Daily Times Preview Edition 2014

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 VOL. 1. NO.1

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Court stops Obasanjo’s book presentation

A Filipino resident collects belongings on a damged house in Borongan city, Samar island, Philippines, yesterday. (EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG)

Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

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Chief

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has restrained former President, Olusegun

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•Buruji Kashamu checkmates ex-president and ally

Tension as PDP holds guber primaries Oil price Akinjide Akintola

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head of today’s gover norship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), several factional clashes

across the chapters of the party in the country are threatening the exercise.

Governorship candidates of the party across the country are to start

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may crash to $60 per barrelg 30

Hayatou decries Nigeria’s abscence at Nations Cup

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

News

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Court stops Obasanjo’s book launch CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Obasanjo, from proceeding with plans to publish his new autobiography, entitled: ‘My watch’.

The Court equally barred the former President from having someone publish the book on his behalf.

Justice Valentine Ashi, gave the restraining order on Friday after listening to Mr Alex Iziyon (SAN) who argued a motion ex-parte brought on behalf of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buruji Kashamu.

The motion is marked: FCT/HC/M/2392/2014.

Iziyon had argued that the content of the book relates to issues contained in Obasanjo’s December 2, 2013 letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and former PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, where the former Prersident claimed that Kashamu was wanted in the Unit-

ed States.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that since the content of the letter was the subject of the libel suit his client filed against Obsanjo, which is still pending before the court, it was wrong for the ex-president to be allowed to proceed to comment on, write books about or make publications on the issue yet to be decided by the court.

Justice Ashi, in his ruling, restrained Obasanjo from either publishing the book or having it published on his behalf by anybody, pending the determination of the main suit still pending before the court.

According to Justice Ashi, “The defendant, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whether by himself, his agents, servants, privies or any other person by whatever name called and howsoever described, is hereby restrained from

publishing or caused to be published in the yet to published book, ‘My watch’ or any autobiography or biography and any extracts of same, by whatever name called or howsoever titled, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice hereof ”..

The judge similarly restrained Obasanjo and his agents “from further writing, printing, publishing or causing to be published or printed or circulated, or otherwise, publishing of and concerning the plaintiff, the statement contained in the Daily Sun (pages 47-49) and The Leadership (pages 3 to 8 ) newspapers of December 12, 2013 and which statements are alleged to have reproduced the letter written by the defendant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria titled: ‘Before it is too late’ or similar statements pending the determination of the

motion on notice.”

Justice Ashi further ordered the applicant to “execute a bond with the Registrar of the court to pay such damages as shall be assessed should it turn out that the order ought not to have been granted in the first place.” He adjourned hearing on the main suit to December 10.

Mr. Buruji Kashamu, it would be recalled, had, shortly after the content of the letter became public, sued the former president for alleged defamation of character.

He argued that the defendant (Obasanjo) “maliciously and recklessly published a letter titled, ‘Before it is too late,’ which contained words which he (Obasanjo) knew to be false.”

In his writ of summons, Kashamu stated that the criminal imputation made against him by Obasanjo in his letter, has injured him (Kashamu).

Crises galore as PDP holds guber primaries CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

emerging as from today.

The candidates would emerge from the over 200 aspirants who obtained the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms with a view to hoisting the party’s flags ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial elections.

The PDP has already held its Primaries for the State Houses of Assembly and House of Representatives across the country.

The aspirants will test their popularity among the party delegates. Last minute peace efforts to woo delegates to their side were underway all through yesterday in order to ensure the emergence of popular candidates that could take on the candidates of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Apart from the factional clashes, several court cases have also been instituted by some aggrieved aspirants with

conflicting court rulings and judgments which appear to be creating a great deal of confusion for the exercise.

Today’s primaries is going to be a test of the cohesion within the ruling PDP which prides itself the greatest party in Africa given the fact that the opposition APC held its primaries last Thursday in seemingly less contentious atmosphere.

In Lagos, the major gladiators are Mr. Jimi Agbaje and

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, amongst many other aspirants. Both men are not new in the race having clashed in 2007 but lost to incumbent Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

While Agbaje contested under the platform of the Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA), Sen. Obanikoro who, like Agbaje, also decamped from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was the candidate of the PDP. Their candidacy had pitted

their numerous supporters against one another precipitating tension a possible clash today.

This is against the backdrop of reports that the party has indicated its plan to field a Christian candidate in obvious response to the protest by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state that it was the turn of a Christian to become governor of the state after over 16 years Muslims have been in the saddle.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Editorial

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Wanted: National policy for the physically challenged

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ome said it never happened. But it doesn’t have to have happened.

It is the lesson inherent in it that any society desirous of progress ought to take to heart. It is the lesson of being our brothers’ keepers. If lesser primates can do it, why not men who claim to be atop the pile?

A hunter had unexpectedly come upon a troop of monkeys attempting to cross a wide river somewhere in East Africa. And he could not hold his jaws from dropping ajar as a miracle unfolded before his very eyes. And rather than open fire as he was wont to do, he sat humbled as he learnt new lessons in humanity from mere beasts.

The troop of monkeys, comprising the agile, the old, nursing mothers, the wounded, the infirm etc, looked agitated as if some danger threatened the whole community. And so the crossing of the river was a desperate necessity.

But the river was full and the current swift. Only the strong could dare a crossing…it was then the miracle started.

Quickly, with practised efficiency, a large monkey, possibly the leader, climbed a big tree close

to the river bank. Then having attained some height, it wrapped its strong tail around an equally strong branch, then hung free and swinging. Next came another strong monkey. This one climbed the first and presented its tail for the first monkey to grasp. A third monkey did likewise. And then the next, and the next…

This way, a chain of life monkeys began to stretch across the river struggling and soaking wet but with heads above water. Then, at last, one large monkey, the last of the chain, got close enough to another big tree at the other end of the river.

Then, as the human hunter wondered what would happen next, the last monkey of the chain took a long leap onto a bough of the tree. And thus was formed a long bridge of monkeys hanging somewhat precariously a few feet above the swift waters. Apparently they were the strongest – and bravest of the community.

Then from the other end of the river, other members of the troop, using the chain made by their fellow citizens as bridge, began to walk across. The aged, the infirm, the wounded, the sick.

The physically challenged…

And as our human hunter

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TIMES of Nigeria

Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Editorial Gage Editor

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gawked in wonderment, every member of the monkey community passed safely to the other side.

Then the first monkey who started the chain let go of his tail-hold while the last monkey on the other side of the river climbed higher thus dragging the equally swimming chain of fellow monkeys off the river.

At last, every member of the simian community crossed safely to the other side. The hunter could hunt no animal again that day. He went home a wiser man.

Many Nigerians are disabled in many ways. But among the most easily noticeable are the physically disabled, whose ranks anybody can join any day through no fault of theirs. The Nigerian state shouldn’t feel too high or too human to learn from those lowly monkeys of the above tail.

A national policy on the dis-

‘Bring down fuel price’

Fidelis Anosike

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nze

Head Graphics King Ododoru

abled to make an already difficult life less difficult should be formulated. Many countries have done so. Even down to making their transport systems friendly to the physically challenged. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the public transport system is so designed that persons on wheel chairs can board easily. Similar provisions are made for those whose sights or hearing are impaired in some way.

As the world recently marked the international Day of the physically challenged, the Nigerian state should be more responsive to the plight of its citizens in that category. Is there a better parameter for measuring the advancement of a society than its care for its weakest?

It is a lesson Homo sapiens can learn from the apes. If apes can do it, men and states can --and should do better.

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Deputy Editors

Head of Operations Innocent Nwakwo

Head, Sales & Marketing Moses Ebong

Okay Osuji

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

Babatunde Fashola

Lagos State Governor speaking at the After School Graduation Development Centre Ikeja Yesterday

“Now we should be enjoying cheap fuel if the price of oil has dropped globally. Even as we import the product, a major component has reduced in price and while this has reduced, the pump price of fuel in the country still remains the same.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

5 News

CJN accuses lawyers of aiding corruption on the Bench Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

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hief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed at the weekend accused lawyers of aiding and abetting corruption on the Bench.

Justice Mohammed made the accusation while playing host to the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by its President, Chief Augustine Alegeh (SAN), who paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

Justices Mohammed Tanko Ibrahim, John Fabiyi, and Bode RhodesVivour also joined the CJN to receive the visitors.

A statement by media aide to the Chief Judge, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, said that Justice Mahmud accused the lawyers of aiding corruption in the Bench

when they (lawyers), run to the courts to seek orders preventing the National Judicial Council (NJC) from investigating judges alleged to have acted wrongly, while clamouring for cleansing the rot in the Bench at the same time.

Said he, “I want to use this opportunity to urge the Bar to put the interest of the system far and above the individuals.

“Imagine this scenario; you in the Bar decry the “rots” on the Bench, calling for disciplining and cleansing of the judiciary by weeding out the bad eggs on the Bench. Yet, you are the first to jump to the court to seek restraining order on NJC to stop it from the investigation and trial of a judge based on a petition brought against the judge before the council.

“How then is the principle of fair hearing sustained?, he asked.

Justice Mahmud also called on lawyers to go

headlong to find solutions to the situation in Rivers State judiciary.

He continued, “The perpetual closure of court in River state is unacceptable. NJC has never said governors can’t appoint State Chief Judges.

“But the violation of the principle of checks and balances by state governors in Rivers State as enshrined in the constitution for the appointment and disciplining of erring Chief Judges or Judges is equally unacceptable.

“Seniority is part and parcel of the legal profession. To just appoint a chief judge from any position without recourse to seniority arrangement is an invitation to anarchy in the system just as we are now witnessing in Rivers State”.

However, the NBA president said he had personally made some efforts and had met with the Rivers State gover-

nor, Rotimi Amaechi, who is disposed to a consensus candidate, on the grounds that the NJC withdraws a letter for appointing Justice Daisy Okocha as Administrative Judge of River State.

Alegeh then suggested that if the next most senior judge in the Rivers State High Court was not acceptable to all the parties, a Justice of the Court of Appeal could be appointed to head the state judiciary for two years.

But Justice Mahmud asked what happened if the said Appeal Court Justice was younger on the bench to some of the current Justices of Rivers state High Court before his or her elevation.

He reiterated his call on NBA to use its clout and contact to tackle the problem in the Rivers State judiciary to mitigate the sufferings of the litigants and lawyers Mohammed in that state.

Only credible election can safeguard Nigeria’s democracy – Mark Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

S Mark

enate President David Mark has said that only free, fair and credible election is required in 2015 to safeguard and sustain democracy in Nigeria.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said the

Senate President spoke to delegates at People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s House of Representatives’ primary election in Otukpo, Benue State.

He said in spite of the various challenges in the country democracy is the only way to go for the country.

The Senate President also said that the ruling People’s Democratic

Party (PDP) was not afraid of the existence of any opposition party in the country. He also declared that PDP is the only party devoid of any religious or ethnic sentiments in the country.

Mark also expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the election and urged his people to sustain such in the 2015 elections.

According to him, I always want to lead by example. You can see from the conduct of my people here that my constituency is most peaceful.

According to him, ``You cannot find was quarrelling or creating an atmosphere of disaffection because we do things in a dignified manner. ``We believe in justice, equity and fair play.

Above all, we allow the will of God and the will of the people to prevail. ``For us, the people are the kings and we act in tandem with their wishes and aspirations,” Sen. Mark said.

The Senate President also urged politicians to abide by laid down rules and wishes of the electorate to avoid acrimony in the polity.

News 6

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Lagos State candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 Governorship election, Mr Akin Ambode, celebrating his victory at the weekend.

Goje slams govt, NASS on neglect of PIB Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

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former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, has accused both the Federal Government and the leadership of the senate of not showing the required commitment towards the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The former governor is also currently the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

Goje, an All Progressives Congress (APC), specifically said that the Senate leadership

had not only starved the committee of funds, but had frustrated its efforts to carry out necessary activities to pass the Bill.

The APC senator, who stated these during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, expressed serious doubts on the willingness of the present National Assembly to pass the PIB. Said he, “As the Vice - Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), I am deeply involved in the whole exercise. It is like the Federal Government does not want this Bill to be passed.

“I am also of the view that the leadership of the senate does not want this PIB to be passed.

“I am saying this because our Joint Committee of the two senate committees on Petroleum resources ( upstream and downstream), and that of the Judiciary was expected to hold public hearing.

“Initially we wanted to go abroad to see how other countries overcame their own problems, especially those who faced similar problems with Nigeria, but were not given the facilities to go.

“We even wanted to conduct public hearings in the six geo-

political zones to get the feelings of Nigeria on the PIB, but we were not given the funds to do that.

“In fact we are being starved of funds in the joint committee.

We are not been encouraged, we are not given the facilities to do the work.

“That is why it is said in the senate, it looks like some people somewhere are not interested in getting this Bill passed.

“So, this bill may pass if and only if some miracles happen between now and the end of the current legislative year.

“I hear some people say, PIB may soon be passed. When

is it? We are in the committee, even the public hearing was not properly conducted.

We only did one public hearing or two in the National Assembly. And a very, important Bill like PIB, which is the live wire of this country, deserves more than that”, he maintained.

Goje also reasoned that in view of the importance of the PIB to the people and the entire economy, the Committee ought to go round the country to conduct public hearings with a view to getting the pulse of the people in order to know how to handle the passage of the proposal.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

7 News

Chinese firm accused Only credible election can safeguard of $770,000 fraud Nigeria’s democracy – Senate President ...Says PDP not afraid of any party Augustine Aminu

M

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

S

enate President David Mark says only free, fair and credible election was required in 2015 to safeguard and sustain democracy in Nigeria.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said the Senate President spoke to delegates at People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s House of Representatives’ primary election in Otukpo, Benue State.

He said in spite of the various challenges in the country democracy is the only way to go for the country.

The Senate President also said that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was not afraid of the existence of any opposition party in the country. He also declared that PDP is the only party devoid of any religious or ethnic sentiments in the country.

Sen. Mark also expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the election and urged his people to sustain such in the 2015 elections.

According to him, I always want to lead by ex-

Mark

ample. You can see from the conduct of my people here that my constituency is most peaceful.

According to him, ``You cannot find was quarrelling or creating an atmosphere of disaffection because we

do things in a dignified manner. ``We believe in justice, equity and fair play.

Above all, we allow the will of God and the will of the people to prevail. ``For us, the people are the kings and we act

in tandem with their wishes and aspirations,” Sen. Mark said.

The senate president also urged politicians to abide by laid down rules and wishes of the electorate to avoid acrimony in the polity.

anaging Director of Sanju Sunny Nigeria Limited, also known as China Railway No 3 Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr. Du Sheng, has been accused of swindling $770,000 from the country through the company’s branch in Nigeria.

The complainant, Mr. Jhang Bin, who was indicted by the management of the company in its end of the year annual report, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accussing his boss of siphoning the company’s money through various means.

Mr. Bin said most of the money taken from the company was between 2010 – 2011 which he was not the managing director of the company.

According to him, he assumed office as the managing director of the company in January 2013 and ended his tenure in April 2014.

“How could I have expended money before I became the managing director and none of the documents have my signature,” Bin said.

According to some of the documents made available to our correspondent by the complainant, one of them read thus: “Because of the operating needs for recently work, the related procedures of the Kaduna

housing construction projects need to be examined and approved by the Ministry of Finance for getting the approval procedures as soon as possible, we give 20,000U.S. Dollars to Kaduna State Finance Minister as gifts,” It noted.

The document further stated that due to the requirements of operating work recently, the payment procedures of Minna highway project needed to be examined and approved by the EFCC to obtain such approval of the procedures as soon as possible, we give the responsible person of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for $ 60,000 and N15,500,000. Reimburse $ 6, 0000 for this sheet.

Sanju also claimed it gave cash gifts to officials of Gombe ministries of finance and works in 2011.

The amounts which ran up thousands of dollars were to a dam project in the state.

Some of the payments were as far back as 2010.

But all contracts for which the monies were released failed to materialize.

“These are the kind of people who give our country bad image. We want the Nigerian government to take note of their nefarious activities and ensure that nobody does business with them,” Bin said.

Daily Times also discov-

Continued on page 8

Mark, Suswam, Mku win PDP senatorial tickets

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enate President David Mark, Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Mike Mku, on Saturday picked the PDP’s ticket to contest the 2015 general elections in their respective senatorial zones in Benue.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who covered the primaries for Benue South Senatorial District,

reported that the election was held at the Otukpo local government secretariat.

Announcing the results on Sunday in Otukpo, the Returning Officer for the election, Mr John Akume, said Mark scored 384 votes to pick the party’s ticket while his only rival, Mr Mike Onoja, withdrew from the race hours to its commencement.

Mark had represented the zone, comprising Otukpo, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Agatu, Oju, Obi, Ohimini and Apa local government councils at the senate for 16 years.

At the Akume Atongo stadium, where the primaries for the Benue North East Senatorial seat held, Gov Gabriel Suswam polled 312 votes to emerge the winner.

NAN reports that the

other contender for the seat, incumbent Sen. Barnabas Gemade, had withdrawn from the race a week earlier.

The returning officer for the election, Sen.Godwin Okpeh, therefore, declared him winner.

In a post election speech, Suswam thanked the people of the zone for their support during his tenure as governor and for nominating him as

their flag bearer for the 2015 general elections.

At the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, the returning officer for the Benue North West Senatorial District, Mr Bob Nenge, said Mike Mku polled 168 votes to beat three others.

The others were former Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Terseer Tsumba, Mr Laha Dzever and Mr Sam Bula.

Suswam

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

7 News

Chinese firm accused Only credible election can safeguard of $770,000 fraud Nigeria’s democracy – Senate President ...Says PDP not afraid of any party Augustine Aminu

M

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

S

enate President David Mark says only free, fair and credible election was required in 2015 to safeguard and sustain democracy in Nigeria.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said the Senate President spoke to delegates at People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s House of Representatives’ primary election in Otukpo, Benue State.

He said in spite of the various challenges in the country democracy is the only way to go for the country.

The Senate President also said that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was not afraid of the existence of any opposition party in the country. He also declared that PDP is the only party devoid of any religious or ethnic sentiments in the country.

Sen. Mark also expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the election and urged his people to sustain such in the 2015 elections.

According to him, I always want to lead by ex-

Mark

ample. You can see from the conduct of my people here that my constituency is most peaceful.

According to him, ``You cannot find was quarrelling or creating an atmosphere of disaffection because we

do things in a dignified manner. ``We believe in justice, equity and fair play.

Above all, we allow the will of God and the will of the people to prevail. ``For us, the people are the kings and we act

in tandem with their wishes and aspirations,” Sen. Mark said.

The senate president also urged politicians to abide by laid down rules and wishes of the electorate to avoid acrimony in the polity.

anaging Director of Sanju Sunny Nigeria Limited, also known as China Railway No 3 Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr. Du Sheng, has been accused of swindling $770,000 from the country through the company’s branch in Nigeria.

The complainant, Mr. Jhang Bin, who was indicted by the management of the company in its end of the year annual report, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accussing his boss of siphoning the company’s money through various means.

Mr. Bin said most of the money taken from the company was between 2010 – 2011 which he was not the managing director of the company.

According to him, he assumed office as the managing director of the company in January 2013 and ended his tenure in April 2014.

“How could I have expended money before I became the managing director and none of the documents have my signature,” Bin said.

According to some of the documents made available to our correspondent by the complainant, one of them read thus: “Because of the operating needs for recently work, the related procedures of the Kaduna

housing construction projects need to be examined and approved by the Ministry of Finance for getting the approval procedures as soon as possible, we give 20,000U.S. Dollars to Kaduna State Finance Minister as gifts,” It noted.

The document further stated that due to the requirements of operating work recently, the payment procedures of Minna highway project needed to be examined and approved by the EFCC to obtain such approval of the procedures as soon as possible, we give the responsible person of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for $ 60,000 and N15,500,000. Reimburse $ 6, 0000 for this sheet.

Sanju also claimed it gave cash gifts to officials of Gombe ministries of finance and works in 2011.

The amounts which ran up thousands of dollars were to a dam project in the state.

Some of the payments were as far back as 2010.

But all contracts for which the monies were released failed to materialize.

“These are the kind of people who give our country bad image. We want the Nigerian government to take note of their nefarious activities and ensure that nobody does business with them,” Bin said.

Daily Times also discov-

Continued on page 8

Mark, Suswam, Mku win PDP senatorial tickets

S

enate President David Mark, Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Mike Mku, on Saturday picked the PDP’s ticket to contest the 2015 general elections in their respective senatorial zones in Benue.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who covered the primaries for Benue South Senatorial District,

reported that the election was held at the Otukpo local government secretariat.

Announcing the results on Sunday in Otukpo, the Returning Officer for the election, Mr John Akume, said Mark scored 384 votes to pick the party’s ticket while his only rival, Mr Mike Onoja, withdrew from the race hours to its commencement.

Mark had represented the zone, comprising Otukpo, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Agatu, Oju, Obi, Ohimini and Apa local government councils at the senate for 16 years.

At the Akume Atongo stadium, where the primaries for the Benue North East Senatorial seat held, Gov Gabriel Suswam polled 312 votes to emerge the winner.

NAN reports that the

other contender for the seat, incumbent Sen. Barnabas Gemade, had withdrawn from the race a week earlier.

The returning officer for the election, Sen.Godwin Okpeh, therefore, declared him winner.

In a post election speech, Suswam thanked the people of the zone for their support during his tenure as governor and for nominating him as

their flag bearer for the 2015 general elections.

