21st 0ct 2014

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 245

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N150

Experts fault $78 oil benchmark for 2015 budget Ayodele Aminu and Abdulwahab Isa

E

xperts have described the 2015 budget benchmarks released last week through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), as unrealistic because of the prevailing challenges in the international oil market.

In the framework, government pegged the 2015 N4.817.76 trillion proposed budget on an oil bench-

mark of $78 per barrel.

It also proposed to spend N1.22 trillion on fuel subsidy. The figure includes N971.4 billion as subsidy on petrol and N250 billion on kerosene.

The oil benchmark for 2014 budget is $75.5 per bar-

rel as against $ 77.5 per barrel earlier proposed by the executive to the National Assembly.

The Federal Government, according to the MTEF and FSP also projected N7.286.89 trillion as total earnings from oil

and gas sales for 2015 with N3.716.82 billion being proposed as crude oil sales.

However, the $78 per barrel oil benchmark for the 2015 budget has elicited criticisms from experts following the steep fall in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

President Goodluck Jonathan

Obasanjo, worst leader lEx-Senate president tackles former president

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Quick Read Editorial Hope for the Chibok Girls }19 FG: Power generation drops by 1,000MW in }5 one week ‘Nigeria free of Ebola, but still }4 vulnerable’

L-R: Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajia Asebe Musa; Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and President Goodluck Jonathan at the decoration of Dangote as Ambassador of National Schools Agriculture Programme (NSAP) in Abuja…yesterday

Troops kill 25 Boko Haram in Borno

Ahmed Miringa and Anule Emmanuel

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roops from 195 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have killed over

25 insurgents who were among members of Boko Haram that launched an attack on Damboa, the headquarters of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

A security source told reporters in Maiduguri on the phone that the troops were forced to ignore the ceasefire declared by the Federal Government with Boko Haram in self-

defence.

“Though there is the issue of ceasefire, but we were forced to defend ourselves as we cannot fold our arms watching them killing us,” he stated.

Another report by Reuters quoted an army officer as saying that the militants tried to enter Damboa late on Sunday through Alagarno, a Boko CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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Obasanjo, worst leader, says ex-Senate President Wale Elegbede

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ormer Senate President Ameh Ebute yesterday launched a broadside against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose administration he described as a failure.

Speaking against the backdrop of a press statement by Obasanjo in which he dismissed the entreaties by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asking him to take more interest in the party’s affairs, Ebute, in a letter to the former president, dated October 20, a copy of which New Telegraph obtained yesterday, said Obasanjo’s reaction smacked of hypocrisy and

apparent insincerity.

Obasanjo had in the statement said he would continue to shun party affairs at the national level, but would be participating at the ward level because he could not accept a wanted drug baron as the party leader in the South-West, an oblique reference to Mr. Buruju Kashamu, who chairs PDP Mobilisation Committee in the geopolitical zone.

But Ebute, in the sixpage letter, described the former president’s statement as the biggest selfindictment ever written by a Nigerian leader, adding that it is evident that the squabble for political appointment slots given to Ogun State was the ra-

tionale behind the current crisis between Obasanjo and Kashamu.

He said: “With due respect Baba, this assertion of yours smacks of great hypocrisy and apparent insincerity. Even though you never mentioned the fellow you were referring to by name, it is common knowledge that the alleged drug baron is no other person than Prince Buruji Kashamu, a man with whom you had a very robust personal and political relationship with up till 2011.

“I wish to recall sir that when the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, seized the PDP structure from you in 2008/2009, it was this

same “drug baron” whom you aligned with to create parallel party structure and institute a legal action against the party. It was this same man who secured the court judgement that eventually got your faction of the PDP recognised by the national leadership ahead of the 2011 general election.

“Your daughter, then Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, worked closely with this same Prince Kashamu to protect and defend your sagging and diminishing political interest and relevance in your local turf in the state.

“It will appear sir, that the post-2011 election squabbles when you characteristically decided to

selfishly appropriate political appointments slots given to Ogun State to the exclusion of your former allies was the only reason why you so much want Prince Kashamu excommunicated by the PDP leadership and not the “honour and integrity” mantra you have put forward in your public posturing.”

On issues bordering on governance and service delivery raised by Obasanjo in the statement, Ebute said the former president must have forgotten that posterity would call him to account as the longest serving leader Nigeria has ever had and simply neglected to “do the needful” as he is now advising others to do.

L-R: Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan and World Health Organisation Country Representative, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, after a news conference where Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in Abuja…yesterday.

N10bn jet lease: Court refuses Deziani’s bid to stop Reps’ probe Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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inister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, yesterday lost her bid to stop the House of Representatives from probing her over the allegation that she spent N10 billion of public funds on chartered aircraft.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja refused to grant the minister’s request to amend her originating summons to the effect that the National Assembly has no constitutional power to carry out an oversight function on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of govern-

ment and hold hearing to adjudicate on petitions against them, especially her ministry.

Alison-Madueke and her ministry had on April 11 sued the National Assembly and the House of Representatives, which are first and second defendants respectively, praying the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining them from summoning or directing her appearance before any committee, particularly the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), set up by the House to probe the allegation.

She also wants the court to stop the defendants from asking her to present papers, notes or documents before any such committee or give

any evidence by the relevant public officers.

At the last adjourned date, counsel to the minister, Etigwe Uwa (SAN), brought an application seeking to amend his originating summons.

He submitted that the application is coming at an early stage when response of the second defendant (House of Representatives) has not been regularised, adding that granting the application is not harmful to the case of the defendants.

However, counsel to the House, Aminu Sadauki, opposed the application for amendment and urged the court to dismiss the application and hear the suit of the first originating summons.

Delivering ruling in the application yesterday, Justice A.R Mohammed said the amendments sought by the applicant were in two parts.

According to him, the first part relates to the issue of the lease of a Challenger 850 aircraft while the second relates to the power of the National Assembly.

He further held that some of the amendments sought are bringing in new issues that are not formerly in the originating summons.

It was on that note that the court refused the amendment sought in reliefs eight and nine.

In relief eight, the plaintiff is asking the court for a declaration that the National Assem-

bly cannot carry out an oversight function on the ministry while in relief nine, the plaintiff wants the court to declare that the National Assembly does not have power to hold hearing to adjudicate on petitions against the ministry.

However, the court granted the amendment of relief seven as being sought by the plaintiff.

Justice Mohammed noted that granting the amendment sought would not affect the defendants in any way.

The court later ordered the plaintiff to serve the amended originating summons on the defendants within 14 days.

Justice Mohammed however adjourned until November 19 for hearing.

He said: “Baba, if I may ask, what better definition of impunity can one have than the gale of orchestrated impeachments (some carried out with less than 10 legislators in hotel rooms) and serial violations of civil liberties orchestrated by you during your tenure as civilian president?

“Weren’t the Halliburton and Siemens scandals part of your legacies to the nation’s corruption index? Are you aware that the National ID card project which resulted in the Siemens scandal has been successfully undertaken by the Jonathan administration without any form of under-hand dealings?

Didn’t you refuse all pleas to sign the Freedom of Information Bill into law?

Which of the poverty and human development indices recorded any improvement while you held sway as Nigerian president for eight years?

“Talking about infrastructure, one may want to ask why critical roads like the Benin-Ore road; Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Kano-Maiduguri road; the East West Road and even your Ota-Abeokuta dual carriage were recklessly abandoned and could not be fixed in all your eight years as president despite having more oil money from the Petroleum Ministry over which you personally superintended as president and oil minister.

Why should a president double as the petroleum minister of a country?

“Prior to your emergence as president and considering your antecedents as a farmer, one would have expected that you would use your position to reduce Nigeria’s huge food import bills, boost food production and help reduce poverty in Nigeria.

Alas, you government did absolutely nothing in this critical sector! Rather, you introduced policies that impoverished farmers and increased poverty, hunger and starvation among the populace.”

Ebute, who is the ProChancellor/Chairman, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), added: “It amazes some of us that a person who had been so favoured by God and man should refuse to heed the simple words of the elders that those who have had the fortune of having their palm kernel cracked for them by some benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.

“Sir, with all your failures, self- righteousness, hypocrisy and other shenanigan, Nigeria has left you alone. Please Baba, leave Nigeria alone.”

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria free of Ebola, but still vulnerable, says WHO lJonathan welcomes certification as Atiku praises declaration

Anule Emmanuel, Obinna Odoh and Comfort Chukwu Abuja

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he World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday certified Nigeria free of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) but warned that the country should not relax as it is still vulnerable.

“The virus is gone for now; the outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated, this is an indication that Ebola can be contained in the world,” WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Rui Gama Vae, said at a ceremony in Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan welcomed the certification of Nigeria as an Ebola-free country, to end the nightmare the country has been subjected to since July 20 when a LiberiaAmerican diplomat with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer, brought the virus to Nigeria.

Also, former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar lauded the Lagos and Rivers state governments, hardest hit by the epidemic

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

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eral Republic of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Centre for Disease Control, led by Dr. Abdusalam Nasidi, which participated in the fight against Ebola. You are all heroes to the nation and the world.

“When we heard of the outbreak in Nigeria, we were so worried, being that it is the most populous country in Africa. We were more concerned that it started in Lagos, the state

with over 21 million people; we were thinking of how to do contact tracing in such a country. But I am glad the nation rose to the challenge and we are today celebrating bravery done by all who contributed to see that the virus is contained.”

The WHO representative also praised Nigeria’s effort in stopping the virus, saying: “If a country like Nigeria can do this, contain Ebola, eradicate guinea worm and close to

eradicating polio, we would say that the country has, indeed, taken ownership of its health intervention programmes and is doing greatly well which is commendable. I must also inform Nigeria that the nation is still vulnerable until Ebola is totally eradicated in other countries.”

An official of the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Pauline Havey, said the world was CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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

L-R: Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Charles Ajuya; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Margaret Kanu, at the signing of the state’s Small and Medium Enterprises Agency Bill into law in Asaba…yesterday.

Troops kill 25 Boko Haram in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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for rising to the occasion to curtail the spread of the epidemic.

The country handled 20 confirmed cases since the outbreak of the virus with eight deaths recorded.

WHO said the decision to declare Nigeria Ebola free was based on the fact that no new case had been reported in the last 42 days after the last case was recorded.

Vae said: “I congratulate the President of the Fed-

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Haram hideout, but soldiers fought them off.

“Our men gunned down 25 of the insurgents because they would have entered Damboa and unleashed more terror on the town that is just picking up from its ruins,” he said.

He said an armoured vehicle and some arms were recovered from the insurgents.

A resident of the area, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the insurgents who came on Sunday, tried to attack the town but they were successfully repelled by the troops.

“When we heard the news of the ceasefire, we were happy but with the latest attack, we are now confused. Thank God, the military did not relax as they were on the alert when the insurgents came,” he added.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, had last week announced that the Federal Government had reached a peace deal with Boko Haram that could lead to the release of over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped

from Chibok, Borno State.

Further talks between the two parties were to continue yesterday in Chad.

But despite the peace deal, Boko Haram has continued its attacks on towns in Borno and Adamawa States.

Boko Haram has not confirmed the truce and there have been at least six attacks over the weekend -- blamed by security sources on the insurgents -- that have killed several dozen people since the announcement of the ceasefire.

A government spokesman has said that the fighting on Sunday may be the work of criminal gangs and not the insurgents.

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force(JTF), Mohammed Haruna, said of clashes on Sunday, “Two of our members came to (the town of) Biu this morning from Damboa and said the soldiers engaged Boko Haram yesterday and the battle lasted till about midnight.”

Separately, Maiduguri resident Andrew Tada, said the insurgents killed five people in Gava, a hilly town in Gwoza Local Gov-

ernment Area not far from Damboa.

Tada said his brother in Gava was lucky to have escaped to the top of a mountain.

“My brother is still there now with other relatives, women and children,” he told Reuters after speaking with his brother on the phone.

“They (the militants) came yesterday (Sunday) while people were scouting for food at the foot of the mountain. When the insurgents sighted our people, they pursued them and slaughtered five,” Tada said.

Boko Haram gunmen also attacked Abadam town, in Abadam Local Government Area and Zhur village of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, killing the father of a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Goni Ali Modu and several others.

A resident of Abadam who fled to neigbouring Niger Republic, Alhassan Bukar, said the gunmen invaded the town and forced resident to flee.

He said the insurgent who were in control of

the town had hoisted their flag there.

A resident of Shaffa also said on the phone that the insurgents invaded their village and killed 19 people.

Meanwhile, a former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan, apparently in continuation of discussions to end the insurgency in the North-East.

The former governor who has been fingered as a major sponsor of the Boko Haram sect by an Australian negotiator Stephen Davis, an allegation he denied, arrived at the State House at 4:52pm and proceeded straight to the president’s office where he stayed for almost an hour.

Although the reason for his visit could not be established, Sheriff declined comments when he was approached by State House correspondents who sought to know the purpose of his meeting with the president.

“Gentlemen, there is no time today; I am going to see the Chief of Staff,” he said.

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 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

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NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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FG: Power generation drops by 1,000MW in one week Adeola Yusuf

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he drop of 1000 megawatts in power generated was responsible for the blackout experienced across many parts of Nigeria in the last one week, the Federal Government has said.

Nigerians had in the last one week lamented the poor supply of electricity and had criticised the power firms for not living up to expectation since the sector was privatised.

Consequently, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, during a recent unscheduled visit to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, had charged the management of the firm to as a matter of urgency, address the epileptic power supply in the entire Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.

But speaking in Abuja yesterday, the power minister disclosed that the poor electricity supply across Nigeria in the past one-week was due to the

1,000MW drop in power generation during the week.

Nebo disclosed this on the sidelines of the Presidential Expert Group Meeting on Infrastructure Ranking and Scorecard Roadmap organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

The minister, who attributed the drop to the menace of gas pipeline vandalism said: “We want to be very sure that this is nipped in the bud with regards to gas supply and we are doing everything possible to minimise the incidences of vandalism.

“Now look at what vandalism has cost us, nearly 1,000MW of power in the past one week on a daily basis. And this means that every Nigerian is cringing in pain because of the loss.”

Earlier, during the meeting proper, Nebo explained that two major gas plants were severely affected and this had warranted the fall in electricity generation.

He said: “Within the past week the Okoloma

gas plant has been down due to sabotage, blowing up and vandalism of three of its wellhead and then robbing Shell of the capacity to deliver over 180mscuf of gas on a daily basis. When you translate this you are talking of over 720MW of power that is stalled for the past several days.

“So that really caused our power generation transmission and distribution to dwindle. And the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)

is also having challenges because of old gas generating plants that quite often the components are either due for repair or for maintenance. And some of these parts are not readily available but these things need to be changed.

“That has also knocked off nearly 80mscuf of gas. When you add this to what we have lost in Shell you will see why we have dropped 1,000MW in the past several days. That will show you what gas

can do and our continued dependence on gas as our major source of energy to our power plants is really a national security issue.”

Figures from the Federal Ministry of Power showed that the country’s peak generation as at October 15, 2014 was 3,513.5MW against a peak demand of 12,800MW. Energy generation was placed at 3,372.65MW while the amount of energy sent out by power generation companies was

3,293.12MW. Nebo said it had come to the notice of the Federal Government that some electricity distribution companies were rejecting power being sold to them.

He assured Nigerians that the government would not hesitate to penalise culpable power firms, stressing that his ministry was working out ways to ensure that non-defaulters in the payment of electricity bill do not suffer with those who fail to pay their bills.

Jonathan welcomes WHO’s certification CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

looking forward to learning from Nigeria, especially on areas of contact tracing.

“The CDC has been working with Nigeria, sharing technical assistance and will continue to ensure that Nigeria also erased polio virus and control the spread of HIV/ AIDS,” he added.

Former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who handed over to Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, yesterday after the WHO certification, thanked all health workers who participated in the fight against the Ebola virus, saying his achievement as the minister who contained the disease could not have been so easy without the workers.

Chukwu warned against discrimination against Ebola survivors.

Reacting to the WHO certification, Jonathan dedicated the certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them dying in the process, to curtail the epidemic.

Briefing State House correspondents, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola was a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set

aside their differences and work together.

He also called on Nigerians to strive to replicate the unity of purpose and allhands-on-deck approach adopted against Ebola in other areas of national life.

The president, however, directed that all the antiEbola measures taken after the entry of the virus into the country should remain in place and that health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.

On his part, Atiku commended the successful eradication of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, a feat he said, would change the negative perception of the country by the outside world.

In a statement yesterday by his media office in Abuja, the former vicepresident said Nigeria, Lagos and Rivers state governments should be commended for the remarkable achievement in the face of the grimmest medical crisis that the country found itself dealing with.

He said the successful eradication of Ebola and the declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free zone was a clear demonstration of the outcome of collaboration, hard work and commitment of the Federal Government in conjunction with Lagos and Rivers States.

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (left), with Managing Director, Hands Corporate Services, Mr. Supo Akeju, when Ihedioha picked the Imo State governorship form in Abuja…recently

Experts fault $78 oil benchmark for 2015 budget CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nigeria’s oil price at the international market. As at last week, the price of Brent futures, Nigeria’s flavour, reached a four-year low of $84 per barrel and could fall further in the months ahead.

According to a report yesterday, $80 per barrel oil prices are not profitable for any oil exporting country, but political factors may weigh higher than economic ones.

The falling oil prices have elicited doubts about the ability of Nigeria to achieve the set targets for the 2014 budget since the country depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget.

This development, in addition to the proposed 2015 N4.817.76 trillion budget pegged on oil benchmark of $78 per barrel, have motivated experts to conclude that the budget is completely out of tune with the reality on ground and portended danger for the economy, if it is not ur-

gently reviewed.

Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the proposed benchmark was too high and unrealistic.

He said: “This is definitely too high. Currently, (as close of business yesterday) oil trades at the international market at $82 per barrel, so, you cannot place your benchmark at just ($78) $4 below the stop price. Last year it was $40 below the stop price, so, you can imagine.”

Noting that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which holds 60 per cent of the world’s reserves and 30 per cent of supplies, is expected to meet on November 27 to reduce Nigeria’s oil quota, he said if this happened, it would reduce the country’s revenue.

“It is a reality check. It’s time to be more realistic,” he stressed.

Also, Chief Executive, Global Analytics Consulting, Mr. Tope Fasua, an economist, said the con-

cerns raised about 2015 budget were real considering the development currently playing out.

“Nobody is sure where the price is going; but for a net import country, it’s a breather space but for a seller and exporter country like Nigeria it portends a low cash flow.

Nobody expected the price to go this low and I think it went down to $84 last week; it will spoil a lot for the government. It is better imagined if the price goes further low,” he said.

On whether a realistic budget should be expected given the prevailing price of oil at international market and the $78 oil benchmark proposed by government for 2015, he said the figure was not only bogus but unrealistic.

Fasua said the growth, which the government claimed as the hallmark of previous budgets, was a mere fluke that turned out to be jobless growth.

“We should collectively pray that what happened in the late 70s and 80s don’t

repeat itself. This was the period we faced what was then called austerity measure. If fall in oil prices continue for too long, we pray we shouldn’t witness it or else, we will have a repeat of late 80’s crisis in our hands. It will spoil a lot of things for government and the result could be unimaginable,” he added.

On the way out, he said: “Of course, diversification is the way to go. However, how to implement it is also an issue and we can’t pretend the danger of the dependent economy on oil.

All we have is the crude oil and we still import refined products for consumption.

Not that the last two years have not been rosy for Nigeria in terms of oil earnings, but the earnings have been put into wrong use as few people just cornered sizeable percentage of the wealth”.

An Economist at the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Dr. Austine Nweze, who expressed surprise CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mu’azu, governors meet over PDP primaries Onyekachi Eze and Anule Emmanuel

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, will today meet with governors elected on the platform of the party.

The meeting, it was gathered, is a continuation of the earlier one held last week at the residence of Mu’azu.

Although the only agen-

da said to be on the card is the forthcoming party primaries, a source at the party’s National Secretariat disclosed that the issue of adoption of candidates by the governors might feature at the meeting.

The meeting might also address the problems arising from the sales of nomination forms by the state chapters, which resulted in petitions by some aspirants to the PDP national leadership.

The national secretariat

had decentralised sales of Nomination and Expression of Interest (EOI) forms to state chapters but some chapters were accused of making it difficult for aspirants considered not to be in their good books from obtaining the forms.

Some governors who want to transit to the Senate are also said to be canvassing for automatic tickets, insisting that it formed the plank they endorsed President Goodluck Jona-

than as the sole candidate at the PDP Governors’ Forum.

The National Working Committee (NWC) had overruled the governors on the issue, but the governors will want to use the opportunity to explain to the party leadership why they have preferences among the aspirants.

The plausible excuse might be the need for equity and rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial zones in

L-R: Family members of the deceased, Mr. Tunde Olowude; daughter, Miss Bukky Olowude; widow, Mrs. Bunmi Olowude and in-law, Mr. Leye Gbadamosi, during a special service of songs in honour of former Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), the late Remi Olowude, in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE.

Experts fault $78 oil benchmark for 2015 budget CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

at the way the falling oil prices were not considered before the benchmark was arrived at, declared that the benchmark may not be accurate.

To him, the Federal Government has shown signs of non-readiness to learn from history on economic indicators and how to make judicious use of them for planning.

However, a senior special aide to a high-ranking minister, who spoke to New Telegraph on condition of anonymity, said the government was wary of the bleak outlook of oil at the international market.

He said regardless of whatever oil benchmark proposed for 2015 budget, priority would be given to the accruals from non-oil sources, adding that tax proceeds from Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and duty collection by Customs would form major percentages of target revenues for 2015 budget.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has also assured Nigerians that “there is no cause for alarm” over the falling oil prices.

She gave her assurance at the recently-concluded World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Washington DC. She said Nigeria would strengthen its fiscal buffer and would not borrow to augment shortfalls in revenue.

“There is no cause for alarm, we are on top of the game. We have to be realistic about our ability to spend,” she said.

The minister said the nation’s economic management team was working on contingency plans, beginning with analysing various modules and scenarios in terms of oil price shocks.

One way of doing this, the World Bank Group said, was for the Federal Government to build its fiscal buffers as back-up for the economy, in addition to the fact that “we need to continue our structure reforms just like in the Euro zone.”

With oil prices dwindling, the minister also noted the need for more non-oil collections going forward, and that one way of doing that is blocking more loopholes in tax collections by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which was given a target of $75 billion, out of which $44 billion had been collected as of July 2014.

Also, the Nigeria Customs Service admitted that though there are challenges of insecurity in some parts of the country, which have cut back huge revenue from that side, it will meet its revenue target.

Speaking on phone with New Telegraph, Customs spokesperson, Wale Adeniyi, said the current slide in crude oil was one situation any developing economy could face.

“What this has thrown up is that state governments should look beyond oil. They should look inward to other potential areas where revenue could be raked in. The future belongs to supporting the local manufacturing firms to stay in business. If

our local manufacturing firms are active, producing at their optimal capacity; Customs will generate more excise duty, export will be on the increase and more jobs created for the country’s youths. Nigerian economy will endure and performs better if we begin to shift focus away from oil to other areas,” he stated.

On how prepared the Customs are for the new oil price regime with its attendant effect on the nation’s revenue profile, he said the service would meet its target.

“For Customs, yes, machinery is in place and we will generate maximum revenue. Available figures indicate that revenue generation is looking up though I don’t have the figure at hand but there is progression in tempo of revenue generation.

“Yes, there is security challenge in North East, which has slowed down agriculture, and affected revenue flow to Customs; I can assure you that we will meet the target of contributing maximally to the 2015 budget,” he added.

the state.

President Jonathan had on Sunday night met behind closed doors with PDP governors at the presidential villa, Abuja to strategies for the smooth conduct of the party’s primaries.

Although details of the discussions at the meeting, which ended early hours of Monday, were not made public, some of the state governors told State House correspondents that the meeting centred on the party’s forthcoming primaries and how to reposition the party to serve Nigerians better.

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State told reporters that the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party’s forthcoming primaries.

Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, described the meeting as cordial and fruitful.

He said: “Mr. President called the PDP governors and we all had a very good meeting, which was all about repositioning the party to serve the citizens very well.

“It was a very cordial meeting and the resolutions reached would be made public by the appropriate quarters.”

Also speaking, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia explained that: “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come. We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour or infighting to enable us do very well both

in the primaries and general election in 2015.”

Orji said that the reported clash between PDP governors and the party’s national leadership over endorsement of candidates at the state chapters did not come up for discussion.

He noted that the party’s governorship candidates would emerge through free and transparent primaries contrary to reports of endorsements in the media.

Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, who also attended the meeting, described the political atmosphere in the state as stable.

According to him, the people of the state were happy with the delivery of justice in his case.

“The political situation in Adamawa is very stable, I can assure you. The people are very happy. You know, the common man appreciates when justice is done at all times. They are very happy; you can do your independent verification.

“All the reported noise in some quarters that heavens will fall because of my swearing-in, nothing like that has happened. I thank the people of Adamawa for their massive support and we promise to keep faith with them,” Ngilari said after the meeting.

The governor emphasised that the executive and legislative arms of the state government were not at loggerheads as reported, adding that the working relationship among the three arms was cordial.

My grouse with PDP, by Tambuwal Phillips Nyam Abuja

H

ouse of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday opened up on why he is disenchanted with the ruling Peoples Democratic (PDP).

The speaker accused the party of sidelining him, citing his non-invitation to a meeting which Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, who led other members of the party to a reconciliation meeting in Sokoto, held yesterday.

Tambuwal, however, said contrary to insinuations that he had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he remains in PDP as he is still consulting on his political future.

The speaker, in a state-

ment by his media aide, Imam Imam, dismissed report that his attendance of an APC meeting yesterday in Sokoto showed that he had joined the party.

“Hon Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was later invited by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to attend the meeting of their political family to discuss the political future of Sokoto State.

“The Speaker, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, duly obliged and attended the meeting.

“The meeting had in attendance prominent Sokoto citizens many of who have no known political affiliation. The most notable been the Sar’dauna of Sokoto and former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji,” the statement added.

7

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Ekiti Assembly reopens as elders wade into crisis Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State House of Assembly will reopen today (Tuesday) following the intervention of elders in the state in the crisis that led to the abrupt closure of the Assembly last Thursday.

The Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Wole Olujobi, in AdoEkiti yesterday, said the

lawmakers would resume for business in the interest of the state.

He added that all the 26 members of the Assembly had been contacted, and gave the assurance that the sitting of the House would not be tensed.

This is just four days after the speaker on Thursday night announced that the Assembly would proceed on a month recess.

Some legislators then had accused the speaker of acting unilaterally in shutting down the Assem-

bly, while some said the speaker acted to starve off moves to impeach him.

Early on Thursday, during the inauguration of Governor Ayo Fayose, six members of the All Progressives Congressdominated Assembly, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The move by the lawmakers is expected to be followed by more defections from the APC lawmakers to the PDP and thereby give the PDP the

needed majority in the House.

Fayose, while reacting then to the impromptu recess, said the speaker was only trying to frustrate his new administration.

The governor added that shutting down the Assembly would prevent the presentation of the 2015 Budget and the screening of special advisers and commissioners to work in his administration.

However, our correspondent gathered that

following the development late last week, elders in the state intervened and brokered truce between the two sides.

It was further learnt that the intervention led to the speaker being present at the thanksgiving service held by Fayose at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.

While there seems to be a truce now, the coast may not still be clear for the speaker, who may later be removed or asked to

resign his position.

This is to allow for political balancing in the state.

Speaker Omirin is from Ekiti South Senatorial District, same as the new Deputy Governor, Dr Olusola Eleka and Governor Ayo Fayose being from Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

The development has led Ekiti North Senatorial District with no high ranking government official and lawmakers from the area are agitating for one of them to be made the speaker.

Airlines save N15 billion yearly on import duty removal Wole Shadare

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L-R: Leader, Save Awgu Forum Enugu State (SAFES), Chief Baywood Ibe; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Isaac Egu and National Coordinator, SAFES, Mr. Alex Ogbonnia, during a solidarity visit to the Deputy Senate President at Mpu Community, Anninri L.G.A, Enugu State …yesterday

Ekweremadu promises quick passage of NHIS Bill Chukwu David Abuja

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eputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday assured the Ministerial Committee to Establish World Class Hospital and Diagnostic Centres that the bill on National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, would be given quick consideration for passage in the Senate.

Ekweremadu, who gave the assurance in Abuja, when the Ministerial committee led by its Chairman, Chief Tony Elumelu, visited him in his office, said that the passage of the bill into law was paramount to the Upper Chamber to reduce health tourism, where Nigerians spend huge sums of money to seek for medical attention abroad.

He also commended the efforts of the Federal Government towards containing the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, which resulted in the World Health Organisation, WHO, declaring the country, Ebola-free country.

Adoption of candidate unsettles PDP Wale Elegbede

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head of next month’s governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, palpable tension appears to have gripped stakeholders over plots by some powerful forces to ease out the current set of state and local government officials of the party during the primaries.

It was gathered that the plot started last week and it has pitched the party against itself, leading to tense situation among the chieftains.

Sources close to the

party in Umuahia said that a major showdown is already looming between party officials and Governor Theodore Orji, whose son, Chinedu is said to have been fingered in the 2015 moves.

A party source said: “There are serious fears of an imminent implosion in the party, unless the national leadership of PDP intervenes quickly.

Top officers complain that members are now divided down the line as they have relapsed into the cleavage of the old members of the party and those from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).”

Benue earns N9.6bn from selling Dangote shares

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he Benue State Government has earned about N9.6billion over the sales of its shares in Dangote Cement.

It was gathered that the government has sold 43 million units of the shares, warehoused by the Benue Investment Property Company, at a value of N9.6 billion.

Documents from Elixir Investment Partners, a

fund management and advisory firm and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) revealed that the state has offloaded 43 million shares of Dangote Cement.

It would be recalled that Governor Gabriel Suswam has categorically denied that the state’s holding in Dangote Cement was ever put on the market.

It was alleged that the forces seeking to impose a particular governorship aspirant on the party is composed mainly of former members of the Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA), which originally produced the governor and that the forces have set up a congress and primary elec-

tion committee, headed by a cousin of the governor; Mr Charles Ogbonna.

Though the committee was announced by the state Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, a number of original members of the PDP are claiming that the list was forced down Nwaka’s throat.

he Director of Strategy and Planning, Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Kingsley Uwagbale, said the removal of import duty on aircraft spare parts by the Federal Government in 2012 has brought about a huge growth in the airline business in Nigeria.

Experts, however, stated that the policy has helped to save over N15 billion annually for the domestic carriers.

Airlines have for several years clamoured for the removal of such duties because the payment of Customs duties and high cost of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, are the major reasons Nigerian airlines do not operate profitably.

Uwagbale said the removal has brought about improvement in training of personnel and acquisition as the huge amount hitherto pay as duty is now channel into critical area to improve safety in the industry.

BBOG: Dino defends Ogbeh’s remarks Jonathan flags off Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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or mer member of House of Representatives and a member of Bring BackOurGirls#(BBOG) advocacy group, Honourable Dino Melaye, yesterday rose to the defence of Chief Audu Ogbeh, over his statement that the BBOG is controlled by some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Melaye, who spoke at the sit-out of BBOG at Unity Fountain, said that the APC chieftain was quoted wrongly in the media.

He noted that nobody within the BBOG has politicised the group, add-

ing that Chief Ogbeh’s full remark about the group ought to have been reported as against taking a line mischievously.

While cautioning BBOG members against responding to what he described as calculated attempt by the Federal Government to discredit its effort, the former member House of Representatives said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should rather join the APC in supporting the BBOG in its advocacy to bring back the 219 missing Chibok girls.

His word: “There’s nowhere myself or any member either in the Strategic team or any regular member of this team has politicised BBOG.

schools’ agriculture programme Anule Emmanuel

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resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, flagged-off a National Schools Agriculture Programme (NSAP) aimed at developing a new generation of Nigerian youth agriculture enthusiasts.

The ceremony, which held at the Presidential Villa, attracted selected secondary school students, agriculture experts, state governors, diplomats and senior government officials.

“We need the Under20s to link up with the Dangotes, Elumelus and other big Nigerian entrepreneurs.

8

News

tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Infant mortality rises to 32% Obinna Odoh Abuja

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L-R: Director, Consumer Protection Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Umma Dutse; Head, Consumer Education Division, Hajia Hadiza Kashim and Head, Market Conduct Division, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, Alhaji Muhammad Bima, at a press conference on Consumer Sensitization and Awareness Campaign in Bauchi … yesterday

loss

This is a big blow to the Global fleet group as Newswatch makes news again Akeem Nafiu

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he Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) which transferred ownership of Newswatch Communications Limited to Global Media Mirror Limited owned by businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, was yesterday quashed by Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Besides, the judge barred Ibrahim from floating a new daily newspaper called ‘Newswatch Daily’, saying he must not assume ‘management and control of Newswatch Communications Limited’.

Specifically, Justice

Court quashes Jimoh Ibrahim’s takeover of Newswatch Buba ordered the billionaire businessman to pay Newswatch Communications Limited N15,780,056, ‘being loss of business profit since August 2012 till October 2012 and N5million per month for every month that the company was shut down without production of its weekly magazine”.

The judge said: “In calm reflection of the reliefs, the court has come to the inevitable conclusion that the petitioners have discharged the burden placed on them and have proved their case while the 1st -4th respondents have failed woefully to discharge the burden placed on them.”

The case of the petitioners have merits, the court

grants all the reliefs as set out at the inception of this case as set out on the petitions as follows: *An order setting aside the contract entered into between the 1st and 2nd respondent companies by virtue of document titled “share purchase agreement-Newswatch Communications Ltd, (Seller) and Globalmedia Mirror (Buyer) and executed by parties therein on or about May 2011. *A consequential order setting aside the Form CAC2-statement of share capital and return of Allotment of Shares of the 1st respondent company dated the 27th day of August, 2012 presented for filling by one Gloria A.Ukeje.

“An Order directing the 2nd and 3rd Respondent jointly and severally to pay special damages in the sum of N15.7million to the 1st respondent Company being loss of business profits since August 2012 till October 2012 when the 1st respondent’s operations were unilaterally shut down by the 2nd and 3rd respondents and to pay an average sum of N5million per month for every month that the 1st respondent is shut down without production of its weekly magazine.”

However, Justice Buba, while upholding all the prayers of the minority shareholders who had filed the suit to challenge the validity of the com-

...We’ll appeal judgement, says Jolayemi

Falode writes Jonathan eight months after son’s death

he management of Newswatch Communications yesterday said that it has filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in favour of the other shareholders delivered

by Hon Justice Buba in Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Moses Jolayemi, the company said that another Federal High Court had earlier last year ruled in is favour.

It said the Chairman and Publisher of Newswatch, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, has directed that an appeal be filed im-

Ebere Ameh

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mediately.

The statement said: “Justice Abang had declared the sale of Newswatch Communications Limited to the new investor valid and had invalidated the purported decision of the board in appointing Ray Ekpu to the board of the company.

Justice Abang, held that the sum of five hundred and ten million naira was paid for the purchase for the 51% shares of the company and that the sum was transferred to Newswatch’s account where the payment to Ray Ekpu and other directors was made.

A

ce sports journalist, Aisha Folade, has written an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians over the government’s inaction on the murder of her son, Oluwadamilola Oloruntoba, who died eight months ago in Dubai.

In her letter dated Monday, October 20, 2014, Folade said she was jolted to action by the recent death of Chief Dieprieye Alamesiegha’s son in similar circumstances in Dubai.

“My son was said by the Dubai authorities to have jumped down from a balcony, dismissing it as “suicide”, same with

Chief Alameiyeseigha’s son.”

It could be recalled that Oloruntoba Folade, who left London to UAE to study Audio Production at the SAE Institute, died four months into his studies, when he was allegedly thrown from the balcony of a 17th floor apartment in Manchester Tower in Dubai. Folade’s investigation revealed that Faisal Aldakmary Al-Nasser, a Saudi boy, resident in Dubai confessed to the murder; and had her son’s blood on his t-shirt and his knuckles and boasted about serving time for 25 years in prison if it comes to the worst.

pany’s take-over, declared that Jimoh Ibrahim had failed to prove that he had paid up for the shares.

The judge said: “The petitioners gave evidence to show that the second to third respondents have blatantly failed to pay for the shares in the company.”

he Federal Government has said that despite its commitment to reducing infant mortality rate in Nigeria, the recent analysis of the WHO/Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group(CHERG) reports in Countdown 2012 and 2014 shows that the total deaths of under-5 in Nigeria has increased from 29 per cent to 32 per cent.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during press briefing on National Newborn Health Conference, coming up between 23rd and 24th, October, 2014 in Abuja.

Alhassan said that it is the recent report which has necessitated government through the Federal Ministry of Health to invite all their development partners, health professionals and indeed the media to assess the impact of successes recorded and plan for the future in line with Millennium Development Goal(MDG) to help in saving the lives of Nigerian children.

“The available data from the last three Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS 2003, 2008 and 2013) suggest that the synergistic efforts of governments and partners have resulted in some improvement

Group ask for Kashamu’s extradition Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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he Chairman, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) in the South West, Chief Buruji Kashamu may be in for more troubles as the Anti-Corruption Network( ACN)yesterday petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohamned Adoke, demanding the extradition of the wealthy politician to the United States.

In the petition, the ACN alleged that Kashamu was wanted in the United States to answer to charges of drug trafficking and urged Adoke to facilitate his release to security agencies in that country.

Director, Outreach Services of Anti-Corruption Network, Mr Timi Frank told journalists that there was an international warrant of arrest on Kashamu and Nigeria should not be found to be

shielding someone, who was running from the law.

According to Frank, the ACN would head for the courts to compel the Federal Government to extradite Kashamu if Adoke failed to do the needful within seven days.

“We have written a petition to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation on the need to release Mr. Buruji Kashamu to the security agencies in America looking for him. A man with international warrant on him should not be allowed to parade himself in Nigeria as a political leader.”

But Kashamu, yesterday denied that he was wanted in the US. In a statement by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu challenged the group to procuce eveidence that he was wanted or keep quiet.

