Daily Times Newspaper

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ÎÎÎTuesday night was hellish for residents

of Allawa community of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State as gunmen invaded the community killing any human in sight and setting houses ablaze.

At the end, a traditional ruler, his younger brother, a police Inspector and 33 other people were murdered in cold blood. It was gathered the invaders also set more than 25 houses on dailytimesng

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

fire and injured scores of others before fleeing into the bush. The operation was said to have Continued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.197

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 22nd September 2015.

SEPLAT

255

12.00

4.71%

FO

231.09

2.29

0.99%

STANBIC

21.07

-0.59

-2.80%

WAPCO

97.46

-0.54

-0.55%

NB

140.02

3.62

2.59%

DANGCEM

168

1.96

1.17%

FLOURMILL

22

-0.54

-2.45%

GUARANTY

24.15

-0.35

-1.45%

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Oshiomhole blasts Sylva Ï ƅƅƑ Ɔ ƆƔé ƒ Ƈ ƈ ƒ Ɨƈ ƒƆ ƑƆ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ƒ Ï &Ɨ ƒ ƋƈƆƗ – Sylva Ï ^ ƑƋƋƈƇƈƆ ƑƐƅ ƌƆ Ƈ ƍ ƋƋ Ï j ƆƏƆ Ɠ ƆƋƆƅƐƈ – Timi Frank

Titus Akhigbe, Ɔ ƈ , Tom Okpe, ƄƑƉ Ɨ Akam James, Ɔ

ÎÎÎEdo

State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, accused former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, of invading the venue of Tuesday’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State with suspected thugs who disrupted the exercise.

He also accused Sylva of not having “faith in democratic process”.

This is even as the National Working Committee of the APC, on Wednesday, nullified the outcome of the election, saying that a new date will be announced soon for a rescheduled election.

However, media aide to former Governor Sylva, Doifie Buokoribo, dismissed the claims by the Edo State Governor.

Oshiomhole, who led a seven-man committee to conduct the exercise, described Sylva’s Continued on page 6

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Life&

Times Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Photo: DAVID IDOWU

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Tribute to late Olu of Warri

O

n September 5, 2015, the country lost one of its revered traditional rulers, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, to the cold hands of death. The monarch, who died at a private hospital, reigned on the throne of his fathers for 28 years. The late Ogiame Atuwatse who was installed as Olu and paramount ruler of Warri in Delta State on April 2, 1987, succeeded Ginuwa (Gbesimi Emiko) who reigned from 1936-87. Born Godwin Toritseju Emiko in 1945 from the Atuwaje royal lineage, he was the second son of Olu Erejuwa.

He attended the prestigious Hussey College, Warri, before proceeding to the University of Lagos where he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree. Subsequently, he practised law briefly at Emiko Chambers at Okere, Warri, a law firm established by his uncle.

He later became a member of the Warri Traditional Council in 1983 and Member of Warri Local Government Council, where he served in several capacities.

The monarch was a lawyer by profession and the second university graduate to ascend the throne of Warri Kingdom. Definitely, all through his 28 years reign, he brought élan and panache to traditional leadership, which consolidated the renown of Warri kingdom beyond the shores of Nigeria. That the late Olu’s reign was a roaring success gave attestation to his dexterity and intellectual capacity, which he brought to bear in the discharge of his traditional duties.

Indeed, his coronation brought vigour to the then anniversary “carnival float” in Warri, wherein various types of cars, trailers and other heavy duty vehicles were skillfully re-designed and decorated wonderfully to look like a moving train, ship or house boat on land with beautifully but delicately attired male and female dancers. Before now, the stool he occupied was at

one time mired in divisive politics.

History records that the ruling Action Group in the old Western Region changed the title from the Olu of Itsekiri to that of Warri. The act did not go down well with their Ijaw neighbours who saw such title as conferring traditional suzerainty of the Itsekiri over all geographical areas that constitute Warri. The rivalry led to internecine conflicts in 1997 between the ethnic groups of Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri following the creation of a number of local government areas by the Gen. Sani Abacha military administration.

One such local government was Warri Southwest with headquarters located in the Ijaw speaking area of the community. However, after much pressure by the Itsekiri on the federal government, the council was relocated to Ogidigben, an Itsekiri area of Warri. The crisis that followed later became known as “Warri Crisis”. Not a man to shy away from controversies, the late Olu built a church inside his palace in keeping with his Christian faith.

In 2013, the late king announced his decision to relinquish the traditional title of Ogiame, saying it was from a river goddess. He later backed down after the people and palace chiefs vehemently resisted his plan.

His reign brought profound growth, not necessarily in the development of Itsekiri as a nation per se, but more in terms of the political growth of the kingdom. It was under his reign that the Itsekiri, who are supposed to be the minority among minorities, produced the governor. With the rare privilege also came a lot of recognition, appointments and projects. The late Ogiame Atuwatse II will be remembered by present and future generations as a most worthy custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Itsekiris, and for the commendable wisdom, sagacity and benevolence which he exhibited in his 28-year reign over the Itsekiri nation.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Group Managing Director

Fidelis Anosike

Noel Anosike

Group Managing Editor

Chief Operating Officer

Editor

GM Operations

Molara Wood Yinka Olujimi

ÎÎÎNot

a few Nigerians were taken aback on Monday when news broke that no fewer than 35 Senators had collected $50,000 each as Sallah gift to impeach Senate President, Bukola Saraki, when they resume plenary next week.

Saraki appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday.

His appearance followed a 13-count charge preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged falsification of assets.

Saraki had since emergence as Senate president

been out of favour with the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party leadership had not hidden its desire to see him out of Senate plum job any time soon.

The alleged doling out of $50,000 each to willing senators to impeach Saraki if it eventually turns out to be true will be the latest push to shove the Senate president aside by those opposed to his emergence.

Clearly, this resort to old habits and underhand tactics, particularly monetary inducement of public officials, in this case senators, by persons linked to the Presidency or APC leadership, in dealing with a perceived political

Words On Marble :

recalcitrant, shows that despite the much touted change the party promised Nigerians, nothing has really changed among politicians.

Not a few are saddened that in spite of the fact that Nigeria is in the era of change as promised by the APC, politicians have continued to resort to the old habit of inducing public officials with monetary gifts among others to realise set goals.

This cannot be the change which Nigerians voted for. So those still in love with this old habit of monetary inducement of public officers among others should realise that they are no better those who were in power before now.

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Saraki: Return to old habits?

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“The country (Nigeria) had a very handful of people that you will describe as the founding fathers of the country. To me, Awolowo stood out”.

“Everyone including the political class and people at the helm of affairs must adopt good ethics and moral values in their endeavours.”

“No story can be told better than in graphic form, and once you are turning this story to a movie, it means that every other part of achievement that we can put together, it’s going to be something historic.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

5

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Bayelsa APC guber primary: Oshiomhole blasts Sylva Continued from page 1 action as total disregard to the party’s guideline for conducting primary. election.

Oshiomhole said these while addressing newsmen at Government House in Benin, adding that members of his committee were held hostage for several hours by political thugs loyal to Sylva, who threatened that they must conduct the primaries in spite of the fact that some delegates were arrested with cloned cards.

He explained that all the aspirants in the primaries agreed that proper accreditation of all delegates must be done in accordance with the party’s guiding rules but was shocked that only Sylva declined, adding that it was glaring that he was not ready for the primaries.

It was however gathered that when thugs invaded the Samson Siasia stadium venue of the election, Oshiomhole was whisked away by military and was later flew in

a chopper to Benin as thugs loyal to Sylva threatened to unleash mayhem on the members of the committee.

Oshiomhole stated: “It is very important to note that the National Secretariat has a guideline for conducting primaries which was used in Kogi State and everybody was happy with it. The key issue is that delegates have to be identified with National Identity Cards or international passport as the case may be to ensure the integrity of the election.

“However, whereas the entire aspirants agreed, it was only Sylva who rejected the mode but chose to accuse myself of frustrating the guideline. All effort to explain to him fell on deaf ears. He said to my face that we cannot leave unless we are ready to conduct the election.

“The thugs forced their way into the venue of the stadium and insisted that it is the state secretariat that will conduct the primary. I had to call Abuja to provide me

with Army because the thugs locked the gate and that was how I was able to escape”.

“For, me this is most unfortunate because the way Sylva conducted himself shows that he has no faith in democracy. He, Sylva, claimed he founded APC in Bayelsa and therefore nobody deserve to benefit”.

He added that he had written to the National Secretariat of the party and expressed confidence that the right thing would be done by the party.

Adams Oshiomhole, gov-

ernor of Edo state, has accused Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state of not having “fate in democratic process”.

Oshiomhole also accused the police of compromise, wondering how thugs found their way to the venue of the election despite heavy presence of security personnel.

He explained that while some of the thugs were apprehended and handed over to the police, the police saw nothing wrong in their action and released them immediately.

He said the chaos that characterised the primary does not conform to the guidelines issued by the party for the conduct of governorship primary.

He also accused the APC executive in Bayelsa State of conducting parallel primary instead of working with representatives that the national headquarters sent to conduct the election.

On his part, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, declared that primary election

did not hold as expected in Bayelsa on Tuesday as scheduled, adding that the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, held a member of the committee under duress to declare him as the winner.

Frank also revealed that both the chairman of the committee, Governor Adam Oshiomole of Edo State and the secretary were not part of the ‘kangaroo’ primary, even as they were not present when the former governor Continued on page 12

Gunmen kill District Head, cop, 33 others in Niger Continued from page 1 lasted about two hours with the villagers helpless.

The Daily Times also gathered that the attackers, who operated with dangerous weapons including machine guns, were believed to be Fulani herdsmen. But unconfirmed source also said the attackers could be runaway Boko Haram members who were dislodged from the Sambisa forest in the ongoing operation by the Nigerian Military to liberate the North East from the clutches of insurgents.

Several of the villagers are now displaced as a result of the attack.

It was not known why the village was attacked by the gunmen as there had not been any friction between members of the community and Fulani herdsmen in the locality.

Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elikana, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident, expressed shock and sadness at the loss of innocent lives.

Elikana, however, said that the command has not confirmed the number of casualty but said a policeman was among those killed, adding that the incident happened in the night and because of lack of communication between Allawa and other parts of the state, distress call could not reach security agencies on time.

According to him, Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Marafa, has dispatched the Divisional Police Officer in Kagara and the Police Area Commander in Minna to the troubled village to assess the situation and bring back a report.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Army has been on the ground in the Shiroro Local Government Area battling with cattle rustlers.

Only last week, three people were arrested in connection with such crime while 184 heads of cattle and 83 sheep were recovered from rustlers and handed over to the Chairman Munya Local Government Area, Abdulkadir Mohammed Bida, to give to the original owners.

R-L: Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Christian Efobi and the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend George Lasebikan, at the standing committee meeting of the church held in Ijomu, Akure, Ondo State… on Wednesday

Buhari orders IGP to ensure Falae’s safe rescue Ï nƏ Ɔ ƍ ƐƈƆ ƅƆè ƍƆƏ Ƌ ƅƏƈƇƈƅƆ LƑ Ƌƈƌ ƌ ƏƊ &ƈƗéƆƋéE ƄƈƏ Egena Egena Abuja

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, and other security agencies in the country to take all necessary actions to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was abducted from his farm on Monday.

Also, President Buhari has urged Nigerians to be patient and willing to make personal sacrifices as Muslims in the country join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on

Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari condemned “the callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former SGF and elder statesman.”

It quoted the President as assuring Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government would do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

“President Buhari, who had requested constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Chief Falae, also denounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

“He assures all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security

of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements,” Adesina said in the statement.

In a related development, President Buhari has urged Nigerians to be patient and willing to make personal sacrifices as he administration battles with the arduous task of overcoming security and economic challenges in the country.

He assured that the safety and well-being of all Nigerians were the topmost priorities of his administration, saying that he would work assiduously to deliver on the positive change that he had

promised.

This was contained in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in the country issued on Wednesday in Abuja in a press statement by his media office.

“The President calls for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its current security, economic and developmental challenges.

“President Buhari assures all Nigerians that their safety, well-being and progress remain uppermost in his Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24 , 2015

7 News

US investors urged to tap into Nigeria’s energy deficiency ÏÏÏAmerican

investors have been urged to tap into the vast energy deficiency in Nigeria, particularly, and across the African continent in general.

The call was made by Publisher of the Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, recently, while addressing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in the United States of America.

Anosike, who is pioneering the deployment of solar kiosk across Africa, maintained that Nigeria need, as a matter of urgency, enterprise energy to cater for about 70

million of its unbanked populace.

Said he: “What we need in Nigeria is enterprise energy, because Nigeria has about 70 million unbanked people, so we have what we call financial inclusion.”

He told his audience that the solar kiosk, which has a solar fridge and shelves to sell fast foods and consumables, was a small Walmart.

Anosike further said that if the potential of the country was well tapped, the much-needed financial inclusion for the growth of the nation would be achieved.

Kogi, Bayelsa polls: CACOL queries APC’s choice of candidates Joy Ekeke

ÏÏÏA non-governmental organ-

isation, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), has queried the propriety of the choice of the two governorship candidates by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

This came on the heels of the recent emergence of former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva as candidates of the APC governorship elections, scheduled to hold in Kogi and Bayelsa states on November 21, 2015 and December 5, 2015 respectively.

All Progressives Congress’s candidate for the Kogi State governorship election, Prince

Sylva

DHQ warns against circulation of fake national ID cards ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian military authorities have issued a red alert against the prevailing incidences of unauthorised reproduction of the national identity cards by some unscrupulous elements in society.

A statement signed by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar said, “In view of the prevailing racketeering, the Defence Headquarters hereby warns members of the public to be mindful of getting their national identification from sources other than the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).”

Abubakar Audu’s public records is that of a man that has been described in many derogatory adjectives ever since he left office as governor in 2003. It is well documented that he has been hurled severally before several judges and on various issues. Mr. Audu was recently being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency, EFCC, of misappropriating N11 billion of the state’s funds while he was governor between 1999 and 2003.

Mr. Sylva was also docked alongside his co-accused in July 2014 for allegedly using three companies to siphon funds from Bayelsa state treasury between 2009 and 2012. A fresh plea over a sixcount criminal charge was filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He is said to be facing trial over the allegation that he masterminded the illegal diversion of funds from the Bayelsa State treasury while in power. He was specifically accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.

It expressed concern “that such acts of illegal reproduction of the national ID cards could engender a serious security breach in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the northeast.

“The public is also warned that the approved national ID card, which is a chip-based card, has over eighteen security features some of which are not visible to the naked eyes distinguishing it from any of its kind and can only be issued by the NIMC. “The printing which is by laser engraving stands it out easily.

“The implication of fake national ID cards in circulation is that Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east also used similar method of identification for their members in the past, who were nabbed by the military and paraded before newsmen.

Fidelis Anosike delivers a speech at the Congressional Black Caucus Brainthrust on Energy; Congresswoman, Sheilla Jackson Lee listens

Judge berates NERC Chair over petition Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏJustice Mohammed Idris of

a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday, castigated the Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Sam Amadi, for having the “audacity and courage” to lie against judicial officers in a petition he addressed to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

He described Amadi’s action as reckless, senseless and stupid exercise of executive powers, and an attempt to intimidate and distract the court.

Amadi had, in a petition to Justice Auta, accused judges of the court of frustrating the reforms in the power sector with various “reckless and ill-informed interim injunction.”

Specifically, he made reference to an order made by Justice Idris, in a suit filed by a lawyer, Toluwani Yemi Adebiyi, challenging the planned increment in electricity tariff.Idris had issued an ex-par-

te order asking parties to maintain the status quo, in respect of the planned tariff increment, pending the determination of the suit.

But Amadi, in his petition, quoted a completely different order from that which the court made, a development which enraged the judge.

Adebiyi, in response, filed Form 48 (notice of consequence of contempt of court) against Amadi, stating that the NERC boss should be punished for bringing the court to disrepute.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Adebiyi attempted to brief the court on the developments in the matter, since the last adjourned date, but he was frequently interjected by NERC’s lawyer, Anthony Idigbe (SAN), who urged the court to ignore all the “distractions” and concentrate on hearing the substantive suit.

Idigbe had said the suit was very important, because it would allow the court to make judicial

pronouncement on the administrative and executive reforms carried out in the power sector so far, where the sector had been moved from monopolistic to market-driven sector.

Amadi’s lawyer, Mr. Edwin Anikwem, also told the court of his objection to the Form 48, filed against his client, adding that the application should be given priority and be heard first.

At that point, Justice Idris intervened and gave his side of the story, to the effect that while he was out of the country for vacation, he received a call drawing his attention to newspaper publication about the petition written by Amadi to Auta.

He said when he returned to the country, the CJ circulated the petition to all the judges of the court and it was at that stage that he thought of where Amadi got the courage and audacity to lie in the petition by quoting an order that was never made by him.

Jonathan, wife, Anyaoku extol virtue of HID Awolowo Abiodun Taiwo

Abeokuta Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, on Wednesday, joined other Nigerians to condole with the Awolowo family, when he visited the Ikenne residence of the late Awolowo.

Jonathan, who said the death of Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo and the visit to Ikenne took him out of hiding after he left office few months ago.

The eldest daughter of the deceased, Rev. Omotola Oyediran, on Wednesday, said the late wife of the premier of the old Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, would be buried on No-

ÏÏÏ

vember 25, when she would have clocked 100 years.

Jonathan, who was accompanied by former Governor of Ogun Sate, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Mulikat Adeola and Jide Adeniji, among others, said the deceased epitomised the virtuous woman described in the bible.

He added that since he had handed over power to President Muhammadu Buhari in May 29, 2015, he and his wife, Patience, had planned to stay off any issues whatsoever in the country, but the national importance of Awolowo’s family, particularly the deceased, had forced him out of the seclusion to join many Nigerians to

mourn HID Awolowo, whom he described as the mother of the nation.

Jonathan, who was ushered in Awolowo’s residence in Ikenne by Gbenga Daniel, ex-governor, Ogun state , said, “Just like Gbenga Daniel and the philosophers said, death is inevitable for all and it will come when it will come. Me and my wife, we are mourning because Mama has passed on. We believe it is a rare privilege to add extra 29 years to the Biblical three scores.” Jonathan said he and his wife like other Nigerians will greatly miss the nonagenarian, stressing that the late HID Awolowo was a “rare mother.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Politics Money can’t buy Nigerians’ votes again – Adunola

Æs

Ademola Adunola, popularly known as Dansaky by many whom he has touched is an aspirant for the Chairmanship of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He spoke with OGUNTADE ISMAILA on his passion for politics, good governance and what he has for his people if elected. Excerpts:

As a business man, what motivated your going into politics?

I like the idea of service to humanity; I felt I need to contribute my quota for the development of my community towards nation building, so I felt challenged and motivated to go into politics and make a positive difference.

What gives you the confidence you are the right man for the job?

Ademola Adunola

I have the confidence because I know the yearnings of my people. Whenever I watch the situation things at the local government, I felt that our community demands change. So, as democrat and community man, I feel that our community needs a credible, experienced and reliable leadership.

How popular are you at grassroots level?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

The politics of Falae’s kidnap

Falae

Akinjide Akintola There is hardly anything in Nigeria today that is not being politicised, even something that is not remotely related to politics. What is of course of concern in this regard is government’s attitude to some issues that ought to have been handled immediately with tact and assurances but which often than not, government just keeps quiet as if things were going on normally.

The federal government’s loud silence over the matter of the kidnap of Chief Oluyemisi Falae more than 72 hours after is not only disturbing but suspicious. And this is a lot of people are already reading meanings into the whole affair.

Besides, the manner of the kidnap itself is indeed baffling. How can armed Fulani herdsmen in broad daylight abduct a traditional ruler and leader of the Yoruba after subjecting him to all manner

Fasheun of indignities, humiliations and beatings in his own domain and for three days the federal government has not deeded it fit to say a word of assurance to placate his people.

The question to ask is: can this kind of affront happens in the North without immediate backlash on the Yoruba or non-natives?

This kind of development can set the nation on fire.

This was how the Boko Haram started and government ignored it

Arase until it became a hard nut to crack.

Granted that he is an opposition leader who has spoken against some policies of the federal government and President Muhammadu Buhari, the fact remains that as a former Presidential Candidate of the defunct APP and leader of Yoruba, he deserved to be accorded some respects and his people assuaged.

As a matter of fact, as a former Permanent Secretary, a former

Buhari Minister, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, doesn’t he deserve a police orderly at least in case of such eventualities for the services he has rendered the nation?

Of course, it is the silence of the government over the issue that has made a lot of people especially in the south west to start reading political motives into the issue which might otherwise have been a kidnap after all.

First to speak was former spokesperson of former President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who condemned the abduction and called on security agencies to as a matter of urgency fish out perpetrators of the act.

In a statement on Monday, FaniKayode who described the act as a CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Why Ndoma-Egba finally dumped PDP for APC

Victor Ndoma-Egba

Former Senate Leader Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba finally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the inability of the PDP leadership to redress

the injustice meted out to him during the last primaries of the party.

The former Senate leader was said to have waited for over six months for the party leadership to do justice to the matter and

when this was not forthcoming, he left the party for the APC which had been beckoning on him since before the last elections.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

9 Politics

Politicking with Falae’s kidnap CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

dangerous development, said that the people of South West cannot watch idly while leaders of the zone and Afenifere were being humiliated.

According the former Minister of Aviation, “the abduction of Chief Olu Falae is not only unacceptable but it also an exceptionally dangerous development. I say this because he is not only an elder-statesman of our country but he is also one of the most revered leaders of Afenifere and the southwest.

“We cannot sit by idly and watch our leaders and elders being endangered, shamed and humiliated in this way. It is the government’s job to keep us all safe and secure and they are failing in that duty.

