12th may 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

A media partner of Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph

Vol. 2 No. 447

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

German Radio reporter expelled from State House NEW TELEGR

APH TUESDA Y, MAY 12, 2015

Corruption

Special Advise r, Rector deny allegation of fraud, others

FG owes us over N3bn, workers counter Okonjo-Iweala Mojeed Alabi

ederal civil servants have faulted the claim by the

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the Federal Government is

not in arrears of payment of salaries and allowances. The workers, under the umbrella of the Association of Se-

nior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), said contrary to her claim, the government owed CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

N150

Interference

FG warns VCs from in centre’s object interfering ive

Education 24

rEPOsITIO NING

The Ondo state of Medical scienUniversity ce, which secured the National Universities Commission ’s (NUC) nod to operate as the 40th state and 139th univeuniversity rsity, is established to change the face of medic al in the count education ry. Babatope okeow and Nurudeed o yekeen

ndo State of Medical University first of its Science, the country, is kind in the set to reposi tion medic al and give the science education students value medical trainin for g. With the frastructur state-of-the-art inultra-modere, comprising an ment, diagnon medical equip well-equipp stic laboratories , ed Information lecture theatres, Technology Communication (ICT) Centre Internet faciliti with L-r: Mimiko student hostel es, well-furnishe receiving the and staff quarte d university’s the univer recognition rs, sity letter from state’s Medic is located at the Okojie in Abuja It is founde al Village in Ondo. d by the state ment to train govern quality medic graduates, al who are adequ equipped ately for the 21st Centu the challenges of ry . The unive rsity, which pet projec is a t Gover nmen of the Ondo State t, and locate serene enviro d in a ago, secure nment, two weeks quarters of the Comm d the approv ission. Following Federal Gover al its approv nment to of the NUC, the al by as the first medical univeroperate unfore university, barring the Biochemistr the countr sity in take seen circumstance any y. administrati y; student hostel off in s, will s; 139th The operat pal officer ve block and princi university ing licenc when it willSeptember this year, medical univer s’ reside e of the While congra in Nigeria.” first set of open its doors to the Other medic ntial quarters. sity to on over 250 tulatin medic ernor and al institutions hectares of be cited tablished The novel al students. the people g the govhanded over esby land was on the Ondothe state government on the establishme of the state third in Africa institution, the to the Gover and promo nor , according ter of the versity, that campus of the uni- cialised university nt of the speto its Dr. Oluseg university founding fathers is would boost , the un Mimik , of recrui in tion and posi- advised the govern NUC boss the medic o by the Executive Secret ting the bestthe process al univer ment on need for best of its brains Universities ary of the National medical industry kind are the sity as the resour the NUC to assess the as students in Child Comm Mothe ce faculti the readiness Hospi ission r es. and tution Prof. Julius and (NUC), Fawehinmi tal, Trauma Centre before enroll of the instiOn the readin tion cerem Okojie at a presentaWe were drive ment of stuess ony in the cated on theDiagnostic Centre, , dents. Abuja head- government to fund of the state lon 250 hectares Okojie, for the future tion due to the institu by the passi the dwind developmentof land governor who commended on university ling revenu from the federa the for his vision in the lishin . e for tion in estabexcellence g the count account and other institu While presen ry’s pione Unive ting the operat licence and ment needs tions the govern in medical ing said: rsity of Medical Scienc er Mimiko in letter of approval “The Comm the fact that to fund, apart from es, to send Abuja, Okojie ission would services in a team to university be self-su the university would assess would becom said the resour staining, state-owned ces at the univerthe level of the govern ment has e the 40th Nigeria set sity before university university and 139th it starts to admit this year’s aside N1.5 billion in in the countr budget for He said NUC students.” kayode olanr take-off. The Execu its smooth y. would also ewaju letter to Dr. tive Secretary in his the Joint Admis write Towards EDITOr, EDUCAT sion September on behalf Mimiko said: “I write, ulation Board (JAMBand Matricof the unive kayode olanrewa ION take-off of the board, the new ) to includ newtelegraphonli ju@ ment and ture and facilitirsity, infrastruce ne.com staff of the manage- univer university on the es alread Universities list of sities place includ National © Daily Telegrap Commission e the Basic y put in who are seekinso that candidates to h Publishing plied convey (NUC) and Medic g university ApCompany to admisOndo State His Excellency, the, sion can apply. Limited complex, al Sciences building which will “I wish to effect from Gover nor that with Department house the congra 22nd tulate the ernment of of Anato April, Ondo State govmy and Ondo state University 2015, the able establi for Sciences, of Medical shment, the this laudhas been Univer Ondo recogn the 40th state sity of Medic State university ised as al Sciences,” and the

Ondo varsit y medical ed set to reposition ucation

8 pages of education

}23

Don't fear Buhari CONTIN UED

ON PAGE 27

lAPC flays Jonathan's persecution phobia }2

‘

Those who played poker with the nation's destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God Editorial

No to 21st century slave merchants }19 Court okays secret trial of Nyanya bomb blast suspects }2

‘

Quick Read

L-R: Former President Shehu Shagari; President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Shagari’s son, Bala, when they visited Buhari in Abuja…yesterday.

Senate presidency race hots up lSouth-West senators may dump Lawan

Donald Ojogo and Philip Nyam Abuja

ntrigues and horse trading have continued to characterise the jostling for the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly,

Senate and House of Representatives. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that senators from the South-West were reconsidering their

support for one of the candidates for the Senate presidency, Senator Ahmed Lawan, from Yobe State who currently enjoys the backing of All

Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu. Besides, attempts by two of the candidates for CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

News

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC dismisses Jonathan's fear of persecution Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday allayed the fears of President Goodluck Jonathan that the incoming Buhari administration will persecute his ministers and aides. The party said the president and all those who served in his administration had nothing to fear if their hands were clean. Jonathan, at a farewell church service in Abuja on Sunday, had alerted his ministers and aides to be prepared to face persecution from the incoming government for the actions taken by his administration. "So for ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathise with them, they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution," he had told the congregation at the church service. But the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Abuja, said while the incoming Buhari ad-

ministration would not persecute anyone, those who had played poker with the nation's destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God. "That the Presidentelect is a man of integrity is not an issue for debate and he has made it clear that he will not be bogged down by endless probes. "However, the hands of the incoming government will not be tied by those who have chosen to play the victim and exhibit a persecution mentality. Whoever has any reason to be afraid must lay bare such reason before Nigerians,'' the party said. It said under the climate of change that Nigerians had ushered in with their votes, only the guilty should be afraid and those with a guilty conscience, on account of their actions in the public sphere, must clear such so they could be at peace with themselves. "The last time we checked, this does not fit the definition of persecution,'' APC said. The party wondered

why the president chose a public forum to express his fears when he could have done so privately during his meetings with Buhari. "Since the presidential election was won and lost, the president and the President-elect have met privately a number of times. Why didn't President Jonathan express his apprehensions during these meetings? "Even if the two have not met, the president could have reached out to the President-elect over any fears that he may be nursing, instead of engaging in an action that seems like he was being pre-emptive and seeking to curry public sympathy,'' APC stated. According to the party, the priority of the incoming government will be the welfare and security of Nigerians and it will not spend its time on probing the past. It rallied support for the incoming administration in charting a new path for the country - away from the rapaciousness and impunity of the past years.

Court okays secret trial of Nyanya bomb blast suspects Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered that the prosecution witnesses in the trial of the alleged mastermind of Nyanya bombing, Aminu Ogwuche and others, be completely shielded from public view. The court order followed an application by the prosecutor, Mohammed Diri, that the identity of prosecution witnesses be shielded with tinted screen to protect their identities. Having resolved the issue on secret trial, the Federal Government is expected to open its case today. Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, Ahmed Abubakar, Mohammed Ishaq, Yaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;u Saidu (alias Kofar Rama), Anas Isa, Adamu Yusuf and Nasir Abubakar are facing terrorism charges and the prosecution team was to call their witnesses. At the resumed trial yesterday, a representative of the prosecution counsel, M. Ogunsina

moved a motion seeking to modify the order of the court made on March 18. The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, in his ruling, ordered the use of tinted screens to shield the prosecution witnesses to protect them from public view, but to allow only the lead counsel to the accused persons access to view the facial identities of the prosecution witnesses. The court further granted the request of the prosecutor that the prosecution witnesses protected access to the court room through a non-public route. In a five-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, the deponent stated that failure to grant it will affect the witnesses' willingness to sacrifice and give evidence for fear of their lives. The prosecutor specifically told the court that the witnesses are currently engaged in field operations in the North-East against the Boko Haram insurgency. In addition, he stated that the application was at the behest of the witnesses who complained

of their personal security and that of their families. However, the defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN) and five other counsel vehemently opposed the motion and urged the court not to grant it. Raji, who is counsel to Ogwuche and Ahmed Abubakar, faulted the motion on the grounds that it did not meet the requirements of section 115 of the Evidence Act 2010. He further submitted that the motion, by seeking to limit counselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance for the accused persons to only the lead counsel, was an unwarranted infringement to the constitutional rights of the accused persons to their rights to counsel of their choice. Raji argued that bringing the motion under civil procedure rules, renders it incompetent as criminal trials are not regulated by civil procedure rules. But in his ruling, the court allowed the application on the grounds that it has merit and did not render the court functus officio as the use of screen shield was not captured in his earlier ruling.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, May 12, 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 75, representing 68 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

Travel Advisory

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

Departure 23.55hrs 10.55hrs 11:00hrs 21:20hrs 11:00hrs 23:55hrs

Arrival 6:05hrs 17:15hrs 19:15hrs 6:05hrs 17:00hrs 6:20hrs

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed , Fri) New York-Lagos W3 108 (Tues,Thurs, Fri) Lagos-Johannesburg W3 103 Johannesburg-Lagos W3 104 Lagos-Douala - (Tues, Wed ,Thur) Douala-Lagos - (Tues, Wed, Thur) Lagos-Accra Accra-Lagos

Abuja-Accra Accra-Abuja Lagos-Freetown Freetown-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos

-(Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun) -(Mon, Wed, Fri) -(Daily) - (Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, Fri,Sat,Sun)

BRITISH AIRWAYS

London-Lagos Lagos-London Abuja-London Abuja-London

07:00hrs 20:05hrs 20:10hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs 08:05hrs 13:35hrs 18:00hrs

hrs 14:44hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

AWB 201 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun)

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

17:00hrs 06:00hrs 08:00hrs 17:00hrs 08:00hrs 15:20hrs 21:00hrs

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos - Addis Ababa ET900 Addis Ababa - Lagos ET901 Abuja - Addis Ababa ET910 Addis Ababa - Abuja ET911 Enugu - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Enugu ET931 Kano - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Kano ET931

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs 09:20hrs 14:05hrs 09:20hrs

20:25hrs 12:15hr 20:10hrs 12:20hrs 20:50hrs 11:15hrs 20:50hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

20.45hrs 09:50hrs 09.20 hrs 06:30hrs

12:30hrs

Lagos-Dubai Lagos-Dubai Dubai-Lagos Dubai-Lagos Abuja-Dubai

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday) EY 955

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

11:55hrs 5:50hrs 14:35hrs 06:00hrs

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

17:55hrs 00:00hrs 09:00hrs 22:40hrs

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

18:30hrs 05:15hrs 05:30hrs

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:50hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday)

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

HF 851 (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) HF 852 (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat)

ASKY AIRLINES

Destination Lome to Abuja Abuja-Lome- Kinshasa Kinshasa-Abuja Abuja-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Kinshasa Kinshasa-Libreville Libreville-Lagos Lagos-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Brazaville Brazaville-Libreville Brazzaville-Lagos Lagos-Lome

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

Flight No. KP 032 (Tue-Fri) KP 032 ( Tue-Fri)

Departure Arrival 14:00hrs 15:55hrs 16:30hrs 18:15hrs

KP 033 (Wed-Sat) KP O33 (Wed-Sat) KP O40 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP O44 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP O45 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat)

8:20hrs 10:35hrs 13:00hr 14:40hrs 17:00hrs 7:15hrs 9:35hrs 11:55hrs 13:10hrs 14:50hrs 17:10hrs 07:00hrs 09:20hrs 11:40hrs

10:00hrs 12:20hrs 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 18:45hrs 08:55hrs 11:25hrs 12:45hrs 14:10hrs 16:40hrs 18:50hrs 08:40hrs 11:10hrs 12:30hrs

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm

Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45

(SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50

AEROCONTRACTORS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, May 12, 2015

Nigeria, Chad partner to end Boko Haram

lInsurgents kill two Cameroonian soldiers Johnchuks Onuanyim, Anule Emmanuel and Emmanuel Onani

resident-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, and Chadian President Idris Derby yesterday agreed on the need to work together and end the Boko Haram insurgency. President Derby, who disclosed that Nigeria shares the same challenge with Chad as members of Lake Chad Basin Authority, said his country will have a joint action with the incoming Buhari government in dealing with Boko Haram . The Chadian President, who met with Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja, said he was in Abuja to congratulate the President-elect on his re-

cent victory at the poll. He further stated that his country will sustain bilateral relations with Nigeria, adding that Chad had always maintained a cordial bilateral relationship with Nigeria. He said: "Nigeria and Chad have a cordial relationship and we have come to boost the bilateral relation between both country." Responding, General Buhari, who acknowledged the assistance of neighbouring countries especially Cameroon, Niger and Chad in securing the Nigerian borders, said it has helped in commerce and industries. He said: "This is the priority we discussed. When my government comes into power, we will have a comprehensive review of the situation."

Also speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, President Derby stated that only an intensive joint military operation between Nigeria and his country will lead to positive result in ending the current insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country. Derby said that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the two armies of Nigeria and Chad were not working together. "It is regrettable that the two armies, that is the Nigerian army and the Chadian Army, are working separately in the field; they are not undertaking joint operation. "If they were operating in joint operation, probably they would have achieved more results," he

said. While responding to question on his recent comment regarding knowledge on the whereabouts of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, the Chadian President said: "I cannot tell you today that I know where Shekau is hiding and even if I knew, I won't tell you.â&#x20AC;? He also said that he has no information concerning whether or not mercenaries were coming from South Africa. Derby added: "In the Lake Chad Basin, there are four countries, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger that are currently securing the area. "The four countries have managed to form a multinational mixed force that will metamorphose to what is probably known as a Rapid Response Force

that the African Union is trying to form for Africa.â&#x20AC;? On the purpose of his visit, the Chadian leader said he was in the country to congratulate President Jonathan on the successful conduct of the justconcluded elections. He said: "I thought I should come to consult with Mr. President, to congratulate him and to have this exchange and have overview of what we have been able to achieve in the fight against Boko Haram. "As you all know, we both work together to fight Boko Haram. I thought it was important that before Mr. President leaves office, I will come for us to have overview of what we did together, what we achieved together in the fight against Boko Haram. "I came to consult with my brother, President

L-R: National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.); former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; President of Chad Republic, Idriss Derby and President Goodluck Jonathan, during Derby's visit to Jonathan in Abujaâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Senate presidency race hots up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the House speakership, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, to forge an alliance in furtherance of their ambitions have run into a hitch. Others in the race for the Senate presidency are Senators Bukola Saraki and George Akuma while Hon. Yakubu Dogara is also eyeing the House speakership. It was gathered that various camps and caucuses have emerged in both chambers of the National Assembly amid the uncertainty over the party's decision on which zone gets what.

But the party leaders, piqued by the intrigues and the likely implications of any further delay, will meet tomorrow in Abuja to take a final decision on the issue. A senator confided in New Telegraph that the South-West senators had asked Tinubu to present another candidate for them to support as Lawan lacks the national clout to win the race. He said: "The issue has really put the party on the edge; this is the first time since the merger that we will be so undecided on anything, not even the issue of national chairman and even that of the presi-

dential candidate of the party caused this much of concern to the party. "Either way you look at it, care must be taken not to rock the boat but a decision has to be taken; and that is why the leadership of the party will finalise the matter this week, maybe at the level of the national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday. "At our level in the South-West, we cannot go against our leader, Asiwaju (Tinubu), but what we have politely told him is that he should bring up someone else and not Lawan. From all indications, even the North-

East governors are not fully supporting the man. "So we are awaiting the response to our submission to Asiwaju for us to move ahead. But I think what we told him in confidence should be able to guide the leadership to take a decision on the matter." It was also gathered that the outgoing Governor of Kano State and now a senator-elect, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had admonished the leadership of the party at an informal meeting of party leaders in Abuja last week that danger awaited the APC if it delayed taking a decision on

the issue of zoning. Meanwhile, the planned alliance between Gbajabiamila and Jibrin to run a joint ticket as speaker and deputy speaker ended yesterday with no agreement reached. Gbajabiamila, from the South-West, is said to be the anointed candidate of Tinubu and the preferred candidate of the party's hierarchy for the speakership whereas Jibrin is from the North-West just as the President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Following the contention that the NorthCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Jonathan. As you all know Nigeria and Chad are two countries that have a lot of similarities in fighting insurgents. "Chad has had its own problems in the 70s and 80s and Nigeria assisted Chad during those difficulties times. "On the 2015 general elections, I came principally to congratulate Mr. President for the statesmanship he demonstrated during the elections. We all know that elections in Africa is always contested but Mr. President demonstrated a lot of statesmanship, that he is a real democrat by conceding and congratulating the President-elect. "You all know that when Nigeria sneezes, the neighbouring countries catch cold. If Mr. President had not taken that laudable initiative, you all know what would have happened now. Nigeria is still living in peace, you all are living in peace and that would not have happened but for that laudable initiative he took. "So I came to congratulate him for leaving a legacy not only for Nigeria, but for Africa as a whole. "As you all know we both work together to fight Boko Haram." In another development, two Cameroonian soldiers were, at the weekend, killed by Boko Haram fighters, according to a report by Reuters. The report, which quoted military officers, also said three of the suspected insurgents lost their lives in the bloody encounter. The cross-border attack is coming on the heels of the destruction of almost all known camps of the sect in the North East by the military. The report quoted a Cameroonian officer as saying that fighting started when soldiers were deployed to confirm reports that Boko Haram militants were moving towards the border town of Zelevet. "When we arrived, the enemy attacked. We returned fire, but sadly we lost two men," the officer was quoted as saying. Another officer said three Boko Haram fighters were killed, while a female member was captured. "Separately, a military source said another 20 people had been killed last week in attacks in villages on the Cameroon side of the border with Nigeria. "There was no immediate official comment from the military on any of the reported incidents," the report said.

News

TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mark to lawmakers: You must resist executive interference

lTambuwal hails speakers for opposing dictatorial governors Chukwu David and Philip Nyam

enate President David Mark has challenged the state Houses of Assembly to assert their autonomy as an independent arm of government by resisting all forms of executive dominance and interference in the incoming 8th Assembly. Mark threw the challenge yesterday while delivering a keynote address at a four-day induction course organised for members-elect from state Assemblies in Abuja by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS). He urged the state lawmakers to emulate the National Assembly, which, he said, had achieved institutional stability and respect, as well as being transformed from being a 'mere rubber stamp' of executive decisions by resisting executive dominance and interference. He expressed concern that the state assemblies bungled the attempt by the National Assembly to grant financial autonomy to the state parliaments in the previous constitution

alteration process because they did not want to offend their governors. His words: "The legislature in Nigeria has a chequered history. But in all its travails, the parliament has stood on the side of the people and intervened at the most critical moments to salvage the system from imminent collapse. "I have always maintained that the most important legacy of the legislature in the last 16 years is its commitment to law-making, oversight functions and representation to ensure good governance. The legislature has also come to be recognised as a watchdog of the executive and an important link between citizens and the state. "At the national level, the legislature has continued to assert its independence and resist executive interference. Thus, the legislature has achieved

institutional stability and transformed from being a 'mere rubber stamp' of executive decisions and policy initiatives into an institution that now enjoys a reasonable degree of legitimacy and respect. "We are not quite where we want to be though. But can we say the same of state legislatures? If I may tell all of you here, the general impression is that the state legislatures have remained an appendage of the government houses or governors. I recall that when the first constitutional amendment was done, the state assemblies did not have the political courage to muster enough votes for their financial autonomy. "For example, as lawmakers, you must avoid holding your sessions in the council chambers of the government houses. It is ignoble to use the mace outside the chamber or

borrow local government legislative council mace to conduct your affairs or resort to self-help by using your mace to perpetuate violence. "You must conduct your sittings in line with the provisions of the constitution and the extant rules of the House. As state legislators, you must restrain yourselves from the excessive use of the constitutional provision that empowers you to impeach either your speakers, governors or their deputies." Commending Jonathan's sportsmanship in the last polls, the Senate President said that the president did not only demonstrate patriotism and political maturity, but he has also put Nigeria on the world map of the league of mature democracies. Lamenting the high turnover of legislators in each election year, Mark regretted that the scenario

has negative impact on the growth, development and stability of democracy in Nigeria. He implored the NILS to sustain the induction programme for new lawmakers to make up for institutional memory usually lost as a result of the high turnover of lawmakers. Speaking at the event, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended the Conference of Speakers of States Assembly for rebuking its colleagues for being stooges of state governors. Chairman of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers, Hon. Samuel Ikong, had earlier taken a swipe at state legislators for being over-exuberant in their application of the rule of impeachment and making themselves willing tools in the hands of their governors. Represented by the

deputy speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal commended Ikong for being bold and courageous to speak against his colleagues who operate at the whims and caprices of governors. He advocated for total independence of state legislatures away from the manipulative control of governors in the interest of democracy and good governance. He told the lawmakers to ensure their generation does not allow their chief executives to erode their constitutional independence with a view to upholding the principle of separation of powers at the state level. Ikon, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, condemned the actions of some state assemblies which undermined constitutional provisions in their impeachment procedures.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

ABUJA

PORT HARCOURT

KANO

ENUGU

IBADAN

CALABAR

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

31oC 26oC Storm

37oC 26oC Partially Cloudy

24oC 18oC Storm

41oC 23oC Partially Cloudy

34o C 24oC Thunder Storms

31oC 24oC Storm

29oC 23oC Storm

41oC 28oC Partially Cloudy

33o C 24oC Thunder Storms

L-R: Deputy Chairman, Transition Committee, Doyin Salami; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the committee's meeting in Abuja …yesterday

FG owes us over N3bn, workers counter Okonjo-Iweala CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

more than N3 billion in arrears of salaries and allowances. Okonjo-Iweala, at a forum last week, had said governors should be blamed for their inability to pay their workers, adding that the 50 per cent drop in revenue simply means that salaries should be prioritised by the states. “The Federal Government should not be blamed for avoidable mistakes made at state level. It is misinforming to allege that federal workers were being owed salaries. This is incorrect. Staff

salaries at the federal level are up to date; workers have received their April salaries," she had said in a reaction to the appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and governors-elect to President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for a bail-out to pay workers. But in a statement yesterday by the ASCSN Secretary-General, Mr. Alade Bashir Lawal, the union said in the Federal Ministry of Education alone, the arrears of allowances owed amounted to N2 billion while that of the Ministry of Defence was about

N1 billion. The association appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that all outstanding salaries and allowances owed public servants are settled before his exit on May 29. It added that there were still outstanding salaries and allowances to be paid to certain categories of workers in some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), saying that some of the allowances owed workers since 2007 have not been settled. “We urge Mr. President to do the needful by ordering thorough investigation

with a view to paying all outstanding salaries and allowances to affected officers before he leaves office. “This will not only allow the incoming administration to start on a clean slate in terms of payment of staff emoluments, but also further boost the image of Mr. President as a statesman,” the union said. According to it, outstanding allowances owed thousands of public servants include promotion arrears since 2007 to date, first 28 days in lieu of hotel accommodation, Duty Tour Allowance (DTA),

mandatory training allowance organised by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation in 2010, burial expenses and repatriation allowance. “We believe that if Mr. President can pay these outstanding legitimate salaries and allowances to thousands of public servants, he would not only endear himself to the public service employees, but also leave his footprints on the sands of time. But if he leaves office without paying, public servants will surely have a different impression of him,” the union stated.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, May 12, 2015

Presidency expels German Radio reporter from State House Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan’s security aides yesterday withdrew the accreditation of German Radio, Deutsche Welle, a

foreign-based media organisation to cover the State House. Although the main reason for the clampdown on its State House Correspondent, Mr. Ubale Musa, could not be established, his accreditation tag was withdrawn by se-

curity operatives attached to the Presidential Villa. It was not clear if the security details were working on the order of the president himself. The Deutsche Welle reporter was expelled for asking visiting Chadian President, Idriss Derby,

FG inaugurates 330KV transmission substation Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday commissioned 330kilovolt Transmission Station, even as it promised the construction of 4,000 megawatts of hydro next year. Vice-President Namadi Sambo made the promise while inaugurating the transmission station in Abuja. According to him, the 4,000mw would be constructed under the second phase of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs). Sambo said the second phase of NIPPs will step up capacity to 20,000mw. According to him, the project will include some large hyrdos and the operation of 13 existing medium hydro dams mostly in Northern Nigeria. The Gwagwalada facility is the fifth substation that would be inaugurated under the NIPPs after four injection substations came up in Apo, Gwandara, Dei-Dei and Sabon Wuse in 2013 within the

FCT and environs. Sambo stated that before the facility, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nassarawa State were supplied by a 330KV double circuit line and a 132KV double circuit line from Shiroro Hydro power station terminating at Katampe and Apo substation. He said: "Gwagwalada substation will therefore evacuate power from 434mw Geregu II NIPP plant to the FCT through the 222.6kms 330KV double circuit line from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Gwagwalada substation. There is a final 30kms 330kV double circuit line terminating at the Shiroro (Niger State) – Katampe (Abuja) 330kV DC lines." The substation is equipped with 2X150MVA 330/132kV Transformers and 2X60MVA 132/33kV transformers. "Since the completion of these works, the FCT and indeed the national grid have experienced remarkable system stability especially during system disturbances that have in the past resulted

in total system collapses," the vice president added. Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Handling Company (NDPHC), Mr. James Olotu, said the project was conceived as one of the nodes in a 330kV transmission ring that will provide secured supply to the FCT. In his address, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said NDPHC is a three tier government company with many of its projects in the NIPPS being inaugurated not only in the Niger Delta. Nebo said: "We are pleading with those vandalising our gas pipeline to give Nigeria a chance to enjoy what this administration has done. Today, we have 6,000mw generation capacity. If there is gas, we can evacuate up to 5,500mw." Managing Director of the Chinese firm, CCC International Company, Mr. Bu Sum Bu, said the project is among the biggest network stations in Nigeria, noting that it was completed within 14 months after its initiation.

Fashola approves excision for 230 communities Muritala Ayinla

o fewer than 230 communities in Lagos were yesterday granted excision by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola following the acquisition of their lands by the state government. New Telegraph gathered that some of the concerned communities had applied for excision following the acquisition of their lands by the state government. They were, however, granted the excision – an alternative land as compensation for their original lands now acquired for state purposes. The beneficiary communities include Okun Alani village (Ibeju Lekki), Osoroko Village (Ibeju-Lekki), Agunbiade Village (Eti-Osa) and Ilisioye Village (Badagry). Presenting the documents to the communities in Ikeja, Fashola said the granting of excision was to adequately compensate

villages for the acquisitions of their lands for development projects. He said government believed that giving lands instead of monetary compensation would offer the benefiting communities the commensurate alternative for their acquired land. He warned that government would not grant any other demands after the excision. He said: "It is important for all of us to understand ourselves. What you should have received was money for your land when the acquisition took place. Government decided some 30 or 40 years ago, that instead of giving money, which is never enough, give land as compensation. That's the history of excision. "Some of the things we have seen, which we are now trying to correct is that some people after collecting their excisions, come back and say it is not enough.

"Some people after collecting their excision, later jump on government land. That must stop. So, that is why we are attaching conditions to the excision. Now you cannot collect the excision and come back again and say you want money." Fashola said another problem government had with beneficiaries of excisions in the past was that some of them developed their property outside approved plan. Meanwhile, Fashola was officially presented with his National ID Card by the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The governor said Nigeria was going in circles for lack of reliable data base. He said the problems witnessed during the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) distribution would not have been had Nigeria succeeded with the National Identity Card programme.

a question authorities found to be embarrassing. Musa had asked Derby to explain the relationship between the multinational task force fighting in Lake Chad and the South African mercenaries fighting with them. While answering the reporter after his meeting with Jonathan, Derby simply said he had no information concerning mercenaries from South Africa. Shortly after the interaction with Derby, security agents summoned Musa into an inner room where his tag was withdrawn.

They drove him in a vehicle out of the forecourt of the president’s office through the service chiefs’ gate. When he told the operatives that some of his work tools were still inside the press gallery where journalists operate from, the operatives led him to the hall to retrieve his belongings and led him out of the Presidential Villa again. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, was said to have assured a delegation of State House correspondents who met him on

the matter that the issue would be resolved appropriately. The withdrawal of the German Radio reporter's accreditation came weeks after aides of the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, stopped the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering Buhari's activities over the hate campaign against him during the presidential election. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) countermanded the decision to allow the private television station to continue the coverage of the President-elect.

South-West senators may dump Lawan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

West cannot produce the House speaker by virtue of the emergence of Buhari, Jibrin it was learnt that Jibrin yesterday agreed to withdraw from the speakership race and team up with Gbajabiamila as deputy speaker. New Telegraph gathered that Jibrin reached out to Gbajabiamila at the weekend declaring his loyalty and planned partnership. Consequently, Jibrin

had organised a press conference in Abuja to formally announce his withdrawal from the race and support for Gbajabiamila. But the conference, which was initially fixed for 11am, was later shifted to 2.00pm, yet it did not hold as Jibrin and his team were said to be holding meetings to strengthen out the terms of the proposed alliance. New Telegraph, however, learnt that Gbajabi-

amila's supporters were divided over the overtures from Jibrin. A member who is in support of Gbajabiamila's ambition, said some of them were not comfortable with Jibrin because they suspect that he wanted to use the Lagos lawmaker to enhance his ambition. Attempts to get Gbajabiamila and Jibrin to give reasons why the press conference was stalled were unsuccessful.

WANTED URGENTLY Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, publishers of New Telegraph, Saturday Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, requires the services of: Copy Editors: Must be graduates of English Language with a minimum of Bachelor's Degree (Second Class Upper). Applicants must have calm personality; be good writers with eyes for details and must be able to infuse life into 'dead' copies. He/she must have at least eight years post-qualification experience either in the media or the publishing industry. Legal Officer: with LLB (minimum of Second Class Lower). Should possess at least 4 years post-call experience. Must be able to provide assistance in preparing, drafting and vetting all agreements as well as rendering accurate legal opinion. Eligible applicants should submit their applications within two weeks to: Head, Administration Department, 1A, Ajimobi Street, off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos or newjobstoday2015@gmail.com

News

tuesday, may 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

FG woos Poland to invest in power plants Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday charged the Polish government to invest in smaller units of power plants to increase the Nigeria's megawatts. According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, that is the only way the expected megawatts increase can be achieved. Igali, who spoke on behalf of the government when he received a delegation of Polish government led by its Minister for Economy, Andrzej Dycha, called on the nation to bring in her wealth of technological expertise into the power sector by setting up power plants that can deliver smaller megawatts of electricity in the country with a view to making same available for supply to the people within the shortest possible time. According to him, such an investment will provide a win-win situation for both parties, as the investors will get their turnover quicker, with Nigeria in turn enjoying the increase in power output instantly.

In a statement issued by Deputy Director (Press) Grace Njoku, the Minister stated that the entire gamut of the electricity value chain was suffering from long years of neglect and under-funding, which informed the determination of this administration to pursue privatization with vigour, adding that having seen the transformation in the Banking and

Telecoms industries as a result of privatization, it saw the need to inject private sector dynamism into the system. He noted that since the exercise which took place about 20 months ago, there has been a tremendous increase in the nation’s power sector output which would have been noticed unquestionably, but for the incessant vandalism

of gas pipelines, adding that the Ughelli Power Station for example, has since then increased its generation capacity from a paltry 115MW to 650MW and another target of 850MW in some months ahead. Igali assured the Polish delegation that the country has enough coal deposits to provide 5,000MW of power from coal, just as he told the delegation

that the government will provide all the necessary backing for the take-off of the deal, stressing that all permits and licences would be fast-tracked in order to ensure seamless realization of projects. According to Njoku, the leader of the delegation, Andrzej Dycha, had earlier stated that Poland is the fastest developing economy in Europe now

Senators ask SEC to brace up Chukwu David Abuja

L-R: Former World Footballer of the Year/member of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator George Weah; Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and President of the Community Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Maria Do Ceu Monteiro Silva, at the opening of the 2015 first Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja …yesterday.

Angry workers storm AMCON over unpaid salaries Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

embers of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and employees of Seawolf oil Company yesterday took protests over unpaid salaries to the Abuja office of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). They vowed to lay down their lives if AMCON fails to pay the N3 billion be-

longing to its members. Chairman of the Seawolf branch of NUPENG, Christian Okoji, led the staff protest to AMCON office in Abuja. He said that AMCON owed them 18 months salaries and other terminal benefits. He said: "Precisely in December 2013, AMCON came and bought the company. So, when they came, they assured us that they are going to change the wolf system, for the former management was having finan-

Ifeanyi Ubah confirms assassination attempt Mojeed Alabi

businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Ifeanyi Ubah, has confirmed that he narrowly escaped assassination on Sunday, May 10, in Abuja, the Federal Capital territory. In a statement issued yesterday by TAN’s Director of Media, Mr. Afam Ilounoh, the development is already being investigated by security operatives.

and has developed superior technology for coal and renewable energy, which it wants to collaborate with the Nigerian Government on. That is with a view to ensuring that in the years to come, the development in the area of energy, he hoped, will metamorphose into economic transformation for the nation.

Iluonoh, who could neither confirm nor deny the rumoured death of one of Ubah’s aides in the process as reported by some media platforms, disclosed that he could not reveal much on the issue at the moment as it was still being investigated. He wrote: “We can confirm that the incident happened and it is a subject of intense investigation by security agencies to unravel those behind it and their motives."

cial constraints. Based on that, they came and asked us to denounce our former company and send all our personal data to them and from that moment, they will be doing the payment of salaries". He said AMCON only paid them for two months, December 2013 and January 2014 respectively. The chairman lamented that they "have been working, the three rigs, one of the rigs was working with Total, one with Adax and the last

with Conoil. They were all working making good money. The least payment for those rigs was about a hundred and thirty thousand dollar ($130,000) per day. So, the rigs were making so much money. At the end of the day, AMCON refused to continue the payment of salaries. So, our organization which is NUPENG called them to order to know the fate of the workers and know why AMCON has refused to pay their members". "Series of letters were

written to AMCON to know the fate of our members but there was no response from any ends till after some time, the rigs had issues with the companies they were drilling for. They finally took the rigs to Lagos. Since then, they stopped payment." Okoji said Responding for AMCON, the Executive Director credit, Abbas Mohammed Jega, said Seawolf is owing AMCON and cannot pay the protesters until the company pays them.

n view of the dwindling crude oil price in the international market, with its negative effect on Nigerian economy, Senators yesterday tasked the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, to brace up and fill in the gap as an alternative to oil. Speaking at a screening ceremony of the commission's Acting DirectorGeneral, Mounir Haliru Gwarzo, the chairman, senate committee on capital market, Senator Ayo Adeseun, noted that oil is an exhaustible natural resource and must be diversified. He expressed worries that oil, which has been sustaining the country for decades, might dry up in the next 25 years, and therefore, charged the security and exchange commission to provide an alternative by making the business environment attractive for investors to take advantage and invest. ''The capital market is the most critical element for our economic development. Oil is exhaustible and from the information available to us, it may dry up in the next 25 years, if we continue on this path. So, the capital market through SEC may bail the over 170 million Nigerians out''.

'Nigeria loses about 30 police OAU, ASUU want abducted lecturers freed personnel monthly' who killed his driver and Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Nigeria Police lose "about 20 to 30" personnel monthly, and vacancies created as a result of the possible deaths are hardly filled. This development has, in the main, affected the "strength of the Force." A statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Ikechukwu

Ani, quoted the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, as making the disclosure yesterday in Abuja, when he led his Management Team on a visit to the Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro. It further quoted Arase as lamenting over "stagnation" of officers of different cadres, who are due for promotion to the next ranks, but have yet to be elevated, "because of nonavailability of establishment vacancies."

Mojeed Alabi

he management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has appealed for the release of its kidnapped lecturer, Dr. Femi Omisore, revealing that the abductors had made contact with the family demanding N70 million ransom. Omisore was abducted at Ido-Ekiti on Friday evening while on his way to Oye-Ekiti where one of his colleagues was holding a ceremony, before he was waylaid by the hoodlums,

set his car ablaze. The lecturer, who is of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, was said to have been trailed from a far distance before he was picked at gunpoint. In an exclusive telephone interview with New Telegraph, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, explained that the university had already got in touch with the relevant security operatives and that, efforts were already on to secure his freedom.

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, may 12, 2015

News

national

Gowon to chair Foursquare Diamond Jubilee Lecture

Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (left), receiving a draft report from the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Review of the National Defence Policy, Avm Mohammed Umar in Abuja…yesterday.

Fuel subsidy, a scam, says Utomi Amadi Nnamdi ABUJA

enowned political economist and former presidential aspirant, Professor Pat Utomi has described Federal Government's subsidy programme as a scam that has only enriched few people. Utomi said this during the National Forum of Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with FRC, yesterday in Abuja. "For me once there is discipline and honest service to the people we shouldn't be talking about subsidy. Most of what we call subsidy is just a scam that a few people got rich on," he said.

