Daily Times of Nigeria Newspaper

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.24

N150

APC: IBB’s govt seized

Buhari’s certificates

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L-R: Former United Nations Secretary-General,Kofi Annan; President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) during the signing of accord on non-violence in Abuja on Wednesday Photo: Temitope Balogun

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Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏBarely

four weeks to the coming general elections, the major gladiators

Loneliness kills the elderly faster...

EXTRATIME

Floyd A true champion will fight through anything. Showing is better than telling. I’m the best at talking trash I’m also the best at going out there and backing it up.

Once I beat a guy, mentally and physically, he’s never the same.

I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, ‘I think I should get a job.’ She said, ‘No, just keep boxing.’

X4,5

Thursday, January 15, 2015

in the exercise on Wednesday signed a pact to ensure that it is free of violence.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

27 Amnesty horrified by images of Baga killings

EXTRATIME

Poster!

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

jets off to Malabo, as CAF rues Eagles’ absence X2

Mayweather, Jr.

PINNICK

Full name: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Nationality: American Born: February 24, 1977 (age 37) Place of Birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Nicknames: Pretty Boy Money TBE (The Best Ever) Stance: Orthodox Rated at: Super featherweight (130 lb) Lightweight (135 lb) Light welterweight (140 lb) Welterweight (147 lb) Light middleweight (154 lb) Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Reach: 72 in (183 cm) Total fights: 47 Wins: 47 Wins by KO: 26 Losses: 0 Draws: 0 No contests: 0 Olympic Games Record Bronze: Atlanta 1996 (Featherweight)

Death toll in Ondo bank robbery now 20

Jonathan, Buhari, others sign peace pact

INSIDE XT Exclusive

ESSI M ILL FINISH

W CAREER ATYS BARCA, SA ABIDAL

Celebrating

6

HAKEEM

‘The dream’

OLAJUWON X6

Ghana worried about

GYAN’S fitness X2

X3

KESSLER: Playing at World Cup my dream!

X7

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Politics Page Three

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s

Editorial That attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine

T

he recent terrorist attack on the Paris based cartoon magazine, Charlie Hebdo is an affront on lovers of freedom and democracy.

On Wednesday, January 7, two terrorists armed with AK 47 rifles attacked the satirical magazine’s office killing 12 people, including the editor,Stephane Charbonnier and wounding 11 others.

Two days later, the special forces of the French police intercepted and killed them in an industrial surburb of Paris after an extensive manhunt.

The attack on the venerable magazine has been condemned by all well meaning individuals and groups all over the world. The attack was not only cowardly, it struck on the very essence of human freedom and dignity. According to reports, the terrorists were said to have carried out the murderous assault in defence of Islam and the purported denigration of Prophet Mohammed.

We condemn in all its entirety such brazen assault on the citadel of free speech. Throughout history, those who are opposed to the freedom of speech have always resorted to violence in trying to silence their traducers. It was the French philosopher,Voltaire who said,”I disapprove of what you say, but will defend your right to say it”.

Even in ancient times the Greek philosopher, Euripides noted that, “This is slavery, not to speak one’s thought”.

The English writer, John Milton, in the same vein said, “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all

liberties”.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states inter alia: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression: this right includes freedom to hold opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. The right of free speech and expression is universally recognised, as it is enshrined in several regional and international instruments such as Article 9 of the African charter on Human and People’s Rights.

It guarantees that individuals have the right to seek information and ideas; receive and impart such information or ideas. Freedom of expression is particularly important for the media, which plays the role of torch-bearer of truth and social responsibility. It was therefore apt that the French President, Francois Holande justifiably called it “an attack on free speech”.

All through its establishment, Charlie Hebdo has had no compunction in mocking Islam and its editors considered they had a perfect right to do so in a free and liberally-inclined country such as France. They knew they were running a risk because militants have shown before that they will not countenance their religion being ridiculed. The magazine had already paid such a price for exercising freedom of expression when its offices were fire-bombed after it published a comic book on the life of the Prophet and named Mohammed as its guest editor for the week.

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Yinka Olujimi

ÎÎÎThe polity is charged.

Campaigns are in full swing. The crowds are there – rented or genuine, they are there and they are Nigerians, hopefully.

Fiery speeches are followed by cajolements; analyses followed by promises. The crowds roar, musicians entertain; comedians send the people into uproarious laughter. All is well.

Perhaps.

The almost 300 innocent Nigerian girls who were abducted by the bloodhounds called Boko Haram remain in captivity.

Their plight is not one of the campaign issues. All around is glib talk about ending the Boko Haram menace.

The parents of the abducted girls continue to live with the pain of not knowing if their children, precious girls, are still alive or dead; if they remain girls or have been turned into women overnight by sex-crazed human dogs. Worse still, the girls might have been sold into slavery, a sad remind-

Words On Marble :

More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

So, where are our girls? er of better-forgotten centuries.

The incumbent President has no comforting words on the whereabouts of the girls or when they may be reunited with their families and humanity. Mum is also the word from his main challenger, who is a respected leader in the Boko Haram zone.

So, the partying and campaigns continue. The girls, and others similarly abducted by the fundamentalists have become a part of some receding memories.

It is difficult not to ask: Where are our girls? Will they ever return?

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Deputy Editors Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head of Operations

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Bisi Abidoye Segun Adio

Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Editorial Page Editor

Business Editor

Sports Editor

Head, Sales & Marketing

Okay Osuji

Andrew Ekejiuba

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Moses Ebong

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

Deputy Head Graphics Afeez Odeseye

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.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Ibrahim Babangida

Susan rice

Nigeria has no business with poverty. With our human and material resources, we shall strive to eradicate poverty from our country. – Olusegun Obasanjo.

Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.

Nigeria has played a constructive role in peacekeeping in various parts of West Africa. But unless Nigeria itself is democratic... it too may well be a source of much greater instability.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

NEF rejects Jonathan, backs Buhari VICTOR JIBRIN, Kaduna

ÏÏÏNorthern

elders have endorsed the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari rather than that of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

Buhari’s endorsement was announced by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Secretary, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), a political pressure group, at a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said that after a careful analysis and consideration of the state of the nation, the Forum pronounced that the former Head of State, Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo were better equipped to solve Nigeria’s problems.

While appealing to Nigerians to support their candidature and ensure their victory, Abdullahi pleaded with youths, who he described as effective change agents, to avoid any tendency that would negatively affect the forthcoming elections.

Noting the disastrous consequences of the continued activities of the dreaded Boko Haram in the country, he said the Forum supported the on-going efforts to crush and eliminate the threat of the insurgency, stressing that “any effort to postpone the elections, limit the scope or

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN (left); All Progressives Congress (APC), National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu (right); Governorship candidate of APC in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, during the flag off of APC Governorship campaign in Lagos on Wednesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

truncate the democratic process will be a resounding victory for Boko Haram.

“Only enemies of the Nigerian people, worse than Boko Haram insurgents, will wish this on our people. Therefore, we appeal to the international community to continue to stand with us and our efforts to overcome the many challenges we face, only one of which is the forthcoming February elections.

“Nigerians are on the verge of demonstrating that our democratic system can work, when an opposition can defeat an incumbent, thus, we further appeal to the international community to assist INEC and ensure that it prevails on losers, in a credible election, to accept the result.

“The Northern Elders Forum welcomes the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate because he has better credentials

to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

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

5 News

APC queries PDP over N5trn oil money ÏÏÏThe APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has asked the PDP to explain to Nigerians how Five Trillion Naira in oil and gas revenue went down the drain.

According to a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director of Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation and released in Abuja on Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan was challenged to explain why over N5 trillion, in oil and gas revenue, allegedly, vanished under his supervision.

“This government must answer the questions posed by the different bodies that probed the Oil and Gas sector between 2011 and 2012. By this, we mean the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Task Force Report, the Minister of Trade and Investment’s report on stolen crude; the House of Representatives fuel subsidy report coupled with the investigations into the ecological fund, SIM card registration and frequency band spectrum sale,” the statement said.

It recalled that The Punch, had in the November 25, 2012 edition alerted Nigerians on how over N5 Trillion oil money was stolen under Jonathan’s watch.

Imo police discover bomb at INEC office Navy flouts court order, ejects officer Val Okara, Owerri

ÏÏÏThe

Imo State Police Command Bomb Disposal Unit has discovered a bomb at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the state.

Another was found planted under a palm tree at the Owerri Capital Development Authority, (OCDA), a few metres from the INEC office and the state secretariat along Port Harcourt –Owerri Road.

State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the two incidents said that the Police acted on a tip-off and averted what could have been a calamity if the two bombs had exploded, “On arrival at the scene, we discovered it was an Improvised Explosive Device, (IED) planted somewhere near OCDA.” He said that the bomb was det-

onated without any harm, adding that the police was on the trail of the perpetrators.

When our correspondent visited INEC and OCDA offices along Port-Harcourt Road at about 10 am, many armed policemen cordoned off the entire area.

Secretary of the state INEC, Mr. Obi Olucha said that “we saw something when we reported for work this morning and we called in the police, who said it was fertiliser chemical.”

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that about 50 percent of eligible voters in the state are yet to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC).

The Commission also disclosed that some electoral wards in 11 local government areas out of the 27 in the state, would not be part of the fresh distribution of PVC that would commence today (Thursday).

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Navy authorities

Jega

have forcefully evicted a senior officer from the Ojo barracks, despite a Federal High Court order restraining them.

It was gathered that the eviction of the officer, Captain Felix Obiorah (rtd), was allegedly executed on the orders of the naval authorities in Lagos and reportedly carried out by the Commander of the NNS Wey, the body assigned to manage the barracks.

The officer had, reportedly, gone into hiding for fear of his life while the Navy had deployed armed personnel to his residence.

It was gathered that the NNS Wey, apparently, ignoring the court order, gave the officer a four-day ultimatum to quit the barracks of face forceful eviction.

The officer, it was learnt, had travelled for the Christmas holiday when the eviction order was

served, but had to rush back to Lagos where he discovered that his residence had, allegedly, been broken into through the back door.

It was gathered that the naval personnel carried out the act despite a court order from the Industrial Court, directing the Navy not to touch the officer or his property pending the determination of the case before it.

The court papers read, in part; “We have a motion on notice pursuant to order 11, Rule1 (1) and order 14, Rule 1(1) of the NIC rule 2007 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this court. The motion was dated 6/3/2014 and filed on the same date.

Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, in his reaction, said, “It may interest you to know that retired Captain Obiora has not been ejected by the Nigerian Navy, but his house had been sealed up.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

IBB’s govt seized Buhari’s certificates, says APC Kayode Adelowokan

ÏÏÏTHE

academic credentials of former military ruler and presidential hopeful, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, were seized by the military junta of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida sometime in 1985.

That was the submission on Wednesday of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political party fielding General Buhari for next month’s presidential election.

According to the party, the credentials were carted away by soldiers who raided the home of Buhari, when the Babangida junta seized power from the APC candidate in a coup.

Buhari, who had staged a coup against the civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari on 31 December 1983, was also ousted by his mili-

tary colleagues on 27 August 1985, led by Gen. Babangida.

“After the coup and the arrest of Gen. Buhari by the Babangida administration, military officers raided the home of Buhari, ransacked it and carted away many documents. Buhari’s academic credentials were among the documents that were taken away,” a senior official of the APC, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin said on Wednesday.

Fashakin, who was the spokesman of Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before it merged with other parties to form the APC, made the disclosure during a live interview on Channels Television in Lagos.

Buhari’s academic qualification has become an issue in the coming general election since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that the Army General had lodged with it an affidavit that his

academic credentials were with military authorities.

Section 131 (d) of the 1999 constitution prescribes minimum qualification for election into the office of the president. It states: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if – “he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”

The provision is silent on whether the “school certificate” should be primary school or secondary school.”

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently expressed fears that Buhari has neither.

Fashakin believes that Buhari will not be contravening the nation’s laws even if fails to present his basic school leaving certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He outlined the primary and secondary schools attended

by Buhari and drew atten-

tion to the several military trainings of the General.

Fashakin said that the Electoral Act simply requires that aspirants submit “documents” on their credentials, adding that the affidavit deposed to by Buhari that the certificates were with the military could satisfy the requirement of “document.”

A top serving General at the Defence Headquarters, in an interview with the Daily Times on Wednesday, expressed doubts on Buhari’s claim of credentials being with the military.

The General, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Daily Times: “The Army only keeps the Course Reports on officers and this remains confidential. In addition, the military takes custody only of photocopies of all other credentials submitted by officers. The originals of all credentials remain with the officers.”

L-R: Managing Director, Vodacom Nigeria, Mr. Guy Clarke ; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and DMD & CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, during the presentation of the certificate of recognition to UBA as Nigeria’s first Vodafone Global Enterprise customer in Lagos on Wednesday

Jonathan, Buhari, others sign peace pact

Jonathan

Buhari

Continued from page 1

centage representation at the polls, the polity would, obviously, be less pressured.

He therefore made case for participatory governance as a panacea for electoral violence in the country.

“As stakeholders in the government and the country, we will ensure that election processes are violence-free which is the desire of all Nigerians.”

Jonathan observed that the winner-takes-all mentality makes politicians desperate and engage in all manner of atrocities to ensure victory.

He thus advised politicians that beyond being signatories to the nonviolence pact, they should also refrain from comments capable of inciting their supporters against others thereby leading to breakdown of law and order.

The resident pointed out that what often leads to violence are provocative statements by politicians which elicit violent reactions from their followers, noting that election rigging does not necessarily cause violence.

He stressed the need for the candidates to commit themselves to the promotion of peaceful conduct of the election through total compliance with the electoral codes.

On his part, the, Major-General Buhari said that nobody should commit violence in his name.

The Presidential candidate of United Peoples Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, suggested that the National Security Adviser, (NSA) should start inviting people who make inflammatory comments for questioning.

It was an occasion for President Goodluck Jonathan to pointedly declare that nobody can use violence to take the people’s mandate and expect to sleep with two eyes closed.

Also, former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, cautioned that nobody should commit violence in his name before or after the elections.

The ceremony, which was put together by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs as well as the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), was aimed at committing the political parties to violence-free polls.

Jonathan, who specifically attributed the past electoral violence in the country to the winner- takes-all mentality, said, “Nobody can use violence to take the people’s mandate and sleep with his eyes closed.”

The president reasoned that when all parties are represented in the government, based on their per-

Amnesty horrified by images of Boko Haram killings in Borno ÏÏÏSatellite

images show widespread destruction in two Borno State towns that were recently attacked by Islamic extremists, an international human rights group said on Wednesday.

Amnesty International said the detailed images of Baga and Doron Baga,

taken before and after the attack earlier this month, show that more than 3,700 structures were damaged or completely destroyed.

The images were taken January 2 and January 7, Amnesty International said.

Boko Haram fighters seized a military base in Baga on

January 3 and, according to witnesses, killed hundreds civilians in the ensuing days.

Daniel Eyre, a researcher for the human rights group, said in a statement that the assault on the two towns was the largest and most destructive of all the Boko Haram assaults analyzed

by Amnesty International.

The group said interviews with witnesses as well as local government officials and human rights activists suggest hundreds of civilians were shot; last week, the human rights group noted reports of as many as 2,000 dead. The Nigerian military

has cited a figure of 150 dead, including slain militants.

Boko Haram group drew international condemnation when its fighters kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a boarding school in northeast Chibok town last year. Dozens escaped but 219 remain missing.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

7 News

Electoral violence not caused by rigging – Jonathan Tinubu

Fashola performed better than I did - Tinubu ÏÏÏ

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday said that the Mr Babatunde Fashola administration had performed better than his.

Tinubu, the immediate past Governor of Lagos, spoke in Ikeja at the flag-off of the party’s campaign for the forthcoming general elections in the state.

He said that the Fashola’s administration had performed tremendously well in the last eight years.

“In the year 2007, I handed over to one young man, brought him to you and said he would perform better.”A man with sound brain and sound mind; that person is Babatunde Fashola. He did not disgrace us.

“I thank God for eight years of excellent performance, unbroken promises, sound experience and constructive government,” Tinubu said.

He said that Fashola had performed well in construction of roads and school buildings, employment of youths and healthcare delivery, among others

Cholera kills 20 in Rivers ÏÏÏ

Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Sampson Parker, on Wednesday said that cholera outbreak in 11 communities had claimed 20 lives.

Parker told newsmen in Port Harcourt after visiting the affected communities in Andoni Local Government Area that the outbreak was reported on Jan. 5.``So far, 171 cases have been recorded with 20 deaths in the outbreak which was reported on Jan. 5.``The Local Government Area Rapid Response Team with State Emergency Response Team, have responded swiftly’’, he said.

Monday Agu, Jnr

ÏÏÏ

President Goodluck Jonathan has argued that post-election violence is not often caused by electoral malpractices as most people believe.

While speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on ViolenceFree 2015 Elections held in Abuja on Wednesday, Jonathan noted that other factors, including inflammatory statements by politicians and religious/ethnic leaders, a weak system, which allows people of questionable character to join politics were responsible for violence during

and after elections.

The President disagreed with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), who had earlier insinuated that the falsification of election results was, mostly, responsible for post-election violence.

To buttress his points, Jonathan reminded the audience that after the 2011 presidential election, serious violence broke out, majorly, in Kano and Bauchi State where he had performed poorly.

“The emphasis here is elec-

toral violence, not electoral malpractices. With electoral malpractices, the courts can help, to some extent, but, there is nothing the courts can do about electoral violence. If a property is burnt, it is burnt. If you identify the person, yes, he can go in for arson charges. It is often difficult convicting people.

“If you look at the history of elections in this country, for people of my age and above, we were told that there were electoral violence by the people of South West and that violence led to the collapse of the First Republic”, the president added.

SDP vows to implement people-friendly programme

L-R: President of Okrika Community, Chief George Olungwe; Chairman, Isoko Nation, Comrade Ase Oghenovo Gabriel; Woman Leader, Joyce Isichai and Chairman of Niger Delta National Forum, Seicha Manager at a press conference on state of the nation held in Lagos on Wednesday.

Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏ

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ogun State chapter has vowed to implement peoplefriendly programme, if voted into power.

The party, while inaugurating their campaign on Wednesday, the party’s leader, Chief Segun Osoba said SDP was pledging a better governance for the people of the State Osoba who was convinced of the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections disclosed that the party was targeting not less than 500,000 votes, stressing that judging by the way the party had been receivedby the masses, the target would be met, if not surpassed.

The former Governor told the mammoth crowd at the rally, held at the Ake Palace ground that “SDP is the first born of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and SDP government is not going to be a party of friends and family members”.

Osoba

“In the Second Republic, which I was old enough to witness as a student, we noticed that at the beginning, political parties, the key actors, were even relating. After the elections, governors from different parties were even relating.

“But as the second round of elections were coming on, the behaviour changed and people started insulting themselves.

I remember a particular day, I was worried because as (former) President Shehu Shagari was approaching one state, the commentators on the radio were abusing him.

Buhari, late to campaign, says he’ll respect rule of law

Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), has assured that he would follow the dictates of the federal constitution.

He said this while addressing a mammoth crowd at the Osogbo City Stadium, Osogbo in Osun State, after arriving late to the venue of the campaign, which was scheduled for 10am, but he arrived the a few minutes to 6 pm.

In his address, the evidently tired Buhari noted that he would bring a drastic change to Nigeria if elected.

According to him, APC was ready to break the 15 years of PDP misrule in the country and urged the people to get their voter cards

Buhari ahead of the February 2015 elections.

He said, “We are Nigerians and we have found ourselves as Nigerians, change must be our responsibility. APC is determined to break the vicious circle of insecurity and corruption.

“Get your Voter’s Card and make your vote count. We are going to develop Nigeria in different areas including agriculture, employment creation and others. We are peace-loving and we will be a rule of law follower.”

Although, a popular musician kept the crowd occupied until Buhari arrived, the campaign did not last for more than 30 minutes.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State likened lovers of Peoples Democratic Party to haters of Nigeria, while he tackled the PDP-led administration for the security challenge in the country.

While canvassing votes for Buhari, he decried comments made by some top PDP leaders and VicePresident Namadi Sambo that the federal Government did not delay state’s allocation.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Agbaje vows to cancel Lekki-Epe toll gate ÏÏÏThe

Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has promised to cancel the controversial Lekki-Epe toll gate, if elected into office. He hinged this on the fact that the toll-gate is untenable as it is standing on an existing road.

Agbaje, however, disclosed that the Lekki Phase 1 inner bridge would remain, in view of it having been started from scratch by the concessionaire company.

According to Agbaje’s Directorate of Media and Publicity, the PDP Candidate, who was accompanied by his deputy, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem spoke during an interactive session with

Ikare-Akoko Robbery: Death tolls rises Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ

Residents of Ikare Akoko, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday wept profusely at the gory site of brutal killings and bank robbery that occurred in the town on Tuesday.

Business activities were halted for the day on Wednesday to honor those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident when Daily Times visited the town.

Academic activities were also paralyzed as parents refused to let go of their children to school.

A former Chairman

the Muslim Community in Lagos on Wednesday Agbaje, who commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for some of the successes recorded in the State, however, said Lagos was in urgent need of change and not continuity.

He hinged this on the fact that most of the problems afflicting the State are products of what he referred to as “vested interest.”

The PDP governorship hopeful noted that these successes were however not been felt by ordinary Lagosians who were totally alienated from governance.

He said the citizens are therefore not positively lifted by the APC government in the areas of health, education and more. of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Ileola Ezekiel Gold, was among those shot dead by the rampaging hoodlums while trying to flee the scene after the robbery.

The residents lamented the mobilization to Ekiti State of security personnel, including military officers, who had always mounted strategic posts in the town for the visitation of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It was unfortunate that security operatives mostly soldiers that would have overpowered the hoodlums were mobilized to Ekiti State for the visitation of President Goodluck Jonathan in continuation of his rally,” a resident who craved anonymity said.

This is the third time Armed robbers would be visiting Ikare Akoko.

Nnamani pledges quality representation at Senate Uche Nnamele, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The Enugu East Senatorial candidate of People for Democratic Change, PDC, and former governor of Enugu state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has pledged to give the constituency quality representation if given another chance to go to the Senate.

Nnamani made the pledge at Ikem, Isi-Uzo local government area when he visited the area on a campaign tour.