“Prince Kashamu is not wanted by anyone. If he is, as claimed by this armorphous group, we challenge it to produce a warrant to that effect or bury its head in shame.”

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014

News

south — west

9

Fayose flays N150m annual maintenance of new Govt House prudence

Ekiti governor is not amused that while poverty is in the air there is a new Govt House that gulped tax payers’ N3.3bn

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, yesterday described as unrealistic; the cost of building and maintaining the new Government House, Ado-Ekiti, saying it is not in tune with the economic reality of the state.

Speaking while administering oaths on the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs.

Modupe Alade and other assistants, he said the nearly N4billion spent by the former administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the edifice was too high.

The building was inaugurated penultimate Sunday by Fayemi as one of his legacy projects.

Fayose said: “My heart nearly failed me when I got to the new Government Lodge on Thursday.

The mansion cost N3.3

5m

billion. It was initially awarded for N2.3 billion and later increased to N2.7 billion, while N640 million was used to procure fittings and furniture.

“And this building will cost N150 million maintenance annually. Ekiti cannot sustain this and we have to do something about it. How can a governor be living in such a house, when the masses are living in abject pov-

The estimated number of people with Alzheimer (state of memory loss amongst aged people) in the US. Source: Alz.org

erty,?” he asked.

Fayose, who promised robust women empowerment during his tenure, said his administration would strictly comply with the 35 percent Affirmative Action for women in government in consonance with the Beijing Declaration of 1993.

He said the appointment of Alade underscored the enormous respect he had for women, pledging that

N124.8m

The total capital importation value of the Trading sector in 2007.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

his government would protect them through allotment of reasonable appointive and elective positions, especially during the 2015 state and federal legislative polls.

“Let me tell the men here who are politicians to know that some of them will be asked to step down for women in next year’s elections.

“I want to assure you that those that will step

75,500

The total population of men in Channel Islands in 2012.

Source: Un.org

down have nothing to lose, we are going to reward you accordingly. But if you disobey us, we will still go ahead and do it so far what we are pursuing is in the interest of Ekiti people,” Fayose posited.

He said his government would reward loyalty and hard work, particularly for politicians and those in the civil service to promote the culture of brotherliness in Ekiti.

€42m

The amount of money realized from TV rights by Athletico Madrid in 2013-2014 season.

Source: Goal.com

Abayomi condemns removal of immunity Babatope Okeowo Akure

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onstitutional lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, has described the removal of immunity clause from the 1999 Constitution being reviewed by the National Assembly as invitation to anarchy.

Abayomi, a human rights activist in an interview with reporters said the barrage of legal actions against the President, vice-president, governors and their deputies would not allow them to focus on the task of governance once the immunity is removed from the constitution.

Also, he said the process being adopted by the National Assembly in the review of the constitution is faulty, adding that it is a decoy to waste public funds.

According to the All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, his case against the Federal Government on the composition of the just concluded national conference and the review of the constitution was to prevent the country from embarking on another voyage in desolation and confusion.

He said: “The president, vice-president, governors and deputies must enjoy immunity. You cannot have a president or governor that would be subjected to a legal process anyhow. Let us understand that in a sense, they don’t enjoy immunity as their enjoyment of immunity is only limited to the term they are in office. There is no statute of limitation in prosecution of criminality.”

L-R; Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mr Demola Seriki, during the official Commissioning of Project/ Distribution of school kits to pupils from eleven primary schools in Lagos

PDP alleges circulation of fake Agoro faults APC’s N27.5m membership cards in Ondo presidential nomination fee

Lawyers call for Wali’s release

Babatope Okeowo

Babatope Okeowo

Akure

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he Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, yesterday alleged the circulation of fake membership cards of the party in the 203 political wards in the state.

Alabi asked security agencies, especially the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police to help arrest those who parade themselves as chairmen and secretaries of the party without due process.

He said: “The attention of the party has been drawn to the illegal membership registration exercise being carried out by disgruntled elements parading themselves as chairmen and secretaries of PDP across the 203 wards in Ondo State.

“The cards and registers distributed to all the wards in the state did not emanate from the national

or the state secretariats of the party, therefore they are fake.

“The ruling of an Abuja High Court that the status quo be maintained and admonishing every member of the party to refrain from taking any step that could lead to a breach of peace and constituting a contempt of court still stands.”

Alabi said some people have chosen to dare the law by illegally setting up a parallel secretariat in the state capital.

He said: “In furtherance of this contempt, they have embarked on this illegal registration.

However, the attention of the DSS and the police is being called to this illegality that is being perpetrated with impunity.

“Also, all party members should distance themselves from this illegal registration and report any act that could undermine the party’s authority to appropriate security agencies.”

Temitope Ogunbanke

T

wo-term presidential candidate and National Chairman of National Action Council (NAC), Dr. Olapade Agoro, has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for forcing their presidential aspirants to pay N27.5 million for nomination forms.

Agoro in a statement

made available to New Telegraph, said with APC as a leading opposition party forcing their presidential aspirants to cough out N27.5 million each for nomination form, the party has shown clearly that it has nothing constructive in terms of quality and value to offer Nigerians than the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it aims to dislodge from power.

Ex-Ekiti LG Board boss eyes Senate Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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ormer Chairman of Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Ranti Adebisi, has said that the emergence of Governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) from emerging victorious in next year’s general elec-

tions in the state.

Adebisi, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC, said this in IkoleEkiti, while declaring his intention to party leaders.

The APC chieftain, who berated some members of the National Assembly from the state for their abysmal performance, lamented that they had not lived up to expectations in the last three-and-a-half years.

Akure

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orried by the delay in the release of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), an Akurebased lawyer, Mr. Yemi Aladetoyinbo, yesterday asked security agents to swing into action in order to rescue him.

Aladetoyinbo said it is sad that after one week of Wali’s abduction, the security agencies are yet to come with any explanation on the whereabouts of the foremost lawyer.

According to him, it is shocking, agonising and regrettable and also a sign of a failed state that the lawyer remains in captivity since he was abducted in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said Nigeria’s democracy is in danger if criminal elements are allowed to thrive in the country.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

10

Metro IG summons DCP, ACP over N75m scam Juliana Francis

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he Inspector General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and other course officers attached to the Ikeja Police College to report immediately to Abuja over N75 million fraud allegations.

The officers were alleged to have asked over 5,000 policemen, who were on promotional course, to pay examination and handout fees, totalling N15,000 per person.

A police source said that the promotional course involved policemen promoted in 2009.

He said: “Some of them are constables who are due for promotion to corporal. Others are those who are due to be promoted to sergeant and then those who are due to be inspectors.

“Many of them complained

that the N15,000 per head was too much. They said even if they must pay, the money the officers are demanding is too much.”

It was gathered that Abba ordered the respective officers to ensure they come with documents to explain themselves.

Incidentally, last year, a similar thing occurred at the Ikeja Police College during the time of the former IG, Mohammed Abubakar. It led to the sack of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, who was the Officer in charge of Training Wing. It also led to the sack of a Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, a Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The sack of the aforementioned officers started after a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Abdulrahaman O. Akano, now retired, came from Force Headquarters, Abuja, to assess policemen who were on promotional

Community petitions Ondo over land dispute Babatope Okeowo Akure

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orried by the impending crisis over the ownership of land in their community, the residents of Agbeja in Akure North Local Government have appealed to the Ondo State Government to urgently intervene in the dispute.

The people also asked the government to help them with the provision of infrastructure to make life comfortable for them.

They said the dispute was being perpetrated by some non-indigenes of the town.

According to them, the perpetrators have been circulating forged documents and claiming that they are indigenes of the town.

The Olu of Agbeja, Chief Sunday Ijalana, who spoke on behalf of the community, said

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abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

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that the land grabbers had illegally sold some plots of vacant land belonging to the community and issued forged receipts to the buyers in his name.

Having done this, he said they had been promoting rancour and misunderstanding in the community.

Ijalana outlined some of the measures he had taken to curtail their activities, saying he had confirmed that some of the receipts forged and issued by the group had been recovered while the Oloba of Oba Ile, Oba Agunbiade and security agents had been alerted.

He explained that he had been doing everything possible to ensure that peace reign in the community for it to witness accelerated social-economic development but emphasized the need for government to immediately intervene before his subjects decided to take laws into their hands.

Also speaking, the Asamo of Agbeja, Chief Ademola Obasanyin, accused the group of fanning the ember of discord in the community for their own selfish interest.

According to him, the community had earlier received judgment dated July 9, 2014 in a suit number Ak/150/2013 delivered by Justice Bode Adegbehingbe which affirmed that Chief Olokunboro was the head of Arowa family and not the leaders of the alleged trouble-makers.

course at the college.

He was said to have been offered N500,000 by the course officers. When he demanded to know what the money was for, they replied that the students gave it to him.

Akano left, promising he would get back to them. They were invited to Abuja and sacked.

Our correspondent tried to get the Police Public Relations Officer, in charge of the Police College, Mr Samuel Jinadu, but discovered he died last week.

But the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Emeka Ojukwu, said he could not confirm the story.

He said: “But it is in the character and ethics of the Nigeria Police Force to interrogate alleged inappropriate behaviour on the part of her personnel. Those found wanting are adequately sanctioned in line with the laws and regulations of the force.”

Abba

Group donates borehole to Bariga community

The group presenting the borehole

A

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Poise Graduate Finishing Academy (PGFA) Stream 25, has donated a borehole to Orile Bariga community in Lagos State.

The manual borehole called ‘jagamu’ in local parlance was drilled at the Baale’s palace at No. 1, Taiwo Street, Idi-Aba bus stop, Bariga town.

The inauguration of the borehole, anchored by a member of PGFA Stream 25, Anita Iroajanma, was attended by Mr Henry Ononiwu and Mr Olaniyi Omole (both members of staff of PGFA), the Baale, the chairman, the secretary, the treasurer, chief imam, palace chiefs and the citizens

of Orile Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Inaugurating the borehole, Omole told the community the young executives of PGFA Stream 25 made a lot of sacrifice before they executed the project.

He said: “These young graduates had to go begging in markets and shopping malls in order to raise fund to execute the project within two weeks.”

Omole said PGFA trained young graduates in acquiring employability skills and this project was a test of their abilities to work as a team to contribute to the infrastructural development of their immediate environment.

He added: “This project was carried out by PGFA Stream 25 members comprising Christiana Oloyede (Project Champion), Anita Iroajanma (Public Relations Officer), Ugonna Arida (Event Planner), Adesewa Banjo (Project Accountant), Opeyemi Wusu, Tolulope Oladele, Divinewill Mbanali, Lukman Adegoke and Ololade Bamigbola.

“Others are Motunrayo Owokogun, Damilola Adeleye, Mukosolu Udezue, Chima Amadife, Emmanuel Okuboarere, Tope Anifowose, Linda Uzoma and Maria Anunobi.

“These young executives have really shown their competence by completing the project within two weeks with no fund from any organisation, other than the ones gotten from their appeal form from well-meaning public.”

The Baale of Orile Bariga, Chief Waheed Owodunni Agiri, who expressed joy over the borehole, thanked the young executives.

He said: “I am grateful to these young executives in Stream 25 of Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, for choosing Orile Bariga as the benefactor of their developmental project.

“This donation will never be forgotten in the history of this community; posterity will benefit from it, generation after generation.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

Lagos registers 2.1m residents

Robbers snatch recharge cards, money in Delta

Muritala Ayinla

T

he Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRAA) said that it had so far captured 2.142 million residents in the on-going residents’ registration exercise.

The agency also rewarded some residents for voluntarily taking part in the exercise.

Its General Manager, Ms Yinka Fashola, who disclosed this, decried the rate at which residents give wrong information about themselves, while registering, describing the attitude as unfair and capable of defeating the planning purpose for which the exercise was initiated.

Fashola added that LASRAA had the responsibility of ensuring that every resident was captured in its database.

She said: “We have registered about 2.1 million residents with verifiable identity. I can’t give the figure of residents that we cannot identify their identity. The number of residents registered so far is more than that.”

Fashola said one of the major challenges confronting the agency was the rate at which people deceived the registration agents by falsifying their data.

She added: “We have a lot of false information. We will find out because we work with other agencies that keep records of residents. So, when you give us false information about a street,

Dominic Adewole ASABA

T

One of the winners in the residents registration exercise

for instance, we might not say anything at the point of registration, but when we upload the information, we will discover that something is wrong in the address and we will investigate.”

Fashola disclosed that the onemillionth person to be registered and rewarded with a gift item was lucky because the actual winner gave incorrect address.

She said: “I can tell you that.

The person that was actually the one-millionth to be registered

gave us a non-existing address that was why we picked the next person to him.”

The GM said the exercise would enable the government to have a reliable database of all residents as well as provide useful information for social, political, business and financial activities.

According to her, LASRAA has been able to register residents of coastal areas as well as Makoko.

60 pirates arrested in Niger, says NCC Dan Atori MINNA

T

he Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) said it had arrested 60 people for piracy in Niger State this year.

Its Director of Enforcement, Mr Augustine Amodu, disclosed this when men of the commission arrested one Mallam Umaru Abdullahi for book piracy in Minna.

He said: “We had arrested 59 persons and here is another one increasing the number to 60. Let this serve as warning to those engaging in piracy to desist from

it, because there is no hiding place for them.

“The raid was carried out in response to a report from Meybiks Nigeria Publishers about the piracy of its product entitled: Basic Civic Education for Senior Secondary School.”

Amodu said that the pirated book was approved for use by Niger State Government in schools.

He added: “It is a law under Section 38 of the Copyrights Act to arrest and prosecute anyone caught selling a pirated work and this is what we have done.

“Piracy has become a cankerworm that is eating deep into the fabric of the Nigerian economy.

It is unfortunate to know that people go out of their way to pirate other peoples’ work without licence.”

Meanwhile, the author’s representative, who preferred anonymity, said that the Federal Government College, Minna, and Federal Girls College, Bida were schools using the book.

He said: “These two schools usually call the publishing company to supply them the books.

But to our surprise, we got information that this same book has been supplied by someone else.

“It was then we filed a report to the Copyright Commission that someone has pirated the book.”

Osun to release water from dams Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

O

sun State Government has appealed to the people not to panic as water would soon be released from its dams across the state to avoid collapse.

The Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere, made this known in a statement in Osogbo yesterday.

Akere said that if action was not taken on time, as a result of the heavy rainfall witnessed in the past few days, the dams might collapse.

He said: “The state Water Corporation would be releasing water from the dams to give relief to the dams and avoid forced flooding.”

The commissioner also urged the residents to cooperate with government in its effort to curb flooding, adding that they should not dump waste on waterways as well as inside drainage.

He added: “We, however, call on the residents not to panic as little flood may occur in communities hosting the dams when the water is released.

“Weather experts have pre-

dicted heavy rainfall as the 2014 rainy season is gradually winding up and if government refuses to allow the excess water to be eased off gradually, the water, because of the heavy volume, may force flow from the dams leading to dangerous flood.

“The residents of communities such as Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Okinni and many communities around dams in the state should be aware that little floods may occur between now and next week as the water is being released but we, assure you that, it is nothing to worry about.”

She said: “I’m proud to say that we have registered all the residents of Makoko despite the fact that they live on water.

What we actually did was that we worked with organisation called Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

We numbered every single house dwelling on the water.

“They have an address, so, once we gave them an address, their traditional ruler came out and identified everybody.”

wo persons, Kingsley Ibude and Chuks Osakwe, have been arrested for allegedly snatching a bag containing assorted recharge cards at gunpoint in Delta State.

While Ibude lives at number 50, Obiazukwwor Street, Boji-Boji Owa, Osakwe resides at number 21, Osesoma Road, Agbor-Obi. The suspects attacked one Uloma Mihiewe Ofo of Ezekiel Avenue, off Eva Hostel, Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area before policemen in the locality got the hint.

The hoodlums had attacked Ofo at her store located within her residence and threatened to kill her if she refused to surrender the bag, also containing unspecified amount of money.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, who spoke on the development at the command headquarters in Asaba yesterday, said based on the report, detectives commenced investigation and arrested Ibude and Osakwe.

TREM holds prophetic encounter with Cerullo Kayode Olanrewaju

T

he Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) will on October 26 host Dr Morris Cerullo, a renowned international evangelist at its headquarters, Gbagada/Anthony Oke, Lagos, for a special prophetic encounter service.

The major highlights of the prophetic encounter billed for 4 pm, include prophetic declaration, healing of the sick, generational blessing, destiny recovery, salvation for all and breaking of barriers.

The church’s spokesman, Rev Yomi Uteh, said in a statement that the prophetic encounter Sunday service with Cerullo was coming during the 31-day prayer and fasting of the church for the country.

The Presiding Bishop of TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, who is expected to be the chief host, will be ministering alongside Cerullo and other anointed men of God. Cerullo, according to Uteh, was raised in a Jewish Orthodox Orphanage until the age of fourteen and half years when he gave his life to Christ.

He said: “Since his call to the ministry at the age of 15, God has used Morris Cerullo to reach multitudes of people around the world in over half a century of ministry.”

Cerullo, according to Uteh, has ministered to multitudes of people face to face, while at his miracle crusades, the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, while the gospel he preached has reached over 500,000 people in one service.

RCCG HOP creates service for busy people

H

abitation of Praise, the youth arm of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 10, has begun a twin-service to reach out to people with tight schedule.

The Pastor-in-Charge, Dipo Omopariola, said the first service was for one hour and it had been dedicated solely to be a school of success.

He said: “The reason why God gave the service was to populate His Kingdom and

depopulate the kingdom of the devil. It is also for evangelism purposes, reaching people that are very busy with a tight schedule on Sundays who might not want to spend a lot of time in church.

“We want to create an avenue for them to have the opportunity to do everything in normal service within one hour.

“We have also dedicated the first service solely to be a school of success.”

12

News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH EAST

Anyanwu: Okorocha has failed Imo lOnyeagbako wants lawless govs penalised

Steve Uzoechi Owerri

T

wo-time senator Chris Anyanwu, representing Imo East Senatorial District at the National Assembly yesterday described Imo as bankrupt and bearing all the indices of a failed state.

She made the assertion while announcing her resolve to run for the governorship of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

Anyanwu, a, who stated that the state is in dire need of help, averred that between May 2011 and July 2014, Imo under Governor Rochas Okoro-

cha received N357 Billion beside Local Government Allocations, Internally Generated Revenue and funds from international donor agencies.

“In spite of the fact that this represents 50 percent more than what the previous administration got in four years, development in Imo is stunted, superficial and unaligned to the core needs of Imo people.”

According to Anyanwu, instead of making gains, Imo has posted losses and unjustifiable deficits.

Her words: “Imo state is now the biggest debtor in South-East and the second most insolvent statein the nation. Simply put, Imo is broke! Our external debt alone is equal to those of

Anambra and Abia states put together. On local debt, we know of the N50 billion borrowed from a local bank. The governor has not stopped borrowing and he is not letting Imo people know what he is doing with all the loans and if this goes unchecked, the future of our children may be in jeopardy.”

According to the Senator, every critical sector of the society show serious signs of crumbling, not even Imo’s pride of place in the education industry is spared.

She said, “Imo used to lead in education, consistently topping the chart in WASC examinations among Nigerian students.

But now, for the past three

years, Imo children have been second to the last position in the South-East.

In 2014, only 18,833 out of the 46,359 Imo students that sat for WASC passed the examination. Evidently, Okorocha’s education program has failed and makes it imperative for us to recover our education system from his pancake administration.”

Senator Anyanwu added that she is in the governorship race to give purposeful direction and restore the reputation and productive capacity of Imo state. According to her, those who bring only the gender arguement to the governorship race cannot intimidate her because it shows they have nothing

Tony Okafor Akwa

N

ational Secretary of the All Pro g ressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi, yesterday dismissed insimuations that the party would impose candidate on the people, calling on all aspirants on the platform of the party to be prepared for

primary elections.

Shikanfi, stated this at Okpoko, outskirts of Onitsha, Anambra State, during the commissioning of boreholes sponsored by Chief Afam Ogene, the House of Representatives member for Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

The APGA, Scribe commended Ogene, for what he called effective representation of the people of Ogbaru and APGA in the Lower

House, as he stated that the party would organise free, fair and transparent primaries for aspirants wishing to contest elections on the platform of the party next year.

He said “ There will be no anointed candidate.

There will be no imposition of candidates.

“We must conduct our primary elections according to the relevant electoral laws, which have not been ammended by the

National Assembly, which demands that political parties should organise primaries. We will organise transparent primaries” Shikanfi said that the stipulation of conduct of primaries by the electoral law, has denied the likes of Ogenes automatic ticket to return to the House of Representatives unopposed, as he had performed creditably in his first tenure ,especially in carrying the people along.

Don’t allow APGA to die, monarch tells politicians Tony Okafor Akwa

T

he traditional ruler of Ndiowu Orumba North Local government area of Anambra state,Eze Onwubiko Udeh, and other stakeholders in the South

Senatorial district of the state, yesterday appealed to politicians in the South -East not to allow the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA )to die.

They made the call at Ndiowu, during the declaration of the former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Okey Udeh, intention’s

to vie for the Anambra south senatorial district election next year.

Udeh is aspiring to contest the senatorial election on the platform of APGA, currently occupied by Senator Andy Uba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

At the declaration

which was attended by major stakeholders of APGA in the seven local government areas that make up the zone, Eze Udeh, appealed to the politicians not to trade off the party, stating that anybody who contemplate such idea would only be incurring the wrath of Ndigbo.

Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

to offer Imo people.

Meanwhile A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governorship contender in Imo State, Chief Charles Onyeagbako has called on relevant authorities to institute severe penalties for governors and other politicians who violate the rule of law with impunity in the country.

Onyeagbako argued that the nation’s democracy would continue to fail if politicians who stultify the rule of law and provisions of the constitution are not called to order; stressing that it is only when the citizenry collectively subject themselves to the rule of law that the nation’s democracy would be strengthened.

Acting Director, Programmes, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe, (right) speaking at a free medical outreach and HIV counselling and testing in Owerri, Imo State…yesterday

No anointed candidate in APGA, says Shinkafi

‘No rift between Elechi, Umahi’

A

Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, Chief Chaka Nweze, has called on the people especially politicians, not to insinuate a non-existent problem between Chief Martin Elechi, Governor of the state and his deputy, Chief Dave Umahi.

The Deputy Governor has been absent from public functions since the endorsement of the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu as a consensus gubernatorial candidate by the party’s stakeholders, as the situation fueled the speculation in the state that both men were having problems.

Nweze, a former Chairman of Ohaozara LGA, Umahi’s home town, said that such speculation was unwarranted, as the relationship between the two, was cordial.

“Umahi had been loyal to the governor since 2011, as it is understandable that he might not be feeling good knowing that another person is endorsed by the party’s stakeholders.

He advised Umahi to heed to the words of the governor and the party’s stakeholders, as they all mean well for the state by endorsing Chukwu for the position. “ I therefore urge the people not to truncate the existing peace in the state with such insinuations and the party members should be cautious with their utterances in order not o cause disharmony in the party.

Ukeje, Azubuike jostle for nomination forms Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

N

o fewer than three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants wishing to contest for the House of Representatives elections in 2015 yesterday obtained their nomination forms in apparent attempt to beat the deadline for the submission of forms.

Our Correspondent reported that the Abia PDP secretariat at Finbars Road, Umuahia was a beehive of activities as the aspirants, new and serving members, jostled for their nomination forms.

The aspirants seen making last minutes dash to obtain nomination forms include; Uzor Azubuike, Aba North and South Federal Con-

stituency; Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, Bende and the member representing Ugwunagbo state constituency, Humphrey Azubuike, who wants to replace Eziuche Ubani in the House of Representatives yesterday picked forms.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP secretariat, Uzor Azubuike called on the people of his constituency to disregard the protest against his candidature last week by a group known as Aba Peoples Movement. He said his achievements are all over the constituency, saying they speak for him.

The mammoth crowd that followed him to the secretariat, he said, was evidence that the protesters were misguided.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Women in governance

Saraki, Anyanwu, Al-Hassan, Esuene, Nwogu, others battle for guber seats

14, 15

Lagos guber race

Ahead 2015

Fashola’s appointees jostle for APC tickets

Imo PDP and Araraume burden

16

17

13

Politics The recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Edo State has renewed the contest between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to claim the state ahead of the 2015 general election.

CAJETAN MMUTA reports

Jonathan’s Edo visit creates headache for APC

P

enultimate week, leaders, elders and people from the six states of the South-South gathered in Benin, the Edo State capital, for the zone’s Unity Rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In attendance were members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and State Working Committee (SWC) of the party. The rally was meant to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan for his 2015 re-election bid.

No doubt, the gathering was to make a statement as the 2015 general election gathers momentum.

The people reaffirmed their desire to back Mr. President’s ambition to seek re-election.

Speaker after speaker summed up the minds of the people to support their own, and the need to further extend hands of fellowship and brotherhood to other geopolitical zones towards the realisation of the Jonathan project. Interestingly, at the rally, the zone unanimously asked President Jonathan to stand tall and fly the PDP flag high in the 2015 polls so as to extend his stay at Aso Rock for another four years.

They also solicited for the support of the North, having secured the backing of the SouthEast for the Jonathan Presidency come 2015. Leading the pack of speakers was Vice-President

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

President Goodluck Jonathan addressing a rally in Benin City

Namadi Sambo; Senate President David Mark; chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu and former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili.

Odili assured the various segments of the country that “our son (President Jonathan) is ready to serve the nation creditably well and to finish what he started.” He pointed out that what the administration of Mr. President started since assumption of office in his first term has not been witnessed in the history of the country.

According to Odili, “the elders are behind you, stand up and contest for 2015 elections.

We promise you that come 2015 you have not seen before what we are going to do. We will deliver President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls.”

Also Anenih made a passionate plea to the northern elements when he said that the oil-rich zone has made far-

reaching and enormous contributions to the economic and political growth of the country, with its rich resources and human potential, hence the area has reason to demand that the zone be given another chance to have a shot at the exalted seat.

“The zone has over the years made sacrifices not only to keep this country together, but also towards its economic development. The South-South in the past had played a unifying role among the various regions of the country. Our sons and daughters such as Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Okotie Eboh, Chief Isaac Boro, General David Ejoor, Chief Dennis Osadebay, etc. had served this country to great distinction,” Anenih said.

He asserted that the “SouthSouth has always been a close ally of the North. We have fought political battles together, contested elections on the same political platforms and formed alliances. We have giv-

en support to the North when it mattered most. The current situation therefore calls for reciprocity and cooperation.”

Senate President Mark affirmed that the PDP has laid a solid political foundation for the nation to survive and therefore was lucky to have a good product as President Jonathan to market. He said: “Nobody lights a candle and puts it under the table. The South-South lit a candle for this country. Luckily for you, you have a good product.

You don’t have problems marketing your product. A nation is helping you to market your product, support the rest of the people in this country. The PDP has laid a solid foundation. For the first time in the history of this country, a political party has given sole candidacy to a serving president. That is the beginning of political stability in this country.”

On his part, Sambo extolled the virtues of President Jonathan and commended the people of the South-South for their support for the administration. He promised the admin CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Politics

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Saraki, Anyanwu, Al-Hassan, Esuene, Nwogu, others battle for guber seats

Esuene

Nwogu

The 2015 general election promises to be an interesting one as several women across party divides battle for the governorship tickets in their states. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes that most of the female gubernatorial hopefuls may not make it beyond the primaries holding between November and December as a result of challenges from male heavyweights

S

ince Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, no woman has been elected to govern any state in the country despite the achievements of women in politics.

Between the First and Third Republics, the number of women holding key political offices cannot be compared to the present Fourth Republic, during which more opportunities have been given to women. But despite the increased slots given to the womenfolk, none of them has ever been victorious in any governorship election.

Though some women have courageously thrown their hats in the ring to contest the governorship seats in the past, none has ever scaled through. It is either they lost during their party’s primaries or lost to their male counterparts at the general election.

Among the women who have taken part in governorship elections in the past are: Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) governorship candidate in Kwara State (2011), Senator Gbemisola Saraki; Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) 2007 governorship candidate in Kwara State, Ms. Oyinkansola Aminat Saraki; National Advance Party (NAP) governorship candidate in Anambra State (2010), Mrs Njideka Anyadike, and her PPA counterpart, Hon. Uche Ekwunife.

It is on record that the only female governor in the history of Nigeria, Dame Virgy Etiaba was not democratically elected. Etiaba, who rose from the position of deputy governor to governor, governed Anambra State between November 2, 2006 and February 9, 2007 following the impeachment of her principal, Mr. Peter Obi, by the state House of Assembly.

Apart from Etiaba, the highest executive or legislative positions women have gotten to at the state level is deputy

governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Those who have served as deputy governors include; Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu (Lagos, 1991-1993), Bucknor-Akerele (Lagos, 1999-2003), Erelu Olusola Obada (Osun, 2003-2010), Alhaja Salmot Badru (Ogun, 2003-2011) Hon. Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti, 2003 – 2006), Virgy Etiaba (Anambra, 2006-2010), Princess Sarah Sosan (Lagos, 2007 - 2011), late Funmilayo Olayinka (Ekiti, 2010 - 2012) and Prof. Modupe Adelabu (Ekiti, 2012 - 2014).

The present deputy governors are: Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (Lagos), Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (Osun) and Mrs Valerie Ebe (Akwa Ibom).

Some of the women who have steered the ship of state assembly in Nigeria are; Hon. Margaret Icheen (Benue), Titi Oseni (Ogun), Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo), Ms Jumoke Akindele (Ondo) and Princess Chinwe Nwaebili (Anambra) Having failed to get the governorship seat, the refrain, “what a man can do, a woman can do better,” seems to be motivating many women in declaring their aspirations to compete with their male counterparts for governorship positions come 2015.

Some of the women who have already declared their intention to take part in the February 28, 2015 governorship election are members of the National Assembly; Senators Helen Esuene, Nkechi Nwogu, Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan, Chris Anyanwu and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Others are former member of the National Assembly, Senator Gbemisola Saraki; Chief Executive of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme; Mrs Dupe Onitiri-Abiola; Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fashola on School Environmental Advocacy, Mrs. Adetokunbo Agbesanwa and first female CEO of the Lower Benue River Basin Development

Anyanwu

Authority (LBRBDA), Dr Ada Chenge.

Helen Esuene (Akwa Ibom) Senator Esuene, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development is the only female Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State. Born on November 23, 1949, Esuene is the widow of former Military Administrator of the old Cross River State, Chief Udokaha Esuene, who died in 1996.

Between 2005 and 2007, Esuene served in different ministerial positions in the Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet. She was Minister of State for Health (July 2005 – January 2006), Minster of Environment (January 2006 – January 2007), Minister of Environment and Housing (January – May 2007). She was elected into the Senate in 2011 on the platform of the PDP to represent Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

Esuene’s gubernatorial aspiration may be a tall dream given the determination of Governor Godswill Akpabio to install the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Emmanuel Udom, to succeed him in 2015. Apart from Udom, there are also many gubernatorial aspirants that Esuene would compete against for the PDP ticket in the state. It is unlikely that she will get the ticket.

Nkechi Nwogu (Abia) Senator Nwogu, a banker turned politician, represents Abia Central in the Senate. She is the chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. Born on May 19, 1956, Nwogu contested and won a seat into the House of Representatives in 2003. In 2007, she contested and won a seat in the Senate and was re-elected in 2011. She is campaigning seriously to succeed Governor Theodore Orji in 2015.

Her decision for the governorship may not be unconnected with the aspiration of the governor who wants to take over her senatorial seat. Orji and Nwogu are not in good terms and she is unlikely to get the governor’s support. Since Orji is from Abia Central Senatorial District, it will be difficult for Nwogu to succeed him based on the clamour for the governorship to be zoned to the North Senatorial

Saraki

District. There is also a belief that being a woman, it would be difficult for her to emerge as Abia State governor. Getting the party’s ticket is unlikely.

Chris Anyanwu (Imo) Anyanwu, a journalist, publisher, and politician is representing Imo East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

She is aspiring to govern Imo State on the platform of the PDP. Born on October 28, 1951 in Mbaise, Imo State, Anyanwu was appointed in 1987 as Imo State Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Welfare under the Amadi Ikwechegh-led military administration.

After her tenure as commissioner, Anyanwu became Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of TSM (The Sunday Magazine), a weekly publication which focused on political issues. She was arrested in May 1995 and imprisoned till 1998 for treason after reporting on a failed coup d’état against the government of late General Sani Abacha.

While being held in Gombe prison, she went partially blind and doctors warned that she was in danger of losing her sight completely if she failed to receive medical attention. Shortly after her imprisonment, she received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award.

Believing that she could make more impact in politics, Anyanwu ran for the Senate and was elected on the platform of the PDP in 2007 to represent Imo East.

She later fell out with the PDP and was re-elected into the Senate in April 2011 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Anyanwu is working assiduously to pick the PDP ticket and send Governor Rochas Okorocha packing from the Government House in 2015.

Getting the PDP ticket may be a big issue for Anyanwu given the calibre of aspirants on the PDP platform. She has to battle the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim; former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Chuka Odom; Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and others for the PDP ticket.

Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan (Taraba) Al-Hassan, a lawyer, was former Tara-

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Al-Hassan

Dabiri-Erewa

Olejeme

Chenge

ba State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. She was also a former Chief Registrar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

During the January 2011 PDP primaries in Taraba North Senatorial District, Al-Hassan defeated the then incumbent senator, Ambassador Manzo Anthony. After getting her party’s ticket she won the 2011 election, defeating the state’s former governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame, who ran on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

She gained prominence in the Senate in June 2011 when she led two other senators from Taraba State to stop the screening of the ministerial nominee from the state on the strength that the nominee was handpicked by a moneybag in Abuja, without any input from the government and people of Taraba State.

Ahead of 2015, Al-Hassan, the ViceChairman of Senate Committee on Women Affairs, is aspiring to run for Taraba State governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Coming from the Northern part of the state, many people are of the view that it may be difficult for Al-Hassan to emerge as governor in 2015. Taraba is a PDP state and contesting on the platform of APC may be a minus for the lawyer turned politician. But some are of the view that the division in the state over leadership tussle between ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai and Acting Governor Garba Umar, who recently declared his intention to run for governor, may pave the way for the senator to be the first female governor in Taraba State if she gets the APC gubernatorial ticket.

Though some women have courageously thrown their hats in the ring to contest the governorship seats in the past, none has ever scaled through. It is either they lost during their party’s primaries or lost to their male counterparts at the general election

Abike Dabiri-Erewa (Lagos) Dabiri-Erewa, a broadcaster turned politician, is one of the leading female voices in the House of Representatives since 2003. The former Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity is the present Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. The lawmaker has been rumoured to be nursing governorship ambition on the platform of the APC. Considering the ongoing political calculation in Lagos APC, Dabiri-Erewa seems not to be among the leading gubernatorial aspirants in the Centre of Excellence. Political analysts are of the view that it would be difficult for the lawmaker to defeat the likes of former Lagos State Accountant-General, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and former Lagos State Commissioner for Health and later Education, Dr. Leke Pitan, in the governorship race.

Initially, Dabiri-Erewa was positioning herself as a deputy governorship candidate until the APC zoned its governorship to Lagos East where she comes from. And getting the APC ticket is remote. The option left for her is to return to the House in 2015.

Ngozi Olejeme (Delta) Dr. Olejeme is the Chief Executive of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). She is angling to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Delta State in 2015 on PDP platform.

Through her non-governmental organisation, Ngozi Olejeme Foundation, she has cared for many who are disadvantaged through several empowerment schemes, vocational and skill building projects.

Olejeme is not new in Delta politics having contested for PDP gubernatorial primaries in 2007 but lost the ticket to the incumbent governor. She is back in the contest and she appears very strong this time around to clinch the PDP ticket considering her perceived endorsement by power brokers in the state. She is a strong supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan. She is the Director of Finance in the Goodluck Support Group (GSC), an organisation set up for the re-election bid of President Jonathan.

Although, she has made so much showing in the media, Olejeme’s chances of picking the PDP ticket for the 2015 governorship election in Delta State is remote.

Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara) Ms Saraki is the daughter of the late godfather of Kwara politics and Senate Leader in the Second Republic, Dr. Olusola Saraki. She worked with the Societe Generale Bank as Head of Money Markets and later as Head of Domiciliary Accounts. She was also a former Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.

With the influence of her father, she ventured into politics and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1999. She was also elected as Senator for Kwara Central Senatorial District in 2003 and re-elected in 2007.

In September 19, 2010, her father formally endorsed her to take-over from her brother, Dr. Bukola Saraki as governor in 2011 but the endorsement was rejected not only by the PDP but by Bukola himself, who backed one of his commissioners, Abdulfatah Ahmed, against his sister. The matter eventually pitched the governor against his father and sister.

While the feud continued, the older Saraki took his daughter and many of

his supporters in PDP to the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), on which platform Gbemisola contested the governorship election. She lost to the incumbent Governor Ahmed.

The former ACPN gubernatorial candidate has again thrown her hat in the ring for the governorship election and this time around she wants to contest on the platform of the PDP. She could emerge as the PDP candidate given the fact that she controls the party structures in the state. The religious bias in the state is a huge barrier to her ambition. This was a major issue in the 2011 election wherein the Muslim clerics rejected her candidature on gender basis.

Also, since the death of her father, Gbemisola may not have the necessary reach to earn the governorship ticket with the array of other PDP gubernatorial aspirants in the state.

Dupe Onitiri-Abiola (Lagos) She is one of the wives of the late business mogul and presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola. Onitiri-Abiola has declared her intention for the 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos State on the platform of Accord Party.

She is campaigning to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola. Since she declared her intention to govern Lagos in 2015, many have regarded her aspiration as a joke. This is not the first time she will contest for governorship but perform woefully. Nothing much is expected from her aspiration.

Adetokunbo Tobun-Agbesanwa (Lagos) Tobun-Agbesanwa, the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos Governor on School Environmental Advocacy, has indicated interest to take over from Fashola come 2015.

She is the daughter of the former presidential candidate of Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), late Major Mojisola Adekunle-Obasanjo. She hails from Epe division in Lagos East Senatorial District, where APC governorship seat is already zoned to. Irrespective of the noise being made by Tobun-Agbesanwa, pundits don’t see her as a serious contender in the race. Some people are of the view that she is in the race for negotiation.

