23rd sept 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 217

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Forte Oil, Aiteo scramble for Oando’s assets

lTotal nets $30bn from asset sales in Nigeria, others Adeola Yusuf

he race to acquire the multi-billion naira downstream assets of Oando Plc nationwide

heightened yesterday with Forte Oil Plc and Aiteo Group emerging as major contenders. Oando, according to a statement from its Head,

Corporate Communications, Mr. Alex’ Irune, advanced its planned exit from Nigeria's downstream sub-sector of nation's oil and gas industry.

Although Irune did not mention the assets for sale, New Telegraph learnt that they include fuel depots, loading gantries, about 500 outlets and fuel trucks for

haulage. Irune, however, confirmed investors’ appetite concerning their divestment from downstream CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Group CEO, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu

I'll stop Jonathan in 2015 }5 lFormer VP, Atiku Abubakar, draws battleline lAPC, a collection of entrepreneurs, says Sule Lamido

Quick Read L-R: Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma; Mr. Chagoury and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, during Atiku's private visit to Lagos…weekend.

Death toll in Synagogue tragedy now 115 lSouth Africa flies home 25 for treatment

outh Africa yesterday put the number of those who died following the collapse of a multi-storey building at

the Synagogue Church of All Nations at 115. According to the country's minister in the presidency, Jeff Radebe, 84 of

the dead are South Africans. His figures, however, differed that given by the National Emergency Man-

agement Agency (NEMA), which said 86 bodies were recovered from the rubble at the end of the searchand-rescue operation last

week and 131 saved from dying. But a source told New Telegraph yesterday that CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Editorial Synagogue: Matters arising }19 S'Court upholds Obiano's election }6 10 more Boko Haram surrender weapons }8

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

FLIGHT SCHEDULE 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 Headmistress, Madonna Nursery and Primary School, Gwagwalada, Rev. Sister Felicia Anukanti (left) and Computer Teacher, Mr. Barnabas Anzaku, screening pupils for Ebola Virus Disease in Abuja…yesterday.

East-West road to gulp additional N36.6bn –Minister l$500m sourced from Chinese Exim Bank Philip Nyam Abuja

he Federal Government will need additional N36.6 billion to

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

31o C 23oC Storms

ABUJA

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PORT HARCOURT

23o C 18oC Storms

KANO

34oC 22oC Mostly Sunny

ENUGU

31o C 23oC Storms

IBADAN

31o C 22oC Storms

CALABAR

28o C 22oC Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

37oC 23oC Mostly Sunny

31o C 23oC Storms

complete the East-West road project, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, has said. Oru, who disclosed this at a tripartite meeting between the House of Representatives' Committee on Niger Delta, stakeholders and the contractors handling the project said a total of N268.5 billion has so far been paid out of the total contract sum of N349.9 billion. He also revealed that a loan of $500 million (N80 billion) from the China Exim Bank will be sourced to finance the extension of the East-West road from Oron to Calabar. According to the minister, "The total contract

sum for the East-West road project - sections I-IV is N349,866,255,942.76. To date, the total sum of N268,469,689,118.33 has been paid to contractors out of the N274,726,357,326.76 certified, thereby leaving a balance of N6,256,668,208.43 yet to be paid. "However, it is pertinent to report that there still exists a funding gap of N36,598,304,621.10, assuming all funds appropriated in 2014 Budget, including the main budget, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), the African Development Bank (AfDB) are released as at when due."

He revealed that a loan of $300 million has already been secured from the AfDB as an alternative funding for the project. "In order for the project to be completed by the second quarter of 2015, according to the programmes of work and cash flow projections for the four sections, the Federal Government, in addition to the annual budget for the project, has graciously committed a total sum of N81.83 billion to the project under the SURE-P from 2012 to 2014 financial year. "This comprises N15.03 billion released in 2012, N36.8 billion released in 2013 and N30 billion in

2014. Also, a loan of $300 million was secured from the AfDB, 50 per cent of which was utilised in 2013, while the balance is expected in 2014," he added. In his response, chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Warman Ogriba, asked the ministry and contractors to reconcile discrepancies in the various contract figures made available to it. East-West road is a major artery that lies within the southern belt of the Niger Delta. It links Warri in Delta State to Oron in Akwa Ibom State through Kaiama in Bayelsa State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

Forte Oil, Aiteo scramble for Oando’s assets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

petroleum operations. Oando Group, according to the statement, remains "focused on its commitment to continue value creation for its shareholders through its strategic plan to increase its investment in the higher margin upstream. "This is also to spur long-term growth for the company." However, Forte Oil one of the nation’s petroleum products marketing company owned by Mr. Femi Otedola and Chief Benny Peters’ Aiteo Group emerged the highest contenders for the assets. Investors’ interest increased immediately after Oando Plc announced

plans to concentrate mainly on upstream petroleum activities and divest from downstream. Irune said the company’s partial divestment from its downstream business a few years ago, was part of the strategy of Oando in exploring the best option for growth and returns on investment. He also said the partial divestment had received shareholders' approval. The Aiteo Group, one of the contenders for the assets, is an emerging integrated energy company founded by the Peters brothers, Benedict and Francis. Aiteo focuses on exploration and production, bulk petroleum storage, refining of petroleum

products, trading, marketing and supply, as well as power generation and distribution. A report yesterday by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the management of Forte Oil had informed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of its initial negotiations for the possible acquisition of assets of an unnamed downstream company, which sources have identified as Oando Plc. In a notice to the NSE, Forte Oil said: “Discussions on the proposed acquisition is still in its infancy, but this announcement on this possible transaction is in the interest of full disclosure and ensuring that it adheres to the highest corporate

governance practices and procedures.” The moves by Forte Oil was part of the efforts to diversify its revenue and profit base after the company successfully acquired the Geregu Power Generation Plant, Kogi State, in 2013. Meanwhile, French oil company, Total (TOTF.PA), said yesterday that it had raked in $30 billion from oil assets in Nigeria and other parts of the world since 2010. Its Chief Financial Officer, Patrick De La Chevardiere, said with this, Total now plans to sell $10 billion worth of assets between 2015 and 2017, having achieved a target of $15-$20 billion of sales in 2012-2014.

MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 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

NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Atiku: I'll stop Jonathan in 2015 lSays I don’t need to deliver Adamawa to APC Geoffrey Ekenna and Buhari Bello Jos

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to stop President Goodluck Jonathan's bid to remain in office after the 2015 presidential election. Atiku, one of the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a report broadcast yesterday by the Hausa Service of the BBC, said he and his party members would team up to ensure the defeat of the president who has been adopted as the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the February 2015 presidential election. The former vice-president, at another forum in Lagos yesterday also said

he did not need to deliver his Adamawa State, his home state to APC for him to get the party's ticket. Atiku, in the BBC report, monitored in Jos, said like former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida; former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha and former President Olusegun Obasanjo failed to manipulate their continued stay in office, Jonathan too would also not succeed to remain in office beyond 2015 as Nigerians were tired of his administration. "We must stop Jonathan's re-election come 2015. People like Babangida, Abacha and Obasanjo have different ways to manipulate their stay in office to no avail. So Jonathan would not succeed too," he

added. When asked if he was interested to run for the presidency come 2015, Atiku said he was in the race and the ambition of other aspirants in APC such as former Head of State, Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso would not stop him. According to him, their ambitions are on the right path and will not cause any crisis in APC as they have agreed that whoever emerges as the party's presidential candidate will be supported by others. He said: "I am seeking the office of the presidency. Buhari and Kwankwaso's presidential ambition will not bring any hitch to my political ambition. Whoever at the end emerges as the APC candidate will

get complete support from others who lost in the primaries." Atiku also accused some government officials and the military of not doing enough to tackle the insurgency in the NorthEast. He said Boko Haram could be easily wiped out in the country if government was sincere because if the Nigerian soldiers fought the Biafran war and succeeded and they also did well in peacekeeping operations in many African countries they could defeat the insurgents. Also speaking at an interactive session with reporters in Lagos yesterday, Atiku said he did not need to deliver Adamawa State to the APC in the October 11 governorship byeelection to justify his claim

to the presidential ticket of the party. He added that delivering a state has never been a criterion for the presidency. He said neither Obasanjo, nor Buhari delivered their states before contesting for the presidency. "I don’t know why people want to give me everybody’s job. Was it my job to make sure that a governor is not impeached? If the governor himself was not able to protect himself, is that my job? I don’t have to deliver Adamawa to be a good president. Olusegun Obasanjo never delivered Ogun State. Muhammadu Buhari has not delivered Katsina State to his party. Then, if you check through United States, many of their presidents had their states being governed by the opposition. So, it

Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Emeka Ezeh (third right); National President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Augustine Alegeh (fourth right) and members of the new executive of the association, during a courtesy visit to the BPP in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

doesn’t mean that you have to deliver your states before you can make a good president," he added. Atiku, who described himself as the most investigated person in Nigeria, said no government in Nigeria had fought corruption the way the administration of Obasanjo, where he served as the vice-president did. “We set up all the anticorruption institutions. They may not be perfect, but the fact that we set the institution to deal with corruption was an effort we made to curtail the issue of corruption. "And during our period, more people were charged to court for corruption than any other administration. Again, the records have to be put right. You recall when we set up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), if you look at the first draft that we produced as a government; it was a tougher EFCC than what the National Assembly approved because they watered it down. "We wanted a tougher EFCC than what the National Assembly approved. When they eventually approved it, because there was no appropriation for the agency, I went out of my way to borrow money from one government agency to enable EFCC function effectively, pending when the National Assembly will approve money for the commission,” he stated. Abubakar also said he was not corrupt contrary to the insinuation in some quarters, adding: “But of course, because I was the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

APC is a collection of entrepreneurs, says Lamido

2015: President’ll run with Sambo, PDP insists

l‘I've been maligned, harassed, but I'll remain PDP’

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

igawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) “as a collection of entrepreneurs” and peopled by former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor stated that if the defection that took place in the PDP occurred in the APC, the opposition party would have collapsed.

"Take away people who left the PDP from the APC, you will have nothing left in the APC," he said, stating that PDP was formed to transform and give hope to the people. He, however, said he will not fight a war for the opposition. "I will fight my own war in PDP, I cannot fight war for the opposition; let them fight their own war," he said. Lamido, who was a founding member of PDP asked: "Thirteen years ago

where were these people? We will not allow anybody to take away our finished product." And barely four days after the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as sole candidate of the PDP by its National Executive Committee (NEC), the governor said he would not leave the ruling party. "I have been maligned, I have been harassed, but I remained PDP. I will remain a loyal member of the PDP," he added.

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said there is no rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo, that would warrant the president to drop him as his running mate in the 2015 presidential election. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, expressed implicit satisfaction in the working relationship between the president and his vice. Metuh restated the overwhelming confidence

of the party in a winning team that has “transformed Nigeria in less than four years despite challenges.” "There is no doubt whatsoever that the Vice President has the implicit confidence of the President. The PDP is therefore very pleased that they are working together in actualising the transformation agenda to the popular acclaim of both Nigerians and the international community. "We wish to place on record as well that the 66th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of our great party which

endorsed President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 general election, responsibly reasoned and anchored this decision on the outstanding performance of the Jonathan Presidency of which Vice-President Sambo is an integral part of," Metuh added. PDP noted that the clarification became necessary to correct the misinterpretation arising from its position at a press conference on Sunday, where it averred that the president was yet to accept the sole candidacy offered by its NEC.

NEWS

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Anambra guber: S'Court upholds Obiano's victory

lGovernor dedicates judgment to Anambra electorate Tunde Oyesina and Okegwo Kenechukwu

full panel of the Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the victory of Governor Willie Obiano in the November 2013 governorship election held in Anambra State. This was as the apex court in three separate judgements dismissed the appeals brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Senator Chris Ngige and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye for lacking in merits. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) winner having pulled 180,178 votes against Nwoye’s 97,700 votes and Ngige’s 95,963. Not satisfied with the results of the election, Nwoye and Ngige approached the Election Tribunal which upon hearing their petition dismissed it and upheld Obiano's election. Dissatisfied with the court verdict, they proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Tribunal. After listening to the appeals, the court upheld the decision of the tribunal. In a bid to press further their appeals, Ngige, Nwoye and PDP had in different suits approached the apex court. The appellants had

hinged their appeals among others on grounds that the voters’ register was tampered with by INEC and that Obiano ought to have been disqualified to participate in the election because he was engaged in multiple registration. They, however, prayed the court to reverse the concurrent decision of the lower court, nullify the election and order for a fresh election. Delivering judgement in the Ngige appeal, Justice A.B Akaahs held that the grounds of appeal were just mere academic exercise. He further held that going by Section 138 and 139 of Evidence Act, the onus lies on the party that alleges to show the commission of what was alleged, adding that the appellant had refused to show the court the voters’ register was tampered with. The court added that the party also refused to show how non-compliance affected the overall result of the election. The judge also held that the appellant did not show any evidence that the respondent (Obiano) had been convicted by any court for multiple registration. "The appellant did not address any issue relating to miscarriage of justice by the lower courts and hence the Supreme Court will not interfere with the concurrent findings of the two lower courts. "The appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dis-

missed,” Justice Akaahs stated. In Nwoye's appeal, Justice Kayode Ariwoola held that the appellant did not prove the allegation of multiple registration let alone convincing the court beyond reasonable doubt. He further held that the appellant failed to show why the court should reverse the concurrent findings of the two lower courts. On that note, the court dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. Delivering judgement in the third appeal filed by PDP, Justice I. Okoro held that the appellant brief is incompetent having been filed five days after number of days prescribed by the Electoral Act. On the issue of nonqualification of Obiano to

contest, the court held that the appellant left its case to pursue another thing, adding that the appellant did not also show the difference between the original voters’ register and the one displayed by INEC. He added that the appellant did not show why the apex court should reverse the concurrent judgement of the two lower courts. He dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. Making an observation, Justice Akaahs berate the PDP for filing a separate appeal while pursuing the same interest with its candidate. Meanwhile, Obiano has dedicated his victory at the court to the people of the state. Addressing journalists at the Governor’s Lodge yesterday, Obiano said the

victory had strengthened his resolve to serve Anambra more diligently and selflessly. He said: “This victory only strengthens my resolve to serve Ndi Anambra more diligently and selflessly. It will spur me and my team to lift our game to the next level.” The governor also called on the petitioners to sheath their swords and join hands with him in building a new and better Anambra State. “The dawn of a new glory has arrived. We have a chance to build the Anambra of our dream and no man can do it alone. Once again, I call on my brothers, Senator Chris Ngige and Dr. Tony Nwoye to join hands with me and work for a better Anambra State,” he appealed.

Obiano also re-stated the determination of his team to work assiduously to ensure that Anambra State leapfrogs its myriad developmental challenges to assume its rightful pride of place as the Light of the Nation. Reacting to the judgement, the traditional ruler of Nawfia, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, expressed delight that the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the mandate given to the governor by the people of the state, describing it as a landmark judgement. Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano State, Chief Chukwubuzo Azuka hailed the judgement of the court, noting that it has brought to an end the spate of needless litigations and unnecessary distractions.

L-R: Anglican Bishop of Lagos, Bishop Adebola Ademowo; Chief Judge of Lagos Atate, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade; Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Most Revd Adebayo Akinde and Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Revd James Odedeji, during a church service to mark a new legal year in Lagos…yesterday.

Atiku: I don’t need to deliver Adamawa to APC Death toll in Synagogue church tragedy now 115 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

most investigated person, people don’t even try to go into the details of the investigation to read all the report.” He also said political parties, rather than individuals have been unstable According to him, "On the issue of changing party, it is the party that has been rather inconsistent and not me. At least you can say politically, I have always fought against military rule, even within my party, I have fought for internal democracy. I have fought against injustice and anything that I believe was not in the best interest of the country. "It wasn’t an issue of being president. If I wanted

to be president, I would have been president long time ago. When we formed the PDP, I virtually was controlling the party. I gathered all the governors in my house and together we endorsed Obasanjo. If I had wanted to be president, I would have asked them to endorse me. "In 2003, they also came to give me the job but I said no and told them that we have already agreed that the president should remain for two terms in the South. I asked them of the impression they want me to convey if I should accept it. So, you should look at me first, what is it that I believe in that I have not been consistent on achieving?"

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the NEMA's fatality figure did not include those who died after they had been rescued. According to the source, it will be hasty to dismiss the South Africa's figures as the actual number of the dead can only be determined by harmonising the figures from the church, hospitals and South Africa, whose nationals were largely affected by the tragedy. The worshippers were attending a gathering by one of Nigeria's televangelist, Pastor Temitope Joshua, when a building collapsed in Lagos 10 days ago. But 25 survivors have returned to South African

for further medical care. A report by Reuters said at least seven of the dead were Nigerians while the nationalities of the other victims is not clear, except for an official with Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change, whose death was announced last week. Sixteen of the wounded were in a critical condition, with some having had limbs amputated and one developed gangrene in the toes, the minister said. Radebe, who spoke at an air force base in Johannesburg when the 25 South Africans who were injured returned for treatment, also called on Nigeria to investigate the tragedy.

A 19-member medical team, including specialised doctors, nurses and military paramedics who had been sent to Nigeria took care of the injured on board a military aircraft that brought them to South Africa yesterday. The injured South Africans arrived via a chartered flight from where they would be transferred to the Steve Biko Hospital, Pretoria. The chartered plane touched down at the Swartkop Air Force Base with the injured South Africans, including three children, on board. The group will all undergo medical observation at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.

In addition to patients undergoing observation, they will also undergo some tests before being moved or discharged. Government's spokesperson Phumla Williams said the patients are accompanied by a highly skilled medical team. “It’s a full suite of doctors and orthopaedics, because some of them have got fractures, and they also have nurses taking care of them,” Williams stated. Joshua had said he would be travelling to South Africa and other nations in memory of "martyrs of faith." In his sermon, he referred to reports surrounding the incident as "persecution" and "propaganda".

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Mind your tongue, Mark cautions APC Chukwu David Abuja

enate President, David Stioned Mark, yesterday cauthe All Progres-

sives Congress (APC) not to propagate an alleged plot to postpone the 2015 general elections, as doing so will amount to expanding the frontiers of falsehood and doing a disservice to Nigerians. Senator Mark, who was reacting to a statement credited to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, purporting that the President of the Senate called for the postponement of the 2015 elections, said the allegation was a bogus and blatant lie. He recalled that in the course of debate in the hallowed chambers of the Senate, he had maintained that the issue of insurgency, which was the subject of the debate,

must be addressed now and not election matters. “Unfortunately, among the array of national newspapers and reporters covering the Senate, only the Daily Trust reporter, Hassan A. Turaki, misrepresented me and this has been further embellished by APC's Alhaji Lai Mohammed. “I do not need the misinterpretation of the Daily Trust or the embellishment of Alhaji Mohammed to give myself expression on any position that I hold. I did not call for election postponement. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark said the 2015 general elections was of importance, not just to the Daily Trust and Lai Mohammed, but to every Nigerian and all true lovers of democracy.

President's billboards in Abuja not unusual, says FCT Minister Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

inister of the FederM al Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala

Mohammed, yesterday came to the defence of the over 160 campaign billboards of President Goodluck Jonathan that are currently dotting the nation's capital, saying such was not unusual as the territory belongs to the Peoples Democratic (PDP). The minister, who spoke to journalists after the weekly FCT executive meeting, explained that such was expected as Abuja, the seat of power, is a territory controlled by the ruling party. He was represented at the briefing by the Coordinator, Abuja Met-

ropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Reuben Okoya, who said the ruling party is leading the race as the nation gradually slides into political campaign time. Okoya further said that individuals who want to promote political philosophy are free to do so as long as they meet with the requirements of FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement. He added that the springing up of political billboards in the nation's capital, represent freedom, transformation as the nation is already in political frenzy. The AMMC Coordinator, however, warned that any billboard erected without due process would be brought down within 24 hours.

Zonal PDP integration committees not state excos Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Tcused Party (PDP) has acthe opposition of

disrupting the activities of its recently inaugurated zonal integration committees in some states by attempting to distort the facts regarding their roles in relation to the party structures. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP said the integration committees have nothing to do with the party leadership in the states and have no powers whatsoever to interfere with their composition and activities.

“The national leadership has immense respect for the dictates of the provisions of the PDP constitution with regard to structure, roles and powers of our party leadership at all levels and will ensure that this is respected at all times,” the statement added. The party noted that members of the committees are notable and respectable leaders of the party, who know that it is not within their schedule to interfere with the party structures in the states. Activities of the NorthEast zonal integration committee were recently disrupted when the committee members visited Yobe State.

valid

Let the law of the land guide us all, that is Agbaje's opinion as Jonathan plans for 2015 Temitope Ogunbanke

onstitutional lawyers, Prof. Itse Sagay and Mr. Fred Agbaje, yesterday rose in defence of the suit by some lawyers to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from fielding President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, as its presidential candidate and running mate for the February 14, 2015 election. Speaking to New Telegraph Agbaje commended the effort of the plaintiffs in the suit for approaching a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to prevent Jonathan and Sambo from spending more than eight years in office, but Sagay believed that those behind the suit are acting against

Agbaje: Suit to stop Jonathan in order the provision of the Nigerian Constitution. It will be recalled that three plaintiffs, Mase Daphine Acho, Saeeq Umar Sarki, both lawyers, and Murtala Abubakar, recently asked an Abuja federal high court to restrain the PDP from fielding Jonathan and Sambo in the 2015 presidential election on the account that the duo is ineligible for re-election. The plaintiffs’ counsel, Mustapha Ibrahim, Abdul Mohammed and Aliyu Lemu, argued that by virtue of the Supreme Court’s decision in Marwa V Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Part 1296) at 199, both Jonathan and Sambo were not qualified to be elected as president and vice-president respectively. The plaintiffs said Jon-

athan and Sambo were caught by the provisions of the constitution, which state that no person can stay in the office of the president and vice-president for a period beyond eight years. They submitted that Jonathan and Sambo, at the expiration of their current tenure, would have held office for five years. The plaintiffs also stated that Jonathan and Sambo had held office for two terms recognised by the 1999 Constitution to wit: (i) the first term was held to conclude the unexpired term of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua between May 6, 2010 to May 29, 2011and the second term is still being served from May 29, 2011 to May 29, 2015. In reaction to the suit

93.1%

The number recorded deaths due to cancer The estimated percentage prevalence of and lung disease due to indoor air yearly Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in girls and worldwide. women (15-49 years) of Djibouti in 2006. Source: Unesco.org Source: Blatantworld.com

to stop Jonathan’s reelection, Agbaje said he is worried that if Jonathan and Sambo re-contest in 2015, they would spend more than eight years in office, which is contrary to the constitution. He said: “Having regard to the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan was first sworn in on May 6, 2010 and now he want to re-contest, the truth is, I am worried that if he re-contest in 2015 for another four years, it would be above eight years, and that would be unconstitutional, because several cases have been decided by the Supreme Court to buttressed the constitution that you cannot spend more than eight years and that your day start counting the day you were sworn into office.

85%

The percentage of the total deaths of women and children due to cancer and lung disease worldwide each year. Source: Unesco.org

L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Works, Mr, Solomon Funkekeme; representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Yomi Adelakun and President/Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Dr. Nelson Uwaga, at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Annual National Management Conference of the institute in Warri, Delta State

Schools resume amidst worry over Ebola preventive kits Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

gainst the backdrop of strong opposition by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in some states of the federation and the unwillingness of parents to allow their wards resume school today after a long stay occasioned by the outbreak of Ebola disease public schools in many states resumed yesterday for the 2014/2015 academic session. Investigations in Edo, Delta and Ondo showed that schools actually resumed, but many teachers and students were

apprehensive over the absence of Ebola detective and preventive kits in the schools. In Edo State, there was no provision of necessary health checks at the schools for students and pupils by government against the dreaded virus. Majority of the pupils and students had resumed in readiness for normal learning while teachers in both public and private schools turned out but in some private schools, pupils were thoroughly screened for Ebola. Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday toured schools in the state capital, following the resump-

tion of academic activities as earlier ordered by government. The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of anti-Ebola kits available in the schools. Schools visited by the governor and his entourage during the inspection tour include Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School and Mega Primary school, Iro in Akure. Mimiko, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe, his Health counterpart, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, among others, said his visit was to be sure

that the schools actually resumed and are to work. He was conducted round by the head teachers while he specifically inspected the anti-Ebola kits like Infrared Scan, sanitizer, hand washing basins, among others. Also, teachers in public and private schools in Delta State yesterday resumed from their long vacation without their pupils. Aside, parents and guardians were still not sure of the efficacy of the vaccine for the deadly Ebola disease, the confusion that trailed the actual resumption date between the federal and state governments has refused to settle.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Supreme Court adopts new practice direction • Swears in 17 new SANs

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

s the 2014/15 begins, the Supreme Court in a bid to forestall the challenges arising from delay in criminal justice, yesterday said it has passed amended Supreme Court Practice Directions.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, who stated this in Abuja during a special session to mark the commencement of the 2014/15 legal year and the swearing in of the newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, called for the appointment of more judges and Magistrates on merit to aid disposal of cases.

Fashola, Amosun advocate favourable policies for women, children Muritala Ayinla orried by the freW quent violence against women and girl

child, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday called for more policies to protect women and children in the country. The duo, who said such policies must be institutionalised, spoke at the opening ceremony of the Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials(COWLSO) at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. Fashola assured that the state government will not relent in promoting policies that protect the rights of women and children, adding that his administration was committed to providing an enabling environment

for women in the state to thrive in all their endeavours. This, according to him, made his administration to review maternity leave for female officers in the employ of the state government from three months to six months. He added that the state government recognizes the challenge women go through in the process of trying to manage the home front as well as support the family. Also speaking, Amosun urged women to be at the forefront of efforts to change the negative situations in the country. The governor, who threw a challenge at the women folk, described the theme of the conference entitled: “Embracing and Managing Change” as very apt considering the current challenges facing the country.

Police foil attempt to cart away weapons in Kogi Emmanuel Onani personnel atPliceolice tached to Adogo PoStation in the Ajao-

kuta Local Government of Kogi State, Sunday, repelled an attack by unknown gunmen. The disclosure was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police. This is as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, has ordered a tightening of security around orphanage homes across the country. According to the statement, the unknown gunmen, who appeared from different locations, attempted to cart away arms from the station. It noted, however, that policemen on duty safely evacuated the arms, while others engaged the gun-

men, who were said to have hauled dynamite at the station, damaging part of it. "At about 2100hrs of Sunday 21st September, 2014, unknown gunmen unleashed heavy attack on Adogo Police Station, in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, from different directions of Okene, Ajaokuta, and one other route, apparently desirous of carting away Police arms. "The Policemen on duty swiftly took positions and returned fire. The heavy dynamite launched by the attackers, demolished and set fire on part of the station. "The desire of the hoodlums to cart away arms, was aborted, as the Police successfully evacuated the arms from the station, to safety. As at the time of this report, no human casualty was recorded on the part of Police, while some of hoodlums, escaped with bullet wounds.

Speaking on the progress recorded in the last legal year, the CJN stated that the apex court had 1,288 cases, made up of 180 civil appeals, 86 criminal appeals and 44 political appeals. The CJN added that in all, 146 judgements were delivered by the court. The breakdown of the judgement reads, 83 civil judgement, 42 criminal judgement and 21 political judgement. She, however, charged

7,000

the new SANs to be of good conduct so as to portray the judiciary in good light. In his own address, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN, condemned the act of some judges who no longer accord judges of usual courtesy and respect that they rightly deserve. "It is indeed a sad reflection on our profession that some of our colleagues, especially Senior counsels, are in

The estimate number of large dams and reservoirs in Europe in 2008. Source: Unesco.org

the habit of publicly lampooning judges on very flimsy issues in order to ingratiate their clients. "It is not uncommon these days for lawyers to encourage their clients to write frivolous and vexatious petitions against judges, when they lose cases rather taking advantage of the appellate court system. This unwholesome practice has unwittingly contributed to the intimidation of judges and stultification of our juris-

75%

The approximate percentage of all miscarriages occurs in the first trimester. Hopexchange. com Source: Hopexchange.com

prudence", Adoke stated. The AGF further called on the National Judicial Council NJC to make the performance evaluation of judges based on quality and not quantity of judgement delivered. He, however, tasked the new SANs to see their new appointment as a call to serve and not a passport to fame and riches or licence to be arrogant to the Bench and professional colleagues.

83.7%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Korea Republic in 2010. Source: Itu.int

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, riding on a bicycle (middle) and others, during a walk out to mark his 52nd birthday in Owerri…yesterday

Boko Haram: Fintiri may not cast vote in guber poll • 10 insurgents surrender weapons - DHQ Emmanuel Onani and Ibrahim Abdul nless security situation Uparts improved in northern of Adamawa State,

the Acting Governor and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 11 by-election, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, may not cast his vote. Reason: The Boko Haram sect has continued to lay siege on Madagali and Michika border areas of Adamawa. Kirshinga, the acting governor’s ward in Madagali Local Government Area of the state, has been under the control of Boko Haram members for nearly a month with reports saying that his personal residence has been turned to recruitment base by the insurgents. Thousands of Fintiri’s kinsmen will also be disenfranchised as most of them are now displaced and taking refuge at various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) centres across the state with some crossing

the border to Cameroon. A fleeing resident from the area, who simply identified himself as Bitrus Kirshinga, told reporters in Yola, the state capital, that they are hopeful that the situation may not affect the acting governor in the governorship election. “We are afraid that His Excellency and thousands of us will not be able to cast our votes, because of Boko Haram. They are everywhere riding on bikes taking over the residences of the acting governor and that of others. “They (Boko Haram) slaughtered many people and this spurred the eligible voters to run away. We hope the situation will get improved,” said Kirshinga. Another resident, Mrs Mary Dauda, said for almost two months Madagali and some communities in Michika were chased away by the insurgents and no hope to return in time. “We are waiting to see where the acting governor will go and cast his vote. In Kirshinga, no. It has been

overran by Boko Haram. Let me tell you, even his house has been taken over by their Imam, while that of the former Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmad Gulak, was said to have been given to the sect new Amir,” said Dauda. But the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Kassim Gana Gaidam allayed the fears, stressing that “if things improved there will be election there.” “We are studying the situation with other stakeholders comprising security chiefs and the political parties that will participate. It’s our fervent prayer that the situation will improve for better,” said Gaidam. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 10 Boko Haram fighters, Sunday, surrendered their weapons to troops at Kawuri, a fierce battle zone in Borno State. The disclosure was made yesterday, in a post on the DHQ's twitter handle, by the Director

of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade. This brings to 15, the number of suspected insurgents that have since surrendered to troops. They are said to be in custody, providing useful information that have been helping in troops' containment efforts. The tide seems to have been turned against Boko Haram, as hundreds of them were reported to have been killed last week, when they made attempts to attack Konduga, a town about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. According to the DDI, "Another set of 10 terrorists yesterday surrendered to troops at Kawurii. They are in custody for necessary security debriefing," he stated. In another development, there was pandemonium in Yola when some soldiers on patrol shot into air causing panic a few meters to the Federal College of Education (FCE), with students and other passersby scampering for safety.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Take bribe, face prosecution, CJN tells court workers corruption

Justice Aloma Mukhtar talks tough as she continues to fight corruption in the judiciary Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, yesterday warned court workers to desist from acts that can bring disrepute to the judiciary, adding that anyone caught would

be made to face the consequence. Justice Aloma spoke in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the national workshop for secretaries, court registrars, process clerks and bailiffs, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI). “This year’s workshop is particularly very interesting, because the theme; “Revisiting the Code of Conduct for the Staff of the Judiciary,” underscores and encapsulates the glaring need for a paradigm shift in the conduct of some of the judicial staff.

