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ÎÎÎThe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
on Sunday declared that it was not willing to surrender the mandate freely given to it by the people in any part of the country, par-
ticularly in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Abia, Taraba and other states where it won in the last general election. dailytimesng
https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts
The opposition PDP further said that alContinued on page 2 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.216
GAINERS
N150
LOSERS
NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 22nd October 2015.
BETAGLAS
45.15
2.15
4.76%
PZ
26.1
0.92
3.52%
GUINNESS 142.2
-8.60
-6.05%
UNILEVER 42.85
-1.98
-4.62%
GLAXOSMITH
39.99
0.99
2.48%
OANDO
10.4
0.53
5.10%
OKOMUOIL 32.16
-3.47
-10.79%
DANGCEM 163
-1.55
-0.95%
Fulani, Afenifere on war path Ï Miyetti Allah: zƆ Ɠ ôƐ ƄƆƕ ƏƗƆƏ Ɛ ƏƆ ƈ ƐƆƏ ƆƏƗ ƌƆ Ï j Ɔƕ ƑƋƗ Ɛ ƐƆ Ɛ ƏƆ ƋƒƆ Ƈ ƏƑƄ – Afenifere Ï 0 Ƌ Ɛ ƏƆ ƐƆ Ɛ ƗƏ Ƒ Əƈ Ɛ ƅ ƑƏƐ ƈƇ ƊƈƋƋƈ ƅ Ɛƈ ƑƆ
Segun Adio and Mathew Dadiya
ÎÎÎThe Fulani socio-cul-
tural association, Miyetti Allah, has discarded call by the Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere that all herdsmen residing in the South Western part of the country must be taken census of before they could be allowed to live in the zone. Miyetti Allah described the two week ultimatum given by the Yoruba group and the call to register them as a Continued on page 2
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Focus on g14 Boko Haram, not MASSOB, Buhari urged
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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Fulani, Afenifere on war path Continued from page 1 bluff-off, noting that it is not enforceable because it violates the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But reacting, Afenifere described the decision of the Miyetti Allah as unconscionable and warned the group not to test the resolve of the Yoruba. Speaking to Daily Times on Sunday, spokesman of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said facts on the ground show that the Yoruba are never a conquered people and will resist all attempts to subject them to humiliation. He asked the Miyetti Al-
lah to show which part of the constitution that empowers Fulani herdsmen to vandalise farms, rape women, maim farmers as well as engage in other acts of criminality on the pretext seeking grazing lands for their animals. “If they are not ashamed of the actions of their herdsmen, then should be ready to face the consequences of their actions. The Fulani herdsmen should not take the good nature of their hosts in Yorubaland as weakness. The Yoruba will take every necessary step to protect its people and region from those who are bent on
making us look like a conquered people.’’ He said the Yoruba are united in their stand taken in Ibadan recently wherein leaders of the Fulani were advised to check the excesses of their herdsmen, adding that the order to have Fulani herdsmen in the South West registered subsists. The Miyetti Allah made their position known at the weekend during its National Executive meeting held at its headquarters in Tudun Wada, Nasarawa State where its leaders from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT gathered to deliberate on the challenges con-
fronting it. National President of the group, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo and the National Secretary, Engineer Saleh Alhassan, said that the recent kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae by whoever, was totally condemnable but the politicisation and isolation of the pastoralists with the intent that they should either be massacred like what happened in Rwanda should not be tolerated. According to the association, following the kidnap of the elder statesman recently by some criminals and the unguarded utterances against the entire Fulani
race by Femi Fani-Kayode in the various media as well as the recent publication by the Nigerian Police that they have arrested some criminals who are not even Fulani herdsmen, necessitated the call for the meeting. “Criminals are found in every ethnic group and anybody attempting to target an entire ethnic group because few miscreants among them are alleged to have perpetrated a crime, we see that as a deliberate attempt to continue with the profiling of pastoralists over the years just to cast our people in bad light because people felt; since they don’t depend on government and they are politically independent why, so should they even operate in Nigeria as if they are not Nigerians. ‘’This issue of classifying herdsmen caught in any alleged crime as Fulani is a deliberate attempt to portray the Fulani ethnic group as bad people. Don’t those ar-
rested have identity? There have been series of arm robbery attacks and kidnapping in the every part of the country especially in Lagos, so why are the people arrested by the police not linked to their ethnic group or classified based on their tribes? Miyetti Allah queried. They maintained that “As an organisation, we don’t feel that our image is at stake but what we feel is that our security is at stake and we are calling on government to do everything possible to ensure our safety: the safety of our properties, our lives and freedom of movement as enshrined in the constitution. We don’t want a situation whereby we have to resort to safe-help because if we are affected with annihilation either by ethic count or premeditated propaganda by politicians that are either disenchanted with the current development, if they Continued on page 6
Buhari, Modi, African leaders to discuss terrorism, poverty alleviation in India Egena Egena, Abuja
ÎÎÎPresident Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (3rd left) cutting the tape to commission Petals FM, Ibadan. Wth him are Executive Director of Petals FM, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin (left); Rev. Wale Banks (2nd left); Chairman of Petals FM, Yinka Odumakin (4th right); Apostle, Sunday Popoola (3rd right); Secretary, Yoruba Unity Forum, Dr. Kunle Olajide (2nd right) and former Governor of Lagos State, Col. Raji Rasaki (rtd) (right).
We won’t surrender peoples mandate in Rivers, A’Ibom, others, says PDP Ï y Ɠ Ɛ Ɛ ƅƅƆƍƐ ƍƆ ƅƆ Ƈ Ə ƒƆƕ ƏƗ Continued from page 1 though it seeks peace, it is not ready to accept the peace of a graveyard. The PDP said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in Abuja, adding that no matter the strong-arming, threats and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, it (the PDP) is not willing to, and will never surrender the mandate freely given to it by the people in states where it won in the last general election.
It stressed further that the people of those states will not be willing to allow sectional invaders to exert influence on those to be in charge of their affairs. The PDP said the desperation so far exhibited by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in manipulating sensitive agencies of state like the judiciary and the security to further its bid to take over the rich states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Delta is totally against the spirit of democracy and peace bestowed by it (the PDP) in conceding defeat at the Presidential election,
but instead, an affront to the people and recipe for crisis in the polity. The party maintained that the prejudiced rulings by the Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states governorship elections tribunals, with their inherent contradictions, were a direct fallout of interferences from the APC and some elements within the office of the President of the Court of Appeal, adding that they should be held responsible should there be any break down of law and order in the system. The PDP therefore raised a rallying cry to all its members, supporters and lovers of democracy across the country to rise up and use all
lawful means to resist antidemocratic forces, now using the judiciary and security agencies in their desperate scheme to subvert the will of the people and destroy the nation’s democracy. The PDP said: “Let it be known, and clearly too, that no matter the strong-arming, threats and manipulations by the APC government, the PDP is not willing to, and will never surrender the mandate freely given to us by the people in states where we won in the last general elections, neither are the people of those states willing to allow sectional invaders to exert influence on those to be in charge of their affairs”.
Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Tuesday for New Delhi, India, to participate in the 3rd Summit of the IndiaAfrica Forum, a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said. The forum, according to the statement, was established in 2008 as the official platform for the advancement of mutually-beneficial relations between India and African nations. President Buhari, the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi and other participating Heads of State and Government at this year’s summit, which follows the 2nd Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011, will deliberate on issues currently of common concern to their countries such as climate change and international terrorism. The statement said the leaders were also expected to discuss additional measures aimed at boosting
joint collaboration to accelerate the pace of socioeconomic development in Africa and India as well as further cooperation for the alleviation of poverty, and the eradication of hunger, disease and illiteracy. “President Buhari will be accompanied to New Delhi by the Governors of Kano and Delta states, the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Defence, Power, Communications Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Industry, Trade and Investment. “The President is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and other senior Indian government officials on Wednesday, ahead of the opening of the summit on Thursday. “He will also meet with Chief Executive Officers of Indian Companies with existing or prospective interests in Nigeria before returning to Abuja on Friday, October 30th,” it added.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
3
Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Developing Nigeria’s polytechnic education
O
ne of the embarrassing attitudes of the Federal and state governments in Nigeria is the lack of adequate recognition to polytechnic education. Probably, this lack of recognition is borne out of ignorance regarding the place of polytechnic education to the overall technological development of the country. Definitely, no one is better positioned to point out this discrepancy than the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde who recently lamented such short-sightedness. Speaking recently at the 2nd Education Summit of Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, Osun State, Ojerinde called for the repackaging of polytechnic education to ensure the advancement of the country. We are totally in support of this submission, especially in the realisation that no country that is in need of technological advancement can ignore the role of polytechnics in achieving that goal. It is a fact that polytechnic education places emphasis on practicebased learning and skills acquisition. Sadly, the state of infrastructure in many of the country’s polytechnics is very depressing. Such a crisis is making learning difficult, as the students find it increasingly difficult to access good library facilities, decent research laboratories and modern technological gadgets. The increase in the number of polytechnics, as well as the drop in funding, have also adversely affected the quality of academic staff. That explains why today, no polytechnic in this country is among those ranked in Africa. The sorry state of these institutions is responsible for the lack of technological progress in the country. It is therefore no wonder that even when Nigeria has many polytechnics that produce this middle level man-
power, its economy has refused to grow. The reason is that the polytechnics are no longer attracting the best and brightest students who now shun them for the universities, which is purely academic and theoretical. Moreover, the lingering disparity over qualifications between university degrees and polytechnic certificates is not helping matters, as this has done more harm than good to the economic development and educational advancement of the country. There is no gainsaying the fact that polytechnic graduates have continued to suffer from the dichotomy as is reflected in disparity in salary Grade Level, especially in the civil service where Higher National Diploma, HND, holders are employed on Grade Level 07 while degree holders’ entry point is GL 08. Similarly, the HND holder cannot progress further than GL 14 in his/her civil service career. This state of affairs is responsible for the lack of enthusiasm among prospective students to seek admission into polytechnics; thereby making these institutions lose their allure. With such unsavoury development, it is difficult to see how polytechnic education can really fulfill its goal of turning out competent and resourceful technical personnel that would aid the country’s technological and industrial development. It is interesting to note that the developed countries of Europe and America, including developing ones such as China and India owe their technological prowess to products of their technical institutions. The Federal and state governments should therefore implement policies that would give the polytechnics their pride of place. Allowing a further disintegration in polytechnic education would consequently, do a great disservice to the country’s development. It is time action is put in place, to bring Nigeria’s polytechnics at par with their peers in other countries.
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Corruption: Are public officers truly innocent? Sam Nzeh
ÎÎÎOn
Thursday when he appeared before the Senate for screening as a ministerial nominee, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, made a statement which has left not a few Nigerians wondering where to actually lay the blame for corruption in Nigeria. While answering a question about corruption, Amaechi told the senators and those who were watching on television that he has never received bribe in his life, adding “if there is one man that doesn’t like corruption, I don’t like corruption”. Though Amaechi’s assertion is yet to be
proven, not a few of his colleagues will also claim that they are not corrupt and never received bribe in their lives. This, at least, is the picture they present before the public. For many of them, corruption is outside; they’ve never engaged in it directly or indirectly. It is others that are corrupt, not them. How sad! Can this really be true? If public office holders in Nigeria are not corrupt and have not received bribe in their lives as they often claim, then who is? Is it the ordinary Nigerian who is far removed from where public resources including money are domiciled and who does not know the button to press to divert these resources, that is corrupt? It will be heart-warming if Amaechi’s assertion that he has never received
or given bribe in all his life turns true. So will be if the claims of other public officers that they are not corrupt turns out to be true. However, facts on ground show that the claims of most public officers in Nigeria that they are not corrupt can only be believed by the naïve. Many of them cannot in good conscience defend their claims of not being corrupt as they use proxies to siphon public funds, acquire property, among others. Public officers in Nigeria can only prove their hatred for corruption by the way they live, conduct state affairs and oversee resources at their disposal. Until the way the public office holders live privately and publicly show hatred for corruption, only the naïve will believe their sermons.
4
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Boko Haram close to defeat - Air Chief Segun Adio
ÏÏÏDespite the selected bomb attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian military said it was close to wiping out the insurgents in the north-eastern parts of the country. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, who disclosed this said that for the fact that the insurgents had resorted to suicide attacks was an indication that it was close to being defeated. While inspecting projects at the Logistics Command of the Force in Lagos, Abubakar said that Boko Haram insurgents would never have the opportunity to move in convoy and kill people in various villages and towns in the North East, adding that the Nigerian
Armed Forces was determined to end the war in December 2015. “The suicide attacks are signs of frustration by Boko Haram insurgents, but the main battle field where you have about 15 vehicles moving in convoy from one village to the other killing people is not happening now. This isolated cases of bombing are signs of frustrations on the part of Boko Haram. We are doing everything humanly possible to make sure that Nigerians are secured and we are doing our jobs in such a way that no territory of this country will be under Boko Haram,” he said. Abubakar denied that the Federal Government and the Nigerian military had engage mercenaries to assist it in defeating the Boko Haram insurgents, noting that a
report of the military engaging South African mercenaries was not true. He explained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was capable of defeating the insurgents, especially with its highly committed personnel, “who are hardworking; who are courageous, and we are doing everything humanly possible to deal with the situation in the north-east and other security challenges within the country.” While assuring that the military was doing all in its powers to trace the whereabouts of the over-200-schoolgirls abducted from Chibok Secondary School, in Borno State, Abubakar expressed hope that the girls would be found and rescued from Boko Haram. He said that the project he was
inspecting was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives that the welfare of the officers and men must be taken care of, adding that while fighting a war the force works towards ensuring the welfare of its men. He said that the Air Force was working towards ensuring that all personnel of the force had befitting accommodation, adding that it was only when they were given their entitlement that they were likely to do a good job. On the recently crashed aircraft of the force, Abubakar denied insinuation that the aircraft crashed due to substandard platforms, but revealed that the fighter plane came down due to bad weather in the theatre of operations.
Miss Nigeria holds 39th edition Nov ÏÏÏThe
Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant, Nigeria’s oldest and most recognised beauty pageant is back. This iconic pageant since inception has delivered on producing not only a mind- thrilling show but also carefully selected contestants. This year’s event, the 39th edition, promises the discovery and crowning of another shining example of Nigeria’s alpha female, an indigenous young woman with inherent attributes of natural beauty, intellectual acumen and motivational vision, poised to inspire her peers in Nigeria and the world over. A legacy of Nigeria’s oldest newspaper, Daily Times of Nigeria, The Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant was founded in 1957, and has continued to represent the ideals and dignity of the Nigeria woman, a rare combination of beauty and brains, an ambassador for youths and young Nigerian females across the nation, continent and the world. In her year as Miss Nigeria, the holder of this prestigious title is directed to use this as a platform to further meaningful causes and draw attention to issues inherent within our society, such as health, education, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, domestic violence and many others. From Grace Oyelude, the 1957 winner, to Yemi Idowu, 1962, Helen Prest, 1979, Binta Sukai, 1990, Vien Tetsola, 2000, Sylvia Edem, 2002, Ene Lawani, 2004 and to the current title holder, Ezinne Anyaoha, 2013, these women represent a legacy of beauty and brains, icons that are proudly Nigerian.
5 News
Journalists pledge support to Delta Speaker Hussenat Ohize
ÏÏÏMedia
practitioners of oil and gas producing areas of Nigeria have pledged to co-operate with the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Ovwigho Igbuya. They also praised Igbuya for bringing about a more dynamic way of administering the affairs of the Delta State House of Assembly. The journalists, who paid a courtesy call on Igbuya in Asaba lauded him for his good work in the state, particularly the positive impact on the communities in the oil and gas producing areas. They also acknowledged his leadership qualities, strategic roles in the development of the state and his immense contributions to the development of the oil and gas producing areas, especially the timely passage of the DESOPADEC Amendment Bill and other steps so far taken, adding that they would continue to pray for the success of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.
Troops dislodge terrorists from Rom Kerenowa, Chikun Gudu ÏÏÏIn continuation of
xx
R-L: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and Oluwamuyiwa Obasanjo at the 10th year memorial service of Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo held at Abeokuta, Ogun State… at the weekend. Photo: DAVID IDOWU
Akure monarch pardons Eze Ndigbo Ogunyemi Esther
ÏÏÏThe Deji of
Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, has reconciled with Chief Gregory Iloehike, the dethroned Eze Ndigbo of Akure, capital of Ondo state. Iloehike was dethroned by the monarch about two weeks ago for allegedly disrespecting the traditional stool. Oba Aladeyoyinbo, however, said he could not reverse Iloehike's deposition until the Ondo state council of Obas took a final decision on the chieftaincy title of Eze Ndigbo in the state. The monarch stated this at the weekend in his palace during a
peace meeting involving the leadership of Igbo community and top officials of the state government. The Igbo community leaders were led by the government's officials to publicly apologise to the monarch. The monarch also ordered that shops at Mojere market be reopened but warned the traders against causing any crisis over the leadership of the market until Akure traditional chiefs had resolved the matter. He assured the Igbo people that their interest would be taken care of in the market. Oba Aladetoyinbo appreciated the state government for its inter-
vention as well as Akure youths and elders for their peaceful disposition towards the crisis. According to him, the disputed title of Eze Ndigbo would be considered at the meeting of the state Council of Obas scheduled to hold next week. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Ikechukwu Anoliefo, said the Igbo people had found Akure hospitable and they had been living in the ancient town for over 100 years. Anoliefo appealed to the Deji to forgive their errors, promising that such action would not repeat itself.
efforts to defeat Boko Haram terrorists in our country, troops of 5 Brigade Nigerian Army have been making tremendous progress. The formation has destroyed all Boko Haram camps and enclaves at the border towns of Kerenowa and Chikun Gudu, as well as their contiguous villages in Borno State. During the operation, the troops discovered and destroyed over 20 well-fortified terrorist camps in Kerenowa. The camps included some at the gateway to Kerenoa, Gumada and Dogon Gida. In addition, the troops also discovered tunnels used by the terrorists to conceal their facilities and routes in and out of the camp, and evade aerial reconnaissance and bombardment. Among facilities discovered were training areas equipped with instruction materials that included wooden guns, amongst others. The troops also cleared Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) on the road linking Marte, New Marte and Kerenowa. “It is apparent that the Boko Haram terrorists lacked the will to fight as they are in obvious disarray, abandoning their camps fleeing and leaving behind vehicles, solar panels used to power devices, food and other logistics, beddings, various IED making devices, cables and cords.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
PDP, APC senators poise for battle over Amaechi Olufemi Samuel, Abuja
ÎÎÎThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators and their colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party have started rallying forces within their folds to consolidate on their respective positions on determining the chances of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, being confirmed as a minister. So far additional 7 ministerial nominees, Amaechi inclusive, had been screened
by the Senate, as indications are rife that the Senate leadership may call for votes to clear them during any of its sitting this week before screening the remaining nominees. While the APC had agreed to pass Amaechi during the process of final clearance, the PDP Senators, the Daily Times learnt at the weekend are still bent on frustrating the APC’s plan. A Senator had hinted that the PDP Senators have been whipping anti-Amaechi
sentiment among Senators, while attempting to woo to their side some disgruntled APC members to vote against Amaechi. The former Rivers State governor had scaled the hurdle of screening last Thursday, while the PDP in protest stayed off the process with complaint that the report on petition against Amaechi had to be tabled first before he could be screened. Former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, in a chat said
the Senate has no reason not to clear Ameachi who he described as more than qualified to hold any ministerial position that may be assigned to him. Wamakko said the media hype on Amaechi was needless, given that others who were equally nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and with petitions written against them had been cleared by the Senate. He said the Senate is peopled by experience and matured people and they know
what is at stake and hence will not dwell on sentiment to do their work. “Most of the Senators believe Amaechi is capable. He has been a governor credited with good performances. And I think the PDP cannot stop him,” Wamakko said. The Senate Majority leader, Senator Ali Ndume, also insisted that since the PDP does not command the majority in the Senate, it would be difficult for them to ride
roughshod over the majority party on Amaechi’s matter. Ndume, in a chat, said despite the protests and petitions, the former governor remained qualified to be confirmed as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said stressed that the PDP cannot stop the Senate from confirming Amaechi or other nominees as ministers.
Wike, PDP head to Appeal Court Andrew Orolua, Abuja
ÎÎÎEmbattled
L-R: Partner, Aluko and Oyebode and Secretary, Anti-counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC), Ms. Uche Nwokocha; Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General Victor Gbemudu; Head of Regulation and Litigation, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Sola Dosunmu; Senior Brand Protection Manager, Africa, Unilever and Chairman of ACC, Desmond Adeola, at the 7th ACC/International Trademark Association (INTA) Policy Roundtable on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy held in Lagos… at the weekend
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his sponsor, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, whose election was nullified at the weekend by election tribunal in Abuja, head to Court of Appeal today. Chief Chris Uche, SAN, counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, counsel to Gov. Wike, say they will appeal the judgment of the tribunal. Addressing journalists after the judgment, Uche, SAN, declared that Gov. Wike remains Governor until the appeal processes are exhausted. “It was wrong of the
tribunal to raise heavy weather on the use of card readers when INEC itself admitted that both card readers and manual can be used where there are challenges”, he stated. Uche further faulted the judgment on the ground that the parties adopted their brief in less than 48 hours and judgment delivered treating almost all election document tendered by them as irrelevant not having weight or dumped. Just as the respondents were lamenting over the judgment, the petitioner and the supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, burst into celebration of the judgment they credited to as “hand of God”.