Ada Chenge (Benue) Chenge, an engineer and doctorate degree holder, is the only female governorship aspirant in Benue State. In 2007, she contested as the only female contender against the incumbent governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, at the PDP primaries but lost. She is back in the race to succeed Suswam in 2015.

Chenge believes that being born Idoma and married to a Tiv man will be an added advantage to her ambition.

But gender issue and political experience may work against her aspiration.

Also, with the likes of former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Hon. Sam Ode; the state deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani and a host of others, fighting hard to succeed Suswam, it may be difficult for Chenge to become governor in 2015.

Looking at the array of female politicians in the governorship race in different states, the questions on the lips of many Nigerians are: how far can they go? Will Nigeria produce her first elected female governor in 2015? Are the men folk even prepared for a female to lead them at the state level come 2015? The February 28, 2015 governorship election will provide answers to these questions. But the reality is that majority of the female governorship aspirants may not make it beyond the parties’ primaries except they try their luck on the platform of any of the fringe parties. They may end up with appointments other than the governorship.

16 Politics In Lagos State, some members of the Babatunde Fashola administration are leaving the cabinet to contest the February 2015 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). MURITALA AYINLA takes a look at the aspirations of some members of the Lagos State Executive Council

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fashola’s appointees jostle for APC tickets Tinubu on Political and Legislative Affairs and had served as Special Adviser on Central Business District during Fashola’s first tenure.

He is contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent Lagos Island Constituency I, a position occupied by Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, who has been in the House for third term.

Ademorin Kuye Kuye is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He intends to represent Shomolu federal constituency at the House of Representatives. The former chairman of Shomolu Local Government will replace Deji Jakande, son of former governor, Lateef Jakande, if he wins the November primaries.

T

he race to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola is getting more intense day-by-day with more aspirants indicating interest from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties. While some members of the state’s Executive Council are eyeing Fashola’s seat, others are jostling for one political office or the other ahead of the 2015 general election.

Some commissioners, special advisers and special assistants are jostling for the governor’s seat. Permanent Secretaries are not left out in the race for the 2015 polls. Hence, it is more politics, less service at the ministries and agencies of those aspiring for elective offices in Lagos State.

Adejoke Orelope Adefulire The deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire, will likely contest for the Lagos West senatorial seat or in the worst scenario a seat in the House of Representatives. She has served in several capacities as member of the state House Assembly, commissioner and deputy governor.

Pundits are of the view that Orelope-Adefulire has not performed like her predecessor, Princess Sarah Sosan, who while in the saddle as deputy governor, was in charge of the state Ministry of Education.

The deputy governor supervises the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). The ministry, according to observers, has performed below expectation under her watch.

This, many said, was responsible for why the ministry could not hold its annual ministerial press briefing in the last two years.

But lately, the deputy governor is spearheading the skills acquisition programmes, where over 25,000 residents have benefitted.

She is close to the leadership of the party and this may earn her an elective ticket, most likely that of the House of Representatives.

Obafemi Hamzat The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural, Dr. Hamzat, is doing everything humanly possible to clinch the party’s gubernatorial ticket next month. He believes he has what it takes to sustain the tempo of infrastructural renewal already embarked upon by Gov-

Adefulire

Hamzat

Gbolahan Lawal The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative was Aide De Camp (ADC) to former Governor Tinubu and enjoys a robust relationship with Fashola. Gbolahan is unlikely to run for elective position, but he is going to play crucial roles in the 2015 poll.

Ade Ipaye Ipaye is the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. Though he is yet to indicate interest in any political office, the former university lecturer may join the governorship race or seek for elective office giving his closeness to Tinubu.

Danmole

ernor Fashola.

To him, the questions of religion and indigeneship do not matter, but what is essential is the ability to take the state to the next level. Recent developments in Lagos politics show that the governor is not rooting for him as a successor. His getting the APC ticket is remote.

Kayode Opeifa The 49-year-old commissioner is yet to declare his ambition, but there are indications that he may contest an elective position in 2015. New Telegraph gathered that the Commissioner for Transport is interested in the governorship seat.

In 2011, he aspired for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent Agege Constituency but had to step down for Hon. Samuel Adejare. The former don may reactive his ambition of going to the National assembly.

Lateef Raji Raji is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy. He is contesting the Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1 seat in the House of

Tobun-Agbesanwa

Representative in.

He will have to slug it out with Hon. Fatai Akinderu, a second term lawmaker, whom he stepped down for in 2011.

Tunji Bello Bello is the Commissioner for Environment. He is one of those being considered as governorship running mate in the state.

The journalist and former Managing Director of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) is a core loyalist of former Governor Bola Tinubu. He also enjoys good rapport with the incumbent governor.

Oyinlomo Danmole He is the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in Lagos State. The two-time member of the State House of Assembly was asked to step down for Senator Oluremi Tinubu in 2011 when he contested for the Lagos Central senatorial seat. Danmole was later made the Campaign Manager to Mrs. Tinubu.

He was a Special Adviser to

While some members of the state’s Executive Council are eyeing Fashola’s seat, others are jostling for one political office or the other

Adetokunbo Tobun-Agbesanwa She is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fashola on School Environmental Advocacy. She has indicated interest in Fashola’s job. The 44-year old aspirant believes she has what it takes to take the state to the next level, having garnered experience as activist and public servant.

Tobun-Agbesanwa is the daughter of Major Moji Adekunle-Obasanjo.

Her father, Chief Adekunle Tobun contested in the governorship primaries in the Third Republic. She is also coming out from Epe, where Akinwunmi Ambode and other notable aspirants in and outside Fashola’s cabinet are coming out from. She is not expected to pull any surprises in the race.

Critics say she may be looking for something else.

Dolapo Badru Dr. Badru is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social Development. He contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Dolapo has been responsible for discovery and rescuing of orphans from unregistered orphanage homes and rehabilitation of under-aged urchins in Lagos.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Imo PDP and Araraume burden The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State faces a moral burden ahead of the 2015 elections, as many insist that the party will only make a headway if it rights the wrong meted to its candidate in the 2007 polls, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, writes STEVE UZOECHI

T

he name Ifeanyi Araraume is not new in the Imo political turf. The man behind the name has maintained a formidable presence in the political landscape of the state since1999. Serving two uninterrupted terms as senator for Imo North from 1999 to 2007, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has sustained his bid for the governorship of the state since 2007 till date.

The soft-spoken but hardfighting senator is a consummate party man who has at all times harped on the need for intra-party discipline. He holds the conviction that political parties must first, internally define the quality of democratic governance they are offering the larger society. And that the commitment of a party to democratic ideals can only be affirmed, when democracy finds unhindered expression in its intra-party activities.

Araraume’s glowing perception of his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his years of experience in the Senate spanning 1999 through 2007, did not in any way, prepare him for the convoluted and hydra-headed conspiracy that awaited him within the ranks of the same party in 2007.

While the episode showcased the self-sided desperation of a despotic oligarchy driven by a well coordinated network of slave-driving overlords operating between Owerri and Abuja; Araraume’s defiant doggedness and staying power in the middle of such rampaging political storm, distinguished him as a politician not to be trifled with and again brought to the fore the tragedy of ‘garrison democracy’ in Nigeria.

Araraume, prior to 2007 did not start out to engage Chief Achike Udenwa, the incumbent governor at the time, in a battle for supremacy or any exchange of brickbats, as it was made to appear during the 2007 governorship election.

It could be recalled that before the bubble burst between the duo, Araraume was in the habit of flying into Owerri to attend state government functions just to stand by the governor in open solidarity and even gladly took up obligations and commitments in the process.

But the senator and Udenwa

Araraume

were just not compatible at the time, or so it seemed, as Udenwa and his lieutenants appeared bent on shutting the senator out in the cold. But he had a choice; to either run the race on the side of the governor or to run, trusting wholly in the goodwill of Imo people.

Araraume chose the latter; he publicly declared his bid to run for the governorship of the state and all hell was let loose on him. No effort was spared as every string that could be pulled to stonewall his ambition was pulled. From the streets of Owerri, through the state PDP office and to the national headquarters of the party, Araraume was hounded with state resources, branded unprintable names and literally demonized.

No resource was spared; at the time, all one needed to be in the bad books of the state government was to be labelled, “an Araraume man”; it was more like branding a Ugandan, ‘an Obote man’ during the Idi Amin era (which translated to a death sentence). It was that bad.

Unfortunately for the incumbent then, he had political baggage in excess; in the sense that a lot of his loyalists were angling to succeed him and he could not streamline their ambitions in the interest of their Redemption ’98 political structure before the party primaries.

At the time, the Deputy Governor, Chief Ebere Udeagu, Engr.

Charles Ugwu, Hon. Ike C. Ibe and the Speaker, Barr. Kelechi Nwagwu were some of the members of Udenwa’s political family that presented themselves for the PDP governorship primaries.

Somehow, it became appar-

It is a wonder that while the PDP leadership is parroting reconciliation and reintegration of aggrieved members; nothing definite has been said about revisiting the injustice done to this man and others like him

ent that the obsession to ground Araraume’s ambition had blinded their objectivity to the extent that they missed the obvious calculation that votes from their political structure would be shared amongst them, and other last minute entrants into the race from Udenwa’s Orlu home front.

With the benefit of hindsight, one can rightly assert that Chief Hope Uzodinma’s political clout then, was nothing to reckon with except for the fact that he had once been an Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate.

But on the eve of the governorship primary, words went round that delegates from Orlu zone (Imo West) should vote Uzodinma. It was however not clear where the directive emanated from, but at the end of the day Senator Araraume (Okigwe zone) still triumphed, with Uzodinma (Orlu zone), a late entrant into the race, as runner up, followed by Chief Tony Ezenna (Orlu zone). Incidentally, the core Udenwa loyalists largely pulled up the rear.

By this, Araraume had toppled an apple cart by snatching the party’s ticket from an incumbent governor who supposedly had greater control of the PDP delegates than any individual in the party. It was a slight too much for the state government to stomach.

Spin doctors were summoned from far and near to the government house in what was called a stakeholders’ meeting, in which Araraume was not considered eligible to attend. At the end of the meeting, another plot was conjured and the then governor and a select crop of leaders rushed off to Abuja to interface with the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who incidentally had bought into the project to shut down Senator Araraume, by hook or crook.

It is most instructive however to note that posterity would always have a place of honour for Senator Araraume for standing up to the plot of the cabal that ran the state PDP structure at the time. From the outcome of the primaries, through the intrigues that surrounded it, it became obvious that, except for the doggedness and robust contention put forward by Araraume, an Orlu man in the person of either Chief Uzodinma or Chief Ezenna may have succeeded Udenwa as governor and may only be relinquishing power by 2015.

Okigwe zone in particular owes Araraume, the debt of gratitude for the battle he fought alone against the powers that be in the PDP and the political forces of state. Araraume paid the price for the 2007 – 20011 governorship tenure of Ikedi Ohakim. He also awakened Owerri zone to the realization of the fact that without a fight, they would actually remain nowhere in the power calculation of Imo state.

With Obasanjo now in the picture, they sought to use the platform of PDP to rob him of his governorship ticket by initiating moves to ensure that Araraume’s

name was not forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the senator approached the courts to halt the impunity. Hence, the courts including the Supreme Court ruled that Araraume remained the governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo state.

Humbled and humiliated, the spin doctors were summoned again and after their magic dice was rolled once more, they came up with a last gasp effort.

As petty and as desperate as it seemed, the PDP leaders at the time headed by Chief Obasanjo and Chief Udenwa resolved to blackout the PDP in Imo state just to spite a man.

The PDP leaders put words around that PDP no longer had a candidate for the Imo governorship election, and went ahead to shop for a ‘lesser evil’, meaning, anybody but Araraume. Against every existing law of political party loyalty, Araraume was abandoned midstream, to his own devices and Ohakim of the then Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), was embraced and returned as governor of Imo state using the PDP paraphernalia.

Since the consummation of this voodoo bargain, the PDP has not ruled Imo state; as a matter of fact, Chief Ikedi Ohakim who emerged as a PPA governor had his woes compounded as soon as he joined the PDP and it never abated until he was hounded out of office by the same forces that enthroned him.

As 2015 approaches, the PDP may need to stop and retrace its steps. And hopefully, get to the root of their political woes in Imo state. Another governorship election defeat in Imo state will send most of the PDP stalwarts into political oblivion or force them to jump ship with their heads bowed.

If sabotaging Araraume; and rendering his governorship ticket in 2007 nugatory was not another case of anti-party activity taken too far, then nothing will ever be. It is a wonder that while the PDP leadership is parroting reconciliation and reintegration of aggrieved members; nothing definite has been said about revisiting the injustice done to this man and others like him.

The way the PDP is presently structured in Imo state, until the matter and other sundry issues relating to it are brought to the table, the PDP may indeed find it herculean, to safely extricate itself from the morass of intraparty impunity, before the 2015 election takes the party by storm.

Whatever is the case, the PDP-sponsored assault on Senator Araraume’s mandate in 2007 deserves another mention. Araraume may not get back everything he had lost at the time, but if indeed, the Imo PDP is out to sincerely mend fences and put its house in order, the Araraume issue, is the place to start. And for the scars of injustice Senator Araraume bears, I dare say, ‘let justice be done, even if the heavens fall’.

18

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Remi Oyo: Rare Gem of our time Emma Eke

I

f there is anything that pained me about the passage of Remi Oyo, it is that she will not be here to read my yet-to-be published Reporter’s Diary. In it, I had planned to thrill the reading public with a portion of how this quintessential, but humble achiever unconditionally made my first trip to Aso Rock, the country’s seat of power. I deliberately dedicated a chapter of the book her, as I entitled it: ‘Sitting Near to Presidential Council Hall in Aso Rock, Courtesy Remi Oyo.’ Poor me! A mere mortal, I never knew that this could be read posthumously of her!

That particular chapter is not meant to draw an undeserved attention on her role as Special Assistant to then President Olusegun Obasanjo on Media; nor is to assess her performance, for which I am least qualified to. Of course, there might have been many of one’s colleagues, who as the job demands, routinely resume in the seat of power hounding news. But mine was to recall how a single and unsolicited story idea ended up seeing yours truly offered a rare opportunity to be a Presidency guest, on a platter. Notwithstanding the nativity that later derailed its anticipated benefits (officially and otherwise) the fact that one had a near-chance of having a one-on-one interactive session with no less a personality than Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was enough joy for any fledgling reporter. But for one’s wrong reading of a situation, which cast aboard all suggestion by this amiable lady that all one needed was a longer wait to crown this unusual effort.

How did I come in contact with this woman of substance in the first place? My then Editor of the Guardian on Sunday, Fred Owhawha, had instructed me to head for Yaba to cover a special session of National Association of Women Journalists (

NAWOJ) for which Remi was a pioneer founder. Dutifully, this role with that of being Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) chairperson, that was in 2000.

As should be expected of an inquisitive reporter, I had insisted on having interview with each key player at the event. And this led to exchange of business cards and phone numbers. That was shortly before she landed her plumb job as a Presidential spokesperson.

Still I could easily remember that I did a story later after a trip to the North East over fears expressed by beans farmers, in 2003 that the Federal Government had concluded plans to give its nod to importation of the commodity form neighbouring Chad and Niger. Back to the newsroom at Rutam House, the account of the trip was scripted and published. One believed that part of the report might have excited Remi.

Or how else could one explain receiving a call from unexpected source. At the other end was a lady’s voice confirming she was actually speaking with the name bearer. Fretfully confirming that the inquirer was from Aso Rock, I nudged up an already shaken courage and exchanged pleasantries, anticipating the worst reprimand. But on the contrary, the scintillating and unassuming voice asked whether it could be convenient for yours truly to be a guest at Aso Rock! Pausing momentarily, a resonating affirmation followed while hiding any outburst of joy. A date and time was arrived at.

Again, it was her take on my insistence that I should be allowed to have a direct interaction with the President that surprised me most. This did make her to cancel her invitation and this separated her from many in her position.

Remi, at the visit proper, played more than the role of one who is committed to positively affecting the CV of her junior professional colleague. While my host was there urging me to tarry the more, with

a guide into an exhaustible patience sitting pretty, with heaps of all newspapers till 11pm, a prerequisite to attaining to my desire. “Baba can take you on with or without questionnaire, all you need is patience,” she had earlier asserted. But upon my insistence that I was retiring to my hotel to return the next day, little did I know what opportunity I had missed; for tomorrow being a Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council meeting robbed me of all Her quiet disposition, was never to be taken for weakness as could be testified by colleagues in all fronts that she served. Always carrying her visage rather, like a hen would brood her chickens. She possessed that quality, which is lacking in many of her contemporaries.

Remi will definelty be sleeping a fulfilled daughter of God. The family that she has left behind should be consoled their wife, mother and grandmother, led a fulfilled life having achieved some feats including being the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Nigeria Guide of Editors (NGE); the first female President of the Guild, who achieved so much for the body.

That the country honoured her as the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), among other accolades and awards – including the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria – should be soothing enough. On my side, I regret missing the opportunity of interacting much closer with her, as a fellow Catholic, I never knew until recently, that in 2011, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, imparted Apostolic Blessing on her for the prestigious award of Papal Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great. Remi lives on as her unassuming attitude will continue to serves as a reminder to all who knew her that there is more in being good than otherwise. That the Almighty would grant her eternal rest is assured by her works, in line with the Bible.

• Eke is a Lagos-based journalist

Schizophrenia: Need for a paradigm shift Ambrose Lawani

T

he World Mental Health day is observed on the 10th of October. The events outlined for the celebration offer stakeholders the opportunity to increase the awareness of citizens on mental health matters. The theme for the 2014 edition of the World Mental Health Day is “Living with Schizophrenia”.

It is expected that the populace will be better informed about Schizophrenia; in addition advocacy for better management of the condition will be created.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that is characterized by a schism in an individual’s thinking, behavior, feeling and actions. There are different sub-types of Schizophrenia but some of the common symptoms include; suspiciousness, unusual thoughts, changes in sensory experiences (hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling things that others do not experience),disorganized communication (difficulty getting to the point, rambling, illogical reasoning) and grandiosity (unrealistic ideas of ability or talents).

Schizophrenia produces a gradual decline in functioning. The longer Schizophrenia is left untreated ,the greater the disruption to the individual’s ability to study, work and maintain good interpersonal relationship.

Empirical studies reveal that over 50 percent of people with Schizophrenia live in the developing world. The implication of the latter finding for the most populous Nation in Africa is obvious to all. Further-

more, research findings reveal that about one percent of the Global population suffers from Schizophrenia. The World Health Organization in 2011 reported that about 24 million people globally are living with Schizophrenia, and are aged mainly 15-35years.

People living with Schizophrenia die 1520 years earlier than the general population due to life style issues like smoking that affects their physical health. Other physical health issues include the increased risk of cardiovascular disease which has been attributed to the tendency of people with schizophrenia to be overweight, diabetic and hypertensive. Studies in Nigeria show that the latter risk factors mentioned above (metabolic syndrome) is prevalent in Nigerian subjects with Schizophrenia and these findings are consistent in other studies that report the incidence of metabolic syndrome in people with severe mental illness as being 2-3 times greater than the general population. Furthermore, other physical health issues arise in patients with schizophrenia due to the abuse of psycho-active substances, thus it is imperative for mental health professionals to identify and manage such conditions in people living with Schizophrenia.

Most individuals with Schizophrenia are unemployed coupled with the fact that payment for health care services in Nigeria is currently mainly by out of pocket payment. Increasing the coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme will reduce the financial burden associated with the management of Schizophrenia. Provision of rehabilitative services as part of the management will reduce the incidence of unemployment among persons with Schizophrenia. Also it has been reported

that about 70 percent of the Nigerian Population live in the rural areas where access to mental health services is lacking. This latter scenario which is an impediment to access to evidence based care by people living with Schizophrenia in Nigeria, can be addressed if mental health services are provided at Primary Health Care Centre’s across the country.

The exact cause of Schizophrenia is unknown it is believed to result from interplay of genetic, behavioral and other factors. A child whose parent has Schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance of developing Schizophrenia. An identical twin (monozygotic twin) of a person with Schizophrenia has the highest risk(about 40-65 percent chance) of developing the illness. Individuals who have second degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop Schizophrenia more often than the general population. It is noteworthy that it is not only the patients themselves that live with Schizophrenia, relatives, careers, the society etc also have to live with the condition. Many studies in Nigeria reveal that the burden of Schizophrenia on the family is high. The burden on family members is due to the time they take off work to provide care and support for a family member with Schizophrenia in addition to the financial resources spent and coping with the behavioral syndromes associated with the illness. Organization of family intervention for relatives of people with Schizophrenia has been found to improve the prognosis of the illness. People with severe mental illness like Schizophrenia are more likely to be homeless, unemployed or living in poverty.

Presently a diagnosis of Schizophrenia

does not necessarily connote a lifetime of deterioration in personality and slide in socio-occupational functioning.

Schizophrenia can now be better managed using pharmacotherapeutic, occupational therapy and psychosocial interventions, thus patient symptoms can be alleviated resulting in better prognosis (outcome) and improved socio-occupational functioning. Recent studies show that about 25 percent of subjects with Schizophrenia recover fully while 25-35 percent improve considerably and live relatively independent lives,20 percent improve but need extensive support and between 10 and 15 percent do not improve.

Concerted efforts should be made by all to provide evidence based cost effective treatment for patients with schizophrenia and their relatives at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care in Nigeria. People with schizophrenia should be supported with respect to seeking legal redress for any infringement of their fundamental human rights.

The role of the family in relapse prevention cannot be overemphasized; a concept of note in this regard is that of ‘expressed emotion’ which is used to describe criticism, hostility and over involvement in the affairs of persons with Schizophrenia. Patients with Schizophrenia who experience high expressed emotion are more likely to experience frequent relapses compared to those with low expressed emotion.

Finally more attention should be placed on implementing evidence based methods of ensuring treatment adherence among people with Schizophrenia.

• Lawani (ambroselawani@yahoo.com), a psychiatrist lives in Benin

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

19

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

Sanctity of Truth

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

S

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Hope for the Chibok Girls

ix months after they were abducted, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the release of the 200 plus school girls from Chibok, a mainlyChristian community in Borno State schoolgirls who have been in the captivity of the Boko Haram insurgents since April this year. Within this period, New Telegraph has thrice editorialized on the issue. However, on September 17 this year, we broke the story of a secret negotiation between the presidency and the insurgents in Chad. It’s that negotiation that resulted in the ceasefire that was announced on Thursday last week between the sect and the government.

Although that ceasefire appears to have been broken with the weekend killing of some villagers in Borno by Boko Haram, there are signs that both parties will keep to the terms of the agreement and make it work.

Hitherto, we had thought that what seemed more important to the Jonathan administration was the 2015 general election in which the president is expected to throw his hat in the ring for a re-election, a project politicians appear to be pursuing with utmost passion and zeal. Thus, everything is seen only through this perspective while the fate of the 219 abducted girls had obvi-

ously become more of an irritant than a cause for genuine humanitarian and paternal concern.

One of the recent events that pointed to apparent lack of compassion for the Chibok Girls was the visit of Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistiani anti-Taliban campaigner. Although the visit was arranged by the #BringBackOurGirls advocates, it was almost hijacked by the administration’s officials and turned into a photo opportunity for themselves.

We took umbrage at the seeming politicization of the abducted school girls’ plight and urged that an end be put to it. We are, therefore, delighted that amidst all these criticisms, the government was actually doing something about the situation rather quietly.

Under pressure to perform and pounded with criticisms from all quarters, the government even tried hiring a foreign PR firm to help change the narrative, a step we stridently criticized in our editorial of July 3 this year. The editorial read in part: “The simple fact is that no amount of image laundering will compensate for rescuing the girls especially through a negotiated process, or replace the need for government to do more in funding a more effective coun-

ter-insurgency programme…

Gradually people are forgetting that some young girls are still in captivity. Yet, those at the corridors of power, who swore to protect and uphold the constitution, which expressly states that, the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of governance, are busy popping champagne and living in excessive luxury and opulence, while the Chibok girls are being exploited and dehumanized as sex slaves. There is no doubting the fact that the government has failed these girls and obviously disappointed itself.

If not for a small group of Nigerians and the international community who have kept the fire of optimism burning and putting pressure on government to do some things fast to get the Chibok girls back to their parents, the government would have consigned the whole saga to the dustbin of history as it has continued to blame its political enemies for the unfolding tragedy...If the government can treat these young, innocent and future leaders with such ignominy and contempt, it means the government just exists for itself and is not truly bothered about what becomes of the citizenry.

It would be recalled that, during the Day of the African Child anniversary, United Na-

tions Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown had urged the world not to forget the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

“Thousands of people have come together united with one cause: safe schools for every girl and boy,” the former prime minister of Britain said as the world celebrated the African Child Day. “While the global community has failed to deliver safe schooling, young people are demanding safe, quality schools for all children everywhere and stand in solidarity with the northern Nigerian girls of Chibok and all those around the world who face these struggles…”

Well-meaning Nigerians demand that the government must squarely and promptly address the issue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, rescue them and give all the support they require to integrate them back into the society. This is the proper direction for money to be invested and not in a ridiculous overseas public relations exercise…

We are delighted that the government took all the criticisms in its strides and negotiated quietly and unobtrusively with Boko Haram for the release of the Chibok Girls. When the girls are eventually set free, it will be a credit to both civil society and the government. That would make it a winwin situation for all concerned.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief n Eric Osagie Deputy Managing Directors n Gabriel Akinadewo

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editors, Daily n Emeka Obasi, 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

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Politics

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP, APC in war of words over president’s visit

Oshiomhole

Ikimi

Anenih

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

istration’s readiness to continue in its transformation agenda aimed at providing the people with good dividends of democracy.

Mua’zu solicited for unity and reconciliation among the party members. He also reminded the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to tow the path of true sportsmanship in politics by resorting to decent business of politicking rather than unholy resort to antagonism over the recent endorsement of President Jonathan as the ruling party’s sole candidature for the 2015 polls.

He said: “The most amazing and intriguing thing to me is the fact that the opposition of such endorsement came from the opposition. I wonder how they know our constitution better than us. I advise you (opposition APC) to shut up and mind your business and let us see how you go about your own. To us, we have decided. If we have decided we have decided. It is up to you to bring out your best to come in competition with ours.

I assure you ours will be better than all you want to produce.”

He continued that President Jonathan had been accepted by all Nigerians as a great man, humble and amiable leader and a product that does not need to be advertised.

Governor of Cross River State and chairman, South-South Governors Forum, Senator Liyel Imoke, urged Nigerians to support the re-election bid of President Jonathan who with great vision is determined to offer his best towards ensuring a better Nigeria.

President Jonathan assured Nigerians of what they should expect in the years ahead, especially improvement in the people’s lives, a shift in focus to agriculture through effective food security, guaranteed peace and unity of all segments of the polity. The president who had earlier on arrival to the state commissioned the Benin-Ofosu first phase of the Benin-Sagamu-Lagos dual carriage way also urged those seeking for elective positions on the PDP platform to unite and go about the process in an orderly and decent manner and not create enemies among the leaders and members.

The president said the rally was solely to gather the party members together in unity, but that party faithful would gather again for a real campaign, and therefore pledged the administration’s

commitment to give its best to the citizenry.

Apart from the words of encouragement and support for the re-election bid of Mr. President, the leadership of the PDP received former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former state chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Tony Omoaghe and Chief Festus Ebea among others into its fold.

President Jonathan used the occasion to plead with the Dan Orbih-led state chapter of the PDP to integrate the defectors into its fold.

Ikimi, in his speech, had boasted that with his defection alongside others, the state chapter of APC was dead and had collapsed completely. He said: “Today is a great day for me that this very grand occasion gives me the opportunity to formally declare that I have withdrawn my membership of the APC that I have now adopted and reintegrated into my original family, the PDP. “I led the group of persons that came to Edo State in 2007 and took away the mandate of the PDP and installed the ACN. Mr. President, let me tell you that as we now join the PDP, the APC in Edo State is clinically death. As we move away from the stadium we will unplug the last bottle of oxygen that we gave to them. Those who worked with them in 2007 are now back to the PDP,” he said.

The rally, no doubt, was successful in every aspect. However, what did not go down well with the Edo State government and chieftains of the APC was President Jonathan’s declaration at the gathering that Edo and Rivers states would fall to the PDP come 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The declaration has generated so much outbursts and reactions from some concerned APC leaders in the state. The state chapter of the APC described the statement by President Jonathan as a mere boast that will come to nullity at the end.

Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Political Matters and a member of the state APC caucus, Charles Idahosa, reminded the president that the Binis who constitute over 50 per

It is unfortunate that the president is being deceived by the PDP leaders here...

It is just a dream they can never deliver

cent of the population of the state have been marginalised by his government, therefore it will be hope dashed for the PDP and presidency “to think that the Esan godfathers will win Edo for them.”

Idahosa said: “It is unfortunate that the president is being deceived by the PDP leaders here and people like Ikimi who recently defected to the PDP because he lost out in the chairmanship of the APC. It is just a dream they can never deliver. Ikimi who spoke during the rally, how many people defected to the PDP with him?”

The APC chieftain vowed that: “Members of the APC in the state will deal with them in February 2015. As we speak today, there is no single Bini man or woman who is a Minister or Permanent Secretary, so what is the PDP going to tell Bini people that will make the Binis vote for PDP? And the days of rigging are over. We are going to deal with them.

Every appointment is in Esan, Uromi in particular. It is a wild dream to say they will win Edo.” The Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said: “If President Jonathan likes he can come to Edo State 200 times, Governor Oshiomhole has laid a foundation that PDP cannot win the state.”

Ihonvbere maintained that, “it is the arrogance of power that killed the PDP in Edo State and they are dead finally because our own brother, Adams Oshiomhole, has laid a foundation that nobody can ever forget.”

While the rage of APC chieftains and drums wait for the epic battle next year, it is expected that the forces of both parties and Aso Rock will lock horns to determine who owns the land. What will however determine the shape of the war is how much impact the administration of both the APC in the state and the PDPcontrolled Federal Government makes on the lives of the people of Edo. Indeed, the people have learnt their lessons about how much promises are kept, working of the country’s electoral system and the quality of leaders who deliver and those that lie and toy with the destiny of Nigerians. It is expected too, that next year’s polls will bring out the best of quality individuals whose words will mean action and not those with empty promises that thrive in selfenrichment while the polity and people suffer.

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Art

From Idu acrylic induction, strokes, colours

22

21

Music

Ogbeiwi, D’ Nightingale, Dakolo for The Fest

22

Arts Echoes of inter-tribal marriage as Yoruba Romance goes on stage

Ebere Ameh

E

xtremely funny,” a lady exclaimed after watching Yoruba Romance, a play that was staged at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday.

While the audience cracked their ribs in laughter, the trio of Odenike, Patrick Dibua and Omololu Shedia, who acted as Nneka, Evans and Ladoja respectively, continued on stage, doing what they know how to do best.

The play which will be staged at the same venue through all the Saturdays of October is about Ladoja, a Yoruba man who fell in love with Nneka, an Igbo lady. While Ladoja is a cocoa farmer with a severe case of diarrhoea, Nneka is a lady, who though is 33, likes to parade herself as forever young. Her father, Evans wants a rich suitor for her daughter, not minding her growing age.

Ladoja’s plan to marry Nneka was almost ruined by circumstances almost beyond their control, but at last, the marriage took place. A satire by all standards, the play mocks the average Nigerian man’s craze for land, the tendency of the average Igbo girl to get old in her father’s house while waiting for the most eligible bachelor, the high bride price that is practiced by the Igbo and much more.

Speaking with Brenda Uphopho, a producer with the Performing Arts Workshop and Studios (PAW Studios), producers of the play, she said that Yoruba Romance is a comedy that deals with the differences in our culture.

“A Yoruba man that wants to marry an Igbo girl just messes

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Jos Repertory Threatre in performance

up the whole proposal process.

It is just a comedy for people to come and relax; it is not an intellectual engagement. We usually don’t do comedy, we do serious drama, but we decided to change the tactics to do something more relaxing,” she said.

Written by Tyrone Terrence, respected writer who writes for the BBC, and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the production of the play was inspired by their earnest desire to make their audience relax.

“We have just staged Camwood on the Leaves, for the Soyinka month, and The Wives

by Ahmed Yerima. Those two plays back to back were very serious. One of them dealt with abuse, the other with incest. So we needed to do something to make our audience enjoy coming to theatre without feeling uncomfortable about some of the issues.

“Besides, Tyrone Terrence is a respected writer whom we have always wanted to work with. This is our first time of staging any of his plays,” Brenda added.

Urging all and sundry not to take things too serious, she

This generation, my generation, are breaking down the walls of tribalism.

The world is uniting as one

explained that intertribal marriage, one of the themes of the play, has come to stay.

“This generation, my generation, are breaking down the walls of tribalism. The world is uniting as one. Internet is connecting us, you can talk to somebody in China and before you know it, you can have a relationship with the person. So inter-tribal marriages, I think are getting easier to access.”

PAW Studios is an academy that has been engaged in live theatre productions for more than five years. The Creative Director of PAWS, Kennet Uphopho, has over 15 years’ experience in the industry.

He started out as a dancer, an actor and now a director, was nominated for the African Magic Movies Viewers’ Choice Awards. A young and vibrant man, he has talent, ability and hard work going for him. All these married together has made the company stand strong in spite of the challenges facing theatre in Nigeria today.

On the obvious poor theatre attendance as compared to attendance at musical and other shows, Mrs. Uuphopho said:

“People need to invest in theatre. It is an art form that we are trying to revive. We need to collaborators; we need other people to participate to revive it, to keep it going. It almost died but for the sacrifices of people like Kenneth Uphopho, Wole Oguntokun and a few others. They were the people that really gave up themselves to bring theatre back to life. It is a pity that something so wonderful, so well put together, so well-rehearsed doesn’t get to be seen by the rest of the world because of lack of funds.”

She commended Terra Kulture, saying, “It is a wonderful encouragement to theatre.

They’ve given us this place at a very great discount. That is why we can still do what we are doing, all the other venues available are very expensive and those are the things that discourage theatre. When you are spending so much money on the venue, you won’t have enough left for outreach, to be able to get people to come and watch it. And sponsors don’t think that this is something that is viable for them.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22

Art

Tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Idu’s Intro, vibrant brushstrokes, on children, women Moses Kadiri

T

hough some artists are limited by the need for easy identification restricting their works to a particular medium thereby becoming stereotype, but Chika Idu refuses to be put in a box. Rather, he wants to be free to express himself in various style, technique and medium that he feels best for his presentation.

The artist who has been experimenting with acrylic materials in the last six years is showcasing, and sharing his findings in an art exhibition which opened on Saturday October 18, 2014, at Quintessence Art Gallery, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phade 1, Lagos. The exhibition is titled Intro, and it will run till November 1, 2014.

His findings are likely to change the way artists work in the country; the works which comes in mixed media, acrylic, and water colour draw attention for art lovers to view art works differently. The star attraction in his paintings is acrylic, where he has been inducted into the hall of fame of acrylic genre. However ldu uses other media such as mixed media, water colour to support the exhibition to show where he is coming from, and where he is presently.

The widely exhibited artist with such exhibitions, Show the Light (1996), Discovery (2002), Changing Attitudes (2002), Fusion (2003), Our Experience (2004), Here and There (2006), Child Abuse and Women Trafficking (UNICEF Republic of Benin, 2004), and Essence ll (2009), has a trade mark that is particular to his style. He primes his own canvass with its underlay without going for the already prepared industrial canvass. Though, the graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, majored in water colour and oil, lntro is his first outing where he will be showcasing acrylic works. “Apart from other works, I am showing my experimental works that l have done in acrylic medium. l have been looking for a way to be more expressive, l did that successfully with oil, but when l see my friends, colleagues’ works in acrylic, l always wonder what it will be like to paint differently. l did not want to paint acrylic the way they paint, l wanted to use a different approach and technique that will allow me to be more expressive. This exhibition provides that opportunity. This is my first time of showing them in a wide range,” he said.

“For me it is like having the command of several languages, there are some expressions with stronger and more direct meaning in some languag-

Ndidi

My Favourite

es than others; this truth can be related to my ability to express myself in various styles.

The works on display in this exhibi- Idu tion explores children and women as emotional creatures. “My sturdy for this show are children and women, these two have always played a very important role in my work. I have always seen the similarity between the two, they are both very emotional creatures, they both love bright colours, l am using lots they share fears among other things,” he explained. of materials in For ldu who has been practicing art my works, l use professionally for 22 years, and studying children and their environments, chicken mesh, from their games to their writing and broom to create drawings for nine years, Intro is the right time for him to open the bags of patterns in some discovery. of my works l did His words: “Five years ago some neighbourhood kids came to play outthis to prevent side my studio leaving several graphite colours from markings on the wall. l was very impressed by the rawness and honesty reaching some of their expressions; after that incicertain areas dence l began paying more attention to children markings, drawings and writings.”

many occasions conducted several experiments with various media, he is always seeking for new and original system of expression. But, according to him, there is nothing new in what any artist is doing in the world of art.

“I started painting with the knife with different strokes for sometimes now, only about two weeks ago someone told me that Glover has been doing such works and we googled it and l saw the works. Now l use lots of materials in my works, l use chicken mesh, broom to create patterns in some of my works. l did this to prevent colours from reaching some certain areas. When l remove the broom it leaves its marks on the work. I also do that with other objects and tomorrow someone will start doing it or someone might already be doing it in the part of the world l don’t know, but because the artist is older than you they will say he started it first.

There’s nothing new in what anybody is doing,” he said.

Idu has conducted and participated in several workshops, he is a youth counsellor, motivational speaker, art teacher, instructor and a poet. He is a founding member of Defactori Studio, and the founder of Sable Water Club.

ldu is a restless artist who has on

Yoruba Romance in October

The Fest: Ogbeiwi, D’ Nightingale, Dakolo to perform

P

roject Fame music director, Benneth Ogbeiwi; first Idols West Africa winner, Timi Dakolo; and award-winning singer, Prisca Enyi (D’ Nightingale) are among stars that will feature in the Catholic music festival, The Fest, that will take place at the Catholic Church of The Ascension, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

The festival is organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, in collaboration with Lagos Catholic Music Commission and Mystical Rose Media, to promote family values within the Church and in

the larger society.