The life expectancy (in years) of women at age 60 years in Anguilla in 2000-2002. Source: Un.org

“This shift has become necessary because the emergence of critical media coverage of judicial proceedings has increased awareness and public scrutiny of the judicial process. Now more than ever, the public has become more critical of the conduct of judicial staff, perhaps buoyed by public outcry against some unwholesome conducts of the judicial staff like leakage of judgments before delivery, demanding bribes before the preparation of records of appeal, acting as go-between for some overzealous litigants and

61.04

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Hong Kong, China in 2009. Source: Itu.int

corrupt judicial officers, ostentatious lifestyles beyond legitimate earnings and host of other activities. “These corrupt activities have raised serious issues as to the credibility and integrity of the persons who are employed to assist the judicial officers in the performance of their duties." According to Mukhtar, some of the corrupt ones among you have gone ahead to solicit for and collect millions of naira from unscrupulous litigants on the pretext that they are acting for the judicial officers han-

$US328.4bn The nominal GDP of Argentina (World Bank) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

dling their cases. This is bad and reprehensible. Many judges and magistrates have been violently attacked by hoodlums on the mistaken belief that they did not perform even after money had been given to them through their staff. “Many have been caught and disciplined, but so many have so far escaped detection. However, I must state that as we say in Nigeria; “That the lake is quiet does not mean that all is well with it;” that all the bad eggs have not been fished and flushed out does not mean that what they are

Fayemi assures workers of August salaries Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Eyesterday Dr. Kayode Fayemi, assured work-

L-R: Product Support Officer, Dangote Flour Mills, Kunle Adekoya; National Product Support Manager, Kunle Adetona; Marketing Associate Officer, Alozie Samuel and Senior Brand Manager, Dangote Flour Mills, Roseline Abaraonye, during the 2014 Bakery, Catering and Conference EXPO in Lagos

Officials protest non-payment of N1.8bn debt Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

fficial activities were paralysed yesterday at the Federal Ministry of Education, when members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) staged a protest to demand for the payment of debts they alleged the ministry owed them. The protest, which saw some of the union officials blocking the entrance gate to the ministry was elicited by an allegation that the ministry had received N1.8 billion from the Federal Government to settle debts owed the staff, but failed to disburse it accordingly. Beyond those protesting outside the ministry's

premises, other workers, who had reported for duty earlier and had gained entry, stayed out of work, locking their offices in compliance with initial strike threats by the union. It will be recalled that since 2007, some of the staff have been owed a number of allowances ranging from travelling and other expenses, which have accumulated into over a billion naira. But in a swift reaction yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, debunked the claims, saying at no time was such funds sent to the ministry, describing the claim as false. He said: “It is sad

that senior civil servants who have all the opportunities to obtain accurate information are disrupting official transactions based on mere hearsay. “It is sad enough that members of staff were being owed some allowances since 2007, but the authority had never relented in its efforts to secure the release of the funds from the relevant offices to settle these bills. “We have written, we have followed up formally and informally without success,” he said. Nwaobiala, however, assured the protesters that within the meager overhead allocations of the ministry, it has resolved to settle some of the bills in phases.

doing should be copied by the good ones. “Evil remains evil whether punished or not, though lack of punishment may encourage others to do same. I therefore warn you not to involve yourselves in any misconduct no matter how minimal. If you indulge in any misconduct and you are caught or reasonably suspected to have done so, you will not only be disgraced out of the judiciary, but will also be made to face the legal consequences of your ignoble and nefarious actions,” the CJN stated.

ers in the state that they will receive their August salaries before the end of this week. The governor, who gave this assurance yesterday during the flag-off of his ‘Thank You’ tour of the 35 council areas, said the workers knew that his administration had not defaulted in the payment of salaries since it came on board in October 2010. The governor, who was received with pomp in the councils visited, said the thrust of the tour was to express his appreciation to the people for their support for his administration since October 16, 2010, when he assumed office. Highlights of the tour included the commission-

ing of road projects as well as community empowerment projects. Governor Fayemi, who took time off to explain the circumstances surrounding the delay in the payment of workers’ August salaries, said that in spite of the delay in the release of federal allocation, Ekiti State government had always paid salaries before the end of every month. He said the government replied on overdraft to pay salaries before the state got its allocation until the opposition approached banks in June to prevent it from getting such facilities. Fayemi said: “We are a civil service state and many of our workers are agitated on what is happening to their salaries. Very soon, the efforts that we are making to ensure that their salaries are paid would yield fruits."

Catholic bishop tasks judges on equity Tony Okafor he Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, yesterday tasked judges and others involved in the dispensation of justice to always imbibe the principles of equity, fairness and good conscience in the discharge of their duties. He stated this in his homily entitled; “Healers, called to serve the truth in love,” at the Eucharistic

celebration to mark the beginning of the legal year of Anambra State judiciary at St. Patrick’s Church, Awka. The bishop’s homily reads in part: “First, although the criminal has lost his integrity through his behaviour, we are still challenged to treat him with utmost respect, because of God-given dignity. It is absolutely important to expedite the trial of offenders. The sit-

uation of keeping people awaiting trial for years is unacceptable. “The second proposal I want to make is about public enlightenment, a visit to our prisons shows that some of the convicts are there because they were deceived either by the investigating police officer or someone else to plead guilty to the offence they were charged with in the belief that this would gain them their freedom."

Arrest attackers of Taaba community, deputy speaker tells police Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

Deputy Speaker of Tofhe the Rivers State House Assembly, Hon. Leyii

Kwanee, has urged the state police command to apprehend gunmen who attacked Taaba community in Khana Local Government of the state. The hoodlums suspected to be cult members had sacked the commu-

nity, wounded a youth, Mr. Kaannwi Abor, with a machete, and destroying the palace of the paramount ruler, Mene Buaba, Kabari-Nule, in the process. Hundreds of villagers were forced to flee to neighbouring villages. Kwanee, who spoke to reporters in Port Harcourt, said it was disturbing that the police were yet to arrest any person in

connection with the attack. He said criminals who disturb the peace should not be walking freely, stressing that they should be arrested to face the full weight of the law. Kwanee added that residents of the affected community had written a petition to the police on the matter, but expressed worry that the mastermind of the attack was walking freely.

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

tuESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com; otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

0802 393 8212

Man rapes 20-year-old girl, posts nude pictures on internet BEAST Man forcefully sleeps with a girl, posts her nude pictures on the internet for refusing his advances Muritala Ayinla

30-year-old man, Olaniyan Oluwakayode, has allegedly raped a 20-year-old girl and posted her nude pictures on the social media. The Osun State-born suspect, it was gathered, carried out the dastardly act in his room at Ifako area of Lagos after forcing the girl into his apartment. Oluwakayode was later arrested by the police. The suspect was paraded yesterday before journalists at the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). Speaking with journalists at the ministry, the victim (name withheld) said Oluwakayode

Oluwakayode

snapped her pictures despite pleas from his sister to desist from such barbaric act.

The girl, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, said Oluwakayode was not her boy-

Akure

en of the Ondo State Police Command yesterday paraded 48 people arrested within the last two weeks for various criminal activities ranging from cultism to witchcraft, robbery and rape. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, who paraded the suspects, said the arrests were a result of the crackdown on criminals, especially cult members. About 32 of the suspects were arrested for cultism, four for armed robbery, two for breaking in and stealing, two for conspiracy to commit felony and one for rape. Eke said based on a complaint by one Monebi Modupe that her Techno phone was stolen at a Deeper Life Church, the police swung into action and in the process arrested one Mayowa Ayadi. According to him, the 15-year-old boy confessed that he was a member of a secret cult named “Eku” and said other members included Seun Olatosin and Jeremiah Owoyemi. According to the police chief, the suspects confessed to the crime and said that they had killed four people with

their witchcraft. Some other cult members, Eke said, were arrested by the Special Anti-Cultism Squad and they belonged to Eye, Ave, S K, Ayee and All Eyes confraternities. Some of the items recovered from them during failed initiation ceremony included two long swords, one polythene bag containing Indian hemp, two iron rods, two short swords, two hammers, one battle axe and army kit bags. The commissioner said police recovered one white Peugeot J5 with registration No. KEN 660-XA loaded with Indian hemp, cleverly concealed on the roof of the vehicle, which took off from Ogbese. He said as soon as the occupants of the vehicle realised that policemen were on their trail, they abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush. Eke added the subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 295 compressed parcels of weeds. The two people paraded for bank fraud, Alex Ayodeji Solomon and Adetomiwa Henry, the commissioner said, were arrested at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) while trying to fraudulently withdraw N2.8 million from an unknown customer’s account.

every part of my body and slept with me. “He beat me and forced me to open my legs when I refused. He also held my neck so I couldn’t shout.” According to her, she was only allowed to go after Oluwakayode’s sister came back around 9pm. She added: “His sister started to plead with him to let me go. “He has been asking me out for a long time. But I did not accept his offer of friendship because I have my own boyfriend.” The victim said Oluwakayode only released her after his sister threatened to call their mother. But the suspect denied raping the victim, saying she was his girlfriend. He said: “I was fighting with my girlfriend but they are accusing me of raping her. I never denied the fact that I took her pictures when she was naked. We were fighting inside, but any other allegation levelled against me is a big lie.”

Collapsed church building: Oshiomhole vows to prosecute culprits

48 held for robbery, cultism in Ondo Babatope Okeowo

friend as he claimed. She said: “He is a guy that usually stops me anytime I am going to work. He said he wanted me to be his girlfriend but I told him I was not ready to give him a reply. “I did not go to his house. On my way back from work on Tuesday last week, I saw someone run out of his house, because there is a bush around their compound. He jumped over the fence and gripped my hand and said he wanted to do what was on his mind. “So I asked him why he would do what was on his mind when I have not even accepted his advances. But he insisted he would do what was on his mind, so he dragged me inside the bush. When I wanted to shout, he brought out a knife and threatened to kill me if I shouted. “So, from the bush, he dragged me to his house and locked the door. I tried all I could to open it but I could not because it is an iron door. He held my neck, tore my skirt, my pant and my bra. He beat

Oshiomhole

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

Adams OshiomGisedovernor hole of Edo State has promto investigate the circum-

stances leading to the collapse last week of a church building which killed one person and injured two others. Oshiomhole gave the assurance when he addressed the residents of the area during a visit to the site of the collapsed storey building at the Christ Chosen Church of God. The governor urged the youth and the people angered by the incident to exercise pa-

tience. According to him, any action taken concerning the incident would add more pain than solution to the problem. He said: “My appeal to you all is that even as painful as it is, we should avoid doing anything that would compound the problem as government will certainly investigate what happened, and if anybody is involved in criminal negligence, he or she will not be spared. “Therefore, nobody should take laws into their hands by thinking that somebody plans to kill anybody. Someone must have taken a wrong decision, done the wrong calculations. “But no matter what anybody has done, government will take the necessary steps by carrying out a thorough investigation with a view to establishing if anyone is guilty or involved in criminal negligence and if there is, such a person would be prosecuted according to the law. “Government has a duty to protect lives and property and I want to assure you that we will not cover up anybody. The

fact that the commissioner of police has been here for hours alongside some very senior police officers tells you the seriousness attached to this and when we begin investigations, the commissioner of police will be a witness, which would give credibility and assurance that justice will be done. “We should give thanks to God that despite what happened, from the information I have received from the police and other people who witnessed the incident, the situation could have been far more serious than it is. “I also believe the police have acted very reasonably and we thank God that the commissioner of police and the entire hierarchy of the Edo State Police Command responded promptly. The mobilisation of the various construction companies to respond and help rescue those who were trapped is quite commendable too. “The church is under the law, pastors are under the law, church goers are under the law, so nobody is above the law.”

METRO

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Isale-Eko killing: ‘I alerted police about the planned attack’ Taiwo Jimoh

niece to the slain member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Otun Azeez alias Asake, has disclosed that she knew of the planned attack by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had tried to alert the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Adeniji Adele Police Station. Azeez was allegedly killed on Saturday at Isale-Eko, Lagos State by people suspected to be PDP thugs. But Azeez’s niece, Mrs Ola Williams, said she did not know that the victim of the attack would be Asake. She said: “When I got wind of the planned attack, I rushed to the police station. When I got to the station, I was told the DPO was not ‘on seat’. I called him. He said he was with the President at the rally. He then assigned someone to follow me to the scene. He also asked me to be security conscious. “I hid somewhere, monitoring the activities of the PDP members. I never knew my uncle had gone out to pacify them to embrace peace, before he was killed.” The residents of the area

The late Azeez

said Azeez would have been sworn in yesterday as the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Isale Eko branch. Asake was alleged to have been murdered shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Lagos on Saturday. The fight between the two parties was said to have claimed six lives, with one from APC and five from PDP. But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, said two people

were shot and rushed to hospital by the police. It was also gathered that the late Azeez was in his house that fateful morning, when someone alerted him that one Balogun, a chieftain of the PDP and his boys, were fomenting trouble in the area. Immediately he heard the news, Azeez was said to have rushed to the scene, to know if some of his boys were among the fighters. Witnesses claimed that part of his intention was to also pacify Balogun’s and his boys.

Azeez’s son, Usman Otun, 23, said the deceased just came back from an APC meeting that morning. “He was resting when we heard the noise of some residents who were running for safety. The road had been shut down. My dad came out of the house and went to Balogun and his boys. He begged them to spare the traders and mind their rally. When we got to Adeniji Adele Plaza junction, gunshots came from nowhere and hit him twice. He fell down. “When I was making efforts to save his life, I was also shot in my left thigh. Eight pellets were extracted from my thigh at the Island Hospital.” Mr Adeyinka Macaulay, the deceased’s step brother, said that he was not around when the incident happened, adding that it was Azeez’s wife who alerted him. The widow, Alhaja Kayat Otun, alleged that Balogun had been threatening her husband for almost two years. She added that Balogun wanted to take be in charge of the whole Island. Apparently, her husband had been a stumbling block to Balogun’s dream.”

30 suspected kidnappers, robbers arraigned in Delta Dominic Adewole ASABA

ver 30 armed robbers, kidnappers and cult members were yesterday charged to court in Asaba, the Delta State capital. The suspects were accused of engaging men of the command in shoot-outs during their escapades, which resulted in the death of some policemen. The new Commissioner of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, who paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Asaba before they were moved to court, said 48 armed robbers and kidnappers were nabbed but 30 were found

The suspects

wanting after interrogation. He listed their crimes to include snatching of cars and raiding students’ hostels and market places at random. The commissioner said the 10 cult members among them were caught during initiation ceremonies at different locations. He said: “I am now in Delta, the challenges of criminality are there but the command is up to the task. With our patrol, we are invigorated. I can assure the populace in Delta State that order and tranquillity have come to stay.” Usman added that no suspected criminal would be allowed to stay in the cell unduly.

15 months after, missing student’s parents petition IG Juliana Francis bout 15 months after an AKelvin undergraduate, Emeka Shoremekun, was

reportedly kidnapped on the campus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, his whereabouts are still not known. However, his mother, Mrs Bridget Iwelu, through her solicitor, Jiti Ogunye, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, to raise a team to investigate the alleged abduction, rescue him and bring his abductors to justice. The lawyer said that the 19-year-old Shoremekun, a

Shoremekun

200-level student of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, ‘disappeared’ from his hostel since June 2013.

According to Ogunye, the boy’s mother said that her only son called her via phone, requesting for recharge card on June 6, 2013. Since then, she had not seen or heard from him. The petition reads in part: “Worried that something untoward might have happened, she called her son’s girlfriend, Ada, whom she had previously met when she visited her son in school sometime in 2013, to enquire whether she had seen Shoremekun. Ada said she was in Lokoja, Kogi State. She charged Ada to help her look for her son as soon as she got

to Awka. “Three hours later, Ada called and informed her that on getting to his son’s room in the students’ hostel where he lived; she did not see him but discovered his cell phone was on his bed without the SIM card, which had been removed. Ada also noticed his unwashed food plates, the food remnants and crumbs of which had caked up. “Finding the situation intolerable, the father of the boy, Michael Iwelu, and his brothers, Augustine Iwelu and Ayo Iwelu, went to Awka in search of the missing boy.

Two arrested while robbing female ASP Juliana Francis olice in Lagos have arrested two Probbed suspected armed robbers who a female Assistant Superin-

tendent of Police (ASP) and others of their valuables at Mile 2 area. The female police officer and other commuters were waiting to board commercial bus when the suspects appeared from nowhere and started collecting their valuables at gunpoint. According to a police source, commuters are often robbed at that spot. It was gathered that on the day the ASP was robbed, a distress call was sent to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Layeni Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police Chijioke Ndu. The DPO drafted a team of policemen and raced to the scene. A policeman at Layeni Police Station said that the hoodlums were robbing people freely when Ndu moved in with a team of policemen. He said on sighting the policemen, the hoodlums attempted to escape, but two of them were arrested. The policeman added that detectives attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, at the weekend, came to move the suspects to SARS office, for further investigation.

Why building collapse persists, by LASBCA boss Muritala Ayinla he General Management, LaTAgency gos State Building Control (LASBCA), Dr Abimbola

Animashaun, has blamed the frequent collapse of buildings on people’s unwillingness to follow due process in the construction of buildings. According to her, though the rate at which buildings collapse in the state has reduced greatly in the last two years, the residents, especially those in the building industry, need also prioritise safety while erecting any structure. She said many builders were fond of using substandard materials, flouting required specification in the choice of building materials, quality and quantity of items to be used while constructing their structures. Speaking with journalists at the agency’s head office, Old Secretariat, Ikeja, Animashaun said government would intensify campaign on building collapse in order to check the menace. According to her, there is no way building will collapse, if required specification and standard are followed during the construction. She said: “LASBCA was established in 2010 according to the Urban and Regional Development Law 2010. The agency was established to ensure that people are saved in their environment. It was established so that safety compliance is adhered to at all times. To reduce to zero, incidence of building collapse in the state. The agency was also set up to ensure standard is followed.” Animashaun said the cause of frequent building collapse in Lagos was due to mad rush by the contractors, saying that many Nigerians were in the habit of jumping due process.

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

2015: Eight jostle for Aliyu's seat in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

s plans for the 2015 Aunderway, General elections get eight promi-

nent members of the Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among them three members of the State Executive Council have signalled their intention to vie for the governorship ticket of the party. Two of the aspirants have already sent their letter of intent to the Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, while the third informed the governor that he is still consulting. Among the eight mentioned by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu are the Deputy Gover-

nor, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto; the Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Muazu Bawa and the Chairman of Wushisishi Local Government Area, Alhaji Saidu Wushsishi. The Chief of Staff, Government House, Umar Nasko, who Governor Aliyu said has gubernatorial ambition, however, said he is still consulting with his people and the leadership of the PDP. Aliyu, who made the names of the aspirants known at the 1st Niger State Investment Climate Summit yesterday, in Minna, did not name the other aspirants. He nonetheless expressed his believe that the next governor of the state should come from within members of his cabinet.

Victims of Okorocha’s job policy back Ohakim’s return Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

eneficiaries of the 10,000 job programme in Imo state under the Ikedi Ohakim administration who were sacked following Governor Rochas Okorocha's assumption of office in 2011 have declared their support for the return of Chief Ikedi Ohakim to the Imo government house in 2015.

Dismissing the purported employment of 25,000 youths by Okorocha under the YouthMust-Work programme as ‘exploitative and ungainful’, the youths averred that the incumbent governor has proven severally that he is insensitive to the plight of the youths. In a statement signed by Uchenna Nnadi, Ifeanyi Okonkwo and Chidi Uzokwe; State

Coordinator, Secretary and Public Relations Officer respectively, of the group operating under the aegis of 10,000 Imo Youth Job Forum, they enumerated the sterling qualities of Ohakim. “The return of Chief Ikedi Ohakim to Imo State Government House is the sure way for us to be reinstated to our jobs after being mercilessly thrown into the labour market by the present government

Kalu takes PDP's campaign to China governor of tional leadership for Fingormer Abia State and found- inaugurating regional member of the Peo- integration committees ples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the party as the only brand that can guarantee the welfare of Nigerians. He made this known while addressing a crosssection of PDP members based in Guangzhou at the Sheraton Guangzhou, China, yesterday. Kalu who used the opportunity to commend President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts in tackling the security challenges facing the country, stated that the issue of Boko Haram has been politicised. He said: “We should desist from playing politics with issues of national concern. Everyone, irrespective of political and religious divide should rise up to support the fight against terrorism in the interest of Nigeria. The country belongs to all”. He praised the na-

to reconcile aggrieved members of the party. In his words: “The initiative is timely and will take the party to greater heights. I pledge my personal, followers and supporters' support for genuine reconciliation in our great party, PDP”. The former governor while praising the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP for endorsing President Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the party in next year’s election, called on Nigerians both home and abroad to vote for the President in the 2015 election. The meeting was attended by St. Martins Onyeabor, Chinonso Igbojindu, Emmanuel Chizoba, Chris Onyejegbu, Chidi Ubah, George Emeka, Benjamin Kachi, Godwin Sopuru Ifediba and Christian Onah, among others.

L-R: Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Umar Farouk Jubril; Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi and Regional Head, Regional Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, at a presentation of communication devices to Kano State government to help fight Ebola Virus Disease in the state …yesterday

39m

The number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions of Arab States in 2011. Source: Itu.int

Sola Adeyemo

commissioner Dabiri-Erewa pleads for Ationformer under the administragovernor AdeNigerian students in Ukraine bayo ofAlao-Akala in Oyo he House committee Tyesterday on Diaspora Affairs called on the

Federal Government to ensure the immediate evacuation of hundreds of Nigerian students languishing in Ukraine war zones. In a statement made available to New Telegraph in Lagos by the chairman, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the committee urged the Ministry of foreign affairs to make adequate arrangements to ensure

that Nigerian Students currently trapped in crisis torn regions of Donetsk and Lugansk are evacuated to safety. "The committee has received several distress calls from students in these areas and wonders why Nigeria should wait till the situation degenerates to this level before necessary action is taken by the Federal Government. “The students can be transferred to safer places in Ukraine or back home", the lawmakers said.

33.2%

The number of adults and children estimat- The urban population percentage of Madagascar in 2012. ed to be living with HIV in Morocco in 2008. Source: Un.org Source: Blatantworld.com

Balogun: There'll be revolution in Oyo Ibadan

Wale Abiodun

21,000

of Rochas Okorocha. Governor Ohakim will not only give us back our jobs, he will also create more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state, who are presently being exploited and subjected to inhuman treatment by the Okorocha administration under the guise of the Youth-Must-Work-Programme”, they claimed. In a telephone chat with Nnadi, the leader of the group, he queried: “Why would you sack 10,000 employed youths only to claim to employ another 25,000 in a state the entire civil service is hardly up to 25,000. It all smacks of insincerity”. Insisting that the 10,000 job programme went through due process, Nnadi said: "recall that the job was well advertised in both national and local dailies. Examinations and interviews were conducted and successful applicants given employment letters, contrary to the propaganda of the present Government. “The civil service absorbed about 5000 of the applicants while the remaining were drafted into the Imo state teaching service. We were gainfully paid though for political convenience, some kept that silent until we were sacked and everybody went into the streets on demonstration. This was achieved by Chief Ikedi Ohakim and it is our view that he deserves another term on office,” Nnadi added.

State, Dr. Kola Balogun, has said that 2015 would be a revolution among the various political interests in the State with the coming back to power of his former boss. Speaking with New Telegraph in Ibadan at the weekend, Balogun who was commissioner for Commerce said that governor Abiola Ajimobi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have an uphill task winning a second term as the popularity of his principal continues to soar on daily basis among the people.

"There would be a memorandum of performance to be done by the citizens of Oyo between Adebayo Alao-Akala's administration and that of Ajimobi. People will have to compare between 'a government of provision before prohibition’, which we were and that of 'prohibition before provision' that the APC is. It is going to be real political revolution", Balogun stressed. Balogun, Chairman, Board of Trustees of "Team Akala" (a think tank for Alao-Akala's governorship ambition) said the revolution would be decided by the masses, many of who he said have expressed disappointment in the administration of the APC government. Balogun who drives

round the state in PDP/ Akala branded vehicle, said that the slogan among many traders and business people now is that Alao-Akala should come back and rescue them from the social and economic sufferings they have been subjected to in the last three years. "Whenever they see our branded vehicle, it is always a shout of "Please come back and rescue us o". There is too much capital flight to Lagos from Oyo; offensive tax regime is killing, just as many local contractors have been rendered inactive since contractors from Lagos do most of the projects here. "Several banks enjoyed the patronage of our government then because my principal deposited

about two billion naira in each of the banks being patronised, through which many people were accessing loans. "The present government patronises two banks, and that is why money is not flowing and many people are complaining of starvation and joblessness. By the time Akala comes back to Agodi Government House in 2015, Oyo will smile again", he assured. The former Commissioner maintained that the recent large turn-out of people during Akala’s formal declaration of intent to contest the 2015 governorship was as a result of the fact that his administration was known for people-friendly policies.

Akala on a return journey / PAGE 14 | Brothers at ‘war’ to succeed Akpabio / PAGE 15

POLITICS

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Oduah, Okadigbo, Igbeke, Obaze battle for Anambra North

p-17

TUESday, September 23, 2014

Okorocha’s tall dream

Governor Rochas Okorocha says he is on a rescue mission in Imo State, but emerging trend in the polity ahead of the 2015 elections shows that he is likely to extend the mission to the federal level, given the plan to drag him into the presidential race, FELIX NWANERI reports

POLITICAL NOTES

Growing rank of Jonathan’s spokesmen T

battle royale is in the offing over who picks the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 elections given efforts by some leaders of the party to convince the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to jettison a second term bid and contest for the presidency. Okorocha was before now not in the picture for the presidential race given the initial belief that the party had zoned the position to the North-West geopolitical zone. This explained the early declaration of interest by former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who are all from the zone. But the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who revealed the possibility of drafting the Imo State governor into the race at the recent inauguration of the Imo State Liaison Office in Abuja, said that having made a success of his rescue mission in Imo State, the party would want Okorocha to help rescue Nigeria from the grip of poverty and underdevelopment imposed on it by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Oyegun, who described Okorocha as one of the most vital resource persons the APC has in its kitty, noted that the governor has displayed rare vision, energy and commitment in the development of infrastructure, job creation and delivery of positive results in all spheres. His words: “He (Okorocha) is obviously one of the most vital resource persons we have. We have several men vying for that position (presidency) and I am proud to say that he is one of

Okorocha

our most vital resource persons. He is obviously a man of vision. He is obviously a very energetic man. He is obviously a man who represents change in terms of what he has been able to do not only in Owerri but in the entire Imo State. He has brought hope to the people. “If you go to Owerri, Imo

State today, even without his being around, you will see people smiling and going about their businesses energetically. We know today that there are no more robberies in Imo State; we know today that there is no kidnapping in Imo State; we know today that Imo State is one of the most peaceful places

for investment in this nation. He is one of the spearheads of change in this country. He has proved to us that he has rescued Imo State. We need him to help us rescue Nigeria.” Tall dream No doubt the Imo State governor has what it takes to occupy the country’s number one position, but he would be facing an uphill task should he opt for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

CROSSFIRE The National Executive Committee (NEC) has endorsed him (President Goodluck Jonathan). That means no responsible and reasonable party member can challenge him. December 6 primary election will just be a formality -Olisa Metuh

I’m not intimidated by the decision of the PDP governors and the party to support the second term aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Is the PDP a communist party? Where is the place of internal democracy? -Abdul-Jhalil TafawaBalewa

he battle for the 2015 presidency has continued to cause a swell in the ranks of President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesmen with former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, as the latest entrant. Before now was Ogun Stateborn billionaire businessman, Buruji Kashamu. The chairman, Mobilisation and Contact Committee (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), descended on anyone who dared criticized the Jonathan administration in the zone, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Like Buruji, Fani-Kyode is equally going about his role in an unofficial capacity, as the President’s official spokesmen are Dr. Reuben Abati (Special Adviser on Media and Publicity) and Dr. Doyin Okupe (Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs). The former minister has taken it a point of duty to respond to any criticism of the Presidency by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which he belonged to before his recent defection to the ruling party. From the controversy generated by the naming of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as one of the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect to the recent ferrying of $9.3 million to South Africa with a jet belonging to the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Fani-Kayode has stoutly rose in defence of his new allies. To the chagrin of many, he now sees nothing wrong in the actions and inactions of the same government he vilified some months back, while the APC he glorified is now at the receiving end of the verbal assault, which he is known for. While democracy gives room for free speech, Fani-Kayode’s swift responses and hasty conclusions on the two issues even when investigations are still ongoing, however raise the suspicion that his return to the PDP may have been influenced by desperation, as he is standing trial for money laundering and risks being jailed if convicted. There cannot be nothing short of this, as the Osun Stateborn politician should have known as a former minister that Nigeria’s relevant security agencies would have collaborated with their South African counterparts if the arms deal he claimed in his defence of the CAN president was official.

14 POLITICS SOLA ADEYEMO reports on the entry of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala into the Oyo State governorship race

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Akala on a return journey

f the large volume of supporters that follow any aspirant contesting for political office is used to gauge his acceptability and assurance of victory, the scenario witnessed recently in Ibadan when the former Oyo State governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala made his formal declaration to re-contest and return to the Agodi Government House, was a pointer to the fact that the 2015 election might already have been won by him through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Judging by the tumultuous crowd of people that turned out for the event, one would not but agree with Alao-Akala’s earlier statement that when the biggest masquerade is dancing, all the smaller ones that had danced must gather to watch his dancing steps. Of all the 10 aspirants that have shown interest to contest the governorship seat in 2015, no one has ever displayed the kind of command of followership as the former governor did recently. The shout of “O yato, please come back” being heard from many of the crowd along the roads that his convoy passed, was a testimony to the fact that irrespective of the social criticisms that trailed his administration, the people saw a lot of difference in it compared to the present administration in the state. If the party leadership could allow a level playing ground for delegates to freely choose their candidate at the primaries coming up in November, Alao-Akala appears to be ‘the- man-ofthe-people’. Other aspirants had made formal declaration at the Dandaru party secretariat along Queen Elizabeth Road, Mokola, while some who could not make public declaration made use of radio stations and internet medium to announce their aspiration. Alao-Akala had done his via newspaper interviews and radio stations before visiting the party secretariat where he formally informed the party leaders of his intention and came out to be the first aspirant to obtain his Expression of Interest form. His long entourage had taken off from his Old Bodija residence to the party secretariat, down to Mokola Roundabout through Sabo to Dugbe, then to Molete, branching to Beere then to Oje, Agodi-Gate and eventually crawled to Watershed Event Centre. Before his entourage could trudge to the venue at around 2p.m., the venue had been seething with sea of heads who were being treated to psychedelic dance by a joint musical band of fuji and juju artistes including Abas Akande Obesere, Femo Lancaster and Taye Currency. At the party secretariat where he had met with the party’s state officials, Alao-Akala had pleaded for a level-playing field for all the aspirants, not minding one of them who had been bragging that he had exclusive anointing from the federal level. He urged the party to allow the delegates to choose a candidate through a transparent primary. While addressing the Yinka Taiwoled party executive, Alao-Akala said: “I urge all of us to work together, so as to form the next government in the state. It is only when our party forms the government that the party can really become functional. It is then that you the leaders can move with your shoulders high as the party in power,” he said. In his response, the state chairman, Yinka Taiwo, said that the party had no candidate yet, urging the aspirant to discountenance whatever rumour he might have heard concerning the party

Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala being cheered by supporters

Alao-Akala rolling on the floor at his declaration

leadership. “We have heard a lot. Some said we have been bought and the question I asked them is, are we Sallah rams? Whatever you hear is just rumour and I want to assure everybody that we have no price,” he stated. He described Alao-Akala as a party lover, adding that he had started seeing the party coming back to the Agodi Government House. He nevertheless appealed to the party elders to make it possible by coming together with one voice and unity of purpose. Taiwo recalled that had the elders not fought with the former governor in 2011, he would have made it back for a second term and that by now, he would be looking for a successor rather than seeking to contest again. Addressing the crowd at Watershed Event Centre, the former governor, who was clad in locally-sewn PDP-inscribed white shirt knelt down, and later started rolling on the floor of the podium to appreciate God. Singing a Yoruba adapted gospel song of ‘Mo le, mo ba; mo tun gba a pada, ire gbogbo to sonu lowo mi’ (meaning, ‘I have pursued, caught and reclaimed my lost glory), he recalled his various achievements while in office and assured the people of the state that his return would bring back the old glory of abundant lifestyle for the people. He enjoined his loyalists to vote massively for the party during the 2015 elections.