Nnamani said he was overwhelmed with the turn out of the people of the area in his campaign and pledged to give the zone a voice in the national discus.

Bodies of policemen slain in Ondo bank robbery

Hoodlums attack Akala’s aides for refusal to decamp ÏÏÏFive

former aides of the former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala last weekend escaped death in Ogbomoso when hoodlums allegedly working for the former governor unleashed attack on them following their refusal to defect to the Labour Party (LP) in the state.

The five Akala’s aides were said to have suffered varying degrees of injuries in the hands of their attackers who descended on them during a reconciliatory meeting called by the former governor to woo them

into joining him at the new party, the LP. It was gathered that the five Akala’s former aides who suffered the attack are Honourables; George Ogunlade, Jide Oketunbi who is currently serving as member of the Public Complaint Commission Board, Alh Kabiru Akanji, Ibrahim Ajagbe and Amos Alagbe.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that five of them were invited by the former governor to a meeting which was held at Akala’s house where they

Akala insisted that they were not ready to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Their refusal to defect along with their former

principal to LP allegedly drew the anger of Akala’s political thugs who forced their ways into the venue of the meeting and unleashed attack on the five of them.

The two vehicles in which the five of them rode to the venue of the meeting; Muisibish space runners marked (OYO) AJ 730 KNH and Honda Accord car with registration number (OYO) AA 473 KNH were also vandalised, while one of them, Hon. Ogunlade who had been pummelled beyond recognition was eventually left in his own pool of blood.

INEC begins distribution of PVCs in 193 Kwara wards Ola Yekeen, Ilorin

ÏÏÏ

Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) in the 193 wards of Kwara State.

INEC spokesman, Mr Jacob Ayanda made this known to our Correspondent on Wednesday that the exercise was as a result of the directive from INEC chairman, Prof Atahiru Jega.

According to Ayanda, the move was to enable all registered voters collect their PVC before the

commencement of the 2015 general election.

He expressed optimism that every eligible and registered voter s would collect their PVC before the expiration of the exercise on January 30, 2015.

Ayanda therefore appealed to all registered voters who have not collected their voter’s card to visit the polling station nearest to them to collect their cards.

He said INEC personnel have been deployed to the wards to facilitate the distribution of the cards and urged the people to be or-

derly during the exercise.

Ayanda said INEC would on January 28, post notice of poll for all the elections.

The INEC spokesman added that Thursday, February 12, 2015 was the last day for campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly while campaigns for Governorship and House of Assembly ends on February 26, 2015.

He added that elections for President and National Assembly would hold on February 14 while that of Governor and House of Assembly comes up on February 28, 2015.

Jega

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

9 News Ohanaeze chieftain insists on implementation of confab report Dilionye Dilibe, Onitsha

ÏÏÏFive

L-R Ebonyi State Governor, Matins Elechi, his Abia State Counterpart, Theodore Orji, Minister of states for Education, Viola Onwuliri and National Vice Chairman PDP South-East, Col. Austine Akobundu, at a meeting of South-East states coordinators of President Jonathan Campaign Organization in Umuahia.

PDP Presidential campaign: APC slams Omeri’s appointment ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation has cited the appointment of Chief Mike Omeri, the director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), a Federal Government agency, as a member of the Media and Publicity SubCommittee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, as an act of impunity and violation of the NOA Act. The APC campaign body said this action by the ruling PDP is in violation of Part 2 Section 6 (2) of the National Orientation Agency Act, which expressly prescribes that the Director General of NOA should be ‘non-partisan’.

The organisation described this behavior as unbecoming and designed to compromise and undermine the rules and principles on which the nation’s public service was founded. It stated that this action jeopardises the neutrality, reputation and position of the service as an

institution of governance.

In a statement signed

by Mallam Garba Shehu, director of Media and Publicity of the APC organisation, the campaign condemned the inclusion of Mr. Mike Omeri as a member of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation sub-committee.

According to the APC Campaign, the action is in bad taste and contravenes the public service rules to which all public servants, including the DG of the NOA, is bound.

The statement stated further that the publication of the name of the NOA DG in some national dailies with other members of the PDP publicity sub-committee is insensitive, reckless and in poor taste.

The APC campaign organization says the unprecedented step of co-opting public servants of any cadre into a political party’s campaign structure amounts to making the concerned public officer partisan and, therefore, a calculated attempt to pollute the reliability and ap-

peal of the public service.

It called on the President to remedy this blunder by ensuring that Mr. Omeri is dropped from the PDP Media and Publicity subcommittee without delay, considering that it contravenes the NOA Act which states, inter alia, that the DG of the agency shall be

‘non-partisan’.

“In this election season, the helmsman of the NOA by the law establishing it, should be in the forefront of the campaign for peaceful and credible election, and not to be seen to be collaborating with the ruling PDP,” the APC Campaign Ordanisation said.

Ogun PDP guber candidate assures of improved economy Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏOgun

State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, said he will expand the economic base of the state if elected as the governor, come Feburary 28, this year, while also assuring the people of the state of ‘people centered’ government.

Isiaka said he would improve the economic base of the state with the actualization of Olokola free trade

zone and the Tongeji Island crude oil exploration.

Speaking while seeking the support and prayers of Ogun West traditional council in Ilaro, on Wednesday, the Obafemi Awolowo first class graduate of Accountancy said infrastructure development ‘delivered at uneconomic cost’ was not good for a developing state like Ogun State.

He told the Obas, led by the paramount ruler and Olu of Ilaro, Kehinde Olugbenle, that his four pillars of development would ad-

months after the end of the 2014 National Conference, a member of the defunct confab and President, Anambra State branch of Ohanaeze, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, has predicted that non-implementation of the full report of the conference by the Federal Government would make or mar Nigeria.

Elder Eluemunoh dropped the bombshell while fielding questions from newsmen at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi local government area of Anambra State.

In his words: “As Ohanaeze president, Anambra State, the key issue is the implementation of the last National Conference resolutions, which the APC boycotted. That means that the opposition APC does not believe in the Conference and cannot implement it if at all it gets to power.”

“However, I have to state that the oneness of this country lies with the implementation of that conference report. If that is not done, ‘Nigeria to thy tent, oh Israel!’,” he said.

NSITF boss loses father Mike Omeri

dress the border towns, youth employment, expansion of the economy and attention to health and education.

The governorship candidate, who was accompanied to the Olu of Ilaro’s palace complex by former deputy governor, Salmot Badru, Asiwaju of Aworiland; Ayodeji Otegbola, director general of his campaign organization; Yomi Majekodunmi, and former gubernatorial aspirant, Segun Adewale, said the 774 secondary schools in the state would be restructured, “instead of committing over a billion naira on what they call model schools in the jungle.”

ÏÏÏThe father of the Chair-

man of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, is dead.

Pa Phillip Diuno, aged 84, died at St Luke’s Hospital, Asaba, on Monday.

A statement issued in Asaba by the Director of Communications of Ngozi Juliet Olejeme Foundation, Mr. Henry Ebireri, described Diuno as a great personality.

“Words cannot convey what he meant to our founder. He was a great man, a loving father and lover of his people”, the statement maintained.

The late Diuno served his community to the best of his ability.

“He lived a life of sacrifice.

He built a bridge of hope and unity among his people. He will be remembered for elevating the profile of his community,” the statement said.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2014

We met with Obasanjo before defecting to APC -Ex-Ondo Speaker

Osun senatorial candidate tasks opposition on peace

Tosin Ajuwon

Julius Alabi

Akure

ÎÎÎFormer

Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly (ODSHA), Rt. (Hon.) Victor Adekanye Olabimtan has said his defection on Tuesday, with his supporters, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) was possible after meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Hilltop mansion, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

Olabimtan, who was the Speaker in 2003 during the administration of the late Governor Olusegun Agagu, disclosed

this while addressing journalists shortly after his defection at the APC party’s secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

While he disclosed that some aggrieved bigwigs of the PDP had earlier joined him on a courtesy visit to Obasanjo to table the party’s position in Ondo State before the former president, Olabimtan noted that the defection was a fallout of the meeting held with the elder statesman and former Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the party.

“Our defection had to do with the visitation to Obasanjo. We had visited Baba (Obasanjo) at

his Abeokuta home to seek his opinion on the current situation of what is happening in Ondo PDP and the country at large”, he added.

Although, he refused to give in-depth detail of the meeting, Olabimtan disclosed that the oppression and impunity in the PDP, since the defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the party necessitated his action and that of his supporters.

“There is now injustice, oppression and impunity in the Ondo State PDP. The PDP, during the late Agagu’s administration, is now different from the PDP of today. I know if our leader (Agagu) were to be alive,

this mess won’t be happening”, he said.

Olabimtan, a Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service, maintained that he and his supporters were joining the APC to support the presidential ambition of General Muhammadu Buhari.

Thousands of PDP supporters, including Femi Agagu, former Chief of Staff and younger brother to the late Olusegun Agagu, had defected to the APC on Tuesday when they were received by the APC State Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, who promised a level playing ground and treat all the defectors equally.

Osogbo

ÎÎÎPeeved by the manner oppo-

sition parties are defacing campaign posters in the state, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, has called on opposition candidates to control their supporters.

Adeyeye, in a chat with newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital on Wednesday, accused supporters of the opposition’s candidate in the state of defacing his campaign posters, an action, he said, was not good enough for a peaceful conduct of elections.

Similarly, he condemned the reprisal attacks by his supporters who also defaced campaign posters of the PDP candidate in Osogbo, the state capital. According to him, many of his campaign posters and billboards and those of his opponent, Dr. Daisi Aina, the PDP candidate were defaced in many parts of the state caqpital.

Group drums support for Jonathan/Sambo ticket Joe Ogbodu Warrri

ÎÎÎA group, South South DemoL-R: General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Director, University if Ibadan (U.I.) Zoological Garden, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji and Vice Chancellor, U.I., Prof. Isaac Adewole at the commissioning of newly upgraded U.I. Zoological Garden... on Wednesday

CLO boss laments disunity among Igbo leaders Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÎÎÎChairman,

Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Abia State chapter, Barrister Pedro Azuogu says that “Igbo leaders are naïve and fail to speak with one voice”.

Azuogu, speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Times in Umuahia, regretted that the Igbo were occupied with a defeatist syndrome, which, according to him, “makes it difficult to extricate themselves from an excruciating political captivity”.

He buttressed his argument

with the fact that “the entire Igbo nation supported Olusegun Obasanjo for the presidency in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing to him through Dr. Alex Ekwueme. Before voting for Obasanjo, the Igbo failed, refused or neglected to put their demands on the table to negotiate with Obasanjo and when he came to power, he treated the Igbo with disdain, like outcasts”.

“There was no single interest of N’digbo that Obasanjo considered as an issue. In 2003 when the same scenario played out, the Igbo, again, could not look

Obasanjo in the eye and ask, “What will you do for us?” And when he sailed through, he insulted the Igbo more than in his previous tenure”.

The human rights activist noted that, “As a people who hardly learn from history, when President Goodluck Jonathan saw himself getting drowned in the controversy of to be or not to be president, N’digbo, in unison, chorused support for him and he sailed through”.

“Before the 2011 elections, there was no written or unwritten document of what he would do for N’digbo, who have the

penchant for supporting those that are not of their own and when he came to power, his first casualty, for testing his authority was the removal of Captain Iheanacho as Minister of Interior over an allegation of working for an All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Senatorial Candidate”.

He noted that before them, Jonathan had “abandoned the late Professor Dora Akunyili, who was the lone voice in the then Federal Executive Council that rallied support for him to be president following Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua’s sickness”.

cratic Vanguard for Goodluck/ Sambo 2015, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s performance in the area of Aviation, Power, Railways, Education, Sports, Basic Infrastructure and the Maritime among others, qualifies him for a re-election.

National President, , Mr. Friday Martins spoke after a tour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) College, Okoloba and Maritime University/Shipyard at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta state.

The group also commended NIMASA’s Director-General Mr. Patrick Akpoboloukemi for complementing the brilliant vision of Jonathan.

According to Martins, 80% of world trade revolves around maritime activities and, hence, Jonathan’s development of the maritime sector, along with its safety, is a sure guide to economic advancement of the nation.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

11 News

Osun Gov warns FG not to militarise Feb polls Julius Alabi, Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has advocated politics without bitterness warning the Federal government against militarising the forthcoming general elections.

According to him, the heavy deployment of the military to the state before, during and after the election in August 19th 2014 was criminal and absurd.

Aregbesola who made this known while speaking at a one day sensitization workshop organized by the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) on proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria in collaboration with the Osun State Government said all registered political parties should be given a level playing ground adding that the ruling party must not behave like outlaws so as to ensure violence free exercise.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gbenga Adebusuyi noted “if we all want ballots and not bul-

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate for Ogun State, Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (left) receiving a royal blessing from traditional rulers across Yewa land in Ogun State. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI lets, there must be a level playing field for all the political parties. The system must not permit members of the ruling party to behave like outlaws.

“We are on the march again. Elections are here.

The state must also deescalate and de-militarise elections. If we take out these two factors, we will be able to clean our streets and communities of small arms and light weapons.

Reps probe N3.4b Ajaokuta Steel wage bill Henry Omunu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Steel to investigate an alleged increase in the monthly wage bill of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi state from N228million to N3.4billion.

The House in passing the resolution on Wednesday at plenary, mandated the committee to within the next two weeks carry out the investigation into the astronomical increase in the

salaries of workers of the steel company Lawmakers passed the resolution sequel to a motion by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (PDP/Kaduna) entitled: “Need to investigate the expenditure of a huge sum of N3.4bn monthly on payment of salaries to staff of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company”.

Moving his motion, Hon. Tajudeen expressed concern over a report published by a national daily on September 1, 2014, which quoted the Chairman of

Then, our elections will be free of violence” he stressed.

Aregbesola who addressed the gathering at the workshop on the theme: “Ballot without Bullets” recalled that the recently concluded August 9th 2014 governorship election in the state was conducted with lots of impunity saying that the heavy deployment of the military to the state before, during

and after the election was criminal and absurd.

His words: “Gun wielding security agents, many of them in balaclava, paraded the streets of Osun with the intent to intimidate and drive fear into the citizens, especially APC members. On the eve of the election, they stormed the residences of APC leaders and members and arrested and detained not less than 3,000 of them.

Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, (AMCON), Aliyu Kola Belgore claiming that the steel firm is spending N3.4billion monthly on the payment of staff salaries.

He informed House members that this figure was however disputed by officials of two staff unions in the company who said in another publication that the monthly wage bill for 2, 900 staff of the company is N288million and not N3.4billion as alleged.

Relying on the provisions of Section 88 (2) (b) of the constitution which empowers the National Assembly to direct or cause to be directed an investigation aimed at exposing corrup-

tion, inefficiency or waste in the administration of funds appropriated by it, the lawmaker explained that the Ajaokuta Steel Company has failed to fulfill the expectations of the government since it was established.

Minister of Steel

“It was, of course, a ploy to emasculate the party and put it in disarray, thereby given the PDP an advantage in the election.

Before the election, one of my opponents was captured on video threatening local communities that he would deploy soldiers to their communities and arrest their leaders. That eventually happened anyway, and with impunity”, he noted.

NEMA makes case for traders’ insurance Fred Ede, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has called on the government to enact a law that would compel Nigerian traders to insure their goods against fire disaster.

The agency also expressed dismay over the poor funding of State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, in the zone, revealing that SEMA could only boast of one operational vehicle.

South east Zonal Director of NEMA, Major James Eze, who made the call Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency in the zone last year, said compulsory insurance policy for traders would reduce the burden on government when disasters occur.

He advised traders to ensure that they insured their goods against disasters because government might not have the financial muscle to take care of all disaster victims in the country.

Eze noted that gone were the days when insurance companies refused to compensate people that paid premiums, assuring that any trader that insures his or her goods would be adequately compensated when disasters occurs.

Buhari supporters on street campaign in Bauchi Daniel Jolly, Bauchi

ÏÏÏSupporters

of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday held a one million manwalk round within the State capital metropolis to sensitize the electorates on the need to vote for APC candidates in the forth coming February election.

The State Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbajo campaign Organisation, Dr. Danjuma Dabo, told newsmen that the aim of the walk was to sensitize the electorates on the need to

vote for General Muhammadu Buhari and all candidates seeking for election under the platform of APC. Dr. Dabo advised the electorates to collect their permanent voter’s card and use it wisely and vote for APC candidates.

A National Officer of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar said Nigeria today is faced with so many challenges which only credible leaders like Buhari/Osinbajo can solve and restore hope and confidence on the minds of the electorates.

Africa 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

Heavy rains in Malawi kill 48, leave thousands displaced ÏÏÏMalawi’s

president says heavy flooding in the southern African country has killed 48 people and left another 23 000 displaced.

President Peter Mutharika declared 10 out of 28 districts in the country disaster zones on Tuesday.

Planning officer Grey Mkwanda said some of the victims died when villages were flooded in the southern Mangoche district, about 100km south

of the commercial capital, Blantyre. Livestock, crops and homes were swept away by flood waters.

Others died in Blantyre when their homes collapsed, according to Mkwanda.

Mutharika has appealed to the international community for assistance for the impoverished country.

Officials were unable to visit the affected areas due to continuing poor weather.

Tanzania bans witchdoctors One of the few houses left in Matsukambiya village in the southern district of Chikwawa

ÏÏÏTanzania has banned

Scores killed as floods hit Malawi, Mozambique ÏÏÏA

boy stands whose family home was washed away by floods in the southern district of Chikwawa in Malawi on Tuesday 13 January 2015 This boy’s home in the southern district of Chikwawa was washed away in the floods At least 48 people have been killed and around 23,000 forced from their homes by heavy flooding in Malawi, the country’s leader said on Tuesday.

President Peter Mutharika has declared a third of

the country a disaster zone and urgently appealed for foreign aid.

Reports from neighbouring Mozambique said a group of 25 schoolchildren were swept away by floodwater on Monday.

Heavy regional rain began last month and forecasters say they expect it to continue over the coming days.

Mr Mutharika said his government alone did not have the money to cope.

People seek refuge at one

the few houses left in Matsukambiya village in the southern district of Chikwawa Malawi - January 2015 This is one of the few houses left in Matsukambiya village in the southern district of Chikwawa Homes and crops in Malawi were destroyed by the rising torrents while roads and railways have also been cut off.

One government official said many victims died when villages were flooded in Mangoche district, an

area in the south about 100km (60 miles) south of Blantyre, the commercial capital.

“People have fled into schools and churches on higher ground, others are in the open because there is not enough space,’’ said Grey Mkwanda, a district planning officer, speaking to the Associated Press news agency.

He added that some victims in Blantyre had perished when their homes collapsed.

US: LRA Commander in Ugandan custody ÏÏÏThe U.S. Embassy in

Uganda said a top Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander is now in the custody of Ugandan troops who are part of an African force tasked with hunting down the rebel fighters.

The embassy said U.S. Special Forces handed over Dominic Ongwen early Wednesday in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), where he had turned himself in on January 6.

A Ugandan army spokesman said Tuesday that Ongwen would be sent on to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The ICC has charged him with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Uganda makes up the largest contingent of the African Union Regional Task Force, which also includes South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the C.A.R. U.S. advisers have been

working with the African force, and the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday that Ongwen’s removal from the battlefield “is a visible symbol of our successful partnership.”

The LRA is accused of killing and kidnapping tens of thousands of people over the past three decades, first in an uprising against the Ugandan government, then as a roving band of fighters in Congo, South Sudan, and the C.A.R.

witchdoctors to try and stem a surge in murders of albinos, whose body parts are sold for witchcraft, officials said on Wednesday.

“These so-called witches bear responsibility for the attacks against albinos,” interior ministry spokespersson Isaac Nantanga told AFP on Wednesday.

The ban follows the kidnapping last month of a 4-year-old girl by men armed with machetes, who took her from her home in the northern Mwanza region. Police have since arrested 15 people, including the girl’s father and two uncles, but she is still missing.

At least 74 albinos have been murdered in the east African country since 2000, according to United Nations experts.

After a spike in killings in 2009, the government placed youngsters in children’s homes in a desperate effort to defend them.

As well as the ban, the government has launched an education campaign to end the killing of albinos.

“We are keen on addressing the issue of abductions and killings of people with albinism once and for all,” home affairs minister Mathias Chikawe said.

The ban however does not cover traditional healers who use herbs to help the sick.

Chikawe said the government and the Tanzania Albino Society (TAS) agreed on Tuesday to form a task force for conducting special operations against the kidnap, abduction and murder of albinos.

UN announces fresh Libya talks ÏÏÏThe

Obama

United Nations said it will launch talks on Wednesday between warring Libyan factions, even though one of the delegations has delayed its decision on attending a process aimed at averting wider conflict in the oil-exporting state. Western governments hope talks in Geneva this week would ease a crisis in Libya where two rival governments and their forces are vying for control, three years after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi.

“The United Nations Support Mission in Libya [UNSMIL] has confirmed that the meeting of Libyan parties will start tomorrow Wednesday 14 January 2015 in the afternoon at the Palais des Nations in Geneva,” a U.N. statement said.

Bernardino Leon, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, will give a press conference before talks start, it said, adding that the list of participants would follow.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

13 World Hong Kong leader warns of ‘anarchy’ ÏÏÏHong

Pope Francis and Buddhist monks after an inter-religious meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015

France arrests 54 for ‘defending terror’ ÏÏÏFrench

authorities say 54 people have been detained for defending or glorifying terrorism following the controversial publication of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo’s defiant new issue on Wednesday.

The arrests are part of a broader French crackdown that includes a government push for tougher anti-terrorism measures after the attacks, the worst in France in decades.

Dieudonne, a controversial comic with a large following in France, was among those detained. Government spokesperson Stephane Le Foll said some of

those detained have already been convicted - a display of French justice that was notably rapid.

The storming of the irreverent Charlie Hebdo newspaper was the opening salvo of three days of terror and bloodshed in the Paris region, ending when security forces killed all three gunmen on Friday. A top leader of Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack, saying in a video posted on Wednesday that the massacre was in “vengeance for the prophet”.

The core of the newspaper’s staff perished a week

ago when gunmen stormed its offices, killing 12. Those who survived put out the issue, which contained a new depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, on Wednesday, working out of borrowed offices, with a print run of 3 million - more than 50 times the usual circulation.