Performances by Christian music artistes and Church choirs will take centre stage.

There will also be an education court for Catholic schools to interact with enquirers, a vocation court for a similar reason, food court, vendor tents, games, activities, and the holy Mass (All Saints), as the event falls on the feast of All Saints, the organisers stated.

According to the organisers, the event will create an avenue for Catholics talented in music to expose and harness their endowments. The Fest Choir, coordinated by Demola Olota,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Dakolo

Nnamdi Amadi and Cornelius Ogar, will assemble about 200 of the best choristers in Lagos for the event.

But most times, art is not for viability, art is for life. And we need people to come into the market. If you see any big production today, more often than not, it is self-funded.”

Talking about her experience in the industry, Brenda said she has written over a hundred proposals to different organisations asking for help but to no avail. “You know what? If they don’t

see value in it, they don’t see value in it.

“To tell you the truth, it has been very discouraging. As a producer, if I had kept the money that I had used to fund theatre for myself, I would be very wealthy. I have had to dig deep, so much to be able to get these things done. And sometimes, it is like running on fumes. It’s discouraging but it’s wonderful to see the production up. If it is about the money, I won’t do it.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

Mom&Parenting

23

Single mother and challenges of raising decent children

Fear of the unknown sometimes can be positive, it could also be negative. When women are left with no option than to raise their kids without a “fatherly figure,” these women tend to play both roles and consequently, they may go way overboard. LYDIA FAMOUS writes.

G

rowing up was not so pleasant for Estelle Madu, who lost her father at age 13. This was not due to the fact that she lacked the basic necessities of life but it was as a result of her mother’s strict approach to bringing her up. Estelle’s mother was so over protective of her only daughter. When she got to age 15, the once loving mother became like a total stranger, she got agitated over any little thing or move Estelle made. She warned her daughter not to use deodorant and jewelleries and made her wear natural hair; This she felt would make her less attractive to the opposite sex.

To Estelle, these were things she could do without but then, it became worrying when Estelle got mercilessly beaten up with a thick rope just because she went out with friends, girls of course and then her mother threatened to scrap her hair if she was not careful. Estelle became withdrawn and sometimes wondered why her mom became a pain in her neck.

On this fateful day, Estelle came back from school through another route. That was because she joined her friend in her father’s car but her mum didn’t want any explanation. She just concluded that Estelle was keeping male friends and had started paying them a visit. That day, Estelle got the beating of her life as usual. This was the last straw as Estelle made up her mind to go into a relationship. “I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to date anyone until I was out of secondary school even though my friends were dating, but because of the false accusation I constantly re-

Team Oluwatosin Omoniyil Coordinator

Grace Essen l Contributor

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ceived from my mom, I had a change of mind. I said to myself, it would be better that I’m in a relationship and I get beaten for it than not and still bear the same consequence.

That was how I started dating.

My mother’s constant accusations and beating was the fuel that ignited my desire to date.”

On the contrary, Estelle’s mom felt she was doing the right thing. She often received advice from her friends and neighbours, who all became Estelle’s “watchdog” after her father passed on. She told New Telegraph that she listened to people’s advice without taking time to find things out for herself, which was wrong on her part. She was so scared that she didn’t want her only daughter to be a teenage mother. Hence, the constant yelling and accusation but she’s grateful that her act didn’t push her daughter out to a damaging point.

Poor Sam Peters had to go through psychological torture at the age of 10. A once very active child became a recluse. He no longer played with his friends. Rather, he was always spotted in a corner crying. Asked why, he could not explain it but demanded to be alone and cry.

If he was not crying, he would be screaming and pointing at some imaginary figures.

His young mother went wild on what could have befallen her child. She broke down in tears and frustration until a friend intervened and took both mother and child to Yaba Psychiatric centre, Lagos.

At the centre, Peters informed the team of psychiatrists attending to him that “my mummy is my problem really! She shouts, she is too strict on me. She doesn’t like seeing me go outside to play.”

The mother defended herself, saying that she was only trying to protect and ensure that he turns out well and disciplined.

But on assessment, the psychiatrists found out that the mother’s over bearing attitude was borne more out of fear and wrong sense of determination

Happy mom and children

Bibiresanmi

children raised by single mothers are stronger, braver and independent minded.

They take life as a challenge, early in life.

to raise the child to a reasonable standard of life with or without a fatherly figure.

Christiana Uwachukwu, 22, and an undergraduate said: “My mother is just over bearing and extremely harsh with a usual excuse that she doesn’t want me to make the same mistake she made.” Consequently, their relationship became estranged. Uwachukwu does not like going home; her mother loves to see her around but within minutes of their staying together, it is argument and slaps for her. According to Uwachukwu, her father had bet that her mother would not be able to train her properly and that her mother would return her to him. Her mother retorted that even if it meant shedding her blood, she was ready to prove that she could raise her daughter single-handedly. This could be the reason for her mother to be unconsciously determined to train her properly, “but she has become a pain in my neck to the extent she dictates even the hairstyle I make, the type of pant and dress I put on,”.

She added, “I doubt if I can wait till age 25 to get married so that I can be free from her tight grip.”

To Oriyomi Ewaeyenikan, 31, her mother has turned to a barking dog since the death of her father. According to her, her mother refused to remarry because she believes that she can single-handedly raise her

Photo: www.lipstickalley.com

and her younger ones. Ewaeyenikan said, friends dared not come home to visit. She can’t take permission to attend her friend’s birthday party or go to her friend’s place to play. “My mummy will tell us that that is the beginning of gangsterism. She will go to the extent of blackmailing us emotionally by saying, our father’s relatives are expecting her to fail over us or expecting something bad to happen to us,” she said.

Their mother so cowed them to the extent that she and her younger ones feel inferior to their mates. According to them, they also cannot socialise with their mates. “We just couldn’t get things right with our mom and friends,” she said. Consequently, Ewaeyenikan got involved in a wrong relationship and had a set of twins. Unfortunately for her, the relationship didn’t work out well. She left and got involved in another relationship but two months into her pregnancy, the man died.

She believed life wouldn’t have dealt with her that way if she had had peace of mind to take her time to marry. Indeed, there are many side effects of single motherhood. The above cases are just the few out of many children raised by single mothers.

Oluwakemi Bibiresanmi, a lecturer and psychologist, told New Telegraph that there two sides to it, the positive and negative. The negative, she says CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

Mom&Parenting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Nanny Surprises I

A cross section of youth at the seminar

Seminar: Preparing the youth for nation building Ezekiel Adesawe

S

urmounting challenges facing Nigerian youths and contributing to the project of nation building were the high points of a youth conference held recently at the OshodiIsolo, area of Lagos. The conference titled “Youth in nation building” was organised to encourage Nigerian youths understand their roles in the quest of nation building and to help them discover their dreams of a better Nigeria.

Daniel Blessing, the organiser and President of Dream Builder’s Africa, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, said that, “Nigerian youths are not given the platform to express their dreams; hence, there is a need to reenergise and reposition them to discover their dreams for the quest of nation building, or else the dream of a better Nigeria will continue to be a dream that we will never wake up from.”

He further explained that Nigerian youths shouldn’t be regarded as leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today in order to prepare them to take up responsibility that will help in producing a better Nigeria.

He said: “We have decided to organise a programme like this to correct to popular notion that ‘the youths are the leaders of tomorrow’ but the leaders of today. We should allow our youths assume positions where they will be able to positively and greatly contribute to the nation building of this great country of ours.”

Kingsley Ebiara, an educa-

tionist, said the youth should spare-head the role of nation building. “We are told to be leaders of tomorrow and tomorrow begins today.”

He, however, noted that “youths these days are really distracted and if they can be focused and know what they want, irrespective of the challenges that will come their way, they will definitely get to the top.

“I believe Nigeria can be better, if we decide to be honest, the country will change and corruption will be a thing of the past”, he added.

Meanwhile, the President of Change Agent of Nigeria Network in his address, pointed out that wrong values encouraged by the Nigerian youth have resulted in bad governance in the country and development will be difficult to achieve.

According to him: “The problem with the Nigerian youth is living with the wrong values and yet, we want to be part of the project in building a great Nigeria. It’s not possible. Some youths don’t have the right values for life. So, what they are inadvertently doing, in a quest to cut corners, is encouraging and supporting wrong tendencies that are now producing wrong leaders for Nigeria.”

He added: “The only thing that can change Nigeria to the Nigeria all of us want is to live in the right values. The best way to have good people governing us that will build the nation is for Nigerian youths to organize themselves and agree to be living in the right values and be supporting what is right in our leaders. We should not be looking at the

present gain; what do they have to offer us now, but how to build the nation.”

However, he advised that “Nigerian youths should use their strength in number, agility, mental capability, age advantage to vote for the right man. The life of Nigeria is in the hands of youth because the politicians cannot do without our votes.

We are many.”

A participant of the conference, Hillary Ejikeme John, hailed the efforts of the organizers, saying “it is a moment of destiny for me to be in this programme.”

While reacting to the problems faced by youths in the society today, he stated that pornography and poverty are the two major problems the youths are seriously contending with in the quest of nation building.

He said: “ I am so sorry we didn’t initiate them. We came into this world to meet them. The problem here for me is pornography. There are more women than men and when the devil wants to destroy the destiny of a youth, especially that of man, he uses the nakedness of a woman.

“Take a look at the phones, DVDs, computers, our musicals today, they won’t sell if they don’t have sexual contents, and the bitter truth is that they pollute our minds which will later affect the way we think” He added that “in the midst of plenty, we wallow in poverty. So, today our young ones have this ‘get-rich-quick syndrome’ which makes them get in involved in internet fraud.

If these problems are taken away, then I see a better Nigeria ahead.”

The challenges of raising decent children CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 23

includes the child (ren) having personality problem such as inferiority complex, waywardness and indiscipline. The children could grow up indifferent to marriage; they could also hate their father depending on how the mothers handle the issue.

On the positive side, children raised by single mothers are stronger, braver and independent minded. They take life as a challenge, early enough. If it is male children, they make better husbands in future in sympathy to their mom’s experience. They are decisive. They mature faster than those brought up by both

parents.However, Bibiresanmi advised single mothers to try and be fair in raising their children. with trust,calmness and plenty love, they can raise decent children without negating their intentions. “They can provide fatherly figure for their children from family members or trusted family friends,”she said.

got chatting with a mummy friend sometime ago on Whatsapp. We had a few things to rub minds on, and she said she was having issues with ‘help,’ meaning there was a problem with her domestic staff. “Has your nanny left?” I asked, “She is leaving today,” she replied.

I had been over at her place just a week earlier and everything seemed okay, but for little complains here and there , basically about lies and pilfering cases, but she had gotten used to those. So what could be the problem this time? With domestic staff, you are never without issues, are you?

The nanny, a matured lady (my guess would be, in her late twenties) had asked for permission to close early from work one Monday, which my friend didn’t grant considering her own schedule for the day. So she didn’t turn up for work at all, only to appear very late the next day - Tuesday with an excuse that it was raining heavily where she was. My friend asked her to leave her house and she started to beg. My friend insisted, and when she saw how she was serious this time, she opened up to say she is pregnant and had gone for antenatal check that morning. From all she revealed, the pregnancy is advanced.

My friend and I were not just prepared for that kind of shocker, and to think that I had seen her a week before and she looked really normal with what seemed like a normal tummy. It all seemed she had it all planned out and was apparently counting days to take off, when my friend was so comfortable she had her around to help with her three children under the age of seven, and a seven months old baby, so that she could swiftly run her business.

Well, when issues like this come up, our first thought is, “You better not point at my husband as being responsible, for all hell will let loose!”

Then we ask if it is the driver, the security guy, or the ‘alltoo - friendly neighbour’.

Then we conclude: “It’s her business whoever it is, she just has to go!”

I could sense my friend’s rage over the phone, and I thought she needed someone to help her look at the issue from a different point of view, and not let her emotions get the better of her.

“What alternative do you have right now?” I asked.

“Can you cope?” “None for now,” she said. “And what is she saying?” I asked again.

“That I should allow her

work only next month,” she replied.”What do you think?”

I asked. “I don’t know. I am really very busy now, and I can’t carry children all over the place.” She said emphatically.”So, why don’t you let her work for one more month, while you try and get a replacement, so that you are not without a help at any point.” I suggested.”Well, maybe. I guess that is what I will do.” And that was it.

I checked on her the following day, and sure enough she was doing just fine. A lot of moms have been there, I too have. When we are faced with such surprises from our domestic staffs, we let our feelings run very high, we take wrong decisions or maybe the right decisions too quickly and too angrily that we are left with very stressful situations that can jeopardize our careers, businesses, our children’s welfare and ours too. I know a lady who lost her job and ended her career abruptly when the relationship with her nanny got so bad, and the nanny left suddenly. She eventually started a business from home, but just a little patience or a better way to manage the situation could have made all the difference.

These things do happen all the time, sometimes we may not see them coming, but we can learn to manage such situations in a way that we do not loose what is important to us. If you find that you are not in the best position, or you are under pressure to take a decision, talk to a trusted friend, a colleague, a neighbour or just someone who is neutral and is sane enough to give you a ‘way out’ that might help, our best options may come from such people. Yes, our spouses can be of help, but that is when they are not affected by our emotions and reactions and they feel obliged to take sides with us in order not to offend us, and not appear as if they have an interest in the nanny.

We really cannot do without these people, particularly if our kids are still very young and we are in paid employment. We can only learn to manage our reactions in such a way that we make the very best of every situation, and still achieve our goals and aspirations as working moms.

Consider having a plan B and probably plan C. Most moms prefer to get nannies from agents with whom they have a contract in place to provide another nanny when one leaves. You really can never have too many back-up plans.

All the best moms, I’m so sure we all need it!

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

25

‘Insurgents wore hijab to disguise’ Muslims, Christians lived in harmony before the ‘war’

26

UN: 650,000 people fled their homes

SectmodifiedtacticsafterYusuf’sdeath

Many were forced to flee their homes following sustained attacks

Those who refused to join the Islamist had their throats slit off

27

28

Investigation

How Boko Haram separates families Sustained Boko Haram attacks in North-Eastern Nigeria have seen many dead and thousands of youths forced to flee their homes, swamping towns and cities in the Southern part of the country and in the North of neighbouring Cameroun, as refugees.

FLORA ONWUDIWE, who has been tracking some of these youths in the Maza Maza area of Lagos, retells their stories

A family preparing for journey of the unknown. Inset: Others on the move

M ISIOMA MADIKE

Editor, InVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

aza Maza, a sprawling neighbourhood of over 200, 000 people of mixed ethnicity, is a suburb of Lagos, the Centre of Excellence and Nigeria’s economic nerve centre. Though, the area is a mixture of several tribes from different parts of the country, it is mainly populated by the Igbo ethnic group, who trade on spare parts. Luxurious buses from major transporters of the eastern origin are also a common sight in the area.

However, many of the inhabitants of this ghetto intermingle and share almost everything in common. But, there are new additions to this densely populated slum that brims with life on its bustling

streets.

Today, it has almost become a camp for the displaced people of the NorthEastern part of the country. Many of the youth, who fled the region for safety though, survived the recent attacks in the North of Adamawa State, are scarred by what they witnessed. The insurgency, according to them, has set families apart, with some escaping to the neighbouring Republic of Cameroun. They all left behind all that they laboured over the years.

Usman Ibn Musa, who was sighted recently in one of the bukas in Maza Maza, opened up to this reporter after much persuasion as he narrated his sordid experience in tears. Musa, who worked as

a mechanical engineer in the Ministry of Agriculture hails from Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.

With the help of the food vendor, who served as an interpreter, Musa said: “The insurgents entered our local government at 4 p.m. and shot sporadically into the air to scare people away. Any house they entered, they will kill everybody. The terrorists attacked the town and rounded us up before shooting an aged man. Then, right in front of all of us, they burnt another woman alive.”

For two days, he said the insurgents killed and maimed, wasting over 1000 C ONTIN U E D ON PA G E 2 6

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Investigation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Insurgents wore hijab to disguise’

Refugees at the Monkey village, Maza Maza-Lagos State

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

lives.

He said he escaped being killed in a miraculous way. He broke into his house ceiling and hid himself for one week. An old woman, according to him, was always bringing food for him in the night. He defecated and urinated where he was hiding. When he managed to escape, he walked through the drainage, crawled for several hours drenched until he entered into the bush. He was barefooted for three days without food. There was no single soul on his way to unknown destination.

Parents have no idea what has happened to their sons and daughters Musa, who watched with trepidation, these horrible happenings, ran for dear life and hid himself in the bush, crossing many rivers. He survived by digging up yams from hastily abandoned farms.

"I could hardly eat because of what I saw and even now, I usually don't feel like eating food each time I remembered what drove me out of my home," the traumatised young man said. He is now alone with no relatives.

Musa, who has been married for nine years to a nurse, has two female children. His wife presently works with the Maiduguri General Hospital. The engineer now looks for other means of survival. He repairs generator and rides Okada within Maza Maza and the neighouring environs in Lagos.

Yet, he is not alone. There are many other youths from that region, who have lost contact with their parents, as well as mothers and fathers, who have no idea what has happened to their sons and daughters.

John Augustine, from Plateau State, is one of them. He lived with his parents in Borno State. Boko Haram “armies”, according to him, burnt their houses and pursued them into the villages. He slept for two weeks in the farm and was always sending his younger sister to get food for him.

While in the bush, he saw many of the insurgents wearing hijab to disguise like women but holding guns and looking for those to send to their early graves.

"There was panic everywhere as

people heard that Boko Haram were coming," said Augustine, recalling the day when the jihadists captured a town near the Camerounian border. "We all ran but my mother did not want to leave.”

His eyes welling up with tears; he is desperate for news of what happened to her. "I met a woman, who told me she saw my mother when they were hiding in the fields and my mother begged her for some food, which they shared. But I don't know where she is now. I've no means of reaching my mother, she doesn't have a phone," Augustine told this reporter.

Although, there is a dire need for help with tracing relatives but with so many areas too dangerous to reach as the war rages on, Augustine and other shattered families can get little help for now.

As a farmer, Augustine said he lost N400, 000 to insurgency. He planted beans, bought insecticides and hired labourers to farm for him. He had to abandon everything he had and escaped to Lagos where he is gradually picking the pieces of his life. He said his two friends, who refused to escape with him, got killed and others converted by force to Islam.

Zacharia Bitrus, also from Gwoza is another. He escaped death from the jaws of the deadly Boko Haram sect. Bitrus recalled how the insurgents invaded their homes and carted away their properties.

“After that they will set our houses ablaze. When we cried to the soldiers, they too will ask us to run for our dear lives. It was a hopeless situation,” he said.

Bitrus was selling recharge cards before these ugly incidents.

His parents ran to Cameroun because of the “war”. Today, he can neither trace nor communicate with them because he does not have their telephone numbers. He recalled that before the emergence of insurgents in the North-East, Christians and Muslims were living peacefully. He said they once attempted conscripting him but for divine intervention.

“I told them that I cannot change my religion, they can go ahead and kill me. I didn’t know where the courage came from. My mother told me that they will not leave me alone but would come back to kill

Fleeing youths with their Okadas at Maza Maza

Many survived by digging up yams from hastily abandoned farms

Yuguda

Ya'u

Ubani

Tsav

me. I escaped through Borno to Pulka border and then to Cameroun. I walked for five days from Nigeria to Cameroun and from there I came to Lagos; I am riding Okada now to survive,” Bitrus said.

The painful story about young Bitrus is his fractured leg from an accident he was involved in recently.

He needs about N20, 000 to be able to walk again.

Emmanuel John also from Gwoza got married last year. He relocated with other members of his family to Cameroun due to the trouble in their home town. However, John said to survive in Cameroun was difficult so he had to find his way to Lagos, where he was told, opportunities abound. He has now ended up like his fellow refugees as an Okada rider. He said he was a farmer and

that the money he saved from farming was what he used in buying the Okada he now uses.

Abraham Philip, another refugee from Gwoza told this reporter that he was terrified after the insurgents descended on them and killing 14 people in their house alone.

He was a student of one of the Colleges of Education studying for his National Certificate of Education (NCE). Unfortunately, he could not finish his NCE. Like his compatriots, he has equally turned an Okada rider for survival.

For several years people have been running from the brutal Boko Haram attacks and hopes to return to their homes, possibly as soon as they feel it is safe. For now, the situC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 7

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

27 Investigation

UN: 650,000 people fled their homes

Shekau, flanked by his lieutenants

Abducted Chibok girls

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 6

ation has not changed. The jihadists are believed to still be holding the North-Eastern territories hostage hence the need for coordinated camps of these internally displaced persons across the country.

Many of those fleeing have been uprooted over and over again. Boko Haram members, on several occasions, overran Gwoza and many other towns in that region, moving into homes and forcing families to run from the guns. Sometimes the people fled with the soldiers.

"I saw a group of soldiers running out of Michika, some on motorbikes and other vehicles,” one of the girls, who does not want her name in print, said.

For months the terrorist have laid siege to towns and villages in the North-East Girls have also been arriving Lagos in droves. "When asked one of the girls said it was tough at the other side,” said another, who also craved anonymity.

The Seriki Hausawa of Amuwo Odofin Land and Asiwaju of Amuwo, Alhaji Gambo Ya’u, in his reaction, said: "There are nasty stories that could make you shed tears. I remembered vividly the first day the children came here, they saw an aeroplane flying and they were running for their dear lives saying, ‘look they are coming to shell us’. It was that terrible.”

Children growing up in the North-East have been force-fed a diet of violence. Right now, in the areas controlled by Boko Haram, violence seems to have continued.

As the war rages on, the impact on children, according to many, would be felt for years.

Ya’u blamed parents for not monitoring the activities of their children properly, saying they ought to have cautioned them when they were receiving these false doctrines of Mohammed Yusuf. Some politicians, he said, also assisted Yusuf.

Following sustained attacks from insurgents, thousands have been forced to flee their homes, becoming refugees in their own country. For months now, the terrorists have laid siege to many towns and villages in the North-East, forcefully conscripting youths to fight both the Nigerian and Camerounian troops.

Lorry-loads of fleeing youths

Children in search of their parents

They were said to have killed those who resisted them.

A Camerounian police officer reportedly told AFP on condition of anonymity that: “We’ve been flooded here in Mora by Camerounians and Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram.

Few weeks ago, there were more than 10,000 people in Mora, and the number is swelling by the day. Not a day goes by without more people coming.”

The number of internally displaced people in Nigeria and those who have crossed its borders into Cameroun, Niger and Chad because of the militant violence has been

increasing, with no end in sight to the insurgency. A United Nations’ humanitarian office once said that Boko Haram attacks have forced nearly 650,000 people from their homes in the North-East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. In like manner, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) corroborated this assertion when it stated that nearly 11,500 fled Gwoza, also in Borno State, when militants seized the town earlier in the year.

The sect even declared Gwoza part of an Islamic caliphate at a time even as they appointed an Emir to oversee the territory.

The Camerounian authorities were quoted as saying that registration of the displaced persons had begun in Mora, while the nearby town of Kolofata had seen more than 6,000 of them arrived. “People are everywhere; in schools, under trees and in the markets,” sources quoted the authorities as having said.

“They’re all coming from Camerounian and Nigerian villages in the Kerawa area.” Kerawa straddles the border and has come under attack in recent times by Boko Haram, forcing the residents to flee on foot.

Gamboru Ngala residents, who fled across the border to the Cameroun town of Fotokol, said that the militants had begun to kill people “like chickens,” despite initially targeting only the police and military. Also, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri claimed that militant fighters had carried out atrocities against Christians in the town of Madagali, in Adamawa State, but there was no independent corroboration.

The terrorists operating on several motorcycles had stormed Gamboru and moved from house to house, searching for youths who refused to flee after several attacks. Gamboru is a border town, and 138 kilometres North-East of Maiduguri, the state capital.

According to one of the youth in Maza Maza, “I had no alternative other than to join my colleagues by dawn to flee for our safety. These gunmen had been telling us to join them to fight our soldiers here and at the borders with Cameroun and Chad; after promising us some money and rifles ‘to do the work of God’.

“But some of us decided to take our fate in our hands by fleeing to Cameroun and other parts of Nigeria. With broken limbs and bruises, we fled to cross the river and bushes with desert tracks. Once they sighted you fleeing, they shoot you, as we have refused to join them,” lamented another youth.

The boy, who refused to give his name, said the targets of the insurgents were to “forcefully conscript” youths between the ages of 18 and 25, who are conversant with Gamboru and its border areas with Cameroun.

They were asking all of us here to join them and fight the soldiers, but C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8

The target of the insurgents were to forcefully conscript youths between the ages of 18 and 25

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Investigation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sect modified tactics after Yusuf’s death

Others in a confused state

Refugees building their tent C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

we collectively decided not to, because these gunmen can never be trusted. It has happened not only in Gamboru, but most of the Borno towns and villages were attacked with the displacement of many residents and villagers,” said the youth from Fotokol.

An anonymous fellow, who hid in a ceiling for three days before escaping to Lagos, also said the terrorists had been forcing the residents to join the Islamist sect’s fight, while those who refused to join were shot dead or had their throats slit in the presence of members of their families.

According to him, “our people have no option other than to submit to God’s destiny and mercies. We had been hiding in ceilings of buildings and underground water reservoirs without food and water. But the insurgents were adamant and ruthless threatening us to either be conscripted and fight against the troops in Gamboru or be killed.”

Terrorists’ new strategy Since Yusuf ’s death, the group has modified its tactics and increased its spate of bombings and killings in the northern part of the country. One of the most devastating was the massacre of dozens of students. The gunmen had stormed a secondary boarding school in the village of Mamudo, Yobe State, where they rounded up students and staff in a dormitory. The killings marked the third of such attacks within three weeks with the rebels said to have thrown explosives and opened fire, killing 32 people, mostly students.

The mass murder, however, drew widespread disgust and condemnation.

Also, on April 14, Boko Haram militants allegedly kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. Soon after the kidnapping, re-

ports surfaced that the sect may have transferred many of the girls from Nigeria to Cameroun, Chad and as far as Central African Republic’s Birao region near Sudan.

In a video released on May 5, the new Shekau announced he would “sell” the schoolgirls as “slaves in the market,” and on May 12, proposed that “if you want us to release your girls that we kidnapped, you must release our brethren that are held in Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos states, as well as Abuja.”

This variant of terrorist also brought down the towering, elegantly built Louis Edet Building housing the Force Headquarters in Abuja. In what could be likened to familiar tragedies wracking an Iraqi or Pakistani community or a scene out of a horror movie, they shattered all belief, sparking off grave fears in the populace.

Many say that if they could bomb Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital Territory and seat of government, which from all indications, should be an impregnable fortress, then no one could

Family members burying their dead

really be save. But, they did not stop at that as the sect also bombed the United Nations (UN) building on Friday, August 26, 2011, killing at least 21 persons and wounded over 60.

The reasons for targeting students in recent times are unclear. But, observers are of the opinion that the intention might be to spawn attention from both home and abroad. While some have called on government to take a more decisive approach to end the “madness”, others warned that military strategy may not resolve the crisis. For instance, a former police commissioner, Abubakar Tsav, advised the security forces to focus more on ground intelligence. That, he said, should be accompanied by an honest attempt at dialogue.

“In a situation like this, what should normally happen is for government to send plainclothes police and security men. If you go in uniform with guns, you will never get information. Go and find out who these people are and who their sponsors are,” he said.

Beyond the death of Yusuf and other factors in the Boko Haram crisis, many, however, alleged that the mayhem may have erupted due to frustration and economic hardship that pervaded every nook and cranny of the country. Those who hold this view argue that Boko Haram, like other armed insurgents before it in other parts of the country, may be one of the signs of how frustrated the Nigerian people have become.

“What is happening in the country is a sign of misrule and failure of governance. Government has failed the people and life has become worthless in this crime. So, it is frustration and despondency that may have led to these acts,” Monday Ubani, a radical Lagos-based activist lawyer and former chairman, Ikeja Bar Association, said.

He is not alone. Dr. Oludayo Tade of the Sociology Department, University of Ibadan, also said it is important to note that majority of the victims of crime have been poor people living in poor neighbourhood. “In order words, there is a socio-inequality even in victims of specific crimes. Thus, in talking about hapless Nigerians, who have been victims, you talk about their lifestyle and exposure to unprotected environment. A lot of studies in criminology have shown that the most likely of violent crime are young males, who live in poorer areas.

“They are also unduly exposed and unprotected by the state. They are mostly victims of collateral damage. The socioeconomic life of an individual determines the lifestyle chosen. This includes the type of schools attended, places visited and the caution taken.”

Despite Ubani and Tade’s postulation,

their argument has failed to impress Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, who believes instead that poverty might be far from the reason for the “madness.”

He revealed that there were many of the sect members, who had to quit their lucrative lectureship in Polytechnics to devote their life to “this kind of nonsense.”

Other religious sects Boko Haram is just one of the many sects that sprang up to declare Jihad in the northern part of Nigeria in recent times. In 2004, a group called The Al Sunna Wal Jama, attacked police stations and Geidam Kanamma village in Yobe State, killing two policemen. They made away with guns and ammunitions in the station and burnt it down. The group later retreated to a primary school in Kanamma where it hoisted the flag of Afghanistan. It was the military personnel that quelled that uprising, which left over 18 people dead.

Also in 1996, another Islamic sect called Shite, literally set the streets of Zaria on fire, where it clashed with authorities leading to the death of over 40 members of the sect. Afterwards, the leader of the brotherhood, Ibrahim ElZak Zaky, was arrested.

Prior to this, the country had witnessed a deadly incursion by another group, which called itself the Maitatsine. This sect came with brutal assault on fellow Muslims for what they termed “pure teachings of Islam” to cleanse the “filthy.”

In the 1980s, Maitasine fanatics unleashed terror in the North; in most cases, leading to bloodbath and wanton destruction of lives and properties. The notorious sect comprised a bunch of zealots and Islamic fundamentalists. It was named after its leader and founder, Sheikh Muhammadu Maitatsine, who migrated from Garua, Cameroun Republic and settled in the ancient city of Kano for several years. The fundamentalists preached and practiced an extreme form of Islam based on what many Islamic clerics called bizarre interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.

Though, like other Muslims worldwide, they believed in the Shahadah, the confession of the Islamic creed of faith, “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (SAW) His prophet.”

Members of this left-wing Islamic movement held Maitasine in high esteem and his band of fanatics carried out clandestine military training in Kano.

They fortified their bodies with antidotes to gunshots and allegedly drank human blood. They kidnapped numerous women and children, shaved their heads and slaughtered them.

Their leader constituted himself into law and was adored as a demigod.

Soon, he annexed his immediate vicinity like Yan Awaki quarters and subsequently extended his frontiers to other states in the North. He converted in the process, schools and market places into camps.

The then civilian governor of old Kano State, late Abubakar Rimi, could not contain Maitasine and his army of followers. Consequently, they struck.

Their victims had their throats and their bowels ripped open. They killed with daggers and poisoned arrows. Before it fizzled out, the conservative estimate of those killed by this armed insurgents was put at over 4, 770 people. It took a combined team of anti-riot police and soldiers several months before they were dislodged. Their leader was eventually captured alive and identified by one of his numerous wives before he was killed.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

Energy

Property

29

Aviation

Nigeria’s petrochemical industry secures N2.24trn investments

$40bn investments can’t produce power for 1b Africans –IEA

‘N10bn required yearly for survey, mapping’

Connecting Africa by air: A huge challenge

31

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Business What's news

High taxation threatens Nigeria’s aviation, say experts The relative growth in Nigerian aviation market occasioned by the coming of more airlines on the domestic scene, is being hampered by over taxation and lack of infrastructure.

p.30

The Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) has identified funding as one of the major reasons for collapse of most telecoms players in the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) segment of the nation’s telecoms industry.

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu l Deputy Editor (Business) Bayo Akomolafe l Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme l Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro l Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dayo Ayeyemi l Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf l Energy Editor

Wole Shadare l Aviation Editor

UNDERUTILISED Only about 10 per cent of broadband capacity in the country is in uses Kunle Azeez

Why CDMA operators are dying, by NCC

159.8m Nigerians lack broadband connectivity –Investigation

Chris Ugwu l Capital Market Editor Abdulwahab Isa l Finance Editor Kunle Azeez l Senior Correspondent Chuks Onuanyin l Energy Nnamdi Amadi l Reporter Johnson Adebayo l Asst Production Editor

scheme.

According to industry analysts, while Information and Communication Technology industry currently contributes over nine per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), development

of broadband sub-sector can contribute even greater to the GDP. “ICT is critical to making Nigeria achieve a true digital economy and has great potential for fast-tracking the actualisaton of Nigeria’s

Vision 20:2020. But for this to happen, we need to increase investment in the ICT, particularly in the broadband subsector as a World Bank study has shown that a 10 per cent CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

A

bout 159.8 million Nigerians or 94 per cent of the country’s population are yet to have access to broadband connectivity, New Telegraph’s track of the level of broadband Internet penetration in the country has shown.

According to investigation, broadband, which denotes high-speed Internet, is yet to record appreciable penetration in the country, despite claims by many telecoms companies that they are offering ‘broadband’ services to telecoms consumers.

It was learnt that Nigeria has about 70.3 million Internet users, while the actual number of those with access to broadband is very low.

According to official data from the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Nigeria currently has just six per cent penetration, which means only about 10.2 million of Nigerians are connected to high-speed Internet with a whopping 94 per cent or 159.8 million without broadband access at all.

Nigerian government targets 30 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2018, as contained in the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018, but New Telegraph learnt that a number of issues constitute clogs in the wheel of progress of the

L-R: American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle; Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka; President, Nigeria-USA Export & Investment Group ( NUEIG ) Chief Funsho Abiri; US Economic Counselor, Alan Tousignant at the Nigeria/ America Investment forum in Abuja.

Nigeria’s 2.2m barrels pd oil quota forecast dashed Adeola Yusuf

T

he recent slide of oil prices in the international market has dashed Federal Government’s hope of securing the nod of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Coun-

tries (OPEC) for quota increase.

The United States (US) Energy Information Administration (EIA), which gave this hint, trimmed its forecast of world oil demand growth next year and made even deeper cuts in its outlook for

OPEC production, the latest signs of a shift towards surplus supplies next year.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, had its oil quota slashed from over two million barrels per day ton 1.7 CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE August 2014............................8.5% July 2014.................................8.3% May 2014.................................8.2%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................11.57% Prime Lending Rate...........16.93% Maximum Lending Rate...25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Oct 17)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.75 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N254.68 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198.08

l Foreign Reserves – $39.41bn as at 16/10/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Oct 17)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.76 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N249.01 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198.50

30

Business | News

FLEET SIZE

Nigerian airlines are expected to double their fleet size by year 2020 to about 300 aircraft Wole Shadare

T

he relative growth in Nigerian aviation market occasioned by the coming of more airlines on the domestic scene is being hampered by over taxation and lack of infrastructure.

In the past six months, three start-up airlines, Discovery, Azman and Air Peace, joined the fray with the carriers expressing displeasure with high taxes, multiple taxes and lack of infrastructure at the airports to conduct their operations. They noted that these have led to delays in takeoff and landing.

Before the end of next year, over 14 other airlines are expected to begin operations, having been granted Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

A top official of one of the airlines who pleaded anonymity told New Telegraph that airline services are being hampered by

High taxation threatens Nigeria’s aviation, say experts over-taxation and lack of infrastructure in many of the nation’s airports.

Also, a former Assistant Secretary General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, said: “It is a well known fact that the Nigerian aviation industry is overtaxed and this is being reflected in the industry’s lack of competitiveness at the global level.”

He stressed that it is important for Nigeria to acknowledge the devastating impact of high taxes.

Tukur, therefore, demanded that the government remove the value added tax (VAT) and other taxes such as landing and parking charges as well as review aeronautical charges, which he insisted the domestic airlines should not be paying in the first place.

Aviation consultant, Olumide Ohunayo, said the issue of multiple taxation should be tackled in order to assist the airlines sustain their operations.

According to him, “the issue should be tackled

159.8m Nigerians lack broadband connectivity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

investment in broadband will produce one per cent increase in GDP,” Chief Executive Officer, AAA Infotek, Mr Akin Akinbo, said.

Speaking with New Telegraph at the justconcluded Gulf Information Technology Exhibition in Dubai, the President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi, said that though government was already making effort to ensure widespread access to broadband, many hurdles had been identified as threats to broadband penetration.

Lanre who is also a member of the National Broadband Council, set up by the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, to monitor the implementation of the broadband policy, however, said: “Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the march by nations across the world to become ‘broadband nations’ in the 21st Century.”

Lanre listed such challenges to include mul-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

tiple taxation, multiple regulation, vandalism, denial or exorbitant cost of obtaining Right of Way (RoW) permits for infrastructure build.

He stressed that the bureaucracy associated with RoW in particular, has resulted in poor lastmile connectivity in the country.

“Only about 10 per cent of the broadband capacity we have in Nigeria is utilized because we don’t engage seriously in last-mile connectivity. We need to use this capacity and this can only happen if a barrier to last-mile services deployment is completely removed,” Chief executive Officer, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, said.

Meanwhile, New Telegraph gathered that the NCC has been putting measures in place to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

As part of the measures, the Commission, last February, auctioned the 2.3 gigahertz spectrum so as to make spectrum to deploy broadband services more readily available to the telecoms companies.

and there are so many incentives that should be given to airlines that are coming up in order to protect and encourage them to grow. If you look at the airlines that have been very successful in the world, they have protection and they were given government backing to grow before they were

allowed to compete with international carriers.

“So it is extremely important that government makes deliberate policies in protecting the industry and also allowing the airlines to grow. It should be in the interest of government to have viable airlines flying in the country,” Ohunayo said.

The experts disclosed that the Nigerian civil aviation industry is on a high growth trajectory, although with minor hiccups, adding that the industry has ushered in a new wave of foreign direct investments (FDI), but lack cutting-edge information technology (IT) interventions.