Stating reasons he decided to come back to power, Alao-Akala told the crowd that he was moved by the suffering of the people. He pledged that his government won’t be arrogant. His words: “You have tasted us before and you know how sweet we were. We won’t bring grief to the people. You were all living fine during our time and it is our prayer that God will bring back the good time. There is no money in circulation now because all the money in the state is being taken to Lagos where the contractors handling their various projects come from. All those arrangements will stop. We are bringing back South-West to the mainstream. “Everybody is complaining now: motor dealers are no more selling because people’s lives are not improving. The artisans are grumbling; those operating food and drink joints are lamenting. We didn’t sack any worker during our time. We know you are waiting for us and we are assuring you that we are coming back. The zone, about two weeks ago, confirmed its support for our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and together, we are in the race.” on his performance while in office, he said: “I must say that these past three years, I have had time to reflect on our performances as I believe many of you have. Did we satisfy the yearning of the masses? As a government, did we provide the much-needed succour for

the people? Were the masses impressed by our people-oriented policies and programmes? It is indeed gratifying to note with a deep sense of modesty that we made positive impacts on the lives of the people, as attested to by the greater majority and also the international community. “I am convinced that while reflecting on our performance in government, the good people of the state were also watching and monitoring the performance of the present administration. As a matter of fact, they have been able to see the difference and compare notes in relations to our performances. One fact remains incontrovertible: ours was a governance with a human face, while the present is characterized by anti-people policies as evidenced in the wanton destruction of means of livelihood, imposition of higher taxes, capital flight and outright dismissal of public servants on flimsy excuses.” In their goodwill messages and appeal to the party supporters, various speakers eulogized the administration of Alao-Akala and spoke on the need to forge a common front to dislodge the present administration in the state. Mogaji Iba Oluyole, Nureni Akanbi, tongue-lashed the seven governorship aspirants from Ibadan, who about a month ago coalesced and demanded that the next governor on the platform of the PDP should come from Ibadan against the candidature of Alao-Akala who hails from Ogbomoso. Asking people not to take the aspirants serious, Akanbi said they should be scrutinized to know their true identities. Another speaker from Oyo town, Chief Ayo Adewuyi stated that all the differences that had existed between the former governor and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III which led to the loss of the 2011 governorship election had been resolved. While assuring that all the four local government areas that make up the Oyo Federal Constituency had resolved to support the former governor in his bid to come back, Adewuyi appealed to the people of Ibadan to join hands with them to return Alao-Akala to power in view of his antecedents as a tested and trusted leader.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The campaign office of Ime Akpan

Campaign poster of Bassey Akpan

Brothers at ‘war’ to succeed Akpabio

The battle for the Akwa Ibom State governorship is becoming keener and puzzling as two brothers test their strength for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket ahead the 2015 election. TONY ANICHEBE reports

he people of Ibibio Ibom Local Government Area and by extension Akwa Ibom State are presently at a crossroads over the political intrigues playing out from the popular Albert Akpan family where two brothers from the same parents are angling to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio. The battle is raging over the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The late Albert Akpan, the patriarch of the family, was a community leader who had many sons and was well known in the community for his philanthropic gestures. The children took after him, while Obong Ime Albert Akpan (IMA) the eldest became a businessman with interests spread across aviation, commerce etc, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), the younger one, started his career in the banking sector and rose to the position of vice president in one of the new generation banks. In 2007, the Akpan brothers joined politics full time. While Ime contested the senatorial seat for Uyo District, Bassey was deeply involved in the process that led to the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as governor of the state. Ime had a wonderful campaign and was seen working with Akpabio, but he had a formidable opponent in the person of Senator Effiong Bob, then ex-Governor Victor Attah’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. In a keenly contested primary held at the premises of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ime defeated Bob and was announced the winner. However, the victory was short-lived as Bob upturned the victory and went ahead to represent the district in the Senate. Ime embarked on a very long and excruciating legal battle to reclaim the mandate but got frustrated when he lost out at the Supreme Court and his political fortunes nosedived. He lapsed into political obscurity. At the same time, the then new Governor Akpabio appointed Ime’s younger brother, Albert, as Finance commissioner. Within a short time Bassey’s popularity grew like wild fire in har-

Ime

mattan season and further erased the little memory people had of his elder brother, Ime. Bassey became the rallying point of political activities in his native Ibibio Ibom and by extension the political leader of the area. But Bassey’s benevolent politics equally extended across the entire state, when as chairman, state Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Projects Committee; an agency established to develop rural areas and empower citizens in the process. He built a battalion of supporters after giving them jobs and means of livelihood. His philanthropy made him very popular among the youths and politicians. And cashing in on the goodwill, he has thrown his hat into the ring to contest the governorship election come 2015. His decision to contest the election against the wishes of his boss, Governor Akpabio earned him a sack from the State Executive Council. But a resolute and determined Bassey decided to soldier on. Plot to destabilise Bassey’s camp Akpabio is very strong and the governor displayed it both in words and action. At a particular event, the governor described Bassey as his replica in thoughts, actions and even dressing. All attempts to get Albert to drop his ambition and pick any other position in the state including going to the Senate or being appointed a minister failed. Bassey in an interaction session with journalists recently acknowledged the pressure on him to withdraw from the race, but vowed to contest the coming primaries, adding that he is confident of defeating other aspirants in a free and fair contest. But his elder brother, Ime, seen as the father of the Akpans emerged from no-

Bassey

where to declare for the same governorship been sought after by his younger brother. Ime’s seriousness about the race can be seen in the imposing mansion along A-line Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo presently used as his campaign office, with party and national flags, campaign posters, stickers and billboards occupying every nook and cranny of the state. He is alleged to have purchased over 90 Toyota buses in readiness for full scale campaign. A top government source told New Telegraph that Ime who was rejected as senator in 2007 and 2011 by the incumbent government will not possibly become their favourite for governorship candidate. There were insinuations that Ime is being funded by an interested party to join the race and destabilise his younger brother. Mr. Boniface Etuk, a stakeholder from Ibiono Ibom, said politicians in the area have warned Ime to steer clear from the governorship race after two failed attempts to go the Senate. Etim Okon, a staff of Ibiono Ibom council area, said the decision by the older Akpan to join the governorship race was done in bad fate knowing full well that the younger one had gone far in the pursuit of the governorship. “This will destroy the peace and unity in the family and by ex-

This will destroy the peace and unity in the family and by extension Ibibio Ibom council area where both are well revered

tension Ibibio Ibom council area where both are well revered,” he said. Another top politician in the state, Obong Sunny Etefia, said Ime did not join the race to win but to stop his younger brother from winning the race. He explained that Ime has offered himself to the powers working against Bassey’s aspiration as the only option to thwart that dream, stressing that Ime may be bitter over the way and manner his younger brother whom he sponsored through higher institution had dominated the political landscape of the area in the last seven years, outshining him in the process. Yet a political analyst, Mr. Ekpenyong Effiong, said: “The scenario is funny. I think Ime may have seen how his younger one grew in political strength with the attendant wealth from his top office he left recently, and may not have benefitted from the brother’s wealth and he sees this opportunity as a pay back by selling out.” However, a source in Ime’s campaign office told New Telegraph that Ime is a hard sell to the stakeholders whom he had visited so far in his consultations for the top position. According to him, “you know that Bassey is very popular and Bassey has consulted every known politician across the entire state before now. All the people we consulted do advise Ime to return and sort out his differences with his brother, and unite with him to form a formidable team. I share in their sentiment but I am only a staff here on salary so I just mind my business.” History beckons In 2006/2007, former Governor Attah’s son-in-law and then commissioner for Health and later Works for eight years, Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, had the blessings of the then governor to take over from him. Ekarika had structures and a financial war chest at his disposal. He equally had top politicians and stakeholders on his side preparatory for the PDP primaries but his elder brother, Senator Itak Bob Ekarika joined the same governorship race. Efforts to persuade the older Ekarika out of the race failed. Elder Ekarika, in an interview then published in a local tabloid, said that he preferred an outsider winning the race instead of his young brother Udoma. Their differences then were bitter and they took it to the PDP primaries. The outcome saw over 500 votes on which were simply written ‘Ekarika’ by delegates voided. They were neither counted for Udoma or Itak. Udoma lost the primaries to Akpabio with a little over 100 votes to come second position. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

16 POLITICS CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

presidency in 2015, as most analysts believe that the power sharing formula of the APC seems to favour the North and South-West more than the South-East, where he hails from. This assumption is based on the fact that the North and South-West are the key partners in the merger deal that led to the emergence of the APC, and that anything short of a presidential candidate of the party from either of the two regions will rock APC’s chances in the forthcoming election. The bulk of the party’s votes are expected from both regions, as its legacy parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) had the South-West (ACN) and North (CPC and ANPP) as their strongholds before the merger. However, both zones have taken their respective turns at the presidency (though on the platform of the PDP) since the return to civil rule in 1999, while the South-East is yet to produce a president. The question against this backdrop is: Which of the zones will produce the presidential flag-bearer of the APC in 2015? This issue arises because the party will find it tricky to convince its members and supporters in the South-East should it exclude the zone from the contest for its presidential ticket for the 2015 polls. It would also be playing into the hands of those who claim that it is a Hausa/Yoruba or even a Muslim party. Leaders of the APC, who realised the tricky nature of this issue, had left the party’s power sharing formula out of discussions at the formative stage to avoid unsettling the apple cart. However, the Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party cannot shy away from the issue with the general election five months away. The question many observers have asked against this backdrop is: Will the leadership of the APC opt for a zone with “less stake” in the party to produce its presidential flagbearer in 2015, even when it is indisputable that the party stands a better chance if it goes for a candidate from the North? No automatic ticket Apparently to douse tension over the presidential ticket, the APC’s leadership has come out to explain that there is no automatic ticket for any of its presidential hopefuls. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made the clarification, said: “We won’t give automatic ticket to anyone, including Buhari. It is not in our constitution. All the candidates will undergo the primaries.” The assurance notwithstanding, insider sources insist that it would be difficult for Okorocha to clinch the APC presidential ticket ahead of Buhari, Atiku and Kwankwaso. Buhari, most APC supporters believe is electable and would be accepted by majority of voters in the North because of his high electoral value. “Many people do not understand the

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Presidency: Okorocha’s tall dream

Oyegun

average northerner; the people in the rural areas; these are people General Buhari is popular with. There are not many in the North who have the kind of popularity that he has. The electoral value of General Buhari is never in doubt. He has created a niche for himself,” an APC chieftain from the South-East told New Telegraph. Opposition back home Besides the northern factor, Okorocha would be facing strong opposition in the South-East, as most political leaders and groups in the zone have thrown their weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Even the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which many see as an Igbo platform is not left out in the endorsement fray. To these political leaders, Okorocha’s declaration for the 2015 presidency when the people of the South-East have “unanimously agreed” to support President Jonathan’s second term bid, is an affront on Ndigbo. The South-East was the first to kick-start Jonathan’s endorsement for 2015, which is presently spreading like wildfire across the country. A group, led by businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, had during the president’s visit to Anambra State, last year, assured him of the support of the people of the zone if he contests for a second term. “Obasanjo took eight years; we are calling on you (Jonathan) to take another four years as one term is too short for you to complete the job you have at hand,” he had said. Ndigbo affirmed this position at the recent World Igbo Congress (WIC) in Houston, Texas, United States. Endorsing the president for a second term, participants at the congress, including Igbo political class and groups, averred: “Con-

Buhari

I am considering taking a shot at the presidency because the pressure is too high and I believe I have the capacity to transform our country for the better,” he said gress is impressed by the superfluous rendition of the accomplishments of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan despite oppositioninduced challenges.” Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a chieftain of the PDP, who spoke on the endorsement last week in Owerri, explained that Ndigbo agreed to support President Jonathan to complete two tenures of eight years. He said: “The view of the World Igbo Congress is that President Jonathan, as the first Niger Delta person to become the president of Nigeria, must be supported to complete a second term in office and we believe that it would certainly be the turn of the South-East to produce the next president of the country after Jonathan, because the SouthWest has had their own share similarly for the North.” Okorocha not deterred Despite the position of the SouthEast on the 2015 presidency, Okorocha believes that there is nothing stopping him. “I am considering taking a shot at the presidency because the pressure is too high and I believe I have the capacity to transform our country for the better,” he said. And apparently declaring his readiness for the race, he expressed dismay at the attempt by some persons to canvass

Brothers at ‘war’ to succeed Akpabio

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 5

Udoma believed that those voided votes were his. A rerun was fixed between Akpabio and Udoma Ekarika but it never held. Udoma still lives with the bitterness of that feud till date. He distanced himself from Akpabio’s government and turned down every overture for reconciliation. Family on tenterhooks Thus, as time ticks away, New Telegraph investigations observed that Ime’s entrance into the governorship race is already causing serious ripples within

the Akpan’s family. When our correspondent contacted a younger family member of the Akpans on phone to comment, in anger he rained abuses on the older Ime for accepting to play a spoiler against the younger brother’s ambition. Already, the Ibibio Ibom Traditional Rulers Council had summoned Ime to appear before it. New Telegraph gathered that the sole agenda was to persuade Ime to stand down his ambition to avoid the repeat of Ekarikas’ saga in the 2007 PDP primaries. New Telegraph also gathered that government strategists have already propped up one Benjamin Okoko, a

very strong politician and favourite in the 1999 PDP primaries before he was persuaded to step down for Attah to shatter the dream of ex-Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere another strong contender. Okoko and Ekere are brothers though extended from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state. Feelers have it that Okoko has also been positioned to equally play the spoiler. But for the Akpans, the people are waiting to see how the family will successfully wage this war against themselves and still remain the once enviable Albert Akpan’s family known all over the state.

for offices on tribal or regional basis. “We should de-emphasise this regional or tribal presidency. Give us a man with vision irrespective of where he comes from; give us somebody who can create jobs; give us somebody who can put food on the table of the common man; give us somebody who can provide steady power supply and he can come from anywhere. We need people who can fix Nigeria,” he said. Okorocha added that the PDP had exhausted its package for Nigerians and should quit the stage in 2015 to allow a party with men of vision, courage and commitment to service to take over power. “They have been there for almost 15 years and there is nothing to show for it comparatively. This shows that they have done their best. Let us commend them for doing their best but they cannot do better than their best. “The truth is that there is need for a change so that we can get people who can do better. They have done their best but their best is not good enough and you cannot give what you don’t have. Even if you give PDP 100 years, there will be no power supply, we will still have insecurity, and we will still not have jobs. That is why we are saying we want people who can fix Nigeria,” he said. His supporters also believe the presidential ambition is achievable. They hinged their belief on the in-road the APC has made into the South-East of late, and the fact that the governor has won some converts for the party through his people-oriented programmes. To these pundits, if the defunct ACN, seen by the people of the zone prior to the 2011 elections as a South-West party could put up a strong showing in the South-East, especially in Anambra State where it won a senatorial seat through Chris Ngige, the APC stands a better chance of winning in 2015 if Okorocha picks its presidential ticket. The probable As it stands, Okorocha, like former President Olusegun Obasanjo did in 1999, would be counting on votes outside his zone if he gets the APC’s presidential ticket. The possible target zones are the North West, which has the highest number of voters (18,900,543), North-East (10,038,119) and South-West (14,298,356). The North-West and North-East are sympathetic to the APC cause because of the Buhari factor, but their votes would only go to the party if the former Head of State endorses whoever picks the party ahead of him. For the South-West states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti (before the loss to PDP) and Ondo under Labour Party, which is pro-PDP, support will only come Okorocha’s way if only one of the national leaders of the APC and a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu approves his candidature. However, an Okorocha presidential candidacy may not enjoy support in the remaining three zones – South-South (8,973,057); South-East (7,028, 560) and North Central (7,028,560). In the South-East, for example, Anambra is sure to go the PDP way in the presidential election because there would be less at stake (except the Assembly polls) in 2015, as the governorship contest was settled in November last year. With APGA clinching the position, it is expected that former Governor Obi and his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, will work for President Jonathan. The same scenario is likely to play out in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states where PDP governors – Theodore Orji, Martin Elechi and Sullivan Chime are holding sway. Imo State will not go easily to the APC, as the PDP is still on ground, but given the fact that politics is the art of the possible the opposition party could spring surprises in the respective zones given Okorocha’s popularity.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The battle for Anambra North Senatorial seat promises to be the mother of all battles. The four gladiators who have so far indicated interest in the race have intimidating records. One of them will surely be a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015, writes TONY OKAFOR

Oduah, Okadigbo, Igbeke, Obaze battle for Anambra North

nambra North senatorial election promises to be a tough contest in 2015. This is the zone where former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah; Senator Margery Okadigbo; Senator Alphonsus Igbekwe and Chief Dubem Obaze are slugging it out for the senatorial seat on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Governor Willie Obiano also hails from the senatorial district. Obiano was the first governor ever produced from the district since the creation of Anambra State in 1991. Obiano’s emergence as the governor of the state was almost like a consensus by the entire people of the state based on the principle of equity to give the people of the zone the sense of belongings by their brothers and sisters in the two other senatorial districts of the state – Anambra Central and Anambra South. The district, which is made up of seven local governments: Oyi, Ayamelu, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South and Ogbaru is unique. In terms of political awareness, participation and education, the Onitsha bloc of the area leads. In recent time, the people of the area have divided themselves into three blocs for political convenience and allocation of resources. The blocs are Omambala made up of four out of the seven local government areas - Anambra East, Oyi, Ayamelum and Anambra West. The other blocs in the zones are: Onitsha made up of two local government areas – Onitsha North and Onitsah South while Ogbaru is the third bloc. As far as the senatorial battle in the area is concerned, Onitsha bloc is not part of it for now. None of the contestants of the seat is from that bloc. By this standpoint, the battle is between the Omambala bloc and Ogbaru bloc. While Senators Okadigbo and Igbeke are from Omambala bloc, Oduah and Obaze are from the Ogbaru bloc. In the history of the area, five senators had emerged from the zone – Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Joy Emordi, Alphonsus Igbekwe and Margery Okadigbo. Out of these five, two were from Onitsha bloc – Azikiwe and Emordi, while the remaining three came from Omambala bloc, leaving the Ogbaru bloc yet to produce any. With this scenario, if politics is Mathematics, the Ogbaru bloc is most favoured to produce the next senator of the area; thus leaving Oduah and Obaze at vintage point. Stella Oduah She was little known by the masses of the state before she became the Minister of Aviation. Her ministerial appointment brought her to public glare, initially in the negative sense because some people criticized her taking Anambra slot while she is married to an Edo man. But when she started performing “wonders” in the Aviation industry, especially at the Enugu Airport, which was elevated to an international airport during her time, she became the darling daughter of her people. Today,

Oduah

Okadigbo

Igbeke

Obaze

anybody who talks bad of the Princess of Ogbaru (Oduah) stands to be stoned in any part of Anambra. She has embarked on empowerment programmes in Anambra North that have endeared her more to the people. She will be continually remembered in Ogbaru and the entire state for the School of Aeronautic Engineering she attracted to Ogbaru during her tenure as minister. However, the odds against her is that most people see her as being too elitist and sophisticated. She will be prosecuting her senatorial race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is in opposition to the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state. Whatever may be her handicap and yoke in the race may be mitigated by her large purse built upon solid oil business. Besides she is from the Ogbaru bloc favoured for the position. Dubem Obaze Obaze is a grassroots person. He endeared himself to the people of the entire state when he was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the administration of immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi. The day his people of Anambra North honoured him with the chieftaincy of Ifeakachi (nothing is bigger than God), was like an annual home-coming in Ogbaru.

they will end up dividing their votes in Ogbaru. Politicians and captains of industry from all walks of life were there to celebrate with him. In fact, the occasion made a great statement as far as the senatorial race for the zone is concerned. Severally, support groups from the zone and beyond had addressed the press, endorsing him as the consensus candidate for the position. Paulson Okeke puts his impression of Obaze this way: “He is not among these Abuja politicians who become emergency philanthropist when elections are around the corner. Dubem Obaze is seen 24/7 in Anambra State. He knows the problems of the people of this state from A-Z. That was why when he was a commissioner; he positively changed the lives of rural dwellers across the state.” But those who see beyond their eye glasses are of the view that the internal crisis in APGA may adversely affect Obaze’s nomination as the party’s flag bearer in the race. There are indications that the state governor, Willie Obiano, and the APGA leadership want Igbeke, who is from Omambala bloc as the governor for that position. Besides, Obaze and Oduah are from the same Ogbaru bloc. If in the end two of them secure tickets from their political parties (APGA and PDP respectively),

Margery Okadigbo She is representing the zone in the National Assembly and the wife of the late flamboyant Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo (Oyi of Oyi). She is from the Onitsha bloc by birth and Omambala bloc by marriage. Her current tenure in the Senate witnessed upheaval as she fought several battles in court to be in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Even when all hopes were lost, her husband influence, charisma and political sagacity are her backbone and strength. Recently, she literally dragged down the leadership of the Senate to Anambra to launch her empowerment programmes. From the look of things, she doesn’t seem to have mastered the political ropes. Just recently, a group in the area somewhat passed a vote of no confidence on her when they tipped Oduah against her for the senatorial position. However, her strength would be majorly anchored on her maiden home, Onitsha bloc which has two local government areas and is not fielding any candidate in the race. Her husband’s Omambala bloc of four local government areas would also wish her well in the race, considering their love CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

OPINION Willie Obiano and the changing face of Awka (1) James Eze

ix months after he took the oath of office as the governor of Anambra State, clear signs are beginning to emerge that Chief Willie Obiano might just be the man to give Ndi Anambra the state capital they have dreamed of in the last 23 years. These signs might be silent in nature like the sudden appearance of a fancy office properly designated as the Awka Capital Development Authority (ACDA), or loud like the pulling down of the structure at Aroma Junction and the huge construction efforts going on there to lay the foundation of a fancy flyover and a tunnel that will change the landscape of the town. The truth though is that no matter the nature of these signs, it can no longer be denied that Awka, the capital city of one of Nigeria’s frontline states is on the cusp of change. For years, Awka stood out as a metaphor for all that could possibly go wrong with Anambra. After 23 years of playing host to the government of the most illustrious people in black Africa, Awka was reluctant to shed its overcast outlook of a semi urban town with a mishmash of mostly residential buildings jutting out of green areas and no hint of a distinct skyline. Awka had no promise of ever transmuting to urbanity, no obvious aspirations to greatness. This is in stark contrast to the well-known industrious

nature of Awka indigenes whose ancestors are famous in all of Igboland for their prowess in metallurgical productions and blacksmithry. Meanwhile, right across the Niger in neighboring Delta State, Asaba , a town that became an administrative seat at the same time as Awka is in full bloom. As successive administrations came and went without any landmarks, inhabitants of the town lost all hopes of any real modern changes in the landscape. So many conspiracy theories were woven to explain the seemingly endless neglect of Awka by different administrations. Some people blamed Awka’s increasingly sorry state on the reluctance of the indigenes to work in harmony with any government. Others argues that they are reluctant to cede their lands for developmental purposes. But the opposing views argue that it was the government that failed to demonstrate good faith by assuring the indigenes of a compensation package that is commensurate to the land they were willing to cede. Whatever was the true account, the outcome was a damning verdict on Awka. It remained trapped in its utter lack of ambition – an avoidable stillbirth. The irony here is that while Awka stagnated, the rest of Anambra bloomed - especially the smaller towns. APGA leadership under former Governor Peter Obi, transformed the state to such a great extent

that traveling around, the first time visitor would be hard-pressed to believe that he is not moving around in one sprawling city but a maze of urbanizing communities with the familiar feel of a city. The impressive network of good roads that link up towns in Anambra State to each other can compare to any such efforts in any part of the world. But this picture contrasts sharply with the stark, threadbare reality of Awka. Again, we may never fully know why. It will take a lot of prying to riffle through the thick swelter of conspiracy theories cited above to unearth the facts. Happily, that was the case until Chief Willie Obiano was sworn in six months ago. As is typical of leaders who are concerned about their place in history, Chief Obiano’s discontent with the deplorable state of Awka began to show long before he was sworn in. In his Inaugural Speech, Obiano was emphatic about his dream of a fitting capital city for Ndi Anambra. In a very passionate voice, he had assured Ndi Anambra that “your clamour for a Capital City that fully reflects the essence of our people will be addressed by my administration. We shall re-design and remodel Awka to meet the structural and aesthetic requirements of a 21st Century city that we can all be proud of.” • Eze writes from Ifite, Awka.

Much ado about okada ‘ban’ in Lagos Tayo Ogunbiyi

ne never really anticipated that the issue of the ‘ban’ of commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘okada’ in Lagos could become a major subject of discourse at this point in time. But then, this is Nigeria! The Lagos Traffic Law was signed into law on August 2, 2012 by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). An aspect of the law restricts the operations of commercial motorcycles operators in 495 designated strategic highways and routes out of a total of 9,700 available routes within the metropolis. The import of this is that the law does not in any way ban the use of Okada. Rather, what it does is to regulate the activities of commercial motorcycle riders in the state. Presently, there are more than 9000 routes in the state through which okada riders could effectively operate within the confines of the law. Being a government that takes a scientific and methodical approach to governance, the enactment of the law restricting okada operation in the state was primarily meant to protect the interest of the public. It was enacted to ensure that people do not ride on okada along routes that could put their lives and those of others in jeopardy. Without a doubt, the misery and grief that okada has brought into

several homes in Lagos, and indeed across the country cannot be overemphasized. Available statistics from the Lagos State Management Authority (LASTMA) reveal that not less than 619 people were killed or seriously injured in okada accident between 2011 and 2012. The breakdown shows that 107 people died while 512 sustained serious injuries. Among the dead were 71 males and 36 females. In 2011 alone, 47 people were killed while 98 others sustained serious injuries from okada accidents. And, between January 2012 and October of same year, the statistics show that 63 people were killed while 59 sustained serious injuries. Aside safety issue, there is also a security angle to the whole okada issue. A 2012 police report shows that out of the 30 armed robbery incidents recorded in Lagos between July and September 2012, 22 involved commercial motorcycles. According to the report, it was obvious that out of eight robberies that occurred in July, seven involved the use of okada while it was also used in 10 out of 14 robberies in September and five out of eight robberies in August of same year. Looking at these available facts and figures, there should be no controversy about the fact that the operations of okada in the state need to be regulated for the common good. Besides the agony and grief it brings upon its victims, the lawlessness of okada riders on major highways is quite nauseating thereby

making commuting an harrowing experience. Therefore, to guarantee the free-flow of traffic and to ensure that the movement of investors coming into the state is not hindered and put at risk, the introduction of the law became necessary. To underscore how unpopular okada has become as a mode of transportation across the country, the Federal Capital Territory and over 15 other states have similarly promulgated laws regulating the activities of okada in their respective states . Some of these states are Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Edo, Katsina among others. In Lagos at the moment, government’s regulating effort in the sector is yielding anticipated dividends. Available statistics have revealed that accident rate as well as casualty figures from road mishaps occasioned by okada-related accidents, have relatively reduced. A LASTMA data indicates that the number of persons killed in ‘Okada’ accidents in 2012 was 3 for the month of September and 1 for October. This is much lower compared to 14 deaths recorded in September and October 2011. According statistics from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASU, the enforcement of the new traffic law has greatly reduced the number of accident victims received in the hospital and has also reduced cases of daily emergency by 60 per cent. This has freed more bed spaces to accommo-

date other patients, unlike before when Okada accident victims dominated the expansive ward denying other patients of medical attention and facilities. It is important that Lagosians cooperate with the state government in ensuring the success of the Lagos Traffic Law since it was enacted mainly to protect the people. Life is a precious gift by God. Self-preservation is, therefore, the responsibility of every human being. Self-preservation is keeping you alive, either physically or psychologically. The desire to stay alive is a natural instinct in every human being. The restriction placed on okada in the state is about preserving lives. We must, therefore, collaborate with government to preserve lives. The different between animal kingdoms and human societies is that in the latter laws are made to regulate human conducts in order to avoid the creation of a state of anarchy. It is in view of the critical nature of public transportation to the overall effectiveness of other sectors that the state government has been particularly focusing on the sector to meet the yearnings of the people. The commitment of the state government to improving the transportation sector in Lagos is very defining because it affects the prices of goods and services, improves quality infrastructure, defines how easily the children can get to school and, indeed, the productivity of the entire economy. • Ogunbiyi writes from Alausa, Ikeja.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Synagogue tragedy: Matters arising

he collapse, last week, of a six-storey building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun, Lagos, came as another gruesome episode in the regime of bloodletting that now seems to define life in contemporary Nigeria. It is as if the dark angels haven’t supped full of innocent Nigerians’ blood yet. When insurgents, assassins, kidnappers, robbers and herdsmen attack and violate our privacy, kill and maim some among us, destroy our property and render us homeless, it is to places of worship that we run for safety. To think that even such places are no longer safe for us, not because the guns are still turned at us there but because the buildings are not strong enough to give us safe shelter! At the last count, over 80 people had been confirmed dead and many others wounded, following the collapse of the six-storey guesthouse located within the church premises on Friday, September 12. As yet, there is no official, scientific explanation for the collapse beyond the mumble-jumble about a mystery aircraft flying over the building shortly before the incident. However, according to reports, the building was initially designed as a two-storey structure before the

addition of four new floors, which were under construction at the time of the collapse. Against this background, it is safe to assume, without prejudice to the outcome of any inquiry into the cause of the incident, that the weight of the additional four floors on a weak superstructure may have led to the collapse of the building. But, we leave that to the authorities to determine. New Telegraph joins millions of other Nigerians in sympathizing with the founder of Synagogue, Pastor T.B Joshua and all the families across the world who lost relatives or whose relatives were wounded, in the building collapse. But, we also make bold to say that the incident and its ugly consequences were clearly avoidable. First, the church should never have added four floors to an originally two-floor structure. The superstructure for a two-storey building can never safely carry additional four floors. Second, if reports are anything to go by, members of the church behaved in a manner that hampered rescue operations and made it difficult for rescuers to save more lives. What we saw on TV and read in the papers was a band of frenzied faithful who, by attacking early rescuers and members of the press, seemed to care more about the image of the

church than helping to save the lives of some of their fellow members who had been trapped under the rubble. We condemn such isolationist behaviour as unbecoming of a church and its members that should see themselves as bound by the same acts of love, empathy and shared grief that define human relations in the larger society in times of emergencies. We, therefore, urge Pastor Joshua and other church leaders to educate members on how to live with others in peace and understanding. We also condemn the secrecy surrounding the body counts. The controversy over the number of South Africans lost in the incident vis-à-vis the total number of from the incident is unnecessary. We expected both the church, NEMA and all other relevant authorities to have told the whole truth about how many people actually died. The church, of all institutions, must never indulge in cover-up. Just how many actually died? In any case, who approved the collapsed building project? Was the soil tested before the project started in accordance with the law of the state? Were the raw materials used for the project tested at every stage in strict compliance with the law of the state? Who are the contractors handling the project? Are there other such buildings on the premises of the church? Did the church get govern-

ment approval for all its buildings? Such questions linger because despite many cases of building collapse in Lagos State, nobody has ever been duly prosecuted. The result is that whenever it happens, government mouths platitudes and issue threats but does nothing thereafter. And so, every so often, we are back to the starting block because again and again, this thing will happen and all government will do is condemn it and there it ends. The high-profile nature of the Synagogue building incident may well be the impetus the Lagos State government needs to act appropriately. General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LASBCA), Dr. Abimbola Animashaun has said her agency targets zero incident of building collapse every month through strict monitoring and enforcement of the appropriate building codes. “We’ll seal any construction site where the work is not being done properly, she vowed. “We’ll seal any defaulting structure where the builder has no approval…If the government does not make a firm stand and keeps pandering to variegated interests, its laws will be nothing but a toothless bull dog.” We welcome such statement and hope that government will walk its talk.