Speaking further, Utomi narrated that on one of his trips from Abuja, a Senior Executive of the NNPC who was seated beside him in the plane pointed at some of the Private jets at the airport and said, "that's Kerosene subsidy sitting there." While commenting on the recently released NNPC Audit report and the calls from some quarters for another audit on NNPC, Prof. Utomi said, "as we go into value for money, auditing as a way of looking at how the word is structured, there has to be necessarily series of new audits, but whatever value it provides those who are responsible should look at it and take whatever benefit we can take from it”. While berating some

Police recover more card readers, lap tops in Umuahia Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

olice detectives from the Zone 9 police command headquarters, Umuahia, yesterday recovered five additional card readers and two laptops, allegedly belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). An authoritative source at the zonal command at Ehimiri Housing Estate confirmed the discovery to newsmen yesterday, saying that the materials were found “in a hidden location” in Amoba Housing Estate, Old Umuahia, “following a tip off”. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in charge of the zone, Mr Emma Jiakponna, declined to comment on the development, demanding the identity of the source

of the information. Reacting to the incident however, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) Prof. Selina Oko, said that she was informed on phone by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 9, Mr Usman Gwarii, today (Monday) about the discovery. “The AIG called me this morning to come and inspect some materials that were recovered, but I told him that I was not in Umuahia. I told him that I would come to inspect them when I return,’’ the REC said on phone. It was gathered that the items were recovered from a location close to the residence of an INEC official now in police custody for allegedly attempting to smuggle out seven card readers and result sheets from INEC office in Umuahia last Tuesday.

state government for their Fiscal recklessness and imprudent management of resources, he advocated for the establishment of a special fund by the Federal government. "I think that one way to bring in discipline, because there is a great deal of indiscipline in the state, is for the Federal government to perhaps create a kind of fund that will enable the states payoff some critical debts like salaries, which will also help inflate the economy, people can spend money and others can sell to others and consumption will all lead to some growth spots. "Just like the International Monetary Fund

has some conditionalities for countries, there should be conditionalities for state governments that are being bailed out and these should include very strict Fiscal discipline. Any Governor from those states that charters an aeroplane to go anywhere will have to account to somebody. Any of those misuse of resources with a certain amount going into abusive recurrent expenditures rather than on creating enabling environment for growth, infrastructure will attract a certain consequence. Consequence management should be in this kind of lending program," he said.

Akwa Ibom wins NNPC National Quiz Competition for South-South zone Clement James CALABAR

kwa Ibom State representatives yesterday emerged winners of the 2015 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) National Quiz Competition for the SouthSouth in a keenly contested zonal round among the six states of the zone. The state, represented by Ini Ebehe Okoho and Onyekpe Chidubem ,both of Top Faith Secondary School, Uyo , came first by scoring 55 points ahead of Cross River and Rivers State contestants who scored 50 points each to place second while Delta State came third with 45 points and Edo and Bayelsa States scored 40 points each to take the fourth position. The competition, which was science-based, had questions from the four basic science subjects, namely, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology,

which the organisers said is aimed at encouraging the study of sciences in secondary school. “No country can advance technologically without the core science subjects, so this competition is an instrument for enhancing science education in the country, coaching students towards their promotional and qualifying examinations and to build friendship among students,” the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong Offiong, who was special guest at the event, said. He added that the competition, which started since 2001, has brought immense benefits to secondary schools as every year, student looks forward to the competition with the hope of winning the top prize which conveys on them a scholarship to any Nigerian university sponsored by the NNPC to study the science course of their choice.

ormer Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is billed to chair a special lecture to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. The event holds on Thursday, May 14, at the National Headquarters of the church at Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, from 11.00a.m. The topic of the lecture is “The Church and the Nigerian Nation: Impact, Challenges, and the Way Forward”, and it will be delivered by the Vice Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State, Professor Adeniyi Agunbiade. Expected as Royal Father of the Day, is HRM, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri; while the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Felix Meduoye, is the chief host. “This lecture is one of

the year-long series of activities lined up to commemorate the 60th anniversary of our movement, the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria,” Meduoye said, adding that there will be a special session of prayers for newlyelected public officers during the lecture. Gen. Gowon is founder of Nigeria Prays, a body set up to intercede for the country in prayers, and had ruled Nigeria from 1966 and 1975. The Guest Speaker, Professor Agunbiade is a First Class graduate of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a specialist in Animal Nutrition and Food Technology. Foursquare Gospel Church was founded in 1923 by preacher Aimee Semple McPherson. The headquarters is in Los Angeles, California.

Senate holds valedictory service for Chukwumerije May 20 Chukwu David ABUJA

he Senate will on Wednesday May 20, 2015, hold a special valedictory service for its late member and former Chairman of its Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who died on Sunday April 19. The eldest son of the deceased, Chidi Chukwumerije, announced this yesterday while briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the late senator's funeral ceremony. He said that the valedictory service, which would take place at the Senate Chamber, would be followed later in the evening by a night of tributes which would hold at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton

hotels in Abuja by 6:00pm. Chidi, accompanied by members of the burial Committee, headed by Senator Ben Obi, stated that his father's body would leave Abuja airport at 7:00am on Thursday, May 21, after a brief ceremony, for the Enugu airport, where another brief ceremony would be held upon arrival at the coal city. He further disclosed that the body would move straight from the airport for his home town, Isuochi, where the lying-in-state would take place around 2:00pm, while the service of songs would follow at 8:00pm. He also said that the funeral service would be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 22, while the interment would follow immediately in his compound.

Nigeria records only 143 kidney transplant in 10 years, says Harvard don Mojeed Alabi

meritus Professor at Harvard University and 2012 winner of the Nobel Prize for Economic Science, Alvin Roth, has decried what he described as the poor fate of Nigerian patients with chronic renal disease, saying poor infrastructure, high cost of management and awareness problems are some of the conditions leading to the prevalence of the condition in the country and the continent of Africa by extension. Roth, who was the keynote speaker at the second edition of the

Covenant University’s International Conference on African Development Issues, revealed, yesterday, that only 143 kidney transplant has been successfully conducted in the country within the last one decade as compared to about 11,000 carried out annually in the United States of America. The speaker had insisted that the cost of transplant is more economical than dialyses, saying by dialysis, a patient would need as much as N90,000 weekly and millions of naira annually, while with just N6 million, successful transplant will be conducted.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Traders count losses as fire razes 109 shops

Traders at the burnt market.

Photo: Tony Eguaye

INFERNO Many traders at Better Life Market Ijora, Lagos say they have lost all they have ever worked for to fire outbreak in the market

Taiwo Jimoh

raders at the popular ‘Better Life Market’ at Ijora-Badia area of Lagos State yesterday recounted their losses in the fire outbreak which destroyed 109 shops on Sunday.

The fire, believed to have been caused by power surge, according to the residents of the area, occurred after the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) restored power supply in the market. This led to a spark and before people knew what was happening, the fire spread to

other shops. A trader in the market, Mr Samson Oyewole, said the fire incident took everybody by surprise. He said: “We were all in the market on Saturday and left for home after the day’s trading. Around 4am on Sunday, I received a phone call from a friend who lives close to the market that our market was on fire. “To my surprise, when I got to the market, everything had been burnt to ashes. No goods in the shops were spared. I tried to evacuate some of my wares in the shop, but I couldn’t enter due to the inferno.” Another trader, who gave his name as Mike, said he had developed hypertension owing to the magnitude of his loss. He said: “I just stocked my shop on Saturday with palm oil; I got the money I used for the business through a bank loan. How do I refund the money when everything I had laboured for had gone up in flames? “I have three children and siblings whom I used to sponsor in school. Where do I get the money to carter for them?

I urge the Lagos State Government to come to our aid. “Those of us selling palm oil in the market were the most affected by the inferno, although those selling clothes and other items also lost goods.” Mrs Tope Jimoh, whose shop was also burnt, insisted that bad roads leading to the market made it difficult for firefighters to arrest the fire before it spread. She said: “When the fire started, it was the divisional police officer of Ijora Badia Police Station who called firefighters. The firefighters refused to come. But when they finally came, they could not come in due to the bad condition of the road leading into the market. “We are calling on the government of Lagos State to provide a god road for the market. It will help prevent future disasters in the market and the neighbouring areas.” When our correspondent visited the market, some traders were already reconstructing some of their burnt shops, while others were busy packing wreckage caused by the inferno.

846 pregnant women die in Lagos Pastor held for drug on part-time – Church

Muritala Ayinla

Camillus Nnaji

bout 846 pregnant women died during childbirth in Lagos Stateowned hospitals between 2011 and 2014, New Telegraph’s investigation reveals. A total of 89,652 babies were also delivered within the period in the state health facilities. It was also learnt that the state recorded 168,711 deliveries between 2006 and 2014 with 161,373 live births. A total of 8,353 were recorded as stillbirths in the last nine years. According to a report detailing the activities and performance of the state Ministry of Health, 184,165 pregnant women attended the antenatal clinics in all the state-owned health facilities in 2014 alone.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Fashola

Only 24,177 deliveries were recorded in the same year while 200 women died in the process of giving birth. The report also showed that 33,992 pregnant women gave birth though caesarean sessions in the state-owned hospitals between 2011 and 2014, while a total of 3,660 still births were recorded. Speaking on efforts to reduce maternal mortality rate, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said the government was doing everything to improve the health infrastructure. Idris added that the state Ma-

ternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programme was specifically launched by Governor Babatunde Fashola to improve the health behaviour of the women of childbearing age and the community in general on preventable maternal and child health intervention. The commissioner said the government had also identified and equipped 24-hour primary health facilities in each of the local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) to provide emergency obstetric care at the primary level.

ospel Faith Mission International has disclosed that the 43-year-old pastor Daniel Akintola, who was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for trafficking heroin, was only on part-time. Daniel was arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu while on his way from a while his way back from a ministers’ conference in Uganda. When arrested, Akitola had told his interrogators that he was presiding over the Olayemi Assembly of the church at Ipaja, Lagos State. But a senior pastor with church said Akintola was not a full pastor with the church. The senior pastor, who spoke with our correspondent at the church’s headquarters on LagosIbadan Expressway, on condition of anonymity, said he had never seen the name of Akintola on the pay-roll of pastors in the church. This was even as the church’s top hierarchy in a statement urged NDLEA to conduct a proper investigation. The statement was signed by the church’s Secretary General, Pastor Ezekiel Ojo.

But the senior pastor said: “I read about it on the internet, basically your newspaper. But I don’t think we know him here as our full-time pastor. The church is subdivided into regions, the region into districts and the districts into assemblies. “It is possible his district or assembly had organised a conference without the knowledge of the headquarters. The statement by the authority of the church confirmed that he is not our pastor.” Akintola was found with 1.978kg of heroin concealed in a false bottom of his luggage. Akintola, who claimed ownership of the bag containing heroin, said that he was returning from a pastor’s conference. In the statement, the church urged the relevant law enforcement agencies handling the case to carry out proper investigation on the matter. It reads: “The Gospel Faith Mission International is a church that believes, preaches and practices holiness as enunciated in the Bible. “We do not in any way support drug trafficking or other vices for that matter. In fact, recent reports in the media, linking the church to a particular case of drug trafficking is very strange to the mission.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

City Briefs Five held for vandalising Airtel mast Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

olice in Oyo State yesterday announced the arrest of five persons for vandalising Airtel mast worth N50 million at Dagbolu village, Ogun State. The sixth person was, however, said to have escaped. The men, identified as Sina Olafioye, Kazeem Tijani, Idowu Sanusi, Sunday Atanda and Taofeek Olanrewaju, were apprehended around 5.30am at Akaran on Monday in a white bus after vandalising the telecommunication equipment. One man identified simply as Dauda escaped arrest. After overpowering the security guard, they stole two heavy machines, eight giant batteries and other equipment. The security man, Isiaka Jimoh, said he was tied and placed in the security room after injuring him in a struggle while the suspects seized his gun and cutlass.

Fire averted as fuel tanker falls Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ire disaster was yesterday averted at Olodo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, when some residents of the area started scooping fuel from a fuel tanker which fell beside the road. The accident reportedly happened as the tanker, on its way from Iwo Road, skidded and fell. Some people, who apparently took the opportunity to gain from the accident to cushion the effect of fuel scarcity, threw caution to the wind by swooping on the tanker with jerry cans to scoop petrol. In the last few weeks, petrol has been selling at some filling stations and black markets within the metropolis at between N130 and N200 per litre. The tanker, with registration number LAGOS AGL 479XP, said to be coming from Lagos, was going to a filling station at Olodo area.

Teacher jailed for raping schoolgirl Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

he Dutse Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Malam Aminu Lawal, a teacher with the Government Girls Secondary School, Danzomo, to two years imprisonment without an option of fine. The 35-year-old Lawal was charged for defilement and raping of a 12-year-old JSS student inside his office toilet countless of times. He pleaded guilty but begged for leniency. The convict was arrested through the joint efforts of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Passing her judgement, Chief Magistrate Amina Dahiru regretted that many people usually defile teenagers and destroy the victims’ future. According to her, Lawal’s offence was contrary to Section 285 of Jigawa State Penal Code Laws. Reacting to the verdict, the state NSCDC Commandant, Dr Muhammad Fari, said criminally-minded people should have a second thought.

Arrest killer ASP, riders, family urge police Juliana Francis

ricycle riders have called on the police to apprehend an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), identified simply as Mohammed, who killed one of their colleagues with his service pistol at Akowonjo, Egbeda area last week. The victim’s colleagues said the ASP killed the rider like a common animal. This was even as the victim’s elder brother, Mr Kolawole Saidi, begged the police to fish out the killer. Tricycle and commercial motorcycle riders at Egbeda have continued to protest the murder of Aranse Akeem, 31, a father of one. A motorcyclist, popularly called Pastor, said: “The ASP shot and killed him like a common animal. He shot and killed him without any provocation. Perhaps the

The late Akeem

ASP was under a spell. Now that he has killed Akeem, let him come and take over the responsibilities of Akeem.” On Tuesday night, Akeem was shot at close range by an angry policeman. He died immediately on the spot. The bullet, which entered

through his left side chest, came out from his back. A tricycle rider, Mr Basa Paul, who witnessed Akeem’s murder, said the incident occurred around 6pm on Karim Lakanu Street, Egbeda. Paul said the policeman whipped out his service pistol from his waistband, shot Akeem, still armed with the gun, grabbed and held a commercial motorcyclist hostage. He ordered the rider to take him away from the scene. Paul and other tricycle riders have taken two motorcyclists to Afonka Police Station after they realised that they knew the shooter. One of the motorcyclists said the trigger happy cop was an ASP. He also said that he knew the policeman’s family. Akeem’s brother, Saidi said he had just returned from the office when his

phone rang. When he picked the call, he was told that a policeman had killed his brother. Saidi said he quickly rushed to the scene and saw Akeem’s body, covered in blood. He said: “When I got there, he was already dead. He was shot in the chest. He died on the spot. His son is just three-year-old. Akeem was gentle, not troublesome by nature. He was very religious. I implore the police authorities to help us fish out his killer. Let the policeman tell us why he killed Akeem.” The tricycle riders are, however, divided over the action police authorities are likely to take. While some said police would fish out the ASP based on the identification of one of the arrested motorcyclists, others said police would protect the identity of the ASP.

OAU, ASUU want abducted lecturers freed Mojeed Alabi

he management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has appealed for the release of its kidnapped lecturer, Dr. Femi Omisore. Omisore was abducted at Ido-Ekiti on Friday evening while on his way to OyeEkiti where one of his colleagues was holding a ceremony. He was waylaid by the abductors who killed his driver and set his car ablaze. According to OAU, the abductors had made contact with the family and demanded N70 million ransom The lecturer in the De-

partment of Urban and Regional Planning was said to have been trailed from a far distance before he was picked at gunpoint. The institution’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, told our correspondent on the phone that OAU had already got in touch with the relevant security operatives and that efforts were already on to secure his freedom. According to Olarewaju, the university management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, has already held a series of meetings with relevant individuals and authorities to ensure that the victim is released without harming him.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday held an emergency congress over the matter. The union sympathised with the families of both their colleague and his late driver, demanding Omisore’s unconditional release. The ASUU Chairman, Dr Caleb Aborisade, said the on the phone that the union condemned in its totality the increasing spate of violence against lecturers. Aborisade also said Mrs Kikelomo Adegun, the kidnapped wife of the former Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teach-

ing Hospital, EKSUTH, Dr Patrick Adegun, was a member of academic staff of EKSU. He said; “Our members have commended the efforts made so far by both the leadership of ASUU and the university on this matter. But by tomorrow (today), ASUU members from OAU, UI, EKSU among others will hold a joint press conference to demand for the release of our abducted colleagues and urge appropriate authorities to intervene immediately.” Aborisade also confirmed that Omisore’s abductors had demanded N70 million while those holding Adegun were asking for N100 million ransom.

Go beyond evangelism, Okonkwo tells churches Tony Okuyeme

he President of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission Worldwide (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, has called on churches to go beyond preaching the gospel and think of innovations and projects that would benefit the people and the community. Okonkwo made the call when he inaugurated a water project at Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu, Lagos State. The borehole water project was built by the Liberty Centre, TREM, Ikorodu, Lagos. The bishop commended the Liberty Centre of TREM for the initiative. He said: “By now churches should be looking beyond preaching the gospel by thinking about innovations that will be of benefit to the people. “I am excited to see that the

Okonkwo

area now has water; this project is very important. Water is refreshing; water is life; and for us to be able to provide that, it gives me joy. “Our mission in TREM is not just disseminating the word of God but doing things that will be of need to not only our members but everybody.”

In his reaction, the Chairman of Oke-Oriya Community Development Area, Mr Sesan Oresanya, commended the church for the project. He urged other churches to emulate TREM, adding that the project would serve the people of the community, who had lived without pipe borne water.

Okonkwo, who also inaugurated the Children Department of the church, in an interview, also commended the Liberty Centre of TREM for initiating and organising the yearly Ikorodu Community Development Awards (ICDA). He said: “I am impressed with the ICDA project, because that is what the kingdom is all about. You are not supposed to be in an environment and people will not know you are there. The only way we can introduce people to God is to be where they are and speak their language. “So when you come with projects like that and appreciate the people who have impacted the society, of course, it is also a way to say God is appreciating what they are doing. “They may not be in church but they are also part of the kingdom doing things that will affect the masses. So I am excited about that initiative.”

News

Lagos pension funds hit N57.3bn Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State joint contributory pension fund has risen in excess of N57.32billion, the Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Rotimi Adekunle Hussain, has said. The Director General also said that as at February, 2015, a total of N32.2 billion has been paid into the Retirement Savings Account of the 6,145 workers, who retired from the state public service from 2010 till date being the past personal service benefits.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Speaking yesterday at the 8th Pre-Retirement seminar for workers, who are retiring from the state public service, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Hussein reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants in the state, especially the retiring workers. He said: “Apart from huge sums the administration had paid as benefit to retirees under the scheme, the employer/employee joint contribution of 15 per cent has also grown to N57,317,612,309.39k since the

inception of the scheme in 2007. “The seminar is designed to further broaden your knowledge on the best way of preparing for your retirement and accessing your account benefits under Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The Lagos State Pension Commission and other stakeholders are resolute at assisting you (retiring workers) to adequately prepare your physical, emotional and financial well-being in retirement as well as afford you the benefit of being in a better position and frame of mind to build a comfort-

able and rewarding life in retirement.” The LASPEC appealed to the retiring workers against venturing into the business they have little or no knowledge about, saying the seminar would, among other things prepare them for life after service. On her part, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Folashade Sherifat Jaji urged them not to turn their back on public service, adding that the state will appreciate their input and suggestions on how to better the lots of the citizenry through improved service delivery.

Non-payment of salaries: Osun LG boss absolves Aregbesola Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he Executive Secretary, Ayedire Local Government area of Osun State, Mr. Gbenga Ogunkanmi, yesterday absolved the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, from any blame over the non-payment of the civil servants salaries in the state. Addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a meeting held in Ileogbo, Headquarters of the council, Ogunkanmi, said the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries was the handiwork of the Federal Government. He said “Aregbesola could not be blamed for the debt of the Osun workers salaries, as all where he could get money to pay the workers’ salaries had been blocked.” “Whoever thinks the Aregbesola-led administration deliberately owes the workers is not being

fair, because no father would be happy when his children are going hungry. Ogunkanmi who commended the perseverance of the Osun workers on the development, recalled that that when the state was buoyant financially, workers were collecting their salaries on every 25th day of every month. He appealed to the workers to exercise more patient with the state government, saying that their salaries would soon be paid as the APC will take over the federal government come May 29. Ogunkanmi said: “The federal government being controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is to be blamed on the inability of state government to pay workers salaries. It is the FG that deliberately cut back the allocation of Osun and other APC controlled states, to frustrate the opposition government.”

Buhari urged to upgrade NCE to degree level Mojeed Alabi

T L-R: Wife of late Prof. Tekena Tamuno; Olufunmilayo; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, at the special Senate meeting for the former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, late Emeritus Prof. Tekena Tamuno, by the University of Ibadan Senate …yesterday

he Provost of the Federal College of Education, Technical, FCET, Akoka, Dr. Sijibomi Olusanya, has advised the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to grant

Adesina Wahab and Babatope Okeowo

Elections tribunal begins sitting in Ekiti

he election petition tribunal in Ekiti State yesterday held its inaugural sitting in Ado-Ekiti, with a warning to parties not to constitute hindrances to the its proceedings, that was just as it said it would not condone any attempt to smear the image of its members. The three-man panel, which has six petitions to handle is headed by Justice A.N. Erahor and Justices A.T. Lamina and P.A. Obayi,

as members. Four All Progressives Congress (APC), petitioners are challenging the victories of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the House of Assembly election, while two petitions are challenging the PDP victory in two senatorial districts. Mr. I.K. Olanrewaju, led the team of Lawyers representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the PDP legal team was led by

the party’s State Legal Adviser, Kolapo Kolade. The APC senatorial candidates in the Ekiti South and Central senatorial districts in the last general elections, Senator Tony Adeniyi and Mr. Gbenga Olofin, are challenging the victories of Mrs. Biodun Olujimi and Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, in the National Assembly election. In his inaugural speech, Justice Erahor described

NMA tells Aregbesola to pay doctors six months’ salaries Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he South West zone of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday called on the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, to pay the six months’ outstanding salaries owed doctors in the state. It observed that doctors in the state have continued to render selfless and sacrificial services despite the hardship meted out to them. The position of the as-

sociation was contained in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta and signed by the Coordinating Chairman, NMA South West Caucus, Dr Adenike Odewabi and Secretary, Dr. Zaheed Ayoola. The association noted that the Osun State Government had received monthly revenue from the Federation account up till March, this year but refused to pay the salaries of civil servants, including the doctors, since November 2014. It alleged that Aregbesola, had been “unexplainably

absent” at various meetings aimed at brokering a truce between the state government and the aggrieved doctors. The association, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians, to intervene in the crisis, stating “human endurance is not without a limit.” It said, “It is on record that the State of Osun has received monthly revenue from the Federation Account up till March 2015 but has refused to pay the salaries of her civil servants since November 2014.”

the assignment as a critical and crucial one that must be diligently prosecuted. He called on the parties to take cognisance of the fact that it had a total of 180 days to dispense justice on the matters in line with Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution. This law is sacrosanct because of the sui generis nature of the Election Petition and it is on this basis that we have to avoid unnecessary distraction.

“We are appealing to the security agencies to provide security for the judges, lawyers, politicians and other members of the public,” he appealed. Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseeni Ajayi, assured the judges of their safety in Ekiti, saying the Ayodele Fayose-led administration would strive hard to provide conducive atmosphere for them to discharge their duty.

the National Certificate of Education qualification (NCE), in the country the first degree status, saying no country all over the world runs NCE presently. Olusanya, who stated this at the weekend during a press briefing ahead of the institution’s 36th convocation ceremonies slated for Wednesday and Thursday, said enrolment into colleges has reduced drastically due the perception on the institution’s qualification and the number of years allocated to the programmes. He said the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), could be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the education faculties in the universities while the National Universities Commission should take charge of other programmes run by the institutions.

Fayose decries politicisation of kidnapping Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has warned against politicising the recent spate of abductions in the state, saying the government, in collaboration with security agencies would ensure the release of those kidnapped. He said this in Ido-Ekiti yesterday while addressing members of staff of the Federal Teaching Hospital, (FTH), Ido-Ekiti, where a senior theatre nurse, Margaret Aladenika, was ab-

ducted nine days ago. The governor had gone to address the staff of the hospital who were demanding Aladenika’s release. “Mrs. Aladenika would soon be with us. I appreciate you for being your brothers’ keepers. It could be anybody. It could be your brother. Let me tell you that I share this sorrow with you. This is one of the burdens I carry with you. I am sure that she will come back to join us. “It is not about APC or PDP whether you are politician or not, everybody

must join hands with the government to unravel the security issue, and bring it to an end. We are calling on all Ekiti indigenes, irrespective any political affiliation and all security agencies to support the government to bring this unholy development to an end in a bid to get the kidnapped released and put paid to such occurrences. “If they were robbers, we can go after them, but kidnappers, you have to strategise first because the kidnapped is still with them. I can’t expose our strategy.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Controversy

Parliament

Supremacy battle

Interview

Election fallout: PDP sacks Lagos chairman

Pro-Amaechi lawmakers split as faction suspends LG chairmen

Ebonyi APC in disarray

Why A’Ibom elite fought Akpabio, by Ukpe

Politics The House of Representatives’ investigation into allegations of abuse of waivers for rice importation and evasion of payment of levies and duties has opened a can of worms. PHILIP NYAM reports

Probing the ricegate

or two days, the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigated the alleged abuse of waivers in the importation of rice in the country and other sharp practices associated with the policy. The investigation was consequent upon the resolution of the House following the adoption of a motion sponsored by a member of the House. Prior to the motion, the House had received series of petitions from stakeholders particularly indigenous rice millers who decried the mismanagement of the rice importation policy threatening their businesses. The ad hoc committee headed by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, took on various stakeholders in the sector to get to the root of the allegation. Although, the report of the ad hoc committee is yet to be submitted, revelations during the probe indicate that some highly placed government functionaries and other importers connived to undermine the Federal Government amounting to over N30 billion. The committee had to invoke its constitutional powers by summoning senior government officials and agencies as well as other concerned stakeholders before the truth began to unravel.

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Dockworkers offloading bags of rice at the port.

Threat of arrest At the opening of the investigation, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who was the principal figure in the importation allegations was absent. The committee took serious exception to his failure to attend the hearing and consequently issued a threat for him to appear or be sanctioned. Ogor minced no words in carpeting the minister. In his opening address, Ogor said: “This hearing was sequel to a resolution of the House mandating the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate alleged fraud abuses, evasion of import duties by rice importers. “The aim is to uncover fraud and expose the endemic corruption in the importation of rice with a view to stemming the tide and boost employment generation as well as strengthen the nation’s depleting foreign reserve.” Addressing the absence of the minister, who was expected to give a background to the policy and also respond to allegations against him and some of the importers, Ogor noted that: “The minister has no reason not to be here because the ministry was duly served the invitation. I see

The amount owed the Federal Government was N36 billion. I don’t know when the hunter becomes the hunted

no reason why people would be invited to a hearing that’s for the benefit of the people and will not turn up. “You are a servant of the people just like we all are. What we are doing here is for the benefit of our nation’s economy. So, before the end of the hearing we are hoping to see people from the Ministry come in, otherwise we might be forced to make some very strong pronouncement.” One of such allegations against the minister was on the administration of quota and duty payable on excess importation. The minister was accused in one of the petitions of giving certain considerations to some importers who allegedly exceeded their quotas and did not pay liable indemnity. On this premise, the committee questioned the powers of the minister to grant such waiver on the basis of encouraging investment and job creation when in actual sense, the practise is discouraging local investors who don’t even have the capacity to utilise their allotted quota. According to Ogor, “the minister doesn’t have the powers to allocate rice import or production quota to any company and then

waive duties because the corresponding revenue involved is for the entire federation which consists of the three tiers of government. The minister should stop deceiving himself thinking that he acts for every tier of government.” Defaulting importers One of the alleged defaulting importers of rice was Olams Farms Ltd. The company was alleged to have evaded payment of import duty amounting to over N3.5 billion for exceeding its import quota. The company in its defence told the committee that as the largest farm owner on the African continent, it couldn’t have grown its business by disobeying the rules, insisting that there was no directive asking the company to pay for exceeding its quota which came out after the importations had been done. According to the company’s Business Development Head, Mr. Anil Nair, the company will gladly pay what is due to it as duty or levy if the government asks it to do so, invariably confirming that the minister actually waived such CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Election fallout: PDP sacks Lagos chairman Wale Elegbede

he outcome of the last general elections may have claimed its first casualty in the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as 34 out of 39 members of the party’s Executive Committee, yesterday sacked the state chairman of the party, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd). Addressing newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Ikeja, the committee members led by the current secretary of the party, Wahab Owokoniran, accused the chairman of manipulating the party’s primaries last year and mismanaging election campaign funds of the party. After Shelle was found

lI’m still in charge, says Shelle guilty of 13 allegations raised against him, the committee members moved for his ‘impeachment’ and consequently appoint the vice chairman of the party, Hon. Kamaldeen Olorunoje, to replace him in acting capacity. However, in a swift reaction, Shelle told New Telegraph that the said impeachment is illegal and cannot stand. “They are unserious people; they don’t have the power to do that. I am in Ibadan for the PDP South-West leadership executive meeting and we heard of their misdeed while there. I am still the chairman of Lagos PDP and nobody can remove me illegally.

“I am not a controversial person and I believe in doing my best. I have the singular opportunity to serve the party and I have done my best. Jimi Agbaje remains the credible candidate that I know and my pedigree and integrity remains impeccable. Only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has the powers to impeach me, definitely not Owokoniran and Olorunoje. They have missed it because they failed to follow the party’s constitution.” Speaking on behalf of other members of the group, Owokoniran said a Disciplinary Committee was set up by the party to look into the allega-

tions against Shelle but the chairman refused to appear before the panel, hence the recommendation of either expulsion or impeachment for him. While stating some of the allegations levelled against Shelle, Owokoniran said the chairman unilaterally rendered the PDP structure inactive before, during and after the general elections without the approval of the state exco, allegedly allocating “funds to various party members and officials according to his wishes without seeking the approval of the State Working Committee (SWC),” among others. He also alleged that the chairman hijacked the functions of the par-

ty’s treasurer and secretary, adding that “the money received by the party was outsourced to a third party who keeps it in his bank account and disburses from it.” “He (Shelle) calls party official meeting without consultation. Lawful duties were neglected especially refusing to consult with the State Electoral Commissioner until four months after he was deployed to the state. “Party guideline on payment for nomination form was breached by allowing his favoured aspirants to collect forms without payment. “In Epe Local Government Area, he manipulated a draw situation between two aspirants in the party primaries to favour his preferred candidate. His candidate defected to the All

Progressives Congress (APC) after losing the election,” Owokoniran alleged. In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Acting Chairman, Olorunoje, promised to bring sanity into the affairs of Lagos PDP, adding that, “the party shall be reorganised, renewed and reformed to face future challenges.” Meanwhile, the party’s state Financial Secretary, Chief Taiwo Kuye has described the purported impeachment of Shelle as the handiwork of fifth columnists within the party, stating that, “this is a clear affront on the leadership of Chief Bode George and we cannot allow it to stand because it is illegal. We know where it is coming but they have missed it again.”

Diaspora group tasks Buhari on cabinet Temitope Ogunbanke

A cross section of the newly elected members of the State Houses of Assembly, during their Induction Certificate Course in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

iaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) has tasked the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to appoint credible Nigerians into his cabinet. The organisation, which consist of 10 chapters across European countries, also declared its readiness to work with the incoming administration in every capacity that will further aid sustainable development in governance. The group in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. George Manuwuike and pub-

lic relations officer, Mr. Adeleke Ogunkoya, urged Buhari to assemble a team that will protect the trust the Nigerian people have so graciously entrusted on him. The group also commended President Goodluck Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and Nigerians for peaceful polls. The group said President Jonathan has become the ultimate democrat and Nigerians in Diaspora are grateful to the president for lending support to the incoming administration.

Pro-Amaechi lawmakers split as faction suspends LG chairmen Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

ome lawmakers who stood behind Governor Rotimi Amaechi during the botched impeachment by lawmakers loyal to the Governorelect, Mr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday broke away from their colleagues in the Assembly. The aggrieved lawmakers convened a session where they suspended three local goverments caretaker committee chairmen. The lawmakers also set up an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the activities of the affected chairmen. The House, which held its 169th session, was led

by the Deputy Speaker, Leyii Kwanee, also summoned nine key serving commissioners in Amaechi’s cabinet, including the Commissioners for Finance, Power, Health, Agriculture, Information, Works, Budget, Tourism, and Transport to appear before the House today. The lawmakers said the commissioners were summoned along with the chairmen, Board of Internal Revenue; Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, and Secondary School Management Board over the alleged poor state of finance in the state. Two motions were earlier raised by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon Nname Ewor, represent-

ing Ahoada East Constituency 1, who said he was worried about the rising level of political killings and the inability of government to pay salaries of its staff for months. In one of the motions, Ewor sought the suspension of the caretaker committee chairmen, alleging insecurity and financial recklessness in the three local government areas of Asari Toru, Khana and Ahoada East. The chairmen are Cassidy Ikegbidi (Ahoada East), Ojukaye Flag-Amachree (Asari-Toru) and Derick Mene (Khana). He said that although the state government claims it had paid salaries of civil servants up to March 2015, there were conflicting reports to the

contrary as workers protest arrears of salaries and other entitlements. He said: “In these three councils, human lives have been rendered insignificant and financial frugality has been jettisoned to the waste bin. The local government areas are drifting to the Hobbesian State of Nature.” In his contribution, Deputy Speaker Kwanee, who represents Khana Constituency I, said the House was not out to witch-hunt anybody or government, insisting that the Assembly merely wanted to be “on the same page with the executive.” Kwanee, who also commented on the state’s economy, noted that what was on ground in terms of the real state of Rivers

economy was worrisome, and that it was necessary that those summoned appear before the House to explain the true state of things. The Deputy Speaker said that the motion to suspend the CTC chairmen was timely, and that they should be held accountable for whatever happened in their areas. Kwanee disclosed that his 80-year-old father who worked as a security officer in one of the schools in the state told him he has not received his pension for six months. His words: “As an arm of government, we are not out to witch-hunt the executive. They may have their challenges. “My father told me that he has not been paid his

pension for six months. As an arm of government, we are not out to witchhunt the executive. But, we are out to strengthen things. You are aware the seventh Assembly is gradually coming to an end. I want to tell you that it is better started than never. “We have been seeing a lot of conflicting reports; the other day, the Commissioner for Information (Mrs. Ibim Semenitari) was on air saying that they have been paid up to March. So, we feel very embarrassed as an arm of government.” The Speaker, Hon. Otelemabama Dan-Amachree, the House Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd and other lawmakers in the Pro-Amaechi camp were absent during the sitting.