Fulani, Afenifere on collision course Continued from page 2 think they can pick on our people to vent their political frustration, they are making mistake. “When Afenifere was saying they will give ultimatum to herdsmen two weeks to leave, we laugh because it is not enforceable; one, it violates the constitution of the country and secondly, the people you want to pick on would not just sit to allow you to trample on them just like a termites. So we call off their bluff. If we say we will take census of mechanics in the northern Nigeria, to register every Yoruba man, there would be war in the country,” the leaders added. They further disclosed
that the Fulani herdsmen contribute significantly to the economic activities of the country with about 12.5 GDP. All the animal protein consumed in this country, we the Fulani produced it. What has the government given us, which incentive are they giving to our people? All the abattoirs, restaurants, hotels and other food industries rely on us because we supply all the beef. Is it because majority of our people are rural dwellers that they don’t enjoy coverage from the media or get support from the government? “I don’t see any reason why people alleged that some Fulani youth kidnapped a personality then you now
condemned the whole ethnic group. We see it as a deliberate and calculated political attempt to continue with the agenda of seeing that the pastoralists do not operate freely in this country and the mistake they are making because they think the background of current President of the country is a pastoralist, if they take on the pastoralists they will score political point, it is a mistake. If you take on the pastoralists, they will defend themselves not minding who the President is.” Meanwhile, Mr. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Sunday, called on President Buhari “to address the bloody clashes which occur regu-
larly between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the various parts of the country. Falana also threatened to drag President Buhariled administration to court it does not stop the unwarranted civil disturbances by Fulani herdsmen. He said: “Through the negligence of the State, the country has continued to witness the reckless killing of innocent farmers and the destruction of farmlands. Farmers, like other citizens, are entitled to the protection of the right to life and property.” To halt the alleged wanton killings by Fulani herdsmen, Falana said: “the primitive movement
of thousands of heads of cattle from the north to the south should be stopped without any further delay. “In the interim, States which have large livestock populations should take advantage of the Land Use Act to acquire land for the establishment of grazing reserves. “In view of the increasing incident of cattle rustling, security measure should be put in place to police the grazing reserves. The said grazing reserves will be phased out gradually and replaced with ranches and abattoirs. “However, since the Federal Government is obligated to protect the life and property of every citizen,
urgent steps should have taken to avert further killings and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen. “If the Buhari Administration does not discharge its constitutional duty by stopping the unwarranted civil disturbances, we shall not hesitate to pray the federal high court to compel it to act responsibly in the circumstance by ensuring the protection of the fundamental rights of every farmer to life and property. “At the same time, we shall equally ask the Court to compel the Federal Government and state government with large livestock populations to establish grazing reserves and ranches,” he added.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26 , 2015
Buhari should restructure Nigeria now, says NNSG Lara Adejoro
ÏÏÏThe Nigerian National Sum-
mit Group has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put a halt to the current drift of Nigeria towards anarchy, economic distress and disunity by setting in motion steps to implement fundamental resolutions of the 2014 National Conference that were adopted by all the delegates. In a statement signed on Sunday by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Uranta, the group said that Nigeria could still suffer the 2015 ‘prophecy of disintegration’ “if we refuse to begin restructuring now.” The statement read in part: “In recent times, very important voices from the North have come out loudly in support of restructuring “In an article titled: ‘The State Of The Nigerian Nation’, by Al-
haji Ahmed Joda, like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at the recent Leadership Governor of the Year award ceremony, lent a ringing support to the drive towards true federalism. “Wrote Joda: ‘Our country has passed through difficult times, including a civil war and has survived. We must, however, not ascribe the fact of our survival to anything like military might; rather it was because ordinary Nigerians overwhelmingly desired to live together in one united country but under some acceptable arrangement. “It is clear from all we are passing through that there is a sufficient body of opinion around the country that the present arrangement is not adequate and needs to be discussed further.’ “In his own remarks at the Awards on September 18, 2012,
former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, not only called for true federalism, he regretted not supporting former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme’s earlier call for the creation of six semi-autonomous regions affirming that Ekwueme obviously saw what some of them did not at the time. “There is, he said, too much concentration of power and resources at the centre, which is stifling Nigeria’s march to greatness and threatening its unity because of the abuses, inefficiencies, corruption and reactive tensions that over-centralisation generates.” “As is now obvious, from the above, this is not a call by just a few ‘disgruntled’ sections of Nigeria. The Southwest, NorthCentral (Middle-Belt), South-East and South-South have been spearheading this campaign for a true, holistic Change via restructuring for decades.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); President, Nigeria Bar Association, (MBA), Mr. Augustine Aleghe (middle) and Country Senior Partner, PriceWater HouseCoopers, Nigeria, Mr. Uyi Akpata, during a Lecture and Dinner in honour of Ambode by FGC Warri Old Students Association (FEGOCOWOSA), Lagos Branch held in Lagos… at the weekend
Army’ll go tough on obese personnel – COAS Chijioke Kingsley Jos
ÏÏÏThe
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the weekend, in Jos, the Plateau State capital, said the Nigerian Army would not tolerate any officer or its personnel growing obese as this would be counter-productive for the service. He also told officers and personnel to always keep fit. He advised that regular exercise was required for every soldier at all times. He made this statement in his first visit to the headquarters of the 3 Division Nigerian Army, Division Maxwell Khobe Canton-
ment, in Jos. In his words: The Nigerian Army is known for its discipline and also physical fitness. If you keep fit at all times you are rest assured that your mental and physical health will improve. Obesity in the military is not allowed and cannot be tolerated. No soldier should be found to be obese”, he said. “I am here to see my soldiers and officers together with their families, so that we can know each other very well. I want to intimate them with my vision statement, so that we can all run with it. This visit would have come earlier but because of the uprising in the
north-eastern part of Nigeria we have been busy with containing with the insurgents,” he said. The army boss also frowned at insubordination, saying that soldiers must be loyal and focused. “Loyalty must be 100% to your superiors and to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he affirmed. Buratai, while interacting with newsman said Boko Haram was no longer holding any Nigeria territory. He said the December deadline set by Buhari to end Boko Haram was realistic, as the security agencies had more equipment and soldiers on the ground to ensure they meet the deadline.
Ogunyemi Esther
ÏÏÏThe
Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Ovwigho Igbuya, on Saturday, praised the judges of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba for upholding the election of Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Ighoyota Amori. He also praised the distinguished member of the Nigerian Senate for his extra-ordinary leadership, accessibility to his constituency and support for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. “Chief Ighoyota Amori is a senator that is focused on his job”, he said. In a statement issued in Asaba
Obasanjo recounts burst tyre experience Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏNigeria’s
former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, recounted how his vehicle had a burst tyre on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway, and thanked Nigerians for their show of concern about his welfare. Obasanjo declared that he was hale and hearty and presently in Abidjan, Cote d'voire, where he was observing the presidential election, which started on Sunday. In a release signed by his Assistant, Vitalis Ortese, Obasanjo said that he was “indeed involved in an incident on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway, after Sagamu roundabout, while he was on his way to join in the celebrations of the 80th birthday anniversary of Chief Kessington Adebutu, in Tinubu Methodist Church Lagos. The left, rear tyre of Obasanjo’s
7 News
Delta Speaker praises Amori by his chief press secretary, Mr. Henry Ebireri, Igbuya said the victory of Amori at the tribunal was to the happiness of the entire people of the senatorial district. “Amori’s victory is both historic and spectacular. It is the triumph of democracy and a clear sign of the trust and confidence that the people of Delta Central have in him”. Labeling his victory as a great milestone in the development of the Urhobo nation, Igbuya applauded the judges for keeping Delta Central firmly on the road to development. vehicle busted and swerved several times, but did not hit any curb or any car in front or behind until it did a 180 degree turn and faced where it was coming from and he had board another vehicle.” It was gathered that the former President, left for the French speaking West African country after attending Adebutu’s programme and was in high spirit preparing for the elections, until he started receiving calls from family members, friends and associates expressing concern about his welfare.
Obasanjo
Health workers urge increase antenatal service in Jigawa Dutse Mohammed
ÏÏÏWorried by incessant cases
of maternal mortality on pregnant women, especially at the grass-root level, health facilitators in Jigawa State have urged governments at all levels to increase support for ante-natal services delivery. Making the assertion during media assessment and monitoring on causes of maternal death on pregnant women at Kiyawa General Hospital, the Jigawa State Co-ordinator of a non-governmental organisation, (DEVCOM), Hajia Binta Umar, viewed with concern the high increase of maternal death despite state government intervention.
According to her, “as an NGO we deem it necessary to render support through public advocacy on the importance of ante-natal attendance on pregnant women, especially those in the rural areas, as part of measures in regulating maternal death, as well to implore the assistance of government commitments to increase support of ante-natal service delivery to save lives of pregnant mothers, during and after delivery.” She stated that during the tour it was discovered that free, anti-natal services provided in hospitals by the Jigawa State Government has increased hospital attendance on pregnant women especially those from rural areas.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Politics
Æs
Report: INEC got N5 billion from partners for 2015 polls Jonathan
Jega
Development partners supported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with over N5 billion in the conduct of the 2015 general elections, a report has said. This is contained in the INEC 2015 General Elections Report that was presented to the public by the former acting Chairman of INEC, Hajiya Amina Zakari, on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the report, N5, 207, 260,433 was provided by nine development partners to support some activities of the commission. The report said that the sum of N165 million ($1m) was provided by the Ford Foundation to support Business Process
Re-design (BPR) and Voter Education. It also puts UNDP/DGD Grant at N177,045,935.55 ($1,073,005.67) to support Election Management System (EMS) and training for security officials. The sum of N13,986,060 from the Open Society for Initiatives for West Africa (OSIWA) was also received to support prosecution of election offences and gazette of election regulations. The report further revealed that the sum of N1,525,129,488 was used to support voter education and enlightenment from EU, through UNDP/DGD. The report noted that the sum of N10 CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
MASSOB: Plots to remove Uwazuruike fail as South East governors disown protest South East governors and other leaders of the zone have dissociated themselves from the protests embarked upon by loyalists of the rival group of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in some states in the zone on Tuesday. This is coming as plots by another faction to unseat the Ralph Uwazuruike led-MASSOB suffered a setback. Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who made the declaration on behalf of the leaders in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said they were not in support of such act principally because of the arrest of the Biafran Radio director, adding that such is not and cannot be in the best interest of the zone. The statement, titled “Governors and leaders of South-East not in support of any protest in the name of Biafra”, reads in part: “Imo State Governor and Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, has said that the reported violent protests in some states’ capitals, including those of Rivers, Anambra and Delta, in the name of Biafra do not in any way have the support or blessing of the governors and leaders of the SouthEast geo-political zone either directly or indirectly. “The reported protests in the mentioned states’ capitals which turned violent were said to have been carried out over Radio Biafra and the arrest of its Director by security agents. “ Okorocha said the ugly devel-
Okorocha opment was highly regrettable, especially when it was clear that such violent protests in the name of Biafra wouldn’t add any value to the development of the SouthEast and the progress of the peo-
Uwazuruike ple of the area. “ The governors and leaders of the South-East condemn the protests, especially when they were carried out in the name of Biafra. If a section of the people
Kanu in the South-East or even the whole people in the geo-political zone protest over the bad shape of the federal roads in the area or protest over the total negligence of the geo-political zone, every
governor and leader in the area would support that, but not to protest over an issue that is neither here nor there. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Agenda for new INEC boss – CHRSJ
Prof Yakubu
Following the approval of the appointment of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu by the Council of States on Wednesday, a human rights activist and Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social
Justice(CHRSJ), Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman has urged the new boss of electoral umpire to improve on the success recorded by his predecessor in office, Professor Attahiru Jega during the 2015 general elections. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Buhari
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
9 Politics
Kogi in Diaspora backs Audu Kogi State indigenes in Diaspora have endorsed the candidate of All Progressives Congress, (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu for the November 21 governorship election in the state, just as the candidate promised to attract foreign investments into the state. The group, however, called on the electoral empire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and the security agencies to provide a level playing field for all the candidates of the political parties taking part in the election so as to ensure a hitch-free poll. In a statement, the group also resolved to send delegation to monitor the conduct of the election, which it described as vital to the soul and emancipation of the state. The Kogites in Diaspora, operating under the aegis of Kogi Renaissance Forum, KRF, in the statement signed by the Coordinator, Mr. Acheneje Marcus, said the group was confident in the workability of the blueprint for developing Kogi presented to it by Audu. He noted that in addition to the blueprint for development, sense of judgment, experience, exposure, track record and intellectual ability of the personality encouraged them to support the candidate of APC in disregard to sentiments along the line of majority and minority tribes. According to him, “It is time to celebrate people like Audu, who even in the face of harassment, intimidation and threat to life remained focus and unperturbed in the pursuit of his resolve to rescue the state from melancholy. “We have being in pains over the unfolding ugly trends as it affect the people and Kogi State, particularly the rising crime
Report: INEC got N5 billion from partners for 2015 polls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Audu rate on the part of the youth. “This could be as a result of lack of employment opportunities among the teeming youth population in the state, which we blamed on administration of incumbent Mr. Idris Wada to offer succour to the youths.
“We have sat and reviewed the situation including the lack and decaying state of existing infrastructure in our beloved Kogi and arrived on conclusion that urgent steps must be taken to prevent the situation from further deteriorating.
“And after intensive crossexamination of the document handed to us by APC candidate Prince Abubakar Audu, we are convinced the ex-governor and an astute politician of note and accomplished administrator can rescue and restore Kogi.
million from UNDP/GDG was for sponsorship of pre-election and post election workshops for accredited observers. The UNDP/GDP, according to the report, also provided the sum of N2,896,118,940 for the sponsorship of INEC engagement with relevant and strategic stakeholders. It noted that N114 million was received from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for training. The MacArthur Foundation also supported INEC’s civil education and elections monitoring through Yar’Adua Centre with N264 million ($1.6 million). It added that the commission got fund from International IDEA for preventing conflict and electoral violence totally N41,980,000 (209,900 EUR) It puts exchange rate at N165 per dollar and N200 per EUR as at the time of the donation. The report, which did not state how much commission spent in the conduct of the elections, showed that the sum of the sum of N108,851,683,313.93 was appropriated for the 2015 election. It also advised the commission to revisit the issue of delineation of constituencies and creation of additional Polling Units and see to their implementation ahead 2019 general elections. On e-voting, the report advised the commission to work with critical stakeholders, consider the prospects of introducing electronic voting, which is currently prohibited by law. “This could take the electoral process to a higher level,” the report added.
MASSOB: Plots to remove Uwazuruike fail as South East governors disown protest CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
“The South-East is an integral part of Nigeria and the governors and leaders from the area so much believe in the unity of the country and would always work towards sustaining the unity. And as far as the governors and leaders of the South-East are concerned, those behind the campaign for Biafra have their ulterior mo-
Okorocha
Uwazuruike
tive, which has nothing to do with corporate interest of NdiIgbo in Nigeria of our collective dream. “The concern of the governors and other South-East leaders is to get what is due for us in our country, and any other quest especially for Biafra is diversionary. “Governor Okorocha called on those behind all these protests on the basis of Biafra to give
peace a chance and expressed regret that some Igbo people could get involved in a protest the end – result of which won’t benefit Ndi-Igbo in any way, but could lead to the shooting of some of them. “The Imo governor said that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, and the South-East people strongly believe in that unity and would work assiduously to ensure its sustenance.”
Politics 10
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Obasa, others hail Supreme Court verdict on Ambode’s victory The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has described the Supreme Court verdict on the governorship election in Lagos State as the final nail in the coffin of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Reacting to the verdict by the nation’s highest court affirming the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode’s victory in the election, Rt. Hon. Obasa stated that the court verdict has put the final legal seal on the victory of the governor in particular, and the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in general in the election. “That the people of Lagos love Ambode and APC is not in doubt. Thus this Supreme Court victory is a final legal seal in the victory of our governor and the party at large,” he
said. The Lagos Assembly Speaker stated further that the people of Lagos are happy with the performance of the party in the state hence they will continue to vote for the party and its candidates. “Our party has been tested and Lagosians have come to trust us hence their support for us. By going to court, the PDP and its candidate wanted to exercise their legal rights and thank God, the courts have proved to them that the mandate the Governor and our party is holding is legitimately given to them by the people of this state. It is final nail in their coffin,” he said. Rt. Hon. Obasa congratulated the Governor and the party on the victory noting that it is the right tonic for the newly swornin executive council members to begin their work.
Ambode
Obasa
Agenda for new INEC boss – CHRSJ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Besides, he also want him to correct the flaws discovered during the last elections where under age children were allowed to cast votes in some parts of the country. Comrade Sulaiman however observed that the people of the country expected that the new INEC boss would have emerged from the South Western Nigeria, because nobody from the region has ever been appointed to head the Commission in the last three decades. He added that the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states would be the litmus test for the new boss of the commission. In a statement in Lagos, the CHRSJ boss urged the don to bring his wealth of his experience in public service to bear in the new task without fear or favour and saluted the courage of Nigerians that spoke against the illegality of the acting Chairman for the commission which made the President Buhari-led Federal Government to change its stance on the issue. He advised President Buhari against the appointment of a controversial personality like Am-
bassador Rufus Akeju as State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in nearest future because of the credibility of the commission. He urged Yakubu to solicit the total support of the stakeholders in the electoral process in the country as soon as he assumed office, by conveying the meeting of all the stakeholders including, those who were disgusted over the appointment of Amina Zakari as the acting Chairman. According to him, “The ratification of the appointment of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu by the Council of States is a welcome development at a time the appointment acting Chairman has thrown constitutional challenges for the Commission. Nigerian People thought that the new chairman of the electoral umpire will emerge from the South-western Nigeria. But Professor Yakubu should let his wealth of experience to bear in discharging his duties without fear or favour and he should know that the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States will be a litmus test for him and the Commission”. On the forthcoming governor-
Prof Yakubu ship election in Bayelsa and Kogi states, Sulaiman urged the don to ensure that free, fair, credible, transparent and acceptable elections were conducted in the affected states by creating level playing field for the candidates that would participate in the elections so as to repose the confidence of Nigerians at home and abroad in the electoral commission.
Buhari He advised the stakeholders in the nation’s electoral process, particularly, in Bayelsa and Kogi states, to continue to partner with the commission to ensure that the forthcoming governorship elections were peaceful, credible, free, fair and successful, adding that Professor Yakubu should also bring his wealth of experience to bear by surmounting uncommon
courage to face the herculean challenges of the Commission. Sulaiman then urged Professor Yakubu to look into the salary structure of the Commission’s staff for better productivity, praying that God would give him the Solomonic wisdom to pilot the affairs of the commission to an enviable height.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
11 Politics
The Awo legacy and the challenges of political leadership and governance in present-day Nigeria Professor Akin Mabogunje
Let me start by joining in welcoming you all to this special celebration of the Atayese Association to mark the 58th anniversary of the self-government of Western Nigeria in 1957. I note that the vision of the Atayese Association is “to promote a culture of governance to that in which the individual human being and the family (both nuclear and extended) become the focus and the measure of political activity and improvements to the quality of life of citizens”. In order to promote this vision, the Association sets itself the mission of encouraging civil and public officials to be mindful of three fundamental principles of governance. First, is the importance of sustaining public trust in government through ensuring that in all government business, strict codes of conduct and ethics are enforced, and leadership throughout the government hierarchy provides an impeccable example for others to follow in honor and integrity as becomes “an OMOLUABI”. Second, is the principle that effective governance entails a responsive system that strives to bring decision-making closer to the end user through democratic involvement and accountability of elected officials. And third is the principle that effective governance is one which inspires and empowers innovation and productivity through equipping and empowering civil servants and other public officials with a modern mindset and ensures fiscal responsibility through the creation of a results-oriented government where productivity, accountability, integrity and honesty are reflected in the actuality of all elected and permanent officials. In many ways, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the twilight of the colonial period between 1952 and 1959 provided something of a template against which to evaluate what is happening in the country today. Both in his role as leader of a political party, that is the Action Group and the leader of government in the then Western Region of Nigeria, he exemplified what we expect of a political leader and a statesman. Of course, even before assuming either of these roles, Chief Awolowo had made his position abundantly clear that the only path to Nigeria’s freedom and development is through the adoption and serious commitment to a federal system of government. Today, there are many who will argue that the seeming failure of Nigeria
Awolowo to make significant progress in its socio-economic development is the departure from this system of government occasioned largely by the imposition of military rule on the nation for the greater part of the last five decades. I have, therefore, divided this paper into six parts. First, I revisit the issue of Federalism and how critical it remains as a system of government for a country like Nigeria with such diverse ethnic groups and differing levels of socioeconomic development. Secondly, I evaluate the role of Chief Awolowo in ensuring the installation of a federal system of government in Nigeria and what this tells us about the nature of the struggle for this cause within a national polity like ours. Third and fourthly, I examine the impact of the adoption of this system of government on both the nature of political leadership and governance of a region under him. Fifthly, I comment on the incompatibility of such a system with a military system of organization and the fact that the nation’s socio-economic development continues to be hampered because of a deliberate disregard of the various distortions and misapplication that this incompatibility has inflicted on the polity. My sixth section then presents the various challenges that political leadership and governance that Nigeria continues to face in post-military Nigeria, especially
the fact that neither the political leadership nor the informed segment of the populace seems to care about returning to the path of true federalism. I conclude by offering some propositions as to the way forward for Nigeria, bearing in mind that much has changes in the country and the world at large since Chief Awolowo’s time but that there are still concrete lessons to be learnt from his legacy not only in the area of political leadership but also of effective governance.
Federalism as imperative to Nigeria’s development and greatness
It took a number of meetings of the pre-independence London Conference for the proponents of a unitary system of government for Nigeria, exemplified by the advocacy of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), to accept that, given the ethnic diversity and different levels of socio-economic development of its peoples, federalism was imperative for the unity and progress of Nigeria. Federalism, however, must not been seen as simply a matter of dividing a country into sub-national entities or aggregating these entities into one national system. Its significance depends first, on the relative size of the federating units
and second, on the powers that inhere in those entities vis-a vis the central or federal authority. The issue of relative size is important in a federation like Nigeria since, for equity, it is argued that no one unit should be so large as to be able to subvert the will of the other units combined. This was the initial Achilles heel of the Nigerian federation with the Northern Region being so much bigger than the two other two regions put together. This, was, of course, what the British liked and until the Northern Region was broken up into six states on the eve of the Civil War in 1967, the asymmetry of size was a factor in the collapse of the first Republic. The issue of the powers that inhere in those sub-national entitites vis-à-vis the central or federal authority, relates to whether we have a strong or weak federation. Theoretically, for a strong federation, the powers of the federal government are spelt out in an exclusive list whilst the sub-national entities have some concurrent powers to regulate their affairs, promote and enhance the development of all their nature-given resources both above and below the soil, and foster the socio-economic development of their citizens as well as residual powers to deal with issues not specifically stated. The federal government is usually assigned such exclusive powers as those to determine foreign policy, make treaties, declare war and control imports and exports whilst the states have powers to ratify the constitution. Most governmental responsibilities are thus shared by state and federal governments with both levels of governments being involved in such policy areas as taxation, business regulations, environmental protection and civil rights. Experience, however, indicates that the balance of power between the federal government and the states is often a matter of political bargaining over time. In Nigeria, for instance, one of the most defining features of the pre-military constitution was the flexibility that allowed the exploration, exploitation and development of mineral resources in the hands of both the Federal and the Regional Government. It was this flexibility and constitutional mutuality of interest that allowed the Federal Government to continue to exploit the colonial tin mines in Jos and the coal mines in Enugu and establish the first cement factory in Nkalagu, Eastern Region whilst the Western and Northern Regional governments could also go on to establish their own cement works
in Ewekoro and Sokoto respectively. It was the understanding, up to the 1963 Constitution, that 50 per cent of royalties from such mineral exploitation belongs to the Region whilst 30 per cent goes to the distributable pool to even out development in the country and 20 per cent goes direct to the Federal Government. The enormous royalty from petroleum exploration, coming during the unified command of a military regime when the country was virtually operating a unitary constitution, was to force the country to deviate from this equitable relationship and plunge the country into its first series of militant insurgency.
Awolowo’s Action Group & the Struggle for the Installation of a Federal System of Government
Within the framework of a colonial government, a unitary administration was, of course, inevitable. To install and implement a federal system of government in such circumstances can be seen as the product of a well calculated step-by-step struggle by the Action Group Government under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Although the Richards’ Constitution of 1948 had regionalized the country and had resulted in the McPherson Constitution of 1951 which formally instituted a federal-type system of government in Nigeria and called for elections through electoral colleges to the regional Houses of Assembly, the intention was to see these Houses not much different from the former Legislative Council in Lagos which was no more than a talk shop, allowing Nigerians to ventilate their views on various policies provided by the Colonial government. As such, the Assembly Chamber was arranged like a debating platform with no distinction as to the government and opposition benches for the majority and minority parties respectively as in a proper parliamentary system of government. When the Western House of Assembly, was inaugurated in 1952, the Action Group, being the majority party, refused to participate in the inauguration unless the seating arrangement in the House was re-arranged to give recognition to the existence of a government and an opposition party. This was the beginning of the real struggle for installing a truly federal system of government in the country but there was still a long way to go.