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20 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Will Fashola have a say in successor? The choice of a successor to a governor in an election has always been a serious political issue that an incumbent take a keen rather than passive interest in. Like in every state, Lagos is not an exception. But will Governor Babatunde Fashola be able to install a successor giving the larger than life image of his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu? MURITALA AYINLA asks

s the 2015 general election draws nearer, contenders and pretenders in the race for the Lagos State governorship are beginning to roll out programmes to win the hearts of the electorate. Expectedly, there are intrigues playing out in the state, especially on the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer, who will succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015. While several factors will come into play in the choice of such a candidate, it is also believed that two major personalities – Fashola and his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – must agree to produce the APC governorship flagbearer in a transparent manner, if the party must retain its control in the state without rocking the boat. The truth is that Tinubu cannot, unlike in the past, single-handedly pick Fashola’s successor without the input of the incumbent. Tinubu may pick the governorship candidate while Fashola produces the running mate, some pundits posit. Many pundits believe that the state’s former governor who unilaterally installed Fashola as governor of the state in 2007, against the wishes of many contenders, would still decide who the next governor of the state will be come 2015, regardless of the governor’s input. Other pundits are of the view that Fashola who has been described as a political icon and the Unique Selling Point (USP) of the APC, will decide who takes over from him come 2015 just as his predecessor did in 2007, having raised the tempo of governance in the state in the last seven years. But conflict of interest is already setting in with Fashola eyeing some members of the State Executive Council to succeed him, especially those he considers eggheads in his cabinet, while his former boss, Tinubu, is considering other aspirants outside Fashola’s cabinet. Top on the list of Fashola’s ‘anointed successor’ is the Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who has lately stepped up his campaign, having reportedly received the blessing of his boss to go ahead for the governorship battle in the state. Incidentally, his campaign posters have begun to flood venues of project inauguration presided over by Governor Fashola of late. Although, vehemently criticized by other political gladiators within the party on the ground that he (Hamzat) is not an indigene of Lagos, the three-time commissioner is leaving no stone unturned to reaffirm his right to be voted for. Having served the state in various capacities, Hamzat believes he is eminently qualified to succeed Fashola in 2015. Besides, the commissioner believes that his father’s stool as the Olu of Afowora Sogaade in Ewekoro Local Gov-

Fashola

Tinubu

Hamzat

Ambode

ernment Area of Ogun State should not disqualify him from becoming the next governor of Lagos State. He argued that not only his mother is an indigene of Epe, his forefathers also hailed from Epe Division. This, he argued, made his father served the state as Commissioner for Works under Lateef Jakande‘s administration. Today, at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Hamzat is like a prince waiting to ascend the throne of his ‘father’ as he is perceived as the defacto deputy governor because of the responsibilities delegated to him by Fashola. Hamzat is incontrovertibly qualified to run for the governorship race in Lagos, having performed creditably well as the Commissioner for Science and Technology between 2005 and 2011 and now as Works and Infrastructure commissioner in the second term of the Fashola administration. But the bitter reality is that it takes more than merit or fair play, zoning or ability to beat the current record already set by Fashola to become Lagos State governor, given the current political scenario in the state. Also, those who posit Fashola’s influ-

The leadership of the party may allow Fashola the opportunity of making input in the making of the next governor... How far can he go in deciding his successor? ence in the choice of APC gubernatorial candidate in 2015 opine that if the choice of Hamzat, who is highly rated among Fashola’s eggheads, fails due to the controversies surrounding his candidature, the governor might opt for Ayo Gbeleyi, the current Commissioner for Finance. Gbeleyi, a first class technocrat who is also a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), is the for-

mer Director-General and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP). He is believed to be another candidate likely to be presented by Fashola, should he have his way in influencing who succeeds him in 2015. But Gbeleyi’s little political experience may work against him as he is more of a technocrat than a politician. Comrade Kayode Opeifa is another likely candidate in the Fashola cabinet. Unlike others, Opeifa is seen as a loyal party member who may also be favoured by Tinubu, going by his close relationship with the former governor. Despite conjectures that the governorship ticket has been zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial District, the former lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), still counts on the possibility of being handed the party’s ticket. Though the Fashola administration may have elicited applause for his performance, one would have thought he would be given the liberty to pick a successor from among his cabinet, to take over from him just like it happened in his case. The leadership of the party may allow Fashola the opportunity of making input in the making of the next governor, the question many pundits are asking is: How far can Fashola go in deciding his successor, especially when the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has publicly repudiated one of his ‘anointed candidates’? Fashola has not been a core politician. As expected, he was supposed to be the leader of the APC in Lagos. The reverse is the case. Tinubu is in charge. Even the congresses of the party that were held recently, he was not in the country. This is a big minus for him as those in party positions will determine delegates that will in turn elect the governorship candidate. Tinubu is in control of the party structures in Lagos. His men are in charge of the party’s state executive. As such, the former governor decides who becomes what in Lagos politics. Already going by the current political atmosphere in the state, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, the former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State public service appears to be the choice of Tinubu. But like Hamzat, his candidature was also greeted with some bickering following his controversial indigeneship question. He is largely believed to hail from Ilaje in Ondo State. Ironically, Oba Akiolu who publicly endorsed Ambode and who is largely presumed to have been speaking the mind of Tinubu did not see anything wrong in Ambode’s indigeneship question. By and large, it is believed that Ambode, if truly endorsed by Tinubu, may eventually emerge the party’s choice and win the election against other political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, going by the strength and structure of the party at the grassroots. But whether the party decides to hold a free and fair primaries for the governorship aspirants, or it decides to pick a consensus candidate, the fact remains that Tinubu will always have his ways.

Oduah, Okadigbo, Igbeke, Obaze battle for Anambra North CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

for the late Okadigbo, who gave them dignity in the representation in every respect. She is vying on the platform of the PDP. Alphonsus Igbeke Like a cat with nine lives, Igbeke is unpredictable. What he lacked in physical size, he made up in his brain. He has the record of not contesting any

election in 2011, but was sworn in as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a controversial circumstance. As far as elections are concerned, Igbeke is a master. He knows Anambra politics. In 1999, he nearly torpedoed Dr. Chuba Okadigbo’s chances of going to the Senate. Quite, diminutive but with the heart of a lion, Igbeke is the man to beat in the race. He is from the Omambala bloc, said to be favoured by Governor Obiano for

the position. The major obstacle against him is that he is from the same Omambala bloc as the governor. According to a group known as Equity Group, Obiano who was elected as the governor of the state on the basis of equity cannot at this stage truncate that principle by encouraging “double portion.” According to the group, Ogbaru bloc of the senatorial district should produce the next senator of the zone.

ARTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Tony Okuyeme

he Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Sir Ferdinand Anikwe, has underscored the significance of culture to African development. He said that, although, Africa has tried so many models in her effort to drive development, it is clear that African cultures and languages have not been sufficiently incorporated into its quest for development. “It is globally believed that the 21st century is the century for Africa’s development. Indeed, indices from some African countries point to the fact that, gradually, Africa is beginning to take the necessary steps to growth and development. There are also evidences that the leadership and governance of most African and Diaspora countries are becoming more transformational than transactional and it is infact in this context that their growth could be explained. This notwithstanding there is no gainsaying the fact that, if Africa and its Diaspora are to come to the table of humanity on equal terms with the rest of human race, she has to move at an accelerated rate. Beyond that, she has to explore some hitherto neglected resources in her quest for development. One of such resources is her indigenous or traditional ways of life known as culture,” he said. Anikwe said this on Friday at a press conference held at the Centre’s head office in Lagos. According to him, in this regard, CBAAC in collaboration with the University of Port-Harcourt is proposing a two-day International Colloquium on theme “Culture in the Transformation Agenda of Africa and its Diaspora in the New Global Order” as part of its 2014 programme. It will hold at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in November. African culture, the CBAAC DG said, “encapsulates the totality of the learned and shared ways by which Africans have survived through the ages and endeavours to impose form and order on the forces around them. It involves both the tangible and intangible ways by which he adapts to his environment in a

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

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TONY OKUYEME

CULTURE

“A PEOPLE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR PAST HISTORY, ORIGIN AND CULTURE IS LIKE A TREE WITHOUT ROOTS.” ―- MARCUS GARVEY

tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

Culture, indigenous languages key to African development, says CBAAC DG

Dances in performance during Black History Month celebration organised by CBAAC

There is no gainsaying the fact that if Africa and its Diaspora are to come to the table of humanity on equal terms with the rest of human race, she has to move at an accelerated rate bid to leave the world a better place than he met it. Though Africa has tried so many models in her effort to drive development, it is clear that her cultures have not been sufficiently incorporated into her quest for development”. According to him, the conference shall have scholars and practitioners from Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora. Institutional representation is also expected from UNESCO, Paris, France, the African Union (AU), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; African Institute of South Africa (AISA), Pretoria, South Africa; Observatory for Cultural Policies in Africa (OCPAO), Ma-

Anikwe

puto, Mozambique; Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society (CASAS), Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Research of Oral Tradition and thye Development of African Languages (CERDOTOLA), Yaounde, Cameroun; African Union, Centre for African Language (ACALAN); and Institutes of African/Cultural Studies from Nigerian Universities and abroad, State Councils for Arts and Culture, local artists and practitioners will also be encouraged to participate. He further stated that the

sub themes of the Colloquium include: Theoretical and Epistemological Issues; Using Culture to fast-track African Development; Popular Culture and Development; Cultural Industries and Development; Cultural Resources Management; The Film Industry in the Promotion of National Development; Indigenous Knowledge Systems and National Development; The Youth, African Culture and Development; and any other issues and sub themes considered germane to culture and the transformation of Africa and its Diaspora in the New Global Order. Anikwe said the objectives of the Conference include: to provide opportunity to interrogate and question the concepts of culture as it relates to the experiences of Nigerians, African peoples and institutions; to offer a platform for scholars from various disciplines and different climes to interact, analyze and exchange ideas on the centrality of culture to Nigeria, Africa and the African Diaspora socio-economic transformation; to examine the lived experiences of peoples from other climes and

continents outside Africa; to explore ways of restoring Africa’s traditional values by rebuilding families and communities in order to enhance our potentials for self-reliance; and to strengthen historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Diaspora. Also, the Centre hopes through the Conference, enhance international exchange as well as promote and advertise Nigeria’s cultural diversity for tourism drive in line with the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda; highlight the potential and relevance of culture as an essential instrument for socio-economic transformation; build and strengthen the existing curricula for incorporating key components of our cultures and general ways of life in national development drive; further the promotion of Nigerian, Black and African culture as a viable element in the foreign policy initiatives; and enhance the achievements of the African Union’s new resolve to put culture in the front burner of African renaissance; as well as create a renewed awareness of the pivotal role of culture in national development.

22 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Jos Repertory Theatre in performance

Jos Repertory Theatre back on stage with The Bonds of Interest

he Jos based theatre outfit, the Jos Repertory Theatre (JRT) has announced its programs for the remaining part of the 2014 theatre season. Currently in rehearsals for five plays that will end its theatre season, the outfit has performed eight plays before taking a break in May after performances of the workshop devised “Banana Talks”. Artistic Director of JRT, Mr. Patrick Jude Oteh stated that the plays lined up for October are Jacinta Benavente’s The Bonds of Interest for the Em-

bassy of Spain on Monday 13, October, at the Lagos Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. This play will start the week long activities for the annual Spanish Week, Nigeria. The group will then move to Lagos on November 9, to perform Sefi Atta’s The Last Stand at Terra Kulture auditorium, Victoria Island, Lagos, in two performances at 3pm and 6pm on Sunday November 9th 2014. Thereafter, the Jos Repertory Theatre in collaboration with the French Institute, will start the series of plays that have been tagged The Soyinka

OYASAF holds lecture Tony Okuyeme

ith “Art and Culture among the Igbo of Nigeria and the Ainu of Japan in the Post-colonial Period: a critical survey” as its theme, the 5th edition of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) lecture series holds tomorrow at OYASAF Facility, Okupe Estate, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos. The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Krydz C. Ikwuemesi. This study, seeks to examine the concepts and perceptions of art and culture among the Igbo people of Nigeria and the Ainu people of Japan and to problematize extant supremacist views which hold that native societies did not have art prior to colonization, in spite of the obvious bio-cultural nature of art. Using theories in

art history, art criticism and anthropology, the presentation focuses on the transmogrification of these societies' notion and practice of art in the colonial period and how this has impacted the collective identity and memory in the challenges of postcolonial times. However, the purpose of this study is not to juggle theoretical constructs on post-colonialism; rather it is concerned with the “lingering after-effects” of colonialism in the guises of post-colonialism and how they are manifested in the art enterprise. Since the postcolonial thrives on hybridity and contradictions as is reflected in the situations of postcolonial subjects, politically, economically, culturally, and otherwise, the central concern in my work on one hand is the ebbing of Igbo creative enterprise and its systemic divorce from Igbo cultural heritage.

Festival which will see them performing three landmark plays of the Nobel Laureate, The Trials of Brother Jero, Madmen And Specialists and The Lion And The Jewel. The Soyinka Festival will commence on the weekend of November 20, at the premises of the French Institute, Abuja and will end on the weekend of December 6. “There will be workshops and talkshops alongside the plays that will start every evening at 7pm,” Oteh said, adding that the group promises all those who will watch these

plays memorable and enjoyable evenings in Abuja and Lagos. Founded in 1997 as a notfor-profit independent theatre organisation, Jos Repertory Theatre began full program implementation commenced in 2000, and has since then, been engaged in activities ranging from play/poetry readings, production of scripted plays and the creation of theatre-fordevelopment plays. “We utilize theatre to confront and challenge crucial issues which affect our society with the ultimate aim of educating and entertaining

our audiences. Our community outreach programs has created sketches on diverse subjects ranging from health, water and sanitation, safety in the workplace and agriculture. “Backed by experiences from over a decade of theatre practice, (having taken part in theatre related activities in Sierra Leone, Cote d‘Ivoire, Italy, United States of America, United Kingdom, Kenya, South Africa), the Jos Repertory Theatre has been involved in training programs for artistes including amateurs, the creation of theatre-for-development plays as well as the training of youths in relevant skills acquisition. Our educational outreach programs has involved schools with the performance of plays in the school curriculum, creation of enlightenment sketches and plays for youths and civic education. “Our touring program has seen us performing both locally and internationally in various cities with particular participation in the 2000 MUSON Festival, the 2003 All Africa Games, the 1st Scottish Festival of Youth Theatres and the 2010 Lagos Black Heritage Festival. We were the Nigerian partners of the British Council in the Connecting Futures project from 2003 – 2006 which culminated in the landmark tour of the UK with the workshop devised play OUR HOUSE. We currently run a regular season of plays in the nations’ capital, Abuja. Our programs have ranged from a diverse menu of live stage performances and adaptations of literary works and presenting such on stage. The live stage performances are scripted plays which have formed the background to the annual Jos Festival of Theatre,” Oteh said.

Association of Voice Over Artistes honours Orlando Owoh

he Association of Voice Over Artistes (AVOA) is set to honour the late highlife music maestro, Stephen Oladipupo Owomoyela popularly known as Orlando Owoh with a post humous award, to be received by his son Kunle Orlando Owoh. The award ceremony which is scheduled to hold on Friday September 26, 2014, at AVOA Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos, from 6pm, will feature performances by notable musicians such as Ras Kimono, Macho King, Sohlah Babs, Shakira, Dj Koolruler & Dj Chelsea; while Prince Leke will be on the band stand, Ehi Omokhuale, President of AVOA stated. Orlando Owoh (born as

February 14, 1932) was a highlife musician and band leader. He was a member of the Owo people ethnic group, but he later became known to his fans as Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh. As a young man Owoh initially entered into the carpentry trade until 1958, when he was hired by Nigeria's Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group to play drums and sing. Owoh went on to form Dr. Orlando Owoh and his Omimah Band in 1960, and over a musical career of 40 years became one of the leading proponents of highlife music. With bands such as the Omimah Band and later the Young Kenneries and the African Kenneries International, Owoh remained popular in Nigeria, even as

The late Orlando Owoh

tastes moved to the newer juju and fuji styles. Orlando Owoh died on November 6, 2008, in Lagos, Nigeria. He had over 45 albums to his credit.

MOM&PARENTING

NEW TELEGRAPH

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OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI oluwatosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com tosin042001@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Tunde Ajaja

s couples approach the middle years, it is believed that their bodies, psychology, hormones, lifestyles and sexual responses change. These changes, many opine, could be gradual or subtle but could reduce or increase sex life. However, a new study says none of these changes interferes with a full sex life of women. The study claims that women grow increasingly satisfied with their sex lives after they turn 40. The study further states that sex has simply become an act or another activity of fun like a game of basketball for women in such older age or 40 above, knowing that they may not be able to get pregnant again when above menopause age. This, according to the study, removes the ruinous risk or lifechanging blessing, procreation, that has accompanied sex since puberty. Besides, it explains that as partners become older, more experienced and more trusting of each other; they may become less inhibited in their views of what constitutes satisfying sex. “For women in such older age, sex may no longer be a risk-taking adventure because it becomes something that they do ‘now or never,’ hence, it seems only natural to try out new acts, positions and partners, if there is any reason to, and such couples are often forced to find new ways to give each other pleasure,” it states further. In the research, carried out by Professor Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, who is the chief of epidemiology division in the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States, a group of women aged between 40 and 100 with a median age of 67, were surveyed. In the study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, half of the respondents said they were sexually active, and most of the women said they were able to become aroused, maintain lubrication and achieve orgasm during sex, even after the age of 80. Furthermore, among the sexually active women, those who were below age 55 or above 80 were found to report satisfaction with their ability to achieve orgasms. “I was surprised by how many people were completely satisfied over the age of 80,” said Barrett-Connor. More than any other group, men and women in their 40s considered themselves emotionally and physically satisfied by their lovemaking, and not because they lasted longer in bed or have more energy to go for more rounds, the study revealed. It is noteworthy that in spite of the fact that sexual activity drops off in older

Why women above 40 enjoy more sex

A happy couple

women, it remains a significant part of the lives of many of them. Still in the course of the study, the researchers mailed a questionnaire that asked very personal questions to 1,303 well-educated groups of upper-middle class women, who live a healthy lifestyle, in a suburban California community, out of which 806 responded to the questions about sex. Worthy of note is the fact that almost half of the women over age 80 said they were always or almost always sexually satisfied. It is understandable that most women who have grown up to their ’40s and above invested some years in romantic myths, involving love, marriage and sex, thus, some of such women who are now on their own, whether through widowhood, divorce or never having married, may occasionally get lonely, look forward to a good time as often as they look forward to a long-term relationship. Hence, for such women, a good sex may be worth looking up to, more so that there is no more monthly cycle that could hamper their enjoyment. Ever wondered why some older women ‘recruit’ young men, old enough to be their grandchildren, for such ‘work’, this probably explain why. According to Laura Berman, relationship therapist and sex educator, “Getting older can sometimes cause changes in our bodies and our sexual

response, or complicate our ability to enjoy sex, but the good news is that these changes do not need to impede the sex life. The best way to deal with change is simply to talk about it and to adjust, which is the most important sex secret of all. “Normal aging brings physical changes in both men and women and these changes sometimes affect one’s ability to have and enjoy sex but some women enjoy it more as they grow older and after menopause or a hysterectomy (surgical operation to remove the womb), they may no longer fear an unwanted pregnancy, hence, feel freer to enjoy sex. A research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine reports that women between the ages of 40 and 65 who place greater importance on sex are more likely to stay sexually active as they age. In other words, if it is important to you, you would keep on doing it. Dr. Jan Leslie Shifren, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School said many sexual problems can be reversed with appropriate therapy, especially if they are new and that the treatments are often successful. “Some therapies are simple, such as using a lubricant or low-dose vaginal oestrogen for dryness and pain. “Sex is important to women’s health. It revs up metabolism and may boost the immune sys-

PHOTO: WWW.GISTPLANET.NET

tem. Frequent sexual intercourse is associated with reduced heart attack risk. It can help the vagina stay lubricated, elastic, and healthy. And it is fun,” Shifren advised. Reacting to the study, a consultant psychologist, Proffesor Toba Elegbeleye, expressed his doubts about the findings of the study. He argued that women would have lost certain things should make sex enjoyable when they are close to or reach menopause, which would have also reduced their sexual urge. “When women attain menopause, production of oestrogen becomes far less, which would reduce their sexual urge, just as testosterone in men. However, we cannot remove the fact that some women, just like men, take to stimulants, which are drugs that can make them become sexually active after the bodily productions are getting reduced. “If a woman at 40 has finished child bearing, which takes a lot away from her sexual urge, coupled with the menopausal effects, there is no level of dedication or commitment that would re-energise the urge to the level of that of a youngster because the more you age, the less energised you are for sex,” he explained. Elegbeleye explained that age also influences orgasm because everything in the body system of a young CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Six ideas to get your kids ready for school

Mom’s Alert To-do-list Grace Essen

T What can you do to get her ready for school

As schools resume after a long break of academic activities, there are tendencies that children have become playful and too relaxed to waking up in the early morning to get ready for school activities again. JILL CEDER, child care expert offers an insight as to making the morning routine more fun and getting everyone out the door on time.

etting your children out the door in the morning can be a major challenge for parents. By 8am, parents are left feeling stressed, tired and angry. Sticking to a routine and prepping the night before can save a lot of time and stress, but for many parents, it is impossible to get out the door without nagging and yelling. Here are six ideas that will make getting ready in the morning a more positive experience and will also get everyone out the door on time. Music Playlist: Create a playlist of your childs favorite songs. Every task (use the bathroom, get dressed, eat breakfast) is connected to one song and must be completed by the time the song is over. Your kids will happily sing along; just make sure they don't get distracted having a dance party. 2. Checklist. Sit with your child and create a checklist of morning activities. Include your child in the creation of

A child reading his book

PHOTO: WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM

the list. Allowing her to participate will show her that her opinion is important and also help her understand what is expected of her in the morning. Many children respond to checklists because they can see what they need to do and feel in control of the situation. Children will feel empowered when they can check off each item in their morning routine. 3. Make Believe: Some children respond to seeing the morning routine played out with stuffed animals. On the weekend or the night before, act out the morning routine with a parent and child stuffed animal. Play out the scenario with you as the parent and then switch and allow your child to be the parent. You can add some humor to the scenarios. Some

PHOTO: WWW.NEWFUTURO.COM

children need to act out situations through dolls in order to work out their feelings. Beat the Timer: Some kids respond very well to time situations. Make a game out of racing around the house to get ready and challenge your child to beat the timer in his morning tasks. If you have more than one child, they can race against each other. Fastest score wins! 5. Dress Up: For the fashionista child, let her play dress up the night before and choose her outfit. Put any clothing you don't want her wearing to school in a different area than the school clothes. This way she doesn't spot her favorite frozen dress in the morning, put it on and refuse to go to school in anything else. 6. Rewards. Kids respond to rewards and positive reinforcement. Tell them if they get ready by a certain time with no fights, they will be rewarded on the way to school or a surprise reward will be placed in their lunchbox. If they do not comply, they are not rewarded. Getting your kids ready in the morning does not have to be a chore or a reason for tears. Make the morning routine a fun experience for your kids and start the day with smiles.

Why women above 40 enjoy more sex C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

person works optimally, adding that youths have a way of going beyond the ordinary to ensure that they attain a pleasurable satisfaction. He, however, advised people to refrain from using stimu-

lants. “Stimulants work, but study has shown that the more you use them the lesser the effectiveness and that is why people who take cocaine may continue to increase its dosage until it becomes futile and kills them in the process.”

o-do list is simply a list of things you want to do, it is not your shopping list nor grocery list, but a list of tasks you have set out to accomplish. Call it a great brain back up. Some may think keeping list is a waste of time while some others think it is a good thing to do but find it hard to follow through; so they quit trying. I used to think I was so smart and with a good memory. As such, I should be able to remember all I have to do. To an extent, I did reasonably well but I soon realised it wasn't the same anymore; motherhood was taking its toll on my memory. I get stressed sometimes and constantly under pressure to remember all I had to do. Whenever I write my tasks down, I am quite at peace because I know that with my Todo lists handy, I won't forget anything, and when I am done with one task, I can move right onto the next without re-organising the lists in my brain, what a relief ! When I needed to rest, 'what to do' was not one of the things I worry about because everything is written down. I also find that the lists are perfect for those things we often consider little stuff that easily fall off by the way side because we are too busy to do them. If done properly and with the right attitude, a To-do list can save you a lot of trouble, you may be wondering how, I will tell you. On a certain day, I had set out to do quite a number of things in a certain part of town. I was done and already a kilometre or so away from there, when I remembered I had left without following up on something which was one of the main reasons for going there in the first place. I felt bad. It became a dilemma for me; to turn back or make another time for that? I did turn back. But just a rough sketch of 'To-do' could have saved me the stress. Maybe yours has got a bit too cluttered, complicated and somewhat undoable, let me show you how to take it back and craft a To-do list that can actually help you get things done. 1.You can have your To-do in plain paper, pen is okay to use, but I prefer a pencil so I can erase without making the list look untidy. When I cross out an item using a pen, I tend

to forget and then I find myself trying to remember. An app is a great alternative and you can download one on your device for free. 2.Make your projects simple and actionable tasks, written in a way that will prompt you to do it and can be done in few minutes. Have in mind that the shorter your list is, the more doable it will look. So when you break down tasks, keep them simple, short and straight to the point. 3.Add details like phone numbers, addresses or links you might need for your tasks so you won’t need to open your phone book, address book or web page to get the details you need 4.Separate work, household, personal and other tasks. When they are mixed they look too cumbersome and complicated, but when separated they appear clear and concise. A lot of apps give you the ability to do this, and you can even colour code them. If you are using a paper, you may be tempted to use different sheets, but I would suggest you put them in tabular form, all in one sheet. 5.Number your tasks. This is not only to keep it organised, but also to prioritise your tasks. List your tasks according to their importance and urgency, the number one on your list should be your number one task to do. So you start working from top to the last. 6.Let your list be in the NOW, avoid far-off tasks. You can put the far-off tasks on a separate list and tag them in view, better still, put them in a calendar. 7.Do the list. Get the tasks on the list done. As your day progresses, you check completed items off, add new ones and make adjustments when necessary, so you have to be flexible. But if nothing is being checked off your lists, it means you are not getting them done. At the end of the day, one look at your list will show you in a minute all you have been able to accomplish, and helps you keep track of your activities. It helps you organise the next day, especially if there are tasks you need to move forward, and makes you feel good knowing you did your best. After all, the To-do list is not the focus, but your tasks getting done. Good luck! • Grace Essen is the founder and president Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

BUSINESS Tuesday, September 23, 2014

What's news Land Use Act revision vital to housing delivery Except necessary actions are taken to execute relevant amendments in the Land Use Act to ease the current difficulties in accessing land, the expectations that housing and urban sector would significantly contribute to the realisation of Nigeria’s Vision 20: 2020 goals, would continue to be a mirage, a draft roadmap for the sector obtained by New Telegraph has revealed.

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Ghana blames Nigeria as power crisis worsens Ghana has blamed Nigeria for the electricity supply crisis rocking the west African country.

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Power investors to repay N177bn loan in 2024 The Federal Government has created a 10-year window for new investors in the power sector to access and pay back N177 billion loans aimed to address the revenue shortfall in the power sector.

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ExxonMobil sees 25% rise in oil demand by 2040 ExxonMobil has declared that the global oil demand would increase by 25 per cent by 2040 as new supplies, particularly from North America, meet the needs of a booming and energy-hungry population.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) Simeon Ogoegbulem, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) Godson ikoro , Asst. Editor (Money Market) DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

KUNLE AZEEZ, Senior Correspondent Chuks Onuanyin, Energy Nnamdi Amadi, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Synagogue building collapse: Waiting game persists }p-33

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

Power supply crashes to 3,100 MW OPTIMISM Hope of improvement in generation rises, as oil workers end strike, which had earlier led to cut of gas supply to Egbin and Geregu

He, therefore, decried the current setback arising from the oil and gas workers’ action, which curtailed gas supply to power stations and reduced power generation. This has inevitably led to a drastic reduction in power supply across the country, he added. NUPENG and PENGASSAN had, last Tuesday, embarked on strike because of the cancel-

lation of the closed pension system for the workers by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The unions also claimed that the management of the NNPC had also refused to fund contributions to the scheme, which they said remained the workers’ legacy pension plan. The minister assured that efforts were on to ensure a speedy

and amicable resolution of the matter and appealed for the understanding of electricity consumers affected by the development. While appreciating the concerns and fears of the workers, Nebo appealed to members of NUPENG and PENGASSAN to take into consideration the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Adeola Yusuf

ower generation and supply in Nigeria has again fallen from the 4,000 Mega watt (MW) peak to 3,100 MW. Investigations by New Telegraph showed that the fall was caused by the cut in gas supply to biggest thermal plants in Egbin and Geregu as well as the plants in AES, Olorunsogo and Sapele by oil workers last week. Although the strike had been called off, checks by this newspaper showed that the cut in gas supply had effects on power generation from the two firms. Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, confirmed the set back in power generation at the weekend. The strike by members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN), he said, had led to drastic reduction in generation. Speaking on the effect of the workers’ action on gas supply to the power plants, Nebo said in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kande Daniel, that the actions taken by members of NUPENG and PENGASSAN in the course of their strike cut off gas supply to major power stations including Egbin, AES, Olorunsogo, Geregu and Sapele. The minister regretted the adverse effect of the strike on power supply at a time government had recorded substantial progress in solving the gas problem, which has raised generation in recent weeks to an average of 4,500, with a spinning reserve of about 300MW. According to him, reports from across the country had indicated noticeable improvement in the quantity and quality of power supply to homes and businesses.

CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor Abdulwahab Isa, Finance Editor

L-R, Commissioner, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Mike Onyia; Chief Operations Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Tolu Ojo; Head, High Value Sales, Airtel, Buchi Anaekwe; Director, Customer Service Delivery, Airtel, Ajay Bashki; Director, IT, Rajat Jain and Director, Supply Chain Management, Airtel, Raghvendra Gupta, during the presentation of the ‘Most Customer Friendly Network’ Award to Airtel Nigeria at the Nigerian Telecom Awards 2014 in Lagos.