I call on the President and our security agencies to effect the expeditious and immediate release of Chief Olu Falae.

“They must rescue him from these vagabonds and vandals as soon as possible before things get out of hand. Let it be clearly understood that if anything happens to him and if he doesn’t come home hale and hearty, we will hold the Federal Government responsible and there will be consequences.

Those that are in power would do well to take what I have said very seriously’, he warned.

Other people and groups have also spoken in the same vein.

Prominent amongst them are the dreaded Agbekoya otherwise known as South West farmers as well as founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasheun who gave a matching order to OPC members to fish out Falae from anywhere he is being held.

The Agbekoya on its part gave the abductors and federal government 24 hours to get him released of face its wrath. This came on a day the abductors reduced the sum of N100 million earlier placed on his release to N90 million.

Coordinators of the farmer’s group, Olusegun Dasaolu told journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State that his members were ready to comb all the nooks and corners of the jungles in the south west in search of one of their own.

According to him, what happened to Falae could as well affected any of them and called on the Fulani herdsmen who have been living peacefully in Yorubaland to join hands with them in search of Chief Falae while also enjoining security agents to do their best in finding the elder statesman, adding that the abductors should release him unhurt without any

Ademola Adunola

‘Money can’t buy Nigerians’ votes again’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Falae further delay.

Fasehun, in a statement he personally signed, who asked OPC members to fish him out said that he and Falae were both born on September 21, adding that he had a special connection with the victim.

Fasehun described the kidnap as an insult on the Yoruba people, and challenged security operatives and agencies to produce Falae within 48 hours.

According to the OPC leader, the organisation felt concerned over Falae’s kidnap, which he described

the top-flight politician was a bad omen.

He expressed displeasure at the fact that 24 hours after the kidnap, the Federal Government had yet to officially react to the incident.

“Over 24 hours after this disruption of the life of a dignitary, the government has not issued any statement; rather what we hear is a loud silence from the Federal Government. It is a shame; it is a big shame,” Fasehun said.

I’m very popular in our political party and also in the community. I’m more popular in the race than any other aspirant in Ojokoro, right from Ward A to Ward E. In the race for LCDA, I’m the most popular and credible aspirant in the race so far.

Though, some of my co-contestants believe in godfatherism, Ademola is the one on ground.

You are vying for the position of chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, what advantage do you have over other contestants?

I have many advantages over my co-contestants. Despite this is my first time of showing interest in the race: I’m a financial

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Buhari as an affront and had ordered OPC operatives to “immediately launch a manhunt, combing all nooks and crannies of Ondo State and beyond, for the kidnapped politician.

“We believe this is a political issue. And any politician in Nigeria must make sure that Chief Olu Falae is released immediately. Otherwise, the OPC will take any step available to defend its own”, he warned.

Fasehun, who is also the Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria, feared that the kidnapping of

Why Ndoma-Egba finally dumped PDP for APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Besides, many of his supporters and associates had been putting pressures on him to dump the party which cheated him out of his position despite all he had been doing for the party in the last 12 years.

During the last primaries of the state, the then outgoing governor, Senator Liyel Imoke was alleged to have imposed a candidate on the party and not allowing a proper primary to take place despite the demand of the members of the party.

Only on Tuesday,The Chairman, Cross River State PDP, Mr. John Okon, described the defection of the former Senate Leader, from the party as painful.

Okon, who said this in Cala-

bar, noted that Ndoma-Egba’s exit from the PDP was painful considering his status in the country and his contributions to the last Senate.

The PDP chairman, however, said there was nothing the party could do when the former Senate Leader lost in the November primary for the Cross RiverCentral senatorial district.

He said, “Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s exit from the party is painful because we did not believe that he would leave. But I must say that since he lost the November primary last year, his spirit was out of the party.

“The former Senate Leader is my personal friend. I have nothing against him and he lost to Liyel Imoke

Victor Ndoma-Egba

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Money can’t buy Nigerians’ votes again, says Ademola Adunola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

member of APC in Ojokoro LCD right from time; I have done lots of work within the party members and leaders including the Exco’s of the party. I believe I’m well equipped and prepared to serve them well. I have a 7point of Agenda for transforming Ojokoro and this include: Improved security system; Youths and women empowerment through vocational training and micro financing, Qualitative and rounded education, Communal renewal, Leadership development programmes; Promotion of community harmony through peaceful conflict resolution and provision of relief for orphans, widows, the aged and physically challenged.

These seven points is a haven where peace and prosperity are non-negotiable.

These shall form the thrust of my policies if elected as the chairman of Ojokoro LCDA. I shall bring to bear my huge experience and in private business to improve revenue generation to ensure successful implementation of the programmes. I shall equally partner with corporate organisation CBO’s and NGO’s to ensure a broad based representation of all communities resident and impact into government, e.t.c.

People see local council as an avenue to loot. Are you also going to loot?

No. I don’t have that in my mind. God has really blessed me and I’m well contented and

Ademola Adunola ready to serve my people faithfully, loyally and honestly.

Do you have the right resource and godfather to drive your ambition?

As a matter of fact, people may not vote for candidates because he or she has money this time around. We saw the last presidential election between President Muhammad Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan. If money had decided, Jonathan may have had his way to be re-elected. So, the truth of the matter is that Ni-

Amina Zakari gerians are far wiser than they were some years ago. Money no longer determines who they vote for. They want to know your track records and what you stand to do when voted into office. In the same vein, here in Ojokoro, our people want a credible and reliable candidate who can face the opponent and win.

On the issue of godfather, APC is one family in Nigeria and the leaders of the party at various levels are responsible fathers and mothers of the par-

ty. They are watching individuals in the race and I believe they can never support their children against each other.

What is your assessment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s 100 days in office?

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is really performing, though the government here is continuity, but when you go around Lagos State, you will see a lot of difference. There is a new policy on LASMA unlike before and if you go to Oshodi, you will see the handwork of

our amiable governor and many more are still coming. APC is working to make Nigeria a better place for us. A lot is on the way and we shall continue to support them.

What are you expecting from your people?

I want to appeal to all the delegates, leaders and Exco’s in all the wards that comprise Ojokoro LCDA to rally round and support me with their votes during the primary election and general election for the progress of our community.

nounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.

He assured all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country would continue, adding that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, “will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.”

It is hoped the President and the security agencies will match their words with action and not make this just a political statement alone.

Falae

Politics of Falae’s kidnap CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Recalling that Falae, as the Olu of Oba-Ile, was the ruling monarch of his homestead, he urged all traditional rulers in Nigeria to also rise up and ensure his release.

One had thought that all these kinds of ugly developments were gone with the government of impunity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is hoped that President Muhammadu Buhari would not allow political and ethnic sentiments to becloud his sense of judgment and take necessary steps to ensure

that this threat to national unity is nipped in the bud, and quickly too and those involved are rounded up and punished accordingly.

Just as we are about going to press, thank God, the President finally reacted to Falae’s abduction, directing the security agencies to rescue him.

Following a briefing on the abduction, President Buhari has directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Buhari according to a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina condemned the “callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman.”

The President assured Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government would do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.

Buhari, who had requested constant updates from the police and other security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Falae, also de-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

11 Politics

Nigerians want Buhari to light the way to end Poverty Adeola Adekanbi Nigerians from all walks of life will converge in Lagos today, Thursday, 24th September 2015 to light the way for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

Light the way is a global campaign calling on world leaders to keep their promises when they meet in New York on 25th September to adopt the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In over 100 countries of the world tens of thousands of citizens will unite in one voice to ask world leaders to light the way to a better world by 2030.

In Nigeria, citizens and citizen organizations will gather by 4pm at the University of Lagos, Multi-Purpose Hall to call on the Buhari administration to light the way towards taking urgent action to end poverty, inequality and climate change in Nigeria. The event will highlight what the goals are and its implications for our growth as a country.

The light the way campaign featuring Desmond Elliot, a celebrated actor and Lagos State House of Assembly member as the keynote speaker is hoped to inspire Nigerians to learn about the SDGs and what it means for our national development.

Joining Desmond Elliot will be leading civil society actors from Save the Children, One Campaign, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Climate & Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria, BudgIT, The Future Project, Women Advocacy Research and Documentation Centre and the United Nations Millennium Campaign.

“We are thrilled to be observing the light the way campaign in Nigeria at an epoch making event to usher in the SDGs and build national momentum for the goals.

“The light the way event will provide Nigerians with information on the 17 goals that will transform their lives for the better by 2030. It is an opportunity for all to come behind the goals in order to make it a reality”, stated Hope Oduma from Save the Children Nigeria.

Atayi Babs, National Network Coordinator Climate & Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria (CSDevNet) noted that “Nigeria will need to light the way for Africa and indeed the rest of the developing world in taking bold and urgent actions to end poverty, inequality and climate change- we can achieve the goals by 2030”.

In Nigeria, citizens and citizen organizations will gather by 4pm at the University of Lagos, Multi-Purpose Hall to call on the Buhari administration to light the way towards taking urgent action to end poverty, inequality and climate change in Nigeria

Buhari

Why Ndoma-Egba finally dumped PDP for APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Victor Ndoma-Egba

a formidable contender who is a grass-root person. Remember that the election was decided by the people of the central senatorial district which was out of the purview of the state executive.”

The PDP chairman said that

after the election, several efforts were made to reconcile NdomaEgba with the party, but regretted that such efforts did not yield positive response as, according to him, “Ndoma-Egba’s spirit was out of the party.”

Okon insisted that the party did not offend the former Senate

Leader in any way, adding that he believed what might have eventually led to his exit was the failure of the party to win at the national level.

“He has only decided to leave because our party failed the election at the national level. If the PDP had remained in power, he

probably would have been given an ambassadorial position,” he noted.

Okon appealed to the former Senate Leader to forget the past and return to the party saying there was a mechanism in place to accommodate all aggrieved party members.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Army arrests Boko Haram commander, 43 others Ï `Ɔ ƅƑƆ ƾƿơ Ɠ ƌƆ è ƅ ƈƋƗƏƆ Monday Agu Jr. Abuja

ÎÎÎMilitary authorities on

Wednesday disclosed that the Special Forces prosecuting the war against insurgency have arrested a Boko Haram Commander, Bulama Modu, and 43 others.

Bulama had long been wanted by security agencies.

The Army authorities also said another 241 hostages particularly women and children were rescued after an operation.

A statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Us-

man, said that on Wednesday, advancing troops along Banki axis were making tremendous progress during which they cleared two Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages.

“In addition to that, the troops have also arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists including one of the Boko Haram kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu, who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri.

“The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation.

“To further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying

weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village”.

“Apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows were recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin. He confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits,” Usman said.

Continuing Usman said: “Similarly, the gallant troops arrested one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village who revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village

Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory.

“He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel. He however noted that the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village”.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, who keeps close tab on the progress of the troops has commended them for their impressive performance thus far.

“The troops who are in very high spirits have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists till they clear them from all known camps and

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu inspecting the distilling of drains at Eziukwu road in Aba… on Wednesday. With him are other top state functionaries.

Ensure Falae’s safe rescue, Buhari orders IGP Continued from page 6 thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation,” said the statement.

Congratulating all Nigerian Muslims as they joined the global Islamic community in celebrating Eid-El-Kabir, Buhari urged them and other

Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which were for the benefit of all mankind.

According to the statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari also extended his heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri and North-Eastern Nigeria who

had sadly lost beloved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.

“President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers for Divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year’s Eid-el-Kabir,” the statement declared.

It added: “The President has directed the Armed Forces and national security agencies to provide maximum

security across the nation during Eid-el-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

“President Buhari assures all Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered.

“Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved.”

enclaves.”

Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 people were killed in a bomb attack in the garrison town of Monguno in Borno State, witnesses and officials of the National Emergency Management

Agency (NEMA) said on Wednesday.

Ibrahim Abdulkadir, northeast coordinator of NEMA, said “between 25 and 28” were killed in Sunday night’s attack while locals said at least 21 died.

Oshiomhole carpets Sylva Continued from page 6 was declared winner.

Speaking to journalists in a phone interview, on Wednesday, the APC deputy national publicity secretary, said the party will soon choose a new date for primary election will be conducted.

“I am speaking as a concerned citizen of Bayelsa State that this primary is not acceptable anywhere. In a situation where all other aspirants walked out of the venue and a particular aspirant put a member of the primary election committee under duress to declare him winner, with the chairman of the committee, Oshiomhole and the secretary not present is not acceptable,” Frank said.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee of the party, on Wednesday, nullified Tuesday’s governorship primary election of the party held in Bayelsa State, saying that a new date will be announced soon for a rescheduled election.

National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun, confirmed the nullification of the result of the Tuesday primary election to our correspondent in a telephone interview.

The APC national chairman revealed that the primary election had to be rescheduled as a result of security challenges.

He said: “The primary has been rescheduled. It had to be called off due to security challenges”.

Former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, was late Tuesday, declared winner of the primary election having polled 726 votes.

Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Aalibe, came second with a total of 4 votes.

Reacting, Buokoribo dismissed Oshimohole’s claims that Sylva disrupted the

Tuesday primary election in the state.

He said: “It is unfortunate that people like Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who pretend to be incorruptible, would conduct himself in the manner in which he did in relation to the Bayelsa State governorship primary. It was clear that Oshiomhole never wanted to conduct the primary as scheduled “First, on his request, the primary was shifted from its earlier date of Saturday, September 19 to the Tuesday, September 22 date. The grouse of the delegates was that the primaries had been shifted once on Oshiomhole’s request. That shift caused enough hardship already.

The ‘comrade’ was again shifting the goal post, without giving consideration to these hapless delegates. It was that frustration that we were managing. It is so sad that the governor did not appreciate our effort.

“Second, as chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Oshiomhole knew full well that accreditation of delegates was to begin at 8am on Tuesday, September 22, but he came to the venue of the programme well past 12 noon. After he arrived at that late hour, he proceeded with a meeting with the committee members and another meeting with the aspirants.

He clearly had preconceived plans about the Bayelsa APC governorship primary.

“Third, Oshiomhole cannot really say anything about the primary election because he had left the venue at the time voting commenced.

Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to commence before he excused himself on the grounds that he was going to eat, and he mandated other members of the committee to carry on without him.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

13

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Anambra police arrest four kidnap suspects, rescue pastor's daughter Nkiru Nwagbo Awka

ÏÏÏAnambra State Police Com-

mand, on Wednesday, arrested four suspected kidnappers after engaging in gun duel that lasted for more than 30 minutes at Nteje, in Oyi Local Government Area of the State.

In the process, a three years and eleven months old baby, Kamsi Okeke, daughter of Pastor Louis Okeke of Foursquare Church, Awka, was rescued by the police unhurt.

It was gathered that the baby girl was kidnapped in her father’s house at Ngozika Estate, in Awka, by the gang at 9pm last week Wednesday.

It was equally gathered that the Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) officers, led by its state commander,

James Nwafor, had combed every nook and cranny of the state looking for the girl since then.

Before the girl was rescued on Wednesday by the SARS, the suspects had demanded N15million from the parents, which they later reduced to N3million.

Daily Times gathered that the leader of the gang, was the motor mechanic of the pastor, father of the victim, who must have mastered their environment well before carrying out such operation.

Furthermore, the suspects forced the pastor and his wife, Franca to part with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, where they emptied the accounts of the couple.

One of the senior police officers in the state, told Daily Times that the gun battle with the kidnap suspects took place early Wednes-

day morning.

The source, who pleaded anonymity said one of the wounded suspects during the gun duel, was arrested and helped the command to arrest three other suspects who were members of the gang.

According to the source, “it was not an easy battle with those hoodlums at Nteje, in Oyi local government area of Anambra state, where they kept the small girl, but nothing happened to our men.

“The condition of one of the suspects with bullet wounds is critical, but he is still receiving treatment, can you imagine that the leader of that gang is the mechanic of the victim’s father.

“Those suspects destroyed the man’s house with bullets, even three days after their daughter was kidnapped, they removed

L-R: Member Board of Directors, Kwara Commercial Micro Finance Bank (KCMB), Alex Okoh; Chairman KCMB, Demola Banu; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Member Board of Directors, Femi Ajibade; member (KCMB), Soji Oyawoye and Managing Director KCMB, Abayomi Ajayi during a cheque presentation at Government House, Ilorin.... on Wednesday

Falae: NANS issues four days ultimatum to abductors 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe National Association of

Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the abductors of the erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, for his unconditional release.

In a statement, issued on Wednesday, by its Vice President (National Affairs), Timileyin Ayenuro, said the body would not hesitate to declare war on the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly kidnapped the elder statesman.

Ayenuro disclosed that any members of the public who knows how the 77- year-old Afenifere leader could be secure from his abductors, should give security agencies useful information.

He noted that the activities of

the Fulani herdsmen were getting alarmed every day, hence the student would wage war against them.

"We hereby call for the immediate and unconditional release of Chief Olu Falae by the Fulani herdsmen in the next four (4) days, or else, Nigerian students in Ondo state will mobilise en masse a war against the Fulani herdsmen and turn the place to a banana republic.

NANS said it regretted that the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation was the target of the Fulani herdsmen, in spite his contribution to the advancement of democracy and good governance in the country.

It therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify more effort at ensuring that the security machinery of the country

is fully equipped, in order to fight crime and reduce the menace of kidnapping and other related security, which has threatened the socio-economic development of the country.

The students, however, charged the Ondo state government to ensure the perpetrators of the barbaric act is brought to book so as to serve as deterrent to others, if Chief Olu Falae was eventually found or released.

Falae

the man and his wife’s ATM and derail their accounts” the source said.

However, the parents of the child, Pastor and Mrs. Louis and Franca Okeke, have commended the gallantry effort of SARS in the state, in rescuing their daughter without paying any ransom to the kidnappers.

According to the couple, “we feel relieved, we feel alive again, we almost became dead persons but today, we can sleep and give thanks to God for keeping our daughter alive.

“Since this incident took place on Wednesday, 16th September, 2015, our house has not known peace, but God has used SARS in the state to wipe our tears, the commander of SARS in the state, James Nwafor has never rested since that time with his men.”

Dangote pledges scholarships to the physically-challenged

ÏÏÏPresident of Dangote Group,

Aliko Dangote, has expressed his preparedness to award scholarships to physically challenged persons who desire education as part of his contributions toward empowering the less privileged in the society.

He said his foundation, the Dangote Foundation, would henceforth look into the areas of provision of assistance to the brilliant ones, who have interest in going to higher institutions but have one disability or the other that may impair them.

The business mogul gave this promise when he received in audience in his office, a physically challenged, Kayode Ogendengbe, a blind, who came to present his B.Sc. certificate to him, to formally informed him that he had finished his first degree which was sponsored by the richest man in Africa.

Dangote had spotted the potentials of Ogedengbe through Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), a Non-Governmental Organization, during a programme in Lagos and volunteered to fund his university education, after which Ogedengbe got admitted into University of Maiduguri, Borno state. He stated that one of the things that the rich could do to impact the society positively is to help the physically challenged persons to realise their dream, pointing out that after all, everyone has one challenge or the other, even if not physical, but that God has been the one helping everybody.

Robbers kill four in Kogi Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏSuspected

armed robbers, on Wednesday, in Ogaminana, in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, killed two policemen and two staff of a new generation bank in a robbery operations and carted away N25 million meant for the payment of salaries for the local council workers.

According to an eye witness account, the incident happened at about 10.00 am in the morning, when the armed robbers, in their numbers, engaged a bullion van carrying money was attacked.

Many people, including passersbye, street hawkers, were thrown into panic and confusion as the dare devil robbers shot severally to scare people away, after they took off from the bank.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP. Williams Aya, who confirmed the incident said no arrest has been made yet.

He said the command will make sure that those behind the dastardly act will be fished out and severely punished for their action.

Okorocha suspends two perm secs, others Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏGovernor Rochas Okorocha

of Imo State has slammed an indefinite suspension on two Permanent Secretaries for alleged frauds.

The affected Permanent Secretaries include Mr. Obi Ejeshi of the State House of Assembly Services Commission and Dr. Jonny Ihebereme, of Ministry of Transport and Tourism.

Also approved for suspension

by Okorocha, were some Directors of Accounts in various Ministries and Parastatals. They include, Mr. Kevin Nwadike (Ministry of Transport and Tourism), Mr. Nnamdi Agwumobi (Ministry of Industry and Non-Formal sector), and Mr. Ernest Anyagwa of College of Nursing and Health Services, Amaigbo.

Other government officials affected include, Mr. Kenneth Udemba, O.E Ndukuba and P.U. Nwokoneme, all of the College of Nursing and Health services, Amaigbo.

The suspension order was contained in a press statement, signed by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Mr. Paschal Obi, stated that the suspension slam on the affected officials, would serve as deterrent to others who may indulge in fraudulent activities.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

15 Opinion

Eni-Njoku Phenomenon and future of Nigeria (2) Ichie Ik Muo

I

n 2005, the US National Intelligence Council forecast that Nigeria would break up in 2015 while in 2011, the US Centre for Strategy and Technology forecast that Nigeria would break up by 2030. Ghadaffi, the late Libyan leader had even declared that Nigeria should be split into North and South. Nigeria’s ranking in the Failed States table has continued to worsen, from 54 in 2005 to 14 in 2012. Some Nigerians also assert that there was a 1914 Accord that declared that Nigeria was on a trial run for the first 100 years and that it was the responsibility of the peoples to now reaffirm or reject the Lugardian statehood.

