the time under the law for substitution of candidates ended on the 30th of December, 2014 should we suspend or amend the provision of section 131 of the Constitution because a big man, a special and very privileged candidate wants to contest the election. The world is watching and would like to see how this matter would be resolved.

Signed

CHUkWUEMEkA OkAFOR Coalition for Compliance with Election Laws 5D Quality Homes Estate Kuje, Abuja

43

Thursday, January 15, 2015

business

NEWS/BUSINESS 11

N151.10

Amount of money per share at which Dangote Cement closed at the close of trading on Tuesday

Falling Oil price: $1trn Market Capitalisation Unrealisable – NSE Boss

BY OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has said that its $1 trillion market capitalisation by 2016 would no longer be possible.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, stated this during the 2014 market recap and outlook for 2015, yesterday, in Lagos.

The NSE boss said the $1 trillion target by 2016 across five assets classes will no longer be possible to meet due to the current situation of the market.

Looking at the market

capitalisation as at January 14, 2014, which stood at N9.514 trillion, it will take the NSE N173.486 trillion to reach a target of $1 trillion (N183 trillion) in 2016. According to him, “We believe that our new strategy, up to 2019, has more realistic targets and those targets are really based on meeting three objectives.”

He noted that in 2015, the exchange will focus on delivering several initiatives in support of its revised strategy.

“Key amongst these initiatives is to promote the Nigerian capital market as an African hub for

growth companies, attract more domestic flows into the market, implement a more competitive price structure in conjunction with the regulator and other market participants, and intensify its efforts towards developing a more sustainable market,” he said.

Recapping 2014, Onyema said bearish sentiments prevailed for most of the year as foreign investors steadily withdrew from the Nigerian market due to currency risk, the recovery of developed economies, and the effects of the United States (US) Federal Reserve tapering of its

quantitative easing policy.

“Several macroeconomic developments also contributed to the decline in market performance. These were fall in crude oil prices and related pressure on the naira; the impact of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s monetary policy changes introduced at various points throughout the year; Nigeria’s declining foreign reserves; festering insurgency in the nation; uncertainty around the upcoming 2015 elections; and weak corporate earnings,” he added.

BUSINESS QUOTE The difference between a topflight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

Vance Packard, writer (1914-96)

Declining Oil Price, Election hemorrhage Stock Market

BY Olushola Bello, Lagos

The Nigerian capital market has continued to react to the current economic situation in the country: the declining of oil price and the looming general election activities as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE-ASI) went down by 3.84 per cent or 1,149.25 points to close at 28,740.61 from the 29,889.86 points achieved on Tuesday.

Similarly, market capitalisation shed N382 billion to close at N9.514 trillion as against the N9.896 trillion posted on Tuesday.

Dangote Cement recorded the highest price loss of N15.30 to close at N151.10 per share, Seplat lost N3.96 to close at N301.11 and Julius Berger dropped N2.46 to close at N44.49 per share.

Guinness shed N1.98 to close at N128 per share while Ashaka Cement lost N1.88 to

close at N20.45. Beta Glass chalked up by N1.40 to close at N30 while Union Dicon rose by 66 kobo to close at N13.92 per share.

Conversely, Forte Oil led the gainers’ by N4.49 to close at N227 per share and was trailed by Presco with a gain of N2.70 to close at N29.70 while PZ Cussons appreciated

by N2.52 to close at N27.21 per share.

Meanwhile, the total transaction traded went up by 49.22 per cent as investors bought 488.623 million shares valued at N3.82 billion in 5,151 deals as against 327.454 million shares valued at N3.61 billion traded in 4,530 deals on Tuesday.

According to analysts from Heritage Capital Market Limited, from all indications, the market is yet to recover from the downward trend since the unhealthy economic L-R: Managing director, Vodacom Nigeria, Mr Guy Clarke and group managing director/chief executive officer (CEO), UBA status of the nation has not Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza during the presentation of a certificate of recognition to UBA as Nigeria’s first Vodafone Global Enterprise customer in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA changed.

DPR To Revoke Licences Of Non-performing Oil Fields

by Chika Izuora, Lagos

The federal government may revoke the licences of the operators of non performing or idle fields, especially the marginal field owners, in March this year.

The country has 315 oil fields in total but out of this number, only 218 are currently productive with about 97 oil fields lying idle.

This is despite dwindling production

figures and falling oil prices which has put a lot of pressure on the national economy.

The director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr George Osahon, blamed infrastructural deficiency, insecurity and communal unrest, ownership and partnership problems, contracting and procurement issues, and technology deficit as the major factors stalling the development of most of the oil fields. Worried by the

falling oil and gas reserves, the DPR recently developed short and mediumterm strategies to boost the reserves, even as there are also long-term strategies targeted at sustaining the reserves.

The upstream arm of the Nigerian petroleum industry has 85 operating companies but only 33 are production entities, according to figures obtained from the DPR. The country currently has 2,800 oil

producing wells with the number of flow stations/plants put at 130. The DPR also puts the amount of oil blocks awarded at 170 of which 68 have Oil Prospecting Licences while 102 are Oil Mining Leases.

The agency also plans to undertake more seismic data coverage for better regional and basinal studies, and drilling of exploration wells in the short to medium term. It said it was working towards active exploration

drilling and drilling for deeper players in the short to medium term. To sustain the reserves, it hopes to implement enhanced recovery methods for the short, medium and long terms and also achieve unitisation of non-straddled reservoirs in the short to medium run.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

12 NEWS/BUSINESS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Meristem, Four Others Account For 51% Trade On NSE FG, Capital Market Operators

BY Friday Atufe, Lagos

Data obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has shown that five top stocbroking firms accounted for 51 per cent equity transactions valued N1.362 trillion in 2014.

The companies are Stanbic IBTC Stockbroking Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Rencap Securities Limited, Chapel Hill Denham and Meristem Securities Limited.

Analysis of the data, which reflects trading statistics on the Nigerian bourse between January 2 and December 31, 2014, showed that the

five firms traded 71 billion ordinary shares valued N1.362 trillion.

Stanbic IBTC Stockbroking Limited led the pack with N472.415 billion or 17.5 per cent, followed

by CSL Stockbrokers Limited with transactions worth N262.988 billion or 9.7 per cent, Rencap Securities Limited, traded equities worth N246.98 billion or 9.2 per cent, Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited accounted for N223.849 billion or 8.3 per cent while Meristem Securities Limited traded shares valued N156.210 billion or 5.8 per cent.

In volume terms, Stanbic IBTC

Stockbrokers maintained the lead, recording 24.781 billion shares which represented 11.42 per cent while CSL Stockbrokers traded 15.339 billion shares or 7.1 per cent. Chapel Hill Denham Management accounted for 14.849 billion shares or 6.8 per cent, Rencap Securities Limited traded 12.252 billion shares or 5.5 per cent while Meristem Securities Limited accounted for 3.783 billion shares or 1.7 per cent.

The Nigerian stock market ended the reviewed year on a negative note as its index dropped by 16.1 per cent compared with a growth of 47.2 per cent in 2013.

L-R: Acting director-general, Munir Gwarzo; commissioner, Corporate Services, Zakawanu Garba and commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, Eric Elujekor all of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) during a reception held in honour of Gwarzo in Abuja. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE

Microfinance Banks, Farmers, NASME Partner On N220bn MSME Fund

By NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Stakeholders Commonwealth, a group comprising all microfinance banks in the country under the aegis of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), National Association of Small Scale and Medium Enterprises (NASME), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to use their platform to allow easier access to the N220 billion MSMEs Development Fund.

The group appealed to the CBN to explore their newly established

N220 billion MSME Development Trust Fund and invest a fraction (about N50 billion) of the fund which has remained inaccessible to individual MFBs and MSMEs due to stringent guidelines.

The MSME Stakeholders Commonwealth, boasting of a membership of 60 million nationwide, has established a special purpose vehicle known as the MSMED Trusfund to be operated through implementing agencies, namely the MSME MFB Limited, MSMED Development Finance Institution Limited (MSMED DFI) and MyCard cash passport, which are duly registered and owned by the stakeholders.

The convener of the stakeholders and executive director, Africa Rural Finance Development Company, Dr Abdalla Yakub, during a media interaction in Abuja, said

the fund had been endorsed by stakeholders in the sector. The MSME stakeholders had taken to establishing the trust fund following obvious failure of several government interventions to help them solve the single most critical constraint to their survival which is poor access to finance.

Apart from providing a platform for investment for stakeholders in the sector, Yakub said the fund would take the risk of the N220 billion from the CBN which, according to him, was one of the militating factors inhibiting the easy access of the fund by MSMEs. He said, “This institution is set to provide technical advice and assistance on issues relating to microfinance, initiate plans with stakeholders on how microfinance can accelerate growth and economic development.”

Dialogue On 2015 Budget

By Friday Atufe, Lagos

Capital market operators, under the aegis of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (cis), Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) and Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN), have initiated a special dialogue with the federal government and key stakeholders in the economy to ensure proper alignment of the capital market with the Nigerian Fiscal and Monetary policy implementation.

The first in the series is the one-day dialogue with the theme “The Capital Market and the 2015 Federal Budget” scheduled to be held in Lagos next week.

The dialogue would provide the participants an opportunity to dissect this year’s budget and identify its implications on the capital market.

Commenting on the dialogue, the president, CIS, Mr Albert Okumagba,

said it would strengthen the connection between the capital market and the economy, re-establish the capital market as the key driver for the Nigerian economic growth and development, open-up opportunities that could increase the market size from its current 11 trillion capitalisation to 100 trillion within the next three years and effectively reinforce the federal government’s plan to explore various sectors of the economy for economic development.

The critical areas of concentration shall include diversification and dualisation of the commodity exchange in such a way that serious investors can drive commodity exchange while the federal government can be allowed to hold on to the existing commodity exchange.

“This diversification will help the operators in the private sector to own their commodity exchange,” Okumagba said.

Agency Empowers More Nigerian Youths To Become Entrepreneurs

BY Abah Adah, Abuja

Another batch of 100 Nigerian youths are to win cash awards to start or grow their businesses in the third edition of the Abuja Business Plan Competition.

The hint was given when some staff of the official sponsor of the competition, the Abuja Entreprise Agency (AEA), led by the manager, Corporate Management, Shehu Abdulkadir, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group in Abuja, yesterday.

Abdulkadir, who explained that the competition is powered by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to empower Nigerian youths within the age bracket of 18 to 40, said, “We have come to solicit for LEADERSHIP to be our media partner so that our empowerment programmes could be covered and made public for interested Nigerians to key into the opportunities provided by the programme in order to start their own business or excel in the one they already have.”

According to him, sale and submission of entries forms for this third edition of the competition was flagged off in October 2014 by the minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, and will end

by January 23, 2015. He noted that viable entries are expected from three tracks, Agriculture (livestock, fish and arable farming), Fashion (home furnishing, clothing and accessories) and Information Technology (mobile application, desktop application and web application).

“Successful applicants, out of the 1,200 expected, will go through a series of painstaking screening before the final 100 winners will emerge. In the process, the applicants will be trained and guided on how to write their business plan on the business of their choice free of charge. The applicants are eventually tested with questions based on the business plan written to ascertain whether they actually wrote on their own,” he said.

Other opportunities winners are to benefit from include free training on pitching and presentation, access to investors, cash grants worth millions of naira, and a single digit credit facility.

According to him, the forms are to be filled online at

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THE CAMPAIGN FALLOUTS, THRILLS & FRILLS

www.election2015.leadership.ng

The reconciliatory visit of President Goodluck Jonathan was a tensed one as former president, Olusegun Obasanjo put him on the hot seat in his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta on Monday, Leadership exclusively gathered.

Flanked by the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, who were there as witnesses to the meeting on request of the Egba chief, asked him questions which he had earlier thrown up in his correspondence to Jonathan.

Questions from Obasanjo mother of all meetings with Jonathan include the five highlighted below.

The former president asked him to confirm if he did not agree to only run for one term, his slow action to tackling the Boko Haram menace when it was just budding despite warning, why he gave licence to Tompolo and Asari Dokubo to import arms under the names of their

private companies and other issues.

He queried, “Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (1) Did you agree to run for only one term or not? (2) What did you tell me was your reason for not going after Boko Haram insurgents even when I told you this will boomerang?

(3) What happened to Nigeria’s external reserve and Sovereign Wealth Fund? (4) Did you give licence to Niger Delta militants (Dokubo and Tompolo) to import arms in the name of their privately owned companies? If so, for what reason? (5) Did you not get correspondence from the United States consulate that a certain citizen named Buruji Kashamu is indicted for drug trafficking? Why did you appoint the same Kashamu as South West leader of PDP rather than hand him over to the US? And did the PDP give automatic Senate ticket to a wanted and convicted drug baron?

See LEADERSHIP Friday for President Jonathan’s response

The former president asked him to confirm if he did not agree to only run for one term, his slow action to tackling the Boko Haram menace

FACTCHECKER

Fayose

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How Nigeria’s “Next President” Excites Jonathan Jonathan

Obasanjo

DAYS T OG

oddballs

Abeokuta Meeting: 5 Questions Obasanjo Asked Jonathan

Jonathan

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Drama As CPP Candidate Snubs Jonathan, Buhari At the 2015 general elections sensitisation workshop on nonviolence in Abuja which was graced by presidential candidates like President Goodluck Jonathan, retired General Muhammadu Buhari, the only female presidential candidate on the platform of Kowa Party, Prof Remi Sonaiya and other candidates, candidate of Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Chief Sam Eke, whose name was omitted on the programme, didn’t hide his feelings Prior to the signing of what is now known as Abuja Accord, each candidate was called to briefly make personal commitment and that of his or her party to a violencefree election and after that the candidate will proceed to shake hands with Mr. President, General Buhari and other members of the high table.

When it came to the turn of the candidate of Chief Sam Eke, whose name was omitted on the programme, he didn’t hide his feelings.

At the same 2015 general elections sensitisation workshop on non-violence yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan got excited by Nigeria’s “next President” when the latter was making his pledge to violencefree elections.

“I am the next President of Nigeria,” said Mr Tunde Anifowoshe Kelani, the presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the February 14 poll.

He made the above declaration with so much confidence that attracted a round of applause from the listeners including Jonathan himself.

Buhari

– By Edegbe Odemwingie

Fayose Was Wrong On Buhari’s Certificate

Governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday challenged the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. General Muhammadu Buhari, to prove that he has a certificate from the United States Army War College as he has claimed.

The governor threw the challenge at the PDP presidential campaign rally organised for President Goodluck Jonathan in Ado-Ekiti.

Fayose, who tendered his certificates at the rally said, “Anybody who wants to be the president of this country must have the necessary qualification.

“The APC said I don’t have a certificate.

They shouted and went to the Polytechnic of Ibadan, secondary and primary schools to get photocopy of the forms I submitted.

The court told them they are liars and propagandists. Let General Buhari flaunt his certificate if he has got them.”

But in an email response to Sunday Iwalaiye, a US-based Nigerian who contacted the institution in view of the controversy about the general’s academic credentials, Carrol Kerr, the school’s public affairs officer, said that Buhari earned a diploma in 1980 when he was a colonel.

14 NIGERIA DECIDES

Thursday, January 15, 2015

QUOTES

For Violence-free Elections

➔ Jega “If the process is free and fair, my party will win, so if my party does not win, the process was not free and fair. This is wrong.”

NUMBERS 68, 833, ➊ 476 Number of eligible voters who can vote in February general elections.

54 ➋ million Permanent Voters

Cards (PVCs) already received

by INEC for onward distribution to voters.

14 ➌ Number of presidential and vice presidential candidates presented by parties to INEC for participation in February 14th election.

74.6 ➍ Million Number of

Nigerians who registered during the 2011 voters’ registration process.

61, 681 ➎ Number of voters who were

found to have registered twice and had their names deleted from the voters’ register by INEC. 132, 000 ➏ Number of card read-

ers currently in custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

L-R: APC presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari; former secretary of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; President Goodluck Jonathan and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, at the 2015 general elections sensitisation workshop on non-violence in Abuja, yesterday. photo by REMI AKUNLEYAN

Emir Of Gwandu Admonishes Youths Against Election Violence The Emir of Gwandu and the chairman of Kebbi State Council of Chiefs ,Rtd Major General Mohammadu Iliyuasu Bashar has charged youths in the country not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to disrupt the 2015 election through violence .

Bashar made this remark in Birnin Kebbi when he received a group of youths led by their chairman, Usman Ibrahim Mayaki, under the aegis of Congress for Change and Development, who paid him a courtesy call at his palace yesterday.

The royal father commended the foresight of the youths for mobilising and embarking on awareness and sensitization campaign against use of drugs and violence during electioneering campaigns. “ I admire

INECWATCH

By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Imo State yesterday uncovered plots by some dubious political parties and politicians in the state to distribute an adulterated Permanent Voters Cards(PVC).

your thoughts and aspiration against use of youths to instigate trouble and the influence of politicians on the use of drugs by youths “ he said.

He warned that any breach of law and order by the youths in the country is capable of causing violence leading to loss of lives and properties while also calling on politicians to desist from using the youths in the name of campaign to cause any mayhem before , during and after election. He charged youths to redouble their efforts in seeking for both Islamic and Western knowledge, shun idleness as well as be respectful to leaders.

During his remarks at the palace, the assistant secretary of the association , Ibrahim Ahmad Bashar, told the emir

I admire your thoughts and aspiration against use of youths to instigate trouble and the influence of politicians on the use of drugs by youths

that they were in his palace to intimate him on the problems bedevilling youths in the state and seek for his fatherly advice and intervention.

He lamented that some civil servants especially the youths, sometimes have their salary stopped or their business hampered due to political reasons simply because of their ideology for choosing the party of their choice. “ Our youth association is deeply rooted in all the 21 local governments areas of Kebbi. As such, we have already started mobilising the youths against pre and post election violence and call on politicians to stop influencing the youths with drugs during their campaigns “ , he said.

➔ David Mark ”Despite the much vaunted fear, apprehension and anxiety that our nation may not survive the elections by some doomsday prophets, I personally remain optimistic that we have the strength of character, the political will, the perseverance and maturity to rise above all the challenges that lie ahead”.

➔ Nasir el-Rufai “I am appealing to all our party members not to be provoked. When they abuse you don’t respond, when they insult you don’t respond, when they attack you, don’t retaliate.

We are a party of peace because we know we can win any election that is free and fair.”

—By Yahya Sarki , Kebbi

INEC Foils Proliferation, Adulteration Of PVCs In Imo Disclosing this to newsmen during a press conference at the commission, the new resident electoral commissioner in the state, Dr Gabriel Adah who displayed a compendium containing names, addresses and other information of the electorate, warned that the commission would not

tolerate the act, just as he added that the police has already been informed.

The compendium titled, “ register of Imo people without PVC”, also had the logo of INEC and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the commission has expressed

disappointment over the statistics of the PVC distribution in the state, which he disclosed is below 60 percent.

According to the INEC REC, the statistic does not augur well for a full democracy anticipated in the country.

Adah, who put the present figure of

NIGERIA DECIDES 15

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Why I Stopped Supporting Jonathan - Sylva

voices

Deliver Our Mdgs Projects Or Face Defeat –Kogi Youths

Chief Timipre Sylva was sacked as the governor of Bayelsa State in 2012 and left the state amidst controversy surrounding his removal by forces within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan. In this first interactive session held with the people of the state, he explains his long absence, his interest in Bayelsa East Senatorial race and why he supports Buhari for president in next elections. Osa Okhomina captured it for LEADERSHIP. You were out of the state for a long time after the abrupt end of your tenure. What have you been doing?

Yes, I didn’t have much to do in Bayelsa, I have been having a lot things to do at national level. I have taken to the national stage and decided to concentrate on it. I have come into Bayelsa a few times but they were mostly private visits and I kept them private as much as I can.

You were in Bayelsa to host the presidential rally of the APC presidential flagbearer, Muhammad Buhari. How prepared is the APC against the PDP?

The basic fact is that Gen. Buhari is very worthy and prepared for the battle for the presidency. And in a few weeks from now, the PDP will be defeated and thrown out of government. We are here in Bayelsa to put our stamp and solicit for the support of the people of Bayelsa to come together and sweep away the PDP that has brought so much hunger and pain, not only to Bayelsa, but to the whole of Nigeria.

to this country is like a huge truck running over an ant hill. That is what has happened to Nigeria. So much have been damaged economically.

Security wise, it is going to take a while for people to repair. A lot have been damaged. We need people with experience. Now, economically, what are the problems? The biggest problem of Nigeria today is the falling oil prices and oil theft. Buhari has had the experience of dealing with oil theft and as APC, we have a programme to come up with on marginal refinery or small refineries. We will empower the people in the real sense of it. Bayelsa and the people of the Niger Delta will be empowered more than any other people in the history of this country.

If you look at the history of Nigeria and the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta people have had it better under the administration of a northern person.

Now, unfortunately, our son is here but what has become of us?

Let’s come our

Are you sure Buhari is the best man for the presidency and not one of the former or serving governors?

At this time, I think Buhari remains the best for Nigeria. And I know that because I have related with him very closely and I know he is the kind of man the nation needs for now. Like they say, there is a time and season for everything.

And at this time and season, what we need is experience. The country has been damaged beyond repair. Economically, the country is damaged. You cannot understand this until this government is out of office.

Then you will know that what has happened Sylva

clear, we have not been empowered as a people. And now, Buhari and the APC are coming with one singular aim of truly empowering the Niger Delta people. Buhari is 72 years old and has not made a secret of it. And it shows a length of experience. He has been a head of state. He has been a minister. He has been a governor.

He has been everything in Nigeria.

In fact, we are the people calling him out of retirement to come and help us salvage this country. Buhari didn’t come out to say, I want to be president. Nigerians are the ones that need Buhari. We called on him to come and repair the country that has been so badly damaged and after the repair, hand it over to the younger generation. You know that when the problem was the Niger Delta, we called for a Niger Delta president.

But now, the problem is not the Niger Delta problem as such, the problem is in the north, we need to show understanding over the Boko Haram issue more than anyone else so that the country can move forward. We cannot sit here and pretend there is no problem. By the time Buhari finishes with this country, his major support will be the poor in the south. Buhari is a friend of the poor.

Everybody know him as a friend of the poor. He is not going to embezzle your money.

He is going to safeguard your money. He will not allow anybody to squander our money. He will ensure that what is due you will come to you. Is that not what we want in this country?

Is the poor support base responsible for the purchase of nomination form for Gen. Buhari? Or how did he get the form?

Buhari procured his nomination form. Is it not?

How it is bought and whether it was bought from the bank.

ANSWERS 1. Who was the first civilian president of Nigeria?

2. Who was the Sen-

ate president on inception of the 4th Republic?

3. Who was the first

president of the Nigerian Senate?

4. Which parties first formed a merger in Nigeria?

5. Who was the first governor to be impeached in Nigeria?

1. Nnamdi Azikiwe 2. Evan Enwerem 3. Nnamdi Azikiwe 4. Prime minister Tafewa Balewa’s Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) aligned with a

QUIZ TEST YOUR POLITICAL IQq

Wada

Kogi youths have called on the state governor, Capt Idris Wada, to sack the special adviser on Millenium Development Goal, MDG, Mr. Haliru Muhammed for non-performance in office.

Chairman of the group of youths under the aegis of Kogi Advancement For Change (KAC), Abdullahi Onushagba, who stated this yesterday in a chat with journalists The group which commended the governor for his giant strides, especially in area of security, urged him to step up in the area of infrastructure to earn their support for president Jonathan’s re-election, adding that a situation where funds meant for the execution of

projects have been tied down by the MDG. He alleged that contractors who won bidding for contracts at the MDG have not been mobilised to site, a situation that has made everybody to be in the dark.