At the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, the returning officer for the Benue North West Senatorial District, Mr Bob Nenge, said Mike Mku polled 168 votes to beat three others.

The others were former Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Terseer Tsumba, Mr Laha Dzever and Mr Sam Bula.

Suswam

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

9 North

Ex-Plateau speaker, Lalong is flag bearer A former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Simon Lalong, has emerged as the governorship flag bearer for All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Hon. Lalong emerged at the party primaries held in Jos, the Plateau State capital. He polled 2,222 votes to defeat four other contestants.

Chairman of Plateau APC Governorship Electoral Committee, Mr. Sunny Moniedafe, expressed the joy that the primary election was peaceful. Moniedafe called on other defeated aspirants to rally round Lalong in the interest of the party.

Those who lost out in the race were Professor Emmanuel Garba, who polled 304 votes; Barr Solomon Dalung who got 293; Dr Elijah Maina 50 votes and Senator Dangin Vinken who had no vote.

In the words of Moniedafe, “Time will come when the party will hand over the flag to you but for now the result sheet shows that you are the candidate of our great party in Plateau State.”

An elder statesman in the state and former Ambassador of Nigeria to Switzerland, Yahaya Kwande, lauded the zoning arrangement in the state which placed Plateau Central zone for the governorship slot.

According to Amb. Kwande, “The success of Lalong is a challenge for the people of Plateau State. Apart from change for the people, they say they want someone from the southern zone and now they have him.”

The former envoy also urged members of the party in the state to do their best to ensure that the party emerges victorious in the upcoming general elections, adding, “We will do our best to ensure success in 2015.”

Hon Lalong, in his address after the primaries thanked members of the party long in his address, urged the citizens of the state vote for the APC come 2015 general elections.

Said he, “I said it earlier that I will support whoever emerges as the party flag bearer. I did not know that God was going to pick me.”

Macchido gets Sokoto NASS automatic ticket Sen. Ahmad Maccido (PDP-Sokoto), who is seeking re-election into the Senate, has been granted automatic ticket in Sunday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primary elections.

PDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, announced this while addressing newsmen in Sokoto.

According to Milgoma, `` Maccido was actually given an automatic ticket by the party to contest for the Sokoto Central Senatorial zone

seat. ``But, another member of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, felt cheated and bought the party’s nomination form, although he withdrew from the race on Dec. 5,’’ Milgoma said.

Milgona maintained that the delegates from the eight Local Government Areas that made up the zone would still conduct the exercise to ratify the decision.

Milgoma, however, stated that two aspirants would slug it out for the Sokoto East Senatorial zone ticket.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (middle) with chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at an event in Sokoto, recently.

Primaries: Atiku congratulates Adamawa APC, pledges total support

T

he leading presidential aspirant of All P r o g r e s s iv e s Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has congratulated all aspirants who took part in the party’s governorship primaries nationwide, in particular, Adamawa State.

Specifically, the former Vice President felicitates with the winner of the primary election, Senator Muhammed

Jubrilla Bindow, for his hard work and determination.

Atiku urged him not to relent in his efforts, but to mobilize and rally round other aspirants who are members of the party to ensure that come 2015, the APC in Adamawa State will win the state governorship election.

The Turaki Adamawa commended the state branch of the party for

organizing rancour-free and transparent primaries and congratulated all the aspirants for their good conduct before and after the primaries.

Atiku advised all the aspirants to see the outcome of the election as a victory for the party and not a particular individual, as the party and its interest is bigger than any person or group of persons.

The Turaki Adamawa

pledged to give total support to the party to ensure that it produces the Governor of the state at the general elections come 2015.

He admonished the party leadership in the state and all the party members to maintain unity and peace to ensure that the party remains strong and attractive to win the support of the people of the state.

Sen. Bindow to carry torch in Adamawa

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enator Jibrilla Bindow has emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State for the 2015 elections.

Senator Bindow emerged after a primaries held at the Lamido Cinema in the state capital. The primaries were conducted by the Adamawa State gubernatorial primaries committee led by Engr.

Bipi Lawal, National Vice Chairman of the party for the North East.

Sen. Bindow defeated three other participants at the primaries, making it the second victory recorded by the aspirant following the botched gubernatorial byeelections where he also emerged as the party’s standard bearer.

While announcing the result, Engr. Lawal declared that Sen. Bindow polled 1,880 votes

to defeat Alhaji Ibrahim Yayaji Mijinyawa and Kobis Ari Thimnu, who polled 1,183 and 85 votes, respectively.

Daily Times gathered that Alhaji Mijinyawa was endorsed and financed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The primaries were held under the watch of the former Vice President, who reportedly left the venue the moment it clear that his preferred candidate faced an imminent defeat.

Senator Jibrilla Bindow

South West 10

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Osun PDP suspends six members

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (left) addressing Muslim faithful on the containment and subsequent preventive measures for the Ebola Virus Disease shortly after the Friday Prayers at the Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, recently.

Ondo PDP elects Ogunye as Chairman, slams Mimiko

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loowing the resignation of the Ondo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, yesterday, the remaining members of the executive have elected another chairman in person of Mr. Olu Ogunye.

Alabi resigned as the state Chairman of the party at the meeting of the National leaders of the party in Abuja yesterday.

Ogunye was unanimously appointed at the

meeting of the party held at the residence of one of the leaders of the party in the state, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, at Igbotako town, in Okitipupa Local Government area of the state.

According to the new Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Gani Muhammed, the exco has acted in line with the constitution of the party.

Muhammed, who spoke with reporters shortly after the meeting, said “we have done the right thing under the constitution of our great

party; you know our party has 49-member executive in Ondo State; I am talking about the exco that is reconciled by law.

“The law states that once the party chairman or any member of the exco resigns, the other members of the party would sit down and replace him or her according to the level of the exco. If it happens in a state, the state exco will do the replacement; and if it is at Ward level, the Ward exco will do the replacement - that is what the constitution states.

“So today, that is what we did at Igbotako and our new Chairman is Dr. Olu Ogunye, from Ondo Central Senatorial District.”

On the leadership crisis of the party, the Publicity Secretary however declared that the party would still win the forthcoming general election irrespective of the differences among the members of the party, calling on the State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to respect the law in other to give peace a chance in the party.

Lagos 2015: Fashola backs down, campaigns for Ambode

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in what appears a retrace of steps, has called on the people of the state to cast their vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its flagbearer, Akin Ambode in next year’s general election.

Prior to the APC primaries where Ambode emerged as the party’s flagbearer, it was rumoured that the state governor was not in support of his candidature and as a result sponsored one of the contenders to the primaries.

But in a statement issued on Sunday by the

media adviser the governor, Hakeem Bello, Governor Fashola asked Lagosians to vote Ambode in 2015.

The statement read in part, “Contrary to misrepresentations in some sections of the media, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, at two different

fora at the weekend continued his sustained campaign for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and urged Lagosians to vote for its governorship candidate, Mr. Akin Ambode, in order to sustain the programmes of the present administration.

“It would be recalled

Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended six of its members from the party. The affected members were suspended for what the party called ‘anti party activities.’

The suspended members were Mr. Taiwo Adebusola, Femi Oke, Adewusi Adebimpe, Bunmi Opabunmi, Dele Olowokere and Ayodeji Yussuf.

In a statement issued and signed by the chairman of the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, the party took the decision at the State Working

Committee meeting, following the recommendations from the Ife central local government chapter of the PDP. The release quoted section 58 (1) g and h of the PDP constitution which stipulates that members should not engage in disorderly conduct at meetings or rallies, also they are not to engage in any conduct likely to disaffection among members of the Party.

The release said the suspended members took to acts of indiscipline after results of the last Saturday primaries for House of Assembly were announced.

Bankole loses suit against guber primary A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole, has been told by an Ogun State High Court that he lacks the powers to compel the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from recognising the list of delegates submitted by the Engineer Bayo Dayo led state executive committee of the party.

The former Speaker had taken the matter to Court seeking an order from the court to restrain the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the National Working Committee of the party (NWC) from recognising same list except the one submitted by the Dr. Saka Balogun led committee that conducted the party wards congresses.

Hon. Bankole’s suit was filed by Ganiyu Mustapha, Yinka Sosinde , Dele Ajayi, Reverend Oyeyemi, Taiwo Okikiolu Issa and Sunday Alawode .

A five -man Saka Balogun led committee had held Ward Congresses held on November 1st, 2014 in the state but, had crisis on the authentic-

ity of the delegates list.

In a bid to resolve the controversy trailing the delegates list, some members of the party went to court seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the party from accepting the list expectancy the one submitted by Saka Balogun .

In his ruling, Justice Naheem Durojaiye while delivering the judgement yesterday in a suit number AB/315/2014 submitted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants.

Earlier, the Complainants through their Counsel Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) had argued that the state executive council led

by Bayo Dayo; Chairman and Semiu Sodipo, Secretary who are the 4th and 5th defendants were planning to substitute their names on the list.

But Counsel to the defendants, led by Oluyede B.A. argued that the issue of delegate list should be an internal affair of the party.

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Delta farmers task govt. on agric extension services The Umediunor Pineapple Farmers Co-operative Society, Umunede, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, has appealed to the state government to provide agricultural extension services to members of the union.

Chairman of the society, Mr Fred Uwajeh, made the appeal in an interview with reporters in Umunede on Sunday.

Uwajeh said that members of the union needed urgent education on modern techniques of farming for improved productivity.

He said that lack of education on modern farming innovations and practices was hampering their productivity.

In the words of Uwajeh, “Over the years, our members have relied on traditional farming methods to cultivate pineapple and this has contributed to the poor output of the farmers.

“We want more knowledge to enhance our farming methods and improve productivity, most especially now that pineapple is on high demand.

“If we can get better

education on modern farming methods and have access to improved species of pineapple suckers, it will help us increase our productivity,” Uwajeh said.

According to the chairman, the society has been a major supplier of pineapple to consumers in Onitsha, Port-Harcourt, Benin and Warri.

He said that many of the farmers started pineapple farming on a small-scale, but had over the years, expanded their farms.

“This cooperative society is a major supplier of pineapple to some major cities in the country. Many of us have between three and five pineapple farms.

“After harvesting, we pull our resources together to transport the product to markets in Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Port-Harcourt and other cities.

Uwajeh said some of the challenges facing commercial pineapple farming include: pest attack and disease; bush burning; cost of transportation; preservation and lack of incentives.

P’Harcourt refinery, FRSC task tanker drivers on safety The Manager, Production, Port Harcourt Refinery, Eleme, Mr Abel Imonighawhare, has urged petroleum tanker drivers to see life as an irreplaceable jewel and be cautious while driving.

Imonighawhare, who represented the Refinery’s Managing Director, Mr B.A. Enjugu, made the remark during the 2014 Ember Months Road Users Enlightenment Campaign at the tanker drivers’ park, Eleme.

The campaign was organised by the refinery in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety

Corps (FRSC).

He noted complaints of the tanker drivers on bad roads and other road users’ attitude but told them that they could avoid accidents in spite of the problems if they were careful.

Said he, ‘’Remember your nuclear families; nobody can take care of them well if you are dead. ‘‘If you keep the rules and regulations on the road, there would be no accident. ‘’When you get to a bad road, drive slowly, if you see other road users, take it easy with them,’’ the manager said.

11 South South

Delta 2015: Uduaghan withdraws from Senatorial race

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here are indications that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has stepped down from the Delta South Senatorial race.

Governor Uduaghan dropped his bid following frosty relationship with Senator James Manager, who is still representing the area on his third term.

But the governor cited the need to avoid ethnic crisis by bowing out of the contest for the ticket of his party, the PDP, for

the Delta South Senatorial District.

It was learnt that Dr. Uduaghan, during a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and one of the stiffest contenders in the senatorial race, decided to end the dream to allow his incumbent, Senator Manager, to continue for another four years.

A reliable source told Daily Times that Uduaghan withdrew on realisation that he will be defeated by his arch rival.

When contacted on the recent development, a bigwig of the party in the state reliably informed Daily Times of Nigeria, that the move is to clear the way for his anointed aspirant to win next week’s governorship ticket in the state.

However, it was learnt that Uduaghan briefed journalists in Asaba, the state capital on the real reason why he withdrew from the race, and when contacted, his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Ogefere also confirmed the development.

According to Ogefere, “His Excellency did not step down for anybody; he only withdrew from the race because of the tension it was already generating.

He had to do it to preserve the existing peace in the state and to ensure that the inter-ethnic unity in the state, especially the district, is not jeopardised.

“He had been in a meeting with Mr. President and the National Chairman of the party before he came to this conclusion.”

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (middle), inspecting a road project under construction in Port Harcourt, recently.

Rivers police arrests 9 with INEC materials

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he Police in Rivers State has arrested nine persons suspected to have been involved in an illegal Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise at a hotel in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State.

The suspects were alleged to be in possession of three registration machines and other sensitive items belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The hotel, Okabique, a source said is owned by

a Port Harcourt-based businessman and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The source who did not want his name in print said, “At about 7.30 pm on Thursday, we started hearing rumours that some people have INEC machine in a hotel in Elele where they are registering voters’ with people’s photographs.

“We took it as a joke, but the calls continued.

At a point, I didn’t know what to do because to be sincere, I was afraid of the Nigerian Police.

“So, at 10.30 pm, I got another call telling me

that police have stormed the place. That is Okabique Hotels, Elele. The police stormed the hotel and were searching from the pool side. After about fifteen minutes, the police could not lay hands on anything; so they were about leaving when one guy drove in a black jeep.

“The police was earlier informed that the people were using a black jeep, but when they got there, the black jeep was not there. When the police was about to leave, the black jeep drove in. They guy came down and walked like somebody

who is in-charge of everywhere.

“The police pretended as if there was nothing wrong and the guy said, okay, you people came to assist us in PDP in what we are doing. He said they are using Room 8 in the hotel and that is where they had all the equipments. The police men now said, okay no problem, we have heard you.

“The police officer, who led the team, went into the hotel and called the girl that is in-charge and asked her to take him to Room eight; the girl was shocked.

South East 12

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Abia APC guber primary: Anyim is unopposed George Opara, AbIa

A representative of Abia Youth Empowerment Programme(left) receives donation from Governor Theodore Orji in Umuahia, recently.

Imo 2015: Ihedioha promises to tackle unemployment, poverty

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eputy Speaker of House of Re p re s e n t a tives and Imo Governorship aspirant, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday in Owerri, promised to make empowerment a veritable tool of tackling unemployment and ensuring wealth-creation, if he is elected Governor in 2015.

Understanding the importance of empowerment to human capital development, he said that he had facilitated several other programmes to empower women and

the youths considered as vulnerable groups across the state.

Delivering a speech during the closing ceremony of a three-day seminar organized for journalists in Imo state, in conjunction with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Chief Ihedioha disclosed that as cardinal objectives of his administration, urban renewal, infrastructural development revolution, qualitative free education and industrialisation would constitute other critical areas

of focus.

According to him, “our state is so badly governed and disorganised that it will take well-focused and determined person like him to be able to put it back on track”.

Expressing delight having attracted the training workshop with the theme “Re-engineering Imo Journalists towards Sustainable Media and Democracy Growth in Nigeria”, he said that the seminar so professionally designed would have a far-reaching effect in reinforcing develop-

ment of democracy in the country.

He observed that the critical role of the media in democracy, politics and policy-making makes any workshop geared towards scaling up journalists skills to enable them report democratic institutions and structures much better, a development imperative.

“In democracy, therefore, media serves essentially as one dynamic institution that builds bridges between the leaders and the led,” he stated.

Thugs invade court, sack judges, judiciary officers in Ebonyi

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uspected thugs believed to be loyal to one of the factions in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi state, invaded the state judiciary complex and ordered Judges, judiciary officers to vacate the court premises for an alleged plan to stop PDP primaries.

An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said that the thugs invaded the court with some weapons and ordered everybody including the judges, judiciary workers and other legal luminaries that there should be no court sitting, adding that there was purported plan to scuttle the House of Representa-

tives primaries.

“I was in the court when some boys suspected to be thugs invaded and started to order people out of the court.

Many of the judiciary workers started running away from the court premises. I ran with them but when I realized myself, I decided to approach one of the boys

and asked him what was happening?

“He did not answer me rather he shouted ‘all of you run’. Then I approached another who thought I was one of them and told me that some people wanted to institute court action to stop PDP primaries that will take place today” he said.

Chief Chinenye Nyerere Anyim has emerged the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Abia state.

In the primary election conducted yesterday at the Ojukwu Bunker, Umuahia, Anyim emerged through the voice vote affirmation of the delegates as there was no other candidate to contest against him.

The four-member national primary committee led by the chairman Hon Joseph Umaru that

conducted the primary said that by the mandate of the delegates and the party provision, Anyim is returned unopposed having scaled through the screening as the only aspirant of the party.

Umaru later handed him the certificate as the flag-bearer of the party.

The primary, conducted under the supervision of INEC officials, led by the Head of Political Department, Chief Anthony Kayode Adoki, was peaceful and attended by party officials, delegates from the 17 local government areas and party chieftains.

We’re not on strike, Abia Doctors George Opara, Abia Contrary to the widely held notion that all health workers in public hospitals, including doctors, were on strike, medical doctors in Abia State have dissociated themselves saying they were not part of the ongoing strike even as they described the strike as unnecessary.

Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Umuahia zone, Dr Ezekiel Ojimadu told journalists yesterday that “JOHESU is on strike but the doctors are working.” He explained that in order to make the strike appear to be a general one, the Joint Health Sector Union forced everyone, including security department, cleaners, messengers and ward maids to join them.

According to Ojimadu, who is also the Head of Accident and Emergency, FMC Umuahia, the hospital has been able to absorb the effect of the strike through the use of Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the laboratory.

He added that patients

were being admitted in the hospital.

“House officers, registrars, senior registrars and consultants are all working and patients are coming, in spite of the strike,” he added.

He said that after the first few days of the strike, in which some patients were discharged, the situation stabilized and would continue, as long as the strike lasted.

The NMA chairman noted that the problem in the health sector would be solved when government takes a decisive action on the proper relativity of the medical professionals in the sector, arguing that a situation in which other health workers in the sector would want to be designated consultants, like medical doctors, would create anarchy in the system.

He called for the speedy passage of the health sector bill which he said would define roles, assignments, entry and exit points. This he said would take care of the problem in the sector.

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Africa

13

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Zimbabwe’s Grace Mugabe given top Zanu-PF post

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imbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has been re-appointed as leader of the ruling party, while his wife, Grace, has been given a top position in the party.

Grace Mugabe’s promotion to head of Zanu-PF’s women’s wing puts her in a good posi-

“I know where I come from... I am not greater than the people who gave birth to me”

tion to succeed her husband in the future, analysts say.

The first lady has criticised political rivals, including Vice-President Joyce Mujuru, in recent months.

Mr. Mugabe, 90, is due to stand for election again in 2018.

Speaking at Zanu-PF’s congress, Mr. Mugabe thanked thousands of supporters for choosing him as party leader.

“I know where I come from... I am not greater than

In brief Egypt death sentences over Sinai ambush at Rafah

the people who gave birth to me,” Mr. Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since 1980, said.

The first lady’s appointment, as head of the women’s wing, is seen as a further sign that Mrs. Mujuru, who was once seen as a potential successor to Mr. Mugabe, has been sidelined.

Mrs. Mujuru fought alongside Mr Mugabe for Zimbabwe’s independence from white-minority rule.

However, her career ran into trouble when Mrs. Mugabe, 49, entered politics this year, and accused the deputy of plotting against her husband.

Mr Mugabe’s supporters wore t-shirts urging people to stop plotting against the president.

Speaking to the congress on Thursday, Mr. Mugabe described Mrs. Mujuru as a corrupt thief, and said she had planned to assassinate him.

He said he welcomed the fact that his wife had exposed Mrs. Mujuru’s attempt to oust him.

However, recently expelled Zanu-PF member Rugare Gumbo told the BBC that Mr. Mugabe had targeted Mrs. Mujuru to advance the “fortunes” of his wife.

The congress also gave Mr. Mugabe the power to appoint his deputies - increasing his

49

control over the party.

Mr. Mugabe told supporters that he would announce a successor to Mrs. Mujuru later this week, Associated

Somalia PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to resign after parliament vote

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, has accepted a parliament vote An Egyptian court has upheld asking him to resign. death sentences given to seven On Saturday, 153 members men for an attack that killed 25 voted to oust Mr Ahmed, with policemen.

80 voting for him to stay.

The August 2013 attack on The vote is part of a political the police convoy in Sinai, close battle between Mr Ahmed to the town of Rafah on the and President Hassan Sheikh Gaza border, was one of the Mohamud which has crippled deadliest on security forces. the government.

Mrs Mugabe, entered politics and accused the deputy of plotting against her husband.

90

Press (AP) news agency reported.

With Mrs. Mujuru’s fall from grace, there is speculation that Justice Minister

Mr Mugabe, due to stand for election again in 2018.

Emmerson Mnangagwa will be given a top position.

Mrs Mujuru’s supporters say she has been targeted for political reasons.

Uhuru Kenyatta denounces ICC as Kenya charges dropped

Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has denounced the case against him at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has now been dropped, calling it “obviously deficient” and a “travesty”.

Mr. Kenyatta said he felt “vindicated” that crimes against humanity charges had been withdrawn.

Uhuru Kenyatta

14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Politics

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Emeka Ihedioha: Prince charming of Imo politics Ugochukwu Onyeocha

araume, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), Chief Ikedi Ohakim and Sen. Bright Nwanne.