Revenue generation: Govt issues directive to MDA’s LOW REVENUE Govt under pressure over dwindling oil revenue Wole Shadare

aced with dwindling revenue, the Federal Government has directed each of all its ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s) not to default in the remittance of

30 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Federation Account. A Presidency source told New Telegraph that government is cash-strapped, especially with the decrease in oil revenues, rising recurrent/capital expenditure and the declining value of the naira, which has lost 3.5 per cent against the dollar this year. According to the source, “government is seeking ways to drive revenue. This is why the Permanent Secretary, Ministry

of Aviation, Mr Yemi Oyelakin, visited the aviation industry last week on a two-day tour of the sector.” He said that Oyelakin went to cargo yard at the Lagos airport and met with heads of agencies in aviation with a view to reviewing all the sources of revenue to generate more money to government coffers. But experts told New Telegraph that no matter the drive of government to generate revCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE August 2014............................8.5% July 2014.................................8.3% May 2014.................................8.2%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parallel As at Sept 19)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . . 11.57% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N277 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N220 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $39.59bn as at 18/09/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Sept 19)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.75 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N255.60 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N201.26 Source: CBN

26 business | news INEFFECTIVE Land law has not achieved its objective of making land easily available for development Dayo Ayeyemi

xcept necessary actions are taken to execute relevant amendments in the Land Use Act to ease the current difficulties in accessing land, the expectations that housing and urban sector would significantly contribute to the realisation of Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 goals, would continue to be a mirage, a draft roadmap for the sector obtained by New Telegraph has revealed. The document, titled: “Final Draft Nigeria Land, Housing and Urban Development Roadmap,” which has expressed doubts about Nigeria’s ability to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies, identified difficulty in accessing land for development as one of the major impediments to housing delivery and urban development. Lack of access to land for mass housing delivery, the document said, had been due to several bottlenecks in the process of land acquisition calculation and payment of compensation as well as obtaining titles and building permit under the Land Use Act of 1978. The document stated: “By vesting all lands in the states in the governors and all federal lands in the Presidency, the Act has engendered cumbersome and costly procedures and associated delays, politicking and corruption in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy, consents to mortgage, assignments and leases.”

Land Use Act revision vital to housing delivery –Report According to the document, executing land transaction under the Act has been problematic in many respects, blaming it as one of the reasons Nigeria was ranked very low in the World Bank’s Doing Business Index (DBI) when compared with other developing countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. “Out of the ranking 183 countries undertaken, Nigeria currently occupies 133 position for doing business; 180 position for registering property and 84 position for construction permit,” it said. It pointed out that the restriction, in section 34 (8) of the Act, imposed on private developers to acquire a maximum of a half hectare of urban land of urban land does little to developing large housing estates. “Also, there is the problem of inadequacy of compensation paid for land acquired coupled with the undue delays in payment to those whose land has been compulsorily acquired,” it noted. According to the document by experts in the housing sector, it was widely held that the enactment of the Land Use Act in 1978 has not achieved its main objective of making land easily available for development. “It is therefore desirable that this Act be amended,” it said. Despite the operation of the Land Use Act, the report stated that about 70 per cent of the land in the country is still held on customary basis with developers required to deal with several local communities

Revenue generation: Govt issues directive to MDA’s C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

enues, the reckless expenditure by government would not make their goals achievable. “What is needed is to stop reckless expenditure. It should be curtailed. It would make no sense if you generate more money, boost revenue, but engage in reckless spending.” It would be recalled that Adelakun, after his tour of the Lagos airport last week, ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to seal off the Sky Catering Company Limited at Murtala Mohammed Airport over what he described as an unauthorised leasing of its facility to First Nation Airlines. Last Friday, the main gate into the catering company was locked and notice stating: ‘Sealed by FAAN,’ was written on it. The Sky Catering Company is a subsidiary of the defunct Nigeria Airways, which was not liquidated by government in 2003. Fifteen workers of the company, including the General Manager, were locked out from operating on the premises, as

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

the workers and other users of the facility were seen outside the premises discussing the issue in low tones. Meanwhile, First Nation Airlines, last Sunday, confirmed it had subsisting and valid lease with the Skypower Catering Ltd. located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airports (MMA), Lagos. This is contained in a press release by the airline’s Head, Public Affairs, Mr Luke Terver-Uzer The statement said that following the closure of the premises, the airline had made representation to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN to resolve the issue. “We are confident that the Federal Ministry of Aviation has good intention and will not pursue policies that is detrimental to growth and development of the industry,’’ it said. The statement said that the airline would continue to work with the ministry and FAAN in good faith, adding that this was to ensure the maintenance of the support services provided at the premises, which was vital to the airline.

“omooniles” to acquired land for housing and urban development processes. However, the document recalled that there have been several efforts at reforming the sec-

tor, which is yielding positive results but argued that more still need to be done. On the positive side, it noted that the number of procedures for obtaining construction per-

mits has been reduced from 19 to 15, adding that the time also decreased from 302 days to 85 days, while the cost of transaction has reduced from $ 1,450 to $505.

L–R: Managing Director/CEO, Greenwhich Securities Limited, Mr Kayode Falowo; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema; Managing Director/CEO, Partnership Investment Company Plc, Mr Victor Ogiemwonyi and President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Mr Emeka Madubuike, during a seminar by the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON)/Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN), in Lagos.

BLACKOUT Ghana's electricity company says load shedding time table is no longer reliable Adeola Yusuf

hana has blamed Nigeria for the electricity supply crisis rocking the west African country. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was quoted by a local newspaper - Adom News, as saying that it had been forced to do away with the recent timetable following reports that Nigeria has halted the supply of gas to the country. Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude exporter, supplies gas to Ghana, Togo and Republic of Benin through the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WGPCo). The country experienced disruption in oil and gas sup-

Ghana blames Nigeria as power crisis worsens ply as a result of the industrial action by the workers in the service of the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation (NNPC). Although the strike was called off last Friday, its effects are still being felt by all consumers of Nigeria's gas, including some thermal power plants in the country. Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana power distribution company told Adom News that his outfit had already called Ghanaians to disregard the ‘old’ load shedding timetable it issued in recent months to regulate the current power crisis in the country. He said: “The timetable is no longer reliable because as at the time we were drawing it, we factored the previous power deficit and not the recent news from Nigeria."

Power authorities in the West African gas supply country cite recent labour unrest in Nigeria as reason for the cut in gas supply to Ghana. The decision means that Ghana’s Asogli power plant, which supplies the nation with an additional 180 megawatts of power and other power generation companies that depend on gas from the West African gas pipeline will have to be shutdown. The ECG has thus called on Ghanaians to brace themselves for an intensification of the recent power outages, a call which has made Ghanaians to be expectant of more power rationing. Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has given a deadline of Tuesday (today) for the ECG to release a new timetable.

Power supply crashes to 3, 100 MW C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

enormous damaging socio-economic effect of their action on the nation and return to work. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Electricity Sector, has asked the Federal Government to pay the three months pension arrears owed his members. The union’s president,

Chief Temple Ubani and its secretary, Olukayode Ogunbiyi, in a communiqué, expressed disgust over the delay in the payment of pension arrears of its members nationwide. According to them, the union's NEC has empowered its national leadership to take all necessary steps towards the payment of the three months

arrears and to work for timely payment of subsequent pensions. The ex-workers of the electricity sector are being owed June to August 2014 pension arrears by the Federal Government. The union enjoined its members to fast and pray on the day of the protest with a view to ensuring its success.

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Power installation

BRAG The Federal Government has said that it would surpass the 5,000 MW target in 2015 Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has created a 10-year window for new investors in the power sector to access and pay back N177 billion loans aimed to address the revenue shortfall in the power sector. The intervention fund is part of the N213 billion facilities which government announced for the sector at the weekend. Investigation by New Telegraph showed that N36 billion out of the amount would be used for legacy gas fund, while the remaining N177 billion is to be kept in an account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and to be accessed as loan by the power generation and distribution companies. Nigeria, a country of 170 million population, produces between 3,500 MW and 4,000 MW for its teeming population. The country, which is still battling with inefficient power generations, aims to become one of the 20 biggest economies in the world by 2020. “The intervention funds will be provided by the CBN in collaboration with deposit money banks and it will be managed by a dedicated fund manager. Beneficiary companies will repay loans obtained from the fund with a first-line charge on their revenues over a 10-year period,” the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, said in a statement on the website of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This came as government said that it would surpass the 5,000 Mega Watt (MW), which it promised Nigerians by 2015.

Power investors to repay N177bn loan in 2024 –FG “We envisage stabilising output of power at 5000MW and indeed surpassing this shortterm target early in 2015,” Mrs Alison-Maueke said. The inter-agency initiative of the Federal Government had earlier announced a N213 billion facility to help offset the legacy gas debts and address the revenue shortfall in the power sector. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, according to the NNPC, made the announcement

FIRE TCN blames action on fire outbreak at the Apo transmission substation

he Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, International Airport and Karu power business units which supply electricity to Aso Rock, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and the Apo Legislative Quarters, have been isolated from national grid supply. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which stated this at the weekend, disclosed that the development was caused by “the loss of a 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformer and the associated 33kV switchgears at the TCN substation, Apo, as a result of a fire incident, caused by direct lightening strike, on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.” This facility evacuates 46 MW power supply from the Apo

at a joint press conference held by the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi. Mrs Alison-Madueke disclosed that the facility was tailored to address the three key challenges facing the power sector. She listed the three key is-

sues plaguing the power sector identified by the inter-agency committee to include inadequate gas supply for power generation; misalignment between electricity tariff and the true cost of running electricity business; and the inability of power generation companies to reliably produce the electricity that is possible with reduced volumes of gas. “With most of the operators having just acquired PHCN suc-

cessor generation companies, they could hardly afford the reduced income due to the shortfall in revenues for reasons that I have just set out. “The newly-privatised companies have borne the brunt of these issues and consequent shortfalls in revenue since handover last November. This is hampering the much needed investment in the sector and has slowed down efforts to improve electricity supply.

Aso Rock, others suffer electricity supply isolation  Engineers strive to restore transmission sub-station. Already, some parts of Abuja metropolis, including Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, Karu, Kaffi and environs are, according to the TCN, experiencing power rationing. Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs), TCN, Mr Dave Ifabiyi, said that the fire started after an explosive sound from the 132/33kV switchyard at about 2.40pm. “It was then noticed that the relay room and cable trenches within the control room were engulfed in smoke,” he said in a statement. Ifabiyi also said that prior to the fire incident, the maximum distribution load required by the distribution business units

that take supply from the Apo sub-station was 46MW. Therefore, even with the reduced transmission capability of 190MW, their load demand will still be met. The engineers, according to him, quickly “disconnected the substation from the transmission grid to forestall further damage to other equipment while the fire was successfully extinguished by the fire service.” Ifabiyi added: “The TCN’s quick response engineering team have since been working assiduously, to isolate the affected 60MVA, 330/123kV power transformer and replace cables of the 2x45MVA power

transformers in the substation, so that service can be restored through the 2x45MVA and 1x100MVA power transformers not affected by the fire. “TCN further noted that as soon as isolation work is completed and the cables replaced, normal transmission of electricity to distribution load centers in Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, International airport as well as Karu business units would commence. “TCN regrets any inconvenience the incident has caused electricity customers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and thank the Abuja fire service for its prompt response to putting out the fire.

28 business | ENERGY TARGET Total is working on several assets’ disposal to meet a $10bn 2015 cash flow generation target Adeola Yusuf

rance's Total SA has advanced in its plans to put one of its offshore oil fields, located in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 138 in Nigeria, up for sale. The country is expecting the sale to be completed by first quarter of 2015, New Telegraph gathered at the weekend. "We have selected an advisor to pursue the sale process of Usan," a spokeswoman for Total said. Reuters had earlier reported that this new sale offer came after a 2012 deal with Sinopec Corp failed. The company, which is Europe's second largest oil company, has, according to Reuters, already hired BNP Paribas to find buyers for its Usan deepwater oil field, which could be worth about $2.5 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the OML 138 concession holder. Other partners include Chevron, ExxonMobil and Nexen, which are owned by Chinese state company, CNOOC Ltd. Total is working on several asset disposals to meet a $10 billion 2015 cash flow generation target. The French group is seeking to raise about $2.5 billion through the sale of its Super

Total sets 2015 target to close $2.5bn Usan oil field sale Glu maker, Bostik, Reuters reported. BNP Paribas declined to comment. Usan is not expected to be an easy sale for Total because deepwater exploration requires significant investment and the new owner's returns could be limited if Nigeria raises taxes on foreign investor profits as part of a long expected sector reform called the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Before deciding to sell the asset, which is about 100 km off the coast, Total was planning to drill several horizontal deepwater wells and build a deep offshore drilling rig. "Anything in Nigeria is a tough sell," said a London-based sector banker. "And anything with capex is even tougher these days. A very few players would be willing to acquire assets that have big investment commitments attached." Total said in November 2012 that it had sold its 20 per cent interest in the field to China's Sinopec for about $2.5 billion in cash. It is not known why the sale failed. A deal for the Usan field may have to involve a local company because Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, is renewing efforts to recoup the benefits from its oil and gas sector. But a few Nigerian players would have the money and ability to complete the necessary drilling and building works,

FG advocates sectorial local content enforcement Mike Odiegwu Yenagoa

he Federal Government has appealed to all sectors in Nigeria to enforce the local content policies to ensure rapid socio-economic development in the country. Executive Secretary, the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Ernest Nwapa, made this call in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the inauguration of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF). He appealed to participants who were drawn from all the sectors of the economy to set agenda for the implementation of the nation's local content policy. Nwapa said that the objective of establishing the NCCF was to provide a platform for information sharing on upcoming projects and local capabilities. He noted that the forum was to serve as think-tank for the articulation of implementation models for the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry. He quoted Section 57 of the Local Content Act as providing for the establishment of NCCF. Nwapa said that membership of the board was to be drawn from key industry stakehold-

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

ers in fabrication, engineering, shipping, logistics and banking. Others are insurance, legal, materials and manufacturing, information and communication technology, petroleum technology association and education. Nwanpa added that membership of the forum drawn from experts in various fields, they would find solutions to critical issues affecting the implementation of local content policy. He urged members of the forum to make demands on government on things they believed would make their jobs easier and assured them that the Federal Government would listen to messages that are ''well thought-out.'' The NCDMB boss also expressed the readiness of the NCDMB to work with the members of the forum to move the implementation of the Content Act to the point their businesses would begin to flourish. In his statement, an NCCF Director, Mr. Patrick Oba, lauded the NCDMB for its tireless efforts to see to the success of Nigerian content development. He expressed the hope that the NCCF would work zealously to foster institutional collaboration, and serve as a springboard to bridging the oil and gas industry with other sectors of the economy.

several sector bankers said. This means that Total's hopes may lie again in the hands of Asian buyers such as China's CNOOC, which already has an interest in the USAN field, or India's ONGC and Indian Oil. International oil and gas majors are not expected to show interest because most of them are under pressure from shareholders to cut capital expenditure and improve dividends. Most are seeking to leave Nigeria instead. Earlier this year, ConocoPhillips sold its Nigerian operations to Nigerian oil company, Oando,

for $1.5 billion. Chevron is also in the process of selling assets in Nigeria and Shell recently sold off four oil fields in the West African country. Taleveras and Transcorp are among the best placed Nigerian potential buyers because they have the strongest financial firepower, said one of the sources. A sector banker said statebacked Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could also be interested though it already has a number of commitments with foreign investors. Oando is divesting the

ConocoPhillips deal and Seplat is focused on Chevron's assets. "(Total) needs a couple of local players with deep pockets. The international banks aren't showing as much interest as they were, and the local banks no longer have capacity to raise that kind of debt," said a local industry source. Commodity traders and miners such as Glencore or Mercuria could also be interested, in theory, as they have been actively hunting for oil and gas assets to diversify from volatile mining operations, said several sector bankers.

Oil rig

Why we summoned Agip MD, others, by NCDMB UNAWARE The NCDMB has claimed that it never received any complaints on the dispute between Arco and its foreign JV partners Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has explained why it summoned the Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Massimo Insulla, over alleged breach of the local content law. The board, which said this in a statement, was reacting to a story published by Premium Times. The online newspaper had earlier reported how Agip and its JV partner, General Electric International Operations Nigeria (GEION) sidelined Arco Petrochemical Engineering Company, an indigenous oil and gas firm, in the maintenance service contract of Obob,

Kwale and Eboche Gas plants in the Niger Delta region. The NCDMB, however, claimed it never received any complaints on the dispute between the indigenous firm and its foreign JV partners. In a recorded telephone conversation, Ezeobi said that his board had not received any complaint from Arco. “If Arco has a case like the one you are talking about, it should have written to us and we could have been in a position to check whether there is an infringement of the Nigerian law,” he said. The aggrieved indigenous oil firm wrote to the NCDMB on May 9, 2013 and on June 3, complaining of attempts to sideline it by Agip and GEION in the stop-gap maintenance deal. A third letter was sent on September 10, over a year after the first two letters were forwarded to the leadership of the board. Apparently realising that the board goofed by feigning ignorance of the three letters, Ezeobi issued a statement to indicate that NAOC and other parties in the dispute have been invited to a meeting.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has invited the Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr Massimo Insulla, to a meeting in relation to the on-going business dispute between it and Arco Petroleum Engineering Company Limited over the maintenance of Obob/ Ebocha/Kwale Gas plants. “The invitation followed NCDMB’s receipt of a formal letter of complaint to it by Arco Petroleum on the matter dated September 10, 2014, wherein the company alleged, among other things, that NAOC and General Electric “are ganging up to forcibly remove an established indigenous contractor like Arco that can prove its mettle in the maintenance of such hi-tech equipment exclusively for six months. “Commenting on the intervention of the board, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Ernest Nwapa, explained that the board would continue to ensure that the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act are adhered to in relation to any contract or operation in the oil and gas industry.”

BUSINESS | ENERGY 29

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Workers in the service of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) called off their three-day industrial action last Friday. ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf, revisited the issues that led to the strike and the effects it had on the nation's economy and that of Ghana.

n Wednesday, September 17, 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an immediate resolution of the strike embarked upon by oil workers. Before then, the industrial action had snowballed into a total grounding of activities of the NNPC at crude exports terminal, shutting down of four refineries, halting of fuel loading and had created a glut in the economy of Ghana and other foreign buyers of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon. Worker's grouse The oil workers in NNPC had embarked on the strike last Tuesday over the corporation’s non-compliance with the Pension Reform Act 2014. New Telegraph had reported that Jonathan expressed dissatisfaction with the way the issues were being handled and the ‘big hole’ the strike had created in the nation’s purse. “Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, got the presidents order to ensure the immediate resolution of this crisis and she had called for a meeting between the management of the NNPC and the labour unions. The NNPC and the PENGASSAN were bickering over who was responsible for the industrial actions. While the corporation said in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr Ohi Alegbe, that PENCOM has granted the NNPC a 12-month grace to start the implementation of the reform Act, PENGASSAN said through its Media and Information Officer, Babatunde Oke, that the on-going strike had gone beyond granting of a one year grace to NNPC by PENCOM. The strike "embarked upon by the workers in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries," he said, "has gone beyond granting of a one year grace to the NNPC by PENCOM. He said that the NNPC management should put in place machinery that will automatically fund the pension system without any bureaucratic bottleneck for the workers to suspend the strike. Oke also stated that contrary to the report that NNPC has resolved the pension issue and other demands of its workers, there is total shutdown at all NNPC offices and locations all over the country. He said: “The strike still continues until there is concrete commitment from the NNPC management to find a lasting solution to the issues. “As at now, the management of the NNPC has not called for another meeting to resolve the issue.” According to Oke, the strike has affected all the subsidiaries of NNPC, including the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), NETCO, Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), Hyson, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). “The demands of the workers are ad-

NNPC GMD, Dr. Joseph Dahwa

NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar

NNPC oil workers' strike: The morning after equate and regular funding of the closed pension system, immediate steps to carry out turn around maintenance (TAM) on the four refineries as agreed between government and the two unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, and restoration of crude supply to the refineries,” he said. He noted that the funding has been delayed due to the inability of the board of NNPC to meet for over a year to approve the proposal of the management for the funding of the pension system. On the issue of TAM of the refineries, the PENGASSAN spokesperson said “The Federal Government should implement without delay the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the government and the unions to carry out the TAM on the refineries” “We are worried because the government promised to commence the TAM in April, but this is September, and we have not seen any commitment from the government on this”, he said “This could affect export of the crude, as workers at the export terminals also joined the strike, while importation and distribution of petroleum products may also be affected as the NNPC accounts for 60 per cent of petroleum importation into the country.” Effects on economy The NNPC, which is responsible for 57 per cent of the total crude exports and 20 per cent of the 40 million litres of fuel, consumed daily in Nigeria, lost a total of N17.8885 billion in day one of the strike. While a total of N1.9 billion is lost on loading of 20 million litres, being the NNPC’s 50 per cent of the 40 million litres daily consumption in Nigeria, a total of about N15. 9885 billion ($106.59 million) is lost on 1. 0659million barrels, being the 57 per cent of the NNPC’s share of the 1.87 million crude exports.

As the strike action entered day two, the total loss to the crisis hit N35.8 billion. This damage did not include the loss to effects of the strike on the four refineries in the country. Activities at the four refineries, with 445, 000 barrels total refining capacities, in Nigeria have been grounded into a total halt as meeting between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and striking oil workers was deadlocked on the first day. The four refineries - two in Port Harcourt, one each in Kaduna and Warri - were grounded by workers on the services of the NNPC, who are protesting the corporation's non-compliance with the Pension Reform Act. Effects on Ghana's economy Meanwhile, a senior official at WAPCO in Ghana said that gas supplies through the pipeline, which serves, Togo, Benin and Ghana, have been cut due to a strike in Nigeria. Ghana’s economy was hurt in 2013 by an energy deficit. Meanwhile, Chairman NUPENG, Lagos zone, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told New Telegraph that the strike had this effects because the oil workers withdrew services from the refineries. He said as the strike entered day3: “Why should a corporation such as

Meanwhile, the NNPC and the PENGASSAN were bickering over who was responsible for the industrial actions

NNPC wait till the time of strike to address a sensitive issue such as the pension of its workers? "The demands are clear and as it stands, the refineries, the fuel loadings and other activities remain grounded." Exports intact -Shell Meanwhile, Shell said last Thursday that the strike by Nigeria's oil unions was not having any immediate impact on its crude oil exports in Nigeria despite that the industrial action has moved into the third day. Reuters, which reported this, said that spokesmen for Shell and Nigeria LNG also said that the strike has yet to have any impact as "the Qua Iboe BFO-QUA grade of crude oil for November export came to market on Thursday, on schedule." But the unions, which said that they have withdrawn their members from crude exports platforms of the NNPC, however, said that the strike could affect total exports if no agreement is reached with government. NNPC controls 57 per cent of total crude exports from Nigeria and 50 per cent of the 40 million litres daily fuel consumption. Spokesman for NLNG, the gas exporter, which is run jointly by Shell and government, said he did not foresee any impact from the strike, which began last Tuesday. The employees on strike work for the state-owned oil firm, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), not the international oil majors, which operate the oil blocks and export terminals. Conclusion The NNPC and oil workers must close ranks to evade reoccurrence of the industrial action. Doing this will be in the best interest of the nation.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

SYNERGY MASSOP president and other stakeholders have pledge support for the clean-up exercise

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has said that its implementation of the $1 billion Ogoni land clean-up, which was recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was late to enthrone due process in its execution. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, who said this in a statement on the website of the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation (NNPC), maintained that government would still set up an independent body as recommended in the report to deploy and disburse funds meant for the restoration exercise. President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legnorsi Saro Pyagbara, however, said that it was necessary for government to match its words with tangible action on the exercise. Pyagbara said: “I must say with all sense of responsibility that this meeting today will need to consolidate on the gains of August 8, 2014, where MOSOP had the honour of facilitating the consultative meeting in which the young, the old, the lame, the dumb and all strata of Ogoni people participated and came out with a very strong five points resolution. "Ours is the feeling that it is the starting point for us to create a new focus and chart a new direction in the implementation of UNEP report. The resolutions of that meeting are to find a strategic way forward. “From MOSOP and from Ogoni, we believe strongly in

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ogoni: FG admits late execution of $1bn UNEP report partnership, we believe strongly in collaboration, we believe strongly that by coming together we can chart a new course for the protection of Ogoni environment. I can assure on behalf of MOSOP and Ogoni people that we are very ready to collaborate, to partner and to sustain every genuine effort to drive the process of the implementation of the UNEP report. “For the Ogoni people, we are not prepared for any half measure in implementing this report. For the Ogoni people, we feel that all that is needed should be put in place for the full implementation of that re-

port. I think this is where the Ogoni people stand and as I said, MOSOP is very prepared, Ogoni people is very prepared to follow you as long as the process is genuine, the method is transparent and so long as there is effective consultation that respects the equality of every stakeholder in this process.” Alison-Madueke was quoted in the NNPC’s statement to have said that government was now ready to fully execute the clean-up of Ogoniland as recommended in the environmental assessment report submitted to it by UNEP. Government in its renewed

commitment to the environmental restoration effort will review extant frameworks set up to undertake the process. Mrs Alison-Madueke said at a stakeholders’ forum on the restoration efforts, that the structural review was necessary for government to guarantee appropriate and accountable restoration programme. She also admitted that the implementation effort might have started late but that it was in an effort to enthrone the due process in its execution. The minister explained that parts of the structural adjustments in the implementation ef-

A worker at an illegal refinery

ExxonMobil sees 25% rise in oil demand by 2040 POPULATION GROWTH The world's population will hit 9 billion in 2040

xxonMobil has declared that the global oil demand would increase by 25 per cent by 2040 as new supplies, particularly from North America, meet the needs of a booming and energy-hungry population. The US super major, which said this in its annual energy forecast, maintained that energy demands would be about 35 per cent higher in 2040 compared with 2010, but will be tempered by increasing efficiencies in energy use, ExxonMobil said in the outlook. Without gains in energy efficiencies, "demand could have risen by more than 100 per cent," the company said. The world's population will hit nine billion in 2040, up from

seven billion today, as the global economy doubles in size, driven by higher living standards in the developing world. Oil and gas will continue to meet about 60 per cent of the world's energy needs in 2040, according to ExxonMobil, and liquid fuels will continue to be the "energy of choice" for most types of transportation due to their affordability and utility. By 2040, about 65 per cent of the world’s recoverable crude and condensate resource will have yet to be produced, the company said. Over that time, according to the report, North America will become one of the world's leading producers of liquids and is projected to grow its output by 40 per cent in the coming decades, as it shifts from a major importer to "a fairly balanced position by 2030." US oil production hit a 25year peak in November at about eight million barrels per day on the back of booming unconventional output, according to the

US Energy Information Administration. Production from tight formations, deep-water and oil sands will keep the continent humming through 2040 and beyond, ExxonMobil said. Production from the oil sands of Canada is expected to grow by over 200 per cent through 2040, while tight-oil and natural-gas-liquids output in North America will jump by nearly 35 per cent. The story is similar worldwide, and tight-oil will lead the way, ExxonMobil said. Global production from tight formations is expected to increase by 1,000 per cent from 2010 to 2040 and will account for five per cent of global liquids output. Russia will likely join the US as one of the top producers of tight oil. Latin America, according to the report, would almost double its oil production as new sources in Venezuela and Brazil come online. The Middle East, driven by conventional oil in Iraq, also stands to add about 35 per cent

to its liquids production, representing the largest absolute growth in liquids production through 2040. Africa could see an uptick of about 10 per cent as deep-water fields off Angola and Nigeria start to pump oil. Deep-water supplies worldwide are expected to grow by over 150 per cent, ExxonMobil said. NGLs will contribute the most to liquids output, with production of fuels like ethane, propane and butane expected to grow by 80 per cent. Even as massive volumes of liquids are produced, natural gas will be the fastest growing major fuel source through 2040, ExxonMobil said. Gas will account for over 25 per cent of all global energy needs by 2040 and is expected to overtake coal as the largest source of electricity. Energy used for power generation will continue to be the largest component of global demand, ExxonMobil said, with growth expected at over 50 per cent by 2040.

forts will include the setting up of an independent body as recommended in the report to deploy and disburse funds meant for the restoration exercise. The UNEP assessment report, which was undertaken at the instance of the Federal Government had recommended, among others, the contribution of $1 billion by government and oil industry as cost of the cleanup, which will be managed by an independent authority with a fixed initial lifespan of 10 years. Alison-Madueke, however, said: “Let me make it clear at this point that HYPREP (Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project) is not the body that will handle funds or deployment of those said funds regarding the Ogoni restoration efforts in tandem with UNEP. “It is my expectation that one of the outcomes of our discourse here today is, in fact, the appropriate structure or entity that should be put in place for the deployment and disbursement of the funds for Ogoni restoration. “Upon consultations with the people of Ogoni land, it has become clear that the community and relevant stakeholders have not been properly consulted or incorporated into the implementation processes of the UNEP report. “Accordingly, government has been deliberately cautious by solely and carefully reviewing the HYPREP structure to determine the best way to rejuvenate the programme to fully restore Ogoni land as it is envisioned in the report,” she added. On the renewed commitment of government to the project, the minister said: “As you can see, we brought all scope of stakeholders in the Ogoni restoration efforts here, including UNEP, who actually put forward the guidelines and what we intend is that out of this will come the answer to some of the questions. “I do not feel that it is proper that those funds will be disbursed through an agency of government, that is through a ministry, as you know, we have appropriated budget every year and we handle our projects through appropriations from the National Assembly and so a fund that is coming in from multinational organisations, even though, NNPC will also participate in putting money into that fund, should be deployed and disbursed through an independent body that is not actually a Federal Government body. I think that in the discussions today, along with UNEP, the answers to this will be known.” She further said: “We started off very well, even though we had knotty issues with HYPREP, which we are trying to unravel as we speak because due process is due process in the Federal Government and it must be followed to the letter of the law.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

REASON The Fund has resorted to paying the allowances of its overseas scholars in naira

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the payment of allowances of its overseas scholars in naira denominated VISA debit cards, as a part of efforts to end the payment in dollars. The Fund said this in a statement by the Head, Press and External Relations, Mr Kalu Otis. It added that it is consulting with the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a special dispensation that will ensure quick and predictable payment of scholar’s tuitions to the universities of

PTDF mulls end of dollar payments to overseas scholars study and eliminate delays associated with the rigorous system presently in place, which often results in the rejection by some universities of PTDF scholars. There are over 600 Nigerian youths currently undergoing different study programmes in oil and gas related disciplines at undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels in various universities abroad under PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme. Otis, in his statement, stated: "Apart from paying the tuition fees of its scholars directly to the universities of study, the Fund also pays allowances covering living, accommodation, utility, books, laptop and other incidentals directly to the scholars.

"The Fund resorted to paying the allowances of its overseas scholars in naira due to the difficulties in accessing scarce foreign exchange and the high cost and delays associated with processing and remittance in foreign currency. "A test run of the new payment system was successfully implemented with the distribution of Naira VISA cards to 150 on-going scholars in UK universities while arrangements are on to extend the new payment system to the rest of the scholars. "New scholars of the Fund who will be commencing their studies in the 2014/2015 academic year are being issued the Naira VISA cards at the point of departure to their universities of study.”