They alleged that unless something is urgently done about the issue the confidence the people of the state have on the governor will be eroded.

“I am a PDP man from Okene local government and I am calling on the governor to hit the ground running by making necessary change within his government to save us from imminent defeat,” He stated.

“We are in the era of a very important election in the life of the present administration of Capt Idris Wada and somebody who claims to be his relation will toy with a serious and sensitive department like MDG”.

–By Sam Egwu, Lokoja

trending #GEJ_WillWin is what’s trending as his supporters continue in their highlights of achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Port News @PortNewsHub Jonathan’s anti-corruption policies have saved Nigeria billions of Naira. [LOOK] #GEJFightingCorruption #GEJ_WillWin Temitope Ibn Toba @Tope_ Toba You can say that again. it’s 1 of the most reasonable things Iv seen on this #tag RT “@ ShawttyNatt: Only a failure would say #GEJ_WillWin” Aziza Uko Douglas @azizauko In 2009, our airport terminals were a national disgrace, it took GEJ to remodel and mordernize them. #GEJ_ WillWin Port News @PortNewsHub 25,000km of Transformation: Akure-Ilesa Expressway reconstructed by President Jonathan’s FG. #GEJ_WillWin Akinlolu Israel O @ israel2united peaceful agreement, GEJ with army remembrance tag Peace

Pact codi @lexxcodi *try reading in your mother tongue* “@sapiosanct: This is why #GEJ_WillWin •Prince Bell• @JerimiahhB 2h2 hours ago @BossYungE Who are you stuck with enjoy the game » » #GEJ_ WillWin #GEJ_WillWin Like Seriously?@abu_bakr_ sadeeq: GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN WE ARE GIVING OUR HOPES TO YOU.THE GREAT WORK HAVE DONE TO THIS NATION. #GEJ_ WillWin Aziza Uko Douglas @azizauko 10 Things You Didn’t Know About President Jonathan And The Fight Against Corruption [LOOK] #GEJ_WillWin Oche Otorkpa @ochejoseph #GEJ_WillWin becos the prayer of the thousands of Almajiri children he gave a Better future will ensure Victory .

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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)

2015 ANNUAL

CONFERENCE & AWARDS CEREMONY Chairman PRINCE JULIUS ADELUSI-ADELUYI Former Minister of Health and Chairman, Juli Pharmacy Plc.

Keynote Speaker PROF. IBRAHIM GAMBARI

Former Nigerian Permanent Representative To The United Nations

Theme: “Reclaiming Nigeria: A Pathway” STAR AWARDS 2014 LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR Chief Olusegun Obasanjo LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR Alh. Kashim Shettima

LEADERSHIP POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR Gov. Tanko Al-Makura LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Adewale Jubril Tinubu

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2014

LEADERSHIP CEO OF THE YEAR Benedict Peters Founder, Aiteo Group LEADERSHIP COMPANY OF THE YEAR Stallion Group LEADERSHIP BANK OF THE YEAR Jaiz Bank LEADERSHIP BANKER OF THE YEAR Henry James Semenitari MD/CEO, Unity Bank LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN

LEADERSHIP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Innoson Vehicle LEADERSHIP MICROFINANCE BANK OF THE YEAR Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc. LEADERSHIP PUBLIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Gimba Ya’u Kumo Former MD/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria LEADERSHIP BRAND OF THE YEAR Brains and Hammers LEADERSHIP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Ali Nuhu LEADERSHIP YOUNG PERSONS OF THE YEAR The Chibok Girls LEADERSHIP SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Asisat Oshoala

Venue: Sheraton Abuja Hotel Time: 9:00am Date: February 5th, 2015

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energy news India Plans Investment In Nigeria’s Oil Industry

By Chika Izuora, Lagos

There are strong indications suggesting that India would invest significantly in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as African oil exports faces pressure from Gulf States.

As Asia has become a market for a price war between African and Gulf oil producers who compete for the global oil supply market, Africa needs to diversify and secure its global market position as a global oil exporter, and hope might come from India.

Many African sellers, like Nigeria and Angola, now faced with precarious finances due to the plummeting oil prices, are struggling to make inroads into Asia which is a Middle Eastern stronghold.

Low operating costs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Emirates allow these countries to offer bigger discounts while African exporters face higher transport costs and are more exposed to fluctuations in freight rates

between Africa and Asia given the relative advantage of Middle Eastern shipping distances to Asia.

West African producers traditionally sold most of their oil to North America and Europe, but exports dwindled given the increase in domestic oil production in the United States and higher output from nations outside the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

This has been a big setback for West African oil producers but the news about Indian staterun companies looking to acquire stakes in oil and gas blocks in Africa comes as a relief to African exporters.

The country has indicated the need to form joint ventures in Africa to meet increasing fuel demand in India and at the same time become a reliable supplier of petroleum merchandise to Africa. India has been facing a substantial energy deficit and imports about 80 per cent of its crude oil needs.

49 Vessels With Petroleum Products Expected In Lagos

By Chika Izuora, Lagos

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed that 49 vessels, most of which contains petroleum products, are expected to arrive Lagos sea ports before the end of January.

The authority also said that some of the vessels would bring containers with foods and other goods.

The NPA, in its daily publication Shipping Position, explained that 17 of the expected ships would arrive with containers of different goods.

It said that three other ships were expected to arrive with petroleum

products like aviation fuel and diesel and noted that three other ships containing fresh fish were also being expected. It stated that the remaining 26 ships would arrive with vehicles, buckwheat, bulk charcoal, bulk salt, bulk sugar, bulk malt, bulk rice, crude palm oil, soda ash, base oil and general cargo.

The document indicated that eight other ships with food items and petroleum products had arrived the ports and are waiting to berth, adding that 17 other ships were discharging buckwheat, general cargo, fresh fish, bulk rice and petroleum products.

ENERGY /BUSINESS 21

Schneider Electric Restates To Commitment power Sector stories By Chika Izuora, Lagos

An energy management company, Schneider Electric, has reiterated its commitment towards providing innovative energy solutions in Nigeria.

The company said it has initiated steps to support the ongoing transformation process that will resuscitate the country’s power sector through scientific research on energy saving solutions.

Speaking on the current efforts of the organisation in that regard, the manager, Field Marketing and Access to Energy, Anne Ezeh, disclosed that

the company has developed Villaya Solar Streetlight to add value in the promotion of environmental safety, efficiency.

Ezeh said the innovation is part of the process to further develop Nigeria’s renewable, clean and affordable power and, in particular, to serve remote or off-grid areas that require good street lighting and zero electricity bills. She said Schneider Electric has been at the forefront of a sustainable power sector development in Nigeria, not only by the introduction of genuine electrical products but also in the development of manpower,

in a bid to complement the federal government’s efforts in the sector.

The Villaya Solar Streetlights work by automatically detecting night time conditions through an integrated circuit processor that guarantees full power during the night and graduated reduction of light intensity after 4 to 5 hours to stretch the availability of its lighting service all year long. The company said the idea behind the innovation is to ensure that government saves money through the adoption and use of cleaner, renewable and affordable power saving technology.

L-R: Minister of power, Prof Chinedu Nebo; managing director, Cartlark International Ltd, Princess Maryam Sola Akanmode and vice president, China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd, Weng Zhiming during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation and execution of transmission lines projects in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN

Oil & Gas Industry Acquisitions To Heighten In 2015 stories By Chika Izuora, Lagos

There are strong indications that the declining oil prices might lead to mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas industry.

Since July, the collapse in world oil prices has been the talk of global financial markets as the global benchmark, Brent crude oil, has fallen from $115 per barrel to under $69, a price not seen since 2009.

This has been painful for investors holding oil & gas stocks such as the Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) or BP Plc, with RDS shareholders nursing losses of 10 per cent since June, and BP shareholders 15 per cent loss since June.

There have been a number of consequences of this sharp oil price fall one of which has been an increase in merger and acquisition (M&A)

activities in the global oil and gas sector. For instance in oil services, Halliburton is in the process of taking over United States (US) rival, Baker Hughes, for $35 billion. But perhaps the biggest potential takeover in this sector is the ongoing talk of RDS buying BP despite the fact that the British petroleum giant is worth over £136 billion at its current 425p share price.

Despite the crude oil price decline, the global upstream M&A transaction value rose in 2014. According to an analysis from an information and insight provider, IHS, despite a late-year plunge in crude oil prices, robust M&A activities in the first 10 months of last year fueled an increase in the total transaction value for global upstream oil and gas M&A deals which rose 23 per cent to $173 billion. This rebound in

2014 transaction value is particularly noteworthy for the industry after transaction value for global upstream oil and gas M&A deals fell by almost half during 2013 to $140 billion, the lowest level since the 2008 recession.

In 2013, rather than shopping for deals, oil and gas companies shifted their focus to developing their vast inventories of previously acquired reserves, resources and acreage.

“The uncertainty caused by the severe decline in oil prices during the final two months of 2014 nearly brought deal activity to a standstill. Buyers and sellers are having difficulty reaching a consensus because of the oil price tumble which is causing significant uncertainty for the industry,” said the director, Energy M&A Research, IHS, Christopher Sheehan.

22 ENERGY /BUSINESS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

ENERGY REPORT

Chinese Consortium To Build Power Training Institute In Nigeria Stories By Juliet Alohan, Abuja

Vandalised pipeline

NNPC Intensifies War On Pipeline Vandalism, Rallies Host communities Stories By Juliet Alohan, Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its midstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), have called on all Nigerians, especially those living in communities close to pipelines, to see these pipelines as their own and protect them as their own properties.

The corporation made the plea recently at the flagging off of a two-day anti-pipeline vandalism campaign in Idimu, Alimosho local government area, Lagos State, which was organised to sensitise residents on the need to join in the war against pipeline vandalism.

Speaking at the event, which included a roadshow through the communities adjoining the pipeline right of way in the area up to the Ejigbo Depot and the major pipeline vandalism flashpoints of Ijeododo and Arepo, the group general manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, called on residents to be vigilant and report all suspicious movements around the pipeline to the corporation or security agencies.

On the economic effects of pipeline vandalism, the corporation stated that apart from the huge

sums of money that government loses in the form of products losses and cost of pipeline repairs, the average citizen loses much when he has to spend endless hours on queues at filling stations and sometimes has to pay more to get products at the black market during scarcity, resulting from the breach of the pipelines by vandals and oil thieves.

Alegbe, who was represented by the manager, Public Affairs Department, PPMC, Mr Nasir Imodagbe, said, “What many people don’t know is that besides explosions and pipeline fires that destroy lives and property in these communities, there are more pernicious effects of pipeline vandalism such as its potential to wipe out entire communities through the harm it does to the environment as a result of the constant spillage of products.”

Speaking further on the harmful effects of pipeline vandalism on local communities, the NNPC spokesman explained that the oil that is spilled into the environment when vandals and oil thieves hack into pipelines “destroys aquatic life, pollutes the ground water and renders water from boreholes unsafe for consumption.”

He added that the pollution contaminates the soil and makes

it unfit to support any meaningful agricultural activity and ultimately reduces the quality of life of the people living around such affected places.

“So, you can see that no one is completely exempted from the harmful effects of this criminal act perpetrated by a few unscrupulous elements among us. It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to be vigilant and see the pipelines as our own and protect them as our properties because if we don’t, we are all going to suffer the harmful effects one way or the other. If you can’t confront the vandals and oil thieves, you can call any of the toll free lines and report them. Sitting down and doing nothing will not save you from the harmful effect of their criminal activities,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Idimuland, Oba Azeez Olayeni Olugoke II, called on all residents of the community to shun criminal activities, especially oil theft and pipeline vandalism, adding that as a policy the community does not protect anyone caught perpetrating such acts. The Oba, who was represented by the Alase of Idimuland, Chief Moshood Balogun, promised to take the message to his people and help mobilise the community to help tackle pipeline vandalism.

A consortium of five major Chinese companies have expressed commitment to build training institutions for power sector in Nigeria with a view to ensuring the creation of jobs for young people.

The consortium also noted that the development would foster a mutually beneficial relationship aimed at creating relevant skills in the power sector.

Speaking in Abuja, when receiving a delegation of the local partners of the consortium, under the auspices of High Hope International SkyRun Corporation, the minister of power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, praised the consortium for their interest in setting up training platforms for Nigerians.

The minister promised to link the group with the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) which is the sector’s training arm for development of training modules either here in Nigeria or to coordinate trainees to be sent to China. Nebo expressed excitement over the group’s capacity to participate in the entire value chain of electricity even as he tasked the consortium to help the nation develop its capacity as it strives to attain a target of 20,000 mega watts (mws) in the next five years and 40,000mws afterwards.

Nebo further challenged the Chinese to manufacture high quality solar panels so that solar panels from China can compete effectively with the ones from Europe and America and train Nigerians in the art of solar panel manufacturing.

The minister also spoke about the need for the group to work with Nigeria in its quest to embrace the energy efficiency initiative through energy saving bulbs, saying, “we are ready to work with the group in developing templates to institutionalise lighting that could save as much as 80 per cent energy in local consumption.”

Nebo also tasked the consortium to invest in distributing power model, a development that would enable a power company to generate energy of about 10-15mws within a small area, and make same available for distribution to the existing distribution companies (DISCOs) in the locality.

“Now that the price of oil is on the downward trend in the international market, and fossil fuel, diesel or black oil can be used to produce power for local distribution at minimal cost, the ministry will be ready to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese in the next few days,” the minister stated.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, the leader of the delegation, Fouad Animashaun, informed the minister that the five Chinese companies have been working in Nigeria in the last 10 years while assuring that they are ready to work with the ministry as well as take its officials to China to see things for themselves.

23

Thursday, January 15, 2015

job search INTERVIEWS NETWORKING PERSONAL BRANDING JOB SEEKER PROFILES

achieve in your career and what other people think you rock at. Now, you should figure out what you can really deliver to a new company.

Always focus on accomplishments and achievements. It is measurable and it is easy and quick to communicate. And when you know these things and the stories that back them up, it makes the application and interviews a much for focused and engaging experience, because people love stories!

5 Things You Must Do Before Applying For A Job There are very few things that a job seeker can control in the job search, but choosing to apply for a job is one of them. The positions you choose to apply for should be calculated and focused. Applying for every job on a company’s career site gets you a label… it’s called “serial applier.”

You do not want to be a serial applicant. It is a quick way to enter the deepest, darkest, blackest location of the application black hole. You really want to be discerning about the roles you apply for. To do that, here are a few tips and tricks to try to make sure you are really going for the jobs that can get you closer to career nirvana.

1 Know what you want Before any big life change (and

changing jobs is a big life change), it’s key to know what you want.

Because you cannot find what you want unless you know what you want. This is going to include a deep understanding of your professional goals and personal needs. You should try to document these things and keep them close by. Look at them before you apply to a job and re-read the job description to be sure there are no red flags in the marketing-speak of the position listing. Do not apply for a job that will not help you meet your professional goals nor force you to sacrifice your personal needs.

2 Get feedback on your accomplishments When applying to jobs, write

really tailored cover letters that tells a few stories that are aligned with the job description. Gather feedback from people who you reported to as well as people who reported to you. Talk with teammates to see what they thought about your work together and ask them to share with you what you did well and where you could have improved. And now, you have already answered the “strengths and weaknesses” questions in the interview because you have stories from others to back up what you have been saying. You can also use this feedback to see where you may or may not shine against the job description.

3 Know what you can deliver You know what you want to

4 Network with companies that fit You should be focusing your job search on specific companies that align with your values. You should not be looking at companies that are not family friendly if you are a mom re-entering the workforce.

Research companies to create a list of employers who align with your values and needs. Study up on them and then start networking with them in social media. Find people you may know that works there and then set some time to chat with them or meet for coffee.

Finding a job that fits starts before the application, it starts in your targeting companies that are going to be really aligned with what you need and can deliver.

5 Get your stories together There are countless ways to stand out to recruiters and it doesn’t need to be gimmicky. You can reach out directly to recruiters to learn more about the company and the job. You can use your connections to become a referral because those are a top source for employers. You should consider visual ways to stand out.

Tools referenced in the past were: Word Clouds, SlideShare, LinkedIn, CredHive, Prezi, Adobe Voice, and Haiku Deck. You can use these tools to share your story in a more visual and compelling way.

Things You Must Do Before Applying For A Job 1. Know what you want Do not apply for a job that will not help you meet your professional goals nor force you to sacrifice your personal needs.

2 .Know what you can deliver You know what you want to achieve in your career and what other people think you rock at.

3. Get your stories together You can use your connections to become a referral because those are a top source for employers.

Interviews 5 Rules To Remember For An Interview An informational interview is not the same as a job interview. It is characterized as a short meeting held with someone that is very much like a mentor, or an individual who may have connections or influence with other people in your field or industry.

Anyone willing to offer you an informational interview is there to help address your questions, provide advice on how to enter or advance in a particular field of work, and offer opinions on companies in the industry. They may even help direct you to the right contacts for job opportunities.

As you are the one asking for help, there are rules to remember when you request and conduct an informational interview.

the time.

1 Make it clear you are not asking them for a job People are more willing to take time to speak with you if you make it clear upfront that you want to meet for advice and not to ask for a job. Remember to approach the meeting with that in mind, and not turn around directly asking them for a job.

2 Limit the meeting to less than 30 minutes Everyone’s time is valuable. The interviewer is taking time out of their busy schedule to help you, so make good use of

3 Ask for advice The interviewer doesn’t know exactly what he/she can help you with unless you ask. Seek out advice to any questions you have.

4 Let the interviewer do most of the talking Your mission in this meeting is to gather as much information and insight as possible to help you with your job search and career.

Seek for the interviewer’s experience and thoughts opposed to focusing most of the talk about yourself.

5 Get introduced If you have established a comfortable and on-going relationship with this contact, ask if they know of any contacts they can introduce you to. Referrals can help get you in front of the right contacts for job opportunities more quickly.

Don’t be surprised if a contact from an informational interview becomes a lifelong mentor. These people can be there to help you throughout your career, so express appreciation and thanks at the interview and also follow up with a note afterwards.

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

24 JOB SEARCH

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Career Advice How To Turn Your Internship Into FullTime Employment Your internship can be a great way to gain experience, meet networking contacts, and prove your worth to an employer. It can also be the necessary foot in the door to land a full-time position at the organization.

Wondering how you can turn your internship into a full-time gig? Here’s how: Ask For Feedback On A Regular Basis Although you don’t want to cross the line into being annoying, it’s important to have a grasp on your strengths and weaknesses by getting feedback from your boss.

Go Above And Beyond Your Job Description Show that you’re always thinking ahead by anticipating others’ questions and needs.

Do more than is expected of you to stand out among other intern candidates. Volunteer for additional projects when you can, and be flexible with your schedule for a chance to impress the team by staying late or coming in early.

Taking on additional tasks, being flexible, and thinking ahead shows your dedication to your role and helps your supervisor and co-workers view you as an integral part of the team.

Be Consistent Always maintain focus and discipline while at work – and avoid distractions such as text

messaging or checking social networks.

Record Your Accomplishments After you’ve finished a task or a project, write down any accomplishments you’ve had.

Showing that you can produce results is a great way to move up at the company.

Act Like You’re A Full-Timer Show up with an eager, positive attitude each day. Come in early and be the last intern to leave.

Dress at least one step above your current position. Take pride in each project you are assigned and ensure it’s your best work before handing it in.

Secure A Mentor Within The Organization Moving up is much easier if you have someone to lean on for advice and insight.

Have A Solid Grasp On The Company Know what the organization needs and how you can fill those needs. Understand each product or service. Get to know the clients and customers the best you can.

Learning this vital information will not only make you do your job better – you’ll have a clear understanding of how you can move up in the organization, too.

How else can intern candidates turn their experience into fulltime employment?

Send your profiles to olusola.olujide@leadership.ng and all profiles should not exceed 200 words

Top 50 BRANDS IN NIGERIA (1)

1. Airtel Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. With headquarters in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 5 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers.

2. Coca-cola Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines throughout the world. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke.

3. Diamond The bank is a large financial services provider in West Africa.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the bank maintains a banking subsidiary in Benin, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and The United Kingdom.

4. etisalat Emirates communications Corporation, branded trade name Etisalat is a multinational UAE based 5. FirstBank FirstBank has solidified itself as a brand of fortitude, strength and innovation in the Nigerian financial sector since its inception in 1894.

3 Steps To An Outstanding Personal Branding Statement Your resume is an amazingly important document. It not only speaks to your past accomplishments, but it also acts as a predictor of your future capabilities.

However, your resume can’t successfully complete this task if it isn’t packed with quality information. This includes an outstanding personal branding statement.

What is a personal branding statement? It is a statement that communicates who you are in the workplace. Borrowed from the marketing world, it reflects your professional reputation. On your resume, the statement is used to summarize, in just a few words, who you are. This is why it’s so important to take formulaic steps in order to develop one that gets the job done.

Personal Branding Statement Example and Formula To get started, take a look at a branding statement that delivers the goods: Community Affairs Manager with 10 years of experience visualizing, developing, and organizing companywide philanthropic events, maintaining connections with hundreds of non-profit organizations, coordinating diverse employee volunteer opportunities, and creating dynamic external and internal event communications.

Why is it successful? It gives a snapshot of your history in the field while providing branding attributes that describe what makes you successful. Also, it gives examples of previous accomplishments that offer insight into how you can help an employer succeed.

So which formula could you use to create your own?

1 Consider your outlook on the world It may seem a bit far-reaching to say that your overall outlook on life can create a great personal statement, but in actuality,

it is your outlook that has guided you to your profession and has helped you develop your talents.

So take time to write down your vision.

Do you want people to communicate better with one another? Do you hope to expand the breadth of our already-expansive technology? Think about what it is that can help you create the broad umbrella encompassing all of the specific goals your branding statement will incorporate.

2 Think about your individual goals Again, a branding statement is all about showing an employer that you have goals— and that you not only intend to achieve them in the future but already have in the past. So, what are your career goals? How do you want to make a difference? Write down what you’d like to achieve—along with those skills you possess that can help you attain your goals.

3 Look at your attributes and professional history Finally, it’s important to recognize your brand attributes, then apply them to your professional history. To identify your attributes, come up with at least three nouns to describe yourself as a professional.

Are you a great communicator, leader, visionary, or organizer? Then drum up three sentences that round out your professional history in relation to those attributes (e.g. I have 15 years of experience leading groups through philanthropic efforts).

After completing these goals, you’ll have enough information to create a truly outstanding branding statement that not only gives an employer confidence in your ability to succeed but boosts your own confidence as a top professional.

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

JOB SEARCH 25

Thursday, January 15, 2015

J0BS NEWS

180 Ekiti Assembly Workers Sacked

30 startups to watch out for (1)

Ampush➊ Ampush is a social ad-tech-

nology company that works to help brands and direct response advertisers achieve performance at scale with Facebook ads.

Clients include MasterCard, Rdio, HotelTonight, Kellogg’s, Warrior Dash and Sojo Studios.

➋ LLC

Governor Fayose

GSM Nation

Through its e-commerce platform, GSM Nation offers a wide selection of smart-phones, tablets and other wireless accessories. The company not only sells the physical device but offers a no-contract wireless service plan for consumers who don’t want to be locked into long-term agreements.

Enplug ➌ Enplug is a startup focused

on providing a digital, interactive real-time billboard network.