Charlie Hebdo had received repeated threats for posting caricatures of Muhammad and was firebombed in 2011. Its editor and his police bodyguard were the first targeted in the newsroom.

France’s government was preparing tougher

anti-terrorism measures, and authorities were already using current laws to their fullest extent.

Wednesday’s detention of Dieudonne for defending terrorism followed a fouryear prison sentence involving the same charge for a man in northern France who seemed to defend the attacks in a drunken rant while resisting arrest.

French police say as many as six members of a terrorist cell that carried out the Paris attacks may still be at large, including a man seen driving a car registered to the widow of one of the gunmen. The

Missile hits bus in Ukraine, 11 Killed

Iran: Kerry meets Zarif in Geneva

ÏÏÏA missile hit a passen-

ÏÏÏ US Secretary of State

ger bus in eastern Ukraine Tuesday, killing at least 11 civilians near the separatistcontrolled city of Donetsk.

Pro-government officials say the bus was traveling near a military checkpoint when it was struck by a missile from a multiple-rocket launcher.

President Petro Poroshenko said the deaths “chill the heart.” He immediately blamed pro-Russian rebels.

A separatist spokesman

denied responsibility.

The bus attack is another blow against efforts to implement last September’s ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists.

A meeting between French, German, Russian and Ukrainian leaders that was to have been held Thursday in Astana, Kazakhstan has been canceled. Fighting around Donetsk has worsened in recent weeks.

John Kerry is meeting his Iranian counterpart in Geneva in a bid to revive stalled talks over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Mr Kerry said he and Mohammad Javad Zarif needed to “take stock” ahead of a new round of negotiations on Thursday.

Six world powers want Iran to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

An interim deal was struck in November 2013 but deadlines for a comprehensive deal have since been missed.

The aim now is to reach a high-level political agreement by 1 March and confirm the full technical details of the agreement by 1 July.

Iran is subject to UN economic sanctions amid fears that it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon.

country has deployed 10 000 troops to protect sensitive sites, including Jewish schools and synagogues, mosques and travel hubs.

Dieudonne, who popularised an arm gesture that resembles a Nazi salute and who has been convicted repeatedly of racism and anti-Semitism, is no stranger to controversy. His provocative performances were banned last year but he has a core following among many of France’s disaffected young people.

The Facebook post in question, which was swiftly deleted, said he felt like “Charlie Coulibaly”

Kerry

Kong leader Leung Chun-ying warned on Wednesday that demands for fully free elections risked “anarchy” as he pledged allegiance to Beijing and pro-democracy lawmakers staged a dramatic walk-out.

Leung took a hard line on political reform in his annual address, saying there would be no deviation from Beijing’s framework for the city’s leadership elections in 2017.“The rule of law is the foundation of Hong Kong.

The democratic development of Hong Kong must therefore be underpinned by the same. As we pursue democracy, we should act in accordance with the law, or Hong Kong will degenerate into anarchy,” he said.

In his first speech to Hong Kong’s legislature since huge street rallies calling for free leadership elections, Leung made no concessions to protesters and questioned their understanding of the intricacies of politics in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

102 bodies found in Indian River ÏÏÏAuthorities are inves-

tigating how 102 bodies, many of them of children, ended up in an offshoot of the Ganges River in northern India.

Officials do not suspect a crime, and instead believe the dead were given water burials. It is Indian custom not to cremate unwed girls and many poor people cannot afford cremation.

Unnao district magistrate Sauma Agarwal says the bodies are too badly decomposed for autopsies or identification, but that DNA tests are being done to determine where the bodies might have come from.

Villagers first noticed the bodies on Tuesday, stuck on a river bank with dogs and vultures circling the area. The narrow river breaks off from the Ganges just before passing Pariyar in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Election in times of hunger

Bomi Ehimony

T

he purported ‘largeness’ of the Nigerian economy does not in any way translate into more food on the dining table of Nigerians. Despite the rich and poor remains ridiculously large and insurmountable, the rich are simply too rich while the poor are hanging on for dear lives hoping for a better tomorrow. Nigeria has the highest number of hungry and undernourished persons among the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The poor in Nigeria make up more than 70 percent of the population, and live on less than one dollar per day. They cannot afford to feed their families with one meal a day.

A large percentage of Nigerians live like refugees in their own country with no place to

call home and little hope for the future. They scamper over each other like a herd of wildebeests being chased by hungry lionesses when an important dignitary, say the wife of a governor comes to pay a visit and distribute foodstuff.

The big trouble however is that these set of Nigerians, are the ones that constitute the bulk of the electorates and who will eventually elect the leaders of the country. They are hungry and therefore can be swayed by pettiness. Their minds can be changed by the sudden goodwill and humaneness of smart, evil politicians. Give a man who has not had a meal for days a small bag of rice and watch him fall at your feet like a pack of old, wrinkled cards. He would vote for you; he would snatch a ballot box for you and would even pick up a gun if you tell him to do so.

He does not care that chances

abound that you could become a monster in the future, he only cares about now and you have satisfied that.

There is a new concept in the

A large percentage of Nigerians live like refugees in their own country with no place to call home and little hope for the future. dictionary of contemporary Nigerian politics called ‘Stomach infrastructure’. It goes to say that that ‘though infrastructures make a city look good, stomach infrastructure makes the people

look good and happy’. Perhaps we will see more of that now that the general elections are due in February.

The concept only works because these politicians deal with people who can easily be moved by petty goodwill and hypocritical behaviours. These people would rather have a tiny bag of rice now than have huge bags of all kinds of food in the future. Politicians prey on such situation which they have to win elections. The people can now be likened to paupers who line the streets during traffic jams or at gas stations stretching frail arms towards flashy cars and making sad faces, begging for alms. That is what the ‘everyday Nigerian’ has become, this is what they have been made to become. Can we then, in this case, say that the people deserve the government they have? I doubt that very much.

Nigeria: Place where 150 lives are no big deal

I

Emmanuel Onwubiko

n recent conversations on the unfortunate fate that has of befallen Nigeria of late, my friend and I bemoaned the low esteem accorded to the sanctity of human life.

My friend regretted that human life has been speedily degraded by the civil and military authorities that the rest of the international community are at a loss what to make of it.

He said that in all of his recent foreign tours during in Europe and America, most people he met do not know whether to rate the ordinary citizens or the authorities as primitive people who are far removed from modern civilization. He is of the considered opinion that in other civilised climes, whenever the authorities fail in their constitutional obligations in the area of national security the only option is for those heading those branches of government to quit honourably.

But I reminded him that Nigeria is a member of the United Nations and by so doing has signed on to almost the entire modern humanitarian laws that safeguards the sanctity of human lives. But he argued that the fact that for nearly six months that over 200 teenage girls were snatched from their dormitory

in Chibok, Borno State the State has failed to rescue them and bring their abductors to justice.

Whilst not distancing myself from his well considered conclusion I also told him that even in Egypt when the then Moslem Brotherhood-led government was suspected of abusing the human rights of most persons outside of their own brand of radical religious beliefs, the people’s power were invoked even and o more than 14 million people thronged the streets of Cairo in protest. In the Nigerian situation both the civil and military authorities have come under considerable accusations of abysmally failing in their duties and so only the people can decide how this mess can be cleared . This is not to say that the leading opposition political party has any working idea of how to resolve these killings because the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has severally been seen in the media defending the actions of Boko Haram, especially in the instance he was quoted as criticising any military action against these terrorists.

We had hardly ended our conversations when the most gruesome of all despicable crimes

BY Boko Haram was reported in

Baga, Borno State. These Islamic jihadists were reportedly implicated in the killings of hundreds of civilians.

Virtually all the international news channels took interest in this development just as tongues started wagging as to why the international community is yet to invoke the relevant United Nations Security Council’s resolutions rejecting these genocidal killings in Nigeria.

The apparent silence on the range of atrocities by the armed Islamic terrorists in the North East stems from the fact that a nation is taken serious depending on how the civil and military authorities rate themselves. Why for instance is a small nation such as Cameroon able and ever willing to crush any incursions against their populace by these same Islamic rebels based in North East of Nigeria? That the Nigerian military rated as the third largest in Africa is been unable to defeat Boko Haram speaks volumes.

For past three years, the authorities have offered reasons ranging from sabotage within the military for the inability to defeat this terror group,while others blamed the lack of sophisticated weapons.

Reports said that Nigeria spent

more than $6 billion last year for defence,yet there is nothing to show for it. In the past, the military has arrested some of these hardened terrorists but the judiciary has been too compromised to deliver decisive justice on them.

What makes a nation sovereign is the near infinite capacity of both the civil and military authorities to defend the territorial integrity of that nation. The essence of statehood is the capacity of the constituted authorities to stand up to be counted when it co matters.

Speaking to the issue of the kind of respect and regard the authorities pay to the universal sanctity of human life brings us to the recent media briefing b in Abuja ,whereby the military spokesman attempted to deny that up to 2,000 people were killed in Baga. Rather, he admitted that only 150 lives were lost. What a country? In France, when the Kouchi brothers attacked a media house, the French military never waite to issue press statements. The French government mustered all forces to inflict maximum damage on the terrorists. But in Nigeria, regional war lords and politicians have been allowed the freedom to politicise these killings.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

15 Opinion

It is not all about Jonathan

S Elias Osaghae

ince Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and till now, there have been many questions unanswered, questions on political and administrative structure; on a section’s strangle-hold to leadership; imbalance of sharing the national cake; ethnic marginalization; political assassinations; treasury lootings; illegal termination of democratically elected governments; round pegs in square holes; doctored census figures and corrupt practices.

These questions are the bane of tribal disharmony, mistrust, hatred, victimisation, lack of peaceful co-existence and underdevelopment of the country.

Down memory lane will reveal that Nigeria was fraught with unanswered questions from birth. She was more a child of circumstance than of cohesion.

The different nationalities, suddenly found some white adventurers who clustered them together with a given name.

There were no treaties, emissar-

ies and plebiscite. The nation called Nigeria was constituted on the whims and caprices of the British at the detriment of the several kingdoms they met.

The colonialists cannot be exonerated from the cause of our continuing problems. Their anger against the nationalists from the South cannot be ruled out in the lopsided administrative structure of the entity known as Nigeria. It is on record that the colonialists had more problems with agitators of self-government from the South than from the North. It is also known that the colonialists represented the interests of the North in the constitutional conferences from that of Sir Hugh Clifford of1922 to Sir John Macpherson of 1951. The Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946 did the most severe damage to the future of Nigeria. That Constitution divided Nigeria into three regions –giving the lion share of territory to the North and establishing the impression that that region is far greater in population.

Although the Richards Con-

stitution was expected to last for nine years, opposition to it, especially from Southern politicians, was so strong that the Macpherson Constitution was promulgated in 1951. Unlike its predecessors, there was significant participation of Nigerians in its making, but again, the North had the largest number of delegates.

The constitution established the Central Legislature with a total of 184 elected members, comprising 92 for the North, 42 for East, 42 for West, 2 for Lagos and 6 for Southern Cameroons. The census then, gave population figures of 31 million, made up of 16½ million in the North, 8 million in the East and 6¼million in the West.

So the North always had its way and grew with the notion of a ruling class with birthright.

The administrative and political structures of the new nation helped to lay the foundation for northern solidarity, while it left the southern part segmented and disunited. The colonialists also encouraged the religious faith of the North to harness unity

for the people. In the south, the policy was divide and rule. The colonialists knew the whole arrangements had consequences of future dispute. And that dispute has long been with us from independence, and may be forever.

Electioneering strategies had been more based on which section of the country had control of the central government, than on manifestos that can develop the nation. It has always been the North versus the South. So the issue of general election has long been a national problem.

From political inception, there have been politicians bereft of national political ideology. They have only been motivated by either sectional goal or what is now popularly known as ‘stomach infrastructure’. The inability of Southern leaders to foresee the consequences of the lopsided political structure of Nigeria did not help matters. Rather than uniting the different tribes and establishing solidarity, the leaders allowed tribal sentiments tobecloud their visions for southern political future.

Minimising voters’ apathy in Nigeria

T

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi

he 2015 general elections in Nigeria are only weeks from now.

The stakeholders must be encouraged to imbibe a true democratic culture through presenting credible candidates, campaigning for them, and encouraging electorates to turn out and vote for each set of candidates. It is not only up to The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensuring that the elections are credible, fair and free but the other stakeholders have their distinct roles to play respectively.

While we would keep INEC to go back to the drawing board, with a view to re-evaluating some of the lapses witnessed in previous elections and to address them, we also have the same mission for politicians to not frustrate efforts of INEC or the electorates in their quests to exercise their own rights. One of such lapses is voters’ apathy and low turn-out in elections.

A low turn-out usually results in false impression where the winner or the loser is not the

true result. If only a few people turn out to vote, the voice of the silent majority may be lost because the small percentage that may have come out may not truly represent the wishes of the entire people. In Nigeria the elites that will not vote are usually the first group to run to the press denouncing the results of an election. In some cases, it may not have been the nonchalant attitude of the elites but the politicians whose actions and inaction frustrate voters. Politicians may not believe that it is part of their remit to draw electorates and make the exercise enterprising enough for everybody. They go for the wrong objectives by thinking that it is only the winner of an election that has been successful. Securing 100 percent attendance in an election is a success not only for INEC but the entire stakeholders.

Avoiding low attendance at each of the elections is going to remain a challenge. The INEC must stamp its authority in finding lasting solution to this perennial problem, which is as a result of some perceived inherent factors. Critics have been

writing on factors like rigging, multiple registration, and late arrival of election materials to polling centres, overbearing security officers, and so on. In addition we now have to contend with unavailability of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), insurgency, not only in the North East but all

In Nigeria the elites that will not vote are usually the first group to run to the press denouncing the results of an election. over the country. After all when the chips are down we may be able to trace the insurgents and their sponsors to politics rather than religion.

The problem the insurgents will create for the 2015 elections are many if they not held in that insurgency ridden states.

INEC needs to be ahead of these desperate politicians, who having created the bad situation will still be expecting electoral victory. All stakeholders must be educated that Nigeria is our home and we must jointly make it conducive.

We notice the cumulative effects of yesteryear politics as another factor that may affect voters’ turn out. The yesteryear politics include factors where each region is gunning for the presidency. Right now, we have the impression that the North, apart from being more affected by the insurgency, has no candidate it can call as a fair representation of the region’s interest.

The region thoroughly divided not only by insurgency but by inability to read and understand the time, despite the growing number of fortune-tellers, magicians and others amongst them.

On the other side is the South East that is so confused whether their close association with the present government will be taken as their turn. In all, the South West may end up being the biggest winner or loser for their lack of leadership or inability to respect and work in unison.

16

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Politics Chimaroke Nnamani

Former governor, Enugu State

ENUGU EAST RACE

Can Nnamani pocket Nnaji, Okafor, Nwoye?

17

s Chukason Nweze, Enugu Until recently, the hearts of politicians, wishing to represent Enugu East Senatorial District of Enugu State, were beating fast because of the soaring ambition of the former Chief of Staff, Government House, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, who indicated her desire to replace the incumbent, Senator Gil Emeka Nnaji.

The anxiety, however, terminated on December 8, 2014,

when Nwobodo failed to win the primaries conducted at various venues. Whereas, Nnaji held a different primaries, Nwabueze Okafor, the former ALGON president, conducted his own primaries. Former Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. and Nwobodo conducted another in a different location.

With time, it was discovered that Nnaji, the incumbent, emerged victorious.

With Nwobodo, believed to be Governor Sullivan Chime’s

favoured candidate, out of the way, other candidates now have another headache: the political clout of the former Senator for the zone (2007 and 2011), Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who emerged as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Congress, (PDC), the same platform he used in 2011to contest but lost to Nnaji.

Former ALGON President and former chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

DICKSON

Opposition has not been tested at the national level Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson is under intense criticism over his concepts of governance, fiscal policy and security. In this chat with newsmen, Dickson explains some of his actions, the need for Nigerians to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan and the plot by some politicians to foment trouble in the state, ahead of the 2016 governorship election. AKAM JAMES was there. Excerpts: What are your expectations for the presidential election, which coincides with your third anniversary in office?

We are full of expectations concerning the presidential election. For me, unlike some people who seek power and bow to other things by doing funny things, I look up to God only. I believe that the fact that the presidential elec-

Dickson

KALU: Military will no longer dethrone democracy

Ben Kalu is a politician and businessman from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. Last December, he organised a football competition for Bende youths, as well as give out gift items to the indigent in the area, including orphans and widows. In this interview with SUNDAY NWAKANMA in

Bende, he bares his mind on why he made the gesture an annual event, while assuring Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan is the man that will make Nigeria exist beyond 2015. Excerpts: You used the occasion of your football match to have a hand shake with the downtrodden?

tion is taking place on the anniversary of this Government of Restoration shows a very clear sign of victory. I have no doubt that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be victorious. I have no doubt that our brother and leader, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will be victorious. The reasons are obvious.

We have a strong political party that is like a horse. If the war horse is strong, anyone can ride it to victory. The other party is yet to be tested at the national level, so you are putting the tested old war horse of PDP against an infantile contraption. We, in the PDP, through Mr. President’s transformation agenda and the performing governors, including myself, have a good, powerful message of transformation. What does the other side have? Promises and criticisms and, most of it, some-

Yes, that is our culture every year. From 2003 till now, we use the period to appreciate the less privileged amongst us and use the football match to unite Bende to be a formidable force. Development thrives and is enhanced in an atmosphere of unity and less acrimony. Over time, there has been the gap in the social in-

times, unfair. So we believe that Nigerians will discern between what is real and on ground and what is not. It may not be perfect but they are seeing the honest efforts that the President is making.

We have a good product to sell in President Jonathan and with the dexterity that he has shown in managing the affairs of the country, at a time that is not too friendly; by taking this country through this trying period, he has demonstrated that he is a statesman. I believe that our product is good enough to market itself.

The Bible says “surely people will gather…” It didn’t say people will not gather, but it tells you, clearly, what happens when the ungodly gather, they will surely scatter, because when you do your best, God sees and is interested in CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

tegration of our people and the platform to unite various interest groups in our community.

Football knows no political party, knows no religion and race.

You also have a rapport with the indigent women, children and the youths every year…

Yes. All fingers are not equal CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Forces against Nnamani’s candidature CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Nwabueze Okafor who got disenchanted with PDP because of the primaries of December 8, 2014, defected to All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) where he got the ticket to run for the Enugu East Senatorial District while Dr. Ben Nwoye is the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

With the emergence of Nnamani again for the senatorial race, other candidates are having sleepless nights because of his soaring popularity with his people, who adore him in no small measure.

It was during his tenure in the Senate that Enugu State University of Technology’s permanent site was taken to the expanse of land that connects Obe, Umueze, Amuri and Agbani, all in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state. It was also under his watch that the Law School was built in Agbani. Nnamani also built a private university in Ugbawka, Nkanuland and another private secondary school. He also upgraded the ESUT/Park Lane Hospital, built a tunnel that connected Artisan Quarters to the popular Okpara Avenue, among others.

Political analysts believe that, for many years to come, Nkanu people would never forget Nnamani for what he did for them while in office and this might be the time to show their appreciation for his immense gesture by voting for him en-masse in the forthcoming election.

It was Nnamani who institutionalised the political philosophy called Ebeano, No Shaking and it caught on like wildfire. It

was through the Ebeano that Sullivan Chime emerged the state governor in 2007. It was the Ebeano that enabled Nnaji to sit at the House of Representatives, from where he was, subsequently, elected a Senator in 2011. It was the same Ebeano dynasty that made it possible for Senator Ayogu Eze of Enugu North Senatorial Zone to get to the Senate in 2007 and 2011.

Ebeano is like a political party within a political party. Whoever was anointed by Ebeano gets whatever political position he/she is vying for and that was how the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu emerged Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone since 2003 till date.

People still believe that Nnamani possesses the political clout and the magic wand to win in the forthcoming election. It is believed that it was he who won the 2011 senatorial election and that was why the election was cancelled and his political godson, Nnaji floored him.

Today, Nnamani seems set on achieving his objective of returning to the Senate which he left in 2011. He has started a doorto-door campaign and has been dominating the airwaves since last year recounting the beautiful things he was able to do for his senatorial zone as well as the entire state.

Today, some PDP members have been defecting to PDC because of his influence. Just recently, the former chairman of Enugu South Local Government, Sam Ngene, (a.k.a. Anointed David), jettisoned PDP for PDC where he is pushing his House of Assembly ambition to represent

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

I see a revolution in Abia – Kalu

and I have been doing this for 11 years. I take care of widows and orphans and they are part of our society. If we ignore them, definitely, we are not playing our roles as stakeholders in this community. It is not all about riding good cars, wearing good dresses and having good kids, while the poor languish in poverty and offer them only pity. This is beyond

Nwabueze

Nwobodo

Nweke Jr

Enugu South Urban at the state House of Assembly.

However, in spite of the popularity of Nnamani, while he was the governor, it may not be easy for him to defeat the incumbent Senator Nnaji. Nnaji is from the royal family of King Edward Nnaji. His younger brother, Cornelius, is the chairman of Enugu East Local Government Council and Enugu ALGON boss while his elder brother, Julius Nnaji is the Igwe of Nike. The influence of all of them combined might contribute to his victory a second time.

Apart from coming from a royal family, Nnaji is adjudged to have performed well because he

attracted several developmental amenities to his people and had empowered many youths and widows. The fact that he is the standard bearer of the ruling party for the Enugu East Senatorial zone is likely going to give him an edge over other candidates from the opposition including his former boss, Nnamani.

However popular Nnamani may be, he may not defeat the APC candidate, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who is also the state chairman of the party. Nwoye contested the senatorial race in 2011 when he was in the defunct ACN but today that he is the chairman of APC in the state, his influence as a party chairman might give him the needed fillip that could translate to winning the senatorial seat.

He is a young man, who is liked by his people and his ability to speak Nkanu dialect well, even after so many years in America, where he practised law will endear him to his people when the chips are down. He contested the seat before and many people now know him and might vote for him. He must have learnt from his mistakes and will now capitalise on that to forge ahead and win.

The entrance of Okafor into the senatorial race might spell doom for Nnamani and the incumbent. As the chairman of

Enugu South, he delivered a lot of dividends that today, all the roads in Amechi are looking like roads in the developed countries with drainages. Amechi people have never had it so good under the leadership of Okafor who was crowned as the Okpochengene 1 of Amechi and other titles by the entire Awkunanaw clan that includes some communities in Nkanu West and Enugu South Local Government Areas.