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi State chapter has been enmeshed in fresh crisis over who becomes what in the cabinet of the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari, writes UCHENNA INYA

Ebonyi APC in disarray

n Tuesday April 21, the Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced the suspension of one of the governorship aspirants of the party, Chief Austin Igwe Edeze, who was also the state Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organisation during the electioneering. The party also suspended four officers: Deputy Chairman, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze; Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ngaji Nwodoh; the Ohaukwu LGA party chairman, Engr. Ephraim Eze and Prof. Francis Ibiam. In a statement jointly signed by Hon. Ben Nwobasi and Pastor Victor Nnali Elem, Chairman and Secretary respectively; the party explained that the five members were suspended for alleged antiparty activities and rebellious behaviours and asked all its faithful and the general public to distance themselves from the suspended officers noting that within the five months’ duration of their suspension, the affected officers would not be involved in any of the APC activities. While thanking the party faithful and supporters in Ebonyi State for their commitment to the party before, during and after the general elections, the statement disclosed that the suspension of the officers was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of the party’s disciplinary committee. The party recalled that prior to the suspension of Edeze, Ibiam and others, their acts of betrayals and rebellious behaviours were reported to the national leadership of APC, stressing that Edeze openly canvassed support for President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Edward Nkwegu in the presidential and governorship election. “Edeze donated his campaign billboards to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisations of President Goodluck Jonathan and Dave Umahi. “Edeze also instructed his boys who pulled down all the campaign billboards of APC presidential and governorship candidates, General Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Julius Ucha in his Izzi local government council,” APC stated. The party maintained that Ibiam and Edeze illegally collaborated in conducting training for two trainee agents of Dr. Sam Egwu, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North District while using APC manual and later summoned a meeting of APC members in the state and charged them to work for the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Nkwegu, who is Edeze’s kinsman. It added that while Ngaji Nwodo acted as a mole in Ebonyi APC,

Onu

the state deputy chairman, Nwachukwu and Ephraim Eze, the party’s Ohaukwu council chairman, openly campaigned against the APC governorship candidate, spreading the falsehood that Ucha had stepped down for the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate at the polling centres in the local government. But, Edeze described the allegations as funny and gratuitous insult to his person. He said: “Those baseless allegations of anti-party activities and rebellious behaviours were figment of political lackeys and an assumption of a delinquent act to practice mischief. In all modesty, I have remained the pillar of APC in Ebonyi State, South-East and at the national level, investing heavily in financial and material resources to keep the party moving. “I am not unaware that the latest onslaught by unconscionable individuals who are hostages of one of the leaders of the party in the state is a calculated attempt to rubbish my credibility and gain undue advantage over the victory of our President-elect. But tragically, those under whose watch and leadership our party witnessed crises with abysmal electoral performance in the last polls in Ebonyi State should have been remorseful instead of exposing their inadequacies. “My purported suspension is unconstitutional because I was never at any time invited by the party to defend any allegations or communicated in that direction. Article 21, paragraph A,B,C and D of our party constitution relating to discipline of party members and offences and procedures were never adhered to, instead the party chairman and his co-travellers constituted themselves as complainants, prosecutor and judge.” The Buhari’s campaign coordinator said the party has been confronted with numerous crises following the hijack of the party structure and described Nwaobasi as incompetent to lead the party. “It is obvious that the Ben Nwaobasi whose position is be-

Ucha

For anybody to be suspended... the normal constitutional provisions must be followed

ing challenged in court lacks the competence and ability to lead the party. The APC is bigger than any individual or group. In the face of all odds, truth shall overcome falsehood and APC in Ebonyi State will certainly regain its glory,” Edeze submitted. The suspension of the party chieftains has been generating reactions from members of the party. Already, a group in the party known as APC Stakeholders Ebonyi State has condemned the action. The stakeholders, who denounced Nwaobasi and Nnali as chairman and secretary of the party, said: “For anybody to be suspended from the party, the normal constitutional provisions must be followed as stipulated in the constitution of APC, Article 21, section ‘B’ subsection 1-v. “Whereas the constitution of our great party which is groundnorm and it is binding on every member of the party was not followed, the actions of the said Ben Nwaobasi and Victor Nnali Elem are null and void and of no effect. We wish to remind Nwaobasi-led exco that the issue of APC leadership in Ebonyi State is still pending in court.” The four other suspended members and 45 State Executive Committee (SEC) in their resolutions also sacked the Assistant Treasurer, Anthony Eze; the Treasurer, Alloy Nwibo; Financial Secretary, Ignatius Chima and Welfare Secretary, Ernest Nwaze. They elected the deputy chairman of the party, Nwachukwu Eze the new state chairman and Agwu Okechukwu, the new secretary. In the resolution, Nwaobasi was accused of financial misconduct, incompetence, negligence of duty, dictatorship and wrongful substitutions of the party candidates during the general elections. The resolutions read by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Engr. Ngaji Nwodoh, and signed by the 45 State Executive Council (SEC) members, Nwaobasi was accused of embezzling over N260 million donated to the party including the N100 million donated

by Buhari Campaign Organisation during the visit to the state in November 2015. The faction explained that they had written to the embattled chairman over the financial misappropriation which they claimed he acknowledged but refused to respond to the allegations, leading to his removal from office on April 28 after the expiration of seven days given to him to defend himself on the allegations. They explained that when Nwaobasi noticed that he will be impeached and suspended from office, he quickly announced the suspension of four executive members of the party. Before now, Ebonyi State APC is divided into two factions; one loyal to former national chairman of the defunct ANPP, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and the other led by the governorship candidate of the party, Ucha. Onu and Ucha fell apart after the 2011 general elections in which Ucha was the governorship candidate of the ANPP. The crisis deepened early last year during APC congress in which the Ucha’s faction held sway and produced all the executive members of the party. The exercise conducted at Ucha’s campaign office along Old Enugu Road, Abakaliki led to the defection of some aggrieved members to other political parties. Some other aggrieved members who could not defect, took Nwaobasi and the leadership of the party to court in protest of the congress and called for the conduct of a fresh congress. But the Ucha faction secured an injunction stopping any fresh congress in the state chapter of the party when the National Secretariat of the party sent a committee to the state for the conduct of a fresh congress. The crisis, however, worsened during the party primaries in November 2014. The Onu and Ucha factions went into another ‘war’ by packaging various candidates of the party for various positions for the general elections. Edeze, a former chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Onu’s candidate, contested against Ucha and came second in the exercise keenly contested by three aspirants. The governorship primaries which was characterized by violence with heavy shootings and destruction of campaign vehicles saw Ucha emerging tops. While many members of the party decamped from the APC and pitched their tents with the PDP and LP in protest of the outcome of the primaries, Edeze was appointed the state Coordinator of Buhari Campaign Organisation with Ucha coordinating that of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The defection of the party members affected the APC in the state. The party could not win any state or National Assembly seat and came a distant third in the governorship election. Its current crisis is a clash of interest among the chieftains who are battling for ministerial and other appointments in the incoming administration of General Buhari.

16 Politics

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rice importation scam: The sordid revelations C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

duties without due diligence. “Olams farm is the single largest farm on the continent of Africa with the capacity to import 243, 747 tons of rice on 10 per cent levy and 20 per cent duty. If you look at all the rice value chain, we have made up to date payment of duties and levies as applicable for which we made presentation previously. “If we are asked to pay for the excess in importation, we will oblige and pay without any hesitation,” Nair said. Nigeria Customs position The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) delegation led by Adeoye Ajade in its presentation also indicted Olams Farms. Ajade told the committee that companies defaulted having been written to after the rice policy was reviewed in July last year. “Olam import was over 245,000 metric tons with excess quota amounting to over N3.5 billion which is the duty liability arising from that importation. “Given the review of the policy, rice millers tried to make false declaration of duty value by under-declaring their actual import volume. So the policy review now came with dual rate of 10 per cent duty raise and 20 per cent levy. “Since we didn’t know the quota that was going to be allotted to each miller or importer, we wrote to the Finance Ministry to give us the allotted quota so we can know which company to ask for what, but we didn’t get any response from the ministry,” he said. The committee directed that Olams prepare a comprehensive document showing details in clear tabular form for easy correlation. Another company which attracted sympathy from the committed due to its limited capacity to compete with the likes of Olam, which brings in finished products at cheaper rates was Ebony and Tara Agro Industries Limited, which also decried the inequality created by the rice policy saying it is incapacitating small local investors. Business Development Manager of the company, Mr. Andy Ekwelem, told the committee that his company faces an uphill task of selling its products due to decision to import brown rice which it mills in the country with a view to adding more value through direct and indirect employment of about 650 Nigerians. “When we had meeting with the minister in 2013, there was an understanding that every factory will be given half its capacity to be able to take off. So, we were given a combined quota of 35,000 metric tons for half our capacity. So what we did was to bring in 15,000 metric tons for Ebony and 10,000 metric tons for Tara Agro leaving out 10,000 untouched. “But when the Customs came out with their secular, we wrote to them saying that both Ebony and Tara Agro are owned by one person and cannot be charged separately nor can they be asked to pay duty for excess importation that did not happen. “Out of the 25,000 metric tons we brought in and milled, only 4,000 has been sold because those

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arch. Sunny Echono, and the former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Andoaka, during the investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Evasion of Import Duty payment on imported rice by some companies held in Abuja last week. Photo:ELIJAH OLALUYI

who imported finished product enjoy a larger share of the market due to affordability of their rice which is cheaper. “We can’t afford to sell rice at N6,000 when production alone would have cost about N8,000 to achieve. And we have 150 direct and 500 indirect employees to pay, coupled with payment of loan from the banks,” he lamented. The minister’s defence Following the threat from the ad hoc committee, the minister, Adesina, appeared before the investigatiing panel on the second day. Denying any complicity in the allegations levelled against him, Adesina maintained “that his position was that of the hunter becoming the hunted.” He denied any link with granting waiver to any rice importing company, against the allegations that certain foreign rice investors enjoyed the minister’s relief in duty payment liabilities. Adesina said the issue of monies owed the Federal Government, which is to the tune of N36 billion by the importers, was first raised by himself, even though he was not in a position to receive the monies. The minister’s denial was in contrast to the submission of Olams Farms Ltd that out of its N3.5 billion import liability debt, the minister had written them, notifying them of 50 per cent relief. The minister said contrary to allegations against him, he has been transparent as no company is above the law and that any company that owes the Federal Government any amount must pay it. “When it comes to the issue of public policy, transparency and public probity are crucial, and I have always done that. I raised the issue myself that allocations were made to certain companies and they have to pay. “At the time I issued the statement I said to the Customs that the amount owed the Federal Government was N36 billion. I don’t know when the hunter becomes the

The minister doesn’t have the powers to allocate rice import or production quota

hunted,” he told the lawmakers, ostensibly dissociating himself from the blame of waiving certain amount to one of the debtors “When we started the rice policy, we wanted to encourage the local producers. We jerked up the price. We have two tariffs: importers 10 % duty, 60 levy. Investors will pay 10 % duty, 20 % levy, because we want to encourage them. “In the last three years, we have been above to reach well over three million farmers. It is a huge success for us. We have to manage the import level and that’s why decision was made to manage the import. I chaired the meeting, even though I was not feeling fine. “The last supply was 1.3 million metric tonnes. Our total demand is about 5 million. The criteria was set clearly. We wanted to favour those that are producing locally,” he said. Adesina also challenged his accusers to mention any favouritism done in respect of the rice allocation. He said: “If anybody got allocation by begging the minister, or anybody sent anything to my account, let them come out here and say it. That is how transparent we were in that policy. On accusation by the local rice millers that one foreign company is subverting the policy by the Federal Government, the minister said “nobody is above the law. Even if you got a letter today from minister, it doesn’t mean that it’s complete until we finish that process.” Aondoakaa’s revelation The high point of the investigation was the revelation by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondoakaa who is also a rice miller in the country. The ex-minister introduced a fresh dimension into the probe. He alleged that some companies are “killing Nigerians” by their glaring antics in the market. Defending the Agriculture minister, Aondoakaa said Adesina

tried his best to promote the local rice producers initially, but “the problems started when the minister alleged that some companies are not paying their duties. These companies are behaving as if they own the country. “This particular company doesn’t pay duty, undermines duty, and undermines Customs.... “This company didn’t brought money into the country, they brought trouble into the country. This is why I came in, not that I came in to support the minister, but to say the truth of what is happening. But this particular company doesn’t want us to live. They alone are behaving like the government of Nigeria. This is one man that I want to go there so that he can certify my rice.” Closing remarks In his closing remarks at the second day of the probe, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Leo Ogor, said the committee was not drawing conclusion of the allegations until it extended the principle of fair hearing to all the actors in the matter. He said the Nigerian Customs should not heed any interference from the political class in overlooking what is owed the Federal Government as part of the import duty. Ogor specifically mentioned that the Attorney General of the Federation does not have powers to grant waivers to any company, urging the Customs to raise alarm whenever such interference was made on duty payments. From the evidence received so far and with the confirmation from the Minister of Agriculture, it is clear that all is not well with the rice importation policy. Some of the importers blatantly exceed the importation policy without paying any levy on the excess, while others deliberately evaded duties due to them. The NCS also seems to be helpless in some circumstances. However, when the ad hoc committee releases its report, the picture will become clearer.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Pastor Anietie Ukpe is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State. In this interview with TONY ANICHEBE, he x-rays his principal’s eight-year administration and the prospect of the state in the next administration. Excerpts:

Godswill Akpabio administration is almost at its twilight; what are the high points and low moments of the administration? This administration of Governor Akpabio has many high points depending on how you want to look at it. One can talk about the numerous accolades and encomiums trailing his achievements. The many transformational programmes are the high points. The impacts of those programmes on the people are the high points. The way and manner our people have celebrated the governor and his administration is equally a major high point. There are so many positive milestones recorded by this administration, which in so many years to come, will be celebrated by our people. That on its own is the high point of the Akpabio administration. Can you recount the challenges faced by the administration? The number one challenge is the drastic drop in oil revenue occasioned by pipeline vandalism by miscreants which drastically affected the oil revenue at both federal and state levels. The drop in oil prices further compounded the situation. Away from the stated challenges, you notice that our dear state unfortunately have some people who are blinded by ethnic sentiment. We have a situation where successes recorded by the administration rather than attract accolades get criticisms. They forget that the hood does not make the monk but the monk rather makes the hood. Governor Akpabio succeeded because he was determined to excel and that is why he is being celebrated across the country. It takes a man with this kind of virtue, discipline, integrity and leadership acumen to record the kind of achievements Akpabio has done, yet you have people who try to trivialise his extraordinary feats. So as you see, these are parts of the challenges of state building. What could have informed the negative criticism against the governor when his numerous achievements are visible for all to see? Success evokes jealousy and that is why Jesus in the Bible said ‘Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness for so persecuted the prophets who were there before you’. Whenever a great prophet arose in Israel and was celebrated,

Why A’Ibom elite fought Akpabio, by Ukpe

Ukpe

evil plot will be hatched against the prophet because light and darkness are always at war. The light that the governor brought has remained illuminated against darkness. In Akwa Ibom, unfortunately, we have a class of people who believe that the governor is doing too many projects rather than sharing the money. They allege there is hunger in the land and see no reason to build the International Airport, the Ibom Tropicana, the 20th Anniversary Hospital, dualised roads and flyovers across the state when the money should have been shared to them. These groups of men since the state was created have constituted themselves into “Board of directors and governing councils” of Akwa Ibom State. They felt they have first line entitlement to everything that comes to the state. They openly boast that they are the real owners of the state while the masses are second class citizens. Fortunately, when the people voted en masse for Governor Akpabio, he kept faith with them. He made the interests of the common Akwa Ibom people his priority and share in their problems and challenges. He strived to improve their lots and unfortunately the members “Board of directors and governing councils” of the state are ones who marshal out the forces against the governor. It was more like a class war, the people who thought they are owners of Akwa Ibom suddenly discovered

that every Tom, Dick and Harry, every Okon, Etim, Eka are now stakeholders and equal owners of the state, which turned them off. They see the new arrangement as an affront to their privileges and they opened missiles on the governor. Unfortunately for them, Akwa Ibom today has a governor of the people who is not willing to patronise any cabal

They have constituted themselves into “Board of directors and governing councils” of Akwa Ibom state

What becomes of some uncompleted projects in the state like Ibom Tropicana, 20th Anniversary Hospital, among others? You see, Akpabio never planned to leave any project uncompleted. He made his own projections to start and complete every project within a record time in the life span of his administration but the drastic drop in revenue affected the projections. This is one of the vagaries of life, when you plan and forces beyond your capacity distort your plans, so we call it act of God, you don’t have the wherewithal to control such a force. Outside this, the projections and budgetary patterns put together by the governor were designed to have every project ready by now. These unanticipated challenges affected the good plans marshalled out by the governor. However, he is not relenting for he has said that he will continue to work until May 29 when he will leave his house to the stadium to handover to the incoming governor. What is your take on the governor-

ship election in Akwa Ibom especially against the backdrop of protests by the All Progressives Congress (APC)? If anybody faults the governorship election, the person is economical with the truth. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the same personnel which were deployed all over the country in an election that first produced the Presidentelect. You cannot fault one part of the body except you fault the entire body. What happened in Akwa Ibom was what INEC designed to happen all over the country. The election in Akwa Ibom was not conducted by a different body. So what happened was in line with INEC’s expectation, INEC stipulations. Elections in Akwa Ibom was free and fair. In Akwa Ibom, so many election monitors, security agencies, several observers were in the state and they adjudged the election free and fair. Again, you observe this worrisome trend across the country where only PDP candidates who lost elections were the ones congratulating APC candidates who won; no APC candidate has called a victorious PDP candidate to congratulate him and that is very unfortunate. This could be because the PDP is a very strong democratic institution while APC is yet to understand the tenets of democracy. That is why when they lose; they tend to heat up the polity. They will soon learn the real essence of democracy and learn how to be good losers. From the outset, Akpabio has never hidden his preference for the governor-elect, Udom Emmanuel, to succeed him. As an insider, what could have prompted his choice of Udom? There is something you need to know which is a big plus for the governor-elect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. From the point he signified his interest to contest the governorship election of Akwa Ibom State, nobody has said anything that will constitute a character flaw about him. Nobody has said anything that constitutes a blemish or imputes on his integrity or credibility. This is a man who has proven himself in the banking industry. This is a very sensitive sector because they handle what approximates to the destiny of the people, which is money. He rose to the level of an Executive Director of a bank without blemish. This shows he is someone with prospects. He came to Akwa Ibom with a good pedigree in terms of integrity. These may be the virtues Governor Akpabio had seen in him. He stood shoulders high above other contenders; he has the connections to transform the state better than he will inherit it. He has the uprightness and CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Politicians’ morality question (1) Ndubuisi Ugah

t is no longer news that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will on May 29 cease to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In his place will be former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who contested the March 28 presidential election against President Jonathan, who was the candidate of the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the winner and loser of the elections have become public knowledge, one striking thing occurred while the elections lasted. The striking thing was the conceding of defeat by President Jonathan, midway into the collation and announcement of the results by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, who was the Chief Returning Officer for the presidential election. In the result announced by Jega, Buhari, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 15,424,921 votes, while President Jonathan garnered 12,853,162 votes to place second. But President Jonathan, who justified his decision to concede defeat, prior to the official release of the results by INEC, said his action was purely in obedience to the laws of the country. Fielding questions from journalists at Otuoke, Bayelsa State, shortly after casting his vote in the state assembly polls, President Jonathan said: “I am a Nigerian and I am Goodluck Jonathan. I feel that as a nation we are all bound to respect our laws; I am quite pleased to respect the laws of the land. “As a nation, we are quite happy we are consolidating our democratic efforts; the key thing is that citizens must be ready to change government properly.” By all standards, the president’s statesmanship in conceding defeat was applauded both within and outside the country. Instructively, United States President Barack Obama said in his message to Nigerians that the

peaceful conduct of the elections had demonstrated to the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. “By turning out in large numbers, and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians have come together to decide the future of their country peacefully. “I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign. “President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding defeat in the election and congratulating President-elect Buhari on his victory,” Obama said. Equally, former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, commended President Jonathan for his “statesmanship” in conceding defeat. “In the political history of Nigeria, I think this is the first time where a contestant has called his rival to congratulate him. And through this point, President Jonathan has always maintained a point that the blood of a Nigerian is not worth his presidency and by his action, he has demonstrated that. “He has proved that he is a man of his words because during our interaction on this peace committee, he has always maintained that he is going to accept the result of the election whichever way it has gone; and he has proved it. He has proved that he is a statesman and that he has the love of this country in his heart,” he said. While the praise and eulogy showered on President Jonathan cannot be overemphasised, a fundamental issue which the 2015 election has thrown up is the high volume of defectors apparently to the APC. This post-election “malaise” seemed to have given the whole electoral process another colouration considering the status and calibre of the defectors thereby raising the morality question among politicians. Insidentally, the defection of political heavyweights from the PDP to the APC shortly after the March 28 presidential election, was somewhat dra-

matic and unexpected. The mass exodus of the politicians, it was gathered had raised certain questions about the morality of Nigerian politicians who have no guiding principle of ideology. At least, President Jonathan’s conceding of defeat had revealed him as a “hero” rather than as a “villain”. What was rather disturbing in the number of those defecting to the APC was the fact that those on the “progressive” train were even the foundation members of the PDP, a party that had ruled the country for 16 uninterrupted years. To underscore the essence of this fact, Chief Olusola Oke, a chieftain of PDP in Ondo State and former Legal Adviser of the party, tried to explain the rationale behind the mass defection of PDP members to the APC after the March 28 presidential election. Oke, who also defected to APC after the polls, said that the wind of change blowing in the country led him and his supporters to defect to the APC. He said his determination to join the APC was borne out of his determination to contribute his quota to the wind of change blowing across the country. Oke, however, emphasised that he did not defect to the APC because President Jonathan lost his reelection bid, but becaause his action was informed by his interest in the development of his state. “I have passionately resisted being part of this change, I resisted to the wind of change that was blowing until it almost blew me out. Now, I have surrendered, I can resist no more. “I have come over not because PDP lost the election but I have come over because the wind of change blowing across Nigeria must also blow over Ondo State. We have come to add value; we are not here to change anything but to add value to APC,” he said. Sharing a similar sentiment, a former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and a founding member of the PDP, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, also gave reasons why he quit the party. • Ugah, is member of staff, New Telegraph

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Buhari, beware of Wada

Apathy and high voting in Lagos elections

KOGI State administration seems to be out of tune with the political reality of the time. Since the declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari as President-Elect, it suddenly dawned on the Governor, on the advice of some known political thugs from central senatorial district of the State, that he needed to wake up to defend his tenure and re-election bid. As part of the crude measures put in place for the House of Assembly elections, it was alleged that INEC and Security agencies were brought into the picture where snatching of ballot boxes and other irregularities featured prominently. This, according to informed sources, was why the elections were characterised by crises which led to cancellations and rerun in some areas. Those who advised him to do this hinged their fear on the need to stop the Kogi State House of Assembly from impeaching the Governor if APC is allowed to dominate the House.

IT is now an open secret in many informed circles in Lagos state that despite the low voters turn out at the last guber elections in the state the number of voters at April 11 elections were more than those that voted at the presidential elections earlier on March 28. Analysts have wondered aloud in the media and social networks how this could have happened . Obviously a phantom Invisible hand of Maradona has performed the rigmarole of election figures that made a mess of both the politics of voters participation and the attendant voters apathy that pervaded the whole nation except Lagos state at the governorship election won by Akin Ambode of the APC . We need to remind ourselves of events leading to the Lagos state governorship elections which many thought was won by PDP’s candidate Jimi Agbaje who put in a very challenging and credible campaign performance that many also believed was enough to have clinched the governorship for him any where in Nigeria except

These same political thugs who had ruled and caused havoc in their respective domains, have equally convinced the Governor to set up caretaker committees in all the LGAs to be headed by them as they would be ready to do his bidding. As a first step, before the announcement of the caretaker committees, all areas that will breed protests are to be ‘dealt with’. On April 27, 2015, the popular and private radio station in Adavi LGA, Tao fm 101.9 was bombed with four members of staff killed. The Otite booster station of kogi state broadcasting corporation located in Ebiraland was left to rot away for years but as soon as Tao Fm rented the air, the State Government quickly resuscitated it. It has to be noted that a court of competent jurisdiction had nullified the election of all the LGA Chairmen and Councilors. • Jatto Mohammed and James Bello, Lokoja.

in Lagos as the election results show . Before the presidential elections Lagos state was one of the many states that INEC disenfranchised voters by simply not making their PVCs available at the polling booths where they voted at the 2011 elections even though the voters card for 2011 elections had no expiry date and could have been used effectively to vote in the 2015 elections. Even the governor of the state waded into the issue vigorously before making a retreat once he got his own card before the postponement of the election earlier on . So with the twin problems of disenfranchisement and understandable voters apathy how come Lagos state election results showed more voters participation in the guber elections than the rest of the nation? The answer may lie in the threat to the Igbos by the Oba of Lagos which warned them to vote for his choice Akin Ambode of the APC or risk drowning in the Lagoon. The election results showed that three Igbos got elected into

the House of Representatives while two got elected into the State House of Assembly. Could more Igbo have been elected into the state Assembly without the threat and could more Igbos have come out to vote but for the threat? These are questions that have to be answered sooner than later. No answer how ever can ignore the fact that the momentum of political participation nationwide was higher in the presidential elections nationwide except Lagos. Around the world voters do not all come out to vote in elections. That is what is called voter apathy. But it has a trend or history and each election has its own peculiarities and context. In some cases less than a voter turn out of 45 per cent may be deemed agreeable while it may not be acceptable in other locations or environments. In all cases however it is a recognized fact that certain factors make voters lose interest in exercising their democratic right and that is not an offence in any nation or clime. • Akinbiyi Rogers, Lagos.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

EDITORIAL

Our VISION To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

A media partner of

Sanctity of Truth

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

No to 21st century slave merchants

new brand of slavery is right here staring many Nigerians in the face. Victims are young adults, unable to make ends meet, who want to leave the country in search of greener pastures. They are lured with promises of a better tomorrow especially in the Middle East, where some believe that because of oil wealth, the streets of some of these kingdoms are paved with gold. Last Thursday, May 7, two young women, Biola Daramola and Christine Taiwo Ajayi landed safely in Lagos from Kuwait, rescued through the commendable efforts of the Oyo State commissioner of police, Muhammad Katsina. The duo had been promised decent jobs by a travel agency, headed by a man they knew as a pastor. With the hope that they could be employed in a bank or an oil company, Daramola and Ajayi bade their families farewell, apparently promising to send in some good cash for the upkeep of their loved ones. Arrival in Kuwait was a different picture from what they bargained for. The women landed into the waiting arms of one Ibrahim, who took them to town where other Africans were also quartered. They were told that the job contract would last two years. Their ordeal began thereafter. Ibrahim seized all their documents, confined them to their new home and kept them incommunicado. The new job was in the house of a Kuwaiti woman where the Nigerians realized

that, after crossing the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea, the flight ticket was just the beginning of a life in bondage. They had been engaged as housemaids, kadamas as they are called over there. According to Daramola,”I was made to clean all the apartments on all the floors of a three-storey building, after which I would be fed with the left over of my madam just once in a day”. She continued, ”when the work became too stressful, I told Ibrahim that I wanted to return to Nigeria but he responded by locking me up with some other girls. We were many there . There were some from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroun. We were not allowed to go out and we could

There are disturbing images and tales of torture from the Middle East

not make calls, it was a kind of slavery.” Daramola and Ajayi were lucky, thanks to a phone call to a friend in Osogbo, who helped out with the telephone number of a police officer. They have the cops to thank for returning, less than one month into a new vocation of bondage. So many are still stuck while some are not even alive to tell their story. There are disturbing images and tales of torture from the Middle East. Investigations show that in Lebanon, one foreign maid dies every week. In 2011, a survey by Saudi newsmagazine Sayi dety , revealed that over three million maids were going through hard times in the Arab world. That was the year the globe was shocked to discover the hell Ethiopian nanny, Shweyga Mullah, went through in the hands of Hannibal, one of Muammar Gaddafi’s sons and his mistress, Aline Skaf, a Lebanese. A year earlier, in 2010, Sumiati Salan Mustapa, a 23-year-old Indonesian maid, was tortured with hot electric iron by her boss, 53-year- old widower in the Medina area of Saudi Arabia. Last year, an Emirati woman, was jailed 15 years for torturing her maid. Most of these house helps are used as slaves and can only be allowed to go if they are able to pay back the cash that was used to purchase them. There are about 79,000 maids in Bahrain and 660,000 of them reside in oil rich Kuwait. It is unbelievable that some compatriots would get themselves involved in this obnox-

ious business, some centuries after the abolition of the trade in humans. These Nigerians with their Arab and Ethiopian collaborators, are rabid that they collect money from unsuspecting citizens only to enslave them in foreign lands. It takes two to tango no doubt but it does appear most of those who end up as slaves in the Middle East did not bargain for that kind of experience. Many are just eager to get out of the harsh economic climate at home. The criminals in our midst, cash in on that desperation to make quick money and deceive people. We urge government to begin to look at the problems facing Nigeria as a country. The economy has nose dived because corrupt and inept leadership trailed our development in the past 30 years. Many of these virile young Nigerians who find themselves doing hard jobs in strange lands, would have stayed back if they found openings in the agricultural or manufacturing sector. Past leaders were unable to turn our oil wealth to commonwealth. It is a shame that our sisters and daughters, from oil rich Nigeria are used as slaves in other oil producing countries of the Arab world. While they managed their resource well, we squandered our earnings. As May 29, beckons, we are sure General Muhammadu Buhari, has his economic team in place. Politics should take back seat now. We call for a New Nigeria. That is what change demands. And there should be laws against man selling fellow humans. The laws must also work.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editor n Emeka Obasi

Deputy Editor n Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Geoffrey Ekenna

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

Politics

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Akpabio has ran a good race, says Ukpe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

the fear of God required from a good leader, he has a heart filled with milk of human kindness like Governor Akpabio and that is why they said that birds of the same feather flock together. Akpabio had been elected to represent Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the Eight Assembly. Do you think he can make noticeable impact in the incoming Senate? The governor as a senator will shine like

the stars because he understands the complex problems confronting our country. Apart from the experiences he has garnered as the governor of Akwa Ibom, he was also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. If you consider his life from birth then you know that he is a man tailor-made for the Senate. He will exploit his connections, synergies with the right people to ensure that good laws are made for the country. This is a classic example

of the right man coming at the right season. Nigerians will see the right man coming at the right season. What is the truth behind stories that the state is indebted to financial institutions to the tune of N500 billion? This is a big lie. The governor has said that when it was too tight for the state, finance wise, he approached the state House of Assembly to approve the borrowing of about N80 billion to

enable government continue its obligation to the people. As at now, about N30 billion had been repaid and the outstanding being paid gradually. But the opposition is given to propaganda; they have organised falsehood to discredit the government for nothing. When it comes to the issue of borrowing from the bank, you don’t just walk in and borrow. I doubt if any bank will be willing to borrow out a whopping N500 billion just like that. If it is that

easy, people would have abused the process. Before banks grant loan requests, there are conditions such as your income, collateral, how you hope to liquidate the loan among other stringent measures. The rumour is ridiculous. I discovered that the opposition in the state used two techniques in the last campaign. They are the bandwagon propaganda technique and name-calling technique, they would gather some expired politicians and say look these people are

now supporting us so you people should support us. Then the name-calling technique is to say the government is owing this and that etc. That is their two propaganda techniques but Akwa Ibom people refused to be fooled, because they have seen the lifetouching projects executed by their governor. They have seen the good works of the Akpabio administration which touched almost every part of the state. You see nobody can confuse a man who knows his direction What is your take on insinuations that the relationship between Governor Akpabio and governor-elect will not last for months before they part ways. Do you foresee such scenario? No, I don’t think such will happen. These two men are absolutely gentlemen. Second, they are men driven by integrity; they share the same passion. Governor Akpabio’s wishes Akwa Ibom well so does Udom Emmanuel. Things like that arise when may be a former governor wants the incumbent to do things against the interest of the people but as men of goodwill who love Akwa Ibom, the truth is that they will always be on the same page. Akpabio had on several occasions made it known that he will concentrate on his duties at the Senate as a senator and may only contribute on matters in which his opinion is sought. So, I don’t think there will be any feud or conflict between the two leaders. In the next few weeks Akpabio will vacate his seat as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, do you think he will leave with some regrets over any issue? No, he will leave with absolute no regrets. He has done his best, he has fought a good fight, he has ran a good race and as he is winding up, he will look back with satisfaction that he has not left any stone unturned. He has been able to give every Akwa Ibom person a sense of belonging, he may not have pleased those who constituted themselves into the “Board of Directors” of Akwa Ibom State but the masses are happy with their governor’s achievements and benevolence. He was able to restore the pride of the Akwa Ibom people nationally. He eradicated the house boy syndrome which plagued the state. The uncommon transformation in the state transcends the infrastructures in the state to the lifting of the psyche and way of life of our people.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015

Arts

CULTURE

Strength of human spirit as Silver Rain premieres May 29 Stories by Tony Okuyeme

ilver Rain, a movie that has been described as the panAfrican film of the decade, will premiere on May 29, 2015, in Lagos. Written and directed by Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, who holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and is a graduate of Nafti and the New York Film Academy, Silver Rain is no doubt an ambitious film, with cast drawn from five countries - Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Sierra Leon - and shot on locations in Ghana and South Africa. The film stars some of the most promising and accomplished actors from across the continent, they include Enyinna Nwigwe (Nigeria), Uru Eke (Nigeria), Joselyn Dumas (Ghana), Chumani Pan (South Africa), Belinda Baidoo (Ghana), Kofi Buckner (Ghana), and Ofie Kodjo (Ghana). A sneak preview of the film was held at Freedom Park, Lagos. Set in the slums of Africa, Silver Rain is a story of love, pain and the strength of the human spirit. Indeed, “class struggle can only have one winner…” In

Cast of Silver Rain

Echoes of Silence for WAJO in Lagos T his month’s edition of WAJO, a multi-faceted dance focus project aimed at promoting creativity, touching and enriching lives, holds on Thursday May 28, at the Amphitheatre of Freedom Park, Lagos. It is titled ‘UDIDE: Echoes of Silence.’ Explaining the idea that informed the choice of the theme, the organisers in a statement signed by the Creative Director of Legacy Planet Limited, Segunfunmi

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Adewale said: “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.” Convener of WAJO, Seun Adeleye said WAJO, “Is invitation to dance; a multifaceted dance focus project aimed at touching and enriching lives - dancers, dance lovers, dance enthusiast and people from all works of life. “This event holds every last Thursday of the month @ the Freedom Park Broad Street, Lagos by 6:30PM. It has always been an exciting time since its inception in April, 2013. It has featured breath-taking performances from different dancers and dance groups; interactive audience participation is the

hallmark of this event. The various monthly themes are given life and expressed by

the various dancers, cheered by our ever-responsive audience.”

Apex Dance Company performing at WAJO

this gripping love story, Ajoa, a ‘Kayayo’ street girl from Accra, meets Bruce (Enyinna Nwigwe), the rich heir of the Timothy fortunes. Their friendship sets into motion a class war, as Ajoa struggles to cross the class divide and find love, Bruce struggles to find himself. Together, they must brave the turbulent political times, as well as the social barriers, that may just be their undoing. Will they change society or will it change them. Can their friendship and love endure? This is the story of the strength of the human spirit and when there is no place else to go, but up. Silver Rain is a high drama piece and is shot on the RED camera ( a regular high end quality camera recommended by many Hollywood filmmakers); with the Director of photography from SA, Nate Thomas, one of the best D.O.Ps in sub-Saharan Africa, who has made a name in the music videos industry on the continent. The production is shot both in Ghana and South Africa and is a collaboration between Eagle Productions ltd and 4syte studios. According to the writer and director of the film, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, who is a regular writer for the Huffington Post and a Mentor on Entrepreneurship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Silver Rain story was pitched to enter the Sundance festival Scriptwriting Lab in 2011 and made it to the finals of the selection process. Sundance is one of the largest film festivals in the world. “Even though the script did not enter the lab, they commented that it was a powerful story. We believe and know that Africa stands in a unique position to make an impact on the world through its films. One of the most important paths to achieving this is through the making of pan-African movies that leverages on our collective strengths as a continent! Silver Rain opens this door and calls on other players in the industry to push it wide open,” Asante said. “We deeply admire the spirit, humanity and writing talent that you brought to this very powerful script… your script was appreciated by our entire team and was considered until the very end of the process…,” notes Michelle Satter of Sundance Script Lab.

Arts

Ebere Ameh

hen in 2014, the maiden edition of the Catholic Praise Concert brought together musicians, dancers, choral groups, Christians and non-Christians from across the country in an evening of inspiring and colourful praise offering to God, many thought it was too good to be sustainable. Adjudged the first of its kind in West African sub region, the organisers were very optimistic that it would become an annual festival that people will look forward to. Come Saturday, May 23, 2015, starting from 3pm at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos, this year’s edition of the concert will hold amidst even greater pomp and pageantry. With the theme “Dare To Praise”, it will be starting with Holy Mass and Kenny K’Ore, FLORocka, The Resurrection Choir, AXIOS Choir, Prisca D Nightingale, St. Cecilia Choir Unilag, Kellar Thrillz-Fix Crew, De Supreme Gospel According to Dance, Ablaze Dance Crew, Goody Bama Orchestra, Peace Makers, St Michael the Archangel Choir, among others, would be ministering live on stage. While the maiden edition took place a few weeks after the abduction of the Chibok girls by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, this second edition is taking place when the nation is rejoicing at the imminent eradication of Boko Haram and the release of hundreds of women, girls and children abducted by the dreaded sect, a confirmation of the fact that praises is the greatest form of prayer. The Visioner and Convener of the concert Engr. Peter Egbumokei in an exclusive chat with New Telegraph at the maiden edition said that the concert was an opportunity to praise God and pray for the nation. “We are not just praising God because we are all happy, we are praising God because He is worthy of praise, no matter the situation. The Bible says in all situations, give God the glory. We are using praise to draw Gods attention to our plight. That is why Deliver Us is one of the themes for this concert. “I’m confident that this concert will uplift our heartbroken and grieving brothers and sisters in Nigeria. My heart is with the parents, siblings and relatives of the abducted girls and those killed as a result of terrorism in the north. We pray for them that this music wherever they hear it, will uplift them to remind them that there is a God and that God will find a way to rescue the children bring justice to them and their families and peace in this country,” Egbumokei said. An Engineer by profession, Egbumokei is a living witness of Divine Mercy and Divine predestination. Having been shot multiple times and taken for dead, his life is a miracle and he decided to follow God every step of the way. The Catholic Praise Concert is an “evangelization through music” project set up by the Felicia Michael SoS Foundation (FMSoSF). “I was shot multiple times by armed robbers and left for dead. How God rescued me is still a marvel to me. People will say why didn’t God prevent it from happening but He always allow certain things to take place for greater

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Catholic Praise Concert II:

Evening of music, dance in Lagos

Prisca D. Nightingale ministering at the 2014 edition of the concert

One of the groups that ministered at the 2014 CPC

glory to His name. “My existence is part of His grand plan. I can’t say confidently that I am fully aware of the mission He has for me, but each day, I realize that vision, that mission and I actualize it. Ultimately, Christianity is a journey and I’m taking my own journey, where it will lead me to, I do not know but I look to God, I trust in Him and I follow Him wherever He leads me,” Egbumokei said. FMSoSF is an NGO that was established by the Egbumokei family in honour of his late parents who were very active in church – helping the needy. In his words, their biggest support is the Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. “We have his approval stamp and blessing,” he said. The concert, which is free for all attendees, will feature Holy Mass, praise, worship, dance, and special highlight performances by some of the best-known musical talents in the Gospel music genre across traditional and contemporary music culture such as hymnal, praise-worship, dance, and pop-gospel. “The Catholic Praise Concert has now become the biggest Catholic themed Gospel musical concert in Africa” the organizers said. “It is simply an opportunity for Christians to come together to praise GOD, interact, put aside unGodly differences, and together lift one voice in worship to God. In a simple sentence - an offering of PRAISE to God; our lives must go from Grace to Praise of God, that Heaven may take notice of us and our beloved country. “The maiden event had in attendance, The clergy, State dignitaries, Captains of Industry, media houses, young people of different ages and general music lovers; these demography are our projected audience for Catholic praise Concert.”