Think restaurant menus or car details splayed on big tablet-like screens.

Blue ➍ Track Media

Blue Track Media is an advertising agency that looks to connect advertisers focused on incentive methods, like affiliation programs, and publishers who utilize the incentive-based model.

Cater2.me ➎ Cater2.me con-

nects chefs, food trucks, pop-ups and top local food with offices and startups in the Silicon Valley, New York and Chicago.

Social Media To-Do List For Job Seekers (2) Google+ Once you’ve built your LinkedIn profile, I’d suggest replicating this on your Google+ profile. The main benefit to having a Google+ profile is that they rank very highly on Google searches. This will allow you to get a representation of yourself that shows you in a good light high up in Google searches.

This can be particularly useful if a potential employer Googles you to get a little bit more information on you. Your Google+ profile will more than likely appear above other sites or profiles, ensuring that they see a professional representation of you, rather than one that shows you in a less favorable light or profiles of others with similar names muddying the waters.

Use Circles Google+ also has some handy features that you can utilise when networking. Find employees and hiring decision makers that already work at target companies and add them to an employer specific circle. Once you do this, you’ll be able to start getting involved in discussions or commenting on their content. If done right, this will help you to attract their attention – whether it leads to an opportunity or helps when an opportunity eventually comes up.

Twitter Twitter offers one of the easiest

ways to network with potential employers. Most organisations worth their salt will have a presence on Twitter, as will their individual recruiters. Before you start following and engaging with them, it’s a good idea to build up a profile/brand that shows your interest in the area that you are trying to get work in. Use relevant keywords in your bio to show your particular specialty and follow and engage with other professionals and organizations relevant to your target industry/role.

Follow and engage with target employers and decision-makers Once you’ve built up a reputation, start following employers and decision-makers and monitor their activities, corporate culture, ethos, and upcoming opportunities. Every so often, you may find that they post content that you can engage with, whether that is by Retweeting, Favoriting, or by adding an insightful comment or one that sparks conversation. Make it a regular habit to do this and you’ll be well on your way to prompting the types of conversations that generate job leads and career conversations.

Facebook While Facebook may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of your job search, your profile may be

picked up by recruiters using people aggregators. In addition, it is often the first place that employers will advertise in order to reach the target demographics they’re interested in for new job opportunities within their business. Ensure that you have filled out your work history, education, and professional skills information on your Facebook profile so that relevant adverts are shown to you and so that you appear in Facebook search results.

Like potential employers’ pages and engage with them Similar to LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter you may be able to connect with employers pages by liking them. This can show to an employer that you are interested in what they are doing and that you’re keeping up to date with any developments. It will also allow you to engage with their page if and when there is something that you can add insightful comment to. So, don’t discount Facebook as a career move tool.

Hopefully these tips will help recruiters and employers to find you and will give you the chance to impress if and when there is an opportunity to engage with them.Social media gives you an opportunity to manage your brand and connect with those who can help your career. The question is, can you afford not to have a social media presence?

About 180 civil servants working in the Ekiti State House of Assembly have got a bad New Year gift from the government.

The workers, who were employed by the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, were sacked on Monday after they had finished the New Year prayer as part of activities to mark the first working day.

The civil servants were exchanging banters with their colleagues after the prayer when factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi announced their sack.

Some of the sacked workers, who asked not to be named, alleged that Olugbemi told them that “they were not properly employed by the immediate past administration”.

The workers, some of whom were weeping, described their sack as unfortunate and appealed to Governor Ayo Fayose to reinstate them.

One said: “We are not politicians; we are civil servants and we have been loyal to the government and government is a continuum.

“It is a very bad thing for you to resume work the first working day of the year and be handed a sack letter. What are we going to tell our dependants at home?

“We have families to feed and take care of. Every government employs civil servants at one time or the other and we believe that the Fayose administration will also employ new workers anytime the state’s finances improve.

“For us to be sacked summarily because we were employed by Fayemi is very unfair to us and we appeal to the governor to temper justice with mercy.

“We are Ekiti indigenes and many of us even voted for Fayose.

Is this the way they are going to pay us back?

“We urge the governor to have mercy on us and take us back because many people will be affected by our sack.”

Olugbemi alleged that the sacked workers were employed by the Fayemi administration after losing the June 21 election.

Compiled by Olujide Olusola

26

Manager Gambaraa Nigeria Limited, Abuja 5 - 7 years Visit: http://jbng.me/391767 Or send your CV to: 3b067@jbng.me

Gambaraa Nigeria Limited is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities: • The manager is responsible for meeting the sales targets of the organization through effective planning and budgeting.

• Must ensure the targets are realistic and achievable.

• As a manager, you must understand who can perform a particular task in the most effective way.

• As a manager you should devise strategies and techniques necessary for achieving the sales targets.

• As a manager you should map out potential customers and generate leads for the organization.

Qualifications: • Minimum Qualification - Degree • Years of Experience - 5 years

Accountant Gambaraa Nigeria Limited, Abuja 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/391768 Or send your CV to: 3b068@jbng.me

Gambaraa Nigeria Limited is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities: • Interact with internal and external auditors in completing audits.

• Under the supervision of the Senior Financial Accountant, manage the production of Annual and Quarterly reports and Accounts and the associated supporting evidence and reconciliation.

• Working with the Senior Financial Accountant and others to ensure the company receives a clean audit report.

Qualifications: • Minimum Qualification - Degree • Years of Experience - 3-5 years

Production Manager Gambaraa Nigeria Limited, Abuja 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/391770 Or send your CV to: 3b06a@jbng.me

Gambaraa Nigeria Limited is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities: • Provides manufacturing information by compiling, initiating, sorting, and analyzing production performance records and data; answering questions and responding to requests.

• Creates and revises systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, record-keeping systems, forms of control, and budgetary and personnel requirements; implementing change.

• Maintains safe and clean work environment by educating and directing personnel on the use of all control points, equipment, and resources; maintaining compliance with established policies and

Thursday, January 15, 2015

procedures.

• Maintains working relationship with the union by following the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

• Resolves personnel problems by analyzing data; investigating issues; identifying solutions; recommending action.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; bench-marking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as nee Qualifications: • Minimum Qualification - Degree • Years of Experience - 3 years

Driver Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/392146 Or send your CV to: 3b1e2@jbng.me We are a Vehicle Rental, Leasing and Logistics Company with operations in Abuja and Lagos.

Summary • We seek young men who are proud, passionate and conscientious about Driving and responsible and cautious in managing the vehicles to ensure the satisfaction and safety of the clients assigned to them.

• We also offer a two year Earn and Learn Career pathway that provides full scholarship for qualified Drivers who have spent a minimum of three years of untainted service to pursue a Diploma or Degree in any Nigerian University ..

• The remuneration and compensation package is industry competitive and geared to reward talented and trusted employees.

Qualification and Requirement • Must have a minimum qualification of an OND or an appropriate Certificate; • Interested applicants should be between 28 to 35years of age; • Must have passed through formal driving lessons • Must be duly certified and conversant with international codes for driving.

• Must be personable, organised and willing to work within a structured environment that exemplifies best practice in transportation services.

Fleet Operations Supervisor Abuja

3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/392093 Or send your CV to: 3b1ad@jbng.me A growing, innovative and well positioned international transportation, travel and tourism company seeks qualified, experienced, resourceful, highly driven, committed men and women to take up this position.

Interested candidates should be willing to work in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Calabar .

Job Title: Fleet Operations Supervisor Location: Abuja

Responsibilities: • Manage and safeguard company fleet, ensuring optimal utilization and maintenance in line with stated policies and guidelines.

• Coordinate all fleet activities ensuring compliance with the company operating policies, controls and procedures.

• Directs and coordinates acquisition of automotive equipment and maintenance of automotive fleet repair and storage facilities to ensure maximum utilization of automotive equipment and minimize operational downtime.

• Prepares preventive maintenance schedule for whole company fleet and ensure regular maintenance .

• Proactive handling of all complaints, vehicle breakdowns and other fleet operations issues.

• Attend to and recover accident vehicles as well as rescue vehicles in cases of breakdown or issues with regulatory bodies.

• Ensures that all accident vehicles are repaired under insurance as per insurance contract terms and conditions.

• Submits detailed analytical monthly report on cost of repairs, replacement utilization, and dead stock, pending jobs with reasons for pending and customer satisfaction to management.

• Monitoring the cleanliness and required uniforms of pilots and conducting occasional spot checks on appearance of pilots.

• Oversee the renewal of vehicle licenses, insurance and other statutory documentations/requirements.

• Ensure daily logs of vehicle breakdown, maintenance problems and accidents are maintained.

• Assist in creating and maintaining relationships with service providers and regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and other government establishments.

• Prepare/compile agreed periodic activity and performance reports for the attention of the Fleet Manager and other relevant parties.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the General Manager and the Managing Director.

Qualifications and Requirements:: • Interested candidates should be between 30 and 40 years old.

• A University degree.

• Possession of relevant professional certification an added advantage.

• They should have clocked up 3 - 5 years.

• Must possess a valid drivers license, be resourceful, creative, innovative and responsive.

• Demonstrate good supervisory and leadership skills as well as manage corporate resources and be proficient in the use of office productivity tools.

experienced, resourceful, highly driven, committed men and women to take up this position.

Interested candidates should be willing to work in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Calabar .

Job Title: Regional Manager Location: Abuja Responsibilities: • Responsible for performance driven business development in the territory.

• Define sales strategy for products and services within assigned territory and ensure that set sales targets are met.

• Leads key account management for existing clients deploying customer relationship management tools to ensure total customer satisfaction and incremental business from client. Ensure effective and efficient order fulfilment for clients.

• Oversees the management of the company’s assets as well as aspects of operations management working with function specific professionals.

Qualifications and Requirements: • Minimum of a B.Sc. • Aged between 30 and 40 years.

• Interested candidates should possess good administrative, leadership and business development skills and experience with demonstrable track record and clocked up 5-7 years experience in the transport, travel and tourism industry especially.

Driver Sparkle Clean, Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393675 Or send your CV to: 3b7db@jbng.me Sparkle Clean, a laundry services company.

Job description The driver shall strictly observe traffic rules and regulation and maximum speed.

The driver shall maintain assigned vehicles always clean and in good condition, necessary maintenance such as washing and /or cleaning of assigned vehicles shall be done and scheduled properly for the convenience of the client.

Qualifications: • Minimum of SSCE. • Must have good communication skill.

• Must reside around Lokogoma and Galadima Abuja.

• 1-2 years of experience.

Butcher (Ref: PT 01) Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393643 Or send your CV to: 3b7bb@jbng.me

5 - 7 years Visit: http://jbng.me/392088 Or send your CV to: 3b1a8@jbng.me

We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

A growing, innovative and well positioned international transportation, travel and tourism company seeks qualified,

Basic Requirements • Minimum of Two (2) and five (5) years hands-on experience

Regional Manager Abuja

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

• Working knowledge of operational tools and equipments • Culinary certificates or its equivalent would be an added advantage • Working knowledge of HACCP and HALAL requirements • Knowledge of standard safety procedures • GCE/ O Level qualification is essential All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Farm Manger John Gate Multi Venture, Kogi 5 - 7 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393660 Or send your CV to: 3b7cc@jbng.me

sales targets.

• As a marketer you should map out potential customers and generate leads for the organization.

• Be able to look forward to generating new opportunities for the organization.

Requirements: • Minimum Qualification-SSCE • Years of Experience- 1 year

Security Man John Gate Multi Venture, Kogi 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393663 Or send your CV to: 3b7cf@jbng.me

John Gate Multi Venture is in need of a suitable candidate for this position

Responsibilities • Assisting in the day-to-day management and training of the farm staff.

• Assisting with site planning and planting the farm’s arable crops in an efficient and strategic manner.

• Developing research and development strategies and assisting in experimental trials.

• Presenting research and development strategies to the farm manager and General Manager.

• And report directly to the Farm manager

Responsibilities • Provide a professional, efficient, and approachable security service with associated switchboard and reception duties, maintaining a high level of customer service to staff and visitors at all times.

• Carry out internal and external patrols, day and night to ensure a safe and secure environment, recording maintenance issues, potential breaches of security or unusual occurrences in the ‘Daily occurrence book’.

• To provide visitors with helpful advice, guidance and information and if not able to do so, direct to other members of staff who can assist.

Requirements: • Minimum Qualification-HND • Years of Experience- 5 years

Requirements: • Minimum Qualification-SSCE • Years of Experience- 2 years

Poultry Assistant John Gate Multi Venture, Kogi

Air Conditioner/ Refrigerator (R & A) Technician (Ref: MT 05) Abuja

John Gate Multi Venture is in need of a suitable candidate for this position

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393661 Or send your CV to: 3b7cd@jbng.me John Gate Multi Venture is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities • Ensure all aspects of running the farm are met • Maintain safe work practices of all staff and contractors on site • Ensure the welfare of livestock, feed ordering, ventilation management, vaccination, record keeping, etc., are met Requirements: • Minimum Qualification-SSCE • Years of Experience- 1 year

Marketer John Gate Multi Venture, Abuja 1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393662 Or send your CV to: 3b7ce@jbng.me

John Gate Multi Venture is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities • The marketer is responsible for meeting the sales targets of the organization.

• As a marketer, you must understand who can perform a particular task in the most effective way.

• As a marketer you should devise strategies and techniques necessary for achieving the

3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393604 Or send your CV to: 3b794@jbng.me

We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

Basic Requirements • Minimum of four (4) yours post qualification with Trade Tests I II and III or Certificate of Apprenticeship form an accredited issuer.

• Working experience in a structured maintenance team • Knowledge and skills in other technical competencies other than core competence • Knowledge of standard safety procedures • Relevant OND/ HND qualification would an added advantage All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Welder (Ref: MT 04) Abuja

3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393606 Or send your CV to: 3b796@jbng.me

We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

Basic Requirements • Minimum of four (4) yours post qualification with Trade Tests I II and III or Certificate of Apprenticeship form an accredited issuer.

• Working experience in a structured maintenance team • Knowledge and skills in other technical competencies other than core competence • Knowledge of standard safety procedures • Relevant OND/ HND qualification would an added advantage All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Cold Room Technician (Ref: MT 03) Abuja 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393608 Or send your CV to: 3b798@jbng.me

We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

Basic Requirements • Minimum of four (4) yours post qualification with Trade Tests I II and III or Certificate of Apprenticeship form an accredited issuer.

• Working experience in a structured maintenance team • Knowledge and skills in other technical competencies other than core competence • Knowledge of standard safety procedures • Relevant OND/ HND qualification would an added advantage All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Electrician (Ref: MT 02) Abuja

3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393610 Or send your CV to: 3b79a@jbng.me We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

Basic Requirements • Minimum of four (4) yours post qualification with Trade Tests I II and III or Certificate of Apprenticeship form an accredited issuer.

• Working experience in a structured maintenance team • Knowledge and skills in other technical competencies other than core competence

• Knowledge of standard safety procedures • Relevant OND/ HND qualification would an added advantage All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Bakery Assistant (Ref: PT02) Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393641 Or send your CV to: 3b7b9@jbng.me We are the de facto leader in Sub Saharan Africa for Airline Catering Services. At present, we supply over 1.5 million meals, annually and continuously strive to deliver airline catering excellence. Our focused approach touches on every aspect of the product lifecycle from order placement to end user satisfaction.

Basic Requirements • Minimum of Two (2) and five (5) years hands-on experience • Working knowledge of operational tools and equipments • Culinary certificates or its equivalent would be an added advantage • Working knowledge of HACCP and HALAL requirements • Knowledge of standard safety procedures • GCE/ O Level qualification is essential All applications in the form of an up-to-date resume, stating specific job reference as subject of the email. Multiple applications will be disqualified. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Marketer Abuja

Entry Level Visit: http://jbng.me/391215 Or send your CV to: 3ae3f@jbng.me A mass media communication company based in Lagos with coverage in all parts of Nigeria. The company is print and online based. We require the services of competent candidates to fill this role Job summary: Will market our services to clients Requirements: • We afford our staff the opportunity at training and retraining for best results in their career Hence, experience is no impediment.

• However, applicants must possess at least the Ordinary National Diploma (OND).

Reporter Kaduna

Entry Level Visit: http://jbng.me/391208 Or send your CV to: 3ae38@jbng.me A mass media communication company based in Lagos with coverage in all parts of Nigeria. The company is print and online based. We require the services of competent candidates to fill this role Job summary: Will act as a correspondent Requirements: • We afford our staff the opportunity at

28 training and retraining for best results in their career Hence, experience is no impediment.

• However, applicants must possess at least the Ordinary National Diploma (OND).

Reporter Abuja

Entry Level Visit: http://jbng.me/391206 Or send your CV to: 3ae36@jbng.me A mass media communication company based in Lagos with coverage in all parts of Nigeria. The company is print and online based. We require the services of competent candidates to fill this role Job summary: Will act as a correspondent Requirements: • We afford our staff the opportunity at training and retraining for best results in their career Hence, experience is no impediment.

• However, applicants must possess at least the Ordinary National Diploma (OND).

Sales Manager Kaduna

5 - 7 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393070 Or send your CV to: 3b57e@jbng.me Our client, S.A Abdulazeez General Enterprises (a Procter & Gamble Major Distributor) in Kaduna requires enthusiastic individuals to join its organization.

Job Responsibilities: • Develop comprehensive strategic sales plan for the organization.

• Stay attuned to market trends, ensuring sales activities are coordinated accordingly.

• Set sales targets, with frequent reviews to ensure alignment with organisational goals.

• Identify new market opportunities in terms of market penetration and expanding regional coverage.

• Ensure that all branches and outstations meet their weekly, monthly and yearly targets.

• Provide reports on sales trends per sku, location and reporting period.

• Develop innovative and effective training and staff development programs for sales force.

• Supervising and monitoring activities of branch sales forces, through branch FSM. • Coordinating all administrative sales activities on a day to day basis.

• Enhance and improve positioning and image of brands, by creating unique customer.

Qualification/Requirement: • A Bachelors degree in marketing, economics or related.

• At least 5 years experience • Experience in leadership or managerial roles.

• Excellent sales and negotiation skills.

• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel.

• Innovation and Creativity.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skill.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Graphic Designer Zion Zurest, Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393583 Or send your CV to: 3b77f@jbng.me Zion Zurest is in need of a suitable candidate for this position Responsibilities A graphic designer is responsible for creating design solutions that have a high visual impact. The role involves listening to clients and understanding their needs before making design decisions.

Their designs are required for a huge variety of products and activities, such as websites, advertising, books, magazines, posters, computer games, product packaging, exhibitions and displays, corporate communications and corporate identity, i.e. giving organisations a visual ‘brand’.

Qualifications: • Minimum Qualification-SSCE • Years of Experience- 1-2 years

Business Development Executive VIRTUSYNC LTD. (NIG), Abuja

• Manage sales and technical resources to efficiently close business • Preparation of quotations and proposals • Demonstrated leadership in managing sales cycles • Successfully present and deliver VIRTUSYNC Technologies solutions and services.

Qualifications and Requirements • A degree in a relevant field • Few years of successful sales experience; preferably in technology sales, but not a must • Must be competitive • Strong written and verbal skills • Professional sales training is desirable • UK educational background is an added advantage • Knowledge of the North /Hausa language is an added advantage

Mechanical Engineer Abuja

7 - 10 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393591 Or send your CV to: 3b787@jbng.me A consulting firm seeks qualified candidates to fill this role

3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393584 Or send your CV to: 3b780@jbng.me

Job summary: Handle our building construction projects within the region.

Virtusync Limited is a corporate member of the Information Management Society of Great Britain with over 25 years experience and having worked with partners in 55 countries, providing effective business process solutions. VIRTUSYNC Ltd. A unique service provider with capacity to and capability to deliver any kind of IT solution of small as well as very large scale public sector and private sector institutions.

Requirements: • Resides in Abuja • The candidate must have a minimum of HND in Mechanical engineering.

• Must be well experienced in Mechanical works in relation to building construction.

• 7-10 years experience • Must belong to COREN or NSE

Job Summary • The Account Manager is responsible for generating sales within their geographic territory from our EXISTING & NEW Clients. This job requires an aggressive hunter with a burning desire to earn top money by selling our industry leading Virtual Information solutions.

• An ideal candidate is a highly motivated sales minded professional with excellent prospecting, problem solving, time management, and forecasting skills.

Rigorous sales and technology training programs will set the foundation for your success. Our company has a “promote from within” philosophy with a career path for those that show the ability to consistently achieve goals.

• To be successful at VIRTUSYNC, you have to be a self-driven sales professional with a passion for consistently exceeding sales goals and customer satisfaction. If you are looking for an opportunity to exceed your expectations, then it’s a great job for you. An official car and driver is available to make your calls and Serviced Apartment will be provided after confirmation.

Responsibilities • Qualify inbound and marketing leads • Cold call prospects to identify new business opportunities • Work with team members in the assigned territories to maximize revenue potential and customers’ satisfaction across all accounts • Meet or exceed quarterly sales target

Brand and Marketing Communications Louis Valentino Nigeria, Abuja 3 - 5 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393519 Or send your CV to: 3b73f@jbng.me

Louis Valentino Nigeria seeks the services of a qualified candidate for this position Duties • Fully responsible for the brand’s operations and personnel in Nigeria.

• Meet defined objectives, mainly sales targets (value & volume), brand growth, market penetration, price realisation, market share, new products while minimising costs.

• Formulate, develop and implement appropriate marketing strategies and business plans.

• Responsible for managing and developing sales team and channels through motivation, skills and product knowledge.

• Explore and exploit new markets, develop sales and brand awareness through networking and collaboration.

• Relationship management with customers and sourcing of new prospects.

• Provide market intelligence, product and pricing strategy for the Nigerian market • Be capable of providing strong leadership and be willing to take tough decisions.

Present weekly and monthly sales and brand plans and deliver plans on growth • Managing delivery of High Potential Key distributors and trade partners

Key Requirements • Must have previous experience in sales, primarily in branding, marketing, PR, distribution and sales.

• Candidates should have strong business acumen, good analytical skills and an appreciable Finance and Planning capability.

• Have excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent time management, working flexibly and ability to relate with customers, buyers and media is integral.

• Strong experience in managing major accounts and relationship building skills.

• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills - ability to understand people and sell ideas and to others will be a huge aspect of the business requirements for this role • Impeccable people leadership and management skills with the ability to motivate and inspire others to perform and achieve results in a diverse team.

• Good interpersonal skills and have excellent IT literacy.

Secretary Scott Yard Security, Abuja

1 - 3 years Visit: http://jbng.me/393420 Or send your CV to: 3b6dc@jbng.me A security consulting company is in need of a competent applicant to fill this position Job Description • Composes and types routine letters, memoranda, reports, minutes of meetings,scientific or technical material, numerical data, charts and forms.

• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls, takes messages, schedules appointments for professional(s) and/ or management staff and provides information to callers requiring knowledge of agency’s operations, supervisor’s point of view, and the interpretation and application of policies and procedures.

• Schedules and arranges meetings and conferences for professional(s) and/or management staff and notifies interested parties; makes travel reservations as needed.

• Proofreads and corrects prepared materials for correct grammar, format, completeness,and content.

• Establishes and maintains office files, logs, indexes, control records, or other information concerning the work under the supervisor’s control.

• Enters, retrieves, updates, verifies, and deletes information from electronic files.

• Takes minutes or recordings of meetings.

• Sorts, opens, and distributes incoming mail to staff; associates incoming • Correspondence with files or related materials needed for meetings, correspondence, and reports.

