Nigerian Times February 2015 by Nigerian Times of London

February 2015, Issue no. 006

Politics

This is the season of

Nigerian election

P7 Siku’s Reflections

The Manga Bible

P10

The Halelujah Diet

Jonathan : NT’s Man of the Year 2014

Palm Oil: Nigeria’s Next Oil Cash Cow February 2015 nigeriantimesoflondon.com

@Nigtimeslondon This is the season of Nigerian elections. Again the diaspora would be excluded. The Nigerian Diaspora population are contributing commendably in various

countries of the world. They also contribute a lot to Nigerian economy through many sources. In 2012 alone, Diaspora Nigerians contributed more than $21 billion through money transfers to Nigerian economy.

The excuses against giving the Nigerian Diaspora the vote are many: The logistics is not right; we need the database of the Nigerians living in the diaspora first; the law needs to be amended!

But Nigerian Times of London says, in this shrinking world, no Nigerian should be denied the right to vote due to distance and logistics. Many countries guarantee diaspora Voting Rights to their citizens. Nigeria

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continued on pg 3

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Politics

Economy

Nigeria’s 2014 Tax

Revenue At $24.81bn,

Exceeds Target

but Falls Short Of

Previous Year

Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N4.69Trillion ($24.81bn) in Federal Government taxes, surpassing its 2014 target by N400Billion ($2 million) or 9.32 per cent. However, the revenue, which is a combination of petroleum profit and non-oil taxes, was N106Billion less than previous year’s N4.80Trillion, the tax body said in its quarterly revenue report released in Abuja. The 2014 second quarter collections were the highest at N1.45Trillion, followed by N1.19Trillion the following quarter, while the first quarter yielded N1.05Trillion and N1.0Trillion between October and December.

continued from cover

should not be any different. Democracy should be widened and enhanced by enacting and implementing laws and policies that will make it possible for any Nigerian to register and vote for Nigerian political office contestants

anywhere in the world that has Nigeria Embassy or Consulate. The modalities should be formulated by INEC adopting technology and manpower.

possible and easy for them the shores of Nigeria. to participate in the affairs of Nigeria through election The Nigeria Diaspora of their leaders. should have a voice, should be able to vote. Voting right is the simplest in elections tenet of democracy. Millions Voting Nigerians all over the world of citizens should not be is the most powerful should be encouraged to disenfranchised merely weapon in ensuring good be patriotic by making it because they live outside governance.

will need to grow even further in order to shore up the spending deficit caused by the fall in oil revenue. Last December, Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala announced the government’s plan to raise N10.56Billion additional revenue from levies on luxury items in 2015. These include a 10 percent import surcharge new private jets expected to yield about N3.7 billion in revenue, a 39 percent import charge on luxury yachts to raise N1.6Billion in 2015, and a 5 percent import surcharge on luxury cars that would rake in N2.6Billion.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala further disclosed that the government will also review Tax Waivers and exemptions in the bid to ramp up revenue. She stated that about 30 percent of those that received tax waivers from government, especially under the pioneer status scheme, now abuse the system. She revealed that the Government has already commenced a review of the implementation of pioneer status exemptions to some oil companies which could unlock up to N36Billion of additional tax revenue in 2015. She also hinted that in 2015, the government would be ramping up the FIRS/McKinsey initiative to hopefully contribute an extra N160Billion in tax receipts and an aggregate of about Nigeria’s non tax revenue has N460Billion over and above been steadily growing over the 2014 levels in the 2015the years, but the government 2017 periods. The largest sums came from the petroleum profit tax, contributing N2.45Trillion, or 52.96 per cent of total revenue, while the remaining N2.24Trillion came from non-oil taxes. Nearly half of the non-oiltaxes,N1.18Trillion, were collected from company income tax, followed by N802.95 billion in VAT collections. Another N10.83 billion came from gas income, N2.59 billion from capital gain tax and N10.94Billion from stamp duty during the review period. Other revenue included Education Tax, N189.61Billion; N53.28Billion from Consolidated Account and N9.91Billion from National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDEF) levy.

Nigeria will be the

largest exporter of urea President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has declared that Nigeria will be the largest exporter of urea in Africa by 2017. He made this declaration at an interactive session between members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. The session was concerning global oil prices in relation to Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. “Nigeria will be the biggest exporter of urea in Africa by 2017. Most of these plans are in the pipeline,” said Dangote, who is building a 2 billion dollar fertilizer plant in the country’s Edo State. He urged all members of the private sector to support the Nigerian government’s approach to diversifying the economy. Urea is an inexpensive form of nitrogen fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen-phosphoruspotassium) ratio of 46-0-0.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Dangote, who is also Africa’s richest man, noted that the

recent global crisis has made the need to refocus on ways to further develop the Nigerian economy more dire. He described it as an opportunity for stakeholders in the country’s economy to sit down and discuss about how to diversify

the economy and encourage more exports, “because that is the way we should be going instead of going to the Central Bank of Nigeria every day to buy forex”.

made by the CBN governor that sugar is one of the items importers always seek forex to import, Dangote made a promise: “I can assure you that in the next four years, you will not allocate forex for Responding to a statement sugar importation.”

Politics Lagos State Finances

and Alpha Beta Ltd

Raji Fashola’s government in Lagos produces college illiterates like sausages; and now clips at the heels of neighbouring Oyo state - adjudged the second most illiterate in Nigeria.

capacity, with the incumbent Governor Raji Fashola merely looking on, having been pawned to remain in hock. Till now, Bola Tinubu’s private ownership of Lagos State government continues without as much as a whimper by any wing of Nigeria’s Civil Rights Movements. “Civil Rights Groups in Nigeria have no intellectual direction”, said Global Witness; a highly respected anti-fraud organisation based in America.