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Boko Haram: Lagos urges citizen to remain calm, vigilant ÏÏÏ The Lagos State Gov-
ernment has urged citizens in the state to remain calm but very vigilant as the Police and other security agencies intensify their efforts to rid the state of hoodlums, armed robbers and suspected terrorists. Speaking against the background of the arrest by the Department of State Services of 45 suspected Boko Haram members who allegedly planned to attack Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi, the Lagos State government expressed confidence in the combined efforts of DSS, Police and other security agencies to keep the state free of terror attacks and stamp out robberies and violent crimes. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the state government vowed not to relent in its constitutional duty to ensure safety of lives and property throughout the length and breadth of the state. The statement said the current reality is that times have changed and the need to urge every citizen to be
more security conscious is now paramount. “Due to the economic hardship being experienced all over the country with many states and private business owners battling with payments of salaries and wages, Lagos State has become the prime destination for several thousands of people who now throng the daily with no plan to return, because they believe this is the state where economic succor is available”, Ayorinde said. The statement said not only is this internal exodus into Lagos putting an unprecedented pressure on road infrastructure and traffic management as well as a burden on housing and hospitals all across the state, it has also constituted security threat which now requires every citizen to be extra vigilant. “Our appeal goes to every school, housing estates, religious houses, markets and shopping complexes, hotels and restaurants and sporting arenas to take issues of security and personal safety more serious these
ddR 9 j9RM R0 R 91 Rƃ9`9& & 9M#ndj`9 G GR E LRnG#&`d The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association
has
applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Christopher Anyanwu - Chairman 2. Hon Emmanuel Akason Akaegbu - Secretary 3. Mrs. Okereke Angela - Financial Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace and progress amongst members 2. Tom foster love & unity amongst members. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. SIGNED: MR CHRISTOPHER ANYANWU (CHAIRMAN)
1ǀR 0`9&M#d Gn The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Agbakoba Chukwuemeka 2. Mmadu Destiny 3. Ozoemena Ikenna Jude Aim and objectives 1. To assist its members who has needs for welfare ( social, events, burial, traditional wedding, child dedication, etc ) 2. To enhance cultural, social values among its members Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed. EMEKA AMADI. $ CO Barrister $ Solicitors. 08030866444
days and to work with both the government and security agencies in promptly reporting any persons with suspicious activities or unusual gatherings that may compromise security. Care must also be taken in how domestic servants and house aides are also employed.” The statement reiterated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s directive to rid the state of hoodlums and mis-
creants operating from uncompleted and abandoned houses, urging owners of such properties to complete or secure them or have the Law to contend with. It added that Lagos State government sympathizes with victims of robberies and violent crimes, while promising that the government would continue to fund the state security apparatus and do everything within its power to arrest the unwholesome situation.
Nigeria making gains in fight against Polio ƈƉƈ ƊƆ Eƈ ƋƆƕ Jos
ÏÏÏ Nigeria has made re-
markable progress in the fight against polio in its effort to rid the country of the virus. This was the submission of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Plateau State, Mr. Abel Gwatau, during a Polio Eradication exercise organise by Rotary Club in the state capital. Gwatau, however, said that continued vigilance was needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return to the country. Gwatau said that Immunization and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect a potential re-introduction or re-emergence of the virus. “Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements
in human history and it will have a positive impact on global health for generations to come. Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving this goal and it’s critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio for good and ensure future generations of children are free from this devastating disease”, he said. It would be recalled that Nigeria made history on September 25, 2015 at the United nation summit in the New York during the Polio Oversight Board event where the Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Margaret Chan on behalf of World Health Organisation (WHO) removed Nigeria from list of polio endemic country after 17 years of the country’s Polio Eradication effort.
DESOPADEC charges communities to protect oil installations ÏÏÏ The Delta State Oil Ayorinde
G&j j6&`& & G916j 6`9dj9 M 9 G& 6n` 6 The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Prophet Adebayo Olaoluwa Atobaba-General Overseer 2. Mr. Itunu Ojo-Member 3. Pastor Napolen Micheal-Member 4. Mr. Abodun Beniath- Secretary 5. Mrs. Olajide Abosede 6. Pastor Mrs.mary Kikelomo Adebayo . AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.To bring the light of God to all nations the world through the preaching of the gospel of christ. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed. BARR.(MRS) JANE ALIEMEKE.(08066219842)
d&11 RCR `& 0RnM# j9RM 0R` 6RL&G&dd M# ^&R^G& G9y9M1 z9j6 #9d 9G9j9&d The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Comrade Darlington Oluwasegun Ojo 2. Mrs Anuoluwapo Olufunmilayo Davies 3. Engineer. Adewale Akabi Oyelese Aim and objectives 1. To provide rehabilitation to millions of people in ower society who are homeless and Vulnerable. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed : MRS ANUOLUWAPO OLUFUNMILAYO DAVIES
Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has charged host communities across the state to protect oil installations in their domains to increase production quantum in their areas. Speaking during a meeting with the Host Communities of Nigeria, Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Ndokwa nation chapter, at Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, DESOPADEC Executive Director of Socials, Mr. Ochor Ochor, said that the
determination of the commission to deliver on its mandate of fast-tracking the development of the oil bearing communities in the state was non-reversible.
Okowa
`&G j& 9Mj&`M j9RM G 0RnM# j9RM 0R` Rnj6d M# zRL&M The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Mrs. Ebuk Ekpo. - President 2. Uko Paul Ekpo. - Vice President 3. Mfon Obong Ekpo. - Secretary Aim and objectives 1. To engage in women and youth empowerment programmers 2. To develop entrepreneurial skill in women and youths etc Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication. Signed: OLUTUNDE FEMI ABEGUNDE. ACIArb. PP. ; OLUTUNDE ABEGUNDE $ ASSOCIATES LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS $ NOTARY PUBLIC SUITE B10 JABI PLAZA , JABI DISTRICT ABUJA.
13 International
Daily Times Nigeria Monday October 26, 2015
Pope criticises Synod's stance on divorce, homosexuality Blair concedes
link between Iraq invasion, ISIS
ÏÏÏPope Francis has said that
a strongly divided gathering of bishops called to soften church doctrine on divorce, unmarried couples and homosexuals "laid bare" what he called "the closed hearts which frequently hide behind the church's teachings and good intentions." The pontiff's forceful critique of ultraconservative bishops came at the Vatican at the close of a threeweek synod that saw conservatives resist papal calls to make the 1.2 billion-member church more welcoming and inclusive to gays and to divorcees who have remarried outside the church. Francis accused those bishops of judging, "sometimes with superiority and superficiality, difficult cases and wounded families." Conservatives opposed to the pope's overtures toward marginalized Catholics successfully resisted wholesale changes to doctrine that would allow remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Instead, the synod's final recommendations spoke of an "internal forum" in which a priest or a bishop may work with a Catholic who has divorced and remarried to decide jointly, privately and on a case-by-case basis whether he or she can be fully reintegrated into the church. "In order for this happen, the necessary conditions of humility, discretion, love for the church and her teachings must be guaranteed
ÏÏÏBritain's
Pope Francis talks with Hungary's Cardinal Peter Erdo as he arrives for the morning session of the last day of the synod of bishops at the Vatican, Oct. 24, 2015.
in a sincere search for God's will," the document said Progressives have for years been advocating the "internal forum," and some observers said the mere fact that the phrase was included in the document was a victory for those promoting merciful change. But the three paragraphs addressing the Communion issue barely won the two-thirds majority needed for approval. Francis has in the past voiced concern for divorced and remarried Catholics, who under church law can not receive Communion or participate fully in church life
until their previous marriages are annulled. The church teaches that marriage is "indissoluble" and that those remarrying without an annulment are committing the sin of adultery. On the issue of homosexuality, the final synod document restated church teachings that gays should not suffer discrimination in society, but also repeated the stand that there was "no foundation whatsoever" for same-sex marriage, which "could not even remotely" be compared to heterosexual unions. Vienna Cardinal Christoph
Schoenborn said that many of the 270 bishops in attendance felt that any official change in church views on homosexuality "was too delicate a theme" to impose on the faithful in their respective countries. African bishops were particularly forceful in their opposition to welcoming language toward gays, who are often victims of violence and discrimination in their African homelands. At a preliminary meeting a year ago, conservative clerics made sure an interim report deleted a passage they thought was too welcoming to gays.
Kenya: 15 Islamic Ivoriens go to polls to elect new President extremist rebels ÏÏÏIn Ivory Coast, more than six A voter says that if there is a Laurent Gbagbo and contestant million voters are eligible to head delay of one or two hours for poll- Alassane Ouattara both claimed killed in Somalia to the polls Sunday for the first ing stations to open, it could lead victory, and this led to months of of a presidential election. to problems and prevent a peace- unrest. Gbagbo eventually was arÏÏÏKenya's military says it has round Seven candidates are running, ful election. rested and Ouattara became presidestroyed a base in Somalia operated by the Islamic extremist rebels of al-Shabaab and killed 15 of its fighters. Kenya has been hit several times by al-Shabaab, which opposes Kenyan military involvement in Somalia. Kenyan military spokesperson Colonel David Obonyo said in a statement on Sunday that Kenyan troops under the African Union mission in Somalia destroyed an al-Shabaab base at Yantooy by Jubba River in southern Somalia in a dawn attack. He said two boats the rebels have been using to cross the river were also destroyed. He added that Yantooy has been the main base used by rebels to cross the river from Jilib, an al-Shabaab base in Lower Shabelle region, and infiltrate the Lower Jubba region near the border with Kenya.
including incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. The election is crucial for the country after previous post-election violence left several thousand people dead. Waiting outside a polling station inside a school in a central neighborhood of Ivory Coast's biggest city, Abidjan, this voter is getting impatient. The polling station is not open more than one hour past the indicated time and about 50 people are waiting, shielding themselves from intermittent downpours.
Tanzania votes in tight election race
ÏÏÏTanzania votes in presidential and general elections Sunday, in what is expected to be the tightest race in the history of east Africa's most populous country. Analysts say the presidential
Poll workers said they were waiting for observers from the various candidates, and that not all the staff had arrived. But soon after, all stations in the neighborhood opened. The stakes are high, after post-election violence in 2010 killed at least 3,000 people. Philippe, who arrived early, says voting is very important. He says he hopes the voting goes well, and that, whoever wins, people will accept the results and the country remains peaceful. Five years ago, then incumbent President
dent of the East African country. Ouattara is running for a second term, facing six other contestants. Three candidates pulled out in the past few weeks, saying conditions for free and fair elections were not met, and the election should be boycotted. They claimed the electoral commission was biased in favor of Ouattara, and some names on the list of voters were listed several times. The electoral commission says a new biometric verification system will prevent fraud.
race is between John Magufuli of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), seen as the narrow favourite, and ex-prime minister Edward Lowassa, a CCM stalwart who recently defected to the opposition Chadema, heading a coalition of parties. Both have spent the past two months flying by helicopter across
the huge country wooing voters, holding colourful rallies with thousands of flag-waving supporters. Analysts have warned that the unusually tight race could spark tensions, with the opposition providing the first credible challenge to the CCM since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1995. "I want to lead the country to
ex-leader Tony Blair again apologised Sunday for certain aspects of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, adding there were "elements of truth" to the view it was connected to the rise of the Islamic State group. However, Blair insisted he still did not regret the removal of Saddam Hussein as Iraq's leader as he said sorry over intelligence failings and planning mistakes. "I also apologise for some of the mistakes in planning and, certainly, our mistake in our understanding of what would happen once you removed the regime." He added: "I find it hard to apologise for removing Saddam. I think, even from today in 2015, it is better that he's not there than that he is there." Blair acknowledged there were "elements of truth" to the argument that the US-led and British backed invasion of Iraq eventually led to the rise of IS jihadists in Syria and Iraq, according to a transcript on the CNN website. "Of course, you can't say that those of us who removed Saddam in 2003 bear no responsibility for the situation in 2015," he said. "But it's important also to realise, one, that the Arab Spring which began in 2011 would also have had its impact on Iraq today, and two, ISIS actually came to prominence from a base in Syria and not in Iraq," he added, using another acronym to refer to IS. The comments from Blair, a divisive figure for leading Britain into the Iraq war, come shortly before a timetable for the publication of the much-delayed public inquiry into the Iraq war is due to be announced.
Blair
development and good welfare," Magufuli said in one of his final campaign speeches. "Everyone deserves a better life irrespective of his or her political inclination." Many believe 55-year old Magufuli - currently minister of works, for which he earned the nickname "The Bulldozer" - will face a tough challenge from Lowassa, 62.
News14
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Focus on Boko Haram, not MASSOB, monarch tells Buhari
Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia
ÏÏÏA
President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to stop the clamp down on members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), but should concentrate on how to end Boko Haram
Buhari
insurgence in the country. The traditional ruler of Emede Ibeku Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Eze Henry Ezekwem, made the call in Umuahia, and described the clamp down on MASSOB as a misplacement of priority by the federal government. Ezekwem was of the view that the government should concentrate on how to stop the killings, destruction of life and properties of innocent and law-abiding citizens of the country, which is perpetrated by the armed Boko Haram group, instead of beaming its search light on the MASSOB group, which, he said, were agitating peacefully for a cause. While pointing out that the country was running a democrat-
ic system of government, where citizens had the right to express their opinions, the traditional ruler noted that unlike the deadly Boko Haram group, the MASSOB does not pose any threat to human lives as they do not carry arms to agitate their cause. “In the North there is Arewa, in the South there is Oduduwa, in the Niger Delta, we have the militants while in the South East, there is MASSOB, all crusading for a cause. MASSOB does not pose any threat to human lives. “The Federal Government should stop the killing of members of this group as they are demonstrating peacefully without weapons and concentrate on ending Boko Haram in Nigeria. If God says he will not approve Bi-
afra, nobody will question Him". Meanwhile MASSOB has declared that no amount of intimidation, arrests and killings would deter NdiIgbo from aspiring for their separate homeland in the face marginalisation and a concerted effort to decimate the Igbo people. Spokesman of the group, Uchenna Madu, said the recent memo dispatched from the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to all commissioners of Police in the south-east to the effect that members of MASSOB be apprehended wherever they were found would not hold water, maintaining that all efforts to suppress the group would amount to a waste of time and resources of the government.
IPAS trains journalists on women rights, reproductive health Mathew Dadiya Abuja
ÏÏÏThe United States agency, In-
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (middle) the Commandant Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, AVM Mike Iloenyosi(right) and other Commanders of the force during the visit of the Air Force Chief in Lagos… at the weekend
FUT Minna expels 10 students for poor performance Pita Chikwem Minna
ÏÏÏWorried by the poor academ-
ic performance, the Senate of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna has approved the withdrawal of ten post-graduate students. The approval was taken at the end of 40th meeting of the Senate of the institution to ensure that academic standard of the school was maintained. The of Head of Information Unit, Mrs. Lydia Legbo, disclosed this on Sunday, that seven of the students were withdrawn for poor academic
performance while the other three were withdrawn for their absence from school for two academic sessions without permission from the school authorities. According to Legbo, “the students have been told to withdraw from the university, for poor academic performance, while others had to, as a result of absence from the university for two consecutive sessions without official permission”. She identified the names of the students as Muktar Khalid, Mohammed Kudu, Ibrahim Adamu and Mohammed El-Mamud – all master degree students from
Department of Industrial and Technology Education. Others are Ahmad Nana Hauwa’u, Master Degree Student from Department of Microbiology, Hamza Tauheed and Muhammad Nda Hauwa both Master Degree students from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology. She stated further that those withdrawn from the institution for being absent from school for two academic sessions were Nwankwo Miriam, Fayenuwo Olaitan and Abdulaziz Bilkisu Zakari all Master degree students from the Department of Computer Engineering.
ternational Pregnancy Advisory Services (IPAS) has commenced a three-day media training workshop for journalists in Nigeria aimed at getting the citizens better informed on issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women. IPAS, an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation that focuses on protecting women’s health and advancing their reproductive rights in different parts of the world, said it has been its tradition to train journalists on its core mandate. According Mr. Edosa Oviawe, Advisor, Policy & Advocacy, the workshop, which holds in Abuja, commences today Monday, October 26th, and ends on October 28, 2015. The organisation maintains that “every woman has a right to safe reproductive health choices, including safe abortion care. No woman should have to risk her life, her health, her fertility, her well-being or the well-being of her family, because she lacks reproductive health care. Women everywhere must have the opportunity to determine their futures, care for their families and manage their fertility. “Along with caring, committed health professionals and other colleagues worldwide, IPAS tackles this neglected public health problem head on in some of the world’s poorest countries..."
Court hears Barwa land owners vs FCDA suit Oct 27 Augustine Okezie Abuja
ÏÏÏA high court in Abuja is set
to entertain a suit filed by members of Barwa layout Land Owners Association, Kuje and the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) over alleged revocation of lands already allocated to the association in the Kuje Area Council by the FCDA According to the Chairman of the association, Chief Tobias Obiechina, members had already been mobilised to attend the scheduled court session at Court 18 of Apo district on Tuesday the October 27. He recalled that the land which was earlier allocated to members of the association by the authorities of the FCT, after thorough legal search, recertification, and full documentation, since 2003, was now allegedly being re-allocated by the same ministry, through fresh allocation papers, to other people on the ground that the allocation had been revoked as part of government plans to build a centenary village on it
N207m fraud uncovered by Kano anti-graft body Yakubu Salisu Kano
ÏÏÏThe Kano State Anti-Corrup-
tion and Public Complaints Commission, under the leadership of Alhaji Muhi M. Rimingado, has uncovered fraudulent diversion of N207 million depositors’ money from 37 micro-finance banks in Kano. Three persons have so far been arrested in connection to this allegation and are presently been investigated by the Commission. They include the consultant that handled the establishment and running of the micro-finance banks, Rabiu Tudunwada, the overall managing director of the banks, Rabiu Garba, and director of recruitment, Hajara Umar. Parading the accused persons before journalists, in Kano, Rimingado, stated that investigation revealed that R.I and Co Financial Consultants received a total sum of N74 million as accrued interest from the share capital of N20 million in each of the 37 micro banks. He said the chief consultant directed the banks’ managing directors to pay the money to his personal account in First Bank PLC, with account number 2023303449. He further stated that the sum of N50 million was found to have been debited from the accounts of the banks.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
15 Opinion
APC and emerging one-party rule
N Iyoha John Darlington
igeria had a general election and candidates contested under the platform of different political parties, that is to say, Nigeria practises multiparty system and in a multi-party democracy like such she practises a government. Under this setting regimentation and dictatorship is guarded against. Nigeria is a country made up of over 80 percent politically illiterate voters and, therefore, ignorant of the dangers inherent in a one-party rule that is gradually rearing its head on the ascending order of magnitude resulting from the activities of egocentric loners with an over-inflated sense of self-worth. As you can see, the present Nigerian regime in Abuja has tacitly launched a covert operation against the main opposition and Nigeria’s ruling party partisans are seen in wild jubilation without knowing what this would amount to in the end. It is natural for political parties to seek power. As one of the ruling party supporters, I root for my party to win as many elections as possible. But I hope I am objective enough to recognise the incontrovertible fact that Nigeria would be ill-served by the concentration of political power in one party’s hands,
regardless of which holds it. Nigeria’s founding fathers doubtless awoke themselves to this danger and took steps to avert it by opting for a divided government via multi-party democracy immediately after independence. The major political parties had emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s as regional parties with aim was control power in the regions. The Northern people’s Congress (NPC), Action Group and NCNC became the dominant parties in the North, West, East and Midwest respectively. Hence, we saw a government that by men over men that enabled it to control the governed, and in the next place obliged it to control itself. Nigeria’s founding fathers were great and bright intellects who sought to limit the danger of oneparty factionalism by establishing and fashioning out a political system with numerous checks and balances among parties and among the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. Nevertheless, we discover that even with obstacles in place, political leaders frequently run amok when power is concentrated in the hands of one party. Today Africa’s biggest democracy is repleted with examples. The complete All Progressives’ Congress federal dominance, which is also being increasingly replicated in the states, is not healthy for our democracy all things considered. For a govern-
ment that is supposedly involved in a fratricidal anti-graft war, a democratic one-party rule cannot account for the vast changes in our country, and once more, will bring about or lead to massive cronyism and corruption. Throughout history, we have at various times experienced or heard about the consequences of unchecked, one-party dominance. In the USA, from 2001-2007, Republicans controlled both Houses of Congress and the White House. At the height of its power, following the 2004 elections, Republicans had a 55-seat Senate majority and a 232-seat House majority. Some party leaders got carried away and pursued policies that grew their own power at the expense of American taxpayers. Their unlimited power led to runaway spending, an explosion in obscenely wasteful and parochial earmarks, a lack of transparency, and all in all corruption. We see a similar scenario unfolding in Nigeria. The beauty of every democracy is that it should be self-correcting otherwise the problem that corrections would mete out by an understandably outraged electorate could push the pendulum too far in the opposite direction. Nigerians will not be cowed into silence when things spirally go wrong in the hands of tin gods who are bent on subjecting everyone to their dia-
bolic whims and caprices through seeming emergence of one-party rule in Nigeria. Last Saturday, the Rivers State Election Tribunal that sat in Abuja alleging electoral irregularities sacked Wike Nyesom. Wike is gone and gone for good and Peterside of the All Progressives Congress will be riding to power by the instrumentality of federal might. Over the past five months, the All Progressives monopoly has expanded the federal government by historic proportions. After campaigning on a promise to end the PDP tenure, the present regime in Abuja instead of settling down to business has only embarked on policies that reward rampant irresponsible behaviour and hate campaign which is unarguably heating up the polity. It must be borne in mind that unchecked power pushes parties to excess regardless of which party is in power. It is an inherent part of both human nature and the nature of government. The danger for our country is that with complete one-party dominance, much damage will be done before the next electoral selfcorrection. We call for and prefer a balance in Abuja and the states. Nigerians must understand this language even if it has to be spoken in Greek that too much concentration of power via one-party rule is a serious danger to the people.
Why is Buhari inciting the SE and SS zones?
I
Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
t is obvious to all observers that President Muhammadu Buhari wants to re-fight the Nigerian/Biafra war. What is not so obvious is why and how such a war will benefit Nigeria. Could it be that PMB believes that he could wage two wars at the same time; Biafran war and Boko Haram war? Alternatively, is he trying to hide BH war by starting another war? I know that Mr. Buhari is a retired general who has not done much in his life besides being a soldier. However, what in the name of all that is bold and beautiful is he bent on inciting the peoples of SE and SS? The arrest and detention of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is the latest in unprovoked assaults on SE and SS people. Mr. Kanu is the managing editor of Radio Biafra, a news outlet that has not supported PMB’s administration. However, since when is a private news outlet required to be the government mouthpiece? There are opposition media in all democracies just as
there are opposition parties. All are recognized and allowed space to preach their doctrines to those who want to listen to their message. This feature is the mainstay of a democratic government. It allows all voices to be heard even those who preach heresy. It will be recalled that the first action of PMB administration was to exclude reporters for AIT television from participating in PMB’s press interviews. At the time, it was a punishment for airing unfavorable programs that did not edify the then candidate General Buhari. As the story reflected unfavorably on PMB, staffers were asked to take a fall for PMB. They were never punished or reprimanded. The provocation of SE and SS by this administration has been exposed in the thinking, actions and the body language of this president and include: Failure to include these zones in his innermost circle in the belief that he was choosing trusted people which by implication means that “these people” are not
trustworthy Failure to acknowledge that SE existed long before the amalgamation of 1914 despite public records verified by both history and archeology. Failure to acknowledge the contributions of SE/SS people in founding the new Nigeria even though ”these people” were in the forefront of Nigeria independence and made huge personal and collective sacrifices for the actualization of one united Nigeria Public statements like saying that Senator Ike Ekweremadu was unacceptable as Deputy Senate President even though he was elected by the same body that elected acceptable Mr. Saraki the Senate President. Mr. Ekweremadu’s deficiency being that he hails from the unrecognized and unrecognizable zone. Now the worst case: the arrest and detention of one of the leaders of SE/SS by the name of Nnamdi Kanu for undisclosed charges. PMB has a solid record of persecuting journalist. Journalist become worse if the also
come from SE and SS to booth. This arrest has started rabid demonstrations in SE and SS as was predictable. It has also resulted in the arrest of demonstrators. This will incite others in demonstrating against an inhuman government and one that takes their views and feelings for granted. PMB is inviting anarchy in SS and SE probably to create a reason to reignite the Nigeria/Biafra war, which he is determined to fight. He might be looking for the final solution of SS/SE problem just as Adolph Hitler tried to do with the Jews. There is just one message for those who plan to suppress a free people: they always fail; the holocaust, Armenian genocide, Biafran genocide stand as proofs that the oppressed survive AND THE VILLAIN PERISH. The peoples of SS and SE will survive PMB, no matter his policies or ambitions.Mr. Kanu must be let go and all concocted charges against dropped. An apology is also necessary.PMB should take note.