The list also include Chuka Odom, Dr. Julius Kpaduwa, Emma Ojinere, Chidi Oforegbu, Dr. Charles Amanze, Chief Charles Onuoha and Ihedioha.

I

F it were a Nollywood script, today’s governorship primaries of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State will be a blockbuster: High drama, the protagonists and the antagonists seizing every opportunity to engage the audience, and to come tops.

Like all human races, there will be a winner and a loser.

Today’s event is, however, only a dress rehearsal for the ultimate – the Governorship election proper in 2015 – which may be a piece of cake for the man who is favoured to win.

The signs are strong that the winner of today’s contest will be Emeka Ihedioha, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives for whom the glide into the Douglas House – as the Imo State Government House is known – may be a walkover.

The journey to Douglas House has never been easy for its previous occupants, including the incumbent Rochas Okorochas of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The number of political heavyweights slugging it out for the PDP’s ticket is intimidating. At the last count, 23 candidates had submitted their nomination forms.

Interestingly, women are also show¬ing their hands in

the exercise, including Senator Chris Anyanwu, who says she is the best ‘man’ for the job. Other women in the race are Lady Clara Igolo Njoku

and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor.

The PDP aspirants also include Mr.Ken Ojiri, Prof. Jude Njoku, Ken Njemanze, Charles

Onyeagbakor, Hum¬phrey Anumudu, Amb. Obi Adim, Evang.Chris Brown Amadi, Chief Martin Agbaso, Hon. Bethel Amadi, Sen. Ifeanyi Ar-

Imo’s History Of Turbulent Elections In the 2007 elections, Imo State was a flashpoint as the governorship election held on April 14 that year was cancelled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The exercise was then rescheduled to April 28.

Agbaso, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was not favour¬ably disposed to the cancellation of the April 14 election. He, nonetheless, par¬ticipated in the rescheduled poll of April 28.

Ohakim, who ran on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) was returned by INEC but he later defected to the Peoples Demo¬cratic Party (PDP).

Ohakim’s victory resulted in intricate, confusing and endless legal tussles through various levels of court. It was learnt that 24 cases were instituted against Ohakim in various courts and some of the cases got to the Supreme Court. The final case was disposed of on July 16, 2010 in CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

APC Primaries: How change of venue hit APC aspirants

Governors as sacrificial lambs

Obasanjo: Saint or Sinner?

Bamanga Tukur axed for anti-party suit

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P 17

P 15

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

15 Politics

Ihedioha: From the gavel to the executive chamber?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Ohakim’s favour.

In 2011, the elections in Imo State generated greater controversy than that of 2007.

It would be recalled that the governor¬ship election in Imo, held on April 26, was declared “inconclusive” by INEC on the ground that election did not hold in four local government areas of the state, namely Ohaji Egbema, Ngor Okpala, Mbaitoli and Oguta.

The electoral body had to dig deep to conduct “supplementary election” on May 6, 2011 in those places outside the time frame stipulated by the constitution.

The constitution stipulates that there should be a governor-elect, at least 30 days before the end of an incumbent administration. The election was keenly contested until the last vote was counted.

Unfamiliar Role Of Opposition The PDP had previously held sway in Imo State from 1999 until its reign in the state was punctuated by APGA, led

by Okorocha. However, the state chapter of APGA, led by Okorocha, has since dissolved itself into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the APGA/APC government of Okorocha continues to hold sway in the state, the PDP after a period of playing the opposition, has come up with a number of well known political gladiators set to displace the APC and reclaim the state.

Among the rich array of political stalwarts prepared

to battle for the governorship ticket, most observers would be particularly interested in the candidacy of Ihedioha right from the PDP national secretariat to the state level.

Series Of Endorsements For some political observers and analysts in the Heartland State, the battle for the PDP governorship ticket was won and lost on Wednesday

October 15, 2014 when Ihedioha stormed the national secretariat of the ruling party to collect expression of interest and nomination form for the governorship primaries.

The support base of Ihedioha was very conspicuous as at least seven PDP members of the House of Representatives from Imo accompanied him to pick the form.

The lawmakers include Hon. Jerry Alagbaso, chairman of the Imo caucus in the House, Hon. Jones Onyereri, Hon. Alphonsus Irona, and Hon. Chudi Uwazurike accompanied the Deputy Speaker to pick his expression of interest and nomination forms to show that the Mbaise born prince was well loved and accepted by his people from all parts of the state.

The leading place of Ihedioha’s aspiration was not in dispute as he continued to receive accolades from key leaders of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP who received him.

The National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, who handed him the form poured praises on the Deputy Speaker, describing him as a leading light of the party.

Prince Uche Secondus, Deputy National Chairman received Ihedioha in his office and declared that the party was proud of the Deputy Speaker, saying with aspirants like Ihedioha the party is sure of reclaiming Imo State.

Different tunes: PDP govs beg OBJ as Fayose fumes

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ast Thursday, five PDP Governors visited the former President in his home in Abeoukta, Ogun State, to beg him to forgive Jonathan his many sins.

To underscore the seriousness of the visit and in line

with Yoruba culture that lays emphasis on respect for elders, the governors did the unexpected as they prostrated for ‘Baba’ before going into closed doors talks with him which lasted for about three hours.

The powerful delegation was led by their chairman and

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and included Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.

After the meeting, Obasanjo had this to say, “They (gover-

No rift with Fashola- Tinubu Former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he has no rift with his successor in office, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Tinubu’s statement follows recent media reports that he backed the winner of last week’s governorship primaries of the party Akin Ambode, who emerged winner as against the choice of Fashola describing the report as concerted, unsubstantiated, pure conjectures or outright falsehood.

He described those behind it as political charlatans and “enemies at work fueling unnecessary rumour and insinuations and seeking to drive a wedge in an otherwise cordial and respectful political relationship.

My relationship with Governor Fashola remains cordial both at the personal level and at the level of commitment to ensuring Lagos State remains on the path of political stability, growth and development”.

Ripples over suspension of Bamanga Tukur The National Working Committee of the ruling Peoples Democratic, (PDP) last week suspended Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former National Chairman of the party.

A statement issued by Victor Kwon, PDP`s National Legal Adviser, said: “The NWC hereby suspends Dr. Bamanga Tukur and Aliyu Abuba Gurin for one month and refers them to the National Disciplinary Committee for infringing on section 58(1)(a)( b)( h)( l) of the PDP Constitution 2012( as amended) He said the NWC at its recent meeting deliberated on the court case instituted against the National Chairman of the Party, Adamu Mu’azu, by the former National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.

According to him, the NWC reasoned that for instituting a claim and counter claim in suit FHC/ABJ /821/2014; Gurin vs PDP and three others without CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics 16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

APC Primaries: How change of venue hit APC aspirants Akinjide Akintola

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he last minute change of venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential primaries to Lagos, the country’s commercial nerve centre caught most of the gladiators napping sending jitters down their spines.

The question on the lips of some of them and their supporters was what could be the reason for the change of venue which all and sundry had all along believed would take place in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

While many of the aspirants had kept quiet, keeping their worries to themselves and their inner caucus, one of the presidential hopefuls, Owelle Rochas Okorocha had openly kicked against the idea, indicating that he would oppose it.

But one of them, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, welcomed the choice of Lagos as the venue for the presidential primaries scheduled for December 10, 2014.

For Atiku, that could be understandable, considering the fact that he is married to a Yoruba woman, has a house in Lagos, having worked in Lagos for many years during his career in the Nigeria Customs Service.

But the same cannot be said of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, whom some believed the change of venue was designed to favour.

This is because of his morbid fear of Lagosians on account of his cancellation of the Lagos Metroline Project 31 years ago.

The project, designed by former action Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande

was to ease the congestion on Lagos road with the rails line.

The Lagos State government had already paid its own counterpart funding for the project while the foreign partners that would fund the majority share were already in the country for their own contribution.

But when the Buhari/Idiagbon military junta came into power, they cancelled the project while the money already paid by the state government running into millions of naira went to waste.

Besides, during his high fisted reign, Lagos was the bastion of hope and democracy in the country as many activists opposed his despotic rule leading to their incarceration.

For Okorocha who is the Imo State governor, while many of the aspirants are of the northern extraction who see Abuja as being nearer home, he also has substantial influence and contacts at the Federal Capital and this may have accounted for his opposition in the choice of Lagos.

But this is precisely one of the reasons why the party’s stakeholders preferred the choice of Lagos for the primaries.

Sources close to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the choice of Lagos was indeed informed by the need to be fair and impartial to all the aspirants most of whom were from the North and the South Eastern part of the country.

According to the source, holding the primaries in Lagos will ensure neutrality since all of them were coming from other parts of country except Lagos

or South West.

Besides, the source indicated that the choice was initially Jos but that two issues nullified the primaries being taken there.

First was the issue of insecurity as well as that Jos was still part of the North with might be seen as a disadvantage for those aspirants not from the Northern part of the country.

Indeed, it was also learnt that another reason given for not holding the primaries in Abuja has to do with the security situation as well as threat of intimidation by the security agencies as witnessed during the police invasion of the National Assembly.

However, what is of major concern to many of the aspirants is moving their supporters to Lagos which they believed the distance is longer than if it had held in Abuja.

The party has since put all the issues before its major stakeholders with many of them putting their weight behind the move.

Already, efforts have been geared up by the party to hold a successful convention in Lagos.

As at the time of this report, there were indications that some delegates have started arriving while some of the aspirants have temporarily shifted their campaign office to Lagos.

Atiku said in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja said that the Turaki Adamawa is not only delighted that Lagos has been selected to host such an August event but is confident that the city has all it takes to ensure that the event will be memorable and successful especially in view of the cosmopolitan nature of the city and

However, what is of major concern to many of the aspirants is moving their supporters to Lagos the famed easy going nature of its residents.

It should also be pointed out that the city of Lagos to former Vice President is like a home, bearing in mind that he spent several years of his public service career there.

“I’m not any less Lagosian that anyone is. I have a house in Lagos and a part of my large family lives in Lagos. I visit Lagos regularly so I’m not a stranger to the cosmopolitan city and what it represents as the melting pot of Nigeria,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President hereby congratulates the Government and the people of Lagos State on this unique opportunity offered them by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to excel and showcase “the spirit of Lagos.”

Atiku

Buhari

Okorocha

Tinubu

For Tukur, the wages of ‘sin’ is... suspension CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Tukur

first exploring and exhausting the party’s internal mechanism of redress and for attempting to stop the forthcoming National Convention to nominate the party’s presidential candidate

as well as regularize the position of the National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee is unacceptable.

But in a swift reaction, Tukur said the decision was a miscon-

ception as he was not the one that took the case or the party to court adding that he was only joined in the case by the applicant.

But why is Tukur crying out now? What goes round cer-

tainly comes around. In days gone past when he was there, he took that same kind of decision which has put the party in the lurch. The present leaders of PDP are only continuing in that legacy. Chikena.

Daily Times NG Monday November 10, 2014

17 Politics

Governors as sacrificial lambs Akinjide akintola

I

ndications emerged over the weekend that Peoples Democratic (PDP) governors interested in going to the Senate after the expiration of their terms next year may have become the proverbial sacrificial lambs.

This is sequel to the threat of serving senators to proceed with impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan if they were edged out in the party primaries which held nationwide at the week.

In Enugu State for instance, the State governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime has been locked in a titanic battle with Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu over who represents Enugu West Senatorial Zone on the ticket of the PDP. Ekweremadu is going for the third consecutive term in the senate where he has gotten considerable clout to enable him emerge the Deputy President of the Senate which the possible emergence of Chime appears to threaten.

On account of this deepening rift, the political temperature of the state had risen considerably with supporters of both gladiators threatening the fragile peace in the state as they were pitted against one another in what was described as Abuja politicians versus home politicians.

At a stage, the situation became so tense that it became difficult, even risky for Ekweremadu to attempt coming home.

The situation is similar in Delta State where the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has also withdrawn from the race ahead of the primary.

Uduaghan was to contest the party’s nomination for the Delta South Senatorial District with Senator James Manager who is going for an unprecedented fourth term at the Senate.

The Delta tiff has an ethnic

Uduaghan

was to contest the party’s nomination for the Delta South Senatorial District with Senator James Manager who is going for an unprecedented fourth term at the Senate

colouration as Manager is an Ijaw like President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Edwin Clarke, an Ijaw Leader who has been a constant critic of Governor Uduaghan throughout his second term in office.

Unlike Manager, Uduaghan is Itsekiri, a people that have constantly accused Jonathan of marginalizing them in the scheme of things.

What perhaps made the battle between the duo more fierce is the arrangement that Manager has been positioned to take over as Senate Leader from Senator Ndoma Egba after next year’s general election if the PDP maintains its majority at the upper legislative chambers.

Before the impeachment

Chime

has been locked in a titanic battle with Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu over who represents Enugu West Senatorial Zon

threat which assumed a dangerous dimension, governors of the party have been sitting pretty as in most cases, they determine singlehandedly who gets what in the scheme of things especially in the list of those who get party nominations for positions in the party primaries.

But with the impeachment threat, the President’s men moved in to nip it in the bud, following the caveat given by the senators who clearly discerned that the governors who are leaving office by next year are gunning for their jobs. They warned the Presidency to ensure that the governors leave them alone or they would carry the impeachment threat through.

What is making the matter worse is the fact that it is coming at a time the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is also having a go at the Jonathan, thus making nonsense of the majority enjoyed by the PDP in the Senate.

By last week, the numbers of senators who had signed the impeachment notice had risen to 66 out of the 109 Senators in the chamber.

The scenario called for swift action and an embattled President Jonathan had hurried consultations with some of the affected governors which necessitated the surprise withdrawal.

Uduaghan and Chime’s withdrawal came barely 24-hours before the National

Assembly primary elections of the party which held nationwide Saturday.

Chime was said to have announced his decision to stakeholders in the state during a meeting on Wednesday night.

Chime’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, confirmed the governor’s withdrawal following a stakeholders meeting brokered by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uduaghan on his own met with President Jonathan, National Party Chairman, Dr Adamu Muazu and Senator James Manager, the senator representing the district, who Uduaghan has been locked in a fierce battle with for the seat. As at the time of going to press, it could not be confirmed whether Chief Clarke was at the meeting which held inside the Presidential Villa.

After the meeting, Uduaghan in Asaba announced his withdrawal from the Delta South Senatorial race leaving incumbent Senator James Manager to be returned unopposed.

He said that his dropping out of the race was necessitated by his determination to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

He said that he had a meeting yesterday with President Goodluck Jonathan and the national Chairman, Dr. Adamu Muazu where the political situation in Delta State was critically analysed and had to make a sacrifice by stepping down.

His words: “I have to offer myself as a sacrifice to ensure that the political and security tension that had built up in recent times is reduced. In doing that I am aware that a lot of my followers will be very unhappy but I want to appeal to them that I have to do this for the sake of this state.”

While denying that he was forced to step down, Uduaghan said that quitting the race will offer him the opportunity to concentrate on national issues and be able to manage the remaining the primaries of the PDP and the election proper next year”.

Alluding to the allege threats by the Ijaw to resume hostilities should Manager, their kinsman be shortchanged in place of Uduaghan, an Itsekiri, the governor said that maintaining the peace in the state was more important than electoral victories which are won at great human costs”.

18

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

News Metro

ÆÆ s Shit business and its many colours

In the late 80s, Night soil men were objects of ridicule by the young and the old. Today, ‘shit’ business has taken a new dimension as many now make millions of Naira from this odd job. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON writes on the business now and then and the health implications for those in the business --- and the many colours of ‘shit’.

PAGE 20

A trek for charity Funmi Salome Johnson

F

or the family of Adeyinka James Shorungbe, December 3, to December 8, 2014 would remain memorable as the head of the family embarked on a six-day journey on foot from Seme border in Badagry to Ogun State border in Epe. And it was all for charity.

Indeed, Shorungbe must be a rare person with even a rar-

“Since I love to walk for fitness, while discussing with some of my friends, they suggested that I could actually do it for charity and that lingered in my heart and right there and then, I agreed to it and that was how I came up with the plan”

er passion to have thought of making such a sacrifice in the name of charity.

A bank manager of repute with a comfortable life, Shorungbe came up with the idea just to put smiles on the faces of motherless children at the Red Cross International Motherless Children home in Makoko area for the Christmas.

While speaking with Daily Times at the Ogun State border last week, Shorungbedisclosed that he always engaged in overall fitness sports and it was something he enjoyed doing.

“I enjoy walking long distances. I love walking for fun, endurance and overall fitness.

I quite enjoy it as I find myself being challenged to surpass myself each time I walk,” enthused Shorungbe.

According to Shorungbe who embarked on this 175 km walk across Lagos, he has always been very passionate about children and would love to do all in his power to care for them.

“Since I love to walk for fitness, while discussing with some of my friends, they suggested that I could actually do it for charity and that lingered in my heart and right there and then, I agreed to it and that was how I came up with the plan,” he enthused.

To show the level his preparedness, Shorungbe disclosed that the plan for this

Shorungbe at the begining of the walk

175 km walk took him about a month and a half.

“For weeks before commencing on this journey, I practiced and “gymed” for it.

I also shopped for a pair of trekking shoes for the journey. I bought a power bank which was really helpful for me during the day to charge my phones and gadgets so my phones would not run out of power because I also have a tracker installed on it for people to be able to locate me on the Google map tracker which

is also linked to my online accounts and twitter.”

He further explained that he had also planned the number of kilometers he would be trekking daily to enable him have an idea of where he would be at a particular time.

“Before embarking on the journey, I had taken a tour of these places to know the routes I will take and how and where to lodge when evening falls.

That was how I was able to know that if I can walk an av-

erage of 30 km a day, I would be able to complete the journey in six days. It was an interesting and challenging exercise,” recalled Shorungbe.

On his experiences during the long walk, Shorungbe recalled that it was really an interesting thing to actually walk through some of those places he has been opportuned to drive through only at nights.

“For me it was another experience entirely.

The Victoria Island to Epe axis is a familiar terrain but the Seme border end all the way to CMS is not particularly a familiar one, especially on foot. Since the construction work on the Badagry express way started, I have only driven through those places at night and to actually walk through it during the day, was another experience entirely. It was quite an interesting journey with challenges too. I remember about two occasions that I had to ease myself in the bush when I got pressed on the way. I also had to eat in a buka (local restaurant) somewhere at the Badagry end.”

Shorungbe recalled that he had quite a few remarkable sights.

“Somewhere around Badagry was one shrine of something dedicated to a forefather and the bridge by Badagry and also the construction work going on, on the Badagry road. I CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

19 Metro

From Seme to Badagry... for charity

Shorungbe with wife and kid

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

have never seen it during the day, I only drove past there once at night. I have only been seeing it in the papers, but I actually saw it live during the day and I actually walked through it, it was really interesting and remarkable.”

On how much he was able to realise on this journey, Shorungbe noted that he has been able to realise both cash and pledges of about N180, 000.

“I have been able to realise about N180, 000 both in cash and pledges. As soon as I have redeemed all the pledges, I would get the cheque ready for the orphanage home,” he said.

On what the journey may have cost him financially, Shorungbe responded: “Do you know I have not even thought of how much I have spent on this project monetarily? This is so because I was really excited to get on with it and achieve my goal and I thank God that I am able to see this project through to this final stage and I hope to do more in future. And for the encouragement of my friend and colleagues like Chinedu, an old friend who came to join me on the last day and walked 10 km with me and Ebele who also walked 22km with me, it is indeed very encouraging to find some people who believe in you and what you want to do. They made the final stage of the journey more fun for me.”

Indeed, apart from having a good

heart, Shorungbe must also have been blessed with a good family.

Family

While speaking with his mother, Mrs. Luccinder Rokosu, she noted that from childhood, Shorungbe had taken great interest in children in particular and would do anything to make the happy.

“I have always known my son to be very loving and caring especially towards children. He also likes to do all manner of sports and long walks. The day his wife told me he walked from his office in Bonny Camp in Victoria Island to his house in Lekki after Chevron, I was shocked. Even when he wanted to start on this journey, he did not tell me at the initial stage until Sunday when he took off. He called me and at that time, there was nothing I could do because he is a strong-willed person that would do whatever he has decided to do come what may. All I could do was to pray for him.

On how she felt on the first few days of the latest walk, Rokosu recalled; “I couldn’t sleep for the first two days, especially the days he spent at the Badagry end. I only started having respite when he got to Festac; at least that is closer home.”

Shorungbe’s wife, Ronke, also noted that his husband has a rare passion for children and sports.

The shoes that bore the brunt

“When he told me of this project, I was really cross because my major fear was the issue of security. He told me that he would not be walking at night but will close every day’s trekking by 6pm and start from wherever he stops the following day. It was quite a strange one to me but knowing my husband well, he would do whatever he determines to do; he’s unstoppable.

I thank God for the grace granted him to complete this journey so far.”

Ebele Ofulue, a colleague of Shorungbe who joined him on the last day and walked 22 kilometers with him, said this of his friend: “He is a kind of person that would do whatever he says he will do. He told me about this project about last year and that is to show you that he is one who keeps at whatever he wants to do.

I took up much running slightly over a year ago and I met others who love to run and I have done a few races locally and internationally and when Yinka told me about this project he was going to do for charity, I was excited about it and wanted to join him but because of work I couldn’t join him all the while until this final day and I am happy I was able to do 22 kilometers with him. I am happy to have joined him.”