Three years ago, the United Nations assessed the continuing 80-90% school failure rates in Nigeria’s 36 states as meaning that Nigeria is the 9th most illiterate country in the world. A later World Bank Survey of 2011 declared Lagos state as worse and In truth, not all Lagosians have degraded than in the 1970s. been sitting on their hands. One candidate at the 2011 Over against these facts, Raji Governorship elections; Mr. Fasjola and Bola Tinubu’s J.K Randle; an experienced joint government declares accountant, had groaned Lagos state the praline place on national teevee during a of excellence, and their debate with Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC), a hand-picked successor – Raji progressive political party. Fashola - that he (Randle) But the duo’s dissent bears has never been able to make no dis-proving facts of sense of Lagos State finances Lagos’ dolorous narrative. and he’s been asking for the account details but was As it is, Lagos’ medium term continuously denied it. Step future is in doubt, not least back and spare a thought because its future taxes cannot for Mr. Randle who was by be raised from the millions of then at the end of his tethers. illiterate and un-skilled youths who will rather likely press Beginning 1999, Lagos State violently for free social services government has yearly to further tie up the State’s announced and published finances already hobbled its budget at much fanfared by over $500 million debts. events, but a budget is a mere proposal - not an Overlaying all of this is accounting statement, and Bola Tinubu’s absolute so, Mr. Randle’s jeremiad is personal control of right that there’s no publicly Lagos state government. known account of Lagos State - for as long as Lagos For never in history has State refuses to publish its any Parliament adjourned post-budget expenditure its official proceedings and and income. To close that marched to the private gaping hole for continuing residence of a politician financial fraud in Lagos, a not holding public office to group known as Citizens pledge the Parliament’s un- Assistance Centre sued on conditional allegiance to that October 25, 2011 for an order politician. But that’s exactly of mandamus – in terms what happened in June asking the Ikeja High Court 2007 – immediately after to compel that Lagos State the Lagos State Assembly Assembly discloses the State’s was inaugurated by the new post-budget expenditure. Governor; Raji Fashola - when 99% of the State But the High Court Judge Parliamentarians rushed assigned the case ( Yetunde to Bola Tinubu’s private Idowu) struck it out on 14th residence to pledge the Lagos’ March, 2012, on a tenuous Parliament’s allegiance to ground that the case should Bola Tinubu in his then private have been filed within

thirty days from “when the Lagos Assembly ignored the group’s letter dated July 14, 2011, asking for details of accounts”. Whereas, Judge Yetunde Idowu herself made no finding of the exact date that the ignoring of the petition dated 14th March ceased or stopped - being a continuing fact – to enable her court feasibly apply the short statute of limitation to reckon the thirty (30) days required to bring a lawsuit. Nigerian court judgments, of course, typically follow this pattern of begging the question.

Regardless of that squelching court order, Lagos state finances continue to nag curious Lagos residents, especially after a federal Senate investigation in 2011 returned a verdict of Lagos’ indebtedness of $460 million – equivalent to half as much again of the state’s yearly financial revenue, excluding other gross liabilities on the back of the over-expansion of the size of Lagos government with huge future consequences on the state’s pension bills. Taking a cue, and sensing a cover-up, a Lagos resident (Dr. Ademola Dominic) petitioned the Lagos State government directly on the 24th of October 2012, asking for a disclosure of public accounts as pertain the tax consultancy fee the Lagos State government pays out monthly to a private company named Alpha Beta Consulting Limited. Dr. Dominic, as Petitor, invoked the Freedom of Information Act and demanded as follows:-

Agreements/Documents, in respect of the said Contract/Agreement entered into between the Government of Lagos State and, the Company, Alpha Beta Consulting Limited, mandating the Company to assess and collect on behalf of the Government all Taxes and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due, payable and paid by the Government and its agencies and all the commissions due, payable and paid by the government to the Company and received by the Company since the announcement of the Contract/ Agreement for my perusal and scrutiny pursuant to Section 2, 3(3)m, o, 5, 6, 7, 9, & 10 of the Provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 (F.O.I) as Replicated/ Domesticated in Lagos State of Nigeria. My request is basically to let me know the monthly returns of the taxes and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) generated, accrued, collected and paid to the Government and commissions received from Government or its agencies by the Company since inception of the contract”. According to Dr. Dominic’s petition for account, “the Government of Lagos State boasts of internally generated revenue of about N40 billion every month; translating into a commission of N6 Billion being paid to Alpha Beta Consulting Ltd, also every month, which sum I consider unfavourable and outrageous to me as a tax payer and Citizen of Lagos State”. In public eyes, the offending company - Alpha Beta (Consulting) Limited – is putatively owned by Alhaji Bola Tinubu - the past Lagos Governor – who’d handpicked Raji Fashola in 2007 as the Action Congress governorship candidate in Lagos by riding roughshod over the party’s constitution's requirement for a sensible primary election.

· “I wish to know how the taxes, revenue, finances of the State accrue, are managed, and disbursed in Lagos State and do hereby apply, to you, by yourselves, agents, servants etc. to access and request to be made available to me by you, all information, CTC’s In his proxy reply to Dr. of Files, records, Contract Dominic, dated November

By Seyi Olu Awofeso

5th, 2012, Raji Fashola treated Dr. Dominic’s petition as the occasion to return the personal compliments for his sly preferment by Bola Tinubu. Here is how. In a reply cutting close to the bone, the Lagos State government tersely told Dr. Dominic that his petition for accounts would not be answered and no Alpha Beta Limited invoices or payment vouchers will be disclosed. It was so dismissively written by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and signed by Olanrewaju Akinsola - a Special Senior Assistant on Justice Sector Reforms in the Office of the Attorney-General. In terms, that November 5th reply letter conveyed Lagos State’s stance to treat Lagos finances as personal funds rather than as

usufructuary asset that it is. To back its refusal, Raji Fashola’s government declared in its reply letter to Dr. Dominic’s petition that Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act does not apply to Raji Fashola’s government in Lagos because the right to public information is a law made by the National Assembly in Abuja, without any effect in Lagos State, since the Lagos House of Assembly did not enact it. Shorn of all intellectual pretence to “true federalism” that Raji Fashola queerly but defensively invoked, the long and the short of it is that Lagos State residents are pointed told they have no right to know the revenue and expenditure accounts of their government under

Politics Raji Fashola’s government. and the governed. To now require to be forced to do In effect, and for the first time this ordinary duty, sounding in Nigerian history, an elected in ethics, reflects badly on government declares non- Raji Fashola’s governing accountability as its governing reputation by figuring it principle by readying to brazen out as lacking an abiding out the direr consequences. sense of responsibility. Now, however it is cut or diced, the gauntlet of true federalism Raji Fashola thereby threw down is pretensive nonsense, for the most part, and, in the specific context of Dr. Dominic’s civic request for accountability from an elected government; a no-brainer. By commonsense alone, anyone who’s contributed financially as a member of a co-operative society or social club knows that the right to collect levies or taxes from the people carries with it the correlative duty to subsequently render accounts to the people levied or taxed. With or without any law, the duty to render account to a levied or taxed person exists in ethics as a compelling habit of honesty and continues as a legitimate expectation in all civilized human relations. Raji Fashola does not need any law to do the needful by routinely issuing public records of Lagos state revenue and expenditure without waiting to be asked. For that is the heart of the social contract between the government

For if Raji Fashola were otherwise not in hock; or un-prepossessed without skeletons to hide, he would grasp the fact at once that the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, had early on tested this same “true federalism theory” which is now badly twisted to leach it of its originally good meaning by the current Action Congress (ACN) party apparatchiks to trench close to meaning non-accountability. When the Lagos Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji raised his own true federalism theory as a preliminary objection in the High court; in questioning the jurisdiction of a federal court over his self-declared official capacity act of (alleged) money-laundering of ₦530 million at state level, the Federal High Court promptly dismissed the true federalism theory as nonsense, mirroring the scuppering fate awaiting Raji Fashola’s resurrected version of this same bogus defense.