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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Business Times Æ s
17
PFAS sensitise workers on Use of RSA for residential mortgages Friday Atufe Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have begun to sensitive workers on the recent draft guideline issued by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to enable contributors in the scheme withdraw from their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) towards equity contribution for payment of residential mortgages. Investigation by our correspondent over the weekend showed that some PFAs have begun to inform their contributors on the pending implementation of the scheme. According to some of the PFAs, for a worker that is contributing to its RSA to access its balance as equity contribution for a mortgage loan, the following eligibility criteria and principles shall apply: The applicant shall be in active employment, either as a salaried employee or self-employed person and would be allowed to access a maximum of 25 percent of the RSA balance as equity contribution. The mortgage loan amount shall be a minimum of N1.5 million and a maximum of N50m and the tenor of the mortgage loan shall be for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years. The applicant shall access a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for residential mortgage, only once in a lifetime and the interest rate on the mortgage loan shall be a fixed rate for its whole duration. For an applicant to qualify, it should have been contributing consistently for a minimum of 10 years, prior to the application for drawdown and its debt to Income ratio shall not exceed 33.33 percent of its net monthly income at the time of applying for the mortgage. The application to access and utilize a percentage of your RSA balance as equity contribution for mortgage loans shall be approved by the commission and an applicant who take advantage of this guideline by accessing a portion of the RSA balance as equity contribution for residential mortgage, shall not be entitled to lump sum payment at retirement.
L-R: Mrs. Mary Akpobome, Executive Director at Heritage Bank Limited and Chairman Organising Committee of Association of Professional Women Banker – APWB, with Mr. Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa, Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Keynote Speaker at the Occasion, Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun, President/Chairman in Council of Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria – CIBN and Chairman of the Occasion and Mrs. Mercy Oluwatoyin Ojo, Chairman APWB at the Corporate Forum/Dinner of the association in Lagos at the weekend
NERC reviews applications on electricity tariff from discos Augustine Okezie Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced that it is still reviewing details of applications for tariff review received from electricity distribution companies as well as the outcome of public consultations with electricity consumers. Making this clarification against the backdrop of news item making the round especially
Airspace remains open –NCAA
with the online media speculating on the range of increase in electricity tariff, the Commission said it is preposterous to speculate on the range of increase or the tendency in electricity tariff at this stage. According to NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, who made this clarification, it is at the end of the on-going review exercise to be concluded in a few weeks’ time that the figures of increase or decrease would be clearer to
anyone.” “Most of the news items are in the realm of speculative journalism. The final figure is not clear to anyone as some of the distribution companies are still providing clarifications sought by the Commission’s technical team working on their applications. Some of them are also making corrections to their applications on the basis of those clarifications. He explained further that the process of reviewing the applications is painstaking and thor-
ough. “We will not allow any frivolous claim by the operators to be passed to electricity consumers as tariff. That is a major reason we told them to consult with their customers after they submitted their applications to us.”, he said The resort to public consultation, according to Amadi, has not raised the bar about how utility tariff is determined in the country but has also empowered the consumers who now have a say in how they are served by the service providers.
Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
had on Friday last week suspended actions that could have warranted closure. Responding to inquiries on insinuation making the rounds that some nations have concluded plan to restrict movement of their citizens to Nigeria over closure of her airspace, spokesman for the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said, “it is not true.” Adurogboye stated that information peddled by some people should be disregarded, adding that there is nothing to indicate or warrant the closure of the na-
tion’s airspace to air traffic. He further stated that the aviation regulatory body is investigating the source of email people are using to circulate that Nigeria’s airspace would be shut yesterday’s midnight. His words, “We learnt that the union has circulated an email, alleging a travel ban to Nigeria with effect from tomorrow’s midnight. This is to declare to the whole world that it is not true. Nigeria’s airspace is open to flight operations. NCAA cannot be closing airspace it meant to guard.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has denied allegations that the country is closing its airspace to flight operations. The NCAA noted that the issue it had with its workers’ union is being resolved with a peace meeting slated for Monday between the union and management, adding that there was no basis for airspace closure. The agency stated that no time was closure of the airspace contemplated, adding that the union
Insuarance18
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
NICON projects N6bn premium increase 2016 Ï ƄƉƉ MƼƞƂ Ƒ ƍƎ ƄƎ Ǝ ƃƉƄ ƍ ƏƎ Ǝ ƕƆ ƃƉ ƆƊ Stories by Isaac Agber National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) has projected a premium increase of N6 billion come 2016 in a desperate move to upbeat the hopes of its clients and silence its critics over dwindling premiums currently standing at N2 billion with outstanding claims worth N466 million. With this projection, the Nigeria’s insurance giant will triple the N2 billion current premium status and bounce back to the fore front with renewed zeal, Managing Director of the company, Mr. Bayode Samuel, disclosed this at a recent evening session organized by the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in Lagos. Bayode said the company was determined to continue gaining the confidence of its clients and stakeholders and would soon start the sale of N20 billion worth of its assets to meet financial obligations and regain its lost position. According to him, the company would dispose of N10billion worth of assets between now and December this year while the remaining ones would be sold later. He explained that the company had decided to dispose of the assets and convert them to cash
Samuel
because some of them were no longer useful. The cash proceeds would be used to meet some of the company’s obligations such as payment of outstanding claims to its clients ahead of regulator’s deadline of September 30th and payment of commission to brokers. “If I have an asset that is not yielding income and I don’t need it in my book, the best thing is to turn it to cash and make income from that,” he stressed. “We will use the cash proceeds to expand our operations; get first hand IT, pay all outstanding claims
and commissions, improve staff welfare, buy operational assets like new vehicles and new operational issues, those are the things needed by modern insurance companies that are responsive to clients’ need. So, it will help you to respond almost immediately to your clients’ need.” In compliance with the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) September 30 deadline for payment of all outstanding claims by insurance firms, reports have indicate that the NICON has already cleared N400 million out of the N466 million outstanding
claims owed to its clients. Confirming this in a statement, Bayode said the payment of NICON’s outstanding claims was a Key Performance indicator for the company. “Claims settlement is pivotal to the business of insurance and anything short of this is unethical. That is why in our unwavering quest for alignment with operational and regulatory standards, we have settled and disbursed in excess of N400 Million naira to all our numerous clients across Nigeria on outstanding claims due under the defunct National Insurance Corporation and the new company under my leadership,” he said. He, however, did not mention when and how the remaining N66 million will be cleared. But neon signals have shown that NICON will soon offset its debts to join every other liquid player in the industry poised to clean its books as directed by the regulator. He also spoke on the existing relationship between the company and the regulator especially in terms of meeting deadline on submission of financial report saying, “Immediately I took over I discovered that there were outstanding accounts of 2012, 2013 and 2014. So I paid all the outstanding fees owed to auditors, got the accounts submitted got 2012 and 2013 approved.” According to him, the 2014 account will be approved before the end of 2015. Bayode urged the insuring public to take advantage of the transformations in NICON Insurance today by insuring their general and life assurance businesses with NICON which has remained the flagship and the biggest in Nigeria by Asset base in Naira, with over 42 branches nationwide and six regional offices.
Pension equity hits N5.03tn – PenCom The National Pension Commission, (PenCom) has said that the pension funds invested in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy had hit N5.03 trillion, Director General of the commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, disclosed this recently at the South-South Stakeholders Sensitization Conference on Nigeria’s Pension Reforms Act 2014, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She, however, lamented the partial implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, by states in the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria which, she said, had denied such states the obvious advantages of the scheme.
In a speech delivered by the Commission’s Inspectorate Commissioner, Professor Mohammed Ka’oje, the DG noted that the scheme had eliminated avenues of corruption to the benefit of the new pension administration, owing to the 2014 reforms. According to her, the contributory pension scheme has also made available for states to benefit from a pool of investible pension funds to drive economic and infrastructural development in their respective states. “It is noteworthy that many states have adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme and are at various stages of its implementation. However, no state in the
Ka’oje
South-South geo-political zone has fully implemented the Contribution Pension Scheme”, AnohuAmazu noted. According to her, the scheme had delivered all the major objectives of the reform and had not recorded any case of malpractice
since it was established about 11 years ago. She appealed to all the states and local governments in the South-South zone to step-up their efforts to implement the contributory pension scheme in order to avail themselves and their employees the opportunities the scheme offers. On his part, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said that the diversion of pension fund or its misappropriation by public officials was the height of man’s inhumanity to man. According to him, this is a criminal and evil act, which should be treated without leniency.
ƈ Ɖ Ƅ MƼÕƂ Ǝ ƅƍ Əƕ ƎƄƍ ÏM#9 ƍ Ɔ Ƅ Ɖ ƍƊ The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has lamented increase in incidences of fraud and forgeries in the country’s banking system, a situation which rose to a significant peak in 2014, causing serious worries to the corporation despite efforts by authorities to combat it. The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the NDIC, Umaru Ibrahim, mentioned this at the 2015 workshop for business editors and finance correspondents association of Nigeria (FICAN), held in Ilorin, Kwara State. He disclosed that a total of 10,612 of fraudulent cases were reported in 2014 as against 3,786 cases in 2013. The figure showed an increase of 183 percent which, according to him, was very worrisome. Ibrahim said the amount involved in 2013 was N21.80 billion as against N25.61 billion in 2014 which was a staggering 17.5% increase with expected actual loss increase from N5.76 billion in 2013 to N6.19 billion in 2014. He disclosed that the types and nature of frauds and forgeries were largely web-based (Online banking)/ATM card related, fraudulent transfer/withdrawal of deposit frauds and suppression of customer deposits amongst others. The NDIC boss blamed the situation on weak IT infrastructure, poor internal controls due to prevalence of contract clerks and tellers, who have little experience and are vulnerable to pressure from superiors and external forces. “It was also discovered that temporary staff, clerks and tellers accounted for 64% of the frauds and forgeries in 2014,” Ibrahim disclosed further. He said the situation required urgent attention to improving the electronic payments control systems, checking IT security, authenticating human capital and integrity profiling staff motivation as solution measures.
Ibrahim
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Oando reports N184 billion loss for 2014
Conoil assures shareholders of improved returns Charles Okonji In the face of the numerous of challenges confronting the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, shareholders of Conoil Plc have been assured of improved returns on their investment in the years ahead. Reliving the challenges bedeviling the industry at Conoil’s 45th annual general meeting held at the weekend in Akwa Ibom State, its chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga assured that the future of the company was bright and secure, while also predicting a brighter future for the nation’s economy. He stated, “Our Company’s long term future is assured beyond any doubt, conscious efforts will be directed at achieving better execution, especially in the areas of marketing and customer management. Greater attention would be devoted to cutting costs of operations in the different segments of the company’s business, while maintaining and improving on the quality of its products and services.” According him, the operating environment in 2014 was a very difficult one for operators in the downstream sector as they relied mostly on importation of petroleum products to meet domestic demands due to lower output from the local refineries, adding that the importation of the refined product came at a high cost due to depreciation value of the Naira and high bank charges. Recounting the challenges all major marketers are battling with, Adenuga highlighted N264 billion, as at the end of 2014, outstanding subsidy claims, also comprising of foreign exchange differentials and bank interests. As part of the strategy to shore up its bottom-line, the Chairman revealed that the company would consolidate its leadership position in the lubricant market by offering bouquet of quality lubricants to consumers as well as building new production lines to increase capacity.
Adenuga
19 Capital Market
Adesola Akindele
Bajomo
NSE advocates economic growth through standards in business Charles Okonji The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday stated that standards are critical for business and economic growth as they make it easier for enterprises to communicate and trade, while allowing resources to be used more efficiently. The executive director, Market Operation and Technology, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo, said this in Lagos, at a conference organised by Digital Jewels, a consulting and capacity building firm, to market the World Standards Day. The firm, which focuses on the implementation of global best practice standards across Africa organised the conference, themed ‘Global standards: Setting apart leaders from laggards’, in recognition of the critical role of various stakeholders across the standards community. Bajomo, who was one of the panelists at the event, explained that the Exchange had laid a good foundation in the market for standards. He noted, “Now part of that foundation is that you need strong brokers in the market because there is no point in us having all of the standards and
our brokers do not.” He stated that the Exchange had invested significantly in technology, explaining that it had also informed broker-dealers that they must have a minimum operating standard. According to him, operators in the market must offer their clients the ability to see their portfolio, sell, buy, make contact and raise issues. “For instance, look at telephone penetration in the country, 140 million telephones; look at internet penetration, most people are going to use the internet using their mobile phones in Africa, yet they are not going to use their own desktop.” “Oonce operators get their clients to understand the process and the opportunities they had and if the market was operated transparently with the right products and the right investor education, then, activities would increase because the trust element would be there.” Bajomo noted. The conference brought together players from different sectors of the economy, players that appreciated the importance of standards, demonstrated by adoption of multiple standards or, in the case of regulators and investors, their support for industry-wide adoption of standards.
A 556.8 per cent increase in operating expenses to -271.9 billion posted in Oando Plc’s FY 2014 result’s has been attributed as one of the major reasons responsible for the company’s profit erosion. Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc. Mr. Adewale Tinubu during a press briefing at the NSE over the weekend revealed that the huge write down on the CononocPhilips assets acquired in 2014, as well as the provisioning made for all assets possessed by the group after a thorough forensic look across board made for the reflection of the true value of the group. Oando Plc has released its 2014 full year (FY) financials as well as its 2015 First Quarter (Q1) and Half Year (H1) results. The company’s full year 2014 results revealed a 3,734.1 per cent loss before tax, amounting to N179.3 billion, while total loss for the same period declined 13,272.9 per cent to N183.9 billion. Oando’s losses continued into 2015, with an after tax loss of N20.96 billion in Q1 2015, despite an 83.5 per cent increase Q1’15 revenue to N33.03 billion from N18 billion recorded in the same period of 2014, whereas revenue in FY 2014 fell by six per cent to N424 billion from N449.8 billion. In H1’15, the company’s revenue appreciated by 8.4 per cent to N60.32 billion from N55.67 billion recorded in the corresponding six months period of the previous year while loss for the period accumulated to 35.13 billion from a profit of N8.980 billion posted in the same period of 2014 indicating a 491 per cent loss. In defense of the devastating results, Tinubu explained that the released results are accurate, ensuring integrity in finances through appropriate disclosure. Stating that the group is shooting towards ensuring that a complete clean up occurs before the end of this financial year such that steady set of positive returns would be evident in the next financial year. “Our message to investors is that we have a Long term play with a sustainable income stream, we see ourselves in a business that is able to generate returns year in year out for a long period of time as a result of the platform of investments that we have, as opposed to one that will simply generate the same
profit every year irrespective of the situation.” Tinubu explained that Oando Plc is embarking on processes that will enhance profitability of the business in the long run as it shrinks involvement in the downstream sector and diversifies to the Upstream and Midstream sectors. “We see the upstream as the future of the company and we will continue to drive that part of our business. We have challenges attributed to the downstream sector from the sale and distribution of oil and products, without the payment of commensurate charges from government in terms of subsidy funds that needs to be recompensed to us whenever we sell products. However, the future of Oando is bright because we are in a situation where fundamentals are right. “We have the right sets of assets in midstream and upstream and we are able to recapitalize our balance sheet in the time of challenges of this nature by selling assets that we consider less profitable within the portfolio, such as selling close to 50 percent of our downstream business to recapitalize our balance sheet, pay down debts and allow us to retain the upstream business which is what generate the future cash flow of the group moving forward.” We have also been able to launch the midstream, by building the Lagos gas pipeline with over 150 customer’s. The pipeline has since crossed the Lagos lagoon into Lagos Island with the intention of providing Lagos Island customer’s gas in the next few weeks. He further stated that the company is expected to release its facts behind the figure report and third quarter results before close of business on Monday. Meanwhile the company’s share price plunged 4.23 per cent or 0.44 kobo to N9.96 at last trading session.
Tinubu
Money Market 20
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
CBN orders Banks, BDC’s to request BVN as ABCON faults use of BVN for forex transactions
L-R: Founder/Director, Interior Designers Excellence Awards (IDEA), Ms. Titi Ogufere; Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Managing Director, Alan Caray Technical and Logistics Limited, Mr. Ronnie D’Souza and Board member, Interior Designers Excellence Awards (IDEA); Ms. Bunmi Ajagbe, during a press conference to kick-off 2015 IDEA Conference supported by Sterling bank in Lagos
Stories Adesola Akidele The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all Banks and licensed bureaux de change operators (BDCs) in the country to demand for customers’ bank verification number (BVN) for all forex transactions from November 1, 2015, this was conveyed in the apex regulators website in a circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, CBN, Kevin Amogu.
The circular stated that the directive was in continuation of efforts to stabilise the forex market, stem the rampant cases of forex leakages and illicit money transfers from Nigeria. It explained: “All banks and licenced BDCs operating in Nigeria as well as the general public are, therefore put on notice that with effect from November 1, 2015, all customers desiring to purchase forex through all available channels in Nigeria must provide their
BVN, which shall be validated by the CBN authorised forex dealer through the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System platform before the transactions are consummated. “For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN shall from November 1, 2015, discontinue sale of forex to the BDCs that had not availed it the BVN of all its directors. Any authorised forex dealer that fails to provide the required information in its returns or provides a
GTB Posts N92 billion PBT Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTbank) has posted profit before tax of N92.06 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 as against N80.7 billion during the corresponding period of 2014, representing an increase of 14 percent. The bank disclosed this in its unaudited financial results for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges. A review of the 3rd quarter performance shows positive growth across all key financial metrics and improved strategic positioning of the brand. Gross earnings for the period grew by 15 percent to N229.4 billion from N199.2 billion reported in the correspond-
ing period of September 2014; driven primarily by growth in interest income. Profit before tax stood at N92.06billion, representing a growth of 14 percent from N80.7 billion recorded in the corresponding period of September 2014.The bank’s loan book grew by 0.47 percent from N1.276 trillion recorded in December 2014 to N1.281trillion in September 2015. The bank closed the third quarter ended September 2015 with total assets and contingents of N3.002 trillion and shareholders’ funds of N400.7 billion. The bank’s non-performing loans remained low at 3.16 percent. On the backdrop of this result, return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA) stood at 31.68 percent and
5.10 percent respectively. Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank attributed the bank’s strong performance to the continued support of its customers, the commitment and hard work of its Staff, Management and Board, and the prioritization of strong corporate governance standards in the Bank’s systems and procedures. According to Segun Agbaje, the aggressive pursuit of our key objectives for the year, which are focused mainly on adding value to all stakeholders and improving customer experience, are yielding positive dividends and reflecting heavily on the bank’s performance. “Recognizing we
wrong BVN would be penalised and this may include the termination of the forex dealership authorisation.” The BVN, project which was launched in February 2014 is being sponsored by the bankers’ committee. The deadline for enrolment of bank customers is October 31. The BVN was among other things, introduced to address safety of customers’ funds, avoid losses through compromise of personal identification numbers and other criminal activities in the industry. However the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has faulted the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make the biometric verification number mandatory requirement for foreign exchange transactions. In a statement issued on Friday, ABCON faulted the November 1st deadline, saying it is too close. It also said that making BVN mandatory for foreign exchange transactions, so soon, without adequate publicity, training and other measures, will enhance activities of the parallel market operators and widen that gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market exchange rate. According to the statement, the return of the CBN directives on the use of BVN on sales of forex to BDC clients will lead to the following: Confusion and delay in the use of applicable HS Code for processing of ‘Form M’; Cancellation of foreign credit lines by correspondents banks; Increased mistrust between regulators and operators; Increasing
operate in challenging business environments, we set high goals and benchmark ourselves against global standards which influence our service culture and product offerings, thereby enabling us to remain relevant to our customers while adding value to all stakeholders. We will continue to differentiate ourselves by providing innovative solutions that create sustainable value for all our customers and stakeholders while maintaining a high standard in service delivery by prioritizing innovation, integrity and excellence.” He further stated that “As a bank, we will continue to leverage technology and collaborations to improve service delivery quality, stakeholder interaction points and the overall GTBank customer experience.
misery level of majority of Nigerians already in a significant poverty level; Decline in public confidence in CBN’s ability to sustain its macroeconomic objectives; Set the pace for growing foreign interference in Nigeria’s monetary policies; loss of jobs; Increased fraud and other related financial crimes. Consequently, the Association among other things recommended that “The CBN should resume training of BDC operators for the use of the BVN platform, and there should massive sensitisation of the public on the new policy.” Meanwhile, the Association has written to the CBN Governor, highlighting the various factors responsible for the sudden rise in the parallel market exchange rate from N212 to N224 per dollar within the last three weeks. The Association stated, “The spiral hike in the black market rate from an average of 212/$ to 224/$ was as a result of the following: Activities of the illegal market operators; Openness of the Nigerian economy; Numerous and porous borders/airports; IMF/JP Morgan threat to our policy formulation; Huge patronage of the black market by blue chip companies; Increase protest by certain stakeholders/ operator of the recent CBN policies; Obsolete and lack of policy linkages/harmonization of operational guidelines for operators by the various regulators; Lack of effective supervision and monitoring of the foreign exchange market by regulators.”
Zenith Bank post 17% increase in Q3’15 PAT Zenith Bank Plc has reported gross earnings ofN336.9 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 as against N273.7 billion posted in the same period of 2014, representing an increase of 23.1 percent. The results which have been released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) further showed that net interest income rose by 12.6 percent to N161.4 billion from N143.4 billion as pre-tax profits rose 19.9 percent from N86.8 billion in Q3’ 2014 to N104.1 billion. A profit after tax of N83.1 billion was recorded an appreciation of 17 percent from N71.05 billion posted in the Q3’14 as Customer deposits increased 9.2 percent to N2.5 trillion.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
21
Daily Times Advert Rates Colour
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532,350.00
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(LAGOS) IFEANYI - 08086296714 (ABUJA) FEMI - 08033550468
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117.89
OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA
Public Notice 22 THE F2 ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL CLUB The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees (1). Emeka Uyaelummuo, - Chairman
(2). Chibuzo Umeania. -,Sec,
(3). Onyeka Ofordile,
(4). Adindu,Ogini,
(5). Ginikanwa Kenneth.
(6). Onuorah Ogini.
(7). Ifeanyi Mogekwu
(8). Tunde Sunmola
(9). Nonso Ilogbenu
(10). Chuka Oputa.
Aim and objectives 1. To assist its members . Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed: Barr Prosper
THE COMMUNITY OF HASHEM WORLDWIDE The general public is hereby notified that the above named Non profit organization has applied to the corporate Affairs commission under part C. of the companies and allied matters Act cap c.20 LFN 2004 for change of Trustees The Trustees are: 1. Rt. Rev. Chidiebere Enyinnaya Amakaeze = Retained 2. Elder Samuel Nworah = Retained 3. Elder Raphael Achonu = Retained 4. Elder Michael Okoye = Retained 5. Elder Christopher Emechebe = Retained 6. Elder Mark Ojai Gabriel Esealuka = Retained 7. Chukwunweni Amakaeze = Removed 8. Elder Stanly Chuks Nnaji = Appointed Any objection to the above should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, matama- Abuja within 28days of this publication. Signed: Rt. Rev. Chidiebere E. Amakaeze For the Trustee
ASSOCIATION OF INDIGENOUS CONTRACTORS, ONDO STATE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees (1) Hon Alarapon Adebayo David (3) Adeniyi Ademujimi (5) Akogun Ibiyinka Christianah Alaba (7)Dawodu Julius Bankole (9) Elerewe Benjamin Taiwo.