Nigeria’s continued existence has always been questioned. The north had repeatedly called for ‘Araba’; the Ijaws wanted to opt out ‘not because they loved power but because their conditions were peculiar and the authorities did not understand the problems (Isaac Adaka Boro, 1966) while the Orka coup placed the question at the centre of its agenda. However, the first practical expression of that question was the Biafran war of independence, which ended 44 years ago. Incidentally, those factors that led to that chapter in our history-iniquity, inequity and the Igbo question- are not only still with us, they are getting worse.

By the time Karl Maier declared that ‘This House Has Fallen’ in 2000, we were confronted with the Niger Delta wars, the complex minority crises especially in the Middle Belt, the OPC war against everybody, Sharia, deafening cries of marginalisation and domination across the land and general disenchantment of the populace.

By 2008, things had gotten so bad that Tunji Bello had to draw our attention to a 1776 book by Edward Gibbons that traced the collapse of the Roman Empire to the ‘overcentralisation of power, worship of religion instead of God, heavy investment in arms for security of the rulers when the real enemy is the decadence of the people, greed and deliberate destruction of ethics, morals and social values’. As

I regretted in 2009, ‘the leadership is still visionless, shortsighted and criminally parochial and selfish; they still continue to manipulate the quartet of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy and ethnicity; there are still individuals and groups who want to corner more than their fair share of the commonwealth and the follower-ship is still ready to tolerate all this. (Ik Muo; Nigeria: Shaken, Stressed or Failed?

10/8/09) Former President Jonathan continuously assured that the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable, that the psyche of the people did not evidence divisive tendencies, that it was too late to separate after 100 years of marriage and that the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was an act of God. Many others supported his views, including late Dora Akunyili, in her last public intervention; late Solomon Lar, in his 53rd Independence Message (just before his death), Fr. Kukah who held that with too much money to be stolen, the thieves (elites) won’t even contemplate a broken country and Sule Lamido who argued that Nigeria could not breakup because the elite had a stake in keeping the country exactly as it is. Weak, confused and easy to exploit.

Those who insist that Nigeria should be divided argue that no unfair or unequal arrangement will survive; that no nation is ‘too big to fail’ as in the cases of ancient Roman and Greek empires or the modern USSR; that what happened in 1914 was not a marriage but a colonial and economic affair while Ozekhome’s kidnappers prefer the Somali Model: breaking Nigeria into smaller units to be controlled by different armed gangsters.

Others argue that Nigeria did not result from a contractual arrangement where willing adults enter into agreements on how to relate and resolve resulting disputes and that 100 years is nothing compared with 300 years of the UK from in which the Scots wanted to opt out. The JDPC averred that it is a polygamous family ‘where the 36 and half wives and their children subconsciously think that the man may die anytime soon and are working assiduously to grab and divide the man’s assets or worse, force him to write his will with eyes on the man’s only source of wealth [oil] which they pillage and stow in safe havens abroad (Press Conference: A Better Nigeria is Possible, 16/3/13). Soyinka is against unity at all costs, arguing that people should be free to opt out of any union and regretted that rather than go the civilized way- plebiscite; we wasted an estimated 2m lives through bullets, sickness and starvation to pre-

Lugard

serve a European myth. It is lack of maturity.

Even then, the real question is whether we were one before and whether we are one now. The amalgamation was negotiated for, but not by us; Tafawa Balewa referred to ‘the southern people’ as intruders and boldly declared that the unity was not for the north, Awolowo saw Nigeria as a mere geographical expression while the Sarduana of Sokoto saw it as a mistake. That was in the past.

Even today, nobody thinks about the national interests. Every group has its own agenda and interest while the nation is just there to be exploited.

So, do we break up, break down or talk seriously and genuinely on how to move ahead as a united entity? Those who argue that we should divide because we have nothing in common should note that the all-Moslem, all-Arabic Middle East is in total disarray.

The crises in the India-PakistanAfghanistan axis and the experience of South-Sudan have shown that separation does not solve all problems. Switzerland has also shown that people ‘who have nothing in common’ can also live together peacefully in abundance.

The case of Rwanda where the Tutsis and Hutus who share the same language, culture, tradition and mode of dressing makes it obvious that trouble is not caused by

diversity because even people who are the same can create trouble for themselves.

Those who use the marriage metaphor also do not get it. Marriages contain provisions for divorce and even the legendary Catholic marriage contains conditions for nullity or annulment.

Those pleading long period of togetherness should remember USSR of those days and the UK of today. Those who want us to stay together because of the advantages of size also fail to realize that size per se is not the key determinant of national progress and success.

China and India are (GDP per Capita of $7800 and $1700) are not better than. Norway, Estonia ($104000 and $18260) and Zimbabwe are small, but while Per Capita Income is $104000 in Norway, it is $18260 in Estonia.

For those who want us to stay together or go our separate ways because of oil, I refer them to a World Bank report on Wealth of Nations, which concludes that countries become prosperous because of their intangible assets and not due to tangible assets [natural or produced]. These intangible assets are the skills and knowhow embedded in the labour force, ability to efficiently invest the rent extracted from its natural resources, natural trust which exists among members of the society, ability to work together for a com-

mon goal, quality of formal and informal institutions, savings and maintenance culture, the extent to which the citizens have confidence in the laws of the land and abide by them and patriotism: both the extent to which citizens trust and support their government and the extent to which the government trusts and supports the people.

Therefore, those betting on oil are backing the wrong horse because the oil curse is real! So, where do we go from here?

Truly, we cannot go back to Eni Njoku days. The world has changed so much since then and as one Benin trader admonished his colleagues you cannot go yesterday! However, we must make efforts to improve the situation of things for present and future generation. It is not an easy task but we must give it our best shot. We must admit that things are not well with Nigeria. I do not agree with conspiracy theorists that the whole world is wishing Nigeria evil or else they would not be continuously prophesying the break-up of Nigeria. Even the Economist (The world in 2014) graded Nigeria as a VERY HIGH RISK country (the worst grade), along with Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Ukraine and 13 others. Incidentally, those countries mentioned above are already on life-support. We have not ‘fallen’ but we will soon get there if we continue at the rate we are going.

Nigeria is a diverse country but we are not yet a nation. Under the circumstances, the diversity that should be a source of advantage becomes a springboard to crises that have been the fate of Europe from the days of the AustroHungarian Empire to the Eastern Europe in recent times. Therefore, the problem with Nigeria goes beyond the failures of government to govern. The crux of the matter is that there are circumstances favourable to balkanization and that the insensitivity of our leaders and inequity in the system further fuels these tendencies.

Nigeria is a giant standing on the wooden legs because we have been cursed with accidental leadership (Balewa, the various soldiers, Obasanjo, Ya’Adua and even Goodluck). The followership is docile, ask no questions and clap for the plutocrats. Most of these evils are traceable of true the absence of nationhood It is relevant to note here that there are clamours for greater dispersal of power, self-determination and sub-national empowerment across the globe.

Concluded Dr. Ikechukwu Muo is of the Department of Business Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Saraki right to say he’s being witch-hunted, says lawyer

Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏ The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who pleaded not guilty to the 13 count charge levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has said he was politically witch hunted He said that his trial was not part of the war against corruption, but an attempt to use state institutions to fight political opponents, and hinted at the fact the state was bent on getting, through the back door, what some people could not get through democratic process.

According to a lawyer, in Jos, Barrister Lawrence Anyia, “in the first instance, Saraki was right not to have appeared before the tribunal in the face of the pending a ruling on the matter before the Federal High Court. If appropriately served, he is supposed to appear before the CCT, but if his lawyers had raise objection to the jurisdiction of the CCT, then

he would have stood by their advice, as was the case before he finally went to the tribunal.

“Saraki’s lawyers went to the Federal High Court and filed a prerogative writ, seeking to quash the charges brought against him, and since the matter was still pending at the High Court, the CCT should not have insisted that the Senate President must appear until the determination of the matter, because, if, at the end of the day, the Federal High Court reaches a decision that the charges brought against Saraki before the CCT were not right in the first place, asking him to appear would have violated his personal right to liberty,” he said.

Anyia said Saraki may not be far from the truth to say that was being politically molested, because of the divide in the party, which did not want him to become the senate president. “If the owl cries at night and the baby dies in the morn-

ing, you don’t need to ask what killed the baby. If you take that as an analogy and Saraki comes out to say that he is being witch-hunted, because of the divide in the party, he may not be too far from the truth,” Anyia said.

He said another question that need to be answered was that the Code of Conduct had been in existence when Saraki ruled Kwara State for eight years, and it was at that time that he declared his assets that had now become an issue. “Why is it that after declaring his assets many years ago, the Code of Conduct Tribunal did not find anything wrong to have invited Saraki, until now that the Senate Presidency had become an issue,” he questioned.

“The Judicial and moral question that will soon be begging for answers is thus: ‘Will it be said that the Code of Conduct Tribunal slept over its responsibilities and duties as at the time when Saraki declared his assets

and only to suddenly wake up now? Who was there at that time that should have asked Saraki to appear and did not do so?’ These are the questions that will come to the front burner with time and if the man who is at the hlem of affairs of the Code of Conduct Tribunal misconduct himself, then there is a judicial burden that needs to be discharged.”

Recall that Saraki had, at the commencement of his arraignment, sought to avoid being put in the dock.

His counsel has wanted the tribunal to address the issue of jurisdiction first, but the prosecution objected, insisting that his plea must first be taken.

Saraki

OGSSOBA national exco meets Tom Okpe

to a higher height. We are poised to contribute to our school; to give, rebuild it for the benefit of the younger generation, as Government Secondary School Otukpo made us to be where and what we are today.” He advised all sleeping branches to wake up for the great task ahead, as all members of the institution were directly involved in the task ahead.The school was founded in 1967, during the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in the then Benue-Plateau State.

Anglican bishop tasks FG on insecurity

eighty bishops across the nation.

He condemned the abduction of the erstwhile Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, on Monday, in his farm, and expressed regret at the spate of insecurity in the country.

Falae, who is the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was the Local Organising Committee Chairman of the programme before his abduction by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Okoh explained that insecurity, which was now a global phenomenon had adversely threatened the peace of the country and stressed that the government had the sole responsibility to protect its citizens from being endangered.

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Otukpo Government Secondary School Old Boys Association had its National Executive meeting on Saturday 19 September 2015 at Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Its National Chairman, Mr. Adoga Benjamin, told the Daily Times that, “We are in Lafia for the expanded Executive Council (Exco) meeting to deliberate on issues affecting our alma mater; to see how we can solve them and raise the standard

’Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe

Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has tasked the government on more pro-active measures to combat the increasing trend of kidnapping bedeviling the country.

Okoh made the appeal at the standing committee meeting of the church held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The programme with the theme: “Look and Live”, had in attendance over more than one hundred and

Nduka Uzuakpundu

ÏÏÏPublic

Ram dealers with their flocks at Kara market, Berger, Ogun State as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir festival… on Wednesday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

PDP govs urge politicians to place nation above selves Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, on Wednesday, advised political officeholders to place the well-being and progress of the nation above all other considerations.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, gave the advice in a Sallah

message to Muslim faithful.

The Forum made it pointedly clear that democracy could only be sustained, when there is political stability, inclusive economic growth, good governance and rapid development.

The Forum, in a Sallah message, signed by its Co-ordinator, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, harped on a need for politicians to be armed with the fact that, in de-

ciding on an appropriate response to national calls, the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness, should be placed above any unedifying, unpatriotic and selfish personal interests or divisive sectional agenda.

The statement read, “As the country celebrates the Eid-El-Kabir, let us also re-

dedicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less-privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all.

“These virtues and lessons will surely stand our country in good stead, as we continue our journey towards the fulfilment of our founding fathers’ vision of a great nation," it said.

relations specialists in Nigeria have been urged to do more, so as to help the image of the country, since no foreigner, however charitable, would take up the onerous, but noble responsibility.

This was the view expressed by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Chairman of its Governing Council, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, at the induction, on Sunday, of new members.

The induction took place at the Institute of Entrepreneurs, Ogba, in Lagos, at the end of a three-day NIPR Master Class five session.

Oladele told the new breed P.R. practitioners that the ground had shifted from products and services to brand and reputation management – and for which they must brace up for the new challenges that

NIPR boss calls for new national image could bring good results in repositioning the country.

The President of Public Relations Council of Nigeria (PRCN), Mr. John Ehigwese, told the inductees that, in line with the statutory mandate of the body, it was necessary that they took, with a professional touch, their responsibility of reputation management and value-oriented services.

On the same occasion, the Deputy-Managing Director of the Sun newspapers, Mr. Steve Nwosu, whose spouse, Toyin, was abducted, recently, commended the efforts of the members of NIPR during his period of grief, and said that their timely visit to the family and the love shown to them were highly appreciated.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Features TWO SIDES OF TRAGEDY:

How America remembered 9/11 In Washington on Friday, Barak Obama marked the anniversary of the attacks by observing a moment of silence at the White House and then was due to visit the Fort Meade army base in Mary-

land.

In New York, hundreds of morning commuters poured out of the train station next to One World Trade Center, the flagship skyscraper built to replace the towers on the Ground Zero

17

Æs site, as relatives carrying flowers and photographs of their lost loved ones entered the site for the solemn anniversary ceremony.

They recalled the attack anew Fourteen years ago Friday, terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and smashed two into New York’s World Trade Center.

A third jetliner rammed into the Pentagon outside Washington while a fourth one crash-landed CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

President Obama, wife and white workers observed a minute silence for victims of September 11.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR felt the pulse of Nigerians on the Presidency’s readiness to negotiate peace with insurgents and received diversity of opinions as to the wisdom or risk this move might entail. He presents their views and counsel to the Presidency in this report.

Is the move by the Presidency to negotiate peace with Boko Haram a wise decision?

It appears so G.P. James (Barrister, Public Affairs analyst, Lagos) You discuss with a belligerent person when the man is at a disadvantage. Most of the people now asking for reconciliation have been put at a disadvantage.

I refer you to the Nigerian-Biafra war. When Ojukwu took his family, jumped into a helicopter and left Effiong and others, that was when they surrendered, because they reasoned: why should he put us at a disadvantage? This man has taken his family and gone off and Nigeria is closing in on us. I am sure if Ojukwu had remained with them they wouldn’t have thought about surrendering.

Now Boko Haram is in disarray, food supply has been cut off, weapons diminished and they’ve been exposed. So if we can split their ranks, even if we don’t solve insurgency completely, we would have taken some of their loyalists presently having grudges against their leader for not covering them, to our side.

As for the continued bombings, it is people who don’t want this negotiation to be done that are advising against it. What does it take to bomb? If you hide a bucket of bomb somewhere and run away and it explodes, that is not might; it is cowardice. Apart from these sporadic bombings, what is their strategy? Now the Chief of Army Staff went to their headquarters, removed their flag and broke everywhere. It is this hit and go that

Boko Haram

we are experiencing which may continue for a while.

But for those dissidents who are really having a grudge against their leaders, let us get them around. The BH may not end entirely, but let us weaken their base.

The move is salutary Barrister Wahab Shittu, Lagos The quest to dialogue with BH is salutary because at the end of every conflict, parties will return to the negotiation table. However government must negotiate with the right element within the hierarchy of BH so that government will not be taken for a ride.

Again this is the right time to negotiate because government will be negotiating from the point of strength having gained upper hand against BH insurgents. Negotiation is attractive because it will put an end to bloodletting.

Finally, anyone who says government should not negotiate should tell us whether lives have duplicates.

The move is dangerous Baba Nwafo Chiejika (Ex-soldier and one of Ajegunle’s oldest residents).

Buhari

NEGOTIATION WITH INSURGENTS:

Nigerians approve, caution Presidency Negotiations with Boko Haram in recent years have failed to achieve a peace deal, and the reasons are not few. Not only because the group has many rival factions, but Presidency in the past has failed to address their superior armories over Nigerian security forces.

The move is dangerous because since many years, Boko Haram has showed superior armories over the Nigerian soldiers. It has been reported that army personnel posted to watch over civilians ran away on account of weaponry superiority.

I remember Comfort Bulus, one

of the school girls who escaped from BH people that kidnapped 285 girls in Chibok town. I heard her story on Nigerian Info 99.3 FM. She said when BH people arrived in Chibok, the head of the army called their commander in Biu and they were told that they should face them; but that if they know BH weapon is stronger than their own, they should run for their lives, and they fled the area.

According to the report, the operation lasted for over four hours but no one could do anything.

Most of them were wearing army uniforms and their guns were superior.

Boko Haram was also reported to have sacked not a few police stations and headquarters in many states and humbled an air force base in their trail of terror.

Never was it heard in security history, that insurgents abducted as many as 285 human beings in one swoop in a convoy and has held on to them for over one year.

At the peak of their victory, the insurgents captured whole local government areas and declared Islamic states, even appointed their own emirs to the shame and mockery of a discomfitured miliCONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

The quest to dialogue with BH is salutary – Shittu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

tary and security forces.

Now our President of hope is actually negotiating with insurgents who have caused the nation to bleed more than the civil war which I fought. It is dangerous and I am afraid. Do you go begging killers, ‘let me root you out?’ I beg, make them talk better thing, jare!

Why not?

Engr. Barth Nwibe (Port Harcourt) Anything that will bring peace at this should be done. Why Not? And what makes anyone so sure that the negotiation is not going to work out? I think the current situation is that BH people have done a lot of damage; they took so many people hostage. If the Presidency or whoever is negotiating with them has credible intelligence that they’re talking to the

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

on an empty field in Pennsylvania.

By the time the carnage was over, the hijackers had killed 2,977 people in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.

People, buildings and planes fell from the sky. Terrified strangers became friends as Americans united on a day that changed the world forever.

Last Friday, a resilient nation looked to the future while honoring the past.

How Lagos remembered 9/12 It is noteworthy that the Government of Lagos State which had listened to submissions made by technocrats, the police and scientists, made no provision for a memorial. Daily Times investigation revealed that the day which recorded the worst disaster that claimed all of 116 lives – the worst in the history of Lagos State - came and went unnoticed, unobserved at Alausa, the seat of government.

On Saturday September 12 however, the Synagogue Church for all Nations (SCOAN) held a memorial service for victims of the September 12 building collapse.

An earlier statement issued by the Church quoted Pastor T. B. Joshua as saying “the deceased, mostly South Africans were on an appointment with God when they met with their death and therefore they did not die in vain.”

Meanwhile, some residents of Egbe-Ikotun area of Lagos Mainland, did not altogether forget

right people and they are willing to release those; anything that can save human life is what I think should be done.

May be after they achieve the purpose if we then want to take some passive action or seek other means of compelling them to reform, we should be able to do that.

But the important thing right now is to save the lives of those girls.

It could be costly Comrade Aniefiok Ekandem (Efik scholar/activist, Uyo) The last ceasefire deal between Boko Haram and Jonathan’s administration in October 2014 failed when the insurgents denied that they had agreed to a ceasefire with the Nigerian government.

Now there are many factions, which is the authentic group we can believe is in charge?

But frankly, Buhari’s military campaign against BH is not different from former president Good-

The last ceasefire deal between Boko Haram and Jonathan’s administration in October 2014 failed when the insurgents denied that they had agreed to a ceasefire with the Nigerian government. Now there are many factions, which is the authentic group we can believe is in charge – Ekandem

luck Jonathan’s. If you say you’re winning the war, why are you going into negotiation? It means you have no solution, you are begging them to stop. It is not wise.

Mr. President should know that Boko Haram don’t speak the language of peace. Even French President François Hollande told him the sect don’t preach the gospel of peace. What should be upper most in our minds is that insurgents still command military superiority; our soldiers are still ill-equipped compared to them.

What is Buhari doing about that?

You think they will surrender their superior armories to government like some Niger Delta did?

I believe the step could turn out to be costly for the President and for the nation. OBJ once voiced that the Chibok girls may never be rescued and he was a military tactician and read between the

lines.

Also, one of the women freed from the Boko Haram camp, Tabitha Adamu, said the Chibok girls have been turned to Boko Haram fighters. Tabitha who was married by force and made pregnant by one of the insurgents before being rescued said Chibok girls who refused to convert to Islam or who refused to become fighters were killed in the most gruesome manner, so which Chibok girls is Buhari negotiating for their release?

Flushing insurgency out is not a matter of negotiation; it is sourcing superior military armory and crushing them out of our land that makes sense. Buhari has set May next year as a date BH will be rooted out. Is he going to achieve that through negotiation?

Questions. Answers. More questions.

SCOAN held a memorial service for victims the day evil visited their domain.

Daily Times observed that many residents spent the day in sober reflection.

Stakeholder and a resident of the area, Engr. Biobaku Kuku, a retired builder and construction expert who spoke to our correspondent, worried that it was not so much about the building that collapsed killing some 116 people but the controversial circumstances surrounding its collapse.

“It is not even so much about the government inquest that did not include a professional in the building industry; but the external attributes that led to the collapse in relation to the safety and security of not just the people of Lagos State but in the whole of Southwestern Nigeria in general.

I woke up this morning lost in thought. I fear what will happen to Lagos if we are invaded like they are doing in the North-East.”

Another resident who spoke in confidence to our correspondent counseled that this is not a time for witch hunting anybody and government must not politicise it.

“When something bad happens like this, it is to prepare the living to be more observant and stronger in unity, not in condemnation and fighting. We are talking of lives and security. If BH should face Lagos like they are doing in Maiduguri, where would everybody run to?

“I advise all parties to allow peace reign. Let us look for a black goat before night falls. That is my advice to government.”

SCOAN Building. INSET: T.B Joshua.

JUST HUMAN

It is Sallah again, and if the ram is too costly, the chicken will do. While you are at it, pick up some bread for breakfast. Photo God’s Covenant Snr 076.jpg

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Crime

19

Æs

Lagos NSCDC deploys 3,000 personnel for Sallah celebration In order to ensure a hitch-free Salah celebration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command, Ikeja, has deployed 3,000 personnel throughout the state to observe celebrants and movement of people.