BDN UK calls for

good Governance

Since gaining independence on 1st October 1960, Nigeria has grown to become one of the most populated African countries, with almost one hundred and seventy million inhabitants. But whilst the country has certainly come a long way over the years, boasting the highest GDP on the African content, its economical and political potentials are still far from being actualised.

Although its shortcomings have often been attributed to the incompetency of previous governments, it could be argued that in order for it to achieve its true potentials, the work lies with the citizens of Nigeria. It is this notion that lead to the formation of Seyi Olu Awofeso is a The Brighter Days network, Legal Practitioner an organisation that aims to bring together all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliation to make positive economical, political and developmental changes in the country. Brighter Days Network The Brighter Days Network was set up in November 2002 by the serving Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, with the primary intention of achieving better governance. After winning the Governorship seat of Ondo State in 2007 and gaining support for the BDN from the majority of Ondo State citizens, Dr. Olusegeun Mimiko made the decision to establish an overseas branch in the United Kingdom. Today the branch is known as The Brighter Days Network for Nigeria (UK) and plays a prominent role in assisting

shortcomings. The fact that the UK organisation is made up of qualified industry experts means that they can provide professional consultancy services to the serving government and local authorities on a wide range of topics from infrastructural development and IT to economics, public administration, hospitals, the organisation with both farms and education. its short-term and long-term Part of the organisation’s objectives. role also involves information BDN UK – supporting good distributing to Nigerian citizens about governance in Nigeria The Brighter Days Network the government’s on going for Nigeria (UK) lead by Dr economical and development Akomolafe is an organisation programmes, as well as made up of well-established facilitating good lines of UK-based professionals communication. of Nigerian origin. Their primary aim is to support As a result of the work of good governance in Nigeria BDN UK, Nigerian citizens and use their wealth of have had a chance to express experience to provide support their opinions and concerns to the democratically elected on the government’s plans Nigerian government in and provide them with bringing about economical feedback and suggestions. and developmental changes The organisation regularly Q&A sessions to benefit citizens. Whilst organises between top level government members come from all different sectors including officials and Nigerian citizens medicine, education, through phone-ins on TV engineering, finance, media and radio shows, as well and legal practice, they as conducting face to face all share the fundamental seminars and web-chats over objective of improving social media. the standard of living and It must be noted that BDN governance in Nigeria. UK’s work is always carried out Not only does BDN UK in best interest of the people. promote good governance in They regularly participate in Nigeria but they also work activities such as upgrading closely with the government facilities in economically to help them achieve disadvantaged schools and their goals and develop hospitals and continuously effective strategies for their provide monetary support

towards the cost of surgical operations to those living in economically disadvantaged Nigerian communities. Goodluck Jonathan Whilst BDN UK will continue to work with Nigerian communities, its current focus is on supporting the re-election bid of the serving president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. After reviewing his administration’s overall performance, the organisation felt it was in the best interest of Nigerian citizens to support the bid. So far in his presidency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has made a number of significant improvements to the country including the expansion of the nation’s railway system and agricultural sector. As of the 3rd quarter of 2014, the agricultural sector accounts for 30% of the country’s nominal GDP – a major improvement on the 2% it accounted for back in the 1990s. There have also been significant investments in education, health and infrastructure and with continuity of president administration; it is hoped by BDN UK that it will speed up developmental changes and their other primary goals. The work carried out by BDN UK is contributing significantly to a brighter future for Nigeria and its people and we look forward to seeing how they progress over the next few years.

Economy

Palm Can Be

Nigeria’s Next

Oil Cash Cow

Interview with Femi Adekoya

Unlike her neighbours in the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Edo State is not richly blessed with crude oil reserves, but according to Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. Abdul Oroh, agricultural resources in the state, especially palm oil, are more than enough to tap from as a source of alternative revenue. Hence state’s palm oil resources has attracting investors, among them Dufil Prima, makers of Indomie Noodles. They are investing about $600 million into the Edo State palm sector. In an interview with Femi Adekoya published in national daily the Guardian, Abdul makes a case for palm oil as an able alternative to crude, stating that it can generate even more export revenue. Here is an excerpt of the interview: What is driving investors’

interests in the rice and So even if we double or oil palm industries in triple our local production Edo State? now, we probably will still not meet the local demand. Nigeria has a huge population and a market but we import What is your assessment huge volume of rice especially of federal government’s for a commodity that has backward integration become a staple food for policy? humanity. From China to the United States and to the Well, to have a backward whole world, their primary integration policy is not a bad food is rice so is Nigeria. policy. I just told you the price Although we eat a lot of of crude palm oil but I have cassava based foods too, but not told you about palm kernel virtually everybody eats rice oil which is almost twice the and we spend a lot of money amount of crude oil palm and either importing it or getting not to talk of the vegetables it smuggled into our country. that we eat. Presco generates Today as we speak, a tonne of about 95 per cent of electricity crude palm oil is about $700 from palm kernel oil waste. ($83 per barrel) and the value We commissioned the plant of crude oil is about $46. For sometime last year and they us, we are not panicking in are even flaring some. They Edo State because we are not do not depend on PHCN and dependent on oil. We want to they also distribute power to develop agriculture and this some of their communities is an opportunity for us. while the remaining five per cent is diesel. There How come there is still is so much advantage in a demand-supply gap putting a lot of investment in the oil palm industry in agriculture. If we invest despite the huge potential in oil palm, production or of the industry? rice, cocoa and even cassava because of the value chain, The problem is that people we will gain the whole word. in Abuja still keep giving We have the advantage of waivers to importers and I the European Union market also know that they are giving and we have an ambition to out these waivers because grow more than we are today. the propensity to import is still there and there is a How will investors help supply vacuum ‎which means to drive this market? what is produced locally cannot meet the demand. They will be driving the

Diversification,

Vital for Economic growth

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has stated that Nigeria must diversify her economy achieve economic development.