Dear Country of sundry messages on stage

he two-weekend stage presentation of Dear Country a play by Ikenna Jude Okpala , which began penultimate Sunday, ended last Sunday at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. The performance drew scores of live theatre enthusiasts, art aficionados to the venue, in a theatrical experience that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. Dear Country is a theatrical expression that captures the Nigerian story beginning from the era of colonialism where the British government controlled and managed the entire affairs of the country to this era of neo-colonialism where, even though we are being ruled by our own colour, it is simply about slavery, corruption, ‘chop and clean mouth’

government, poverty on the masses and so many other economic vices. “In this highly apolitical piece are highlights of so many ills plaguing the Nigerian society with a unique approach and creative fusion of drama, poetry, dance, music and media in painting clear instances of these societal vices; the issues of cultural disunity in diversity, religious disharmony and basic economic issues cannot be overemphasized in this work of art. “The play also proffers and suggests practical and workable solutions as to how these societal ills can be curbed and ameliorated for the good of every Nigerian. A new and better Nigeria is hereby campaigned for. Also in the play is a romantic twist, which gives it a hitch of hope, a hope that can transcend through every issue.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Corruption

Interference

Special Adviser, Rector deny allegation of fraud, others

FG warns VCs from interfering in centre’s objective

Education repositioning

The Ondo State University of Medical Science, which secured the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) nod to operate as the 40th state university and 139th university, is established to change the face of medical education in the country. Babatope Okeowo and Nurudeed Yekeen

ndo State University of Medical Science, the first of its kind in the country, is set to reposition medical science education and give the students value for medical training. With the state-of-the-art infrastructure, comprising an ultra-modern medical equipment, diagnostic laboratories, well-equipped lecture theatres, Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre with Internet facilities, well-furnished student hostel and staff quarters, the university is located at the state’s Medical Village in Ondo. It is founded by the state government to train quality medical graduates, who are adequately equipped for the challenges of the 21st Century. The university, which is a pet project of the Ondo State Government, and located in a serene environment, two weeks ago, secured the approval of the Federal Government to operate as the first medical university in the country. The operating licence of the medical university to be cited on over 250 hectares of land was handed over to the Governor and promoter of the university, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie at a presentation ceremony in the Abuja head-

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

L-R: Mimiko receiving the university’s recognition letter from Okojie in Abuja

Ondo varsity set to reposition medical education quarters of the Commission. Following its approval by the NUC, the university, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will take off in September this year, when it will open its doors to the first set of medical students. The novel institution, the third in Africa, according to its founding fathers is in the process of recruiting the best brains in medical industry as students and faculties. On the readiness of the state government to fund the institution due to the dwindling revenue from the federation account and other institutions the government needs to fund, apart from the fact that the university would be self-sustaining, the government has set aside N1.5 billion in this year’s budget for its smooth take-off. Towards September take-off of the university, infrastructure and facilities already put in place include the Basic and Applied Medical Sciences building complex, which will house the Department of Anatomy and

We were driven by the passion for excellence in medical services in Nigeria

Biochemistry; student hostels; administrative block and principal officers’ residential quarters. Other medical institutions established by the state government on the Ondo campus of the university, that would boost and position the medical university as the best of its kind are the Mother and Child Hospital, Trauma Centre, Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre, located on the 250 hectares of land for the future development in the university. While presenting the operating licence and letter of approval to Mimiko in Abuja, Okojie said the university would become the 40th state-owned university and 139th university in the country. The Executive Secretary in his letter to Dr. Mimiko said: “I write, on behalf of the board, management and staff of the National Universities Commission (NUC), to convey to His Excellency, the Ondo State Governor that with effect from 22nd April, 2015, the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, has been recognised as the 40th state university and the

139th university in Nigeria.” While congratulating the governor and the people of the state on the establishment of the specialised university, the NUC boss advised the government on the need for the NUC to assess the resource readiness of the institution before enrollment of students. Okojie, who commended the governor for his vision in establishing the country’s pioneer University of Medical Sciences, said: “The Commission would send a team to assess the level of resources at the university before it starts to admit students.” He said NUC would also write the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to include the new university on the list of universities so that candidates who are seeking university admission can apply. “I wish to congratulate the government of Ondo state for this laudable establishment, the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

24 Education

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

VC hails TETFund over e-teaching programme Musa Pam Jos

he Acting Vice-chancellor of the Plateau State University, Bokkos, Prof. Stephen Mallo, has lauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for including the state university in the list of beneficiaries in the implementation of the second phase of the Nigerian Universities Electronic Teaching and Learning Platform programme. According to him, the gesture would go a long way in positioning the university to

compete favourably with its contemporaries in the world. Mallo disclosed this during the delivery and installation of four sets of equipment for the electronic teaching and learning platform including power back-ups. According to him, the Plateau State University is among other 79 public universities in the country that benefited from the implementation of the second phase of the Nigeria Universities Electronic Teaching and Learning Platform programme. While saying that with the installation of the facilities, problems associated with ICT

Ajibefun, VC

challenges in the institution in the recent past would be addressed, he urged the 100

members of academic staff who are expected to undertake the training to take full advantage of the programme in view of the enormous benefits that would accrue to them. Mallo added: “Under the same arrangement, the university has been provided with a bandwidth and VSAT set with the capacity to stream video conferencing while a training and capacity building programme on the use of the platform is to be organised for academic staff who are proficient in the sue of ICT. The training or capacity building exercise would be facilitated by Messrs Spectrum Engineer-

ing Nigeria Limited.” The Vice-Chancellor, however, praised the Nigerian Space Scientists for being the pioneers in Africa to design NIGCOMSAT ‘R’ that has brought immense benefits for scientific and industrial revolution of Nigeria. However, an official of the Nigerian Communication Satellite NIGCOMSAT, Mr. Sadiq Adeize, while installing the equipment noted that the engineering company was commissioned by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to install the facility which would provide global services for learning in the university.

FG warns VCs against interfering in centre’s objective Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T L-R: Mrs. Niyata Krishnan, Quality Assurance Manager; Mrs. Olufunke Amba, Director (right), with pupils of Corona Schools, Lagos being presented with Punctuality Prize at this year’s edition of the annual Science, Essay and Mathematics competition organised by Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Lagos.

Special adviser, rector deny allegation of fraud, others Kayode Olanrewaju

ollowing allegations of financial recklessness and manipulation in the appointment of a new Rector leveled against the Special Adviser on Education to the Lagos State Governor, chief Fatai Olukoga and the Rector of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Dr. Abdulazeez Abioye Lawal, the Special Adviser has said the allegation was part of the machinations of the fifth columnists to cause disharmony and instability in the polytechnic. On the fraud allegation, which he described as frivolous and baseless, and deserved no response; Olukoga insisted that no one could have manipulated the appointment since the interview process was handled by Phillip Consulting, a firm hired by the government to interview the candidates. He said: “The interview panel comprised he said three Rectors from other polytechnics, five excomembers and was chaired by the Philip Consulting. The interview, according to him, was based on integrity, competence, academic achievement, and merit. Philip Consulting matched personality and integrity test, with competence. The panel recommended 70 per cent score in the interview as benchmark for qualification for the post. “In the interview the candidate that came first scored 78 per cent; the second and the third had 70 per cent and 69.7 per cent respectively,

and the chairman of the panel has submitted his report and recommendation to the governor, who will choose among the shortlisted candidates.” Reacting further, he pointed out: “You could see that this is the handiwork of those who want to foment crisis in the polytechnic. They wanted a particular candidate and it is the responsibility of the panel to base the interview on merit.” In the petition entitled: “Flagrant Abuse of due Process and Gang-ups in Lagos State Polytechnic to Suppress Quality Leadership in Order to Cover up Dirty Deals,” addressed to Governor Babatunde Fashola and signed by one Adelaja Waheed Aderibigbe of the Council Affairs Unit, Registry Department of the polytechnic, said the “polytechnic has in the last four years been under serious bondage owing

Olukoga

to the leadership style of the Rector and his co-travellers.” The petition accused the Rector of demoting some members of staff who he perceived to have wronged him while he was the Chief Imam of the institution. He also alleged that the rector was working in tandem with the guest rectors to foist his stooge as the new rector in order to cover the huge financial mismanagement and recklessness perpetrated by him and the special adviser. Besides, the petition accused Olukoga of collecting N250,000 for signing any document; 20 per cent on every project executed; N6 million for appointment of rector; and N3 million for the polytechnic convocation ceremony. But, reacting on behalf of the institution, its spokesman, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, described the allegation as baseless and unfounded, saying there is nobody with the name of the petitioner in the polytechnic Registry. On the staff that were said to have been allegedly demoted by the Rector, he said the members of staff were appropriately queried, interrogated by the panels which found them guilty. “The panel reports were duly considered by the Senior Staff Appointment and Promotion Committee (SESAPCO) and recommendations were made to the Governing Council and they were punished according to laws of the polytechnic,” Kuye said.

he management of 10 Nigerian universities that are among the 19 African Centres of Excellence (ACE), have been warned by the Federal Government to allow the project team concentrate more on the objectives of the project without distraction. Specifically, the government insisted that there should be no undue interference and frequent changes in the teams as such action could impact negatively on the project implementation. Education Minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who gave the warning during the signing of ACE Performance Contract in Abuja, noted that all changes to the team must be cleared with the National Universities Commission (NUC). He said the government would not hesitate to reallocate funds from non-performing ACEs to those that are doing well, saying “it is your responsibility to work in harmony with your team to ensure that they perform optimally.” The World Bank is supporting the project with $1.2billion. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, who is also the Chairman, Steering Committee for the project, said for 30 years, Nigeria was backward in terms of academic research and publications. He said: “With over N16 billion set aside for the project, it would afford the universities to embark on cutting-edge research, training and capacity building. Okojie said the centres should engage in useful interventions in solving the myriad of problems facing the country in particular and Africa in general. “This challenge is yours. The era of no fund for research is gone. If we succeed, Africa will succeed, with 10 out of 19 centres in Nigeria.” The ACE project is a regional higher education project, instituted in 2013 by the governments of Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Senegal and Nigeria with support from the World Bank. It is designed to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in agriculture, health, science, technology, engineering and Mathematics that address particular common regional development challenges as well as strengthen the capacities of the universities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

Education 25

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Jos Academy emerges winner of Mathematics competition Musa Pam Jos

he winners of this year’s edition of the 12th Annual National Mathematics competition, which took place in Abuja have emerged. The competition was won by Founders International Academy, Jos, Plateau State. To clinch the trophy, the three pupils that represented the Academy beat over 8,500 others. Retji Erasmus Cishak, a Grade Five pupil of the school emerged the overall best in the Northern Zone Second stage of the competition held in Kaduna State on March 14, for pupils in public and private primary schools from the 19 states in the zone. For his outstanding performance in the competition, the “Young Mathematician” received a gold medal and full

scholarship into the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC). His school received the star prize of $750 (N150,000) and a photocopy machine, and the teacher got a plaque and a cash prize of $500 (N100,000). Cishak, whose dream is to become a mechanical engineer, traced his performance to his teacher, whom he said motivated him to take more interest in Mathematics. The other two pupils were among the overall best 15 positions in the competition. The duo of Esther Nanyi Jackson, who placed 10th won a full tuition scholarship and a cash prize, while Selchang Dassak also came 12th winning a scholarship, cash prize and a bronze medal. The Principal of the school, Mrs. Alice Ekeoha, however expressed delight over the pupils’ performance, which she attributed to their love and performance in Mathematics, saying the

The pupils with their dummy cheque

teachers put in their best to teach them well by simplifying the subjects for the pupils to understand. Managing Director of the Academy, Mr. Lucky Abdulhakeem Momoh commended the effort of the teachers for giving more attention to the teaching of the pupils and for making the school proud. “This remarkable feat depicts the high level of commitment to academic excellence in Founders International Academy,” he said. Momoh, who doubled as the Man-

aging Director of the Plateau Private School, noted that as a result of quality education and academic excellence, the school was able to clinch four out of the five slots at the state qualifier or the first stage held in January, emerging first, second, third and fifth out of 541 pupils drawn from public and private schools in the state. He recalled that the school blazed the trail by emerging the overall best in Plateau State and second at the zonal stage of the Mathematics Olympiad in 2014.

UNIJOS free from religious crisis, says VC Musa Pam Jos

A Ajibefun, VC

Dr. Akande

Ado Poly, AAUA partner on academic development Kayode Olanrewaju

head of the proposed collaboration between the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), the facility verification team from the university has expressed satisfaction over the level of infrastructural development in the polytechnic. The team, led by Prof. William Ibukun commended the polytechnic for the quality of its staffing and facilities put in place to enhance the delivery of quality education. While giving the commendation shortly after the facility verification tour ahead of the affiliation, Ibukun said the team was satisfied with the polytechnic’s level of preparation in terms of quality staffing and well-equipped laboratories and workshops. He, however, pointed out that the polytechnic would need to improve on the status of the members of academic staff who are expected to teach the specific courses under the affiliated programme. Earlier in his opening address, Ibukun had insisted that to foster the

collaboration, the team would have to inspect the staffing and facilities on ground in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) requirements in terms of quality of facilities including the library, ICT unit and the faculty. He stressed that partnership is widely approved in the area of vocational education, even as he thanked the institution for choosing Adekunle Ajasin University for the collaboration. The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo Akande, who was represented by the Deputy Rector in charge of Special Duties and Revenue Generation, Mr. Dayo Oladebeye, an engineer, expressed satisfaction with the manner the team conducted the verification exercise, and expressed optimism that the collaboration would bring about quality academic programme between the two institutions. The Polytechnic Registrar, Mrs. S.O. Adediran on behalf of the institution lauded the team and the university management for its readiness to partner the polytechnic in order to enhance quality delivery.

s the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State clocks 40 years old, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai has said the institution since its establishment had never witnessed or experienced any religious riot or disturbance. Mafuyai disclosed this during the matriculation ceremony for 6,700 fresh students admitted to the university for 2014/2015 academic session, which took place at the institution’s multi-purpose auditorium. He appealed to the matriculating students to be their brothers’ keeper, saying the institution would not in any way promote tribalism or nepotism. “As you situate yourselves to these opportunities, you are urged to imbibe the spirit of one Nigeria in which citizens live together in peace and brotherhood, you must reject any suggestion to the con-

Mafuyia

trary and go on to forge positive relations across tribe and religion,” he warned. The vice-chancellor charged the students to comply with the university’s dress code by dressing well always, saying already the security officers at the campus to enforce strict compliance with the dress code. He advised the students to take their academic serious, even as he noted that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rated UNIJOS as the ninth most preferred university during the 2014/2015 academic session admission exercise. “I want to encourage all students to dress to acceptable standard,” the vice-chancellor said, stressing that “undue exposure of part of your body that has the potential to infuriate the sensibilities of others will be severely sanctioned and the security personnel and the Man ‘0’ War Cadets have been authorised by the management to arrest offenders for prosecution.” In another development, the vicechancellor has disclosed that the institution is constantly seeking to become a global university in the West African sub-region. Mafuyai, who spoke during the commissioning of the university’s newly renovated e-library, described library as the engine room of every university, saying the standard of the e-library could favourably compared with libraries in other be institutions of learning in the world. According to him, through funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) the management is poised to provide a 21st Century e-Library that will be the best in the country and West African region. He said the dream is to create a new environment that will improve the knowledge-base of students and graduate first class students.

26 Education

NCC lifts Okpara varsity with books on engineering Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, has taken delivery of Information Communication Technology (ICT) engineering books valued at several millions of naira donated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). While receiving the books, the management pleaded with the Commission to build and donate an engineering library to the university. The ICT engineering books donated to the institution is to help its ICT Department to meet the challenges of the 21st century technology. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dominic Okpara, who received the books on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hilary Edeoga, said the donation of an engineering library to the university by the Commission as it did for the University of Lagos would go a long way in contributing towards better academic performance of students, as well as making them more competitive. He thanked the NCC for the donation and called on other corporate organisations to emulate the Commission’s gesture in providing current books to the students. While presenting the items, the South East Representative on the NCC Board, Dr. Mike Onyia, said that the initiative was one of the programmes of NCC targeted at capacity building in the education sector. He said: “One of our core mandates is to build capacity in the sector and we do this through a lot of ways, among which is the book presentation initiative specifically meant for Nigerian universities. And this initiative is spread across all the geo-political zones of the federation. Most of the universities in the various zones have benefitted from the initiative at one time or the other. We also have the Advanced Digital Appreciation for Tertiary Institutions.” Onyia said the university’s request for the donation of engineering library was in line with the effort of the Commission to ensure that the students were given books to improve their knowledge base. He also noted that if people could not access relevant information, it would be impossible for them to become aware of important aspects of their lives.

Shekarau

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Covenant varsity adopts mobile learning to break barrier Mojeed Alabi

owards sustaining its position as the best university in West Africa, the authority of the Covenant University, a private university located at Ota, an industrial community of Ogun State, has launched a mobile learning device, aimed at redirecting students’ interests in social media to aid their academic work. The mobile application, tagged “Edusocial,” is an initiative of Softcom, a computer software firm owned by an alumnus of the university. The new technological innovation, which is developed in partnership with mobile telephone manufacturing giant, Samsung Electronics, offers the students access to course materials, tutorial questions, as well as interact freely with their lecturers

and management without compromising the mobile phones security measures and conditions put in place by the university. While unveiling the product last week, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, said the initiative was part of efforts towards achieving the vision of becoming one of the global best 10 universities by 2022. He added that the institution’s visit to the University of WisconsinMadison, United States of America in 2012 actualised the beginning of what today has not only become a reality, but to serve as new tools with which the physical classroom barrier has been reduced to nothing. Ayo, a computer scientist further added that the entire 7,500 students on the enrolment of the university have so far received their copies of the device, and that none of them will be able to visit restricted sites on the

tablets including porn and gambling sites. “Though, the institution has banned the use of mobile phones among the students, the new tablets would not give chance for students to make calls and it cannot be used for immoral acts,” the Vice-Chancellor noted. He explained that the management has also provided phone boots in all the nooks and crannies of university campus, saying adequate monitoring measures have been put in place for the institution security men to monitor the students and their conversations. “We are also enjoying the co-operation of the parents in this regard,” he added. The Managing Director of Softcom, Mr. Yomi Ayodeji, assured the management that there would be further improvement as new set of students come into the university.

A cross-section of the management and students of the university displaying the mobile devices

FG to introduce video tutorials in schools Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

etermined to enhance quality of education by making teaching and learning easier for teachers and pupils, the Federal Government has introduced Mobile Video Tutorials in Senior Secondary Schools as part of move to provide extra school learning process. The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who unveiled this in Abuja, said the technology would encourage students to be more enthusiastic about what they are learning. The Mobile Video Tutorials also known as “School on Air” is an innovation of the Educational Advancement Centre (EAC) designed to provide mobile learning through instructional video. The Minister, who lauded the organisation for the initiative, said it would help in keeping the teachers on their toes to give their best to the job. He added that the technology would complement what the students are being taught in class, saying education is the best investment any na-

tion could bequeath to its citizens in order to ensure its development. “Even if you are attending school, this will be an additional support to balance up what is being taught in class,” the Minister noted, adding that “technology reminds us that education is everything about us, because the more educated you are the healthier and patriotic you would be.” The greatest investment any nation can make for its citizens is education because if generations of today acquire educated subsequent ones will also be educated through them”, the Minister said. The initiator of the technology, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose described the “School on Air” initiative as an innovation that enables students take their teachers along with them wherever they go. Bamgbose, who is the Chief Executive Officer of EAC, however, noted that the mobile tutorials is easy to access because it is available anytime, anywhere and affordable. He explained that the initiative was borne out of the fact that students hardly read books these days, adding that the technology was meant

to catch their attention through the technologies they explore. While enumerating the advantages of the innovation, he said that it was compatible with any android mobile device and provides opportunity for interactive learning between teacher and students as it encourages flipped learning. He said: “The technology affords the students refreshing access to an alternative source of information and puts the teachers on their toes realising that the students have access to another teachers. It improves retention and performance in learning as it involves parents in the learning process by watching the videos with their child. It also personalises feedback, covers up for absenteeism and precede discussions.” According to him, all school subjects for senior secondary school are captured on the mobile video tutorials including French Language. The Educational Advancement Centre, a non-governmental organisation specializes in the advancement of the SSCE or National Diploma students who have a desire to pursue higher education in the university.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Samsung donates Internet facilities to Cross River schools Clement James Calabar

s part of moves to improve Information Technology (IT) in schools in Cross River State, electronic giant, Samsung Electronics, has donated educational and IT facilities to state government as part of its Digital Village programme. The Samsung Digital Village, which is solar powered, apart from the educational facilities, also has a solar-powered generator, a tele-medical centre and a well-equipped laboratory for beneficiaries. The Managing Director, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, while presenting the facilities at Oban in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, noted that about 1,300 laptops were donated to schools at the takeoff of the programme. Kim said the internet-driven facilities is a partnership venture between Samsung Electronics and the United Nations Educational, Scien-

Cross-section of staff and students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA during the tree naming exercise on the campus.

tific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which is targeted at rural communities as a means of enhancing quality learning environment in remote places. “The Samsung Digital Village is a cluster of connected health, education and admin-

istrative facilities, designed to fast track digital development of rural communities by increasing the potential for people to lead economically independent life,” Kim stressed. According to him, the company has so far established the digital programme in oth-

er three countries in Africa, which he said include Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa, apart from Nigeria. He, however, reiterated that Samsung will continue to contribute to the education development of the country by consistently rolling out innovative

and convenient facilities, especially in rural communities with a view to enhancing learning quality of the people. Kim added: “The Solar Powered Internet School project operates in any location and is easily transferred to areas that lack educational infrastructure, as well as providing indigent students access to education and interactive technology.” While responding, the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who was represented by the Special Adviser on International Donor Cooperation, Mr. Roy Ndoma-Egba, expressed gratitude to Samsung for the gesture, even as he noted that the state government was particularly happy that the facility was located in the community. He, however, explained that the government was conscious of the development in the technological world, hence its decision to ensure that every teacher employed by the state government was provided with laptop in order to enhance qualitative learning in schools.

Rector tasks fresh students to work hard, shun vices

resh students admitted to School of Part-Time Studies (Regular) of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Ikorodu, have been urged to work hard by taking their studies, which is their primary assignment in the polyetchnic, more serious. The Rector, Dr. Abdulazeez Lawal gave the warning during the matriculation ceremony of the students for the 2014/2015 academic session which took place at the School of Agriculture Auditorium, Ikorodu campus. Lawal, while congratulating the fresh students on the admission to the institution, encouraged them to take their academics serious, saying the polytechnic would not handle any act of indiscipline from any student or group of students with levity. Meanwhile, the Rector, who declared zero tolerance for cultism, examination

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

the Executive Secretary noted. While receiving the Letter of Recognition, Mimiko said the university was established in line with the desire of Ondo State Government and people and the quest to have a specialised university that is dedicated to training of graduate for effective service delivery and research. However, the governor announced to the delight of the Executive Secretary that the Nigeria Postgraduate University of Surgeon has already accredited the university for postgraduate training based on the facilities put in place. “Our goal is not to establish one of the best Nigerian universities; we want a university of global standard, with merit-driven admission policy that will draw students from all parts of the world, and we will achieve that,” Mimiko added. We were driven by the passion for excellence in medical services in Ni-

malpractice and other forms of vices among the students, urged them to report any form of harrassment either by their colleagues or members of staff to the Complaints Unit in his office. He promised them that such reports received by the management under his watch would be investigated and approprate steps will be taken. Principal officers of the polytechnic at the ceremony include the Deputy Rector (Administration), Mr. Oluyinka Sogunro; Deputy Rector (Academic), Mr. Tajudeen Nurudeen; Registrar, Mrs. Aderonke Ige; the polytechnic Librarian, Mrs. Aderonke Bello as well as directors of schools. The Director, School of Part-Time Studies (Regular), Mr. Adeleye Makanjuola, in his remarks noted that adequate infrastructural facilities have been put in place by the management to enable the students acquire qualitative technologi-

Cross-section of the matriculating students at the ceremony

cal education. He assured them that Entrepreneurial Education and Information Technology programmes have been integrated into

the polytechnic curriculum in all departments so as to equip the students ahead of the challenges of the 21st Century and the labour market.

Ondo medical takes off September geria and we thought that we needed a specialised university dedicated entirely to training for service delivery and research. We also want an institution that will be a medical tourism destination, where we can offer first class quality service to all Nigerians and others,” the governor stressed. Basking in the euphoria of the approval, Mimiko lauded the NUC for the Letter of Recognition, saying it shows that the agency has its focus on human capacity development. He said the Trauma Centre, established as part of the university, had already been accredited by the National Postgraduate College for residency training in Orthopaedic and general surgery. His words: “We have put in place world class facilities that have already received acclaim and recognition

from requisite professional bodies in the medical sciences. “In less than two years of operation, the Trauma Centre has performed more than 2,000 cutting-edge surgeries and treated more than 5,000 patients. So, we are ready for the university which will not only boost medical tourism but will be self-funding and self-sustaining,” The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju said the admission of students would soon begin, while the university would resume academic activities in September, this year. Adeyanju, however, noted that the university will not admit more than 50 students when it fully begings academic activities. According to him, the state government has commenced process of recruiting principal officers of the

university, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and others for the institution. On the quality of the Vice-Chancellor, the commissioner insisted that the government will hire a renowned Professor of Medicine who must have had working experience with development partners, while the Registrar would have attended the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Jos and held similar position in the past. Still on the quality of academic, non-academic and supporting staff, Adeyanju said all machineries have been put in motion to recruit the best brains for the university, adding that the specialized Ivory Tower would be Information Communication Technology (ICT) driven with a view to producing the best in medical practice.

28 Education

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Teachers canvass adequate funding for French Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN

rench teachers exports and students from pre-school, secondary school, tertiary institutions as well as French Language centres across the country, last week rose from a four-day conference with a plea to the government to increase funding to teaching and development of French Language in the country. The conference, which is the Second Biennial International French Conference, was organized and hosted by the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Benin (UNIBEN) at the Akin Deko Auditorium of the institution. The theme was: “The Challenges of French Studies in Nigeria.” In his keynote address, Prof. Raufu Adebisi, the Director-General of the Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry, Lagos, frowned over the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards the teaching and

learning of French Language. The Director-General, who made a case for improved funding of the French, said the enormous challenges facing the language have further relegated it to the background in Nigerian schools. Adebisi, however, listed poor renumeration, inadequate qualified teachers and lack of employment opportunities for those who studied French, dearth of materials for teaching and learning of the language, as well as poor representation of French Language in the scheme of national development as some of the challenges facing the language in the country. He noted that the need for effective communication has made language acquisition a necessity for human existence, stressing that acquisition of child’s first language did not usually pose a challenge. Worried by poor development of French, the Director-General, who recalled how drugs prescriptions were wrongly translated to French, noted that it was high time French Language acquired its pride of place

in the country. Adebisi, while calling for effective legislation to promote learning of French in the country, insisted that government should increase investment in the teaching and recruitment of more teachers for the language. In her welcome address, the Head of Department of Foreign Language in the university, Dr. N.O Iloh, said the conference provided a unique platform for scholars and students to rub minds and form a synergy on how to push forward advocacy for French Language. However, the Nigerian Ambassador to Cote d ‘Ivoire, Ambassador Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba spoke of the need to incorporate French as General Studies programme in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in order to create more job opportunities in the country. She also called on polytechnics to include French in their curriculum with a view to making the graduates function well in places where French is the dominant language.

R-L: Prof. Omozuwa, Dean of Postgraduate School, UNIBEN; Mrs. Akabogu-Chinwuba; Dr. Iloh; Prof. Raymond Elaho; Prof. Adebisi; Prof K.O Echenim and others at the event.

In the communiqué issued at the end of the conference, participants recommended that the government should sponsor First Class graduates of French in Nigerian universities to further studies outside the country; that because of the importance of French in international community, French should be made the second official language in Nigeria; while First Class graduate of French should without further delay benefit from the Federal Government automatic scholarship for postgraduate studies in selected disciplines. The conference also called on the Federal Government to set up a special programme for massive training and retraining of French language teachers deployed to the secondary schools with a view to making the language well established in the school system. Besides, the participants pleaded with the Federal Government to implement the UNESCO funding policy, which stipulates that the government should allocate at least 26 per cent of its annual budget to education. Some of the papers presented include: “The Challenges of Teaching Translation to Nigerian Undergraduates of French,” delivered by Mufuta Tijani of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; “Tips for Effective Teaching of Feminist Francophone African Narrative,” by Temidayo Onojobi from Olabisi Onibanjo University, Ogun State; and Ngozi Iloh of UNIBEN, whose paper dwelt on: “The Status of French at Covenant University,” while other paper was presented by Euginia AbiodunEniayekan. The high points of the conference were an excursion by the participants to the National Museum at the Oba Ovoranmen Square in Benin City, where they were guarded round the museum and enlightened on the history of some of the artifacts as well as visit to the Phil Hall Mark at Sapele Road and a cocktail party. The plenary session began on the second day at the Seminar Room of the Faculty of Arts where the lead papers were presented. Other highlights of the conference include poem recitation, musical dance by pupils of UNIBEN Staff School and the UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS).

OPINION Olabanke Olanrewaju

hoosing a career might sometimes be daunting; and often than not, we do not want to make mistakes in doing this, as we always want to get it right and make sure we do not choose wrongly or make a wrong choice. But, the group which is mostly affected in this choice making is the youth. Youths in the 21st Century are faced with diverse challenges regarding choosing suitable career that can sustain them in their working career. Thus, a very important factor to consider before choosing a career is the interest one has for the kind of career or profession which he or she intends to do or engage in. Besides, there is need for whoever is choosing a career to consider whether he

What to look for in choosing a career or she actually likes that occupation, and if he is passionate about it. So many questions come to mind when we consider the alarming rate of school dropouts. Were they forced to go to school to learn or whether did they lose interest in going to school? Every human being is born with a gift or talent that is bestowed upon him or her by God. There is no single person in this world that does not possess one talent or the other; whether the talent is hidden or visible. Most individuals do not know the kind of gift they possess so they choose to become what the world thinks is acceptable or what the world wants them to be.

According to Marilyn Linbblad, “Choosing a career is one of the momentous decisions that can change the course of your life but ample information and self-examination can help you choose a satisfying career that you will enjoy for years to come.” Knowing your natural talent or ability is key towards becoming a successful person, and choosing the right career path. So also, patience is an outstanding virtue every individual has to have in order to become a worthy personality. Like they say “patience is a virtue”. When you don’t have patience for your job, you tend to lose quality things that matter to you, but when you take some

time to figure out what you really want to do, you have time for other activities you want to engage yourself with. In fact, every career comes with its own share of pressure, but how one copes with such pressure is rather more important. Most careers by their nature impose deadlines, people have different ways of coping with the stress, but how you can manage it and make your dream come true is very important to achieve a desired end. People tend to believe that the more money you make the merrier and more stable a career will be, but that is not always the whole truth. When you have a demanding job that takes your time without excite-

ment, you get bored of such job and wish to quit, but because of the money you are lured to stay put. However, if you have a low income job that you love, you will realise that no matter how little the income you make, you will probably enjoy the job and have a satisfying life. Nowadays, people choose career not because they enjoy it, but because it is what is in vogue and brings more money at the end of the day without realsing that what one enjoys gives more advantage and paves the way for other ideas. Hence, for one to realise his potential and ability in a particular job is an essential key to a perfect career choice. ● Olabanke Olanrewaju is an undergraduate of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo

Education 29

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

UNIZIK VC makes case for women Emeka Onwudinjo UNIZIK

emale scholars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have been challenged on the need to live an exemplary life, as well as model and shape the character of the students especially the female students on campus. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, gave the advice during this year’s celebration of women, tagged: “Nnamdi Azikwe University Women’s Day.” It is a pet project of the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Gladys Ahaneku, which was instituted to celebrate womanhood. The day attracted female members of academic and non-academic staff who trooped out in large number to celebrate the event held at the university main auditorium. The Vice-Chancellor, who led other principal officers of the institution to the event, described the association as a right step in the right direction, as it is set to project womenfolk in a good light. Ahaneku, while urging women to always demonstrate capacities and competences in the various offices they hold, however added that they should not feel inferior or intimidated, even as he compelled the men to always adore women, by respecting them at every opportunity. The guest lecturer at the event and a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu campus, Dr. Edith Nwosu, called on women to make

Poly names deans for schools

he management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti has named new Deans for the four Schools of the institution. They were appointed based on their election organised by the Deanship Election Committee for members of academic staff of the polytechnic. Following the election, Mr. Olabisi David Olasehinde, a Chief Lecturer at the Department of Banking and Finance was named the Dean of the School of Business Studies; Dr. Olusegun Adeoti, an engineer and Chief Lecturer at the School of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering was appointed the Dean of the school.

genuine efforts towards the growth and development of the society by positively exploring their potentials. She further enjoined women to toe the footprints of women who have positive impacted on humanity. In her welcome address, Dr. Ahaneku said part of the objectives of the event is to awaken the womenfolk in the university community to their potentials of holding the ace of making the Ivory Tower the greatest and

best in the country and in Africa. She said the forum would harness the potentials given them by God to move the university forward in a positive direction, stressing further that the institution is making waves and developing new frontiers in all spheres. Dr. Ahaneku, however, noted that this could be attributed to the consistent and unwavering efforts of renowned scholars and administrators of the university.

On the need for a women association in the university, the Consultant Physician said: “We made inquiries from other institutions and found out that some vibrant women associations exist in other institutions in the country.” She said the major aim of the association is geared towards the transformation of the university community as well as to serve as a platform for women working in the institution to interact and socialise.

Prof. Ahaneku, Vc

30 Education

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICT expert seeks computer education in schools Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

n Information Communication Technology (ICT) expert and consultant, Mr. Emmanuel Abidoye has called on the government to take bold steps towards creating more awareness of computer education and assist ICT development in the school system. Abidoye, the Managing Director of FEMTECH Information Technology Limited, an Ilorin-based ICT firm made the call during the inauguration of the company’s corporate office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Although, he acknowledged the growing access to ICT by Nigerians, he argued that the level of penetration and use of the facilities within the education system is grossly inadequate to bring about the desired change in the sub-sector. His words: “We need to look at the aspect of ICT education. Though, there is a

lot of improvement, a lot still needs to be done in terms of people getting to know how to utilize ICT to improve their business and living. If you ask some people what they use their computers to do, you will realise that they are just exploring less than 10 per cent of what they could use their mobile phones and computers for. But, if they are properly educated on how to use it, they will explore it more and it will go a long way in helping us to develop economically and several other ways. “The government can do more first at the school level. I know that some schools have adjusted their curricula to incorporate ICT education. We need to do more because you will realize that having computers is not what is most important, but the level of education of who operate them. I learnt that even some teachers do not know how to put the computers to proper use.” According to Abidoye, teachers should be properly grounded in ICT to be able to teach the young ones in order for the country to compete favourably with the development countries.

L-R: Chairman, Board of Management, St. Saviour’s School, Lagos, Mr. Tom Ogboi; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; Chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Luis Mbanefo, and Chief Dr. Adebutu Kensington, during the launch of the school’s swimming pool project, donated by Adebutu.

NUC to accredit Plateau varsity’s academic programmes Musa Pam Jos

he tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Bokkos, Prof. Stephen Mallo has been extended by six months by the Governor of the state and Visitor to the University, Jonah David Jang The Vice-Chancellor’s tenure extension was conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Shedrack Best, and which a copy was made available to New Telegraph in Jos, the state capital. According to the letter , the extension of tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor is to enable him carry out and complete the programmes and projects required as pre-requisite for accreditation of the academic programmes of the university, in view of the numerous laudable achievements recorded by him (Mallo) during his tenure. Mallo was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the state university in acting capacity on October 31, 2014, following the suspension of Professor Doknan Danjuma Decent Sheni However, the much awaited accredita-

tion visit by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to the university is expected to begin on June 19. The spokesman for the university, Mr. John Agam, in a statement said a letter conveying the approval of the date by the Director of Quality Assurance in the Commission, Dr. N.B. Saliu, has been forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor, urging him to put in motion all necessary machinery to facilitate the realisation of the accreditation exercise. The university, Agam said has already set aside N5.8 million for the accreditation exercise by the NUC which will cover the 18 Bachelor’s Degree programmes run by the university in its five faculties. According to him, the academic programmes to be accredited include Accounting, Management Science, English Language, History and International Studies, and Theatre Arts. Others are Industrial Design, BioChemistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science and Microbiology, while in the Faculty of Social Science, the following academic programmes will be visited by the NUC accreditation team - Economics, Geography, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology and Psychology.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Rumpus on campus: Peace, please

ewspapers reported last Friday (May 8, 2015) that many students of the premier University of Ibadan protested the death of their colleague, Mayowa Alaran. The former 200 level student of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, who was asthmatic, collapsed while watching a European Champions League match a day before and later died at the University Health Centre. It was an unfortunate development. But in venting their anger on the society, the students conducted themselves in a shameful manner. They unleashed violence on those who wanted to photograph or record their protest with their mobile devices. A correspondent of “New Telegraph” newspaper, Mr Sola Adeyemo, was manhandled and his mobile phone was lost in circumstances where even a policeman was complicit. Other innocent Nigerians that were going about their rightful businesses were subjected to physical and psychological trauma. Reacting to the news, an angry reader, Chyke, commented on “The Punch” website, “Vandals in the making. A student died within the campus, people on the street bear the brunt. Our educational system has declined propitiously. It’s a shame.” Another reader, Toyin, supported him, noting thus: “A real shame indeed that our leaders of tomorrow could descend so low to destroy, injure, attack, intimidate and become violent just to protest the unfortunate death of their colleague. I’m afraid we are raising a generation of lawless and violent prone leaders (sic) if this kind of decadent and degenerate behaviour is not nipped in the bud.” The action of the students is an evidence of lack of peace education. If a violent protest was ever unnecessary and unwarranted, that was a case in point. This was especially so because the protest was reported to have been premised on “the inability of the hospital ambulance to arrive early”, as reported by “The Punch”. The late arrival of the ambulance, without appearing to be on the side of the University, could be due to the grinding fuel scarcity or any other thing. For some two or three weeks now, fuel has become gold. The argument that a contingency plan could have been made for any emergency would be valid but the truth remains that the best arrangement can flop in the context of attending to the needs of tens of thousands of students. Students of many Nigerian universities are wired with what I call “aluta mentality”, an offshoot of the old era of military rule, and there is need for

Changing our mindset requires psychological rebooting

change. What is needed now is peace education or a deliberate process of acquiring the values, the knowledge and developing the attitudes, the skills and behaviour to live in harmony with oneself, others and with the natural environment. Peace education, as the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, said in 2013, is a pre-eminent means of bringing about a culture of peace. Peace education itself has four components and these are changing our mindset, cultivating essential positive skills, promoting human rights and imbibing the culture of peace, which includes good governance and social justice. Changing our mindset requires psychological rebooting. Many minds have been invested with the viruses of negativity, prejudice, hatred and pessimism. If not that the mindset of the students is that the authorities do not care, nothing would have warranted a violent protest. It often happens that on many occasions, our perception of others is a reflection of our own character, not the other party’s. Usually, not always though, good minds perceive goodness in others and bad minds tend to assume others are bad. The essential positive skills that should be cultivated by students include truthfulness, goodness, honesty, integrity, patience, compassion, empathy, kindness, cooperation, generosity, fairness, justice and so on. Anyone who has essential positive skills would know that you cannot prevent the inevitable. Anything destined to be would be. If I was meant to die, on one could have prevented it. Of course without human rights, peace education would be impossible because violation and exploitation lie at the core of peacelessness. On the culture of peace, the UN defines it as “an integral approach to preventing violence and violent conflicts, and an alternative to the culture of war based on education for peace, the promotion of economic and social development, respect for human rights, equality between women and men, democratic participation, tolerance, the free flow of information and disarmament.” Imbibing the culture of peace is the ultimate and it is important students imbibe it, please.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Energy

OTC: The good, the bad, the ugly

Property

Aviation

Disquiet over non-approval of National Building Code

Navigating airport of tomorrow via automation

Business What's news

FG ups gas diversification, targets $16bn investments The Federal Government has announced a target of $16 billion investments in its drive to attract massive global investments into the nation’s gas sub-sector.

p.32

Only four airports viable, says report L-R: MD FBN Insurance, Mr Valentine Ojumah; Chairman Mrs Adenrele Kehinde; Head Financial Advisory FBN Capital, Mr Afolabi Olorode, receiving the award for Africa Deal of the Year at the 2015 M&A Atlas Awards for the Acquisition of Oasis Insurance by FBN Insurance.