When he was declaring his senatorial ambition in Enugu last year, Okafor challenged all the aspirants in PDP then to list what they have done for their people adding that if any of them could do so, he would shelve his senatorial ambition.

When he could not secure the ticket in PDP, he switched to APGA and has sworn to achieve his political ambition of going to the Senate.

In spite of the politically strong men that emerged from their various political parties for the senatorial race in the district, Nnamani is likely going to take the day because most of the people who are what they are today were made by him through the Ebeano political dynasty but in politics, anything can happen and February is around the corner to separate the men from the women in Enugu East senatorial district of Enugu State.

pity. The occasion was one of such occasion that I use to fete the poor and the needy.

For some time now, you have not been seen in the political arena, why?

I am still a politician and never ceased being one. I only beat a retreat when I assessed the political landscape; you know what happened in the last election. I have been consulting with the commu-

nity to bring out an alternative leadership that will reduce the weight of our challenges on our shoulders and attract more presence of the government.

On which party platform?

The party is not the issue. I receive calls from almost all the parties, including PDP, PPA, and APC among others. Though, in the opposition, to be honest, I support the president, but I support PDP

on that particular position. T. A. Orji is a very good platform of my choice. It is not all about the party but it is about the leader. When I weigh my options, I will make my choice.

Are you satisfied with the leadership style of PDP in the state?

The leadership style and culture are unique to the leader. The

“It was Nnamani who institutionalised the political philosophy called Ebeano, No Shaking and it caught on like wildfire”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

the affairs of the people because we are created in His image.

When you do things to advance the cause of the people, then you become of interest to God. The unity of the PDP in the state had been tested; its primaries and internal division have made some people to threaten dumping the party. From all indications, there seems to be a crack, is there any in the wall of the PDP? Let me assure you that the PDP in Bayelsa State is not divided; there is no crack. If you have been following the political events and the outcome of the primaries, you will realise that the Bayelsa PDP primaries were not problematic. The primaries didn’t give any challenge to the national authorities because members and aspirants conducted themselves peacefully. The processes that we followed were all-inclusive and the outcome, generally, were more acceptable.

Like in every contest, there will always be losers and winners.

There are people who didn’t have the opportunity to actualise their ambition, to such persons, I say, today may not be your time, but tomorrow may be yours. I keep reminding everybody that power flows from God. There are a few cases of PDP members being dissatisfied and, therefore, may contest against their party’s candidates on other platforms, but we have not seen a high level defection in this party arising from the primaries.

The kind of leadership we are providing, apart from building roads and putting other infrastructure in place, extends to reforms in the political culture; that is why we subject people to the primaries. In the local government elections, there was no single record of injury to anybody.

We did what many people thought would be volatile party primaries, but they were peaceful.

People should know that this is the hand of God at work in Bayelsa.

Nobody, including your supporters, seems to be talking about the 2016 governorship election. What is the situation?

19 Politics

‘PDP ‘ll win next month’s polls’

“There are a few cases of PDP members being dissatisfied and, therefore, may contest against their party’s candidates on other platforms”

Jonathan On the political front I want to call on you to join me so that we can work, focus and mobilise for the presidential elections. Nobody is talking about the governorship election in this state, because it is still far away. Anybody doing that has not calculated well. They are dancing too early and you know what happens to early dancers; they get tired early and fizzle out.

Let us gather and support the President’s election and deliver Bayelsa votes to the party. Let’s join our leaders and friends across the country to work for the emergence of President Jonathan, so that he can continue with the transformation of Nigeria.

of many international factors beyond the control of the Nigerian authorities.

We are managing, because of the prudence, transparency and the mechanism that we put in place, that made it possible for us to block wastage in the system.

We are still able to meet our recurrent obligations. We have neither owed nor delayed in the payment of salaries and other allowances.

We are also meeting up with most of our welfare obligations like payment of N5, 000 to elderly persons in our communities.

That programme costs the government about N70million every month. We are also carrying on with our other welfare policies.

This is a government that is interested in the welfare of its people and at this point, that appears to be getting lost in the dust of politics.

We are also paying WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees for all our

The last few months have been hard for state governors.

How has the drop in revenue impacted on the ambitious agenda of your administration?

You are all aware of the very ambitious programmes that we outlined at the beginning of this administration and how we went about, zealously, implementing it, but you know what could happen next, you never can foresee some of these things.

This is why, in a way, we have been preaching the gospel of selfsufficiency and the need for us to block all leakages and stop wastage, as much as possible, then see

how we can diversify our economy.

But our worst fears came to pass too soon. I know that some states find it difficult to pay salaries and meet other recurrent obligations of government, but in this state, fortunately, we are not yet at that level but that is not to say that things are normal. I think, since about April or thereabout, revenues have been nosediving monthly and today, we are operating on about 40% of what should have been our budget. In other words, 60% is off, already, and this is not peculiar to Bayelsa or Nigeria; there is a downturn in the global economy, as a result

students and we supply books in all schools, where our students/ pupils do not pay tuition fees.

All these are very cash-intensive programmers and we are intervening in the medical emergencies on behalf of our people until when our facilities are improved and supplied.

The government scholarship programme is also meant for the children, who we send to top schools abroad.

As a matter of fact, people are shocked that even with all that is happening in the state, in less CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Voice of the people shall prevail – Kalu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Kalu

issue of satisfaction should not be personalised. It is the voice of the people, the analysis of the people, and the judgment of the people that will decide the level of satisfaction that we as a people ought to have. A single man might be biased, but the voice of the people will determine whether a man

has done well or not.

Elections are around the corner, how do you see Abia political arena, what is likely to happen?

I see a revolution. I see for the first time, recently in Bende, people are not going to vote along party line, but shop for credible candidates and vote them into of-

fice. I see people collecting all the gifts, bought with the money from the government and yet doing what their conscience tells them.

I see that happening. I see the police forgetting their uniform and allowing democracy to be more superior to their uniform. I see the military promoting democracy beyond command from the

barracks. I see the military and the security agencies becoming disciples of democracy. The resultant effect of that has converted them to disciples of democracy.

They will no longer use arms to dethrone democracy. That is what I see coming. I see INEC being unbiased. I see officers of INEC not CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics 20 The White House, facing a storm of criticism for President Barrack Obama’s absence from Sunday’s peace march in Paris, said he erred in failing to dispatch a high-ranking American official to join the show of solidarity against terrorism. But French officials quickly rejected the idea that Mr. Obama had snubbed the event.

“It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,” Josh Earnest, White House spokesman, said at his daily briefing with reporters, which was dominated by questions about the lack of a prominent American presence at the march.

Asked to respond to critics who questioned the decision not to send a more recognisable American official other than Jane D. Hartley, the United States ambassador to France, Earnest said, “We agree.”

Yet he offered no rationale as to why no such representative — including Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who hastily travelled to Paris to attend a counter-terrorism meeting there on Sunday and recorded television interviews in the hours before the march — made an appearance. He said that the decision had not been made by Obama.

President François Hollande of France let it be known on Monday that he was not among those offended.

“President Obama supported France in their common struggle against terrorism,” said Claudine Ripert-Landler, Mr. Hollande’s Head of Communications, adding that Obama’s visit to the French Embassy in Washington on Thursday to sign a condolence book was “a rather exceptional gesture.”

She added: “Mr. Obama’s attentions have been very important to Mr. Hollande.”

Earnest offered no details about the internal White House discussions that led to the decision by Obama’s team

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

being governed by the bags of money that get to their offices because they also stand to lose if credible election is not conducted in Bende Federal constituency.

What of the federal level?

At the federal level, I don’t think President Goodluck Jonathan has a problem in winning the next presidency. People might think he does. While he might not be the best candi-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

‘PDP ‘ll win next month’s polls’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Biden Jr

Why US was not represented at Paris march not to send the President or Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. — who often attends state funerals on short notice — to Paris. But he cited scheduling and security concerns as playing a part.

“The security requirements around a presidential visit, or even a vice-presidential visit,

are onerous,” Earnest said, noting that the Secret Service would have had to secure a large outdoor area, potentially making it harder for other people to attend. “It would have been very difficult to do so without significantly impacting the ability of common citizens to participate.”

“Obama’s attentions have been very important to Mr. Hollande”

than three years; we have major infrastructural investments going on and we are doing this at great expense. We cannot have all the money to do all these big roads, the flyover bridge was solely funded by Bayelsa State and done

by Julius Berger, so was the dualisation of the Isaac Boro road, although, the job is not completed, you can see the beauty. You need to go round and see the projects that we are putting in place like the AIT-Elebele road, Igbogene by-pass and what we are doing within the Melford Okilo Memorial Complex, which is a complete medical village.

This is how to invest the resources of a people and not just to affect the personal fortunes of a few persons, who, after they leave government, will return to square one, while our collective fortunes remain ignored. I disagree with that approach and I have no apology for loving my state and the people. If wanting to transform our state to a modern one that can compete favourably with others is a crime, then I plead guilty and I have no apologies for being guilty.

We’ve witnessed an upsurge in criminal activities along the waterways and creeks in Bayelsa State, particularly, the challenge of sea piracy. Also, the Maritime Union went on strike twice this year, because of sea piracy, is your administration bothered about this problem and what is government doing to stem the tide?

We are a government of law and order. If there is any government we have had that has put security on the front burner, it is this Government of Restoration, so, we are concerned.

Jonathan won’t have any problem – Kalu date, the best choice in my own thinking, Jonathan will still win the election again. I am saying this without mincing words, that Jonathan will win the election again. If APC will win, it will not be with Buhari. I say that emphatically because no matter how you paint it, there is a particular image that everybody has gotten about Buhari and that image cannot be wiped away in

the next two, three months before election, it is something that has stayed with the people, that consciousness is there. If Buhari must win, there must be a lot of re-engineering of the consciousness of the people, a re- orientation. If APC should win, there is a lot of marketing to be done on their candidates because there is a picture of the candidate in the minds of every average Nigeria

except in the core followers in the North. That is the truth.

Last Christmas, federal workers went home without their two months’ salary. It is the same in the states. Won’t this affect your prediction about Jonathan winning the election?

It will take more than a debt of two months’ salary to change the mindset of the people of the state. It will take more than two

months’ salary debt to change the direction of the votes. It will take more than that to make people deny them the votes because of two months’ salary. We should look for something more serious. Something that affect us as a people. Jonathan may not have been the saint, may not have been the messiah, but he has tried to steady the frame holding PDP.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 8, 2015

City File Titus Akhigbe, Benin

Edo kicks out TV station from govt house

The Edo State Government has withdrawn the accreditation of the correspondent and cameraman of the Independent Television (ITV) attached to the Government House, for the station’s alleged unprofessional reportage of news and events aimed at deliberately misinforming the people on the government’s programmes and activities.

In a letter to the General Man-

21

s ager, Independent Television (ITV), Benin City, owned by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Special Adviser to the Governor, Prince Kassim Afegbua said: “You will recall our earlier discussion with you on the series of fabricated and adversarial reportage of issues in the state which has continued to misinform, misrepresent and confuse the people of the state.

“As you know, these deliberate false reports, which have become your editorial policy,

offend the ethics of broadcast journalism and the code of conduct spelt out by the National Broadcasting Commission [NBC].

“In view of the above, we are withdrawing the accreditation of your correspondent earlier attached to Government House with immediate effect.”

The station was also sacked from the Government House during the short tenure of former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor for unprofessional con-

Edo state assembly

Oshiomhole

OSHIOMHOLE VS UNIBEN

Who blinks first?

There’s apprehension in the air over the on-going face-off between the authorities of the University of Benin and Edo State government as the Sevenday ultimatum by students

Titus Akhigbe The authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Edo State Government have, in recent weeks, been at loggerheads over the demoli-

tion of property given to the institution during the administration of Brig. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, the then military governor. Ever since the demolition of the property housing some of the university’s lec-

turers, there has been tension in the state, as protesting students, on one occasion, blocked the entire Benin-Lagos road for several hours.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

“Ever since the demolition of the property housing some of the university’s lecturers, there has been tension in the state”

City File 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Oshiomhole stops training of Igbinedion varsity students Titus Akhigbe - Benin Edo State Government has terminated an agreement to train medical students of the Igbinedion University, Okada, at its specialist hospitals over debts totaling N350 million.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion, at a press briefing, yesterday, said the university had not paid anything to the government since the agreement was entered into on September 1, 2006.

In view of the failure of the management of Igbinedion University to honour the terms of a Memoradum of Understanding (MOU), entered into with the State Government, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has approved the termination of same with immediate effect.

The MOU in question was entered into on September 1, 2006 under the Lucky Igbinedion administration to enable the Igbinedion University enjoy the use of the state-owned Central Hospital Benin and Stella Obasanjo Hospital for the practicals of her medical students. It was part of the condition demanded by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to grant the Igbinedion University accreditation to train medical students in the clinical specialties.

Part of the terms of the said MOU is that the Igbinedion University pay a token as concessionary levy, annually, to the Edo State Government for the use of the Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital for which medical students pay commercial fees to the Igbinedion University.

However, upon his assumption of office in 2008, Comrade Oshiomhole discovered that not only had the terms of MOU been mostly dishonored, despite being very generous to the university, no kobo had been paid to the Edo State Government over the years.

Interestingly, whereas the MOU in question enabled the Igbinedion University exclusive use of the facilities at the state-owned Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

‘It’s misuse of force’ A burnt luxury bus by protesters during the crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Trouble started on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, when unidentified agents of the Edo State Government reportedly beat up and forcefully threw out the staff of the university, who occupied the two buildings allegedly sold to the crown Prince of Benin Kingdom. Earlier, the High Court had delivered a judgment and awarded ownership of the buildings to the state government, after which the university authorities promptly filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of the judgment. The State Government, which claimed it was not served a stay-of- execution order, resorted to self-help, in an attempt to enforce the court judgment in its favour.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon, threatened to resign if the university’s authority produced the stay of execution order.

It would be recalled that the

government of the defunct Midwest state, led by Ogbemudia, made a gift of eighteen buildings to the university. The properties are in G.R.A, Benin-City, and have, since, been within the exclusive and undisturbed possession of the university, whose staff are housed therein.

It was reliably gathered that the buildings were given as gifts to cushion the effect of the teething problems being experienced by the institution, especially in the area of accommodation at its inception.

In apparent sympathy with their lecturers, who are now homeless, students of the university went on rampage, unleashing mayhem on government property. Having blocked the ever busy Benin-Lagos road for several hours, the rampaging students burnt a luxury bus belonging to Edo City Transport, popularly called Comrade Bus, with number plate ED129BH. The students, who described the action of the state government as barbaric and un-

“It was reliably gathered that the buildings were given as gifts to cushion the effect of the teething problems being experienced by the institution”

constitutional, have since given a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to rebuild the houses or face mass action.

Meanwhile, the university, through its counsel, Barrister Hannibal Uwaifo, had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to call the Edo state government and its agents to order, for what was perceived as threat to life and property in the dispute.

In addition, the petition reads: “In a very familiar onslaught against educational institutions and indeed all known ethos of civility, that has characterized the reign of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the Executive Governor of Edo State, an unprecedented assault was launched against the University towards forcefully reclaiming the properties given to the University of Benin.”

“The university went to court to seek a judicial determination of ownership of the properties.

Indeed, not surprisingly, the governor and the Government

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

23 City File

Students and residents at the scene of the protest

‘Thugs were let loose on us’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

of Edo State decided to sell two of the properties to the crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, during the pendency of the matter at a High Court in Benin-City in the case of University of Benin & Ors v. The Government of Edo State & Ors, suit No. B/74/2013”.

The petition reads in part: “The High Court delivered judgment on December 16, 2014 and awarded ownership to the defendants. Being greatly dissatisfied with the reasoning adopted and the conclusions reached by the trial court, by December 19, 2014, our client had promptly filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of the judgment. Our client informed us that on December 23, 2014, unidentified agents and proxies of the Edo State Government beat, mercilessly, up and forcefully threw out the staff of the university, who occupied the two properties sold to the Crown Prince. They, afterwards, locked them out of the

properties with a stern warning that they will be killed if they ever were to be seen near the properties”.

“Nevertheless, and to our client’s utmost chagrin, the perpetrators came visiting again on December 31, 2014, and this time, to pull down the two buildings, destroy the properties of the occupants and bury them in the rubbles. On the January 5, 2015, the thugs in company of the Governor of Edo State and, sadly, armed Nigeria policeman attached to the Government House, Benin City, destroyed the house of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor (Professor Osayuki Oshodin) and some other houses of staff ”, adding that, “since the incident, the occupants of the destroyed houses have continued to live in constant fear of their lives and are even afraid to take available legal steps to vindicate their rights against their assailants”.

Similarly, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) accused Oshiom-

hole Government of engaging in gangsterism by embarking on demolition of the property, when there was a pending appeal at the court, wherein the university was seeking a stay of theDecember 16, 2014 of the high court. According to the Chairman, ASUU-UNIBEN, Prof. Anthony Monye Emina: “in the last few days, the University of Benin and its staff, especially those residing in the university’s quarters, in the GRA, have been under siege and assault by a gang of thugs supervised by the Governor of Edo State, ‘Comrade’ Oshiomhole. This is as a result of his uncompromising desire to take over the properties transferred to the university at its inception by the military Government of S.O. Ogbemudia of the then Midwest state”.

Monye noted that: “Oshiomhole should tow the path that is acceptable and honourable.

He must respect the rule of law and allow the court processes to be concluded before taking pos-

“The occupants of the destroyed houses have continued to live in constant fear for their lives and are even afraid to take available legal steps to claim their rights against their assailants”

session of University of Benin property. He must stop using thugs to harass the citizens”.

Meanwhile, the Comrade Governor claimed that the University authority got three years notice to vacate government property while also explaining how the property was acquired by the University.

According to Oshiomhole, “As am sure you will recall, when UNIBEN was set up, the then military governor, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, in his wisdom decided as a young institution to assist some of the officers and staff with accommodation and so, some houses were made available to accommodate some of the staff of UNIBEN. However, they had occupied these property without paying any rent to Edo State Government but a couple of years ago, just before I assumed office as governor, the Federal Government in line with the policy of monCONTINUED ON PAGE 24

City File 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Enter politicians...

Edo revokes deal with Igbinedion varsity over N350m CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

One of the destroyed buildings

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

etization under which salaries of employees including other allowances were abolished so that rather than provide these for certain categories of public officers, they were to be paid in lieu of either official quarters or cars”.

“As a result of the decision, my predecessor in office, Prof.

Oserheimen Osunbor disputed the claim of the federal government and the University of Benin that these assets from our records were assets of Edo State Government”, noting that “If UNIBEN needs any favour from Edo State Government, I expect the leadership or the vice-chancellor to approach the

government of Edo State for such a favour, not to approach us through their legal adviser”.

Interestingly, the on-going face-off between Edo State Government and University of Benin is being turned to a political battle by the leading political parties in the state. The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has since condemned the demolition of the property of the institution. Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih said: “I saw the destruction of the official residence of the former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Oshiodin, on the order of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. For us in

the PDP, we condemn, in strong terms, the demolition. Government is about service to the people and not about demolition of property”.

Expectedly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has equally reacted, while thanking Oshiomhole for taking possession of the property belonging to Edo State Government. According to a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, the APC condemned the university authorities for allegedly instigating their students to protest.

As the battle of wits rages, the question is, who blinks first between the University of Benin and Edo State Government.

Only time will tell.

“As the battle of wits rages, the question is, who blinks first between the University of Benin and Edo State Government?”

Hospital, together with our highly skilled personnel/specialists paid by Edo taxpayers, the stateowned Ambrose Alli University was denied accreditation for medical course by NUC and MDCN for lack of a teaching hospital.

In the circumstance, Ambrose Alli University practically became an orphan, who had to depend on the generosity of first University of Benin Teaching Hospital, then University of Jos Teaching Hospital and finally the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for the sustenance of its own medical course.

Consistent with his avowed commitment to the principle of probity, accountability and transparency, Comrade Oshiomhole, in 2013, directed the state Ministry of Health to invite the management of Igbinedion University to settle the outstanding liabilities, as well as convey to the university management a notification for an upward review of the annual fee to reflect current economic realities. The liabilities of Igbinedion University to the Edo State Government stood at N350m as at 2013 at N50m per annum. This was duly conveyed to the university in writing.

However, the university wrote back and offered to pay a ridiculous N50,000 per month for use of the facilities and highly skilled personnel/consultants at Benin Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

Regrettably, efforts made by the State Government to make the management of Igbinedion University to pay the debt that had accumulated over the years and also agree to an upward review of the annual charge have proved abortive.

In the circumstance, the government is left with no other option than to terminate the MOU in public interest. The Ministry of Health has equally been directed to inform the Nigerian University Commission and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria that the Benin Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital will no longer be made available for the use of the medical students of Igbinedion University.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE MIYETTI ALLAH FULANI ASSOCIATION. The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Alh Abdullahi Bello -President General.

2. Salisu Abubakar -Secretary General.

3. Buhari Abdullahi Duka.

AIMS: 1. To Promote the interest of her members.

2. To promote peace and unity in the society.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE LOGOS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied For registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Ven. Olufunso Awe 2. Ibukun Olubunmi Ajomo Esq 3. Ven. Olubanke Obafemi Fasina 4. Ibukun Ifeoluwa Awe AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To establish a centre which will pursue the study, practice and development of effective bible study for Christians.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General.

Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street.

PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed: Mrs. Ufuoma Ani (Akinlawon & Ajomo)

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRIST THE KING APOSTOLIC CHURCH RC/CAC/NO: 1145 The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for certified True Copy (CTC) certificate As a result of loss of it Original Certificate of Incorporation Any objection to this Application should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE INTEGRATED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 Trustees: 1. Martin Banga Madanga -Chairman 2. Samson Yusuf -Secretary 3. Abdulmumini Aliyu 4. Mbati Usman 5. Syndany Joseph Zaro 6. Zubainatu Yahya 7. Bwallami Yiri Abraham AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To create awareness and development among youths 2. To promote health and sustainable human development.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed : Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

FULANI TRADITIONAL RULERS ASSOCIATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATIONZ UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES:

MOUNT ZION VICTORY EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Mrs. Chidinma Ogbuogu 2. Mr. Jeff Ogbuogu 3. Enyinnaya David Nwamarah

1 ALH. ABDULLAHI ABUBAKAR - PRESIDENT GENERAL. 2. SALISU ABUBAKAR - SECRETARY GENERAL. 3 ABAS ADAMU. AIMS: AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF HER MEMBERS.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Empowerment of women, widows, orphans and less privillege.

2. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SAM T. ANI

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

08065475774

SIGNED:SECRETARY Sam T. Ani 08065475774

PUBLIC NOTICE

25

PUBLIC NOTICE CONVERTED CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Pastor Orijah Oluwabori Aderibigbe- Chairman.

2. Mr Davidson Folarin Thomas – Secretary 3. Mrs Adeyinka Adeseye Aderibigbe - Treasurer.

4. Mrs Adebisi Oluwatoyin Thomas - Member.

5. Mrs Adeola Adebisi Olokun - Member.

6. Mr Chiwendu Philip Nwosu- Member.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed : Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE DIABETICS CARE & SUPPORT FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Chief Uche Edom 2. Mrs Chinyere Edom AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To care and cater for diabetics patients, the poor and less privileged.

2. To provide life care support and education for those living with diabetics.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed: Barr Chidiebere Ibe Solicitor 08033458518

PUBLIC NOTICE MOTORSAW ALLIED DEALERS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 Trustees: 1. Onyema Uche Nwankwo -Chairman 2. Clement Chidozie 3. Okwudili Awusiobi -Secretary 4. Ferdinand Anozie 5. Sir, Lazurus Orji AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To assist, promote and protect the interest and welfare of members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed : Secretary

signed: Trustees

PUBLIC NOTICE OHOTU DIAMOND INOMEN INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES: I. Ms.Udoh Abraham Imabong 2.Ms. Catherine Imoh Ekpeyong 3.Ms. Caroline Ukpong 4. Ms.Margaret Onah 5. Barrister Josephine Odikpo

-Chairman -Member -Member -Meber -Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To influence policy and facilitate provision of quality Heal care services, Human Right awareness, legal services and economic empowerment for vulnerable women.

2. To provide information and linkages to services on key issues affecting women in Nigerian society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

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PUBLIC NOTICE ASSURANCE OF HOPE FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. Omoregbe Charles Osas 2. Dikwa Muazu Mohammed 3. Aideyan Helix Osabuohien 4. Omoregbe Edith Itohan 5. Adesuwa Doris Yusuf 6. Imeokparia Samuel Ehinoria 7. Oyetunji-Aideya Oyeronke Bolanle 8. Omeiza Abdulrazaq 9. Agatha Olayiwola Aims and Objectives 1. To give hope to the hopeless in the society.

2. To give assurance to the less privilege and orphans in the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

SIGNED: BARRISTER NNADI A. ANAYO 08028571632

PUBLIC NOTICE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PARAMILITARY OFFICERS (CAC/IT/NO 55487) This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for amendment of constitution to corporate affairs commission under Part c of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990 Amendment of its constitution Practically article 8, source of income Any objection to this amendment should be forwarded to the Registrar-general. Corporate affairs commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

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Lighthouse 26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Why is it that what is unanimously acclaimed as miracles inside the Bible is condemned as devilish when it occurs outside it?

Adams

Onaiyekan

Gani Adams and other men of faith ÏÏÏNews reached me lately of a

Christian woman threatening to leave her equally Christian husband because bullets rained on the man by armed robbers who invaded their home fell off the fellow harmlessly. In fact, the robbers fled in fright.

The woman’s grouse is that all the while both of them were attending church faithfully like “children of God”, she never dreamed her husband packed such devilish power.

Imagine. O woman of little faith! Does she not believe that the power of Jesus can render bullets harmless?

The first time the robbers called on the same house, I hear, an attempt was made to molest this same woman. But this same husband, God bless him, recited some “Psalms” and ordered the robbers to try their luck elsewhere.

And the robbers filed out “obediently” without harming anybody.

It’s this same woman who is now threatening this able protector. Well, let her leave him. I’m sure there are many Christian women out there eager to fill her place.

When shall some women learn to be grateful for big mercies?

Has this woman not read of Jesus ordering the storm to “sharrap”?

And it did.

That’s ase. But of course the Hebrews, Greeks or the English won’t call it that because they did not speak Yoruba.

The other day too, while Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was angered by the uncooperative attitude of a fig tree. The naughty tree did not fruit out of season. So

when Jesus sought fruit on it, he found none.

And Jesus cursed it. Put in Yoruba: Jesu ta a l’ase. (Matthew 21:18-19). Of course again, you don’t expect that Yoruba phrase in the Bible because, the account was written in Greek.

Well, I deliberately held back this next one. There was this occasion when Jesus preached in the synagogue of his own village of Nazareth. Somehow, the congregation did not like his candour.

And they mobbed Jesus. The mob dragged him outside the synagogue towards the cliff with the evil intent of pushing him to his death. (Luke 4:26-30) But what happened? The son of Mary vanished. O poora. That’s afeeri.

But those who wrote the account were Hebrews. So they would not have called it exactly that.

Jesus probably hung up a leg to break the circuit of visibility. O ka’se ro.

But, in fact, it could actually have been outright teleportation: Egbe Yoruba, people say Ohun agba fi nje’ko abe ewe l’owa.

(What the wise elder uses to complement his eko meal is hidden away under the leave wrappings). You don’t expect Jesus to broadcast his secrets to Omoaraye (people of the world). In fact, he was wisely secretive. He told and showed some things to only his innermost caucus of three --- with strict instructions not to tell others.

Philip, one of the disciples apparently inherited Jesus’ egbe skill. Shortly, after baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch on Gaza road, we are told, he “dematerialized”

at that point only to “rematerialize” in Azotus several kilometers away.(Acts 8: 39 & 40) That’s egbe.

But they won’t call it that.

Sometime in 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot twice in the chest.

But for an emergency surgery, the pontiff would probably have, God forbid, passed on.

How could an Ogberi (noninitiate) snuff life out of an awo (initiate) like that? The church could have been saved that embarrassment, if the Pope had moved closer to Pa Abraham Adesanya (now late).

Sharp shooter(s) wielding the best gun(s) in town rained bullets on Abraham Adesanya’s car --- up to 25 by some accounts!

None touched him. It was not a case of missed target. The bullets penetrated the car alright. The bullet holes were there. But neither Adesanya nor his driver was touched…

Adesanya headed to church to give glory to God. And God accepted his thanks. Hallaluya!

You see, Adesanya was a man of faith. He knew the power of Jesus could stop bullets.

Many in the audience were aghast sometime ago when the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, disclosed that he’s a Christian who attends church.

How could he be a Christian?

They obviously wondered, when so many “miracles” occur in his life?

You see, Brother Gani Adams is a man of faith – and courage. No wonder miracles are common in his life.

There is so little faith around nowadays. That’s why when some miracles happen today, many

Christians are quick to attribute them to non-Christian powers.

Should a pastor or reverend in full regalia be stabbed in the thick of a revival or fellowship, and the knife/dagger fails to penetrate, the congregation won’t shout “Praise the Lord!” Why? Because they lack sufficient faith in Jesus.

Why is it that what is unanimously acclaimed as “miracles” inside the Bible is condemned as devilish when it occurs outside it?

No wonder Jesus wondered shortly before he left our planet whether he would meet faith on his return.

Let’s round off with a story. I witnessed it. But you don’t have to believe me.

A certain neighbourhood in Ibadan was once under siege by robbers. Bandits stormed the area three times within a month – looting, raping and killing.

The first two times they called, the robbers raided the houses one after the other. But they omitted the compound of an Egba Muslim in the same neighbourhood.

Nobody in the compound was molested not to talk of killed.

Some neighbours claimed that those two times, the robbers got to the door, but they turned back for no apparent reason.

This compound boasted no fence. And the door was never locked even before the robbers’ siege.

Rumours were rife after the second robbery that the Baba Egba was either in league with the robbers or he was definitely using jazz. I was one of those who subsequently preached vehemently in my church then against seeking protection from the Devil.

Baba Egba never bothered to

respond to all the allegations. At least, not in public.

Then the robbers came the third time. It was around 10pm.

Of course, by then many had lost faith in the security of their fences and iron doors.

You needed to see how neighbours shamelessly fled to Baba Egba’s humble house.

Many who remained in their houses that night suffered various injuries from the robbers.

But as many as sought refuge in Baba Egba’s residence were “saved”.

But the story did not end there.

All lights in baba Egba’s compound were switched off throughout the duration of the robbery.

So, nobody really knew for sure who was cowing and shivering beside him/her.

Then too few minutes after the gunshot and screams had subsided and the robbers gone, while the refugees were still collecting their nerves, someone switched on the lights. Come and see faces!

The first one I saw was mine…

But the story did not end there.

There followed another rush as Baba Egba’s guests scrambled out --- to evade recognition. This time, the panic was mild; but it was panic. A handful of us who stayed to give our thanks properly to Baba Egba could only watch mouth agape as men and women covered their faces in flight.

Amidst the assorted sandals and slippers left in their hurry were hymnals, half completed sermons scribbled on sheets, candle packs, a prayer staff, a tesibiyu/ rosary, two Bibles one of which bore the name of the landlords’ association chairman and a Mecca wear (cap)…

27

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Health

s

Loneliness kills the elderly faster Living and caring for the aged could be quite challenging but deserting them exposes them to depression and loneliness kills faster than anyone thinks, LARA ADEJORO reports. (o.adejoro@dailytimes.com. ng) Mrs Oladunni Taiwo, an 86-year-old grandmother, had undergone some surgical operations in her eyes as a result of the smoke from all the years of cooking with firewood.

Mama, as she’s fondly called, lives alone in her 3-rooms apartment in the village, even though she was blessed with five children who are all living far away in the cities but pay a visit to the village, perhaps, during the Christmas.

The octogenarian manages to do her daily chores and rarely had visitors come to her.

Intermittently, a voice or two would call out on her or greet her from across her wooden gate, just to ensure that there was still a living soul in the compound.

However, the lack of socialization and adequate attention that her age deserved had an adverse effect on her already deteriorating health.

Often times, she would slip into soliloquy, forgetfulness and get into frequent domestic accidents.

The elderly people aside from the children are the most vulnerable members of the society as their physical and mental wellbeing had diminished in such a way that they are constrained to do a lot of things.

Consultant Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist and Neurofeedback practitioner at Pinnacle Medical Services, Lagos, Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, said loneliness kills faster than anyone thinks.

She said while most older adults have good mental health, many are at risk of developing mental disorders, neurological disorders or substance use problems as well as physical illness or disability.

According to her, approximately 15 per cent of adults aged 60 and over suffer from mental disorder.

Kadiri said loneliness has been found to be a very important risk factor causing the el-

Briefs WHO approves use of meningitis A vaccine for infants The World Health Organisation (WHO) has opened the door to routine immunization of infants in sub-Saharan Africa by approving for use an innovative and affordable vaccine that has all but rid the meningitis belt of a major cause of deadly epidemics.

In the four years since its introduction in Africa, MenAfriVac® has had an immediate and dramatic impact in breaking the cycle of meningitis A epidemics, leading the safe, effective technology to be approved by WHO through its pre-qualification process for use in infants, and paving the way for protecting millions more children at risk of the deadly disease.

Scientists discover what triggers breast cancer

An elderly woman

“If you are 60 years old or you have elderly people as parents, guardians, mentors, relatives, never neglect their emotional health and don’t leave them lonely. It kills them faster than you think.”

derly to go into depression.

“Sometimes, you hear people say, ‘leave Mama/Papa alone, he or she is old that’s why he or she is behaving that way,” she added.

A lot of times, this is what our elderly are encountering in our society because the knowledge and awareness about emotional problems among the elderly are grossly overlooked. ”It’s even worse when the mama is complaining about her symptoms, but the relatives trivialise them.”

Kadiri said symptoms of loneliness are same as the normal symptoms of depression which are low mood (sadness), low energy, loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, poor or over-sleep, poor or overeating, fatigue, poor memory, fatigue, etc.

The psychiatrist said studies, according to the World Health

Organisation (WHO), show that more deaths occur from non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancers, and mental health diseases) than from infectious diseases.

She however advised, “If you are 60 years old or you have elderly people as parents, guardians, mentors, relatives, never neglect their emotional health and don’t leave them lonely.

It kills them faster than you think.”

The psychiatrist said one of the main health challenges for the elderly in Africa is non-communicable diseases such as dementia, but current health systems are not designed to meet such chronic care needs.

“Having good mental health throughout life does not ensure immunity from severe depres-

Continued on page 28

Scientists have discovered what triggers one of the most deadly types of breast cancer, raising hopes of new treatments for it.

They have pinpointed a gene that drives triple-negative breast cancer – an especially fast-growing and hard-to-treat form of the disease.

It accounts for up to one in five cases of breast cancer and is particularly likely to strike women when they are still in their 20s and 30s.

The discovery led by researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge brings hope of new treatments.

The study of breast cancers from almost 3,000 women revealed a gene called BCL11A to be particularly active in triplenegative tumours. Women with the gene had cancer that was more advanced.

Health 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Ebola trial vaccine begins soon Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, Head of World Health Organisation’s Ebola vaccine efforts, has said that the cupboard for Ebola vaccines is filling up rapidly.

In a statement, Kieny said further trials in healthy people in West Africa, including health workers, are scheduled to start later in January or early February. Several other vaccines are being developed in the U.S., Russia and elsewhere.

Despite the temporary suspension of a trial of the vaccine made by NewLink and Merck in December, the trial was put on hold while experts investigated reports of joint pain in a number of participants. No such side effects have been reported with the other vaccine.

The next phase of trials will likely take about six months

and manufacturers will ramp up their production at the same time, meaning millions of doses could be available later this year. It’s unclear if that will be quick enough to help slow the epidemic, which appears to be on the decline.

So far, Ebola has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed over 8,000, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Officials estimate the death rate to be about 71 percent.

“We will have to take stock when we have the vaccines,” said Helen Rees of the University of Witwatersrand, who chaired the WHO meeting. She said experts would have to consider at that point whether it’s useful to vaccinate entire populations or focus only on highrisk groups.

‘It helps to treat mental disorders among the elderly early’ Continued from page 27 sion, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders and other disorders in the senior years of life.

In fact, some studies show elderly people are at greater risk of mental disorders and their complications than are younger people. However, many of these illnesses can be accurately diagnosed and treated, if detected on time,’’ she said.

Kadiri said the risk factors for mental health problems among the older adults are multi-faceted.

“The multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time. Again, the typical life stressors common to all people affect the older adults.

“Many of them have lost their ability to live independently because of limited mobility, social isolation, chronic pain, frailty or other mental or physical problems, and require some form of long-term care.”

According to her, all of these factors can result in isolation, loss of independence, loneliness and psychological distress in older people.

Kadiri noted that mental health still remained a largely invisible issue in policymaking and implementation arenas in Nigeria.

Way forward Kadiri said the number of older adults is growing fast all over the world. The socio-economic impact of such demographic changes is adding to overall mental health consequences.

“We must improve general wellbeing through a life course approach and by promoting healthy life styles. We need to identify and treat mental disorders among this age group as early as possible, and improve the social capital and involve communities and families in supporting the older adults,’’ she said.

Furthermore, she said: “We need to fight against the mal-

Dr Kadiri treatment of older adults and abandon “ageist” attitudes by inviting the full participation of older adults into everyday life.

“Many older adults still follow a life style that aggravates a lack of mental wellbeing. They need to be encouraged and educated to do more physical exercise, keep socially connected, keep

their brains active, reduce their weight, and stop smoking or harmful use of alcohol.

“These will help control their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Most of these are plausible interventions for a good proportion of the older adults in the world,’’ Kadiri noted.

Briefs Katsina Health workers vow to continue strike The Katsina State chapter of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has vowed to continue with the strike action despite the no-work-no-pay measure adopted by the state government.

Addressing a press conference, the union secretary, Alhaji Sani Yusuf said: “At the beginning of the strike, we agreed to render skeletal services in emergency, dialysis and maternity units in hospitals to assist people.

“Unfortunately, the state government failed to appreciate our efforts and went on to introduce the policy of no work no pay”.

He said their members would continue to remain at home until further notice from the union, adding, “We are calling on our members to exercise patience, nothing will happen to anyone. Despite intimidation and threats, resist all pressures until we succeed.”

“Those people who went to the media and criticized the union without fair hearing are not helping matters. As a matter of fact, no one wants go on strike without reason,” he added.

Council urges FG to employ more sanitary inspectors The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, yesterday, urged Federal Government to employ more sanitary inspectors for effective and safe environmental practices.

Its spokesman, Mr Cyril Akinyele, told newsmen in Lagos that 8,045 registered environmental health officers employed in Nigeria were far below the World Health Organisation’s standard. ``Disease control and sanitation of the whole environment is one of the major areas at which the environmental sanitation officers are supposed to focus on so that the public will have a healthy life. ``The population of Nigeria is 170 million but we have only 8,045 total population of Environmental Health Officers employed in Nigeria, both at the Federal, State and local government.

Money

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

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29

Auto industry can generate over 200,000 jobs - NAC

Jalal

The Director-General of the National Automotive Council (NAC), Mr Aminu Jalal, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the nation’s automobile industry had the potential to generate over 200,000 jobs.

“The auto industry is very huge and a car has over 2,000 components and each of these components is an industry,’’ he

said.

He said the areas of job opportunities included mechanics, insurance, financing and logistics.

Jalal said the new automotive policy of the Federal Government was investor-friendly.

He said that already 23 car assembly plants had shown interest to invest in the country, He listed the companies to in-

clude Piaggio, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company and National Trucks Manufacturers at Kano State.

Jalal said that to ensure that the auto industry was developed, the Federal Government had given incentives to the tyre manufacturers to encourage them to invest in the economy.

Concessionaires hopeful of stable economy The Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) on Tuesday expressed the belief that new policies at the ports will get more stable and the nation’s economy will grow with time.

The association’s spokesman, Mr Bolaji Akinola, said this in Lagos adding that terminal operators had challenges in 2014, following the disregard of the concession agreement and business projections.

According to him, some of their operations in 2014 slowed down due to changes in some government policies. “on the issue of port operation last year, we got a lot of surprises and naturally, businesses don’t like uncertainties. ``Businesses are more comfortable when there is certainty, stability within the system, especially in terms of government policies. ``Terminal operations faced

challenging time last year, and don’t forget we have a concession agreement that was signed and predicated on certain assumptions, projections and forecasts. ``So, when policies now come in half way into concession agreement, it upsets a lot of things and that is what happened all of last year.”

Akinola said the changes in policy truncated operations of some terminals that were handling bulk cargo like rice and fish.

He said the Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) operations were also affected by the new automotive policy which, he said, was aimed at reducing the volume of vehicles imported into Nigeria.

Akinola, however, said that terminal operators had strong faith and confidence in the Nigerian economy despite the setbacks.

northern part of the country.

Mr. Wale Adegbite, Ogun MAN President, said this in Ota, Ogun, noting that the continuous insurgency in the parts of the country

had made business unattractive to both foreign investors and Nigerians in the Diaspora. ``The insecurity challenge has affected the profit margin of manufacturers negatively and this is not good for an economy that wants to achieve sustainable growth,’’ he said.

The MAN president urged the government to provide an enabling environment where business would thrive without fear or apprehension.

NNPC to partner SPDC in revamping oil and gas sector The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the new Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Mr Osagie Okunbor.

The corporation said that the synergy would go a long way in repositioning the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, Mr. Ohi Alegbe.

Dawha, NNPC boss

NCC clampdowns on illegal pay TV operators Akam James, Yenagoa

Manufacturers bemoan insecurity impact on distribution The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun chapter, has appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity in the nation stressing that insecurity had hindered the distribution of manufacturers’ goods to the

Short news

Akinola

The copyright taskforce and inspectors of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have pulled down cables of digital satellite TV worth millions of naira operated by illegal distributors in Bayelsa State.

During an antipiracy operation against unauthorised door – to - door service operators in the state capital Yenagoa, operatives of the commission raided areas which were densely populated and destroyed the service receivers and the distributing cables.

The Manager of the PortHarcourt Zonal office, Mr. Emmanuel Dufegha, stated that the operation was to disconnect and destroy illegal structures of the distributors, adding that they were infringing on the legal consumers right.

Money 30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

NIA advocates national investment insurance policy

Thomas

Kayode Adewolokan The Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr Sunday Thomas, has urged the Federal Government to protect the nation’s huge investments through the risk transfer mechanism of insurance.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos.

It said that billions of dollars were spent every year to improve transportation, power

supply, ports and terminals and energy capabilities.

According to the statement, there is need to sustain infrastructure development and transformation initiatives of the nation through insurance.

It said that the Nigerian insurance industry had a key role to play in contribution to the nation’s economic growth as a risk transfer and management mechanism.

``The insurance industry is a growth driver for other sectors of the economy and a huge potential for direct and indirect labour employment. ``It is a provider of long-term capital investment needed for infrastructure projects that will help drive a competitive, healthy and robust national economy,” the NIA boss said.

“This implies that inflation has held in the single digit range for 24 consecutive months,” the NBS said.

Port Customs Command generates N91.4bn in 2014 Funmi Coker

The Ports and Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that it generated N91.4 billion in 2014 as against N73.2 billion recorded in 2013.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Steve Okonmah, made the disclosure in Lagos. ``In 2014, PTML Customs Command, the model port, made N91,453,431,489 as against N73, 210,954,981 in 2013. ``This shows an increase of

Dikko N18, 242,476,508; also showed increase of 24. 9 per cent. ``The management of Customs had a very strong influence in whatever revenue we have col-

lected because apart from the officers being well motivated to do their job. ``The officers were also kept on their toes throughout the year. ``The management team visited the command more than three, four times within the year to encourage the officers to tell them that you can do it. ``That motivated the officers; that gave them the leverage to feel that yes we can actually achieve. ``Most of the officers were well determined because most of the things we needed the service has provided them.

CBN eases rules for trading naira Kayode Adelowokan The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the daily Foreign Currency Trading as against what was implemented last month on buying and selling foreign exchange that were blamed for crushing currency trading in Africa’s largest economy.

The maximum net open foreign-exchange trading positions banks can hold at the end of each business day was increased to 0.1 per cent from zero.