Aganga, pointed this out while on a facility tour of Sparkwest Steel Industries Limited in Ogun State, Nigeria. He noted that the nation would remain

poor forever if pays little or no attention to economic diversification. He emphasized that the fall in

market in many ways. For instance, investors like Dufil Prima Industries coming into the state are not coming in to learn on the job, they have experience and are already on ground producing Indomie. In fact Nigerians and Americans eat Indomie. Indomie is a very successful brand and the producers of this brand have also diversified into vegetable oil. The advantages are very many and the best way to start is what we are doing presently which is to provide lands for investment in agriculture. Land, labour and capital in elementary economics. We have a fairly educated labour force or trainable labour force. We have a friendly infrastructural base w ‎ here most of our rural areas are connected with accessible roads. So, with their experience in other countries and Nigeria, and their capacity to raise money from the banks or from international community to invest, the sky is our stepping stone. All we need is just to give incentives,

security, lands, visible coexistence and according to the Governor of the State, once we see that you are serious, we will give you a free certificate of occupancy, but I also expect the federal government to give their own incentives. We do not control international trade as a sub national state, we do not control waivers and imports, we cannot guarantee a loan for investments, and only the federal government can do this under their various promotional schemes. We expect that if the federal government is serious about theagriculturaltransformation schemes, they should be able to support industries to grow. We do not have time to waste as a nation.

challenge in Nigeria’s processing industry, especially the agro-allied value chain?

global oil prices was a warning to Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, look for new avenues to generate revenue for the country, advising that the time is now to take full advantage of areas where the country has competitive advantages to diversify its economy.

advantage. He also commended the Ogun State government creating the right environment responsible for new 57 industries in the state. He called on the need for States and the Federal government to partner in achieving an industrial revolution in the country.

The minister said organisations such as Sparkwest are vital to achieve economic diversification. Hence President Goodluck Jonathan launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) to focus on areas where Nigeria has competitive

“People are saying industries are dying, but they are not, but growing every day. In the last 4 years, about 57 new industries have come out of Ogun State. The president has visited Ogun State more than seven times to commission new factories.

The same thing is happening in Abia State where Nigerian Breweries over the last 5 years have spent $1 billion having new plants in the country. The brewery is the biggest and the best in Africa. The Governor of the State was telling us that most of the industries that left Aba five years ago, are coming back to Aba,” he added.

We are looking at a $1.5 billion, with a company like Dulfil Prima accounting for about $600 million. This is just the beginning. Other investors are also willing to spend $30 million and some are planning to start small while some plan to start big. They are ready to start off in a big way and we know that when we finish the paper work with Dulfil, they also have the capacity to come out in a big way. The good news is that we have a government that is trusted by the people because they have seen developmental changes in the State and they What seems to be the yearn for more.

He said NIRP was working but needs consistency and continuity for another 5 to 7 years to achieve its mandate, saying that if Nigeria continues with the initiative, it

Economy would diversify the economy, create millions of jobs and earn more foreign exchange from export of steel products from such industries. “The days of relying only on crude oil are over. This is an opportunity for us to fully diversify our economy. I am very delighted that this government under President Goodluck

Jonathan already has a plan to harness this opportunity to diversify the economy.” Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Sparkwest Steel Industries Limited, Mr. Niyi Oyedele, said the company had grown out of an import business into a manufacturer of what it imports years ago to produce locally for the

Nigerian market. He added that the journey so far had been turbulent; pointing out that import duties on raw materials has continued to plague the growth of industrial development. He commended the minister for reversing the duty to 5 per cent saying that industries have continued to experience

some level of growth in their operations. “We are the sole suppliers to the telecoms industry, oil and gas and the power industry. It is almost like a monopoly, we have done lots of exports to countries like Ivory Coast, Cameroun, Ghana, Gabon, Peru and the likes,” he said. According to him, the power

industry is still a major challenge to industrial development, calling on the minister to get power industry to patronize local production. “We are expanding our factory by building a rolling mill, we currently have staff strength of 600, but we will increase it to 2500 by the time we complete the mill,” he said.

Viewpoint

Siku’s Reflections 1 Corinthians 13:12

Books, anyone? I think I did thirteen BBC radio interviews that Sunday morning. It’s a bit of a blur now, but I remember the car coming for me at around 6 am… maybe earlier. My publisher’s publicist, Victoria, had organised a publicity blitz. Her boasts of an extensive black-book contact list was well known amongst my publisher’s staff. I heard she could get anyone who’s anyone to endorse my book or get me an interview. Big claims, but she put her money right where her mouth was and produced a blitz screen of BBC radio studios from Jeremy Vine’s BBC 2 show to several county stations right across the country. She asked, “Siku, can you do thirteen interviews in one sitting?” To which I retorted a resounding “Yes.” So here I am, sat at BBC Dagenham shifting through a list of about 13 national radio station interviews; one interviewer after the other, every half hour, asking the same questions and I, having to produce the same response energy as though I was hearing the question for the first time; “Why The Manga Bible?” “Is the bible compatible with violence?” “When did you realise you wanted to be an artist?” “What is Manga?” Now, if you are a Pastor, Youth Worker or Christian of African origin, you probably wouldn’t know my book, The Manga Bible. However, if you are a Pastor, Youth Worker or Christian of European origin,

chances are, you’ll know the book and probably know someone who has it if you don’t already have one! Yep, if you are reading this article and you have never heard of The Manga Bible, chances are, you are black! Let me take you back a bit to 2006 as I entered the final year of a degree course at London School of Theology. It was my second stab at higher education having completed a Graphic Design course at the famous Yaba College of Art and Design yonks ago. We had landed ourselves a graphic novel deal with Hodder publishers; it would also double as my final year dissertation; the book would be called, The Manga Bible. We all had an inkling it was going to be successful but I was surer than others. You see, in the quiet of the night, with my head to the pillow, I was sure I heard a whisper that promised bestseller status for the book! At best, we dared to hope we could sell 10k copies. Not too shabby for a graphic novel I tell you. My publishers started out with the safety belt on; they produced an initial print run of a few thousand. And so we waited with baited breath… Within two weeks, we had to go to second print. So we did another safe number. The print beds were hardly dry before demands for a third print. It seemed the presses couldn’t keep up… a fourth, fifth, sixth print run! Whilst we were still reeling from this sudden ground swell in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, the Americans had published the