Four airports, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, PortHarcourt International Airport and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, account for over 80 per cent of domestic passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2015.

QUERY

Some poorly forwarded accounts have been queried Sunday Ojeme

p.32

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has received the first quarter returns of 26 insurance companies for the current year. Details of the submission obtained by New Telegraph listed Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Custodian & Allied Insurance, Mutual Benefits, Custodian Life Assurance, Wapic Insurance, Wapic Life Assurance and Wapic Ghana, among those, that have forwarded their returns to the commission as at April 30. The list also include KBL Insurance Limited, FBN Life, ARM Life Insurance, UBA Metropolitan Life, Oasis Insurance Plc, Linkage Assurance, Unity Kapital Assurance Plc, Union

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

NAICOM receives Q1 returns from 26 firms

Approves 17 others’ 2014 accounts Assurance, Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, NEM Insurance, Fin Insurance and Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Others are Royal Exchange Insurance, Guinea Assurance Plc, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Standard Allliance Life Assurance Plc and Equity Assurance Plc. Meanwhile, the regulator has also approved the 2014 account details of 17 insurance companies, just as it queried those of five others. According to the breakdown, Wapic Life Assurance Limited,

Wapic Insurance Plc, Custodian & Allied Ins. Limited, Custodian Life Assurance Limited, Law Union & Rock Insurance Company Plc and Mansard Insurance Plc, have had their accounts for the period approved. Also approved are those of FBN Insurance, Oasis Insurance Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, UBA Metropol-

Being the total number of insurance firms whose accounts are currently being reviewed by NAICOM

itan Life Insurance Company, Zenith Life Assurance Company Ltd, Zenith General Insurance Company Limited, Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc, Royal Exchange General Insurance, AIICO Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Prestige Assurance Plc. On the other hand, the accounts of those that were not properly computed and queried include those of Continental Reinsurance, Lasaco Assurance Plc, NSIA Insurance, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc and Equity Assurance Plc. Also, 12 others are currently CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4% January 2015...........................8.2%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................12.57% Prime Lending Rate...........17.93% Maximum Lending Rate...26.83%

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at May 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N222 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N338 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N248

l Foreign Reserves – $29.677bn as at 7/05/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at May 8)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N214

Business | News

Bolster

Government to mitigate the effect of drop in crude oil prices on the Nigerian economy

Adeola Yusuf

Houston, Texas

he Federal Government has announced a target of $16 billion investments in its drive to attract massive global investments into the nation’s gas sub-sector. Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Dahwa, said this while addressing investors at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, United States. He said that the investment targets are to lessen the effect of drop in crude oil prices on the Nigerian economy. These investment opportunities, he said, covers gas transmission pipelines, upstream gas development, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas plants, gas processing facility and gas-based manufacturing industries. Others are Koko Free Trade Zone infrastructure and real estate development, pipe milling and fabrication yards and gas

FG ups gas diversification, targets $16bn investments financial services. The GMD, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of the NNPC, Dr. David Ige, said for the nation’s gas sub-sector to benefit from the drive, in-

having their accounts for the period being reviewed by the commission. They include ARM Life Insurance, NEM insurance Plc, Unity Kapital Assurance Plc, Regency Alliance Plc, KBL Insurance Limited, Union Assurance, Linkage Assurance Plc, Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, Niger Insurance and Leadway Assurance Plc. Others are Staco Insurance Plc, and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. It would be recalled that the failure of NICON Insurance Plc and Unic Insurance Plc to submit their 2013 financial accounts between July 2014 and April 2015 as stipulated by the Insurance Act, has already attracted a fine of N791,000 as penalty. Section 8 of the Insurance Act empowers the commission to revoke the licence of any operator that fails to make his account available to the regulator within a period of time.

dustry players must brace up for the challenges ahead. “The Nigerian gas sector has seen tremendous focus in the last few years. We have grown capacity at a pace of 18-20 per cent

with supply now at about two billion cubic feet of gas per day in the domestic market from a humble start of about 300 million cubic feet per day a few years ago,’’ he said. The GMD said that

based on projected growth demand anchored on growing industrial requirements, the subsector may need to grow further to some six billion cubic feet of gas per day. He noted that despite

the annual investment of millions of dollars in the last four years in gas supply and infrastructure, there is need for significant addition to infrastructure and supply development.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni; Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Sarah Alade; CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Africa, Mr. Chris Newson; Head, Investor Services, Standard Bank, Mr. Mark Kerns and Head, Investor Services, West Africa, Mr. Segun Sanni, at a dinner organised by Standard Bank with international investors in London.

NAICOM gets returns from 26 firms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

At the end of 2014, eight underwriters defaulted in this regard. They include Alliance & General Insurance, Alliance & General Life Assurance, Goldlink Insurance Plc, Industrial & General Insurance Plc, Investment & Allied Insurance Plc, NICON Insurance Ltd, Spring Life Assurance Plc and UNIC Insurance Plc. Section 26(1) of the Insurance Act 2003 also stipulates that every insurer shall not later than June 30 of every year submit to NAICOM, a balance sheet duly audited showing the financial position of the insurer and its subsidiaries at the close of the preceding year together with a copy of the relevant profit and loss account, which the insurer is to present to its shareholders at its annual general meeting (AGM). The failure of the insurers is not unconnected with their inability to adjust to newly introduced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by NAICOM.

TRAFFIC

Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt airports account for 80% of passenger traffic

Wole Shadare

our airports, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Port-Harcourt International Airport and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, account for over 80 per cent of domestic passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2015. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) manages these aerodromes. The remaining 16 recorded little or no activity during the period under review. These figures, which were contained in the Nigerian Aviation Sector Summary Report, showed that these four airports handled the highest number of passenger traffic during the period under review. The other airports were less busy, with some of them recording no passenger movement at all. For instance, the Maiduguri airport had no international traffic in 2014, while those in Katsina and Sokoto reported just 13 and four passengers respectively in

Only four airports viable, says report

16 others dormant the second quarter of the year. Chief Executive Officer of Top Brass Aviation, Roland Iyayi, had also lamented to New Telegraph, the lopsided nature of Nigeria’s local passenger traffic. He said: “We have 80.2 per cent of passengers travelling to Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt. Those three airports account for 80.2 per cent of travelling public in Nigeria.” Iyayi stated that in his research, he refers to those three airports as business triangle of Nigeria, adding that everybody is gravitating towards these three destinations. “People who are into oil and gas go to Port-Harcourt. Those going to Lagos go there because of the seaports and commercial nature of the city, while Abuja is the political capital of Nigeria. Those three cities remain key and vital. Because the airline recognise that this is the case, they have thrown so much of their capacities into this market. If you have that situation, there is already deep-ticket competition in those markets.”

Stakeholders who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that they were depressed with the statistics, hinting that going by the size of the country, the skeletal railway network and the poor condition of most roads meant that air travel was not the exclusive preserve of a very small minority. “It would not be mischievous to air some doubts about data gathering by the aviation authority. In the rebased national accounts, air transport is a subsector of transportation. In Q3 2014, it expanded by 1.6 per cent year-on-year, yet, it represented just 0.1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product,” the analysts said. According to the report, the airport with the greatest number of passengers travelling domestically in the second quarter of 2014 was that in Lagos with 1,106,787 passengers or 37.15 per cent of the total. In the third quarter, the number rose by 7,129 or 0.71 per cent to 1,013,916 passengers, or 38.27 per cent of the domestic total.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Nationwide blackout takes toll on discos p.34

ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf, who covered the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), reveals why the number of participants from Nigeria dropped, including the lows and highs of the annual confab

Energy OTC: The good, the bad, the ugly and lunch discussed ways to improve the effectiveness of safety and environmental management systems. Additional highlights included discussions about the continued importance of deepwater exploration and the next emerging offshore plays. A panel session from the international oil and gas producers shared thoughts about the need to simplify and standardise specifications to drive down costs and quicken the development of new projects as well as further improve safety. Also, the Pioneers of OTC Luncheon celebrated the long history and success of the conference and paid homage to the volunteers who have given their time and hard work throughout the years to make the conference what it is today.

ormer Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, an engineer, was on a national assignment in far-away Houston, Texas, United States (US), when the news of his sack took over the airwaves. The OTC, which he came to attend, was the 46th edition and it came with the good, the bad and the ugly. Low attendance Although the Petroleum Technician Association of Nigeria (PETAN) held the statistics of participation at the OTC 2015 close to its chest, the world’s biggest oil conference witnessed low turnout compared with the last edition. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it was gathered, allegedly abandoned the multi-millionnaira sponsorship budget given to it by the PETAN, organiser of exhibition stands for Nigerian companies. Checks by this newspaper revealed that the NNPC turned down PETAN’s requests based on the fall in crude prices, which has affected its revenues. A PETAN source, however, lamented that the NNPC has yet to pay for the exhibition boot stand, which the body mounted on behalf of the corporation. “Although the boot, which was a double-decker last year, has been reduced this year, the NNPC is yet to pay for it,” she said. Despite dismal attendance by Nigerians, former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, said that Nigeria has moved from observant status to participant rank at the OTC. Gaius-Obaseki, who said this on the sideline of the conference, maintained that this is a sign that the country’s oil sector is in steady improvement. “The first time I came for the OTC in 1976, we did not have a boot for Nigeria. Now Nigeria has,” he said.

Dahwa

PETAN President, Emeka Ene

Chairman of OTC, Ed Stokes, said: “This year’s conference also had 2,682 companies exhibiting up from 2,568 in 2014, representing 37 countries. International companies made up 42 per cent of exhibitors. “OTC continues to bring the world to Houston. The record-setting number of paper submissions ensured a high-quality technical programme, covering the innovations and applications. Coupled with superb panels, in-depth executive keynotes, a new crop of Spotlight on New Technology award winners and a record-setting exhibition, OTC drew everyone from CEOs to engineers to government officials.” Besides, he noted that this year’s event featured 11 panel sessions, 29 executive keynote presentations at luncheons and breakfasts and nearly 300 technical paper presentations.

gas - discussed advances, which could be shared to add value, reduce risk and improve efficiencies, he noted. Moreover, he said that safety also continued to be a key area of focus at OTC. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced the launch of the SafeOCS programme, an initiative aimed at collecting and analysing “near miss” data to learn more about potential problems offshore and prevent them from becoming an issue. In addition, BSEE released its firstever annual report, which presented the agency’s analysis of offshore activities and revealed an encouraging decline in incidents since the organisation was created in 2011. The Centre for Offshore Safety hosted a breakfast session focused on “Improving Safety and Environmental Performance.” In addition, a technical session

The statistics While the PETAN refused to give statistics on the number of participants, data on the OTC’s organisers’ website showed that the attendance dipped by about 10,000 delegates. While over 103,000 delegates attended the conference last year, the organisers said that 94,700 attendees from 130 countries converged on Houston for the confab, which demonstrates OTC’s position as the leading forum for exchanging ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for the safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable development of offshore oil and gas resources. It is the sixth largest attendance in the 47-year history of OTC. However, the statistics revealed that the sold-out exhibition was the largest in show history at 695,005 ft², including outdoor exhibits, up from 680,025 ft² in 2014.

The speakers He added that speakers - including major, independent and national oil companies; federal and regional government officials and academics - presented their views on a wide variety of topics, including future industry directions, operational integrity and risk management. Furthermore, he noted that OTC’s Spotlight on New Technology Awards recognised 17 technologies for their innovation in allowing the industry to produce offshore resources, including two companies in the new category of Small Business Awards. He added that the conference’s focus on bridging technology was exemplified by the “Pumps and Pipes: Innovation in the Oil Field and Cardiovascular Medicine” technical session. Leaders from two of Houston’s major industries -medicine and oil and

Nigeria has moved from observant status to participant rank at the OTC

NNPC’s perspective Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dahwa, confirmed that the turnout was low. He, nonetheless, said that the attendance was impressive. Represented by Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Dr. David Ige, Dahwa said: “We have gone round on tour of the various stands, and it has been quite impressive. But despite what appears to be a very low morale in the industry, we have a strong presence of Nigerians here exhibiting their products and services. And I think the continued growth of the service sector shows the growth and vibrancy of the oil gas sector. I think overall, there is a lot to be proud of as Nigerians.” Noting that Nigeria is blessed with a lot of resources in terms of oil and gas, Dahwa said that the country remains a natural location to attract people into the industry and with capital there. “Over the years, we have consistently seen foreign investment. There has been an aggregate increase in Foreign Direct investment in Nigeria and also in the industry. And clearly there is a lot of competition globally for capital as a result of new discoveries in other locations but we have found out that, still Nigeria has the potentials to be one of the most competitive locations globally. “Though, there is still a lot of work for us to do to maintain that competitive edge but with the different stakeholder engagement we are having, PETAN, Nigerian Content and policy intervention, we will continue to reposition ourselves such that Nigeria continues to be an attractive location for investors to come in. “The infrastructure and baseline is there. So, it is easy for people to come in here. All we need to do is to ensure that as competition come on; we still maintain our position so that we can compete favourably,” he said. Conclusion Since OTC is an avenue for transfer of technology in crude exploration and exploitation, the substantial participation and attendance of Nigerians should be encouraged at the future editions of the conference.

Business | Energy

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nationwide blackout takes toll on discos BOYCOTT

PEDC seeks customers understanding over threat to boycott payment of electricity bills Adeola Yusuf

Houston, Texas

he major drop in power generation has begun to take toll on revenues of distribution companies across the country, as more consumers threatened to boycott payment of electricity bill for the

month of April. The Ikeja Electric, which attributed the current power interruption across its network to low power allocation from the national grid, said that it suffered a supply deficit of 900 Mega Watts. Chief Executive Officer of the company, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, said that in the last one week, the average power allocation to Ikeja Electric is 350MW as against minimum load demand of 1,250 MW. He explained in a statement that the huge short-

Threatens April revenue fall is seriously affecting the operation of the company, as it has to resort to load-shedding, which is having adverse effect on both Ikeja Electric and the customers in terms of man hour being used to carry out load-shedding as well as service delivery to customers. Ajifowobaje, however, assured that the company will ensure that the power allocation is equitably distributed to all its customers.

While appealing for customers’ understanding, the CEO said that efforts have been stepped up to ensure that electrical faults are cleared promptly and urged customers to report such through its contact center and Ikeja Electric offices. Investigations by New Telegraph revealed that the discos are also suffering growing apathy from some customers who still thought that the discos are responsible for the

blackout. “We are already vowing to boycott the April bill over the drop in electricity supply,” Mary Osadolo, a customer of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PEDC) told New Telegraph. Meanwhile, the management of PEDC, which confirmed that some customers are boycotting payments, pleaded for understanding and patience.

The company, in a statement by its spokesperson, Jonah Iboma, said: “Please, your understanding and patience during this period will be appreciated and note that tough times do not last. Once again, we identify with you and please ignore those who are saying that you should not pay for electricity bills. “It is either they don’t understand the dynamics of electricity or they do but just want to whip up sentiment and play on your emotions.

Electricity restored in community after seven years

fter seven years of darkness, electricity has been restored to Ini Local Government Area of AkwaIbom State. In a statement made available to New Telegraph, residents of the area expressed appreciation to Governor Godswill Akpabio for fulfilling his promise to restore power supply to their community. Senior Special Assistant to Akwa-Ibom State Governor on Power, Dr. Victor Udo, said that the project was the brain child of the Governorelect in the state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, when he was Secretary to the State Government. Speaking on the enormity of work done, the SSA said that several 33kV high tension and low tension poles were installed to restore the power line from Itu sub-station via Ikono and Ibiono local government areas. He added that several transformers were rehabilitated while new ones were installed alongside complementary accessories and armored cables to achieve power supply restoration to the area. He said, key stakeholders in Ini local government such as the paramount ruler, the local government chairman, and the commissioner for women affairs, including the village heads, clan heads, political leaders and residents of the local government also commended Governor Akpabio for keeping his promise to the local government and the people of the state.

L-R: Project engineer, Kaztec Engineering Limited, Ayodeji Soyemi; Manager, engineering, Mike Simpson; Managing Director, John Niezner; consultant, Dr. Kelly Njideka and Head, Communication and Business Development, Dr. Edwin Ndukwe, at the Kazrec stand during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. Photo: Adeola Yusuf

Stakeholders to Buhari: Block local content policy loopholes CASH COW

Kaztec said that Nigerian Content Act can serve as major revenue earner for the country Adeola Yusuf

Houston, Texas

takeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have called on the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to block all loopholes in the local content policy. Managing Director, Kaztec Engineering, Mr. John Niezner, made this call in an interview at the sideline of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), in Houston, Texas. He said that the country could generate more revenues when these loopholes are

blocked. “The in-coming government should retain the local content policy. However, it should ensure that competence is given priority among the indigenous companies that are to be protected by the policy,” Niezner said. Speaking also at the event, chairman of the occasion and Chairman Africa, Schlumberger, Sola Oyinlola, said that Nigeria has become a force to reckon with in the petroleum industry through the support of the Nigerian Content Act. He said that the success of the national content agenda, with its ability to create massive multiplier effects in other sectors of the economy that needs to diversify away from oil and gas, has influenced thoughts to expand the initiative into other sectors such as power and telecommunication.

Despite the success recorded so far with the scheme, Oyinlola identified the lack of in-country financial capacity to undertake big-ticket transactions and inadequate infrastructure, including the deplorable state of supporting industries, for prototyping or manufacture or assemble any locally engineered solutions, as major challenges facing the local content policy. He listed the other inhibitions to include lack of technical capacity, dearth of research and development institutions and culture and the limited access to technology limiting the possibility of innovation and domestic technological creativity. For the policy to achieve its full potentials, he stated: “The critical missing link between strategy and action must be addressed to avoid the persistent incapacitation that public poli-

cy initiatives and actions many government programmes and projects have suffered. “The board must actively collaborate with development partners including the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and multilateral agencies, to implement identified solutions to the myriad problems catalogued above. For instance, I would be curious to know how the tax payers funded Nigeria Content Development Fund, which could help solve the financial capacity constraint above is going to enable small scale enterprises to finance their joint initiatives. “The incoming administration has its work cut out for it and the industry awaits with bated breath any new policy directions, but we are all optimistic that challenges would be tackled expeditiously to provide a new dynamic investment destination.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

May 29: Expert sees boom in Abuja property market p.36

Property&Environment

Rubbles of the collapsed guesthouse belonging to Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos. Inset: Lasabi and Faworaja

NEGLIGENCE 100 buildings have collapsed in the last 20 years

nacted in 2006, the Nigerian National Building Code (NBC) suffered lack of enforcement for five years, expired in 2011 and was subjected to review in 2014. Consequently, the fate of the NBC is hanging in the balance following the inability of the outgoing government to approve it for the use of built environment stakeholders. The qualms expressed by most of the housing/construction experts stemmed from the importance of this document to their sector. This is because a lot of unwholesome activities that have taken place in the industry were largely due to the absence of building code, which experts have blamed for the incessant building collapse being witnessed across the country. According to a survey by the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), over 100 buildings have collapsed in Nigeria in 20 years, with most of them occurring between 1999 and 2009, claiming at least 400 lives. Importance of NBC The NBC is the document that is expected to regulate the conduct and operations of professionals and stakeholders in the construction industry. It is a guideline for those who operate in the built environment sector. The document was enacted in 2006 to set standards, minimise structural failures in the building construction industry, promote safety as well as ensure qualitative housing. Absence of the building code, experts said, could be regarded as a big ‘minus’ for the construction industry. They explained that if the document had been

Disquiet over non-approval of National Building Code passed into law and it is strictly enforced, it would go a long way in sanitising the sector. The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria had, last year, urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the bill for the enforcement of the Nigerian National Building Code. Chairman of CORBON, Prof. Kabir Bala, said that the loss of lives through building collapse had become a national embarrassment due to failure of infrastructure and buildings. “We should not continue to repeat the same cycle of mistakes and alibi when buildings collapse. The states should quickly pass and enforce enabling laws to conform to the minimum requirements of the building code,” Bala stated. Government’s concerns Worried by the incessant building collapse in the country, the Federal Government had, last year, set up a committee to review the National Building Code as part of measure to end the menace of building collapse. To hasten the process, some experts, comprising people in the private and public sector, were brought into the committee and given deadline to work with. In her presentation at a stakeholders’ validation workshop on a roadmap for the sector late last year, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, announced that the revision of the building code had been finalised and would be presented to her by the NBC Advisory Committee be-

fore its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). She noted that the greatest move against the rising cases of building collapse in the country was the revision of the NBC to put building developers in check. Experts’ renewed hope New Telegraph learnt that the advisory committee had since submitted the revised building code to the minister, but nothing has been heard about the document less than three weeks to the expiration of the regime of the present government. Whether the document has gotten the endorsement of the Federal Executive Council or not has remained a misery for the concerned housing stakeholders. When New Telegraph approached the Chairman of NBC Advisory Committee, Alhaji Jimoh Faworaja, at the weekend in Lagos, he said that the reviewed building code was ready, adding that it had been sent to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. He said that he was sure it would be approved. But that is not the end of the exercise. After it has gone through FEC, he stressed that the National Council of State for Housing would need to ratify it, adding that the document is yet to be adopted by this body. From the look of things, Faworaja stated that the document might wait until President-elect, Gen. Mohamadu Buhari, is sworn in. He explained that the revised NBC would be one of the pressing issues that the new

Absence of the building code is a big ‘minus’ for the construction industry

president would first look into. “It will be one of the first assignments that the government of Buhari will look into. I am sure Buhari will pass it,” he said. President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Tunde Lasabi, said that the major problem with the building code was the inability to pass it into law. He said: “We have not been able to pass the document into law and there is no enabling act to make it a law. The implication of not having a building code and not making it a law is that people will continue to do what they like in construction industry.” He explained that the absence of the building code has led to a situation where one professional would encroach on jobs belonging to other professionals, adding that a builder is the only professional charged with the responsibility of managing building production process. “But today, you will see some quacks on site calling themselves site engineers and that is why construction is done haphazardly. The building code is the document that specifies the job of each professionals on site,” he said. He expressed hope in the new government, saying it would not find it difficult to pass the documents into law. He said: “We believe that the new government will pass this act into law and we are going to push it through the Association of Professionals Bodies of Nigeria. We believe that government will listen to us.”

Business | Property & Environment

DEFICIT Development must double efforts to bridge the housing gap Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

hings are looking up for the housing market in Abuja, no thanks to the elections of the new president and legislators who are now besieging the Federal Capital territory for accommodation. New Telegraph gathered that real estate professionals, especially those in the business of property development and estate agency, are already experiencing a boom in their businesses. Principal Partner, Peter Okolo & Company, an estate

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

May 29: Expert sees boom in Abuja property market surveying and valuation company, Sir Peter Okolo, confirmed this development. He said that landlords, who are the major beneficiaries, would soon be smiling all the way to their banks. Okolo explained that people relocating to Abuja in search of jobs and other commitments would be part of the people scouting for apartments in the city. He said: “The new entrants are not coming in with their own buildings and they are bound to stay within the city. This means that they must have a roof over their heads, as staying in the hotels might

be temporary. I think they have only 28 days to stay in the hotel, according to the Civil Service Rule and after that you are on your own.” He said that people would definitely move into town to look for accommodation of various types,” which auto-

matically means that there would be pressure on property market in Abuja to be able to satisfy those new entrants and it would cut across board.” He said: “No matter how you look at it, there would be positive pressure on prop-

erty market in Abuja, and the landlords would smile all the way to their banks. But one thing that is certain is that the pressure will not break up Abuja property market. Abuja, I can tell you authoritatively, can accommodate that demand.”

‘One million housing target requires diversification’ Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

he President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, has said that the critical component of the drive to meet the one million housing target between 2015 and 2019 under the incoming government of Gen. Muhammad Buhari would require diversification of the building systems. Chime disclosed this to New Telegraph in Abuja, shortly after his maiden address to journalists where he explained the readiness of members of the association who are engaged in hydro-foam and other building systems. He said: “What we are trying to do now is a comparative analysis to ensure that the Nigerian populace will accept the new technology. Introducing new things is not easy and that is where we will be engaging the media proactively. “Hitherto, we have had a beam and a slab, but now we have beam floor where the beam are not hanging out. It took time for people to accept that it is structurally okay. So going forward, we will be engaging ourselves and some of the producers of some new

building products to see how they can meet up quality due to the time demand of the new programme of one million housing units annually.” Chime said the association planned to partner with the World Bank to increase the percentage of the housing stock and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that REDAN will work closely to ensure that government amends by constitutional means the Land Use Act. He stressed that by way of some executive decisions and executive Act, those sections of the Land Use Act impeding the delivery of affordable houses could be expunged. He announced the association’s determination to ensure that the meager contribution of housing to the country’s GDP, which stands at about six to seven per cent is increase to least 15 per cent in the next four years to compete with South Africa where the contribution of housing to the GDP is about 30 per cent. “The association is determined to ensure that a win-win platform is created between members and the stakeholders towards ensuring that houses that are produced are affordable to the target groups,” he said.

A property in Abuja

Fashola hands over 401-metre Canopy Walk, Family Park

n order to ensure environmental sustainability, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has inaugurated and handed over the longest canopy walkway in Africa to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). Also commissioned was the Family Park with facilities. Built by the Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Tourism and InterGovernmental Relations, the 401-metre canopy walk and the Family Park, which boast of Koi and Tilapa ponds, jungle gym and outdoor games are located within the nature reserve of the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos. President of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Izoma Philip Asiodu, expressed his gratitude to the Lagos State government under

The Palm 2 due for completion in 2016

mpressed by the success of the first phase of the project, Persianas has commenced expansion of The Palms, Lagos. The Palms 2 as it is being flaunted, is expected to open in 2016 and will incorporate approximately 40,000 metres square of additional retail space and 16,000 metres square of multi-level parking. It was learnt that its anchor tenants are Shoprite, Game, the Hub and Genesis Cinemas. Other international

brands represented include Hugo Boss, Mango, MAC, Lacoste, Nike, Swatch, KFC, Sony, Puma, Genesis Cinemas and Wrangler. The Palms, Lagos, is Nigeria’s premier shopping mall. When opened in 2004, its highly attractive retail and leisure environment set standards that others still aspire to. Today, it attracts over 600,000 consumer visits per month. The Palms comprises twostorey with a total build area

of around 25,000 m2, of which, approximately 20,500 metres’ square is lettable space. Development of The Palms shopping malls introduced and firmly established the concept of retailing as a leisure destination within Nigeria. Designed and built to exceptionally high standards, each of The Palms venues incorporates branded retailing, entertainment and dining in a family friendly environment.

the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola for taking a bold decision to help develop part of the Lekki Conservation Centre as eco-tourism park. He added that about 30 hectares of the centre has been carved out for ‘Family Park’ to enable visitors and tourists enjoy themselves while appreciating the natural environment. Asiodu said the establishment of Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) was born out of NCF’s commitment to conserve Nigeria’s vast natural resources. “With NCF headquarters in Lagos, it was desirable to have a conservation project site within Lagos metropolis that will serve as a biodiversity conservation and environmental education centre,” he said. “Three potential areas in Lagos State were surveyed in 1987 by NCF technical team in partnership with the defunct Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Lekki area was selected and here we are today at the Lekki Conservation Centre. Over the years, the 78 Hectare Conservation Centre has continued to attract both local and international interests. The centre has served as an education and resource centre to various groups, majority of which are schools and tourists. I must at the juncture express our appreciation to Chevron Nigeria Limited for its financial support to the centre from 1992 till date.”

Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Ede Dafinone, said that NCF council members had no doubt in their minds when the idea of enhancing the Lekki Conservation Centre as an eco-tourism destination was conceived and brought to them. The Lagos State Governor, commended the people that made the project a success the Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Disun Holloway and its staff as well as the leadership of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. He said: “The whole initiative behind why we are gathered today is environmental sustainability. I cannot find a bettercrafted word to commend the vision behind the works of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Lekki Conservation Centre than these words “Nature doesn’t need people, but it is people who need nature. “If we leave this place for another 50 or 100 years, and nobody came here, all the floor games will disappear and nature will take over. We will move on but this place will remain. But in whatever form that it remains, whether it has benefit for the next generation or not will be defined by what we do today. “As we hand over the Family Park and the Canopy Walkway, I hope the foundation will achieve the objectives to which the initiative was set for.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

13 airports ready with airfield lighting soon – Chidoka p.38 Wole Shadare Seamless facilitation Passenger numbers may be rising and the amount of space that airports and airlines have to work with may often also be limited, but the passengers of today still expect a seamless and enjoyable journey through the airport. Given these scenarios, airports and airlines are getting to be more inventive in the ways in which they utilise existing facilities to ensure they pander to the demands of a more expectant and technology-savvy passenger. This, to a large extent, explains why we have seen such a sharp rise in the number of selfservice solutions installed across numerous airports around the globe. It has been interesting to witness how the responsibility has been shared between the airports and airlines. Consequently, the travel industry continues to strive to deliver a seamless traveler experience. Those of us who travel, whether it is for business or leisure, we look forward to a day when we enjoy the journey almost as much as the time at our destination. Travellers, who spoke to New Telegraph, stated that they believe the airport experience is one of the last frontiers in the quest for this seamless travel experience. Passengers’ frustration It is clear from the passengers surveyed when compiling data for this report, that Nigeria is still some way off this goal. Frustrations still exist around checkin, security and baggage. Lots of these frustrations stem from lack of information and poor communication between the airline, airport and the passenger. But while the impact on the passenger is clear - extended journey times, too much complexity, lack of information – the impact on the airport and airline is equally clear. For airlines, a poor airport experience significantly impacts how its brand is perceived, as passengers do not view the airport experience as separate to the services provided by the airline directly. For the airport itself, lack of passenger information and integration with airlines can lead to lost revenues and reduced productivity. At one point in time air travel was considered a luxurious experience. Today, the airline passenger often encounters long lines, crowded spaces, lost baggage and service delays. Airport experience To the customer, the airport experience is viewed as a single continuous part of their trip, unaware that airport operations actually involves different stakeholders - the airline, the airport and the ground handlers, all working together to deliver a seamless passenger flow. Although, today’s technology is at the heart of airport operations, a critical factor in the future

Aviation Navigating airport of tomorrow via automation

A typical Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) installed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 to help with seamless passengers facilitation.

successes of an airport and airline is how they harness emerging technologies to enhance the customer experience, improve customer loyalty and empower their employees to achieve greater operational efficiencies. Bi-Courtney to the rescue Just last week, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), in a bid to keep pace with the expectations of passengers and airlines, took concrete steps to take advantage of emerging devices and technologies by deploying Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS). The MMA2 ultra modern terminal is investing in next generation technology to automate security, baggage handling and check-in process Stakeholders who were at the launch of the facility said: “We are truly at the age of passengercentric passenger processing devices. We are also in an age of instant information”. The CUPPS describes the range of services, specifications and standards enacted to enable multiple airlines, service providers or other users to share physical check-in or gate podium positions (whether simultaneously or consecutively). The CUPPS scenario assumes a circumstance whereby an airline or employee, and other service provider interacts with a passenger for check-in and boarding processes. The aviation industry in Nige-

ria has been awaiting the CUPPS revolution for decades.

The aviation industry in Nigeria has been awaiting the CUPPS revolution for decades

Replication in other airports Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka lauded the operators of the terminal, advising other airport terminals across the country to borrow a leaf by replicating the facility to aid seamless facilitation of passengers at all the aerodromes. He noted that by helping to replicate airport infrastructure abroad in the country, Nigeria would have helped in growing the aviation sector thereby helping to grow her Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Chidoka said: “MMA2 has offered a template about how government should go about handling of Nigeria airports. There is an urgent need to listen to pilots that fly in our airspace. We should make sure that our navigational aids are up to speed. Airports are not terminal buildings, but do include terminal building. “We have decided to change the system and MMA2 has beaten us to it. We need to improve passengers’ experience. I want other terminal operators to emulate the continuous improvements we are seeing in MMA2. What MMA2 has done today is good for the system.” Also in his speech, the Chairman, BASL, Dr. Wale Babalakin, described the last eight years of the terminal as “great difficulties.” Workers’ training Chief Executive Officer of the

aviation firm, Christophe Pinnick, disclosed that the investments they made were not just in equipment but also in human resources. He explained that for the project to be completed and successful, the company sent some of their staff abroad, asked the manufacturer to come and train in Lagos and didn’t limit the training to BASL staff. He said: “In total I can proudly say we’ve trained about 300 airport staff (airlines, ground handling and BASL). That was just for this project. “But our total contribution towards the development of our local ‘aviators’ is much bigger. About 200 of our security staff (AVSEC) just obtained an ICAO Certificate in Aviation Security. We also trained our staff in Airport Customer Service by IATA and we’re now training our current managers and hopefully future leaders in the industry in Airport Commercial Management also by IATA. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we’ve sponsored four teachers from NCAT in Zaria to attend this training. “This makes us definitely a contributor to the general development of the Nigerian aviation industry and the Nigerian economy as a whole. We at MMA2 didn’t want this day to be solely about check-in and infrastructure, we also wanted to announce to you the launch of our new website and our social media presence.”

Business | Aviation

SAVINGS Airlines will save at least N10bn yearly when all the airfield lightings become fully operational Stories by Wole Shadare

he Federal Government has concluded plans to ensure that 13 airports are fitted with airfield lighting for improved productivity and enhanced operations. Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, said this when he inaugurated the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) at the Domestic Terminal II of the Muratala Mohammed Airport. With this, he said the airlines will save at least N10 billion yearly when all the airfield lightings become fully operational.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

13 airports ready with airfield lighting soon – Chidoka Inadequate airfield lightings had been part of the reasons why the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) threatened to shut down the nation’s airspace recently. Only a few airports in the country have lighting facilities for night operations, making the airlines to lose billions of naira yearly. But, with the proposed installation of the airfield lighting facilities, the airlines would be able to operate to some airports beyond the usual 6p.m., which is the close of visual operations for the operators. Already, seven airports, in-

cluding the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, (PHIA), Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (NAA), Abuja, among others, have visual and night operation facilities. Conseqently, several airlines, such as Med-View, Dana, Arik and Aero Contractors would be able to operate their aircraft to all the airports in the country till late in the night. Our correspondent gathered that contractors of the equipment had already supplied the facilities to the government and are now awaiting installations

in most of the airports. The airlines before now had decried poor, inadequate or non-existent airfield lightings at some Nigerian airports, a situation they said made them to lose several millions of naira daily. Experts in the sector said that aircraft are meant to be in the air and operate for about 16 hours daily and not the less than 10 hours they are put into use in Nigeria. On installation, the airlines will be able to operate till late at night and earn more revenues, while the regulatory agencies in the industry, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Air-

ports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), will also earn more revenues from aeronautical passengers’ service charge. Chidoka had said that the contracts for the project had already been awarded to companies and that the facilities would be installed in the next few months. He believed that with this, the aircraft would be optimally used by their owners. The minister promoted the concept of one aviation, stating, “safety security and comfort must be above board.” According to him, the concept of Measurement, Monitoring and Improvement (MMI) had become inevitable if the country’s aviation industry must move forward.

AIR RAGE

WITH

Wole Shadare

Revisiting NAMA’s manual flight plan

A MMA 2 domestic terminal

Delta’s Q1 pre-tax profit rises to $594m

elta has recorded its best ever first quarter with adjusted pre-tax income for the three months to March 2015, of $594 million, a $150million increase over the same period last year. “Delta’s business is performing well, producing the best March quarter, both operationally and financially, in Delta’s history,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s Chief Executive Officer. The airline chief in a statement recently said, “While the strong dollar is creating headwinds with international rev-

enues, it also contributes to the lower fuel prices, which will offset those headwinds with over $2 billion in fuel savings this year. We are looking at June quarter operating margins of 16-18 percent with over $1.5 billion of free cash flow – these record results and cash flows show that the strong dollar is a net positive for Delta.” Meanwhile, the airline is offering regional entrées in the Delta One cabin on flights from a number of key European destinations to the United States, including Milan and Rome.