The Lagos State Commandant

of NSCDC, Abafi Gabriel, urged Lagosians to report any suspicious movement of individuals around oil pipelines and other government critical assets. This, he said would help to avert possible vandalisation of such facilities which could lead to fire outbreak during the festive period.

Israel (right) and his gang

Abafi gave this advice in a press statement released to appreciate the officers of the command who participated in the just concluded All African Games in Congo Brazzaville. Three officers of the Corps from Lagos State Command, Vera Azike, Makanju CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

Ghanaian nabbed for car theft The long arm of the law has finally caught up with one Israel Damascus, a Ghanaian whose stock in trade is robbing whoever employs him as a driver.

Before nemesis caught up with him, the accused had been employed by three different people whose cars he had made away with within 24 hours of resuming duty.

The 32-year-old father of one was recently arrested and paraded by the Lagos State Police command.

According to the suspect who claimed to have arrived Nigeria

in 2011 in search of greener pastures, he was lured into the illicit trade by a bosom friend whom he identified simply as Jerry.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command (CP) Fatai Owoseni who paraded Israel alongside three fake soldiers, a fake air force personnel and two other suspects stated that about five saloon cars and two jeeps including a Toyota Jeep with the registration number BNS513AA, a Toyota Camry TGD733AA and ANA360AA among others were recovered from them.

The car snatching gang parad-

A gang of cultists suspected to be the dreaded Eiye Confraternity that have terrorised residents of Mushin, Akala, Idi-Oro and its environs has been smashed by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Police Command.

A raid by men of the squad led to the arrest of one Oworoba Abdul Kareem, a 20-year-old alleged to be a key member of the

notorious cult.

The suspect was said to have been arrested about 2:15 pm on the 10th of September following a distress call from a member of the public while he and his gang members were unleashing trouble in the Akala area of Mushin.

On arrival by the police, the cultists were alleged to have attacked the two police patrol vans and destroyed the windscreens.

Some of the recovered vehicles

20-year-old Suspected Cultist in police net

ed before newsmen include Chukwuma Ikechukwu aged 31 from Ohafia, Abia State and Isreal Damascus, 32, a Ghanaian. The fake airforce and army officers include Lucky Anene (25) from Okuzu Village in Delta State, Makus Gabriel (22) from Ngwa in Abia State and Ikemefuna Ude (39) from Agwu, Enugu State as well as 28-yearold DaiyeTijani from Ikire Osun State.

While confessing to the crime, Isreal claimed to have only snatched three cars, hear him “When I came to Nigeria from

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

According to Police report, “The suspect was apprehended when some group of men suspected to be cultists engaged themselves in a free for all fight.

The police was informed of this and there was a swift response by men of the RRS. However in an attempt to make arrest, the suspected cultists started stoning Police vehicles and damaged CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Crime 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Report any suspicious movement - Abafi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Gbolahan and Tijani Nureni participated in the event.

Vera Azike won a gold medal and two silver medals in weight lifting, while Makanju Gbolahan won two bronze medals in badminton. TijaniNureni also won a bronze medal in 400 meters guard runner.

“You have all made the Corps

and the entire nation proud at the just concluded sporting festival.

You have showcased your Godgiven talents and deep sense of patriotism to your fatherland, Nigeria and I encourage you to keep it up.”

Abafi seized the opportunity to advise the youths to emulate these worthy ambassadors and disassociate themselves from engaging in any form of

criminality during this festive period in order to avoid the wrath of the law.

He warned that the command, in line with the statutory functions, has continued to maintain 24-hour-security surveillance over government infrastructures and other facilities within Lagos State to guard against attacks by unscrupulous elements as the Sallah festival approaches.

Deployed Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps members

I have only snatched three cars - Israel Parents should watch their CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Ghana, I met a friend called Jerry who introduced me to car snatching. My modus operandi was to register with a recruitment agency, get connected to an employer and then run away with their car.

My first operation was the theft of a Toyota Corolla car, I drove my boss from Ilupeju to Ibadan for a conference, abandoned him there and made away with the car which I sold for N200, 000.

“The second was an elderly woman who employed me as her driver in Lekki. On my first day at work, I ran away with her RX Lexus Jeep. The third which was the one that led to my arrest was a Honda Accent. After eloping with the car, I drove to Ijebu Ode in Ogun state where I lodged in a hotel while waiting for a buyer for the car. It was at the hotel that the police came to arrest me.”

Lucky Anene on his part was arrested for parading himself as a military personnel that special-

ise in acting as escort. He however claimed to be unaware that the vehicles were stolen.

The CP also used the occasion to speak on the recent raid carried out on places suspected to be hideouts for criminals where different nefarious crimes were perpetrated.

Concerning the inept presence of the marine police and non-functional since armed robbers and kidnappers now use the creeks to escape after operations, Owoseni said the marine police is still very much active and still patrols the water ways.

In his words “Looking at how wide the sea is, it takes a whole lot of man power to patrol the water ways. What we do now is to partner with members of the community by forming joint patrol team with their vigilante groups.”

Speaking further, Owoseni said “even if you post one million policemen here in Lagos, it will not be enough; rather, everyone should be part of the fight against

the hoodlums, especially in community policing” he pointed out.

Reeling out his achievement within the period of two months since assuming office, Owoseni said he had received 78 distress calls that armed robbers were about to operate or were carrying out an operation and he was able to void 67of the operations while arresting about 101 suspects of whom some had already been charged to court or remanded in prison custody awaiting trials.

He also mentioned an incident where his men were engaged in a shootout with armed robbers and 10 of the robbers lost their lives while 60 different types of guns were recovered from the robbers, including a machine used in making gun which was recovered in Markurdi and 247 different ammunitions.

He however promised that a process has been put in place to ensure that the ammunitions do not get back into the hands of the criminals.

wards and associations they keep - ACP Olatunji Disu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

the windscreens of the two patrol vans.

“We were able to arrest one of the suspects while others are still at large. Investigation is still ongoing to fish out the other suspects from their hideouts.

Our investigation has revealed that the suspect is a member of Eiye Confraternity, one of the cult groups making lives difficult for residents of Mushin, Akala, Idi-oro and its environs.”

In his reaction, Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, called on all parents and guardians to be watchful over their children’s behavior as well as the association they keep, espe-

The fake security operatives

A cache of weapons and Car keys recovered from the suspects

Akala, the suspected cultist

cially those in their teens. He said this will help reduce the increasing cases of teenage initiation into cult groups.

Disu further added that residents of the state should be courageous enough to report suspicious movements and criminalities in their neighbourhood to the police, promising that the Police will act accordingly and timely.

The Commander reiterated that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni has pledged to free the state from all forms of criminal and cult activities.

Daily Times also learnt that the suspect has been transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for further investigation.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

EID-EL-KABIR MESSAGES Benue Speaker tasks Muslims on peace Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏAs

the Muslim Community in Benue State joined their counterparts in other parts of the country to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, has urged them not to think of what would benefit them only, but their neighbours and the society at large.

Ikyange explained that the uncommon willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his only child, in obedience to Allah, after many years of

expectation, disillusionment, anxiety, but hope in his maker for the gift of a child, highlighted the values of sacrifice, obedience, patience, love, piety and selflessness.

He said, "as Muslims and Christians join the rest of the Islamic world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, it is only instructive for all Nigerians to reflect, deeply, on the true meaning and importance of the festival and imbibe the virtues of Ibrahim for the good of mankind.”

He noted that Eid-el Kabir is the best time to forgive and forget all the past misdeeds, and concentrate on a better and happier future for the state and country, and wished the people of the state God’s blessing, wisdom and unconditional love.

Sallah: Fayose calls for sacrificial giving Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of giving as the nation faces tough economic challenges.

In his Sallah message, in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, which was sent through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi,

Fayose also advised religious leaders in the country not to play politics with religion.

He opined that Nigeria needed the total commitment of all to become great, saying that emphasising divisive tendencies among the people at this point would do nobody any good.

“Such divisive tendencies, based on religion or

ethnicity, will only create a gulf among us, instead of bridges to connect us.

Our religious leaders must also be careful not to use the bodies and people they lead to fan the embers of discord by mixing religion with politics.

“We must note that this period calls for sacrifice on the part of everybody.

We must be ready to give all as Prophet Ibrahim

decided to offer his son as sacrifice to Allah and he reaped the great reward of obedience. And as we celebrate, we must be sober and show moderation as well,” he said.

He also urged Muslims in the country to continue to live in harmony with people of different persuasions, and always think of one Nigeria, regardless of where they lived.

Eid-el-Kabir: Wada prays for peace, unity among Nigerian Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏThe Governor of

Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, has called on Muslims and all Nigerians to eschew bitterness, embrace love and pursue peace with all men.

This was contained in his Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, and made available to journalists in Lokoja.

In it, Wada enjoined Muslims to capitalise on the convivial spirit of the Sallah festival to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and its leadership.

He also called on all indigenes of the state to pray for divine guidance in the

conduct of the forthcoming governorship poll in the state and cautioned against violence and other electoral malpractices during the poll.

He also congratulated Muslims on witnessing and participating in this year’s Eid-el- Kabir festival and urged them to allow the lessons of the season to continue to rule over their affairs, long after the celebrations.

While he wished Muslims a happy estival and advised all road users to pay due attention to traffic rules and regulations, Wada, however, said that internalising the lessons of the Sallah would enhance peace and harmony in the community.

Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio arriving Ibom International Airport… on Wednesday after vacation abroad, behind him is Sir Emem Akpabio and others.

Isiaka preaches love, spirit of sacrifice at Eld-el-Kabir ÏÏÏThe

Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has felicitated with all Moslems in Nigeria as

Alao-Akala urges Muslims to pray for God’s guidance Remi Oladoye

Ibadan

ÏÏÏ

Former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Alao Akala in a congratulatory message signed by his spokesperson, Mr. Abraham Ojo, stress the need to be more concern about God, most importantly in prayers and service to hu-

manity "At this moment God is the only solution and we have to continue to pray to him and seek his face for guidance and provision more than ever before.

“I am hopeful about the future of this country, we have come a long way enduring the pains and suffering of the democracy but

our diligence, patience and prayer will go a long way in helping us to attain greater height without much stress,” he said.

He however urged Nigerians to continue to pray for more wisdom and God’s guidance for those in government, so as to lead well and take our society to a great height.

they marked this year’s Eidel-Kabir, urging them to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice and love which the festival signify.

In a message, on Wednesday, he specifically enjoined Ogun indigenes to use the unique period of Eid-elKabir festival to pray for the state to come out of its various socio-economic challenges that were threatening security of life and property, which had forced the government to impose partial curfew in the state.

While urging all Ogun State residents to show love for one another, he noted that the festival provided a new opportunity to show compassion, especially for the less-privileged, and stresed that, “only peaceful

co-existence, selflessness service to the nation, especially our dear state, and total obedience to God, as was demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim, could take the state to the promised land.”

Isiaka, who is still challenging the victory of Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the tribunal, noted that Eid-el-Kabir is a celebration of trust between man and God, rooted in the fulfillment of promises and urged the people to always hold their leaders accountable and ensure they kept their promises.

He said, “The significance of the celebration today is not in the blood or the flesh of the rams that are being slaughtered; the message is for people to be

honour-bound to respect the terms of promises made to other entities. I urge the Muslim faithful to remember that obedience to Allah and uprightness are some of the virtues of a true worshiper.”

Isiaka

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

APC, PDP greet Muslims at Eid-el-Kabir, urge prayers for peace, unity ÏÏÏ

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are felicitating with all Muslims in the country on the occasion of this year's Eid-el-Kabir, wishing them a successful, joyous and peaceful celebrations.

Both parties also urged the citizens, irrespective of religious persuasions, to use the occasion to reflect on the virtue of faith, service and total submission to the will of the Almighty God, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael, in obedience to God’s command.

The APC and PDP’s separate messages were signed by Alhaji

Lai Mohammed and Olisa Metuh, respectively. The APC said since sacrifice lies at the core of Eid-elKabir, it is also pertinent to commend all Nigerians for their sacrifice all through the years for the emergence of a better Nigeria. ''Being the first Eid-el-Kabir to be celebrated since the change train arrived in our country, we thank all our compatriots for their support and personal sacrifice that have seen Nigeria emerging, gradually but steadily, from years of bad governance, impunity, unbridled corruption, and neglect of the larger population. ''In particular, we commend our gallant soldiers, many of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice,

for continuing to stand up for the unity and cohesion of our dear country. We assure them of our unqualified support as they remain in battle, even during this moment of celebration, to ensure our safety and security and to crush the terrorists who have killed and maimed many innocent citizens,'' it said.

APC prayed that just as Allah accepted the sacrifice of Ibrahim when he totally surrendered to the will of God by his willingness to sacrifice his son, the sacrifice of all Nigerians will be accepted in such a way as to make the country a proud member of the comity of nations again, with an economy that grows for the benefit of

all, not for a few fat cats, and a country that is so safe and secure that all can live a better life, and reach the zenith of their chosen careers. ''We appeal to all our compatriots to continue to support our President in his daunting task of steering the country towards peace, security and prosperity, and be ready to make even more sacrifice for a better Nigeria,'' the party said.

On its part, the PDP said, “Indeed, the Eid El-Kabir, while teaching great lessons in faith in the Almighty God, also provides us the opportunity to humble ourselves as a people and seek God’s intervention for our dear country.

Sallah: Nigeria is destined for greatness - Onu Tom Okpe Abuja

ÏÏÏA national leader of

the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, has expressed optimism that Nigeria is destined to be a great nation, saying that Nigerians should never forget that any achievement through collective effort will bring enduring fulfillment to all.

Chief Onu said that the task of building a great nation was one that demand the best from all Nigerians, urging that citizens should bear in mind that though the road may be rough, "the climb may be steep and the journey may be tasking, but there will be success at the end".

In a Sallah celebration message he personally signed in Abuja on Wednesday, the former old Abia governor implored that as citizens of the country, "we should strengthen our resolve to be our brother’s keeper for there is always strength in unity".

"We should never forget that any achievement through collective effort brings enduring fulfillment to all. I am confident that if we rededicate ourselves to those virtues that bind rather than divide our people, surely the future will most certainly be bright and great.

Onu

23 News Cleric pleads for peoples’ welfare Stephen Adeyeye

ÏÏÏAs

Muslims in the country troop out today in celebration of this year's Eid-El-Kabir, public officers including the President and governors have been reminded that the only panacea for peace is the welfare and development of people who voted them into power.

This was contained in an Eidel-Kabir message titled: "good governance, a panacea for welfare and development", issued by the Spiritual Head and Founder of Shafaudeen in Islam World Wide, Professor S.A. Olagoke.

"The recent experiences of insurgence, terrorism, kidnapping, baby factory, ritual killing and endemic corruption, are indication of bad governance, dysfunctional education and bastardised religion which are responsible for the ineffectiveness to bring about the necessary changes. "It is better to use every occasion of festivals to address these problems as challenges, to be able to, not only rehabilitate, but to prevent further cases of refugee explosion, internally displaced people and asylum seekers, safety and security through provision of good medical care, food, children school, utilities, adequate shelter etc. to avoid epidemic of diseases to the vulnerable” the cleric observed.

Eid: 23 Brigade bans use of Keke Napep in Yola Tom Garba L-R: Head Coordinator of WEEC, Kayode Odukoya; Motivational Speaker, Lanre Olusola; Radio Presenter, Tosyn Bucknor; Social Media Expert, Japheth Omojuwa and CEO, Curve Communications, Adeola Odunowo during the WEEC 2015 Seminar held at the University of Lagos… on Tuesday

Imbibe values of love, peaceful co-existence, Ambode urges Muslims ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, called on Muslims in Nigeria to imbibe the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-elKabir.

In his goodwill message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, Ambode said since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence.

He also enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquility in the state and the nation, especially in the North East.

While urging Muslims to shun religious extremism, which according to him, is a challenging

development for the country, the governor described those who hide under the veil of religion to perpetrate terrorism as being ignorant to the teachings of Islam, as nobody can fight for God. “You cannot fight to protect an authority that we owe our existence to or on behalf of one who is greater than the sum total of us,” he said.

He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, rather it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity of blood, food and water, as these should constitute what binds the people.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and

implore the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing, even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”, the governor said. He expressed appreciation for the support given to the present administration, and sought for the sustenance of the peaceful co-existence in the midst of diversity of ethnic origin and religion in the state.

While wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters in the State a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to take a cue from Lagos and continued to be their brothers’ keepers.

Yola

ÏÏÏThe 23rd Brigade of

the Nigerian Army, Yola, has announced the banning of the operations of KEKE NAPEP during the Eid-elKabir festivity across Adamawa State.

According to a statement, signed by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations Officer of the command, Captain Ja'afaru Mohammed Nuhu, the brigade disclosed that the measure was taken to safeguard life and property of residents of the state.

"Headquarters 23 Brigade Yola wishes to bring to the notice of general populace of Adamawa State on the ban of use of KEKE NAPEP during Eid-el-Kabir celebration with effect from Wednesday, 23rd September, 2015, by 6:00pm until Sunday, 27 September, 2015 by 6:00pm," the statement noted.

The Nigerian Army also warned vehicle owners to desist from parking them near the Eid grounds, just as it urged all residents of the state to assist the Army in reporting suspicious persons and movement to nearest security posts.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Health Æ s NAFDAC to hold maiden annual summit

Okonjo-Iweala

WHO lauds Okonjo -Iweala on new appointment The World Health Organization welcomes the appointment of the Chair-elect of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

In a statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan said, Gavi has supported the immunization of more than half a billion additional children, leading to seven million future deaths being averted since 2000.

However, Dr Okonjo-Iweala is a renowned development economist and former Nigerian Finance Minister. She brings more than 33 years of development and financial expertise to the Gavi Board at a critical period for immunization in developing countries as she takes up the position of Chair from January 2016.

Earlier this year, WHO warned that vaccines are not being delivered equitably or reliably and that only 1 out of the 6 key vaccination targets for 2015 is currently on track – the introduction of under-utilized vaccines, a target to which Gavi has contributed significantly.

In taking up the position of Board Chair, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will succeed Dagfinn Høybråten, a former Norwegian Minister of Health and current Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers. She will also work closely with Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, who is Vice Chair of Gavi.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced to holds its annual summit and exhibition called NAFDAC SUMMEX, slated for 13 to 15 of October 2015 in Lagos.

Speaking at a press briefing recently, the Director General, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, said NAFDAC SUMMEX with the theme, “Exceeding Industry Baseline,” is a convergence of all stakeholders under the statutory regulation of the agency on a single platform through an annual

summit and exhibition.

Orhii said the maiden edition of the event which is aimed at facilitating and sustaining a single but effective and interactive engagement platform for NAFDAC and the stakeholders.

On counterfeiting, Orhii said, though the agency’s manpower is not enough and the funding is not where it supposed to be, NAFDAC is employing technology to combat counterfeit.

He said counterfeit medicines have just dropped drastically, from 64 per cent in 2008, 20 per

cent in 2010 when the agency implored the handheld device through scan and as at today, with the mobile authentication service, counterfeit percentage has dropped from the 20 per cent to 3.8 percent.

“We employ all Nigerians who used cell phone to become NAFDAC collaborators so that with their mobile phones, they can text codes of medicine to see if it is fake and this explains why we are seeing a drastic reduction in anti-malaria fake drug,” he said.

He added that, by the time the

Orhii

implementation of the drug distribution guidelines is in place, the percentage will further reduce in the country.

Cancer: Too many Nigerians diagnosed late — Nwogu Stories by Lara Adejoro The Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Lakeshore Cancer Center, Chukwumere Nwogu, has said, too many Nigerians are having their cancers diagnosed only at late stages, severely limiting treatment options and leading to poor outcomes.

This he said, as Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and Lakeshore Cancer Center (LCC) are partnering to improve access to cancer prevention, screening and care for the people of Nigeria.

The partnership will see Roswell Park faculty providing clinical consultations to assist LCC oncologists, who will also have access to both training at RPCI and continuing professional education seminars they can participate in remotely.

In his words, Dr. Nwogu, who also has expertise in epidemiology, said, “Right now, too many Nigerians are having their cancers diagnosed only at late stages, severely limiting treatment options and leading to poor outcomes. But when you can respond to an unmet and pressing need by mobilizing both on-theground forces and additional support from your network, you can really make a difference.”

Continuing, he said, “Our vision is based on the most significant priorities and opportunities for intervention in Western Africa, but it’s a realistic one

too. Thanks to the great feat between Roswell Park and Lakeshore.”

Lakeshore Cancer Center, which has grown steadily since it started treating patients in July 2014, is the very first cancer centre in Nigeria.

More than 102,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in Nigeria, with more than 70 per cent of patients dying from the disease.

Breast, cervical and prostate cancers are the biggest cancer killers there as Nigeria ranks 5th worldwide in the number of deaths from cervical cancer, a disease that is almost entirely preventable with regular Pap tests.

Between 80 per cent and 85 per cent of Nigerian women with breast cancer get their diagnosis after the disease has progressed to stage III, at which point it is difficult to treat successfully.

Nigerian men are 3.5 times more likely to die of prostate cancer than African-American men.

Given those grim realities, modest interventions in preventive care and diagnostics can have a dramatic impact, said Oge Ilegbune, Head of Strategy, Development and Outreach at Lakeshore.

“The statistics about cancer incidence in Nigeria have been disheartening, but we now have resources at our disposal that will help us to turn those numbers around,” she said. “The

Nwogu

response from the communities around us so far has been so positive and enthusiastic. We know that clinical outcomes are better and quality of life is improved when people don’t have to travel far from home to get their care.”