(2) Abidola Oluwatayo Michael (4) Emuleomo Fredrick Omolade (6) Akinyanju Samuel Olabanji (8) Olotu Adekunle Solomon
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) Ensure cooperation and progress among members (2) Advocacy on social welfare (3) Ensure credible project execution by members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. SIGNED. SECRETARY
ODE-OMI DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION IJEBU WATERSIDE The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990. The trustees are: 1. Mr Amos A. Okuneye - chairman. 3. Prince adedayo A. Ajose. 5. SNR. AP. Hamed O. Surakat - secretary. 7. Mr Akibu .I. Opeleye. 9. Otunba Arashi T. Issa.
2. Alhaji Olajuwon I. Adams. 4. Chief Amidu T. Asorin. 6. Otunba Tajudeen Salisu. 8. Chief Thadeaus O. Opele.
Aims and objectives: 1. To foster unity, peace & love among the sons and daughter of Ode-Omi community. 2. To pursue economic and social development of the community in particular and the entire citizens in general. 3. To promote educational development and provide scholarship. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: secretary.
THE REDEEMED COVENANT MISSION The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Obiefuna Benedette Ngozi 2. Obiefuna Onyebuchi Moses 3. Obiefuna Chuks David AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. 2. To draw people closer to God. 3. To assist the needy. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: TRUSTEES
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October, 2015
SALKHAAZ FOUNDATION
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE REPORT AND AWARDS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990
Trustees 1. Abdullahi Jibrin Ahmed 2. Zainab Sani. 3. Mrs. Amina Abubakar
Trustees 1 Ken Egbas. - Chairman 3. Mrs Eunice Sampson 5. Dr. Christopher Kolade 7. Mr. Folusho Koku 9. Senator Florence Ita- Giwa.
Aim and objectives 1. To promote education across Nigeria and offer free scholarship to less privileged in Nigeria 2. To facilitate development in education 3. To promote excellence in education Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed: Barr. ELUKPO S. AGIWON. 08057200744
2. Mary Ephraim. - Member 4. Greg. Amaihwe. - Secretary 6. Ms. Udy. Umonadak 8. Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams
Aim and objectives 1. To promote sustainable development in Nigeria by causing the public and private sector of the Nigeria economy to collaborate in driving development. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication. Signed: GREG. AMAIHWE. - SECRETARY
RUACH INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL MINISTRY
ROYAL ELITE GOOD FRIENDS CLUB OF NIGERIA
The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “c” of The Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the corporate affairs commission, for registration under part c of the companies and allied matters act, 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Anni Gideon 3. Omorogieva, Godwin Edosa
2. Anni Margreth 4. Okdugh Evelyn Eduwuikhofo
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel, teach, cast out devils and heal the sick in all parts of the world. 2. To train, ordain, and license candidate for the gospel ministry through empowerment, seminars, skill acquisition workshops and license marriage. 3. To print and publish religious literatures 4. Provide moral counseling, and chaplaincy services for young people, less privilege, families, institutions and communities. 5. To establish branches of the church within and outside nigeria and carry out evangelism and missionary work in nigeria and overseas. 6. To promote unity among christians as well as other citizens. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication. SIGNED: BARR. ELLIOT ONI
THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Okenwa Chinweuba Nathaniel (Chairman) 2. Onubogu Ekene Deniel (Secretary) 3. Iwu Charles 4. Ibegbu Ndubuisi Stanley THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To promote friendship, love and unity among the members 2. To protect the interest of the members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED BY:- SECRETARY
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
BETHEL HOME FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part c of The Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1990. TRUSTEES 1. Johnson Chuks Udeh - President 2. Chika Donatus Ezeani - Secretary 3. Okpala Emmanuel - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To run charity for the welfare of children and less privileged women 2. To run and operate an orphanage home for children 3. To promote children educational, social and general well being for the less privileged 4. To operate care givers centers in rural and urban settlements Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication. SIGNED: BARR. EKPENISI EMMANUEL (08060035089)
EGBE OMO LOOGUN ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990. The Trustees: (1) Akinyosoye Sola (3)Akinbileje Mathew (5)Ganiyu Kareem
UGWUJA BARNABAS CHUKWUMA
I,
formally
called
Uche
Barnabas, now wishes to be known and called Ugwuja Barnabas Chukwuma .All Banks and other financial institutions please take note.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: SECRETARY
IFELODUN IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that Ifelodun Importers Association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
2. Ikechukwu Celestin Onah 4. Cyril Ezeh 6. Ifeanyi Chukwuji 8. Emeka Ngaonadi
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE a. To promote harmony, peace and love among members. b. To see to the welfare and progress of members. Any objection to this registration shall be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, FCT- Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Ike, Malachy Chijioke Esq IKE & ARINZE LP % FRANK AGBEDO & CO 41 Pike Street, (3rd Floor), Lagos Island, Lagos State Mobile: 08069041967; 08034174798, Email: ikeandarinzelp@gmail.com; ikeandarinzelp@yahoo.com
MRS VICTORIA CHIMBO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria C. Emekobum, now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs Victoria Chimbo. All former documents remain valid. Marie Gold Montessori and the general public should take note
MRS. GLORY CHIGEKWU ORISEH
BERNARD IKENNA MARKANTHONY
I formerly known and addressed
I formerly known and addressed as Ike Ikenna, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Bernard Ikenna Markanthony. All Former documents remain valid. The general public take note
as
Miss
Glory
Chigekwu
Umeh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Glory Chigekwu Oriseh. All former
(2) Ikuyinminu Anthony (4) Akinkuotu Toyin (6) Falekulo Dickson ,
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) Ensure cooperation and progress among members (2) Improve the welfare and well being of members (3) Advocacy on social welfare,
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Sir, Edward Abattam 3. Jonson Ndumechi 5. Sir, Benard Aforka 7. Paul Uzuegbum 9. Chukwudi Onuoha
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
documents
remain
valid.
General public please take note MRS ADENIKE IYUNADE ADEDINI ADETAYO
I formerly known and addressed as
Miss
Adenike
Iyunade
Adedini now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adenike Iyunade Adedini Adetayo . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note
SAMUEL NNAMDI EZEAKACHUKWU I formerly known and addressed as Samuel Nnamdi Ezeughara, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Samuel Nnamdi Ezeakachukwu. All Former documents remain valid. The general public take note
OGUNTADE GBEMISOLA ADETORO
MRS ADEOYE OLUFUNKE RACHAEL
I formerly known and addressed as Ajai Gbemisola Adetoro, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Oguntade Gbemisola Adetoro. All Former documents remain valid. The general public take note
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufunke Rachael Lawal, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs Adeoye Olufunke Rachael. All Former documents remain valid. The general public take note
MRS. NKECHI MARIA UDOH - LEVI
MRS. FOLARIN OLUWATOSIN OMOBOLANLE
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechi Maria Okezie, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechi Maria Udoh - Levi. All Former documents remain valid. Lagos international trade fair complex management board and the general public take note.
I formerly known and addressed as
Miss
Ajiboye
Oluwatosin
Omobolanle, Now wish to be Known and addressed as Mrs. Folarin Oluwatosin Omobolanle , All Former documents remain valid. General Public Take Note
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Abia NLC to picket bank over non-disbursement of bailout fund Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia
ÏÏÏThe
disbursement of the N14.1 bailout fund in Abia State may have run into a hitch, as the state branch of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has concluded plans to picket UBA, on Monday, should the bank maintain its aggressive stand against the disbursement of the fund. The State Chairman of
the NLC, Comrade Uchenna U. Obigwe, said the bank had been observed to be deceiving the bailout committee set up by the state government. “We have since found out, much to our embarrassment, that the officials of the bank were feeding us with lies. We want to find out from the officials of UBA this afternoon why we should not picket the bank on Monday (today) for not
making sure that this money which was given to them to pay Abia workers is duly disbursed to their rightful owners.” Obigwe used the opportunity to re-iterate his earlier statement that the bailout fund would not be enough to pay to pay gratuities. Sources have it that UBA and other banks used as bailout fund accounts bankers had deliberately delayed th disbursement of the fund
in bulk but chose to do so on monthly basis, thus creating the atmosphere that the state government, through the bailout committee, was lying and could, therefore, not deliver on its promise of paying the workers their salaries before the end of October. Except this is ironed out with the bank, the Abia State civil servants’ hope of getting paid from the bailout fund, would unrealistic.
L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Taiwo Otuneye; Managing Director/ CEO, Durot Private School, Dr. (Mrs.) Dupe Adelola; Husband of the celebrant, Ven. Seyi Pirisola; celebrant, Olusina and Secretary to the State Government of Ondo State, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, during the 50th birthday ceremony of Olusina held in Lagos...on Sunday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Deposed Offa monarch slammed for misinforming public
Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin
ÏÏÏOne
of the ruling Houses to the Olofa of Offa throne in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Olugbense, has asked the deposed Offa monarch, Alhaji Mohammed M. Gbadamosi, to stop misinforming the public. Olugbense ruling house has also accused, Gbadamosi of Anilelerin, of disobeying court judgment by parading himself as the Olofa of Offa. The Appeal Court, sitting
in Ilorin, the state capital, had in July 2013, deposed Gbadamosi, who, in turn, challenged the decision at the Supreme Court. Addressing reporters on Sunday, Prince Saka Keji of the Olugbense ruling house, said “our attention has been drawn to the falsehood being spread by the deposed monarch and his propaganda machine to the effect that the Olofa chieftaincy dispute has been resolved by the Supreme Court in his favour. And that he has been asked to continue as the Olofa of Offa.”
Prince Keji added that, “it is public knowledge that the deposed monarch has treated the order/judgement of the Court of Appeal with absolute contempt and impunity. Rather than await the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter, he has taken it upon himself to disregard the judgement as if it does not exist. This misconduct has led members of the public generally and a section of the Offa community, in particular, to believe in the misinformation by him that the matter has been settled in his favour.
“We are also aware that all efforts to pervert the course of justice so far have failed and shall by God's grace continue to fail despite his propaganda and misconduct. We have an abiding faith in God and our judicial system before and even in the present dispensation. We, therefore, state categorically that there is no truth at all in the claim of Alhaji Gbadamosi that the case had been settled in his favour.” He said that the case would come up at the Supreme Court, in Abuja, November 17.
NURTW seeks state of emergency for Kwara roads Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin
ÏÏÏThe
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has asked the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on the deplorable condition of highways in Kwara State. Speaking with journalists after his re-election for the second term at the eighth
quadrennial state delegates’ conference of the union in Ilorin, at the weekend, the Kwara State Chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore, said many lives and property had been lost due to dilapidated condition of the roads. Ore, specifically, listed Ilorin/Jebba/Mokwa, Ilorin/ Egbe, Ajase/Ila Odo among
others, as some of the highways that needed urgent attention of the federal government, adding that the declaration of state of emergency on the roads would enable the government to act fast on the bad condition of the highways. The NURTW chairman said that the declaration of state of emergency would
also make the federal government pay attention to the roads thereby alleviating suffering of the motorists and residents of communities along the highways. Meanwhile, the state council of NURTW has donated 20 Toyota Camry cars to administrative council members of the union. The state chairman said
23 News
Ondo NDLEA seizes 3, 500kg marijuana in 2 months ’Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏThe
Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says no fewer than 3,500 Kg of cannabis, otherwise known as indian hemp, had been seized by its officers within the purview of two months in the state. Muhammed Sokoto, the State Commandant of the agency disclosed this on Sunday, in an interview with journalists in Akure, the state capital. Sokoto also said about 36 tonnes of the substance were destroyed while 11 drug peddlers, including three females were appre-
hended at a separate operation carried out by the agency in Owo, Ifon, Ogbese and Itaogbolu areas of the state. He said that the command was confronted with numerous challenges among which was pinning down the main kingpin cultivating the forbidden substance in the bushes of the state. “The major challenge we have is that the main cannabis sativa cultivators and land owners are not easily found but we arrest and prosecute those found on the land. "Sometimes, labourers give us necessary information that lead to the arrest of their bosses and the land owners,” he added.
Ebonyi: Man kills brother over fowl Jacob Ogodo Abakaliki
ÏÏÏThe
Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested one Paul Unegu of Hausa Quarters, in Izzi Unuphu community, Abakaliki Local Government Area, for killing his elder brother, Sunday. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, who confirmed the incident said the suspect had been arrested. He noted that the state police command received a distress call on the matter and that by the time policemen arrived the scene, the victim was lying lifeless, in a pool of his own blood. Okafor said the victim was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead, adding that the suspect will be arraigned in court after investigation.
the donation was in continuation of his administration’s commitment to prioritise welfare of members. Ore enumerated his achievements in office in the last four years to include purchase of plots of land, officials cars, guest house project, sponsoring of members on holy pilgrimage, renovation of state secretariat, empowerment of members of Okada branch of the union,
Daily Times gathered that Paul killed Sunday, on Thursday, in a scuffle as a result of the incessant accusation from Sunday that Paul has been stealing his fowls. The victim’s wife, Ifeoma told sympathisers that Paul continued to steal her husband’s fowls which annoyed him and he confronted Paul in his house, leading to a violent fight between them. “I told my husband not to go to Paul’s house because of the matter because I know how he behaves but he did not listen to my advice. Look at what it has resulted in; I’m now a widow at this early stage,” she said. An eyewitness said the victim confronted Paul with a bottle with which he hit him on the chest and went back and brought a cutlass from his house.
seminars/workshops and welfare package as some of the programmes, which are now having desirable impact.
Gov. Ahmed
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
L - R : Sen. Lanre Tejuoso; Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; his wife, Toyin; celebrant, Mrs. Mojisola Tejuoso; wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and Osile of OkeOna Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso during a reception to mark Mojisola's 50th birthday anniversary held in Lagos... at the weekend
Ooni: Lowa takes over as kingmakers extend nomination to other ruling houses Sodiq Adekunle
Osogbo ÏÏÏThe Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, will now lead other king-makers in the selection of a new Ooni. This is following the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, and his second in command, Obalufe, Oba Solomon Folorunsho Omisakin. It was gathered that the decision was reached after the Warrant Chiefs’ and Elder’s meeting. It would be recalled that the Daily Times exclusively reported that Princes Taye Ogunleye, a reputable lawyer and Enitan Ogunwusi, a businessman, were major contenders for the Ooni stool. But the selection process took another twist due to
an allegation of forgery and subsequent investigation by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Ogunwusi. Before then, Ogunwusi, was rumoured to be the favourite of the king-makers. One of the king-makers, who did not want his name in print, said that they had decided that all ruling the houses should present three candidates each. In a related development, an Osun State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, has dismissed a suit challenging the competence of Ooni of Ife 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration. Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero had, on behalf of Lafogido Ruling House of
Ile-Ife, sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin (now late) and the Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, on the decision to allow only Giesi Ruling House present the next Ooni. The plaintiffs were asking for the order of the court to set aside 1980 declaration, saying that it was lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional and unfair. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Soji Oyetayo, sought an order of the court preventing the defendants from embarking on the processes to select the new Ooni from Giesi Ruling House, because of the alleged flaw in the 1980 declaration. But, respondents contended that it was too late to challenge the declaration after
it has been used to produce the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. Counsel to Aregbesola, who is the first respondent, Mr. Wale Afolabi, submitted that the suit filed by the plaintiffs was incompetent after 35 years that the declaration has been made. Also, counsel to the second and third defendants, Mr. Peter Ogunleye, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of competence and uphold the 1980 declaration as authentic. In her ruling, Justice Ojo held that the Ooni Chieftaincy Declaration was made in September 14, 1979 and registered in January 28, 1980, adding that the plaintiffs should have instituted their suit within five years of registration of the declaration.
Ekiti APC raps Fayose over attacks on Judges
Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti State, has expressed outrage over attacks on Nigerian judges by Governor Ayo Fayose, saying the governor’s action represented “a paradoxical assault by a man who holds the judiciary in contempt even though he is also the greatest beneficiary of assault on the same purportedly corrupt judiciary in his political career.” Fayose had, last week, accused Nigerian judges of corruption, saying some of them were in the habit of begging to be appointed as election tribunal chairmen in order to extort money
from politicians. The governor spoke at the opening of the Nigeria Legal Year organised by the Ekiti State Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Ado-Ekiti. He accused the Akwa Ibom and Rivers states election tribunal judges of corruption in their judgments nullifying the elections of Governors Emmanuel Udom and Nyesom Wike, saying that they succumbed to the federal might to nullify PDP’s victories in favour of President Muhhamadu Buhari’s APC. The party also expressed support for raising a Board of Inquiry (BOI) by the Nigerian Army to investigate the roles of its men during
the June 21, 2014 elections, which saw Fayose’s emergence as governor. It said the initiative would reveal the travesty of justice championed by the Nigerian Army in cahoot with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDPs) leaders to commit treason in the illegal change of political leadership in Ekiti State. The Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in statement, in AdoEkiti, that it was an irony that Fayose, “who is a beneficiary of lawless and antidemocratic conduct and a principal participant in the ignoble plot to spit on the Nigerian Constitution and who should be cooling his heels in jail” should be the
one accusing the judiciary of corruption. We never knew that Fayose would be the one accusing anyone of using the federal might to an electoral advantage. “Where is Fayose’s conscience taking into consideration the impunity with which the Nigerian Army officers and men were used by the Jonathan administration to intimidate the opponents to enable Fayose win the June 21, 2014 Governorship election in Ekiti State?
Fayose
Yola Bishop commiserates with
Muslims over Friday’s blast Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏThe Anglican Bishop of
Yola, Bishop Ibrahim Marcus Anfani, has expressed sympathy with the entire Muslim Ummah in the country, especially those from Adamawa State over the bomb blast that claimed the lives of many worshipers during a Friday Juma’at prayers in Jumbutu. The cleric condemned the act, regarding it as strange and barbaric that it was not supposed to be heard among
Nigerians because “we have an age-long harmonious existence regardless of religion.” “Last Friday was a black day to me and any person in Adamawa State weather you are a Christian or a Muslim; Boko Haram attacks is no longer having any religious interpretation since the attacks in recent times are at Muslims and Christian places of worship, I, indeed, condemn the disgusted act unleashed to our fellow Muslims brothers and sisters,” he said.
Polio: Ahmed tasks parents on vaccination of wards
Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin
ÏÏÏKwara
State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on mothers and caregivers to make their underfive children available for vaccination as often as required. Speaking at the inauguration of polio walk tagged; “End Polio Now Mega Rally”, to mark the World Polio Day held at the Government House, Ilorin, in conjunction with Rotary International, Ahmed promised to intensify efforts towards sustaining the gains of polio eradication in the state and Nigeria in general. He reiterated his commitment to intensifying support for immunisation which he said was the backbone of all vaccine preventable diseases,
Army to partner Ebonyi on agriculture Jacob Ogodo Abakaliki
ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Army has
stated its preparedness to partner with the Ebonyi State Government in area of agriculture to firm national food security. The Chief Transformation/Innovation of the Army, Maj. Gen. Edward Nze, disclosed this when he led a delegation from the Army headquarters in Abuja on a courtesy visit to Governor Dave Umahi. He said the Army had, in 2012, laid the foundation for the building of the Nigerian Army Campo Ration Factory, in Abakaliki, with a view to partnering the state to promote agriculture. He Umahi for donating some bags of Abakaliki rice
stressing a need to remain committed to funding immunisation and responding to surveillance. He commended the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and Rotary Club for their roles in polio intervention and immunisation in the state. He urged the people to shun superstitious beliefs and unfolded suspicion of health programmes. Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Raufu Ayinla noted that polio and other childhood diseases were preventable with proper vaccinations and encouraged mothers and care-givers to always make their children available for immunisation. to the Internally Displaced Persons in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, and conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff to the people of the state. He also used the opportunity to, on behalf of the Army, commiserate with Umahi on the death of his mother, Margaret. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Brig. Gen Umaru Mohammed, said the military was ready to meet the people of the state on their farmlands. “All over the world, the military take part in various activities. Here in Nigeria, we have been hearing about Abakaliki rice and it will be our pleasure that we partner with you in area of processing this rice, so that we wouldn’t need to rush to any other place to buy rice. Even Dangote will not need to import rice, but will come down to Abakaliki to buy.”
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
South East monarchs elect new leader amidst court injunction Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia
ÏÏÏSouth East Traditional
Rulers’ Council, last week, in Umuahia, elected a new Chairman amidst court injunction from the immediate past leader, His Royal Highness Eze Cletus Iromuanya of Imo State, restraining them from doing so. Iromuanya had ruled the Council for over a decade, even as he had been having running battles with his state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, over his Chairmanship of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers. Iromuanya had in a newspaper publication published his injunction over the conduct of elec-
tion by the south east traditional rulers, claiming that he was still the chairman of the body, praying the court to nullify the election and to make their deliberation null and void. However, the South-east traditional rulers, having dissolved their executive, on Monday, adopted Eze Eberechi Dick, on Friday, as their new chairman, who, before then, was the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers. Speaking after his adoption, Dick explained that what the Council did on Friday was to ratify the election and described the job of leading the South-east royal fathers as daunting. He promised to use his position to make NdiIgbo speak with one voice, point-
ing out that the era of crisis in the Council was over. He said that at the end of his tenure in the next three years, the position would move to Anambra State as stipulated in their constitution When they visited to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the royal fathers explained that in first week of August this year when the executive of the Council of traditional rulers was dissolved, it was agreed to have a new executive. Efforts, they said were made to fix the date on October 23 this year. “Up till then, the chairmanship was held by Imo State and by the principal of rotation we have adopted, the chairmanship is coming to Abia State”, the leader of the roy-
al fathers on the occasion, Eze Samuel Ohiri said. Ohiri, who is the current Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and who replaced Iromuanya in both capacities explained that since the Council was instituted, efforts had been made to handover leadership to Abia, but it did not work, stating “That was why the seven states in the Council agreed that after, Imo State, it was the time for Abia State. Imo would happily hand over leadership to Abia.” Responding on the occasion of the visit, Ikpeazu urged the South East traditional rulers’ council to remain united so as to assist the governors of the zone in meeting the aspirations of their people.
L-R: Senior Vice President, Babcock University (BU), Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro; Speaker, Prof. Dora Oluwafunmilola Akinboye and Dean, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University (BU), Prof. Nnodimele Atulomah during the 6th Inaugural Lecture of BU titled 'Parasitic infections: Challenges of control and eradication in public health' held at Babcock University, IlishanRemo, Ogun State… at the weekend
Akure
ÏÏÏThe Chairman of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, has accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of creating a burden on the residents of the state with its imposition of heavy taxation. Kekemeke made the accusation while christening the ultra-modern 200 capacity and fully air conditioned party’s secretariat hall after a philanthropist, Dr. Taiwo Ebunoluwa Malumi, who is also a chieftain of the party, at the weekend, in Akure, the state capital. He said the heavy taxation had made life unbear-
able for the residents in the state as it also negated the pledge made by Mimiko to execute policies that would make life comfortable for the electorate. The APC Chairman revealed that the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government had impoverished the inhabitants of the state with through its imposition of taxation. “We have a government that has created poverty and is taxing all. It has induced poverty and is taxing poverty”, adding that every government had become desperate for tax because they had taken some loan and allocations and spent them. Over N1 trillion, has been spent by this government without value
adding to the development of the state”, he alleged. Kekemeke noted that the APC would continue to be the mouth piece of the masses by speaking against the anti-people policies of the government, adding that the party was ready to take over the control of power in 2016 forthcoming election in the state. “I can assure that next year’s election will be a surprise in the state because our vision is to build a prosperous state,” he added. He also observed that the party had already learned from its past mistakes of how it lost the recently held House of Assembly election in the state.