The CBN in a circular dated January 12, 2015, Ref no: TED/ FEM/FPC/GEN/01/001 signed by the Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Mrs. O.L. Ahuchogu, said that banks have 72 hours to use dollars bought in the interbank market before they must sell them back to the institution, up from 48 hours previously.

Nigeria, which produces the most oil of any African country, tightened rules on foreigncurrency trading as the naira slumped and crude prices plunged. The central bank raised interest rates to a record

13 percent in November to stem

Emefiele outflows and Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala proposed cutting this year’s budget by 8 percent. Interbank trading dried up last month after the bank introduced the tighter rules.

In the same vein, Pabina Yinkere, Head of Research at Lagosbased Vetiva Capital Management Ltd noted that the revision will increase a little, the ability of banks to fund transactions as they can hold dollars for longer.

Yinkere however said there is not going to be a dramatic boost to trade.

Firm splashes N22.2m on distributors Kayode Adelowokan Viju Industries Nigeria Limited, makers of Viju milk on Saturday showered its loyal distributors with cash prizes.

Six distributors smiled home with N1million each while another two distributors were given N1.3million each during the company’s annual distributors’ meeting and party.

Two other distributors went away with N1.2million each, while two others took home N1.4million and N1.3million respectively.

In the award categories, Alhaji Balogun Ganiyu Adejumo of Binqom Big Ltd emerged grand winner of the awards with N3.5million cash prize; Ugochukwu Nnabuko of Ugonic global Ltd and the owner of Phenard Nigeria Ltd were both awarded N3million cash prizes each.

A factory worker, Mr. Abraham was rewarded for being hard working in Igbesa factory.

Ugochukwu Nnabuko, of Ugonic global Ltd while thanking the management of Viju Industries Nigeria Limited, expressed surprise at how the company

showered distributors with cash prizes, adding that the move will encourage the distributors to do more in 2015 even as the company has added production of table water to its stable.

Nnabuko, however tasked the management to work on the requests of the distributors which were insurance policy for the distributors; carrying the distributors along in all the company’s policies; annual returns for the distributors to say thank you for their loyalty, among others.

Mr. Tom Hu, a Director in the company while commending the distributors for their hard work in keeping the company moving forward tasked them to put in more effort to make 2015 worthwhile.

Mr. Hu, who represented the company’s Managing Director, appealed to the distributors to be patient and be focus in their businesses as they go in the year.

He acknowledged that the distributors have been through thick and thin when the company was still moving round before it finally settled down at its permanent site.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

31 Money

Jigawa earmarks N20m for agricultural graduates Yakubu Salisu The Jigawa state government has set aside over 20 million naira for disbursement to 116 graduates of agricultural skill acquisition centre in the state under the enterprise and

financial allocation.

The state Commissioner for Agricultural and Rural development Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura stated this during the disbursement of the loan at the state library in Dutse. He said the loan was aimed at empowering the

graduates to pursue the various business they were trained on.

The graduates were trained on Horticulture, Poultry, and fish farming among others In his remark, chairman of Dutse LGA Alhaji Abdulaziz

charged other local government areas in the state to guarantee for their indigenes to access the loan. And called on the graduates to be dedicated and make good use of the loan giving to them to promote agricultural activities in the state.

Gov. Lamido

Short-take

Affordable equipment is critical to local fabrication-Okonofua We have the money, Nigerians are creative people.

Recently, UNIDO said “Nigerian products would contest with the rest of the world,” and I said how is that going to happen if we are not using the right equipment?

Local equipment fabrication has been identified as a cost effective component of advancing industrialisation and this has given rise to some initiatives by government and private sector. One of such private sector initiatives is USETECH. In this chat with Daily Times, Bridget Okonofua, Managing Director of LEAD UNIQUE, states the reasons USETECH is a child of necessity, Charles Okonji reports.

What motivated you to venture into this business of selling refurbished machines and training of fabricators?

First of all, this is our country and we need to upgrade our industries, our manufacturing industries need to be up-to date. So, some couple of years ago when I started travelling to Germany to attend World Fair on Used and Refurbished Equipment and machineries I developed interest. So, in 2006 when I went there again, there was a ban on importation, that was when the Federal Government put a ban on importation and I visited that event again and I looked at it critically and I said if government is saying that people should not import, that means that the government is saying that people should manufacture and you cannot manufacture without equipment.

Also, looking at the small businesses, the SMEs and we looked at the machines available at the event, we said if these SMEs have problems with equipment and machineries that they use for manufacturing, then I deemed it fit for us to replicate this in Nigeria as it will be beneficial to us, so that they can also

Okonofua have access and opportunity to equipment and machineries because SME is a growing business in Nigeria.

So we thought it wise because some of these SMEs may not have the ability or the finance to get over to Germany to see these equipment and machineries. That was what informed our first edition of Machinery Acquisition Refurbishment Seminar and Exhibition (MARSE), which we did in collaboration with the Manufacturers Associ-

Nigeria is a great country of creative people ation of Nigeria (MAN) in 2006.

It was well attended by a lot of SMEs who came and asked lots of questions about these machines and how they can get them, how they can acquire them and how they can have access to see these machines and so on. So, it was quite a very successful and interesting event, and that was the first time we held the event. Like I said earlier, you cannot talk manufacturing without equipment and machineries. Also, if you want

to improve on the manufacturing industries, you need to talk equipment.

Equipment and machineries are very expensive, especially when they are new; so the idea of the used and refurbished is that people who cannot afford the new ones can afford the used and refurbished ones. They keep asking who is paying for us because they are used to banks paying for them, government parastatals or government ministries paying for them and so

on.

One thing that also beats my imagination is that we all travel abroad, a lot of people travel abroad from Nigeria.

When I travel abroad, I would want to see products made in Nigeria. Nigeria is a great country of creative people. Now, look at the fabrics industry, look at the fashion world, you will still go abroad and you will not find any of these products. Why should we just embrace all the things that come from the Middle East?

Can’t we also produce and send to those places? Why can’t we go shops in Europe and find products made in Nigeria. We have the money, Nigerians are creative people. Recently, UNIDO said “Nigerian products would contest with the rest of the world,” and I said how is that going to happen if we are not using the right equipment?, our problem is finishing, packaging in Nigeria is not as sophisticated as it is in those countries.

SME 32

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

Firm partners Brazil to ramp up SME capacity

Researchers canvass low interest rates for poultry farmers Stories by Charles Okonji Some researchers at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have called for low interest rate credit for poultry farmers from financial institutions to boost production in the sub-sector.

This is contained in the December 2014 Journal of Applied Agricultural Research of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

The researchers said that agricultural credit was crucial to improving agricultural production and the transformation of the rural economy. ‘’Poultry farmers should be

Poultry farm encouraged to have access to financial institutions and not the informal sources for obtaining credits at lower interest rate,” they said.

The researchers said that their recent research in Ogun showed that over 70 per cent of poultry farmers who use credit facilities got them from the cooperative societies. ‘’The research result showed that some 17. 9 per cent of farmers choose to have their source of credit from friends and relatives.

Infoplus Business Services (IBG Nigeria) in collaboration with Nigeria Brazil Centre for Business has planned a capacity building business mission to four cities in Brazil namely Rio de Janeiro, Porto Allegre, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo for May 24-31, 2015.

According to IBG, the choice of Brazil is timely as Nigeria grapples with the reality of falling oil price, rising unemployment and increasing rate of poverty and as the Federal Government continues its efforts to revamp its key sectors especially agriculture.

Explaining further, IBG’s Principal Consultant, Ndudi Osakwe, noted that Brazil has been nicknamed the food basket of the world and has earned global recognition as a result of

Osakwe its agricultural technology for tropical weather, heavy investment in innovation and sophisticated service industry among others that qualified its membership in the BRICS countries.

MSME Trust Fund: Stakeholders seek PPP Stakeholders in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, have appealed for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to drive the MSME Trust Fund Initiative.

Dr Abdalla Yakub, the Executive Director, Africa Rural Development Company Ltd. (AFRIDECO), made the appeal at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Yakub said MSME stakeholders established a trust fund that would benefit people in the grassroots but the government and private sector’s support was essential to boost the initiative.

He said the essence of the fund was to gather resources to ensure it reached the bottom of the pyramid where such funds were needed. `` We have pulled ourselves together to establish this initiative and we are asking the government to come in and partner with us and also the private sector. ``There has been a general approach in this nation about intervention funds and it has always been a top-down approach. ``The very basis of this conference is that there is now a bottomup approach where we start from the person in the village to come to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and then to the presidency. ``Our job is to invest these

funds and continue to circulate this fund so that it will stimulate the MSME and the members that are within this urban wealth,’’ he said.

He explained that the MyCard Cash Passport that was also included in the initiative provided an avenue that would help to hasten financial inclusion in the country. `` On the MyCard Cash Passport, we have included a set of benefits and one of them which is very critical to the people is health. We are going to ensure that old men and women that are our members who do not have money can go to this community health and be treated under health insurance.

The President, National Association of Micro Finance Banks (NAMB), Mr Valentine Whensu, said the initiative would help to create more jobs than that anticipated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, the synergy of the institutions that are coming together will be able to drive the economy. `` The ultimate benefit for us is to encourage the government financial inclusion strategy to ensure that people who are out there are back into financial net,’’ he said.

“It’s model of sustainable development based on robust economic growth with income distribution, social inclusion and job creation has transformed the country into an economic powerhouse with a forecast by the World Bank to become the fifth largest economy in the world,” he said.

He added that Brazil’s success in agriculture and agribusiness, its premiership in deep sea oil drilling technology, its capacity and creativity in information technology and software services, affordable housing program, robust market for retail franchising in clothing and cosmetics are good reasons to join the trade mission to Brazil this year.

“These sectors form the areas of focus for the business mission.

Rice Investors laud FG’s import quota policy Augustine Aminu The Nigerian Rice Investors’ Group has lauded the import quota allocation given to rice investors in the country, describing it as a step in the right direction.

The President of the group, Tunde Owoeye, who gave the commendation at a press briefing, in Abuja, said that the policy was geared towards self-sufficiency in rice production in the country.

According to the group, this was the first time; import quota was being allocated to the right people with verifiable investments in rice production in the country.

Owoeye noted that there had been significant improvement since the review of the policy, adding that the rice policy of the present administration is visible for all to see.

“If you travel through Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Sokoto and many other states in the country, you will see vast plantation of rice in the last two year.

“We have also seen some of our members who were pure traders make huge investment in local rice production. We have seen serious increase in employment and value creation in the rice sector,” he said.

Owoeye, who is also the Managing Director of Elephant Group, said that the Federal Government had provided rice investors with improved seedling; the reason rice production is getting better.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

33 Global business Airbus to juggle production, defends poor-selling A380 Airbus edged closer toward raising production of its bestselling model on Tuesday, declaring the supply chain stable and hinting at a decision to produce more of its A320 cash cow in coming months.

But it also conceded it may have to reduce production of its wide-body A330 further than previously anticipated, amid waning demand for the current version of the jet which faces competition from Boeing’s newer 787 Dreamliner.

The European planemaker is having to adapt to different levels of demand for its most cash-generating jets after beating Boeing in new commercial orders last year, while remaining behind on deliveries.

MetLife Corporate Headquarters

U.S. insurer, MetLife, to sue regulators over high-risk tag MetLife Inc said it plans to sue U.S. regulators on Tuesday over a decision to subject the insurer to tougher oversight because it harbors enough risk to endanger the financial system in a crisis.

The largest U.S. life insurer unsuccessfully contested a ruling by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) last month, and a lawsuit is its last resort to escape being overseen by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

“FSOC’s designation of MetLife is premature,” MetLife Chief Executive Officer Steve Kandarian said in a statement.

“The Council should wait un-

Hong Kong man arrested with 94 iPhones taped to his body Whatever plans this man had for the 94 iPhones hidden

til the rules are in place and it knows the impact on designated firms.”

The remark was a reference to upcoming rules from the Federal Reserve about capital requirements for insurers.

The lawsuit will renew scrutiny of the process laid out in the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law in which FSOC, the top U.S. risk council, designates certain financial companies as “systemically important,” imposing tougher rules and Fed oversight.

Lawmakers and companies have complained that the designation process is opaque and

under his clothes, they came undone at Futian Port, an immigration port of entry on the border between mainland China and Hong Kong. Security guards noticed him walking stiffly. A metal detector did the rest.

The phones were seized by customs. The fate of the man is unknown. Under Hong Kong law, smuggling can carry a seven-year prison sentence and a fine as high as $2 million.

that the risks are not sufficient to warrant the tighter rules.

“It is completely appropriate for private citizens and companies to take the avenues of due process afforded them under the law,” said Scott Garrett, a Republican member of the House Financial Services Committee. “Congress will continue to make FSOC oversight and reform a top priority.”

A person familiar with the matter said the FSOC, comprised of the top U.S. financial regulators, plans to meet this month to discuss possible reforms.

“The question we keep asking FSOC is, ‘how can you actually designate a company without knowing what the consequences are?’” said Alice Joe, a managing director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness.

A spokeswoman for the Treasury Department, which houses the FSOC, said on Tuesday, “The Council’s decision to designate a nonbank financial company is reached only after a thorough analysis and extensive engagement with the company, both of which occurred in this case. We are confident in the Council’s work.”

Hong-Kong man with i-phones taped to his body

Airbus A380

Shanghai International port records profit of $1.08bn in 2014 Shanghai International Port (Group) Co (SIPG) has recorded higher net profit in the financial year 2014, and retained the world’s busiest container port title for Shanghai port.

Shanghai-listed SIPG posted a profit of RMB6.68bn ($1.08bn), a jump of 27% compared to RMB5.26bn in the previous financial year.

Revenue inched up by 1.9% year-on-year to RMB28.7bn.

SIPG also confirmed an annual box throughput of 35.29m teu in 2014, up 4.5% from 33.77m teu seen in 2013.

Shanghai’s closest rival, Singapore, is unlikely to beat the Chinese port as the island-state handled 30.96m teu in the first 11 months of 2014, trailing behind by 4.33m teu.

34

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January15, 2015

Today in History

s

1967 Ironsi, Fajuyi formally announced Dead Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1967 Ironsi, Fajuyi formally announced Dead Major-General, Johnso Aguiyi-Ironsi, former Head of the National Military Government and Supreme Commander of the armed Forces, is dead. His death was formally announced by the Federal Government on the eve of his first anniversary of military take-over of January 15, 1966, which brought him to power.

Also announced dead was Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, first Military Governor of Western Nigeria.

The Federal Military Government expressed his deep sorrow on the death of the two military officers. The announcement add: “After the broadcast to the nation by the head of the Military Government and Supreme Commander of the armed Forces, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon on August 1, 1966, in which he announced that Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi and his host had been kidnapped at Ibadan. It was discovered that the military leaders had in fact lost their lives during the Army mutiny of July 29, 1966. Owing to the situation prevailing in the country at the time it became known that they were dead, no announcement was made” 1970 Biafra surrenders to Nigeria On January 15, 1970, at a formal ceremony in the Dodan Barracks, Lagos, General Yakubu Gowon formally accepted the formal surrender of a team of Biafra offi-

1551

1551 Elizabeth crowned queen of England Two months after the death of her half-sister, Queen Mary I of England, Elizabeth Tudor, the 25-year-old daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is crowned Queen Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey in London.

The two half-sisters, both daughters of Henry VIII, had a stormy relationship during Mary’s five-year reign. Mary, who was brought up as a Catho-

cials led by Lt. Col. Philip Effiong.

The Republic of Biafra, a breakaway state of eastern Nigeria, surrenders to Nigeria after three years of costly fighting.

In 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain. Six years later, the Muslim Hausas in northern Nigeria began massacring the Christian Igbos in the region, prompting tens of thousands of Igbos to flee to the east, where their people were the dominant ethnic group. The Igbos doubted that Nigeria’s oppressive military government would allow

them to develop, or even survive, so on May 30, 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu and other non-Igbo representatives of the area established the Republic of Biafra, comprising several states of Nigeria.

After diplomatic efforts by Nigeria failed to reunite the country, war between Nigeria and Biafra broke out in July 1967. Ojukwu’s forces made some initial advances, but Nigeria’s superior military might gradually reduce Biafran territory. The state lost its oil fields--its main source of revenue-

Elizabeth crowned queen of England

of England’s lords, who were largely Protestant and hoped for greater religious tolerance under a Protestant queen. Under the early guidance of Secretary of State Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth repealed Mary’s proCatholic legislation, established a permanent Protestant Church of England, and encouraged the Calvinist reformers in Scotland.

In foreign affairs, Elizabeth practiced a policy of strengthening England’s Protestant allies and dividing her foes. Elizabeth was opposed by the pope, who refused to recognize her legitimacy, and by Spain, a Catholic nation that was at the height of its power.

lic, enacted pro-Catholic legislation and made efforts to restore papal supremacy in England.

A Protestant rebellion ensued, and Queen Mary imprisoned Elizabeth, a Protestant, in the Tower of London on suspicion of complicity. After Mary’s death, Elizabeth survived several Catholic plots against her; although her ascension was greeted with approval by most

-and without the funds to import food, an estimated one million of its civilians died as a result of severe malnutrition. On January 11, Nigerian forces captured the provincial capital of Owerri, one of the last Biafran strongholds, and Ojukwu was forced to flee to the Ivory Coast. Four days later, Biafra surrendered to Nigeria Later that day, General Gowon made a nationwide victory broadcast to Nigerian signifying the end of three years civil war.

1970 Qaddafi becomes premier of Libya

1919 Rebel leaders are murdered in failed coup in Berlin

1919 Rebel leaders are murdered in failed coup in Berlin A coup launched in Berlin by a group of radical socialist revolutionaries was brutally suppressed by right-wing para-

Muammar al-Qaddafi, the young Libyan army captain who deposed King Idris in September 1969, was proclaimed premier of Libya by the so-called General People’s Congress.

Born in a tent in the Libyan Desert, Qaddafi was the son of a Bedouin farmer. He attended university and the Libyan military academy and steadily rose in the ranks of the Libyan army. An ardent Arab nationalist, he plotted with a group of fellow officers to overthrow the Libyan monarchy, which they accomplished on September 1, 1969.

Blending Islamic orthodoxy, revolutionary socialism, and Arab nationalism, Qaddafi established a fervently anti-Western dictatorship. In 1970, he removed U.S. and British military bases and expelled Italian and Jewish Libyans. In 1973, he nationalized foreign-owned oil fields. He reinstated traditional Islamic laws, such as prohibition of alcoholic beverages and gambling, but liberated women and launched social programs that improved the standard of living in Libya.

As part of his stated ambition to unite the Arab world, he sought closer relations with his Arab neighbours, especially Egypt.

However, when Egypt and then other Arab nations began a peace process with Israel, Libya was increasingly isolated.

1967 Packers face Chiefs in first Super Bowl On this day in 1967, at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the first-ever world championship game of American football.

military units from January 10 to January 15, 1919; the group’s leaders, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, were murdered.

Germany’s long, ultimately losing struggle on the battlefield—culminating in the signing of the armistice in November 1918—and dismal conditions on the home front, including severe food shortages, caused many German socialists to turn away from the Social Democratic Party, which had supported the war effort in 1914 in the hopes that reform would follow a German victory.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 15, 2015

35 News

Discovery Airline negotiates with NCAA, passengers

Jega: INEC committed to women participation in politics

CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Discovery Air yesterday commenced series of meetings with passengers and their legal representatives that lodged complaints against it and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The meeting, it was learnt, was a part of efforts by the startup carrier to restore the suspension of its operating license by the NCAA. The NCAA, on Tuesday, announced the suspension of the

Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC), over the airline’s management’s failure to check certain lapses pointed out in its operations.

Speaking, in an interview, yesterday, Chairman of Discovery Air, Mr Babatunde Babalola, said the airline has commenced the resolution of issues raised by the NCAA in the last audit it carried out on the carrier.

Babalola said the NCAA wrote a letter to the airline to inform it of lapses in its operations which, he said, bordered on cancelled and delayed flights during the

Christmas holidays.

He said the airline had started meeting with more than 100 passengers affected by the delay to address the unintended infraction resulting from the flight disruption.

Babalola said refunds of tickets have been made to some passengers, while the airline management is meeting with some passengers who sent legal representations.

He said plans were afoot to offer 25 per cent rebate on return air fares to passengers that were

Kano Police intercept robbers

Leader of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Aremo Oluwasegun Osoba (2nd left); his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Derinsola Osoba (left); Leader of Afenifere Group, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi and SDP gubernatorial candidate for Ogun State, Senator Akin Odunsi, during the flag off of SDP campaign in Ogun State.

Photo: DAVID IDOWU

Alex Momoh, Kano

ÏÏÏ

Anti-robbery squad of the Kano state police command has foiled a robbery attack at the Maiduguri express road in the state.

In a statement made available to journalists, yesterday, the command`s Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP Magaji Musa Majiya, said two members of the armed gang lost their lives during exchange of fire with the police.

He explained that operatives attached to Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) had, on the first day of the year, at about 21:30hours, while on surveillance patrol along the road, Kano encountered the gang of armed robbers, who blocked the road terrorising users and on being sighted police, they immediately opened fire, while a superior fire was returned by the command.

Two unknown men were arrested with bullet wounds. One Brownie pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, three empty shells, one locally made pistol with five live cartridges, one sharp knife, two cutlasses and charms were recovered.

Victims arrested were rushed to the hospital for treatment and later confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty”.

IGP Abba

affected by the disruption of flight, affirming that the airline will comply all requirements spelt out by the NCAA to enable it regain its license to resume operations .

He said that the issues leading to the suspension of its AOC bordered on cancelled and delayed flights, and not safety related challenges as being said in some quarters.

He was of the view that the airline complied with the observations raised by the NCAA, before its license was suspended.

Zaki Biam: Don’t pay Suswam N8b, Tiv tells Jonathan Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Thirteen plaintiffs, who won the Zaki Biam massacre suit against the Federal Government and secured N8 Billion compensation for the affected community, have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse his decision to pay the debt to the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam.

Addressing journalists, in Abuja, on Wednesday, counsel to the litigants Mr Sebastine Hon, (SAN) with Messr Ocha Ulegede and Chris Alashi, said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) informed him that the President had directed

Suswam that the money be paid to Suswam.