Besides, the statement said: “The Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Mr Femi Ajayi, had visited some PTDF scholars in the United Kingdom where he intimated them on the new payment system instituted as part of measures to address some of the challenges confronting their academic and welfare issues. “You may be aware of the difficulties and continuing challenges in accessing foreign exchange due to its scarcity and high cost of processing. “The Fund, in its continued effort to find better ways of addressing the hardship faced by scholars as a result of delayed remittance of allowances, decided to make payments of all allowances in naira, which

before now has been in foreign exchange. It has become absolutely necessary to implement this policy shift to ensure swift payment of all allowances as at when due, because of the high cost of foreign exchange and even the time it takes to do the conversion.” Ajayi, according to the statement, therefore urged the scholars to complete the account opening forms presented to them and activate the card account by changing the sealed PIN accompanying the Naira Visa Card. “The card would enable you to spend the British Pound equivalent of your allowances as measures have been put in place to ensure you are not underpaid or shortchanged in anyway,” he said.

Kwankwaso, Amadi to address WorldStage power forum

ajor stakeholders, including the Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi; Managing Director/ CEO of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Mack Kast and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have confirmed participation in the 4th WorldStage National Electricity Power Conference 2014. Organisers of the conference said this in a statement, explaining that the event is to address the challenges facing the Nigeria’s liberalised electricity power sector. "The conference has been shifted to October from the September date earlier scheduled to accommodate more requests for participation by stakeholders," the statement said. While Dr. Sam Amadi is expected to deliver a paper on ‘Commitment of NERC Towards Regulation and Effective Consumer’s Right on Electricity Supply Chain’ at a forum to be chaired by the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCL), Alhaji Aderemi Ismaila Bello, the TCN boss will discuss ‘TCN: Meeting the electricity transmission capacity for Nigeria post-privatisation.’ Moreover, the Kano State Governor, Musa Kwankwaso, whose state has achieved commendable progress in power generation through Independent Power projects (IPP), will share his dream and experience with the highly networking forum. President/CEO, World Stage Limited, organisers of the conference, Mr Segun Adeleye, said that with about 30 million households in Nigeria still without access to electricity at the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s liberalised electricity power sector, it is crucial for stakeholders to meet at WNEPC 2014 to address the challenges facing the power sector. He said: “The challenges that

surfaced with the new dispensation are numerous but not unsurmountable.” Adeleye listed the challenges to include; the rising activities of vandals who burst gas pipelines and other power transmission equipment; high level of power theft and by–passing metering; gas supply limitation; revenue collection; transmission wheeling capacity; funding model for transmission; expected declaration of Transition Electricity Market and lack of accurate data on power demand of the entire country. Other challenges are non-alignment of the entire value chain of power generation, transmission and distribution; security of investment; right pricing and efficient usage of available electricity; paucity of funding transmission and aging132KV lines.

AGENDA The company plans to have the LNG project up and running by next year

string of missteps at a $10 billion Angolan liquefied natural gas venture has hurt Chevron Corporation's reputation as a top-notch operator of profitable energy projects around the world. Chief Executive Officer, John Watson, vowed that Chevron would learn from the stumbles, which include multiple electrical fires, pipeline leaks, and even a worker's death after a rig collapsed last summer. The company plans to have the LNG project up and running by next year. "Ultimately, we're accountable for it," Watson said in an interview with Reuters. "There have been some lessons learnt on that (Angolan) project. But I don't point fingers. This is our responsibility."

Gas plant

$10bn Angola LNG: Chevron vows to use 'lessons learnt' The frank comments, unusual for a major corporate leader, came as Wall Street pressures major energy companies to maintain or boost production to keep profits flowing - a goal made increasingly harder by the rising costs of finding remote oil and natural gas reserves. The Angolan trouble led Chevron to create an internal project management system to better track contractors and subcontractors on major projects, Watson said. Chevron is the largest stakeholder in the Angolan project, with partners that include Total SA, BP Plc, ENI SpA and Angola's Sonangol. "We've learned from the experiences at Angola LNG and other projects, working to make sure those same issues, or issues like them, don't happen on the next generation of

projects," he said. Watson's comments on the Angola project should help assuage concern the delay could cause the company to miss its 2014 production goals, roughly 2.61 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. "We're still on track to reach that," Watson said. The Angolan mishaps will help Chevron as it moves forward on engineering and design for its Kitimat LNG project in British Columbia, Watson said, an indication Chevron is unlikely to pull the plug even after Apache Corp quit. Chevron is also nearing completion on two massive LNG projects off the Australian coast to supply Asian markets. Even as Chevron works on LNG projects, the rise of the North American shale industry has boosted global supplies of natural gas. Chevron is a major

natural gas producer in Pennsylvania's Marcellus region. Yet the company is struggling to lock-in sales contracts for its Gorgon LNG plant in Australia, the world's most-expensive LNG operation. In Australia, seven LNG projects should be online by 2017, which, taken with the North American shale renaissance, have raised concerns about global oversupply. Brushing aside any worry, Watson referenced Japan, which is fazing out nuclear power, and China, with a rapidly rising middle class, as major customers. Chevron has said global LNG demand will double from 2012 to 2025. "We think the demand will be strong for LNG for many years to come," Watson added. "Many countries that don't have these resources will continue to be major sources of demand."

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY SWITCH OVER IBEDC customers plan to switch-over to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) Adeola Yusuf

lectricity consumers at Olorunsogo and Ola-Oluwa communities, Ogijo, Ogun State have decried the total neglect of the area by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The community under the auspices of the Independent Community Development Association, said this in a letter written to IBEDC. Brand and Communications Manager, IBEDC, Mrs Angela told New Telegraph in a phone chat at the weekend that her company is proactive on issues relating to its customers. She promised to get back to

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Community writes IBEDC over two-year power blackout our correspondent on what is being done on the Independent Community Development Association's issue. The community, however, said that it may be forced to negotiate a switch-over of power supply to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) whose supply terminates at just three poles away from the area. The letter entitled: "Re: Darkness in the community," read: "As a sequel to the series of letters written on the above subject matter for the past two years and without any response from the defunct PHCN and even after your taking over of distribution of electricity, we the residents under the aegis of Independent Landlords As-

sociation, under the auspices of Lagunsen Imolede Community Development Association (CDA), hereby decry the total neglect of our area in terms of electricity. "Apart from the generally poor power supply in Ogijo environs, supply to our area had been non-existent in the last two years due to the absence of a functional transformer. "The transformer serving the area before got burnt beyond repair after over two million naira (N2 million) had been spent on its repair at various times. "The 300kva transformer, which finally packed up two years ago was donated by the defunct administration of

Otunba Gbenga Daniel in 2009. It served over 260 houses including six welders and two filling stations spread across eight landlord associations under Lagunsen Imolede CDA. Since 2009, the transformer had been repaired three times. "It is pertinent to note that the final breakdown of the transformer was due to the negligence of PHCN, which should have supplied a relief transformer as we later learnt that the number of houses on a transformer should not exceed 150. "Since the transformer finally packed up, the community has been making frantic efforts to get a replacement without success.

"Today, the entire community is left at the mercy of hoodlums, area boys and night marauders who attack houses under the cover of perpetual darkness. Petty businesses have closed down while tenants in the area have been parking out to areas with electricity. "If all entreaties fail, we may be forced to negotiate a switchover of our supply to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) whose supply terminates at just three poles away from our area. "Our plight requires your urgent and timely intervention to prevent the planned protest by residents of the area to Sagamu and Ibadan with its attendant consequences."

Oil firms eye crude price drop

Electricity sub-station

JOB CUT BP plans to cut around 275 staff and contractor jobs in its Alaska operations early next year Adeola Yusuf

taly's Eni reported at the weekend that it had made a new oil discovery at the Ochigufu exploration prospect, located in deep water off Angola. Ochigufu is the 10th commercial oil discovery in the country's Block 15/06 and is estimated to contain 300 million barrels in place. This came as British Petroleum (BP) said that it would cut around 275 staff and contractor jobs in its Alaska operations in early 2015 following the sale of its interests in four oil fields in the North Slope area. Eni also reported that the Ochigufu 1 NFW well, which led to the discovery, will be

Eni finds 300m barrels offshore Angola brought into production "in record time". The well, located approximately 90 miles off the coast of Angola, was drilled by the Ocean Rig Poseidon (DW semisub) unit in a water depth of 4,380 feet and reached a total depth of 14,666 feet. Ochigufu 1 NFW was directionally drilled in order to reach its targets in optimal position. It proved a net oil pay of 154 feet, with 34-degree API gravity, contained in the Lower Miocene and Oligocene sandstones with "very good" petrophysical properties. The data acquired in Ochigufu 1 well indicates a production capacity equal to more than 5,000 barrels of oil per day, Eni said. Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi commented in a company statement: "This important discovery, which will be brought into

production in record time, adds even more value to Block 15/06. "Like the recent discoveries in Congo and Gabon, this new find exemplifies the results we can achieve by applying leading edge technologies to exploration, and substantiates the decision to refocus Eni on key oil and gas competences." Eni added that studies are underway to evaluate an early tie-in of the field to the Ngoma floating production, storage and offloading unit, which is already on location at the West Hub project and is designed to handle 100,000 barrels of oil per day. Eni is the operator of Block 15/06, with a 35-per cent stake. Other partners include Sonangol P&P (30 per cent), SSI Fifteen Limited (25 per cent), Falcon Oil Holding Angola (5 per cent) and Statoil Angola Block 15/06 (5 per cent)

13 per cent slide in crude oil prices since June has eroded some of the allure of drilling US shale resources and raised investor concerns, but companies are pushing ahead as prices are still above the breakeven levels that might prompt a slowdown. US light sweet crude traded in New York has dropped to around $93 per barrel from $107 in late June, as supplies pumped from oily rocks in Texas and North Dakota grow and a strong US dollar makes imports more attractive. Shares of Bakken operator Continental Resources Inc, at the weekend, stumbled as much as eight per cent after the company raised its capital budget for this year by $500 million to $4.55 billion and said some well completion techniques would be costlier. The company also replaced a key executive. But oil's price drop has not been enough to faze many in the industry, partly because companies have relentlessly worked to cut the time and the cost of sinking wells into shale and other rocks, helping salvage profits. "Companies can now drill a well in seven or eight days when it used to take 30," said Mike Breard, analyst at Hodges Capital Management. "That can make your oil or gas a lot more profitable." Breakeven prices to drill and transport oil range from $50 to $75 per barrel in the

Oil barrel

Eagle Ford in south Texas, $60 to $80 per barrel in North Dakota's Bakken, and $65 to $80 per barrel in the Wolfcamp Shale in Texas' Permian Basin, according to consultants at Wood Mackenzie. "Most areas of the main plays are pretty decently placed to maintain their drilling programs," said Phani Gadde, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie. Deutsche Bank analyst, Mike Urban, said in a note that despite the slip in prices, oilfield services companies are reporting higher activity levels and producers are pushing ahead with spending. Still, analysts at Bernstein Research, looking at earnings from 52 exploration and production companies, found that capital expenditures in the second quarter were $38 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), exceeding cash flow from operations by $8 boe, a situation the firm sees as "unsustainable" given recent price declines. Some producers are partially protected. Data from 15 energy companies analysed by Oppenheimer & Co showed 38 per cent of crude production is hedged this year at $96.71 a barrel, compared with 21 per cent hedged at $91.54 next year. Oil majors, which tend to have higher cost structures than nimble shale companies, are used to riding out price dips and investing in massive projects that take years to build.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, September 23, 2014

SUSPENSE Members of the public are eager to know the verdict of the Lagos State government on the collapsed structure

Synagogue building collapse: Waiting game persists

Dayo Ayeyemi

t is no longer news that a six-floor guesthouse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in the Ikotun area of Lagos caved-in penultimate week, with over 70 casualties – most of which were foreigners. What is news is the plan by Lagos State government to unravel the cause of the collapse and ensure that culprits are brought to book according to the laws of the land. The citizens and stakeholders are watching, knowing-fully-well that the state has the highest number of incidents of building collapse in the country. Between 2007 and 2013, it has been established by the Abimbola Ajayi-led Tribunal of Inquiry on Collapsed Building that 130 incidents of building collapse occurred in the metropolis, resulting in the loss of many lives and properties worth several billions of naira. Apart from this, many families have been traumatised while many landlords and developers have lost their hardearned savings in the process. In all of these cases, no person has been held responsible for collapsed structure, making many people to doubt the ability of the state authority to do the needful as regards the recent collapsed structure of Synagogue Church. Factors liable for building failure Factors not limited to structural defects, dilapidation, use of poor building materials, lack of maintenance, poor construction, poor quality work, illegal conversion, poor supervision, non-compliance with approved building plans and permits, overloading and use of sub-standard materials have been adduced, among others, to be responsible for some of these structural failures. Since the collapse of the SCOAN building, many reasons have been adduced for its failure. Although the owner, Prophet Temitope Joshua, had blamed a “misery airplane” for the collapse, many experts in the built environment who had visited the scene have adduced weak foundation, overloading and poor workmanship; while government is yet to ascertain the claim by Joshua but argued that the structure has no building approval. The implication of this is that the construction of the building is illegal. Just the way it happened during the collapse of a four-

Rubbles of the collapsed guest house building at the Synagogue Church of all Nation

storey building belonging to the Foursquare Gospel Church in Ojodu, Lagos, in 2013, where government, within 48 hours, seized the site, the state authority, according to many views, has been foot-dragging in taking decision in the latest collapsed structure despite its zero tolerance for structural failure. Government’s explanation Speaking to New Telegraph at the weekend on the position of government so far, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, a town planner, said that though the structure did not have a building approval but government is still investigating the cause of the collapse. While expressing his condolences and sympathy with those who lost their loved ones and those that were injured in the unfortunate incident, the commissioner clarified that there are no plans to take over the collapsed structure site until thorough and detailed investigation as to the cause of the collapse has been concluded. He explained that government does not arbitrarily take over properties when investigation is still on going, noting that government is conducting a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collapse and would leave no stone unturned. He stressed that if there is any violation of relevant planning law, residents are assured that government would take appropriate action.

Joshua

To this end, Ayinde stated that a team of engineers from the ministry and other state government agencies were currently taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis and testing to ascertain the structural integrity of the building. He said: “On the veracity of the “strange plane theory,” alleged to have dangerously flown low over the building fifty minutes before the collapse, the ministry had submitted the video clips, as provided by the church, to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the coordinate of the collapsed site for investigation and professional comment.”

Between 2007 and 2013, it has been established by the Abimbola Ajayi-led Tribunal of Inquiry on Collapsed Building that 130 incidents of building collapse occurred in the metropolis, resulting in the loss of many lives and properties worth several billions of naira Experts’ perspective On the slow pace of government to invoke the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law 2010, following the collapse of the building, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr Waheed Kadiri, noted that there are two ways to view the issue. He pointed out that the law did not say that any building that just collapsed. Kadiri explained: “There could be condition. The building may collapse because of the natural force that is beyond the control of the owner. That is another thing you cannot penalise.”

He challenged journalists to do enough investigation about the mystery surrounding the collapsed building, saying: “I also have a story for you journalists. The man told us that there was a plane moving. What stops journalists from getting to NCAA immediately to know if there was any plane hovering at that time and what airline?” But President of the Building Collapse Prevention Group, Mr Kunle Awobodu, a builder, who claimed to have visited the site at the weekend, said that foundation problem might be responsible for the collapse. According to him, the main building has revealed that the structure was increased from six to nine floors, adding that the collapsed structure was increased from two to six floors. Awobodu wants to know the agency of government that gave approval for the building, saying that his group was trying to compile its reports and will make it available soon. CORBON reacts The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the bill for the enforcement of the Nigerian National Building Code. Apart from this, the council, through its Chairman, Professor Kabir Bala, is urging all state governments to quickly pass and enforce enabling laws to conform to the minimum requirements of the building code to end incidences of C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

‘Lagos should unravel cause of Synagogue church's collapse' Mr Chucks Omeife, a fellow and immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) wants Lagos State government to unravel the cause of the collapse of Synagogue church's six-floor guest house in the Ikotun area of Lagos and punish the offender How will you describe Lagos State government’s seeming foot- dragging in taking decision on the collapsed Synagogue Church building? Lagos State government has a responsibility to unravel the cause of the collapse, publicise it and punish the culprits. This will serve as a deterrent to those involved and other quacks and impostors. The world is watching and it will be nice to do that which is necessary in the face of the death of citizens of other countries. How government handles this issue will either give succour to the families of the deceased or cause more pain depending on how the issue is treated. Patience and care needs to be exercised in investigating the matter so as to come up with a comprehensive and dispassionate report of what happened. It may not necessarily mean that the government is foot-dragging.

not domesticating the totality of the building in their domain. The provisions of the building code, if fully implemented, will reduce to the barest minimum, the

What is the position of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law 2010 on the issue of collapse building? The visible position of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law in respect of collapse building is the immediate and compulsory acquisition of the land on which the collapse building occurred. If any other action was taking in the past apart from this, I am not aware. We are hoping that this same provision of the law, which has been exercised on all sites of building collapse in Lagos State will also be applied accordingly. What is the place of the Building Code in this episode? The National Building code has provided solution to the problem of building collapse. Those professionals at the corridor of power must be held responsible for

Police Barrack’s buildings in Lagos falling – LASBCA ALARM Delapidating nature of the building is a major concern to government Dayo Ayeyemi

n order to forestall another building collapse in the metropolis, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs Abimbola Animashaun, has raised the alarm over the dilapidated police barracks in Lagos, saying that “they are falling.” Decrying the sorry state of the barracks while briefing journalists about the activities of the agency in Lagos at the weekend, the general manager said that some of the columns and walls of the buildings are already fallen apart. To be specific, she mentioned that Ikeja and Iponri Police Barracks have dilapidated, saying that most officers living there ought to have been evacuated. She disclosed that the agency, after taking critical look at the situation, has done a report on the dilapidating nature of the barracks and has sent notice to the authority in-charge. She said: “The barracks are dilapidated, people there ought to have been moved; some of the buildings are even collapsing and they keep on patching

them; we have done our report because we have already been there. In Iponri and Ikaja barracks, the columns are apart. We have sent to the Federal Government.” LASBCA warned that if any building collapses in Lagos, the agency has every responsibility to take action. Animashaun disclosed many new initiatives the agency is considering, which include the introduction of electronic payment, engagement of approved building inspectors, introduction of special course for building collapse offences and many others. On the engagement of approved inspectors to monitor construction sites across the state, she said that such would not come as individuals but firms under the professionals bodies in the built environment. She said that they would be scrutinised and must be registered with the agency before the selection process in order to give room for LASBCA to be able to oversee them and their activities. She added that the approved inspectors would only monitor places very close to them in order to allow them do the job properly. In order to forestall compromise among the inspectors, she C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 5

incidences of building collapse. Let us allow appropriate professionals carry out their assigned role, which we all agreed in the building code and allow sanity in the built environment. As long as the role of the builder as stated in the building code is not made mandatory so long will quacks and impostors have a field day and buildings will continue to collapse. Government at the state level must, as a matter of urgency, professionalise the construction stage of building procurement. There must be a mandatory request for the engagement of a builder as a precondition for commencement of construction work. The details and identity of the registered builder must be documented. This is like a guarantee since he will be in charge and can be held responsible if there is any issue just like it is done at the design stage. The submission of building production documents - project health and safety plan, project quality management plan and construction programme - for the work prepared by the builder at the design stage. This will ensure the involvement of a builder who is to manage the execution of the work while the architect and the structural engineer ensures the building work is being carried out in accordance to their design and specifications to achieve desired quality work delivery. When all this are done, the work of building control agency can then be effective. This is the only way to go if we must overcome the menace of building collapse across the country. The problem of building collapse can be solved if we all strive to do that which is right in accordance to the building code. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Let us implement what we have for the good of Nigerians, the built environment and to regain the confidence reposed in the built environment professionals by Nigerians.

The visible position of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law in respect of collapse building is the immediate and compulsory acquisition of the land on which the collapsed building occurred

Omeife

Synagogue building collapse building collapse. Bala emphasised that the engagement of appropriate registered professionals for the design and construction, who can be sanctioned in case of default and strict enforcement of building control regulations, will take the country out of the woods. He admonished Nigerians to begin to protect themselves by demanding that only the appropriate professionals engage in their development works, saying that Nigerians should not leave their safety to government alone. He said: “In simple terms, they should ask questions with respect to their building

projects development: Is the architectural design done by a registered architect? Is the structural design done by a registered engineer? Are the electrical and mechanical designs done by registered engineers? Is the management of the site execution or the construction process done by a registered builder? These questions remain relevant even when Nigerians are contemplating new building developments. “Our heart goes out in grief to all that have been affected by this incident. These are our immediate reactions. It is hoped that investigation in the days ahead will answer some questions.” Worried by the spate of

Fashola

Awobodu

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

building collapse in Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola, had in 2013, constituted a Tribunal of Inquiry on Collapsed Building, chaired by the immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mrs Abimbola Ajayi, to look into the issue and ways out. The six-member tribunal, in its findings, identified weak implementation, as well as deliberate flouting of regulations and gross corruption across board as factors hindering the effectiveness of construction and building laws. Presenting the report, Mrs Ajayi said that 130 reported cases of building collapse between 2007 and 2013 were reviewed while ten sites were selected and visited. She said that the tribunal found the provisions of the laws regulating the building industry to be adequate, but were rendered ineffective by non-adherence and indiscipline, among others. The panel recommended short, medium and long term solutions which it believed will be beneficial in checking incessant building collapse. Noting that no professional has been indicted so far in all the investigated cases, Mrs Ajayi pointed out that the activities of quacks and developers were responsible for the high rate of collapsed buildings.

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

‘Why there are vacant houses in Abuja metropolis’ UNOCCUPIED UNITS They pose serious security challenges to the people Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

ot minding the housing deficit that has risen to over 17 million units, there are still so many unoccupied buildings across the country, especially in highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. These unoccupied buildings tends to depreciate because of their long stay without being put to use, thereby resulting in waste of funds as well as constituting hideout for hooligans. The high cost of buying or even renting houses in major cities around the country, cost of building materials, lack of infrastructure facilities, inability to access fund and land, to mention a few, have been fingered to be the major cause for such empty buildings. Musa Askiya Musawa, a trader, told New Telegraph, that he prefers to live in his own house in the satellite town even with the terrible traffic than to rent a house in the FCT for a very high amount. According to him, Maitaima, Asokoro and other highbrow

areas of the FCT, have a lot of beautiful buildings that are completed but with no occupants living in them because of the outrageous price tags on either the rent or sale side. “How on earth will I cough out millions of naira to rent or buy a house when I can comfortably use such money to buy a land in the outskirts of Abuja and build to my own taste,” he queried Another youngman that claimed anonymity, who works in the presidency and resides in Masaka, a suburb of Nassarawa , said that he wished he could afford the high rent in places like Maitama or even Asokoro instead of staying in Massaka where he experiences daily heavy traffic jam coupled with the fear of bomb blast. Speaking on why the cost of building seems to be very high, President of the Real Estate Developer Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, explained that the process of acquiring land, cost of capital and raw materials are responsible for the high cost of housing. He asserted that the high cost of housing is not unrelated to the fact that most developers provide infrastructures for the estate. “Instead of looking to government for solution, developers can look inward to source cheaper alternative materials

‘Police Barrack’s buildings falling' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 4

said: “We will do our own thorough job too. We will be getting report from them. Our head of departments will go round too to check what the inspectors have done. If they are not doing it well, we will remove them.” On the exact time for the engagement of these inspectors, the LASBCA boss said that it would commence “when we have building regulation in place. The building regulation must be in operation and we are working on that. People are already coming up. They must be members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Nigerian Institute of Building and Nigerian Society of Engineers. We are picking firms and not

One of the police barracks in Lagos

individuals.” She also disclosed that the agency is planning to put in place what she described as one-stop-shop, which will encompass laboratory where people can come and verify and confirm the result of their test is not compromised. “We are planning to have that one-stop shop for anyone that wants to build and have nothing about it. We need to come here for help,” she said. Director, Head, Inspectorate (Quality Control Department) of the agency, Mr Ayo Shodehinde, an engineer, explained the rudiments of getting approvals of the agency in all stages of building construction, citing the importance of structural test when crack is noticed in a building.

without compromising standards and quality in order for cost to be drastically reduced,” he said. While stakeholders have continued to call on government to make land available to developers so that affordable housing can be made available to all, government on its part is making efforts to ensure that every Nigerian gets a house. Minister of Lands, Housing

and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyankenyi, admitting that the major constraint to affordable housing was the high cost of building materials, disclosed that to ensure that the total cost of construction is reduced, government gives land free, stressing that there are on-going talks with stakeholders in the building materials sector to make sure the prices of these materials are reduced drastically.

She said: “We are intensifying actions on the completion of all housing units within the purview of the ministry and its parastatals, including the proto-type housing scheme, Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, FBMN funded housing scheme and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) housing scheme all targeted at the low and middle income earners.

L-R: Member, House of Reps. Committee on Housing, Ajibola Israel Famurewa; Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi; Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlement Programme, UN-HABITAT, Dr. JOAN Clos and Nigeria's High Commissioner to Kenya and Permanent Representive UN -HABITAT, Ambassador Akin Oyateru, at the just-concluded Preparatory Committee session on Habitat III held in New York, United States.

Surveyors underutilised in Nigeria –APPSN boss FOUNDATION Surveying is the basic foundation for economic development

urveying plays an important role in physical planning, defense, environmental management and indeed sound economic development of any nation. However, despite the numerous roles of practitioners in the practice of science of measurements, assembling and assessing, and geographic related information for the purpose of planning and efficient land administration, according to the Chairman of the Association of private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Mr. Adeleke Adesina, surveyors have been underutilised in Nigeria. Adesina disclosed this while chatting with newsmen after the 2014 Professional Development Seminar of the association in Ikeja. The theme of the seminar is: “ Common Diseases of the Middle and the Old Age”. He described surveying as the basic foundation for national and economic development, but decried the underutilisation of surveyors by government. His argument is based on the fact that every development has its foundation on land. He said

that surveyors have a vital role to play in this matter. He said: “We are only engaged in cadastral survey. If this is the only thing we do, I think we should not have spent five years in the university before we graduate. We have other serious areas where we work. To change the situation, he stated that the body has commenced massive campaign to educate the government on the comprehensiveness of the role of surveyors in national and economic development. On the issue of building collapse, he stated that it is beyond the issue of mixture of cement and sand, stressing that there was need to engage surveyors to do the monitoring of subsidence and deformation. He said: “Subsidence means going down while deformation means cracks on the wall. There must be subsidence before you talk of deformation. Surveyors are the best to do the monitoring of this.” He said the body is canvassing that the government legislate compulsory monitoring of subsidence and deformation. “If you have money to build five to six-storey building, if the owner engages a surveyor at the inception, when they finish the foundation and the entire building, the columns must be vertical. It is a surveyor that can determine the verticality of the columns,” he said, add-

ing “A house will not just sink or collapse suddenly; it must have been given signals gradually.” On reasons for the yearly seminars, Adesina said the association felt it was time to be concerned about the welfare of its members, recalling that last year talks centered on how surveyors can diversify and make money. This year’s event, he said, was based on health challenges of members in the middle and the old age He said: “The aim is to x-ray stress and common diseases, prescribe preventive, measures to guide us to develop sound health profile and enjoy a life of stress without distress. “This recent Ebola breakout is one of the things we considered before we chose the topic. We want to educate our members and that is why we called experts to tell us the things we should run away from and the things we should embrace.” Guest speakers at the event, Dr. (Mrs) Olanike Elias and Dr. Abimbola Akintunde, took the surveyors on the rudiments of best ways to manage stress, hypertension, high blood pressure and other middle and old age related diseases. The chairman of the occasion was Mr L.A. Aror, a renowned surveyor. High point of the event was the induction of 16 new members to the association.

NAMA boosts capacity with 21 new traffic controllers p–38

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Despite remodeling, Nigeria's airports yet to meet global standards That none of Nigerian airports is certified in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is like rehashing an old tune. Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, laments that despite the billions of naira spent on remodeling, Nigeria’s airports are yet to meet the requirements for certification

he rot in the nation’s aviation sector may have found deep expression in the assessed parlous infrastructural facilities bedeviling the gateways over the years, with little succour coming from the much-publicised remodeling scheme. Experts in airports aesthetics and operations have not been too generous with words to describe the whole exercise of airports remodelling as a sham and one that costs far more than would have been used to build new ones. Surprisingly, all the 22 airports in the country have remained uncertified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on account of the poor infrastructure at the aerodromes. Indeed, the airports, according to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), lack adequate fire cover, efficient airspace communication in-

frastructure, water hydrant, fire fighting vehicles, airfield lighting, while poor security of the airport, coupled with lack of perimeter fencing, among others, are factors militating against standard airport system stipulated by the global aviation regulatory body. ICAO's requirements As part of requirements for ICAO certification, an airport must have operational and perimeter fencing, certified aviation security personnel, state-of-the-art navigational equipment, while the personnel must be regularly trained and retrained. Other conditions include standard runway and runway strength known as the Pavement Classification Number (PCN), which enable airports and airlines to know if a given aircraft may put undue stress on a runway, non-interference from government; adequate fire tenders; standard instrument landing systems; fuelling; baggage handling, apron and quick response to distress, among others. As at today, most of the airports, including the four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, have not been able to meet the conditions. No airport in Nigeria, not even the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has met the requirements for certification. The aviation regulatory body had been forced most times to downgrade some airports from category three to seven and above, meaning that instead of the airport operating a super-jumbo jet, it can be allowed to operate light air planes like Hawker Sidlley, Beechcraft or at most, a B737 aircraft. The NCAA Director General,

Benedict Adeyileka, last week, said that it is regrettable that none of the nation's airports is certified because they do not meet global aviation standards. He further disclosed that the inability to get any of the major international airports certified by ICAO is one of the challenges of sustaining aviation safety in Nigeria. Adeyileka spoke at the Aviation Safety Seminar with the theme: "Sustaining safety in the Nigerian aviation sector," held in Lagos. Nigeria's high tariff To him, foreign airlines pay high insurance premium because of the risk associated in operating to not only Nigeria but other African countries, but reiterated that they are not worried because they had already embedded the costs in the air fares charged Nigeria. He stated that insuring aircraft that are based on operating in Africa costs on average four times more than it would cost to insure the same aircraft in other continents. "Once an airline says it wants to operate to Nigeria, the insurance increases and the

As at today, most of the airports, including the four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, have not been able to meet the conditions

airlines in turn increase their fares. The airlines are ready to take the high risk because of the high traffic in Nigeria. "That is why whenever there is a problem, they are not worried because of the high cost they charge Nigerian passengers and it has been embedded in the tickets. The ramp, runway and avio-bridges call for concern," he added. The premium charged on aviation insurance by indigenous insurers, he said, is relatively high compared to premium charged by other countries while re-insurance charges by the foreign reinsurers on Nigerian aviation industry insurance is extremely high compared to those charged in other nations. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had in 2006 signed an undertaking with the NCAA to certify the international airports in Nigeria. Based on this agreement, Nigeria was able to scale through the ICAO Universal Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). Recently, FAAN set up a certification team, which had taken up the inspection of some international airports to appraise the requirements for certification. He, however, explained that FAAN’s management was aware of the stance of the agency, but said it is working with sister agency to address the challenges in the sub-sector, adding that no Nigerian airport would be certified until, “we are satisfied with the standards." Also, speaking at the forum, Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, who was represented by a General Manager in the agency, G.U. Anukwa, lamented that the Nigerian aviation in-

dustry is at the receiving end, due to none certification of airports. High insurance premium Dunoma disclosed that when an airline operator is flying into an airport that has no safety assurance, it’s insurance company increases its premium because it is assumed that the airline is taking a high risk if it must fly in there, adding that what the airline does is to increase the airfare to cushion the effect as a result of the high premium. “Incessant incidents/accidents due to none implementation of a safety management system can demoralise the employees. When no one is sure of his/her safety the next minute the productivity level of the employees would surely drop automatically. “ When a major accident occurs, there is every tendency that the organisation would set up an internal investigation committee to unravel the cause, irrespective of the cost of damage, the organisation would still make a financial budget to cover the investigation committee requirement, allowances and purchases,” he noted. Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, had recently said it is ‘’very sad that most of our airports are not certified in accordance with ICAO standards. We must therefore do everything possible to get them certified.’’ The chairman said other areas which deserve serious attention and upon which government must find a way to fund in the budget is capacity building and training of professionals/ experts by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technolgy (NCAT), airfield lighting as well the maintenance of the runways.