book in the States. Within the week… we hit 15k sales in the States: they couldn’t print fast enough! And so it went in South Korea, Denmark, Brazil; then Indonesia, Norway, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Finland, Netherlands and Hungary; we were on every continent now; well, everywhere except Africa! There were two countries dear to my heart; two countries that I really wanted to see my book in, the first being the seat of my ancestry; Nigeria. The second was China. This most populous country in the world had a destiny by God that is undeniable, unstoppable, irresistible… with more Christians in China than there are human beings in the UK, I knew God was going to start another chapter of human history like he did with Sumer, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Greece, Rome, Britain, USA… and I wanted to be part of that legacy. So I pushed and pestered our ‘Rights editor’ for our next phase to start in Nigeria and China. It would be one of my proudest and most disheartening experiences on this journey thus far. I hold in my hand, a Chinese translation published for the Chinese reader in my hand as I write this. This, for the fastest growing body of believers in Jesus and I was playing a part in that story! I guess I wanted to be able to boast this, standing before the Lord Jesus Christ on that day of Judgement as he demands an account of my work here on earth. But on the other hand, no publishing deal in Nigeria… nay, not even on the whole

continent. When my publisher’s Nigerian partners turned down the project, we tried South Africa… to no avail. And so, the book that started the revival of bible graphic novels in the 21st century has no home in the author’s motherland, Africa. The United Kingdom has claimed this author and work as theirs. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams hails the book as “…up to the minute” freshness! Following in the tradition of Charles Dickens, C.S Lewis and Bunyan, the book led the way for the reinvention of the graphic bible; a very British innovation! So when the Brits wanted to celebrate one of their greatest story tellers, C.S Lewis, they would come to this author of African origin to speak about a most English hero. Eton would make a call too, as would several churches, schools and organisations… all white led! White pastors, white youth workers, white grandmothers buying the books for their white grandchildren. One would have thought ‘black’ people in the UK were living in some sort of utopia! Like our young people weren’t at the epicentre of a gang and knife culture; like our churches were full to the brim with young black men eager eat and drink at the Lord ’s Table. You would think that systemic unemployment wasn’t eating away at the very fabric of our youngsters’ sense of self-worth. You would think there was no crisis that required a radical introduction and acquaintance with Jesus Christ. When I get introduced to a white pastor as the author of The Manga Bible, I find no need to explain what I

do or why I do what I do. White pastors understand the threat posed at their young and are eager for any resource to help in the fight against the darkness. They understand the role of art, literature and film as tools of the trade. With a white pastor, we go past first and second base in an instance, however, with black pastors, there’s a surreal ignorance as to what we’ve been doing for the last 7 years as we set the world on fire; young people from America to Russia and China being set alight by our work, yet, black pastors look on… unacquainted, blissfully ignorant. It would be another couple of years after our staggering success. Bible publishers all over the world have since rediscovered the graphic bible format and there is a proliferation of graphic bible editions. I was invited to an academic forum of black theologians, social workers and educators. It would be my first and only audience with black thinkers and opinion makers. They had all but given up on working with black pastors; black pastors were seen as gate keepers to work around in order to get to marginalised black youngsters. When I started on this journey as a very young man in the 1990s, I dreamt of influencing thousands of young men; men plagued with low level anger because of endemic and systemic injustice; the portrayal of these young people as sexual predators, unintelligent, lazy, violent, fundamentally criminal and cheap. But to my dismay, I have found that there is no place for our work with the

black establishment. The black establishment are preoccupied with other more worthwhile pursuits while their young men increasingly find other solutions to rampant unemployment and vicious stereotyping. In my previous articles, I spoke of how the absence of vision can destroy a people; there is nothing more demonstrative of the absence of vision than the absence of a mid/long term plan for young black people in our churches and communities. It would be a few years later as London begun advanced preparations for the 2012 Olympics. My wife and I had to change churches due to transport restrictions. We joined a Pentecostal church in Dagenham; soon, word had spread that the author of The Manga Bible had joined the church. The associate pastor (a ‘white’ English man) was so taken by our work that in a few weeks we found ourselves at his dinner table. “Guess what Siku does,” he says excitedly to the other guests at the table. He’s setting the guests up for what he sees a punch-line and I’m thinking, “No, no!” With his choreographed drumroll-assisted suspense now expired, my pastor drops his well packaged bombshell, “Siku is the author of The Manga Bible!” Puzzled silence all around the table… I thought to myself, “They are Nigerian’s, they don’t know what you’re talking about and they wouldn’t understand.” Twitter/Facebook: The Art of Siku

Commentary

Dr Goodluck Jonathan Nigerian Times of London Man of the Year 2014 It is fair to say that Goodluck Jonathan has had a challenging presidency thus far but what cannot be questioned is the hard work he has put into repositioning the country.

About Goodluck Jonathan

After a career change in 1998, he went on to serve as the Governor of Bayelsa State from 2005 – 2007 before being selected to run as Vice Although Goodluck Ebele President of Nigeria from Azikiwe Jonathan has been 2007 to 2010. Following Since becoming President of President of Nigeria since President Umaru Yar’Adua’s Nigeria in 2010 he has achieved 2010, politics was not always death on 5th May 2010, Vice many accomplishments. on the cards, coming from President Goodluck Jonathan However unlike many before a family of canoe makers in was sworn in as President of him, he has not wasted what is now Bayelsa State. the Federal Public of Nigeria Before entering the world and became the country’s 14th time making noise about of politics, he worked as Head of State. his achievements, instead an education inspector, choosing to concentrate on his lecturer and environmental- Past next challenge and provide a protection officer. Jonathan brighter future for the country also holds a number of achievements and its people. It is for this qualifications in B.Sc. degree reason that Goodluck Jonathan in Zoology, a M.Sc. degree in Despite a somewhat unusual start to his presidency, is our Man of the Year. Hydrobiology and Fisheries Goodluck has gone onto biology, and a PhD degree in Whereas other leaders shout Zoology from the University accomplish great things for Nigeria, achievements that about their achievements and of Port Harcourt. make him well deserved of the waste time oppressing their opposition and the media, Goodluck Jonathan previously ‘Man of the Year’ title. President Goodluck Jonathan served as the Governor of Infrastructure instead uses every moment to Bayelsa State and Vice President development conquer Nigeria’s issues and before being sworn in as create a better future for the President of Nigeria following An area that has been a country and its people. the death of Umaru Yar’Adua. key focus for Goodluck

Jonathan and has seen many improvements since his time as President is infrastructure development. The Goodluck administration is responsible for the construction and beautification of many federal roads in the country such as the Lagos-Benin expressway, Abuja-Lokoja expressway and Onitsha Owerri highway.

it has also become the world’s largest producer of cassava, with an output of 45 million+ metric tonnes in 2014 (according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations). Under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, the agricultural sector has seen a transformation from a means of livelihood to a thriving business.