Shorungbe said he planned other similar projects: “I am looking at a walk from Lagos to Togo for the future. I am still thinking about it and I also hope to become a centurion one day when I will be able to do 100 kilometers a day. This journey so far has helped me burn over 12, 000 calories and I am happy”.

Metro 20

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

Shit business and its many colours

I

t was a breezy evening in the 1980s, in the shanty suburb of OrileIganmu; the toilet was full to the brim and smelling badly.

The entire neighbourhood was a stench. Then came the man, dressed in a pair of black trousers, tucked in rain boots and handkerchiefs tied around his mouth. He moved from house to house evacuating human waste. He enjoyed much freedom because his identity was largely unknown.

In spite of his mode of dressing, children often mocked him as they sang and clapped behind him. Well, the kids paid dearly for their actions at times as the night soil man would either pour the content of his bucket on them or drop his bucket full of excreta in front of their residence.

This was the life of Night soil men or Agbepo(bowl carrier) as they were called then.

Some years ago, ‘shit’ business was not a business anyone would love to go into for any reason whatsoever. It was a business despised by many because of its smelly nature.

However, the story is different today as technology has brought about much improvement in the business.

For Alhaji Yaya Saliu, when he started the business of sewage and waste water evacuation forty years ago, he was very cautious in the way he managed information about the profession.

He was conscious of the fact that it was generally despised in the society.

According to Saliu, he had to keep the nature of his job top secret from his friends and especially his family

members.

“My family lived in Ibadan while I did my ‘shit’ business here in Lagos. I made sure that what I did for a living was a top secret to my family and inlaws for fear of being ostracised and being looked down upon. To them at that time, I was in Lagos doing “business”. I dare not let them into the real nature of my business.

“It was when things began to look up for me and I had something to show for the dirt I carried that I showed my true colour at home. I was too scared to tell my wife. Even when some members of my family discovered, they were mad at me. But when my wife came to join me in Lagos and saw that I was living fine, she immediately accepted my job,” he said.

Today, Saliu is fulfilled. He is currently the chairman of the Alausa branch of the sewage association and for him, ‘shit’ business is indeed a very serious and lucrative business.

He is a proud owner of two sewage evacuation trucks operating in Lagos.

He also lives in his own house in Lagos and has also built two others both in Lagos and in his home town in Ilorin.

In addition, all his children are graduates from various universities in Nigeria.

The 65-year-old, who recently acquired a tipper truck, confidently spoke with Daily Times and was proud to show off his newly acquired Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Colours Interestingly, some operators now claim to possess the wit to distinguish

between human waste from a high brow area and the one from a slum.

According to Oluwaseun Awobiyi who has been in the business for seven years, this can be achieved by simply putting their sense of smell and sight to work.

“Mushin, Ajegunle and Bariga’s shit is similar because many residents eat the same types of food. Theirs is black or brown and very smelly.

“Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi and VGC shit, on the other hand, is usually watery and light with a tolerable odour.

“I think the latter smells that way because most homes in these areas pour chemicals and disinfectant into their toilet systems before, during and after use. We always pray to get more business from such areas because they pay more and don’t stress us much,” he said.

Sewage trucks

“I think the latter smells that way because most homes in these areas pour chemicals and disinfectant into their toilet system before, during and after use”

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

21 Metro

A typical day in Ebute-Ero Ebute-ero is deep in the heart of Lagos. It is a market where all kinds of things are sold.

There are foodstuff, clothes, shoes, etc. However, beyond being a market, it is home for some who virtually spend their life in this market. They trade, sleep, feed and nurture their families right in this market place. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON writes on the life and style around Ebute- ero, one of the biggest markets in Lagos Island.

I

t was a sunny Wednesday, about 2pm. Everywhere was busy, hustling and bustling was at its peak.

All kinds of activities were on.

Trailers are all over the place parked at various locations of the market, majority of which were waiting to be offloaded by standby porters otherwise called Alabarus. The entire place was crowded and to a first time caller in Lagos city, it was a strange phenomenon. Everywhere, every space had been turned to business spots. The concentration of businesses in the place made human and vehicular movement

Ebute-Ero

herculean as vehicles, load carriers, wheel barrow pushers, hawkers of assorted wares struggle and maneuver for space. This is the main place that made Lagos to be called the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

Daily Times visit to this market revealed that Ebute-ero like many other markets in Lagos Island is not only a place where people go to buy and sell but some actually live in the market and raise their families there.

A man of about 30 years, who would simply love to be identified as Dele, disclosed to Daily Times that he had been in the market for over seven years doing his hustling.

“I have been hustling in this market for over seven years. When I came to Lagos seven years ago, I had nobody or relatives I could live with. I left Kogi State where I hail from to find greener pastures. I did not know anybody in Lagos and I heard several stories of how people come from their various villages to Lagos and after some years, they make a headway. Due to the harsh condition I was going through in the village, I decided to come and try my luck in Lagos. When I came to Lagos in 2007, I didn’t have any place to sleep or anything to do to earn money. After making some friends in Ojota Garage where I slept for some time, a guy told me that if I was not lazy, I could actually get something to do on a steady basis inside big Lagos markets like Ebuteero, Balogun or Apongbon. That was how I got here and I have been hustling since then,” he said.

Dele further disclosed that he started with wheel barrow pushing which he said he still does.

“I didn’t have a wheel barrow of my own but I was renting until I was able to buy my own after saving for some time. Today, I have about three wheel barrows which I rent out to others who don’t have. Besides that, I also do other things like getting customers for those who sell clothes and I get commissions for every customer I bring. Lagos is a real hustling ground and if you are not lazy, you will make it in the end.”

Although, Dele is still working towards securing a good accommodation of his own, he said he was still surviving on the accommodation within the market.

“Though not really conducive, at least one still has a place to hide his head at the end of the day.”

According to him, there are about 10 of them who sleep in the dingy shop and they pay N150 a night for the place.

These are people’s shops and they rent them out for those who do not have anywhere to sleep.

“Under the bridge, inside the markets, there are some shops where others use as residence at night for a fee.

Where I manage, I pay N150 per night just to sleep. And if you are not using the foam, you pay N100. That is how people manage to survive,” he said.

Kingsley Omobade, another resident and worker in Ebute-ero market who is into the business of wheel barrow pushing, attested that there were several ways of earning a living in Lagos

markets if one is not lazy.

“I came to this market in 2010 and ever since I have been hustling and with the little I earn from the hustle here I’m able to send some money home to my wife and son in the village.”

There are many like Dele and Kingsley who virtually live in the market.

A woman who operates a mini drinking joint directly opposite the public toilet in Ebute-ero, popularly called Iya Aliyu, disclosed that the typical day starts as early 5.30 am.

“The day starts as early as 5.30 am.

We have to wake up in good time to bathe and get ready for the day’s job.

Since the store where we sleep has no toilet and bath so we wake up in good time to have our bath in the public toilet and get ready for the day’s job. The children too will have to get set for school,” she said.

On why she chose to live in a place like this with children, Iya Aliyu said: “Things are rough and difficult for us.

We have no money to rent a befitting place of our own; that is why we sleep in the store. Since I was duped of a huge amount of money three years ago by some fraudsters, things have gone from bad to worse for me and I had to resign to fate. I am a single mother of two and just have to find a way to help my situation and that of my children. I sell drinks and agbojedi to earn a living here and I thank God that one is still surviving no matter what,” she said.

Metro 22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday November 10, 2014

Karasina II, snake eating community in FCT

A

fter the day’s activities and the hustling and bustling associated with living in the city of Abuja, most people need a place where they could relax and unwind with cold drinks and some delicacies.

Such relaxation outlets dot the nooks and crannies of Abuja but there are a few that are different in terms of what they offer.

While many joints have become popular for the delicacies they offer on their menu, Karasana II village located along the very busy Kubwa expressway has become popular for a special kind of bush meat – Snake Meat.

Interestingly, snake according to those who eat it is a very special delicacy for the people of and most of the villagers talk proudly of the legendary eating of snake meat.

Despite the growing popularity of snake meat and its growing demand, this reporter would later discover and interesting part of this community – they don’t sell their snakes.

Investigations by Daily Times reveal that in joints where snakes are sold, depending on the size, one single smoked snake goes for between N1000 and N1,500 and a plate goes for N3000.

Speaking to Madaki of Karasan II, Danlami Danjuma said not everybody in Karasana eats the reptile but said those that eat only eat big ones.

He said, “Our ancestors forbid us to sell. The only bush meat we sell is rat and that for our Sunday pocket money” He also said the reptiles are going into extinction because of development coming to the area.

Snakes are reptiles that are found in most countries in the world. Some snakes are venomous, meaning that they can inject poison into the bloodstream through a bite. Snake meat is commonly eaten in the Southwest, South-South and some states in the North Central region of Nigeria.

The popular recipes include rattlesnake chili and barbecued snake meat. Other cultures generally eat their own, locally found snakes.

Snakes are considered medicinal in Chinese lore, as a “warming” food, and the blood of snakes is often mixed with liquor to produce a virility enhancer.

Traditional South American medicine includes dried or powdered snake meat which is believed to cure several different illnesses. Snake meat is usually said to taste like chicken, but a closer approximation is frog legs. Snake meat can be very tough if not prepared well.

Research shows that snake meat contains protein like any other type of meat. Protein is necessary for

many body systems, including the development of muscles. Protein provides amino acids the body cannot obtain any other way, which do everything from building cell walls, to regulating hormones. Snake meat contains roughly 93 calories per 100g (3.5 oz) of raw meat, depending on the type of snake. This is roughly half the calories and one

third the amount of fat of a similar amount of sirloin beef steak.

Fewer calories and less fat content for the same weight of meat can aid dieters in controlling their weight.

Experts however warned that as snake meat has been linked several times with severe strains of salmonella, which grows in the snake’s gut.

This bacteria is neutralized by proper handling and by cooking.

Snakes, like other animals, may also contain parasites and other infections that can be transmitted to humans, which can also be neutralized by proper handling, freezing, and thorough cooking.

Snake venom must enter the blood stream to pose any danger

to people, so there are no concerns about poisoning from eating most snakes.

Snake meat is relatively low in fat and calories, high in protein and some consider it a rising star in the food industry. However, like any type of meat, it should be prepared and cooked carefully to ensure it does not result in infection or food poisoning.

However, snake eating community is legendary and Danjuma said there has never been reported case of anyone being poisoned. He said they consider the snake meat like every other bush meat and said it taste extremely nice.

Other residents, who spoke, said they enjoy eating snake and that it is a delicacy that has passed on for many generations.

Also speaking, a prince in Karasina II, Abdullahi Bayero who is a teacher at the only Nomadic School in the village lamented on the issue of government taking their land without compensation.

He said being an indigenous community they should benefit from the ‘encroachment’ on their land through some form of compensation

Daily Times Nigria Monday December 8, 2014

FG, others move to execute gas industrial park

S

takeholders in the petroleum industry are awaiting the ground breaking of the nation’s gas revolution industrial park.

The park is important as it would kick start the execution of the flagship which was postponed because of communal issues in the Niger Delta.

Investigations showed that stakeholders, especially the Delta State Government, Ministry of Petroleum Resources

and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation have been working toward stepping up efforts in the project.

“We are working toward enduring that the project takes off because of its importance to the nation’s economy,” a source in the ministry said.

He said the government and other stakeholders have also been engaging with communities to ensure the project is not scuttled.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, following consultations with the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan announced the rescheduling of the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Gas Revolution Industrial Park earlier billed for November, this year.

While expressing regret for the inconveniences the postponement may pose to various stakeholders, the minister assured that the GRIP project is still on course and that a new date would be com-

municated to investors and the general public as soon as possible.

However, the project is expected to culminate in the production and supply of commercial gas for domestic use in power and other sectors in line with the nation’s gas master plan.

Already, the Federal Government has signed agreements with Generation and Distribution companies, Independent Power Producers, International Oil Companies, and the Nigeria Gas Company, for the supply of gas.

GE awards multi-million dollar contract to Julius Berger

J

ulius Berger Nigeria Plc. has emerged as the preferred bidder to build General Electric’s multi modal manufacturing and Assembly facility in Calabar, Nigeria.

Julius Berger has also been contracted to build a training facility on the manufacturing site that ensures on-going employee development.

Heirs Holdings, GE others partner to boost investment General Electric (GE) and Heirs Holdings (HH) have agreed to expand their existing relationship to jointly pursue opportunities in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas industry.

Having identified enormous opportunities in the upstream sector and the domestic demand for Oil and Gas, both companies are poised to collaborate in transforming the industry landscape.

Before now, GE’s collaboration with Heirs

Holdings was focused on the Nigerian power sector and specifically the expansion of Transcorp Ughelli, Nigeria’s largest power station.

The move is a clear demonstration of a new approach by multinational companies to develop meaningful and long term partnerships with credible and strong indigenous companies across a range of sectors.

It is also an endorsement of the growing maturity of Nigeria’s private sector.

PTDF trainees get instant employment

Gas plant

Ope Akintayo

23 Energy

In this facility, GE will provide one-year to fouryear training programs locally and internationally for repair engineers, welders, fabricators, machinists and special processing.

This was announced

by Vice Chairman of GE Mr. John Rice in Abuja during a courtesy visit on the Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Alison Diezani Madueke.

He disclosed that the emergence of Julius Berger in a competitive bidding process is in fulfillment of the pledge made last year by GE Chairman Mr. Jeff Immelt who in January 2013 announced a $1billion investment plan in Nigeria, out of which $250 million will be earmarked for capital expenditure that will make Calabar a regional hub

for manufacturing, service, and innovation.

The facility will have an improved ability to support a broader range of product lines in power generation as well as oil & gas exploration and production. GE has also pledged to spend an additional $800 million over 5 years in local souring of goods/ services, labor, staff welfare and training.

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund has sealed an agreement with Caverton Helicopters, a leading indigenous provider of aviation services and logistics for oil companies operating onshore and offshore in Nigeria, to engage 15 PTDF trained helicopter pilots after a period of internship as cadets in the company.

PTDF’s Head, Press and External Relations, Kalu Otisi, in a statement, said the fifteen trainees are part of twenty Nigerian youths of different academic

backgrounds who were sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund to undergo an 18 months Helicopter Piloting Training Programme at the Hover Dynamics Training Centre, Sandton, South Africa.

He stated that the trainees after the training acquired the Private Pilot Licenses (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL), instrument flight rating and passed all required exams for qualification as internationally certified pilots.

Afren begins Ameena drilling Afren Plc, and its partner, Oriental, have spudded the Ameena East well located on OML 115, offshore the nation.

The well drilled with the Shelf Adriatic I drilling rig is targeted at realizing 65 mmbbls of gross unrisked resources in zones of prospectivity in the Biafra intervals that are productive north of the acreage, with secondary objectives in the Qua Iboe reservoirs equivalent to those at the Ebok and Okwok fields.

The campaign at

Ameena East is expected to be completed in December, 2014m while drilling at the Ebok Deep exploration aimed at realising 50 mmbbls of gross unrisked resources in the deeper Qua Iboe and Biafra reservoirs.

The Interim Chief Executive of Afren, Mr. Toby Hayward stated, “With incremental new production to be brought on stream from both the CFB and NFB platforms, as well as from the Okoro FFD, Okwok, OML 26 and OML 113 developments.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Infotech

Æs

IOS gadgets, so selfish...

Olatunji Michael

T

he truth is that these gadgets are quite selfish because to send a bunch of pictures or a video from one iPhone to another is a quick and easy task with the use of AirDrop, iCloud if the recipient isn’t nearby and one can also use photo sharing BUT sending images from an iPhone to an Android smartphone or tablet is a different ball game all together.

Five different ways of sending photos from an iPhone to an Android device which is of easy access to almost everyone includes but not restricted to: 1. Via Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Viber, etc.

It has become very common for people to exchange photos and videos over a favorite IM client, such as Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Viber, Skype, ChatOn, WhatsApp, BBM etc. These multiplatform services, available on both iOS and Android, are easy to use and let you send images in bulk. The disadvantage of most of them ia that they will downscale the outgoing photo to save data and to speed up the process. In other words, the received image will not be of its original quality. If that’s not a problem, however, feel free to use the IM service you like best 2. Via Email Every iPhone has a fully functional email application, and even a novice user should know their way

around it. With its help, one can easily send a photo or two to a buddy of theirs, regardless of the make and model of the recipient’s smartphone.

Unfortunately, there’s a number of limitations to this method, and one of them is that there’s a limit to how much data you can send. Apple’s email service has a 20MB attachment limit, while Gmail lets you attach no more than 25MB per email.

3. Over the cloud This is a way of bypassing the limitations with the usage of emails.

Cloud services are used for more than just data back-up. Most of them let us easily share files and photo galleries with fellow Android users.

Dropbox and Google Drive are ideal for the purpose with their ability to

generate secure links to your images in their full resolution. Better yet, the services are free to use, unless you need more storage space than what a free account provides. Speaking of storage, Dropbox provides only 2GB of data for free, but you can get additional space by referring friends and/or completing various tasks. On the other hand, a free Google Drive account has a generous cap of 15GB, but the space is shared between your Google+ and Gmail accounts.

4. Using a computer As long as you have the necessary USB cables on hand, you may copy your images using a computer’s file manager. The process is pretty straightforward and required neither internet access, nor the installa-

tion of additional hardware onto the iPhone or Android device, unlike the methods described above. This is the solution we’d recommend for transferring photos and videos large in number or size.

5. Using an app for file transferring There’s an app for pretty much anything nowadays which includes apps for file transfer. There are several of them that work well and are available on both iOS and Android.

The trick to getting them to transfer your files is to have the apps installed on both devices. Otherwise, they won’t be able to link together.

Now we know different ways of transferring files from IOS gadgets to Android gadgets. Enjoy.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

25 Infotech

Here comes Xiaomi

F

or years coming, we have known the best playing phone brands from China to be the likes of Samsung, Lenovo and Huawei amongst others, but now in the super-popular country has emerged the mobile market player Xiaomi as the new favourite.

According to a report from Canalys, Xiaomi has risen to the king of the Chinese market in only a year, now holding 14 percent of the market share.

Starting out as a lowly device maker, the brand is looking into other parts of Asia and even beyond.

The company was founded just four years ago by Lei Jun. In the past year, Xiaomi only held 5 percent rank of China’s second-quarter smartphone shipments and at the first quarter of this year, the brand had reached 10.7 percent of the market share, while Samsung and Lenovo held 18.3 and 11 percent respectively.

Today’s figures put Xiaomi at 14 percent while Samsung, Lenovo and Yulong each hold 12 percent. The figures represent 15 million smartphones, a 240% progress covering the same period last year.

The brand’s performance shows that Xiaomi has advanced from a niche player in China to a major challenger in its market of origin.

Xiaomi’s success is largely thanks to a well-rounded and very tightly executed strategy, said Chris Jones, vice president and principal analyst. It offers very affordably priced phones, but it has focused on sales from apps, games and themes to increase profits.

Peculiarly, Xiaomi has a nature of weekly updating its software called MIUI, thereby offering its users new and customizable features based on their feedback, a routine followed with targeted and skillful marketing.

New releases are made every Friday.

Potentials for Growth The privately-held company is well known in China with its rabid fan-base, but is hardly known outside of its country.

97% of Xiaomi’s mobile phones are sold within China, and even then its success at home makes the brand the fifth-largest smartphone maker in the world, behind Samsung, Apple, Huawei and Lenovo.

“While smartphone penetration rates are nearing the saturation point in North American and other mature markets, regions like China, India and Brazil will continue to see dramatic growth over the next several years,” Colin Gibbs, an analyst at Gigaom Research, told the E-Commerce Times.

... More for the Lovers of China made phones

ucts in China if it is to retain its pace.

Despite the opportunities in emerging regions like China, Xiaomi’s swift rise to the top is still surprising to analysts who noted that Xiaomi is quietly missing one component which most of its competitors offer, and that is 4G network enabled phones.

Canalys’ Jones said “Xiaomi does not have a 4G phone in its portfo-

lio so it is months behind its Chinese competitors such as Yulong, Lenovo and ZTE, whose low-cost 4G phones are selling well”... “so Xiaomi generated huge demand for non-4G phones at a time when mobile operators try to move consumers to 4G phones”.

Even so, experts say the brand still does need to deliver 4G prod-

In Business One thing of note in the company’s success is its business model of relatively low-priced smartphones which are sold solely online. Xiaomi phones, which are sometimes criticized as Apple knockoffs, typically sell at around $130 – one-third the price of Apple’s devices.

Canalys analyst Jessica Kwee says “Its aggressive pricing model will certainly resonate beyond China, but the challenge it faces in scaling its model for success on a global stage should not be underestimated,” and “That said, Xiaomi does have the potential to be a disruptive force beyond China and international vendors should take note.”

Sources hint that the company actually makes its profits through content, add-ons, apps, games and services rather than from the sales of the devices themselves.

The company is also known for its creative marketing which have earned it a mass of loyal customers, furthermore, in customer relations, Xiaomi software engineers speak directly to consumers, which helps them directly understand the feedback which they use to update the company’s software.

Here And Onwards...

Having conquered China, Xiaomi

plans to exploit on its success and expand into international markets aiming to get into Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Thailand and Turkey amongst other countries by the end of the year. The brand has already begun making flash sales in India while it is also working on certifying its products in Brazil.

In the quest to enter into new markets and keep its momentum, Xiaomi will need to adopt the right marketing strategy for each new one.