• Maintains confidentiality of documents Required Skills • Must be able to multi-task.

• Must be able to finish her work in a timely manner with minimal supervision.

• Must posess basic mathematics skills.

• Must have good communications skills, both oral and written.

• Computer skills are essential.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, OJU P .M.B 2035, OTUKPO BENUE STATE

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF BURSAR Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of Bursar.

BURSAR: RESPONSIBILITIES: (i) The Bursar is responsible to the Provost (ii) He plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the operation of the financial system of the College. (iii) He takes charge of the financial administration of the Bursary department of the College, and (iv) He performs other related matters as may be assigned by the Provost.

ECONOMIC & FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION

WANTED BY EFCC

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants should possess the following qualifications and experience: (i) A holder of a good Bachelors degree (minimum of Second Class Lower division) /HND (minimum of Lower Credit) in Accountancy or Finance from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least 18 years post- qualification cognate experience. (ii) Membership of a professional Accounting body e.g. ICAN or ANAN (iii) Knowledge of I.C.T will be an added advantage (iv) Evidence of Community Service is also required.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: The appointment is for an initial period of five years renewable for another term of five years.

METHOD OF APPLICATION: Interested applicants are to submit type-written application in 15 copies with the following information: i.

Name ii.

Date of Birth iii.

Local Government Area iv.

Nationality v.

Permanent Home Address vi.

Contact Address including GSM numbers and Email vii.

Marital Status viii.

Number of Children with Ages ix.

Schools Attended with Dates x.

Certificates Obtained with Dates Xl. Membership of Professional Bodies xii.

Evidence of Community Service xiii.

Present Appointment with date and salary xiv.

Names and address of three (3) referees Candidates are required to forward their applications and Curriculum Vitae with photocopies of relevant credentials (under confidential cover) to: The Registrar, College of Education, Oju PMB 2035, Otukpo Benue State.

Candidates are advised to request their referees to forward Confidential reports on them to the Registrar. All applications and reference reports should reach the Registrar not later than Six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.

NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AGBEBI SAMUEL ADEBANJI The public is hereby notified that AGBEBI SAMUEL ADEBANJI, of Hepa Global Energy Limited, 33, Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum Product.

He was on board a vessel MT Good Success carrying 1,459 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, instead of the 350 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, it was licensed to carry.

Samuel, 49, is dark in complexion. An indigene of Ogbagi Akoko Local Government Area of Ondo state, he speaks English and Yoruba language fluently.

He is currently on the run and all efforts to get him arrested have proved abortive.

Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers 09-9044751-3, 08093322644, 08183322644, 070-26350721-3,070-6350724-5; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.

Wilson Uwujaren Head, Media & Publicity

Signed: IDOKO, George Benson Martins, FCIDA, fsca Registrar

officialefcc

@officialefcc

officialefcc

commerce/BUSINESS 31 commerce REPORTS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

ITF Laments Dearth Of Vocational Skills OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

L-R: Executive director, Business Development, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri; chief executive officer, Mr Oscar Onyema and executive director, Market Operations and technology, Mr Ade Bajomo all of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) during its yearly 2014 market recap and outlook for 2015 held at the exchange floor in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

ABUCCIMA Set To Inaugurate 9th President Stories By Kingsley Alu, Abuja

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) will inaugurate its new executive led by its new president, Mr Tony Ejinkeoye, on January 21, 2015, at the Ladi Kwali Banquet Hall, Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja, under the chairmanship of the national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce of commerce, Industry, Mines and agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.

This is following the end of the three-year tenure of the previous executive led by Dr Solomon Nyagba.

The major highlights of this event include the presentation of the 2014 Abuja Chamber awards to distinguished and deserving awardees.

A statement signed by the vice president, Public Relations, ABUCCIMA, Mr Jude Igwe, and obtained by LEADERSHIP indicated that the chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be awarded the Abuja Chamber Industrialist of the Year while the chairman of the Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Ofor, would be honoured as the Abuja Chamber Businessman of the Year. Other awardees are the director-general, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, who receives the Abuja Chamber Most Innovative CEO of the year and chairman, Sky Bank, Mr Olatunde Ayeni who takes home the Abuja Chamber Investor of the Year.

The statement further noted that as a prelude to this event, the chamber held her Annual Business Roundtable with the theme: “Accessing

Governmental and Institutional Support by Small and Medium Enterprises” which drew resource persons from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Organised Private Sector (OPS).

Over 150 participants also attended from the business community in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

It, however, stressed that the roundtable issued a communiqué containing valuable recommendations to the relevant agencies which it hopes would be implemented to help the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play their expected roles as the engine of economic development.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be awarded the Abuja Chamber Industrialist of the Year

FG reiterates Commitment To Grow Made-in-Nigeria Market The federal government has reiterated its commitment to growing the Made-inNigeria market in line with the determination to create more jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians.

The minister of industry, trade and investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said government’s policy on made- in- Nigeria products, which gave priority to the patronage of locally-made products, would, among many other benefits, help curb the waste of foreign reserves on what could be manufactured in the country.

Aganga, who spoke during the inspection of the Secure ID production plant for smart cards in Lagos, said that already, the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan

by President Goodluck Jonathan had kick-started the diversification of the economy and revenue source of the country since 2012.

According to the minister, for the first time in the history of the nation, Nigeria has a robust and comprehensive plan which the current administration started implementing in 2012. This, he noted, was

to diversify the economy in the areas where Nigeria had competitive and comparative advantage.

“The federal government is ahead of the present fall of oil price today by focusing on agro industrial processing such as sugarcane to sugar under the sugar master plan that has attracted $3 billion investment commitment; the development of local content and job creation under the auto policy; and the backward integration in cement and rice production, among others.

“Our approach has always been value addition,

using local content which had resulted to $14 billion investment into the oil and petrochemical industry.

We have created a gas industrial park in Delta State mainly to provide a source of raw materials in the petrochemical sector,” Aganga said.

He added, “The beauty of NIRP is that it looks into the areas of competitive and comparative advantage and focuses on how to reduce the cost of production and make products produced in the country more competitive and easier for Nigerians to afford.”

The director-general of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, has observed the dearth of vocational skills as a major factor inhibiting development in the country.

She said the Nigerian population was growing in leaps and bounds, and there is urgent need to harness this potential, stressing that the shortage of technical and vocational skills is constraining enterprise development and restricting employment.

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zones Authority (OGFTZA) Onne, Rivers State, Chukkas-Onaeko said, “Evidences from developed and emerging economies show that requisite expertise constitute a key platform for attaining sustainable economic improvement which could only be accomplished by a properly planned and implementable system of education and training.

“In spite of the different governments’ interventions, it is evident that the nation is nevertheless grappling with a shortage of skills.

We do not have the necessary expertise in Nigeria and we have to appear elsewhere. We have proffered options that will address the weaknesses and bridge the capabilities and improvement wants without which it will be hard for Nigeria to totally industrialise.

The managing director of the OGFTZA, Onne, Alabo Victor, noted that the free trade zones were designed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the oil and gas sector and that the country was witnessing the evolution of trends and investments in FDI and clientele.

According to him, the oil and gas free of charge zones had been really active in current times and attracted main oil field operations. He pointed out that Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone attracted more than 200 businesses operating in different statuses, ranging from oil service companies, projects, manufacturing and processing, banking and so on.

LCCI, OPS To Interact With Lagos Guber Candidates OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said it has concluded plans to interact with the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode and Mr Jimi Agbaje respectively on the agenda for the private sector, post-2015 elections.

The chamber disclosed this in a press release sent to the media and stated that the event, which will be held in Lagos on January 23, 2015, is a forum designed to allow the candidates to articulate their agenda for the private sector development in the state and let Lagosians know what the candidates have for them.

According to the president of the LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, the state of the economy should be of paramount importance to anybody who aspires to political office not only in Lagos but in all states as well as the presidency of the nation.

Bello stated that it is the private sector that is in the best position to influence the direction of the economy, hence the need for the organised private sector to interact publicly with the candidates before the elections.

He said, “considering the fact that Lagos state is the commercial and industrial nerve centre of the nation, wherein is located the preponderance of businesses operating in Nigeria, the interaction is very necessary.

“The chamber had organised similar fora in 2007 for all the parties’ governorship candidates and in 2011 for the two leading parties.”

32 BUSINESS/mines & steel

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Declining Oil Price: ‘Invest In Mining Sector’ The collapse in the price of crude oil in the international market has changed the tone of the federal government with regard to the development of the economy. While the present government has been hammering on the diversification of the economy, Ruth Tene Natsa, in this piece, wonders why it has shown no interest in investing in the solid minerals sector.

The federal government has always paid lip service to the development of the solid minerals sector despite stakeholder’s assessment of the huge potential of the sector to create jobs, alleviate poverty and create wealth.

The recent report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) that the Solid Minerals Audit report earned the economy N31.449 billion in 2012 as against N26.925 billion in 2011 left stakeholders wondering why the government continues to lip service to the development of the sector.

The report revealed an increase of 17 per cent as against the previous year, showing that the sector is capable of yielding more if given the necessary support to stabilise, taking into cognisance the fact that the sector in the past was a major contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The NEITI audit report on governance and revenue management of the sector for 2012 revealed that “the solid minerals sector is still a minor productive sector with low contributions to the main macroeconomic areas of the economy. It accounted for a meagre 0.02 per cent of total exports’ earnings and 0.14 per cent of new employments in the country by the end of 2012. However, out of the 17,000 jobs created by the solid minerals sector in 2012, 96 per cent were Nigerian hires.”

65 companies drawn from construction, quarry and cement manufacturing were covered by the audit based on the materiality threshold of N2 million while from the

government side, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Ministry of Finance as well as Mines Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development were also covered. In 2011, the NEITI also reported that the federal government had earned N26.9 billion from solid minerals, further revealing that Nigeria exported a total of 7.12 metric tonnes (mts) of solid minerals valued at N11.9 billion during the period under review.

While the need to invest in the sector for economic development has been overwhelming, there is no doubt that the sector has been challenged by poor funding, activities of illegal/informal miners as well as the absence of bankable data, thus, the need to invest in the sector. Stakeholders during a meeting in 2013 advocated actionable plans for the development of the sector. Their calls included sourcing for funds from the Solid Minerals Development Fund and the Natural Resources Fund, coordination of long term project financing with the support of the Stanbic IBTC for post exploration financing and mining, off-take arrangements, securitisation, development of finance institutions to provide longer term financing, among other issues.

Stakeholders also advocated for the enforcement of the “Use it or Lose it” principle in the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 in minerals title administration by the MCO in the

Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to discourage jobbers and speculators from holding dormant mineral titles.

It was agreed that the Nigerian Constitution and the legal and regulatory frameworks in the sector were robust, formidable and comprehensive to address the challenges and problems associated with the sector. Despite these calls by the stakeholders and two years after the call, the sector has remained neglected with very little funding and government’s interest.

Meanwhile, the minister of mines and steel development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, has stressed the need for more attention to be paid to the sector, saying that it needs to find a space in the new development plan of government.

“Government is launching an industrial revolution plan that relies on creating value chains and there is no sector that creates more value chain than the minerals sector,” he said at the “Mining on Top” event in London on June 26, 2014.

Speaking on the challenges of the sector, the minister said the first challenge was in the area of policy, noting that it is very important that government takes a stand on this.

He said a “major immediate challenge now is to convince investors to come and invest into the sector. However this does not only rely on the sector itself but the general investment environment of the country is important. If one is to expect sustainability in the mining sector, these are some of the challenges and issues that With the diversification policy of government in place, there is a huge need to look at other areas with the potential for economic expansion and there is no doubt that the solid mineral sector is a viable sector and it is imperative that government looks into that sector for possible investment expansion in its diversification program.

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L-R: Leader, Team Rural and Community Development, Aisha Dasuki; Leader, Team Credit Monitoring and Performance, Usman Isiaka and manager, Corporate Management, Shehu Abdulkadir all of Abuja Enterprise Agency during a courtesy visit to the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group’s corporate head office in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

HEAD OFFICE: Plot 1239 Ladoke Akintola Boulevard Garki II, Abuja. P.M.B 457. Abuja. Nigeria :09-8756021 E-mail: info@naicom.gov.ng. Website: www.naicom.gov.ng

NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON UNSETTLED INSURANCE CLAIM(S) Section 8(a) of the NAICOM Act 1997 mandates the National Insurance Commission to establish a Bureau to which complain against any Insurance Institution may be submitted by members of the insuring public and beneficiaries.

This is to remind the general public on the duties and functions of the Complain Bureau of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

In view of the above, the General Public is hereby reminded to forward to the Commission any complain of unsettled Insurance claim.

WHO MAY COMPLAIN Any policy holder or beneficiary that feels aggrieved by the operations of any Insurance Institution. Brokers and Agents may complain on behalf of their Principal.

HOW TO COMPLAIN 1. Walk in option: visit NAICOM's Complaints Bureau or any Zonal Office and lay your complain.

2.

Write a complain to :

The Commissioner for Insurance Plot 1239 Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garki 2 Abuja.

3.

Fill and submit a complaint form on the Commission's website www.naicom.gov.ng/complains

4.

Call the Complaints Bureau contact line on 08172047735 and /or

5.

Call NAICOM's Call Center on the following lines:

092919241-4

CONTENTS OF THE LETTER OF COMPLAIN 1. Name of complainant/policy holder 2. Phone number, Address and e-mail address of complainant/policy holder 3. Name of Insurance Institution being complained against 4. Nature of complain 5. Type of policy with policy number and claim number.

6. Amount of claim NO FEE The services rendered by the Complaints Bureau of NAICOM are free of charge.

SIGNED MANAGEMENT

34 OPINION

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Predictions And Okotie’s Numeracy

By Kofi Inyang

Azu Ishiekwene’s column on New Year predictions rituals by our prophet’s, (Predictions: The Good And The Ghastly- 2/1/15) hit it right on the head, despite his characteristic biting humour that made light, such an important subject which often sways Nigeria’s gullible reading public. It is only a lazy, unrealistic people that get enthralled by such fantasy in this age of hi-tech information revolution.

Like the influential columnist noted, these prophets have more misses than hits in their predictions, a manifestation of the fast growing spiritual cashcow-prophecy. Some, like the imperious Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, whose audacious prophetic counsel against the candidature of PDP’s presidential candidate Goodluck Jonathan, ruffled sensitive feathers in Aso Rock, and the Christian community engaged in double-speak.

However, Rev. Chris Okotie’s article; “2015 And Crony Democracy”, like all his commentaries, expectedly generated widespread reactions on the social media, because in both style and content, it was a sharp departure from those of our run-on-the-mill soothsayers. The Pastor-Politician now famously taking the role of public intellectual didn’t dwell on prophecy, but on the influence of Satanism on the bodypolitic.

In an attempt to delineate the Nigerian power game and the political culture that drives it, the pastor-politician made an indepth analysis in the interview he gave to the now defunct Compass Newspaper, on October 28, 2010, where he talked about the ‘tripartite coalition of evil in Nigeria’, viz: Elitism, Satanism and Mysticism”.

Unfortunately, not many people understand the power dynamics or the political power play in Nigeria,

Rev. Okotie

much less the underlying factors of greed, corruption and the evils that Rev. Okotie talked about.

If they did, the furore generated on the social media by his latest commentary published on the back page of the Leadership edition of Monday, January 5, 2015 titled ‘2015 And Crony Democracy’ would not have arisen.

But ignorance is not an excuse, whether in law or biblically. Where a postulation rings true,the refusal to believe or accept a truism will not hinder or deflect the effects of such nefarious and clandestine activities. So the question should be; is the reverend correct or false in his assertion on the Elitism, Satanism and Mysticism triad, and the occultic implication of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and PDP’s 1111-11 presidential declaration date? As is characteristic of the past, especially during the election season, and can already be seen now, innocent blood flows freely, and is already flowing. All we need do is peruse the archives of the media space for reports of gory and decapitating acts of politicians and their henchmen.

Elections are here again, and governance is on recess. It is hardly

Elections are here again, and governance is on recess. It is hardly news that our politicians will go to any length to secure a victory at the polls, return to office or ensure their stooge does

news that our politicians will go to any length to secure a victory at the polls, return to office or ensure their stooge does. It is also hardly news that, as is with cult initiations and revilings, several politicians have engaged in ritualistic ceremonials to secure themselves, prove their loyalty and appease spirits and power that be. It is the calloused sensitivities of these spiritually influenced leaders that causes them to be ‘hardened against the people’.

That is why they cannot be bothered that millions die from lack of adequate medical care; why they are impervious to the blood that is spilt on the poorly maintained roads and vehicles, or why they turn a blind eye to the lives that are extinguished from poor nutrition, economic strangulation, from poor remunerations, unpaid pensions. Like Fela sang; “sorrow, tears and blood” have indeed become the regular trademark.

These facts cannot be denied by even the most hardened contender of Rev. Okotie’s analysis of the surreptitiousness in the political rigmaroles.

Asari Dokubo and his Niger Delta loonies are already breathing threatenings if President Jonathan does not return as president. The bravado behind this threat is a salutary pointer to the unleashed spirits at play in our political space.

Boko Haram on the other hand has already had a six year head start, and has let loose an atmosphere of fear and apprehension. While #BringBackOurGirls rightly focuses on calling GEJ’s government to responsive engagement in finding the missing Chibok school girls, boy students seem to fare worse in the incidence of abduction.

They face outright slaughter in the hands of those brutal insurgents, as 29 teenage boys were summarily executed; point blank at close range during the raid on the boarding school.

– Inyang sent in this piece from Abuja

Gombe 2015 And Matters Arising

By Dahiru Hassan Kera

Since its creation in 1996 by the then Gen. Sani Abacha’s military administration, quite a number of military administrators and civilian governors have ruled and governed Gombe State but, until recently, there has been no conscious effort to develop the state, restore the lost glory of human value system and transform the infrastructural-cum socioeconomic potentialities of the of the state.

The military administrators did little or nothing to deliver the dividends of governance

to the people and the state did not witness considerable development, as her key socioeconomic sectors remained stagnated and deteriorated to the disaffection and disenchantment of the state’s citizenry.

However, with the advent of the civilian rule in 1999, anxious and hopeful citizens of Gombe expressed confidence that it would be different. They were bent on electing their own leaders who would be accountable to them and act in consonance with the wishes and aspirations of the people. Thus, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu of the All Nigeria Peoples’ Party

(ANPP) was elected and sworn in as the first civilian governor of Gombe State amidst fanfare, pageantry, hope and high expectations.

A lot of promises of rapid developmental and progressive change were made by Hashidu and his cabinet and the people felt that, indeed, they were in for the good times as never before.

Alas, mid-way into his tenure, Hashidu was carried away by politics and an undying need for an undeserved second term in office, resulting in a derailment and non-performance.

Better still, while the electioneering processes have

since begun, the Dankwambo administration has continued to deliver the dividends of democracy to our teeming population, the most recent being the presentation of the N750m soft loan to Gombe traders and farmers association.

The recent presentation of his ‘score card’ has equally demonstrated his political commitment to the welfare of his people and, if achievements and performances are anything to go by and also remain the quest for the electorate, Dankwambo has no match in the 2015 general election.

– Kera wrote from Gombe

Inside Out

KUNLE SOMORIN Feed back: kunlesomorin@yahoo.co.uk 3339626 (SMS only)

There Must Be A Better Way To Leadership Recruitment

A

s the nation moves towards the next general election, a cloud of doubt seems to be hovering over its ability to self-govern.

Nothing reveals this more tellingly than the absence of philosophy in the political parties and the dearth of issues-based campaign by those contesting for national leadership.

President Goodluck Jonathan, long dubbed clueless, is pitted against a former leader, Muhammadu Buhari, that the ruling party now sees as “semi-illiterate”.

INEC, the electoral umpire, is confused about how those hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons in the Northeast will exercise their franchise. It is already predicting a run-off and telling the world that it is unprepared. INEC has not even issued PVCs to all eligible voters five weeks to the polls.

One idea could have prompted such line of thought. It is either INEC has a ready premeditated result or working to enrich its officials or some contractors or political interests. In civilized places and climes, something would have happened. It is either the relevant sections of the constitution would have been invoked or the Parliament would swiftly move to bridge the void that is staring us in the face.

Another dimension to the electioneering process is the desperation of politicians to hoodwink voters or be presented as candidates. Dimeji Bankole, Labaran Maku, Alex Otti who all lost out of the PDP primaries in Ogun, Nasarawa and Abia States pitched camps with people they considered foes days before.

Sunday services in churches and Tasfir in mosques now have 2015 polls as themes. Where a Reverend Mbaka is not committing ethical summersault on the pulpit, a Gumi’s hara-kiri on why the leading contenders should not join the fray is the talking point.

Of the most inauspicious sacrileges, and to convince Nigerians that he’s not a religious bigot, Buhari has started reading lessons in Pentecostal churches and savagely joining the hate game that he so much want to repudiate. His dress sense has even changed!

Perhaps, what the Human Rights Writers’ Association, the Nigeria Bar Association and pockets of people, those in government will call dissidents should come in handy: let a search party be arranged with members of the Nigerian Medical Association, other health professionals, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, people from the human rights community and members of the National Assembly to see beyond the melodrama that is on-going in the buildup to the 2015 election.

The signs are ominous. Promises of violencefree, credible and unfettered elections have become farcical in the face of state apparatus being deployed to guard public office holders to rallies in a zone where opposition elements are attacked by unscrupulous forces.

The presidency should not be a do-or-die affair.

Those struggling for power should know it belongs only to God. He gives to whoever pleases Him. Gen. Sani Abacha planned to reign forever. His selfperpetuation agenda happened without anyone hauling stones at him. The late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was not born a president; he didn’t court power as much as his wife and other courtiers but whether he allowed the provisions of Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution to write formally to the National Assembly on his medical leave, he passed power to Goodluck Jonathan.

education

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

2015

The Year of Education For All in Nigeria

F E AT U R E S N E W S R E P O R T S I N T E R V I E W

A cross-section of people living with disabilities

In The Year Of Efa, How Satisfied Are The Impaired?

As a developing country and one saddled with a myriad of challenges and responsibilities, Nigeria is striving hard to be among the first 20 countries in technological advancement.

In this analysis which centers primarily on sight and hearing impaired, Kuni Tyessi writes

I

How will they fit into the government’s target of 2015 concerning Education For All?

t’s true that in this part of the world, our government does not really care about the needs and welfare of students with special needs. This might be attributed to the fact that it has too many things it is battling with, especially this year which will usher in a new democratically elected government or a continuation of the old and as such, the welfare of the impaired might not be adequately considered and if they are, somehow they are forgotten and not even talked about.

How do I know? In previous education summits which gathered all stakeholders in the sector who had come to brainstorm and give suitable solutions to the multidimensional problems that have pervaded the important, but not seriously considered sector, parents, teachers and students spoke and nobody remembered that nature can be so magnanimous in creation and can allow some

persons to be born dumb, deaf and blind. Not even in those summits have braille’s and interpreters been provided to for sight and hearing impaired as if they don’t matter and their predicament treated like child’s play.

Besides the joint admissions and matriculation board(jamb) which has carefully included them in the scheme of things, thereby contributing its own quota in alleviating their plight, other parastatals have not performed creditably well which have led to the impaired painting a scenario which gives the impression that education is meant for only persons without disabilities.

This invariably means that they suffer double oppression from the government. The first has to do with the general hardship faced by most Nigerians due to our socioeconomic status and the second and most disturbing is the one coming from the ministry and some reforms that have not served

them well.