During his presidency, we have also seen the revival of the railway system in Nigeria, along with the remodelling Continuous and standardisation of airports economical growth across the country. and management Agriculture Successes Since becoming President, Jonathan has also fought for and overseen the transformation of the agricultural sector. Not only has Nigeria reduced it’s food imports by over 40%, taking a big step towards selfsufficiency in agriculture but

the country as Africa’s number one destination of foreign investors, Goodluck and his administration have also launched a number of initiatives to promote continuous economical growth. One such initiative is the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, which was set up back in October 2011. This initiative aims to harness the creative energies of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and help them find jobs in their chosen industries. The YOUWIN program also aims to generate over 100,000 jobs for unemployed youths across the country.

For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has become the largest economy in Africa, beating both South Africa and Egypt and this is largely down to the efforts of the Goodluck Eliminating Ebola administration. from Nigeria As well as opening up Nigeria to the global business community and establishing

2014 saw one of the worst outbreaks of the Ebola Virus Disease. Whilst the deadly and

Commentary highly contagious disease unfortunately claimed some lives, it was contained and eliminated from Nigeria in record time. The Goodluck administration is credited for their quick actions, though the president has said that they could not have succeeded in ridding the country of the deadly virus without the cooperation of the Nigerian masses and diligence of health workers. The World Health Organisation officially declared Nigeria an Ebolafree country on 20th October 2014, after going forty two days without a case of the disease. The ability to show restraint Whilst these are all credible achievements Goodluck Jonathan has accomplished during his time as President, above all, it is the restraint he has shown against the onslaught from both the opposition and the media that makes him our Man of the Year. Unlike in other administrations, Goodluck Jonathan has given a free hand to the country’s electoral umpire, the INEC, to perform its statutory duties and has vowed to conduct free and fair elections. He has also refrained from interfering with electoral and judicial

matters, which is evident in the number of governorship elections that have been won by opposition parties in the likes of Anambra, Imo and Osun States. As well as promoting fair elections and showing restraint towards his opposition, Goodluck Jonathan has also allowed for liberalization of the press. Whereas in the past, vocal anti-government journalists and critics would have been assassinated for their opinions, today President Goodluck Jonathan guarantees freedom of speech, allowing them to air their views whenever and wherever they like. Taking into consideration the performance and achievements mentioned in this article, as well as those not detailed, it could be argued that no other administration since 1960 (when Nigeria gained independence from Britain) has done as much for the country as President Jonathan thus far. The evidence of his actions and achievements is plain to see, which is why we strongly believe that he is well deserving of being entitled ‘Man of the Year.’

Nathan Griffiths Image credits: World Economic Forum and IITA Image Library

Viewpoint

I know who will win

this 2015 election observers had only negative words for it. The European Union observers described it as the worst they had “ever seen anywhere in the world”, with “rampant vote rigging, violence, theft of ballot boxes and intimidation.” Even the principal beneficiary of that election, President Umaru Yar’Adua, acknowledged that the election that brought him in was not good enough.

Will it be Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party or Maj. Gen. (retd.) Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress? I will name the winner later. But something soul-lifting has happened in Nigeria. Never before had the opposition been so confident that the electoral system, controlled by an incumbent President, would give them victory as this February 2015 elections. When the Federal Electoral Commission, under the supervision of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, conducted the federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively, the opposition were not very optimistic about victory. The dispute over the elections and the consequent violence that trailed it led to the first military coup of January 15, 1966. In 1983, when President Shehu Shagari supervised his re-election bid, the opposition were not very optimistic about victory. The election result was so much discredited that top opposition figures directly called for the overthrow of the Shagari government. The military took over on December 31, 1983. In 2003, when President Olusegun Obasanjo supervised his second-term election, the opposition did not deceive itself that the electoral body, led by Sir Abel Guobadia, would declare Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance or Buhari of the All Nigeria People’s Congress or Chief Gani Fawehinmi of the National Conscience Party or any of the other candidates the winner of that election. Predictably, there was nothing surprising when INEC announced the result. The 2007 election supervised by Obasanjo was even worse than the 2003 election. Election

Given that the ruling PDP knew that it had a system that would ensure that it continued to be declared the winner of every election in the country, irrespective of the wishes of the voters, its top members grew arrogant. It was not, therefore, surprising in 2008 that its chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, boasted that the PDP would rule Nigeria for 60 years. Nigerians could only whine. But deep down, they knew that they were helpless. In despair, I wrote an article of lamentation published in The PUNCH, entitled, “Again, the people’s votes did not count”. Something became apparent to Nigerians: Given that a military take-over was no longer an option (following the dark side of the military especially as witnessed during the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha), the only hope for sustainable development was transparently free and fair elections. But how would that be achieved with incumbent presidents manipulating the electoral body? The honest comment by Yar’Adua about the election that brought him in gave some hope to many Nigerians that he would initiate electoral reforms. His respect for the rule of law and due process, unlike his predecessor, made many Nigerians hopeful that there would be a break from the past. He promptly obeyed the Supreme Court judgment of January 18, 2008, which declared Mr Chibuike Amaechi as the true candidate of the PDP for the 2007 governorship election in Rivers State that he did not participate in because Obasanjo had said his case had “K-leg”. Yar’Adua also promptly obeyed the November 11, 2008 Appeal Court ruling declaring Mr Adams Oshiomhole the winner of the 2007 governorship election in Edo. The same thing happened regarding the Ondo and Osun governorship court judgments. However, in 2009 when the Court of Appeal ordered a rerun in Ekiti State between Mr Segun Oni of the PDP and Dr Kayode Fayemi of the then