Experts also note that the company needs to ensure that its devices keep up with current market trends and consumer demands considering its solely 3G based products.

“Xiaomi’s business will have to evolve quickly in China, as 4G networks continue to be deployed and data consumption ramps up,” Gigaom’s Gibbs said, “but the company has already established itself as a high-profile provider of smartphones and mobile services, and it has a chance to build on that momentum by expanding to markets such as Russia, Mexico and perhaps Brazil.”

Also in its growth quest, the company has been amassing tech experts to build its corporate value of over $10 billion.

Reports have it that the company poached Hugo Barra, a former Google executive in order to realize its ambition of becoming a global player.

Industry 26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday November 10, 2014

Nigerians should expect more collapsed buildings-SON Ugochukwu Onyeocha

F

ollowing the recent collapse of buildings in Lagos and Edo states which has led to the deaths of over 100 persons, the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Joseph Odumodu, on Thursday warned that “more buildings will collapse in Nigeria if the real issues are not addressed immediately.

Odumodu who was speaking to newsmen at a breakfast programme said “Every time there is a collapse, we must carry out an investigation and come out with a verdict,” he said, adding that “anytime you go to where a building collapses, you won’t find an engineer or architect; everybody disappears.

“And we all forget about it, until the next one happens and we just can’t continue with this.

He further noted that

“for us to find a lasting solution to building collapses, we have to work together” revealing “that SON has a recipe”.

“We must ensure that architects are involved in designs and structural engineers are involved in structures; but that is not where it ends.

The state governments must do the approvals,” he said.

He commended the efforts of the Lagos State Government where builders “apply for approval for any milestone when you are building,” adding that “the major reason for building collapses, is that the concrete mixture has failed.”

Odumodu also revealed that after visiting building centres in Abuja, Lagos and other states, he “only found engineers in less than 10 per cent of those sites.

So, at the end of the day, those who are mixing the cement are ordinary artisans and most of

Joseph Odumodu

them are not certified.

“So we also must ensure that artisans are certified,”he opined.

He also noted that from statistics obtained from a national survey conducted by SON, “less

than five per cent of blocks in Nigeria meet the NIS Standard 587 of 2007” which states that “you mix one portion of cement to six portions of sand to produce 22 nine inches of blocks from a bag.

“But I have been to block industries and they produce 45 blocks” from a bag.”

Odumodu also urged cement producers to start printing important information on their products to avoid building collapse.

“There is no bag of cement that carries a batch number, there is no bag of cement that carries an expiry date or use before date” adding that “they don’t carry information on how they should be applied; they don’t even tell you how you should store it,” he said.

He warned that “if you store cement on the floor, it will take moisture” because it is hygroscopic, adding that “if it

takes moisture, its activity reduces.”

He said market surveys have shown that 50kg cement bags contain 45kg of the product and sometimes expired products which could be a contributing factor to building collapse.

“Our job is about traceability. I go to a place where a building comes down and I am able to tell that these people (company) supplied all the re-enforcement bars used for the construction and I am able to take a sample of that and take it back to the manufacturer to ascertain its reliability.”

He further urged Nigerians to know about the grade of cement they use because the grade determines the kind of structure that can be built with the product.

Odumodu noted that there are new rules which demand “standards for flooring, plastering, slabs and columns.”

Stakeholders set to create jobs, reduce forex losses Ugochukwu Onyeocha

S Bulama

takeholders in the manufacturing, raw materials and science and technology industry have been urged to up the ante and increase the current local raw material sourcing capacity which is currently at 59% to reduce the massive foreign exchange losses arising from importation of these inputs from other countries.

This charge was given at the 2nd Nigerian Raw Materials (NIRAM) hold-

ing in Lagos at De Blue Roof, Lagos TV Events Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos.

The summit was put together by stakeholders which included manufacturers, intermediate firms, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Organised Private Sector, among others.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama, stated

The natural resources in the country could aid in reducing poverty and increase the flow of wealth in the land that Nigeria with its abundance of solid minerals which abounds in commercial quantity is now a leading global player in a number of agro-allied commodities

which are relevant in agriculture and manufacturing in the world.

He also revealed that the natural resources in the country could aid in CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

27 Agriculture

Africa spends $35bn on food imports yearly

A maize farm

P

olicy makers and researchers have described the rising youth unemployment in the continent as a “time bomb” that demands immediate attention.

They are bothered about the continent’s rising food import bill which is estimated at $35 billion annually.

For instance, the Executive Director, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Dr Fina Opio, stated that there was a great need to give it the necessary attention.

Opio, who chaired a forum on “Promoting Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Agripreneur Model,” stated that the youth, comprising young men and women have the most education, enthusiasm, and strength, yet

very limited opportunities to apply such talents within communities.

She stated that young individuals between 21 and 27 years old with different backgrounds and academic disciplines (ranging from art, information technology, and engineering to the biological sciences and agriculture) can take on the challenge of selfdevelopment with the right environment and encouragement.

Opio stated that the initiative, which began in 2012, under the leadership of Dr Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, has proved that given the proper opportunities and incentives, the urban and rural youth can quickly be directed towards marketoriented agriculture, agribusiness, and agroservices provision, with a huge impact upon the larger farming community.

“I was in Ibadan and

young individuals between 21 and 27 years old with different backgrounds and academic disciplines can take on the challenge of self-development with the right environment and encouragement.

was very impressed with the achievements of these young men and women. This is the way we should go and IITA has shown the way,” she added.

The special session which had other organizations such as the Conseil ouest et centre africain pour la recherche et le développement agricoles West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/ WECARD), and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) among others, recommended the mainstreaming the youth unemployment challenge at the national and even on regional and continental levels.

The participants called for the review and change of curriculums on agriculture in schools to encourage youth to go into agriculture and

thereby create agricultural entrepreneurs. In addition, the business orientation has to be emphasized and incorporated in the new curriculum.

They also recommended provision of access for youths to resources (funds, innovations, etc.) and collective assets such as machinery, land, productive assets, etc.

The position of the special session was reechoed by Dr Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) during his keynote talk at the highlight of the celebration.

According to Nwanze, if we wait further and do nothing, the ‘time bomb’ will explode. The IFAD president called on African governments to develop policies that would encourage inclusive growth, giving greater attention to marginal-

ized groups including youth and women, development of rural infrastructure, and provision of social services in the rural areas to curb ruralurban migration.

He said that Africa’s food import bill of $35 billion was a source of concern because the continent’s dependence on food imports has worsened its u7nemployment situation.

The Celebrating FARA event was attended by over 500 policymakers, researchers, and the donor community both from within and outside of Africa.

Dr Alfred Dixon, Head of the Partnership Coordination Office at IITA and Project Leader of the Cassava Weed Management Project, said the event re-echoed the magnitude of the youth problem among policy makers, technocrats, development investors, and other stakeholders in Africa.

Forum on agriculture honours Adesina

F

or Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, It was a case of a Prophet being honoured everywhere when the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) honoured him with an Award of Recognition on November 28, 2014 in far away Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to FARA the award is in recognition of the minister’s trail-blazing work towards sustainable funding for African agricultural research and development and his inspirational leadership of agricultural development on the continent.

The Award was one of the main events that marked FARA’s 15th year anniversary titled “CELEBRATE FARA: Delivering Africa’s future through science led agricultural transformation”.

While presenting the Award to Akinwumi, Executive Director FARA, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, said the Minister was being specially honoured for championing agricultural investments in one of Africa’s fastest growing economies and aggressively implementing bold policy reforms and pursuing innovative agricultural investment programmes to expand opportunities for the private sector thereby moving agriculture away from a development programme to a business issue.

Adesina

Business 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

NPA moves to boost ports development Nduka Uzuakpundu and Christy Uzoechi

T

he management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has intensified action to boost ports development in the nation. hese are targeted at providing adequate facilities to improve and sustain operations nationwide.

Currently, the Lagos port ranks third as the busiest in Africa – after Algiers, in Algeria and Durban, in South Africa. Until now, the Lagos seaport ranked fifth in the continent.

Investigations showed that the Mallam Habib Abdullahi-led administration has focused on research-based policies and measures that would ensure uninterrupted 24-hour port operations, continuous dredging and removal of critical wrecks along the channels which will guarantee a conducive business environment that would be essential to achieving its vision

to be the leading port in Africa.

This, in the years ahead, would make the NPA an active player in the sustenance of the Nigerian economy following the recent process of its rebasing as Africa’s foremost.

Abdullahi said that there was an ongoing process of improving existing port infrastructure such as the rehabilitation of port quay walls and aprons, deepening of channels, upgrading of common use facilities and ridding the channels of marine refuse.

The result is that the biggest vessel to call at any port in West Africa with an ambitious length of 232.33 metres and capacity of 4,500 tonne equivalent usage service (TEUS) requiring a draught of 13.5 metres now visit the Lagos and Onne ports.

At the launch of Electronic Ship Entry Notice (e-SEN) and celebration of two years of stewardship of the current management of the NPA, in Lagos, Abdullahi said

that the dredging and channelisation of the Nigerian ports had been applauded by stakeholders, including shipping companies, and that analysis had confirmed that most of the ports – Lagos, Onne, Warri, Bonny, Calabar etc – recorded increase in the Gross RegisteredTonnage (GRT) of vessels, mainly due to the capital and maintenance dredging of the channel by the NPA’s Joint Venture Companies.

The companies included the Lagos Channel Management Company and the Bonny Channel Management Company.

He said these strategic moves had reflected in a rise in cargo traffic to 77 (seventy-seven) million metric tons in 2013 from nearly 45 million metric tons, in 2005, excluding crude oil and gas. The e-SEN project is designed to simplify the payment process online to the NPA and enhance the provision of a link to the world economy, thereby encouraging international trade.

MAN hails FG on ECOWAS-EU economic partnership agreement Ugochukwu Onyeocha

S

takeholders in the nation’s economy have applauded the decision of the Federal Government not to endorse the ECOWAS-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), which they described a policy capable of enslaving manufacturers.

The manufacturers stated this at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Apapa Branch, held recently at the Golden Tulip Hotels in Lagos.

The Association also commended the Federal Government for the posi-

tive measures taken so far and the commitment of the administration to resuscitating the manufacturing sector and the economy in general and for anchoring the 2015 proposed budget on the manufacturing sector.

The guest speaker, Professor T. Ademola Oyejide, Chairman, Center for Trade and Development Initiative, University of Ibadan, who spoke on the theme “Understanding the Challenges and Implications of the ECOWAS-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET): New Regional Policy Framework” stated that it was regrettable that previous governments had failed

to denounce the agreement despite the implications of such for the Nigerian economy.

He stated that such an agreement was not in the country’s overall interest and called on the government to secure the interest of the country and its manufacturers which was its primary objective.

Oyejide stated that the Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at their meeting in Accra, Ghana on July 2014 approved the EPA and instructed the regional chief negotiators to take steps to start the process of signing and implementing the agreement.

He added that MAN’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Stakeholders set to create jobs, reduce forex losses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

reducing poverty and increase the flow of wealth in the land.

Bulama further stated that the inability of micro, small and mediumscale manufacturers to match the growth of multinationals and conglomerates, in terms of industrial raw material requirements, has led to

a huge portion of local resources being left untapped, while some are exported without any value-addition.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Governing Board, Raw Materials Research and Development, Senator Waild Jibrin (OON), stated that there is need to focus on ramping up raw

materials resource assistance to the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (MSME), which forms the majority of resource-based manufacturing concerns.

He stated that there was a great need to redirect focus on increasing local patronage of high quality raw materials or intermediate inputs.

Some guests at the event went further to bemoan the inability of most manufacturers in the country to package and market the resources available in the country.

Further studies on the solid minerals industry in the country have shown that only 13 out of the 44 available

solid minerals are actually being mined, processed and marketed.

Some of the available solid minerals include kaolin, barite, limestone, dolomite, feldspar, glass sand, gemstones , gold, iron ore, lead-zinc, tin (and its associated minerals), and recently gypsum, among others.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Stock Exchange last week EQUITIES A turnover of 1.526 billion shares worth N24.992 billion in 21,344 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.092 billion shares valued at N28.234 billion that exchanged hands penultimate week in 22,865 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.177 billion shares valued at N14.232 billion traded in 12,082 deals; thus contributing 77.13 per cent and 56.95 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with a turnover of 96.730 million shares worth N618.352 million in 1,211 deals.

The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with 88.039 million shares worth N5.919 billion in 3,568 deals.

Trading in the Top Three Equities namely- FBN Holdings Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporation Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 560.299 million shares worth N9.388 billion in 5,218 deals, contributing 36.71 per cent and 37.56 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Distribution of Quantity Traded FINANCIAL SERVICES 77 % CONGLOMERATES 11 % CONSUMER GOODS 6 % OTHERS

Also traded last week were a total of 10,886 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N1.652 million executed in 24 deals compared with a total of 9.058 million units valued at N99.755 million transacted last week in 31 deals.

RETAIL BONDS Similarly, a total of 9,250 units of FGN bonds valued at N10.345 million were executed in four deals compared with a total of 202 units valued at N219, 549.85 transacted last week in one deal.

INDEX MOVEMENT The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation depreciated by 3.81per cent to close on Friday at 33,228.29 and N10.970 trillion respectively.

Similarly, all the indices edged lower last week with exception of the NSE Insurance index that rose by 5.82 per cent and the NSE ASeM index that closed flat.

SUMMARY OF PRICE CHANGES Twenty-six (26) equities appreciated in price last week lower than fifty-one (51) equities of the penultimate week.

Forty-nine (49) equities depreciated in price higher than twenty (20) equities of the penultimate week, while one hundred and twenty-two (122) equities remained unchanged lower than one hundred and twenty-six (126) recorded in the penultimate week.

6%

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 1.177 billion shares valued at N14.232 billion traded in 12,082 deals...

29 Business

Business 30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

MAN hails FG on ECOWAS-EU Economic partnership agreement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating minister for the economy

Fears over 2015 budget ... as oil prices may fall below $60 per barrel Our Correspondent

F

ear has gripped close watchers of the global market as it becomes clear that the price of oil may fall below $60 per barrel.

The expected price level may affect the successful implementation of the 2015 budget which has been predicated at $65 per barrel.

Last weekend, the price of Brent crashed from $70 to $69.07 per barrel at the world market as a result of increased supply and low demand.

The price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC) basket of 12 crudes stood at $66.27 per barrel, compared with $67.31 the previous day, according to OPEC

Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

A Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, Mr. Bala Zaka, stated in a telephone interview that crude oil prices would continue to fall because of continued over-supply of crude oil to the market.

“The oil producers, especially the Middle East and the United States, have continued to supply commercial crude

oil to the volatile market.

There are no indications that the action would be arrested in the short term,” he stated.

According to him, the demand for crude oil is not likely to rise in the short or medium term because of slow economic growth in major consuming nations such as India and China which import oil from Nigeria.

Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the continued fall of crude oil prices has compelled the nation to devalue its currency.

He stated new measures to combat the worst oil price fall in years, including devaluing the Nigerian currency by 13 naira against the dollar.

Emefiele said at the 98th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee

that the naira would officially exchange at N168 for a dollar, against N155.

Other key decisions announced by the CBN governor include raising the monetary policy rate (MPR) from 12 to 13 per cent; increase of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), on private sector deposits from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, while retaining public sector CRR at its current level of 75 per cent.

“Without prejudice to this position, the committee is of the view that the softening crude oil prices could provide necessary leverage for the fiscal authority to reduce budgetary outlays on fuel subsidy and channel such savings to growth-enhancing sectors of the economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United States of America oil imports from Nigeria and Algeria have fallen by 93 per cent between 2010 and 2014 as a result of the production of American shale oil.

opposition was premised on the fact that from all parameters, West African States, including Nigeria are not at the same level of economic development with any European country to warrant the conclusion of a reciprocal trade relationship espoused in the trade agreement with EU. The manufacturers also advised that notwithstanding the status of EPA and ECOWAS Common External Tariff [CET], Nigeria should continue to insist on the incorporation of the 196 tariff lines which the country had earlier recommended for reclassification in the CET regime in addition to the urgent need to design appropriate instruments that will take care of the 241 tariff lines that currently enjoy various levels of levies as protective measures in Nigeria’.

The Association reiterated its appreciation of the Federal Government’s insistence at all regional negotiation meetings that Nigeria’s concerns in respect of the CET and EPA Market Access must be addressed before the country could endorse the agreements.

MAN assured the Government of its willingness and cooperation in respect of all measures to ensure that Nigeria is not turned into a dumping ground for foreign products and that employment in the domestic economy is sustained.

The chairman of the Apapa branch of MAN, Mr. F B Odunayo, thanked the federal and most importantly the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola for bridging the distance

between policy makers and the Organised Private Sector (OPS), the creation of trade free zones in the state and establishment of Independent Power Projects.

Odunayo called on the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi (CFR), to wage a total war on smuggling in the country which he described as being a threat to manufacturers in the country.

He also called on the customs to be more proactive in ensuring that Nigeria is no longer referred to as a dumping ground for smuggled items.

The association also called on the Lagos State governor to checkmate the activities of touts, area boys and local government officials which go about formulating and collecting unpublicised taxes and levies from manufacturers and hapless Nigerians.

MAN furthermore called on the federal government to address the concerns of manufacturers on the issue of fixed charges, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Lagos state, Mrs Senakpon Olusola Oworu, who was represented by the Director for Commerce, Mr. Akeem Adeniji, promised the body that their problems would be effectively addressed before the administration of Governor Fashola is over in 2015.

The commissioner stated that some of the problems of the association are currently being addressed as they were mentioned at the last state corporate assembly which had the governor in attendance.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

31Business Christmas: Hampers flood Lagos markets, prices soar

L-R: Director (Minister’s Office) Mr. Jonathan Juma, JICA Programme Officer, Elekwachi Doris, Leader of Survey Team, Akihiro Shimomura, Yoshiyuki Choso, Emko Mikami (JIKA Nigeria), Director Industrial Development Engr. (Mrs) Awobokun Tanwa, Permanent Secretary (FMITI) Amb. Abdulkadir Musa, Nishihata Emi, Director, Trade, Felix Oyakhilome Asikpata, Emko Mikami (JIKA), Director Finance and Accounts, Salmanu S. Faskari, and Director Investment, Mr. J.O. Olaonipekun, at the technical meeting between officials of the Industry, Trade and Investment Ministry and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the Development of Automobile Supplier Parks in Nigeria, in Abuja

Nigeria Looks To Japan For Disused Vehicles Recycling Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

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igeria is looking to Japan for assistance in getting rid of disused vehicles which have become an ubiquitous and unseemly sight across the country’s landscape through a process of recycling.

Speaking at a technical meeting between officials of the Industry, Trade and Investment Ministry and those of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the Development of Automobile Supplier Parks in Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa, said the ratio of new and used cars in Nigeria is be-

tween 5: 95 per cent in favour of used cars.

This, he said, was so because used cars were affordable to the average Nigerian which is why the government under its Transformation Agenda developed a holistic auto policy that emphasizes greater local content.

“For each new car in Nigeria we have 20 used cars. It is a big market to recycle vehicles in this country which may serve as avenue for employment and skills acquisition as well as opportunity for manufacturers to replace used cars with new one”.

Abdilkadir said local content development has been part of the Nigerian Industrial Revolu-

tion Plan (NIRP) which is the next stage of the Auto policy that the Ministry is focusing on in order to create employment and wealth as well as skill acquisitions for Nigerians in the auto sector.

He said that the intervention of the government of Japan in the sector was welcome and falls within the present administration’s plan to develop the auto industry sector in the country. He added that the development of auto clusters in the country was achievable and that the Ministry was ready to work with Japan in providing necessary support and information.

He recalled that the NIRP and National Enterprise Develop-

ment Programme (NEDEP) recently launched by the government were meant to develop skills of Nigerian youths as well as address the skills gap in the country adding that National Automotive Council (NAC) and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) were working with stakeholders to develop curriculum along value chain on automobile for higher institutions in the country.

He urged the survey team to widen their survey across the country in order to get true picture of data of automobile in the country noting that workshops, after sales service and training of personnel must cut across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Prices Of Gift Hampers Skyrockets In Lagos The prices of gift hampers which has flooded Lagos markets ahead of Christmas and other end of year festivities have continued to climb exorbitant heights as residents prepare to mark celebrations.

An investigation carried out by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday showed that the prices of the hampers went up by at least 25 per cent compared to those of last year.

The investigation also showed that the hampers were categorised according to their sizes and contents.

Prices of the hampers range from N6, 000 to N150, 000 depending on the items packed in them. Some of the hampers were classified as assorted, perfume, fruit, chocolate, wine and household items. They were packaged in cane baskets, raffia baskets, plastic bowls and wooden boxes. Some sellers revealed that several factors were responsible for the increase in the prices of hampers.

Mrs Rebecca Abiona, who sells hampers at Iponri Market, attributed the increase to high foreign exchange rate and increase in prices of items packed in the hampers.

NDIC Allays Depositors Fears Over Funds In Nigerian Banks

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he Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured that Nigerian depositor’s funds are safe in the nation’s banks and other financial insti-

tutions, in spite of the uncertainty in the global financial system.

The Corporation’s Director in charge of its Assets Management Department, Mr Bashir Umar, told journalists in Sokoto

that ‘’ The NDIC is there in case of any failure of the banks and other financial institutions to honor their statutory obligations. ‘’ Therefore, Nigerians have

nothing to worry about as they are in safe hands and the corporation is there to duly regulate their activities, as well as help in absorbing any unexpected shocks in the system,’’ he said.