L-R: General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Mrs Oyeronke Oyetunde; Rachael Oniga; wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma, during the MTNF Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Walk, in Lagos.

Why CDMA operators are dying, by NCC Losses

From subscriber base of 7.5 million as at 2009, the CDMA operators now have about 2 million phone lines on their networks Kunle Azeez

T

he Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) has identified funding as one of the major reasons for collapse of most telecoms players in the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) segment of the nation’s telecoms industry.

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, who disclosed this in an interview, said: “Most operators in the CDMA segment of Nigerian market lack the financial muscle to compete with bigger operators and this is their greatest Achilles heels which had seen majority

of them out of business.”

He noted that “while the NCC is keen on driving local content development by ensuring that local companies compete favourably with foreign players in the sector, we have also noticed that Nigerian firms lack the financial capability to compete and that is why most of them are dying.”

He, however, stated that as a regulator, NCC would continue to create a level-playing ground for all the players in the industry.

Over the years, Nigeria’s CDMA operators such as Visafone, MultiLinks, Starcomms, Zoom Mobile and First MTS Wireless, among others, have been witnessing dwindling for-

tunes since 2009.

In 2009, all the CDMA operators combined had a total of 7.5 million mobile subscriptions, the highest so far in the country.

According to industry data, at the same time, the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators had 65.5 million phones lines in the country.

Nigeria’s 2.2m barrels pd oil quota forecast dashed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

million barrels per day in the wake of the militancy in Niger Delta in 2005.

The country’s efforts to get its quota back after the end of the militancy has been rebuffed.

The hope to get this quota increase was high when the prices of oil steadied at over $110 per barrel in the second quarter of the year.

OPEC members are to meet on November 27 and instead of quota increase, the group is planning to slash allocation for its members in order to curtail the continous slide in

crude prices from dipping below $80 per barrel.

Oil, Nigeria’s dominant revenue earner, is in the middle of one of its steepest slides since the global financial crisis, with prices plummeting about 18 per cent from $105 per barrel in midJune to $88 per barrel recently.

The EIA cut its 2014 global demand forecast to 91.47 million barrels a day, compared with 91.55 million bpd expected last month, according to a monthly report from the agency.

As a result, it now expects consumption to

rise by 1.24 million bpd, down 100,000 bpd from the previous month’s report but still higher than the 1 mln bpd increase estimated for 2014.

On the backdrop of weakening demand, the agency curbed its forecasts for OPEC oil and other liquid fuels production to 35.51 million barrels a day in 2015, down 350,000 bpd from last month’s forecast.

For crude oil output alone the EIA cut its forecast by 300,000 bpd to 29.24 million bpd. In September, OPEC pumped nearly 31 million bpd.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

Pitfall for 2015 budget p.33

31

Energy

NIPCO mulls boost in oil, gas investments p.34

Nigeria’s petrochemical industry secures N2.24trn investments SELF SUFFICIENCY

FG plots end of business for importers of petrochemical products by 2018

Adeola Yusuf

T

he foreign and local investors have committed N2.240 trillion ($14 billion) into the Nigeria’s petrochemical industry, New Telegraph gathered at the weekend.

The investments were made largely in the Indorama Petrochemical Company and the Dangote Petrochemical firm, finding by this newspaper revealed.

A source at the ministry of Trade and Investment said that the government is already plotting to stop the importation of petrochemical products by 2018.

Minister of trade and investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, had earlier said that Nigeria had no business in importation of petrochemical products with the level of investments in the subsector.

The source maintained that the government is now following this statement up with

Oil rig

action.

Aganga had said: “Nigeria has the natural resources with about two million metric tonnes of reserve of iron ore and this makes it the 12th largest in the world and the 2nd largest in Africa.

“What the country has been lacking all these years are investments and commitments. Now these have been secured from foreign investors

and their local counterparts in Indorama and Dangote petrochemical firms to the tune of about $14 billion.

“With this the government has set a target of 2017/2018 to end importation of petrochemical products and I believe that they are serious about this.”

Aganga noted that his ministry was working with the Ministry of

Mines and Steel Development on a joint memorandum to the Federal Executive Council on policies and measures that would help to develop the steel sector.

“We want to create an industrial zone around Kamwire Industries, so that there will be other industries around this area feeding it and getting things around it.

“We will make sure

that for those industrial zones, you get all you need; you will get electricity, water supply and all the things you’ll need to function and be competitive,” he stated during a pre-commissioning visit to the Steel Cold Rolling Complex of Kam Industries Limited in Kwara State.

The minister added that Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) has addressed the concerns of operators.

He maintained that positive results were already being recorded, especially in terms of enhanced capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector.

“We are almost there.

We have consulted with you and other stakeholders in the industry. You have all contributed to the new measures and we are working on that already.

“The NIRP focuses on the enablers. One of the enablers, of course, is to make sure that we have affordable finance to support the industries.

“We have close to at least two million metric tonnes of reserve of iron ore; we are the 12th largest in the world and the 2ndlargest in Africa and all these steel you see here today, they come from iron ore. So we have no business importing steel into the country,” he said.

Cut in gas supply from Nigeria worsens Ghana’s power LOSS

The total energy deficit recorded by Ghana was 480 megawatts (MW) Adeola Yusuf

G

as supply from Nigeria has reduced to 45 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) from an anticipated 120 mmscf, worsening Ghana’s suffering from power supply.

Ghana had recently boasted that it would export power to Nigeria if the country desires.

A close source told TV3’s Sandra Amarquaye that Nigeria is struggling to meet the contractual agreements to

supply gas through the West African Gas Pipelines.

A recent strike action by oil field workers in Nigeria’s Itoki region adversely affected Ghana’s energy reserve margin.

Though gas supply rose after the strike action was called off, it has since reduced, the source said.

This situation seems to have taken a toll on the ongoing power rationing exercise as most of the country’s thermal plants are undergoing maintenance works.

That is compounded by the bad inflows of the two of the country’s hydro-electric dams at Bui and Akosombo.

The total energy deficit recorded as at Monday was 480 megawatts (MW).

Already, some consumers have complained about Electricity Company of Ghana’s inconsistency over its loadshedding schedule.

Ghanaian President, Mr John Mahama, had earlier said that his country was planning to export thousands of megawatts of electricity to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and other neighbouring countries that have power deficit.

He said this at the Africa Global Business and Economic Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, last month. The president said that his government had made huge investments in power generation that would enable the country to export excess electricity to Nigeria

and other West African countries.

“We have given priority to electricity generation in our country. We have prioritized energy in such a way that we want to become the hub for power production in West Africa. We want to generate electricity to the point that excess power can be exported to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and other countries that have power deficit,” he noted.

Ghana, Mahama said, had secured export-import financing from China as well as special funds from Abu Dhabi to commence series of power generation projects. He added that a third hydropower dam project was already at an advanced stage

of completion.

He said: “Where Africa faces some of its challenges lies its biggest opportunities.

We are leveraging on publicprivate sector partnership to build infrastructure. Be it roads, electricity, ports or communication systems; if we create the right environment, investors will come.

Creating the right environment that will attract foreign direct investment is key.

“Issues of accountability and transparency are very important. There must be mechanism to fight corruption. We all have institutions but the major thing is resourcing them to effectively fight corruption and perform effectively.”

32

Business | Energy

IRONY

New York State consumes as much energy as the 800m people in subSaharan Africa Adeola Yusuf

T

he $40 billion investments and Final Investments Decisions (FIDs) made to boost power in Nigeria and other Africa countries is still not sufficient to free one billion Africans from darkness, the International Energy Administration (IEA) has said.

The IEA said this in a report entitled: “Energy for all,” published on its website.

“This level of investment will still leave 1.0 billion people without electricity and, despite access in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria also has over 100 million people without electricity,” the report said.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, had also recently confirmed that 120 million Nigerians, representing 60 per cent of the 170 million populations, are yet to be connected to the national grid.

Nebo, who said this at the GE’s Distributed Power launch in Lagos, disclosed that 30 million households in the country are also not yet connected to the national grid.

A report by sustainable energy charity Ashden, had also, in line with Nebo’s statement, showed that Nigeria has about 10 per cent of the total 1.3 billion people in Africa who are without electricity.

Africa has 55 countries/nations recognised by the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU).

The report revealed how donors, investors, technical experts and policy makers can improve support to enterprises providing access to clean energy in the developing world.

“Some 1.3 billion people live without electricity, while nearly three billion people cook on open fires or inefficient cook stoves, damaging health and keeping people trapped in poverty,” the report said.

The report said its findings are based on indepth interviews with leading providers of solar lights and improved cook stoves that use less fuel – and crucially minimise health-damaging pollution in the home – as well as makers of

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

$40bn investments can’t produce power for 1bn Africans –IEA energy-saving ceramic water filters providing rural families with safe drinking water.

Those taking part included d.light, EcoZoom, SELCO and support providers such as ERM Foundation’s Low Carbon Enterprise Fund and GVEP. The report, “Lessons on Supporting Energy Access Enterprises,” highlights the problems that such enterprises

can face both in raising finance, and ensuring a regular cash flow until a market is established.

It recommended that technical assistance providers should strengthen their sales and marketing support services and ensure business mentors are provided for enough time, while policy makers must develop mechanisms to help clean energy enterprises thrive, such as

enabling access to local finance.

The report also called on donors to leverage working capital for energy access enterprises. “Grants should be focused on growth, new programmes and innovation, and funding for obtaining technical assistance from experienced providers.

“Investors should ensure management capacity is in place, pro-

Power installation

PRIORITY

FG tasks DISCO to give priority allocation to public buildings Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

M

inister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo has charged the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), to as a matter of urgency, address the epileptic power supply in Abuja and the entire Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also observed that the erratic supply of power in Abuja and its environs, especially in key government establishments, was slowing down the pace of work.

In a statement by the Ministry’s Assistant Di-

Minister to Abuja DISCO: Improve power supply rector Press, Mr Ibrahim Haruna, the minister lamented that Abuja as the seat of power, cannot afford to operate under low power supply.

He added that the situation where most government establishments are starved of constant power supply was totally unacceptable.

Nebo gave the marching order when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to ascertain the challenges that had caused the recent drop in the supply of power in the FCT with a view to collaborating with the company for an immediate solution.

He called on the management of the company to do a thorough check to ensure that lapses were corrected as well as prioritise load-shedding for equitable distribution of electricity, taking into cognizance the fact that Nigeria, which is presently wooing investors into power sector, would receive negative response from would-be investors if confronted with darkness when they come to discuss business.

He said: “There is cheering news from other cities about improvement in power supply, whereas Abuja, where major government transactions take place is unfortunately starved of

the needed regular power supply.”

In his brief remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Power, Dr. Godknows Igali, enjoined the company to properly balance its load shedding, giving priority allocation to public buildings, like the Federal Secretariat, Office of the Head of Service, economic and health institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, hospitals and airports.

He assured the electricity company of the ministry’s support in tackling the challenges confronting it in the distribution of adequate power supply to the Abuja environ.

Responding, the Man-

vide debt for working capital with repayment terms that allow an enterprise to thrive, make financing decisions in good time, and publically champion successful ventures to draw more investment into the sector,” the report added.

It continued: “We urge donors, investors, technical experts and policy makers to take note of the recommendations of the report, so that appropriate financial and technical support gets to the enterprises that badly need it.”

Christian Aid international director, Paul Valentin, said: “Energy provision in many developing countries is poor.

New York State consumes as much energy as the 800 million in subSaharan Africa.

“People in rural areas are often most affected, even losing out when major electricity generation schemes are built as the power lines go straight to the nearest big city.

Meanwhile, Nebo said some of the 40 per cent of the Nigerian population, who are even connected, do not have quality electricity supplied to them at optimal level.

All these, he said, have created a vacuum for investors to fill through the active participation in the on-going power sector reforms and privatisation by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. aging Director of the AEDC, Neil Croucher called for a political decision in the quantum of power supply to the FCT. According to him, the amount of power supplied to Abuja has drastically reduced thereby necessitating the company to ration power in such a way as to satisfy all its customers.

He stated that the issues raised by the Hon. Minister are of great concern to the company, adding that prompt response will be given to ensure that load shedding is prioritised for optimum results.

Croucher further said that his company is in close discussion with five other electricity companies on embedded power so as to ensure that the supply of power to Abuja and its environs is increased to boost economic activities in the area.

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

Analysts have said that the proposed $78 barrels per day benchmark for oil in the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, which President Goodluck Jonathan sent to the Senate, is a major pitfall for the fiscal year, reports ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf.

33

Pitfall for 2015 budget

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, October 15, sent the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Senate, in which he benchmarked $78 per barrel for oil in the budget.

Given the fact that the price of oil, which is the major cash cow for the budget, had fallen, experts have said there was the $78 oil benchmark was not realistic.

Experts’ perspective Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the proposed benchmark is too high and unrealistic.

He said:“This is definitely too high.

Currently (as close of business last Friday) oil trades at the international market at $82 per barrel, so, you cannot place your benchmark at just ($78) $4 below the stop price. Last year it was $40 below the stop price, so, you can imagine.”

Noting that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ate expected to meet on the 27th of November to reduce Nigeria’s oil quota, he said if the this is eventually implemented, it would reduce the country’s revenue.

“It is a reality check. Its time to be more realistic,” he stressed.

Dr. Austine Nweze, an economist at the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), who expressed surprise at the way the falling oil price was not considered before the benchmark was arrived at, declared that the benchmark may not be accurate.

To him, the federal government has shown signs of non-readiness to learn from history on economic indicators and how to make judicious use of them for planning.

According to Debo Adejugbe, an economic analyst, allegations of bribery rocked the House in the wake of their vehement refusal to go below their $79 price. At last, a compromise of $77.5/ barrel has been agreed between the House, Senate and the Executives.

Adejugbe however, posited that with the decline in the crude price, the 2015 budget will create annual revenue shortfall of about N1trillion that “will inevitably require to be funded by borrowing at double-digit interest rates, which are traditionally inappropriate for such risk-free sovereign debts.”

He said in a blog message: “It is all the more curious when you discover that the government borrows to meet up any deficit encountered as a result of the conservative oil benchmarks.

For instance, these loans rack up double-digit interest rates with service charges amounting to over N700billion of expected budgeted revenue in 2014.

What happens next?

“The next thing is that the excess revenue is stashed in the Excess Crude

Oil barrels. Inset: Jonathan

Account (ECA). An account used to save oil revenues above the defined benchmark agreed in the budget. Its major aim is to delink government expenditures from oil revenues and act as insulation to the economy, where external shocks are involved. But what do we have?

“It (ECA) now exists for the sole aim of fuelling corrupt practices where politicians bicker on what to do with it; how they are entitled to sharing for unspecified projects and acts as a last resort for the presidency

We borrow at double-digit interest rate to fund the budget because of a conservative oil benchmark set below any reasonable value but then consistently churn out an average revenue surplus of $10bn annually that sits idly, waiting to be shared, in the Excess Crude Account

to quell dissent among governors.

‘We borrow at double-digit interest rate to fund the budget because of a conservative oil benchmark set below any reasonable value but then consistently churn out an average revenue surplus of $10bn annually that sits idly, waiting to be shared, in the Excess Crude Account. It is outrageous really.

The most painful aspect of the ruthless interest rates on borrowing is that we haven’t seen the impact. 70% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.

There is scorching poverty in the land.

We are chronically underdeveloped; all we hear are policies here and there but no attendant effect on lives.”

Politics of benchmark This is not the first time that President Jonathan has made budget presentation to the Senate on time. On October 10, 2012, he presented the 2013 budget to the National Assembly, and everyone was happy that the fiscal year was going to start early enough to take in developmental strides. In the budget, President and his economic team proposed a conservative oil benchmark of $75/barrel, while the Senate agreed to $76.5/barrel. But the House of Representatives insisted on $79/barrel.

ing price is for the federal government to remove the subsidy on Premium motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene petrol. This subsidy removal would create savings for the government and increase distributable revenue to the three tiers of government.

Jonathan had last year proposed $74 as the benchmark price for the 2014 budget but both chambers of the National Assembly, after several days of disagreement, finally put it at $77.5 per barrel.

Excess crude account The ECA has been depleted to around $4billion while the whirlwind that accompanied the letter from the CBN governor, his subsequent climb down to $12bn and Okonjo-Iweala’s acceptance of a $10.8bn shortfall, is yet to settle, Adejugbe said.

“The SURE-P fund – an inconsequential fund used to window-dress projects already properly budgeted for – is said to be missing, we keep dancing around the subject of accountability in government circles. Are we this cursed to perpetually foist selfish, self-serving and vain leaders on ourselves?”, he inquired.

Quota cut The recent slide of oil prices in the international market has dashed the federal government’s hope to secure the nod of the OPEC for quota increase.

The United States (US) Energy Information Administration (EIA), which gave this hint, trimmed its forecast of world oil demand growth next year and made even deeper cuts in its outlook for OPEC production, the latest signs of a shift toward surplus supplies next year.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter had its oil quota slashed from over 2 million barrels per day ton 1.7 million barrels per day in the wake of the militancy in Niger Delta in 2005.

The country’s efforts to get its quota back after the end of the militancy has been rebuffed.

The hope to get this quota increase was high when the prices of oil steadied at over $110 per barrel in the second quarter of the year. OPEC members are to meet on November 27 and instead of quota increase, the group is planning to slash allocation for its members in order to curtail the incessant fall in crude prices from dipping below $80 per barrel.

$78 oil benchmark for 2015 budget The Federal Government has proposed $78 as the benchmark price for a barrel of crude oil and fixed the exchange rate at N160 per dollar for the 2015 national budget.

Oil prices are expected to fall below $80 a barrel, and oil market analysts want the government to take advantage of this rather than to use this to create hardship.

One of the advantages of the declin-

Conclusion The Senate and the House of representatives should take a second look at the $78 per barrel benchmark for 2015 budget and 2.2 million barrels per day presented by the executive. They should not go ahead without considering the declining prices of oil. The legislators owe Nigerians the duty of examining the risks and opportunities, which the oil prices have for the benchmark and the entire budget.

34

Business | Energy

INVESTMENT

$5 billion has been expended on the firm since 1983 when it was commissioned Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government has reiterated its of 1.3 million metric tonnes steel production target from 31 year-old Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL).

The administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari began works on the steel company in 1979 and by the time of its commissioning in 1983, the project had achieved about 95 per cent completion rate.

Since its commissioning in 1983, it has, however, been embroiled in controversy.

REPROM, technical partner of ASCL, disclosed that the company would begin production

by December as it had received the first batch of over 100 billets.

New Telegraph gathered that about $5 billion has been invested in the company, which has the capacity of producing 1.3 million metric tonnes of liquid steel annually.

Managing Director of REPROM, Achimugu Attah, said in a statement on the company’s website, that the production target is possible due to the arrival of billets for the Light Section Mill (LSM).

The LSM, he said, has the capacity to produce 405,000 metric tons of assorted finished products annually.

He said: “One of the major items we have been waiting for to enable us light the blast furnace is the billets, which have started arriving into the company.

“We will continue to

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG reaffirms 1.3mmt production target from Ajaokuta steel stockpile the billets until we have appreciable quantity of 5,000 before we can join hands with the management of Ajaokuta Steel Complex to light the furnace to commence commercial production before the end of the year.

“We are sourcing for billets locally and internationally through our partnership with Greener Nations Foreign Economic Corporation.”

The journey of the production of iron wroth at the LSM section of the rolling mill, according to Attah, started in “March 2013 with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the management of the

steel plant and REPROM. “Part of the MoU was to also rehabilitate Thermal Power Plant and the Light Section Mill to enable the two segment of the company commence commercial operation.”

Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) was conceived to be the driving force of the nation’s quest for technological advancement.

As at 1983 when it was commissioned, the following rolling mills of the steel plant were in operation: light, billets, wire rod, medium section and structural mills.

It was assumed then that profits generated would provide the needed

funds for the completion of the remaining five per cent of the blast furnace.

At the end of 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Mr Isah Joseph Onobere, an engineer, as the sole administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company, thus becoming the first pioneer staff of the company to occupy such position.

Shortly after this appointment, controversy over the plant resurfaced.

This has, however, been rebuffed by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Mines and Steel, who said that the steel plant would not be closed down.

People are, however,

Firm celebrates staff as it marks tenth anniversary Adeola Yusuf

N

IPCO Plc has unveiled plans to ensure sustainable investments in Nigeria’s downstream sub-sector with additional focus on the usage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by Nigerians.

Chairman, NIPCO Plc, Chief Bestman Anekwem, said this in a statement at the 10th anniversary of the company in Lagos. He show-

Nebo to tackle postprivatisation challenges at confab

M

Ajaokuta steel company

NIPCO mulls boost in oil, gas investments DECADE

sceptical that government may still be acting a script of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

The Deputy General Manager, Light Section Mill of the steel plant, John Bello corroborated Attah’s view, maintaining that all the machines in the LSM were in order and ready to commence trial production.

REPROM will, according to Bello, fund the production activities in line with the MoU, adding that the LSM has the capacity to produce 405,000 metric tons of assorted finished products annually.

ered encomium on staff of the company for their contribution to its success story.

The company has, in collaboration with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), converted engines of 3,000 vehicles from fuel to gas-powered. Anekwe said that this and many other investments would be sustained.

The statement signed

by Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIPCO, Mr Lawal Taofeek, quoted Anikwe as saying that the event, which is the first of its kind in the history of the company, was a commendable feat as it provides avenue to value publicly the efforts of the

human capital and some founding fathers whose efforts accounted mainly for the steady growth of the organisation.

“Going down memory lane, Chief Anekwe said that the NIPCO dream, which some people had thought was a mission impossible, has become a reality even in the face of some daunting challenges to the delight of numerous stakeholders,” the statement read.

He singled out the wonderful support of two founding founders of the company – Alhaji Abdulkadir Aminu and Mr Tunji Adeniji with whom he travelled across the nooks and crannies of the country soliciting

the support of independent fuel marketers to key into the project.

“The trio went through lots of tribulations from the onset of nurturing the firm but our greatest joy today is that the dream of the promoters had crystallized to level even beyond our projections especially against the background of what its peers were able to achieve within a decade,“ the Chairman declared.

He stated that adversaries of the project at inception are now jostling for recognition as been part of the success story, adding that the Board is undaunted and will continue to propel the man-

agement to attain greater heights in the industry.

The Managing Director, Mr Venkatapathy Venkataraman, in his speech noted that as key element in the rising profile of the company, management will continue to provide enabling environment for staff to excel and thrive on a continuous basis.

He described the event as yet another demonstration on management’s resolve to continually appreciate of the workforce peerless contribution to the growth of the company, stressing the feat had encouraged the company to deliver exceptional results in recent times.

inister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo is set to join other industry stakeholders to address challenges facing the industry at the 4th WorldStage National Electricity Power Conference (WNEPC).

Organisers of the confab, World Stage Limited, said this in a statement.

It maintained that the minister, who will soon be advised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) to make the statutory declaration that the Nigeria’s electricity market had entered TEM, will present a paper, ‘Federal Government Commitment To Address Post-Privatisation Challenges’ at the annual conference.

The confab, according to him, is themed: Addressing the Challenges of Post-Privatisation, while the Chairman/CEO of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, will present a paper, ‘Commitment of NERC Towards Regulation and Effective Consumer’s Right On Electricity Supply Chain.’

The statement said: “In view of several issues bothering the transmission sub-sector of industry, including the right funding model, the Managing Director/ CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Mack Kast will be at hand to present a paper on ‘TCN: Meeting The Electricity Transmission Capacity For Nigeria PostPrivatization’.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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Property&Environment New Town: Housing: FG mulls tax relief FHA to build 20,000 houses on building materials Q3: Nigeria’s real estate to grow at 10.4% p.37

FG picks four cities for slum upgrading p.37

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Building materials

AID Concessions are to make houses affordable in the country Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

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n a bid to bring down the cost of housing development in the country, the Federal Government is considering tax relief and other concessions to building materials producers and suppliers to enhance homeownership among Nigerians.

In return, the building materials’ producers are expected to reciprocate this through drastic reduction in the prices of building and construction materials/ components, thereby resulting in affordable housing delivery in the country.

To kick-start the initiative, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Financing is planning a two-day forum to focus on the concessions to be granted by the relevant parties in respect of major construction materials, both local and imported.

Speaking about the new initiative yet to be rolled out, Housing Minister, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, stated that the opportunity offered by the summit would also be used to expose participants to

alternative building technologies and construction methods that will take into consideration the peculiar Nigerian socio-cultural situations and the imperative of making houses affordable in the country.

She said: “Significant development in the current effort at housing delivery, is the adoption of alternative building technologies and construction methods in some of the project sites aimed at improving the speed of construction and eventually reducing the overall cost of construction.”

According to her, worthy of note were the light gauge steel construction technology, plasswall and plassmolite technology, hydro form and burnt bricks.

She added that the delivery of housing units at Kuje, using the light gauge steel technology has been facilitated by the establishment of a factory for the production of steel profiles, stating that the factory has the capacity to produce the components for two housing units in a day.

“During housing construction, 15 people worked on a twin block of three bedroom and build it in 10 days after foundation,” she said.

To ensure skilled artisans and craftsmen operating in the housing sector are trained to be able to fit into the new initiative, the minister disclosed that discussions have been held with the National Home Build-

The summit would also be used to expose participants to alternative building technologies and construction methods that will take into consideration the peculiar Nigerian socio-cultural situations and the imperative of making houses affordable in the country

ers Association in the United States of America and other interested partners with a view to jointly conduct Construction Skill Training Programme from the first quarter of 2015 to improve the skill and competences of professionals and artisans in the country.

“Moreover, a School of Architectural and Building Technicians is being established in Kuje, and will be fully equipped as funds become available,” she revealed.

Besides, Eyakenyi stated that the Federal Government has been considering the establishment of six more skills acquisition/vocational centres in the country, with the support of the Sure-P, and to review the curricula for artisanal and vocational training in Nigeria in conjunction with relevant institutions.

She said: “Plans are underway to upgrade the existing vocation and trade centres of the ministry at Onikan and Harvey-Lagos, and Ikeduru-Imo State, as nodal centres of excellence.

The training programme, she explained would be on building structures, building services and finishing, adding that the target participants would be block and brick layers, plumbers, painters, carpenters and joiners, tillers, terrazzo, marble and plasterers, aluminium fabricators and welders.

he Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the federal agency charged with the responsibility of delivering decent and affordable housing for Nigerians, says that it is perfecting plans to develop 20,000 housing units in Abuja under its New Town initiative.

To show its seriousness, the agency says the Federal Capital Territory administration (FCDA) has allocated parcels of land to it at Kuchiko, Bwari and Kwali Councils for the provision of various housing units under the Abuja New Town Development Scheme.

The Acting Managing Director of the authority, David Kpue, disclosed recently that the agency was currently targeting housing development that will deliver 1,200 units in the FCT, pointing out that his management team had done profiling of off-takers so that they would deliver housing that Nigerians could afford and serve their need.

According to him, the agency had been talking with trade unions, associations and co-operatives who have expressed interest to partner with it on the estate.

“In Bwari, we are planning a new town that will deliver up to 20,000 housing units; another new town is being planned for Kwali. All these efforts are geared towards reducing the housing needs in the country. We have developments all over the country under PPP arrangement and we have delivered 1,363 housing units under this arrangement”, the FHA managing director said.

In the Zuba area of Abuja also, the FHA boss said that the agency would embark on a mass housing scheme aimed at meeting the housing need of the out-crowded residents of FCT characterised by low skill and unemployed.

The house types comprise one, two and three bedroom block of flats with 1,136 dwelling capacity.

The estate encompasses of 416 units of one bedroom flats, 440 units of two bedrooms and 280 units of three bedrooms, totalling 1,136 housing units.

The housing scheme is for traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It is meant to provide affordable houses therefore, tackle the housing problems that traders face in FCT. By the time the scheme is implemented, traders will be accommodated close to the main city of Abuja. The traders are doing this in collaboration with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Already, FHA has shown the traders locations where land is available for the project However, FHA has delivered over 40,000 housing units across the six geo-political zones of the country since inception nearly 40 year ago.

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Business | Property & Environment

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

EFCC should monitor Infrastructure Master Plan’s implementation – Expert Most importantly, NIIMP should be broken down to short term; medium term; and long term development master plan. The short term should take care of the immediate infrastructure need between now and the next four to nine years. The medium term should consider what happens in the next 10 to 20 years, while the long term takes care of 30 years on target.

Efforts should be streamlined on realistic mode of funding of NIIMP. The funding mode should be critically evaluated by the National Assembly to ensure sustainability.

I believe that “men are powerless to secure the future, only institutions secure the destinies of nations.” Therefore, strong institutions should be built around the NIIMP to checkmate any deviation, deprivation, or destruction of the development master plan.

On a serious note, development should be bottom-up driven. Development should start with the rural settings. This will checkmate rural-urban migration. It will provide employment in the rural settings, thereby making the rural areas attractive for any class of dwellers.

The local government authorities should be investigated beginning from 1999 till date.

Every chairman found wanting in the areas of fund diversion or direct embezzlement should be punished severely. This should be applicable to the state governors as well as the presidents whether dead or alive.

Chairman of HOB Estates Limited, Chief Olusegun Bamgbade, is not a novice on national issues. In this interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he spoke on the newly-launched 30-year Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan for Nigeria and the need for government and stakeholders to adhere strictly to its implementation How will you describe the recently launched Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan for Nigeria?

It is a good development if it will be implemented to the letter. However, one should ask what happened to all the National Development Plans? What happened to vision 2020 and other development plans? We need to query the Ministry of National Planning. Do they think they can just be rolling out development plans without any tangible linkage to the physical development in the country? To what extent have they monitored the various development plans rolled out earlier? Do they think Nigerians are fools?

We are more enlightened than the big elephant development project plans they roll out year-in-year-out. The plans are good in outlook but poor in implementation. The government of this country has been going forth and back on development plans. How can we toy with the destiny of Nigerians?

After my graduation in Political Science and Economics in 1987, I wrote some notes on the way forward in Nigeria and I termed it: “When I become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” In this wonderful memo, I delved into every point of interest to mankind towards the amelioration of human condition. Roads, housing, power, security, job creation, and other social welfare packages were enumerated. One may ask, does any of our present leaders, both in government and in opposition, have such blueprint?

Please can you explain further?

A government that lacks proper supervision and control of her development agenda will achieve nothing on real development. Nigeria has not explored the culture of continuity on development plans.

Every successive government wants to leave a footprint on development agenda. What stops them from implementing other development plans yet to be explored up till date. If we are looking at modifications of the existing plans,

Bamgbade

fine. But are we continuing with the previous development plans or we are jettisoning them just as usual?

How can a nation develop with unstable development plan?

Anyway, let’s even talk about this new 30 year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.

My advice is to structure a strict monitoring plan for the implementation beginning with every concerned local government. A unit at the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be created to monitor and prosecute the Ministry of National Planning and the related organs of government that contributed to the failure of any stage of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan. Lack of adequate checks and balances has largely messed up the previous National Development Plans.

The National Assembly should make it a law for every elected officer to strictly adapt to the dictates of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan with serious punishment for detractors.

INEC should monitor compliance with party manifestoes as well compliance with the NIIMP. A regulated economy breeds orderliness for the amelioration of the human condition.

A government that lacks proper supervision and control of her development agenda will achieve nothing on real development

What can you say about its implementation?

We should stop celebrating National Development Plans on the pages of newspapers. Development plans should be taken as a serious government concern. As a people, we should be able to project our next level on the economy of this nation and a reflection of it must be palpable on our national living condition. Rhetoric must give way for pragmatism.

Imagine our security situation; was there a development plan on national security? Who circumvented such plan if any? Was there a development plan on housing? Why has it failed to deliver up till date? Was there a development plan on employment generation? Why has such plan not been implemented accordingly? Was there a weakness on the part of our leaders?

What step have we taken as a people to forestall the installation of such weak leadership! Was there a destructive cabal against any development plan in this country? What step have we taken to identify and deal with such cabal decisively?

What is your final advice?

There are many questions begging for answers. The National Assembly should sit up and address these identified areas in considering the passage of this development master plan.

Enough of senseless noise making. We need practical actions in every area of the economy.

Ogun takes giant strides in housing – Commissioner

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he Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in Ogun State has not only embarked on urban renewal, but also successfully launched the provision of affordable housing units, Commisisioner for Housing, Chief Daniel Adejobi, has said.

Adejobi disclosed this at the briefing session by his ministry as part of the on-going Geo Strategic Study tour of Ogun State by participants of the National Defence College, Course 23.

The commissioner stated that the success recorded by the ministry in the provision of affordable housing could be

traced to the dedication and competence of professionals in total re-construction and rehabilitation of dilapidated public structures throughout the state.

Adejobi highlighted some of the significant accomplishments that have been recorded by his ministry as the construction of the Totoro Health Centre, the Nigeria Labour Congress House, construction of farm settlement at Owowo Village and the renovation of the June 12 Cultural Centre.

The commissioner said that the major successes recorded by the Ogun State Housing Corporation and Ogun State

Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) included the Plainfield Estate in the Ogun New Workers Estate, construction and development of Orange Valley Estate and the construction of 30 units of two bedroom terrace bungalow nearly completed.

Adejobi also noted that in order to achieve the set goal of provision of affordable housing and urban renewal, which is one of the five cardinal objectives of the Senator Amosun-led administration, the state is set to accomplish some projects in 2015.

“The state government has engaged Urbanisma Consult-

ing Group for the design of the Abeokuta City Centre and the New Government City. It has also awarded the development of 170 hectares site along Kobape road, Abeokuta, to ZHONGXIANG Construction Company and work has reached an appreciable level.

The Construction of a New Government City Centre that would consist of a Government House, Deputy Governor’s lodge, Commissioners Quarters, Speaker and Legislature Quarters as well as the construction of an International Convention Centre in Abeokuta are part of our goal for 2015,” Adejobi said.

Amosun

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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FG picks four cities for slum upgrading URBAN RENEWAL 54 housing units to be built in each slum Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

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n line with the Federal Government’s decision to provide affordable housing for all, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, plans to immediately attend to the increased growing of slums in the country.

To achieve this, the minister explained that a slum area would be picked in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Aba in Abia State for the upgrading.

“The project would kicked off at any identified slum in the Federal Capital Territory with 54 housing units of one

bedroom flat, to commemorate the country’s 54th independence anniversary,” the minister said.

Eyakenyi, who stated this at the closing ceremony of the activities to mark the 2014 Habitat Day with the theme: “Voices from Slum,” in Abuja, said the project was part of government’s efforts to respond to the increased growing of slums in the country.

According to her, the housing units would be distributed among the identified dwellers of the area, while ownership would not be through mortgage system.

She said: “The slum dwellers would be left out of the issue if normal mortgage system were to be followed. This is reason why government might employed balloting in the distribution exercise.

“It is going to be within the life span of the present administration and we are going to

set out immediately to start the project, believing that in the next six months, it will be delivered.”

When asked if the project is going to be spread across the six geo-political zones, the minister said: “There will be one in Abuja, Ibadan, Lagos and Aba respectively.

“Government’s intervention is that of the provision of infrastructure like road, culvert and light among others, and before the end of the administration, we will pick up the project of slum upgrading.”

She explained further: “We

Q3: Nigeria’s real estate to grow at 10.4% ANTICIPATION Broader scope of activities remain major prospect for estate developers Dayo Ayeyemi

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aving grown at 10.4 per cent in third quarter of 2013 compared with 10.9 per cent in third quarter of 2012, the N6.4 trillion Nigerian real estate is expected to grow by 10 per cent in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

But with the unfolding events such as the review of the guidelines for Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and a fully operational Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), it is expected that the sector will offer a broader scope of activities and prospect for estate developers resulting in affordable mortgages and increased homeownership for the middle and lower class Nigerians.

The positive effects of these

Makoko waterfront, Lagos

cannot take all the slums at the same time, but the pilot scheme will start one after the other with 54 units of one-bed room in the FCT.” Under the affordable housing scheme, estate developers have been enjoined to embrace the concept of mixed development in housing delivery and ensure 20 per cent of the total number of houses built in a project site are allocated to low-cost housing within the range of N1.5million for one-bedroom to N5.0 million for three bedroom houses.

Eyakenyi disclosed this to newsmen during the ministerial platform held in Abuja.

measures are yet to be witnessed and are not expected in the immediate future.

On real estate outlook for the year, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDI) said that electioneering is expected to slow construction activities as funds are now being diverted to campaigns instead of contracts.

According to them, new investors are waiting until after elections before commencing work, adding that the usual lease/rent would not be affected However, the industry is still suffering from issues such as a lack of adequate long term funds, high interest rates, regulatory bottlenecks and inadequate linkage between housing finance and the capital market.

It is also pointed out that lack of favorable financing from banks, high transfer rates, double taxation and complex land tenure system may negatively affect the growth of the real estate industry.

‘N10bn required yearly for survey, mapping’ Dayo Ayeyemi

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n order to ensure effective mapping of the country, the Federal Government would need to provide N10 billion annually for some years, Surveyor-General of the Federation, Prof. Peter Nwilo, has said.

Speaking on the importance of effective mapping recently, he noted that inadequate funding was delaying the effective spatial and geo-spatial mapping of the country, pointing out that his office needed funds to build a world-class data centre and develop other facilities to provide information for potential users.

He lamented that lack of funds has been the major issue affecting the mapping of the entire country, urging government to make N10 billion available yearly for some years

for a thorough data centre.

Various haphazard and unplanned developments in major towns and cities in Nigeria due to lack of geo-spatial information for planning have been blamed for absence of drains and functional sewage system in major towns and cities; flooding of roads and streets by storm water during rainy season; and other environmental problems such as gully erosion, landslide and refuse dump within the densely populated areas in the country.

Nwilo pointed out that less than three per cent of Nigerians who owned land had Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), blaming this on poor implementation of the Land Use Act. He explained that the Act should be properly implemented by state governments to ensure lawful allocation of land,

noting that since 1978 when the Act came into existence, no state had implemented it.

Besides, he explained that unnecessary processes involved in the acquisition of a C of O hampered development in the country, canvassing for enhanced collaboration among agencies responsible for the implementation of laws governing the allocation of land.