Pita Chikwem
Minna ÏÏÏThe long-awaited names of commissioner nominees has been sent to the Niger State House by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for screening. Daily Times findings revealed that the governor gave the names of 15 commissioners to the Speaker late on Thursday evening but the list will not be unveiled until Monday’s sitting of the House.
’Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏThe
former AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo state, Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose, has admonished Nigerian women to participate in the democratic governance system of the country by involving themselves in politics, so as to make for a great future for the country. Ajasin-Anifowose gave the advice at the weekend while briefing journalists ahead of Tuesday’s seminar being organised for the wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ‘Women for Change’ holding in Akure, the Ondo state capital. She said if women refused to come out of their shell and compete with their men counterparts for the administration of this country, they might be rel-
Augustine Okezie
Mimiko
Unveiling the gold name-board, at the party’s secretariat, Kekemeke described Malumi as a rare philanthropist, whose immense contribution to the APC State Chapter was worthy of note and celebration. He explained how the Ilaje-born medical practitioner-cumpolitician bailed out the party by single-handedly paying two years’ rent of the secretariat at the time it was in need of securing an office space in the state.
Niger gov sends commissioners list to Assembly It was also learnt that the 15 nominees were for the 14 ministries as recently rationalized, as well as the State Planning Commission that would be headed by a commissioner, whose statutory position is the Vice-Chairman of the Commission.
Ajasin’s daughter urges women to participate in politics
ABU lecturer, medical students tango
Ondo APC fumes over Mimiko’s tax policy ’Tosin Ajuwon
25 News
Abuja ÏÏÏA Senior lecturer in the Department of Human Anatomy, Dr. Barnabas Dan Borno alias ‘DON B’ has denied allegations by students of Human Anatomy department in the Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and their call for his sack for what they called his high-handedness and incompetence In a telephone chat with the Daily Times from his Zaria base, at the weekend, he said that he had done no wrong to the students. It would be recalled that a 300 level student in the department, Mallam Ibra-
egated to the background. The erstwhile Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state disclosed that the APC Women for Change, under her leadership, was organising the one-day seminar to mobilise women in their large numbers on the need to partake actively in politics. The Chairman, Planning Committee for the Seminar, Mrs. Erelu Modupe Akindele-Johnson and the Secretary of the women’s group, Mrs. Folakemi OlowolagbaOgunshile, said the theme of the seminar was “Women Substantive Participation in Politics: The missing link in development. It will take place at SWAN Hotel, Ilesa Road, Akure, while the lead speaker at the event will be a former lecturer at the University of Lagos, Prof. Sophie Oluwole. him Zakari who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, had told the Daily Times that the students were yet to be convinced that Don B is qualified to handle his job considering the fact that he was not accessible to them and neither did he satisfactorily attend to their academic and departmental challenges He said “Don B is a sadist. There is nothing he does that excites the students, even when we approach him for mentoring, he distances himself from us.” Daily Times investigation further revealed that Dan Borno was earlier sacked as the head of department of Human Anatomy, in 2013, by the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mustapha, for negligence of duty and insubordination but he later found his way back.
26
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Features Æ LSG YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME:
The Buba Marwa structure other states should emulate
Ambode
Daily Times Features desk recently visited a 17-year old scheme in Lagos structured to provide ample opportunities for youths seeking gainful employment. CHARLES OKONJI and JOY EKEKE delved into the scheme and found it is a roadmap to curbing youth unemployment nationwide. Their report. Along the Ogba-Agege route in Lagos mainland is a familiar parade of mature youths clad in black and white uniforms. One may conclude that they could be students of a learning institute of some sorts and let it go at that, but they are not. A recent bus ride with one of the students, Tolulope one bright Monday morning, provided our correspondent the ample opportunity to look closer at this group of people and, behold, Tolupe turned out to be a university graduate of five long years! What could she still be doing clad in a school uniform
Marwa
The centre at Isheri trains refrigerator technicians, electricians, furniture makers and leather workers while in Badagry they have mat weaving, farming etc. Most of these traffic lights you see everywhere are done by the Isheri students and Lagos state government buys them from there – Programme Official five years after graduation? From there the story began to unfold. This is no ordinary school, it was a vocational school instituted by the Lagos state government for women development but has since been restructured as a strategic institute for battling youth unemployment. Unable to secure a job after graduation, Tolu had tried to run a little shop but proceeds from her sales quickly diminished. Left with no job and no capital for business, she ended
up seeking for vocational skill acquisition and today, she is training to become a certified hairdresser which she believes would guarantee a steady source of income for her. Her thinking is, “my skills will always be a part of me, unlike my capital which got exhausted, my training will be my new capital and it will always be intact.” Stakeholders have also agreed that vocational skills acquisition is the future and way out for the massive population of
unemployed youths in the country. A unique kind of school Daily Times investigation discovered that the ‘school’ Women Development Centre - was established as an agency under the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The centre is one of 17 in number and can be found in Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Surulere, Egbeda, Mushin Igando, Ojo etc; in fact they are spread across almost all the Local government areas of the state. Each centre is unique in its own way and offers specific programmes. At the Agege centre, which is actually the pilot centre, eight courses are on offer and they include catering and hotel management, Sewing and Fashion design, textile design, Art, Bead and Soap making. Others include hairdressing, photography, adult literacy, barbing and computer training. Our correspondents discovered that the training durations also vary and this affects the
intake period. For programmes that run for one year, admission is usually in January while the six months programmes receive students in July and the nine months programme begins in September. Computer training, photography, barbing and textile fall under six months while the other ones are 12 months or 9 months respectively. Sewing and fashion is 12 months inclusive of a 3-month industrial attachment. Instructors keep regular tabs on students during industrial attachments, while the students themselves fill out a log book on their activities. The progenitors The initiative was set up in 1998 by the then military Governor, Col Buba Marwa for fees of N5,000 – N10,000 respectively. However during the second term of former governor of Lagos State, Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu, the programme was declared free including forms. To stop people from collecting more forms than they needed, a CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Features 27
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
This is the solution to youth unemployment ‘‘Unfortunately ours is a country where we believe so much in certificates but people are now seeing that the only way we can stop youth unemployment is by vocational skills acquisition and gradually, we are getting there.’’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
token fee of N250 for obtaining the form was however reintroduced by Mrs. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the then commissioner for women affairs and later deputy governor under the regime of former governor Babatunde Fashola. Apart from the form fee, admitted students are also expected to buy their own materials for practicals, and this has proven to be an area of challenge for most students who basically have no one to cater for them. Good Samaritans Daily Times gathered that some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) do come around the centres in search of indigent students who cannot afford such materials; they not only help such students acquire these materials, but go as far as buying them sewing machines, hair dryers or whatever machines required to ply their respective trades upon graduation and pay for shops to start them off as each has need. It is heartwarming that we can still find such people good hearts in our great country. Funding for graduates Besides the good work of these NGOs, graduates that have issues of raising funds are recommended by the centre to the Lagos state Micro Finance institutes who are structured to empower this category of persons. The prerequisite is that they organise themselves into cooperatives – a group of five to ten, so they establish their businesses from the loan. Through these interventions, some of them are now salon and fashion house owners. The students Kayode chose to study catering because he enjoys cooking and wanted to commercialise his passion. Though already
a good cook, he confessed that his training at the centre made him realise that he didn’t know much. “I’ve been here for about a month and I have come to realise that there are lots of things I didn’t know; really, everybody is a learner. “I have also learnt different methods of doing some other things I knew, so I have to just compile everything together. I have a wonderful instructor Mrs. Olaoluwa, she is patient to listen to our questions and teaches us to gain understanding.” Before coming to the centre, Kayode had gone elsewhere to acquire professional catering knowledge, but unfortunately he couldn’t afford to pay the over N100,000 required by the private catering institute. He was lucky however to have been directed to the WDC by someone whose friend had graduated from the centre’s hairdressing department. “I was told when the form would be out so I waited until then and eventually I got the form, after the interview, some of us were selected, some others were disqualified, so here am I getting quality knowledge free of charge,” he beamed. The young man confided in Daily Times that from early childhood he has had to struggle by himself to make ends meet, “I am the one sponsoring myself from childhood, so for me, this is a very great opportunity. Anytime I think of it, it just leaves me speechless; I really thank the Lagos state government for this initiative.” Today he says he has turned into a kind of advocate on the streets counselling unemployed boys to come and acquire a vocational skill that would help them make a living and give their lives a sense of purpose. Daily Times also spoke to students in the fashion department who disclosed that they are
Youth empowering programme in session
trained in the making of both male and female dresses. Unlike what obtains in most fashion houses where young girls go for apprenticeship and are subjected to humiliating treatments by their mentors, a student at the centre disclosed that, learning is conducive because they are regarded as mature people and are treated with dignity. A Business Studies HND holder from Lagos state polytechnic and an indigene of Ogun state, Kehinde said the learning is quite intense covering all aspects of fashion designing and
sewing. “After I graduated, I knew exactly what I needed was to acquire a vocational skill that would help me set up my own business and that is why I am here today. We have masters and even PhD holders here and they are still learning.” Another HND in computer science graduate Bimbo, found herself in the fashion department because of her love for colour combination and interestingly she revealed that the centre was far more advanced than the standard out there. “Before I came here, I used
to be amazed at how wonderful my tailors made my clothes, but coming here, I began to spot errors in most of those clothes; before now, I really couldn’t spot them,” she said. According to her, the learning is so impactful that even before one graduates it is possible to have carved a niche out there with just the little practical knowledge being acquired. Augustine, an indigene of Lagos State is also currently enrolled for training at the Centre in the Computer Science department, said he learnt about the CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Features 28
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
A golden opportunity for free vocational training
eigners from The Gambia and Guinea. Winners The biggest winners are the individuals who recognise the golden opportunity free vocational training represents. The second winner is the state government which is trying to build a secure and empowered society and thirdly the society that would benefit from the professional services of the graduates as opposed to quacks who parade themselves as technicians and skilled artisans. According to a state official, the centre at Isheri trains refrigerator technicians, electricians, furniture makers, shoe makers and leather workers while in Badagry they have mat weaving, farming etc “In addition to some of the courses we do there, Most of these traffic lights you see everywhere were done by the Isheri students and Lagos state government buys from them.”
After I graduated, I knew exactly what I needed was to acquire a vocational skill that would help me set up my own business and that is why I am here today. We have masters and even PhD holders here and they are still learning. - Kehinde CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
school from a friend. “I found that the fee and everything here is free and to the glory of God, I am now a student of the school,” he smiled. He has NECO and NCE certificates, and has been in the school for a period of six months, according to him, “I have acquired so much knowledge and I can be
boastful that I passed through this school. From now if I have the opportunity of managing my own computer centre, I think I would perform excellently.” These are just a few testimonies of the impact the initiative is having in the lives of youths and the multiplier effects are also there to be counted. Sourcing trainers
Tinubu
Some of the trainers are sourced from the ministry of education and are civil servants; however, other instruc-
JUST HUMAN
12.05 am. ‘Two pairs of lazy hands are as good as one’. Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/095
tors like the hairdressers for example are established professionals who are contracted to train students at the centre for agreed contract terms. Impact Daily Times gathered that between 800 and 1000 graduates are rolled out from the school every year ready to start earning incomes on their own. Speaking on the importance of the initiative, a ministry official who does not want his name in print noted that “Unemployment is a big challenge in this country; youth unemployment is on the high side and that is the problem we are facing in this country. Also you can see that we are having a big problem of youth restiveness in the country and if all the states can start doing what we are doing in Lagos state, this problem would be solved.” Speaking further our source said, “Unfortunately our country is a country where we believe so much in certificates but people are now seeing that the only way we can stop youth unemployment is by vocational skills acquisition and gradually we are getting there.” Daily Times learnt that Lagos state accounts for about 50 per cent of students and states of origin and nationalities cuts across Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom , Anambra, Delta, Edo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Kadunna Enugu as well as Kwara statel, besides for-
Losers It is common to hear idle people complain year in and year out that their problem is not having the money to pay someone to teach them a trade, whereas, here is a place where vocational skills are taught free of charge. “A second category of losers are those who, without trying, conclude that you must know someone up there or at least be an indigene to access opportunity. Unfortunately for them, foreigners who have shown more courage have been admitted and trained at the centre and are now doing well for themselves. The third category of losers are states and local governments that are yet to fashion out ingenious initiatives to empower their youthful population and are consequently losing the fight against rising crime waves and insecurity in their localities. For those still scheming and waiting for employment in the state ministries and local government councils, here is a good advice: it is better to get a vocational skill now. It is no longer news that governments now go a borrowing cap in hand to pay salaries. Indeed, while you pass these mature youths wearing black and white uniforms and wonder why such grown-ups should still be wearing uniforms, what you don’t understand is that they are strutting their way out of poverty, unemployment and disillusionment in a very dignified manner for all to see.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Our Heritage Æ s
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe in his royal regelia during the Ofala festival
Colours, rhythms of
Ofala Festival in Onitsha
Judith Uzoma This year’s edition of the yearly Ofala Festival of the Onitsha people in Anambra State was colourful as the cultural fiesta continued its generation of interest even in neighbouring States and across the country. The festival which took place at Ime Obi, palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, along Awka road, attracted huge crowd of jubilant indigenes of the metropolitan kingdom as well as people from all works of life. Also in attendance was the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, the former President of Ghana, Mr. John Kuffor, represented by the country’s former Minister of Health, Road and Transport, Rt. Hon. Dr. Richard Anane, former Minister of Aviation and serving senator, Stel-
la Oduah, traditional rulers from several kingdoms in the state and environ as well as members of the Anambra State House of Assembly. There were also political stalwarts, business figures and tourists. Ofala is a yearly traditional festival which the Obi of Onitsha uses to mark the commencement of harvest season as well as celebrate the cultural values and heritage of the people. It also reflects the close bond among the people while marking a renewal of the land’s collective hope for peace, and prayers for prosperity in the Onitsha Kingdom. Telecommunication giant, Globacom was the key sponsor of this year’s event which was a colourful one. It marked the climax of the 2015 new yam festivities in the land. It was the 14 Ofala commemoration of Igwe Achebe since ascending the throne.
The three-day long celebration began on October 12 and ended recently was colourful. Addressing the large jubilant crowd that turned on the last day of the festivity, Igwe Achebe expressed satisfaction over the spirited participation of indigenes guests and tourists, the support of corporate sponsors and the success of the festival. “It is now time to express gratitude, firstly to our long standing partner, Globacom Limited. The success of Ofala Onitsha over the past several years has depended materially on the cooperation and support we have received from Globacom, ” the royal father said. The highpoint of the event was the carnival-like royal parade by the Igwe and members of royal cabinet (Ndi-Agbala-Nze). They danced gracefully as the crowd cheered hilariously.
29
Our Heritage 30
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
My experience with Awolowo’s statue —Adeola Balogun Adeola Balogun, a sculptor and teacher at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, recollects, with nostalgia, the day he mounted the giant statue of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the Allen Avenue roundabout, Ikeja, Lagos. HE SPOKE WITH AGOZINO AGOZINO, on why he was shocked, watching even the socalled miscreants support the project. Indeed, many deem art to remain only in the realm of painting and drawing, but, ask Lagos-based sculptor and teacher, Adeola Balogun, he will tell you, it is not so. The artist, who is also a teacher at the School of Arts and Design, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Yaba, Lagos, holds the view that art has grown beyond those conventional areas. For many years running, Balogun has toed the path of art which sees him take sculptural works to new heights, turning ordinary materials into spectacular monuments. In his Alagbado home, which also doubles as his studio/workshop, the sculptor displays an array of sculptural masterpieces made of metal and other materials. The place attracts a clients from all works of life, who regularly visit for sight-seeing or commission works. A visit by Daily Times recently, led to a chat. He disclosed how he sculpted the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s gigantic statue at the Allen Avenue roundabout Ikeja, Lagos, even when he never believed he would be called for the work and knowing that the job would immortalise his name like the late sage, he strove for excellence. “The inspiration came from the need to immortalise the sage because of his great legacies. I am happy for the work I did because when the younger people today see the sculpture, they are able to relate it with what they might have read in history books about this great man. The statue is 10 feet tall while the pedestal was constructed on an elevation, so if you add it to the statue, it will give you 10 feet,’’ Balogun said.
He described the work as one of the greatest commissions he had done, saying he always feel fulfilled each time he passes through and see the sculpture. Commissioned by the defunct Gulf Bank, when the first one was destroyed by extremists, Balogun said he was overwhelmed with joy when he watched the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, unveiled it in 1999. “For me, I feel very happy each time I pass through and see that sculpture there, because my name is on it. The first statue there was destroyed. Moves were made to restore it, but there was much delay. It was obvious that that those who commissioned the restoration were not pleased with the work done on the restoration and that was how someone recommended me for the work”, Balogun said. Seated at home, surrounded by art pieces of varied sizes and materials, the sculptor, who attended Yaba College of Technology and University of Benin, Edo State, said he used acrylic copper for the project. Aside the defunct Gulf Bank that commissioned him for the work, Balogun said that it was, actually the Ikeja Local Government Council that had, earlier, proposed the work. He said if there is any work that keeps him happy in his over two decades of career, it is that statue, because, it is always a spectacle to behold any day. But Balogun still laments the destruction of the first sculpture by suspected extremists. He notes that it is only those who do not appreciate aesthetics that embark on such destructive act. He said, if given the opportunity, he would advise that government enforce stiff penalty against such people. “Yes, it is unfortunate that within a period of two years, when the first one was commissioned, there was a constant attack on the sculpture by extremists. First, they destroyed the two hands, and later it was brought down by the same attackers. I pray it never happens again,’’ he said.
Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo statue at Allen roundabout, Ikeja
Balogun working on the statue before the commissioning
Asked to recollect the reaction of people on the day he mounted the statue, Balogun described it as supportive. Infact, he is yet to forget the surprise support he got from even the so-called miscreants. “Everyone around was happy and supportive, especially, the socalled ‘area boys’. The support my assistants and I got from
them was very overwhelming. For instance, while awaiting the crane and the work was still lying on the ground, people started gathering around us asking for what to do to assist us. I believe this was because of the respect they have for Chief Awolowo. They didn’t even ask us for any gratification, especially, the ‘miscreants’ around.
They were all elated that this was what they were expecting because it looked like ‘Baba’. They all assisted in the erection of the statue because of their love for Awolowo.’’ Balogun who said that Art, especially, sculpture, has always been misunderstood, said the reason is because people always misinterpret what sculptural works represent. “For instance, if you look at the work of Auguste Rodin, you will understand what I am saying. Since his death, it is still generating controversy. What Rodin did was to interpret the character of a man in the piece but the people did not see it that way. So they condemned him.” Balogun, who had established himself as a prolific executor of outdoor monuments and imposing bronze pieces, had produced over a dozen publiccommissioned statues that dot the major streets and parks in Lagos and environs,. He had participated in several solo and group exhibitions.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
31 Opinion
Is Emefiele listening to Sanusi? Yinka Odumakin
ÏÏÏFormer
Central Bank Governor and Emir of Kano,Sanusi Lamido, who has become relatively reticent since he became a traditional ruler had cause to speak on Thursday on the economy and he made quite a lot of sense. He advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to devalue the naira and loosen monetary policy in order to stimulate an economy hit by a plunge in the price of crude oil. “Let’s stop being in denial, we cannot artificially hold up the currency,” Sanusi said in a speech he delivered on Thursday in Lagos, aired on CNBC Africa. He said President Muhammadu Buhari “needs help on the economy,” Under Emefiele, the CBN has curbed dollar funding since March, virtually fixing the exchange rate. He has also limited access to dollars which has artificially stabilized the naira, which has closed at about 198-199 per dollar
Emefiele
Sanusi
in the official market since declining about 8 percent in the first quarter. The central bank’s rationing of hard currency and restrictions on foreign-exchange trading are hurting the economy according to the Emir. The economy expanded 2.35 percent on an annualized basis in the second quarter, the slowest pace since at least 2010. “We are depriving certain key industries of imports,” he said. “If we have to make a choice between economic growth and a devaluation, my recommendation is that we protect growth.” “Monetary officials
should lower the key interest rate from a record high of 13 percent to help stimulate the economy since the government lacks the funds to boost spending in the face of lower oil prices,” Sanusi said. “The portfolio flows are gone,” he added “Inflation is already upon us. You have fiscal consolidation. It is time to loosen monetary policy. Otherwise we compound an exchange rate crisis for businesses with high borrowing costs and declining demand.” Portfolio investors have fled Nigeria, with foreign holdings of naira government bonds falling to less than 10
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percent of the total from 27 percent in 2013, according to Standard Chartered Plc. Sanusi concluded by calling on the ministers who will serve in Buhari’s cabinet not to act like “courtiers.” “I hope people will have the courage to know that loyalty is about telling your boss the truth,” The last bit of the Emir’s is quite timely as many of the screened ministers were at their eloquent best when they expressed their gratitude to the president for considering them for the plum jobs.The mostly comical screening sessions itself never tasked the nominees in
the first place. The focus of this piece however is the poignancy of Sanusi’s admonition that we should quit living in denial and face the realities of our economic situation in the country.I have had to argue with bankers and economists in recent months on some of the measures the CBN has taken so far and many of them have done exactly what Sanusi just pointed out. We have a crisis of monumental dimension on our hands as our wrong approach to development over the years has caught up with us.For decades, we relied on oil rents which Abuja was shar-
ing monthly and mostly spent in reckless manners by those saddled with governance at all levels.We kept spending like drunken sailors and failed to invest in the future.We moved from crude to excess crude and never arrived at the point of refinement until the big crash. In 1992,General Babangida in one rare moment of honesty told us the “ economy has defied all analysis” and till date we have done nothing differently until the whole thing came tumbling down . As of today, there is virtually no connection between governance and the people as many states cannot afford pay salaries not to talk of being able to provide services to the people. But for the informal sector and our “we all need somebody to lean on”social system,our situation should by now be worse than that of Greece. The non-measures the CBN has been taking are like a man whose roof is sinking because it could no longer hold downpour and decides to use his hands to hold the ceiling. It is a matter of time before the roof would collapse on his head and crush him to death. This is why we cannot ignore Sanusi. But we must move beyond his suggestions to do fundamental restructuring that would birth diversification so as to halt a total collapse .
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R E T S E H C N A M S D N E Y B R E D W A R D B A R D IN M
anchester City moved to the top of the Premier League despite a dull goalless draw in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. United and City had the chance to make a real statement about their title chances by registering a big win, but neither was up to the challenge and the two teams played out just the third goalless draw between them in Premier League history. Wilfried Bony was unable to fill the considerable void left by Sergio Aguero’s absence while Yaya Toure had a day to forget playing in the number 10 role where the injured David Silva usually causes so much damage. United fared no better. It was only in the last 10 minutes that they started to turn the screw on their rivals. Wayne Rooney failed to mark his first match
as a thirtysomething with a goal. The United captain, who needed his head stapling together after a clash of heads with Vincent Kompany, was anonymous throughout. Jesse Lingard rattled the bar and Joe Hart saved from Chris Smalling at the death, but otherwise the hosts did not trouble the City goalkeeper. A wall of noise hit the players as they emerged from the tunnel and both sets of fans traded insults from opposite ends of the packed stadium. The atmosphere soon dampened down, however, as a dull first half ensued. Rooney did his best to ignite proceedings, hurtling at the away defence. Toure was lucky to escape a booking after taking down the United
skipper near the halfway line. Juan Mata appealed for a penalty after the ball brushed Fernandinho’s arm, but Mark Clattenburg waved play on. The Brazilian entered the book for a clumsy challenge on Anthony Martial, who was United’s only threat in the opening half. The Frenchman won a free-kick after bamboozling Bacary Sagna, but United wasted it. It was goalless at Old Trafford between the two Manchester rivals. While Antonio Valencia was down having treatment for a knock, Rooney sprinted to the touchline with blood gushing from the top of his head following a clash with Kompany. United’s medical staff stapled the wound together so he could carry on.