BUSINESS | AVIATION 37

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

SERVICE Airline makes a difference with services offered Wole Shadare

who was in Paris

omfort, attention to detail and pleasure; three convictions, three priorities underpins Air France’s commercial strategy and its “Best and Beyond” upmarket positioning. With a single objective, the airline offers the best product on the market and makes a difference with the service offered. As part of the first phase in the company’s move upmarket for all its customers, the carrier late last year unveiled its new offer in Economy and Premium Economy cabin classes. The new Business and La Premiere offers follows this year. The first flight equipped with the new Air France cabins operated in summer 2014 with the airline holding an exhibition last week, tagged, “Air France. France in the air”, in Paris. In Economy class, there is a new fully revised seat, with more legroom, a new seat cushion, more comfortable headrests and a wider tray table. The seat has been ergonomically redesigned to guarantee optimum comfort. The seat also features new

Air France-KLM invests ¤500m in new products functionalities including an electric socket, headphones holders among others. In Premium Economy, more comfortable seat cushions and a multi-position footrest further enhance this cabin class launched in 2009 and praised by its customers. Senior Vice-President (Africa), Air France-KLM, Frank Legre told New Telegraph in Paris that as for entertainment, choosing a programme has never been as quick and easy. “Wide touch screens with High Definition images are now available, offering over 1, 000 hours of music, movies, TV series and many other programmes available on demand. The meal service has also been upgraded, with a second hot dish and new gourmet offer (candies, ice-cream) to make the trip even more pleasant and enjoyable”. Speaking on the investment, Legre said, “If I remember well, the total investment is about 500 million Euros on the three cabins for the 44 aircraft. I think 200 million Euros for the economy class; we are changing everything, the seats are very costly,

Emirates upgrades plane on newly-launched Abuja route tarting from October 1, 2014, Africa, Adil Al Ghaith, said Swould Emirates Airlines said it since its launch on August 1, upgrade its airplane 2014, Emirates boosted interto B777-200ER on the DubaiAbuja route. The airline launched a daily service to Abuja - its second Nigerian gateway and 22nd passenger destination in Africa – on August 1, 2014, utilising the Airbus A340-300. According to the airline, the new aircraft will continue to operate daily to Nigeria’s capital and offer 274 seats in the three cabins; 12 luxurious lie-flat seats in First Class, 42 deeply reclining seats in Business Class, and generous space for 220 passengers in Economy Class. “The upgrade of our Abuja service to a Boeing 777 demonstrates our commitment to Nigeria market and another step to ensure we offer world class products to our customers in Nigeria. Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Northern and Western

Emirates' A380 aircraft in flight

national tourism and trade in Abuja from a raft of destinations in the Far East, West Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America. Al Ghaith said: “Emirates constantly strives to provide its passengers with the very best service and the introduction of a Boeing B777-200 ER reflects that commitment. Our 777-200ER will offer Emirates’ renowned cabin comforts and facilities, including our awardwinning ice entertainment system.” On-board, customers will enjoy specially created regional menus and a wide range of movies, TV programmes, games and music through ice, Emirates' multi-award winning in-flight entertainment system, while being served by Emirates’ multi-lingual cabin crew from over 160 countries around the world.

the in- flight entertainment system. It is huge investment”. “What I really like is that we are not only looking at the high end customers, we also believe it is important to provide good, efficient good seating to all customer including economy class. We are focusing on all customers, not only on the high end but those travelling on economy and

premium economy, you will also enjoy the new cabin on Air France-KLM”, he added. He said the carrier organised the exhibition in order to show that Air France is investing in the future, proud of its past and has a long tradition of high quality of French taste, “and this exactly the new motto of the new products.” He stated that he believe

also that it is important to insist that they are not only investing in First Class or Business Class, but all four cabins. “Even if you are travelling in economy, we are happy to welcome you and show you that Air France is changing; Air France is giving the best of its quality, thanks to the seats but also thanks to the cabin crew and grand crew.”

Air France's new Boeing 777 business class seats

NAMA boosts capacity with 21 traffic controllers lMD tasks recruits on air safety CAPACITY BUILDING NAMA is investing heavily on the training and retraining of personnel

he Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) is gradually narrowing the gap created by retiring controllers as a group of 17 is being expected to graduate at the college next month. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Cadets, managing director of the agency, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, charged the remaining students to justify the huge investment on their training by remaining committed and dedicated to duty in the interest of safety of Nigerian airspace. Abdulsalam noted that as part of the transformation of the aviation sector, resulting in the remodelling of airports and the deployment of sophisticated communication, navigation, surveillance and air

traffic nanagement infrastructure, among others, across the country, NAMA is investing on the training and retraining of personnel, particularly the critical safety manpower resources, in order to ensure the safe, effective, economic and efficient utilisation of these equipment and to keep pace with the dynamics of new technology. According to him, "the increasing demand for air traffic services over the years, occasioned by the rapid growth in population and the establishment of state and privately owned airports nationwide vis-a-vis the high turnover of critical manpower arising from retirements and deaths prompted the agency to resort to contracting retired air traffic controllers and air traffic engineers as a short-term remedy.” While commending the graduating students for their perseverance and hard work, Abdulsalam also gave kudos to the management of NCAT for the tremendous support and

co-operation accorded the students while the course lasted. The Rector of NCAT, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, in his address, noted that the high academic standard and rigorous training offered by the institution stands it out as a centre of excellence and one of the best in the world. He charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of NCAT by impacting positively to the growth of the nation’s aviation industry. It will be recalled that in its determination to bridge the manpower gap in ATC services, NAMA in 2012 recruited 50 ATC cadets with batch AC 57 and 58 resuming at NCAT in February, 2013, while AC59 resumed in July, same year. Earlier, Abdulsalam, accompanied by a top management delegation including the Director of Human Resources, Dr Uwem Akangson and the Ag. Director of Operations, Mr Edward Ogedegbe, was led on an inspection tour of facilities within the college.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

AIR PACT With this agreement, travelers between the US and Africa would enjoy seamless connectivity Stories by Wole Shadare

thiopian Airlines has announced that it has entered into a codeshare agreement with United Airlines, effective 30 August 2014. Ethiopian, the biggest air-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ethiopian enters codeshare pact with United Airlines

line in Africa, currently flies to 82 international destinations across five continents, operating a young and modern fleet, such as Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. The carrier provides daily services to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) using the B777 or B787 aircraft with convenient and easy connections

through its main hub in Addis Ababa (ADD) to 49 cities across Africa. The new codeshare agreement between the two Star Alliance member airlines covers the Addis Ababa–Washington, DC trunk route, as well as points in Africa and the US. With this codeshare agree-

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ita Udoh; Head, Corporate Communications, Dana Air, Mr Samuel Ogbogoro and Chairman, Akwa Ibom Tourism Board, Dr. Michael Eyong, during the opening ceremony of the Ibom Tourism Summit in Uyo, which was supported by Dana Air.

Air Seychelles to begin services to Lagos

ir Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, has announced the inauguration of twiceweekly flights from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Lagos. A statement by the company said the service, commencing on December 2, 2014, would mark the next stage of growth in the airline’s regional strategy. It said that the Tanzanian capital would become the third destination in Air Seychelles’ Indian Ocean and African network, after Mauritius and Johannesburg. It added that the route would be operated using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats. The Chief Executive Officer, Air Seychelles, Mr. Manoj Papa, said, “We continue to build strength and depth in our global network, and the addition of Dar es Salaam, one of Africa’s fastest-growing business and tourism destinations, will enhance traffic flow to the Seychelles and beyond, fulfilling our mandate to be a key economic enabler for the Seychelles, supporting tourism and trade. “These flights will serve as an attractive travel proposition for business and leisure travellers

in Tanzania, offering a direct link to our archipelago and convenient onward connections to Abu Dhabi and beyond, including the Indian subcontinent.” He added that the A320 aircraft will also offer 7.2 tonnes of weekly belly-hold capacity to and from Tanzania, giving a further boost to trade opportunities. Air Seychelles expects the service to carry a mixture of electronics, machinery and pharmaceuticals into Dar es Salaam, with primarily perishable goods loaded for the return flight. The Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Mr Joël Morgan, said the new route would support Air Seychelles’aim to improve regional connectivity as well as enhance commerce and leisure travel to the archipelago.“Dar es Salaam is a great addition to our network. The direct link between the capital of Tanzania and the Seychelles underscores our ongoing commitment to serve the region,” he said. Meanwhile, the airline won two accolades at the World Travel Awards 2014, further enhancing its status as the leading carrier in the Indian Ocean region and beyond. The airline was awarded the

Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class and Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew. The statement added that the awards, established in 1993, recognised the very best travel organisations in the world through a global vote by travel professionals from 171 countries.

ment, travelers between the US and Africa will be able to enjoy unmatched and seamless connectivity options, thanks to United’s strong network in the US and Ethiopian’s unparalleled coverage of East, Central, Southern and Western African destinations. Marking the occasion, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, said: “We are very pleased to start codeshare flights with fellow Star Alliance member, United Airlines. "This agreement will enable our two carriers to tap into new market opportunities and be competitive in the fast-growing Africa-US travel market. It will also give a wider choice of connectivity options to our customers travelling between Africa and the US. “United is pleased to join Ethiopian in providing new codeshare options for our mutual customers traveling between the U.S. and Africa,” said Jim Compton, United’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “In addition to nonstop flights between the U.S. and Ethiopian capitals, the new service will provide Ethiopian’s customers with convenient connections to destinations throughout the Americas from our Washington Dulles hub, and will offer United customers access to more destinations in Ethiopian’s extensive network.” Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 82 international destinations across five continents with over 200 daily flights and using the latest technology aircraft, such as the B777s and B787s. United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139

million customers. With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates over 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 27 member airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa has won the Passenger Choice Awards for “Best Airline in Africa" for the second time in a row at the APEX 2014 EXPO held between 15 and 18 September 15 and 18, 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Centre in California. The Passenger Choice Awards were created by the US based Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) to give voice to airline passengers. APEX encompasses the largest and most comprehensive survey of passengers in 13 languages. It is the most important award in the airline industry since it is the customers themselves, who rate airlines based on their overall experience. Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Tewolde Gebremariam, said: "Ethiopian is above all a customer-focused airline with global standard service with superior delivery through its hallmark Ethiopian flavored African hospitality. Passenger Choice is the most important award in our industry since it is our customers, who rate us by benchmarking our service with others in the industry. This award is a strong vote of confidence by our customers and an encouragement to continuously enhance our on-ground and on-board services with a view

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 9

S'Africa regulations for child travellers postponed he Department of Home Af- lows a meeting last week with people travelling to South Africa Ttation fairs has delayed implemen- industry associations, including on a visa are required to apply of the requirement for Iata, Asata and the TBCSA. for the visa in person. Parents children under the age of 18 to present an unabridged birth certificate until June 1, 2015. Furthermore, in the instances where children are travelling with one parent, the written permission required under the new regulations would also be postponed until June 1. The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, announced this at a media briefing. The requirement that people apply for visas in person will stay in place and there is no postponement for this requirement, said Gigaba. He emphasised that this requirement was not unique to SA and was required of visitors by other countries. Gigaba’s announcement fol-

Gigaba emphasised that, since the regulations were announced, the department had made it clear that it was open to engagement. He thanked industry representatives who had engaged the department on new regulations. He said different stakeholders had drawn the department’s attention to challenges around the requirements for children travelling. Industry associations - including SATSA, BARSA, ASATA and IATA - have spent the past two months actively lobbying for a postponement of the new regulations to allow time for them to be effectively communicated and systematically implemented. Under the new regulations,

travelling with children under the age of 18 are required to produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child. In the case where only one parent is travelling with the child(ren), consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered is required. Alternatively, either a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or a death certificate of the other parent must be produced. The regulations also require that people apply in person for visas to allow for biometric intake. Minister Gigaba suggested last week that this regulation was already in place and called on missions abroad to start implementing this requirement.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

TRAVEL

Why tourism growth in Africa is lagging DOWNWARD Africa is now challenged to devise ways and means to return to the impressive growth

he latest data available from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows an increase in global travel by five per cent. But one continent is lagging behind the global average this year. The Americas recorded the strongest growth with six per cent with Europe and the Pacific’s growth standing at five per cent. In terms of sub-regions, Northern Europe and South

Asia with eight per cent each outpaced all the other regions of the globe. However, Africa’s international tourist numbers grew well under average by only three per cent as the recovery consolidated in North Africa with Egypt returning to stability (+4 per cent). The current Ebola outbreak appears to affect tourism to the region, and in particular West Africa has taken a hit in arrival numbers due to misperceptions about the transmission of the virus. Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO said: “The main focus at the moment is on taking and supporting action to contain the virus. But we must also ensure that misperceptions do not unnecessarily harm the African economy, in

particular its travel and tourism sector, which is a central activity in many countries. “We would like to stress that the World Health Organisation (WHO) does not recommend any ban on international travel. Putting a halt on flights or imposing unnecessary travel restrictions will not help contain the virus. On the contrary, these measures will surely dampen the economy of the region; especially its travel and tourism sector, and jeopardize millions of livelihoods.” In terms of source markets, data for the first half of 2014 shows a consolidation of the

rebound in spending in travel abroad registered in 2013 in some advanced economies. Expenditure out of the Italian and Australian markets was up 8per cent and seven per cent, respectively, while the US market was up by five per cent. Data for France and Canada indicates a three per cent increase. Demand generated by emerging markets also continues to be strong, though decelerating as compared to 2013. Chinese outbound expenditure was up 16 per cent in the first half of the year as compared to 26 per cent in the whole of 2013,

while expenditure out of the Russian Federation was up by 4 per cent as compared to 25 per cent last year with the downward trend likely to continue for Russia due to the increase in economic sanctions. Africa is now challenged to devise ways and means to return to the impressive, above average growth rates in tourism arrivals similar to the past few years, or else risk to slide back again as the entire continent only commands a small percentage of global arrivals and every fraction of a per cent under global average will compound this further.

Table Mountain voted leading tourist attraction for 2014 his year marks the 21st year terfront. Toften of the World Travel Awards, Managing director of Table referred to as the Oscars Mountain Aerial Cableway, of the travel industry. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. The Cableway operates from Table Mountain, which forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. It offers a worldclass experience, ferrying people from the Lower Cable Station to the summit in cable cars with revolving floors. Table Mountain will now compete with winners in the other competition regions, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Asia and Australasia, for the title of the world’s leading tourist attraction. The year-long online voting process encourages global participation. There are scores of different categories and votes come from executives working in travel and tourism as well as agents who sell travel packages. Table Mountain was nominated in both 2012 and 2013, but was beaten by the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt in 2012 and Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, last year. This year Table Mountain came ahead of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania, the Pyramids of Giza, Robben Island and the V&A Wa-

Sabine Lehmann, said: “As one of the custodians of Table Mountain we are ecstatic that Table Mountain has been voted Africa’s leading tourist attraction for 2014. To have been voted for by the international tourism industry is a great accolade and cements the view that our visitors have a fantastic experience.” In 2012 Table Mountain was voted a New7Wonder of Nature and earlier this year TripAdvisor, one of the world’s leading travel websites, awarded the Cableway with a certificate of excellence. In a press release, World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: “We saw an incredibly rich, diverse and inspirational selection of nominees in Africa and the Indian Ocean in 2014, with many top competitors fighting it out in a series of very close races. With tourism growing in importance all the time in both Africa and the Indian Ocean, it is an honour to bestow our prizes on some exceptional organisations.” The World Travel Awards grand final takes place in Marrakech, Morocco, in November.

• Culled from Top on Travel

Olumo Rock, Abeokuta

Wine tasting at Akwaaba N igeria is accepted globally as one of the biggest wine markets in the world, consuming more than many African countries put together. The emerging lifestyle merges with the growing middle class and its taste for global products. Travel and tourism is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new class of Nigerians. It is these classes of Nigerians that are traveling that also consume these large quantities of wine and Champagne. To further organise the products and align it with its patrons the organisers of Akwaaba African Travel market will this year dedicate its hospitality day, October 28, to wine tasting.

The wine tasting day is a new addition and will offer both sellers and buyers the opportunity to engage with the Traveling public. The Wine Tasting event which will hold on October 28, 2014, from 10am-6pm at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suite, VictoriaIsland, Lagos, Nigeria, will provide wine distributors and manufacturer from all over the world, who are looking to increase their business in Nigeria and across Africa, build and increase brand loyalty and patronage, the opportunity to showcase their products to the travel community/ wine lovers in Nigeria and Africa.

Ethiopian enters codeshare pact C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

Table mountain, Cape Town

to meet their high expectations. I wish to thank them for their vote of confidence and our employees for working hard day-in and day-out to make our airline shine high in the sky." Dominic Green, APEX Events and EXPO Chair, said: "In 13 languages and available around the globe, the Passenger Choice Awards is by far one of the most impressive

and comprehensive passenger surveys of its kind". It’s a huge benefit to the airline industry to have this kind of candid data at their fingertips, and it’s the passengers who ultimately benefit from it." Ethiopian was also among the finalists, among other global airlines, for "Best overall flight experience", "In-flight video" and "In-flight magazine" at the 2014 Passenger Choice Awards.

The Wine Tasting event will feature a diverse selection of top wines and spirits from all over the world. Speaking on the event, Mrs Rita Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba: African Travel Market, says: “Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and the biggest champagne market in Africa. We are always looking for ways to create and add value to our clients as well as improve visitors’ experience at our events. So, the Wine Tasting event was born out of the need to create a proper platform for bringing together wine buyers and sellers from all over the world, an audience Akwaaba has consistently attracted over the years. With “big taste experience” we hope to not only provide a platform for wine dealers and producers to sample their wines but also provide an atmosphere where guests can sip, savour, mix and mingle while enjoying the best of what Africa has to offer and it’s a project we intend to continue and build in the next coming years.” Attendees to the fair would have the opportunity to sample different top wines and spirits from exhibiting wine dealers and manufactures from all over the world.

BUSINESS | ENTREPRENEUR

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Aigboje: A social engineer with passion for value creation Segun Fafore

fter his retirement from Access Bank as Group Managing Director in December 2013, the general expectation was that he would be named the next governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) because of his excellent pedigree and accomplishment. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede is a noble and extraordinary business leader with a special capacity to inspire others to greatness. He is an exemplary business leader whose achievements have earned other African professionals the admiration and respect of the international business community. Beginning with the transformation of Access Bank from a lowly-rated Nigerian lender into a leading African financial brand with his partner, Herbert Wigwe, every of his touch and initiative delivered superior value to stakeholders and the African continent. A quintessential banker and outstanding manager of resources, his uncanny ability to bring dreams alive has earned him a pride of place in the chronicle of successful corporate restructuring in the world. The transformation story of Access Bank under his leadership was listed as a case study for MBA students in leading business schools across the globe. Access Bank, which is now credited with the most successful growth trajectory in the history of banking in Africa and perhaps in the EME, was incorporated in February 1989 as a privately-owned commercial bank, obtained a banking licence and commenced business in May 1998. The bank converted to a public limited liability and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in November 1998. In March 2002 after the recapitalisation of the bank, Aigboje AigImoukhuede was appointed by the bank’s Board of Directors alongside his partner, Herbert Wigwe, who currently serves as the bank’s Group Managing Director, with a clear mandate to salvage the lender’s dwindling fortune and reposition it as one of Nigeria’s top 10 banks by 2007. The duo steered the affairs of the bank off the storm and turned the perennial loss-making institution into a profit-making venture. Interestingly, in their first year at the helms of affairs, the lender recorded a PBT of N1 billion, an amount which was more than the total profit recorded by the bank in its entire 13 years of operation before the appointment of Aigboje and Herbert. Under their watchful eyes, Access

Bank emerged from 65th position in 2002 to rank among the 10 top lenders in Nigeria before the banking consolidation. Subsequently, the bank went ahead to acquire Capital Bank International and Marina International Bank to meet the capitalisation requirements. Aigboje’s acumen and resourcefulness have not only nurtured his personal vision to succeed, but also served the Nigerian nation in different capacities and contributed significantly towards building a better world for the habitation of mankind. Most recently, Aigboje, who is a member of the National Economic Management Committee, dedicated to shaping national economic policies, also served as the Chairman of the Fuel Subsidy Verification and Repayment Committee. Consistent with his reputation, he made success of the herculean task, which brought huge discomfort to his family and threat to his life. He reportedly saved the country a whooping N1 trillion by blocking the channels through which our beloved country is fleeced of her resources. He toiled day and night, forensically combing through paper works and activities of interested parties with members of his committee, to unravel the misery behind the yearly ballooning of fuel subsidy repayment that has consistently seen it over-shooting budgetary provision annually. A team player who does not take personal credit for collective accomplishments, he openly acknowledged the contributions of every member of the presidential committee and their selfless efforts at nation building. An alumnus of the Harvard Business School and law graduate of the University of Benin who started his career in the legal department of Continental Merchant Bank, he discovered early enough that he enjoyed making deals than doing legal works and quickly transited to core banking. He spent over 19 years of professional and senior management banking experience at Guaranty Trust Bank (now GT Bank), where he was Executive Director superintending the Public Sector Group before resigning in February 2002 to lead a team of other professionals to reposition Access Bank. Aigboje’s rounded exposure in his banking career - spanning treasury, finance control and planning, commercial banking and investment banking, has proven to be extremely beneficial to the development of the Nigerian economy and its financial services sector. Specifically, the experiences garnered from these specialised fields

Aig-Imoukhuede

of financial services have condensed to differentiate him from other leading bankers in his generation and equipped him to make practical and useful contributions to the Nigerian economy. His contributions to nation building and social transformational initiatives have singled him out for service to humanity at the global level. In recognition of his stellar performance, he was appointed the first African co-Chair of GBC-Health, a leading coalition of private sector focussed on addressing health issues. Also, Aigboje serves as Chairman of Friends Africa and led other African corporate organisations to donate $1 million to the Global Fund “Gift from Africa” project as demonstration of the commitment of Africans to address some of the problems facing the continent, especially those that have to do with tuberculosis and malaria. Over the past decade, he has registered himself as an ardent advocate of responsible business practices and sustainable practices. He has consistently demonstrated commitment towards addressing critical societal needs via participation in global alliances, playing defining roles in global and workplace health initiatives. The winner of the 2013 edition of the African Banker Award and the 2011 edition of the Ernst and Young West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year Award in recognition of his contributions to the African financial services landscape, his entrepreneurial process, coupled with exceptional acumen, have made

Over the past decade, he has registered himself as an ardent advocate of responsible business practices and sustainable practices

him win several awards locally and internationally. Aigboje, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA) was named in 2012 among the top 10 most respected CEOs in the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Most Respected Companies and CEOs Survey in Nigeria. He is a highly sought after speaker on leadership and entrepreneurship with visible contributions to the African continent. He is a respected and highly experienced boardroom player, serving on the boards of several notable Nigerian companies, some of which include Wapic Insurance Plc, Associated Discount House and Asset and Resource Management Ltd. He is also a member of the Presidential Committee on the establishment of the African Investment Bank, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a Governing Council member of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC). He is a member of the sub-committee of the Bankers’ Committee on Professional Ethics, Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, as well as on the board of FATE Foundation where he assists in inspiring entrepreneurial driven youths to realise their potentials. In addition to being a Fellow of ASPEN Leadership Initiative, Aigboje’s defining role as chairman of the Bankers’ Committee sub-Committee on Development has significantly impacted and contributed to the transformation of the Nigerian economy. Decorated with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his numerous contributions, especially as a member of the National Economic Management Team, industry observers have also attributed Access Bank’s expansion into the United Kingdom and into other African countries such as The Gambia, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, to the practicality of his vision. Fafore, a student in the University of Leeds, was Head, Public Affair at Access Bank

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 41

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

AfDB scales BOI’s $500bn facility down to $100bn The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa stated this while fielding questions at a press briefing held at the BOI corporate head office in Lagos. He said that before he resumed, he heard that $500 was being negotiated with the AFDB. In his words, “But the situation that I met on the ground when I resumed is that that facility has been reduced from $500million to $100million.We have accepted the facility, and we are currently undergoing the documentation required.” He assured that BOI will complete the documentation as soon as they get the sovereign guaranty, which he believes the authorities will have approved.

ASSURANCE BOI has assured that it will drawdown on the facility before the end of the year

Stories by Godson Ikoro

xpectations by the medium and small scale companies that the Bank of Industry (BOI) will firm up the $500billion facility announced to them at the last Annual General Meeting, has been dimmed, as the African Development Bank (AFDB) has scaled down the facility from $500 to $100 billion.

In this regard, he said that BOI has published a notice in some newspapers as part of fulfilling the conditions precedent to drawn down on that facility. “We have already appointed an international consultant that will help in capacity building for BOI. We are hopeful that we will draw down before the end of the year”. Olaoluwa assured that BOI will definitely drawdown on the facility before the end of the year. Meanwhile, BOI has launched a N5billion Cottage Agro Processing Fund by which it intends to finance about 1000 agricultural projects and create about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country.

Naira sheds 0.27% as oil price continues to fall

he naira slipped 0.27 percent yesterday amid a shortage of dollars on the interbank market, as higher demand coupled with declining global oil prices raised doubts about the Central Bank of Nigeria's ability to support the local currency. The local currency closed at N163.85 to the dollar, below the three-month low of N163.45 it touched a week ago. The naira according to Reuters, closed at N163.40 last Friday. "Dollar demand from politicians holding their assets in hard currency ahead of elections next year has increased

pressure on the local currency," one dealer said. The apex bank was selling dollars directly on the interbank market to try to prop up the currency, which has shed almost 3.5 per cent this year, for most of last week. Last week Monday, the local unit of Royal Dutch Shell sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to some lenders, which was not enough to support the naira. The naira has "depreciated substantially" on the interbank market in the past two months, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele noted during last Friday's interest-

rate-setting meeting, citing risks from declines in global oil prices and domestic production. Brent crude oil fell below $98 a barrel yesterday, dropping for the third session in four, as sluggish demand and ample supplies outweighed expectations of a cut in oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Dealers expect dollar sales by multinational oil companies as they meet their monthend domestic obligations to provide some support for the naira in the days ahead.

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

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

Offer 163.38

Third party acquirer: Sterling Bank targets N8.5bn deposit

terling Bank Plc has set a target deposit of N8.5 billion from its new initiative, Third Party Acquirer (3PA) by the end of December 2014. During the first six months of its introduction, the lender said it realised over N2 billion in deposit. The Sterling Bank 3PA is an initiative that provides opportunity for those engaged in either formal or informal employment as well as institutions such as multi-level and strategic fund managers to make additional income by referring potential customers to the bank and in the process make additional income. The lender’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, who addressed the press in Lagos yesterday to speak on the success story of the initiative said: “We are here today to celebrate one of the many innovations that Sterling Bank has introduced in the nation’s banking industry. We are also celebrating a scheme that has provided additional income for over 1000 Nigerians who have enlisted in the initiative so far and one that has elicited overwhelming reaction from the market and has generated

O 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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

the development finance institution play its catalytic role represents BOI‘s direct intervention in the agro sector, adding that an all inclusive growth is the primary motive behind the fund.

a deposit of over about N2 billion in the first six months of its introduction”. Mr. Suleiman said that the lender has set an achievable target of N8 billion in deposit liabilities from 3PA by the end of the year when the bank will celebrate the first anniversary of the initiative. He said: “We all need to think of initiatives to support our people to make additional income and in the process enrich their lives just as the bank also benefits. We are using the 3PA initiative to add value to the lives of our people by providing a platform for them to “sell” banking solutions to the banking public at a premium.” Also speaking at the event, Mr. Donald Osa-Edokpolo, the bank’s Group Head in the Retail Banking Directorate, said that the success story of the initiative was based on the process put in place to ensure that the bank engaged only the right people. Besides, he said that the initiative has been a blessing to the bank and those engaged by the bank because “as the bank grows its deposit through the scheme, our 3PAs also get corresponding income for their effort”

NDIC to PMBs: Embrace sound risk mgt practices

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

The fund is targeted at small and medium industries at the low –technology, labour intensive end of the agro-processing spectrum of the economy. According to him, the fund which was designed to enable

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

perators of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) must embrace sound risk management and good corporate governance practices, if they want to be successful in the country, Managing Director and Chief Executive of NDIC, Alh.Umaru Ibrahim, has said. He stated this in a keynote address to the 2014 sensitisation workshop for operators of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) in Lagos yesterday. He spoke on “Developing and implementing sustainable effective risk management in Primary Mortgage banks (PMBS) in Nigeria” Smarting from the recent efforts and associated high cost of cleansing the financial system of Deposit Money Bank’s (DMB’s) toxic assets through the Asset Management Corporation, (AMCON), he said the Corporation in conjunction with other supervisory authorities in are deeply concerned about the building up of toxic assets of the microfinance banks (MFBs), which stood at about 45.70 percent at the end of 2013, as against the prescribed maximum of 5 percent. The NDIC boss said the attention of regulatory bodies are being focused on both the

MFB and PMB sub-sectors so as to address the emerging challenges, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to repeat the 2008/2009 financial crisis. He noted that PMBs in Nigeria can create significant impact, “if and if only they adhere to recommended corporate governance practices based on effective and sustainable risk management practices as instituted by regulatory authorities.” Besides, new mortgage, he said, could become less attractive for consumers due to affordability pressures, emphasising the PMBs should be able to assess a consumer’s ability to continue with mortgage departments in the case of an interest rate rise. However, he said that the regulatory authorities are rapidly developing capacity in the implementation of basel ll and lll, adding that NDIC has placed great importance on the design development and of sound risk management practices. On the recent regulatory and policy efforts to bridge the gap, he said before the recent recapitalisation, by the CBN, PMBs were poorly recapitalised with some having a capital less than N100million and less.