The surveyor-general also lamented dearth of qualified manpower in the surveying profession, noting that currently there were few registered surveyors in Nigeria.

Nwilo stressed the need for the government to encourage more people to go into the profession by providing standard equipment for tertiary institutions to enhance training.

He said: “It may interest you to know that the num-

ber of registered surveyors in this country is about 2,500 for a country like Nigeria. We say that we are 923,000 square kilometres and we have that number. That is absolutely very small.”

However, having disturbed by the dearth of geospatial data in the country, practitioners under the umbrella of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have urged the Federal Government to create a National Mapping Commission through which the National Mapping Policy can be entrenched.

Justifying the need for the establishment of the commission, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveying, Mr Bode Adeaga, said that the national mapping policy would eliminate duplication and waste of

resources; ensure a standard format for geo-data collection, processing and storage.

Besides, he said that it would facilitate data exchange among all tiers of government, security agencies and the private sector.

Adeaga challenged government to get ready to finance a nationwide large scale mapping in digital format through the Office of the SurveyorGeneral of the Federation (OSGF).

He said: “Nigeria needs a National Mapping policy in the context of the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI). Only spatial information can provide answer to knowledge of our different locations, which will help to connect and accelerate better understanding and collaboration for national development.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

38 BA announces launch of Dreamliner to Chennai p.39

Aviation

Qatar Airways begins Heathrow-Doha flight with A380 p.40

Ethiopian Airways’ aircraft cabin

Connecting Africa by air: A huge challenge Wole Shadare Death of regional airlines The air transport market in sub-Saharan Africa presents a strong dichotomy. In southern and eastern Africa, the market is growing, with three strong hubs and three major African carriers, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways and South African Airways dominating international and domestic markets, which are becoming increasingly concentrated.

In contrast, in central and western Africa, the sector is stagnating, with the vacuum created by the collapse of several regional airlines, including Ghana Airways, Nigeria Airways and Air Afrique.

Throughout, there are many unviable small state-owned operations depending on subsidy and a monopoly in the domestic market.

The rapid expansion in Africa’s aviation industry is hampered by a number of factors. Poor record of safety and security, lack of adequate resources and infrastructure, distance and limited connectivity, lack of regulation and government actions are among the main constraints the industry is facing.

These constraints add to competition and high operating costs resulting from surging oil prices.

Addressing these challenges could significantly unlock the industry’s potential for future growth.

Promising signs There are some promising signs. Growth in air traffic has been buoyant. The number of routes and size of aircraft are being adapted to the market and a number of large carriers are vi-

able and expanding.

However, in spite of this, overall connectivity has been declining. The role of air transportation will be looked at even more critically. Africa is a poor continent, and some countries face the potential of further isolation as the cost of flying increases.

The challenge The lack of direct air connectivity among several African countries despite the endorsement of the Yamoussoukro Declaration and adoption by governments in the continent is one that has worked against the continent’s air transport growth.

Few strong hubs; about three of them and three major African carriers are said to dominate international and domestic markets, which are becoming increasingly concentrated. The truth is that intercontinental traffic in the region relies heavily on the three major hubs of Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa.

The uneven growth patterns in sub-Saharan Africa were caused in part by the collapse of major carriers in the western portion of the continent, most notably Air Afrique, Air Gabon, Ghana Airways, and Nigerian Airways.

While these old ups brought about a short-term drop in capacity, they have also spurred a much-needed consolidation of the industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Experts’ views Meanwhile, aviation experts have urged African governments to implement air treaties meant to liberalise the skies, as poor connectivity continues to rob the continent of a whopping $500 bil-

In contrast, in central and western Africa, the sector is stagnating, with the vacuum created by the collapse of several regional airlines, including Ghana Airways, Nigeria Airways and Air Afrique

lion annually on a conservative estimate.

They also say that poor air connectivity has given undue advantage to foreign carriers who have invaded the continent’s skies, carting away billions of dollars annually via capital flight, without a corresponding development of the sector. Experts have emphasized that the aforementioned has hampered businesses within the continent, slowed down tourism and development, even as they lamented that it is usually a hellish experience having to first fly to Europe before connecting another part of Africa.

An aviation analyst, Olumide Ohunayo, said that the loss remains unquantifiable, stressing that everything must be done to stop the haemorrhage. “No amount pegged at the loss is too much because $500 billion is just to give Africans an idea of what we’re losing to others non-African nations by not opening up and cooperating. Look at the hassles we often pass through to connect from one African country to another. At times, it takes up to 48 hours.

You can look at the times lost.

You can imagine the stress. It’s shameful and painful. “So, how can we promote trade when transport is restricted and cumbersome?

How do we promote tourism? How can we promote agriculture? These aside, we’re still grappling with visa issues. Some are very difficult to procure. All these stunt the continent’s growth,” he observed.

More so, at a recent aviation summit held in Adis Ababa, put together by respected aviation consultant, Nick Fadugba, various African ministers of transport, aviation, commerce and other top policy makers were urged

to work on the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD), which seeks to remove impediments that airlines of Africa encounter in their bid to boost air connectivity.

Fadugba said at the programme that the best way out of the quagmire was for African nations to cooperate as no country can go it alone.

He further said that it will be a strange desire if Africa expects Europe to grow its air transport business, calling on all present at the conference to ensure that decisions taken at the programme are completely implemented. “Africa has a robust air transport sector but not fully harnessing it. The time for cooperation is now,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the President Airport Council International (ACI) for Africa, Mr Pascal Komla, has lamented the restrictions placed on air travel by some countries and the unwillingness of some nations to develop their airports.

Komla said that African countries could have improved more economically with the greater commitment by states to develop the aviation sector in their countries, adding: “We need partners to help African airports to grow to their full potential. Strong aviation industry can lead to the transformation of the continent.”

Konla noted that airport authorities in the continent should consider significant reduction in airport tariff, describing excessive taxes paid by airlines and other airport users as a huge disincentive.

According to him, the conference provides another platform for airport managers across Africa and the world to share information and forge a common vision for the future of African airport business.

Business | Aviation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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BA announces launch of Dreamliner to Chennai INAUGURATION This year marks BAs’ 90 years of service to India and the increase in services from Chennai Stories by Wole Shadare

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ritish Airways says it is delighted to announce Chennai as its latest route to benefit from Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft commencing from Monday, October 27, 2014.

According to the airline, the city would also see an increase in service to daily direct flights between Chennai and London from six weekly flights, as per the current schedule.

The carrier said the daily service would cater for the growing customer demand from the market and provide more convenient options to business and leisure travellers

from the city.

Regional Commercial Manager, British Airways, South Asia, Christopher Fordyce, said: “Expanding our service from Chennai and bringing our Boeing 787 Dreamliner is fantastic news for British Airways’ customers, offering them even greater choice, along with our range of highly competitive fares and great on board service.

“This year marks British Airways’ 90 years of service to India and the increase in services from Chennai reiterates our commitment to the market.

The daily service will give business and leisure customers the opportunity to connect with British Airways’ extensive global network from Heathrow.

We welcome the customers to experience our luxurious Boeing 787 Dreamliner, now flying daily between Chennai and London from 27 October.”

The British carrier disclosed that 2014 marks a mile-

stone year for British Airways as the premium international airline completes 90 glorious years of flying and servicing to India, adding that as part of this momentous occasion, the airline has announced further expansion plans in India with added focus on the southern markets. With this launch, Chennai will become the second market in India to benefit from the new aircraft.

Adding to the celebrations, British Airways has introduced an exciting offer for its customers travelling from Chennai to London. The all-inclusive fares start at just INR 49,230 for tickets booked by October 31, 2014, for outbound travel until March 31, 2015.

Offering convenient connections globally, British Airways will provide a choice of three cabins, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy class) to its customers from

Inside BA’s Dreamliner

Nahco among ‘Nigeria’s best 50 brands’

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igerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has been adjudged one of the top 50 brands in Nigeria. The company was named among the best, following the research conducted by the BRANDNIGERAjournal.

The unveiling of the top 50 brands was held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the journal, nahco aviance was one of the top brands, which satisfied the selected criteria such as market acceptability, corporate social responsibility, customer service delivery, vision, innovation and popularity evaluation in emerging one of the best.

The journal said activities leading to the emergence of the 50 top brands 2014 started

with a review of major brands in the country.

The process led to the reduction of the number of brands to a shortlist of100.The selected 100 were further presented to the public at various platforms to judge.

To select the best 50, each selected brand was assigned a unique set of numbers and customers and consumers who participated in the selection exercise were required to flash their brand’s unique numbers using the above stated criteria.

To make the selection objective, there was no opportunity to flash twice. The flash system was developed by Vconnect Global Services Limited, a leading ICT firm in Nigeria.

Other companies that also made the Top 50 brand list are: MTN, Glo, GTBank, Ze-

nith Bank, 7up and Dangote Cement.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Chief Executive Officer, JayKay Pharmacy Limited and Mr. Nick Imudia, Group Manager/Managing Director, Nokia West and Central Africa.

Nahco aviance started its rebranding process in 2009 following the joining of aviation alliance (aviance) and the need to reflect the name of the global alliance body in its name, hence, its name was change from NAHCO to nahco aviance.

The change also affected the company’s logo as well as colours. This was 30 years after the company first adopted its name, logo and colours having being in existence since 1979.

Nahco MD, Oluwasegun-Ojo

Chennai.

Throughout the flight customers will enjoy warm and attentive service from cabin crew. From ergonomically designed seats, unlimited in-flight entertainment to a variety of delectable refreshments to choose from, customers travelling from Chennai are certain to enhance their travel experience with British Airways.

Customers from Chennai are also expected to also benefit from much larger windows, giving views of the horizon no matter where they sit, latest in-flight entertainment system, quieter, lighter and more fuel efficient British Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner, adding much more comfort to their experience.

The new Dreamliner will feature the elegant cabin designs fitted on British Airways’ new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, which have proved very popular with customers.

All 787s will feature a new Club World 2:3:2 layout, the latest generation World Traveller and World Traveller Plus seats.

The aircraft features major environmental advances and will contribute toward British Airways’ ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.

The increase in the service and announcement of British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner forms the centrepiece of the £5 billion investment British Airways is making in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

It would be recalled that British Airways had increased its service from Chennai to six flights per-week from five flights per-week in October 2013. With this development, British Airways will be operating 49 flights a week from five key cities in India, which include – Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

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Business | Aviation

COMPETITION First-class fares between Heathrow and Doha aboard A380 aircraft will cost from £4302 one-way

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atar Airways commenced its A380 services between London Heathrow and Doha late last week. British travellers who try the firstclass service aboard the aircraft are promised one of the most luxurious first-class experiences in the sky.

Accommodating just eight passengers in a 1-2-1 configuration, the first-class cabin features 81-inch-long fully flat seats with a seat width of 23 inches between arm rests and a bed width of 33 inches. Once seated, each customer will be provided with a range of privileges and enhanced services.

Entertainment is displayed on a 26-inch HD LED screen, which has the highest LED resolution of any aircraft in the world. A first in any commercial aircraft, entertainment options are selected through a 3.8inch touchscreen control unit.

Wi-Fi will also be available on flights and passengers can access Reuters news updates in the air in order to keep up with global events in real time.

First-class passengers will also have meals served to or-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Qatar Airways begins Heathrow-Doha flight with A380 der, and can choose from an a la carte menu which features signature dishes from the likes of Nobu Matsuhisa, Tom Aikens and Vineet Bhatia. Alongside changing dessert dishes, guests will be offered Ladurée macarons and a range of wines chosen by the airline’s sommelier James Cluer, one of just 312 recognised “wine masters.” The aircraft will also feature a bar and lounge, a facility that is shared with business-class travellers. It will be staffed by “an internationally trained mixologist” and will feature communal spaces where passengers can mingle.

Back in the first-class area, guests can freshen up and prepare for sleep in one of two dressing rooms – complimentary pyjamas and slippers are provided by Missoni, while amenity kits include Armani toiletries – that will feature oversized washbasins, leather seating, Rituals skincare products and mood lighting.

First-class fares between Heathrow and Doha aboard A380 aircraft will cost from £4302 one-way or £4596 return.

Qatar Airways already offers

business-class-only services between London Heathrow and Doha and the unveiling of its A380 first-class cabin comes after the launch of distinctive premium offerings from competitor Middle Eastern airlines.

Dubai-based airline, Emirates, provides individual suites for each first-class passenger aboard its A380 services, each equipped with a sliding door, minibar, vanity table and wardrobe. First-class A380 customers can also use what Emirates calls “shower spas,” dressing areas that include showers.

Launching on Abu Dhabibased airline Etihad’s A380 routes in December, the Resi-

dence is a three-room hotel-style suite that has been marketed as “the most luxurious living space in the air.” It will feature its own living room, bedroom and bathroom with shower facilities and will be able to accommodate two passengers.

They will have access to the services of an in-flight butler, trained at the Savoy Butler Academy in London, throughout their trip. Nine other firstclass passengers will sit within “First Apartments” placed in a 1-1 configuration, where they will also have access to showering facilities and a host of other privileges; a remaining eight first-class passengers will sit in suites placed in a 1-21 configuration.

Dubai airports unveils new mobile phone App

N

avigating one of the world’s busiest and largest airports just got easier with Dubai Airports unveiling a mobile application for Apple and Android devices.

Navigating one of the world’s busiest and largest airports just got easier with Dubai Airports unveiling a mobile application for Apple and Android devices.

Called myDXB, the application provides information on flights and gate numbers as well as way-finding to locate customer-facing services across the three terminals of Dubai International Airport (DXB).

“The idea behind creating myDXB was to simply communicate the availability and location of commercial services to millions of passengers that pass through our terminals each month,” says Eugene Barry, senior vice president of commercial unit at Dubai Airports.

“The application is also a great way to plan ahead, enabling passengers to maximise their time with us, and direct

Dubai International Airport

them towards services from currency exchange to their favourite retail or food brands.”

Barry adds that Dubai Airports is constantly looking at ways to make the passenger journey more convenient, and innovative technologies are a natural choice for achieving that objective.

He stated: “We understand the connection between wayfinding and customer experience, and this application is the first step in offering our customers tools to plan their time at Dubai International, and to ultimately influence behaviour and spend.”

Built with a simple interface, myDXB can be downloaded on iPhones and iPads as well as on the wide range of Android phones and tablets in seconds.

While DXB offers free Wi-Fi Internet connectivity throughout the airport, the directory element of the application has been designed to operate offline so that more customers can access and benefit from it.

Qatar Airways’ A380 Business Class

Ethiopian to start flights to Dublin, Los Angeles l To link two cities with Africa

E

thiopian Airlines has finalised preparations to commence flights to Dublin and Los Angeles starting from June 2015.

Ethiopian flights to Dublin and Los Angeles will be operated three times a week with the ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which offers unparalleled on-board comfort to passengers. The flights will be the only direct service connecting Africa with Ireland and the West Coast of the United States.

The airline said in a statement that travellers from Los Angeles and Ireland would be able to enjoy seamless and convenient connectivity options thanks to Ethiopian extensive network in Africa covering 49 destinations.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, said, similarly, as the flights will be the only direct service between Dublin and Los Angeles, the Irish and U.S. travelling public between the two cities

will greatly benefit from the opening of the routes.

He said: “Our new flights connecting Addis Ababa, Dublin and Los Angeles will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism investment between the fast growing continent of Africa, and the United States and Ireland.”

“As the these flights will be the first and only direct air route linking Africa with Ireland and the West Coat of the US, they will bring these two seemingly far away cities much closer to Africa and will facilitate mobility and connectivity for businesses and the large African Diaspora community living in the West Coast of the United States.

“In line with our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, we are expanding our network and deploying the most technologically advanced aircraft as part of our commitment to our customers to provide them the best possible travel experience and connectivity options.

“Our flights to Dublin and

Los Angeles will be operated with the B787 Dreamliner, which offers unmatched on-board comfort especially for such a very long haul route with its unique features such as greatly reduced noise, higher cabin air humidity, biggest windows in the sky and spacious cabin interior.”

The airline chief said with the addition of Dublin, the airline’s 11th European city and Los Angeles, its 4th point in the Americas, Ethiopian international network will cover 85 destinations across five continents.

Ethiopian is a Pan-African global carrier voted by passengers as the Best in Africa for two years in a row by Passenger Choice Awards, the most comprehensive survey in the industry.

The airline operates the youngest fleet in the continent with an average of less than seven years and currently serves 83 international destinations across five continents with over 200 daily departures.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

41

RenCap forecasts hurdles in raising $5bn for oil blocks MERGERS

Shopping for funds would create opportunities for local players Godson Ikoro

A

s Nigeria prepares to sell a total of 31 fields out of which

16 are onshore fields, Renaissance Capital has predicted that it will be challenging to close the sale of four blocks estimated to cost about $5billion in proceeds.

Rencap, which made this known in a report on “Nigerian M&A: is it still hot down there?, argued that given that local banks are busy with reserves-based lending to marginal field holders, it

thinks the amount of capital that can be sourced from the banking system is only about half of ($2.5billion) the total deal value.

In this regard, it estimates that about $2.5billion would have to come from other sources, which may prove challenging and at the same time create potential opportunities for companies with excess liquidity, such as Seplat.

While noting that selling of Nigerian assets by International Oil Companies may be seen as lack of confidence in the country’s oil sector especially on the back of widely discussed vandalism and oil bunkering. RenCap sees this process as mutually beneficial.

According to the company, IOCs are able to redeploy their capital in lower risk and potentially higher return areas, while indigenous players can create value from mergers and acquisitions (M&A)

Naira firms against dollar as investors eye Nigeria assets

T

he naira firmed against the US dollar yesterday, as financial markets got a breather following weeks of sell-offs and two oil companies sold the greenback to some lenders, dealers said.

The unit according to Reuters, closed at N165.28 to the dollar, firmer than last Friday’s close of N165.35, its lowest level since March.

Nigeria’s stock index ended a 10-day losing streak to gain 1.2 percent yesterday, with renewed buying after investors viewed the market as oversold.

“The recovery in the debt and equity markets impacted positively on the forex market,” one dealer said, adding that some oil companies also sold dollars to lenders.

Dealers said yields fell across the board in the bond market

with the 10-year benchmark bond down 20 basis point on Monday to 12.75 percent, as buying pressure mounted from some pension funds.

Oil firm Seplat sold about $20 million while the local unit of China’s Addax Petroleum sold $8 million, to boost dollar liquidity on the interbank market.

The naira had been under pressure with the price of crude oil, Nigeria’s main source of foreign exchange earnings, resuming a downward move to fall below $86 a barrel on Monday as supply overwhelmed weak demand in several key markets.

The weakness in the local currency had triggered a selloff in naira assets, as foreign investors, who make up more than half of trades on the local bourse, repatriated funds.

E

nterprise Bank Limited has reassured its customers that the emergence of HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL) as the new owners of the bridge bank, will not in any way disrupt its operations but would rather strengthen its ability to provide better services to its customers.

A statement from the lender said customers would

As at N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

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, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 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

FX

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

Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

continue to enjoy excellent service delivery, irrespective of the imminent change of ownership, following the full payment of the bid amount of N56billion by Heritage Bank Limited.

According to the bank, “the transparency and successful sale of the bank by AMCON should serve as a guarantee to our esteemed customers that the combination of the two banks is a step in the right direction that will ensure increased potentials for further value addition to all stakeholders.”

The bank said that the synergies of combining Heritage Bank’s aggressive market focus and technology orientation

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

with Enterprise Bank’s legacy and branch networks would produce a highly customer-centric institution.

All structures, it continued, have already been put in place to engender a seamless transition to a new financial institution that will distinguish itself as a bank of preference in the industry.

The bank also encouraged everyone, including customers of the two combining entities to fully embrace the emerging bank.

It would be recalled that Enterprise Bank Limited came into being August 5, 2011 following the intervention of National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in Spring Bank Plc and the subsequent takeover

by AMCON, which appointed the outgoing Board of Directors and management team with the charge to reposition the bank and make it attractive for investors.

AfDB President receives award Godson Ikoro

T

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

sees strong opportunities for Seplat in the country.

Noting that some general concern has been expressed in the market about the overheated M&A market in Nigeria, which could crowd out some of the more conservative operators such as Sepla, t Rencap sees Seplat as still very active as the company benefits from a strong balance sheet and technical track record.

RenCap also thinks that M&A represents an important value driver for smaller producers such as Mart Resources, Lekoil and possibly Eland longer term.

On the opportunities for indigenous players, RenCap sees three types of potential opportunities for indigenous players to pursue further divestments by international oil companies (IOCs), which are likely to continue in the medium term.

Enterprise Bank pledges quality service

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

via three main steps.

“First, more diligent work need to be done to restore production, which normally gets second priority in IOCs’ strategies where the focus is on giant fields; dealing with local communities and reducing the downtime of operations – local companies seem to be more successful in this area and better fiscal terms – indigenous players usually benefit from this, with a significant boost coming from the Pioneer status (five-year tax holidays),” it noted.

According to RenCap, forNigeria to maximize the benefit from the indigenisation as a long-term structural policy sshift favouring local companies through an extensive tax breaks and preferential access to new resources, mergers and acquisition growth is an important driver for indigenous companies., Rencap said it

he President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka, at the weekend in Belgium received the Development Champion Award in recognition of his commitment to Africa as head of the African Development Bank.

A statement from the bank said the award was a highpoint of the gala evening that marked the conclusion of the Rebranding Africa Forum, held in Brussels, Belgium.

Mr. Kaberuka according to the statement, accepted the award to a standing ovation from the audience, but dedicated it to his staff at the

African Development Bank (AfDB) and to health workers fighting the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all my colleagues, to whom I intend to pass on the message of this Forum, and of its founder, Thierry Hot, Managing Director of Notre Afrik, in particular. I would also like to pay tribute to the unsung heroes working tirelessly to promote development across Africa.

The men and women involved in conducting campaigns, working on projects and delivering workshops are making a much greater contribution to Africa than I ever could. I am simply a figurehead with a recognised name.

Business | Financial Market News

42

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

20-Oct-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 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 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)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 563.89 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 371.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 130.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,622.09

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.51 1.82 2.52 2.77 2.86 3.61 4.69 5.01 7.27 9.40 14.11 14.59 15.09 15.76 19.74

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

11.73 12.64 12.69 12.75 12.76 12.79 12.79 12.82 12.67 12.79 12.79 12.79 12.78 12.76 12.82

11.41 12.55 12.62 12.68 12.69 12.68 12.71 12.72 12.61 12.74 12.75 12.74 12.72 12.71 12.77

96.29 100.60 105.05 93.37 92.02 94.08 111.00 78.97 117.30 107.55 114.22 98.04 71.67 81.40 95.20

96.44 100.75 105.20 93.52 92.17 94.38 111.30 79.27 117.60 107.85 114.52 98.34 71.97 81.70 95.50

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.03 0.59 1.33 2.14 2.50 2.71

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.23 14.38 14.46 14.72 13.74 13.75

99.64 92.07 103.36 100.19 91.66 95.22

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,301.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,283.21

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.86

4.44

16.26

97.04

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.70

3.23

15.01

99.01

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

16.31

98.25

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

15.33

100.69

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.50

5.59

18.33

83.88

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

13.39

100.80

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.20

1.79

14.56

98.55

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.37

1.80

14.53

99.07

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.96

1.00

13.80

100.57

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.37

1.00

13.73

101.70

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.37

4.78

17.51

93.55

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.75

1.00

13.75

101.68

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

3.01

1.00

13.76

104.10 102.42

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.09

1.00

13.81

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.97

2.74

15.50

98.35

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.50

1.00

13.78

102.57

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.10

1.00

13.73

99.01

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.20

1.94

14.67

101.26

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.68

1.44

14.23

100.88

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.71

1.95

14.74

100.85

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

471.18 462.97

Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto Nil

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.16

5.21

16.24

99.45

µ

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.20

8.71

19.68

99.30 96.86

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.58

4.88

16.63

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.66

1.00

12.77

99.94

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.73

2.63

14.42

100.37

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.94

1.00

13.67

98.87

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.01

1.34

14.05

100.33

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.95

1.00

13.76

98.19

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.76

1.88

14.43

106.70

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.97

3.48

16.17

99.81

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.14

5.20

17.92

100.39

#

101.79

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.14

5.06

17.78

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.92

1.35

14.15

99.52

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.24

2.29

15.02

101.32

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.33

6.11

18.84

97.02

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.20

2.16

14.93

102.64

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.07

2.76

15.50

99.01

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

N/A

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.95

1.00

13.85

85.90

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.95

1.00

13.85

96.79

11-Feb-18

3.31

1.00

13.77

90.71

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

A/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

142.94

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.00 10.89

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

5.33

5.16

107.49

108.40

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.38

4.14

102.53

103.37

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.61

5.49

105.23

106.03

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,576.24

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.68

8.68

103.30

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.15

4.15

105.04

105.04 101.72

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.55

6.55

101.72

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.89

8.31

93.97

95.66

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

5.97

5.69

100.09

101.10

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.68

9.68

102.00

102.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.77

6.77

98.00

98.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.20

8.80

98.33

99.80

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.67

7.67

101.63

101.63

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

7.50

7.50

95.75

95.75

9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

8.62

8.45

103.13

104.00

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

7.47

7.47

101.63

101.63

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.42

8.21

100.56

101.61

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,791.81

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 66

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 30-Oct-14 6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.60 10.80 10.85 10.80 11.00 10.65 10.90 11.15

Offer Discount (%) 10.35 10.55 10.60 10.55 10.75 10.40 10.65 10.90

Bid Yield (%) 10.63 10.85 10.93 10.90 11.13 10.79 11.07 11.38

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.8667 12.9292 13.7218 14.4834

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.63

O/N

10.83

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.42 11.98

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

165.20 165.15 165.42 166.15 167.37 168.72

165.30 165.37 165.77 166.77 168.54 170.42

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,283.21

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.86

4.44

16.26

97.04

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.70

3.23

15.01

99.01

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

16.31

98.25

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

15.33

100.69

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.50

5.59

18.33

83.88

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

13.39

100.80

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.20

1.79

14.56

98.55

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.37

1.80

14.53

99.07

NEW TELEGRAPH OCTOBER 21, 2014 A+/Agusto; A+/GCR TUESDAY *DELTA

Business | Financial Market News

43

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.96

1.00

13.80

100.57

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.37

1.00

13.73

101.70

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.37

4.78

17.51

93.55

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.75

1.00

13.75

101.68

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

3.01

1.00

13.76

104.10

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.09

1.00

13.81

102.42

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.97

2.74

15.50

98.35

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.50

1.00

13.78

102.57

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.10

1.00

13.73

99.01

13.85

85.90

Nigerian stocks ricochet on positive sentiment the positive15.00 note, as bullKOGI 31-DEC-2020 ish tendencies sustained A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 A-/GCR 15.00 NASARAWAthe 06-JAN-2021 Investment value *NASARAWArally to dominate TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE trading activities after rises by N154 billion TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATIONconsistent sell pressure.

The NSE ASI and Corporate Bonds market capitalisation 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Aa/Agusto GTB µ increased by 1.2 per cent 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 NGC Nil Stories

by Chris Ugwu as market sentiments re10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agustorading *FLOURMILLS activiturned on the green zone.

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCRties on the floor *CHELLARAMS Transactions in the 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO of the Nigerian share prices of Seplat 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto FSDH andUBALafarge stock marketUBA yes- Petroleum 13.00 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR terday began the week on Wapco led other 18.00 C&I gainers LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro OPTIMISTIC

KOGI

T

#

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*DANA

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

Oasis Insurance records 114% pre-tax profit growth BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

O

BBB/GCR

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

15.25during NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 asis Insurance cido had said the NAHCO T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCRPlc has recorded STANBIC IBTC company’s182D AGM that STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC a 113.9 per cent efforts are13.25 ongoing to TOTAL in OUTSTANDING VALUE roll-out bancassurance growth profit before MARKET CAPITALISATION taxTOTAL for the third quar- products to enhance the terSupranational ended September 30, lender’s portfolio.

Bond 2014.

Maccido,10.20 who made IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC The TOTALinsurance OUTSTANDINGfirm, VALUE the disclosure at the which acquired by annual general meetTOTALwas MARKET CAPITALISATION FBN Life Assurance ing (AGM), said the Limited, a subsidiary initiative is to leverage Description Rating/Agency Issuer of FBNH Plc in a fil- over 760 branches of ingFGN with the Nigerian the bank, cash centers Eurobonds Stock Exchange (NSE), and agencies across the 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P posted a pre-tax profit country.

FGNHe noted that the 5.13 of BB-/Fitch; N238.945 million durin-JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P ingBB-/Fitch; the third quarter as surance industry con6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P N111.719 million against tinues to experience a in TOTAL 2013, OUTSTANDING accountingVALUE for positive outlook, driven 113.9 perMARKET cent. CAPITALISATIONby enhanced level of inTOTAL The company’s profit security in the country Corporate Eurobonds grew after tax equally as well as the develop11.50 FEB 01, 2016 AFREN PLC I

by B/Fitch; 77.9 B-/S&P per cent, from ment of new telco-based 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P I that are signifN100.709 million in GTBANK 2013 PLCproducts 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC to N179.209 in 2014 while icantly impacting the 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC gross premium rose by penetration of insur6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 13.7 per cent to N1.311 ance in Nigeria.

10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II billion in 2014 from He noted that the 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC N1.152 in 2013. group itsMay 21, 2019 B/Fitch;billion B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC has enhanced 8.75 Group Chief Execuportfolio with 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANKinsurance PLC tive Officer, the recently concluded 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P First Bank AFREN PLC III LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B/S&PHoldingsACCESS PLC II of B-/Fitch; Nigeria Plc BANK acquisition of 9.25/6M OasisUSDIn8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANKsurance LTD (FBNH), Mr. Bello MacPlc. A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

B-/S&P

30-Sep-14

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

N/A

0.10

13.25

15.44

6.07 9.95

1.00

3.68 3.71

0.16 0.20 0.58 0.66 0.73 1.94 2.01 2.95 1.76 1.97 2.14 2.14 3.92 2.24 2.33 3.20

1.94

30-Sep-24

9.95

1.00

13.85

96.79

144.16 142.94

G

uinea Insurance Plc has recorded 11-Feb-13 10.20 a loss after tax of N187.030 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014. Coupon (%) Issue Date The company’s net earnings in a filing with the Nigerian Stock6.75Ex07-Oct-11 change (NSE) declined 5.13 from12-Jul-13 a profit of N31.545 million to a negative of 12-Jul-13 6.38 N187.030 during the period under review.

Pre-tax profit also plunged to N141.690 million from profit of 01-Feb-11 N46.390 million. 11.50 19-May-11 Similarly, net 7.50 pre25-Jul-12 7.25 mium income dropped 09-May-13 6.88 by 19 per cent from 08-Nov-13 6.00 N495.952 million in 2013 08-Apr-12 10.25 to N415.872 million.

22-Apr-14 6.25 Guinea 21-May-14 Insurance 8.75Plc had recently announced 07-Aug-13 8.25 that 09-Dec-13 it paid N138 million 6.63 24-Jun-14 9.25 claims on various classes 23-Jul-14 of insurance during8.00 sec14-Aug-14

ond quarter of the year (January to June11-Feb-18 2014).

12.00 The Managing Direc12.00 tor, 10.89 Guinea Insurance, Mr. Polycarp Didam, in Value noted that aOutstanding statement Maturity Date ($mm) a total of N44,501,734.42 was paid on general accident500.00 insurance policies, 28-Jan-21 representing 32.2 per 12-Jul-18 cent500.00 of total claims paid, while N41,532,642.89 was 500.00 12-Jul-23 paid on marine insur1,500.00 ance policies, representing1,576.24 30.1 per cent of total claims paid.

“Motor insurance 450.00 01-Feb-16 policies accounted for 19-May-16 13.5 500.00 per cent amount350.00 25-Jul-17 ing to N18,667,042.57 of 300.00 02-May-18 claims paid, while oil 400.00 08-Nov-18 and 300.00 energy insurance 08-Apr-19 policies accounted for 500.00 22-Apr-19 15 per cent amounting 200.00 21-May-19 to N20,781,151.52.

Engi300.00 07-Aug-20 neering insur360.00 and Fire 09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 at ance400.00 policies stood 23-Jul-21 9.12 450.00 per cent amounting

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

3.31

Bid Yield (%)

5.33 4.38 5.61

8.68 4.15 6.55 8.89 5.97 9.68 6.77 9.20 7.67 7.50 8.62 7.47 8.42

to N12,607,860.41, while the sum of N135,715.91 1.00 13.77 90.71 representing 0.1 per cent was paid on Aviation insurance policies for the period,” he said.Offer Price Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Didam noted that the insurance Prices & Yields company is working hard to be rated 5.16 107.49 108.40 among the top five insur4.14ance companies 102.53 103.37 by the year 2018.

5.49 105.23 106.03 “The company is bent upon becoming one of the top five insurance companies in the year 2018. This has made the 8.68 103.30 103.30 company draft a five year 4.15 105.04 105.04 business plan, which in6.55 101.72 101.72 clude building capacity , 8.31 93.97 consolidating and95.66 repo5.69 100.09 101.10 sitioning the GI102.00 brand 9.68 102.00 and ultimately building a 6.77 98.00 98.00 tribe of loyal and dedicat8.80 98.33 99.80 who101.63 would 7.67ed customers 101.63 brand ambassa7.50remain 95.75 95.75 8.45dors as103.13 objectives104.00 of the 7.47business 101.63 plan,” he101.63 said.

8.21

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

30-Sep-24

ers with14.67 a drop of101.26 N5.00 at N975.00, while 1.44to close 14.23 100.88 1.95Forte Oil 14.74 Nigeria 100.85 shed N4.40 to close at N211.50.

On the activity chart, the banking sub-sector dominated in volume 5.21 16.24 99.45 8.71terms with 19.68 129.2 million 99.30 worth N2.08 4.88shares 16.63 96.86 bil1.00lion in 12.77 99.94The 1,985 deals.

2.63sub sector 14.42was enhanced 100.37 1.00 13.67 98.87 by the activities in the 1.34 14.05 100.33 shares of GTB Plc and 1.00 13.76 98.19 1.88UBA Plc. 14.43 106.70 Insurance services 3.48 16.17 99.81 5.20sub-sector 17.92boosted 100.39 by the 5.06 17.78 activities on the 101.79 shares 1.35 14.15 99.52 of AIICO Plc followed 2.29 15.02 101.32 with 97.3 million97.02 units, 6.11 18.84 million 2.16worth N71.6 14.93 102.64 in 2.76148 deals.

15.50 99.01

6.20

Guinea Insurance reports N187m loss 30-Sep-14

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

from 5.00 38,197.73 points re31-Dec-20 corded 4.78 in the previous 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21 day. 4.79 Further review of the 471.18 day’s trading showed 462.97 that investors bought 353.813.17million 18-Dec-14 shares worth 2.00 N4.1 billion 31-Dec-14 in 5,221 3.61 deals.

17-Aug-15 13.62 09-Dec-15 Seplat Petroleum Plc 0.60the day’s06-Jan-16 topped gainers table15.00 with N25.6929-Sep-16 to close 5.53 25-Oct-16 at N574.00, while Lafarge 20.00 30-Sep-17 Wapco with 0.73Plc followed 30-Nov-17 N5.946.30 to close at09-Apr-18 N117.00 2.90 09-Sep-18 per share.

UACN Plc 0.80 trailed with a 09-Sep-18 gain of N2.5635.00 to close at22-Sep-18 N53.79 2.40 18-Oct-18 per share.

0.41 17-Feb-19 On4.50 the flip side, Nes01-Apr-19 2.05 tle Nigeria led 14-Nov-20 the los-

to lift31-Dec-13 market indicators.

15.00 The key benchmark 31-Dec-13 14.50 06-Jan-14 indices maintained15.00 positive trajectory to close in the green, taking supports majorly from large capitalised stocks, which 18-Dec-09 13.50 was particularly driven 01-Apr-10 17.00 by the two companies.

17-Aug-10 10.00 09-Dec-10 Consequently, at12.00 the close06-Jan-11 of business, 14.00 mar29-Sep-11 13.00 ket capitalisation firmed 25-Oct-13 14.25 up by30-Sep-10 1.2 per cent or13.00 N154 billion from N12.612 tril30-Nov-12 18.00 lion traded 09-Apr-11 last Friday 16.00 to 09-Sep-11 N12.766 trillion. 18.00 09-Sep-11 Also, the NSE16.00All 22-Sep-11 Share Index (ASI)14.00 ap18-Oct-13 15.75 preciated by 464.92 basis 17-Feb-12 17.00 points or 1.2 per cent 01-Apr-14 16.00 to 14-Nov-13 index points 15.25 hit 38,662.65

100.56

101.61

20-Oct-14

4,791.81

The FMDQ Daily income securities and instruments the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to Money in Market **Treasury Bills Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixedFIXINGS Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) the FMDQ DTM OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on(%)www.fmdqotc.com.