BY AZUKA ONWUKA

Action Congress of Nigeria, it was a golden opportunity for Yar’Adua to show the world that he was pro-transparent election. But INEC still conducted an election that was flawed. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Ayoka Adebayo, disappeared midway into the election, complaining that she was being forced to do what was against her conscience. Eventually she re-emerged and announced bogus figures in favour of Oni. The court had to upturn her decision to declare Fayemi the governor. That led most Nigerians to conclude that the most critical element in Nigeria’s development was free and fair elections. This became the mantra: “Get the electoral process right, and everything will fall in place.” The argument was that once those in office know that power belongs to the people, they would eschew arrogance and embrace true service and development. They would no longer try to satisfy some political godfathers or benefactors. Rather, they would make all efforts to satisfy the true masters: the people. When in February 2010 (the same month Jonathan was made the Acting President through the Senate’s “doctrine of necessity”) INEC conducted the governorship election in Anambra State, most observers said that the election was transparent and well conducted. In the morning of the next day, INEC declared Governor Peter Obi of the APGA winner of that election. Prof Chukwuma Soludo of the PDP came second, while Dr Chris Ngige of the ACN came third. INEC was commended. Surprisingly, it was the same INEC and the same Prof Maurice Iwu who had conducted criticised elections some months before. It gave credence to the thinking of many that INEC or its chairman was not the problem but the person occupying the seat of the President. It was argued that if the President did not interfere in the electoral process, the umpire would organise transparent elections. The transparency of the June 12, 1993 election, conducted by Prof Humphrey Nwosu, was a testimony to this. The election was smooth and impressive but for the infamous annulment of the election midway into the announcement of the result.

system had some merit. The 2011 general election tested that hope. The consensus from local and international observers was that, to a very large extent, the results reflected the wishes of the people. Hope rose higher. This was further reinforced by the quality of the governorship elections conducted in Edo and Ondo in 2012, Anambra in 2013, and Ekiti and Osun in 2014. Even though there were some hiccups, the wishes of the people counted in the main. Of these five elections, the opposition APC won in two states, the ruling PDP won in one state, APGA won in one state, while Labour Party won in one state. It was clear to every honest Nigerian that something new had happened to our electoral process. That rekindled the public interest and trust in the electoral process. The era of concocted and fabricated results was over. The era of godfathers and power brokers deciding the winner of an election was over. The era of INEC favouring the government in power was over. Power had returned to the people. This is the legacy of Jonathan to Nigeria.

So, when the February 2015 presidential election is held on St. Valentine’s Day, who will win? The answer is simple. I have seen the winner. The winner will not be Jonathan. It will not be the PDP. It will not be Buhari, neither will it be the APC. The winner of the 2015 election will be the Nigerian people. After years of denial, power has been restored to them. If this electoral process is nurtured and not truncated again in the future, it will be the launch pad In June 2010, Jonathan that will transform the global nominated Prof Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of INEC. Given face and standing of Nigeria. the pedigree of Jega, it made Congratulations, Nigerians! hopes to rise that Jonathan’s promise to reform the electoral Twitter @BrandAzuka

Health

The Hallelujah Diet A Natural Way to Ultimate Health The Halelujah Diet is a biblical based diet promoted by 'The Hallelujah Acres Foundation'. The diet consists of mainly raw food and is predominantly vegetarian.

Diets (2010), “Raw foods are unprocessed so nothing’s taken away; you don’t get the nutrient losses that come with cooking,”

The founder of the diet, Rev. George Malkmus, now in his 60s, came to creating the diet as a result of some personal health problems he experienced while in his early 40s. He was diagnosed with colon cancer by the age of 42, a disease that had also lead to his mother's passing. Rev. Malkmus’ mother, was a registered nurse, and had tried various forms of medical treatment for the disease, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

encouraged because it is believed that the increased consumption of raw food would enhance the body's ability to prevent and fight diseases, especially chronic diseases and therefore increase overall health. Noticeable changes would include:

Raw foods maintain their enzymes, which allows for the body absorb minerals and vitamins. Heating food to high temperatures kills these enzymes, and thus makes it more difficult for the body to absorb these enzymes.

• • • •

Improving on your through natural means would not require you to go completely raw, cutting out everything from your diet and eating only raw food. Although most raw foodists eat up to 75% raw food, even having just a 50% raw diet will increase your level of hgarealth immensely.

After watching his mother’s suffering, Rev. Malkmus, when diagnosed with cancer himself, decided to attempt an alternative method. According to Rev. Malkmus,after a year of the dietary changes, his cancerous tumour vanished. He also claims that other physical and health problems, including haemorrhoids, hypoglycaemia, allergies, high blood pressure, fatigue, pimples and sinus problems also disappeared. He attributes this to consuming what he describes as “God’s living foods” and describes this diet as “the original diet that God gave mankind”. The hallelujah diet consists of the consumption of mainly raw and fresh food, and this is

Improved appearance of skin More energy Sustained healthy weight Better blood test results (for example, cholesterol and lipid levels

Significantly reduced of developing heart cardiovascular diseases improved digestion.

risk and and

What do Scientists Say? The Benefits of Raw Food Thee hallelujah diet promotes “Raw Foodism”. This is the dietary practice of eating only uncooked, unprocessed foods. This includes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, seeds and dairy products. When foods are raw, they are in their most natural state. According to Brenda Davis, R.D., co-author of Becoming Raw: The Essential Guide to Raw Vegan

Lifestyle 60 secs with Jachimma

Grafton Entertainment International started business in October 2004. Company founder, Tonye Ibiama, aka Big T, is a UK based Nigerian and graduate of London Business School of Management. Currently, the record label run under Grafton Entertainment, Grafton Records, is one of the biggest labels in Nigeria. Grafton Records has broken

Dr Gabriel Cousens, the founder of the ‘Tree of Life Rejuvenation Centre’, in his book, “There is a Cure For Diabetes”, documents the success of eleven people who went on the raw food diet and experienced remarkable physiological changes. According to a report by Natural News magazine, these changes included; • • • •

Curing of both type-1 and type-2 Improvements in cognitive function Rapid loss of body fat Rapid stabilization of blood sugar

Some Other Points to Note About Raw Food • According to discovermagazine.com, extensive studies have shown that eating cooked food provides more calories than eating the raw form of the same food. • Raw foods are biocompatible with our bodies; this means that they are much easier to digest. • As mentioned earlier, raw foods replenish our enzymes store and help us sustain our health, whereas processed foods do the total opposite, they speed up the ageing process by depleting the body of enzymes. • Raw foods boost your immune system, therefore helping your body fight and protect itself from disease.

How Good is Processed Food?

Processed foods are high in refined carbohydrates; carbohydrates that lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels and cause negative health effects.