The case was filed by Dr. Alexander Gaadi and thirteen others.

Gaadi died while negotiation was on leaving the remaining 13 people as plaintiffs.

Hon said that the president’s

directive was wrong morally and in law because the Benue State Government was not a party to the case that resulted in the award of N41.8 Billion to the plaintiffs.

A Federal High Court, which sat in Enugu had awarded the litigants, N41.8 Billion as compensation for the massacre of people in Zaki Biam and environs resulting from military invasion of the communities in 2001.

Following series of negotiations between the litigants and the Federal Government, the N41.8 billion judgment sum was negotiated downward to N8 billion, which government agreed to pay to the people.

ÏÏÏ

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated its commitment towards ensuring increasing women’s participation in the electoral process in the country.

The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, made the commitment, while playing host to a coalition of women group under the aegis, “Women’s Platform for Peaceful Elections”, in his office in Abuja.

Speaking through one of the National Commissioners of the Commission, Nne Gladys Nwafor, Jega said that INEC had, since, its inception, been particularly concerned with increasing women participation in the electoral process.

His words: “We have been engaging religious leaders, traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders through meetings and advocacy visits to encourage women to come out en-masse to participate in the political process”, he said.

Jega disclosed that INEC had allocated resources towards voter education with emphasis on increasing women participation in politics.

Anambra constructs N18b road in APC strongholds Okey Chris, Awka

ÏÏÏ

Anambra State Government says it has spent over 18 billion naira on construction of roads in Idemili North and South Local Government Areas of the state.

The two councils are the strongholds of Senator Chris Ngige, the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Anambra Central district.

The State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who disclosed this, while inaugurating construction of two roads at Ogidi, the headquarters of Idemili-North LGA, added that the past and present administration had equally doled out a strong share of political appointment, social amenities, school buses, among other basic necessity of life to the council areas.

Sultry actress, Iyabo Ojo is a renowned actress cum producer. Her acting prowess has, over the years, endeared her to many both inside and outside Nollywood.

The mother of two -- male and female-is unique, dynamic and industrious.

In this interview with ISAAC OGUNTOYE, the Nollywood thespian took us through her wardrobe. Excerpt...

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.24

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

My world Price: N150

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https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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– Iyabo Ojo Charles Mbani

Mbong Amata Features City Filenew unveils OSHIOMHOLE Mbong Amata VS UNIBEN unveils new website Who blinks first? website L2

News

France arrests 54 for ‘defending terror’ P13

P 21

Nollywood actress, Mbong Amata has released a new set of photos and also unveiled a new website, www. mbongamata.com.

The website which doubles as one for her foundation ‘Tickle-Us Foundation’, is a non-profit organisation that focuses on transforming the lives of the lessprivileged kids and women in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Tickle-Us intends to achieve this through various programmes on education and access to information which have been lined up for release in the coming year. One of such programmes was Mbong’s visit to her alma mater, Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, where she spoke motivationally to the students, organised the painting of her former house, Moremi House and gave a cash donation.

Business

Port Customs Command generates N91.4bn 13 World in P 30 2014

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

Hong Kong leader warns of ‘anarchy’

Pope Francis and Buddhist monks after an inter-religious meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015

France arrests 54 for ‘defending terror’ ÏÏÏ

French authorities say 54 people have been detained for defending or glorifying terrorism following the controversial publication of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo’s defiant new issue on Wednesday.

The arrests are part of a broader French crackdown that includes a government push for tougher anti-terrorism measures after the attacks, the worst in France in decades.

Dieudonne, a controversial comic with a large following in France, was among those detained. Government spokesperson Stephane Le Foll said some of

those detained have already been convicted - a display of French justice that was notably rapid.

The storming of the irreverent Charlie Hebdo newspaper was the opening salvo of three days of terror and bloodshed in the Paris region, ending when security forces killed all three gunmen on Friday. A top leader of Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack, saying in a video posted on Wednesday that the massacre was in “vengeance for the prophet”.

The core of the newspaper’s staff perished a week

ago when gunmen stormed its offices, killing 12. Those who survived put out the issue, which contained a new depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, on Wednesday, working out of borrowed offices, with a print run of 3 million - more than 50 times the usual circulation.

Charlie Hebdo had received repeated threats for posting caricatures of Muhammad and was firebombed in 2011. Its editor and his police bodyguard were the first targeted in the newsroom.

France’s government was preparing tougher

anti-terrorism measures, and authorities were already using current laws to their fullest extent.

Wednesday’s detention of Dieudonne for defending terrorism followed a fouryear prison sentence involving the same charge for a man in northern France who seemed to defend the attacks in a drunken rant while resisting arrest.

French police say as many as six members of a terrorist cell that carried out the Paris attacks may still be at large, including a man seen driving a car registered to the widow of one of the gunmen. The

country has deployed 10 000 troops to protect sensitive sites, including Jewish schools and synagogues, mosques and travel hubs.

Dieudonne, who popularised an arm gesture that resembles a Nazi salute and who has been convicted repeatedly of racism and anti-Semitism, is no stranger to controversy. His provocative performances were banned last year but he has a core following among many of France’s disaffected young people.

The Facebook post in question, which was swiftly deleted, said he felt like “Charlie Coulibaly”

Mend, Boko Haram, two of a kind

ta soap. I’m not advertising for them but that’s the truth.

For my Toothpaste, I love Colgate.

Hangout Back in the days, I used to hang out a lot but I’ve reduce it lately. But if I have to hang out, then it has to be CrescenShoes Local Fabric I have many shoes from Guc- do or Rumours.

I have a designer, Elsee, Vacation Spot she’s a Ghanaian based here ci, Louis Vuitton and then my I usually go to the UK but in Nigeria. She makes all normal everyday shoes. I don’t my local fabrics for me. One really have a favourite design- sometimes I travel to America.

Another place I love to thing I like about her is that er when it comes to my shoes. I she’s very detailed and she just want it simple but classic. visit is Dubai.

Movie Bags understands my fashion I love Angelina Jolie. She’s I’m rocking Gucci right sense. now but I do other kind of my favourite actress any Casual Wears time any day. She also hapI’ve always liked Jeans and designers too. Like I said; I pens to be my number one tops. Most times, I prefer to like Louis Vuitton’s product, general whose name we “WeI are that I love Michael Kors, Prada, role model. In Nigeria, I love wear shorts because feel confident Bimboand Akintola. revere, has goodchant comfortable in them even Chanel and lots of otherall a General Mohammadu Music when I’m on location. My fa- designers. always I had it in music. him Into love Wizkid’s Cars vourite designers are Gucci Buhari presidency would ternationally, I listen to I have a Range Rover Sport. and Louis Vuitton. I love lots promote and thirst for vioand buy a L6 Whitney Houston even I may in the future of designersprobe becausethese I’m a agencies lence.though she’s now late. but right now, I’m still enjoyfashion freak. divert all stolen revenue Books ing my Range Rover Sport.It will Suits be too freshofto forI like 50 Shades Hair backliketosuits. the development I really don’t Grey 1-3 by British frequent defensive I used to make myget hairthe However, I indulge in them of Ithe Nigeriabut later author E. L. James.

Headmaster once in a while. reallyregion don’t atand outburst by our own very have a designer for it because changed to Burbies. When- It’s a nice book.

ÎÎÎ

as a whole”.

hair, I am not a suit person. I’m an ever I want to wear longgeneral to lend support to These were theto words it has be very long. And actress and most times we the militant Boko Haram I decide to rock are not in suit. contained in whenever the declarashort hair then, it has sect. to be Perfumes His constant critiWhen it comes to perfume, I very short tion of support for too.

Gencism of the Federal troops Beauty Products like to have variety. I’ve used eral Muhammadu Buhari I will like to keep my bath over 200 designer perfumes. in their onslaught against soap and cream secret beRight now, I by thinkthe I’m still in Movement for the love with 1Million. The fra- cause my cosmetolo- these militants. One conEmancipation the all Nithat grance is beautiful, strong gistofdoes tinue to wonder how he and nice. I do cocktails most for me. But ger Delta (MEND). of the times because I love I can’t do intends to fight the war without Del-sure male perfumes. Nigerians will for

Yes, truth be told that every Nigerian has a right to freely associate but not Boko Haram.

be surprised that the sauce gentleman who is revered and respected; so much to be sought after, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, would be linked to any terrorist cell or group of any sort.

It will be sour to the ear to hear that our very own “Peoples general”, who has been known for uprightness will be in cohorts with terrorists and enemies of the Nigerian nation to which he has on several occasions pledged his love and loyalty.

However what many have soon forgotten is that Buhari has never hidden his penchant for terror and violence. The army

against terrorism when he does not believe in supporting our Armed Forces to do their job in the first place. If we may ask, is he going to turn to some spiritualists who would tell us that the pigeon representing Shekau has refused to fly?

It is on record that Buhari has consistently criticized government for protecting Nigerians against the attacks of Boko Haram and has gleefully announced that government forces should stop attacking Boko Haram, and in fact, should treat them like the Niger Delta militants; in other words, rehabilitate them, grant them amnesty

and pay them every month, concluding that any attack on the Boko Haram sect was a declaration of war on the people of Northern Nigeria.

How soon have we forgotten the massacres and violence that followed his loss in the 2011 elections, where thousands were killed in Kano as a result of crisis instigated by this one man?

Or is it the bloody Baboon and hyena promise that are all so quick to forget?

There is a letter flying today on social media that Boko Haram in another manner has endorsed General Muhammadu Buhari for the presidency again. Yes, truth be told that every Nigerian has a right to freely associate but not Boko Haram. No person of integrity vying for any position in this world should seek to benefit from the psychological trauma, torture and heinous crimes that this notorious group has done to citizens of this country. We fear that the entire support base of this gentleman has been overtaken by blood thirsty people who would do anything for

Missile hits bus in Ukraine, 11 Killed

Iran: Kerry meets Zarif in Geneva

ÏÏÏA missile hit a passenger bus in eastern Ukraine Tuesday, killing at least 11 civilians near the separatistcontrolled city of Donetsk.

Pro-government officials say the bus was traveling near a military checkpoint when it was struck by a missile from a multiple-rocket launcher.

President Petro Poroshenko said the deaths “chill the heart.” He immediately blamed pro-Russian rebels.

A separatist spokesman

ÏÏÏ US Secretary of State

denied responsibility.

The bus attack is another blow against efforts to implement last September’s ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists.

A meeting between French, German, Russian and Ukrainian leaders that was to have been held Thursday in Astana, Kazakhstan has been canceled. Fighting around Donetsk has worsened in recent weeks.

John Kerry is meeting his Iranian counterpart in Geneva in a bid to revive stalled talks over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Mr Kerry said he and Mohammad Javad Zarif needed to “take stock” ahead of a new round of negotiations on Thursday.

Six world powers want Iran to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

their commands to stand with questions from members of the society, decorum should still remain the order of the day if he must get the votes of reasonable Nigerians who may give in to any iota of sympathy to his age and failing health to give him a vote at the polls.

Nigerians for a very long time yearned for change, positive change. The longing for change is innate in all Nigerians, such that if we are not careful in the pursuit of this desire, we may fall in a pit deep enough to bury all our independence enjoyed so far. Only a negative change like the prophesy by this factional MEND and its leaders like Henry Okah can give us such fast changes with bombs.

The change of killing and sucking the blood of innocent souls is not what we yearn for at the moment.

Muhammadu Buhari should be reminded that the first responsibility of a leader is to be responsible for the life and property of his followers and for the president to also defend the territorial integrity of his nation.

An interim deal was struck in November 2013 but deadlines for a comprehensive deal have since been missed.

The aim now is to reach a high-level political agreement by 1 March and confirm the full technical details of the agreement by 1 July.

Iran is subject to UN economic sanctions amid fears that it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon.

Kerry

ÏÏÏHong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying warned on Wednesday that demands for fully free elections risked “anarchy” as he pledged allegiance to Beijing and pro-democracy lawmakers staged a dramatic walk-out.

Leung took a hard line on political reform in his annual address, saying there would be no deviation from Beijing’s framework for the city’s leadership elections in 2017.“The rule of law is the foundation of Hong Kong.

The democratic development of Hong Kong must therefore be underpinned by the same. As we pursue democracy, we should act in accordance with the law, or Hong Kong will degenerate into anarchy,” he said.

In his first speech to Hong Kong’s legislature since huge street rallies calling for free leadership elections, Leung made no concessions to protesters and questioned their understanding of the intricacies of politics in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

102 bodies found in Indian River ÏÏÏAuthorities are inves-

tigating how 102 bodies, many of them of children, ended up in an offshoot of the Ganges River in northern India.

Officials do not suspect a crime, and instead believe the dead were given water burials. It is Indian custom not to cremate unwed girls and many poor people cannot afford cremation.

Unnao district magistrate Sauma Agarwal says the bodies are too badly decomposed for autopsies or identification, but that DNA tests are being done to determine where the bodies might have come from.

Villagers first noticed the bodies on Tuesday, stuck on a river bank with dogs and vultures circling the area. The narrow river breaks off from the Ganges just before passing Pariyar in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Buhari should also note that a leader without followers is no longer a leader and as such if the North East is ravaged by violence while he sponsors his friends, Henry Okah and his cohorts to wage war against the state, it is pertinent to ask which nation he desires to govern.

Our democracy was painfully gotten and should be preserved jealously, lest we lose it to those who denied us of such precious liberty and joy. We should be careful not to go back to the years of non-ending and bogus jail terms, inhuman treatment and sectionalism. We have tasted true leadership and enjoyed the gains of followership enough to go back to dictatorial and violent rule.

It is also ripe that Nigerians relate between the desperation to serve and the genuine desire to offer service.

Nigerians still need to know more from the General before decision day.

Mbani is National President, Nigerian Youth Arise for Positive Change.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

Life& TIMES Thursday, January 15, 2015

Mbong Amata Breaks new ground L2

P

Music Review

What i can’t do without’ – Iyabo Ojo

L2

P

DJ Zeez’s

‘Ba Mi Jo’ not a good comeback

L3

P

Society L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

Sultry actress, Iyabo Ojo is a renowned actress cum producer. Her acting prowess has, over the years, endeared her to many both inside and outside Nollywood.

The mother of two -- male and female-is unique, dynamic and industrious.

In this interview with ISAAC OGUNTOYE, the Nollywood thespian took us through her wardrobe. Excerpt...

My world – Iyabo Ojo

Local Fabric I have a designer, Elsee, she’s a Ghanaian based here in Nigeria. She makes all my local fabrics for me. One thing I like about her is that she’s very detailed and she understands my fashion sense.

Casual Wears I’ve always liked Jeans and tops. Most times, I prefer to wear shorts because I feel comfortable in them even when I’m on location. My favourite designers are Gucci and Louis Vuitton. I love lots of designers because I’m a fashion freak.

Suits I really don’t like suits.

However, I indulge in them once in a while. I really don’t have a designer for it because I am not a suit person. I’m an actress and most times we are not in suit.

Perfumes When it comes to perfume, I like to have variety. I’ve used over 200 designer perfumes.

Right now, I think I’m still in love with 1Million. The fragrance is beautiful, strong and nice. I do cocktails most of the times because I love male perfumes.

Shoes I have many shoes from Gucci, Louis Vuitton and then my normal everyday shoes. I don’t really have a favourite designer when it comes to my shoes. I just want it simple but classic.

Bags I’m rocking Gucci right now but I do other kind of designers too. Like I said; I like Louis Vuitton’s product, I love Michael Kors, Prada, Chanel and lots of other good designers.

Cars I have a Range Rover Sport.

I may in the future buy a L6 but right now, I’m still enjoying my Range Rover Sport.

Hair I used to make my hair at Headmaster but later changed to Burbies. Whenever I want to wear long hair, it has to be very long. And whenever I decide to rock short hair then, it has to be very short too.

Beauty Products I will like to keep my bath soap and cream secret because my cosmetologist does all that for me. But I can’t do without Del-

ta soap. I’m not advertising for them but that’s the truth.

For my Toothpaste, I love Colgate.

Hangout Back in the days, I used to hang out a lot but I’ve reduce it lately. But if I have to hang out, then it has to be Crescendo or Rumours.

Vacation Spot I usually go to the UK but sometimes I travel to America. Another place I love to visit is Dubai.

Movie I love Angelina Jolie. She’s my favourite actress any time any day. She also happens to be my number one role model. In Nigeria, I love Bimbo Akintola.

Music I love Wizkid’s music. Internationally, I listen to Whitney Houston even though she’s now late.

Books I like 50 Shades of Grey 1-3 by British author E. L. James.

It’s a nice book.

Mbong Amata unveils new website Nollywood actress, Mbong Amata has released a new set of photos and also unveiled a new website, www. mbongamata.com.

The website which doubles as one for her foundation ‘Tickle-Us Foundation’, is a non-profit organisation that focuses on transforming the lives of the lessprivileged kids and women in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Tickle-Us intends to achieve this through various programmes on education and access to information which have been lined up for release in the coming year. One of such programmes was Mbong’s visit to her alma mater, Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, where she spoke motivationally to the students, organised the painting of her former house, Moremi House and gave a cash donation.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

L3 Hair-ways

Music Review

DJ Zeez’s

‘Ba Mi Jo’ takes a tumble

Opeoluwani Akintayo Monday, Jan. 12 was DJ Zeez’s birthday and it wasn’t just about partying; the dude dropped a new video titled ‘Ba Mi Jo’ to mark the day.

Owing to the fact that he’s been going on and off the market due to his inability to drop another hit after his hit ‘Farabale’, we expected something bigger to compensate for their long wait. But alas, the dude just couldn’t match up to our expectations.

Quality video he’s got there in terms of the clean shots. We didn’t exactly

expect an autotune kind of thing from someone who’s been in the industry for that long --- sounds like he’s lost his voice quality and decided to hide his slackness under the autotune.

Yes, the blinding lights in the video gave it the party and club type of flow, yet, we had to strain our eyes to see the sexy models at the background. He was almost invisible too with all those lights.

The three mins and 51 secs video could have come more alive with a good choreography given the kind of lyrics he had there...”Bo si gbangba wa ba mi jo/yo” meaning come let’s dance and

CROSSWORD

The Classical Puzzle N2 - to Dayton Moore, by Ben Tausig

rejoice...but none of the girls was even seen around him --- the crew were miles apart.

What’s with all that slow motion kinda moves those girls were up to anyway? That didn’t do any justice to the kind of beat the song has.

The video is a NO NO, 3/10. Voice is 3/10. Choreography 2/10. lighting/ Blinding lights...oops! Stage management --- he could have used the stage more for that video. The video is clean though and that’s why we think he could have achieved more in reality with that song.

Television L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday January 15, 2015

n o g n i w o TEEN MOM 2 Sh

CHICAGO PD

We follow the challenges that pregnant teens face as they come to terms with their new babies in a social environment that has split views.

101 M-Net West

06:00

08:15

120 BBC Entertainment 00:00 My Family 00:20 Top Gear 01:10 New Tricks 02:05 Come Dine With Me 02:50 EastEnders 03:20 The Weakest Link 04:05 Top Gear 05:00 Fool Britannia 05:25 QI 05:55 Would I Lie To You? 06:30 EastEnders 07:00 Antiques Roadshow 07:55 The Weakest Link 08:40 The Cube 09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

10:15 Deal Or No Deal

253 AIT

00:00 The Mentalist 00:30 Mind Games 01:30 Lucky 03:09 Behind The Scenes: David Guetta 03:30 About A Boy 04:00 The Wedding Video 05:34 Behind The Scenes: Jack Ryan 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Got To Dance 08:00 2 Broke Girls 08:30 The Real Housewives Of Atlanta 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Anything Is Possible 12:30 Young Hollywood’s Greatest 13:00 Got To Dance 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 The Millers 16:00 Olive Kitteridge 17:00 Feast 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Young Hollywood’s Greatest 19:30 Got To Dance 20:30 The Fixer 21:30 Blue Bloods 22:30 The Mentalist

00:00 The Queen Of The South 00:30 Aurora 01:20 Fearless Heart 02:10 The Queen Of The South 03:00 My Heart Beats For Lola 03:50 Broken Angel 05:20 Where Is Elisa?

06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 My Heart Beats For Lola 08:40 Broken Angel 09:30 Where Is Elisa?

10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00 My Heart Beats For Lola 12:50 Broken Angel 13:40 Where Is Elisa?

14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 My Heart Beats For Lola 17:00 Broken Angel 17:50 Where Is Elisa?

18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart 20:20 My Heart Beats For Lola 21:10 The Queen Of The South 22:00 Broken Angel 22:50 Where Is Elisa?

Jan.|16V

Chicago Five star John Beghe stars as tough cop Hank Vight in this spin-off. In this episode, an inmate’s release doesn’t sit well with the team.

Thurs, 15 Jan| PG 13

118 Telemundo

n o g n i w Thurs,15, Sho

10:55 My Family 11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA 12:20 Top Gear 13:15 Come Dine With Me 14:10 Top Gear’s Top 41 15:10 The Weakest Link 16:00 EastEnders 16:30 Deal Or No Deal 17:15 QI 17:50 Would I Lie To You? 18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA 19:15 Downton Abbey 20:15 The Michael McIntyre Chat Show 21:15 Top Gear’s Top 41 22:10 Live At The Apollo

MTV 00:00 Are You The One? 00:15 Scrubbing In 01:00 Twilight Mix 05:05 Jou Ma Se MTV 07:00 Happy Birthday 08:20 Pranked 09:05 Punk’d 09:30 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 10:35 The Ex And The Why 11:05 Teen Mom 2 12:10 Awkward 12:35 Punk’d 13:00 Punk’d 13:25 Ridiculousness 13:50 Ridiculousness 14:35 Teen Cribs 15:45 Pimp My Ride 16:10 Awkward 16:35 Awkward 17:25 Ridiculousness 17:50 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 18:40 Jersey Shore 19:30 Catfish: Untold Stories 2 20:15 Teen Mom 2 21:05 Geordie Shore 21:55 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 22:40 Finding Carter

124 E! Entertainment Television 00:00 House Of DVF 01:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 02:00 Giuliana & Bill 03:00 Dr. 90210 04:00 Dr. 90210 05:00 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 06:00 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 07:15 Celebrity Style Story 08:00 Giuliana & Bill 09:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 10:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The Hamptons 00:00 AIT Midnight News 00:30 Movie: 02:00 Sports Today 02:30 So Wrong So Wright 03:00 Focus Nigeria 04:00 What Life Took From Me 05:00 Oremus 06:00 Kaakaki 09:00 Delta In & Out

11:00 Live From The Red Carpet: The 2015...