If the government has failed in its social responsibility to tackle the challenges in the sector which has led to several complaints and rot, then persons with special needs will assume that there’s no hope for them. If they suffer double oppression caused by nature or providence and also the society they have been born into, does that mean that nothing or very little can be done to make them feel accepted for disabilities which befell them without them playing a role? How will they fit into the government’s target of 2015 concerning Education For All? It is common knowledge to know that even the economy can be messed up by persons who feel they have not been carried along in the scheme of things.

External examinations have caused untold embarrassment to the government. Why would this not happen when there is no proper provision made for persons with

defects?

It’s a well known fact that oral English is a-must-write in all external exams. How are they expected to perform well when they can’t hear or speak at all or properly? How can they differentiate words and understand the sounds when special provisions to that effect are not provided? When instructions are verbally given in the exam hall, how do they get to hear or understand when there is usually no interpreter in the exam halls?

Does that mean our government does not care for their needs? If they do, what modalities has it put in place especially as it relates to external exams?

Federal government had revealed to Nigerians that one of its blue print agendum will be on teacher training and development as well as vocational and technical training. Are teachers of students with special needs included? If they are, how can they effectively translate what they have been taught to the students if the necessary materials are not provided?

Persons with special needs have opened up concerning their predicament but the question

36

36 EDUCATION/NEWS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Why ECOBA Honoured NBA President, Others – Ize-Iyamu

short news

‘NgREN Will Improve Rating Of Nigerian Varsities’

by Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The chairman of Edo College Old Boys Association, ECOBA, Lagos Branch, Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu has described the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh and other members honoured by the Association recently as worthy products of Edo College, Benin City.

Mr. Ize-Iyamu spoke during the first meeting of the Association which took place on Sunday in Magodo, Lagos.

According to Ize-Iyamu, “The criteria used include integrity, handwork, excellence in various aspects of life and display of all the positive values inculcated in us in Edo College”.

It would be recalled that during its annual dinner and dance which took place last month at Ruby Gardens, Lekki, Lagos, ECOBA gave an award to the NBA president for excelling in the legal profession. Other award recipients were the chairman of Grenigas Limited Engineer Emmanuel Aguele, who was bestowed with ‘The Life Time Achievement Award’, while the country senior partner for PwC Nigeria, Mr. Uyi Akpata and an executive director with Ecobank Mr. Kingsley Aigbonkhaevbo were honoured for outstanding performance in their professions.

Mr Ziakede P. Akpobolokemi Director General / CEO Nimasa, who was the key note speaker at the event was also honoured.

While further commending the award recipients, IzeIyamu implored them to continue keeping the flag of Edo College flying while also urging the younger ones to emulate their exemplary performance and character.

Chairman, Dandume Local Government, Alhaji Ya’u Ahmad-Noa (centre), presenting working materials to voluntary groups and Islamic schools as support for community initiated projects, in Katsina State ,yesterday. Photo By Nan

NERDC Begins Monitoring Of Revised Basic Education

by Kuni Tyessi, Abuja

In its bid to identify challenges in the overall implementation of the revised nine-year Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), the Federal Government has commenced monitoring of execution of the curriculum nationwide.

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, who disclosed this in Abuja at press briefing on the nationwide monitoring of implementation of the revised nineyear Basic Education Curriculum (BEC)/pre-field co-ordination meeting, said that the purpose of the exercise, which is a research work, is to verify if the training in the use of the Teacher’s Guides

for the implementation have been implemented in the states/FGC. He said the monitoring exercise would enable NERDC verify if the Teachers’ Guides, which had been printed and distributed to schools nationwide are being used to assist implementation of the revised plan.

Speaking further, he disclosed that the monitoring teams comprise of research officers from NERDC, Federal Ministry of Education officials, OSSAP/MDG Task Team and nominated state officials from each of the 36 states and FCT. He said: “Monitoring activities comprises of visit to the state ministries of education and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in each state and visit to schools (Primary, three JSS and one

Federal Government College in each state.

The NERDC helmsman disclosed that the next step towards ensuring proper implementation of the revised curriculum include: • Printing and dissemination of Primary 4-6 booklets of the curriculum in preparation for its take off in 2017.

Continuous capacity building of teachers until such time that the teachers are competent enough to implement the curriculum as intended; Continuous review and development of textual materials and other teaching aids for implementation of the curriculum; and Development of robust e-curriculum resource portal for teachers and learners.

Federal Government has said the Nigerian and Education Network (NgREN), is a veritable tool that would improve the rating of Nigeria universities in the world.

Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who stated this at the inauguration of the NgREN Technical Working Groups, in Abuja, noted that the research network provides a platform for new technologies which when properly harnessed would turn the entire university system around as well as place it on world map.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala said, “NgREN provides a platform for new technologies to be tested and implement but with added capabilities to offer the efficacies of unified communications and consolidation of digital content to enhance the technological profile of Nigerian university system.

The four technical groups included Network Operation, Network Services, Network Security Working group and Communities of Practice group.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, who doubles as the Chairman of NgREN Board said no nation can develop without research and it is imperative for Nigeria to design resource policy.

In The Year Of Efa, How Satisfied Are The Impaired?

35

is: are they taken seriously? After all said and done, communiqué with laid down modalities on how things could be done and corrected for future purposes are released and sadly, nothing is specifically mentioned to take care of the

challenges before them as far as education is concerned.

The ministry of education is not the only culprit in this as even the ministry of education which is expected to inform and enlighten the general populace

has failed in this. The news on television is basically not for the hearing impaired as provisions for interpretation as done in many western media is not there.

The federal government has continued to reiterate that teacher

training as well as vocational and technical education will be treated with some sense of seriousness. It is my hope that in all the busyness of the ministry, proper and adequate attention will be given to persons with special needs.

News north-central 37

Thursday, January 15, 2015

I’ll Be A Transparent Agent Of Change – Abu Bello

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

The Niger State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Sani Bello has assured that if elected, his government will be transparent and people will see the difference.

In a statement yesterday, he said, “Many people asked us, ‘how are you different?’ And we answered that we are different because we are going to lead by example.”

“Genuinely good leaders don’t allow situations to change them. You are either good or bad, effective or incompetent, a servant or a tyrant. You are who you are no matter the office you hold.”

short news

Kwara Guber: Omotosho Represents True Change – Folayan Kwara youths under the auspices of Kwara Youth Stakeholders Forum have described Harvard trained district governor of Toastmasters in West Africa (District 94), Dr Mike Omotosho as the most competent and appropriate candidate for Kwara governorship next month.

The group, in a statement signed by the president, Comr. Charles Olufemi Folayan in Abuja yesterday, described the Labour Party standard bearer as an accomplished young man with excellent track record in humanitarian services and developmental works, not only across Africa but also in various localities of Kwara State.

By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja

The APC candidate said he is ready to be an agent of change by delivering on all his campaign promises, adding that he is not a politician that is honest during campaigns and becomes a liar after winning the election.

“I am going to be a number one change agent. I’m not among those who think that a political office can change a leader. You can’t be an honest leader today and turn a liar tomorrow; I’m not saying there wouldn’t be temptations that will try to push you to abandon your dreams for the people or empathy for the common man.

But as leaders, we have a solid conviction that we will not be swayed from our commitment,” he declared.

NUJ, RATTAWU Call For Indefinite Strike In Niger Media The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), Niger State have called for an indefinite strike in all the state media and related organisation.

The strike which started yesterday followed what the unions referred to as nonpayment of weigh in allowance for the workers of the organisations as agreed in earlier negotiations.

According to the chairman of NUJ, Niger State council, Iliyasu Garba, the government, based on the agreement nationwide, was supposed to commence the implementation of the weigh in allowance which is 25 per cent of the basics for shifts and work on extra hours by the professionals in the organisations several years back.

He stated that the union negotiated with three successive heads of service but no action was taken, and when a Memo was taken to the governor and the House of Assembly approved it in the 2014 budget, it was not implemented until the fiscal year ended.

Mr Garba said that it is only Niger State that has not implemented the salary structure in Zone D of NUJ (North-central states) while most states in the North have implemented the package for working journalists and other related workers.

By Abu Nmodu, Minna

short news

Kwara Guber: Ahmed Challenges Opponents To Debate The Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday challenged his opponents in next month’s governorship election to a public debate.

Ahmed, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election in the state, said such platform would enable each flagbearer to present his manifesto to the electorate.

The governor spoke through his special adviser on communication strategy, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Adedoyin, at the luncheon and presentation of a compendium tagged “Prosperity Assurance” in honour of the governor by the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

L-R: Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam; Senate President, David Mark and Plateau State PDP governorship candidate, Sen Gyang Pwajok, during the PDP official campaign in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Why Nigeria Must Remain Indivisible – Sulu-Gambari

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The Emir of llorin, Alhaji lbrahim Sulu-Gambari yesterday urged stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria remains an indivisible entity to enable it maintain its enviable leadership position in the African continent.

Sulu-Gambari spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State while playing host to the executive members of Gamji Club led by its president general, Dr Yusuf

Laro in his palace.

The royal father, who advised politicians to play the game according to the rules, noted that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.

He charged Nigerians irrespective of political party affiliation, tribe or background to ensure that the country remains an indivisible entity.

The traditional ruler who recalled political activities

during the First and Second Republics expressed optimism that the forthcoming general elections will be violence-free.

Earlier, the president general of Gamji Club in Kwara, Dr Yusuf Laro said they were at the palace to inform the emir of the Gamji Day celebration slated for Saturday in Ilorin.

He solicited the cooperation and support of the royal father towards the success of the programme.

Defectors From PDP To APC Are Selfish Politicians – Gov Aliyu

BY ACHOR ABIMAJE, Jos

Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, has described those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as selfish politicians who do not have the interest of the country at heart.

He also said that the PDP would not allow desperate politicians to take over the affairs of the country this year, adding that

the party would campaign hard and ensure victory for its candidates so that they would continue the transformation of the county.

Aliyu stated this yesterday in Mangu local government area of Plateau State during the official flag-off campaign for Senator Gyang Pwajok, the PDP gubernatorial candidate of Plateau State.

He said, “In the PDP, we cannot succumb to cheap blackmail by people who can’t play politics the way it is supposed to be

played”.

“The PDP has done a lot in transforming the country and would continue to do so.”

“We are calling on the people of the state to come out en masse come February 14 to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan”.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Benue State governor, Dr Gabriel Suswan said the North Central zone would ensure victory for President Jonathan at the polls in 2015.

FG Frustrating Our Plans To Access N23bn Bond – Kwara

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The Kwara State government yesterday claimed that the federal government is stalling its plan to obtain a N23billion bond from the capital market to enable it execute some capital projects in the state.

The state commissioner for information, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, during an interview with newsmen, noted that the feder-

al government’s latest antic was part of a plot to starve state governments under the control of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of fund.

He noted that the federal government had taken the unfavourable action too far with an alleged instruction to financial institutions to decline lending the state government the required funds for infrastructural projects.

Moronfoye said in spite of the grand plot to render the state redundant financially, the state government has been operating with strict financial acumen.

“We have tried to access N23billion bond; it was refused by the federal government. We also attempted to access normal loans from the banks, they were also blocked by the Federal Ministry of Finance.”

38 news north-East, north-west

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Kaduna Will Be Great Again Under el-Rufai – Oshiomhole

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said that Kaduna State will be great under the administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

He urged the people of Kaduna State to vote for the former Federal Capital Territory Minister in the next month’s election in the interest of both human and capital de-

velopment.

Oshomhole who stated this during the flag-off campaign of El-Rufai/ Bantex ticket at the Trade Fair Complex in Kaduna added that since he entered Kaduna, he has not seen anything new in terms of development.

“All places of work have been shut down in Kaduna. I am in Kaduna in solidarity with the people and to ensure that a competent

person emerges governor,” Oshimhole said.

“We want a Kaduna that will work because I see myself as a Kaduna man. With El-Rufai, Kaduna will grow. Kaduna people must unite and vote El-Rufai who knows how to develop a place.

“As minister, he made Abuja great. If he emerges Kaduna’s governor, Kaduna will be great again.

There is no new thing in Kaduna.

All places of work have been closed.

Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Edo, Lagos, Sokoto, Bayelsa and all other states and Nigeria will be governed

by APC,” said Oshiomhole.

Also speaking, the running mate of El-Rufai, Bala Barnabas Bantex said the APC will not disappoint Kaduna people if elected, adding that “with the formidable team APC has, victory will be theirs.”

A cross-section of awardees at the Kaduna State 2014/2015 overseas scholarship award presentation in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO BY GBENGA ABIOLA.

short news Why I Support Buhari – Tata Katsina State gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Abdullahi Umar Tata said since APGA has no presidential candidate, he was at liberty to campaign for anyone hence his choice of Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that the APC in Katsina has raised eyebrows over the use of its presidential candidate in posters and billboards by candidates from other political parties threatening to institute legal action against them.

The party specifically threatened to drag APGA’s Tata to court for using Buhari to campaign.

By Muazu Elazeh Katsina

Gov Shema Signs Katsina 2015 Budget

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, yesterday, signed the 2015 budget of N110 billion into law.

Shema signed the budget shortly after it was presented to him for assent by the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yau Umar Gwajogwajo.

Speaking after appending his signature, Shema appealed to stakeholders in the state to preach peace during and after the forthcoming elections

stressing that without peace, government effort in ensuring development will be fruitless.

“Our efforts should dovetail into ensuring peaceful coexistence before, during and after the elections,” he said.

Shema said the 2015 budget was lower than that of 2014 with over N150million due to the decline in the price of crude oil at the international market and expressed optimism that the stakeholders would ensure total implementation of the budget.

While presenting the budget to the governor, the speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Yau Umar Gwajogwajo said the Assembly made an increase of N10 million in the recurrent revenue “following some lapses noticed during budget defence

by MDAs”.

He pledged the lawmakers commitment to ensuring dutiful implementation of the budget, saying “We have done it in the previous years and shall do it again for the good of our state and its people.”

Zamfara Disburses 130,000metric Tons Of Fertiliser In 3 Years

By Abba Kabara, Gusau

Zamfara State government has disbursed about 130,000 metric tons of assorted fertiliser to farmers at the rate of N1,000 per bag from 2011 to date.

Governor Abdul’azeez Yari Abubakar disclosed this in Kaura Namoda local government area during his campaign flag-off.

Addressing hundreds of APC supporters at the occasion, Yari

said that based on his promise to the farmers during the 2011 governorship campaign, “I am morally bound to fulfill the promise under any circumstance.”

Yari reveals that his administration has also disbursed freeof-charge, 80,000 metric tons of rice to Zamfara indigenes during the successive Ramadan and Sallah festivities, saying that human development has been one of the major cardinal principles

of his administration.

While urging voters in the state to vote for the APC, Yari said, “Gone were the days when weak minded politicians will come and fool the electorate with a bag of rice or fertiliser with an inscription of someone from Abuja and think he can win their votes,” he added. He said that the only solution to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political challenges is voting for the APC at all levels.

short news Kaduna Sponsors 125 Students On Oversees Scholarship Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero yesterday distributed admission letters to 125 students being sponsored by the State Government under its Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

Speaking during the flag-off of the 2014/2015 Overseas Scholarship Awards in Kaduna, Yero said the state is sponsoring 22 PhD, 77 MSc and 26 MBBS candidates selected to pursue various programmes in foreign vountries.

By Isaiah Benjamin, Kaduna

Kinsmen Faults Gov Yero Over Completion Of Projects Some communities of Kaura and Nagoyi in Zaria local government area of Kaduna State yesterday berated the state government over the completion of projects started by late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

The incumbent governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero hails from Kaura community that is lamenting the non-completion of projects by his government.

They made their stand known to journalists in separate interviews in Zaria, saying that the two projects in the area were yet to be completed two years after the demise of Yakowa.

A resident of Nagoyi, Malam Idi Mudi told journalists that the road project from Kofar Gayan to Nagoyi was yet to be completed.

He said, “This project which is about five kilometre long was awarded by late Gov. Patrick Yakowa in late 2011 and as the time I am talking to you, it is yet to be completed.

“I live in Nagoyi and I use the road everyday, therefore, I am in a better position to talk about the road. This road is not completed up to half as at now.

“The people of this area are always complaining of dust due to non-completion of this project.

By Aliyu Yusuf, Zaria

’Take Proactive Measure Against Fire Outbreak’ The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised marketers in Kaduna State to take precautionary measures to prevent fire outbreak in markets across the state.

NEMA said the advice is necessary because of the harmattan season which is more prone to fire outbreaks.

Addressing traders at Shaikh Abubakar Gumi Market in Kaduna, NEMA’s North-West zonal director, Alhaji Musa Ilallah urged fire fighting officials to help educate Nigerians and traders on ways to prevent fire outbreaks.

“We are here to educate our marketers and traders on ways to protect themselves in case there is fire outbreak in the market. We are all aware that this is a period when we do have reports of fire outbreaks nationwide.

“As marketers you need to take precautionary measures to prevent your properties from being gutted by fire in the markets.

“We are calling on all stakeholders to help sensitise our local market women and men on ways of preventing fire outbreak.

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

news south-South south-East 39

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Abia NUJ Turns To God Ahead Of Elections Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has turned to God for protection, knowledge and wisdom to cover the forthcoming general elections.

In a special thanksgiving and dedication service held at the NUJ temporary secretariat, Umuahia, attended by members of the union, they solicited God’s grace to carry out their duties professionally and patriotically.

In the service attended by serving and former executives of the council including Comrade Hycienth Okoli and the permanent secretary of the State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Nathan Harbour, the state council chairman, Comrade John Emefor said the thanksgiving service was packaged to rededicate members and to thank God for allowing them to witness another year.

By Matthias Nwogu, Umuahia

Election: Avoid Campaigns Of Calumny, TUC Urges Politicians

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State has urged politicians and political parties in the country to avoid campaigns of calumny as they solicit votes from Nigerians ahead of the February general elections.

The union, which called on politicians to focus on how they intend to improve the welfare and

security of the people including workers, stressed the need for all political actors to make the present campaigns issues-based, devoid of personal attacks and inflammatory statements which have contributed in heating up the polity.

The TUC, in a communiqué issued at the end of its State Administrative Committee (SAC) meeting in Port Harcourt, called on the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) to immediately revisit the issue of the PVCs as some 40% of the registered voters have not collected theirs.

The communiqué, which was signed by Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, and Comrade Jonas Ogundu Okere, state chairman and secretary, respectively, reads in part, “We condemn in the strongest terms the recent upsurge in violence by political parties and their supporters. We the

SAC urge all politicians not to see the 2015 general elections as a do-or-die affair but a process that ought to allow Nigeria and Nigerians to come out victorious.

“There is great fear in the minds of Nigerians as a result of the drumbeats of war that we hear from the diverse political camps.

It is better for all that these drums are rolled back as in every election, the people will decide one way or the other.”

short news Avoid Politics Of Sentiment, Monarch Counsels LP In C/River

Guber Poll: A/Ibom Monarchs Endorse Udom Emmanuel The governorship aspiration of Mr Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has received a boost as royal fathers in the state rose from a meeting in Uyo to give him their resounding support and endorsement as the next governor of the state.

The royal fathers comprising clan and village heads from all the villages in the state said they were satisfied with the development in the state, but urged Mr Udom Emmanuel to surpass the achievements of Governor Akpabio when he resumes in May 2015.

Speaking on behalf of others, the chairman of the Conference of Village Heads, Eteidung Solomon Umanah, said it has been the tradition for all the village heads to endorse their next governor for the state.

By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo

A/Ibom Police Get 30 New Patrol Vans, 2 APCs As part of his administration’s assistance to the police in the fight against crime, Akwa Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday donated 30 Hilux patrol vans and two Armoured Personnel Carriers to the men of the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking while donating the vehicles, Chief Akpabio said the donation was made to assist the police in combating crime especially as the nation marches toward the February general elections.

He explained that the state government changed the concept of policing from reactive to proactive through the provision of the needed facilities to enable the police perform better.

By Bernard Tolani Dada, Uyo

Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike and his running mate, Mrs Ipalibo Banigo, at the governorship rally in Gokana LGA, yesterday.

Election: APC Will Defeat PDP – Amaechi

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor, Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

Amaechi, who stated this while speaking at the APC campaign rally at Abua Central in Abua/Odual local government area of the state, said the victory of the party in the state is already concluded as the party will win the governorship, State and National Assembly positions during the general elections.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Tele Ik-

uru, the governor said Rivers State is a satellite Nigeria and how the people of the state vote during elections has always been how the rest of Nigerians vote.

He said, “Rivers State is a satellite Nigeria. Whatever happens in Rivers State is what will happen in Nigeria. In 1962, Rivers State voted for the NPC, and the NPC won in the state and at the national level. In the Second Republic, we voted for the NPN and NPN won the election in Rivers State and at the national level.

“In 1999, Rivers State voted for the PDP and PDP won in the state and the national level. In 2015, Rivers State will vote for the APC and APC will rule the state and at the national level. Any di-

rection the state votes is the direction Nigeria will vote.”

In his speech, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside, accused the PDP of plotting to rig the general elections in the state, and urged the people not to succumb to the moneybags from the PDP who will come to buy their votes.

Peterside, who is also the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, promised to run an open and transparent government as well as accelerate the infrastructural development of Abua/Odual local government area and the state in general.

The leadership of Labour Party in Cross River State has been advised to avoid politics of sentiment in all its undertakings in order to make the party more appealing to the masses.

The clan head of Apiapum community in Obubra area of the state, His Highness, Robert Mbine, gave the advice yesterday in Apiapum when Dr Sandy Onor, the party’s candidate for Cross River Central senatorial district visited him to seek his royal blessing.

Mbine, who stressed the need for meaningful opposition in the state, also applauded the party for fielding a female deputy governorship candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

By Lanre Arotimi, Calabar

Disaster: NEMA Advocates Insurance Law For Traders

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on the government to enact a law that would compel Nigerian traders to insure their goods against disasters.

South-east zonal director of NEMA, Major James Eze, who

made the call yesterday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency in the zone last year, said compulsory insurance policy for traders would reduce the burden on government when disasters occur.

He advised traders to ensure that they insure their goods against disasters because gov-

ernment might not have the financial muscle to take care of all disaster victims in the country.

Eze noted that gone were the days when insurance companies refused to compensate people that paid premiums, assuring that any trader who insures his or her goods would be adequately compensated when disasters

occur.

He said, “People should insure their properties in case of fire disasters because government does not have all the money to help everybody. Government should enact an edict that traders in the markets should insure their goods so that when disasters occur, they will be compensated”.

40

Thursday, January 15, 2015

41

Thursday, January 15, 2015

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) North-Central Zone

WELCOME GMB/Osibanjo

Chief John Odigie Oyegun National Chairman of APC

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari APC Presidential Candidate

Prof. Yemi Osibanjo APC Vice Presidential Candidate

I, Alhaji Zakari Abdullahi Idde, on behalf of the executive and the entire members of the All Progressives Congress in the North Central Zone, wish to heartily welcome the peoples choice, our dear and amiable president come 2015, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo as they flag off campaigns of the zone.

Our dear tested and trusted leaders, we believe in your leadership style and quality and pledge the unalloyed support of the entire people of the North Central Zone.

We want to assure you that the youths, men and women and the aged are committed to your course.

I wish you a successful campaign tour.

Signed:

Alhaji Zakari Abdullahi Idde

National Vice Chairman, North Central Zone

42

stories of the Thursday, January 15, 2015

...NEWS WITH A HUMAN FACE

EXTORTION: Five Killed In Lagos

BY MATTHEW DIKE, Lagos

The crisis between two factions of a popular political party (name withheld) in Ijora area of Lagos State has led to the death of five people.