Maturity Bid Discount Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%)

10 30-Oct-14 10.60 17 6-Nov-14 10.80 13-Nov-14 10.85 FGN Bonds 24 31 20-Nov-14 10.80 38 27-Nov-14 11.00 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 45 4-Dec-14 10.65 52 11-Dec-14 10.90 4.00 23-APR-2015 66 25-Dec-14 11.15 73 1-Jan-15 11.15 13.05 16-AUG-2016 80 8-Jan-15 11.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 87 15-Jan-15 11.00 9.85 27-JUL-2017 94 22-Jan-15 10.45 9.35 31-AUG-2017 101 29-Jan-15 11.15 10.70 30-MAY-2018 108 5-Feb-15 11.15 16.00 29-JUN-2019 115 12-Feb-15 11.10 NA NA 7.00 23-OCT-2019 122 19-Feb-15 11.00 16.39 27-JAN-2022 129 26-Feb-15 11.10 14.20 14-MAR-2024 136 5-Mar-15 11.25 15.00 28-NOV-2028 143 12-Mar-15 11.00 12.49 22-MAY-2029 157 26-Mar-15 11.10 8.50 20-NOV-2029 171 9-Apr-15 11.20 185 23-Apr-15 11.10 10.00 23-JUL-2030 199 7-May-15 10.50 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 290 6-Aug-15 11.00 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 3-Sep-15 318 10.85 *from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

10.35 10.55 10.60 10.55 10.75 Issue Date 10.40 10.65 23-Apr-10 10.90 10.90 16-Aug-13 10.95 27-Apr-12 10.75 27-Jul-07 10.20 31-Aug-07 10.90 30-May-08 10.90 29-Jun-12 10.85 23-Oct-09 10.75 27-Jan-12 10.85 14-Mar-14 11.00 28-Nov-08 10.75 22-May-09 10.85 20-Nov-09 10.95 10.85 23-Jul-10 10.25 18-Jul-14 10.75 10.60

10.63 10.85 10.93 10.90 11.13 Coupon 10.79(%) 11.07 4.00 11.38 11.40 13.05 11.48 15.10 11.30 9.85 10.74 9.35 11.50 10.70 11.53 16.00 11.50 7.00 11.42 16.39 11.55 14.20 11.74 15.00 11.50 12.49 11.66 8.50 11.82 11.76 10.00 11.14 12.1493 12.05 11.98

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION #

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Agency Bonds 0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 FMBN 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Modified Duration Buckets Porfolio Market Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 ***LCRM <3 998.07 0.00/16.50 LCRM 1,024.21 III 06-JUL-2017 AMCON

NA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Value Outstanding 6M (N'bn)

535.00 23-Apr-15 563.89 16-Aug-16 NITTY 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 10.9257 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 11.2400 300.00 30-May-18 3M 11.3043 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 11.7192 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 11.9068 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 12.3207 371.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N)130.00 164.9850 18-Jul-34

OFFER ($/N)

4,675.13

Coupon (%)

OBB

10.63

O/N

10.83

REPO TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield Tenor (%)(%) Call 0.51 1M 3M 1.82 6M 2.52

10.42 11.73 11.98 12.45 12.64 12.89 12.69

Tenor Spot 7D 14DYield Offer 1M (%) 2M 11.41 3M 6M 12.55 1Y 12.62

2.77 12.75 12.68 2.86 12.76 12.69 3.61 12.79 12.68 :Benchmarks 4.69 12.79 12.71 * :Amortising Bond 5.01 12.82 12.72 µ :Convertible Bond 12.61 AMCON: 7.27 Asset Management 12.67 Corporation of Nigeria 9.40 Government of12.79 12.74 FGN: Federal Nigeria 14.11 Mortgage Bank 12.79 12.75 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.59 12.79 12.74 IFC: International Finance Corporation 15.09Contractors Receivables 12.78 12.72 LCRM: Local Management NAHCO: 15.76 Nigerian Aviation Handling 12.76 Company12.71 O/N: Overnight 19.74 12.82 12.77 NOTE:

165.0850

UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

165.20 Price 165.30 165.15 165.37 165.42 165.77 Bid Price Offer Price 166.15 166.77 167.37 168.54 96.29 96.44 168.72 170.42 172.76 175.94 100.60 100.75 182.14 187.16 105.05 105.20

93.37 93.52 92.02 92.17 94.08 94.38 NA :Not Applicable 111.00 111.30 # :Floating Rate Bond 78.97 79.27 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 117.30 117.60 107.55 †: Bond rating expired 107.85 114.22 114.52 N/A :Not Available 98.04 98.34 71.67 71.97 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 81.40 81.70 UBA: United 95.20 Bank for Africa 95.50

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 0.00 978.35

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

24.56 3.00 Bucket Weighting 112.22 116.70 66.49 0.34

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 %03-Apr-17 Exposure_ Mod_Duration 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-1714.56

0.03 0.59 1.33 Implied Yield 2.14 2.50 2.7112.67

0.35

54.05

12.78

101.6839

1,188.86

18.8864

1.00

100.00

12.74

117.1695

1,118.87

11.8866

1,093.74

951.30

937.86

1,027.92

31.95

34.53

35.79

30.69

3,055.82

2,977.29

100.00

100.00

1,301.320.32 1,283.21

31.39

12.70

132.9366

12.23 14.38 14.46 INDEX 14.72 13.74 1,121.61 13.75

Indicative Price

0.00 17.25by Mkt Weighting Value 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.5033.52

>5

1.00 2.63 2.27 Implied Portfolio 2.00Price 1.00 118.0900 1.00

Valuation Yield (%)

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12by Weighting Outstanding 09-Dec-11 Vol 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 33.52

3<5

Market

Rate (%) 10.8667 12.9292 13.7218 Maturity Date 14.4834

4,622.09

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

NIBOR

Bonds

1,125.66

99.64 92.07 YTD103.36 Return (%) 100.19 91.66 12.1614 95.22

12.5656

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.86

4.44

16.26

97.04

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.70

3.23

15.01

99.01

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

16.31

98.25

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

15.33

100.69

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.50

5.59

18.33

83.88

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

13.39

100.80

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.20

1.79

14.56

98.55

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.37

1.80

14.53

99.07

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.96

1.00

13.80

100.57

Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014

Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000

44

Business | Capital Market

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000

Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at October 20, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 4 14 34 52

Current Price 0.50 33.00 35.50

Quantity Traded 352,000 23,609 115,587 491,196

Value Traded 176,000.00 799,466.93 3,901,256.51 4,876,723.44

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 37 37

Current Price 2.78

Quantity Traded 1,504,642 1,504,642

Value Traded 3,975,250.51 3,975,250.51

1,995,838

8,851,973.95

Quantity Traded 423,906 1,492 35,659,597 326,946 36,411,941

Value Traded 575,882.51 6,624.48 179,221,578.11 17,581,127.27 197,385,212.37

36,411,941

197,385,212.37

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 SCO A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

89 Symbol AGLEVENT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 19 1 283 39 342

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONGLOMERATES Totals

342

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

Current Price 1.33 4.67 5.08 53.79

Page

1

No. of Deals 11 1 12

Current Price 0.80 14.46

Quantity Traded 191,600 100 191,700

Value Traded 158,643.08 1,374.00 160,017.08

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 67.20

Quantity Traded 23,176 23,176

Value Traded 1,479,555.84 1,479,555.84

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 13.82

Quantity Traded 485,734 485,734

Value Traded 6,730,555.73 6,730,555.73

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol SKYESHELT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 100.00

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00

700,660

8,375,128.65

CONSUMER GOODS Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC.

42 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,900 5,900

Value Traded 2,950.00 2,950.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 11 1

Current Price 14.94 0.84

Quantity Traded 22,424 6,626

Value Traded 318,420.80 5,830.88

Daily Summary (Equities) CHAMPION GOLDBREW

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 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 Food Products Totals Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables

NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

2

of

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 93 16 132 4 257

Current Price 178.65 31.50 166.37 3.98

Quantity Traded 796,786 110,446 2,307,869 52,590 3,296,741

Value Traded 143,103,257.45 3,477,729.77 392,282,640.60 199,316.10 539,387,195.60

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 162.86

Quantity Traded 104,440 104,440

Value Traded 18,555,768.26 18,555,768.26

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 22 68 52 38 44 224

Current Price 6.55 7.26 61.40 3.95 8.69

Quantity Traded 15,691 2,004,976 268,913 1,170,965 1,056,528 4,517,073

Value Traded 97,754.93 14,515,347.79 15,248,071.47 4,527,702.83 8,781,450.05 43,170,327.07

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 28 75 103

Current Price 52.51 975.00

Quantity Traded 21,443 137,358 158,801

Value Traded 1,112,732.02 133,486,104.18 134,598,836.20

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 32.27

Quantity Traded 200

Value Traded 6,132.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ENAMELWA Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 22 2 25

Current Price 4.29 1.35

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 93 62 155

Current Price 28.82 44.50

Page Quantity Traded 275,746 5,000 280,946

3

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 HEALTHCARE Totals Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

of

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

12

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

12

of 12 Value Traded 1,145,764.75 7,050.00 1,158,946.75

Current Price 5.77 9.03 0.50 0.95 22.00

Quantity Traded 32,516,807 264,297 994,500 Page 1,220,414 19,721,354 129,239,697

Value Traded 187,320,154.45 2,384,586.60 4 497,250.00 of 12 1,159,403.30 434,251,316.68 2,080,193,287.08

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AFRINSURE 1 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 29 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 4 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR 1 GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GNI 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 3 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 28 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 3 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 24 Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 2 Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 1 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIC 1 Daily Summary (Equities) UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP 2 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE 2

Current Price 0.50 0.80 0.91 0.50 0.50 0.53 2.97 0.54 0.70 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 87,231,297 60,000 200 200 99,333 5,754,103 24,530 1,228,423 60,250 200 200 500,000 200 1,200 1,200

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

No. of Deals 44 148

Current Price 0.66

Quantity Traded 2,377,306 97,338,842

Value Traded 1,563,500.83 71,879,812.13

Symbol WAPIC

Page

of

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.98

Quantity Traded 110,000 110,000

Value Traded 107,100.00 107,100.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.30 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,250 1,000 3,250

Value Traded 2,925.00 500.00 3,425.00

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 42 14 589 44 5 62 63 819

Current Price 3.10 3.95 12.58 4.19 0.51 31.00 2.01

Quantity Traded 2,128,085 273,412 17,298,139 25,877,749 353,518 4,363,572 3,239,597 53,534,072

Value Traded 6,634,839.33 1,089,442.42 217,483,131.84 106,251,462.18 180,368.18 137,817,518.89 6,511,080.65 475,967,843.49

280,225,861

2,628,151,467.70

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,956

Page

6

of

Value Traded 172,842.00 1,351,506.00 31,393,294.58 3,371,538.08 556,743.95 9,667.23 36,855,591.84

3,546,155

36,856,091.84

115 Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 226,400 226,400

Value Traded 118,878.00 118,878.00

Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

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

Value Traded 500,000.00 500,000.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

8

1,226,400Page

7 618,878.00 of 12

No. of Deals 43 11 27 22 33 2 60 198

Current Price 31.00 8.08 39.00 14.45 211.89 5.08 117.00

Quantity Traded 464,176 118,610 42,800 579,595 283,299 110,000 406,133 2,004,613

Value Traded 14,622,406.42 964,503.61 1,686,752.15 8,245,943.31 59,783,566.05 556,500.00 47,525,584.36 133,385,255.90

Electronic and Electrical Products

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 1.68

Quantity Traded 138,933 138,933

Value Traded 240,097.47 240,097.47

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. W A GLASS IND. PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS Daily WAGLASS

No. of Deals Current Price 3 1.59 5 20.00 Summary (Equities) 1 0.63 9

Quantity Traded 6,085 17,800 200 24,085

Value Traded 9,249.20 338,201.00 126.00 347,576.20

Page

8

221

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

of

12

2,167,631

133,972,929.57

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 135,907 135,907

Value Traded 67,953.50 67,953.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 199 199

Current Price 23.10

Quantity Traded 5,853,510 5,853,510

Value Traded 134,350,711.47 134,350,711.47

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 59 32 127 23 2 10 253

Current Price 49.23 3.57 211.50 166.10 56.00 171.00

Quantity Traded 231,273 743,102 288,314 77,473 600 8,987 1,349,749

Value Traded 10,467,212.84 2,657,296.75 60,264,855.93 12,993,837.36 31,920.00 1,544,427.70 87,959,550.58

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 41 41

Current Price 574.00

Quantity Traded 138,687 138,687

Value Traded 79,521,130.89 79,521,130.89

7,477,853

301,899,346.44

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary OIL AND GAS Totals on Board EQTY

500

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers T BRISCOE PLC. Published by TheR Nigerian Stock Exchange © Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Value Traded 100.00 52,658,182.17 56,400.00 100.00 100.00 51,166.50 16,410,976.10 13,296.80 844,364.73 30,125.00 100.00 100.00 250,000.00 100.00 600.00 600.00 5

Quantity Traded 91,900 406,000 560,935 1,930,684 551,557 4,079 3,545,155

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary asNIGERIA of 20/10/2014 TOTAL PLC. Printed 20/10/2014 Petroleum14:49:00.000 and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

No. of Deals 313 37 10 11 296 1,985

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 1.95 3.29 56.00 1.71 1.02 2.49

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

Value Traded 40,850,963.97 8,162,945.75 11,805,876.41 6,668,264.67 1,349,200,583.55 14,875,796.73 23,016,144.97

Symbol UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 8 7 18 60 18 3 114

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

Quantity Traded 4,695,897 1,341,077 649,137 3,416,818 49,095,275 5,376,822 9,947,299

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

INDUSTRIAL GOODS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price 8.71 6.13 18.19 1.95 27.14 2.77 2.33

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

805,431,860.96

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 101 DIAMONDBNK 34 ETI 49 FIDELITYBK 58 GUARANTY 392 Daily Summary (Equities) SKYEBANK 99 STERLNBANK 585

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

10,387,563

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC.

Current Price 0.50

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM PORTPAINT WAPCO

Daily Summary of 20/10/2014 CUTIXas PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000

Value Traded 38,897,652.38 29,660,184.70 68,557,837.08

797

ICT Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 1,349,156 674,506 2,023,662

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Processing Systems Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol UNIONDAC

Value Traded 74,832.30 of 12 74,832.30

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.89

Quantity Traded 88,038 Page 88,038

9

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 4.00

Quantity Traded 12,100 12,100

Value Traded 49,601.00 49,601.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 124,000 124,000

Value Traded 62,000.00 62,000.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 59 59

Current Price 3.18

Quantity Traded 7,407,207 7,407,207

Value Traded 23,476,533.26 23,476,533.26

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 2 10 20 32

Current Price 1.38 1.26 4.14

Quantity Traded 3,850 489,211 411,935 904,996

Value Traded 5,082.00 617,313.25 1,621,376.00 2,243,771.25

Daily Summary as of 20/10/2014 Printing/Publishing Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

12

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.68

Quantity Traded 318,621 318,621

Value Traded 209,366.97 209,366.97

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 8 22 30

Current Price 1.91 4.99

Quantity Traded 168,550 501,011 669,561

Value Traded 324,755.00 2,488,171.81 2,812,926.81

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 4.03

Quantity Traded 135,948 135,948

Value Traded 556,242.16 556,242.16

151

9,661,471

29,485,773.75

EQTY Board Totals

SERVICES Totals

5,221

353,801,373

4,151,028,663.23

Equity Activity Totals

5,221

353,801,373

4,151,028,663.23

Daily Summary as of Traded 20/10/2014 Exchange Fund Printed 20/10/2014 14:49:00.000 Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Exchange Traded Fund

Name Exchange Traded Fund Totals

12

Page

Symbol ABCTRANS

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1,965.00 17.51

Quantity Traded 25 5

No. of Deals 2

Current Price

Quantity Traded 30

Value Traded 49,212.55

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol

Page

Value Traded 49,125.00 87.55 11

of

ETF Board Totals

2

30

49,212.55

ETP Activity Totals

2

30

49,212.55

12

10

of

12

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

45

Features

Randy pastors prey on minors Some pastors have jettisoned their biblical role of shepherds to protect their flock, writes ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

N

igeria is encumbered by the dissipated acts committed virtually on a daily basis by those supposed to be the watchdogs of the society.

It has reached the level that many teenage girls are defiled by those supposed to be their spiritual fathers.

The infuriating part of it is that many of the girls whose so-called pastors encompass and ‘taste’ their ‘forbidden fruits,’ are asked by their abusers to keep quiet.

But eventually, the parents or guardians of the victimised girls will find out, hence they report the pastors to the authorities to be investigated.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Many of the bawdy rape videos are made public on media platforms such as the U-tube and circulated on social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter, 2Go, Badoo, etc, hoping that people – especially parents and guardians – would be sensitised enough to take the appropriate steps to protect their children and wards from randy pastors.

It is believed that the reason for circulating the videos is to stem the tide, but unfortunately it has not.

Some clerics are like the proverbial dog which masticate the bone fixed on its neck for keep.

Unfortunately also, many of the girls the amorous pastors defile are under-aged girls, making the supposed men of God paedophiles, which is a crime under the United Nations law.

Based on the number of those arraigned in court or paraded by the police, many Nigerians have called for the castration of such pastors.

This, according to them, is because no amount of rehabilitation could remould such pastors’ lives.

Like Okonkwo in the fictitious Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe who kills Ikemefuna, a boy that calls him father, some of the pastors are raping under-aged daughters of their friends who are also their church members and hold them in high esteem.

A pastor of one Faith Ministry in Awaka, Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, reportedly had carnal knowledge of two

of his female members, aged seven and nine. The parents, said to have trusted the pastor, found out the damage done to their children, when they noticed stains of blood on the girls’ clothes.

When it was reported that the pastor defiled the girls, members of the church, who had thought that their pastor was as holy as he had always preached, were stunned.

A newspaper reported that a 12-year-old girl confessed in September 2013 how her pastor raped her

He poured anointing oil into my ear and mouth. He now ordered me to remove my dress and he poured on my tummy and started massaging it

throughout the night, as if it was a ‘holy ghost’ vigil.

Members of the church situated at Oyeagu Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, were speechless when the girl said that the randy pastor lured her to a hotel under the pretence that he was going to exorcise her of impure spirits, known in Nigeria as “deliverance”.

The victim was said to have told a Magistrates’ Court in Abagana that she reminded the pastor it was a sin but the lecherous cleric refused to listen.

“It started on a Tuesday when I went to the church for prayers. I have not been hearing clearly with my ears for some time. So, I went to the pastor for prayers and when I told him my problem, he said I should stay behind that he would pray for me after everyone had gone.

“He poured anointing oil into my ear and mouth. He now ordered me to remove my dress and he poured on my tummy and started massaging it,” she reportedly said.

“After the service, only the pastor and his friend were left. He said he would take me to the house and pray for me, but when I objected and told him that my father would kill me, he said I should not mind; that nothing would happen to me,” she added.

The girl said that the pastor later took her to a hotel, ran upstairs and C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

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From the pulpit come seduction, defilement C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

came back and ordered her and his friend to come with him.

“He took us upstairs and put his friend in another room and took me to a separate room. He ordered food for me and alcoholic drink, to which I objected.

He said the drink was part of the ‘deliverance’ that I had to drink it,” she said.

Earlier in September 2011, police in Edo State arrested a pastor, who reportedly defiled a 12-year-old choir member of his church at Afuda-Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government Area.

The pastor-from-hell was detained at the Uromi Police Divisional Headquarters.

The girl, whose name could not be given for “legal reasons,” said that her pastor, who drove to the church in his Mercedes Benz car on that faithful day, immediately started enquiring about her name and that of her two female friends, who were with her in the auditorium.

Mr. Ngozi Anjorin will not forget December 15, 2012 in a hurry.

It was a day her niece was allegedly sexually abused by Pastor Alasco Sobowale at Epe in Lagos State.

According to report, the 12-year-old girl was raped at her house at 10, Togodo Street, Temu Town.

Anjorin said that her niece was brought to Lagos about two weeks earlier, so that she could send her to school.

According to Anjorin, her niece only spoke Igbo, of which only the pastor and she, who was their neighbour, did speak Igbo.

On that particular night, according to the woman, her children were in the room watching television, but she couldn’t find her niece.

Anjorin said that she called her but got no response.

According to her, she then went to the toilet, which was detached from the building, to check if her niece was using the lavatory.

She said: “I knocked on the door of the toilet and the pastor immediately ran out and I saw her inside the toilet. When I asked her what she was doing inside the toilet with the pastor, she said he lured her into the toilet and covered her mouth with his palm, so she wouldn’t scream and raped her.”

On February 21, 2013, members of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), in Abeokuta, arrested a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for allegedly raping a 12-year-old housemaid.

According to report, the pastor, who was an interpreter with the church, committed the crime in his home at 6, Shamusideen, Oke-Sokori area of the town, while his wife was said to have been away.

After the show of shame, the girl reported the incident to her parents, hence his arrest.

Mothers' concern In an interview with New

recompense.

She said that they in WMA were stunned by the imminent catastrophe, if nothing was done fast.

According to her, women do not openly opt for adoption, therefore many would rather plant fake pregnancies until nine months when they will go and ‘deliver’ their babies or ‘harvest’ babies from the baby factories.

A rape victim

Telegraph, Mary Ikoku, the President of Working Moms Africa, WMA, publishers of Working Moms Africa (WMA) magazine, expressed concern over the spate of pregnancy among teenage girls out of wedlock in the country as well as the illegitimate baby factories.

Ikoku, who served as Special Assistant, Media, to the late Prof.

Dora Akunyili, said ‘Ogbako ndi Nne’, (dialectical name of Working Moms Africa), said she was gathering mothers in South-East zone of Nigeria, to find answers to the baby factory threat devastating the country.

According to a report, over 20 baby factories have been discovered in the South-East since 2011.

In a statement by the Campaign for Democracy (CD), no fewer than 2,500 teenagers were rescued from baby factories in the South-East in the past one year.

The Chairman of South-East Zone of CD, Uzor A. Uzor, said in a statement that in Abia and Imo

The girls are put into family way by a young man hired by the factory operators

states alone, about 1,800 pregnant teenagers and babies were rescued from ‘baby factories’ in the last 12 months.

The number, according to him, is still rising.

Ikoku expressed dismay over the growing trend.

She said: “We read in the newspapers and watch on TV the atrocious activities of these people, but going down East and having a convergence of real people is a different thing entirely.

“We got to learn that apart from those teenage girls who are lured into the business by their abductors, some gullible parents give consent for their female children to be taken away by the operators of the business for a monthly pay arrangement. The girls are put into family way by a young man hired by the factory operators.”

According to Ikoku, the babies given birth to by the girls are sold between N300,000 and N500,000, depending on the gender while the parents or guardians may only be receiving just a meagre sum as

NAPTIP can’t save the situation Ikoku said alongside the people working assiduously to stop it, several others were thwarting their efforts.

She said: “The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) that many thought would have saved the situation, is more or less a toothless bulldog.

“There has thus far been no constitutional backing for them to arrest the situation. The NAPTIP team in Enugu State is ready to do its job but it needs to be empowered.

“They don’t have the constitutional backing to do much and they can’t do anything outside the scope of their mandate.”

Many Nigerians believe that the atrocities being committed by the so-called men of God represent apocalyptic signs. Others believe that any pastor caught indulging in such acts should be held responsible for his actions and not the church.

It is a pastor that commits an offence not the church, so blaming the churches whose pastors are involved in this show of shame does not worth it. There should be a proper follow-up and justice should prevail. The Bible says “the soul that sinneth shall die”.

Apostle Paul, in Galatians, 19 enumerated the embodiment of ‘flesh’ for which the pastor has fallen victim. Being a pastor can't take anyone to heaven.

• Onwumere writes from Rivers State

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

News 47

SOUTH-SOUTH

2015: South-South Ijaws back Buhari candidacy Cajetan Mmuta Benin

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embers of the Ijaw Global Policy Network, (IGPN), in the SouthSouth geo political zone of the country yesterday unanimously endorsed General Muhammadu Buhari, as their choice for Presidential candi-

Delta Council polls: Police want additional hands

date of the All Progressive Congress, APC for next year’s election.

The body in a statement signed by its spokeperson, Yubalayefa Olu Denis, and made available to the media in Benin Edo State, capital said they were satisfied with General Buhari’s strong and overwhelming commitment to rescue the nation from the

80%

brinks of collapse.

The group bemoaned the several years of misrule and spate of corruption that is bedeviling the nation under the PDP led federal government.

The group’s statement reads in part, “After Studying all the APC aspirants which we are convinced that they are all qualified to be President of the federal re-

The percentage of total NCD deaths worldwide occurred in low-and middle-income countries.

Source: Who.int

public of Nigeria. But we are asking Nigerians is allow the person of Buhari whose disdain for corruption stand him out and he is ready to fight corruption to a standstill. It is however regrettable that those who are opposed to him are doing that merely because that will be the end of business for corrupts leaders in the Country.”

5,768

The number of refugees in Guatemala at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

The people expressed disappointment at the high level theft of the nation’s collective wealth and the inability of the anti-graft agencies to deal decisively with the problem of corruption ailing the various facets of the country.

The IGPN also commended the resolve of the Edo state governor Adams Eric Oshiomhole

83

The life expectancy (in years) at birth of women in Greece in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

to pull out of the Presidential race for APC ticket describing his action as mark of respect for the party’s leadership.

“We are appealing to the leadership of the party to adopt Buhari as the party sole candidate to contest the 2015 general election owing his doggedness and burning desire to bring change to the Country”.

34%

The percentage of the total TV revenue shared by Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2013-2014 season.

Source: Goal.com

Dominic Adewole Asaba

A

s the Delta State Local government elections scheduled for this Saturday approaches, the Police Command yesterday called on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Benin, Musa Daura, to deploy additional hands of police to the State to ensure a hitch free election.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alkali Baba Usman, who disclosed the intention of ensure adequate protection of lives and property during the election said the need for additional hands is to ensure that the force is not found wanting in the discharge of its constitutional duty of adequately protecting the citizen.

Usma said the police authority could assist with additional officers and men from neighbouring Edo and Bayelsa states.

“It is pertinent to inform you that Delta State will hold its local government elections on Saturday, 25th October, 2014, I want to crave your indulgence to assist us with additional manpower from Edo and Bayelsa commands to beef up the security on ground, even though we are yet to receive any logistics support from the statwe government”, the CP begged.

L-R: Chairman, Oron Think-Tank, Comrade Okon Osung; member, House of Representatives, Hon. Robinson Uwak; Chairman, Oron Traditional Rulers, Akwa Ibom, Ovong PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI Isemin, after a press briefing on the governorship ambition of Uwak in Abuja…at the weekend.

2015: I’m Uduaghan’s anointed successor, says Okowa Dominic Adewole Asaba

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governorship aspirant on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP), presently representing Delta North Senatorial District, in the Senate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday formally declared his intention to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in next year’s elections,

stating that he was the anointed successor to the incumbent governor.

Senator Okowa’s declaration came as after the declaration of a former Senior Special Assistant to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Chief Clement Ofuani, to run for the State governorship position.

Ofuani was also former governor James Ibori’s Commissioner

for Economic Planning in Delta state.

Both Okowa and Ofuani hail from Delta North Senatorial district, which the current Permanent Secretary to Governor Uduaghan, Sir Tony Obuh, who has also declared his interest to run in the governorship race also hails from.

Okowa said that he joined the governorship race to achieve his

dream of overhauling the way government business is run in the oil rich state by formulating multi-sectoral and multidimensional policies on spending plans.

He said, “I have decided to take up the mantle of leadership of Delta state, to be your governor as from 2015. As you all know, I have dedicated myself to the service of my people all my life

hence I have served in various capacities under successive administrations.

“My vision is to consolidate on a progressive government of peace and security that will add value to the transformation agenda in Delta state. we are not coming to fill our pockets but to transform the state into where teeth and tongue shall meet to path no more.”

Rivers Assembly approves N19bn for Amaechi Senator fingers Akpabio’s aide, Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the sum of N19 billion from the State reserved requested by Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

Amaech,i in the letter written to the lawmakers on his request for the loan read on the floor of the House, had stated that the funds would be used to complete some ongoing capital projects in state.

It can be recalled that the lawmakers had

in April, approved the Governor’s request for a N50bn bond, and also approved the sum of $280million loan facility for the state government from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

There twenty-three lawmakers, present at the 93rd legislative day, unanimously granted the governor’s request.

Speaking on the development, the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, said that the state government had bills to pay due to pay due to finan-

cial crunch, noting that the state has huge money in the reserve funds, making it necessary to approve the request.

Also speaking, the chairman, House Committee on Finance, Josiah Olu, said the money would be accessed from the over N50 billion saved by the government, noting that the request was made based on the fact that the Federal Government had not released funds to the states from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

council chair in attack Chukwu David Abuja

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enator Helen Esuene, yesterday in Abuja, alleged that some of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s aides and the Chairman of Nse/Ntuen local council, Mr. Essien Udim were sponsors of some armed youths who she attacked her last week in Akwa-Ibom State.

Esuene, who represents Akwa-Ibom South Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs

and Youth Development, was allegedly attacked last week Wednesday at Nse/Ntuen Local Government Area of the State by suspected thugs when she visited the area to canvass for support for her governorship ambition.

Esuene, her supporters and the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman in the council, Mr. Friday Udoh, were allegedly beaten up as well as dispossessed them of their personal belongings.

The politician told jour-

nalists in an interview in Abuja that her bag and her telephones were snatched from her but was later returned to her through a retired general, who claimed that an aide of Akpabio’s cousin, brought the mobile phone to him.

Her words: “the person who returned my stolen phone, is interestingly, the Personal Assistant to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Ukopng Akpabio. The latter is a cousin to the governor, they are of the same family.

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tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

north

Usman: I reserve the right to endorse Yero Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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enator representing Southern Kaduna in the National Assembly, Senator Nenadi Usman, has said that she reserves the right to endorse Governor Muktar Yero without reverting to her constituents for consul-

tation.

Usman, a former Minister of Finance, was reacting to the criticisms that trailed her action, when she led political office holders from her senatorial district to endorse Yero last month, in an interaction with journalists yesterday.

According to the senator, she was elected by her people to represent

them, so she does not have to consult them on every issue before taking a decision. She said the governor has done enough for the area to deserve the endorsement.

On the frequent killings in her senatorial district by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the senator said the need for the people to unite and live together in peace irre-

spective of tribe or religion will end insurgency in the area.

Usman disagreed with critics who claimed that she had never visited any of the troubled community in the district, saying that such people were far away from the grass root to know whether she visited the area or not.

The former minister acknowledged that there

are many aspirants who want to contest the senate seat, adding that; “I will be afraid if there is no aspirant to challenge me and leave me only to contest the position.

I will be thinking that there is something wrong with it.”

According her, Muslims and Christians “make a conscious effort to live peacefully. I

always tell people that I am a Christian, my husband is a Muslim.

And I remain a Christian while my husband remain a Muslim and I know there are people who kept criticising him that ‘how can you marry a wife and you have not force her or told her to become a Muslim, but he is okay with it.”

PDP is dead in Kwara, says Adedoyin Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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Some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, speaking to a reporter in Chibok Town, Borno State…on Sunday

2015: Alhassan picks Taraba governorship nomination form Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

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senator representing Taraba North in the National Assembly, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan, of the All Progressives Change (APC) yesterday in Jalingo, picked the APC governorship nomination form, saying that despite her being a woman, she can deliver more that her male counterparts.

Alhassan, who spoke with the press shortly after she picked the form said, if she is elected next year, her administration would focus on social, economic and infrastructural development.

When asked about the issue of power rotation between the three senatorial districts in the state, she said there is no such agreement in the state, stressing that power shift is against the country’s constitution.

Plateau Chief Whip to contest Reps’ seat Musa Pam Jos

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hief Whip of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Timothy Golu, yesterday declared his intention to vie for the House of Representatives seat to represent Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency, promising to pick the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form today.

Golu, who is presently the member representing Kanke constituency at the state constituency

and also a one-time State House correspondent of the Leadership newspaper, made his intention known when the League of Veteran Journalists in the state paid him a solidarity visit at the House of Assembly complex.

The visit, which was aimed at encouraging him to vie for the seat, Golu said having understood the security and economic issues in Plateau State and having served as a journalist, he will be able to raise the platform of representation for the people of the state.

Dakingari seeks support for Kebbi Polytechnic education

Kebbi governor sees establishment of schools as vehicle for development Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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ebbi State governor, Alhaji Usman Seidu Dakingari, has sought the support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) for the newly established state polytechnic.

The governor, who was on a visit to the headquarters of Tetfund in Abuja yesterday, said the state government found it necessary to set up the new polytechnic to create access for thousands of secondary school leavers in the state.

He said the state has over 273 secondary schools and is in need of more tertiary institutions to absorb those leaving the secondary schools.

This, according to him, would help to reduce the

incidence of poverty, crime and criminality in the state, adding that the College of Education, Zuru, also needs the intervention of the agency.

He said the polytechnic, which has attained 75 per cent completion, needs the intervention, noting that the newly established Federal University, Kebbi, has enjoyed tremendous intervention from Tetfund.

Earlier in his remarks, Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Prof. Sulaiman Elias Bogoro, said the north has over the years been plagued by the problem of education challenge.

He, however, assured the governor that Tetfund would make sure it assists the state in the areas that will boost education, especially at the tertiary level.

While responding, Chairman Tetfund Board of Trustees, Dr. Musa Babayo, who disclosed that Kebbi State benefitted to the tune of N3 billion from the last Tetfund intervention, said the agency would do all it could within the limit of the law.

Jonathan visits Jigawa today Dahiru Suleiman

Dutse

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ecurity has been beefed up in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, by security operatives following President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state today.

The President is visiting to commission the multi-billion naira Dutse International Airport.

Places under security watch are the Government House, the state’s secretariat complex and the police headquarters.

Other places also under security watch include the Broadcasting House complex while the entire city looked clean and tidy in preparation of the president’s visit.

Other official engagement expected to be performed by the President is commissioning of some projects at the Federal University, Dutse.

During the one-day visit, President Jonathan is expected to inspect some federal roads.

ormer Minister of State for Health, Princess Olufunke Adedoyin, has allayed fears by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in her area ahead of the 2015 general elections, saying that the Presidency cannot capture the state.

Adedoyin gave the assurance at an interactive session organised by Kwara South Youths in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government area of the state, where she was eventually unanimously endorsed to represent the district at the senate.

She declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dead in the state, adding that since the defection of Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed to the APC, the PDP had been in disarray.

The former minister justified her aspiration to represent Kwara South senatorial district at the senate on the platform of the APC, saying there is urgent need to draw federal presence to the district.

While lamenting the high rate of unemployment in the country, Adedoyin promised that she would empower youths and women and use her office to bring development to the district and tackle joblessness among the youth.

Adedoyin promised to give the district quality representation at the senate while also pleading with the people to support her bid.

Speaking at the occasion, the Coordinator of the forum, Yinka Dallas, said youths in the area endorsed Adedoyin for the senate because of their trust in her ability to deliver. At the event, no fewer than 100 PDP members from Agbamu ward II in Irepodun Local Government led by Mr. Oluwabunmi Emmanuel, defected to the APC.

News 49

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Court nullifies party de-registration Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday nullified the de-registration of Hope Democratic Party (HDP) carried out on December 8, 2012 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The de-registration of the party was set aside on the ground that the action was illegal, null and void, having been carried out

by INEC in breach of due process.

Delivering judgement in a suit filed by the party against INEC, the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola voided the party’s de-registration and also barred the electoral body from interfering, disturbing or obstructing the party from participating in the 2015 general election.

HDP had, through its counsel, Ambrose Owuru, instituted a legal action against INEC and the

National Assembly to challenge its de-registration.

The reason for de-registering the party by INEC was as a result of its dismal failure in the 2011 general election in which the party failed to win a seat either at the State House of Assembly or the National Assembly.

The party, however, sued the electoral body for failure to comply with due process and for denying it fair hearing before slamming the de-registration order on it.

However, after hearing submissions of both parties in the suit, Justice Ademola agreed that INEC has power under section 78 (7) of the 2010 Electoral Act to de-register party for reasons specified.

The judge, however, frowned on the failure of INEC to follow due process, especially the refusal to query the party and its leadership before announcing the de-registration.

The court further held

that denial of fair hearing was fundamental as it constituted a breach of section 36 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

In view of the denial of fair hearing, the judge held that the purported de-registration cannot stand in the face of the law and was subsequently set aside for being in bad faith and ultra vire, “When a political party engages in acts inimical to democracy or any unwholesome activities, the law is that such party

must be first queried and summoned to a meeting to defend itself before any punishment can be meted out to such a party.

“Anything to the contrary will amount to putting the cart before the horse which the law will not allow,” the judge held.

Other political parties in the suit who came in the name of National Coalition for Democratic Change had their name struck out for not appearing properly as registered parties before the court.

Five aides quit Elechi’s cabinet Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

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here are strong indications that three serving commissioners in the cabinet of Governor Martin Elechi have resigned to pursue their political ambition.

Those who tender their letters while the governor was still away in Abuja, include the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Chike Onwe, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Hon. Sunday Uguocha, Commissioner for Cement Production and Chidi Ejem, Special Assistant on Petroleum.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), speaking in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area in continuation of his assessment tour of the 20 Local Government Areas in the state…yesterday.

Suswam picks form for senate Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State yesterday picked his nomination and Expression of Interest forms to contest the Benue North East senatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor also received the final report from the Committee on Fulani Crisis in Benue South senatorial district from its Chairman,

Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd).

But the form was picked and presented to him at Government House by elders of party from Benue North East led by Mr. Atoza Hindan, who procured and presented the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to the governor to run for the seat in 2015.

Speaking while presenting the forms, Hindan said the governor was eminently qualified to represent the people at the senate.

One feared dead in Amosun’s rally

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ne person has been reportedly killed as two groups of hoodlums clashed in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government area of Ogun State during the a rally organised as part of local governments’ tour by the Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

According to an eyewitness who did not want his name in print and who escaped the fracas, the gangs were fighting to show supremacy.

The incident reportedly left many people injured as a result of the dangerous weapons used by the rival gangs.

It was gathered that the incident occurred outside the venue of the assessment tour and did not disrupt the programme.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said one person lost his life.

Lagos to continue with master plans Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said that the state government was committed to implementing its master plans in order to eradicate slums despite the influx of people into the state.

The governor also said that his administration has proactively initiated policies and strategies aimed at addressing the challenges of the slum

dwellers by improving and making laws that would enhance living standard of blighted areas.

Fahsola, who was represent by his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, spoke at the 2014 World Habitat Day, saying that most people just acquired lands and resell without consideration for government’s master plan. This, he said, contributed to the development of slums in the state.

Ajetumobi installed Ejisun Ipo Arakeji Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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sun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, at the weekend, installed and presented a staff of office and instrument of appointment to Oba David Omodunbi Adekunle Ajetumobi (Arobiere III) as the new Ejisun of Ipo Arekeji in Oriade Local Government area of the state.

While presenting the staff of office to the monarch, Aregbesola charged him to be dedicated to the advancement of the town.

Speaking through the

Lagos REC debunks rift with Jega Wale Elegbede

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he Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, yesterday described as unfortunate, reports of a purported collision between INEC’s chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and RECs in the 36 states of the federation over the distribution of additional polling units. He stated that the polling units were allocated on equality basis

for all states.