The partnership will also en-

compass treatment planning and community outreach, with Lakeshore oncologists having the opportunity to discuss cases with Roswell Park specialists as frequently as needed and to get assistance planning cancer prevention and screening programmes for the public.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

25 Health

Traditional medicine is key to Nigeria’s health system, says Iwu

Iwu

Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu has said that the traditional medicine is the key into the future of Nigerian health system.

Prof. Iwu stated this at the weekend at a press briefing heralding the Herbal, Health Food and Natural Expo (HERBFEST) 2015, which will take place at the Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC),

Abuja on Tuesday, 6th October to Thursday, 8th with the theme ‘Food as medicine: Utilization and sustainable exploitation of African medicinal plants and natural products.’

The Professor of Pharmacognosy said, “herbal medicine is an area where many countries are looking at, yet we have not looked into this area to any significant level. We know what happens in China, a lot of people in this country buy products from them and also India where people buy a lot of food supplements” Adding, he said, “We are hoping that one day, herbal medicine practitioners will be able to look at the global trend and key into scientific traditional trend. We are convinced that traditional medicine is the key into the future of Nigerian health system.

“We have a lot of these functional foods like cashew nuts,

even cocoa is an antioxidant proven to fight cardiovascular diseases, we also have dogonyaro. What we lack mainly in Nigeria is awareness of the abundance of these herbs; even today, many don’t know the efficacy of bitter leaf which is good for fighting diabetes,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo, said commercialisation of herbal products had been simplified by the institute through researches it embarked upon.

“FIIRO prides itself as home of indigenous technologies in that we have successfully worked on most of the agrocommodities available in Nigeria. Our role as an institution has been to use our expertise in research and development to add value to these practices and to transfer technology to im-

pact on the economy,” she said.

On his part, the DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Etatuvie Oghene, said, “Nigeria is now advancing in herbal medicine research; presently the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, now has traditional medicine in its curriculum. What we need is awareness,” Mr. Oghene siad.

The sixth edition of the expo will be hosted by the Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP), NNMDA and FIIRO. The expo is set to attract varying investors and trade buyers from across the African region as well as from the wider market of Middle East, Europe and US and will sowcase three days of vibrant herbs, health foods and natural products and a packed programme of training workshops, meetings, seminars and abstracts.

Malnutrition accounts for 80% of irreversible abnormalities in children Malnutrition in children accounts for 80 per cent of irreversible damage in the growth of their vital organs, says Prof.

Ngozi Nnam, the President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN).

Nnam, a professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria Nsukka said, a malnourished child in the spate of first two years tends to have abnormalities in the growth of vital organs, especially in the brain.

“If a child is malnourished at the formative years between the period of conception and two years, the damage may be irreversible and permanent, the brain formation would be defective. If the brain did not develop well, there would be a gap which leads to low intelligent quotient, such a child will perform poorly in school, such is an irreversible damage.

“Brain develops during the formative years that is why parents should ensure that children were given adequate diet right from the time of conception and throughout their first two years. The key to achieving this

is breast feeding throughout the first two years, this I know is not expensive to achieve.”

Speaking further, she said, some weight issues can be corrected if the child is given adequate nutrition in the future but damage in the vital organs are difficult to correct.

She however said, breastfeeding should continue up to two years or more if the mother so desire.

She called for government’s support in achieving the goals of achieving adequate nutritional diets for children by soliciting for increase in the maternity leave for mothers up to six month.

“One of the challenges women face is that they have to start work early before six month, so it becomes difficult for them to really breastfeed the child on demand.

“We are seriously advocating that maternity leave should be increased up to six month as this will correspond with the time the baby was expected to be exclusively breastfed for the first six month of life,” Nnam said.

Malnourished children

26

Thursday, September 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

W

atford of England striker Jude Odion Ighalo has expressed his delight following his recall to the Super Eagles, and says he hopes to give a good account of himself under coach Sunday Oliseh.

The 26year old is currently the most inf o r m striker in England for the calendar year, having scored 20 goals in 24 games in 2015, the last of which was a brace against Newcastle United at the weekend.

And having been left out of Oliseh’s team for the games against Tanzania and Niger Republic, Ighalo has been recalled for the friendly matches against Congo DR and Cameroon next month.

He says: “I’m happy to be back to the Super Eagles so I just want to go there and give my best and I will work with the team and the coach,” Ighalo said.

The friendlies come up in Belgium in October, and are set to give new coach Sunday Oliseh a better understanding of the team ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as well.

Ikeme honoured to captain Wolves

Ighalo

N

IGHALO MAKES SUPER EAGLES PLEDGE And Ighalo says it is important they played these friendly games so as to help them gel and understand one another better as a team.

“These friendly games are good for the team because we have to play together and gel together so we can understand one another better. So I think it is a very good step for the NFF to organize more friendly games for us,” Ighalo stated.

IMOH

Imoh

DECLARED WANTED BY SIASIA Stories by Mike Otanwa

A

nderlecht striker, Imoh Ezekiel is top of a list of Europe-based strikers Nigeria Olympic team coach Samson Siasia will consider for the African U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Siasia has said scoring goals has been the bane of his Dream Team VI and now plans to hit Europe to talk up strikers within the age bracket who could score goals for Nigeria to qualify for next year’s Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

“Scoring goals has been the problem of my team and that is why I plan to be

in Europe to discuss with the clubs and players who I believe can help me solve this problem,” Siasia said on arrival from the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzavile, where his team win a bronze medal.

The 21-year-old Ezekiel, for one, has a full international cap for Nigeria and has proved his worth as a top marksman in Europe with Belgian club Standard Liege before his recent move to Anderlecht.

Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi, who is on loan to German Bundesliga 2 side FSV Frankfurt from Liverpool, are also in the radar of Siasia.

igeria international goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme has said it was an honour to captain his English Championship team Wolverhampton Wanderers for the first time in Tuesday evening’s 3-0 League Cup loss to Middlesborough.

However, the shot stopper was disappointed his team ended up losing the game.

“Disappointing result tonight , but was a honour captaining the club for the first time,” Ikeme tweeted.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper has been Wolves goalkeeper since 2003, but has been on loan to Middlesbrough, Leicester City, QPR, Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic, Stockport County, Accrington and Doncaster at different times.

He has been in Wolves since 2011/2012 season till now without going on loan.

Ikeme

Thursday, September 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

27

Ahead World Cup: Eaglets continue impressive run

N

igeria’s U-17 side, the Golden Eaglets on Tuesday defeated Nationwide One side Shekarau Babes 2-1 at the Abuja National Stadium, as they continue preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup. Ebere Emeka and Victor Osimhen scored for the Golden Eaglets after Adam Khalifa had put the visiting in front.

Incidentally, Former Executive Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau who is the owner of the Kanobased side was a distinguished spectator at the match that also had in attendance Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Coach Siji Lagunju.

There were few chances in the first half but midway Adam Khalifa nearly put Shekarau Babes in the lead but his shot bounced off the post.

Kingsley Michael on the other end, shot straight to the body of goalkeeper Aliyu Umar as both side ended the first half on an equal keel.

In the 54th minute, Austin Godwin finally got the curtain raiser albeit through penalty kick after Udochukwu Anumudu fell his marker in the box.

CHAN QUALIFIER:

DREAM TEAM BATTLES B/ FASO Stories by Mike Otanwa

N

igeria U-23 team, Dream Team VI, will be the team to take on Burkina Faso in a 2016 CHAN qualifier next month in Port Harcourt, officials have disclosed.

The match is fixed for October 18 and

the return leg in Burkina Faso a week later.

The overall winners will advance to the tournament, which is reserved for players who are featuring in their domestic leagues, in Rwanda in January.

And this arrangement has meant a proposed friendly between Nigeria’s Olympic team and their counterparts

ETO’O GRABS N GOLDEN FOOT ACCOLADE

A

ntalyaspor and ex-Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has been honoured once again as he received his 2015 Golden Foot award.

The Indomitable Lions legend is currently on the books of the Turkish side and is this year’s recipient of the award which gives recognition to players over the age of 29 who are still making waves in world football.

After joining Antalyaspor at the end of the 2014/15 season from Sampdoria in July, the ex-Barcelona And Inter Milan forward has already netted five goals in five matches.

According to the report by Marca, the 34-year-old former Chelsea man

is the second African player to be awarded the accolade after his exBlues teammate, Cote D’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba, won it in 2013.

The three-time UEFA Champions League winner takes over from 2014 winner Andrés Iniesta, his former Barca teammate.

Meanwhile, previous winners of the award from yester years are: Roberto Baggio (2003), Pavel Nedved (2004), Andriy Shevchenko (2005), Ronaldo Nazário (2006), Alessandro Del Piero (2007), Roberto Carlos (2008), Ronaldinho (2009), Francesco Totti (2010), Ryan Giggs (2011), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2012) and the legendary Ivorian, Drogba (2013).

igeria striker, Obafemi Martins, is ranked 11th among the top paid players in the MLS with a basic take-home of three million dollars ($3,000,00) a year.

He is ranked as the second highest paid in Seattle Sounders behind US international Clint Dempsey, who pockets over four million dollars ($4,605,941.50).

Former Birmingham City forward Martins is the highest paid African player in the MLS with Montreal Impact’s Didier Drogba earning just over two million dollar ($2,166,668).

Highest paid player in MLS is Kaka of Orlando City FC, who goes home every year with $7,167,500.

Nigerian-born Switzerland international Innocent Emeghara gets $1.3 million a year.

Here is the list of top earners in the MLS: Orlando City SC: Kaká ($7,167,500) Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco ($7,115,555.67) Toronto FC: Michael Bradley ($6,500,000) LA Galaxy: Steven Gerrard ($6,332,504) New York City FC: Frank Lampard ($6,000,000)

from Brazil in London has been shelved.

“We plan to use the Under-23 team to play the CHAN qualifiers and so the Brazil friendly had to be shelved till some other time,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire disclosed.

“Nigeria are playing Burkina Faso just two or three days after the

Dream Team

proposed London friendly. We don’t want to take the risk of key player getting injured before the qualifiers.”

Interestingly, Burkina Faso beat Nigeria 3-1 to qualify for the final of the football event of the recent All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Dream Team will therefore be seeking to avenge this defeat next month.

MARTINS: HIGHEST PAID AFRICAN PLAYER IN MLS

Martins LA Galaxy: Giovani Dos Santos ($5,750,008) New York City FC: David Villa ($5,610,000) Toronto FC Jozy Altidore ($4,750,000) Seattle Sounders: Clint Dempsey ($4,605,941.50) LA Galaxy: Robbie Keane ($4,500,000)

New England Revolution: Jermaine Jones ($3,052,500) Seattle Sounders: Obafemi Martins ($3,000,000), New York City FC: Andrea Pirlo ($2,315,694) Montreal Impact: Didier Drogba ($2,166,668) LA Galaxy: Omar Gonzalez ($1,450,000) Vancouver Whitecaps: Pedro Morales ($1,410,900) San Jose Earthquakes: Innocent Emeghara ($1,300,000) Seattle Sounders: Nelson Valdez ($1,215,000) Columbus Crew: Federico Higuain ($1,175,000) Colorado Rapids: Kevin Doyle ($1,170,000) Portland Timbers: Liam Ridgewell ($1,150,000) Chicago Fire: Gilberto ($1,144,992) Real Salt Lake: Juan Manuel Martinez ($1,108,666.67)

LAWAL’S EXIT MADE IT EASIER FOR US – OMERUO

N

Omeruo

igeria international Kenneth Omeruo has revealed to AfricanFootball.com his club Kasimpasa took charge of the game against Eskisehirspor which they won 3-0 over the weekend after compatriot Raheem Lawal was substituted.

Omeruo, who has been enjoy good form at his Turkish team since his loan deal from Chelsea, said Lawal was a thorn in flesh of Kasimpasa midfielders

as he broke a lot of their moves while he was on the pitch.

“When they took off Lawal (Raheem), we found it easier in the midfield,” Omeruo said.

“We talked before the game and exchanged jerseys after the game.”

The Chelsea loanee said the game was not an easy one despite winning 3-0 on the road.

“Actually it wasn’t an easy game at all as people

may think because we won 3-0. We got the first goal in the 45th minute and then went for the break with a 1-0 lead,” he explained.

“And when we got back, they started playing with two strikers which put us under serious pressure but we did well to stop them from getting goals.

“We always got them on the counter attack and the second goal made the difference, it broke them.”

28

Thursday, September 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

I’M PROUD OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS IN TENNIS

–DJOKOVIC

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. In this interview during the 2015 US Open with www. usopen.org, he speaks on his career rise and achievements. Excerpts:

I

t’s been said by players and analysts that Roger Federer is playing arguably the best tennis of his career. He played you so well at the US Open final; pushed you back against the wall.

Seems like when it was there you came up with your best tennis and your tenth Grand Slam victory.

What did it mean to get through this match and what does this accomplishment mean to you?

Well, it’s been an incredible season. I’m very fortunate to experience a great success this year and I’m proud of my achievements in tennis.

The season is not over, but the Grand Slam is over. The biggest tournaments that I have played this year, as anybody else, and I won three out of four. It’s more than I could ask for, definitely.

Of course I do have lots of expectations and high ambitions whenever I’m approaching the Grand Slams or any other tournament, but, you know, now actually sitting down here with this trophy and reflecting on what I have achieved, it’s quite incredible.

So I’m definitely very satisfied and proud of that. As you said, you know, he played great tennis throughout the entire year. I think as the season was going by he was elevating his game. He was improving. Now he came up with a different shot, as well, the shot that nobody has ever seen.

And it’s been working well also against me in Cincinnati and also here. He’s just not going away. He’s not dropping his level too much.

You know, I was saying on the court that he’s always going to be out there making you play your best if you want to win.

So that’s who Roger is. That’s why he has won so many Grand Slam titles.

And I knew that coming to the court. I knew he’s going to be aggressive. He’s going to try to disrupt my rhythm, and he’s going to put a lot of variety in his game. Slice, chip and charge, come to the net, serve and volley. Which he did.

But I was ready for it. I was ready for the battle. That’s what it was.

Three hours, 20 minutes. We pushed each other to the limit, as we always do. It’s an ultimate challenge that I can have now winning against Roger back-to-back finals in Wimbledon and here, US Open. It’s tremendous.

I’m really, really proud of it.

Everybody was always talking about your magic 2011. This year you made not just the slams winning but also a final which you didn’t do in 2011. What can you say it’s more difficult now to do a repeat, I mean, to do a second time than the first one? And also, I appreciate the fact that at the end of the ceremony you didn’t say anything about the public. Because today the crowd was against you as I have never seen any. Can you say something about that?

Well, the first question, yes. I think it’s definitely more difficult to repeat something like that than actually doing it for the first time again. I’m a different player, a different person today than I was 2011.

As a father and a husband, you know, experiencing different variety of things in my life, it’s completely different approach to tennis today.

I feel more fulfilled. I feel more complete as a player today than I was in 2011. Physically stronger, mentally more experienced, and tougher, as well. Trying to use the experience

from before into every match that I play, and especially the big ones like today.

You know, I think being in the situation before helped me to understand particular obstacles that are on the way and how I need to overcome them, which I did tonight.

And regarding the crowd, look, I mean, you know, there was a lot of support for Roger. There was some for me. I mean, for sure, I tried to focus on the ones that were supporting me.

But I can’t, you know, sit here and criticize the crowd. On the contrary, you know, I think it’s logical to expect that a great player and a champion like Roger has the majority of the support anywhere I play him. You know, I would say super majority of places around the world are going to give him that support.

Now, percentage-wise, more or less, I don’t know. I’m not there to judge who is supporting more or less. I’m there to play tennis.

Do you think your resilience again made the difference?

Just being mentally tough and trying to hang in there and play point by point. Obviously much easier said than done. As I was saying before, I was aware that he was going to come out with a clear game plan to pressure me and come to the net and, you know, mix up and come second serve, come to the net, as well.

Just, you know, take out time from me. Because I like to have a little bit more time. That’s my style of game. He likes one, two, three shot points. He loves to play quick.

You know, you could feel the momentum was switching from

my side to his side for, I think, all the way till the end of the third. It was anybody’s game. It was really even.

When I managed to break at 4-All and managed to hold after saving couple break points in 5-4 and winning the third set, that obviously gave me a huge wind in the back, and I managed to play really well after that.

5-2 serving, I thought, Okay, now this is the time to finish it off, but it wasn’t. He showed once again why he’s competing in such a high level for so many years.

Again, he never stepped back, and he always made me play an extra shot, extra shot, kept pushing. Yeah, I was fortunate to come up with some big serves when I needed to. You know, serve was not really a strong link tonight for me, but in the important moments I got a couple of free points in the last game on serve, and that’s what matters.

Today in this final, you visited the net; not as many as Roger, but you won 66% of those. The same percentage as Roger. How do you qualify in general terms your game, net and all over the tournament?

Your expectations for the future on this side?

Well, I’m not as natural, I would say, going to the net like Roger is, but I have been working on that part of my game with Boris on board. Of course was a fantastic serve and volley, you know, net player, great volleys.

So we are trying to, you know, kind of always find room for improvement in my game, something that we can work on. Net game is definitely a part of my game which can be improved.

So, you know, I know my game is based on the baseline. I’m a baseline player. But I give myself a lot of opportunities with good shots from baseline, and I don’t come to close it out in the net. That’s what I have been

trying to do.

Again, it’s not easy to come to the net many times against Roger who is standing on the line. Whether he’s offensive or defensive, he’s always more or less baseline. He picks up half volleys, plays very quick, and doesn’t give you much time.

New York, obviously Stefan Edberg always said this was a difficult test. He said he hated it at first and then it gave him something he didn’t know about himself. Obviously this has been a tougher one to win for you in finals, but you solved it. What’s been tough on you about New York? How have you worked your way through it to understand this tournament and unique challenge?

Well, as you said, you know, I have played before tonight’s final five finals. I have lost four and won one.

A couple of finals, ‘12 and ‘13 I thought I could have won, but again, lost to Nadal and Murray, two great players. Went down to the wire a couple of points that decided a winner.

Tonight was another match that was decided by few points. That’s what happens. You know, Grand Slam finals really are no clear favorites, especially if you’re playing against biggest rivals.

As I was answering before, I can’t really find a particular reason why I have not been successful in the finals here, as I am maybe in Melbourne, for example, or Wimbledon.

But I’m glad that this tradition of losing in finals is broke now.

(Laughter.) Yeah, hopefully I can have more chances to fight for a trophy.

Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ ƓƓƓêƑ ƍƆ ê Ə

Thursday, September 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

Golf

ng

Boxi

MCKENZIE

PGA TOUR:

RORY READY TO ROLL IN ATLANTA

R

ory McIlroy looks the pick of some ultra-strong market leaders in this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake, says betting expert David John.

The top five in the FedEx Cup standings control their own destiny this week as the PGA Tour season comes down to the final 30 players in the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

A win for any of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson or Bubba Watson will ensure they take home the $10m bonus on offer - the rest of the field are still in there pitching but the maths required for those lower down the

list understandably gets increasingly complex with No 30 Harris English needing something akin to a minor miracle.

The chances of new world No 1 Jason Day is the obvious place to start after the Australian has spent the second half of the summer beating up his rivals on the golf course - his tally of wins on the PGA Tour in 2015 now stands at five after he lapped the field by six shots last week at the BMW Championship.

aims to dethrone

Ramirez

McKenzie

C

ruiserweight Ovill McKenzie has promised to live up to his nickname “The Upsetter” when he travels to Argentina to challenge newly crowned IBF cruiserweight champion Victor Ramirez at the Villa La Nata Sporting

Tennis WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DEBUT A ‘TOUGH SLOG’

– SIMMONDS

H

ayley Simmonds made her World Championships debut for Great Britain on Tuesday, riding in the elite women’s time trial in Richmond, USA – an event that she described as a ‘tough slog’.

British time trial champion Simmonds said that she gave it everything over the 29.9-kilometre course, which comprised two laps of a 15km circuit.

“I would have liked to have done a bit better but I couldn’t have got anything else out today and it was a massive learning experience for me coming here,” Simmonds told the British Cycling website.

“The wind over the bridge was really hard coming back so it felt fast over the James (river) and then as soon as you came up the chicane and back onto the bridge it was brutal headwind so that was a really tough slog.”

Simmonds was Britain’s sole representative in the race, and finished in 26th place, two minutes and 54 seconds behind winner and new world champion Linda Villumsen of New Zealand.

It’s a solid debut for the 27-year-old on which to build for future years – but the former rower-turned-cyclist may need to get used to having a dedicated team around her.

Simmonds

29

Wawrinka

T

he much awaited Aircel Chennai Open 2016 will mark the 20th year of South Asia’s only and India’s premier ATP tournament in the tennis capital of India – Chennai.

Two-time Grand Slam champion, Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka will be back in Chennai to defend his title at the Aircel Chennai Open 2016. India and South Asia’s Premier ATP World

Club, in Buenos Aires, on Friday, October 2nd. McKenzie will replace original opponent Yoan Pablo Hernandez, who was the IBF Champion, but was stripped of the title due to injury and IBF interim titleholder Ramirez was installed as the full champion.

It’s a dream world title shot for the 35-year-old from Jamaica, who has been a professional for over 15 years, and is a former two-time Commonwealth light heavyweight champion and the

current British, Commonwealth and WBA Continental cruiserweight champion.

With a record of 25 wins, 12 losses and 13 knockouts, McKenzie has caused some upsets in his career with surprise wins over unbeaten fighters. He’s had an Indian summer with his career of late and in his last four fights has won three by knockout with wins over Janne Forsman, Matty Askin, Jon Lewis Dickinson and Tony Conquest.