The political factions were said to have been after each other’s for some weeks now over alleged sharing formula of money handed over to the by a politician in the area.

Though, the cause of the incident was shrouded in secrecy, a source disclosed that the crisis between the two factions had been on for months now.

A man who identified himself as Kamoru, alleged that five people were killed while many others were injured during the crisis.

Kamoru said the cause of the problem is usually over money between the factions, adding that more people would have been killed if not for the policemen who arrived the scene on time.

“We are used to such crisis in Ijora.

All the innocent people do is to give the trouble makers a chance to kill or injure themselves and after which peace would return to the area. I heard that they were fighting because of the money a politician gave all the hoodlums. They belong to one party and they are killing themselves. I heard that five people were killed and many others injured. This is not how to play politics. Now, their parents will be crying over the death of their beloved ones? Police should better be well prepared during the general election,” he advised.

MISSING GIRL: 22-yr-old’s Whereabouts Unknown

By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

A 22-year-old lady, Nwegwa Juliet Onyinye, has been reported missing from her home since January 10,2015.

Information available to LEADERSHIP reveal that Juliet an SS1 student of Gateway to Success Secondary school, Ebu Delta State left her phone at home last Saturday morning and has not been seen since then.

She hails from Azuedene, Ezza-Effium in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State,lives in Iyiagoshimili quater of Ebu, Oshimili north LGA, Delta State.

Relatives said, “Juliet, who is dark in complexion left the house at Ebu early in the morning on Saturday, January 10 on he way to church for morning mass. She has not returned since then.” .

Describing the missing girl as a quiet lady who speaks Ezza, Igbo and English, relatives said, “ She has never been away from home this way since four years ago when she joined us in Delta State.”

Parents assemble at the gate of Government Secondary School (GSS), Gwagwalada, following a bomb scare at the school in Abuja, yesterday.

LOVE SCAM: EFCC Recovers $2,000 For American Victim

BY Ejike Ejike, Abuja

Relief came the way of one Margaret Sanders, an American based in Sherman, Texas, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, successfully recovered the sum of $2,000 which she had lost to a suspected Nigerian fraudster, Benjamin Akugbe, in a romance scam.

According to the spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, “Sanders, through a petition dated July 9, 2013, alleged that she entered into a relationship on facebook with someone who claimed to be Benny Brown from Warri, Delta State, with both agreeing to get married.

“According to her, the suspect in the course of the affair, requested for the sum of $2,000 to enable him join her in United States of America. The money was wired to him through Western Union, into an account with the name, Gladdys Ikpoba domiciled with a new generation bank.

Uwujaren further noted that after an endless wait for the finance, Sanders came to the sad realisation that she had been duped and her efforts to recover the money were unsuccessful until she petitioned the EFCC. The commission, through discret investigation recovered and returned the money to the victim.

INFERNO: Fire Razes Border Market

By Muazu Elazeh, Katsina

An early morning fire has destroyed a multi-million naira Magama border market at Magama village in Jibia local government area of Katsina state.

Magama border market is one of the busiest markets in the state, where large volumes of foodstuff, clothes and other house hold items.

Eyewitness said the inferno started around 4am and razed no fewer than 370 shops in the popular market.

“It began near one of the shops from the eastern flanks, a resident who does not want to be mentioned said, “only God can say the damage this will cost so many families”.

But another source said the fire might

have been caused by a mad man who sets fire to warm himself owing to the current cold weather in the state.

Our correspondent reports that the market which has been one of the major hub of economic activities in the state, houses several stalls belonging to both residence and indigenes of neighbouring Maradi state of Niger Republic.

Although, shop owners and relevant authorities are still taking stocks as at the time of filing this report but sources said property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Among early sympathisers to the market was the chairman of Jibia LG, Aminu Lawal, who, while sympathising with shop owners, described the inferno as most unfortunate.

DEATH: Cholera Kills 22 In Rivers

BY ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, Port Harcourt

No fewer than 22 persons, mostly children between the age two and 13, have been killed as a result of the outbreak of cholera in 10 communities in Andoni local government area of Rivers State.

A source in the area told LEADERSHIP that the people of the area started noticing the outbreak of the disease since the middle of December 2014.

The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, who confirmed the outbreak, stated that 171 cases had been reported in some l communities in the local government area.

Parker however said the outbreak of gastroenteritis suspected to be Cholera broke out in the area on January 5, 2015.

He stated that the local government area rapid response team and the state emergency response team had all risen to the health challenge, adding that two treatment centre’s had been opened in the area.

The commissioner said, “The state emergency response team and the social mobilization team are already on ground to assess and manage the situation.

“Two treatment centers have already been established at Ebukuma and Okoli’ile to manage cases and affected people are advised to assess the facilities.”

Parker, who assured the people that the situation was under control said bore holes would be sunk in the area as part of measures to tackle the spread.

STORIES OF THE DAY 43

Thursday, January 15, 2015

day

Photo News

NABBED: DSS Arrests Politician Over Attack On Commissioner

by Osa Okhomina,Yenagoa

Security operatives attached to the Department of the State Services (DSS) have arrested the State House of Assembly candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Hon. Lucky Ogbazi, over alleged violent disruption and attack on the 2015 presidential sensitization campaign team led by the State Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Erudjakpor.

According to security sources, Ogbazi was arrested over the alleged attack, which occurred at the weekend in Ofoni Community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

LEADERSHIP gathered that Erudjakpor, who arrived Ofoni Community at about 1pm, met a hostile situation with suspected paid thugs of the NCP drumming and throwing stones into the palace of the traditional ruler of the Community.

It was gathered that one of the hostile youths shot into the crowd. A security source confirmed that over seven vehicles, including an official vehicle attached to the Bayelsa representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were destroyed.

“We discovered that the arrested politician had been in the community two days before the arrival of the Bayelsa commissioner. He had paid and mobilise a hostile reception for the PDP commissioner and his team.”

An aide to the Works Commissioner, who spoke on condition of anonimity said though attempts by the security details and

PDP supporters attached to the campaign team of the commissioner to react was stopped, “the visit by the commissioner to his community in Ofoni was to prepare grounds for the campaign rally for the PDP Assembly candidate, Hon.Peter Akpe.”

The Commissioner of Police, Barr.

Valentine NtomChukwu, at a stakeholders’ meeting organized ahead of the 2015 elections in the state, blamed the attack on the refusal of the Works Commissioner and his team to notify the Police about the campaign visit to Ofoni.

NtomChukwu called on politicians in the state to always notify the police authorities in the state about political gatherings and rallies for adequate security of lives and properties to be provided.

Attempts to get clarification of the whereabouts of the arrested NCP State Assembly candidates were abortive but the spokesman of the State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said the report on his alleged abduction was not correct.

The family of the NCP Assembly candidate had on Monday alleged that he was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at his Azikoro village residence in Yenagoa.

A statement credited to his wife, Grace, noted that the four gunmen in two hilux trucks broke into their house about 12am yesterday, saying they were taking him in for questioning.

According to his counsel, Barr. Moses Omoregie, the family has visited several police stations and the office of the Directorate of State Services but could not find him.

L-R. Former Kaduna State APC chairman, Barr Solomon Dalung; secretary, Northern Leaders Forum, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; Prof Ango Abdullahi and Lecturer, Baze University, Prof Yima Sen, at a press briefing of Northern Leaders’ Forum during their endorsement of Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO GBENGA ABIOLA.

L-R: Permanent secretary, Linus Awute, represented by Dr Wapada Balami; head of dentistry department, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi; supervising minister of health, Alhassan Khaliru, and the newly elected executive member of the Nigeria Dental Association, Dr Bode Ijarogbe, during a courtesy visit in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI

TERRORISM: Police Detonate Bomb Near Imo INEC Office

By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

The Imo State Police Command has detonated two bombs planted under a palm tree 10 metres from the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) office.

According to an eye witness account,

a loud noise was heard from where the bombs were planted in front of the Owerri Capital Development Agency (OCDA) When LEADERSHIP visited the scene at about 11am, there was a very heavy presence of police and its bomb squad department which cordoned off the entire area along Owerri-Port Harcourt road.

L-R: Chairman/convener, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Mr Moses Siloko, and deputy national publicity secretary, APC, Timi Frank, during a roundtable meeting of Young Political Leaders in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY JANE OKEKE

DEATH: Hoodlums Gang-rape Lady To Death

BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

A young lady, Miss Grace Ebiloma, who was on her way from a vigil was gang-raped by hoodlums in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

The lady was on her way home from the church when the hoodlums seized her and dragged her into the bush where they raped her.

According to a statement by the evangelist Enechojo Agene of Uleju Ojo Power House Ministry, the lady had gone to a nearby structure opposite the church to rest after the vigil, when the hoodlums struck, raping and killing her.

The staement said that the hoodlums

raped her to death, stressing that the body of the victim was recovered from the bush after a search was conducted.

Envangelist Agene described the action of the hoodlums as heinous, calling on God in heaven to visit vengeance on the perpetrators of this gruesome act.

Agene also called on security operatives to intensify efforts at bringing the hoodlums to book, noting that those who perpetrated the crime should go unpunished.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Elvis Aguebor, said that the matter had not been reported to the state headquarters of the command.

L-R: Chairman, National Assembly Press Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ovuapkorie, and deputy chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Victor Ogene, during the weekly press briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

44/ photo news

Thursday, January 15, 2015

L-R: National chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Adamu Mu’azu; chairman of the occasion former Secretary General of the Commonweath, Chief Emeka Anyaokun and PDP presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan at the 2015 general elections sensitisation workshop on non-violence in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: National chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku during the event.

L-R: Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former United Nations (UN) secretary general, Mr Kofi Annan; Gen Muhammadu Buhari; President Goodluck Jonathan; Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun at the event.

L-R: Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi; former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi, and Gen Muhammadu Buhari at the event.

Gen Muhammadu Buhari exchanging pleasantries with Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu during the event. PHOTOS BY REMI AKUNLEYAN,OYEDELE OMOKAGBO

news Lagos 45

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Why APC Picked Buhari As Presidential Candidate – Ikuforiji The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said that the choice of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s presidential candidate was based on his integrity.

The Lagos Assembly speaker stated this while delivering his keynote address at the maiden edition of Lagos State House of Assembly Correspondents Association (LAHACA) programme at the Assembly Complex, Alausa Ikeja.

IKuforiji who was represented by the chairman House Committee on Finance, Funmilayo Tejuoso noted that the former head of state has been so exemplary in terms of integrity.

According to him, "APC chose Buhari as its presidential candidate based on integrity. I want to urge you to vote people of high integrity in the February elections so that 2015 can commence with upliftment."

Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have adjourned sine die (indefinitely) till after the elections except if there is a need to reconvene the House for an important issue.

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

Govt's Disregard For Judicial Pronouncement Results To Strike – NLC Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disclosed that the ongoing industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is an outcome of government’s disregard for judicial pronouncement by a court of competent jurisdiction.

This was disclosed by the eneral secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson.

According to him, "It is equally a product of a chain of broken promises by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), state governments and other appropriate government agencies.

"A year ago, a court of competent jurisdiction entered a judgement in favour of JUSUN by directing the AGF to deduct money and pay the National Judicial Council as part of the process of directly funding the judiciary which in our view further strengthens our democracy.

"It needs no stating that for the development of our democracy, we need strong institutions, a truly independent judiciary in de jure and de facto terms.

By Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani, Lagos

New REC To Lagosians: Please Come For Your PVCs

by GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

The new resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi yesterday appealed to the residents who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in order to perform their civic responsibility in the forthcoming elections.

Orebiyi who made the appeal at a news conference held at

the INEC State Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos , said the residents have the opportunity to do so as from Friday this week, when distribution of the PVCs will commence in the 255 wards of the state.

According to him, the PVCs will be available for collection seven days of the week beginning from 8:30am in the morning and ending at 5:30pm in the evening.

He stated that,"1.8 million cards were yet to be collected while 1.3million pieces from the last Continuous Voter Registration and 600,000 PVCs from 2011 registration are expected to be delivered to the commission before the end of this month."

Orebiyi added that INEC in the state had already taken delivery of some non-sensitive materials for the February

elections including 5000 ballot boxes and 5995 smart card readers.

The resident electoral commissioner who promised a level playing field in the electoral process reminded political parties and candidates of the need to be tolerant and make their campaigns issues-based.

He also distributed a 32 page media code of election coverage booklet to media organisations.

L-R: Lagos NUJ chirman, Mr Deji Elumoye; Lagos West APC senatorial district candidate, Solomon Adeola and his media consultant, Mr Kayode Odunaro, at a forum of Lagos NUJ featuring Adeola in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA.

NBA To Honour Osinbajo, Aturu With Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award

by OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch will today honour Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the running mate of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhamadu Buhari and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu.

According to the association the two men will be honoured with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award as part of the activities making the 11th NBA Ikeja Gani Fawhinmi Annual Lecture/ Symposium and Award holding in Lagos.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the chairman of the

Organising Commitee of the event, Adeyinka Fasika said "After a vigorous and painstaking search, two distinguished individuals in the person of Professor Osinbajo and Aturu were selected for the Integrity Award."

The event according to Fasika, "Is very unique in the sense that it is coming less

than a month to Nigeria's general elections and at a time Nigerians are despondent about our so-called democracy.

"Hence the topic for this year is 'Ethnicity, Religion, Illiteracy: Promises and Illusions of Democracy in the Struggle to Uplift the Masses from Impoverishment.'

Nigeria's Budget Shrouded In Secrecy , Aids Corruption – Rep

By GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

The chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Olamilakan Adeola representing Alimosho federal constituency in the House of Representatives yesterday said Nigeria's budget is shrouded in secrecy and designed to encourage corruption.

The lawmaker currently vying for Lagos West senatorial district

seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dropped the hint at a "Meet The Press Forum" in Lagos organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos council saying Nigerians were being deceived by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led government.

He said, "One of the major problems confronting the development of our country is the kind of budget we operate in this

country, especially at the federal level.

"As we speak the federal government has 601 agencies out which anyday budget is presented before the House cost of funding the government amounts to 77 per cent while the cost of providing infrastructural facilities is at 23 per cent.

"That was why the Oransaye panel report recommended that the 601 agencies be subsumed

and fused into 100 so that the cost of running the government can be brought down drastically and the cost of providing infrastructure and meaningful development can go up.

"The government that we have has not been sincere to us . That is why I can termed them as a failed government . The budget declared to Nigerians is N4.9 trillion that is the budget everyone of us here will celebrate .

46 news NATIONAL Presidential Campaign: Northern Group Tasks Politicians, Parties On Tolerance

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor

Thursday, January 15, 2015

NAFDAC Partners Actress To Treat Women With Fibroid

A Northern group, Peoples Forum, yesterday called for tolerance and understanding from political actors ahead of the February general elections.

It commended the Bayelsa State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, for his handling of the situation when the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, took his campaign to the state recently.

The leader of the Forum, Mallam Kabiru Shittu Mohammed, said the governor showed leadership and political maturity by providing the Samson Siasia Stadium and security for the campaign and ensured that nothing untoward happened while the opposition party was in Bayelsa State.

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Oshiomhole Bans Igbinedion Varsity Students From Using Govt Hospital Facilities The crisis between the Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole and the owner of Independent Television (ITV), Chief Gabriel Igbinedion yesterday deepened as the governor banned students of Igbinedion University, Okada from using the facilities of the state-owned Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

The raging war between the state governor and the Igbinedions is not unconnected with a news item aired

by ITV which alleged that the governor’s aides beat up a Catholic priest to coma in Ujogba, an allegation the Catholic authorities have denied.

The governor in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP said, “As part of the ongoing audit to rid the system of parasites feasting on the patrimony of Edo people, the governor of Edo State, Wednesday, issued an executive order stopping the nursing students of Igbinedion University, Okada from making use of the hospital facilities.”

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Nigerian Youths Must Resolve For ViolenceFree Polls – Haruna The minister of youth development, Boni Haruna has called on the Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace to ensure a free and fair election come February 14.

Haruna who was commenting on recent reports of the burning of two buses with President Goodluck Jonathan’s posters by irate youths in Jos, Plateau State yesterday, described the act as one which has the potential to escalate the current security challenges facing the country and hinder the resolve for transparent and peaceful elections in February.

By Chika Mefor, Abuja

Okeke, Abuja

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is partnering with Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda, to treat 10 women of uterine fibroid disease across the country.

At the inauguration of the project in Abuja yesterday, Monalisa Chinda, under her Arise Monalisa Foundation, said “This is a cause that is very close to my heart because at every stage you get in life,

you just want to give back to the society.”

“I chose fibroid because people don’t really talk about it. I have had two aunties who lost their lives because of fibroid and everybody just keeps doing the same old cliché of giving to motherless babies homes while not caring for health. NAFDAC cares for health, making sure that issues of counterfeit drugs are curbed.”

The actress said that every year, her foundation supports a cause.

“We have supported autism, albi-

nism and sent many slum children back to school in the past. This year, we are on another campaign the Uterus Fibroid Awareness. We found out that the society views fibroid as a normal sickness for a woman and not much is said about it. That is why we want to talk about it. The mission is to educate, build a support network and also to treat identified cases across Nigeria.”

“This project is basically about helping 10 women to get treated of fibroid. We want to start small. We are talking about surgeries or lesser

treatments depending on the magnitude of the condition,” she said.

She explained that in partnering with NAFDAC, the project was looking at the drugs and partnerships with other hospitals that would help these women who cannot afford the cost of these surgeries.

Responding, the director-general of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii said that fibroid as women’s disease is shrouded in secrecy and ignorance, adding that the awareness that the actress has started will be backed with solutions.

short news

Polls: PDP, APC Chieftains Shun Stakeholders’ Security Meeting In Bayelsa

The two major political parties in Bayelsa State, the ruling PDP and the APC yesterday shunned a stakeholders’ security meeting convened by the state commissioner of police, Mr Valentine Ntomchukwu in preparation for the February general elections in the state.

A visibly angry Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for Oyo State and former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, addressing commissioner of police, Ntomthe party’s supporters at a rally in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN. chukwu, expressed displeasure over the absence of the dominant political parties and their candidates, noting that the meeting was aimed

By Kuni Tyessi, Abuja Efeovbokhan (rtd), who led a team of the institute were denied accreditation at sensitising management of NAITES to the executive by the National Board for Technical Edthe candidates, In view of the current security challenges secretary of TETFund, Professor Sulei- ucation (NBTE) during the last accredparty officials and and complexities in modern warfare, the man Bogoro, in Abuja, said this followed itation exercise conducted in 2014 due agents, and other Nigerian Army Institute of Technology the upgrade of the institute from Mono- mainly to this lack of facilities and equipstakeholders on and Environmental Studies (NAITES), technic to Polytechnic status in 2010. ment. the need to work Makurdi has sought funding support According to him, the institute is in Efeovbokhan, in his presentation said together to ensure from Tertiary Education Trust Fund the institute currently lacks requisite fa- dire need of laboratory equipment, adpeaceful polls in (TETFund) to the tune of N190 million cilities and equipment for the training of ministrative block at the permanent site, the state. to upgrade its facilities. military personnel and civilians in line students’ hostels, professional books for Chairman of the Board of Governors with its mandate. the library and faculty buildings among

By Osa Okhomina, of the institute, Major Gen. Mathias He said some of the programmes of others.

Yenagoa

Army Institute Seeks N190m TETFund Intervention For Facility Upgrade

NEMA Warns Adamawa IDPs Against Selling Relief Materials

By Mohammed Ismail, Yola

The camp leader of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Adamawa State office, Alhaji Saad Bello has warned Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) against selling relief materials given to them by the agency, saying that such act is disheartening.

Bello, who gave the warning while distributing relief materials to IDPs in Yola South local government, described the action as unwarranted and abuse of privileges.

He said it became imperative to pass the warning against the backdrop of information that items distributed to IDPs for personal use find their ways to the markets.

Bello said reliable information available to him indicated that some IDPs who were given relief materials were sighted selling them openly in the market.

“The agency expresses dismay over the attitude of some Internally Displaced Persons who are in the habit of selling relief materials given to them by NEMA.

“Such characters should be warned, as the agency will deal severely with those involved, both the sellers and the buyers.” Bello said.

He similarly warned IDPs who are in the habit of collecting relief materials from various camps to desist from such henceforth or face the wrath of the law.

THE NATION’S CAPITAL 47

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Aduda Urges Residents To Collect PVCs

By Igho Oyoyo

Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, Senator Phillip Aduda, has called on eligible voters in the FCT to collect their permanent voters cards to enable them perform their civic responsibilities during the upcoming general elections.

Aduda made this call while commissioning water projects he donated to Wuru, Tupechi and Kuchiyako villages in Kuje area council of the FCT, even as he called on residents of the communities to take proper care of the projects, saying that over 120 projects, including roads, classrooms, electricity and other projects he constructed in his present first tenure would be showcased and commissioned soon in various communities in different area councils of the FCT and challenged the opposition candidates to show residents their own dividends of democrracy.

In his remarks, the village head of Tupechi, Alh. Yohanna Yunana, commended Aduda for the projects and assured him that residents will support his political ambition and promised the safeguard and proper maintainance of the amenities.

The chairman of Kuje area council, Hon. Shaban Tete, also commended the kind gesture of the senator, saying that residents long for leaders that are keen on alleviating the suffering of the people, while urging residents to repay the kind gesture by re-electing Aduda for a second term in office.

PVCs: LG Boss Commends INEC Over Collection Extension

By Chika Mefor

The chairman of Gwagwalada area council, Alhaji Jibrin Giri, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the extension of th Permanent Voters Card (PVC) collection prior to the February general election.

Speaking to journalists during a media parley, yesterday, at the council, the chairman said the extension of the PVC collection deadline will enable residents of the territory to collect the cards and perform their civic responsibility of actively participating in the elections.

The council boss also urged INEC to deploy enough personnel to the polling units to aid in the distribution of the PVC to ensure every resident collects his\her card before the elections.

Giri added that the council has made its own effort by sensitizing the electorates on the importance of the PVC, urging them to collect theirs.

He said, “We have tried in our own little way to sensitise the people on the importance of getting their PVCs but some people have not gone to do so; some are saying that they don’t have time while others get discouraged when they come and are unable to collect quickly but we will keep creating awareness.”

He charged residents to exercise patience irrespective of the challenges they encounter in the process of collecting their PVC, saying it is a temporary hitch that will be rectified in subsequent exercises.

“You should not be discouraged when you go there and you are not able to get it, just keep going.

The PVC is your power to vote. When you don’t get it, you won’t be able to vote for anyone. I call on everyone to make sure they get theirs,” he added.

Traffic gridlock at Keffi-Abuja Road, Nyanya, yesterday. Photo By Nan

National Assembly Okays FCT Internal Revenue Board’s Bill

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah

The National Assembly has passed the FCT Internal Revenue Board bill, a legislation which seeks to give legal backing to the establishment of the FCT Internal Revenue Board for collection and administration of the revenue generated within the FCT. The bill which was sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi was passed following the adoption of the report

by the conference committee set up to harmonise differences in both the Senate and House of Representatives version of the bill.

The bill was passed against the backdrop of the need for all tiers of government to consider alternative sources of revenue to boost their finance base.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu, who presided over

the senate session commended the committee for working on the legislation and expressed hope that the FCT in implementing the provisions of the bill will do it with a human face, adding that taxation as an alternative source of revenue has become a neccesity.

Earlier in his remarks, the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Adeyemi, said the law wI’ll help to generate additional funds for the fast development of the territory.