Toure wasted two half-decent chances before the break, but otherwise City offered little. Marcos Rojo was doing an excellent job keeping Kevin De Bruyne quiet and Raheem Sterling was not in the game. Sterling paid the price for his poor showing. Jesus Navas came on for the winger just after the break. Lingard and Marouane Fellaini came on for United while City substituted a disappointed Toure for Martin Demichelis. Nothing changed on the pitch, however. Neither team looked like breaking the deadlock. There was a moment of panic in the away defence when Mata broke through, but Hart rushed off his line to deny the Spaniard. Lingard thought he had won the game with his first United goal five minutes from time. Martial took the ball off Navas and chipped a delightful ball into the box. The Warrington winger lifted the ball over Hart, but the ball struck the bar and bounced out to safety. The England goalkeeper then denied Smalling with a fine save down to his left with two minutes to go.
Life&
TIMES Monday, October 26, 2015
Segun
Arinze
Consummate actor cum voice over artiste L2
P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Every script has its challenges
– Segun Arinze
‘I wish I had my kids from one woman’
Mutiat Alli Known for his exemplary roles in Nollywood movies, Segun Arinze Aina is one of the foremost Nigerian actors who has remained a household name since his first days in the Nigerian Entertainment scene. A consummate actor, singer cum voice over artiste, Segun Arinze was a former head of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). The award winning thespian was recently cornered by MUTIAT ALLI at the Thanksgiving service of popular comedian, Julius Agwu, where he talked about clocking the milestone age of 50, the crisis that has plagued the AGN, his wish to have fathered his kids from one woman, his projects and other sundry issues. Excerpts: You came to celebrate with a friend and a brother, Julius Agwu. How did you receive the news of his ill health? I was really shocked and somehow terrified. It is not something I believed at first but I had to gather myself as a man. I’m so happy he is back on his feet and agile now. We need to give thanks to the Almighty God on his behalf because he survived what many couldn’t. It is indeed a rebirth as he mentioned in church because his survival tale is a testament that God truly works. You clocked 50 recently, do you see yourself reducing the number of projects you appear in? No, it doesn’t change anything. Age is only a number and I am happy to join the league of entertainers and other influential Nigerians who have attained the same age. There is no difference whatsoever but I only have to thank God for giving me an opportunity to be 50. It is no child’s play considering those we grew up together or even spent our youthful years with. Many are alive while others have gone to the great beyond. Will attaining 50 make you take a more relaxed role? I have a lot of things I do and some others I am about to start work on. So clocking 50 has nothing to do with me resting on my oars. I think what only matters is the inspiration those around you and the next generation draw from what you lay hands on. The way I see it is that, it is pertinent for individuals to work towards setting proper standards and lay a good foundation for others to tap into. That is what I think people should reflect on always.
Life&
T E A M
Talking about setting proper standards,
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye
you were once the President of AGN and the body has been plagued by different court issues. (Cuts In) I knew you will mention this. There is no problem in AGN and that is the truth. How about Emeka Ike who has publicly announced himself as the head? I don’t want to trade words with him because he lacks pedigree. Emeka Ike was never AGN President. The media should stop giving him attention because he is just an attention seeker who wants to be in the news for the wrong reasons. If he wants to head the guild, let him go through the right process. The process is, get the form, go through the required screening, and then contest for the elections when certified. It is when he becomes victorious at the election process that he can then declare himself as the president of AGN. What do you make of him and his followers who assume he is the president? He has been claiming to be the AGN president since I left as the head of the guild in 2011 before Ibinabo came in. Why didn’t he purchase the forms to contest elections then? This is how he will continue till Ibinabo’s tenure expires next year and another individual will emerge president. He is hallucinating and he needs to wake up from his slumber. But there was a court hearing on the same issue earlier in the year. What is the true situation on that? There is no problem with that. The court said the guild should return to status quo which in military parlance means ‘to return to normal or as it is’. Ibinabo still remains president and her tenure expires next year. Do you think what is currently happening is taking the shine off the executives of AGN? Not at all. The AGN is functioning and the guild has several activities its executives carry out at different points in time. It doesn’t affect the guild in any way in as much as those who are handling affairs understand what to do at the required time. You are blessed with a loving family and arrived this event in company of your wife (Laughs) She is one of the best things that has happened to me. You fathered kids from different women. Do you sometime wish or would it have given you more joy if they had come from one woman? Yes of course but I wouldn’t want to
Photography Quadri Olowolagba
dwell on that. It has happened and I don’t have any power over that or to influence the outcome for whatever reasons. If you had the power or an opportunity to change it, would you have corrected it? Yes, I would. Why not? As I mentioned earlier, I have no power over what have happened in the past and I have moved on from there. I have a beautiful wife and very loving kids who understand their dad for who he is. So there are no issues in any way. Making a case now will only amount to going back into what happened several years ago which I don’t have the power to do correct. You recently starred in a historic movie titled ‘Jaja The Great’. How challenging was the role? You see, every script has its challenges and you have to deal with it in the best form. Jaja The Great is a very good movie and the first time I studied the script, I was marvelled because it was well thought out. I played the role of a leader of the security force and there are different events that surrounds my character in the movie. Were you auditioned for the role or the producers decided you were the best fit for the role? I wouldn’t say I auditioned for it but I got a call from the handlers that Nonso Emeka wanted me to feature in his forthcoming movie. The funny side of the story was that I was busy at that time and I originally thought they might have considered someone else. I got the call again and I was on set to commence shoot after a few days. The whole experience was fun because I enjoyed every bit of playing a part in history. How difficult was it getting into character compared to other roles you have played in other movies in the past? It will be bad of me to compare my works. (Laughs). Seriously, but Jaja The Great was very challenging on its own and viewers will love it when it finally comes out. Should fans expect the movie anytime soon? The movie is currently in the editing stages and from my discussions with the production team, it should probably hit TV screens later in the year
Graphics Onyemali Kingsley
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
L3 Luxury
Most Expensive bags in the world
Stephen Adeniran Fashion items have become a common fixture for the modern women, and bags are now becoming treasures of utmost regard. They all come in various brands, shapes, styles, and colours. These bags are designed for high fashion and for the extremely rich people, while others are created to complement the
urban chic. Luxury handbags are getting extremely popular with celebrities and stars around the world. Many luxury handbag brands make exquisite pieces of these bags on request or for the red carpet events. These bags have become the symbol of wealth and status, as its price is much cost.
5. Urban Satchel Louis Vuitton Another brazen design Bag – $150,000 from Louis Vuitton, the fashion house came up with a bag that is made of trash, literally. Composed of derelict items such as water bottles, cigarette packs, and chewing gum wrapper, the Urban Satchel bag looks like it belongs to the garbage dump rather than a woman’s closet, but this bag cost as much as 150,000 Thousand Dollars. It is rated fifth most expensive bags in the world.
3. Chanel “Diamond Forever” Handbag
1. Mouawad Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive handbag in the world, which cost 3.8 Million US Dollars, this kind of bag is the masterwork of 10 professional artisans who put in 8,800 hours to complete the bag. The heart-shaped purse is fashioned from 18karat gold; which is known as the most precious stones that adorn its surface – 56 pink diamonds, 105 yellow diamonds and 4,356 colorless diamonds.
Chanel’s “Diamond Forever” handbag cost as much as 261,000 thousand Dollars. It is designed from fine crocodile leather and adorned with 334 diamonds totaling 3.65 carats. The shoulder straps are fashioned from white gold. There are only 13 of these and 5 are in the United States.
6. Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag – $120,000 This bag was created as an homage to a British singer and actress Jane Brikin. This beautiful purse from Hermes is designed from top the grade crocodile leather and features clasps decorated with 10-carat of white diamonds, and it cost 120,000 Thousand Dollars.
4. Lana Marks 7. Leiber Precious Rose Bag Cleopatra Bag – $92,000 This topnotch purse from Leiber – $250,000 is made of high quality materials.
2. Hermes Birkin Bag This bag is rated the second most expensive bags in the world, which cost 1.9 million Dollars. Brikin Bag has expensive features it possess such as 2,000 diamonds in its outer shell. Apart from that, the bag comes with a diamond sling that can be removed and be used as a bracelet or a necklace. A centerpiece diamond, a pear-shaped 8-karat stone sits at the front and can be removed and worn as a brooch. Platinum plus diamonds is a very expensive combination indeed.
Lana Marks Cleopatra bag is a highly coveted item in the fashion world. It is a kind of bag which is rated among the world most expensive bags because of its heavy price and what it is built from. Only one Cleopatra bag cost 250,000 Thousand Dollars and it is produced every year and each bag differs in design and colour. This year’s Cleopatra bag from Lana Marks is made of alligator hide in a metallic silver hue. The 18-karat white gold clasp is encrusted with 1,500 black and white diamonds.
9. Gadino Bag– $38,470 Gadino Bag is made of tough crocodile leather. This handbag gets its value from being designed by Hilde Palladino with the price of 38,470 Thousand Dollars, one of Norway’s leading fashion figures. This high end designer purse is fitted with clasps made of white gold and is adorned with 39 high quality white diamonds.
10. Marc Jacobs Carolyn Crocodile Handbag – $38,000 Marc Jacobs Carolyn’s bag is made from exotic crocodile leather, with purple crocodile skin. This elegant Carolyn bag is one of his most popular accessories launched so far. This bag is rated one of the most expensive luxury bags because of it hefty price- 38,000 Thousand Dollars.
Molded to take the shape of a rose in full bloom, from the leather down to the metal clasps and sling. But its high value comes from the fact that it is practically covered in precious stones – 1,016 diamonds, 800 tourmalines and 1,196 pink sapphires to be exact. This bag is very precious, as it price is precious also, it cost 92,000 Thousand Dollars.
8. Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag – $42,000
Breaking from the usual trend and mold and blazing its own path, the LV Tribute Patchwork bag flaunts a radical look that is rare among high end designer handbags and purses. The design features several handbags patched into a single item. It’s like having multiple bags at the same time. Only 20 of these were ever made and music siren Beyonce Knowles already got her hands on one. It cost 42,000 Thousand Dollars.
Event L4
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Garlands as Air Peace turns 1
It was a night of glitz, frills and glamour as Air Peace Airline celebrates one year of operation in the Nigerian aviation industry. BABAJIDE OKEOWO was at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos venue of the celebration.
L
agos was agog, on Sunday, when Nigeria’s fast-rising airline, Air Peace, rolled out the drums to mark one year anniversary of its operation in Nigeria. It was an assemblage of the cream-de-lacream of the Nigerian society who gathered to identify with the aviation firm and its phenomenal turnaround of the industry in Nigeria. For both Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Barrister Allen Onyema, and staff of the firm, Sunday, October 25, 2015 would remain evergreen in their memory as hordes of well-wishers brazed the chilly Lagos night to felicitate with them and to celebrate Air Peace Airline. In a moving speech at the epoch-making event, Barr. Onyema revealed the reason be-
hind the establishment of Air Peace Airline which was his commitment to complement government’s efforts at reducing unemployment in the country. Though a lawyer by training, Barr. Onyema also is driven by the passion to impart his community positively in all that he lays his hands on. When he took to the podium to address the gathering, the philanthropist extraordinaire got a standing ovation from the mammoth crowd, which suggested that the revolution that Air Peace Airline had brought into the Nigerian market is raging like wild fire. He went down memory lane on his journey so far to the present which he said started way back in 2007. “The decision to float an airline was borne out of the desire to create jobs. If it was about profit-making,
I would have kept my money in the bank and earning double digits interest rate on my investments. “Air Peace is for the welfare of mankind. I am happy when I see the faces of workers in Air Peace who, today could boast of a means of livelihood for themselves and their loved ones” he maintained. In his goodwill message at the occasion, Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), corroborated earlier positions that the Air Peace Airline has revolutionalised the Nigerian aviation market and is fast becoming number one customer’s choice. In the words of Alaibe, “Air Peace Airline has come to redefine the aviation landscape in the country by the quality of the service they render. I want to congratulate
Air Peace Airline and to encourage them to keep up the good work,” Alaibe said. Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, also lent his voice to the avalanche of praise that came the way of the airline and its proprietor. Engr. Abdulsalam summed it all this way: “In just one year that Air Peace Airline has been operating, they have done well for themselves.” For Chief Charles Odunukwe, Chairman of Colonades Hotel, he was full of praises for Air Peace Airline, saying “It is hard to believe that Air Peace Airline is just one year old. Given the quality of services rendered, it looks as they have been around for long,” he said. Al Ihekwaba, Head, Contracts and Do-
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
mestic, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC, introduced a comical angle to the praise-singing saying, “Since the name of the airline is Peace, whoever flies the airline will have peace.” Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc,
Nnamdi Okonkwo, also had some good words for the chairman and staff of the airline. According to Okonkwo, “Air Peace Airline represents everything that is good in the Nigeria aviation industry.” He confessed to flying Air Peace Airline on regu-
lar basis and admitted that the company was second to none in the aviation industry in Nigeria. The event also had in attendance eminent personalities like Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission,(TREM),
L5 Event
Bishop Mike Okonkwo; a former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mutiu Sunmonu as well as Publisher of the Daily Times newspaper, Fidelis Anosike, among others at the event.
PHOTOS: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Music Gist L6
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Mutiat Alli
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Casper Ynovest, 162 others to attend AFRIMA 2015
Edge Records’ artiste OgANn releases single “Baby Na Master’’ On this track, OgANn confesses how loyal and complete his woman is, thereby declaring her “master of his world.” The maturity and rhythm of this song is unmatched; there is no way you won’t love this. This is the right song to play when you have that babe that just messes your heart with so much loyalty, respect and love. A song you want to share with that special someone. Coupled with a sample from the song “Lady” by the great Fela Kuti, OgANn once more flexes his uniqueness and versatility on a mid tempo Afro beat instrumental produced by Choco Jay. The song was mixed and mastered by Swaps. OgANn
The Don is back!!!
Ladysmith Black Mambazo In celebration of African music and culture, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in league with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) has announced AFRIMA 2015 nominees and the multiple award-winning male choral group from South Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, to lead the invasion of over one hundred and sixty two (162) African superstars who have confirmed attendance to the 2015 AFRIMA Awards slated for Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Ladysmith is arguably the most decorated male group in Africa, having won multiple awards including four Grammys in 1988, 2004, 2009 and 2013 respectively. Formed by Joseph Shalala in
1960, the group has been singing together since the early 1950s. However, it was Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s collaboration with Paul Simon in 1986 for the Graceland album that brought it the much needed international acclaim. Confirming their performance at AFRIMA Awards, band’s manager, Majozi Christopher Zolisile, stated: “AFRIMA 2015 will be staged in November which coincidentally is the month for Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s 55th anniversary. It will be amazing and electrifying to perform on a big stage like All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2015 in Nigeria. We are looking forward to it.” Artistes billed to perform at the award ceremony include Yemi Alade, Charlotte Dipanda, Papa Wemba, Diamond Platinum,
and Olamide to mention but a few. Other artistes and nominees that that have confirmed attendance include Davido, Wizkid, P-Square, Timaya, Nneka, Flavour, Darey, Brymo, Seyi Shay, Wande Coal, Praiz, Niyola, Patoranking, Adekunle Gold, Kiss Daniel, Aramide, Timi Dakolo, Vanessa Mdee, Bebe Cool, Tsedenia, Alikiba, H_Art , AKA, Busiswa, Amantle, Cindy Munyavi, Gazza, Blade Deep/Delura, The Soil, Kunle Ayo, Cassper Nyovest, Sarkodie, Stoneboy, Toofan, Kiff No Beat, Dark Suburb “The Skeleton”, DJ Arafat, Wiyaala, Sekou Kouyate, Gangbe Brass Band, etc. The 2015 AFRIMA Awards will be broadcast live to 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world with the support of AFRIMA media partners.
After a long break from music, Lanre Dabira fondly known as Eldee is back in the game with the recent release of his new single titled ‘‘It Ain’t All Bad’. The single which is a sample of a track off Scarface’s 12th album ‘Deeply Rooted’ according to Eldee chronicles the last few years of his career as a musician. Eldee
Bez announces sophomore album release
Julius Agwu honours Arik Airline Having successfully undergone a brain surgery, Ace Comedian, Julius Agwu, is full of grace and appreciation as he last week made a courtesy visit to the management of leading airline, Arik Nigeria, for their keen support throughout the thick and thin of his career. The ace comedian was welcomed by the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue and Mr. Ola Adebanji, the Public Relations Officer of the company. Agwu led by his team made an award presentation which was received by the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Charles Ndulue, for their support towards the Agwu brand and the Nige-
Bez
Several years after the release of his debut album ‘Super Sun’, alternative soul singer Bez is ready with his sophomore offering titled ‘Gbagyi Child’. According to Bez, ‘It’s 4 years after Super Sun, and now we’re finally at the beginning of another phase. This time I went back to my village, Karu in Nasarawa State to inspire some sounds, merging them with LIVE sounds from New York, Houston and Lagos’. The new album is produced by Cobhams Asuquo and it features his previously released single; ‘My Baby’.
Photospeak MD Arik Airline Mr Charles Ndulue receiving an award from Comedian Julius Agwu) rian entertainment industry at large. On why the award was necessary, Agwu disclosed that a brand that have supported him for over some-
times now, flying his crew members out of the shores of the country, deserves nothing better than an award of this nature as more is still yet to come.
Muyiwa Ademola
Muyiwa Ademola plays the role of a mad man in new movie titled ‘Ayelabawo
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
L7 Buzz Bytes
Mutiat Alli
ON
Set
Movie Title: Out of Luck Directed by: Niyi Akinmolayan Cast: Tope Tedela, Femi Branch, Linda Ejiofor, Adesua Etomi, Jide Kosoko, Chigurl, Wole Ojo, Kunle Remy, Sambasa Nzeribe. Synopsis: ‘Out of Luck’ follows the adventures of a young lottery operator whose life turns upside down when a local gangster insists that he pays out on a lottery he did not win.
OUT: Femi Branch and Jide Kosoko
OUT: Tope Tadela, Wole Ojo and Adesua Etomi
OUT: Niyi Johnson, Linda Ejifor, Tope Tadela
Movie Title: Bashed Directed by: John Njamah Produced by: Yolanda Okereke Cast: Kalu Ikeagwu, Mike Ezuruonye, KC Ejelonu, Tana Adelana, Bolanle Ninolowo, Venita Akpofure, Emmanuel Ikubese, Uche Jumbo
BAS : Venita Akpofure and Uche Jumbo
Movie Title: Different Stroke Produced by: Mosun Filani Directed by: Damola Olatunji Cast: Ronke Odusanya, Damola Olatunji, Ibrahim Chatta, Mosun Filani, Mercy Ebosele amongst others. Location: Oshogbo
BAS: Uche Jumbo and KC Ejelonu
BAS: Mike Ezurounye, Uche Jumbo, Venita Akpofure and Emmanuel Ikubese
Diff: DOP Tajudeen Opebiyi, Mercy and Damola
BAS : Mike and Uche Jumbo
Movie title: Nectar Produced by: Taiwo and Kehinde Sobowale Directed by: Tunde Olaoye Cast: Alexia Ehi, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Lara Akinsola, Maureen Okpoko, Felix Omokhodion, Fausat Balogun (Madam Shaje), Shola Sobowale amongst others. Synopsis: Nectar tells the story of the relationship between three families; The Adelekes, The Akanbis and The Olowolagbas who are all rivals for several reasons. The series captures various elementary human emotions such as love, confusion, dismay and betrayals.
NEC: cross section of some of the cast and crew on set
NEC: producer Shola Sobowale and Keppy
Diff: Mercy, Ronke Odusanya and producer, Mosun Filani
NEC: Keppy Epeyoung
Diff: Ibrahim Chatta alongside Mercy Ebosele
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 26, 2015
Tinsel
Showing on
13:30 Mon, 26 Oct | PG13
Showing on 150 Africa Magic Showcase ‘S8/E1536 - 8/1536’. Tsav takes a huge risk to deliver a personal message to Amaka. The girls adjusts their travel plans as the Baale and Prince Ojo pay a very special visit. Bimpe confronts Nina and causes trouble for Soji.
101 M-Net
L8 Television 166 Z World Channel
Married Again
08:00 Mon, 26 Oct | PG
‘S1/E94 - 1/94’. Yash’s father is accused of having another child outside his marriage. He agrees to take a DNA test to prove he is not the father. Aarti breaks into Radha’s house in search of ammunition and is shocked at her findings.
120 BBC Entertainment
118 Telemundo
128 SONY MAX
00:20 Would I Lie To You? 00:50 The Cube 01:40 Call The Midwife: Christmas... 03:00 EastEnders 03:30 EastEnders 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Royal Pains 14:00 Arrow 15:00 Resurrection 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 The Goldbergs 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Grey’s Anatomy 19:30 Mysteries Of Laura 20:30 Elementary 21:30 Carte Blanche 22:30 Hello Ladies: The Movie
154 AfricaMagic Family
00:55 Out Of The Ghetto 02:30 Jane And Abel 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Scarlet 05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Redial 08:30 Living With Trisha 09:25 Mashariki Mix 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Goge Africa 14:30 Nowhere To Be Found
04:00 EastEnders 04:30 EastEnders
03:50 The Impostor 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love
15:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:00 Prem 16:30 Tenant 17:30 Mary Slessor 18:00 Jane And Abel 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 19:55 Paul’s Puzzle 21:00 Nowhere To Be Found 21:30 Goge Africa 22:05 Living With Trisha
05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
14:10 Total Wipeout UK
05:25 QI
16:00 EastEnders
06:00 The Thin Blue Line
16:30 Deal Or No Deal
00:30 Killer Karaoke
06:30 EastEnders
17:10 The Cube
01:30 Tattoo Nightmares
07:00 Antiques Roadshow
02:00 Most Shocking
07:55 The Weakest Link
18:05 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
08:45 The Chase
19:00 Celebrity MasterChef
04:00 Exposed
09:30 Total Wipeout UK
20:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA
04:30 Exposed
10:30 The Cube
21:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA
05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak
11:20 New Tricks
21:50 The Graham Norton Show
05:25 Exposed
12:20 Top Gear
22:40 Would I Lie To You?
05:50 Exposed
13:15 Come Dine With Me
22:30 Would I Lie To You?