McKenzie knows that he’s up against it in Ramirez’s backyard and is not underestimating the 31-year-old who’s caused upsets himself when he travelled to Germany and beat previously undefeated Alexander Alekseev to win the Interim WBO World Cruiserweight title in 2009.

Tour tennis event, Aircel Chennai Open 2016 is scheduled to be held at Chennai’s SDAT Stadium from 4th to 10th January 2016.

Aircel Chennai Open 2016 will be Stan’s eighth visit to Chennai and this year he will be looking to defend his title and claim a hattrick of championship wins. For someone who has wowed Indian tennis fans numerous times in the past, audiences are eager to see

him reclaim his title. His big serve, exceptional state of fitness and single-handed backhand, which is perhaps the best in the game, won him his second Grand Slam – the French Open 2015 at Roland Garros against World no. 1 Novak Djokovic in June this year.

The World no. 4 is the second player from Switzerland to win the Grand Slam on clay, joining his compatriot, and good friend, Roger Federer.

Wawrinka to defend Aircel Chennai Open Title

Vlasic delighted with silver medal win

D

espite all her success, and her undoubted talent, when Blanka Vlasic walked into the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the women’s high jump final, she couldn’t possibly foresee what was about to happen.

The Croatian had endured the most tumultuous of summers, competing only twice after being hampered in the extreme by chronic pain in her right achilles tendon. As a result, she made the decision to compete in Beijing at the last possible moment.

“I came here with a big insecurity,” she says. “I wasn’t confident at all. I couldn’t even train on my right leg, so I knew I have no right to expect anything.”

Somehow, against all reasoning, the two-time world

champion cleared 2.01m at the first attempt, going on to take a surprise silver medal. Just one failure at the earlier height of 1.92m separated Vlasic from eventual gold medallist Maria Kuchina.

Afterwards, draped in a Croatian flag, with tears flooding her eyes, Vlasic tried to explain just how hard a road she’d travelled to get here.

“At one point I couldn’t walk in the morning,” she said, referring to the pain caused by a bone growth which impinges on her achilles tendon. “It feels like a miracle. I trained every day but it was half rehab and half training. My high jump sessions were very painful, especially afterwards. Two months ago, I woke up one day and couldn’t walk.”

30

Thursday, September 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Transfers…Transfers…Transfers…

CHELSEA SET TO OFFLOAD

It will take three windows to sort squad

– McCLAREN S

MIKEL

M

edia reports from England have suggested Chelsea are ready to splash as much as 30 million pounds to sign Blaise Matuidi from PSG as replacement for Nigeria star Mikel Obi. Mikel’s future at Stamford Bridge has remained a source of speculations even after he chose to stay put at ‘The Blues’ this season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to axe the Nigeria international, and Tuttomercatoweb claim the French midfielder is earmarked to fill the void

N

igeria striker Osaze Odemwingie has vowed to stay fit this season after he made his first start for Stoke City in over 12 months in a League Cup game Tuesday.

The former Lille of France striker lasted 84 minutes as Stoke City beat Fulham 1-0 to progress to the next stage of the competition.

He was replaced with six minute to the end of the game

by Xherdan Shaqiri.

“First start for me in over a year. Hope I stay fit and have many more. Solid team performance today and we are through to the next round!,” Osaze tweeted.

Mikel

Nigeria fans will remember Matuidi from last year’s World Cup when he kicked out Ogenyi Onazi out of the second round match against France in Brazil.

Matuidi, 28, is contracted to PSG until 2018, and would command a fee upwards of £30m.

Manchester United and Chelsea were both linked with the player over the summer, but neither ramped up initial interest in his services.

Matuidi has been with the French champions since a 2011 move from St-Etienne.

OSAZE

Vows To Stay Fit

teve McClaren has defended Newcastle’s transfer business, claiming he always knew it would take three transfer windows to sort out the squad.

Newcastle invested more than £52million in their squad during the summer but have taken only two points from their opening six Premier League games.

It has been suggested Newcastle are still a central defender and a striker short, a problem exacerbated by the back injury which will keep frontman Papiss Cisse out of the

McClaren

No Wolves Deal For

AMEOBI E

Osaze

ISA E Isa

cup game and a hamstring operation which will sidelines centre-half Steven Taylor for two months. The club have also been criticised for having the least number of English starters – one – in the Premier League.

“We have talked about spending in January,” McClaren said. “We have said this is about three windows.

“With the start, people will obviously criticise the first window, but the people we’ve signed are all good players. They need time to adapt to the Premier League.

nglish Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed they will not be signing Nigeria forward Shola Ameobi.

The former Newcastle United front man has been training with the Championship outfit recently and featured in a trial match with the U21 team against Swansea City, but the club have now revealed

that boss Kenny Jackett will not be progressing with talks to sign the striker: Jackett confirmed Wolves will not be proceeding with talks with Ameobi, but thanked the forward for his brief time in training.

The former Newcastle United player has now failed to seal a deal with two Championship sides, the other being Huddersfield Town.

to decide on next move

x-Nigeria youth international Sherif Isa has said he hopes to decide on his next move as several clubs are jostling for his signature prior to the end of his contract in Ukraine.

The former Kano Pillars ace, whose contract with Ukraine Premier League side Olimpik Donetsk ends in December, said there are

several offers for him and his present club too have tabled a new deal for him.

“I have received offers from clubs in Russia, Germany, Austria and Middle East. My present deal ends in December and my club are also keen to keep me as they have offered me new contract,” he disclosed.

“I am taking my time to weigh the options and choose which is best for me.”

Sheriff has just returned to training after he was sidelined by a knee injury.

“I resumed training this week after I being out for three weeks. I was injured in our game against Alexandra, but I am okay now,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

31 Opinion

Why is Lagos State Able to Pay Salary?

ÎÎÎ In our last essay we

concluded the Kogi State segment of a nationwide series looking at the economic spines of states in Nigeria. Titled “Why Kogi State Can’t Pay Salary,” I attempted to show the stupendous unexploited wealth of Kogi, one of the states that could not pay her staff salaries for several months. This week, I want look at Lagos State, especially from the angle of its consistent ability to pay her workers’ salaries.

The Government of Lagos State, starting with Governor Bola Tinubu and enhanced by Governor Babatunde Fashola, has shown what happens when leadership does strategic thinking. Especially when they go on to implement the good policies that arise from that good thinking. In 2004, the Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo had withheld Lagos State’s local councils’ share of essentially petroleum oil proceeds and continued to do so over a period of about three years, that is, until the end of Obasanjo’s presidency in 2007.

OBJ’s action was sequel to his disagreement with the government of Lagos State over the constitutional-

ity of the state’s creation of new local councils.

Obasanjo thus surreptitiously foisted financial responsibility on Lagos State: they had to fend largely for themselves as he had cut off their full federal allocations. There is hardly any state in Nigeria today that can survive without this monthly federal allocation. Obasanjo’s move against Lagos State however compelled Lagos to accelerate and expand her internal search for alternative sources of revenue. The positive move of Lagos against the challenge of economic annihilation has now culminated in the state consistently earning internally generated revenue (IGR) far in excess of her share of federally collected and distributed proceeds. This is apart from her share of value added tax (VAT), which is also collected and distributed by the Federal Government. In June 2014, Lagos State earned 6 billion naira from VAT alone, 20% more than its statutory allocation from the essentially oil and gas funded federation account. Also, the State’s direct IGR for June 2014 was 20 billion naira, five times its federal revenue share

of 5 billion naira for the same month. More recently in April 2015, the State reported that it now generates an average of 23 billion naira IGR per month.

In 1999, Lagos State’s average IGR per month was 600 million naira and her budget was 17 billion naira. But by 2014, the state’s budget had risen to 500 billion naira. Lagos has indeed become, as Ononiwu Anyanwu-Ekeocha would say, a “super West African state” able to compete with most countries in Africa. And Lagos is not resting on her oars. Oil has been discovered within its territory and she has swung into action. The state government has enacted a law to establish its own oil and gas corporation, the Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation, to invest and engage in oil and gas activities in the state as well as in other parts of Nigeria and in the world at large.

A courageous step. The law empowers the government oil and gas corporation to participate actively in oil and gas upstream activities, including exploration, drilling and production; investment in any other company or a consortium for the purpose of participating in oil and gas bid rounds and seeking marginal fields allocation. The law also specifically allows the state corporation to explore, drill, prospect and acquire abandoned wells anywhere in the world. The law empowers the state oil and gas agency to leverage the opportunities in the petroleum policies of the federal government; to acquire gas reserves and oth-

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er supplies for the state as may be considered appropriate. Furthermore the law empowers the agency to collaborate with other governments, specifically federal agencies as well as private and multinational companies to deliver petroleum products to the state in the most effective and cost efficient manner.

The corporation can also invest in refinery, petrochemical processing or other production.

Lagos did all these even before one drop of oil was produced in the state. The consortium leading the oil exploration is also headed by a company owned by a Lagos citizen, Wahab Folawiyo. In essence, Lagos has positioned herself to cash in on every drop of oil extracted from its soil.

It cannot be a poor or debtor state. Its leadership is thinking on their feet and running at the same

time. And they are getting results, globally acknowledged and celebrated results.

Lagos State Government has also established an Oil and Gas Area within the Lekki Free Zone.

Specifically the state is collaborating, on a strictly commercial basis, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and China State Engineering Construction Corporation (CSECC) to embark on activities aimed at building the Greenfield Refinery at the Lekki free trade zone, towards curbing importation of petroleum products into the Country. In essence, Lagos is aggressively accessing and leveraging every conceivable economic opportunity to further improve her revenue profile. That is why Lagos, unlike very many other states in Nigeria,

can pay her staffs’ salary.

Lagos State is thinking.

She is also acting and constantly improving on her performance. Lagos does not even need any federal allocation to exist as a state. In other states, government business would shut down without federal handouts, monthly. They are dependent. Lagos is independent.

In terms of agribusiness, I know firsthand that Lagos State has very clear ideas as to where it is going in terms of fish production. Lagos, for example, has set up a whole estate, the Lagos State Fish Farm Estate at Odoguyan in Ikorodu, where the not less than three hundred mostly graduate fish farmers are motivated to increase the amount of fish produced locally to bridge the gap in federal fish production. As I had mentioned recently, Nigeria produces only a third of the fish she eats.

When we imagine what other states in Nigeria can achieve once they too begin to look inwards, that is, once they are no longer dependent on constitutional/statutory federal handouts, we would see how the creativity of the country as a whole would be unleashed.

Next week Thursday, October 1, 2015, is Nigeria’s Independence Day. In commemoration of the nation’s 55th Independence Anniversary, I will be reflecting in this column on “Which Way Nigeria at 55 Years Old?”

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.197

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Mike Otanwa

F

ormer governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has become the latest person to consider making a bid for the presidency of soccer’s global gov erning body FIFA as it struggles to em erge from a corruption scandal.

Kalu, a businessman with oil, tourism and other interests in West Africa and former governor of Abia state, is “carefully deliberatin g upon the decision” to stand as a suc cessor to outgoing president Sepp Blatter, his Washington-based spokes man Sam Amsterdam said in a stat ement.

Blatter, at the helm since 199 8, announced in June he wou ld step down as FIFA was rocked by an investigation into soccer corr uption.

The United States indicted 14 sports marketing executives and soccer officials, including several from FIFA on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges.

Kalu’s statement said Blatter, who was not among those indicted , “has crafted an unparalleled lega cy in establishing football’s presence in the international emerging market place.”

“He understood and expand ed upon the belief of many theolog ians in that sport is a bastion of opportu nity, a levelling barometer and a sou rce of patriotism for all walks of life.”

UEFA president Michel Plat ini, a former French internation al, is considered the front-runner among the list of candidates who have said they want to run for the FIFA presidency at an extraord inary meeting on February 26.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Business Times Æ s

B1

August Allocation Dips as FG, States, LGs Share N442.606b The effect of the dwindling crude oil prices seems to pose more danger on the monthly revenue flow to the Nigerian government as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared the sum of N442.606 billion to the three tiers of government for the month of August, 2015 making a deficit of N69.193 billion of the amount shared in July.

Announcing the breakdown of amount shared, the Chairperson of the FAAC and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anastasia Nwokobia disclosed that the gross revenue of N369.140 billion was received for the month of August was lower than the N433.584 billion received in the previous month of July 2015 by N64.444 billion.

Mrs Nwokobia said that for the month of August 2015, the gross available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N62.176 billion as against N74.945 billion distributed in the preceeding month resulting a decrease of N12.769 billion.

She attributed that a drastic drop in Crude Oil Export, shut down and shut-in of production for maintenance at different times and terminals during the month of July were the major issues that negatively impacted crude oil revenue.

According to her, there was exchange gain of N4.960 billion which is proposed for distribution.

The Federal Government got N177.576 billion representing 52.68% of the total amount shared as against N202.111 billion received in the previous month.

The state governments got N115.373 which is 26.72 % of the total revenue distributed for the month of August 2015 as against the N102.513 billion received in July.

The local government Councils got N86.729 represented 20.60 % of the total revenue shared as against N79.033 billion shared in July.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the distributable statutory revenue for the month is N433.584 billion adding that the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded by the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federal Government.

She said that the present amount of money in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is $2.257

billion, the same as it was in July 2015 saying that the reason the ECA count remained untouched was that there has not been any urgent need to dip hand into the account.

Also, there was exchange gain of N6.409 billion which was proposed for distribution. She therefore, put the total revenue distributable for the current month to N511.799 billion.

The sum of N27.870 billion representing 13 % derivation of mineral revenue of oil and gas was given to the oil producing states.

Giving a further breakdown of the revenue distribution for the current month, the sum of 3.712 was given to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as 4% cost of revenue collection, while the Nigerian Customs Service got N3.374 billion representing 7% cost of the revenue collected for the month.

The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) got N1.595 billion which also represent 4% of its revenue collection for July, 2013.

The Committee also disclosed that ihe sum of N12.500 billion was refunded to FIRS. On the level of compliance to the Single Treasury Account (TSA), by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Accountant General of the Federation Mr Ahmed Idris said that about 600 out of the 900 MDS have so far complied, warning that no MDAs is exempted from remitting revenue to the TSA. Mr Idris also warned that any MDAs that failed to comply even as the deadline has elapsed, would be sanctioned accordingly.

He said anyone that needs further clarification on the TSA should come to the Office of the Accountant general of the Federation.

Buhari

L-R: Managing Director, Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), Chinasa Jonathan-Ojei, presenting thank you card; Beneficiary, Kayode Ogedengbe; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote and Patron, Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), Prof. Pat Utomi during Thank you visit for the sponsoring of Kayode Ogedengbe to University of Maiduguri, Lagos.

IoD urges sustainable investment in non-oil sector Stories by Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Worried about the dwindling price of crude oil in the International Market, the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) has called for a sustainable investment in the non-oil sector of the nation’s economy; this is with the view to improving revenue generation for the development of the country.

The Chairman, Governing Council of the Institute Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju who made this call in Abuja also indentified with the present administration’s drive for transparency and accountability, while emphasizing the need for capacity building amongst top officials of government and corporate bodies.

According to him, “In the face of dwindling oil revenue, there is urgent need for directors and leaders to ensure sustainable investment in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy, the case for economic diversification is prime; therefore we want to encourage Nigerian directors and business leaders to rise anew like their counterparts across developing economies to partner with the federal government in creating avenues of income for national survival and development.

“IoD Nigeria recognizes and identifies with the thrust of the

new federal administration in the areas of transparency, accountability, corporate governance, prudent management of national resources and security of lives and property. This is in consonance with IoD Nigeria’s avowed position to promote the entrenchment of good corporate governance in work places and best practices in the management of resources in both public and private sectors and creating an enabling environment where the best resources can flourish to the benefits of all who live and relate with Nigeria.

“To build capacity and competence in the boardroom, IoD Nigeria and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) regularly collaborate to train directors of companies listed on the stock exchange through the IoD ‘Company Directors Course’. We also regularly run effective Public Sector Director Development Programmes for directors of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, to help in articulating and performing their duties to government and the society.

He further noted that the Annual Directors Conference 2015 with the theme, “Ensuring Sustainable Investment in Nigeria Through Global Best Practices” is the platform provided by IoD Nigeria to encourage business leaders in developing and developed economies to reach out directly to credible public and

private sector leaders on the best ways to establish reliable and sustainable investment in Nigeria, that are mutually beneficial and with great value to the global community.”

Also, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, Alhaji Maman Psc expressed government’s willingness to identify with IOD Nigeria, stressing that IoD Nigeria is the foremost leadership organization that champions the mobilization and motivation of credible leaders in the private and public sectors to proffer solutions to the nagging national problem of sustainable investment.

He equally promised to that the ministry will collaborate and work closely with IoD Nigeria to showcase various investment opportunities in Nigeria at the flagship event bid to hold in October.

Akeju

Brands and Marketing B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Johnnie Walker unveils biggest campaign in brand’s history

L-R: GM, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. Neil Comerford; Head of Reserve, Mr. Joe Nazzal; Head of Marketing, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Ms. Adenike Adebola; Joy Ambassador, Johnnie Walker, Don Jazzy and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness, Mr. Sesan Sobowale at the launch of Johnnie Walker ‘JOY WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER’ Campaign in Lagos…

As a way of encouraging millions of Nigerians across the country to celebrate success at every phase of life, Johnnie Walker, the foremost premium Scotch whisky in the world from the stables of Diageo Brands, recently unveiled its largest ever global marketing campaign tagged “Joy Will Take You Further.”

Activated in more than 50 countries simultaneously, Johnnie Walker’s “Joy Will Take You Further” campaign will reach over 350million consumers around the world within the first weeks of launch, urging everyone to recognize and celebrate personal progress they achieve

on their walk to success.

Speaking at the event, the corporate affairs director Diageo Nigeria Mr. Sesan Sobowale stated that the new campaign drawing on decades of research - challenged the conventional wisdom that success guarantees you happiness and instead celebrates the fact that happiness actually helps people achieve success.

He said: “Johnnie Walker has always stood for progress – it’s been the story of our whisky since our founder John Walker started it all nearly 200 years ago. What two centuries of experience have taught us is that progress doesn’t have to be an endless uphill journey – we can enjoy the steps we take and the more happiness we find in them the more likely we are to achieve our goal. Evidence is confirming a conviction that sits at the heart of our brand: ‘‘Joy Will Take You Further.”

Dufil Prima Foods names 2015 IIDA Judges Stories by Godwin Anyebe Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of one of the leading noodles brand, Indomie Instant Noodles, have announced selected members of the panel of judges for the 2015 edition of its corporate social responsibility initiative - Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA).

The selected judges are; Socio-economic and political commentator,Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, Principal Grange School, G.R.A, Ikeja, Mr. Graham Stothard,Executive Director, Corona Schools Mrs. OlufuntoIgun,

Editor Vanguard Newspaper,Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Publisher and Editor Genevieve Magazine,Mrs. Betty Irabor, MD heritage Homes, Mrs. Osuntokun and Deputy Provost- Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr. Jide Johnson.

This List was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, on progress of activities for the 2015 edition of the Indomie Heroes Award.

In the statement, Mr. Ashiwaju acknowledged the credibility and integrity of the selected judges.

He said, “We are excited to have on-board these distinguished Ni-

gerians with a track record of integrity in their various endeavours. The selected members of the panel are credible people with proven integrity who would do justice to the task of selecting the three winners for this year’s IIDA awards”.

The Judges are expected to sit to adjudicate and select the final three winners from the top stories already penciled down by the selection committee having met the set down criteria.

Mr. Asiwaju disclosed further that the verification team is already on the field to authenticate, validate and simulate ‘the selected stories which will be used

during the judges’ meeting for the selection of the first, second and third place winners.

The IIDA awards which has been running for 8 years, extols the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear. Winners are rewarded with scholarship awards of N1m, 750, 000 and 500, 000 naira respectively.

It would be recalled that at this year’s media briefing to kick-off the 8 edition of the IIDA initiative, Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Deepak Singhal stated that the IIDA initiative is significant because it is rooted

in the recognition of those whose best efforts are very often overlooked.

He said, “On a daily basis, our beloved Nigerian children perform thousands of heroic acts that save the lives and property of others at great personal risk to themselves. But the reality is that such acts of bravery often go unsung because the players involved are minors”.

“Hence, our belief that they need to be identified and celebrated publicly in other to encourage and inspire more selfless acts in these children, who would tomorrow hold various leadership positions in the country”.

Fashola charges corporate organisations, Nigerians on sustainable development ÏÏÏ LjM Foundation turns 10 Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has charged corporate organisations to intensify their efforts to support Nigeria in the area of sustainable development as the country seeks to achieve an enviable status in the areas socio-economic development among the comity of nations.

Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated this at an event to mark the tenth year anniversary of MTN Foundation in Lagos. The MTN Foundation is the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) arm of MTN Nigeria a company established in 2001.

Speaking on the “Role of CSR in Nigeria’s sustainable development”, Fashola called on other multinationals to intensify their CSR programmes in Nigeria; while commending the MTN Foundation on its commitment to impacting the lives of Nigerians some of whom hitherto were living without hope.

“While in office as the Governor of Lagos, I witnessed MTNF’s special interest and active involvement in tackling issues around health, education, security and economic empowerment. The Foundation equipped laboratories for vocational and technical training; it intervened in collaborating with the state to provide Haemodialysis machines in our general hospital in Igando,

Alimosho. Our general hospital in Gbagada now has 24 dialysis machines. In the area of security, the Foundation has been very supportive” Fashola said.

Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, also said that the MTN’s decision to separate its CSI in MTNF is an affirmation of its genuine desire to touch the lives of Nigerians.

MTN since 2005 has dedicated 1% of its profit after tax to the MTN Foundation’s activities.