Umar

Business 32

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Nigerians Groan As Oil Prices Keep Falling Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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t was a former Military Head of State; General Yakubu Gowon that once declared that Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it.” It was evidently clear that Nigeria’s problem as at the time of that comment not paucity of money; it was basically how to spend it.

Over 40 years on, the problem has widened in terms of scope. Nigeria still does not know how to spend its oil money to the benefit of its people.

Oil prices have been

in a free fall since June, reaching the peak at $115 per barrel, the price has steadily and consistently declined over the last four months to about $75 per barrel last Friday and analysts are of the view that the likelihood of the prices tumbling further to about $80 per barrel before enjoying some semblance of stability was high.

The steep slide in crude oil prices has attracted mixed feelings; while many Western countries have been rejoicing over the development which

Jonathan has resulted in lower pump price of fuel in those countries, the reverse is the case in countries that depend almost exclusively on oil revenues as they have been experiencing a reduction in earnings.

One of the countries in the latter group happens to be Nigeria.

In Nigeria, the sudden collapse in price of oil has aggravated the dwindling oil revenue occasioned by rising oil theft which the

Experts wants FG to revive refineries, stop importation,

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hree Financial Experts have called on the Federal Government to urgently turnaround the country’s fortunes in the oil sector by reviving moribund refineries and cut its dependence on importation of petroleum products.

Speaking in Lagos, the experts specifically noted that functional refineries and an efficient tax system were needed in the short run to cushion effects of dwindling oil prices.

Professor Sam Goddorms, of the Univer-

sity of Jos, said that by-products from functional refineries would create wealth because most of the by-products were imported.

“We should in a short time quicken the infrastructure needs of the Niger-Delta sub region as they are potential customers of petroleum products,” he said.

The former Commissioner, National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), Mr Bailey Oladipupo, said the government could also invest more in cotton production.

“Investing more in cotton production in which we have a better comparative advantage will turn the economy in the long run.

“Focusing on some cash crops, where we have strength, is sacrosanct if the nation’s economy must develop,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Precious Confectioneries, Lagos, Mrs Precious Aremu, said that the government should also encourage more Nigerians to venture into entrepreneurships.

Alison-Madueke country is also battling with.

Early in the year, the federal government complained of unstable oil prices in the international market, which dropped from over $100 per barrel to about $78 recently.

The effect of the oil price slump soon hit the country, as most state governors openly grumbled over a sharp fall in their share of monthly allocations from the Federation

Account. Consequently, several states were confronted with salary payment crisis, as unpaid wages have kept piling up.

Rising from a meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State recently, state governors under the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) implied that the Federal Government might be starving opposition states of funds deliberately and resolved to meet with President

Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the issue.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, said: “We looked at the dwindling resources of the state coming from FAAC (Federal Account Allocation Committee) on our monthly allocation, which has made it imperative that most states may not afford to pay salaries as a result of the dwindling resources.

Two million locally made electricity meters awaiting patronage – Association

Chinedu Nebo

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anufacturers of electricity meters in the country have disclosed that over two million meters have been manufactured in the country and were awaiting patronage

by electricity companies.

Indigenous meter manufacturers on said that they were up to the task of providing prepaid, post-paid, digital and smart meters to Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria.

Mr Muideen Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Electricity Meters Manufacturers Association of Nigeria made this known during a forum on the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI).

The programme was organised by the Nigeria

Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Lagos.

Ibrahim said that the local manufacturers had produced over two million smart meters in the country.

He appealed to the NERC to encourage the supply of meters to distribution companies in the country by local manufacturers.

Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, President of Consumer Right Advancement Organisation, also said that there were more than two million meters available in the country.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

33

Business Æ s

Auto policy: Nigeria joins league of car manufacturers Emmanuel Ogbonanya

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igeria has joined the league of car manufacturing countries like Germany, Britain, United States, China, Japan and other developed countries with the historic unveiling of the first ever truly made-inNigeria cars by the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, in Nnewi, Anambra State on Saturday 29th November.

Unveiling the IVM Fox hatchback and the IVM Umu saloon cars at the company’s Plant in Nnewi, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, noted that the historic feat was made possible by the recent Auto Policy of the federal government, which he said had dramatically reduced the volume of imported cars by 20 per cent since its introduction.

“This is another milestone under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who has insisted in positioning industrialisation and value addition in the forefront of his administration’s developmental policies and I commend Innoson for making significant investments to show that he supports our industrial policies,” he said.

He pointed out that President Jonathan has implemented policies that would diversify the country’s economy and sources of govern-

OPEC batters Nigeria, Gabon bonds, as crude oil drops

...Car Importation

...We have exceeded

drops by 20%

expectations –Aganga

ment revenue, given the fact that Nigeria has the raw materials to support industrialisation and so far the policies were yielding the desired re-

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he plunge in oil prices exacerbated by last week’s OPEC meeting is punishing the bonds of African crude producers as the nations’ finances come under threat.

sults.

Commenting on the local content analysis done on the IVM brand vehicles by the Nigerian Society of Engineers

The dollar bonds of Nigeria and Gabon, which derive about 70 percent of government revenue from oil exports, were the worst performers in emerging markets CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

NSE, which disclosed that the vehicles were made up of about 70 per cent locally sourced contents, the minister pointed out that there was

no country in the world that could boast of 100 per cent local content.

“Some OEMs do only 30 per cent but today we are all here making history in Nnewi the Japan of Africa, where we have successfully produced 70 per cent local component cars which is one of the highest and when you talk about affordability, Innoson is the cheapest,” he said.

Aganga added that other global brands like Nissan, Peugeot and others were driving partnerships and capacity expansion in the country’s auto sector.

“As we talk of the fall of oil price it has become critical that we cannot continue to import what we can produce here in Nigeria. We spend about $6 billion annually importing cars. However since the introduction of this policy, we have experienced a 20 per cent drop in imported cars and have exceeded expectations in a very short period,” he said.

According to Aganga, those who initially opposed the Auto Policy have decided to go into production: “Without the political will of the President we would have had a policy reversal with the amount of pressure that was mounted on us to drop it and we would not have been here unveiling these today,” he said.

He commended Innocent Chukwuma, the Chief Executive Officer of the Inno-

son Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, for possessing a can-do spirit which has propelled the company to dizzying heights of industrial success.

“Our industries deserve infrastructural and financial support to reach their objectives and for Innoson those two critical support components came from the administration of the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Bank of Industry BoI,” he said.

Aganga pledged the federal government’s continued patronage of locally manufactured products stressing that in passing the Auto Policy it was established that government will only buy made in Nigeria cars and provide the needed support for industries to excel and compete globally.

“We plan to open three auto component cluster parks in the country and we need the governor of Anambra State (Willie Obiano) to sign an MoU and give us a piece of land and the C of O here in Nnewi and we would establish one of the three cluster parks here,” he said.

Making his remarks, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, expressed the delight of the development Bank in witnessing the historic event.

“In Nigeria today, there are many companies that are into the assembly of cars but CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Nigeria, signals revenue to plunge as benchmark oil price suffers further cut

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igeria lowered its budgeted oil price for a second time in less than a month, signal-

ing government revenue is set to plunge in Africa’s biggest crude producer.

The medium-term budCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Business 34

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Drops in oil prices stirs crises in Nigeria, Gabon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

after Ukraine last week as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries kept its output ceiling unchanged.

The difference in yield between Angola’s August 2019 securities and equivalent U.S. Treasuries reached 4.92 percentage points on Dec. 1, the most since July 2013.

The central bank of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude producer, devalued the currency last week as the 36 percent plunge in oil this year sent the naira tumbling.

The International Monetary Fund projects An-

gola is facing its first budget deficit since 2009 as export revenue drops, while Gabon’s growth will slow next year, according to Standard Chartered Plc. Sentiment was “open to deteriorating very swiftly, as has happened,” Stephen BaileySmith, the London-based head of African strategy at Standard Bank Group Ltd., said by phone two days ago. “We’re not done yet. We need to see where the market is prepared to sell oil in the longer term before we can make calls on the fundamentals of these economies.”

Revenue to plunge as benchmark oil price suffers further cut CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

get plan for 2015 to 2017 will be based on an oil price of $65 a barrel, Paul Nwabuikwu, an Abuja-based spokesman for the Finance Ministry, said in an e-mail today. On Nov. 16, Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala cut the proposed benchmark price to $73 a barrel for 2015, down 5.8 percent from this year’s budgeted price.

Global oil prices have plunged more than a third since June, roiling Nigeria’s markets, eroding foreign-currency reserves and prompting policy makers to devalue the naira for the first time in three years. With crude exports accounting for about 70 percent of government income, the revenue slump may force authorities to curb spending in an election

year.

“It is a realistic price for the country,” Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer of Lagos-based consultancy Financial Derivatives Co., said by phone today from London. “The cut will mean a significant reduction to the budget.

The government has to push for the legislature to accept it.”

The revised budget plan was submitted to the National Assembly for approval, Nwabuikwu said.

‘Fiscal Flexibility’ “This is a good plan, as it means there is some fiscal flexibility,” Razia Khan, the London-based head of African economic research at Standard Chartered Plc, said by e-mail today. “The downside is that we will not get great detail on spending allocations.”

Nigeria drives self into league of auto makers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

today for the first time we are actually manufacturing cars. The Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan NIRP is beginning to bear fruits in the key areas of competitive and comparative advantages, where we can drive growth and development in the economy.

He noted that Innoson was an exemplary customer of the bank adding that this was the beginning of more good things to come from the Bank’s partnership with the company.

In his speech the president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, Engr.

Ademola Olorunfemi, disclosed that few years ago when the body paid a visit to the Vehicle plant, they were given an IVM Bus to carry out a product analysis on it.

“We did observe that being an effort in the right direction, more needed to be done to introduce more local content into it and more.

Today, within two years Innoson has improved on all our recommendations and increased the vehicles local content up to 70 per cent which is not less than what is obtainable elsewhere in the world,” he said.

He announced that the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd, has been granted permit by the Nigerian Society of Engineers to use the NSE seal, while the CEO, Innocent Chukwuma will be inducted into the NSE hall of fame, making him the 19th person in over 60 years of the body’s existence to be so highly honoured.

He urged President Jonathan to muster all the political will at his disposal to mandate the use of only made-in-Nigeria cars by all MDAs. Representing the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, his Deputy Nkem Okeke, commended the Innoson group for the company’s developmental strides, value addition and job creation.

“It is not only through trade that a nation can de-

70%

local content now being met

Nnewi to become national hub for auto manufacturing

velop, but through the conversion of our local raw materials into finished products.

Therefore we will continue to support Innoson and other well-meaning industrialists,” he said.

Okeke stressed that the only way a company like Innoson can develop is when the nation buys the products of local manufacturers.

“I thank BoI and I hope that what they have done for Innoson will be extended to other industries from this state in our quest to provide jobs for our citizens,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and National President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, noted that the feat of achieving the production of made-in-Nigeria cars was attained despite the challenging business environment which manufacturers faced in the country.

“It is a testimony that the

$6b

Federal Government’s Auto Policy is working. The automobile industry Bill has not yet been passed by the National Assembly and we are all expecting that it will be done soon enough,” he said.

Chika Nwokoye, a principal officer of the National Automotive Council NAC, noted that Innoson has shown evidence that the vision of the federal government’s Auto Policy can be transformed into reality.

“We have already seen some of these vehicles on the roads and we thank the federal government for giving this policy an opportunity to be implemented. The lack of support from previous administrations had caused the massive closures and relocations of many spare parts manufacturers from Nnewi that is supposed to be an auto component hub in the country, but we believe that going by what we are seeing today, in a few years time Nnewi will be a thriving auto hub,” he said.

The National Vice President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA, JC Nwagbara, noted that this has marked the beginning of a new era in the auto sector thanks to the doggedness and commitment of the Innoson Group.

spent yearly on importation of vehicles for drastic reduction

Innoson pioneers revolution in Nigeria

He said that the company has stated in clear terms that the private sector was working, through the realisation of this dream.

“The government has done so well in promoting industrialisation, I urge them at all levels of government to use locally made vehicles and do all that is possible to make ours globally competitive and of international standards,” he said.

Nwagbara pointed out that the quality of the IVM Brand of vehicles in terms of convenience and luxury compares favourably with international brands and hopefully will curb the taste of Nigerians for foreign brands/imported vehicles.

Earlier the CEO of IVM, Innocent Chukwuma, recalled the rough road to success, which started in March 2007 amidst speculations and doubts from critics.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

35

Culture & Art Æ s Library Stockers donate books to Lagos library

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embers of Library Stockers of Nigeria (LSN), which includes prominent writers, poets and authors, have donated educational and inspirational books to Centre for Research Information Management and Development in Idimu Lagos State in furtherance of its commitment to learning and improving the standard of education in the country.

The book donations, done to re-awaken the reading culture in the society, formed part of the LSN programme to commemorate this year’s International Literacy Day. Led by Mr. Eriata Oribhabor, former Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Chairman, Abuja Chapter, the LSN team was received by Dr. Rapheal James, owner of the library and Photo museum.

Presenting the books, Oribhabor said the group placed a high premium on education, as continuous learning was one of the group’s core values. He said knowledge obtained through education was the key to life-long success and outstanding accomplishments by individuals, adding that only those who were educated rule the world through their ideas.

Series of events such as book reading, poetry performance and oration were performed during the event.

Aj Dagga Tolar, a renowned poet, spiced up the event with his dope poetry performance‘AK 47’, an eye-opening poem that implores everyone to embrace education in order to stamp violence from the society. The Book Reading Session was very interesting and educative.

The Idimu library also has a photo museum of Nigeria where makers of history are visually immortalized. The museum has over 2,000 photo-

Rare poems A collection of poems by Livy Elcon Emereonye, Desert of Gardens dwells on the failure of leadership in Nigeria.

AGOZINO AGOZINO takes a peep into the new work.

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esert of Gardens, a collection of poems

by Livy Elcon Emereonye, discusses a subject of great contemporary relevance. It tells the story of Nigerian people, a nation that is greatly endowed but has been shortchanged by its leaders. It is a country rich in human and material resources and the new collation draws attention to the plight of the people whose future has been exploited by their leaders.

The 159-page book paints a picture of a nation devastated by poor leadership, hypocrisy and neglect by the military and civil class.

Drawing on his experience from years of critical investigation, Emereonye explores the insincerity of men in politics masquerading as messiahs. He denounces the excesses of the military in politics and the corruption of civilian politicians.

In Tigon, a picture of the painful past, the poet delineates the characteristics of politicians in power who mount up deceptive campaigns to blindfold the masses under the pretext of changing things in the system.

He spares no effort in lambasting the ineptitude and gross misconduct of politicians in power, and seems to allude to Lord Denning’s adage: “Power corrupts and

absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The masses are allowed to die of their sickness while those in power embark on endless overseas health trips and are surfeited by af-

In London, Nike Okundaye steps out solo with cultural images

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ntrospective paintings mounted in London recently by Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye inspire hope in the return of deep cultural themes to gallery display.

AGOZINO AGOZINO appraises the show and the artist’s studio traits.

A LAND of diverse cultural

heritage and ethnic upheavals as contemporary Nigeria will need many artists like Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye. At least, that is what her recent exhibition The Journey of an African Woman, which ended at London frontline Gallery of African Arts, projected.

With the maze of cultural di-

fluence. He calls this a democratic rape that turns a man into an ape. The change of baton from military to civilian is an exercise in futility and our nascent democracy through

“tactical negotiation or election” are a rape of democratic ethos. Even the programmes established by the government, like anticorruption agencies, are business more than usual.

Thus the poet laments that in the African Independent nations, despotic and undemocratic policies of the rulers have marginalised the masses and forced them to become cynical of the system.

He calls on the masses to stand boldly for morality and come together to stamp out the malaise in society.

The same tone of futility and hopelessness permeates the poem Fallacy. Millions are trapped by what the poet describes as National Charade. Everywhere you turn and whatever people do are informed by insincerity, cosmetic promises and betrayal.

The society is out of joint.

Cultism reigns supreme and those who fought for our sovereignty are not remembered.

But the poet hopes that “one day the hunter will be hunted/ and the killer will be mercilessly killed/No matter how the fallacy’s been buttered and balled”.

The poet acknowledges the Almighty God as the source of life, providence and protection in the poem titled “If not CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

versity and ethnic distinction she spots social harmony and bliss in Nigeria. In the show, the artist who runs the popular Lekki Gallery served a collection of thrilling works.

Okundaye’s works present not only Yoruba culture the way it should look but captures other interesting themes. The event which also featured an art talk and conversation with Belinda Otas, curator of the gallery was memorable.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Culture & Art 36

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Nike Okundaye dazzles art enthusiasts in London CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

Among the titles at display were Arugba (1978) a batik work that captivated the audience. The piece depicts a festival that took place in Osogbo. Another is Iwa, an early monochromatic pen and ink work that dwells on religious theme. Similarly, Adam and Eve First Love (1978), another painting displayed at the event was produced during her residency at Osogbo under the guidance of the late Susanne Wenger. Also in the outing was Drumming (1984), an engaging panting which reveals a sort of intricate pattern of wax and painting that has become her signature. The exhibition also showcased works done in watercolors that Nike produced since 1999. The watercolour painting which looks more like an experimental one explores deep Yoruba ethos.

Also in the showcase are such titles like Blossoms of Life (2000), Pillars of Love (2010) in the Feminine Power Series (2002), and others.

Also interesting to behold are Nike’s geometric shapes and stylised forms that are complemented by the detailed designs and good look. Her textures are lavish and her canvass is characteristically enchanting and bold.

In a chat with Daily Times, she explained that the show was an opportunity to present her works to the London public. “I have held several exhibitions recently, including my yearly exhibition with TolaWewe, but this is my latest exhibition in London. I am

19 84

DRUMMING an engaging panting which reveals a sort of intricate pattern of wax and painting that has become her signature

happy because it offered me the opportunity to showcase my works to London again,’’ she said.

Mrs. Okundaye who traverses the globe with her art also said showcasing culture and places has been a big fulfillment in her life. The artist

Arty quote “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” ― -Victor Hugo

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ADAM AND EVE FIRST LOVE produced during her residency at Osogbo under the guidance of the late Susanne Wenger

described her art thus: “My art is spiritual and goes much deeper than natural talent.

My creativity stems from the spirits within me and as such these spirits are the drivers of my work. Indeed, the absence of the spirits can hinder my work but the true beauty of

this symbiosis is that the art that originates from this unique partnership is there for all to see.’’

Since the opening of the exhibition, artists who know her have commented on the show and the quality of her works Former Managing Di-

Library Stockers donate books to Lagos library

embers of Library Stockers of Nigeria (LSN), which includes prominent writers, poets andauthors, have donated educational and inspirational books to Centre for Research Information Management and Development inIdimuLagos State in furtherance of its commitment to learning and improving the standard of education in the country.

The book donations, done un-

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rector of Promasidor, Keith Richards, who is also an art collector, while appraising the works described it as a delightful package. According to Richard, Okundaye’s recent show was not only a collection of intriguing images but a peep into her mind.

“It is not possible to fully appreciate the works of Nike Okundaye without having some understanding of the cultural, social and religious environment that has shaped her life and her work. The very essence of Nike can be seen very clearly in this collection from the early monochrome pen and ink work, through her time at the Osogbo art school under the spiritual influence of her mentor , Suzanne Wenger, and right until her recent collaboration with Tola Wewe in their ‘Stitches of Partnership’. Throughout her life Nike has always remained utterly connected to her being as a Yoruba woman--from leaving home at 13 to escape an arranged marriage, the experience of being the junior wife in the Twins Seven Seven compound, to the profound mysticism of the Orisha religion and the social lot of rural women. In fact, the very fibre of Nike’s work is woven from these threads both in terms of the subject and the media she works in.’’

Richard equally noted that the works on display at the exhibition highlighted the dynamics of Yoruba culture by showcasing the people’s vast heritage. According to Richard, “Many of the works in this exhibition are from a historical period.

der the auspices of the group initiative to re-awaken the reading culture among thesociety, formed part of the LSN programme to commemorate this year’s international literacy day.

Led by Mr. EriataOribhabor former Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) chairman, Abuja Chapter), the team of donors was warmly received by Dr. Rapheal James, owner of the library and Photo museum).

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

37 Opinion

The opposition as Devil’s advocates

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Abdulwarees Solanke

anifestly, a devil advocate is an agent provocateur, often hard and bitter. So, we see him as an enemy or bitter opponent. But what is the role of the devil advocates in the polity? What is their significance in our lives?

In the real sense, devil advocates may not be bad for us even if on their own their intentions are bad or us. When looked at closely in the public sphere, the devil advocate exists to strengthen our convictions and properly channel our courses of actions, criticizing them to see the logic of choices and decisions we make; they suspect our motives to expose our sincerity or hypocrisy; they question our intentions so that our real meaning can come to the open.

They condemn our moves for us to retrace our steps; they deride our judgement for us to have a rethink; they find faults with our decisions for us to be

benefitted by fresh insights; they taunt us on our mistakes so that we won’t go on misadventures again; they oppose our choices so that we can have new and better alternatives; they inspire fear and defeat in us so that we can strengthen our resolve; they’re salesmen of pessimism for us to rise above the mentality of short-sightedness.