13:15 Celebrity Style Story 14:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 15:00 House Of DVF 16:15 Celebrity Style Story 17:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 18:00 E! News 19:00 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 20:00 House Of DVF 21:00 House Of DVF 22:15 Celebrity Style Story 09:30 Inside Out With Agatha 10:00 Focus Nigeria 11:00 The Money Show 12:00 AIT Reports 13:00 Sports Extra 13:30 Desperation 14:00 Democracy In Session 15:00 Matters Arising 15:30 INEC Half Hour

16:00 World News 16:30 Nickelodeon 17:30 Tax Matters 18:00 Shakatawa 18:30 One Mic 19:00 Nowhere To Be Found 19:30 Family Ties 20:00 AIT News Hour 21:00 Super Story

jets off to Malabo, as CAF rues Eagles’ absence X2 X4,5

W T A R E CARE S Y A S , A C R BA L A D I AB

Celebrating

HAKEEM

‘The dream’

OLAJUWON

X6

X7

I S S EFINISH M ILL Floyd

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

X3

KESSLER: Playing at World Cup my dream!

Mayweather, Jr.

A true champion will fight through anything. Showing is better than telling. I’m the best at talking trash I’m also the best at going out there and backing it up.

Once I beat a guy, mentally and physically, he’s never the same.

I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, ‘I think I should get a job.’ She said, ‘No, just keep boxing.’

Height: Reach: Total fights: Wins: Wins by KO: Losses: Draws: No contests: Olympic Games Record Bronze: Atlanta 1996 (Featherweight)

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. American February 24, 1977 (age 37) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Pretty Boy Money TBE (The Best Ever) Orthodox Super featherweight (130 lb) Lightweight (135 lb) Light welterweight (140 lb) Welterweight (147 lb) Light middleweight (154 lb) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 72 in (183 cm) 47 47 26 0 0 0

Poster!

Stance: Rated at:

PINNICK

Full name: Nationality: Born: Place of Birth: Nicknames:

XT Exclusive EXTRATIME EXTRATIME

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Ghana worried about

GYAN’S fitness X2

X2

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

AFCON 2015

PINNICK

jets off to Malabo, as CAF rues Eagles’ absence

Lack of discipline, bane of Super Eagles

Pinnick

P

resident of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick flew into Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday as the African football fraternity got into the mood for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday.

The NFF boss is expected to commission two matches in the group phase at the championship with opportunities for more in the knock-out rounds.

However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once more rued the absence of 2013 champions Nigeria, who failed to reach the finals after finishing behind South Africa and Congo in Group A of the qualifying campaign.

Before jetting out of the country, Pinnick transmitted a letter to members of the NFF Executive Committee notifying them that the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will act in his

–OKPARA Niyi Omo-Okiri

F

ormer Super Eagles defender, Godwin Okpara, has identified lack of discipline and passion on the part of players as reasons behind the lacklustre attitude exhibited by Super Eagles players toward the discharge of their responsibilities to the national team in recent times.

Okpara made the revelation while fielding questions on Metro FM Sports programme AM Sports monitored in Lagos on Tuesday. He, therefore, called on the players to change their attitude towards national team assignments, even as he urged them to inculcate passion and discipline if they really want to succeed in the round leather game.

“Talking of the Super Eagles recent

dip in form which resulted in their inability to make it to Equatorial Guinea for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, I think that the present crop of players lack discipline and passion for the game,” Okpara began.

“These two factors are crucial in the game of football. The way they play does not portray them as players who have passion for the game.

“Discipline and passion are the two most important ingredients that any serious players must seek for if he wants to succeed in the game.

“I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call on them to ensure that they imbibe the culture of discipline and passion for the game,” Okpara said.

Speaking further, Okpara called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence the rebuilding process of the national team and also invite fresh legs who are ambitious to take the Super Eagles to the next level with their God-given talent.

“We should not continue to rue our inability to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations forever. As for me, I think that the right thing to do is to start our rebuilding process now.

“We must start rebuilding our national team with new set of players who are ambitious for success and if we still want to use the same set of players that make up the current squad; we must start now to educate them on what is expected of them as national team players,” he stated.

stead.

“I will be away to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea from 16th January – 9th February, 2015 on the invitation of CAF and in official capacity.

“The First Vice President, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi should thus oversee the workings of the Office of the President for the period I will be away. All official correspondence should be channeled to him,” he said.

Host Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Burkina Faso and Gabon will contest in Group A of the three –week, 16 nation finals, with Zambia, DR Congo, Tunisia, Cape Verde battling it out in Group B. Group C has Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and South Africa while Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Cameroun contend in Group D. The finals, scheduled for 17th January – 8th February, will be played across four cities: Malabo, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and Bata.

Gyan

Ghana worried about GYAN’S fitness

G

hana captain Asamoah Gyan is being monitored by the medical team after picking up a knock in training on Tuesday.

The Al Ain has been training but not fully-fit to play 90 minutes of football.

His injury was key to Ghana’s cancellation of a final pre-Nations Cup friendly yesterday at their camping base in Seville, Spain.

A Ghana FA statement read: “The precautionary decision comes in the wake of the knock suffered by captain

Asamoah Gyan during training.

“With some few days before the start of the competition in Equatorial Guinea, Grant has decided to protect his players from likely injuries.”

Gyan will be making his Nations Cup appearance in Equatorial Guinea where two years ago, a semi-final penalty miss against eventual winners Zambia led to massive verbal abuse on social media which pushed to take a temporary break from international football.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

Countdown to AFCON 2015

Ivory Coast Equatorial supporters visa Guinea boss in muddle eyes winning W start

N

ewly appointed coach of Equatorial Guinea, Esteban Becker has said his team will have to battle for a win against Congo on Saturday when the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off.

The hosts will kick start the event at the Estadio de Bata Stadium before returning to face Burkina Faso on January 21 and complete the Group A games on January 25 against Gabon.

“Starting with a win in such tournaments gives a lot of motivation and we shall go all out for that,” said the Argentine-born coach.

Becker was appointed over a week ago after the sacking of Andoni Goikoetxea.

He coached Equatorial Guinea’s women’s team to the African title in 2012 and previously held the role of technical director for all national squads.

Speaking about the general tournament, Becker said it will be very competitive because of the vast talent among AfEsteban Becker rican teams.

ith less than a week to the Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday January 17, supporters of Ivory Coast are still unsure whether they would obtain visas to the host country Equatorial Guinea.

The central African country has no embassy in Ivory Coast, meaning prospective applicants must travel to either Ghana or Benin Republic to submit their forms.

However, supersport.com gathered on Tuesday that many supporters who had made the trip in the hope of picking their visas were frustrated by the lengthy bureaucracy involved in the process.

Parfait Kouassi, chairman of the National Committee of the Elephants Supporters (CNSE), which was founded in 1985, revealed that Equatorial Guinea embassy officials are requesting from each applicant a criminal or police record, a letter of introduction from Ivory Coast foreign ministry and an invitation letter from Equatorial Guinea foreign ministry.

“It is totally absurd. You ask all those documents from an ordinary supporter going to attend the competition?

Do they know how long it takes to get a criminal record?”

Kouassi said.

“We have never had such problems even when travelling to support our team outside Africa. We remain hopeful that our members would be granted visas because we can’t imagine an AFCON with the Elephants and without their supporters.”

Born of Algerian parents in France, the 20-year-old midfielder plays his club football for the English Premiership club Tottenham. After being haunted by injuries earlier in his career, Bentaleb has gone on to re-establish himself as the first choice in central midfield ahead of seasoned campaigners like Brazil’s Paulinho.

Rivaldo Coetzee (South Africa)

Unlike the famous Brazil star Rivaldo, who was a forward, Bafana Bafana’s own Rivaldo is a central defender who plays his club football in the Mother City for Premier Soccer League club Ajax Cape Town. Since he made his first-team debut during the 2013-14 season, his sterling performances earned him a national call-up and he went on to make his international debut for Bafana in an AFCON qualifier against Congo on October 12, 2014, making him the youngest player ever to represent the country.

splashes tickets on citizens

undergo

Ebola tests in

Malabo A

Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria)

OBIANG

Players to

ll teams arriving in Equatorial Guinea for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) must travel through the capital Malabo and have tests for the Ebola virus, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Wednesday.

Those who show any signs of the contagious virus, or who refused to be examined, could be quarantined for up to 21 days.

“Everyone arriving at the Nations Cup must respect the medical rules and regulations,” CAF said in a statement.

Youngsters to watch!

Obiang

T

he Equatorial Guinean President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has paid for 40,000 seats for under-privileged supporters during the 2015 AFCON. Nguema knows he needs numbers to make his country look good for taking up the challenge to host and with the tournament starting this weekend, match attendance figures are not looking up.

To this end, the president wants the wealthy and advantaged in the country to follow his example.

“We should give the tournament a respectful outlook so we need to acquire seats so that the stadia will be filled. Those who have the means should help the have-nots.

The tough regulations reflect fears of the spread of the deadly haemorrhagic fever that led Morocco to ask for a postponement of the 16-team tournament.

Instead they were stripped of their hosting rights and Equatorial Guinea stepped in at the last moment to take over.

The worst epidemic of the virus on record has killed more than 8,371 people and infected 21,171 in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, according to World Health Organization figures released on Monday.

CAF President Issa Hayatou

“I have personally bought 40,000 tickets to be shared among the four regions that will host the tournament. These tickets cost 500 CFA Francs each and so the total is 20 million CFA Francs (30,000 Euros),” Obiang said on local television on Monday.

The head of state has also announced a two-hour reduction in the number of working hours for public sector workers on match days during the tournament. It will take effect in the areas where the matches will be played.

Nguema, re-elected in 2009 with 95% of votes in a hotly-contested election, first came to power in 1979.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. American February 24, 1977 (age 37) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Pretty Boy Money TBE (The Best Ever) Orthodox Super featherweight (130 lb) Lightweight (135 lb) Light welterweight (140 lb) Welterweight (147 lb) Light middleweight (154 lb) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 72 in (183 cm) 47 47 26 0 0 0

A true champion will fight through anything. Showing is better than telling. I’m the best at talking trash I’m also the best at going out there and backing it up.

Once I beat a guy, mentally and physically, he’s never the same.

I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, ‘I think I should get a job.’ She said, ‘No, just keep boxing.’

Height: Reach: Total fights: Wins: Wins by KO: Losses: Draws: No contests: Olympic Games Record Bronze: Atlanta 1996 (Featherweight)

Stance: Rated at:

Full name: Nationality: Born: Place of Birth: Nicknames:

X4

EXTRATIME

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Thursday, January 15, 2015

X5

Floyd

Mayweather, Jr.

EXTRATIME

X6

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

Stars of yesteryears

Celebrating

HAKEEM ’The Dream’ OLAJUWON

H

akeem Abdul Olajuwon, formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. Born on January 21, 1963, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors between 1984 and 2002.

Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

At 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game and was nicknamed “The Dream” during his basketball career, for his grace on and off the court.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon traveled from his home country to play for the University of Houston under Coach Guy Lewis. His college career for the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA Draft, a draft that included Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton.

He combined with the 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson to form a duo dubbed the “Twin Towers”. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. After Sampson was traded to the Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets’ undisputed leader.

He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993).

Raised as a Muslim, Olajuwon became more devoted to the faith during this period and changed the spelling of his name from Akeem to Hakeem. Despite very nearly being traded during a bitter contract dispute before the 1992–93 season, he remained in Houston where in 1993–94, he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season.

Hakeem In 1996, Olajuwon was a member of the Olympic gold-medal-winning United States national team, and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

He ended his career as the league’s all-time leader in blocks, with 3,830.

Olajuwon was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008 and ranked #13 in SLAM Magazine’s 2009 revision of the top 50 greatest players of all time (published in the August 2009 issue).

Early life Olajuwon was born to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, middle-class Yoruba owners of a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria. “Olajuwon” translates to “always being on top” in Yoruba. He was the third of six children. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard work and discipline into him and his siblings; “They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves”.

Olajuwon once expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. “Lagos is a very cosmopolitan city...There are many ethnic groups. I grew up in an environment at schools where there were all different types of people.”

During his youth, Olajuwon was a soccer goalkeeper, which helped give him the footwork

and agility to balance his size and strength in basketball, and also contributed to his shotblocking ability.

He did not play basketball until the age of 15, when he entered a local tournament. It has been said that a coach in Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while standing on a chair. Olajuwon then tried to stand on the chair himself. When redirected by staff not to use the chair, Hakeem could initially not dunk the basketball.

Despite early struggles, Olajuwon quickly became taken with the game: “Basketball is something that is so unique. That immediately I pick up the game and, you know, realize that this is the sport for me. All the other sports just become secondary.”

In 1980, before arriving in the US, Olajuwon played for a Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. This created some problems when he tried to play for the United States men’s national basketball team initially. FIBA rules prohibit players from representing more than one country in international competition, and players must go through a three year waiting period for any nationality change. Olajuwon was ineligible for selection to the “Dream Team” as he hadn’t become a US citizen then.

Olajuwon became a naturalized American citizen on April 2, 1993 and in 1996 Olympics, he received a FIBA exemption and was eligible to play for Dream Team III. The team went on to win the gold medal in Atlanta. During the tournament, he shared his minutes with Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson. He played 7 out of the 8 games and started 2. He averaged 5 points and 3.1 rebounds and had 8 assists and 6 steals in seven games.

Off the court Olajuwon married his current wife Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996 in Houston. They have two daughters, Rahmah and Aisha Olajuwon. Abisola Olajuwon, his daughter with Lita Spencer, whom he met in college, represented the West Girls in the McDonald’s All American Game and

Hakeem Olajuwon (left) in action

played in the WNBA. In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent in French, Arabic, and the Nigerian languages of Yoruba and Ekiti. He wrote his autobiography, Living the Dream, with co-author Peter Knobler in 1996. During his 18-year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $107,000,000 in salary.

Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008 and on April 10, 2008 the Rockets unveiled a sculpture in honor of him outside the Toyota Center.

Awards and achievements 2× NBA champion (1994, ‘95) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, ‘95) 1× NBA MVP (1994) 2× Defensive Player of Year (1993, ‘94) 6× All-NBA First Team (1987, ‘88, ‘89, ‘93, ‘94, ‘97) 3× All-NBA Second Team (‘86, ‘90, ‘96) 3× All-NBA Third Team (1991, ‘95, ‘99) 5× All-Defensive First Team (‘87, ‘88, ‘90, ‘93, ‘94) 4× All-Defensive Second Team (‘85, ‘91, ‘96, ‘97) 12× All-Star Olympic gold medalist (1996) Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

Interview

KESSLER: Playing at

World Cup is

my dream!

A

lthough a quick look back at Nadine Kessler’s performances in 2014 makes it clear why she was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year on Monday, the VfL Wolfsburg captain could still scarcely believe the news almost an hour after her name was pulled from the envelope. Kessler’s past year included victory with Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Bundesliga, while she was also part of the Germany team that lifted the Algarve Cup. Having already been named UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe back in August, adding the world’s most prestigious international award to her collection rounded off an exceptional 12 months for the midfielder marred only by a knee operation. In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, Kessler discussed her journey to becoming a top performer, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and the sporting significance of the upcoming year.

Although you won the double with VfL Wolfsburg and lifted the Algarve Cup with the national team, you had to undergo an operation on your left knee back in October. How was 2014 for you?

You can certainly split the year into two parts. The first half was definitely positive; in fact it was pretty much perfect. There just wasn’t anything wrong with it. The second half of the year was dominated by my injury, so it hasn’t been such a happy time for me.

Naturally I hope the situation will continue improving.

How are you doing after your operation?

My rehabilitation is well underway, and I’m optimistic that we’ll continue to make progress. But at the moment it’s still not clear when I’ll be able to return to action.

The tension in the Champions League final was almost unbearable, and the same was true in the final round of the German champi-

a posit i ve thing.

Nadine Kessler (left) in action for Germany. onship. Was the experience just as nerve-wracking for the coaches and players?

It was exciting for us players too, but nerves are definitely something different; they take hold when you’re looking in from the outside and can do nothing but watch. As the team, we were still able to take matters into our own hands. That feeling stayed with us the entire time, which produced some really exciting games.

How would you describe your role with Wolfsburg and in the national team – to bind the team together and provide direction?

My job and my efforts as captain have always been to lead from the front and ensure that we all continue to improve, feel comfortable and stick together as a team. That’s a crucial factor for success.

You were resigned to watching from the sidelines at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 before becoming a European champion with Germany in 2013. How would you describe your journey to becoming a top performer on the international stage?

The last few years have been very positive and I’ve been able to consistently improve.

I’m also extremely happy to have spent so much time playing for the national team. It’s always an honour to

represent your country, and I’m proud to have been selected to do that.

The Women’s World Cup in Canada is now on the horizon. Your national coach Silvia Neid believes eight teams will be title contenders: Norway, France, Sweden, USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil and Germany. Which teams do you think could mount a serious challenge for the trophy?

I agree with Silvia Neid’s assessment and think it’ll be possible to single out title favourites before the tournament. There are plenty of friendly matches in the run-up to the competition, so that will give us a chance to see how each team might develop.

Expectations of your team are unlikely to subside after Germany’s men won the World Cup in 2014 just a few weeks before the U-20 women’s side triumphed in Canada. Do you see that as an incentive or a burden?

It just spurs us on build on those achievements. It’s great to see what our men and U-20 women have accomplished, and it would be perfect for our

country if we could follow in their footsteps.

If there’s any pressure involved, I see it as

How important is 2015 for you in sporting terms?

Extremely important.

At club level, we’ll be defending our Champions League title, so we’ll want to show what we can do in that competition once again. My personal goal is to go to the World Cup and play well there.

My job and my efforts as captain have always been to lead from the front and ensure that we all continue to improve, feel comfortable and stick together as a team. That’s a crucial factor for success.”

Apart from going to the World Cup, I’d personally like to stay fit, or rather get fit again and then do my very best. My aim is just to be out on the pitch with my teams and to succeed with them.

What would it mean to you to take part in the World Cup? I t

would be a childhood dream come true for me, there’s no doubt about it.

That has always been my goal and it would be so, so amazing to achieve it.

Nadine Kessler

X7

X8

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

MESSI

will finish career at Barca, says Abidal

E

ric Abidal feels Lionel Messi will end his career at Barcelona following the Argentinian’s remarks over his future at the club.

Messi has recently denied that he has fallen out with Coach Luis Enrique but fuelled talk of an im-

pending exit from Camp Nou with his comments prior to Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Argentina forward stated “I don’t know where I’ll be next year”, but clarified his words after coming second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or.

Messi insisted that he is not thinking of leaving Barca, and former team-mate Abidal does not anticipate that stance to change.

“I know Leo well,” Abidal said.

“He is a well-educated guy, he’s not here to screw the club and others. He has character, he re-

spects people.

“As he put it, he’s at Barca, but doesn’t know what tomorrow brings. That’s sport. But yes, I believe he will finish his career at Barcelona and I hope he stays.

“Barca’s his home and he has already shown what he can do on the field.”

Messi

Henry slams Wenger abuse

Man City completes BONY’S deal

T

hierry Henry has slammed the “out of order” Arsenal fans who vented their fury at Arsene Wenger after a defeat at Stoke City last month.

A group of Arsenal supporters verbally abused the long-serving Arsenal manager as he boarded a train back to London following a 3-2 Premier League defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

Arsenal have won six of their eight games since thaen to silence Wenger’s critics and club legend Henry was baffled by the torrent of abuse his former boss was subjected to.

The former Arsenal striker said: “I thought it was a joke. You can be upset, I totally understand that. But when I saw what happened at Stoke I was like, ‘that’s totally unnecessary’.

“Fans do have a voice, I totally understand that, but what I saw after the Stoke City game was out of order.

“You can express that you are upset, but to do it in that way was a bit too much.

“But in the game at the moment, unfortunately that’s the way it is.”

Bony

M

Henry

anchester City have completed the signing of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony on a contract until the summer of 2019 for a fee of £25m that could rise to £28m.

Bony is away on international duty with Ivory Coast as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations and they looked to have broken the news of the transfer on Wednesday morning.

Both City and Swansea were keen to emphasise the final stages of the deal had to be finalised and all loose ends have now been tied up, with the 26-year-old due to make the move to the Etihad Stadium once he returns

from Equatorial Guinea.

“It’s a great feeling for me, it’s a big honour to be here and it’s a great challenge,” Bony enthused.

“As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportunity for me to be in that situation now – I’m really proud.

“I felt excited to wait for this moment and now it’s come, it’s fantastic.

“I think it’s a great decision for me - Manchester City is in the Champions League. You remember at the end of last season I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win.

“It’s a motivation for me to give my maximum to be in that place. City is a big club with great players with a lot of experience; I believe we can do it.”

Bony also confirmed he had spoken to international team-mate Yaya Toure about making the move to Manchester.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he is delighted to have signed Bony to boost his attacking options.

Bony will wear the No 14 shirt at the Etihad.

Briefs

Inzaghi hails improved Milan Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi hailed his team’s character after their 2-1 Coppa Italia win against Sassuolo on Tuesday.

Nigel de Jong’s late goal saw Milan to the round-of-16 win at San Siro after they had been pulled back just after the hour-mark.

Di Maria eager to impress

Di Maria Manchester United winger Angel di Maria admits it has taken him time to adjust following his move from Real Madrid, but he is targeting a major improvement in the second half of the season. The 26-year-old Argentina international accepts it has not been all plain sailing since his arrival at Old Trafford, with Sunday’s 1-0 defeat

by Southampton his first start since November because of injury.

Juve targets January signings –Allegri Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus’ hierarchy are working on bringing players to the club this month. The Serie A champions lead the Italian top flight by three points from Roma and are still hold out hopes of success in the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League during Allegri’s first season.

Jewell contacts lawyer over Albion exit Paul Jewell has sought legal advice after revealing his short spell as West Brom assistant head coach was not ended by mutual consent. New Albion head coach Tony Pulis brought in Jewell and Dave Kemp to assistant him last week, but seven days later the Premier League club announced that Jewell had left The Hawthorns.