Speaking in Lagos at a workshop organized by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP)for key INEC officers for third phase Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) and conduct of Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), Ogunmola disclosed that Lagos would get 2,400 additional polling units from the distribution, bringing the total numbers of polling units in the state to 10, 865.

Recently, there have been reports of a cold war

among the top echelon of the commission over the distribution of the additional 30,000 polling units.

The North is said to have got over 21,000 units ( 85%) while the South will share the balance of about 8,000 units (15%).

Ogunmola said: “It is unfortunate that such story has been published but I wish to state here that there is no rift between us (RECs) and the chairman.

Whatever the commission is doing in terms of policies are proceeds of joint decision from all of us.”

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kolapo Alimi, the governor also appealed to him not to disappoint his subjects.

5, 300 teachers get appointment letters

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday presented letters of appointment to 5, 300 teaching and non-teaching staff just employed into public primary and secondary schools in all the 33 local government areas of the state.

At a ceremony witnessed by a crowd of party faithful, professional bodies and members of the public at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, letters of appointment were distributed to those employed from all the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland.

The remaining letters are scheduled for distribution in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa at later dates.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Ajimobi said the recruitment of 5, 300 teachers in one fell swoop by his administration was unprecedented in the history of the state.

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WORLD | News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Turkey helping Kurdish fighters cross into Kobani

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n a significant shift, Turkey's top diplomat announced yesterday that his country is helping Iraqi Kurdish fighters cross into Syria to "give support" to fellow Kurds defending the border town of Kobani from Islamic State militants. The remarks by Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu came hours after the U.S. mili-

tary announced it for the first time had airdropped weapons, ammunition and medical supplies provided by Iraqi Kurdish authorities to Kurdish forces in Kobani.

Sunday's airdrops followed weeks of U.S. and coalition airstrikes in and near Kobani, along the Syrian-Turkish border. A U.S. military official, who was not authorized to discuss

the matter by name, said the airdrops included small arms. Turkey previously has said it would oppose any U.S. arms transfers to the Kurdish rebels in Syria. It views the main Kurdish group in Syria as an extension of the Turkish Kurd group known as the PKK, which has waged a 30year insurgency in Turkey and is designated a terrorist group by the U.S. and by NATO.

It remains uncertain, however, whether Ankara would allow large numbers of heavily armed Iraqi Kurdish fighters to make the journey and if significant numbers are likely to do so given the threat IS still poses to Kurdish areas in Iraq.

"Iraq's Kurdish regional government announced that they are in cooperation with Turkey and the U.S.," Cavusoglu said at a press conference in the Turkish capital, Ankara. "Actually, we are helping peshmerga forces to enter into Kobani to give support," he added, speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Tunisian Foreign Minister Mongi Hamdi.

Cavusoglu did not provide

details, and it was not immediately clear where and how Turkey was allowing Kurdish fighters into Syria, after blocking them so long. Also unclear was whether this had already happened or was still to take place. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said it would be "irresponsible" and "morally very difficult" not to support the Kurds in their fight against IS. "Let me say very respectfully to our allies the Turks that we understand fully the fundamentals of their opposition and ours to any kind of terrorist group and particularly obviously the challenges they face with respect the PKK," Kerry said.

Egypt not ready to assist US against Islamic State

E Smoke rises following a strike in Kobani, Syria during fighting between Syrian Kurds and the militants of Islamic State group

Oscar Pistorius knows fate today

O

scar Pistorius will finally learn his fate today when a judge is expected to announce the Olympic runner's sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius could be sentenced to years in prison, or he could be given a suspended sentence and a fine and receive no jail time for shooting Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home.

More than seven months after Pistorius' trial started, Judge Thokozile Masipa will announce what punishment she has decided on after finding him guilty of culpable homicide, which is comparable to manslaughter, but acquitting him of murder.

Prosecutors have demanded at least 10 years in prison for the double-amputee athlete. His defense lawyers have suggested that three years of correctional supervision, with periods of house arrest and community service, would be appropriate.

Pistorius testified during his murder trial that he mistook Steenkamp for a dangerous nighttime intruder about to come out of the cubicle and attack him when he shot four times through the door with his 9 mm pistol. Judge Masipa last month ruled that Pistorius did not intend to kill Steenkamp, but he acted negligently and with excessive force in the Valentine's Day 2013 killing.

He was also convicted of unlawfully firing a gun in a restaurant weeks before Steenkamp's death. That normally carries a fine for a first offense, but has a

maximum of five years in prison. Masipa has a wide range of options available to her at the climax of the trial because there is no minimum sentence for culpable homicide. Pistorius, 27, could serve no jail time, and possibly consider returning to the career that made him one of the world's most recognizable runners on his carbon-fiber running blades, and the first amputee to compete on the track at the Olympics in 2012. He could be placed under house arrest, or he could be sent to prison for up to 15 years, almost certainly ending his running days.

Pistorius' brother and sister, Carl and Aimee, gave interviews to a South African television station on the eve of the sentencing, describing what they said was a difficult and emotional time in the more than a year-and-a-half since their brother killed Steenkamp. "It has been a long journey to this point," Aimee Pistorius told eNCA. "A very taxing one.

It is difficult to support someone through something like this , all the guilt and ridicule and obviously the exposure that has come with it."

During his sentencing hearing last week, Pistorius' chief defense lawyer called social workers and a psychologist who testified that the athlete had suffered significantly already, both emotionally and financially. "He's not only broke, but he's broken," chief defense lawyer Barry Roux said of Pistorius. "There is nothing left of this man." Pistorius' defense team also argued that South African prisons cannot cater for his disability and he

would be vulnerable. Roux even cited an alleged threat against Pistorius by a reputed prison gang leader.

Prosecutors insist Pistorius must go to prison because of what they called the "horrific" nature of Steenkamp's death.

The 29-year-old model was hit in the head, arm and hip with hollow-point bullets fired by Pistorius. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said that the defense's suggestion of house arrest and 16 hours of community service a month was a "shockingly inappropriate" sentence. Recent sentences for culpable homicide in South Africa have been cited by analysts of Pistorius' case. A singer known as Jub Jub had his murder conviction overturned and replaced with a culpable homicide conviction after a 2010 drag race, when he and another man ploughed their cars into a group of schoolchildren on a road, killing four and seriously injuring two. The singer was sentenced to eight years in prison for culpable homicide.

In 2011, a South African rugby player convicted of culpable homicide for the beating death of a policeman on a Pretoria road was given a five-year suspended prison sentence. He served no jail time and paid the victim's family $85,000 in compensation. Yesterday, correctional services authorities denied media reports by a radio network that they were already preparing a cell for Pistorius in a high-security section of Pretoria Central Prison ahead of the announcement of his sentence.

gypt has no plans to provide the United States with direct military assistance in its war against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria even though American aerial bombardment may not be enough to defeat the group, the country's prime minister said. But Ibrahim Mehleb left open the possibility of military action if Cairo's Gulf Arab allies are threatened by the al Qaeda offshoot.

With one of the biggest armies in the Middle East and wide experience in battling militancy, Egypt is regarded as a vital ally for the United States, which provides billions of dollars in annual aid to Cairo. Mehleb said Egypt's priority is ensuring stability at home, where security officials face resilient jihadist insurgents based in the Sinai Peninsula and regard militants in neighboring Libya as a serious threat.

"For the Egyptian army the most important thing is its

borders and the stability of its country and the protection of its country," Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb told Reuters in an interview. He spoke hours after a bomb killed six Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai.

The peninsula is the epicenter of an insurgency that has killed hundreds of Egyptian security forces since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last year after mass protests against his rule. But Mehleb appeared more flexible on the issue of Egyptian intervention when it comes to the security of oil-producing Gulf Arab allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Those countries have pumped billions of dollars in aid and petroleum products into Egypt since then army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Mursi in July 2013 and then mounted one of the toughest crackdowns on Islamists.

Barroso: Britain leaving EU would be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;historic mistake'

E

uropean Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso argued yesterday that Britain is better off in the EU and warned that alienating its allies would be a "historic mistake". The outgoing head of the 28-member bloc's executive body said that Britain could be "facing a choice,to stay or leave the European Union", during a speech at London think-tank Chatham House. "Could the UK get by without a little help from your friends? My answer is probably not," he said, as pressure mounts on the British government from eurosceptics before next year's general election.

In his latest effort to keep Britain onside, Barroso, who leaves office next month after 10 years, also warned that it risked cutting itself

off from countries such as Poland, from where thousands of migrants arrive in Britain looking for work each year. "It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe, when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession," he added.

Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership and hold an in-out referendum if he is reelected next year. Squeezed by the momentum of the antiEU UK Independence Party (UKIP), whose first elected lawmaker was sworn in last week, Cameron has promised to have "one last go" at securing new checks on EU migrants.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

International Football

Sports News

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Basketball

Eagles: No sentiments on players’ invitation –Salisu

In-form Musa to exploit weak City defence

FIBA Africa Zone 3 board inaugurated

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Sport

Did you know?

That Mary Onyali was the first Nigerian to compete at five Olympic Games when she competed at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. She first appeared at the Olympic Games in 1988, in Seoul, South Korea.

My EAGLES headache - Amodu

Mikel

Adekunle Salami

S

uper Eagles coach, Shaibu Amodu, is not worried about the special assignment given to him by the new board of the Nigeria Football Federation. He believes he is on a familiar terrain.

He is however cautious of the reported wrangling in the team that has divided the players in the past months.

Amodu told our correspondent exclusively that he would work hard to unite the players because there was need for harmony to get the desired results in this difficult period.

The coach said; “First, the players should be friends on and off the pitch. There is need for harmony in the team. I have been making consultations and so far I am really worried about the

Emenike

Enyeama

Amodu

issue of unity in camp. It is an essential factor for success.

“My major work is to unite the players in a short period and they should see themselves as being equal in all aspects. This is very crucial for us especially because we have limited time to spend together and the assignment given to me is a mandate to win the two games.

“We will go all out for the results but we just have to appeal to all aggrieved players to enter the camp this time with open mind for the sake of Nigeria.”

Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Alloysius Agu were the assistants named to work with Amodu by the Amaju Pinnickled board of the NFF to prosecute the last round of qualifying matches for the Maroc 2015 Nations Cup. Nigeria under Stephen Keshi played four matches with just four points recorded out of possible

12. Eagles won one, drew one and lost two matches so far in the series to stay third in the group in which South Africa is on top with eight points and Congo second with seven points. Sudan has three points.

Amodu acknowledged that the task before him was a very tough one but also added that it was not impossible for the team to accomplish.

“It is a tough task no doubt but not impossible.

We are going to approach all games with determination to win. We have been in this kind of situation before and we came out smiling. I am positive, we are going to smile again,” said the coach who qualified Nigeria for the World Cup in 2002 and 2010.

Nigeria will play Congo away on November 15 and South Africa on November 19 at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.

South Africa must fall, says Oparanozie Emmanuel Tobi

S The Sport Team

Adekunle Salami l Deputy Editor, Sports Emmanuel Tobi l Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh l Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan l Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Sports Correspondent © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

uper Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, has warned the Bayana Bayana of South Africa to expect a total war when they confront Nigeria in the first semifinal of the 9th African Women Championship in Namibia.

South Africa qualified for the semifinal after thrashing Algeria 5-1 on Saturday and will play Nigeria on Wednesday by 5pm at the Sam Nujoma Stadium for a place in the final.

But the En Avant de Guingamp of France player maintained that the Falcons were poised to beat the Bayana Bayana to reclaim the AWC trophy as well as guarantee

the team’s qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“We know the task ahead of us and we don’t have any choice than to beat South Africa on Wednesday. Whatever we have achieved in the past is forgotten as we press forward because South Africa must fall.

“The match is very important to us and we are focused on winning the trophy. No disrespect to South Africa, but the truth remains that we are getting back our trophy,” she enthused.

Oparanozie who is the tournament’s top scorer with four goals further stressed that the team was united in their quest

to qualify for the FIFA Women World Cup and win the AWC trophy for a record ninth time.

“We have been taking the matches one game at a time and our immediate target now is beati n g South Africa thereby ear ning us a place at the World Cup because Canada 2015 ticket is not negotiable.

“We will re-strategise and plan for the final when we get there by God’s grace. We want to win for our coaches and also for Nigerian fans across the world for their love and support,” she added.

Oparanozie

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

AFCON 2015: Nigeria considers Sport Trending hosting as S’Africa opts out

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport

hosting is a no no. Our budget cycle will not allow it - it is totally impossible.”

South Africa was among seven countries sounded out

by CAF as possible replacements for Morocco, who has major concerns about hosting the 17 January to 8 February tournament.

Almost 4,500 people have

Emmanuel Tobi

T

here are strong indications that Nigeria may consider hosting the 2015 Nations Cup as South Africa on Monday opted out of staging the continent’s biggest football showpiece after Morocco threatened to pull out due to fears over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federations have expressed confidence in the country’s ability to stage a successful competition but maintained that the request must be channeled to the Sports Ministry and the Federal Government.

“It is not strictly the purview of the NFF alone but we must get approval from the National Sports Commission and the Federal Government on the possibility of hosting the tournament,” said Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF vice president.

South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula on Monday said,”I can tell you unambiguously and categorically that

died in the Ebola epidemic that broke out in west Africa at the start of the year and Morocco youth and sports minister Mohamed Ouzzine said last Thursday he does not think the tournament can happen as planned.

Moroccan officials will meet with CAF on November 3, to discuss the situation.

Ikechukwu Uche, MON Great game last night..very proud to have scored my 100th goal in spain.Just want to thank everyone for the support. @ikeuche9 Kanu Nwankwo When the going is good and smooth, many many people will be your friend but when the going is bad and rough,many many people will run away. @papilokanu IDEYE BROWN MON Nigeria is free from Ebola #GreatGod #stillonourshokidance @OfficialIdeye Onazi Ogenyi Eddy Respect is reciprocal, it has no age limit. @OnaziOgenyi LeBron James Congrats on the GREAT Peyton Manning on breaking the All-Time TD record!! #Legend #OneOfTheGreats @KingJames

Indianplayerdiesaftergoalcelebration

I

IAAF approves Okpekpe Race as Bronze Label Charles Ogundiya

W

orld Athletics Governing body, IAAF has conferred the IAAF Bronze Label status on the Okpkekpe 10km Road Race, which holds annually in Edo State, Nigeria.

In a release sent by IAAF, the body commended the organisers for staging a hitch free tournament in the last two years while urging them to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the new status.

The release stated: “We have reviewed your application for an IAAF Road Race Label. We are pleased to inform you that your race has been awarded a Bronze Label for 2015. We remind you that all requirements included in the Road Race Label Regulations must be met in order to be considered for an IAAF Label the following year.”

Mike Itemuagbor, owner of the race expressed delight that his efforts and those of his team have been duly recognised and said the historic feat was a testimony to the can-do spirit of Nigerians.

“This has shown that we can achieve whatever we set out to if we focus on it,” said Itemuagbor.

The maiden edition of Okpekpe International Road Race was organised by the Edo State government under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in 2013.

Chiney Ogwumike I’ve dealt with bird size mosquitos in Nigeria but these microscopic ones here in Italy are way worse.. They stay lurkin. Lol @Chiney321

Nigeria’s Azubuike Egwuekwe battling Spain’s Andres Iniesta during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil

ndian footballer Peter Biaksangzuala has died from the injuries he suffered as he landed awkwardly while celebrating a goal.

The 23-year-old damaged his spinal cord doing a somersault after scoring an equaliser for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC against Chanmari West FC. Biaksangzuala was taken to hospital and had surgery, but passed away.

The match in which he sustained his injuries was a state level game in the Mizoram Premier League.

A statement on the Mizoram Premier League’s official Facebook page read: “It has been a sad day for Mizoram football and the demise of the footballer shook his team-mates, footballers and fans alike all over Mizoram.

Eagles: No sentiments on players’ invitation –Salisu Charles Ogundiya

T

he newly constituted consortium of coaches for the Super Eagles has declared its plans to give all Nigerian players equal opportunities to get into the national team.

The Nigeria Football Federation recently appointed a four-man team, led by Shaibu Amodu, to coach the national team ahead of its final two 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, coming up next month against Congo and South Africa.

The other coaches named alongside the 56-year-old Amodu were Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu, who would serve as the team’s goalkeepers’ trainer.

And Yusuf, in an interview with New Telegraph, disclosed that the crew would not invite any player on sentiments.

“We have been talking, although we are yet to have an official meeting,” said Yusuf.

“The motive of the meeting, coming up later this week, will be to look at the weaknesses and strengths of the team. We will look at where we need to improve upon so that we can

achieve the needed result.”

The Super Eagles need to win their remaining games, while hoping other results go their way, in order to stand a chance of defending their AFCON title next year in Morocco.

“I can assure you that we are not going to do a total overhaul of the team because time is not on our side,” said the former Kano Pillars handler.

“But I can tell you that we are not going to exclude any player as we are going to give all the players equal opportunities to be part of the team,” added the former midfielder.

Beating South Africa key to AWC title, says Onome

A

We lost to Banyana last time because we were not able to take our chances

head of their crunch semifinal clash in the African Women Championship Super Falcons central defender Onome Ebi says the match is key to reclaiming the title they lost two years ago in Equatorial Guinea.

Onome, a prominent member of the team that lost to Van Wyk solitary strike at this same stage in 2012 said they would not allow the mistakes of that defeat to repeat itself in Namibia.

“We lost to Banyana last time because we were not able to take our chances and they took theirs and converted their only chance to win. We have learnt our lesson and that will

be our guiding principle when we meet on Wednesday in the semi final “This match means so much to us. We know a win will give us ticket to the women world cup aside from taking home the trophy, so we shall take the match as if it is the final. We have to revenge that loss and restore our pride as African queens. We just have to beat them to reach the final She continued; “to me this is the most important game for us as a win qualifies us for world cup next year and it will further show we are the best in Africa.

We have young and energetic players who have made Falcons a stronger team.”

Onome

NFF to send 11 referees to England

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has concluded arrangements to send the best of Nigerian referees to the United Kingdom for a special refresher course beginning in the first week of December.

The three –week capacity building exercise is aimed at preparing the best of Nigerian arbiters to become better officiating officials in the coming years, and to enhance their opportunities of commanding greater recognition from international soccer bodies.

The 11 lucky arbiters on the trip to England in this first phase, who will be led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude and the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’, are Ferdinand Udoh, Abdullahi Shuaibu, Usman Isah, Samuel Pwadutakan, Orowole Tope, Egudia Efosa, Peter Ogwu, Paul Umuago, Musa Dung Davon, Olayinka Olayide and Ukah Ndubuisi.

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SPORT | INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

In-form Musa to exploit weak City defence

A

hmed Musa believes CSKA Moscow can take advantage of Manchester City’s “very weak” set-up when they clash in the UEFA Champions League.

Musa heads into the Group E encounter on the back of scoring twice in a 6-0 hammering of Kuban Krasnodar on Saturday, having also helped himself to a brace in Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Sudan last week.

City did the double over CSKA last season, but striker

Musa believes the Premier League champions are vulnerable at the back.

“As you can see, they are very weak this year. We are going to use that advantage against them.” said Musa.

“In a couple of games they haven’t been that good. They are very weak in the defence, so we are going to do our best to work against that.

“I think we are going to have a great opportunity because of the quality of the players we have. I think Tues-

Mikel celebrating a goal with Costa

day is going to be a very good game for us. We are going to do our best to win because this is the last opportunity that we have.”

Tuesday’s game will be played behind closed doors at Arena Khimki as punishment for racism and crowd trouble from CSKA fans.

And Musa believes UEFA’s decision to ban fans from attending the game in unjust.

“We are going to miss the fans. It is very difficult for us Musa to play without our fans.”

United missing Champions League –Van Gaal

L

ouis van Gaal feels that Manchester United are missing the regular tests provided by the Champions League.

“I had a philosophy when I was a technical director of the Dutch Football Federation, I gave structure to the youth education, that the younger players have to play against the better players,” he told reporters.

“Then you get development of your players because they are playing better opponents. The chance is better for the players then, especially the youngsters. I think, when you are in the Champions League and it’s going well and you

Chelsea vs Maribor

Costa out, Mikel doubtful

D

iego Costa will miss Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Maribor after missing training on Monday morning.

Chelsea’s Nigerian midfielder Obi Mikel also missed training and is unlikely to feature at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Ramires is back after struggling with a groin problem, while Andre Schurrle has recovered from a virus and is set for a return to action.

Spain striker Costa missed the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, and will sit out

once again in the Blues’ Euro clash with the Slovenian minnows.

Scoring sensation Costa picked up an injury playing for Spain last week, which has left club boss Jose Mourinho furious.

“Costa can’t play on Tuesday and I have no idea (when he can play),” he said.

“The only thing I can say is that, after Arsenal, he went to the national team. He played two big matches against Slovakia and Luxembourg, and he came back in conditions where he’s not available to play for his club.”

Roma promise Bayern red-hot welcome

Garcia

R

oma coach Rudi Garcia has promised Bayern Munich a red-hot welcome when the Bundesliga giants arrive in the Italian capital looking to spoil the Giallorossi’s great start to the Champions League.

Roma warmed up for Tuesday’s Group E clash with a resounding 3-0 defeat

beat opponents, you’re getting in a flow and then it’s not so bad to play all the matches.

“Maybe in my first year

Pellegrini

here I will have more chances to train with my players.

That’s probably better than all the matches, maybe, but at the end of this it’s always better to play in the Champions League and all the cups and play all the matches, because you can compare yourself with higher-level opponents.”

Upon his appointment, Van Gaal had claimed that it would take “three months” for United to click, a time period which has now elapsed, with the club sixth in the Premier League following two defeats this season, and the Dutchman admits that he regrets making such a prediction.

“It was very stupid to say three months because then the media are only talking about three months,” he added.

More to Real than just Ronaldo –Rodgers B

Ronaldo

rendan Rodgers has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘incredible’, but the Liverpool boss concedes the Real Madrid team as a whole pose a significant threat.

The Reds face an uphill task of qualifying from Group B in the Champions League, although they have fond memories of beating Real Madrid 4-0 when they last featured in Europe’s premier

Swansea boss reports Moses to refs head T he Premier League has confirmed that referees chief Mike Riley will speak to Garry Monk about the Swansea manager’s concerns over officiating standards.

Monk believes his side have been the victim of some poor decisions this season and says he has sent the League a letter and DVD outlining his complaints.

A Premier League spokesman confirmed: “The correspondence from Swansea was received by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) on Monday morning

of Chievo on Saturday and although Pep Guardiola’s side routed Werder Bremen 6-0, Garcia wants a packedout Stadio Olimpico to give the hosts something extra.

“Bayern are ready and they will be on a high but we’re counting on a red hot atmosphere at the Olimpico.

We can’t wait, it will be a fantastic game,” Garcia said after Saturday’s win, which left Roma just a point adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus.

After a sabbatical year, Guardiola took over Bayern and found immediate success, leading the Germans to the Bundesliga title, the UEFA Super Cup and the Moses ( left) FIFA Club World Cup.

and Mike (Riley) will no doubt be speaking to Gary this week.”

The Swansea boss was again unhappy on Sunday after Stoke were awarded a contentious penalty in their 2-1 defeat of the Welsh side, and FA disciplinary officials are believed to be studying his comments about referee Michael Oliver who awarded the penalty after Victor Moses was allegedly brought down in the Swansea box.

There is a possibility that Moses dived, and Monk said; “I have sent a DVD off with a letter, expressing my disappointment, and I’ve had no contact from Mike Riley. I think it is about being pro-active and he is clearly not doing that. He is clearly not listening to anything I am saying.

“His job is to ring me, it’s not mine to ring him. He is supposed to be the head of these guys and overseeing it all, and seeing what managers feel.

But I’ve had no contact whatsoever and, for me, that is very poor.”

competition.

Though Rodgers is in awe of Ronaldo’s achievements, he believes Real have many players that can hurt Liverpool.

“He is an amazing player and his evolution over the past few years into becoming a goal scorer has been incredible,” said Rodgers. “He is a player that you have to focus on but the team as a whole is incredible. “(Real) are a strong team and have been for many years. They have everything, a lot of experience, top players, speed and technique.

“They are a fantastic side with a great manager in (Carlo) Ancelotti who is also a nice guy and knows how to improve his players.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES CSKA Moscow – Man City 5.00pm APOEL – PSG

7.45pm

AS Roma – Bayern

7.45pm

Barcelona – Ajax

7.45pm

BATE – Shakhtar

7.45pm

Chelsea – Maribor

7.45pm

FC Porto – Ath. Bilbao

7.45pm

Schalke – Sporting

7.45pm

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Extra Joss tourney investing Sport BUSINESS in grassroots –Oyekan

Nigerian Sports Award hails Super Falcons

FOCUS ON CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

lAkinwunmi assures of NFF’s support

C

with Emmanuel Tobi

emmanuel.tobi@newtelegraphonline.com 0805 400 5669

hairman of the Lagos structure in Nigeria.

Stadium, Lagos Island.

“We have a technical comDivisional Football Yobo FC will slug it out with Association, Ifalade mittee, we have study groups, Ogunade Babes from Ikorodu Oyekan, believes the we have scouts and we going DFA while Tarh FC of Epe ongoing Extra Joss Football to ensure that at this kind of DFA will tackle Gbagada FC of Competition is an avenue to tournaments, NFF itself will Ikeja DFA in the second match. groom and expose grassroots have scouts present to watch Rainbowl FC of Ikeja DFA the talents,” said Akinwun- will take on 36 Lion FC of players to stardom.

“This is an avenue for us to mi.

Badagry DFA just as MFI Meanwhile, the stage is International FC will play see young talents and from what has happened here, I can see one now set for the knockout against Apapa Golden Stars or two players that are still young round of the tournament of Badagry DFA. and can be incorporated into the to be decided at the Campos Lagos State team. I think it’s a great competition,” said Oyekan.

While appealing to the competition’s sponsors, Kalbe International, to continue sponsoring the inter-local government football competition, Oyekan, urged participating players not to allow the glamour derived from the game override their sense of reasoning.

Similarly, Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, said that the new NFF board will ensure that football scouts were sent to match venues where grassroots football tournaments like the Extra Joss Football Com- L-R Mr Novan Bill, Brand Manager Extra-Joss; captain of Team Lagos, Lucky Osaghele; NFF Vice, petition were being played in president, Seyi Akinwunmi and Prince Falade Oyekan during the prize presentation at the Extraorder to build a solid football Joss football tourney final match in Lagos at the weekend.

Basketball Flakes

FIBA Africa Zone 3 board inaugurated

Ahmadu

T

he reconstituted board of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 for the 2014-2019 term has been inaugurated in a ceremony presided over by the sports minister of Burkina Faso, Colonel Yacouba Ouedraogo, at the Hotel Soritel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The minister, while inaugurating the Zone 3 executive board stated that the Burkinabe government is elated to host the new board, even as he urged them to work hard to make the zone the template for excellent administration.

President of the board, Colonel Samuel Ahmedu (rtd), in his response, promised that his board would work towards the growth of the game of basketball in the zone.

“Members of this Zone 3 executive board are committed to the development of the zone in its entire ramification,” said Ahme-

du. “Everyone on board already understands that the task ahead is not an easy one but we’re all determined to give our best.”

Other members of the Zone 3 executive board include Musa Kida of Nigeria (Vice President), Bah Florient of Cote d’ Ivoire (secretary general), Guebre Boukary (Burkina Faso), Coffi Torno (Benin), Idrissou Gamel Ayambire (Ghana), Musa Adamu (Cote d’ Ivoire), Magaret Abarah (Nigeria) and Lima Sidonie (Benin).

The reconstitution of the board is as a result of the nominees sent in by the various national basketball federations following the successful election of Ahmedu as president of the zone.

Ahmedu was elected last July in Madagascar by a voice vote of all the countries that make up FIBA Africa that saw him succeeding fellow Nigerian, Muktar Kaleh, who was the immediate past president of the Zone and now president of the finance council of FIBA Africa.

The inauguration was immediately followed by a meeting of all the zone’s various national basketball federation heads with the exception of Liberia who was unavoidably absent owing to the Ebola virus disease ravaging the West African nation.

Countries who were represented at the meeting were Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Niger.

T

he organiser of the Nigerian Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited, has hailed Nigeria’s Super Falcons following the team’s impressive performance at the on-going African Women Championship.

The outfit’s General Manager, Kayode Idowu, commended the Super Falcons for their high team spirit which he said was noticeable in all the three matches they have played so far in the tournament.

“We are indeed very proud of the achievement of the Super Falcons at the on-going African Women Championship especially at this moment when Nigerian football seems threatened with the lacklustre performance of the Super Eagles in the 2015 AFCON qualifiers,” he said.

Idowu stated that the country’s various women national teams have been consistent in the last few years with remarkable performances at different competitions such as at the last FIFA U-20 Wom-

Oshoala

en’s World Cup in Canada, where the Falconets finished in second place.

According to Idowu, the Nigerian Sports Award is proud of the achievements of two of its nominees, Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie, who were both nominated for the Footballer of the Year (Women) category.

Oshoala has also been nominated for the Sports Woman of the Year category.

The 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award is slated to hold at the Muson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday November 13, and is expected to be attended by prominent Nigerians.

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

Apu gets FIBA Africa job V

DStv Basketball action between Kano Pillars and Custom of Lagos

eteran basketball writer and columnist of the Sun Publishing Limited, Joseph Apu, has been appointed the administrative secretary of the FIBA Africa Zone 3 board, which was reconstituted in Burkina Faso on Monday.

Apu, an astute basketball follower, has been involved with the sport since 1988 when he was writing for the then SportsWorld

mag azine and later the National Sportslink newspapers before heading to Vanguard S p o r t s N o w, the Post Express and Vanguard newspapers from where he joined the Sun. He is also a strong voice in basketball administration in Nigeria and is the current secretary of Lagosbased for mer DStv Premier League champions, Dodan Warriors.

Mark Mentors, Dolphins owners receive FIBA positions l Body also nominates SuperSport’s Awogu, Udoka

P

roprietor of Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos, Wale Aboderin, Mark Mentors’ owner, Igoche Mark, and General Manager of Supersport West Africa, Felix Awogu, have been nominated into some of the commissions and councils recently set up by the FIBA Africa Zone 3 board.

A former star of Nigeria’s women’s national team, Mfon Udoka, was also nominated into one of the commissions.

The new FIBA Africa board, led by Nigeria’s Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), at the weekend set up 12 new commissions and six councils in its bid to further boost

the administration and development of basketball.

And the trio of Aboderin, Mark and Awogu top the list of Nigeria’s nominees approved at the inaugural meeting of the Zone 3 board meeting held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

In the list of the reconstituted commissions, Awogu will serve in the finance, marketing and sponsorship commission headed by Nigeria’s Musa Kida, who is also the zone’s Vice President.

Nigeria’s Fubarah Onyeabor will serve as secretary.

Mark will serve in the competitions commission headed by Burkina Faso’s Guebre Boukary. Former

Nigerian star, John Faniran, is also a member of the competitions commission.

Udoka, will serve in the technical commission along with Nigeria’s Obande Ogbole, who will serve as the commission’s secretary.

Mobolaji Akiode and Mactabene Amachree, who were also former stars of Nigeria’s national team, will alongside Aboderin, who is the chairman of the Punch newspapers, serve in the women development commission.

The media council is headed by Nigeria’s Pius Ayinor with another Nigerian, Adeyinka Adedipe, serving as the council’s secretary.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

55

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than.

Be not for or against.

– Bruce Lee

World Record

Akshat Saxena has entered the Guinness Book of Records after being born in India with ten toes on each foot and seven fingers on each hand.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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Adamawa's abracadabra and Ekiti's rascality

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one of the thirty five federating units that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria can compete with Adamawa State when it comes to men and women of ‘timber and caliber’ in politics.

I dare make this assertion because for over three decades, I have associated with the state as a news reporter. Going to work in Yola the Gongola State capital was a decision I took as an adventurous young man. I have always regretted my decision to reject Adekunle Ajasin’s offer to work with his Ondo state government in 1980.

Yola, I will not regret for it compensated for all that I missed from the great people of old Ondo, now broken into Ondo and Ekiti.

I first stepped foot in Yola one hot Sunday afternoon as a young reporter in 1980. I had a glimpse into the practice of government in Ondo state where I did my National Service in Adekunle Ajasins Governors Office but it was in Adamawa that I saw government at work at very close quarters. I reported and met Abubakar Barde who was governor; Paul Wampana and later Godwin Puldu who were House Speakers. Gongola was the only State where all the five registered political parties of the second republic were represented in its House of Assembly. At a time when the UPN would not touch the NPN with a long spoon at the National level, Gongola members of the two parties in the House collaborated to elect a UPN Speaker, Godwin Puldu and his NPN deputy, Maigari Ahmadu.

I met Yerima Bwala, the Nigerian revolutionary who worked closely with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Ghandi - the only Nigerian who had close contact with the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement. They were together when Ghandi was shot on that ghastly day - 30th of January 1948. He came back to Nigeria and with the revolutionary spirit fired by his Indian experience teamed up with Mallam Aminu Kano to form the Northern Elements Progressive Union, NEPU. In the early 80’s when I met him, much of the revolutionary energy was sapped by the vicissitudes of wrenching political battles; he was an odd figure in the NPN. Hajiya Fati Abubakar, his brilliant and beautiful daughter was later to be my colleague in the governor’s office in Yola. Later still, she plunged into politics and became an Ambassador of our Federal Republic in a foreign Country; in the footsteps of her husband the accomplished historian, Professor Saa’d Abubakar.

In the First Republic, the most powerful Minister was Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu from Adamawa, referred to by his cabinet colleagues as the ‘power of powers’.

In a down to earth interview with Peter Enahoro in 1983, President Shehu Shagari confessed that of all the NPC members of parliament, the man with the strongest character was Ribadu. So single minded was he that even their powerful leader, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello feared him.

My most enduring experience with Adamawa in the 80’s was my reconnection with the minority struggles of the North in the 50’s and 60’s. I met Senator

Down To Earth EMMANUEL YAWE royawe@yahoo.com

Ngilari

Fayose

Gayus Gilama – THE DISTRIBUTOR OF ROCK BEER - as a giant bill board in Numan proudly announced. He was for many years the political torch light of the Bachama people. He took more than casual interest in the young Tiv reporter he met at his political meeting in Numan.

An invitation to his house followed and he almost drowned me in what he called ‘mineral water’. As I drank one bottle after another, he regaled me with stories of the epic battles he fought with J. S. Tarka for the emancipation of Northern minorities. It was Tarka, he confessed, who intro-

duced him to Chief Obafemi Awolowo. At the time of our meeting, Tarka had parted ways with Awolowo and was late but he was still with the man - one of the two Senators elected from Gongola State on the ticket of the UPN. I was in Adamawa for a greater part of the Babangida Presidency. I can dare say that Babangida virtually handed over his government to the people of Adamawa.

Consider these statistics: Mohammadu Gambo Jimeta, Inspector General of Police; Ibrahim Alfa, Chief of Air Staff; Murtala Nyako, Chief of Naval Staff; Jibril Aminu, Minister of Education and later Petroleum; General Abdullahi Shelleng, MD Nigerian Ports Authority; Dr. Adama Othman Tukur, MD NEPA and later Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Col Aliyu Khama, MD Federal Housing Authority and later Military Governor of Plateau State AVM Aleyideno MD, Nigeria Printing and Minting Co, Comrade Pascal Bafyau, President NLC, etc. All of them from Adamawa!

For a state that has produced such intimidating political heavy weights to have descended in the abyss of political abracadabra we are witnessing today is very tragic! On a brief visit to Adamawa last week, I could not help but remember the immortal words of Charles Dickens: “ It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing be-

In the First Republic, the most powerful Minister was Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu from Adamawa, referred to by his cabinet colleagues as the ‘power of powers’

fore us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

That is the Adamawa of today. It is just as well that the quotation comes from Charles Dickens Novel – A Tale of Two Cities. The contradictions in Adamawa are only comparable in superlative degrees with the ones in Ekiti. In fact I was initially tempted to caption this piece ‘A Tale of Two States.’

In the late 70’s I found myself in the old Ondo state, doing my service to Nigeria.

There was no better place for a young man than in a state that produced King Sunny Ade and Orlando Owo, some of the greatest musicians that Nigeria has ever given to the world. The old Ondo was populated with men full of talent – Peter Obe, the incomparable photo journalist and Augustus Adebayo, the extra ordinary civil servant, former Head of Service in the old Western Region, who taught me public administration in school; the most famous duo that Igbara Oke community in Ondo produced.

Owo town did not only produce a world class musician, it produced Oba Olagbegi, a durable traditional ruler and the legendry Adekunle Ajasin with whom I spent one whole educative year in his governor’s office. It was in his house in Owo that a decision was taken in 1951 to promote the Egbe Omo Oduduwa cultural movement into a political party – the Action Group.

Now the elected governor of Ondo State, he was prepared and in fact did give his best in this last bus stop of his political and biological life.

Ondo was also home to the Ekiti’s who immediately caught my attention. Like the Tiv, they ate pounded yam abundantly in the morning, in the afternoon and would not go to bed without a dinner of pounded yam. They were and still are very energetic and intelligent people. In a very Ekiti home I visited, there was a professor; sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes four and most times five professors – all in one family.

With the return of democracy in 1999, I thought the Ekiti state will show us the way in how to behave properly in politics.

Democracy itself is to me the greatest civilization invented by man. But alas, Ekiti is not different from Adamawa and certainly not different from Nigeria where abundant resources, both human and material are wasted, with glee. I saw a spark of hope in governor Fayemi a man of infinite admirable decency. I thought Ekiti was heaven bound; now I see it is going the other way.

The latest National embarrassment comes from Ekiti where party hot heads are on the loose, roaming the courts in the state and giving some Judges public thrashing. These are the type of stories we used to hear from Idi Dada Amin’s Uganda and Jean Bedel Bokasa’s Central African Empire in the 70’s. If at the time I was in old Ondo state I saw in my wildest dream such rascality coming to Nigeria, I would have woken up immediately to declare; “Not in Ekiti, Not in Ekiti”. But here we are today.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.