They label us on our strategies so that we can become more creative and pragmatic; they stereotype us on our convictions so that we can show them our other softer side. We see them taunting and tormenting us most of the time. But in their harshness and indiscretions, they exist to deepen our reasoning; keep us on our toes; beam for us new searchlights; return us to the drawing boards in our confusion; they sharpen our instincts; open for us new vista of choices and alternatives and of opportunities; and when we’re subjective, they force us to become objective; when we are pedantic and simplistic, they fire us to be rational.

When we are myopic, they

widen our lenses and perception; when we have tunnel view, they open for us new and multiple windows of ideas; when we are lazy or complacent, they force rigour on us; when we are flippant, they drive order in our thoughts and words; when we

These agent provocateurs are everyone with power, influence, voice and capacity to engage forget to do our homework well, they give us the hard knocks to awaken our senses; when we become arrogant, they bring us down from the clouds to the world of reality; when our preparations are shoddy, they point out our shortcomings; when we are superficial, they ignite in us the flame of originality.

These agent provocateurs are everyone with power, influence,

voice and capacity to engage the authorities and the leaderships at various levels. They are in the labour movement and among the phone-in contributors on radio and television, they are online or active in the social media as bloggers, posting on facebook and youtube, twitting viral comments and sending i-reports as citizen journalists on cable and satellite channels.

They are among the students and the molue masses, or the man on the street. They are on the mimbars and the pulpits as imams and bishops; they are among the opposition and the defeated; they are among the neglected and the relegated; they are in the academia and the press; they are in the parliament and on the bench; they are among the specialists and technocrats, retired bureaucrats and unlucky candidates for public offices; they are among donor agents and international civil servants. They are everyone with interests to protect, vested or patriotic, or voices to be heard, whether sane or lousy.

Politicisation of declining oil prices

O

Olusola Daniel

ver the past few days, I have read and listened to various discussions about the state of the Nigerian economy, and it is disheartening to see some supposed opinion leaders feeding the public with halftruths or blatant lies all in a bid to achieve their sinister objectives. One would expect an issue as crucial as this to be taken with all seriousness rather than being used as an opportunity to score political points while launching ill-advised missiles at well-meaning public servants.

Like King Solomon said in the Holy Writ, sensible people foresee trouble and hide from it, but gullible people go ahead and suffer the consequence.

This aptly describes what we are experiencing in Nigeria today.

Like a sentinel watching over the

economic affairs of our nation, the finance minister has repeatedly warned of an impending shock. This apostle of prudence, who set up the Excess Crude Account to build up savings for the nation, has continued to caution the political class against profligacy while advocating for healthy savings.

These moves by the finance minister, in addition to her consistent calls for cutting down recurrent expenditure and setting lower budget benchmark in light of global economic realities, have met with stiff resistance from our lawmakers at the national assembly and our all-powerful state governors. Is it not therefore surprising that some folks would say she didn’t sound the alarm early enough when she has been drawing attention to these realities for more than three years now?

Shouldn’t we rather question the governors and legislators who have depleted our reserves by

constantly laying heavy demands on our oil earnings to fund their profligacy?

While commenting on the issue in April 2012, the minister noted that fiscal federalism has made it difficult for the country

sensible people foresee trouble and hide from it, but gullible people go ahead and suffer the consequence. to save. “It is difficult getting governors to agree to $1bn savings for the SWF. We had the state governors saying they can only allow $1bn. Now they say it is illegal and the country is not able to save. In the excess crude

account today we have left only about $3.6bn. Should the oil price drop today we have no cushion because $3.6bn for this economy is not enough to take us to any length of time,” she said.

Rather than criticising madam Okonjo-Iweala for everything that goes wrong, we should commend her for working hard to stabilise the economy.

She has continued to defend the interests of the average Nigerian in spite of stiff opposition from those who would rather squander our commonwealth on self-aggrandisement. Even in this difficult period, she has advanced measures to protect the poor through the retention of critical infrastructure projects and building of social safety nets. Another commendable move is the planned luxury tax on private jets, champagne and other luxury goods such that the rich would also bear the brunt of the economic downturn.

Business 38

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Naira drops in worst month since 2008 on OPEC

T

he naira posted its worst monthly drop in almost six years against the dollar and Nigerian stocks retreated for the fifth month amid tumbling oil prices.

The currency of Africa’s largest oil producer fell 2.1 percent to 178.65 per dollar as of 5:35 p.m in Lagos, a record low on a closing basis. The naira weakened 7.3 percent this month, the most among the 24 African currencies tracked by Bloomberg and worst month since

December 2008. The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index declined 0.5 percent to extend losses this month to 8 percent.

The 12-nation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries kept output targets unchanged even after the steepest oil slump since the global recession.

Crude exports account for about 70 percent of Nigerian government revenue. The central bank tried to bolster the naira by increasing

24

African currencies tracked by Bloomberg in worst month since

12

December 2008

T

among 17 African indexes tracked by Bloomberg.

Foreign investors sold stocks from the continent’s biggest oil producer as crude prices retreated into a bear market and

interest rates to a record high on Nov. 25 and changed the range used to buy naira at foreignexchange auctions to 168 per dollar, plus or minus 5 percent, from within 3 percent of 155.

“The OPEC decisions have increased the risk to the nation’s economic

outlook,” Ayodeji Ebo, head of research at Afrinvest West Africa Ltd. in Lagos, said by phone.

“That means the naira could need a new support level.”

Yesterday’s announcement by OPEC may force the central bank to increase sales of dollars to

said. Investors outside the country are projected to return following the vote in about two months, according to him. President Goodluck Jonathan is running for a second

Nigeria’s $520 billion economy, Africa’s largest, is forecast to grow 6.5 percent this year before a presidential election in February.

The Nigerian economy is “highly diversified” and there won’t be a “tremendous impact” from falling oil prices, Onyema

Countries kept output targets unchanged even after the steepest oil slump since the global recession

Africa’s largest oil producer falls 2.1 percent to 178.65 per dollar

Nigeria bourse plans to introduce derivatives trading in 2016 he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGSEINDX), the second-biggest bourse in Africa, is planning to introduce trading in financial derivatives in 2016.

“A lot of work is going on,” Chief Executive Officer Oscar Onyema said in an interview in Hong Kong today. The market is considering futures and options on both single stocks and equity indexes among financial derivatives, he said.

Nigeria is looking to deepen trading following a 19 percent slide in the market’s all-share measure this year, the worst

nation Organization of Petroleum Exporting

term.

The 195-member main index rose less than 0.1 percent to 33,570.88 by 10:16 a.m. in Lagos, ending a three-day losing stretch.

The naira weakened 1.6

Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange

percent to 183.90 per dollar. Nigeria’s $520 billion economy, Africa’s largest, is forecast to grow 6.5 percent this year and next, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists.

banks in the interbank market, he said.

Nestle Nigeria Plc made the biggest contribution to the drop in the NSE All Share Index today, falling 5 percent, while FBN Holdings Plc (FBNH), the owner of First Bank, the country’s largest lender, declined

4.3 percent.

Brent crude was up 0.2 percent to $72.74 a barrel, paring its loss this month to 15 percent. It fell 6.7 percent yesterday after OPEC, including Nigeria, agreed in Vienna to maintain production at 30 million barrels per day.

Women farmers seek government assistance in Taraba

F

emale Farmers in Taraba state has called for g ove r n m e n t s ’ assistance in the area of procuring these agricultural equipments to easy farming in the nation.

The farmers who participated at the Taraba Women in Agri - Business forum organize by Farmfields Agro Allied services In partnership with African Women Power Network AWP in Jalingo stress that female farmers needs encouragement and financial support to boast food production in the country.

The Participates identified lack of funds to procure them agricultural equipments as a major

treat to war against food insecurity facing Africa.

The Managing Director of Farmfields Agro Allied services, Mr. Zanau Hassan said proper funding of agriculture particularly women who makes a larger number of rural farmers would increase food production in the country.

Hassan said women in agriculture businesses needs to be expose to better opportunities for funding and marketing of their farm produce.

He said the training is targeted at on sensitizing and empowering women in agriculture on innovative farming techniques, relevant skills and concepts for increased production.

39

Daily Times Monday December 8, 2014

Crime

Lagos State chief Judge, Mrs Philips

Æs 75-yr-old man sues wife, 50, for divorce

It was drama at Igando Customary Court, where a 75-year old man, identified as Abdullahi Fakorede had dragged his wife, aged 50, to court, seeking divorce of their marriage.

The court was thrown into laughter when the case was called and a frail looking bent old man appeared and immediately appealed to the court to dissolve his marriage.

First, it was that of sympathy, then look of disbelief, before the seriousness of the matter dawned on all in the court hall, when the man said he was not yet ready to die, “even then, not from

the hands of a woman.”

The case filed by the old man, alleged that his wife has turned him into a punching bag.

“My Lord, my wife has turned me into a punching bag. Anytime she does something wrong and when I complain, she would descend on me like a baby, beating me mercilessly. She goes out and come back at will, and if I ask her where she went to, she would beat me up. She has turned me into a punching bag, I therefore want this marriage dissolved,” he pleaded with the court.

After the departure of MD Abubakar

Roadblocks resurface in Lagos

Continued on page 40

PSC restructures the Force

Alex OTUDOR

I

llegal checkpoints and police roadblocks banned by the former Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, have resurfaced in major roads, highways and side streets in Lagos, particularly in the last two months.

Investigations by Daily Times indicate the presence of illegal checkpoints in Idimu, Ikotun and Igando police divisions.

Most of these roadblocks are mounted in the front of the police station or as in the case of Idimu, in the front of the Area command, headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The police mount the illegal road blocks twice daily. The first is between 4.30am to 8.00am, when they extort commercial motorists, Okada operators, youths carrying laptop bags, who thney alleged to be 419ners and other persons.

At about 5.00pm, police operatives mount roadblocks in the front of Igando police station and the road leading to Akesan and Egan. They would remain there about 12midnight when they vacate the roads. Their counterparts in Idimu takeover the ever busy Idimu-Ikotun roadfrom about 6.00pm and remain there till about 11.00pm, while those in Ikotun would establish checkpoints at Ikotun roundabout, at a point just be-

Continued on page 40

Okiro

You are impotent, let me go – wife Husband: Best of luck, you are free to go An Ilorin Area court has granted the divorce request of Mariam Sherriff, 30, who dragged her husband to the court alleging among other issues, impotence on the part of her husband; thus making her childless after 5 years of marriage.

She further claimed that she

was not happy in her matrimonial home.

In her suit, Mariam said, ‘I have tried all I could, yet I have nothing to show as a woman to my husband since we got married in 2008. My lord, I want an end to this marriage, because I see no reason enduring in an

unproductive marriage’, she prayed the court.

Lawal, the husband did not object to her claims, asking the court to let his wife go. ‘She is free to go. I wish her the best of luck, because I cannot keep a woman that is not happy under my roof,’ he told the court.

In line with the transformation agenda of the federal government and to reposition the force for a better service delivery, the Police Service Commission, PSC, has restructured the force, creating six geo-political zones, to be headed by Zonal Deputy Inspectors General of Police, known as Zonal DIGs. This was exclusively revealed to Daily Times by Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, a retired Inspector General of Police.

Daily Timesinvestigation reveals that the Commission is sourcing for funds, office space and residential accommodation for the personnel in the zones.

Already, the Commission has secured presidential approval for the total restructuring of the force, which is expected to take effect soon as take-off funds are approved.

With the restructuring, only the Inspector General of Police would occupy the Louis Edet House Force headquarters, while the seven departments

Continued on page 40

Daily Times Monday December 8, 2014

40 Crime

I took part in three robberies –Taiwo, female robbery kingpin Alex Otudor

made pistols and two AK 47 loaded magazines were among other items recovered.

I

n Mushin area of Lagos where she lives and carries out her trade as a frozen fish seller, she is regarded as the mother of children; in part due to her kind heartedness. But behind that–motherly appearance and a good customer relationship, lies a brutish heart in Taiwo Obafunsho,a self-confessed member of a vicious robbery gang, recently smashed by the police in Lagos.

Her gang members including Ife Olubaba, Saheed Wasiu, Seun Idowu and Wasiu Rafiu had attacked and killed three policemen in Iju area of the state in early October, 2013.

The target of the robbers, according to Wasiu Sonni, another member of the gang, was the sophisticated AK 47 rifles of the police. They carted away two of the guns from the slayed policemen.

Although, Taiwo told Daily Times that she never participated in the attack that killed the policemen, she confessed to have taken part in three robber operations, since joining the gang early in the year.

She refused to explain further her robbery exploits, how much she realized from the operations and how the loot was invested. Daily Times gathered from SARS operatives that, ‘a reasonable amount of money was pumped into her frozen foods business in Mushin.’

It was gathered that she was lured into becoming a member of the gang by Taiwo Agege, another member of the gang who was killed in an exchange of gun fire with police, when

Roadblocks resurface in Lagos Continued from page ??

the gang’s hideout in Mushin was stormed by SARS operatives.

‘Police kill Taiwo wen dem come arrest us. Dem shoot themselves, police and my members, na so bullet hit Taiwo and he die’, she said in patched English. She went on, ‘Taiwo was the one who introduced me to the gang. He use to come and dash me money.

Sometimes, he go give me

N20,000 or N30,000 and that is how I started befriending him till I join the gang.’

The gang, though based in Mushin, its area of operations covered Lagos and a sizeable portion of Ogun state, according to Madam Taiwo. ‘I no follow my other members comot on the day the policemen were shot and killed in Iju, but I hear say na the leader of the gang, Ife Olubaba, that sug-

gested that the policemen be killed for their guns.’

The crack SARS operatives led by Commander Abba Kyari did not only recover the stolen guns belonging to the police, a Hyundai Tucson SUV Jeep, with registration number MUS (Mushin, Lagos) 350 BG; said to be the operational vehicle of the gang, an automatic pump action gun, several rounds of live ammunition, four locally

Missing Person One Oriyomi Yusuf, aged 20 said to have headed for a friend’s place in Mulero area of Agege recently and has since been not returned. According to the brother, AlabiMukaila of 13, Mulero Street off Mulero Bus stop, DopemuAgege, the missing young man had gone to visit

Grandpa seeks divorce from grandma Continued from page ??

He went on to plead, “I don’t want to die yet; and even then not from the hands of a woman. This woman is a devil. She has influenced my daughters such that they don’t respect me again and they are becoming wayward. I want her out, please, my lord.”

The court could not decide the fate of the marriage, as the case was adjourned to a later date for further hearing. Meanwhile, the wife, simply identified as Yinka was not in court when the case came up.

his friend but had since not returned. The police in Dopemu are investigating the development.

Meanwhile, the command is calling on anybody with useful information which lead to the location of these persons to volunteer such information to the nearest police station.

Aderanti, Lagos CP

PSC restructures the Force Continued from page ?? presently headed by DIGs would be headed by Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs. The departments are Administration, Operation, Works and Training. Others are Research, Force Criminal Investigations Department and the recently created Force Information Technology. The Force Secretary is an Assistant Inspector General of Police, same as the Force Intelligence section.

The Zonal DIGs are expected to ad-

minister the states under their zones and only refer ‘serious and very pressing issues to the IGP. This would allow room for the IG to channel his energy to other areas as operation and running of the force,’ said Okiro.

According to him, the present structure, ‘mounts so much pressure on the person and office of the IG. This singular adjustment would reposition, refocus and reengineer the force for a better and more responsive service delivery.’

fore Synagogue Church of All Nations and another in front of the station.

In between the period, the police still devise means to arrest commercial motorists and extort them.

Meanwhile, police men all the stations visited by this reporter have resorted to charging between N5,000 and N10,000 for bail depending on the bargaining power of the litigants and the nature of the offence. It could be much higher. It was a major offence, when led to the dismissal of several policemen during the era of MD Abubakar as the IGP, for a policeman to ask for or collect money to secure the bail of any detainee. Not only would the policeman be held responsible, his DPO would also face Orderly Room trial.

Although, the present IGP, Sulaiman Abba has read the riot act; policemen do not view him as a tough cop, a situation that has allowed for the increased rate of indiscipline and corruption among police officers and men.

In all emergencies, call any of the police control rooms on the following numbers:

A. Police Control Room 1: Emergency/Distress Calls: 07055350249; 07035068242

B. RRS Control Room 2,

Alausa, Ikeja: 08065154338; 07055462708

C. Control Room 3,

State Police Command: 08079279349

D. Or call Toll Free Lines: 767 or 122

Daily Times NG Monday December 8, 2014

41 World US sends six Guantanamo detainees to Uruguay

Obama

One of the typhoon survivors in Borongan City, north-east of Tacloban

Typhoon sweeps Philippines

T

yphoon Hagupit is sweeping across the eastern Philippines, toppling trees and power lines and threatening coastal areas with a powerful sea-surge.

More than half a million people have fled coastal villages in the area, which was still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan last year.

In Tacloban, where thousands were killed by Haiyan, roofs have been blown away and streets are flooded.

But Hagupit does not appear to have been as severe as many had feared.

So far, there have been no reports of casualties.

Correspondents in Legazpi, about 200km (125 miles) north of Tacloban, said Hagiput was clearly a powerful storm but nowhere near as powerful as Haiyan.

The authorities believed they were well prepared this time, they added, but it could be some time before the extent of damage in more remote areas became clear.

Reports from Cawayan, on the outskirts of Legazpi, say some families in Legazpi are said to have chosen not to evacuate.

Officials told the BBC that lighter-than- expected rain meant there was less chance of landslides, but that the strong winds could still bring down trees on homes.

Joey Salceda, governor of Albay province, where Legazpi is situated, told the BBC that the main lesson from Typhoon Haiyan had been to prepare well and to evacuate people from vulnerable areas.

“That’s what we’ve been doing, so our principal instrument to achieve zero casualties is essentially evacuation,” he said.

Over a million people flee As the worst of the storm is passing over Albay province, the authorities have asked people living on hills prone to mudslides to evacuate to the main cities.

But one family in Cawayan, a tiny village on the outskirts of Legazpi, have decided not to go.

The US government says it has released six Guantanamo Bay detainees and sent them to Uruguay for resettlement.

A Pentagon statement on Sunday identified the men as four Syrians, a Tunisian and a Palestinian.

All six had been detained as suspected militants with ties to al-Qaeda, but were never charged.

President Jose Mujica decided to take the detainees on humanitarian grounds in March, but the move was delayed until after Uruguay’s elections last month.

“The United States is grateful to the Government of Uruguay for its willingness to support on-going US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

More than half of the 172 men still in Guantanamo have been cleared for transfer, but have nowhere to go, because their countries are unstable or unsafe.

More than 50 countries have accepted former Guantanamo detainees.

In Latin America, El Salvador is the only country to have given Guantanamo prisoners sanctuary, taking two in 2012.

North Korea denies ‘righteous’ hack attack on Sony

N

orth Korea has denied hacking into the computer system at Sony Pictures in retaliation for a film depicting the country’s leader in a negative light, but has praised the attack itself as a “righteous deed”.

The attack crippled computers at Sony and led to upcoming films and workers’ personal data being leaked online.

North Korea said its “supporters and sympathisers” may have carried out the hack - but said it was not involved.

It has described the film, The

Interview, as an “act of terrorism.”

The comedy, made by Sony Pictures, features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists, who are granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. The film is due to be released over Christmas.

California-based Sony Pictures’ computer system went down last week and hackers then published a number of asyet unreleased films on online

download sites.

They also released salary and Social Security numbers for thousands of Sony employees including celebrities.

The film about North Korea does not appear to have been leaked.

On Monday, Sony Pictures said it had restored a number of important services that had to be shut down after the attack.

It said it was working closely with law enforcement officials to investigate the matter but made no mention of North Korea.

42

Daily Times Monday December 8, 2014

Sport

ÆÆ s

Unstoppable Musa fires CSKA to victory

Lifts clubside to second spot in Russian League

22 N

igerian winger and CAF African Footballer of the Year nominee, Ahmed Musa, was in blistering form on Saturday as his lone strike earned CSKA Moscow maximum points against Kuban’ Krasnodar in their Russian League game.

Musa,who netted the only goal in the 1-0 win, has through the victory sent a warning shot ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League game against German champions, Bayern Munich.

The former Kano Pillars point man’s strike on the stroke of half-time at the

Uche delighted with Falcons’ W/Cup foes Former Super Falcons head coach,EuchariaUche, is happy with the side’s Group D opponents at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The final draw of the quadrennial global football showpiece conducted on

Continued on page 43

Stadion Kuban saw CSKA climb up to second spot on the league standings with 34 points from 17 matches.

Musa has now scored seven goals this season. Remarkably, he scored the same number of goals in the 23 league games he played for CSKA last season.

Aguero to miss Roma’s Champions League clash Football Page 44

Akwa United sacks coaching crew Football Page 43

Musa, nominated for the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year Award

The 22-year-old out-and-out striker, who has been in great form this season, has been capped 42 times for the Super Eagles.

He is also among the top African players nominated for the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year Award holding in Lagos early next year.

Ajayi sits out in Arsenal’s defeat Football Page 43

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

43 Sport

Ajayi sits out in Arsenal’s defeat Promising Nigerian centreback, Semi Ajayi, made the match day squad for Arsenal in their 3-2 loss to Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in the English Premier League played on Saturday. But he was benched.

Ajayi, who was recently called up by Samson Siasia for the Under-23 camp, is highly rated at the Emirates and touted as a future centre-back for the club.

Standing at 6” 4, Ajayi has been one of the mainstay players for the Arsenal U-21 side that play in the U-21 Premier League in England.

He was also part of John Obuh’straining camp prior to the U-20 World Cup held in Turkey 2013.