These are refreshed each quarter, so even frequent fliers can enjoy different options each time they travel. The entrées according to the statement are designed based on the season, availability of local fresh produce and regional recipes that highlight the culture of the departure city. On flights from Milan to New York-JFK, Delta is offering radicchio and cheese ravioli tossed in taleggio cheese sauce, with raisins and pine nuts, which is produced in local kitchens.

FAA to complete US airport noise report in 2016

he United States aviation regulatory body, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it plans to study airport noise across the United States to determine whether policymakers need to change the way they measure noise from passing aircraft. Describing the project as the most comprehensive single US noise survey conducted, the FAA, in a statement, said it would begin polling communi-

ties around 20 airports by mail and phone within the next two to three months. The agency, which did not identify the airports, said it hoped to finish gathering data by the end of 2016. “Aircraft manufacturers (have) incorporated technologies that resulted in dramatically quieter aircraft. However, residents around many of the largest US airports have expressed concerns about aircraft

noise associated with the continuing growth of the aviation industry,” the agency said. The aim is to determine whether or not the FAA should change its approach to measuring aircraft noise and to examine land uses near airports. Medical studies have linked elevated noise levels from aircraft, auto traffic and other sources to health problems including hypertension and heart disease.

viation Minister, Osita Chidoka last week stoked controversy when he expressed disappointment that Nigerian pilots are still filing their flight plans manually rather than through electronic means in use in most developed and developing countries. Chidoka said this at the inauguration of Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) deployed by BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the ultra modern Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2). Flight plans are documents filed by a pilot or flight dispatcher with the local Civil Aviation Authority (in this case in Nigeria, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency) prior to departure, which indicate the plane’s planned route or flight path. Flight plan format is specified in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Doc 4444. They generally include basic information such as departure and arrival points, estimated time en route, alternate airports in case of bad weather, type of flight (whether instrument flight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR]), the pilot’s information, number of people on board and information about the aircraft itself. The Minister’s disclosure was a serious indictment on aviation but many have also taken a swipe at Chidoka for not correcting the anomaly for more than a year he assumed the leadership role in the nation’s aviation sector.

To them, it was not crying over a split milk, but his lack of will to ensure that things are done properly if at all the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) still engages in old way of doing things. According to pilots and airline operators, filing a flight plan manually takes hours instead of minutes if it is done electronically. The manual filing of flight plans is said to be also jeopardising airlines’ efficiency and security. The minister said there is also an urgent need to listen to pilots that fly in Nigerian airspace in order to ensure that the country’s aviation navigational aids are up to date. There are questions to ask here. Could NAMA have suddenly gone back to old way of doing things instead of moving with the time if truly what the Minister said was correct? Could the agency have jettisoned what it said it started some years back for what is cumbersome and one that could easily be tampered with? There is no doubt that the Ibrahim Abdulsalam’s led management of NAMA have done so well to reposition NAMA from a backward, purposeless agency that was witnessed from 2013 to the period before Abdulsalam took over. The agency needs to look at this area with a view to correcting the few noticeable anomalies in the interest of aviation safety and to position Nigeria as a true hub of aviation in Africa.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESday, MAY 12, 2015

Photo | News

L-R: National Chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun; Adamawa State Governor-elect, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Founder, American University of Nigeria (AUN)/former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, at the 7th commencement ceremony of the class of 2015 of the University in Yola, Adamawa State.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Head, Revenue Collections and Franchise, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Bola Alison; Executive Director, South-South/Retail Banking, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong; Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and General Secretary, Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Chikwe Udensi, during a courtesy visit to Arase in Abuja.

L-R: President, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Mr. Umaru Aliyu; Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde; Country President, Schneider Electric, Mr. Walid Sheta and President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mr. Waheed Brimmo, at the products launch by Schneider Electric at the Lagos Architects’ Forum in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Prince Adelusi Adeluyi; Mrs. Eugene Orhii; Director-General, National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii; Managing Director, May and Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor and Managing Director, Chi Pharmaceutical Limited, Dr. Steve Onya, at the public presentation and launch of a book “The Odyssey of a Survivor” an autobiography written by Dr. Orhii held in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Director, Business Development, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr. Yemi Ejidiran; Executive Director, Corporate Services, UACN Plc, Mr. Joseph Dada; Managing Director, UACN Property Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mallam Murtala Aliyu and Chairman, UACN Property Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, at the ground breaking ceremony of James Pinnock Place, Lekki Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Customer Experience Executive, Diamond Bank Plc, Odili Ogwu; Product Manager, DiamondXtra, David Otukpe; winner, N50,000.00 prize reward, Ikechukwu Monye and Brand Executive, Diamond Bank Plc, Echezona Okelue, during the DiamondXtra month-end draw in Lagos.

L-R: Vice-President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Mr. Marcus Audu; Vice-President, Institute of Strategic Human Capital Managers, Mr. Olubode Oni; President, Mr. Joseph Oyekunle and Mr. Hedima Manasseh Dan of Mainstream Bank Limited, at the 3rd Training and Induction programme of the institute in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Treasurer, Women Ministry, Assemblies of God Church, Ikeja, Mrs. Faustina Ubani; Secretary Mrs. Florence Afolabi; President Mrs. Olohigbe Ukadike; Minister in Charge, Rev. Peter Agianpuye and Coordinator, Rev. Dinah Agianpuye, at the church’s anniversary celebration in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

How to tackle money laundering, by CBN DATA

Financial institutions need to comply with FATF standards Tony Chukwunyem

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stressed the need for financial institutions to comply with the strict standards of record keeping drawn up by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), if the sector is to win the battle against Money Laundering (ML) and Financing Terror (FT). The Director, Banking Supervision at the apex bank, Mrs. Tokunboh Martins, stated this in a presentation at the money laundering workshop organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). She said, “The prevention of ML and FT can only be possible where financial institutions maintain appropriate records of their customers’ identities, transaction documents with seamless retrieval process. “Consequently, suitable record keeping is basically a fundamental tool for combating money

laundering. These mandatory requirements are deliberate measures aimed at ensuring proper audit trail of financial transactions as well as dissuade persons or organisations who intend to launder monies through the financial system.” She pointed out that record keeping was critical because agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) require documen-

tary evidence in civil and criminal prosecutions involving money laundering. The CBN Director also stated that financial institutions are required to maintain, for at least five years, all necessary records on transactions, both domestic and international, to enable them comply swiftly with information requests from competent authorities. She explained that

such records must be adequate to permit reconstruction of individual transactions so as to provide, if necessary, evidence for prosecution of criminal activity. Martins said, “The fight against ML and FT cannot succeed without a robust system of gathering and analysing data. The laws and regulations relating to rendition of returns and maintenance of records under money

UBA launches ‘Pay Attitude’ expense solution

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in conjunction with Unified Payment Systems Limited yesterday said it has introduced “Pay Attitude”, an innovative contactless payment solution. According to a statement issued by the bank, PayAttitude is a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, with an internal chip, which works on NFC-enabled Point of Sale ( PoS) terminals at designated partner locations across Nigeria. Speaking on the development, UBA’s Divisional

Head for e-Banking, Yinka Adedeji, explained that “the tag can be obtained from designated UBA business offices. We have the PayAttitude Debit and PayAttitude Prepaid depending on a customer’s preference. The introduction of this technology only reinforces our commitment to the creation of innovative payment solutions” According to UBA, a major benefit of the new payment solution is that all payments are always 100 per cent successful with or without network connectivity, thereby eliminating the issue of

“declined” payments on POS terminals. “It thus guarantees subscribers the confidence and comfort of always being able to pay for goods and services at merchant locations at all times notwithstanding network challenges,” UBA said. The new payment solution according to UBA, makes it possible for a customer to make payments for goods and services with an adhesive payment tag attachable to mobile phones or flat surfaces. It is as easy as tapping the phone against a PoS terminal. Highly convenient

Economic Indicators As at M2* CPS* INF IBR MPR 91-day NTB DPR PLR Bonny Light Ext Res**

N16,833,244.57 N16,509,472.5m 8.2 0.0000 13 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$61.39 US$29,673,640,254

Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2014 Dec, 2013 Feb, 2015 2/5/2014 24/2/2015 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 24/2/2015 8/5/2015 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.28 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

Open-Buy-Back (OBB) Overnight (O/N)

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

laundering are derived from the FATF 40 recommendations revised in 2012. “Recommendation 5-12 addresses customer due diligence and record keeping while 13¬16 addresses reporting of suspicious transactions and compliance. The (Money Laundering Prohibition Act (MLPA), 2011 and CBN AML/CFT Regulation, 2013 also provides the requirements for record keeping and

reporting. The duties of banks with respect to reporting are clearly stated in Section 2, 6 and 10 of the MLPA 2011 (as amended).” The CBN Director however, noted that increased efforts by Nigeria to combat ML/FT have yielded results as the FATF removed Nigeria from the list of countries identified as jurisdictions with significant deficiencies in their (AML/CFT) regimes.

for retail transactions, it perfectly suits the lifestyle of mobile phone users. The payment solution according to the lender, is coming after “UBA recently upgraded its Information Technology (IT) system to a more efficient, secure and faster banking

platform enhancing the speed of the bank’s e-platforms including; internet banking, mobile banking and also greatly improving the uptime and availability of its e-Channels like the POS machines and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).”

‘Strong corporate governance key to low-price milieu’

trong corporate governance structures are critical to attracting funding for Oil and Gas development in the prevailing low-price environment, FBN Capital Limited has said. The Head of Energy and Natural Resources at FBN Capital, Rolake Akinkugbe, said this during the eighth edition of the annual subSaharan African Oil and Gas Conference 2015. The confab, themed, “optimising innovation and investment opportunities in the upstream, downstream and service sectors” was organised by Energy and Corporate Africa in Houston Texas. Speaking on the topic, “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Re-shaped Oil and Gas Future”, she said, “In the current low-price envi-

ronment, it will even be more critical for firms to focus on implementing strong corporate governance structures, and be flexible and willing to explore funding options that may be more dilutive from an equity perspective, than would have been preferred”. She noted that though oil prices would eventually recover, it was unlikely that the region would see the triple digit highs recorded prior to June 2014. “From a macro-perspective, there’s been a structural shift for many of Sub Saharan Africa’s crude oil exporting economies, as they cope with the significant fall in export revenues from oil – in some cases revenues have fallen by as much as 40 per cent.

Skye Bank organises essay contest for kids

kye Bank Plc said it has instituted the Skye Rainow Essay competition for children who own and operate the bank’s Rainbow Account specially designed for them. A statement issued by the bank, said the topic of the essay competition is “The Importance of an early savings habit”, and is organised to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day. The statement quoted the bank’s Head of Retail Banking Group, Nkoli Okoli, as saying that the bank chose to stand out from the others this year by putting a place a special programme for the children to celebrate them. She said five win-

ners will each receive the sum of N200,000, while other consolation prizes would also be presented. Okoli said that the competition would act as a customer reward programme as well as promote savings among children very early in their lives to enable them imbibe the culture of financial discipline. She said the contest was open to both new and existing Rainbow account holders whose age ranges between seven and 12 years. In addition, she said the length of each entry must not be more than 200 words. However, any entry, which shows parental input would be disqualified.

Business | Financial Market News

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11-May-15

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 98.31 600.00 524.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 279.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,582.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,254.33

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

1.27 1.96 2.21 2.31 3.05 4.13 4.45 4.76 6.72 8.84 13.55 14.03 14.53 15.20 19.19

13.81 13.92 13.91 13.90 13.88 13.86 13.84 13.82 13.79 13.73 17.01 17.54 18.15 15.52 13.87

13.68 13.83 13.82 13.82 13.75 13.77 13.73 13.74 13.72 13.67 16.95 17.46 18.05 15.45 13.82

99.09 101.94 92.45 91.24 92.28 106.51 77.82 105.77 111.09 102.33 89.45 73.92 51.08 68.06 88.47

99.24 102.09 92.60 91.39 92.58 106.81 78.12 106.07 111.39 102.63 89.75 74.22 51.38 68.36 88.77

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

24-May-12 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.04 1.02 1.58 1.94 2.15

2.63 2.27 2.00 2.52 2.85

11.94 16.95 15.84 16.42 16.76

99.53 100.33 100.18 101.08 97.13

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

321.82

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.31

4.44

15.68

98.97

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.39

3.23

15.29

99.11

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.66

4.46

18.12

97.53

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.66

3.48

17.14

98.96

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.94

1.00

14.90

91.98

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.20

1.00

15.35

98.30

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.64

1.79

15.68

96.42

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

2.02

1.80

15.71

97.18

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.03

1.00

14.91

98.44

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.01

1.00

14.91

99.30

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.01

4.78

18.69

92.73

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.21

1.00

14.91

100.97

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19

2.64 4.53 2.61

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.89 14.83 14.90

101.17 98.91 99.69

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.15

1.00

14.88

99.68

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.55

1.00

14.80

95.19

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.64

1.00

14.79

100.72

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.30

1.44

15.31

98.00

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.33

1.00

14.87

100.25

99.47

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 440.04

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.27

1.00

11.89

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.33

1.00

12.47

99.83

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.41

2.63

14.92

99.65

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.39

1.00

15.03

97.50

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.46

1.34

15.24

98.72

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.39

1.00

14.90

96.25

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.41

1.88

15.87

103.31

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.66

1.00

14.85

101.57

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.83

1.00

14.88

104.61

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.83

1.00

14.88

101.61

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.37

3.00

16.87

92.79

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.94

2.29

16.19

99.26

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.02

6.11

20.02

96.89

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.64

2.16

16.05

99.84

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.51

2.76

16.56

95.38

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.64

1.13

14.88

106.40

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.39

1.00

14.95

84.96

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.39

1.00

14.95

91.52

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

161.53

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

158.50

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.76

1.00

14.89

89.66

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.83

85.85

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.88

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.19

4.99

107.60

108.62

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.24

3.93

102.59

103.53

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.45

5.31

106.01

106.99

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,580.96

Corporate Eurobonds B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.08

4.10

101.38

103.34

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.34

99.80

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.67

9.46

90.50

93.42

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.15

6.72

96.50

97.78

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.08

97.18

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.55

10.00

94.21

95.93

B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

8.75 10.43 9.01

8.75 10.05 9.01

97.21 94.84 94.48

97.21 96.49 94.48

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.40

9.62

91.75

95.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,513.51

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 10 24 31 45 52 59 66 73 80

FIXINGS Maturity 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15

Bid Discount (%) 6.94 9.28 9.35 9.92 10.41 10.34 10.87 10.77 10.80

Offer Discount (%) 6.69 9.03 9.10 9.67 10.16 10.09 10.62 10.52 10.55

Bid Yield (%) 6.95 9.33 9.42 10.04 10.56 10.52 11.09 11.01 11.06

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.8750 13.5013 14.8234 15.9936

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

9.67

O/N Tenor Call 1M 3M

10.08

REPO

Rate (%) 10.75 11.00 11.25

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

198.10 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60 206.28

198.20 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21 213.47

^16.39 27-JAN-2022 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034

27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

600.00 524.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 279.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,582.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,254.33

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

6.72 8.84 13.55 14.03 14.53 15.20 19.19

13.79 13.73 17.01 17.54 18.15 15.52 13.87

13.72 13.67 16.95 17.46 18.05 15.45 13.82

111.09 102.33 89.45 73.92 51.08 68.06 88.47

111.39 102.63 89.75 74.22 51.38 68.36 88.77

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

24-May-12 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.04 1.02 1.58 1.94 2.15

2.63 2.27 2.00 2.52 2.85

11.94 16.95 15.84 16.42 16.76

99.53 100.33 100.18 101.08 97.13

Business | Financial Market News

Agency Bonds FMBN

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

Stock market opens on negative trajectory ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

321.82

Sub-National Bonds

PROFIT TAKING

A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

speculators sustained 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 profit taking, particu14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 larly on shares of blue 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 chip companies. 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 market BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 The stock had 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 since last week lost30-SEP-2018 value, 14.00 DELTA 14.00took NIGER IIadvan4-OCT-2018 as investors 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 tage of bullish rally that 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 pervaded the bourse 15.50 local ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 after the peaceful general 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 elections 14.75 andOSUN release of 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 first quarter results, to 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 cull profits. 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI, IIthe 31-DEC-2020 Consequently All-

Investors’ wealth*BENUE *IMO A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS falls by N16bn *BAYELSA ‡ /Agusto BBB+/Agusto ‡ /Agusto

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

*EKITI Stories by Chris Ugwu *NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† Bb-/Agusto

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

*GOMBE he Nigerian LAGOS bourse has*OSUN conBBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/Agusto tinued to *OSUN see a Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS decline in KOGI value A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro ‡ /Agusto *EKITI of equities, as market BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

A-/GCR

*NASARAWA

Share Index dipped 46.33 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 basis points or 0.13 per 30-Jun-11 cent to close at 34,341.88, 30-Jun-09 as against 34,388.21 re19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 corded the previous day, 30-Dec-10 while the market capitali30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 sation of equities depreci09-Dec-11 ated by N16 billion12-Dec-13 or 0.13 per cent. 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 Meanwhile, a turnover 22-Nov-12 of 207.3 million 12-Dec-12 shares worth N2.3 billion10-Oct-13 in 3,907 27-Nov-13 deals was recorded in the 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 day’s trading. 06-Jan-14

15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

15.00

4.56

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Shareholders endorse Nestle’s N26.9bn dividend *UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

29-Sep-11

13.00

#{r}

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

16.00

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

14-Aug-14

8.75

The DQL contains **Treasury Bills^

100.25

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.27

1.00

11.89

09-Dec-15

0.33

1.00

12.47

99.83

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.41

2.63

14.92

99.65

99.47

29-Sep-16

1.39

1.00

15.03

97.50

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.46

1.34

15.24

98.72

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.39

1.00

14.90

96.25

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.40

9.62

91.75

95.13

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14.87

18.75

15.00

18.00

#{r}

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.00

0.64 1.41 1.88 103.31 According to 15.87 reports, C&I LeasI Leasing Plc30-Nov-17 has recorded 5.40 09-Apr-18 1.66 1.00 14.85 101.57 ing had last year taken delivery of 91.6 per cent growth in net 18.00 2.54 09-Sep-18 1.83 1.00 14.88 104.61 16.00 0.70 09-Sep-18 1.83 Magen 1.00Defender 14.88 101.61 Deearnings for the first quarand Masud 14.00 35.00 3.37 3.00 16.87 92.79 ter ended March 31,22-Sep-18 2015. fender,2.29 two crew16.19 boats, out99.26 of four 15.75 2.10 18-Oct-18 1.94 The firm to the Nigeby the . 18.00 0.36 in a filing 17-Feb-19 2.02 inaugurated 6.11 20.02 company 96.89 16.00 4.50 Exchange 01-Apr-19 2.64 16.05 the 20 99.84 rian Stock (NSE) said The2.16firm said metres 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 5.51 2.76 16.56 95.38 its profit30.50 after tax grew to N219.702 Monohull crew boats would106.40 be used 16.45 30-Dec-21 6.64 1.13 14.88 million in the first quarter, from to support Shell Nigeria Explora11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.39 1.00 14.95 84.96 13.25 30-Sep-24 9.39 tion and 1.00 14.95 91.52 N114.63015.44 million posted in 2014, repProduction Company’s 161.53 resenting a growth of 91.6 per cent. operation in Bonga and EA fields. The 158.50 company’s gross earnings With the arrival of the new vesequally firmed up by 56.7 per cent, sels, C&I Leasing said it now had a 10.20 12.00 2.76 14.89 from N3.039 billion to11-Feb-18 N4.763 billion total of1.00 eight vessels that had89.66 been de11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 14.83 85.85 during the period under review. ployed to support Shell’s operations. 24.95 CI Leasing had reported an inThe new vessels are 25 passenger 21.88 crease in earnings per share of 69 seater-boats, with features that inOutstanding Value Coupon (%) per cent to 19.15 kobo Maturity Offera Yield Price Offer Price at Date the endBidofYield (%)clude 53(%) metreBidsquare cargo deck, ($mm) 2014. It paid a dividend of 8 kobo surfer style bow load, and fire-fightPrices & Yields per share, representing a 50 per ing monitor. 6.75 107.60 cent rise500.00 from the 428-Jan-21 kobo it paid 5.19 a The4.99 first two vessels, Sur108.62 defend5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.24 102.59 103.53were year ago. er and3.93 Sakak defender, which The 2015 first quarter results also received on March 4 2014,106.99 were in 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.45 5.31 106.01 indicate that earnings per share fulfillment of an NLNG contract, 1,500.00 rose by 72 per cent year on year the firm had explained. 1,580.96 to 13.5 kobo, while Pre-tax profits General Manager, C&I Petrotech appreciated by 94 per cent year on Marine Limited, Mr. Wisdom Nwag7.50 500.00 million19-May-16 6.08 4.10 with a101.38 103.34 year to N275 from N142.137 wu, said high emphasis on 7.25 25-Jul-17 7.34 99.80 99.80 million.350.00 strict 7.34 safety regulations, the com6.88 300.00 02-May-18 10.67 9.46 90.50 93.42 The company’s share price as at pany 6.72 had been 96.50 able to achieve a 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 7.15 97.78 the close of gong yesterday led the near 98 per cent utilisation on all 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 7.08 7.08 97.18 97.18 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 10.55 its assets 10.00 in its marine 94.21 95.93 gainers chart, as it surged to as high operations 8.25 07-Aug-20 8.75 8.75 97.21 as 9.9 per300.00 cent to close at 72 kobo per without any record of job97.21 related 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 10.43 10.05 94.84 96.49 8.00 23-Jul-21 9.01 9.01 on the94.48 94.48 share. 450.00 accidents Shell contract.

C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 30-Nov-12 LEASING ties to deliver profitable hareholders*C & I of Okezie 18.00 noted that the MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 *DANA growth, now and in the Nestle Nigeria Plc picture of the first quarMPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER MPR+5.25 9-SEP-2018 future,” Ifezulike 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR 46th Annual *TOWER said. at their ter result was notTOWER encour14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA aging. He disclosed that the General Meeting (AGM) 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA construction of17-Feb-12 new yesterday, President, Nigeria II 17-FEB-2019 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR approved *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 NilN26.9 billion dividend, *DANA ultra-modern 01-Apr-14 Nestle Shareholders Solidarity 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO waters factory located amounting to N27.50 Association (NSSA), Mr. 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR 30-Dec-14 UBA kobo per every 50STANBIC koboIBTC Timothy Adesiyan, in Abaji near Abuja has also IA 30-SEP-2024 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC A/GCR 30-Sep-14 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC reached advanced stage share, for the 2014 finan- commended the company, TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE cial year. and that it will officially urging the institution to TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION inaugurated during the The dividend payout do more in area of diviSupranational Bond represents a 70 per cent dend in future. last quarter of 2015. 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC increase from N15.8 bilAddressing shareholdIfezulike noted 11-Feb-13 that the 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB 10-Jul-14 ers at the AGM, the chairN4.6 billion factory, which lion paid during the comTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE man of the company, Mr. parable period of 2013. occupies 14.13 hectares TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION The Chairman of Pro- David Ifezulike, said the will further enhanced Description Rating/Agency Issue Date the company’s competigressive Shareholders Issuer financial results in 2014 tive edge as the leading Association Mr. Boniface were proof of many good FGN Eurobonds healthy hydration comOkezie, said the company things that are happening 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P pany in Nigeria. 07-Oct-11 needs to be commended in the company. BB-/Fitch; FGN “Our company has 5.13 JUL 12, 2018He said: “Although 12-Jul-13 we defor paying N27.50kobo divBB-/S&P are operating in 12-Jul-13 a chalidend despite the harsh livered on its short-term BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P operating environment commitment while conlenging and turbulent TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE in the real sector of the tinuing to strengthen the economic environment, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION we see these as fascinatNigerian economy. foundations of our future Corporate Eurobonds expressed He however, ing times. As we look to growth. Our success has 7.50 MAY 19, 2015 2016 and beyond, I19-May-11 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P the poor outing GTBANK PLC I always been based upon fear over can say JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC that our company25-Jul-12 is well of the company during our determination7.25to 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 the current year, which positioned. We are well stay the course and look 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 positioned to respond he said might hinder the ahead, to understand6.25 the APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC to the challenges21-May-14 and to organisation from paying environment in which we 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 grasp many opportunities a commensurate dividend operate, to organise our9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 to us.” 23-Jul-14 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD presented in 2015. selves to seize opportuniBBB-/GCR

B-/S&P

3.33

CI Leasing reports 92% net earnings’ growth

Corporate Bonds

Nil

06-Jan-21

per share, 15.68 while Caverton 98.97 15.29 Nigeria Plc added99.11 4.93 per 18.12 97.53 cent to17.14 close at N3.62 per 98.96 share. 14.90 91.98 15.35 98.30 On the flip side, shares 15.68 96.42 of Unity Bank Plc led the 15.71 97.18 losers 14.91 with a loss98.44 of 9.54 14.91 per cent to close 99.30 at N2.37 18.69 92.73 per share. Bank 14.91 Fidelity 100.97 14.89 Plc plunged 6.25 101.17 per cent 14.83 98.91 to close while 14.90at N1.80, 99.69 14.88 ETI Plc dropped 99.68 4.98 per 14.80 95.19 cent to14.79 close at N23.27 100.72 per 98.00 share. 15.31

452.88 440.04

BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

A/GCR

services of the4.44 31-Aug-15 sub-sector 0.31 30-Sep-15 0.39 financial services sector,3.23 30-Jun-16 0.66 boosted by activities in4.46 30-Jun-16 0.66 3.48 the shares of FBNH Plc, 19-Apr-17 1.94 1.00 30-Jun-17 1.20 1.00 followed with a turnover 31-Dec-17 2.64 1.79 of30-Sep-18 22.7 million 2.02 shares 1.80 04-Oct-18 at N137.4 2.03 million 1.00 valued 09-Dec-18 2.01 1.00 in 489 deals. 2.01 12-Dec-18 4.78 CI Leasing Nigeria Plc1.00 14-Feb-19 2.21 02-Oct-19 2.64 gained 9.09 per cent to1.00 22-Nov-19 4.53 1.00 close at 72 kobo2.61 per share.1.00 12-Dec-19 10-Oct-20 3.15 Berger Paints Plc fol-1.00 27-Nov-20 5.55 1.00 lowed 31-Dec-20with a gain 5.64 of 4.96 1.00 31-Dec-20 3.30 at N9.52 1.44 per cent to close

The sector 12.50banking sub 8.50 13.00financial services 2.16 of the 14.00 4.86 sector was the most active 15.50 5.73 (measured by turnover 10.00 57.00 13.75 25.73 volume); with 102.5 mil14.00 25.00 lion14.00 shares worth 30.81 N1.4 14.00 exchanged 9.00 billion by in14.50 13.73 vestors in 1,276 deals. 14.00 10.20 Volume in the 15.50 27.00 sub15.50 15.09 sector was largely80.00 driven 14.50 by activities in the25.70 shares 14.75 14.75 10.78 of Zenith Bank Plc and 13.50 87.50 Unity Bank Plc. 5.00 15.00 14.50 other financial 4.55 Also,

11-May-15

3,513.51

data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities The Information does not constitute FIXINGSand instruments in the financial Money market Market (the “Information”). Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) professional, financial or investment advice. ensure the (%) InformationOffer is accurate; however, the is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not DTM Maturity We attempt to Bid Discount Discount (%) Bid Information Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%)be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee NIBOR 10 timeliness, completeness, 21-May-15 6.94a particular purpose 6.69 6.95 neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. the accuracy, performance or fitness for of any of the Information, OBB 9.67 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 Issuer 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 NA 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16

9.28 9.35 9.92 10.41 10.34 10.87 10.77 Description 10.80 10.29 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.31 10.55 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 11.46 9.85 27-JUL-2017 11.99 9.35 31-AUG-2017 11.89 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.01 12.43 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.83 7.00 23-OCT-2019 12.83 15.54 13-FEB-2020 12.81 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.78 13.29 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.95 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.51 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.93 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.41 13.97 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 ^12.149313.50 18-JUL-2034 13.23

24-Mar-16

13.25

13.00

14.98

7-Apr-16

13.27

13.02

15.09

12.73

12.48

14.48

360 5-May-16 13.29 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

13.04

15.30

FGN

24 31 45 52 Bonds59 66 73 Rating/Agency 80 87 94 108 115 122 136 143 157 206 220 NA 241 248 255 262 269 276 283 290 297 311

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 318 332

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION21-Apr-16 346 Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums Rating/Agency Issuer **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills #

9.03 9.10 9.67 10.16 10.09 10.62 10.52 Issue Date 10.55 10.04 16-Aug-13 10.06 10.30 27-Apr-12 11.21 27-Jul-07 11.74 31-Aug-07 11.64 30-May-08 11.76 12.18 29-Jun-12 12.58 23-Oct-09 12.58 13-Feb-15 12.56 27-Jan-12 13.53 13.04 14-Mar-14 13.70 28-Nov-08 13.26 22-May-09 13.68 20-Nov-09 13.16 13.72 23-Jul-10 13.25 18-Jul-14 12.98

Description

9.33 9.42 10.04 10.56 10.52 11.09 11.01 Coupon (%) 11.06 10.55 13.05 10.59 10.89 15.10 11.89 9.85 12.49 9.35 12.44 10.70 12.60 13.13 16.00 13.83 7.00 13.90 15.54 13.99 16.39 15.20 14.64 14.20 15.50 15.00 15.00 12.49 15.57 8.50 14.96 15.71 10.00 15.16 12.1493 14.91

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.8750 13.5013 14.8234 15.9936

Outstanding Value (N'bn) NITTY 581.39 Tenor 1M 476.80 2M 20.00 3M 100.00 6M 300.00 9M 12M 351.30

O/N

10.08

REPO

Tenor Call 1M TTM (Yrs) 3M 6M

Maturity Date 16-Aug-16 Rate (%) 9.2332 27-Apr-17 10.4075 27-Jul-17 10.5915 31-Aug-17 12.7612 30-May-18 14.5475 14.9505 29-Jun-19

233.90 23-Oct-19 98.31 13-Feb-20 NIFEX 600.00 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) 14-Mar-24 524.68 BID($/N) 199.0000 75.00 28-Nov-28 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 279.50 18-Jul-34

Rate (%) 10.75 11.00 Bid Yield 11.25 11.50

(%)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M Offer 3M Yield 6M (%) 1Y

1.27 13.81 13.68 1.96 13.92 13.83 2.21 13.91 13.82 :Benchmarks 2.31 13.90 13.82 * :Amortising Bond 3.05 13.88 13.75 µ :Convertible Bond AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.13Management Corporation 13.86 13.77 FGN: Federal4.45 Government of Nigeria 13.84 13.73 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 4.76 13.82 13.74 IFC: International Finance Corporation 13.79 Management 13.72 LCRM: Local6.72 Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 8.84 13.73 13.67 O/N: Overnight 13.55 17.01 16.95 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 14.03 17.54 17.46 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 14.53 18.15 18.05 15.20 15.52 15.45 19.19 13.87 13.82

NOTE:

198.10 198.20 201.81 201.93 202.13 202.28 Price203.37 202.87 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 Bid Price Offer 206.28 213.47 220.29 226.27

Price

99.09 99.24 101.94 102.09 92.45 92.60 NA :Not Applicable 91.39 ^ : Market91.24 Prices 92.28 92.58 # : Floating Rate Bond ***: Deferred coupon bonds106.81 106.51 77.82 78.12 ‡ : Bond rating under review 105.77expired 106.07 †: Bond rating 111.09 111.39 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer102.33 in receivership 102.63 89.45 89.75 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 73.92 74.22 UBA: United Bank for Africa 51.08 51.38 68.06 68.36 88.47 88.77

4,582.44 4,254.33

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

24-May-12 0.00 03-Apr-12 FMDQ FGN 17.25 BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt Outstanding Vol Value 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50

24.56

INDEX 2.40

112.22 116.70 66.49

Bucket Weighting

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 % Exposure_ Mod_Duration 06-Jul-17

0.04 1.02 1.58 1.94 Implied Yield 2.15

2.63 2.27 2.00 2.52 Implied Portfolio 2.85 Price

11.94 16.95 15.84 16.42 INDEX 16.76

99.53 100.33 100.18 101.08 YTD Return (%)97.13

1,436.32

1,409.48

41.39

43.66

322.38 0.41

19.22

13.87

104.7490

1,173.60

5.9352

3<5

1,203.44

1,124.68

33.03

36.58

38.68

13.76

110.5166

1,102.74

8.9054

649.88

871.07

25.58

19.76

0.33 321.82 0.26

42.11

14.86

77.6932

1,091.98

8.4376

3,289.64

3,405.23

100.00

1.00

100.00

14.24

99.7330

1,126.97

6.8036

>5 Market

Sub-National Bonds

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017Volume(Bn)

A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.31

4.44

15.68

98.97

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.39

3.23

15.29

99.11

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.66

4.46

18.12

97.53

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.66

3.48

17.14

98.96

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.94

1.00

14.90

91.98

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.20

1.00

15.35

98.30

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.64

1.79

15.68

96.42

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

2.02

1.80

15.71

97.18

Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015

Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002

Business | Capital Market

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 11, 2015

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 18 14 32

Current Price 28.52 28.98

Quantity Traded 166,939 13,468 180,407

Value Traded 4,753,035.72 384,206.51 5,137,242.23

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 2.52

Quantity Traded 462,901 462,901

Value Traded 1,158,704.66 1,158,704.66

643,308

6,295,946.89

Quantity Traded 400 146 757 12,705,832 287,695 12,994,830

Value Traded 616.00 125.56 3,194.54 40,683,237.35 11,502,497.96 52,189,671.41

12,994,830

52,189,671.41

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 JOHN HOLT PLC.

S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

49 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 2 JOHNHOLT 2 SCOA 1 TRANSCORP 130 UACN 61 Daily Summary (Equities) 196

Activity Summary onTotals Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Structure/Completion/Other Published Building by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © COSTAIN (W A) PLC. G CAPPA PLC Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.62 0.90 4.44 3.24 40.00

196

ICT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 CAP PLC Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

No. of Deals 4 2 6

Current Price 0.82 14.46

Quantity Traded Page 16,639 138 16,777

Value Traded 1 of 14 13,795.60 1,896.12 15,691.72

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 51.70

Quantity Traded 13,742 13,742

Value Traded 700,744.42 700,744.42

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 10.25

Quantity Traded 167,761 167,761

Value Traded 1,724,438.57 1,724,438.57

198,280

2,440,874.71

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Summary of 11/05/2015 Food as Products Totals

Daily Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 407 407

Value Traded 203.50 203.50

Symbol No. of Deals CHAMPION 33 GUINNESS 50 INTBREW 33 Daily Summary (Equities) JOSBREW 2 NB 129

Current Price 7.17 155.00 20.00 2.02 156.90

Quantity Traded 458,988 106,211 6,657,758 6,160 1,158,417

Value Traded 3,309,419.99 16,525,879.40 133,171,337.48 11,827.20 177,920,878.69

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Page

Symbol

No. of Deals 247

Current Price

Quantity Traded 8,387,534

Value Traded 330,939,342.76

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 162.00

Quantity Traded 24,702 24,702

Value Traded 4,201,810.20 4,201,810.20

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 24 47 130 42 46 4 1 3 297

Current Price 4.64 6.50 36.95 4.15 8.70 18.05 11.84 0.50

Quantity Traded 299,075 775,347 1,594,597 1,370,500 1,919,543 12,491 7 10,700 5,982,260

Value Traded 1,381,022.50 5,065,193.07 56,801,984.63 5,635,382.24 16,152,919.51 216,094.30 78.75 5,350.00 85,258,025.00

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 19 42 61

Current Price 39.90 900.00

Quantity Traded 299,089 89,475 388,564

Value Traded 11,791,948.68 80,512,150.81 92,304,099.49

Current Price 6.49 0.98

Quantity Traded 2,950,368 24,922

Value Traded 18,671,343.01 23,430.68

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals VITAFOAM VONO

101 9

Page

No. of Deals 110

Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,975,290

Value Traded 18,694,773.69

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 23 29 52

Current Price 28.00 43.00

Quantity Traded 89,141 331,363 420,504

Value Traded 2,502,103.04 14,441,137.56 16,943,240.60

18,179,261

548,341,495.24

Quantity Traded 3,102,544 367,316 3,149,151 4,208,961 4,891,718 5,946,630 5,377,112

Value Traded 18,791,251.36 1,659,996.89 73,280,743.77 7,748,383.78 141,560,162.21 14,324,343.51 11,480,283.39

778 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 89 DIAMONDBNK 25 ETI 23 FIDELITYBK 70 GUARANTY Daily Summary (Equities) 247 SKYEBANK 116 STERLNBANK 59 Symbol UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

977,232

628,930.36

18 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM FIRSTALUM IPWA Daily Summary PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 17 18 43 18 13 6 2 (Equities) 3 1 26

Current Price 20.47 9.52 43.00 10.50 178.00 0.50 0.50 1.27 3.83 98.50

Quantity Traded 65,887 1,066,455 76,176 112,200 38,817 204,396 842 50,000 150 76,771

Value Traded 1,319,042.44 10,152,651.60 3,124,552.60 1,122,971.01 6,912,273.50 102,198.00 421.00 66,500.00 592.50 7,536,798.64

Quantity Traded Page 1,691,694

Value Traded 8 of 14 30,338,001.29

Current Price 1.66 0.50

Quantity Traded 46,900 8 46,908

Value Traded 79,887.00 4.00 79,891.00

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 30.00

Quantity Traded 6,775 6,775

Value Traded 213,412.50 213,412.50

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 71 71

Value Traded 503.39 503.39

1,745,448

30,631,808.18

Current Price 6.07 4.50 23.27 1.80 29.03 2.38 2.17

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. Daily Summary as ofOIL 11/05/2015 FORTE PLC. Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 1.30

Quantity Traded 1,301,000 1,301,000

Value Traded 1,693,860.00 1,693,860.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.25

Quantity Traded 70,000 70,000

Value Traded 87,500.00 87,500.00

No. of Deals 39 5 1 313 33 4 30 (Equities) 64 489

Current Price 3.00 4.20 0.67 8.95 3.21 0.50 30.00 1.50

Quantity Traded 1,658,728 38,761 10,000 11,910,597 2,489,984 1,055,513 297,681 5,315,206 22,776,470

Value Traded 4,957,898.51 157,037.20 6,400.00 107,036,345.68 7,882,441.18 527,756.50 8,927,835.82 7,961,457.50 137,457,172.39

141,002,132

1,594,803,078.25

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1,943

Current Price 1.99 3.26 54.00 1.87 1.00 6.32

Quantity Traded 5,622 139,220 141,026 303,825 154,046 68 743,807

Value Traded 10,681.80 445,221.40 7,605,126.46 567,626.90 152,703.20 408.68 8,781,768.44

745,428

8,784,572.77

Quantity Traded 19,230 19,230

Value Traded 9,615.00 9,615.00

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 2,804.33 2,804.33

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

IT Services

Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Page

Value Traded 118.92 22.11

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 15

Symbol

No. of Deals 2 7

9Value Traded of 14 141.03

5,686

28,212.48

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 12,500 12,500

Value Traded 6,250.00 6,250.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 207 207

Current Price 18.10

Quantity Traded 4,475,044 4,475,044

Value Traded 81,840,499.98 81,840,499.98

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 5 6 43 9 5 24 93

Current Price 0.50 38.02 2.70 157.50 150.00 50.54 165.00

Quantity Traded 6,000 3,353 29,250 61,662 800 3,570 29,873 134,508

Value Traded 3,000.00 133,851.76 78,686.00 9,626,402.73 117,917.00 164,063.40 4,703,685.25 14,827,606.14

Current Price 387.00

Quantity Traded 3,398

Value Traded 1,348,748.24

Current Price

Quantity Traded 3,398

Value Traded 1,348,748.24

4,625,450

98,023,104.36

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals SEPLAT

Page

Symbol

No. of Deals 12 314

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 8 6 14

Current Price 4.93 1.16

Quantity Traded 123,050 60,000 183,050

Value Traded 606,185.00 67,664.00 673,849.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 196 196

Current Price 0.72

Quantity Traded 24,410,956 24,410,956

Value Traded 17,322,218.53 17,322,218.53

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 3 10 1 14

Current Price 4.07 3.96 9.63

Quantity Traded 50,000 86,740 1,000 137,740

Value Traded 209,500.00 327,928.80 9,150.00 546,578.80

Symbol ACADEMY

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.96

Quantity Traded 500

Value Traded 500.00

Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 4 5 10

Current Price 1.15 5.48

Quantity Traded 37,450 43,907 81,857

Value Traded 44,915.50 238,550.36 283,965.86

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.55

Quantity Traded 964,148 964,148

Value Traded 559,778.76 559,778.76

Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol INTERLINK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.66

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 443.00 443.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 2 30 32

Current Price 2.01 6.68

Quantity Traded 70,000 173,374 243,374

Value Traded 144,500.00 1,158,043.29 1,302,543.29

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 3.62

Quantity Traded 87,660 87,660

Value Traded 316,921.20 316,921.20

290

26,109,889

21,007,262.28

3,903

207,226,944

2,363,174,956.93

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 Printed 11/05/2015 Support15:16:02.002 and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

No. of Deals 1 8 66 16 10 1 102

Symbol COURTVILLE

Quantity Traded 12 3

1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 3 3

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN

103

Current Price 10.43 7.75

ALEX ALUMACO

Value Traded 963.84 963.84

Quantity Traded 1,621 1,621

HEALTHCARE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Current Price 1.82

Value Traded 28,071.45 28,071.45

Quantity Traded 1,004 1,004

SERVICES Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Quantity Traded 5,671 5,671

Current Price 1.01

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC.