Blow PDP Away From FCT, APC Tells Residents

By Igho Oyoyo

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on residents to use the February general elections to blow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government away from the FCT. Speaking during a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, the FCT secretary of APC, Hon. Abdullahi Candido, urged residents to vote massively for the APC, so that they can have a new lease of life with the positive change that is already around the corner.

Candido said,”Residents must utilise the opportunity being presented by the upcoming general election to end the prolonged failure

of the rulership of the PDP in the FCT that is subjecting the people to suffering.”

The APC cheiftain said that the wind of hope is blowing in FCT, saying residents must not fail to make use of it to effect the needed positive change for a better future.

He said, “This is an opportunity that may not come again, so, FCT residents must not fail to use this opportunity to blow the PDP away from the FCT; all this while we have been having bench warmers in the National Assembly, who will be smiling with you without doing anything to translate to positive development.

“We have had enough of that. Enough is enough with

the maladministration of this administration that is always coming with harsh policies against our people.

Under the PDP government, the FCT people have been tormented by harsh policies of the government and they have also not been lucky to have sound and vibrant representatives at the National Assembly.”

According to him, “This is an opportunity for the FCT people to realise that they must no longer live in this type of governmental failure any longer. It is an opportunity for residents to vote in vibrant and sound candidates across the two constituencies and of course the one senatorial ticket, which Senator Sidi Ali is our candidate.”

Candido also advised traditional

48 Interview Many Nigerians don’t know much about you. Can you throw some light?

I am Alahji Hassan Ahmed Danbaba (Magajin Garin Sokoto), the vice chairman Sultanate Selection and Nomination Committee, Sultanate Council, Sokoto. I am equally the Chairman, Finance and General Purposes Committee of the Sultanate Council. I am a graduate of Greenwhich College, London. I am also the only grandson of Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto) and Premier Northern Region. I am the pionee chairman of Legacy Pension Fund and a former Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Traditional Institutional matters. I am also a former member of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and the Director, Genesis Electricity Company limited.

What are those things that your parents told you about the late Sardauna that you would want to share with Nigerians?

And:Sorry, I would like to start by correcting something. I am not his only grandchild, you are equally one. As long as you are from northern Nigeria, you are either his son or grandchild too.

Therefore, his grandchildren are quite many. And, a lot of things I am going to tell you I am sure you know them, or you must have heard about them a number of times because you are also his grandson.

However, what I was told about the late Sarduana by my parents was that he was a very honest person, very sincere person, very committed, upright, and very religious as well. These were the whole truth that I was told about him.

Apart from these virtues, what were you told about his relationship with people?

I was told that the late premier (Sir Ahmadu Bello) related with people very well. His relationship with people cut across board. He treated people with respect and dignity.

Over four decades ago since Sarduana passed on, Nigerians and northerners in particular are still wishing to have somebody like him. Do you think it is possible with our contemporary condition?

You see, it was because of the things he did. Because of the services he rendered. Because of the sincerity of purpose. Because of the commitment, that is why even after over four decades that Sardauna passed on people are still talking about him. People are still yearning to have somebody like him. If he were not a very honest person, he would not have left these good legacies and nobody would have think, ask of him, or will yearning to have people like him anymore.

They are making life difficult for people in their own very locality and that is why the crime rate is increasing.

It was said that Sarduana never discriminated against anybody because of his religion or region but the current crop of leaders in Nigeria and the north in particular have deviated from that footstep.

How do you feel now that division based on religion and region is tearing the north apart?

Well, it is really unfortunate and very, very sad that the nation has been polarised by politicians.

Politicians are now looking for every opportunity to invade us. Sarduana was a Hausa-Fulani from Rabbah, a local government in Sokoto State and

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Violence Is Increasing Because Wealthy Northerners Are Not Investing In Their Region Sardauna’s Grandson In this interview with ANKELI EMMANUEL to mark the 49th anniversary of the death of the late northern leader, Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, his grandson, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, maintains that the best way to celebrate Sardauna is to emulate him. Excepts.

Which way do you think northern leaders and elites can better harmonised to avoid dichotomy?

I don’t think northern leaders are ready to come together because all of them are after their selfish interest.

That was not what Sir Ahmadu Bello did. And once we don’t get our selfish interest out then we will continue to have problems.

Sardauna Micheal Audu Buba was the Wafiu of Shamdam and a Christian from Plateau State in northern Nigeria. But, if you saw how close they were you will be shocked because Sardauna believed he was a leader and a leader must lead everybody whether Christians or Muslims or even atheists or whatever you believe in.

When I was in school in the UK, I was flying Nigerian Airways and somebody, an old man sat next to me in the plane and asked me what my name was and where did I come from. And I told him I came from Sokoto and I told him my name and he now started to tell me a story referring to his late boss and I asked who was his late boss and he said Sir Ahmadu Bello, (Sardauna Sokoto), the Premier of Northern Nigeria.

The man told me that Sardauna called him, saying; Ambassador Jolly Tanko Yusuf go and establish Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that he has also established Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI). The man said, he was given so many Bible. He called Jolly Tanko and told him to go and distribute the Bibles to your fellow Christians and make sure you go and preach well because once you go by the teachings of your religion you will be a good person. There is no religion that teaches violence, there is no religion that teaches hatred, there is no religion that teaches drinking of alcohol, womanising and all of that.

So, once you go by the teaching of your religion, your culture, attitude and way of life will be that of a good person.

Therefore, I believe that if the politicians are going by the teachings of their religion they will not impoverish Nigerians, they will not impoverish the people they are governing. They will not loot our resources.

The late Premier was said to be one of the most influential persons from the north. Could you please tell us some of his inheritance, which he left behind for his children I laugh…….his father built a house in Gidadawa in sokoto when he was growing up. That was the only house he left in his life. And that house he left was renovated during General Sani Abacha’s regime when Col. Yakubu Muazu was the Military Governor of sokoto. They demolished that house and rebuilt it for the family. But, I challenge you and any individual that knows where the late Sardauna has any properties are or any of his house apart from that one that was rebuilt for his family should please come out and say it.

The late Sardauna does not believe in accumulating wealth. He said it himself when he said, “If I accumulate wealth and die, how do I know that the children I am going to leave behind would not squander it within 24 hours”. And after all, the late Sarduana only had three daughters and they were all married before he passed away. He died without even a bank account.

Now industry, no landed property, no building where he collects rent. He died leaving nothing for his children.

There is the worrisome issue of insecurity in the north and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) only issues press statements. Do you share the feeling by many that the ACF go beyond the routine of paper criticisms into finding solutions Well, on that issue, what can the ACF do? The responsibility does not lie on them rather on the government.

What would ACF do? I tell you, it is because of injustice. It is because of the injustice that is being put on the suffering masses. It is because of the poverty. That is why people are been recruited at will. If all these were been corrected, industries created, people have employment and a way of livelihood, I do not think they will go and involve themselves in all this nonsense. But I believe that people are involved in this insecurity because of

poverty, because of injustice.

Do you think is the responsibility of the government alone to establish industries and create employment Whose responsibility is it then? It is the government’s of course. When you do not have industries, how do create employment? You have to create industries and get people engaged and with that, they will be very busy to even think of evil. When they come back, they will be very tired to even think of doing something else rather than to lie down and have some rest.

They have their families to look after and stuff like that. But when you don’t have any job or anything to do, how do you even have a family? You cannot sustain a family but when you have something to do, you can sustain your family and think of what will be good for them. But in the event that you don’t have anything to do, you don’t have anything to loss, you can say let the worst happen because you would not feel the effect.

As individuals, we equally have the responsibility of creating employment, however, a good number of wealthy northerners prefer to invest outside the north or even outside Nigeria. Don’t you think that is one of the major causes of the poverty in the region Certainly, it is. Certainly because when you do not contribute to the development of your region and country then it is unfortunate. You see, a good number of these people make money from here and go to invest in another country thereby improving the economies of such country to detriment of their own country. They are making life difficult for people in their own very locality and that is why the crime rate is increasing.

The extremism is increasing because people do not have anything to do. But it is sad when you take away money from here and invest in another place.

That is why I have a lot of respect for people like Aliko Dangote for establishing industries in Nigeria.

I have a lot of respect for Dahiru Mangal who has a lot of enterprises that create employment. These people create so much employment and I call on all Nigerians to come and create even if it is a small scaled business to reduce the level of unemployment and redundancy, the idleness and the crime.

There is the fear that Nigeria might record yet another worse episode of post-election violence in February. Do you also sh are in that fear God forbid. And we pray that such will not happen and that Nigeria will continue to grow strong and stronger.

And we also call on the government as well as the umpire to ensure that they conduct a free and fair election. Once free and fair election is conducted, I tell you no violence will be recorded, nothing will happen. Once you know that you are genuinely defeated and you accept it then nothing of that nature will happen. But when you know you are defeated and you try to put the blame on somebody else or try to rig the order that is where the violence comes in. But once the election is conducted very well, once somebody knows that he was defeated and he takes it in the spirit of good sportsmanship then I assure you that nothing will happen In Sha Allah Nigeria will be stronger and stronger.

49

Thursday, January 15, 2015

world

news ➊

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➊Floods Kill Scores In Malawi, Mozambique Heavy flooding has killed scores of people in the east African country of Malawi, where nearly a third of the country was declared to be in a state of disaster.

Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika said on Tuesday that at least 48 people were killed and 23,000 others displaced in flash floods that have wreaked havoc in 10 out of 23 districts in his country.

➎ Haiti In Political Impasse After Parliament Dissolves

Haiti’s parliament has been dissolved after the failure of lastminute negotiations over a new electoral law.

President Michel Martelly launched last-minute

negotiations, but failed to convince a group of opposition senators to approve a plan on Tuesday to extend parliamentary terms for several months until new elections can be held.

A Lord’s Resistance Army rebel commander who surrendered to US troops last week will be taken to The Hague for trial, Uganda’s military has said.

Dominic Ongwen is now in US

custody in Obo, a town in eastern Central African Republic, the country where he surrendered on January 6, said Uganda’s army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Ankunda.

Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans have crowded the Colombo seafront as Pope Francis canonised the island’s first saint in one of the biggest public gatherings the city has ever witnessed.

Yesterday, Francis conducted a mass on Colombo’s Galle Face Green before canonising Joseph Vaz, a 17th century missionary who disguised himself as a beggar, in the first papal visit to the island nation in two decades.

➋ UN-Sponsored Libya Talks Start In Geneva

UN sponsored talks in Geneva between rival Libyan factions aim to reach a political settlement to form a unity government that a majority of Libyans can support, UN Special Envoy for Libya Bernadino Leon said yesterday, and he hoped armed factions would observe a cease-fire to support the process.

Part of the Tripoli faction will only decide on Sunday whether to join the talks, but Leon said the door would stay open.

➏ Uganda’s LRA

Commander To Be Tried By ICC

Some Kobani children who were forced to flee from their homes due to the fight against IS in the region

➌ Italian President Napolitano Resigns

Claims Charlie Hebdo Attack

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano handed in his resignation as head of state on Wednesday, leaving Prime Minister Matteo Renzi with the politically delicate task of finding a successor.

The 89-year-old Napolitano, widely respected outside Italy as a guarantor of stability during the euro zone crisis, had always been expected to step down before the end of his second term in office because of his advanced age.

A top leader of Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch has claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on Paris satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo when two masked gunmen killed 12 people, including much of the weekly’s editorial staff and two police officers.

Nasr al-Ansi, a top commander of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP as the branch is known, appeared in an 11-minute video posted online yesterday.

➍ Al-Qaeda In Yemen

➐ Pope Canonises

Sri Lanka’s First Saint

50 Business/WORLD NEWS

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Charlie Hebdo Publishes Special Issue

People waiting for kiosks to open to buy the magazine yesterday morning

French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has published its first issue since an attack on its office last week.

The newspaper unapologetically skewered other religions as well in its latest publication released on Wednesday, and bragged that Sunday’s turnout of a million people at a march in Paris to condemn terrorism was larger “than for mass’’.

Long queues formed at newsstands in France for the latest edition of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Five million copies are being

printed - a week after Islamist gunmen murdered 12 people at its offices and five others in subsequent attacks in Paris.

The issue has angered some Muslim countries and groups by depicting the Prophet Mohammed on its front cover.

The magazine cover shows a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad weeping while holding a sign saying “I am Charlie”.

The gunmen are said to have used earlier publication of images of the Prophet as justification for their attack on the magazine.

Editors decided to increase the print run of the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo to five million on Wednesday after copies in France sold out quickly. Three million copies were originally produced, while 60,000 are normally printed each week.

The issue is available in six languages - including English, Arabic and Turkish.

Charlie Hebdo editor-in-chief Gerard Biard comforted Renald “Luz” Luzier, who drew the latest cover, at a news conference Proceeds will go to the victims’ families.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group said on its radio station that the publication was “an extremely stupid act”.

Meanwhile, a new video said to be from al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQAP) was aired on Wednesday saying the group had planned and financed the Charlie Hebdo attacks, which were conducted in “vengeance for the Prophet”.

It added that it was a “success” that the attack on the magazine had “coincided” with the attacks by supermarket gunman Amedy Coulibaly.

—BBC

Japan Approves Record Defence Budget

Japan’s cabinet has approved the country’s largest defence budget, with plans to buy surveillance aircraft and F-35 fighter jets to improve defences of disputed islands amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet endorsed on Wednesday a nearly $42b defence budget for the year beginning in April, a two percent rise. The budget must still be approved by parliament, but Abe’s coalition holds majorities in both houses.

The military outlays were included in a record $814b total budget for the coming fiscal year.

Japan’s military budget is rising for a third year in a row under Abe, who took office in December 2012 and ended 11 straight years of defence budget cuts.

The increase mainly covers new equipment, including P-1 surveillance aircraft, F-35 fighter jets and amphibious vehicles for a new unit to boost island defences.

The 2015 budget also covers cost of purchasing parts of “Global Hawk” drones, planned for deployment in 2019, and two Aegis radar-equipped destroyers, as well as missile defence system development with Washington.

Chinese patrol boats often visit waters near uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, which are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China.

Abe favours a stronger role for Japan’s military, despite a commitment to pacifism enshrined in the US-inspired constitution drawn up after the country’s defeat in World War Two. Japan’s defence guidelines were revised in December 2013 as tensions rose over the disputed islands in the East China Sea. In July, the Abe government adopted a new interpretation of Japan’s war-renouncing constitution to allow its military to defend American and other foreign troops under attack.

Al Jazeera

Worshippers believe that bathing in the River Ganges during the festival will absolve them from sin

Strange: Dead Bodies Found Floating In Indian River Scores of decaying dead bodies have surfaced in India’s sacred Ganges river, as dogs, crows and vultures hacked away at the corpses.

NDTV news channelreported on Wednesday that more than 100 bodies had surfaced in the river between Kanpur and Unnao districts in the northern Uttar Pradesh state.

“There are few bodies that have been found on the Periyar bank of the River Ganges. I have asked the police and my staff to probe it,” Unnao district official, Suraj Prasad, said.

“Action will be taken after the probe how the bodies came into it.

It could be that some bodies were

RESCUE MISSION: AirAsia Plane ‘Fuselage Located’ - Officials The main body of the crashed AirAsia plane has been located and photographed in the Java Sea, say officias.

Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen posted pictures taken by a Singaporean search robot on his Facebook page.

He said the words painted on the side of the wreckage confirmed the plane was flight QZ8501.

AirAsia lost contact with the flight on 28 December as it was flying from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board.

Dozens of bodies have been

By Ugochukwu Iroka , Abuja

South Korean authorities have arrested an activist and former leftist politician for praising neighbouring North Korea.

The move to arrest Lee Hwang Sun, leftist politician and a prounification activist on Wednesday, comes days after authorities deported another Korean-American woman for the same offence.

Shin Eun-Mi was deported on Saturday for praising North Korea and its leaders at a series of recent lectures she gave with Hwang Sun. Both women fell foul of South Korea’s strict National Security

ECOWAS and its partners are set to hold a High Level Coordination Meeting in Accra tomorrow to take stock of various partner/ stakeholder initiatives within the context of an integrated regional response to the Ebola epidemic in the region.

The meeting, which main objectives include acknowledging efforts of all partners, will provide an opportunity for the briefing of stakeholders on the status of the Ebola challenge with a view to drawing attention to the need for more coordinated action on the fight

written promotion of North Korean ideology, deeming any such activity to be “anti-state” and subject to up to seven years imprisonment.

Hwang is also accused of making flattering remarks about North Korea on a YouTube channel and writing blog posts praising North Korean founder Kim Il-Sung.

Shin, who co-hosted a number of talk shows with Hwang across the country from October to December, was expelled on Saturday and barred from re-entering the country for five years.

Al JAzeera

found but many of the passengers and crew are thought to still be inside the plane, which made finding the fuselage so important.

“The MV Swift Rescue has located the fuselage of the AirAsia plane in the Java Sea,” Mr Ng said on Facebook, adding that Singapore had informed the Indonesian search and rescue agency so that recovery operations could begin.

He said images taken by a remotely operated vehicle, which he posted as well, showed part of the wing and words on the fuselage that matched with those on the AirAsia flight.

EBOLA: ECOWAS, Partners To Hold High Level Meeting In Accra

S/Korea Arrests Activist For ‘Praising’ North Law (NSL), enacted in 1948 to protect the fledgling state from infiltration by the communist North.

Domestic critics and international rights groups argue that the law is open to abuse and stifles free speech, but officials insist it is justified by the continued threat from the nuclear-armed North.

The Seoul Central District Court said it had agreed to issue the warrant because of “the graveness of the charges” and the likelihood that Hwang, 41, would continue to make similar remarks in the future.

The NSL prohibits the spoken or

submerged after the death. They came on the back due to low water level,” Prasad added.

Officials do not suspect a crime, and instead believe the dead were given water burials. It is Indian custom not to cremate unwed girls, and many poor people cannot afford cremation.

Local residents blamed the state and federal government for the floating bodies.

“The environment is being polluted and it is a very shameful thing.

Both the federal government and state government are responsible,” resident Alok Dikshit told the Reuters news agency.

against the disease, and its elimination globally.

The meeting is being held under the auspices of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama and President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of Togo, the Supervisor of the Process of the fight against Ebola in the region.

It will also discuss effective coordination of the Ebola response initiatives, provide a platform for information sharing on the situation in the affected Member States, evaluate the impact of efforts so far exerted on the fight.

51

Thursday, January 15, 2015

11th All Africa Games: Team Nigeria Urged To work Harder

by SALIFU USMAN, Abuja

Ahead of the forthcoming 11th All Africa Games taking place in Brazzavile, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, Team Nigeria has been urged to redouble their efforts and work harder if they must do well at the continental showpiece.

Board member of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Chief Sylvester Ikujemoye gave the advice while

interacting with newsmen in Abuja.

He said that the quadrennial multi-sports fiesta is not a teaparty and Nigeria’s contingent must work hard to ensure the country’s success.

“I think we need to work hard.

If we are going to the All Africa Games to make impact then, we must work hard because it is not a tea-party,” he stated.

According to him, for Nigeria to do well at the event, vari-

ous sports federations going for the championship should present to Nigerians their scorecard and programmes and how they intend to go about it.

“When Gbenga Elegbeleye took over as DG of the National sports Commission, there was this scorecard he introduced where sports federations were invited to tell Nigerians what they have and what they have been doing, how they intend to go about it,” he added.

Halilu Grabs 100th Goal As Eaglets Thrash Giodano 8-1

by ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Defender Lukman Halilu rose from the bench on Wednesday to score Golden Eaglets’ record 100th goal after 33 friendly and official matches as Nigeria’s U-17 team cruised to an 8-1 win against Giodano Football Academy of Kano at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

Ebere Osinachi also got a rare hat-trick and a brace for Ndu

Iheakam; there were also goals for Captain Kelechi Nwakali as well as Suleiman Abdullahi while Ahmad Sabo got Giodiano’s lone goal.

“We have never been thoroughly beaten like this before,” confessed Giodano’s Coach Ismail Ismail.

“We have always thought we were the best especially in Kano but today, we have seen that we still need to learn new things.”

After earlier misses , Golden Eaglets went in front in the 29th minute when Giodano’s Hamza Abdullahi brought down rampaging Abass Ibrahim in the box and Nwakali converted the resultant penalty kick as he sent goalkeeper Rabiu Adamu the other way.

Four minutes later, Nwakali provided Abdullahi with a pass and the stylish midfielder warded off his marker to glide the ball beyond the reach

of Adamu. Within minutes to spare in the first half, Golden Eaglets’ Victor Osimhen was penalised for handling the ball in the box and Ahmad Sabo converted the penalty to make it 2-1.

In the 53rd minute, Halilu Zakari who came in as a second half substitute for Ernest Agenor, scored his first goal for the Golden Eaglets following a swift pas from another substitute, Jack Ipalibo.

Amuneke

2015 ITF Junior Circuit: Nigeria Clinches Top Place With 4 Gold, 1 Silver Oshewa’s feat sparked the winning spirit of the Nigerian players as Mathew Abamu, a junior sibling to Martin, bagged a resounding 6-1, 6-1 win over Sodik Nougbessi of Benin Republic while in the girls’ 16&U Adetayo Adetunji defeated No 1 seed, Joanne Celestine Abommo of Gabon 6-3,6-2. Moments after, Barakat Quadri beat Becoude Karmine of Benin 7-5, 6-4 in the girls’ 14&U final to highlight Nigeria’s dominance at the double-phase tournament which is featuring nine countries.

The final phase is scheduled to

by onjewu dickson, Abuja

Nigeria have emerged the overall winners of the first phase of the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Circuit holding in Togo with four gold and one silver medals.

At the Stade Ominsport, Lome yesterday, Nigeria started on a setback as Martins Abamu fell to Togo’s Antione Gbadoe 6-2, 6-3 in the Boy’s 16&U category but Michael Oshewa restored the nation’s pride when he triumphed with a 6-3, 7-5 over Ehaya Isaac of Cote d’Ivoire.

Tennis player in action

Aston Villa Confirm Gil Signing Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has made his first signing of the January transfer window with the capture of Carles Gil from Valencia.

The 22-year-old midfielder is a product of Los Che’s youth system and made his first-team debut this term, having spent the past two seasons on loan at La Liga rivals Elche.

Gil helped Los Franjiverdes gain promotion to the top flight of Spanish football during the 2013/13 campaign, contributing one goal in 33 league appearances.

The Spain Under-21 international featured eight times in the league for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side during the first half of the season and caught the eye of Lambert.

25th NUGA: Kucha Assures Uniagric Makurdi Will Meet Target

by ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Gil

start today with no fewer than eight Nigerian players listed for action.

National junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale said the team is poised for a better haul of medals. He assured that some of the lapses noted in the players will be effectively worked on for effective performance of the players.

Nigeria, which had a rigorous five-day close camping in Lagos for the point-earning tournament, is being represented by eleven players, who are featuring in the four categories.

The 25th edition of the NUGA billed for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State come November, 2015 may still be nine months away, but Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Emmanuel Iornumbe Kucha has stated in very strong terms that his institution will not wait till the last minute to get all the facilities needed in place.

Prof. Kucha, while fielding questions on the state of readiness of the university for the Games noted that there is absolutely no reason for the NUGA Council to have doubts over their readiness as work is already in progress to ensure that construction of the facil-

ties to come on board are already ities commence by March.

“We’ll do the Games and very on and I can assure you that our well too. NUGA Council had their October target of all the facilities meeting here in Makurdi and I being on ground and ready for use must say that the outcome was will be achieved.”