The 21-year-old has made progress since his move from Charlton Athletic to Arsenal in 2012.

Although he is yet to make

Uche

Ajayi his debut for the Gunners, he has been on the bench on three occasions this season.

Uche delighted with Falcons’World Cup foes Akwa United sacks Continued from page 42 Saturday at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa pitched the seven-time African champions in Group D together with the former World champions, the United States of America, Australia and Sweden.

The Falcons are expected to open their title account against Sweden on June 8 at the Winnipeg Stadium.

Uche, who said no team in the world is unbeatable, stated that the reigning African champions will certainly qualify from the group tagged the ‘group of death’ at the draw ceremony.

“It’s quite a good group, I’m confident we’ll certainly qualify from the group that involves the US, Sweden and Australia.

“There is no team in the world right now that is unbeatable; the

reigning world champions, Japan, proved that adequately in the last edition of the World Cup in Germany when they defeated the two-time world champions, the US, to emerge world champions.

“We’ve come of age both in Africa and on the world stage and I think rightly too that Canada will be the harvest place for us to prove to the world that we can compete with the best.

“I don’t see any reason why the Super Falcons won’t qualify from the group, they’re the side to beat in the group not USA or Sweden,” said the former Nigerian striker.

Also reacting to the draws, Team manager of Rivers Angels FC, Matilda Otuene, said the group is “quite tough” but tipped the Super Falcons to progress to the knockout rounds.

“The group is quite tough but I am sure our girls will be looking

forward to proving their mettle against the best teams in the world. I am sure we can qualify for the next round,” she said.

The United States, champions in 1991 and 1999, are ranked number one in the world while the Swedes are ranked fifth and finished as runners-up at the 2003 World Cup. Australia reached the quarterfinals in 2007 and 2011 and are ranked 10th in the current monthly classifications.

The Falcons’ best performance at the World Cup has been the quarterfinal mark achieved in 1999 when the United States of America hosted the four-yearly championship and are currently ranked 35th in the world.

The other African representatives, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, have been drawn in Group B and C respectively.

coaching crew

The Akwa United board has sacked the Glo Premier League side’s technical adviser, Patrick Udoh, and his assistants.

The board decided in the interim to hand past goalkeeper coach, Moses Effiong, the caretaker coach job pending the appointment of a new coach for the Promise Keepers.

The former First Bank coach guided the Uyo-based side to 16th finish on the 20-team elite league log on 51 points.

An official of the side, UwemEkoh, said the board met on Friday to review the activities of the side in the 2013/14 league season and came out with a damning verdict of poor performance, which may have explained their decision to relieve the technical adviser and assistants of their

Canada 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Groupings Group A: Canada, China PR, New

Zealand, Netherlands Group B: Germany, Ivory Coast, Norway, Thailand

Group C: Japan, Switzerland,

Cameroon, Ecuador Group D: United States of America, Australia, Sweden, Nigeria

Group E: Brazil, Korea

Republic, Spain, Costa Rica Group F: France, England, Colombia, Mexico

jobs.

“The board of Akwa United FC has disengaged with the services of the technical adviser, Patrick Udoh and his assistants.

“The immediate past goalkeeper trainer, Coach Moses Effiong, is to take over the team as caretaker coach.

“Effiong is to assemble the retained players for training as soon as possible for the upcoming 2014/15 Glo Premier League season.

“Naturally, the board must have viewed with displeasure the side’s performance in the past season.

“Though the board didn’t come up with details for their position but I think they’re not happy with the performance of the team in the immediate past season.

“Of course, they’ve communicated the dis-engaged coaches about their decisions as well as the new person who is to take over the rein of the side,” said Ekoh to supersport.com.

Akwa United finished the outgone league season as 16th best on 51 points from possible 114 points.

Sport 44

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Alnwick to retain Newcastle’s spot

Aguero to miss Roma’s Champions League clash

S

ergio Aguero is almost certainly out of Manchester City’s crucial Champions League match with Roma after injuring knee ligaments against Everton.

The Argentine, 26, was injured in a challenge with MuhamedBesic in the third minute of Saturday’s match and left the pitch in tears.

City must win Wednesday’s game in Rome to have any chance of reaching the last 16

and Aguero’s absence is a big blow.

“Probably he’ll miss the game.

It is a big problem,” Manuel Pellegrini said.

“It is very difficult when you have trouble with your ligament to recover in three days.”

Aguero limped out of the match, which City won 1-0, and was replaced by teenager Jose Pozo.

Pellegrini, who was already without YayaToure for the Roma game due to suspension,

revealed Aguero was “more calm” in the dressing room afterwards.

Aguero has earned widespread acclaim for his performances this season, with Pellegrini hailing the striker as “one of the best players in the world”.

His highlights this season include scoring all four in a 4-1 rout of Tottenham on October 18 and a hat-trick in the 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on November 25.

Begovic commits future to Stoke Stoke City goalkeeper AsmirBegovic insisted he is happy at the club, though he harbours ambitions of playing at the highest level.

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Begovic, who is out of contract at the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season.

Brendan Rodgers would have been alerted to Begovic’s exploits at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as Stoke stunned Arsenal 3-2.

But the Bosnia-Herzegovina international keeper said he is settled in Staffordshire - a place he has called home since joining from Portsmouth in 2010.

“My future is here at Stoke as far as I’m concerned. We’ve got a lot of games coming up and I’m hoping to be a big part of that,” Begovic told Sky Sports.

“I’ve been here a few years now and enjoyed my time. I’ve Begovic really settled in and had a lot of support from the staff. better and try to improve as a “We all have ambitions and player, and hopefully test myself goals. I work really hard to get at the highest level possible level

JakAlnwick will keep his place as Newcastle United’s number one for the trip to Arsenal after making his debut against Chelsea on Saturday.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper came on at half-time in Newcastle’s impressive 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Chelsea after Rob Elliot was taken off injured.

Elliot was a stand-in for firstchoice Tim Krul - currently out with a twisted ankle - but Alnwick now stands as the only fit goalkeeper available to Alan Pardew for the weekend’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.

With injuries mounting, Pardew also revealed captainFabricioColoccini and MoussaSissoko are likely to be unavailable.

“Jak will be in goal against Arsenal,” Pardew explained.

“We’ll have to dig deep for the Arsenal game. Colo looks like he has an injury and Moussa won’t play. There’s no Robbie Elliot either.

Alnwick “It’s about putting cover on for each other and they have done that.”

The result at St James’ Park, secured by substitute PapissCisse’s double, ended Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the campaign.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE Team 1. Chelsea 2. Man City 3. Southampton 4. Man Utd 5. West Ham 6. Arsenal 7. Newcastle 8. Swansea 9. Liverpool 10. Tottenham 11. Everton 12. Stoke 13. Aston Villa 14. Sunderland 15. Crystal Palace 16. West Brom 17. QPR 18. Hull 19. Burnley 20. Leicester

P 15 15 14 14 14 15 15 14 15 15 15 15 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 14

GD 21 18 14 8 6 6 -1 5 0 -3 1 -3 -10 -10 -5 -6 -11 -6 -14 -10

PTS 36 33 26 25 24 23 23 22 21 21 18 18 16 15 14 14 14 13 12 10

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS

in the future. Who knows whether that opportunity will present itself ?

Newcastle 2 - 1 Chelsea Hull City 0 - 0 West Brom Liverpool 0 - 0 Sunderland QPR 2 - 0 Burnley Stoke 3 - 2 Arsenal Tottenham 0 - 0 Crystal Palace Man City 1 - 0 Everton West Ham 3- 1 Swansea Aston Villa 2 - 1 Leicester

Today’s Match Southampton ? - ? Man United 21:00

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Arsene Wenger blasts Arsenal’s weak defence A rsenal’s defence was “too soft” to cope with Stoke during their 3-2 defeat at the Britannia Stadium according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners conceded three times in the first half - including a goal after just 19 seconds - before mounting a fight-back after the break.

“I think we were a bit inexperienced at the back,” he said.

“We couldn’t play Laurent Koscielny or Nacho Monreal and we were maybe a bit soft to cope with what they offered.”

Koscielny, who started the previous two matches, was on the bench but deemed fit not enough to start, while Monreal was injured.

Kieran Gibbs played at leftback, with Calum Chambers partnering Per Mertesacker in the heart of defence and 19-year-

“Once we were 3-0 down, we had a mountain to climb. We did climb, but were a bit unlucky, I must say.”

Briefs Liverpool lines up Villas-Boas Liverpool’s owner FSG are preparing for life without under-pressure manager Brendan Rodgers and have made ex-Tottenham and current Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas their number one target to replace the Northern Irishman.

Southampton in talks with Clyne over new deal Southampton have begun talks with Nathaniel Clyne over a new contract. The Saints are keen to keep hold of the England international after interest from Manchester United.

Leicester targets Arouna Kone

Wenger old Hector Bellerin making only his second league start.

The quartet found it difficult to cope with Stoke in the first 45 minutes, with Peter Crouch getting the early goal before Bojan and Jon Walters burnished the lead shortly before half-time.

Arsenal last found themselves at least three goals down at half-time in March 2014 away to

Chelsea when they went on to lose 6-0.

And in the previous month, they were 4-0 down against Liverpool after just 20 minutes and went on to lose 5-1.

“There’s a lot of regret, we had given a lot,” added Wenger, whose side fought back in the second half with goals from SantiCazorla and Aaron Ramsey.

“We showed great energy levels and a great response. The spirit of the team was fantastic.

“Defensively, we missed the start of the game. We gave easy goals away. We were not decisive in challenges.

“Once we were 3-0 down, we had a mountain to climb. We did climb, but were a bit unlucky I must say.”

Rodgers to rely on Gerrard’s magic for Basel clash Brendan Rodgers is backing Steven Gerrard to inspire Liverpool to come through their must-win UEFA Champions League clash with Basel.

The five-time European champions go into Tuesday night’s Group B at Anfield encounter knowing only a victory will be good enough for them to progress.

Having won just five of their 12 home matches in all competitions this season after being held to a goalless draw by Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, the pressure is on to perform.

Liverpool have also picked up just one point in four Champions League fixtures since opening with a narrow defeat of Ludogorets on Merseyside, but

45 Sport

Gerrard

all that matters now is the next game.

Gerrard was again only used as a substitute over the weekend, but Rodgers will unleash the hero of so many great European nights at Anfield on Basel from the outset.

“He was excellent when he came on and, of course, he plays on Tuesday night,” said Rodgers.

“Stevie coming onto the field gives us the world-class quality that the team needs and I thought he was brilliant when he came on.

“It can’t be up to him every single game to be the catalyst, but it’s very hard to replace that quality.

“He’s still got that talent, he’s got world-class ability and at

this stage of his career it’s about me managing that, along with him, in order to play in the big games.”

Liverpool will again have to cope without injured England striker Daniel Sturridge (thigh), while Italy front man Mario Balotelli has missed five matches with a hamstring problem.

However, experienced defender KoloToure is still confident of coming through this crucial test.

“Our game against Basel is a final,” the Ivory Coast defender said. “We just need to win the game. There’s no choice - we have to attack and try to win the match.

“It’s going to be a really interesting game for everybody - for the players and for the fans.

Kone Leicester City are keeping tabs on Everton striker ArounaKone. The forward is close to full fitness after a long spell out through injury and the Foxes could make a January bid.

Atletico keen on Cazorla Atletico Madrid remain keen on signing Arsenal’s SantiCazorla and are one of at least three Spanish clubs interested in the Gunner.

Bayern Munich eyes Bonucci Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is a big fan ofJuventus and Leonardo Bonucci and could make a move for the Italy defender.

Sport 46

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

Celebrating birthdays with the stars!

Birthdays are often moments people look forward to, because they give the celebrants the much needed opportunity to take stock of their achievements in life.

In our regular special feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football, who will be celebrating their birthdays in the coming week.

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aheem Sterling (20) rose to prominence with England at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, where his performances gave him the confidence to establish himself in Liverpool’s starting XI and help his team-mates finish second in the Premier League in season 2013/14, a campaign in which he was named the Anfield club’s Young Player of the Year. The pacy winger’s fine form saw him called up to the Three Lions’ squad for Brazil 2014, where he played in three matches, but could not prevent his country from suffering a disappointing group-stage exit.

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onzalo Higuain (27) would have surely loved to celebrate his birthday as a FIFA World Cup winner, but unfortunately Germany’s victory over Argentina in the Final of Brazil 2014 put paid to that dream. Having played in all seven of La Albiceleste’s encounters this summer, the bustling front man can still be reasonably satisfied with his second adventure on football’s biggest stage.

In 2011, he participated in the Copa America, and will likely play an important role at the next edition of the continental contest in 2015. Higuain turned professional at River Plate, where his strong displays sealed a move to Real Madrid. After bagging three Liga crowns, a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa de Espana, over a sevenyear period with Los Blancos, the French-born attacker then put pen to paper with Napoli, with whom he brandished the Coppa Italia last season.

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Sterling Dec 8

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Lupescu Dec 9

Higuain Dec 10

oan Lupescu (46) was part of the Romanian golden generation that competed at Italy 1990 and USA 1994, where they reached the quarter-finals, as well as at the UEFA European Championships of 1996 and 2000. At club level, the respected mid-fielder enjoyed four separate spells at Dinamo Bucharest, during which time he clinched three Romanian League titles and three Romanian Cups.

He also ventured abroad, turning out for Bayern Leverkusen, where he held aloft the German Cup, Borussia Monchengladbach, Bursaspor and Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia). After briefly turning his hand to coaching, Lupescu took up an administrative role with the Romanian Football Association.

teve Nicol (53) represented Scotland at Mexico 1986, but it was with Liverpool that he truly made his name, claiming five English League titles, three FA Cups, four FA Charity Shields and a European Cup during a 14-year period. The no-nonsense defender started out at Ayr United, and later turned out for Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromich Albion, Doncaster Rovers and Boston Bulldogs. After hanging up his boots, the Irvine native briefly coached Boston before steering New England Revolution to success in the US Open Cup and the North American SuperLiga. In 2002, Nicol was named MLS Coach of the Year.

Nicol Dec 11

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uadalupe Worbis (31) defended the colours of Mexico at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2004 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, as well as at two CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cups, finishing third on both occasions.

Worbis Dec 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 8, 2014

47 Sport

Fresh praises attitude of elite referees in London C

Hayatou

Africa will miss Nigeria at AFCON 2015 – Hayatou

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resident of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji (Dr) Issa Hayatou has affirmed that failure to qualify for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has not diminished the importance of Nigeria to the entire structure of African football, but was quick to add that soccer fans will miss the Super Eagles at the competition.

In a chat with President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr.

Amaju Melvin Pinnick after the Draw Ceremony for the championship in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, Hayatou admitted that Nigeria will continue to command respect in African football.

“The whole of Africa will miss Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea.

But the absence will not in any way diminish your stature as a very big and influential nation in the African game.

“It would have been good to have the defending champions

here. Nigeria brings so much value to the Africa Cup of Nations. However, we know that you will come back much stronger, as you did in winning the Cup in South Africa last year after missing out of the 2012 championship,” he said.

Africa’s football supremo also celebrated the vitality and enterprise that the youthful Amaju Pinnick will bring to Nigeria’s football administration, while formally welcoming him to the African football family.

hairman of the Referees Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh yesterday praised the general attitude and commitment of Nigeria’s elite referees who are presently on a two –week capacity enhancing programme in the United Kingdom.

Fresh, also a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, is also the leader of delegation at the programme.

“I am enamoured by the spirit that the referees have brought to this programme.

They have shown total dedication and I am very proud to be leading this group of worthy ambassadors,” Fresh said on telephone from London.

The contingent, also including the President of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude, arrived in London on Wednesday evening after flying from Lagos.

On Thursday, the 11 referees had their first training session at Wembley Stadium, where Mr. Ian Blanchard, head of refereeing at The Football As-

sociation, lectured them for three hours on structure of refereeing, laws of the game and players/coaches/referees’ relationship.

On Friday, the referees were at Southampton’s St. Mary’s ground to watch a match between the U-18 teams of Southampton and West Brom, after which they were engaged in a two-hour question-and-answer session with Mr. Albert, head of refereeing at Southampton.

On Saturday, Nigeria’s leading arbiters were at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to watch the English Premiership match between Manchester City and Everton, which City won 1-0. They wrote a report of the refereeing aspect immediately after the match.

The referees will this week embark on a tour of Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium, be involved in analyzing weekend Premier League matches, visit The FA’s High Performance training facility at St. George’s Park and be at a referees’ training organisation’s ground to give talk on fitness and conditioning.

Pele’s form excites Van Gaal

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anchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that he is excited to see Southampton striker GrazianoPelle taking the Premier League by storm.

Pelle has been a success for Southampton, scoring nine goals in all competitions - six of those in the Premier League - since reuniting with former Feyenoord boss Ronald Koeman in a deal reportedly worth £8million in July.

The 29-year-old striker was also capped by Italy in October as a

result of his stellar start to life in England.

But Pelle’s exploits come as no surprise to Van Gaal, who signed the Italian during his time in charge of Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar in 2007.

“I am not surprised [at his success] because I bought him at AZ as he was an attacking point,” said Van Gaal ahead of Monday’s trip to St Mary’s’’.

Pinnick reiterates pledge to Super Falcons P

resident of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has once again assured the Super Falcons of high –level preparations ahead of the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada next year summer.

The NFF supremo spoke on Saturday night, hours after the African champions were drawn in the same group with United

States of America, Australia and Sweden at the finals taking place 6th June – 5th July, 2015 across six Canadian cities.

“It is a tough group. You can see that even the Americans are calling it the most difficult group in the competition.

“However, our pledge to give the Super Falcons the best high –performance preparation pos-

sible is intact. They will go to a very good environment for their final camping programme and be engaged in quality friendly matches before the finals,” Pinnick reassured.

Nigeria’s senior women’s team won a seventh African title in Namibia in October and will be expected to fly Africa’s flag high in North America.

“It is important that we exceed our previous best performance of a quarter –final berth. Having dominated Africa ceaselessly, it is time that we begin to dominate the world.

“We certainly have the players who can stand up to the best in the universe, as shown by the U-20 girls in the same Canadian nation in August this year,’’.

Pinnick

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Ihedioha: Prince charming of Imo politics P 14

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

I shake my head these days when I drive round town and see posters of many clowns claiming to be politicians and the silly messages

I

shake my head these days when I drive round town and see posters of many clowns claiming to be politicians and the silly messages on them.

You can’t just but shed tears for a polity where such empty heads dominate the political scene and yet there is expectation for development of any sort.

It was in the Oregun area of Lagos the other day that I saw the poster of a lady who I understand had served in the Lagos House of Assembly for eight years and now

Nike Okundaye dazzles art enthusiasts in London P 36

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Karasina II, snake eating P community in FCT P 22

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Here comes Xiaomi P 25

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Yinka Odumakin

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Our degenerate political class seeks a seat in the House of Representatives. All she has on her poster is her picture, stride-taken with the inscription: “Stepping into Abuja”.

To do what? Well, with N2,000 in the hands of her impoverished constituents that question may never be asked forever.

Read your newspaper, listen to your radio and tune to your television; all you see are crass political illiterates with fine pictures saying nothing to the issues that affect the electorate.

In time past, in this same country ,we had colourful politicians with bright ideas. They were well read and informed.

They gave us quotable quotes. The quality of their debate was awesome. They spoke good English and were masters in the use of our rich local languages for campaign .Up until the Second Republic, people stay glued to their television sets to listen to the quality of debates from the National Assembly.

If people tune to the television today all they can see from our National Assembly are fashionistas on parade.

Our lawmakers now have their names written on their caps and with golden rings on almost ten fingers. When many of them open their mouths

you will almost puke.

The quality of debates in our National Assembly is not anything near what we had even in Students Representative Councils three decades ago . In place of men of ideas we now have a lot of certificate forgers, fence-tumblers and “Ghana-MustGo” addicts.

We are less than eighty days to national elec-

tions and you can’t find any serious debate going on over critical issues of the day. In a country where the views of the policies of the incumbent and offering alternative framework with facts and Awolowos defined opposition as taking critical figures, today we have those in opposition who can not do better than just abusing the incumbent .They

promise nothing different than to just replace those who are there by all means necessary !

Such a politics cannot take us anywhere. Our affliction today is that Babangida in his fabled search for “new breed” politicians deliberately opened the floodgate for “new greed” in our politics. Drug kingpins, financial criminals, armed

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATION COMPANY LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. RC (149) www.dailytimes.com.ng email: www.dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI

robbers on leave and assorted characters took over the space and shut it against decent people.

The political sphere today only permits a sprinkling of people of integrity.

I’m however confident that we shall get to the point the Koreans reached decades ago.

Their polity was at a worse level of degeneracy than our own. After another sham election, there was a revolt in which all the offices of the electoral body were set ablaze.

A crop of forwardlooking elite took over from the mob and completed the evolution by taking over the electoral process. They ensured the electoral body was responsible for drafting the electoral laws unlike the ones done by politicians.

Two months to elections now we don’t have electoral laws in Nigeria.

The same people who want to manipulate their ways back to power will rush a draft in their favour when there is no attention span.

The new electoral laws in Korea ensured that the critical issues affecting the people were summarized and all aspirants at all levels were to address the people at all levels of contest to state where they stood. Eighty percent of those who were contesting elections before disappeared!

I’m sure if we have that in Nigeria today, 99% of those seeking elective offices in Nigeria will go and look for other professions.

We may have to address nationhood first though before we reach that juncture.