06:15 Video Zonkers
15:05 The Weakest Link
155 AfricaMagic World
03:00 Most Shocking
06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers 12:05 Video Zonkers 12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:35 South Beach Tow
00:05 Music Block 01:10 Good Morning Africa 02:10 Deal Or No Deal SA 03:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 The Heart Of A Shepherd 07:50 Star Gist 08:25 Star Gist 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA
13:00 Music Block 14:00 Star Gist 14:30 Star Gist 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Lies That Bind 16:00 The Dzigbordi Show 17:00 So Wrong So Wright 17:30 So Wrong So Wright 18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 19:00 Kumwesu 19:30 Kumwesu 20:00 Revelation 21:20 Jara 21:55 Music Block
15:05 Most Shocking 16:05 1000 Ways To Die 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Video Zonkers 17:30 Caught On Camera 18:30 What Went Down 19:00 South Beach Tow 19:30 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago 20:00 Enemy Territory 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Sexy Car Wash 22:30 Most Shocking
ROBBEN SCORES AS g X2 BAYERN CLAIMS 1000TH WIN
X4
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
About
SCHOEMAN
Roland Mark Schoeman is a South African swimmer and was a member of the South African swim team at the 2000 Olympic Games, 2004 Olympic Games, 2008 Olympic Games, and the 2012 Olympic Games.
Poster!
Born in Pretoria, Schoeman first took an interest in the sport when he was 13, and began to compete three years later. He has said that he began swimming to show a girl how interested he was in her. This marked the beginning of a career that would see him attain a gold, silver and bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games; three gold, a silver and a bronze World Championship medals, as well as four gold, three silvers and three bronzes at the Commonwealth Games. He set new South African records in the 100 m Freestyle (48.69 s), 50 m Freestyle (22.04 s), 100 m Butterfly (52.73 s) and 50 m Butterfly (23.65 s) events. He won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens in the 4 × 100 m freestyle, a silver medal in the 100 m freestyle event and a bronze in the 50 m freestyle. Three of the Men’s 100 metre Freestyle team were in the team that broke the record and won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He also claimed golds in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Schoeman, who is asthmatic, was voted the African Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and the South African Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was elected South African Sports Star of the Year in 2004.
ROLAND SCHOEMAN
In 2007, he received the South African Presidential Award Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, awarded for excellent achievements in the field of swimming.
PERSONAL INFORMATION Full name: Nationality:
Roland Mark Schoeman South Africa
Born:
July 3, 1980
Pretoria, South Africa Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Weight:
84 kg (185 lb; 13.2 st)
Sport: Swimming Strokes Freestyle, butterfly Club:
Phoenix Swim Club (USA)
Coach:
Herbie Behm
At the 2005 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, Canada he won two gold medals [50 m Butterfly (in a world record time of 22.96 s) and Freestyle (21.69 s, the second fastest time in history at the time)]. He also claimed a silver in 100 m freestyle. Schoeman has broken three long course world records (two individual, one relay) and six short course world records (all individual).
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Roland Schoeman Monday, October 26, 2015
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Monday, October 26, 2015
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NAZE MILLIONAIRES WON’T STOP HOPING-EFUGH Stories by Mike Pius
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eartland captain and centre back, Chinedu Efugh is positive that his side will not end emptyhanded the ongoing season. The Naze Millionaires are seventh on the top flight on 50 points 12 points behind league leaders and neighbours, Enyimba. Efugh said the outcome of the next two matches against oriental neighbours, FC Ifeanyiubah and Giwa FC will greatly shape things for the Owerri outfit. “We are more than ever boosted by the hard fought win against Sharks to look forward to a respectable finish at the end of the season. “We have a target though for obvious reason we decided to keep it close to our
hearts. “However, a good performance in the next two or three matches will go a long way to shape our destination. “I know that a victory at FC Ifeanyiubah and Giwa FC will see us inching close to the third spot everything other things being equal. “Right now our resolve is to give the remaining four matches our 100% attention hopeful that we can claim flawless result. “The hard fought victory against Sharks has revived the waning hope that nothing is yet completely lost. “Sharks’ clash was unarguably the toughest so far in the ongoing season, the Port Harcourt side came to Owerri determined to earn a point or the whole three points at stake.
AZUBUIKE SEES RED IN TURKEY N igeria U-23 team captain, Okechukwu Azubuike was expelled by referee while in action for his Turkish second division team Yeni Malatyaspor on
Saturday. Yeni Malatyaspor, who also paraded two other Nigerians, Sunday Mba and George Akpabio, lost 2-1 at home to Denizlispor on Saturday. The former Bayelsa United player was given the matching order for a second booking in the 68th minute when his side was 2-0 down. He is on the list of the foreign-based players invited by coach Samson Siasia for the CAF U23 Championship next month which will serve as Rio 2016 Olympics football event qualifier.
ROBBEN SCORES AS BAYERN CLAIMS 1000TH WIN
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rjen Robben opened the scoring and played a starring role on his return from injury as Bayern Munich eased to a 4-0 Bundesliga win over
Robben
Cologne. The Dutch winger was a surprise inclusion in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for a first appearance since suffering a thigh injury while playing for his country last month. Having earlier tested Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn, Robben put the defending champions in front in the 35th minute and Arturo Vidal made it 2-0 at half-time. Robert Lewandowski continued his rich vein of goalscoring form by heading a third just after the hour, and a Thomas
Muller penalty ensured Guardiola’s team bounced back from the midweek Champions League defeat to Arsenal by emphatically keeping their 100 per cent league record intact. Cologne crafted an early chance on the counterattack, Simon Zoller drilling his shot too close to Manuel Neuer, before Robben almost crowned his return in the seventh minute. Kingsley Coman - back in action himself following a thigh strain - picked out the Netherlands star at the near post, where he pivoted to send a left-footed volley towards the far corner.
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NPFL SEASON ENDS NOVEMBER 15
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Stories by Mike Pius
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oach Emmanuel Amuneke over the weekend gave his wards the hairdryer treatment, following their shoddy 2-1 loss to Croatia in their last group phase match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 at Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo. The Golden Eaglets lost the initiative despite racing to a first half lead courtesy Victor Osimhen’s goal in the 20th minute goal only for Croatia to score twice in the second half through Josip Brekalo and Karlo Majic in the 50th and 54th minutes respectively. Moments after the match, Amuneke told the Eaglets inside the locker room matter-of-factly that their poor performance against the Europeans was totally unacceptable, even as he challenged them to an improved performance in subsequent matches. “This is the World Cup and we can’t play as bunch of friends and expect to win,” rapped the former Barcelona winger. “We refused to play today and our body language was so disappointing and unprofessional.
AMUNEKE GIVE EAGLETS HAIRDRYER TREATMENT “We thank God we are already through to the next round and that means we have to redouble our efforts and prepare well for our next game on Wednesday,” he noted. Speaking further at the post-match conference, Amuneke said the Croats deserved their victory, explaining the
UJAH
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Golden Eaglets were a shadow of the team that earlier beat USA 2-0 and Chile 5-1. He said; “Both teams came with the objective of winning but unfortunately, our boys did not raise their game even right from the first half.
Ends No-Goal In Style
igeria international Anthony Ujah returned to the business of scoring goals for his German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on Saturday after he scored a brace in a 3-1 win over his former team Mainz. He opened the scoring in the 38th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead, before he doubled their lead in the 44th minute. Ujah who has not scored since his strike against Hoffenheim on 13th September, 2015, has now scored four goals for Bremen this season in the Bundesliga. He was replaced with Claudio Pizarro in the 82nd minute.
Ujah
he Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season will now end on November 15 after the League Management Company (LMC) rescheduled the games which were affected by CHAN qualifiers against Burkina Faso. In a release signed by LMC COO Salihu Abubakar, Week 35 games earlier scheduled for October 24 have been moved to October 28, while Week 36 games will be played on
Herrera
I WILL PLAY ANYWHERE FOR MAN UNITED-HERRERA
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FATAI
anchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has insisted that he will play anywhere that Louis van Gaal needs him to, so long as he can contribute to the team, as per Manchester Evening News. The Spaniard missed three league games through injury but has proved himself to be an important member of the United midfield this season after a patchy campaign last time around. As Louis van Gaal’s first signing at Old Trafford, the 26-year-old is having to compete with some newer signings in
Tops Nigeria Strikers In Europe
S Fatai
parta Praha of Czech Republic forward, Kehinde Fatai, further enhanced his credentials as Nigeria’s hottest striker in Europe, with a goal in his team 2-2 draw with Schalke 04 in the Europa League. The goal was his second in the tournament and his seventh overall this season, after netting 5 times in the league. 25 year old Fatai was stopped by FIFA from representing Romania, as even though he has the country’s passport he wasn’t eligible for them when he played for the junior team of Nigeria. The former JUTH FC of Jos forward has however
November 1. The rescheduled games, IfeanyiUbah vs El Kanemi and Sunshine Stars vs Rangers will take place on November 4. Week 37 and 38 games will then be played on November 8 and 15 respectively. Six-time champions Enyimba lead the 20-team table with 62 points from 34 matches. They are closely followed by Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists.
been snubbed by Nigeria even though his goals per game ratio is far better than some players, who have played in the Super Eagles in the years under review. However there is hope he might be handed a call up by new Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh, with reports indicating he is under the watchful eye of the coach in a view to being included in Nigeria’s next competitive game. Since moving to Europe in 2008 the dark skinned forward has scored 48 goals in the domestic league he has played in which includes Romania, Belgium and now Czech Republic.
the shape of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin and an old stalwart in Michael Carrick, but the 26-year-old insists that he will play anywhere the manager wants him to. “I think it’s very good for the manager, for the team and for yourself when you can show yourself in the different positions,” Herrera said. Herrera won all four of his attempted take-ons against CSKA Moscow. “I think I played three games as No.6, the holding midfielder, and No.8 and No.10 much more. But I feel good in all the positions.
Chelsea’s season goes from bad to worse
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helsea’s terrible start to the season plumbed new depths on Saturday when the Premier League champions lost 2-1 at West Ham United, manager Jose Mourinho was banished from the dugout and midfielder Nemanja Matic was sent off. Mourinho, who was fined 50,000 pounds last week for his comments about referees following Chelsea’s defeat by Southampton, has been involved in other controversies this season and found himself back in trouble at half-time.
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About
SCHOEMAN
Roland Mark Schoeman is a South African swimmer and was a member of the South African swim team at the 2000 Olympic Games, 2004 Olympic Games, 2008 Olympic Games, and the 2012 Olympic Games. Born in Pretoria, Schoeman first took an interest in the sport when he was 13, and began to compete three years later. He has said that he began swimming to show a girl how interested he was in her. This marked the beginning of a career that would see him attain a gold, silver and bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games; three gold, a silver and a bronze World Championship medals, as well as four gold, three silvers and three bronzes at the Commonwealth Games. He set new South African records in the 100 m Freestyle (48.69 s), 50 m Freestyle (22.04 s), 100 m Butterfly (52.73 s) and 50 m Butterfly (23.65 s) events. He won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens in the 4 × 100 m freestyle, a silver medal in the 100 m freestyle event and a bronze in the 50 m freestyle. Three of the Men’s 100 metre Freestyle team were in the team that broke the record and won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He also claimed golds in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Schoeman, who is asthmatic, was voted the African Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and the South African Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was elected South African Sports Star of the Year in 2004. In 2007, he received the South African Presidential Award Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, awarded for excellent achievements in the field of swimming. At the 2005 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, Canada he won two gold medals [50 m Butterfly (in a world record time of 22.96 s) and Freestyle (21.69 s, the second fastest time in history at the time)]. He also claimed a silver in 100 m freestyle. Schoeman has broken three long course world records (two individual, one relay) and six short course world records (all individual).
PERSONAL INFORMATION Full name: Roland Mark Schoeman Nationality: South Africa Born: July 3, 1980 Pretoria, South Africa Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Weight: 84 kg (185 lb; 13.2 st) Sport: Swimming Strokes Freestyle, butterfly Club: Phoenix Swim Club (USA) Coach: Herbie Behm
Roland Schoeman
Monday, October 26, 2015
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FEATURE
VARO A N N CA ALONE AMID ATTACKING DOMINANCE
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hen Fabio Cannavaro took to the stage at the Zurich Opera House to thunderous applause nine years ago this December, he had three good reasons for wearing the widest of smiles. Not only had he led Italy to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup months earlier and then been named FIFA World Player of the Year, he was also the first - and to date only - defender ever to collect the beautiful game’s most prestigious individual accolade. “I think I won because the strikers haven’t had their shooting boots on,” Cannavaro told FIFA.com with a wink immediately after the awards ceremony. The 33-year-old had enjoyed his moment, stealing the spotlight from his esteemed attack-minded colleagues, while showing plenty of his trademark charm. “It cannot be underlined enough just how important defending is in football, even though it might not be the most creative part of a team,” he said. “And it’s not as if it [good defending] isn’t nice to watch. We defenders often make vital interventions over the course of a match and can often have just as decisive an influence on the final result as the strikers.” Statistics favour attacking stars Since the FIFA World Player of the Year began in 1991 – followed by the
FIFA Ballon d’Or from 2010 onwards – only four non-attacking players other from Cannavaro have made the final three-man shortlist: German goalkeepers Oliver Kahn (second in 2002) and Manuel Neuer (third in 2014) as well as defenders Paolo Maldini (runner-up in 1995) from Italy and Brazil’s Roberto Carlos (second in 1997). While the roles of midfielders Lothar Matthaus (1991 winner) of Germany and Spain’s Xavi (third in 2010 and 2011) could possibly be classed as defensive, their dynamic playing style and technical class means that either player could, or should, also be considered as an attacking catalyst. So how do defenders’ prospects look ahead of the 2015 vote? Among those listed on the 23-man list of candidates – selected by experts from FIFA’s Football Commission together with a further panel of experts from France Football and from which the captains and head coaches of the men’s national teams will now pick the winner – only Bayern Munich custodian Neuer can be categorised as playing behind the midfield. However, he is also joined on the list by Argentina’s Javier Mascherano, an experienced defensive midfielder increasingly deployed as a centre-back. The shortlist also includes three other midfielders who can, when required,
play a deep-lying role: Frenchman Paul Pogba, Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic and Germany’s Toni Kroos. Titles boost chances Attacking midfielders, forwards and strikers dominate the FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA Ballon d’Or statistics. But why? “Of course it’s always easier to rate players when they’re scoring plenty of goals,” explained Germany’s 1990 FIFA World Cup winner Matthaus in a recent interview with FIFA.com. “Cannavaro was a centre-half who hardly ever found the target – but it was thanks to him and his strong backline that Italy became world champions in 2006,” he went on. “As a player I was always focused on pushing forward but was also prepared to defend for my team, so when the team achieved success I think I benefited from it and won the title.” Thiago Silva holds a similar view. In 2013 the Brazilian central defender won the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain and lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil with A Seleção. Although he was subsequently the only defensive representative on that year’s 23-man FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist, he did not rate his chances of making the final three: “[As a defender], if you win the
World Cup it may open the door to this award, although I think [even then] it would be difficult. Out of every ten years, a centre-back may win it once.” While experts and fans alike have long known that the back four often set the tone in a modern football match, with centre-backs often touching the ball more than anyone else on the pitch, it is difficult to argue with the fact that moments of individual attacking genius usually make the difference. “When players like Messi or Ronaldo stand out so much, it’s extremely tough for someone in my position,” said Sweden’s defensive midfielder Pontus Wernbloom. “You’ve really got to produce something spectacular, like winning the Champions League and the World Cup while being the standout performer for both club and country,” he continued, “but it’s not easy to win those kinds of tournaments without attacking players who can score regularly.” Goals not everything Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this rule. Germany’s triumph at the 2014 FIFA World Cup was due in no small part to a string of exceptional performances from Neuer. Fans around the world will recall not only his remarkable reflexes but also his ability to play as an “eleventh outfield player”, enabling his team-mates to push far
higher up the pitch. “It was great to see Neuer up there alongside Messi and Ronaldo,” said USA shot-stopper Brad Guzan, recalling his fellow keeper’s third place at the most recent FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala. “And it’s good to see the rest of the world sitting up over the last few years and realising that goalkeepers are as important to the team as outfield players.” A year earlier the women’s vote proved to be even more remarkable, as Neuer’s compatriot Nadine Angerer was crowned FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year at Zurich’s Kongresshaus in January 2014. France’s defensive midfielder Amandine Henry believes Angerer’s win has led to a shift in mindset. “For a long time it was only the goalscorers who won awards, but now we’re realising that, in women’s football too, every position is really important,” she told FIFA.com. “There’s more recognition now and it’s a great motivator because you don’t necessarily need to score goals to have people say you played a good game. Players in other positions can stand out as well. It began with Nadine Angerer, and it helped a lot that she was voted the world’s best player by experts because supporters often only remember the goalscorers.” Spectacular feats and gamechanging moments Despite this progress, many notable defenders still acknowledge that attacking players will always be a step ahead of the competition when it comes to selecting the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner. “It’s just a fact of life that the most decisive moments are also the most important,” stressed Switzerland and Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. “As a football connoisseur you know that defensive moves can determine the outcome of a game just as much as attacks can, but fans want to see a spectacle, and goals are the greatest spectacle in football.” Willy Sagnol offers yet another perspective. A runner-up at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Frenchman was among the best right-backs in the world during his time with Bayern Munich. “The FIFA Ballon d’Or has always gone to attacking players, and as a defender I’ve never found that frustrating,” he said in a 2012 interview with FIFA.com. “Football’s not meant just for elite sportsmen. It’s for lovers of the game too, and professional football is something that brings people together. It’s a sport that’s there to make people dream, and that’s something a defender can’t do, which I think is completely normal.”
Monday, October 26, 2015
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Transfers…Transfers…Transfers…
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SCORES ON BOLTON DEBUT Obasi
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underland manager Sam Allardyce has said he will decide whether or not to give Nigeria forward Chinedu Obasi a contract in the new week. Obasi, who is currently a free agent after being released by German Bundesliga side Schalke in the summer, has spent time training with ‘The Black Cats’ first-team squad in an attempt to persuade Allardyce to sign him. “He’s been injured with a broken shin, and that had taken a long time for him to recover, and he spent some rehab time in America,” said Allardyce. “His agent got hold of me and said he was worth looking at based on his CV, which looked pretty
Sunderland decide on trialist OBASI good, so we’ll make a judgement early next week.” Allardyce outlined a desire to improve his squad when he agreed to replace Dick Advocaat at the struggling EPL club.
Calleri
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helsea fans are intrigued to hear reports from South America, which suggest the Blues will make a surprise move to secure a new striker.
With 24 of their 25 Premier League squad places filled, Sunderland have space to accommodate one free agent before the January transfer window opens.
CHELSEA REVEALS NEW STRIKER TARGET TalkSport claim the Blues have joined the hunt for Boca Juniors forward Jonathan Calleri, rivalling Championship leaders Brighton and Hove Albion for his signature; whilst Inter Milan also hold interest. The 22-year-old Argentine is tipped to leave his continent imminently to make an impression in Europe, after firing an impressive 20 goals for Boca this term; whilst laying on 11 assists for his team-mates. Boca Juniors are desperate to hold onto their star-man but are unlikely to deny the player a chance to make his name in Europe, though they will demand a significant fee for the player’s services. For Chelsea, Calleri is likely to be a replacement for the struggling Radamel Falcao, who has emerged as a January target for Fiorentina amid suggestions the Blues will cut-short his loan spell in West London.
he decision of Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon to sign Nigerian striker Shola Ameobi has benefited the team as the former Newcastle United striker scored on his debut Saturday against Leeds United. The towering striker scored to help Bolton draw 1-1 at home to Leeds United from close range. The 34-year-old forward was a 12th minute substitute for injured Gary Madine and he scored in the 32nd minute to give his team a 1-0 lead. Lennon initially said Ameobi won’t get a contract after trials, but changed his mind and signed a deal on Friday.
Ameobi
Barca consider move for OLIVEIRA
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arcelona are set to make a shock approach for veteran forward Ricardo Oliveira when their transfer ban is lifted in January. As reported by Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, and relayed by the Daily Mirror, it is believed that the former Valencia striker could be making an unexpected return to La Liga. The 35-year-old is currently plying his trade for Santos in his homeland of Brazil but who could turn down a move to the Nou Camp? Earlier this month, Oliveira received his first Brazil call-up for eight years, and now it appears that the twilight years of his career could glow brighter yet. His agent, Roberto de Assis Moreira – who is Ronaldinho’s brother – has also reportedly said that he sees his player going to Barca.
Oliveira
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Cricket
PAKISTAN THREATEN WORLD T20 BOYCOTT
Golf
KO
CHARGES INTO LEAD IN TAIWAN T he New Zealand golfer has charged into the lead after the third round of the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship, and is now just 18 holes away from a victory that would regain her the world No 1 ranking. They don’t call it moving day for nothing, and the 18-year-old Koreaborn Kiwi certainly made hers during a third round at the Miramar Golf and Country Club where she steadied after an up and down front nine to blast four birdies in five holes over the run home and take a firm grip on the tournament. Ko leads by four shots after carding a third-round five-under 67 to take her to 13 under. South Korea’s Eun-Hee Ji
is second on nine under, while England’s Charley Hull is third, a shot further back. Korea’s So Yeon Ryu had a two-under third round of 70 to lie fourth on seven under. It did not look so promising for the terrific teen early in her third round after a double bogey at the par-4 5th and a bogey at the par-4 8th saw her cancel out birdies at the 2nd, 3rd and 6th holes to turn anchored on her overnight score of eight under. But then the teenage tyro steadied and unleashed. She parred the par-4 10th and then rattled off birdies at 11, 12 14 and 15 to storm into a decisive lead. Just for good measure she birdied the par-5 18th to complete the ultimate moving day round, and establish daylight on the chasing pack.
HAMILTON Masters Rain In Practice
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s rain continued to have its effect on running at COTA, Lewis Hamilton emerged fastest during final practice, having set the fastest time when conditions were at their best. Moderate rain in the beginning of the session made it worthy to come out immediately. Conditions and times improved gradually during the first 20 minutes of the session, before more intense rain arrived to make conditions worse again.
Even though officials mandated full wets during the entire session, Nico Rosberg still was a little bit too optimistic in the early stages of the session, going off the track and diving into the tyre barriers at Turn 3. He did manage to return to the pits where mechanics fitted his car with a new nose to allow him to continue running. Later on, when conditions became worse in the second half of the session, many drivers went off, but none with car damage.
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this year. The arch-rivals have yet to agree the first of six proposed series between 2015 and 2023. Talks were disrupted after far-right Hindu nationalists attacked Board of Control for Cricket in India offices, protesting against games with Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board warned their government “will say don’t go” if India do not agree to a series this winter. The 2016 World Twenty20 is due to be held in India in March and April. PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said: “This is possible that if India close all doors then we have to decide and make a policy. We will have to take advice from the Pakistan government and I think the government will say don’t go in the event.” India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral Test series since 2007 after New Delhi stalled the ties in the aftermath of terrorists attacks on Mumbai in 2008, blamed on militants based across the border. India were due to play two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals this year in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan play their home Tests because of security concerns in their own country.
Ko
SMYTH Clinches World
Gold In Doha Athletics I
Formula One Smyth
Hamilton
akistan may boycott next year’s World Twenty20 if India fail to play a proposed series with them
rish Paralympic stars Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop have both clinched gold medals at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Doha. Smyth, 28, won the fifth world title of his career by retaining his T13 100m title as he clocked 10.62 seconds. The sprinter is travelling home on Saturday night for the birth of his first child, who is due on Sunday. Smyth’s room-mate McKillop retained the T38 800m title 90 minutes later in a season’s best time of 2:01.31. McKillop, who is from Glengormley on the outskirts of Belfast, will be favourite to win a sixth IPC world gold medal when he defends his T38 1500m title next Friday. Three-time Paralympic gold medallist McKillop, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, moved into a big lead after 400m and while Tunisia’s Abbes Saidi cut into the advantage, the Irishman held on to win by 1.03 seconds. “I knew what I had to do. It was a planned performance,” said McKillop following a victory which came after another injury-affected season. “There was no winging it today, especially when you aren’t 100%, you need to know what you are doing. “They were catching me down the home straight. I was hanging on for grim death.