“Creating a separate entity like MTN Foundation to simply cater for CSI is unique. Engaging a Private-Public-Partnership model simply shows the interest of the Foundation in adding value to the society and such genuine con-

siderations must be commended.

While some corporate organisations are yet to understand the core of CSI, it is interesting to note that the MTN Foundation has been consistent in strategically implementing credible projects that are sustainable” Ndukwe said.

In setting up the MTN Foundation, Dr. Pascal Dozie, a Director with Foundation said “we agreed that we will engage people who had a molecule of virtues, who understood the principles of good governance and what it takes to be responsible”. In the past ten years, MTNF has spent over N13 billion on 344 projects across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Fashola

· Exhibitions

· International partnerships

· Seminars

· Products’ launch

· Raffle draw

· Entertainment

· Discount sales

. Meet Regulators

ACCI to construct shopping mall B4 and 5 star hotel P

2015 ABUJA

Chamber of Commerce & Industy International Trade Fair Digest

Thursday, September 24, 2015

E-commerce is future of SMEs — Garba DICON displays military B5 hardware at Abuja Trade fair P

Sights from 10th Abuja International Trade Fair B6 P

FOR ADVERT LISTINGS IN ABUJA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR DIGEST Call: 07064933209, 08054934941

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

E-commerce is future of SMEs — Garba Augustine Okezie Abuja A leading member of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gen. J. I Garba has advised Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and business operators to key into e-commerce and position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities it offers in the marketplace of the future.

He urged SMEs to be forward looking and appreciate what they ought to do and where they must focus their efforts and resources in order to avoid being tripped up by the blowing gust of E-commerce and to take advantage of the endless opportunities that the E-age has to offer to businesses.

Gen. Garba who was presenting his paper titled ’’E-commerce for the future’’ at the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) being organized by the Chamber, said electronic commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and/or services using electronic means of communication and transaction such as computer networks, mobile phones and the Internet.

He said’’ Electronic commerce draws on technologies such as Mobile Commerce, electronic funds

transfer, Supply Chain Management, internet marketing, online Transaction Processing, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Inventory Management System (IMS), and Automated Data Collection Systems (ADCS) He further identified the topic as the most important theme of interest to every serious business man and woman of today and the future, who is concerned about ‘’staying above the drowning mire of change and about succeeding.’’

Meanwhile the vice president fiancé, Abuja chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Osi Imomoh has given several reasons including getting sound business advice on sourcing of credits for business transactions and partnering with local and international business organizations as some of the benefits members and participants at the ongoing 10th Abuja international trade fair.

Mr. Imomoh who told Daily Times in an exclusive chat that several members of the chambers have been complaining about several difficulties they have been encountering urged those having similar problems to endeavor to attend the next colloquium coming up on the 25th of September.

President ACCI, Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye 4th right, flanked by executive members of the Chamber and participants at the “Future of ECommerce Colloquium at the ongoing 10th Abuja International Trade Fair on Wednesday.

Contribute your 1% to skills development, ITF urges exhibitors Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Everyone has its objective in every gathering.

This is exactly what you would find when you visit the Trade Fair Complex for the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair where different companies are displaying their goods, products and service to the prospective buyers.

While other business entities are busy exhibiting their items to attract

customers, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) was also busy telling people why they need to contribute one percent of their total annual earnings or payroll to the coffer of the Fund.

Our correspondent gathered that according to the mandate of the ITF, any supplier or contractor or consultant bidding or soliciting contract business, goods and services from any federal government

ministry, department and agency (MDAs) as well as commercial, industrial and private entities must fulfil statutory obligation of its employees with respect to payment of its training contributions.

It further stated that “any liable organisation, public or private including companies situated in the free trade zone requiring approval for Export Quota and or utilizing customs service in matters of

export and import must show proof of compliance with this Act.” One of its fliers read: Like birds need wings to fly, you also need skills to survive and be productive.

Acquire relevant skills that will give you the edge to be employed, freedom to be self –employed and even an employer. In this way you also will be contributing to the development of Nigeria’s economy.”

NEPC creates awareness ACCI to construct shopping mall and 5 star hotel Augustine Okezie, at Trade Fair Complex Abuja Mathew Dadiya, Abuja As companies and other business entities take over the exhibition stands at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture complex, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council was not left behind as it also exhibits its services alongside other business.

A visit by the Daily Times to the Council’s exhibition point, noted a display of various information materials such as booklets, fliers, pamphlets, books and samples

of export goods and products.

According to information, the Decree establishing the Council was basically to enhance the quality of services it renders to exporting community.

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

The management of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has concluded arrangements to commence the construction of a shopping mall and a 5 star hotel to complement other services rendered by the chamber to the business community.

The president of the Chamber Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye told newsmen at the ongoing 10th Abuja international trade fair that already arrangement for the commencement of construction work at the sites have reached ad-

vanced stage though in phases.

In a related development the president has attributed the high charges by participants at the fair to the scarcity of space at the event but he promised that his committee will look into the complaints and see how they can scale down the charges.

He said ‘’we are going to re-organize our costing system to see how we can bring it downwards of course our limitation is always this; when we have few spaces to allocate it will naturally drive up prices so we are going to look into that hopefully.’’

Recall that customers

who throng the trade fair to make brisk Salah purchases have been complaining about exorbitant prices of goods on display. Some of the customers have even appealed to the leadership of the chamber to prevail on the participants at the fair to bring down their prices.

There was a mild dra-

ma at the main entrance of the trade fair site today when a small girl of about 14 years fainted at the entrance gate of the fair, she was however resuscitated by the Chamber’s adequate preparation for the fair as there was an ambulance stationed at the entrance gate which quickly attended to her.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

B5

Awake Security slashes prices, offers credit at trade fair Olatorera Dickson- Amusa, Abuja The 10th Abuja Trade fair has many opportunities begging for grabs at the ongoing International Fair along Air Port Road, Abuja.

One of such companies offering sales promotion is the Awake Security Limited, showcasing various forms of security gadgets for homes, office and military used.

Sales Manager of the company at the fair complex explained that they have different ranges of equipment such as varieties of CCTV, Fire Alarm systems etc.

She said “ours is a total security and safety solution, we sale, install and do maintenance of safety and security equipment.

We are selling at reduced prices and credit at the 10th Abuja International Trade fair.”

DICON displays military hardware at Abuja Trade fair Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has made its mark at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair where its locally manufactured military arsenals are being exhibited for potential buyers especially the arm forces and other security service provider.

2015 Abuja Trade Fair promotes the beauty of lace fabrics Olatorera Dickson-Amusa, Abuja One of the most beautiful clothing materials in Africa, and indeed the whole world, is lace. There is no limit to the various styles and products that can be derived from lace. And the beautiful thing about it is, there are so many varieties and qualities to it.

Allahu Lateef Stores stand at the Abuja International Trade Fair 2015 bears ardent testimony to that.

The stand, located just a few feet away from the entrance displays a large variety of lace, with ex-

otic names like Swiss lace, French lace, and dry lace. The manager, simply identified as Mummy Bukky staunchly backed the quality of her goods, saying that they are all original and of excellent design.

Allahu Lateef Stores also features other lovely materials such as Guinea Brocade, Aso-Oke, Cotonou Wrapper and other such products.

Like many traders there, Madam Bukky has taken hold of the immense opportunity for profit-making offered by the trade fair.

Are you a socialite?

Or perhaps planning to be one? The afore-mentioned store is just one

of the numerous clothing stores that throng the Abuja 2015 Trade Fair grounds. And there is good news for those who are particular about matching items like jewelry and shoes with your beautiful Lace or Guinea Brocade.

Why? Well, after shopping for lace at Allahu Stores, you’ll find that you’re surrounded by just such items. You will probably find more shops exhibiting shoes, jewelry of all types, and more bags than you could possibly need.

Amazing, isn’t it? Well, welcome to the magic of the Abuja International Trade Fair 2015.

Mr Dauda Bigyen told Daily Times that DICON was fully back and functional and can produce any quantity of arms depending on demand.

He also explained that the categories and level of the sophistication of the weapons, said they were all manufactured locally in Nigeria at the DICON headquarters in Kaduna.

According to him, the category of the firearms

include: General purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Sub General Purpose Machine Gun (SPM), 006OBJ, AK47 Assault Rifle, 9x19mm parabellum cartridge, 7.62x51mm Ball NATO Cartridge, Nigerian Pistol 1 among several others.

He also said that the Defence Industry has also produce some military hardware for the United Nations some of which include the Fragmented Jacket over

compartment, Night Vision Goggles, Bullet Proof Jackets and several other wares.

He disclosed that the level of patronage was relatively encouraging, however noted that the challenge of the Corporation was lack of patronage by government adding that they have the capacity to produce any form of military equipment if only the federal government give them the needed support.

Ghana herbs gain acceptability at Abuja Trade Fair Mathew Dadiya, Abuja International Exhibitors at the Abuja International Trade Fair are receiving more boosts by the influx of prospective buyers, window-shoppers and usual customers to various stands at the trade complex.

One of such foreign businesses enjoying good patronage is Ghana Herbs which deals on varieties of herbal medicines for treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

The Managing Director of the Ghana Herbs, Mrs Rose Agbe said that participating at the Abuja Trade fair has always afford her the opportunity to broaden her customers base describ-

ing the annual event as very encouraging.

Mrs Agbe told Daily Times that her herbal products cure many kinds of ailment but she focus mostly on the treatment of Fibroid, and Stroke.

According to her, many people from Nigeria, Ghana and other countries have testified the efficacy of her herbal products specifically those she treated of fibroid and Stroke.

She said “herbal treatment is a mystery to me; it

was endowed on me divinely. Because of that, I don’t charge much.”

“A particular instance was a woman who was bleeding for nine months consecutively due to the growth of fibroid in her, I treated her within two weeks and today she has given birth to kids”, she stated.

She also maintained that her herbal products have no side effect except the person doesn’t know what to do.

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

Sights from day 4 B6

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

B7 Brands and Marketing Dansa Food out with Kally drink Mutiat Alli

the teachers to efficiently perform their professional duties”“We also want a better life through Education for our youths that’s why we support early childhood development and also assist to create a conducive environment for learning” Ahmadu enthused.

It would be recalled that the retailer recently partnered with the Kwara state waste management agency to drive the message of keeping the environment clean.

In the same vein, it also organised a free breast cancer screening

event in Ibadan and donated shopping vouchers to NGO’s in Kano and Abuja.

The teachers and students of Progressive Nursery and Primary school expressed sincere appreciation for the donation and encouraged other well-meaning organisations to emulate the gesture. Lagos state now plays host to five branches of Shoprite with the addition of the Festac store and brings to a total of thirteen stores spread across as they continue to expand in the country.

Fast moving Consumer Goods Company (FMCG), Dansa Food limited and member of the Dangote Group has introduced yet another product into the Nigeria market with the launch of the Kally drink a blend of natural fruits tagged at the Nigerian youths.

The event which held within the Egbeda environ of Alimosho Local government had in attendance top dignitaries that include National Commercial Manager, Dansa Foods limited, Mr. Manoj Kumar, According to the National Commercial Manager, Mr. Manoj Kumar who noted that the introduction of Kally drink into the market is way listening to yarning of supporters of the Dansa food family who attest to the values the company has impacted to its numerous client through adequate products and services.

Manoj further described the product as unique, fun; adding values to life through the achievement of dreams and also as local product made in Nigeria, by Nigerians and for the consumption of Nigerians is an edge Kally has over other drinks as it connects to every class of individuals down to the grass root.

According to Manoj, Kally is extremely connected to the youths as youths are dreamers who want to make a difference in life and with the product, all aspiration fall in place.

Fortified with sodium, Vitamin A, protein, Carbohydrate, minerals, calcium and in a unique pet bottle; Kally comes in different fragrant that includes Kally Apple bite, Coca thrill, Red orange and Guarana twist which is the only flavour in the entire West Africa.

Mutiat Alli

Managing Director and CEO of GTBank, Segun Agbaje will serve as the Keynote Speaker as well as a guest judge who will evaluate live the entrepreneur’s business plans.

Joining the GTBank MD at the judges table are pan-African business leaders Tunde Folawiyo, MD of Nigerian conglomerate Yinka Folawiyo Group; Genevieve Sangudi, MD of Sub-Saharan Africa for global private equity firm Carlyle Group; Dr. Omobola Johnson, Former Minister of Communication Technology, Eme Essien, Nigeria Country Manager for the International Finance Corporation; Issam Darwish, CEO of telecommunications firm IHS Towers; and Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV. The top six finalists for this

year’s Entrepreneur Showcase are Beauty Revolution NG; Heat Free Hair; Heels in the Kitchen; Instahealth; KAMOKINI and OmoAlata. These entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of 400 applicants and have more than 10,000 customers and $3M in revenue. They have spent the past six weeks working with mentors and advisors from the Lagos Angel Network to perfect their pitch and business plan presentation.

According to the organisers, the event is open to investors, business executives, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and hear first-hand about the next generation of African innovation.

L-R: National Commercial Manager Dansa Foods limited, Mr. Manoj Kumar and Mr Olufemi Quadri at the launching of Kally drinks in Lagos.

Shoprite extends CSR initiative to Festac school Godwin Anyebe

The Progressive Nursery and Primary School, Festac Town has become the latest beneficiary of the Shoprite’s corporate social responsibility initiative in partnership with Save Our Needy International non-governmental organization.

The retailer which opened its new outlet in Festival mall Festac town of Lagos donated a set of chairs, tables, whiteboards and stationeries to the principal of

the school. The donation is part of Shoprite’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where they have stores.

Speaking on its contributions to the school, Shoprite’s Festac store manager, Jide Ahmadu said that the donation forms part of the store’s CSR plans to impact their Community. “We understand the fact that learning materials are important because they can significantly increase students’ achievement by supporting their learning as well as assisting

GT Bank partners ‘She leads Africa’ programme

Segun Agbaje, GTBank MD

Leading Nigerian financial institution, GT Bank has partnered with She Leads Africa (SLA) to support and invest in promising female entrepreneurs from across Africa. The She Leads Africa Entrepreneur Showcase is a platform established to provide young entrepreneurs direct access to investors, international media exposure and the opportunity to win a $10,000 cash prize. The event is billed to hold September 26, 2015 at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos.

As lead sponsor, GTBank is sponsoring the $10,000 first place prize along with providing marketing consulting and SME advisory support through their SME Market Hub. The

Money B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Nigeria and a tale of 8 countries ….Part 4: Nigeria VS. Canada Zuby Emodi While I attempt to compare the currency management strategies in Nigeria as compared to that of Canada, I wish to reiterate that the essence of reviewing different countries is to sensitise for an audit of the strategies and quickly review the impacts, and then decide to either continue or drop these strategies. Once again, no two countries share the exact same circumstances and consequently not expected to adopt the same resolution measures.

Just recently I mentioned to a friend that USD smuggling from Nigeria will attain the same level of notoriety drug smuggling has attained. I jokingly mentioned that people will swallow dollars to cross borders. Less that 2 weeks after the interaction he sent me a link suggesting the “prophesy has come to pass”. I found it difficult to believe (even though I gave the “prophecy”), and yet

I got another link with the pictures and names of the culprits to validate the claim. Just for the records, I still find it difficult to believe. They were labeled drug dealers and BDC operators.

While the CBN has done well (though illegally) by excluding some import items from the FX validity list, the outright restriction of banks from completing genuine and valid transactions is at best described as frustrating and archaic. Multiple parallel markets have been created and the “party” over the Naira gains in the parallel market is long over. In less than 3 weeks the Naira moved from N208/$1 to N218/$1 then up to $N222/$1 and is gradually inching up to N228/$1. This strategy adopted by the CBN has created new arbitrage opportunities and until reversed will continue creating “new criminals” who are either looking to make quick gains or fulfill genuine business needs.

The CBN urgently needs to close the gap between the official and the parallel market

and this CANNOT be achieved without a devaluation or out rightly letting the currency float (not recommended) so that market forces can determine prices. The Naira is clearly overpriced and sustaining this fight exposes how much we shy away from reality and little wonder “serious” people would rather not do business with us. The level of uncertainty is so unhealthy and explains why JP Morgan had announced plans (in January 2015) to drop Nigeria from its local currency emerging markets bond index, and have also gone ahead to reconfirm the plan, with execution dates.

The singular most important factor in any business relationship is liquidity, which provides ease of entry and exit. CBN Forex rationing has not done any good to this factor and the cost of this experiment can only be imagined.

Let us look at the Financial and Economic fundamentals of the 2 countries, using same template for the earlier comparisons.

Population

(M)

35.54

178.5

Oil Production

(M’bbl/d)

4.3

2.4

FOREX Reserves

(B’$)

76

29

1,768.00

568.00

GDP (B’$) GDP Rank

11

22

GDP Per Capita

$

44,843 (18)

3,184 (120)

Human Dev. Index Rank

2013

8

187

High Inc

Lower Mid Inc

Income Group

In Canada, mineral producers pay royalties, mining taxes and other similar charges to provincial governments and this explains why some Provinces (like Alberta) will be worse hit with the economic impact of the oil price drop than others. The Oil & Gas contribution to the Canadian GDP stands at about 10%, however for the provinces that house these oil mining establishments, the contribution

ranges as high as 25% - 30%. Oil & Gas contribution to the Nigerian GDP is about 14.4%, and the revenue allocation formula also favours higher allocations to the oil producing states.

With a Population of 35.5 Million, the whole of Canada (High Income Country) has as many people as less than double the size of Lagos and yet with a FX reserves of $76B, while Nigeria (Lower Middle Income country)

with a population of 178 Million maintain a FX reserves of about $30B. Canada also ranks 8th on the Human Development Index, while Nigeria ranks 187th with a lot of unimaginable developmental needs.

Canada’s GDP ($1,768b) is about 3 times the size of Nigeria’s GDP ($568B) and with their lean population, they rank 18th worldwide by GDP Per Capita, while Nigeria ranks 120th.

CURRENCY VALUATION Canadian Dollar(CDN)

Naira (N)

Exchange Rate

Jan-13

1.01

154.99

per USD

Jan-14

1.06

158.61

Jan-15

1.16

189.45

Aug-15

1.31

196.55

Sep-15

1.32

198.86

2013-2015

0.31

0.28

%age change

Over the past 2 years (typically since January), the CDN had lost about 31% value to the USD while the Naira” waxes strong” at 28%.

The CDN has always been a very strong currency and frequently gains above the USD to become stronger or trade at par. However,

the recent drop which has been sustained since January has been blamed on oil price drop and the necessary market adjustments

are taking place to reflect this reality. The CDN value stated above is available without restriction in the Banks, while the Naira has been boxed into a “purely local” currency that cannot be transferred to other countries (except you are filling Form M and Form A)and has different values, depending on which parallel market you are trading from.

With the fundamentals and

data shown above, we are obviously enjoying a false sense of comfort and the hawks are massively capitalizing on this uncertainty. A piece of advice, when travelling abroad and someone gives you a book to deliver, be sure to open it and ensure Dollar packs are not carved into it. For our brothers that are swallowing USD notes (maybe wrapped in condom) or other latex products, I wish you good nourishment.

Chevron crisis: NUPENG threatens nationwide strike Joy Ekeke The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a 7- day Ultimatum to the Federal Government over unresolved issues affecting Chevron Contract Workers.

A statement signed by NUPENG President Igwe Achese, said that if the Federal Government fails to intervene in the unresolved anti – labour practices of Chevron at the expiration of the 7-day ultimatum, that it will commence a nation-wide strike action immediately, stressing that the Union will not issue any fresh ultimatum over the matter.

The union adds that it has watched with keen interest the resolution reached with the Union, Chevron and the Federal Ministry of Labour and yet there is an ongoing termination of the jobs of our members.

It stressed that despite the intervention of the Federal Ministries of Labour and Petroleum Resources, Chevron and its labour contractors have not deemed it fit to honour the resolutions reached at all its meetings.

NUPENG adds that some of the unresolved issues include job categorization of members who have worked as contract staff for over 25years, but that Chevron Nigeria Limited in their bid to deplete the numerical strength of NUPENG, introduced an obnoxious criteria of using remuneration to determine which union the contract workers should belong to in the company.

NUPENG adds that all agreements reached with the Federal Ministry of Labour were reneged by Chevron and that they even refused to appear in a meeting convened by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC in Abuja last week.

Life&

Times Thursday, September 24, 2015

Gold

Adekunle From Royalty to music

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

I am not a competitive person –Adekunle Gold ‘Sade’ is my story. There was this girl I was chasing around like three years ago, her name is Sade. So when I wanted to drop a song last year December, I was really restless, because I felt it was about time to be heard. So I decided to start with songs that were about my story, but after I recorded ‘Sade,’ I just knew I had to start with it. So ‘Sade’ is basically my story.

Before releasing the song, what were your expectations like?

No, I didn’t expect it at all. Although I rarely have doubts when I record songs, to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be a really big song. ‘Sade’ is not even my biggest song; it is a cover of ‘One Direction’s song, told with my own story. All I wanted to do was put something out and see how people would respond to the new sound. To be honest, I never thought ‘Sade’ could be this big.

So you mean One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life’ inspired ‘Sade’?

I can’t really remember the first time I heard the song, but I remember listening to it and thinking this is a very beautiful sound.

I remember I free-styled to the chorus while driving, because I write and record a lot of songs while driving. I remember singing ‘Je n Gbe e Lo’le, mummy mi n reti omo,’ right there in the car. So that was how it was inspired.

Adekunle Gold Born into the famous Kosoko royal family of Lagos, Adekunle Kosoko with the stage name: Adekunle Gold whose love song, Orente has become a national anthem of sort amongst music lovers is not resting on his oars with that trail blazer.