• Try substituting your regular processed food snacks for raw natural options • Buy a dehydrator or juicer to enable you create your own raw food recipes Sources & References

Most processed foods do not have any health benefits whatsoever and are consumed primarily for taste satisfaction, like fizzy drinks. Tips on incorporating or increasing raw food consumption • Drink raw vegetable juices often • For breakfast, have a raw fruit smoothie made with fresh fruit • Add a fresh salad to your meals

Videos Health Benefits of Eating Raw Foods: http://youtu.be/d-8jXeqsUjU Reverend George Malkmus on the 100% Raw Diet & Colon Cancer: http://youtu.be/nKORrkgtE0A Online Magazines & Websites www.naturalnews.com www.Lifefoods.co.nz www.medicalnewstoday.com www.yourlifesource.com/hallelujahdiet.htm www.eatingwell.com www.authoritynutrition.com

Processed foods are high in trans fats or processed vegetable oil. Some studies have shown that increased consumption of these oils cause a significant increase risk of heart disease, a common cause of death in western countries. Processed foods contain artificial Ingredients; chemicals such as preservatives texturants, colorants and flavourants. These foods are high in sugar and high fructose corn syrup which both have adverse effects

many records, including the successful promotion and management of M-Trill, making him the first artist to win a Channel O award before the release of his debut album.

to its destination. Having a background in music from my school and church choir days I felt I had the calling already create that platform for talents to practice in.

Grafton also managed De Indispensables, and has had international management deals with KC Presh, FrankD-Nero and has hosted events worldwide that have included major acts on the bill including Doneo, Beanie Man, to mention a few.

Q: Which of your many awards and achievements in business would you consider your top three or favourites? Consecutively winning the Niger Delta Awards 3 times, Also wining the channel Awards in 2007 and 2008 with acts on my label are awards in my top 3 favourites but there are other achievements that we are still breaking and making the news internationally. However I picked those awards because they were more like our first outings and making it then was a big motivation

Q: What inspired you to start the label or get into the industry? I was inspired by the talents I saw coming out from Nigeria while practicing in house, as a music producer. I saw that it was beyond producing music for an artist but to get the music

on metabolism when consumed in large amounts.

Q: You’ve achieved a lot

this past decade. What do you see in future for Grafton Entertainment? The future of Grafton is going to be great I can say. We are trying to bring in other parts of the business that will complement the main part. So expect other parts of the business this 2015 Q: What would you consider the secret to your success? Consistency. Trust me its not as rosy as it may look but the ability to keep going breaks the dark cloud out and awaits the sunshine. Let’s get a bit more personal if you don’t mind sir? I’m sure our readers would love to know about how you balance your business with your personal life. Q: Are you a married?

Family? How many children? Yes I am Married with 3 Kids. Q: Do they fully understand what daddy does for a living? Oh yes they do and don’t be surprised when I will be introducing any one of them as an artiste or part of the team because they love the industry and I can see talents already Q: Is your wife involved in your business? She sure is involved and a backbone to the business Q: What would you consider to be your happiest memory? My happiest memories are to see the transformation of a talent from not being known to being very popular. This is what we do at Grafton Entertainment.

Sports

Aiyegbeni

goes to Reading It was a busy day for a few Nigerian players in English football as the January Transfer Window closed. The biggest move involving a Nigerian was with English Championship side, Reading FC, as a former Super Eagles forward, Yakubu Aiyegbeni joined the club. The deal was sealed on a free transfer till the end of the season. According to the club’s official website, the 32year-old, who last played for Qatari side, Al Rayyan, was given the jersey number 20 and will be eligible to play in the club’s next match against Wolvehampton Wanderers this weekend provided all clearances are completed.

scoring Nigerian in England with 138 goals from 346 appearances, 96 of which were scored in the English Premier League. He scored three goals in eight appearances for Al Rayyan and will join fellow Nigerian, Hope Akpan, as Reading move to beat relegation. While Yakubu was moving from Qatar to England, West Bromwich Albion’s club record signing, Brown Ideye was on the verge of making a move to Qatari side, Al Gharafa. The £10m player, who obviously arrived in England with the wrong scoring boots, has scored only two goals since joining Albion in the summer. However, Ideye took to twitter to deny that he was on his way out. “I'm still a West Bromwich Albion player, don't know where that news about me leaving #wba came from” Ideye tweeted.

Club manager, Steve Clarke, told the club’s website, “An experienced goalscorer, Yakubu brings a fantastic scoring record to this club and his addition will complement the strikers we’ve already got at Reading and help us to improve as a team in latter stages of the season. “Have not started doing what i know how to do best, “I know all about him as a so i can just leave #wba like player and I have heard very that” he added. good reports about him as a personality in the dressing On deadline day, Sheyi Ojo room. He is no-risk signing joined Wigan Athletic on for us and I look forward loan from Liverpool until the to him scoring goals for end of the season. The 17Reading Football Club.” year-old, who did not make a first team appearance for Yakubu is the highest the Reds since he joined

Liverpool from MK Dons in 2011, told the club’s website that he hoped to make an impact at his new club. Though Liverpool still have high hopes for the attacking midfielder Ojo after paying £2m to sign him from MK Dons when he was just 14, they want him to get some regular first team football under his belt. Tottenham Hotspur got MK Dons’ forward, Dele Alli for a reported £5million. The 18-yearold, who has been touted as the new Steven Gerard, was being courted by Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He is however loaned back to MK Don till the end of the season. Other deadline moves saw Wilfried Zaha rejoining Crystal Palace from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee for five and half years. Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle joined Wolfsburg for £22m, while the club got the signature of Colombian international Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina an initial fee of £23.3m The Blues also loaned out Mohamed Salah to Fiorentina till the end of the season with an option to buy him if he impresses.

Obituary Former Rayo Vallecano and Nigeria goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare has died of cancer aged just 48. Wilfred played at Rayo from 1990 to 1996 and was also a member of the Nigeria squad which won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and reached the second round while playing their first World

Cup that year in the USA. More recently he had worked as a goalkeeping coach, in business and as a porter at Madrid's Barajas airport. News of his death at a hospital near Madrid was communicated by the La Liga club in an official statement on Tuesday morning.

"Rayo Vallecano informs that our former player Wilfred Agbonavbare has died in the early hours of this morning, at the Hospital Principe de Asturias in Alcala de Henares," the statement said. "The club will communicate, as soon as possible, and with the permission of his family, the place where a last goodbye can be given.

#Descansa Willy." "Willy" remains the goalkeeper to have made most Primera Division appearances for Rayo (76), and his close relationship with the club was brought home by players from the suburban club and neighbours Atletico Madrid holding up a banner of

support before last Saturday's La Liga meeting. Many in Spain's football community shared their condolences with Wilfred's three sons and friends on hearing Tuesday morning's news, with Spain's official players union among those who tweeted an RIP message.