Symbol MORISON

Page

Current Price 5.21

No. of Deals 1 1

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

5 of 14 Value Traded 12,903,623.97

No. of Deals 168

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

No. of Deals 5 5

Symbol RTBRISCOE

IKEJA HOTEL PLC TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS DEAPCAP FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC Daily Summary UBCAP

OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production Exploration and Production Totals

Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 Hotels/Lodging Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 CAPITAL HOTEL PLC

Page Quantity Traded 14,268,566

Symbol BOCGAS

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Brokers Exchange © Services Insurance Carriers, and Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Page

161

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 1,725,494.40 8,961,990.21 850.00 500.00 56,940.70 2,500.00 200.00 93,900.00 1,707,812.58 10,000.00 5,600.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 1,000.00 100,000.00 234,436.08

Value Traded 456,000.00 136,738.26 592,738.26

Current Price

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Quantity Traded 1,696,073 9,294,113 1,700 1,000 102,954 5,000 400 30,000 2,464,155 20,000 11,200 2,400 2,400 2,000 200,000 435,171

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Quantity Traded 912,000 40,334 952,334

No. of Deals 8 1 9

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Current Price 1.01 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.57 0.50 0.50 2.99 0.70 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.54

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Current Price 0.50 3.39

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 32 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 58 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 4 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 9 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 2 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 1 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 1 Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 CO (NIG) PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE NEM 25 Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 2 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 3 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS 3 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO 3 Daily Summary (Equities) STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE 4 WAPIC INSURANCE PLCEQTY WAPIC 19 Activity Summary on Board

No. of Deals 6 3 9

No. of Deals 147

Value Traded 49,936,700.02 17,593,705.27 27,503,042.75 1,059,798.49 1,077,722,510.45 1,442,660,921.89

HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC.

Quantity Traded 9,962,123 1,597,869 11,332,842 1,089,453 51,560,377 102,586,096

FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Value Traded 8,740.00 16,742.11 94.99 25,577.10

Symbol

ALUMINIUM Activity SummaryMANUFACTURING on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC

Current Price 5.05 11.11 2.37 0.99 20.96

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC

Quantity Traded 2,300 1,309 59 3,668

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

No. of Deals 169 47 164 32 235 1,276

Daily Summary as of 11/05/2015 DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002

Daily Summary as RESOURCES of 11/05/2015 NATURAL Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 Chemicals

Symbol

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of BANK 11/05/2015 ACCESS PLC. Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK Activity Summary on PLC. Board EQTY

Current Price 4.00 12.19 1.69

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol DUNLOP

CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables Household Durables Totals

No. of Deals 4 1 1 6

ICT Totals

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Symbol CWG NCR TRIPPLEG

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded Page 70,200 70,200

3 Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 12 of 14 105,310.00 105,310.00

70,200

105,310.00

Quantity Traded 6,000 6,000

Value Traded 3,000.00 3,000.00

OIL AND GAS Totals

6,000

3,000.00

ASeM Board Totals

76,200

108,310.00

Equity Activity Totals

3,907

207,303,144

2,363,283,266.93

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUSasHALAL EQUITY ETF Daily Summary of 11/05/2015 NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Printed 11/05/2015 15:16:02.002 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 2 4

Daily Summary (ETP)

Current Price 10.81 2,287.00 15.94

Quantity Traded 2 21 15 38 Page

Value Traded 21.62 48,027.00 239.55 48,288.17 13

ETF Board Totals

48,288.17

ETP Activity Totals

48,288.17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Features Deaf to clemency plea

n April 28, eight persons, among them four Nigerians, were executed in Indonesia. The people were earlier sentenced to death for drug-related offences. Their execution was preceded by high-wire international diplomatic manoeuvre. But despite pressure from the international community, especially by countries whose nationals were among the convicts, the government of President Joko Widodo went ahead with their execution. Expectedly, the killing triggered global condemnation from different countries, humanitarian organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the United Nations. Between 1999 and 2014 Indonesia had carried out only seven executions of drug traffickers, but since assuming office only six months ago, Widodo has overseen 14 executions, as part of a fight against drug addiction in the country. This was despite that some of those executed were smuggling drugs out of Indonesia. The latest execution took place at the gravely quiet Nusakambagan Island surrounded and guarded by Indonesian military personnel. The four executed Nigerians Martins Anderson, 50, Okwudili Oyatanze, 41, Jamiu Abashin, 50 and Sylvester Nwolise, 42, were accused of smuggling heroin. Others were 34-year-old Australian, Myruan Sukumaran, 31 year-old Australian, Andrew Chan, charged for smuggling heroin, 41 year-old Brazilian, Rodrigo Gularte, 42, who was convicted for smuggling cocaine and Zainal Abidin, a 50-year-old Indonesian, who was convicted for marijuana possession with intent to distribute. Anderson was arrested in Jakarta in 2003 on a charge of possessing about 1.8 ounces of heroin and was accused of being part of a local drug ring. He had travelled to Indonesia on a fake Ghanaian passport and had been incorrectly identified as Ghanaian. He was sentenced to death in 2004. According to his lawyer, Kusmanto, who, like many Indonesians, uses one name, Anderson was shot in the leg during his arrest — a method the Indonesian police are sometimes known to use when apprehending a suspect — and remains bothered by

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Despite global pressure on the Indonesian government to show clemency, the administration of President Joko Widodo went ahead to execute drug offenders. More people may soon be executed in the Asian country, while many nations in that region may follow suit, writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

(Top row from left) Australian, Sukumaran and Chan, and Anderson, (bottom row from left) Nigerian Oyatanze, Brazilian Gularte, and Nigerian Nwolise.

the wound till his death. He was transferred to Nusakambangan Island for execution. Oyatanze known in Indonesia’s penal system as “The Death Row Gospel Singer,” was arrested in 2001 while trying to smuggle 5.5 pounds of heroin through Jakarta International Airport, in his stomach, after arriving on a flight from Pakistan. He was convicted the following year and sentenced to death. Oyatanze made the most of his incarceration, writing more than 70 songs and recording multiple albums behind bars. He had performed with prison guards as well as fellow inmates. In one of his music videos shot in 2008, Oyatanze had a tract - “God You Know” - which was also the name of an album he released that year. “He had turned his life around in jail,” said Rev. Charles Burrows, a Catholic priest from Ireland who now lives in Indonesia and was offering religious counselling to Oyatanze while waiting for his execution. Abashin was living on the streets of Bangkok in 1998 when a fellow African living there took pity on him and brought him home. Shortly thereafter, according to Abashin, his new friend asked whether he wanted a quick-paying job, in which he would get $400 for bringing a package of clothing to the friend’s wife in Surabaya, Indonesia, where she sold used shirts and pants. Abashin readily agreed, but soon wished he had not - the package contained nearly 12 pounds of heroin. He was arrested after landing at Surabaya Airport. Abashin, who was trav-

elling on a false Spanish passport, contended he was duped. Nwolise’s story, as told by his wife, Fatimah Farwin, is similar to those of other Nigerians on Indonesia’s death row for drug trafficking. Unemployed in Lagos, he was lured to Pakistan by fellow Nigerians on the promise of a job with good wages. But once in Pakistan, instead of a job, he got an offer to swallow some capsules – filled with goat horn powder – and flew to Indonesia. “They said they didn’t want to pay tax on it. When he arrived at the airport in Jakarta, the police saw him – I don’t know how – they caught him and X-rayed him, and they found it and it was drugs,” Farwin said. Another Asian country where Nigerians have continuously been executed is Malaysia. In October 2006, a Nigerian who allegedly claimed Zambian citizenship with the name Emmanuel Kasanda was sentenced to death on drug-related charges. African Outlook publication reports: “The man claiming to be Emmanuel Kasanda of Zambia was sentenced to death by hanging by a Penang High Court for trafficking in 37 capsules of heroin weighing 160 grams. “Mr. Kasanda whose real names are not known was discovered to be a Nigerian travelling on a Zambian passport. The discovery was made after a recent consular visit to the death row convict by Zambian officials. The convict confessed to be a Nigerian who dubiously obtained a Zambian passport to facilitate his easy movements.

The publication went on to state that about 50 Nigerians are on death row in Malaysia and some other Asian countries for various drugrelated offenses. In January 2013, 23-year-old Nigerian student of a private college in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, John Eze, was sentenced to death by hanging after he was found guilty of trafficking in 16,936gm of cannabis two years earlier. The Judicial Commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Eze. In November 2014, another Nigerian, Abuchi Ngwoke, 35, was sentenced to death by a Malaysian High Court on a drug trafficking conviction. Ngwoke was arrested at a Malaysian airport in 2012 after being found with 251.66 grams of methamphetamine. According to reports, he swallowed gemstones in Nigeria before boarding a flight to Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur in 2010, another Nigerian college student was sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of trafficking 26.533kg of cannabis. Uchechukwu Ohaechesi, 37, was arrested on October 17, 2010 in Cheras, a suburb of Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, near the stairwell of an overhead bridge that crosses the Taman Connaught Highway. But on the latest killing, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban ki Moon, made a passionate appeal C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Facing the hangman’s noose C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

for the convicts to be spared and abolition of capital punishment. He urged Widodo to urgently consider declaring a moratorium on capital punishment in Indonesia, with a view toward abolition. Australia had also mounted a sustained diplomatic campaign to save its two citizens in the group. Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said before the execution that nothing could be gained and much would be lost if the two young Australians were executed. He said: “I again respectfully call on the president of Indonesia to reconsider his refusal to grant clemency. It is not too late for a change of heart.” France also stepped up pressure on Jakarta before the execution day, with President Francois Hollande warning of “consequences” if his countryman, Serge Atlaoui, was put to death. Atlaoui, however, has won a temporary reprieve to allow him to pursue a further legal appeal. Brazil pressed on Indonesia not to execute its national Rodrigo Gularte for humanitarian reasons, based on his health conditions. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan also pleaded for clemency for Nigerians, which of course fell on deaf ears. In January, two Nigerians were executed by the Indonesian Government for drugrelated offences despite widespread calls for clemency by Nigeria. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Danjuma Sheni, said the Federal Government appealed to the government of Indonesia to show clemency to 12 Nigerians who were on death roll so they would not be executed like the two Nigerians Daniel Enemuo and Okafor Solomon, who were executed on January 18 for drug trafficking. But, according to him, Indonesia spurned Nigeria. On May 1, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it saved 20 people from the death penalty in Asia by preventing them from smuggling drugs out of Nigeria. The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said since January 2014, 19 Nigerians and a Ghanaian had been arrested at Nigerian airports attempting to smuggle 106,914 kilogrammes of narcotics. He said: “Sixteen of the suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos while four others including a Ghanaian were caught at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. “Their final destinations are Malaysia, China and Thailand where drug trafficking is punishable by death.” While sympathising with families of executed convicts,

Jonathan

Australian PM, Tony Abbott

Giade called for a sober reflection on counter-narcotics efforts. He added: “I sincerely sympathise with the families of the executed drug convicts. This is a moment of sober reflection on the illicit activities of drug trafficking syndicates. “This brings to the fore the bigger picture of those in foreign prisons, those arrested here and others preparing to smuggle drugs. It is a wake-up call for stakeholders to step up their counter-narcotics efforts. Apart from drug trafficking being a criminal act, narcotic smuggling poses a serious threat to public health and safety.” Giade urged Nigerians not to see the fight against illicit drug trafficking only an NDLEA affair. The chairman enjoined families to counsel their loved ones against involving in the act. He said: “As we work very hard to reduce cases of illicit drug trafficking, it is imperative for individuals and groups to take steps aimed at preventing their loved ones from getting involved in drug abuse and trafficking.” The breakdown of the drugs seized from the 20 suspected smugglers showed that 83.08kg was seized at the Lagos airport while 23.834kg was intercepted at the Enugu airport. The seized drugs included 89.024kg of cannabis, 9.375kg of methamphetamine, 3.450kg of amphetamine, 2.89kg of heroin and 2.175kg of cocaine. The only Ghanaian among the suspects, Musa Idrisa, also

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff

Widodo

President Hollande of France

Narcotic smuggling poses a serious threat to public health and safety

Giade, NDLEA boss

known as Charles Udenehi, was going to Bangkok, Thailand, with 450 grams of cocaine he had ingested. In Nigeria, NGOs and humanitarian agencies have embarked on advocacies against execution of Nigerians abroad, particularly in the Asian countries. In one of the advocacy campaigns carried out in Lagos. Chairman of Path of Peace Initiative, Mr Dandy Eze, said, “we cannot continue to lose our kinsmen abroad through executions. International humanitarian agencies should look into this. Some of these convicts, in the true sense, did not commit the offence. A good number of Nigerians have died abroad for offences they never committed. Look at the South African xenophobic attack, pure hatred against foreigners. “Our people should equally be content with what they have instead of looking for illegallyacquired money in the face of death sentence.” According to Harm Reduction International (HRI), a drug-focused NGO, 32 countries impose the death penalty for drug smuggling. All but four, America, Cuba, Sudan and South Sudan are in Asia or the Middle East. Fourteen of the countries, including America and Cuba, have the death penalty on the books for drug traffickers but do not apply it in practice. Only in six countries, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore are drug offenders known to be

routinely executed, HRI’s most recent analysis shows that Indonesia will soon join this list, following its recent executions. According to Amnesty International, Iran has greater number of executions. No fewer than 100 drug smugglers in 2008 were put to death, 241 in the first four months of this year alone. “Possession of just 30g of some synthetic drugs can mean hanging in Iran,” it added. China is thought to execute more drug offenders than any other country. It does not publish statistics on its use of the death penalty, but in the first five months of 2014 drug convictions were 27 per cent higher than in the same period a year earlier. Human rights advocates now worry about Pakistan, which earlier this year ended a moratorium on the death penalty. It has 8,000 people on death row, including an unknown number of drug traffickers. Asia’s toughening approach contrasts with a slackening off in the West. Trading cannabis, which earns beheading in Saudi Arabia, has been legalised for recreational use in four states of America, as well as in Uruguay, and decriminalised in much of Europe and Latin America. Heroin addiction is increasingly treated as an illness rather than a crime: clean needles are available in many rich countries, and a few, including Britain and Switzerland, even prescribe heroin to a small number of addicts.

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, may 12, 2015

Court orders police out of Enugu Assembly Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

Federal High Court sitting in Enugu yesterday ordered the Nigerian Police to remove its men from the premises of the Enugu State House of Assembly. The order is pending the determination of a suit

filed by the speaker of the House, Eugene Odo, who was on Monday last week removed by a faction of the assembly. His removal was a result of the degeneration of the feud involving some House members and Governor Sullivan Chime. The chambers of the assembly was sealed on that fateful Monday on

News 47

south - east

the orders of Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, who was elected speaker by the faction that impeached Odo, even as the embattled speaker, who has held sway since 2007 has maintained that he remained speaker. Odo filed the suit on behalf of 15 other members of the assembly to challenge the circumstances that led to the closure of

the chamber. The court held that the order subsists pending the determination of the suit by the faction that also moved to impeach Chime. The court, presided over by Justice D.V. Agishi, also restrained the police from curtailing the personal liberty of the Speaker. It also ruled that the plaintiff should be allowed to move freely into

the chambers of the assembly along with other legislators on his side. These orders were contained in an interim order granted by the court in favour of Odo, whose security details were allegedly reduced from eight to six last weekend. Other respondents in the suit are the nine members of the House loyal to Chime, who had at the height of the crisis last week elected Nwamba as the speaker of their own faction. While adjourning the matter till May 19, 2015, Justice Agishi also ordered that parties be served the order of court through substituted means.

Elechi cancels N15bn bond Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday formally announced the cancellation of the N15billion bond facility he sought from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), through the State House of Assebmly, which the he accused the Assembly of frustrating its approval. The N15billion bond has been a source of feud between the executive and factional members of the state Assembly, as Elechi said he decided to jettison the idea of the bond facility because of lack of time to use the facility. He spoke yesterday while inaugurating the state’s ultra-modern secretariat complex and ultra-modern international market made up of 7,077 lock-up stalls constructed by his administration. He said: "last year our House of Assembly graciously resolved overwhelmingly to support our borrowing of a N15bn bond from the capital market, efforts proceeded towards that but unfortunately by November last year our Speaker wrote openly on the pages of newspapers, to the President of Nigeria requesting him to stop the bond proceeds."

343 traders get stalls in Ebonyi international market Anambra State Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Sunday Ajayi (middle), flanked by Rev. Fr. Patrick Okafor and Rev. Fr. Cajetan Obiekezie and other officials, after a thanksgivingmass to end the United Nations Decade of Action at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Amawbia in Awka…at the weekend.

Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

fewer than three Abia pensioners urge govt to clear arrears Ebonyi: Election tribunal begins Nohundred and forty fices,” Amugo said. the Nigerian Union of three traders were allot-

Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Abia chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, yesterday called on government to ensure that all outstanding arrears of pensioners in the state were paid before the handover date to the new administration in the state, The pensioners, who made the call while calling off their siege on the office of the Abia State Pensioners Board on Bende Road and the union secretariat on School Road which they had shut down in protest against the arrears of pensions owed them by the state government. The union had, last Friday, shut the offices to draw the attention of the state government to live up to its responsibility in the payment of pensions. The Chairman of

Pensioners, Umuahia branch, Deacon Dan Amugo, said yesterday that they had to lock the offices so as to draw government's attention to the trauma their members were going through as a result of the delay in the payment of their pensions. According to him, the problem of arrears of pensions started in October 2013 when they introduced half payment “and has remained the custom since then, no change.” “For example, our people are being owed from four to seven months arrears and when they pay, it is haphazard; they would pay A and they will not pay B and we want the February pension to be paid to everyone or else we go back to the streets,” he said. “This makes the pensioners angry, that is the reason we locked the of-

He disclosed that the union has prepared a form which would be filled by every member to state the number of months owed them since the government was claiming that no pensioner is owed “so that they will not lie to the incoming government that they are not owing pensioners.” He appealed to the outgoing government to ensure that the arrears are cleared to lessen the debt burden on the in-coming administration. The pensioners' chairman said that retired Permanent Secretaries whose pensions range from N500,000 collect their pensions by hand just like any of them and by the time about a hundred of them are paid, they would say money is finished. He wondered why such huge amounts would not be paid through the banks.

sitting amid tight security Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

he Ebonyi State elections petition tribunal, sitting in Abakaliki, yesterday commenced proceedings amid tight security, with the situation halting human and vehicular movements along the adjoining roads to the state high court where the tribunal was located for most part of the day. Security personnel, comprising of the men of the Nigerian Police and the Civil Defence Corps barricaded major roads leading to the venue of the tribunal which caused tension in the state as motorists and passers-by were diverted to alternative roads. State Anti-Bomb Squad of the Nigeria Police were stationed at the two entrance gates to the tribunal

with some policemen, men of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and Civil Defence being stationed inside the premises of the high court where the tribunal is sitting. In his inaugural remarks, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice J.F Agya, warned petitioners against frivolous applications, stating that the tribunal would not condone any action intended to frustrate the quick determination of petitions brought before it. Justice Agya explained that by the provision of section 285 of the 1999 Constitution as amended (Second Alteration) Act 2010 (supra), that an election tribunal shall deliver its judgement in writing within 180 days from date of the filing of the petition, a situation, he noted, leaves the tribunal without the luxury of time.

ted stalls by Ebonyi State Government in the state International market inaugurated yesterday by Governor Martin Elechi. The governor made this known yesterday while inaugurating the 5,600 shops ready for allocation out of the total 7,077 shops of the entire construction project. Inaugurating the shops, Elechi, said the three hundred and forty three traders were only the ones that applied for the allocation of stalls in the market and were all successful. He said ‘’those who are threatened by uncertainties will perhaps have themselves to blame in due course. Market leaders under the aegis of Amalgamated Traders Association had disassociated themselves from the allocation of the shops and the inauguration ceremony.

News

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Uduaghan tasks experts on way out of economic crisis Dominic Adewole ASABA

he Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday urged experts in the country to intervene in the economic crisis facing the nation. He said they should intervene to checkmate the downward slide in Nigeria’s economy occasioned

by fall in oil price, corruption and mismanagement. The governor said given the current economic depression, the country stands in dire need of good managers to unlock its vast potentials. Speaking in Asaba yesterday at the inauguration of five chapters of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Governor Uduaghan challenged the institute to be

actively involved in the training and discovering of experts to manage the nation’s economy. The governor, who was conferred with the fellow of the institute, said the dwindling capacity available to manage the increasing resources of the country lies in the hand of good managers. He said: “The challenges of management goes beyond the public sector

to the private sector, the capacity used to manage the 1999 budget of N10 billion is not the same as that required to manage our present day budget of over N300 billion. The budget has risen, but has our capacity risen in the same way? “This is the time we need the NIM most in Nigeria: we have a lot of challenges with our economy, the funds are not just

there, we need managers to run the economy of the states and Federal Government, we need NIM to impart prudent management skills to those running our economy,” he said. While he thanked the NIM for the conferment, he called for good communication between the managers of resources and the masses on issues and challenges affecting

governance, noting that such would reduce suspicion, rumour mongering and mischief. The President of NIM and Chairman of council, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, who inaugurated the five chapters at Abraka, Edjeba, Okpe, Udu and Uvwie, said the governor bagged the honour because of the professionalism he has brought to governance in Delta State.

Okorotie rallies support for Dickson Chris Ejim Yenagoa

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (left), being conferred with the fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) by its President/Chairman of Council, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, at the inauguration of five new chapters of the institute in Asaba, Delta State.

Controversy deepens over Warri port concession Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) yesterday said it has the backing of statutory laws establishing it to concession Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B,’ thus raising the stake of the controversy trailing the concession exercise. Some promoters linked to VINOT Integrated Ser-

vices Limited, one of the interested bidders, had faulted the concession of the terminal to Associated Marine Services (AMS). BPE’s response was a reaction to a petition written to President Goodluck Jonathan by an interested party, urging him to use his power to halt the concession of Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B’ to Associated Marine Services (AMS), failure which the group

Farmers seek redress over impact of Kolo Creek spill Chris Ejim Yenagoa

armers impacted by the April 15 oil leak incident from Shell’s Kolo Creek oil fields in Otuasega, Bayelsa State are seeking legal help over the spill impact. The farmers said a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) sent to probe the cause and the impact of the spill excluded their farms despite efforts to draw the attention of the team to the impacted areas. Mr. Aku Aseimo, a fish farmer, whose three ponds were impacted, said the affected farmers, numbering over 50, resolved to seek legal redress following the adamant posture of Shell Petroleum Development

Company (SPDC). “This is a clear case of the strong and rich oil firm against the weak and poor farmers, they are claiming that the spill was caused by sabotage and abandoned the polluted environment. “The regulations which they rely on to absolve themselves clearly stated that the operator of the field where pollution occurs cleans up the site irrespective of the cause, but SPDC officials declined to capture the farms impacted by the spill. “We have always believed that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, and we shall tell the courts that the spill was as a result of negligence by SPDC surveillance contractors deployed to guard the facility.

said it might seek legal redress to halt the process. Re-asserting its power to concession the terminal, BPE, in a statement by the Head, Public Communications, Alex Okoh, recalled the groups’ petition to President Goodluck Jonathan in which it claimed that the ongoing concession of the Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B’ being carried out by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) through the

bureau, was illegal. According to the BPE, “The petitioners alleged that BPE is working with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) and the Office of the VicePresident to concession the terminal to their cronies.” “They further alleged that the BPE’s action is ‘illegal’ as they are usurping the ‘powers’ and ‘functions’ of the ICRC.”

Group faults Buhari’s nomination of Sylva Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he recent nomination of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee has been described as a setback by the incoming administration of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to fight corruption. A non-political organisation, the Voice of the Niger Delta, made the observation while speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday. The group said General Buhari and the APC

have deviated from their election promise of fighting corruption as they are now surrounded by known corrupt politicians including Sylva, who is currently facing charges bothering on corruption slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group, speaking through its National Coordinator, Chief Ofrimo Lekeleke, said Nigerians and the international community would be disappointed if those who would constitute the cabinet of General Buhari are people who have openly defrauded the nation, stressing that it will be a major test case for the Buhari administration.

ne of the founding fathers of Bayelsa State, Chief Thompson Okorotie, yesterday rallied support for the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson, asking the people to back the governor for a second term. He called on the people, especially the entire Ijaw nation, to join forces with the governor to enable the state regain political relevance at the federal level. According to Okorotie, Dickson deserves a second term based on his performance in office. He spoke with journalists in Yenagoa ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State, shortly after a marathon meeting with leaders and members of a sociocultural group, the Bayelsa Development Forum, which is at the vanguard of emancipation and eco-

nomic development of the Niger-Delta. Okorotie, who reviewed political developments in the state in recent times and its implication for the future, said the choice before Bayelsa people and the entire Niger Delta would have to be one that would ensure the protection of their common interests now and in the future. This, he said, must also be founded on demonstrated actions in the past and now, by those who are angling for leadership positions. “Having lost power at the centre, we have to come together and be unified for a common purpose that can realistically help us to reposition Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta for greater political relevance. “It is imperative for all Bayesa people and the Niger Delta to remain committed in our support for Dickson’s Restoration Government.”

Emerhor faults Uduaghan’s claims on voting patterns Gabriel Choba Ughelli

he All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State in the April 11 election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, yesterday faulted Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan’s recent claim that the South-South and South-East voted 90 per cent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the rest of Nigeria voted for the APC. He said this, according to the Delta State governor, is indicative of a new pattern and has redrawn Nigeria’s electoral map. Uduaghan was quoted in a report during a lecture delivered at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan that the elections of March 28 and April 11 had introduced a new reality to the effect that Nigeria’s electoral map has been redrawn. The governor was further quoted as saying that

the election has showed a deep division, which in his opinion, was perhaps more than what anyone could have anticipated. Disagreeing with Governor Uduaghan’s submissions, Emerhor said the people of the two zones were not allowed to vote and were criminally prevented from expressing their electoral preferences, insisting that far from having voted for the PDP, the party systematically rigged both the national and state elections in both zones by confiscating result sheets while fabricating and arbitrarily writing results in its own favour. According to the APC gubernatorial flag bearer, the few votes attributed to his party in the two zones, particularly in Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States were merely allocated to the party by the PDP, which he claimed had effectively compromised and usurped the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the elections.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Chieftaincy tussle: Plaintiff wants Suswam’s commissioner jailed Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

of Assembly, had sought and obtained the interim injunction on May 4, 2015. According to Ijohor, while the Och’Idoma complied with the order, the Tor Tiv in collaboration with the governor’s cronies, went ahead and appointed the first class chiefs. Chief Edward Ashiekaa, who appeared as lead counsel for the defendants, requested for an adjournment

News 49

NORTH

to enable him consult with and receive adequate briefs from his clients on the matter which he said was sensitive. He said he was in Abuja when what he described as the drama transpired, saying if he were around, he might have influenced what eventually happened, and maintained that he was not in a position to change it.

The presiding judge, Justice Iorhemen Hwande, fixed Friday May 15, 2015 for hearing of the motion as well as another one seeking interlocutory injunction and transferred the case to the High Court Four. Justice Hwande, who is the state Chief Judge, explained that since his court had given the order, another court should sit on the contempt and other motions.

Plateau youths protest killings Musa Pam Jos

ajor roads linking Jos, the Plateau State capital, were yesterday blocked by youths who were protesting against the incessant night attacks in parts of the state, leading to the killing of innocent people in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Wase Local Government areas of the state. The protesting youths

ollowing the non-compliance of Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State with the court injunction restraining him from appointing six first class chiefs, the plaintiff’s lead counsel in the case, Prof. Tony Ijohor (SAN), yesterday prayed the Makurdi High Court to jail the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Philip Ierkwagh. The counsel told the court to also commit the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo, to jail for contempt of court. Ijohor, who is the lead counsel to Mr. Benjamin Adanyi, plaintiff in the suit challenging the validity of the Benue State first class chieftaincy law, said in spite of the court injunction restraining the governor and seven others, including the officials, they had gone ahead and appointed the chiefs. Ijohor argued that the defendants, who had been duly served treated the court order with disdain, adding that it was a sad day for the judiciary and the chief law officer of the state to disregard a court order. Mr. Adanyi, the Minority L-R: Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Dr. Peter Sale Sarki; Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Emir of Minna, Leader of the State House Alhaji Dr Umar Faruk Bahago, at the inauguration of General Mamman Kontagora Building Material’s Market, in Minna…at the weekend

‘APC’ll reverse last-minute PDP actions’ Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State yesterday said it will reverse all last minute promotions, appointments and land allocations made by the outgoing administration after it assumes office later this month. The party’s spokesman in the state, Auwal Jalla, dropped this hint during a chat with newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend, saying the APC will not tolerate such unwarranted actions.

He said: “The incoming administration will look into the actions of the out-going administration, especially the ones after the April 11 governorship election.” According to him, the APC government will review any last minute appointment, land allocation or contract with a view to reversing same if it does not follow due process. On the delayed payment of workers’ salaries by the government, the Publicity Secretary said: “It’s the full responsibility of the outgoing administration to pay the workers.”

Group queries Fintiri over N22bn expenditure Ibrahim Abdul Yola

head of the May 29 handing over date, the 86-day tenure of former Acting Governor and Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, came under scrutiny as a group of concerned citizens, under the auspices of the Adamawa Progressive Movement, described the period as sleaze infested. The group, led by Joshua Sunday Wugira, said from the explanation offered by Fintiri on how he

Shootings rock college over provost’s appointment Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

unmen on Sunday launched an attack on the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State, in protest against the appointment of a new Provost for the college, Dr. Mathias Nev. The new provost was appointed by Governor Gabriel Suswam, after the expiration of the tenure

of the former Provost, Dr. Hans Senwua. But since the appointment of the new provost, the people of Ikyurav-Tiev and those from Shitile, the communities within which the institution is located, have taken up arms against each other with the former saying it’s their turn to produce the head of the institution. The warring communities took their grievances to

also threatened to report the Federal Government and the Nigeria Army to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity for killing unarmed civilians in the event that both the Federal Government and the military authorities refused to take action. The leader of the protesters, Dr. Daniel Meshak, while speaking with journalists yesterday, condemned the killing of innocent citizens across the state, calling on the authorities concerned to appropriately deal with the matter. “The military should make known the outcome of their two-week operation in parts of Barkin Ladi and Riyom, where the killings still continue till this moment.” According to the protesters, Plateau State has become known for incessant night attacks by daring marauders, who are either identified as gunmen or Fulani herdsmen. “What is more worrying is the fact that these attacks were carried out when the Special Task Force (STF) are in full operation in Plateau, instead of facing the attackers as their training and mandate required, the personnel of the STF have become a problem to the people as the life of a Plateau man could be equated with that of a mosquito and none of the culprits was ever prosecuted.”

the institution last Sunday, shooting sporadically from 11.00 am, while students staying in the hostels were busy preparing for their semester examinations. New Telegraph gathered that the shootings, which lasted till the early hours of yesterday, however, did not affect any student, but it was learnt that bullets were also fired through some lecture halls, but no one was killed in the process.

ran his 86-day government during a press conference he addressed in Yola, it was glaring that the state was robbed of colossal amounts of money. Wugira said Fintiri has claimed citing projects in Kirchinga, Garta and Kamale, when the areas were under Boko Haram insurgents, challenging him to show the world the projects he executed in those areas now that they have been liberated. He regrets that in the same manner, Fintiri’s administration could not account for the billions of naira it claimed to have in-

vested in the construction of the Faculties of Law and Health in the state owned university, adding that since the project was commissioned, no single block was mobilised to site. “Before Fintiri’s administration awarded the said contracts, students of the institution used to play football on the piece of land on which the Faculty of Law was to be constructed. “As at now, the place is still being used by students as playground, then where are the so called billions of taxpayers’ funds alleged to have been expended?” he queried.

While saying that he was not holding brief for the incumbent administration, Wugira said as concerned citizens, the people are compelled to start talking about the maladministration in the state as politicians have made the state their guinea pig, adding that very soon they will unravel the atrocities being committed by the incumbent administration. “Our quest to beam our search light on the administration of Fintiri follows the serious question of financial sleaze, which his 86-day administration left unanswered.”

Aliyu: APC govt won’t be our enemy Dan Atori MINNA

ontrary to the belief in political circles that the in-coming All Progressives Congress (APC) government will be hostile to the outgoing administration of Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the Niger State governor said he was ‘not expecting an enemy government in the state.’ Governor Aliyu spoke

yesterday at the inauguration of the Mamman Sanni Kontagora Building Materials Market in Minna. He also expressed the conviction that the incoming government will continue all the capital projects started by his administration, because they are targeted at improving the lot of the masses. According to him, “It is not going to be an enemy takeover in this state. Government is a continuum;

government is not about stopping things started by another government.” Aliyu’s remarks were made against the backdrop of activities of some section of the state that have disobeyed most of the laws made by the outgoing government, especially the restriction on some traders in building materials from moving to the new market and the use of motor cycles for commercial uses.

50 News

WORLD | News

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

White House rejects We did no wrong in reallocation, Chime insists report on bin Laden raid Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he Enugu State gover nment has dismissed as baseless and legally untenable, allegations by some members of the State House of Assembly loyal to the embattled speaker, Hon Eugene Odoh, claiming that the government was in breach of the constitution when it applied the process popularly known in the public service as "virement" to reallocate funds in the 2012 budget. According to a state-

ment signed by Chukwudi Achife, Chief Press to Governor Sullivan Chime, the government argued that “those making the allegations were either ignorant of the law and the facts surrounding the matter or were merely blackmailing the government for ulterior reasons”. The government maintained that “there was nothing unconstitutional about virement more so when the House had on its own approved the adjustments made by the executive in that year's budget”. Explaining the situa-

tion, Achife disclosed that “after the 2012 appropriation bill was signed into Law, the government saw reason to reallocate within the budget and duly applied by way of a Supplementary Bill to the House for approval”. He stated that “the supplementary bill which neither added nor removed any money to the original budget sum of N76. 4 billion, was promptly approved by the House, adding that the Executive also reflected the supplementary Bill in the 2013 budget which the House passed without question”.