Though, he admits that sourcnot bad from what the NUGA president, secretary and the LOC chair- ing of funds has not been an easy one, he believes things are beginman reported to me.

The council saw what we have ning to fall in place as bids for the on ground with a promise that tender has already advertised for work would soon commence on the construction of four additional the other facilities. We bided for hostel blocks, a multi-purpose Inthis NUGA hosting and we’re not door Sports Hall and the construcjoking about it. That’s why as soon tion of a squash court. as we got it, we started preparing Prof. Kucha, however noted that for it. the recent devaluation of the nai“As a government establish- ra might pose some little problems ment, there are processes that but measures have been put in place must be followed. As we speak, to take care of such unforeseen deprocesses for some of the facili- velopment.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/sports

52 sports

Thursday, January 15, 2015

2015 AFCON 2015 AFCON 2015 AFCON 2015 AFCON 2015 AFCON

Zambia national team players

Zambia: Ngoma Eases Injury Concerns Bafana Bafana

South Africa Can Win AFCON – Shakes South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba has told his team to pack for the long haul as he targets nothing less than title glory at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana will undergo their final preparations when they face Mali in Gabon on Wednesday afternoon, before jetting off to Equatorial Guinea for this year’s continental showpiece.

And Mashaba says the national team are only planning on returning home after the AFCON final on February 8, with the coach

hoping to emulate the country’s 1996 success, where they lifted the African crown on home soil.

“We are coming back after the 10th [of February] after the final is played. We have packed our bags expecting for a long stay there,” said Mashaba.

“In 1996 we set the standard that we are championship material. With this team we are trying to revive that spirit and show that we are one of the best.”

Bafana face a tough task in making it out of the group stages, let alone winning the whole

tournament, with the side drawn in the ‘group of death’, which includes Africa’s number-one ranked team Algeria, as well as Ghana and Senegal.

Mashaba, though, is only encouraged by their opponents’ perceived billing as favourites over Bafana, adding: “All the teams are equal. When they say the group of death it gives us motivation.

It will be good to beat the No 1 team on the continent.

“I have told the players not to fear anybody because we have no reason to feel inferior.”

Zambia striker Patrick Ngoma should be fit and ready to stake his place for a place in Chipolopolo’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations starting XI. Ngoma has been battling with an injury during Chipolopolo’s three-week long training camp in South Africa, but coach Honour Janza does not feel that a replacement is necessary and believes that the youngster will recover in time.

“No more inclusions and replacement. Patrick is improv-

ing, but I will not rush him.

Apart from the injury, his match fitness level is good,” said Janza.

Ngoma is one of 10 players that could potentially make their full senior international debuts for Zambia during the AFCON finals.

He was a key member of the Copper Bullets’ 2014 COSAFA Youth Championship team, where picked up the golden boot after netting seven goals.

Palacios Tips Algeria

Equatorial Guinea players

Equatorial Guinea Eye Winning Start Algeria national team players

Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios thinks that Algeria are the strongest candidates to lift the Africa Cup of Nations title next month.

Algeria are currently the number-one ranked team on the continent and the national side has evolved into a mean machine during the past 18 months.

Palacios said that while the Ivory Coast and Ghana would field highly competitive teams at this year’s tournament, it was Algeria that had the great-

est capacity to cross the finish line when the situation demanded it.

“Algeria pushed Germany more than any other team at the World Cup in Brazil last year,” Palacios told SAPA on Wednesday.

“They are a religious team and so are very disciplined. They are also very organized and structured. Most of their players play in the local league. For me, Algeria are the team to beat at the Afcon tournament,” added Pala-

cios.

However, Palacios does believe that the Ivory Coast are still a tremendous force in African football and that they will always pose a significant threat at tournaments of this magnitude.

“Ivory Coast have a history of underperforming in major tournaments and (Yaya) Toure will have to play as well he does for Manchester City if the team is to reach the finals of the tournament,” said Palacios.

Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker is determined to get his side off to the best possible start when they face Congo in the opening game of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

The newly appointed tactician will lead his side out at the Estadio de Bata Stadium this weekend for the tournament’s curtain raiser, where they will face Group A rivals the Red Devils, before further matches against Burkina Faso on January 21 and Gabon on January 25.

And, the coach would love nothing more than to get three

points on the board straight off the bat, saying: “Starting with a win in such tournaments gives a lot of motivation and we shall go all out for that.”

Becker, who took over the reins of National Thunder just over a week ago, knows the task his side face in making a deep run in front of their home fans, but remains confident in his side’s abilities.

He added: “I know teams like Algeria who were at the World Cup and Senegal are good teams. But we shall play our best to make sure we reach the later stages of the tournament.”

sports 53

Thursday, January 15, 2015

No Plan For Messi Exit - Luis Enrique Barcelona aren’t planning for life without Lionel Messi, according to coach Luis Enrique, who did his best to play down the furore over the Argentine’s future on Wednesday.

In declaring his uncertainty at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony over where he will play his football next season, Messi stole the headlines despite finishing second in the voting behind winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speculation has been rife that all is not well between the 27-year-old and Luis Enrique after the forward was left out of the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in La Liga at the start of January.

Further reports claimed the pair had become embroiled in several heated arguments, while suggesting the Barca star and the club’s president Josep Bartomeu had held a meeting during which the current coach’s exit was discussed.

“We shy away from controversy, comments and rumours.

We seek the best atmosphere in the dressing room,” the Spaniard said yesterday.

“We all expect Messi to be at the club next season and there is no plan for him not to be here. All the fans want him to stay.”

Amid the controversy surrounding the club, summer signing Luis Suarez has shown signs of reproducing his best form with two goals in his last two games.

“He’s always been at a great level, even when people said he was fat,” Luis Enrique added. “He is continually improving and evolving.”

Barcelona are back in action on Thursday night when they face Elche in the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey tie, having won the first leg 5-0.

Several fringe players will feature as Luis Enrique rotates his squad with progress all but assured, while Xavi (hamstring) and Neymar (ankle) won’t be risked.

Katsina Govt To Sponsor Spotlights FC For Foreign Tourney

by ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Katsina State government is ready to sponsor a pro-league club, Spotlights Football Club for a foreign international pre-season soccer tournament the state’s Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim Safana has said.

He stated this while addressing the team’s players and coaches at Ahmad Bello Stadium, Kaduna.‘’ I am assuring you that the state government is ready to sponsor the team anywhere in the world for pre-season tournaments, as you were sponsored to Burkina Faso last year for the same

purpose’’, the commissioner explained.

Alhaji Ibrahim Safana said that based on the club’s performance in the last football season as well as pre-season tournament currently taking in Kaduna, the state government will continue to support the team towards achieving the desired objective.

He said that the state government has spent millions of naira in the promotion and development of sports, especially with the construction of35,000-seater Karkanda Stadium in the state.

The commissioner, however, expressed satisfaction with the brilliant performance of the players

and commended the club management for their commitment and dedication towards the overall development of the team.

Responding on behalf of the players and coaches, the team’s co-ordinator, Alhaji Ayuba Umar, pledged that the club’s management will continue to redouble their efforts in ensuring a successful football season by securing promotion to elite class at the end of forthcoming football season.

Alhaji Umar, then commended Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema for his moral and financial support and assured that the team will not disappoint the people of the state.

Ronaldo’s Hunt For Fourth Ballon d’Or Starts Now – Ancelotti Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or on Monday, but Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says his quest for a fourth has already begun.

The Portugal international beat Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to prize and if he wins the trophy again he will equal the four won by his Argentine rival.

Ronaldo himself spoke of his desire to draw level with Messi and Ancelotti believes such is the 29-year-old’s motivation to win individual awards, he will immediately begin his bid to be named the world’s best next year.

“It’s not like winning the Ballon d’Or will make Ronaldo relax and take it easy,” Ancelotti said at a press conference.

“Ronaldo has not celebrated his Ballon d’Or success. We only took a picture of Ronaldo

Ancelotti

with all his team-mates and the staff, but that’s all.

“Individual awards motivate him to do even better.

He will start thinking about a fourth Ballon d’Or on Thursday against Atletico.

“Does it bother me that Ronaldo said he doesn’t know where he will be next year?

No. The reality is different. It’s enough now with these questions.”

The Italian then discussed the second leg of his side’s last-16 Copa del Rey tie against Atletico Madrid on Thursday and remains confident of bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat in the first leg.

“We know how to play against Atletico. We know them very well. We have to be very intense, but must keep a cool head. We have 90 minutes to turn things around.”

League action

Murray Is Australian Open Sixth Seed, Djokovic First Britain’s Andy Murray, a threetime finalist, will be seeded sixth for the Australian Open, with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic the number one seed.

Five-time champion Serena Williams is top seed for the

Murray

women’s event while Britain’s Heather Watson will have no protection in Friday’s draw.

Former champion Victoria Azarenka, who is ranked 41st in the world after an injury-hit 2014, is also unseeded.

The tournament, the first Grand Slam of the year, begins on Monday.

The seedings mirror the world rankings.

Spain’s David Ferrer is the ninth seed in the men’s draw after the withdrawal of US Open champion Marin Cilic, while world number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s absence with a forearm strain means Ernests Gulbis moves up to 11th seed.

Britons Kyle Edmund and Liam Broady are two matches away from reaching the main draw after wins in the first round of qualification.

Men’s top 16 seeds 1. Novak Djokovic (Ser) 2. Roger Federer (Swi) 3. Rafael Nadal (Spa) 4. Stan Wawrinka (Swi) 5. Kei Nishikori (Jpn) 6. Andy Murray (GB) 7. Tomas Berdych (Cze) 8. Milos Raonic (Can) 9. David Ferrer (Spa) 10. Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) 11. Ernests Gulbis (Lat) 12. Feliciano Lopez (Spa) 13. Roberto Bautista Agut (Spa) 14. Kevin Anderson (SA) 15. Tommy Robredo (Spa) 16. Fabio Fognini (Ita)

54 sports

Thursday, January 15, 2015

‘It Hurts To See Bayern Play Without Me’ Javi Martinez has admitted that it is not easy for him to watch Bayern Munich from the sidelines due to injury, but he is optimistic about his recovery and hopes to be back with the squad come March.

The Spain international ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee in the German Supercup loss to Borussia Dortmund in August and has since been out of action.

The 26-year-old is nearing his return, but he has acknowledged that he’s finding it hard not being

able to play yet.

“Watching my team-mates play sometimes makes me sad. My exercises are much more boring [than playing a game]. It hurts in the head,” the Spaniard was quoted as saying on the official Bayern website.

“Building up muscles again is the most difficult bit. It takes a lot of hard work. But I’m a little bit better with every passing day.

I worked hard on my knee every day over the holidays, so I’ve come back feeling good.

“I am already capable of light

exercise and jogging and that was good for me mentally. It gives you the feeling you’re getting nearer.

“Guardiola and I talk every day.

He’s keeping informed about my recovery and asks me how I am.

I’m hoping to be back with the squad in March, but it all depends on the knee.”

Martinez joined Bayern from Athletic Bilbao in August 2012 and has since won two Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, the Champions League as well as the European Supercup and the Club World Cup.

We’re Forging A New Manchester United - Di Maria Radcliffe

‘Radcliffe To End Marathon Career In April’ Britain’s Paula Radcliffe will end her marathon career in London in April, organisers have announced.

The 41-year-old, who has won the London event three times, last competed over 26.2 miles in Berlin in September 2011.

Radcliffe, who set her world record of two hours 15 minutes 25 seconds in London in 2003, last took part in the race

in 2005.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Paula has chosen London for her final marathon,” said organiser Hugh Brasher.

Former world champion Radcliffe, who has not been named among the elite athlete entries, will take on 2014 winner Edna Kiplagat and last year’s runnerup Florence Kiplagat.

The race on 26 April will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Manchester United star Angel Di Maria says that Louis van Gaal and his players are looking to forge a new identity for the team.

After last season’s struggles under David Moyes and an inconsistent first few months under the Dutchman’s reign, the Argentine says that comparisons to Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary teams should not be made too closely.

A defeat by Southampton last time out ended an 11-match unbeaten run for United but Di

Maria feels that things are slowly coming together.

“From the start of the season to now, you can see that we’ve grown,” he told MUTV. “We weren’t so great at the beginning but we’ve started getting a few victories under our belts.

“There are some people saying that we’re not playing in a particularly good style or that it’s not the old Manchester United - but it’s not. We’re beginning something new here. We’ve got a new style, we’ve got a new manager and we’re all working hard

to make sure we’re putting Manchester United back where it belongs.

“We’re focusing on growing as a team, working hard and getting as many points as we can.

We all know the Premier League is difficult but all we’re focusing on now is meeting our objectives and our targets for the year.

“So whether it’s qualifying for the Champions League, making sure that we do well in the FA Cup or getting as high in the league as possible, these are things we are going for now.”

Yaya Will Make Me Better At Man City – Bony Wilfried Bony is confident his Ivory Coast team-mate Yaya Toure will make him a better player after joining “one of the biggest club in the world” in Manchester City.

The striker joined the Premier League champions for a free understood to be €35 million on Wednesday, agreeing a £97,000-aweek salary to seal a move from Swansea City.

Bony is currently on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations and the 26-year-old feels his relationship with the midfielder will reap rewards at the Etihad Stadium.

“The Premier League is a tough

Yaya and Bony

league – my power is to always be in the box and in the right position,” he told the club’s official website. “I’m always working hard to be there to score the goals and to improve.

“I speak with Yaya every day on international duty and I think he will help me to become a better player and a more clinical striker. I’ll be playing with great players here at City and this is an opportunity for me to work hard and to take my chance.”

Bony, who has been chased by the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool in the past, has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with City.

Di Maria

Brazil Ready To Win Copa America – Ronaldinho Former Brazil international Ronaldinho has backed the current side ahead of this year’s Copa America, insisting Dunga’s men have what it takes to claim the title in Chile.

The Selecao have bounced back from the disappointment of a World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany in the summer by claiming six straight victories.

And the former World Player of the Year insists the current side are well-placed to claim what would be Brazil’s ninth South American crown.

“I think Brazil have everything to have a great Copa America campaign and fight for the title,” he told former Argentina international Diego Maradona in a television interview. “[There will be less pressure than in the World Cup] football is about the now, and it will be calmer not playing at home.”

The 2002 World Cup winner, 34, is now playing his trade in Mexico with Queretaro and went on to reveal he is enjoying life in Liga MX and looking forward to returning for the new season.

Ronaldinho

sports 55

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Transfer News

Reus

Shaqiri

I Prefer Inter Over England, Germany, Juve - Shaqiri Xherdan Shaqiri is confident he has made the right decision to join Inter Milan after turning down offers to move to the Premier League in the January transfer window. The Switzerland international joined I Nerazzurri from Bayern Munich last week, and has signed a contract that will keep him at San Siro until June 2019.

The 23-year-old midfielder had been strongly linked with a move to England, where Everton, Liverpool and Stoke City were reportedly

keen to acquire his services.

Inter unveiled Shaqiri on Wednesday and he told the Italian press: “I had offers from England and Germany, but my wish was to join Inter. Juventus was also an option but I wanted Inter.

“I wan’t totally happy at Bayern,” he said. “I didn’t have much playing time.

“But I’ve learned a lot at Bayern and I will try to make the most of my time at Inter. I need to play consistently in order to prove how

much I’m worth. I am hungry for success. I can’t wait to get started.

“I want to help Inter return to be at the top in Italy and in Europe. I hope that with this jersey I can return to win titles.”

Shaqiri could make his debut on Saturday, when Inter face Empoli in Tuscany.

Inter, who are currently ninth in Serie A, are still alive in both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Europa League, where they will face Celtic in last 32.

Reus May Leave – Dortmund With Marco Reus’ future at Borussia Dortmund still yet to be resolved, the club’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted they will be powerless to prevent him from departing if he chooses to do so.

The winger’s current deal expires in 2017 but a €25 million clause inserted into his contract upon signing for BVB in 2012 means the 25-yearold will be allowed to leave this summer if a club meets that valuation.

“My big hope is that he will stay here for a long time,” Watzke said on Wednesday. “If he decides differently, that’s the way it is. One of the challenges in football is to benefit from staff changes in any way and create new things.”

Reus is out of action for the foreseeable future after tearing ankle ligaments in the 2-2 draw with Paderborn on November 24 and has stated he wants to return to fitness.

Bony Thrilled With £28m Man City Deal

Defoe

Toronto Striker Defoe In Sunderland Talks

Bony

Wilfried Bony has spoken of his delight after completing his £28m switch from Swansea City to Manchester City.

The news was initially leaked by the Ivory Coast Football Federation, which irked both the Citizens and Swans, who had been holding off on making the announcement.

However, with the cat already out the bag, the move was confirmed by both Premier League outfits, and Elephants forward

Bony, who is busy gearing up with his national team-mates for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, admits he is thrilled to have taken the next step in his professional career.

“It’s a great feeling for me, it’s a big honour to be here and it’s a great challenge,” said Bony. “As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportunity for me to be in that situation now

- I’m really proud.

“I felt excited to wait for this moment and now it’s come, it’s fantastic.

“I think it’s a great decision for me - Manchester City are in the Champions League. You remember at the end of last season I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win.

Toronto FC and England striker Jermain Defoe is in talks with Sunderland about a return to the Premier League.

No announcement is imminent but Black Cats manager Gus Poyet is keen to strengthen his attacking options.

Sunderland are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places, and only Aston Villa have scored fewer than their 18 goals.

Defoe, 32, has been training with former club Tottenham dur-

ing the Major League Soccer close season.

After leaving English football last summer, he has scored 11 goals in 16 games during his debut campaign for Toronto.

He is 14th on the list of all-time Premier League goalscorers, with 124 during spells with West Ham, Spurs and Portsmouth.

Sunderland have won only three of their 21 league matches this season and collected just one point from their past four games.

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15.01.15 www.leadership.ng

The Thursday Column

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

No. 2,328

F

The APC has metamorphosed into a mass movement with strong following across Nigeria and a decent chance of forming the next government

N150

The Triumph Of Truth 08052407030 (SMS only) abba@leadership.ng

Abba Mahmood

irst, they said there would never be a formidable platform to challenge the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). They never thought that distinguished men and women of character could submerge their individual interests for the collective interest of the nation. They never thought that what in reality are regionally-based parties could come together and fuse into a huge mega party with the strongest grassroots base and widest organic links to the people. Against all odds, the progressive minds across the country came together and coalesced into the All Progressives Congress (APC) which, in less than one year, became the strongest party in Nigeria. It was the triumph of truth.

Next, they said the APC would implode due to the irreconcilable ambitions of its various aspirants.

That was why the idea of a consensus presidential candidate was vehemently opposed by most of the aspirants. That turned out to be the biggest factor that strengthened the party, for a most transparent process was followed to elect the party’s presidential candidate. General Muhammadu Buhari won, fair and square, and all the contestants congratulated him on a well-deserved victory. It was the triumph of truth.

Then came the issue of selecting a running mate for General Buhari.

They churned out a lot of stories about a so-called Muslim-Muslim ticket, in the hope that the non-Muslims would be alienated and antagonised. After due consultations, a distinguished professor of law, a man of impeccable pedigree and strong family background was chosen. Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a real Christian, not a show Christian. Buhari’s running mate is also a man of integrity who shares the same worldview with Buhari. That hurdle was crossed. It was the triumph of truth.

They then came with a ridiculous and funny story that Gen. Buhari has no certificate! Mhmm? How did he join the Nigerian Army? How did he rise to become a general? How did he attend all the courses in Nigeria

THURSDAY

w

and across the world without requisite qualifications? How did he become a governor, in fact the last governor of the defunct North-Eastern State, now six states? How did he become Nigeria’s head of state with the backing of the armed forces? In fact, they are not ridiculing Buhari but the Nigerian nation by this cheap propaganda. But there is always the triumph of truth.

There comes a time in the life of every nation, as it is for every individual, when there remains what the statisticians call the Bernulli Trial – a situation where you are left with only two choices: you either submit and go down or struggle and come up. That time has indeed come to us. Fortunately, Nigerians are now very much aware that poverty and bombs do not discriminate between Christians and Muslims, northerners and southerners or tribes. That is why every patriot is now joining the movement for change. It is the triumph of truth.

On this page I had cause to criticise Buhari and to urge him not to contest. An elder brother whom I have tremendous respect for sat me down and explained to me the dynamics. The issue is beyond Buhari as an individual; it is about Nigeria and its people. The APC has metamorphosed into a mass movement with strong following across Nigeria and a decent chance of forming the next government. Buhari has emerged as a symbol of change and a platform for the oppressed to confront the oppressors. His antecedents and precedents make this so obvious. And for the first time since he joined politics, Buhari is now playing real politics with a message that resonates across the entire nation. It is the triumph of truth.

And so we have to understand the fundamental differences between Buhari’s party, the APC, and its main challenger, the PDP. While one is for a government of hope, confidence and limitless opportunities, the other is for a government of pessimism, limits and despair; while one keeps accentuating and worsening our differences, the other tries to bridge

them; while one wants us to be uniform, the other wants us to be united; while one is still promising, after 16 years in power, the other has proven records of achievements in the services of the country; while one is the epitome of privileges/ private jet owners/ billionaires, the other relies on the ordinary people.

If the difference is clear, then, indeed the choice is clear. It is the triumph of truth.

Therefore, the agenda and duty of the next government is very obvious. It is simply to fight corruption and impunity -- every other thing will fall in line. When government makes the wealthy pay appropriate taxes instead of donating money to political parties, when government confiscates ill-gotten wealth from corrupt public officers and their fronts, there are lots of benefits to society. Government would get the resources to work for the people and reduce reliance on oil that is finishing. It would discourage others from stealing. The people would see immediate change in their lives as an enabling environment for businesses to thrive would be provided with the resources retrieved from corrupt officials. Government would thus get strong domestic and even international support and acclaims, thereby making Nigeria’s image better. It is the triumph of truth.

The thought of all these is what is making some people sleepless. And, in a very curious way, the best campaigner for Buhari is President Jonathan. Every insulting statement from the PDP makes it look more like an opposition rather than a ruling party. Every un-presidential utterance -- such as referring to a former leader as a motor-park tout, or that the MEND that the president was defending in 2010 is now a terrorist organization trying to kill the president -- makes Buhari and his party more attractive. Every blunder of the government makes the APC a credible and formidable alternative.

That is why, currently, there is no alcohol that makes some people drunk anymore. It is the triumph of truth.

In the United States, after the

trauma of the Watergate scandal and the resignation of President Nixon, Jimmy Carter was elected.

An elderly person, Ronald Reagan, was elected to bring back the confidence of America. In the People’s Republic of China, after the Cultural Revolution and with the death of Chairman Mao, an experienced elder, Deng Xiaoping, was elected and he started the reform that has put China on its phenomenal growth.

That is the context within which the emergence of Buhari is situated. An experienced elderly man of integrity is needed now to put the nation on the road to admirable stability and considerable prosperity. It is the triumph of truth.

Nigeria and Nigerians are tired of corruption, incompetence, ineptitude and continuous unfulfilled promises. We simply can’t continue on this stagnant and static path as a nation. Who is better to confront insecurity and terrorism than a general? And who is better to help institutionalise the rule of law than a professor of law and former attorney-general of Lagos? That is the rescue team waiting for the mandate to take over and lead effectively. The victory of good over evil, the success of right over wrong, and the triumph of truth over falsehood have always been a matter of time.

GHANA MUST GO Buhari had his chance but failed, says Jonathan — News

From your record, you are a poor examiner!

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