He is bent on releasing more classic songs for the pleasure of his teeming fans. The Arts and Industrial Design graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic where he majored in graphics is signed alongside acts like Lil Kesh, Vector amongst others on the Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL) label owned by Olamide.

In this chat with MUTIAL ALLI, Adekunle revealed how it all started, his works and other issues. Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

Your ‘Sade’ seems to be your major hit into limelight, how did you do the magic?

It only took my experience, because

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

What prompted your decision to choose music?

I grew up listening to a lot of songs, from the old to the new. And it has been amazing how, over the years, I’ve learnt different genres. I was a member of the teen’s choir in church back in the days, and later on in life, I joined a band. So the interest has always been there; I’ve always been a music lover. I later decided to take it up professionally because I believe that I have something to offer the industry and I could turn heads to some extent with my kind of music. So, in 2011, I started out with a band called: ‘The Bridge,’ and we dropped a couple of singles; we featured Skales on the track: ‘Norm Breaker’; we did another one with GT The Guitar man titled ‘Make It Happen,’ and some other covers. So basically, I came into the industry officially in 2011.

So how is the band still faring?

Things were not working for us the way we wanted it. It can be hard for a duo to break into the industry. It is even hard for a solo artiste, not to talk of a group. So my partner and I discussed and decided to part ways to see how it would work out. And so

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

far, it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

lot of my sound and stick to making good music, because I intend to keep that forever.

Any regrets so far going solo?

For many upcoming artistes, the major thing on their mind is to get signed to a label and get a corporate body to believe in your sound and what you have. That wasn’t easy.

We were trying to get support and that was really hard. And that was even one of the reasons I decided to go solo in 2013.

Also, it wasn’t easy to make people believe in me. It was hard showing people what you have and them taking it for granted. Sometimes you have to beg bloggers to help use your story or beg friends to use your picture on their walls; I did a lot of begging people to see that I had something. But I thank God all that changed after I dropped ‘Sade.’

How does it feel like being a member of the YBNL family?

It has been amazing. I didn’t see it coming, although I’ve been friends with Olamide before I dropped ‘Sade.’ He actually called me before his holy concert and he said he was interested in signing me, adding that his producer, Pheelz, had been disturbing him to sign me. So when he told me about the deal, I loved it and YBNL is a big platform that any artiste would want to be a part of.

Can you describe your genre of music?

My genre is Urban Highlife. It is a fusion of pop folk and highlife. It is basically international sound with local content. That is something I crafted myself.

Why did you add ‘Gold’ to your name?

I am a lover of God. Before I do anything, I make sure I ask God about it. So in 2008/2009, I was thinking about a name to come out with because I didn’t want to be known as Adekunle Kosoko. So I told God I needed a name. So I was in church one day listening to a sermon, and the preacher kept saying, “You can’t substitute brass for gold.” He said that like three times. So I took a cue from that and that is how I coined ‘Adekunle Gold’.

How can you assess the Nigerian entertainment industry?

It is pretty interesting and tough. A lot of people are afraid on my behalf; they think ‘Sade’ is probably too big and I may not have a follow up. That is pretty much everybody’s fear in the industry; they are worried on how I can keep up with the standard I’ve set for myself. Though I’m not one to brag, but ‘Sade’ is not even close to the biggest song I have. The industry has been interesting; I’ve been learning the trade, the tricks, what and what not to do. It is really challenging and I like it.

How do you intend to standout in the industry?

I am happy that I’ve been able to create my sound early enough, which I call Urban Highlife. Not many Nigerian artistes would want to do a song like ‘Sade.’ I took a big risk and God blessed it. So I’ll be doing a

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Your style of music is really different from theirs. Do you intend to change it to blend or what?

I’ll get creative along the line; I’m not going to put myself in a box. But one thing is certain, whatever I put out will be good music.

Do you feel like there is some kind of competition with your label mates?

I am not a competitive person. The last time I was on a flight, I was thinking to myself that the sky is wide enough to accommodate many aircrafts conveniently at a time. That is how I see the industry.

We all have different sounds and even if we do the same sound, I believe in seeing everyone thrive. So I don’t believe in competition.

When did the passion for graphic design develop?

I actually studied Arts and Design; it is something I’ve always been doing. In fact, a lot of people know me as ‘King of Photoshop’; that has always been there, and it hasn’t stop. It is very lucrative and in fact, I used the money I got from it to support my music career back then.

Where do you get your inspirations from?

I look up to artistes like Bez, Asa, Tuface and the likes, because over the years, these people have found a way to keep their sound, and it has been working for them. They are probably bigger than many others outside Africa; they are amazing talents. Also the likes of Chief Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade have sounds that not so many people would want to do and they found a way to just keep going.

What next should people expect from you?

I’m dropping a single very soon and by God’s grace, it is going to be amazing.

Graphics Luke Utomi

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

L3

Music Gists L4 Mutiat Alli

Davido

Davido drops Dodo

HKN star, Davido has dropped another hot jam Dodo produced by Kidominant and currently enjoying massive air raves in top radio stations across the country. Davido is ranked one of the most energetic acts in Nigeria with several hit songs and videos to his credit.

HKN act who is currently out of the country has disclosed that he got his eyes focused on the music scene. It is important to note that the music graduate will be heading for the mandatory youth service programme in November.

New Music

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Lynxx to release Sophomore album

Syndik8 Records frontline act, Lynxx has announced that he is set to release his highly anticipated second album. Lynxx, who recently returned to doing music after a brief hiatus, will release the yet-to-be-titled album in November 2015.

Speaking during a radio interview with popular OAP, Tosyn Bucknor on Top Radio 90.9, Lynxx revealed his second studio album is ready to hit music shelves.

“Work is done already on my new album which drops in November this year. The album contains new songs that I just recorded and it is sure to be a fans delight”, he said.

Lynxx

Tributes as King Sunny Ade turns

69

Top musicians including 2face Idibia, 9ice, Pasuma, Adewale Ayuba are some of the numerous stars that have wished veteran ace musician, King Sunny Ade a prosperous year as he turned 69 few days ago.

Since the 60s, King Sunny Ade has remained a major influence in the Nigerian music scene,

especially in the growth of Juju music.

King Sunny Ade has over 123 albums to his credit.

He chairs the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.

The music legend owns a radio station called ‘M&C FM’. His band is presently known as ‘African Beats’ once again.

D’banj announces Australia tour

Alert

Fast rising singer, Tobiloba Quadri with stage name: Jubal is on the move in taking over the music industry with hit songs that include, Bumper, Ibebe amongst others. The Afro-pop star and 300-level Anatomy student of University of Ilorin has gotten his eyes on the game.

Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj has unveiled plans to embark on a tour of Australia, as part of his 10th year anniversary celebrations. The tour will feature the music star performing in cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

It will be recalled that the pop star released the EP artwork and tracklist, ‘An Epic Journey’ which contains seven tracks, featuring Akon, Driis (Idris Elba), Shadow Boxxer, Cassper Nyovest, Reminisce, and Ice Prince.

Yemi Alade

Yemi Alade

in Sugar

Jubal

King Sunny Ade

Johnny Crooner and 2015 MTV Europe Music, Best African Act’, Yemi Alade has revealed behind the scene photos from her soon to be released musical video, ’Sugar’ as directed by Paul Gambit.

‘Sugar’ which was produced by Philkeys serves as the ninth single of Yemi Alade’s critically acclaimed debut album: “King Of Queens”, which has spawned numerous hit singles and won accolades.

D’banj

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

L5 Movie Gists

Mutiat Alli

Zik Zulu Okafor

Ikechukwu Onyeka

Exclusive:

Zik Zulu in directorial copyright mess Ï As Ikechukwu Onyeka insists he directed ‘Red Card’ Ï His argument is baseless –Zik In what may turn out as a great mess in the movie industry, a veteran filmmaker and a top executive of Nollywood Actors’ Guild, Zik Zulu Okafor has been accused of directorial copyright infringement by a coprolific and consistent Nollywood filmmaker, Ikechukwu Onyeka. Onyeka is the CEO of Lykon pictures Ltd, a Lagos based Motion Picture Production Company.

According to Onyeka, who disclosed exclusively to Life &Times that he was contacted by Zik to take full directorial charge of a short film titled ’Red Card’ which was a project for MNET’s Africa Magic content but was surprised that at the official premiere of the contents held at the Land Mark Event Centre, Zik Zulu claimed he produced and directed the entire short films.

Not satisfied, Onyeka noted that he had sent several mails to Zik prior to the start of the movie showing in the middle of September, 2015 but all efforts proved abortive as Zik neither rectified nor apologised for the deed.

In a letter written to the Guilds Head, Onyeka said: ‘Now because I am weak and

cannot fight a Guild Head, I have decided to let the matter be handled by my lawyer.

Because I am weak and vulnerable, I reach out to you as major practitioners in this industry to serve as witnesses to this crass show of might and intimidation. I will not adhere to such intimidations and my job credit taken away from me’ he added.

However in a swift reaction, when a call was put through to Zik Okafor, he described the allegations as baseless, calling Onyeka as unserious fellow seeking cheap publicity.

He said: “Onyeka is somebody I respect so much and would not expect such as his credit was included in the film project which has been shown across the world, but his argument on the fact that a small billboard placed out on the day of the premiere with an omission of his name is not to comment on. I owe him no apology as I have also contacted by lawyers to be on standby as the case unfolds’.

Red card featured stars including Ini Edo, Victor Olaitan, Sound City VJ, Moet Abebe, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Shawn Fuqua amongst others.

Ayanda gets US release date Nigerian actor, OC Ukeje plays a leading role in the South African film Ayanda. The movie had its world premiere earlier this year at the LA Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize in the World Fiction Competition.

It will next be screened as part of the prestigious BFI Film festival’s official selection in London on October 10, 2015, and then it’ll also get a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles in early November, with a digital release to follow.

Femi Branch is Aunty Maria

Femi Branch on set

Actor Femi Branch has totally transformed into a woman in a yet-to-be released movie titled ‘Aunty Maria’ where Femi played the role of a witty, deadly aunty.

Here are pictures from the set showing how Femi was transformed totally into a woman, thumbs up to the director, Toka.

Kunle Afolayan with some CEO crew

Kunle Afolayan wraps up Lagos shoot

Nollywood actor, Kunle Afolayan has wrapped up the Lagos shoot of his fifth movie project entitled The CEO. The movie, which stars Hollywood actor, Jimmy Jean Lewis, Moroccan actress, Fatym Layachi, Ivory Coast movie star, Aurelie Ellam also, had Wale Ojo from Nigeria on set.

Other acts in the movie include Peter King from Kenya, Nico Panagio from South Africa and famous music star, Angelique Kidjo.

The movie shoot, which kicked off over three weeks ago, was brought to an end recently as it is expected to commence in countries such as South Africa, Ivory Cost, Kenya, France amongst others.

Nobert Young on set

Nobert Young, Doris Simeon in new movie

OC Ukeje

Foremost actor, Nobert Young of the popular Everyday people series is back on the scene as he was recently spotted on set of a new movie, Lincoln’s Clan alongside light-skinned actress, Doris Simeon.

Nobert and Doris are however playing the lead character in the ongoing TV series which is in its second season.

Lincoln’s Clan, a project of Total Recall Production is currently filming in Johannesburg, South Africa. Doris plays the role of Irene Lincoln in the series while Nobert plays the role of Papa Sean Lincoln in the series.

Events L6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

Mutiat Alli

FORTYfied Patoranking, Olamide, Cobhams thrill at 2face’s

c

o

n

c

e

r

t

The 55 awards on display

It was indeed a night of glitz and glamour at the prestigious Eko Hotels &Suites venue of the FORTYfied concert in commemoration of Pop musician, 2Face Idibia on his journey as a celebrated and internationally acclaimed African Musician.

The usual African Time Factor Scheduled to kick-off at exactly 5pm, the concert did not start until about 9:38pm with the host of the night, Comic act, Basketmouth who apologized on behalf of the organisers on technical ground malfunctions. The event eventually kick started with a brief biography of the celebrant, 2face Idibia.

The 55 awards on display The pop star, Tu Face Idibia and wife, Annie

It was indeed a memorable night for attendees at the concert as there was a massive display of about 55 awards that include local and international plaque clichéd by the pop stars ranging from Headies, soundcity, Kora, MTV, NEA amongst others.

Annie Idibia

Florence Ita-Giwa

Cobhams

Wizkid

DJ Nana

MI

About Annie’s Silver outfit Annie Idibia stepped out looking so beautiful and glamourous rocking the Swanky Jerry Silver studded gown creating a massive buzz all through the night.

D’banj performs with Harmonica Known for his Harmonica usage, D’banj made a grand entrance with the ‘Harmonica’ (mouth organ) the one piece that brought him to stardom.

He delivered a beautiful performance that got the audience and even his former partner and Mavins boss, Don Jazzy on their dancing feet.

Cobhams and Timi’s performance

D’banj and Don Jazzy

Just Steve Wonder, Cobhams Asuquo was indeed the man of the night alongside Timi Dakolo after a wonderful performance of 2Face’s E don dey happen”, “Step on the dance floor” hit songs.

Cobhams showed his uttermost dexterity in playing the piano and a more satisfying rendition of the songs that got the entire crowd standing including the pop star.

Did you see the face on Don Jazzy?

Mavins boss (Don Jazzy) refused to smile when taking pictures with his ex-partner D’banj after a plea was made by 2Face calling on the duo to make one more major hit. D’banj on his part showed zeal and smiled when the pop star announced that but Jazzy on the other hand made no moves.

Roll call

Kenny Saint Brown and daughter

Mama Bakassi – Florence Ita-Giwa, Olu Maintain, Toni Tones, Elma Godwin, Shaydee, Bolanle Olukanni, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Yaw, Okey Bakassi, M.I, Lola O.J, Kenny St. Best, Seyi Law, Cally Ikpe, Efe Omorogbe, Tamar, OJB Jezreel, Igos, Tee A, Skales, Tunde Ednut, Chef Fregz, Reekado Banks, Aphro Dija, Korede Bello, Don Jazzy, D’banj, Dare Art-Alade, DJ Spinall, Funke Akindele, Essence, 9ice, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, Waje were spotted on the red carpet.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

L7 Buzz Bytes

Strong Girl – Yemi Alade, Waje, Victoria Kimani, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, and many more: Unity In diversity Ayodeji Ajadi The Strong Girl call is a clarion alert in favour of the female gender in taking a stand for every decisions taken either individually or government policy. From the stable of One.org, top female artiste that include Yemi Alade an afro pop singer in (Nigeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Gabriella (Mozambique), Waje, a vocal singer (Nigeria), Blessing Nwafor (South Africa), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephima (South Africa), Arielle T (Gabon), and also movie star celebrity, Omotola Jalade -Ekeinde (Nigeria) and Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) amongst others lend their voice on this call for ladies across the globe.

The concept of the video must be commended as it explores different language aimed at passing across same message in the fight for the femine gender as it is believed that both men and women should be treated equally without any difference.

Strong girl however preaches the gospel that

female genders should enjoy equal rights that includes that of education, social, mental, and economical values in the society.

It is important to note that the likes of Waje, Yemi Alade, Victoria Kimani, Gabriella, Blessing and many more stomped the music video do voice their part very well in the video with special commendation to the rapper whose line was distinctive.

Although Omotola did not sing but her acting prowess was indeed good enough to pass across the desired message to the audience.

Thumbs up to the director with the use of an appropriate costume and a large crowd at the end of the video displaying One.org showing the creativity of Mike Ogoke, CEO of Godfather production and written by Cobhams Asuquo.

The music video was a selling touch of 4:09 seconds, and was updated on YouTube May 13 2015 with 382,648 views. Rated 10/10.

Black Silhouette: Joke Silva leaves the past for another da y

Mutiat Alli

She is about to make history as the first elected female governor In Nigeria, some stories are not meant to be told, will she be celebrated?

As produced and directed by the duo of Paul Alanza and Charles Uwagbai, the movie, Black Silhouette ex-rays poverty, prostitution and sexual abuse as it tells the story of Maro Oti played by veteran actress, (Joke Silva) who is about to make history as the first female governor in Nigeria. Despite her husband’s disapproval, she fixes an appointment with internationally acclaimed Biographer Eric Mobumba, played by (IK Osakioduwa) and requests that he writes her memoir.

Eric Mobumba is elated at the opportunity but his excitement however starts to dwindle as Senator Maro’s tale of her past reveals a life of sexual abuse from childhood, prostitution as a teenager and an unresolved murder.

The Biographer sees a woman burdened with guilt and shame from her past, all attempts to dissuade her from telling this bitter and horrific story fails as Maro will not be perturbed, convinced that disclosure will only come from telling the truth of her very dark past herself.

The movie made a perfect attempt to bring to the fore the poverty level obtainable in the country and what an average Nigerian will want to do to survive.

Maro’s battle for survival is a fierce one. She finds herself thrown against circumstances more than once and she has to look for ways to stay alive and keep standing up. She grows up to a troubled childhood, loses her love, Tega (Femi Jacobs) and gets introduced

to prostitution, all in almost rapid successions.

Starring Femi Jacobs, Jude Orhorha, Ivie Okujaye, IK Osakioduwa, Joke Silva, child actor, David Olamide, Grace Ofre amongst others, the director did a beautiful job in balancing the stories with symbols.

Ivie Okujaye, the Amstel Malta Box Office winner, deserves praises on how she carried this film on her back until the points when she had to pass the baton to Joke Silva’s experience and finesse. Her fluency in Pidgin English is a joy to behold in the movie, and that was a masterstroke that the director didn’t miss out on because it is difficult to portray prostitution at its crudest in Nigeria without pidgin playing a part.

In all, one can go on and on in discussing the movie as it is worth the while with great effort from all the entire cast and crew of the production and not putting aside the wonderful delivery of veteran actress, Joke Silva and child actor David Olamide. With these, this great movie earns a total of 10/10.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 24, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

141 Eva Channel

150 Africa Magic Showcase

23:00

23:31

Thu, Sep 24 | PG13

Thu, Sep 24 | PG13

‘S1/E58 - 1/58’. Alejandra threatens to kill Edmundo. An obsessed Fernando looks for clues amongst Alejandra’s things to help find her.

Meanwhile, Javier gets valuable information regarding Manriquez’s multiple estates.

‘S9/E9 - 9/9’. Michelle Attoh chats with Ameyaw Kissi Debrah, known professionally as Ameyaw Debrah, a Ghanaian celebrity blogger, freelance journalist and reporter.

101 M-Net

00:00 Sniper: Legacy 02:00 Veronica Mars 04:00 The Voice 05:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 06:00 The Middle 06:30 NCIS: New Orleans 07:30 Chicago PD 08:30 Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes 10:35 The Goldbergs 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 The Blacklist 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Entertainment Now! 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 Mike & Molly 17:30 The Voice 18:30 The Fixer 19:30 Hawaii Five-0 20:30 NCIS: New Orleans 21:30 CSI: Cyber 22:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

00:45 The Weakest Link

11:00 My Family

00:25 Most Shocking

01:30 Silent Witness

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:20 Sexy Car Wash

02:20 Come Dine With Me

12:20 Top Gear

01:50 Rude Tube

03:10 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me

02:20 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

03:40 QI

14:10 Dragons’ Den

02:45 Jerks With Cameras

04:10 Top Gear

15:10 The Weakest Link

03:10 Impractical Jokers

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

03:35 Most Shocking

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

04:30 South Beach Tow

05:55 The Thin Blue Line

17:15 QI

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

06:30 EastEnders

17:50 Would I Lie To You?

05:25 Exposed

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA

05:50 Exposed

07:55 The Weakest Link

19:15 Downton Abbey

06:15 Video Zonkers

08:45 The Cube

21:00 Mrs Brown’s Boys

06:40 Video Zonkers

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

21:35 Miranda

07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:10 Live At The Apollo

08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

155 AfricaMagic World

09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers

154 AfricaMagic Family

12:05 Video Zonkers

11:30 Star Gist

12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos

12:00 Music Block

13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

14:35 South Beach Tow

14:00 53 Extra

15:05 Most Shocking

14:30 Family Ties

00:00 Music Block

14:00 Star Gist

16:05 1000 Ways To Die

14:30 Star Gist

02:00 Music Block

15:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

01:00 Good Morning Africa

16:30 Video Zonkers

02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA

15:00 Star Gist

03:00 Good Morning Africa

17:00 Video Zonkers

16:00 Prem

03:00 Music Block

15:30 Lies That Bind

04:00 Music Block

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos

16:30 Living With Trisha

04:00 The Dzigbordi Show

16:00 The Dzigbordi Show

05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

18:30 South Beach Tow

17:30 Mary Slessor

05:00 Good Morning Africa

17:00 So Wrong So Wright

06:00 Good Morning Africa

18:00 Jane And Abel

06:00 Angels In Hell

17:30 So Wrong So Wright

19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

07:00 Star Gist

18:30 Jane And Abel

08:05 Last Angel In Hell

18:00 The Dzigbordi Show

20:00 The Boondocks

07:25 The Peace Mission

19:00 Tinsel

09:00 Good Morning Africa

19:00 Kumwesu

20:30 Rude Tube

08:35 Living With Trisha

19:30 Star Gist

10:00 The Dzigbordi Show

19:30 Kumwesu

21:00 Rude Tube

09:25 Mashariki Mix

20:00 Star Football Superfans

11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

20:00 The Heart Of A Shepherd

21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

10:00 Good Morning Africa

20:35 Separate Lives

12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

21:45 Jara

22:00 Sexy Car Wash

11:00 Tinsel

22:05 Living With Trisha

13:00 Music Block

22:15 Music Block

22:30 Most Shocking