Akpabio installed Ritman University's Chancellor

kwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has been installed the pioneer Chancellor of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene. Speaking after the installation ceremony, Akpabio thanked the Chairman and Governing Council of the University for honouring him with the position of a Chancellor for the institution.  Akpabio assured that he would use his contact as the pioneer Chancellor to attract lots of goodwill to the University to make it one of the best private universities in

the country. He said the establishment of the University has invariably placed the host community, Ikot Abia Idem on the world map, and urged the people of the state to take the advantage offered by the institution to develop themselves. The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, congratulated the University for obtaining the licence to operate as the 58th private university in the country.  Professor Okojie, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Sec-

retary, NUC, Professor Chiedu F. Mafiana, advised the university not to price itself out of the market. Professor Okojie said as one of the 61 private universities in the country, Ritman University should brand itself with quality academics and ensure strict adherence with the NUC guidelines.  The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Anietie Okon, applauded the University management, noting that it would go on record in the annals of the state as one of the private institutions that has risen academically.

NBS moves to ascertain volume of fuel supply, consumption Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

s part of sustained measure to find lasting solution to perennial fuel crisis in the country, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is commissioning a data survey on gas and petroleum products supply and consumption in the country. The survey data

to ascertain the supply, consumption quantity of petroleum products is scheduled for May 27,2015 . Addressing media representatives yesterday in Abuja at a Stakeholders' Sensitisation Workshop for the Survey on Gas and Petroleum Products, Statistician General of the Federation (SGF)and CEO, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Dr

Yemi Kale underscored a need for building robust oil and gas database for policy formulation and strategic planning.  He said the survey will assist in determining the domestic volume of gas and petroleum products, demand and supply and its utilization including exportation and importation of quantities within a given period.

Senate Presidency: North Central leaders support Akume   Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

or the battle of the Senate Presidency, the Leaders of the North Central geopolitical zone, yesterday, drummed up support for the former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume. Akume is one of the strong contenders for the seat of the Senate President for

the 8th National Assembly from the North Central. Addressing the press in Abuja, chairman of North Central Leaders of Thought, Alhaji Mohammed Ali Gwaska, said it is the decision of the North Central Leaders of thought to throw their weight behind Akume given his track record in office.   He averred that Akume's handling of minority leader at the

7th senate has prepared and positioned him as the most suitable and experienced for the position of senate president. Gwaska said: "We are confident that given his track record of service, Senator George Akume will lead the Legislative arm of government in complementing the prudent and corruption-free government we are all looking forward to from General Muhammadu Buhari"

he White House is dismissing as "baseless" a controversial report alleging President Barack Obama's administration lied about the circumstances surrounding the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden. "There are too many inaccuracies and baseless assertions in this piece to fact check each one," White House National Security spokesman Ned Price said in a statement to reporters. He took aim specifically at journalist Seymour Hersh's assertion that the administration collaborated with Pakistani officials to kill the al Qaeda leader, saying that "the notion that the operation that killed

Usama Bin Ladin was anything but a unilateral US mission is patently false." "As we said at the time, knowledge of this operation was confined to a very small circle of senior US officials. The President decided early on not to inform any other government, including the Pakistani Government, which was not notified until after the raid had occurred," Price said. "We had been and continue to be partners with Pakistan in our joint effort to destroy alQa'ida, but this was a US operation through and through." It was the White House's first response to Hersh's stunning report,

published this weekend in the London Review of Books, outlining what he describes as the true circumstances surrounding bin Laden's death. Other former administration officials have panned the report as well. Citing an anonymous "major US source," Hersh writes that the Obama administration cooperated with Pakistani intelligence officials to kill bin Laden, and that the chief of staff of the Pakistani army and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency knew about the mission, contrary to Obama's claim that Pakistani officials weren't aware of the raid in advance.

A member of the Italian navy looks on during an operation to rescue rafts

EU asks UN to sanction military action against migrant boats

he European Union, facing a rising tide of migrants, asked the United Nations on Monday to authorize military action to destroy boats used to smuggle people from Africa to Europe. Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, outlined for the U.N. Security Council the EU's plan to destroy boats used by smugglers as long as the boats are known to be empty. The boats are used to transport people who are bent on escaping violence, or desper-

ate for a better life, from North Africa primarily to Italy which happens to be Mogherini's home country. Many of the migrants are from sub-Saharan Africa and Syria, or are foreign workers who have lost their livelihoods. They know that traffickers can take them to Europe from Libyan shores. But many die at sea. More than 3,400 migrants died in 2014, according to estimates from the U.N refugee agency. And nearly 2,000 have lost their lives

already this year, the agency estimates. Mogherini said the EU could not stem mass migrations on its own. "This has to be a common global effort," she said. Libyan Gen. Khalifa Haftar has said his country would not cooperate with the EU on its military plan. Any migrants found on the boats will be processed as refugees or asylum seekers, she said, rather than being forced to return to their home countries. But the proposal will not meet with unanimous approval in the region.

Greece orders handover of 750m euros to IMF

reece's cashstrapped government has begun the transfer of 750m (£544m, $834m) in debt interest to the International Monetary Fund. The move was carried out as eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels in a bid to unlock the final 7.2bn tranche of Greece's 240m EU/IMF bailout. The left-led Athens government has until the end of June to reach a re-

form deal with its international creditors. Its finances are running so low that it has had to ask public bodies for help. Eurozone governments have insisted that Greece agree to economic reforms in return for further bailout funding, and there had been fears that the country could default on its latest IMF debt repayment. However, a Greek finance ministry official was quoted as

saying that the order for repayment had been executed yesterday. Almost 1bn has been handed over to the IMF in interest payments since the start of May. It is unclear how the Syriza-led government came up with the funds, but the mayor of Greece's second city Thessaloniki revealed last week that he had handed over cash reserves in response to an appeal for money.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015

Sport News

International Sport

Basketball

Ogwumike in town for Africare Power Forward Season 2

Beating Brazil our first target, says Muhammed

Muller: Bayern can shock Barcelona

Flying Eagles: Visa delays Ihenacho’s German trip

Sport A

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

That Christiano Ronaldo has no tattoos because he frequently gives blood and getting a tattoo will render him unable to do so for 6 months.

AFCON qualifiers

Pick players on merit, Eboigbe tells Keshi

Nigeria’s Mikel Obi, being tackled by Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad during the World Cup

ITF Futures: NTF laments over budget Adeolu Johnson Abuja

Emmanuel Tobi

Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Did you know?

Vincent Eboigbe former Eagles defender, Sunday Eboigbe, is confident the team will qualify for the African Cup of Nations in 2017, but was quick to add that merit-based player selection process was crucial to that quest. Nigeria failed to make it to the last edition of the biennial championship earlier in the year to defend the trophy they won in South Africa in 2013. In the draw conducted last month, Nigeria were grouped alongside Chad, Tanzania and seven-time winners, Egypt. Eboigbe who won Nations Cup silver medals in the 1984 and 1988 championships noted however that the qualification would not be automatic. “I am confident that we will qualify for the Nations Cup. I do know that there are no small teams anymore in football, but with the teams in our group we should be able to make it to Gabon,” Eboigbe said. “But the only thing I will emphasise, and it is crucial if we are really serious about qualifying, is for the coaches to use the best players at all times. Failure to do this in the past had led to our downfall. “Selections based on sentiments will again not lead us anywhere and I hope the coaches have learnt their lessons. I am optimistic but if the team fails again, then they deserve to be booted out.” The Super Eagles campaign in the AFCON qualifiers begins on June 13 in Nigeria but the NFF is yet to decide a venue for the encounter against the national team of Chad.

Interview

Sani Ndanusa, NTF President

he Secretary General of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Gloria Ekwempu, on Saturday expressed displeasure over some issue in the the organisation of the Tombim/ ITF Futures tennis tournament held in Abuja for two weeks. The NTF scribe said that the NTF may not recognise the championship next year and may also stop Tombim from making use of the tennis facilities at the National

Stadium over issues bordering on allowances. The NTF scribe also complained about being left out of the main organising committee of the championship. She said: “Imagine this man turning down our budget that was not even up to our normal allowances during such competitions. “They want us to rely on volunteers to do the job and we told him that was not possible. If he does not change his attitude, he may have to go to a private club and organise it in future, Except he comes to our

level, we won’t listen to him.” The organisers were also held to ransom by the medical team from the National Sports Commission over allowances and non-provision of lunch during the tournament. The medical team of four members was later placated with the sum of N120,000 before they finally left the venue. Efforts to get the sponsor, Mr. Edmond Ajoge and the NTF President, Sani Ndanusa, following the complaints were futile as they had left the arena before the outburst.

Sport

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Flying Eagles: Visa delays Iheanacho’s German trip

anchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho is currently being held back from the Flying Eagles camp as he is yet to secure a visa to travel to the camp in Germany. SL10.ng learnt the 18-year-old has submitted his passport to the German embassy in the United Kingdom but he

is yet to get a reply. His case is made more curious and serious as he can’t travel across the continent with his UK permit. However whether he will be granted a visa to hink up with his colleagues will be known today but the team already has a plan B in case he doesn’t get a visa. The plan will be for

him to travel to New Zealand since the coaching are satisfied with his form and fitness for Manchester City EDS in their last four games. Iheanacho has scored three times in his last four games for Manchester City youth teams including the winner against FC Porto in the final of the International Premier League Cup.

NFF woos Ghana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire for Falcons

he Nigeria Football Federation has announced talks with Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana over a friendly against World Cupbound Super Falcons. The move according to NFF general secretary Sanusi Mohammed is to help put the African champions in shape for next month’s World Cup in Canada. “We are in talks with Cameroon, Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire for possible friendly matches for the Falcons,” Sanusi told AfricanFootball.com “You know they were supposed to play Mali at the weekend, but Mali pulled out in the last minute. So we now have to arrange friendlies for the team before they depart for Canada.” Sanusi who confirmed that the Falcons will head out to Canada on May 19, added that, the NFF is also planning friendlies for the team

Edwin Okon, Falcons Coach

while they are in Canada. “The team departs for Canada on the 19th, God’s willing. While in Canada, we are making arrangements to see that they play friendly matches also,” he said. The Super Falcons are in what has been tagged the ‘Group of Death’ with USA, Sweden and North Korea at the 2015 World Cup.

Gambo begins training after gun attack

K Iheanacho (left) trying to dribble past a Mexican opponent at the U-17 World Cup

Nigeria will dominate taekwondo in AAG -Ghana star Ajibade Olusesan

hanaian taekwondo star, Augustus Agbozo, has said that Nigeria will top the medals’ table in the sport at the forthcoming All Africa Games slated for Congo. Agbozo said that no African country, not even his home nation, would be able to withstand the Nigerian team at the tournament. The Gha-

naian number one fighter in the bantam weight said that taekwondo had developed so rapidly in Nigeria especially in the last three years and the country would rule the continent for a long period. He said apart from Chika Chukwumerije who won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Nigeria had developed a large pool of very talented players. “Taekwondo in my country

Okpekpe: Athletes in race for top prize Charles Ogundiya

head of this weekend Okpekpe 10km Road race, athletes from around the host community have moved their training to the mountainous town. Some of the athletes said they started training early in order to be in shape not just to win the state prize, but the star prize of $20,000. One of the athletes, Usman Suleiman, said it was an absurd situation that foreign athletes have dominated the event since inception. Meanwhile, commer-

cial activities in the community and its environs have picked up. Auchi, where most of the hotels that will host the athletes, officials and other guests for the oneday event are based, is now wearing a new look, while other towns are expanding their facilities to accommodate more guests while makeshift shops are being erected along the race route. Bridget Kadiri, a food vendor, said: “We decided to build the makeshift stores at the starting point because a lot of people suffered last year as they could not buy refreshments.”

is no match for what you have here in Nigeria,” the Ghanaian told our correspondent during the final of the Lagos International Taekwondo Classics last weekend. “Nigeria has to teach us how to run the game. There have been a tremendous improvement in your game and I won’t be surprised if the headquarters of taekwondo in Africa is moved to Nigeria from Egypt because no country can match you

ano Pillars captain Gambo Muhammad has begun light training at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano more than two months after he was shot by armed men. Gambo suffered several gunshot wounds and had to be operated on when robbers attacked the Pillars team bus on March 3, along Abaji-Lokoja road on their way to Owerri to honour a Nigeria league match against Heartland. Pillars media officer Rilwanu Idris Malikawa said that Gambo was at the Sani Abacha Stadium Monday morning and jogged for about 30 minutes. Malikawa said Gambo, who has been capped by Nigeria at full international level, has started light workout based on the directives given to him by his doctor. “It’s very encouraging to see Gambo Muhammad on the track, we wish him quick recovery,” Malikawa said.

3 x 3 Tour: FIBA Africa Zone 3 sets up organising committee

15-man organizing committee has been set up by FIBA Africa Zone 3 for the inaugural 3 x 3 Tour slated for June. The organising committee is headed by the former technical committee chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Professor Adamu Ahmed of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with chairman Lagos State Basketball Association and board member Nigeria Basketball Federation representing South West, Babs Ogunade, as vice chairman. Other top stakeholders on the list of the committee includes the chairman Punch Newspapers, Wale Aboderin,

and General Manager Supersport West Africa, Felix Awogu and Emmanuel Olouha as well as the general manager of Cote d’ Ivoire national teams, Musa Adamu, who is also an executive board member of FIBA Africa Zone 3. Two other executive board members, Madam Lima Sidone of Benin Republic and Iddrisu Ayambire of Ghana are also in the committee. Others in the committee are the NJCAA hall of famer and the NBBF board member representing South East, Osita Nwachukwu; chairman management board of Mark Mentors of Abuja, Frank Jituboh and Assistant Director of Sports Ondo State Sports

Gambo himself confirmed he was feeling a lot better and hopes to soon recover fully. He commended the team for coming back to their winning ways in the league and prayed for positive results in both the championship and the Federation Cup.

Gambo

Council, Andrew Isokpehi. Former Nigerian international Martina Emmanuel and the Group Sports Editor of the Punch Newspapers, Pius Ayinor, are also listed alongside the proprietor of Yelwa Hawks Alhaji Tanko Dutse. Joseph Apu is the secretary of the committee According to the FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) of Nigeria, the committee’s job is to ensure that the 3 x 3 Tour is one that will give the game of basketball a boost as world basketball ruling body FIBA is emphatic about giving the 3 x 3 Tour a lifeline. “The 3 x 3 Tour in June is going to be very interesting for all basketball stakeholders. The idea of the event is to ensure that we get countries in the zone to embrace the 3 x 3 version of basketball.”

International Sport

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015

Muller: Bayern can shock Barcelona

ayern Munich star Thomas Muller believes his side can make a statement to the world of football by overcoming Barcelona. Pep Guardiola’s side’s chances of reaching the Champions League final are remote after they lost 3-0 in the first leg of the last-four tie at Camp Nou. However, Muller is eyeing an ambitious second-leg comeback in Tuesday’s return game at the Allianz Arena, which he believes would shock the rest of Europe. “I am netiher very euphoric nor very pessimistic,” he said at a press conference. “We need to take our chances. Everyone knows that things were better before. We will have a plan. “That first leg was a huge disappointment. But since we left Camp Nou we’ve wanted to make up for it. If we go through, it will be a statement for the world of football. This is the

plan and it’s not stupid. “In football, many things are possible. That’s why there’s still hope and we still believe in ourselves. We can’t expect things to go like against Porto. But that’s what we need. “We have to find the right mix of better attacking and more calmness on the ball. The threeman defence was a risk against a three-man attack. “The coach will prepare us well and the rest is will and support from the fans.” Muller went on to add that the recent slump in form has not affected the mood of Guardiola. “I haven’t noticed any difference. But of course, right after a decisive defeat the mood is not good. “We have nothing to lose against Barca and this is how the players and the coach are approaching the match. We will give it a try, it is not over yet. We will give everything until the referee blows his whistle.”

Bayern’s Thomas Muller (right) vying for the ball with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi

Ethiopian legend, Gebrselassie, retires

aile Gebrselassie isn’t going to stop running, he’s just going to stop racing. The 42-year-old Ethiopian great, a two-time Olympic champion at 10,000 metres and a multiple world-record holder at distances up to the marathon, announced his decision to retire on Sunday after competing in the Great Manchester Run. And to underline his desire to keep going, he ran the 10-kilometre course a second time with the amateur runners just for fun. “I am retiring from competitive running, not from running,” Gebrselassie said in a statement after the race, where he finished 16th among the top men. “You cannot stop running. This is my life.”

Gebrselassie’s management team said he was ending his 23-year competitive career to focus on his array of businesses at home, but he will appear once more in 2015, at the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow in October as part of his “farewell tour.” Gebrselassie won two Olympic gold medals and four world titles in the 10,000, but had a rare ability to excel at distances ranging from the 800 metres up to the marathon to earn a place as possibly the most versatile distance runner the sport has seen. He set 27 world records and more than 60 Ethiopian national marks, succeeding on indoor tracks, outdoor tracks, cross-country courses and in road races. He held

Schalke fire Boateng, Sam Sam

chalke have astonishingly released Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-0 Bundesliga defeat to Cologne. Roberto Di Matteo’s men have won just four

times domestically since the resumption of the Bundesliga campaign following the mid-season break, a run of form that has ended Schalke’s UEFA Champions League aspirations. The 2-0 reverse at

Aguero: Man City want revenge against Chelsea next season

ergio Aguero has stated that Manchester City will be ready to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title next season and warns “there is always revenge in football”. The Argentine scored a clinical hat-trick in City’s 6-0 demolition of QPR on Sunday to send Chris Ramsey’s men tumbling back into the Championship and improve his season’s tally to 25 goals. But his heroics

haven’t been enough to prevent Chelsea ending City’s limp title defence by beating Crystal Palace earlier this month to become champions for the first time in five years. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is adamant that he and his City teammates will be ready to resume the battle for domestic supremacy next season. “We lost a lot of points this season and now we are in good form, having won four games in a row

so we must continue like this for the two remaining games,” Aguero told City’s official website. “We want to finish the best we can and start next season fighting for every title. This season wasn’t as we expected but we will face new challenges next season and there is always revenge in football. “The club will decide what players they bring in but our mind has to be the same and go for every title from the beginning.”

Nadal down to No. 7 in ATP rankings

Gebrselassie

world records in the 5,000, 10,000, the half marathon and the marathon. “I have had 23 incredible years in athletics,” Gebrselassie said, stressing he still wanted to stay active in athletics as a “running ambassador.” RheinEnergieStadion secured Cologne’s topflight status and left Schalke 13 points behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. General manager Horst Heldt - who has reportedly held a crisis meeting with Di Matteo - said after the game: “Some players are - regardless of contractual arrangements - going to feel the consequences.” And the Gelsenkirchen club have - for as yet unknown reasons - opted to cut ties with two of their most high-profile players following the loss. Sam was just one year into a four-year contract he signed in a switch from Leverkusen while Boateng joined from Milan in 2013.

fter failing to defend his Madrid title losing to Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal saw his ranking plummet from 4 to No. 7 this week, marking the lowest the Spaniard has been ranked since May 8, 2005. Nadal can return to the Top 5 this week by winning the Rome title. Nadal made the finals last year losing to Novak Djokovic. Anything short of a final could drop Rafa lower, further depressing his French Open seeding. “Nothing changes from being No. 5 or No. 7,” Nadal said Sunday. “I don’t know. Next week I’m defending 600 points. If I don’t manage to win points, I don’t know where I can end up fall-

ing to. I don’t know. “Whatever will happen will be. It’s also something that we have to realise, all of us, that what’s happening during these last years, it’s very complicated to be 10 or 11 years without leaving the top 4. “This week was very positive because I got 600 points. That’s a step fur-

ther because that gives you stability. That means that you’re not going to go below 15th, end the year in the top 15, which is not that bad. Of course we’ve always had more ambition, but we always go step by step doing things as good as we can, and at the end of the year we will see where I am.”

Nadal

Belgian footballer Nicot dies after cardiac arrest

elgian footballer Tim Nicot has passed away following a cardiac arrest he suffered on the field, the second such tragedy to hit the nation in as many weeks. Nicot was playing for

Belgian fourth-tier side Wilrijk-Beerschot in a tournament in Hemiksem on Friday when he collapsed. The 23-year-old was then placed in an induced coma before his

death was confirmed by the club on Monday. His passing follows that of Sporting Lokeren’s Gregory Mertens, who died after collapsing due to heart failure during a reserve match a fortnight ago.

Sport

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

My brother dumped trials after I bought him first class ticket In the second part of the ongoing narratives on his family, on his Facebook wall, Emmanuel Adebayor outlines the antics of a younger brother, Rotimi, in the hope that others can learn from his ordeal in the hands of family members.

ere is another part of the story I have kept inside since. Today I feel the constant need to let it out. If I share my stories, it is because I believe every story comes with a lesson. And the lesson is for anyone that is reading this. This is about a brother who keeps saying today that I am not a good support for our family. His name is Rotimi Adebayor. At the age of 13, he did something very bad. He and I know what he did. Because of that our parents had to send him to a village far from the big city. When I started to be successful in football and I went to Togo for vacation; at the same time one of my mother’s friends came from the village to visit us. As she explained how Rotimi was suffering in the village, I immediately asked them to bring him back to the city. As soon as he came back, I made sure I put him in school. For me that is normal. “In 2002, I went to play the AFCON in Mali and I had the huge privilege to swap my shirt with Marc-Vivien Foé. May his soul rest in peace. When I got back to Togo, I put that shirt in a secure place. My brother found a way to steal that shirt and sold it. “When I moved from Metz to Monaco, we reached an advanced stage in the Champions League and we played against Real Madrid. It was one of the most beautiful days of my life because I was lucky enough to get a signed shirt from the football legend Zinedine Zidane. I brought that shirt back to Togo

and my brother still found a way to steal that shirt and sold it. “When I was in Metz, I was earning about £15,000 a month. I wanted to get something unique for my mother to thank her for all she did for me. I wanted to make her happy. So I decided to take an amount worth three months of my wages and I bought her a Cartier necklace for about £45,000. Rotimi and his friends Akim(@Yam Freedom) and Tao (@Sao Tao Oyawole) made a plan and stole that precious necklace. They sold it for about £800. When my mother and I found out, she asked me not to bother because he is the younger brother. Despite the situation, I would like to take this same occasion to wish all the mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day! “In my house, I have a storage room where I keep some of my belongings when I travel back to Europe. I am the only one with that key but my brother managed to get a master key that was able to open every single door in the house. He frequently stole drinks and other items from that room. “After all this we kept saying “blood is thicker than water” and we moved on. Therefore, I decided to take him where I started my football in France. I brought him to a great football academy in France. You already know how this story ended. He stole cellphones from many of his teammates and they sacked him from the football academy. By the way, after I published the first

Adebayo

story about him, he called me to say that he did not steal exactly 21 phones. He claimed that the number was lower than that. Still...Is that acceptable? He also added that I should be happy that he stole drinks and other items from my storage room. I asked him why and he replied: “Because I am your brother”. “Jacques Songo’o who is a retired Cameroonian footballer also had his son in the academy and he was a good friend of Rotimi’s. Let me add that he was part of my development as a footballer and he always gave me good advice. I was in Togo on my days off when Songo’o called me; he sounded very angry. He explained to me how my brother stole his son’s Play Station Portable (PSP). When I asked my brother why he did that, he argued that he forgot it in his bag. How can you forget someone else’s device in your bag and travel with it from France to Togo? Since that day, my relationship with Songo’o changed and he has become pretty distant with my family and I. “I was still in Monaco when I decided to collect football boots from my teammates so I could give them to people in Africa. I had a huge bag full of shoes. I brought that bag to Togo. A few days after when I decided to give the boots out to the people

Basketball Flakes

in need, I noticed the bag full of boots had disappeared. Later on, I found out that my brother was the one who stole the bag and went to sell the shoes in Hedzranawoé (famous public market in Togo). “One day, my mom called me early in the morning when I was still in bed. She told me that Rotimi has gotten a visa to go to Dubai so he can play football there. He had to leave that day with his friend Kodjovi (@Denilson de Souza) who was in the same situation. It was either they went that day or the visa would be suspended. I asked one of my guys at the time (@Agui Mozino) to go find tickets for my brother and his friend. We could not find any economy class ticket on that day so I had to get them both first class tickets. After all, it was an opportunity for him to make his own career in Dubai. Only four days later, Rotimi went back home. His explanation was that the lifestyle in Dubai was not made for him. He said he wasn’t free to do what he wanted to do because it is a strictly Muslim place. He couldn’t drink, party as much as he wanted or kiss girls in public. “The part three is coming out soon and it will be about the man that calls himself the father of the family @Kola Adebayor A.K.A Lion of Judah.

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

Ogwumike in town for Africare Power Forward Season 2

L-R AfricareNigeria Country Director, Orode Doherty, NBA legend, Hakeem Olajuwon, Africare’s President, Darius Mans, and WNBA star Swin Cash during Season 1

igerian-born American basketball superstar, Chiney Ogwunike, of the Connecticut Suns, will on Thursday, in Abuja, be at the launch of the second season of Power Forward, a youth engagement initiative that uses basketball to develop health, leadership and life skills among youths in Ni-

geria’s capital city. A press conference heralding the event will come up on Thursday, at 9 A.M. at Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja. Following the formal presentation, a basketball clinic led by Ogwumike, in the company of NBA and Power Forward coaches, will take place on the

basketball court. The initiative, which is the brainchild of Africare, in conjunction with America’s National Basketball Association and ExxonMobil, is now in its second edition, following the inaugural one in November 2013. Ogwumike and her sibling, Nneka, made history in April 2014 by becoming only the second set of siblings ever selected with the top overall pick in an American professional sports draft. The first were the Manning brothers, Eli and Payton, who both play American Football. Both sisters are renowned for their philanthropy and in the second half of 2014 were named recipients of the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of July for their generosity and charitable efforts across the globe. Last year, the sisters teamed up with the U.S. Fund for UNI-

CEF to launch a fundraising competition which raised funds to support UNICEF programmes, such as the Girls’ Education Project, that focuses on education and empowerment for young women in Nigeria. The Girls’ Education Project aims to give one million girls in Nigeria access to quality learning, provide scholarships for female teachers and establish safe spaces for girls. Thursday’s Power Forward press conference will also have in attendance the Country Manager Africare Nigeria, Dr. Orode Doherty; Anibor Kragha, Upstream Treasurer ExxonMobil Nigeria; Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President, Development – Africa; and the President of the Nigerian Basketball, Tijjani Umar. In 2013, Power Forward was introduced to select public and private secondary schools in Abuja, engaging over 300 students in a curric-

Ogwumike

ulum that aside from teaching the boys and girls the basic skills of basketball, also teaches leadership skills and health awareness. Selected schools were also assigned a coach to oversee the curriculum, guide students through lessons and monitor progress. In attendance at that historic event was Nigeria and Africa’s most famous basketball player of all time, Hakeem Olajuwon. Others were former NBA and Nigeria national team star, Obinna Ekezie, and three-time WNBA champion, Swin Cash.

Interview/Features 55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015

Beating Brazil our first target, says Muhammed Flying Eagles skipper, Musa Muhammed, in this interview with the official site of the Nigeria Football Federation, expresses readiness to conquer the world at the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Muhammed

You led Nigeria to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates two years ago. Can you do the same with the U-20s in New Zealand? Yes, we can do it again. We will not disappoint the millions of fans back in Nigeria who have so much confidence in this team. What gives you such confidence you could finally be the first Flying Eagles team to win the U-20 World Cup after two near misses? We have trained very hard, we are focused, we have the quality and we are ready to make history again. We will give everything to win the World Cup in New Zealand.

Has winning the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal in March boosted team confidence going into the World Cup? It has helped a lot especially as we promised the whole nation that we will be going to the World Cup as African champions. We have done so and it has lifted our self-belief considerably. The coach has less than a week now to name his final 21-man squad for the World Cup. What is it like in the training camp in Germany? Yes, there is a lot of tension in the team; every one of us is fighting to make the final squad. We are all putting our lives on the line to be on the

flight to New Zealand. The coaches now have the chance to pick the best to represent Nigeria. Will you make the final squad? The coach picks the team and I will be very proud and happy to make the final squad. No one has an automatic shirt in the team, we all have to fight to be selected and the competition has been very fierce. We have a couple of players who were not in Senegal like Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success and Wilfred Ndidi who could now make it to the World Cup. Will we have a stronger team going to New Zealand? The players you have mentioned started out with us at the U-17 and so they know how we play and our formation. They have been very much part of the bigger team at some point. This

means competition for places will be tougher. What do you know about the Flying Eagles first round opponents Brazil, North Korea and Hungary? Brazil is Brazil and Nigeria is Nigeria. Everyone is talking about Brazil, but they ought to also be talking about Nigeria. We respect all the teams in our group, but we will approach each game as a World Cup final. We are up to the challenge. We are driven to succeed. If you were to pick one of your teammates who could make the big difference in New Zealand, who would it be? We are a team, we play collectively, we play as a team and I believe each one of us who is selected will give his best for the country. In Senegal, who impressed you the most? Taiwo Awoniyi and Ifeanyi Matthew because they gave us the confidence and goals and eventually we won the AYC. Your team will play their first test game in Germany on Tuesday afternoon against the Hoffenheim U-23 team. What should we expect? This is not a friendly match for us. It is part of our preparation for the World Cup and we will take it very seriously because we want to win all the way to the final of the World Cup.

Guardiola’s move to fire up the EPL – Oliseh Former Nigeria skipper, Sunday Oliseh, x-rays on his SuperSport page the impact of possible Pep Guardiola move could have on the EPL

t’s the talk, speculation and rumour of the moment that, if true, could impact the English Premier League in an unprecedented manner. Pep Guardiola could be moving on from Bayern Munich to Manchester City. Manchester City are experiencing a disappointing season by their standards and there’s been weeks of speculation on almost everything linked to Manchester City from players to the manager, Manuel Pellegrini. Reports that Guardiola could have reached a verbal agreement to coach Manchester City have sparked reactions on social media, especially in Germany. Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, for a second consecutive year, were crowned German Bundesliga champions but got a rare thrashing by Lionel Messiled Barcelona 3-0 in their Champions League semifinal first leg. It is not just this defeat that has tongues wagging with regard to the future of Guardiola at Bayern Munich. Though winning the cup and league titles last year, Guardiola’s Bayern were criticised, insanely, for not winning the Champions League as they crashed out to eventual champions Real Madrid at the semi-final stage. Recently, based on the slow recovery

of indispensable strikers Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben, fallout occurred with the long-term serving doctor of Bayern Munich, Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, which led the latter to resign and reveal a crack in the Munich household. To put it simply, Guardiola is highly contested in Bayern Munich and Manchester City could be an honourable ticket to higher heights. What are its Implications for the EPL? RENEWED RIVALRY WITH JOSE MOURINHO If there is one manager who hates Guardiola with a passion, it is Jose Mourinho from their Spanish League days. If there is one manager who has dealt the most humiliating defeats to a Mourinho side, it is Guardiola. These are two managers who see football from clearly opposite directions but have one thing in common: they are obsessed with winning titles. Unfortunately there can be only one champion. This would be great for the English Premier League and could have a multiplier effect on the country as a whole. EXIT OF KEY PLAYERS FROM MAN CITY Guardiola and Yaya Toure never got along at Barcelona and eventually the former sold Toure to City to make way for Spanish international Sergio Busquets. Should Guardiola move to City, it is highly foreseeable that Toure will leave. Who knows, maybe this is why Yaya‘s manager declared recently that for 90 per cent Toure was set to leave

Oliseh

Man city. Several players at City would not fit into Guardiola’s passing football philosophy and required discipline, so an offloading would be imminent. GET READY FOR QUALITY PASSING FOOTBALL AND DOMINATION Like Guardiola or not, he is probably the most talented coach in circulation and he has proven that he has the means to improve what many see as being perfect. Who could have thought that the treble winning Bayern Munich under Jupp Heynckes (2013) could be

improved upon? Well, he not only achieved that, but did it in style. Should he head to Man City, that will happen and this will be a threat to the domination of Chelsea, though Mourinho will beg to disagree. FOOTBALL PRESS SET TO BECOME MORE SCANDALOUS With Louis Van Gaal, Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Brendan Rodgers and eventually Guardiola in the English Premier League, the English press will have a field day of quotations to sell newspapers on a daily basis.

On Marble

Sanctity of Truth

Education costs money. But then so does ignorance. – Sir Claus Moser

World Record

The fastest time to print 500 sheets by a colour desktop printer is 7 min 19 sec and was jointly achieved by the HewlettPackard Officejet Pro X551dw and Officejet Pro X576dw All-in-One printers as tested in Vancouver, Washington, USA, on 6 April 2012.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

N150

Public arena : the column you write

Case for South-South Speakership Wilson Esate

ince the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the epic electoral battles, each section of the six geo-political zones of the federation has been jostling for choice positions at the centre. This is expected and permitted giving the spirit of the letter of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which gives ultimate primacy to equity, fairness and justice. Section (14), subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, ably amplified equity as the basis for mutual coexistence: "The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies". The APC chant of "CHANGE" can only gain traction if all the zones in the country get their due place in power allocation or it will remain a flash in the pan if the party's zoning of the plumb positions shies away from balancing geopolitical interest. The first litmus test for the party of "change" as had been said would be who and from where should Senate President and the Speaker of the National Assembly come? The APC will be making costly mistake if it allowed itself to be misdirected into crowding a section of the country with key positions while other parts of the country are left as merest of zones whose contributions to the overall electoral victory means next to nothing. For the sake of it, that the APC has been labelled as Yoruba political party which gangly sought alliance with the north to wrestle power at the centre. This is enough for the party leadership to seek an embracing method and nationalistic fervour that will see it through avoidable crises in the future. As strange as it stands, nothing suggests that the APC will not gleefully fall into the accustomed political traps of greed and pride that follow electoral victory by those who seemingly contribute huge stakes to its actualisation. But it is largely unknown to them that political leadership in multi-ethnic or multi-democratic society is a fragile thing and is hardly ever more than one or two periodic elections away from extinction. As long as party leaders remains parochial in their sharing of political offices against electioneering promises that all would be treated fair and square, and to protect and defend the Constitution, the people reserve the rights to demand for the implementation of such promises. I am afraid that

Iriase

our failure to ask or the party leaders refusal to keep their promises of equity, just and fair will not only continue to drive Nigeria down the road toward drift and incessant defection amongst political actors, we will be arriving at that unwelcome destination, where we will turn around and notice that the road has been paved with political unrest and instability. You are wont to ask, how can nationbuilding or nation-being possibly emerge from such dubiety, such despondency, despair and ashes of poor party leadership that ascribes the ownership of a political party's success; the entire nation's sovereign mandate to one powerful zone just because it prides itself as the ultimate sponsor of the victory? Where is the place of participatory democracy and collectivism in the face of slow and creeping autocracy after denuding and cajoling the electorate to swindle them of their votes? Without doubt, the people of South South and South East will see in APC leadership the incarnate of the old Action Group, AG, who were alleged to have had poisoned heart with abiding hatred for the two regions. It's obvious that exclusion or denial of the South South geopolitical zone from the Speakership will certainly levitate old wounds and struggles for self determination; even dangerously in the swamping creeks of Niger Delta; right at the point of scoping petrol dollars and soiled with human blood. As at moment, the President-elect, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Senate President and the in-coming Senate President are coming from the North. The only office in the South is the Vice-President elect that is from the South. The South West and North West already have the positions President and Vice President, respectively. It is only fair and just and, as a matter of necessity, if the Senate Presidency goes to either the North East or North

Kwankwaso

Oshiomhole

Central, the Speakership should go to the South South. While the South West has the Vice President, invariably the Speakership should come from the South South since the South East has no ranking member. In the spirit of give and take and in the interest of inclusive governance, and by every standard, considering its economic importance, the South South geopolitical zone as the Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs has to be factored into the distribution of high political offices. This will further suppress opportunistic agitation, part of which led to the Niger Delta militancy. The APC as a party can ill-afford the crisis that will arise from the mismanagement of her victory which was the same reason the PDP roundly lost the elections across the country, recently. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano

State hit the bull's eye when he sounded a note of warning on the APC's leadership in the Vanguard Newspaper edition of April 26, page 37. It reads: "I think what is important is to have a fair distribution of the posts to ensure that all zones are represented and I think it is one of the mistakes of the PDP which decided to lump positions in certain preferred places while others had little or nothing at the end of the day. I think that has gone a long way in really killing the party". Despite such affront in impunity by the PDP in allocation of positions and the howling mob within, the party leadership arrogantly ascribed invisibility to itself until failure crept in. Before now, the PDP had denuded itself that it will rule for between sixty and hundred years, a gambit that hurts the party to this day. This is a lesson that when you enthrone your private, or sectional Authority in opposition to the collective, sooner or later comes along a more uncompromising private challenger to your fragmentary authority, armed with greater unscrupulousness and selfish manipulation against party development. Governor Kwankwaso, yet again, echoed performance as one of the bases for consideration in terms of posts allocation in the interest of party solidarity: "Of course performance is an issue but even those that didn't perform as much as others need to be encouraged... so I look forward to seeing people in the East and the South South joining the APC so that by 2019, our task in terms of campaign will be minimal". In the last presidential election, in spite of the blatant military brutality against the APC leadership and the virtual arrest of the Comrade Governor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, Edo State was where General Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect scored 45 per cent votes which is above the mandatory 25 per cent as required by the Constitution. It is in this context we are calling on the leadership of our great party to consider the person of Hon. Pally Iriase, a chattered accountant, a former ALGON Chairman, a former Deputy Speaker, Edo State House Of Assembly, a former Secretary to the Edo State Government and two times member of the House of Representatives for the Speakership of the National Assembly. We appeal to the leadership of the APC, to be on the side of fair play, equity and justice in the lager interest of our great party. This is pertinent in view of the fact that election will still take place in 2019 and every part of the country is needed to contribute meaningfully so as to move the party forward. At the moment, caution is necessary, without which Aminu Tambuwal's Speakership saga will stare APC in the face and it will be too hot for the party to handle. •Esate, wrote in from Calabar, Cross River State. (081730 27645)

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.