42 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

22-Sep-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

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 9.25 28-SEP-2014 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)

28-Sep-07 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

9.25 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

100.00 535.00 545.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 331.35 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 105.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,691.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,741.61

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

28-Sep-14 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

0.02 0.58 1.90 2.60 2.84 2.94 3.69 4.77 5.09 7.35 9.48 14.18 14.66 15.16 15.83 19.82

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

10.88 10.81 11.68 11.59 11.62 11.62 11.63 11.63 11.74 12.18 12.33 12.55 12.55 12.54 12.35 12.33

2.06 10.53 11.59 11.52 11.56 11.56 11.53 11.55 11.65 12.13 12.28 12.51 12.50 12.49 12.30 12.29

99.97 96.23 102.25 107.65 95.78 94.47 97.24 115.60 82.21 120.00 110.25 116.00 99.59 72.84 83.80 98.60

100.12 96.38 102.40 107.80 95.93 94.62 97.54 115.90 82.51 120.30 110.55 116.30 99.89 73.14 84.10 98.90

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 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.11 0.67 1.28 2.21 2.58 2.79

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.82 13.48 13.50 13.68 12.63 12.62

98.76 91.62 104.63 101.06 99.39 96.86

15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.06 0.94 0.54 1.06 1.07 2.57 1.62 3.27 2.25 4.03 2.44 2.45 2.83 2.90 5.17 3.05 3.58 6.18 6.27 3.76 3.79

3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

14.13 15.41 14.02 15.51 14.54 17.22 12.48 13.41 13.47 12.64 12.64 16.42 12.62 12.62 12.76 14.36 12.63 13.06 14.02 13.07 13.58

99.94 97.51 99.42 98.96 101.50 85.46 102.17 101.46 101.07 104.19 104.04 95.51 104.28 106.94 106.38 100.93 105.78 101.79 103.92 104.17 104.12

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,286.00

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds

483.24 487.16

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

Nil

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

NAHCO

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER *TOWER

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA NAHCO

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.04

1.00

11.86

99.96

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.24

5.21

15.94

99.31

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.27

8.71

19.44

99.18

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.66

4.88

15.72

96.87

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.73

1.00

11.88

100.69

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.81

2.63

13.54

101.01

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.02

1.00

12.71

100.50

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.09

1.34

13.04

102.13

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.02

1.00

12.62

100.92

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.84

1.88

13.49

108.49

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.80

3.48

15.07

101.64

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.21

5.20

16.88

102.03

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.21

5.06

16.74

101.67

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.00

1.35

12.99

103.09

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.07

2.29

13.99

103.37

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.40

6.11

17.76

98.81

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.27

2.16

13.78

105.63

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.15

2.76

14.81

101.70

11-Feb-18

3.39

1.00

12.63

93.45

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

141.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

143.58

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

12.00 11.21 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.84

4.69

110.34

111.18

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.03

3.83

103.82

104.53

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.15

5.04

108.57

109.41

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,613.64

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

6.95

105.75

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.30

105.04

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.57

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

8.59

8.05

94.74

96.36

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

5.94

5.60

100.23

101.45

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

8.69

105.75

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.03

100.85

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.92

8.66

99.35

100.31

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.44

103.01

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

7.70

94.77

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

8.62

8.47

103.63

104.38

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

7.52

101.63

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.37

8.15

101.06

102.16

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00 4,837.08

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59 66

FIXINGS Maturity 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14 23-Oct-14 30-Oct-14 6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.65 10.15 10.60 10.50 10.50 10.55 10.60 10.30 10.75

Offer Discount (%) 10.40 9.90 10.35 10.25 10.25 10.30 10.35 10.05 10.50

Bid Yield (%) 10.68 10.20 10.67 10.59 10.62 10.69 10.76 10.47 10.96

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.9167 12.3933 13.2014 14.1106

NITTY

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.54

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.75

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

163.75 163.73 163.99 164.60 165.79 166.89 170.60

163.85 163.97 164.30 165.18 166.86 168.49 173.98

O/N Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.58 11.76 12.62

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds

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

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.11 0.67 1.28 2.21 2.58 2.79

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.82 13.48 13.50 13.68 12.63 12.62

98.76 91.62 104.63 101.06 99.39 96.86

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 43 1,286.00

Sanctity of Truth

Sub-National Bonds 23, 2014 Tuesday, September A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

DEPRESSION

NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) returned to negative, as the bears TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEyesterday regained stronghold, TOTAL MARKETtheir CAPITALISATION following price losses suffered Corporate Bonds byA+/Agusto; majorAA/GCR blue chip companies. LAFARGE WAPCO Specifically, at the Aa/Agusto GTB close of business, the banking subsector NGC Nil Bbb-/Agusto the most active *UPDC remained stock µ

A-/Agusto

*FLOURMILLS

BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

0.06 0.94 0.54 1.06 1.07 2.57 1.62 3.27 2.25 4.03 2.44 2.45 2.83 2.90 5.17 3.05 3.58 6.18 6.27 3.76 3.79

in volume terms with 124.1 million shares valued at N1.1 billion in 1,341 deals followed by other financial services sub sector with 75.2 million units valued at N975.7 million in 678 deals. Precisely, transactions in the shares of Skye Bank Plc and UBA Plc enhanced activities in the banking subsector, while FBNH Plc boosted activities on other financial services sector. On the whole, investors exchanged a total of 344.9 million shares valued at N4.1 billion in 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 4,66313.50 transactions. GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 Further analysis showed UPDC 17-AUG-2015 that 10.00 the NSE All-Share Index 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

*CHELLARAMS

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

was down by 65.16 basis points or 0.16 per cent to return to 40,984.12, as against 41,049.28 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation depreciated by N22 billion or 0.16 per cent to close at N13.532 trillion from N13, 554 trillion. When the closing bell rang, the stock market recorded 29 gainers as against 23 others that depleted in price. Top on the gainers’ chart was one of the leading consumer goods 07-Oct-11 company, Nestle Nige11.50 ria Plc, which gained 18-Dec-09 13.50N19.90 17.00 share, to close01-Apr-10 at N1, 069.90 per 10.00 while 17-Aug-10 Seplat Petroleum fol-

lowed with a gain of N10.00 to close at N650.00 per share. Cement company, Lafarge Wapco Plc gained N3.50 to close at N131.00 per share. On the other hand, Unilever Nigeria Plc led on the price los-

NAHCO

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

he Nigerian Stock Ex*TOWER AAA/DataPro†; changeA+/GCR (NSE) has blamed *TOWER A/Agusto; UBA mostA/GCR of market infractions Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA being committed at the stock BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS market on low capitalised broBBB/GCR *DANA A+/Agusto; A-/GCR kers. NAHCO TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The Chief Executive Officer, TOTAL MARKET NSE, Mr. OscarCAPITALISATION Onyema, speaking at a forum, said there was Supranational Bond need to place a highIFCbarrier to AAA/S&P entry , adding that the recapitalTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE isation would CAPITALISATION increase profesTOTAL MARKET sionalism and make the market to become globally competitive. Rating/Agency Issuer “It is the smaller brokers FGN Eurobonds that commit most of the infractions because they are not roBB-/Fitch; B+/S&P bust enough to do the business. BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P This is economically non-viable BB-/Fitch; due to its low scale and pricing BB-/S&P power. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE “We MARKET benchmark ourselves TOTAL CAPITALISATION against other Exchanges and we Corporate Eurobonds discovered we have low market B/Fitch; B-/S&P PLCpenI concentration, lowAFREN retail B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I etration and low institutional B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC flows because of fragmented B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC broker as against other markets B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC that have the participation B/Fitch AFREN PLC II of global he said. B+/Fitch;players,” BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC Onyema explained that B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRSTdealing BANK PLC among 307 licenced B-/Fitch; B/S&P III members, only 235 AFREN are PLC active, A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

14.13 15.41 14.02 15.51 14.54 17.22 12.48 13.41 13.47 12.64 12.64 16.42 12.62 12.62 12.76 14.36 12.63 13.06 14.02 13.07 13.58

99.94 97.51 99.42 98.96 101.50 85.46 102.17 101.46 101.07 104.19 104.04 95.51 104.28 106.94 106.38 100.93 105.78 101.79 103.92 104.17 104.12

# #

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

noting thatTOWER there was a disproMPR+7.00 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 portionate amount of broker 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 per dollar amount of capitali15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 sation in Nigeria. MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 This, according 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019to him, has NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 made15.25 the market become unattractive to big players, as well as limits the size of the market. Onyema said that 50-100 firms10.20 are for the nation’s IFCideal 11-FEB-2018 capital market. The management of the Exchange had recently announced its intention to get tough with Description any dealing member firm that is not active for six consecutive 6.75 JAN their 28, 2021 opermonths by revoking ating licenses. 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 The decision, according to JULin 12, 2023 the Exchange, 6.38 was a bid to maintain the integrity of the capital market and further protect investors in Nigeria. Head of Legal and RegulaFEBNSE, 01, 2016 Ms. tion Division,11.50 the MAY 19, 2016 Tinuade Awe, 7.50 explained that 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 voluntary inactivity occurs 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 where the dealing member firm 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 has not engaged inAPR any trading 10.25 08, 2019 activity for a consecutive period 6.25 APR 22, 2019 May 21, 2019being of six months8.75 without 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 suspended by the Exchange or 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 the Securities and Exchange 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021

ers’ table, dropping by N1.74 to close at N48.26 per share, while Dangote Cement Plc followed with a loss of N1.15 to close at N222.85 per share. International Breweries Plc with 64 kobo to close at N28.00 per share.

New standards’ll inspire M&A, says Onyema

483.24 487.16

he Chief 07-Oct-14 Executive Officer 0.04 of the Nigerian Stock 18-Dec-14 0.24Ex2.00 change (NSE), 31-Dec-14 0.27 Mr. Oscar 3.61 Onyema has17-Aug-15 said that the0.66new 09-Dec-10 12.00 13.62 09-Dec-15 0.73 minimum operating standards 06-Jan-11 14.00 0.60 06-Jan-16 0.81 developed for dealing mem29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.02 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 bers of the 25-Oct-16 local bourse2.09was 30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 meant to spur mergers3.02and 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.73 30-Nov-17 1.84 acquisition. 09-Apr-11 16.00 7.20 09-Apr-18 1.80 Commission speaking at2.21 2014 09-Sep-11 (SEC). 18.00 2.90Onyema,09-Sep-18 0.80 09-Sep-18 Luncheon 2.21 of She09-Sep-11 added that the16.00 rule fur- Annual Business 22-Sep-11 that the 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.00Asther provides Exchange Capital Market Solicitors 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.70 18-Oct-18 2.07 shall forthwith revoke the lisociation held in Lagos, said, 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.41 17-Feb-19 2.40 cence of any dealing member “to achieve the growth we have 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.27 14-Nov-13 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.15 firm that falls into this15.25 category. envisioned, we need strong “Involuntary inactivity occurs 141.62 intermediaries, especially the where a dealing member firm 143.58 broker-dealers in our market. has been suspended from trad- It is against this backdrop that ing activities by the Exchange we developed minimum operat11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.39 or the SEC by reason of any 12.00 ing standards for our Dealing member community”. infraction committed by that 11.21 dealing member firm and it has He noted that these stanValuecoupled with the SEC’s not carried trading ac-Outstanding dards Issue Dateout anyCoupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) ($mm) tivity within the stipulated six minimum capital requirements would force bigger and better months period. 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 “The07-Oct-11 powers of the Exchange run intermediaries to emerge 4.84 under 12-Jul-13 this SEC approved rule 500.00 in the Nigerian capital market. 5.13 12-Jul-18 4.03 will be exercised judiciously “To achieve this, we have 12-Jul-13 6.38 5.15 as and will take into account all 500.00 encouraged12-Jul-23 ASHON to act the circumstances surrounding 1,500.00 an information clearing house each individual case as well as 1,613.64 and to form five working groups the interests of all stakeholders, to drive implementation of all particularly the investors,” she aspects of the NSE minimum 01-Feb-11 11.50 450.00 01-Feb-16 operating standards, and6.95 have explained. 7.50 Awe19-May-11 observed that the major- 500.00 volunteered19-May-16 our staff to4.30join 25-Jul-12 6.57 ity of the prohibited 7.25 practices 350.00 each working25-Jul-17 group as resource 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.59 in the market have been linked persons. 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 5.94 “When we started the jourto inactive firms and10.25 so, it was 300.00 08-Apr-12 08-Apr-19 8.69 important to stress that ney to transform 22-Apr-14 6.25the new 500.00 22-Apr-19the Exchange 6.03 8.75sanitis200.00 21-May-19 with Corpo8.92 rule is21-May-14 aimed at further in 2011, we started 8.25 07-Aug-20 7.44 rate Governance. We embedded ing the07-Aug-13 market to protect inves- 300.00 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 7.70 appropriate governance in all tors. 09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 11.80 13.17

Market infractions: NSE fingers small brokers A-/Agusto

3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

Stock market opens on negative track

Investors’ wealth dip N22 billion as market sentiment turned red

8.62

of1.00 our dealings from the Nation11.86 99.96 al5.21 Council, to its committees, all 15.94 99.31 8.71 way down 19.44 to the day-to-day 99.18 the 4.88 96.87 running of 15.72 the Exchange. 1.00 11.88 100.69 “We developed, documented, 2.63 13.54 101.01 optimised and 1.00 12.71 automated 100.50 mul1.34 policies 13.04 102.13 tiple and procedures to 1.00 12.62 100.92 achieve operational efficiency . 1.88 13.49 108.49 Today , we hold ourselves to the 3.48 15.07 101.64 same standards we ask of our 5.20 16.88 102.03 5.06 16.74 101.67 said. listed companies,” Onyema 1.35 12.99 that to 103.09 He explained boost li2.29 13.99 103.37 quidity and depth in the market, 6.11 17.76 98.81 the implementing 2.16 NSE began 13.78 105.63 2.76 14.81market 101.70 changes to its structure in 2012 by introducing market making in equities and fixed income, expanding the limit up/ limit down threshold from 5 per 1.00 12.63 93.45 cent to 10 per cent for stocks, and launching securities lending and short selling. Onyema added that toPrice ensure Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer better market quality, the NSE Prices & Yields introduced opening and closing 4.69 rotations 110.34 with Pre-Open 111.18 and Pre-Close Adjust sessions, 3.83 103.82 104.53 providing a window for market 108.57 5.04 109.41 makers to supplement liquidity during the opening and closing auctions. “Currently, the market has also been enabled to support 6.95 105.75 access 105.75 direct market (DMA), 4.30 which will105.04 open the 105.04 Nigerian 6.57 101.72 101.72 capital market to global inves8.05 94.74 96.36 tors as they will have more con5.60 100.23 101.45 trol final execution of 8.69 over the 105.75 105.75 their orders as well as100.85 the abil6.03 100.85 8.66to exploit 99.35 ity liquidity100.31 and price 7.44 103.01 103.01 ,” he opportunities more quickly 7.70 94.77 94.77 said. 8.47

103.63

104.38

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

7.52

101.63

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.37

8.15

101.06

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00 4,837.08

102.16

22-Sep-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 **Treasury FIXINGS Money Market FMDQ OTCBills PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com. Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) 10 2-Oct-14 10.65 17 9-Oct-14 10.15 FGN Bonds24 16-Oct-14 10.60 31 23-Oct-14 10.50 38 30-Oct-14 10.50 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 45 6-Nov-14 10.55 52 13-Nov-14 10.60 9.25 28-SEP-2014 59 20-Nov-14 10.30 66 27-Nov-14 10.75 4.00 23-APR-2015 73 4-Dec-14 10.10 13.05 16-AUG-2016 80 11-Dec-14 10.60 15.10 27-APR-2017 94 25-Dec-14 10.30 9.85 27-JUL-2017 101 1-Jan-15 10.80 9.35 31-AUG-2017 108 8-Jan-15 10.45 115 15-Jan-15 10.80 10.70 30-MAY-2018 122 22-Jan-15 10.25 16.00 29-JUN-2019 NA NA 129 29-Jan-15 10.80 7.00 23-OCT-2019 136 5-Feb-15 10.40 16.39 27-JAN-2022 143 12-Feb-15 10.80 14.20 14-MAR-2024 150 19-Feb-15 10.40 164 5-Mar-15 10.50 15.00 28-NOV-2028 199 9-Apr-15 10.20 12.49 22-MAY-2029 213 23-Apr-15 10.25 8.50 20-NOV-2029 227 7-May-15 10.10 10.00 23-JUL-2030 318 6-Aug-15 10.20 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 346 3-Sep-15 10.15 *from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Offer Discount (%) 10.40 9.90 10.35 10.25 10.25 Issue 10.30Date 10.35 28-Sep-07 10.05 10.50 23-Apr-10 9.85 16-Aug-13 10.35 27-Apr-12 10.05 27-Jul-07 10.55 31-Aug-07 10.20 10.55 30-May-08 10.00 29-Jun-12 10.55 23-Oct-09 10.15 27-Jan-12 10.55 14-Mar-14 10.15 10.25 28-Nov-08 9.95 22-May-09 10.00 20-Nov-09 9.85 23-Jul-10 9.95 18-Jul-14 9.90

Bid Yield (%) 10.68 10.20 10.67 10.59 10.62 Coupon 10.69 (%) 10.76 9.25 10.47 10.96 4.00 10.31 13.05 10.85 15.10 10.58 9.85 11.13 9.35 10.78 11.18 10.70 10.61 16.00 11.23 7.00 10.82 16.39 11.28 14.20 10.86 11.02 15.00 10.80 12.49 10.90 8.50 10.78 10.00 11.19 12.1493 11.23

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCONBuckets Modified Duration NA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FMBN <3 3<5 ***LCRM >5 Market

Tenor

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M (N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 10.9167 12.3933 13.2014 Maturity 14.1106

10.54

Tenor

O/N

10.75

Spot 7D 14D Yield Offer 1M (%) 2M 3M 2.06 6M 10.53 1Y 11.59

REPO

Date

100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 NITTY 23-Apr-15 545.27 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 452.80 27-Apr-17 1M 10.4315 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 10.5516 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 10.6731 6M 10.9239 300.00 30-May-18 9M 10.9744 351.30 29-Jun-19 12M 11.2535 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 331.35 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 22-May-29 BID($/N) 163.7650 200.00 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 163.8650 591.57 23-Jul-30 105.00 18-Jul-34

Rate (%)

OBB

TTM (Yrs) Tenor Call 1M0.02 3M0.58 6M1.90

Bid (%) Yield (%) Rate 10.58 10.88 11.76 12.62 10.81 13.47 11.68

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

2.60 11.59 11.52 2.84 11.62 11.56 :Benchmarks 2.94 11.62 11.56 * :Amortising3.69 Bond 11.63 11.53 µ :Convertible Bond 4.77 11.63 11.55 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.09 11.74 11.65 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 7.35 12.13 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of12.18 Nigeria 9.48 Finance Corporation 12.33 12.28 IFC: International LCRM: Local14.18 Contractors Receivables 12.55 Management 12.51 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.66 12.55 12.50 O/N: Overnight 15.16 12.54 12.49 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.83 12.35Company 12.30 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement 19.82 12.33 12.29 NOTE:

Bid ($/N) 163.75 163.73 163.99 Bid Price 164.60 165.79 99.97 166.89 170.60 96.23 178.03 102.25

Offer ($/N)

Price 163.85

163.97 164.30 Offer Price 165.18 166.86 100.12 168.49 173.9896.38 185.98 102.40

107.65 107.80 95.78 95.93 94.47 94.62 NA :Not Applicable # :Floating97.24 Rate Bond 97.54 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 115.90 115.60 82.21 82.51 †: Bond rating expired 120.00 120.30 110.25 110.55 116.00 116.30 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 99.59 99.89 UBA: United Bank for Africa 72.84 73.14 83.80 84.10 98.60 98.90

4,691.19 4,741.61

Description

0.00Porfolio AMCONMarket 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) Total Outstanding Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 1,045.43 998.07 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 1,125.85 951.30 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 922.92 0.00/16.50 LCRM862.14 III 06-JUL-2017 3,033.42 2,872.29

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Weighting by 28-Dec-11 Outstanding Vol 24-May-10

03-Apr-12 34.75 09-Dec-11 33.12 20-Apr-12 32.13 06-Jul-12 100.00

Weighting0.00 by Mkt Value 0.00

17.25 34.46 0.00/16.00 37.11 0.00/16.50 28.42 0.00/16.50 100.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

978.35 Bucket Weighting

24.56 3.30 0.35 112.22 0.33 116.70 0.32 66.49 1.00

1,301.62

% Exposure_ 31-Oct-14 Mod_Duration 24-May-15

0.11 Implied Yield

03-Apr-17 15.80 09-Dec-16 33.35 20-Apr-17 50.86 06-Jul-17 100.00

0.67 1.28 11.61 2.21 12.02 2.58 12.32 2.79 12.11

15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18

0.06 0.94 0.54 1.06 1.07 2.57 1.62 3.27 2.25 4.03

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price 2.63

11.82 INDEX

2.27 119.0953 2.00 135.0049 1.00 103.7661 1.00 119.4390

13.48 13.50 1,131.16 13.68 1,143.17 12.63 1,210.52 12.62 1,134.54

3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

14.13 15.41 14.02 15.51 14.54 17.22 12.48 13.41 13.47 12.64

Indicative Price

YTD Return 98.76 (%) 91.62

104.63 13.1163 101.06 14.3170 99.39 21.0516 96.86 13.4543

1,286.00

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER

15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11

14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00

99.94 97.51 99.42 98.96 101.50 85.46 102.17 101.46 101.07 104.19

Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014

Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005

44 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at September 22, 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 40 13 8 61

Current Price 0.51 34.50 37.50

Quantity Traded 7,974,955 70,432 55,731 8,101,118

Value Traded 4,053,568.65 2,389,594.00 2,180,000.16 8,623,162.81

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 2.92

Quantity Traded 164,777 164,777

Value Traded 493,352.61 493,352.61

8,265,895

9,116,515.42

Quantity Traded 432,964 1,367 5,000 100 22,207,357 222,889

Value Traded 568,046.82 5,399.65 5,150.00 444.00 128,735,704.32 12,740,420.21

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES

Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U ASummary C N PLC. on Board EQTY Activity CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Diversified Industries Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

81 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 27 CHELLARAM 1 JOHNHOLT 1 Daily Summary (Equities) SCOA 1 TRANSCORP 319 UACN 44 Symbol

Current Price 1.38 3.95 1.08 4.67 5.70 57.50

No. of Deals 393

CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price

22,869,677

142,055,165.00

Current Price 1.01

Quantity Traded 196,332 196,332

Value Traded 197,186.48 197,186.48

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 67.20

Quantity Traded 222,883 222,883

Value Traded 14,931,518.56 14,931,518.56

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 14.55

Quantity Traded 36,151 36,151

Value Traded 535,146.15 535,146.15

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 9.13

Quantity Traded 29,900 29,900

Value Traded 284,050.00 284,050.00

485,266

15,947,901.19

Quantity Traded 46,087

Value Traded 418,683.00

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board

GOODS PublishedCONSUMER by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Daily Summary as ofSystems 22/09/2014 CHAMS PLC Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005

E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

No. of Deals 9

Current Price 9.00

Page Quantity Traded 250 68,734 101,925 550,750 1,997,214 543,114 3,308,074

of 14 Value Traded 210.00 12,007,776.26 2,895,330.80 1,289,520.00 356,924,188.86 2,714,529.13 376,250,238.05

Symbol GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 1 42 20 15 125 36 248

Current Price 0.80 175.00 28.36 2.34 178.99 4.87

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 134.00

Quantity Traded 11,864 11,864

Value Traded 1,669,264.80 1,669,264.80

No. of Deals 11 52 71 30 2 28 6 1 (Equities) 201

Current Price 6.89 8.10 62.30 4.02 0.50 9.20 21.99 13.41

Quantity Traded 40,886 2,033,815 360,511 387,086 5,915,172 249,497 5,390 500 8,992,857

Value Traded 267,998.80 16,530,973.14 22,061,052.85 1,560,825.37 2,957,586.00 2,291,543.77 118,908.40 6,370.00 45,795,258.33

Symbol CADBURY

No. of Deals 42

Current Price 52.50

Quantity Traded 480,736

Value Traded 25,227,978.96

Symbol NESTLE

No. of Deals 118 160

Current Price 1,069.90

Quantity Traded 630,144 1,110,880

Value Traded 665,065,632.81 690,293,611.77

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 16 19 35

Current Price 4.24 1.50

Quantity Traded 52,750 323,249 375,999

Value Traded 216,402.00 496,327.00 712,729.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 66 32 98

Current Price 34.99 48.26

Quantity Traded 418,122 212,146 630,268

Value Traded 14,033,321.00 10,241,963.20 24,275,284.20

14,429,942

1,138,996,386.15

Current Price 9.59 6.24 18.10 1.95

Quantity Traded 6,162,790 6,240,631 20,310,715 13,245,357

Value Traded 59,101,156.10 39,326,045.81 378,525,965.09 25,969,021.03

No. of Deals 277 156 35 205 52 12 23 308 1,341

Current Price 28.51 2.70 2.14 6.82 9.80 0.50 0.90 24.70

Quantity Traded 5,478,291 29,068,057 3,055,664 Page 25,029,946 334,677 4,150,000 1,256,894 9,836,711 124,169,733

Value Traded 155,542,238.07 79,489,482.04 6,595,804.84 4 of 14 174,974,368.89

3,251,995.73 2,075,000.00 1,122,291.38 240,920,101.82 1,166,893,470.80

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 22 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 14 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 6 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 11 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 4 Daily Summary asUNION of 22/09/2014 LAW AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 3 Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE 2 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 4 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 15 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 39 Daily Summary (Equities) PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 2 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS 2 Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 0.82 0.97 0.52 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.58 0.55 0.83 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,082,877 353,200 115,000 1,000 214,000 1,066,789 119,000 1,000 40,300 464,446 7,436,759 5,700 1,000

Value Traded 2,529,773.70 337,240.00 58,660.00 500.00 112,335.28 533,394.50 59,500.00 500.00 104,780.00 253,145.84 6,007,419.79 2,850.00 500.00

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Brokers Exchange © Services Insurance Carriers, and SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services 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. Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified Activity Summary on Board EQTY CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

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 Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 CONSUMER GOODS Totals Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Activity Summary on Board EQTY FIDELITY BANK PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Published byUNITED The Nigerian © BANKStock FOR Exchange AFRICA PLC

UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON

Daily Summary

761 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 18 Daily Summary (Equities) DIAMONDBNK 61 ETI 111 FIDELITYBK 83

Symbol GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Page

Symbol SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE UNIC WAPIC

No. of Deals 3 2 1 3 93 227

Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.77

Page Quantity Traded 1,020 1,000 500 1,500 52,935,822 65,840,913

5Value Traded of 14

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

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3 6 9

Current Price 5.42 0.98

Quantity Traded 900 250,170 251,070

Value Traded 5,085.00 246,164.90 251,249.90

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 Other Financial Institutions Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY UBA CAPITAL PLC

Symbol ASOSAVINGS UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 562 1,562

Value Traded 500.00 281.00 781.00

Symbol No. of Deals AFRIPRUD 32 CUSTODYINS 17 FBNH 487 FCMB 48 Daily Summary (Equities) ROYALEX 1 STANBIC 40 UBCAP 53

Current Price 3.10 4.00 14.00 4.15 0.51 31.20 2.05

Quantity Traded 104,128 553,639 65,228,648 6,750,298 85,791 676,989 1,802,702

Value Traded 335,478.93 2,218,055.09 920,821,550.90 27,825,568.87 43,753.41 20,821,823.38 3,700,658.38

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 75,202,195

6 of 14 Value Traded 975,766,888.96

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Other Financial Institutions Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC.

No. of Deals 678 2,257

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH

No. of Deals 2 24 10

265,465,473 Current Price 2.10 3.56 65.00

Quantity Traded 3,070 924,965 7,543

510.00 500.00 250.00 750.00 40,245,604.87 50,248,213.98

2,193,160,604.64 Value Traded 6,140.00 3,187,604.65 467,907.98

1,372,622

4,233,256.61

Quantity Traded 137,000 137,000

Value Traded 74,350.50 74,350.50

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 4.80 1.86

Quantity Traded 100 2,000 2,100

Value Traded 480.00 3,540.00 4,020.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 2,000 700 2,700

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,470.00 2,470.00

141,800

80,840.50

Current Price 33.00

Quantity Traded 573,932

Value Traded 18,917,436.03

Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 61

Page

Building Materials BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 7 18 27 23 2 17 84 239

Current Price 8.60 39.49 14.45 222.85 1.10 5.33 131.00

Quantity Traded 11,142 143,848 273,557 561,005 6,379 806,800 852,695 3,229,358

Value Traded 94,201.90 5,646,728.46 3,891,218.25 123,871,923.85 7,197.95 4,298,844.00 110,997,336.64 267,724,887.08

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.83

Quantity Traded 319,500 319,500

Value Traded 587,350.00 587,350.00

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 1.75 18.85 12.08

Quantity Traded 1,000 2,000 500 3,500

Value Traded 1,670.00 36,000.00 6,000.00 43,670.00

3,552,358

268,355,907.08 Value Traded 271,705.00 271,705.00

Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005

253

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol Daily Summary (Equities) JAPAULOIL

Value Traded 398,965.84 172,638.14 4,233,256.61

Current Price 0.55

Daily Summary (Equities) Board EQTY

Quantity Traded 273,402 163,642 1,372,622

No. of Deals 7 7

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Activity Summary on

Current Price 1.47 1.07

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CHAMPION

No. of Deals 17 13 66 66

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

Value Traded of 14 142,055,165.00

No. of Deals 15 15

Symbol MAYBAKER NEIMETH

HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

393

Quantity Traded Page 22,869,677

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 543,410 543,410 Page

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 314 314

Current Price 23.70

Quantity Traded 6,134,592 6,134,592

Value Traded 143,907,310.93 143,907,310.93

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 26 33 90 30 8 18 205

Current Price 47.99 3.75 224.80 174.00 56.00 172.53

Quantity Traded 19,727 1,024,880 194,619 37,027 22,396 26,530 1,325,179

Value Traded 916,554.40 3,876,871.61 43,104,130.61 6,588,594.80 1,132,691.84 4,719,739.46 60,338,582.72

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 650.00

Quantity Traded 167,823 167,823

Value Traded 109,010,875.15 109,010,875.15

8,171,004

313,528,473.80

OIL AND GAS Totals Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 Printed 22/09/2014 SERVICES15:15:05.005 Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers

T BRISCOEon PLC. ActivityR Summary Board EQTY SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

556 Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00

No. of Deals 10

Current Price 0.97

Quantity Traded 36,155

Value Traded 35,452.98

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol RTBRISCOE

Page Quantity Traded 36,155

10 of 14 Value Traded 35,452.98

Current Price 4.50 1.55

Quantity Traded 1,085,766 100,000 1,185,766

Value Traded 4,786,085.40 155,000.00 4,941,085.40

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 57,380 57,380

Value Traded 28,690.00 28,690.00

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 22,400 22,400

Value Traded 11,200.00 11,200.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 81 81

Current Price 2.14

Quantity Traded 14,078,948 14,078,948

Value Traded 32,953,309.01 32,953,309.01

Symbol ACADEMY

No. of Deals 5 3 4 12

Current Price 1.41 1.60 4.13

Quantity Traded 45,425 10,010 71,500 126,935

Value Traded 66,290.25 15,215.20 267,695.00 349,200.45

Symbol

No. of Deals 10

Current Price

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 18 1 19

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals Hotels/Lodging Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 IKEJA HOTEL PLC Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Activity Summary on Board Printing/Publishing TotalsEQTY Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 Printed 22/09/2014 SERVICES15:15:05.005

Transport-Related Services

SERVICES ANDEQTY LOGISTICS PLC ActivityAIRLINE Summary on Board SERVICES Transport-Related Services NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) LEARNAFRCA UPL

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 0.67

Quantity Traded 1,580,317Page

Value Traded 11 of 14 1,066,959.39 1,066,959.39

No. of Deals 9

Current Price 2.00

Quantity Traded 269,830

Value Traded 538,760.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AIRSERVICE

Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 53 62

Current Price 5.05

Quantity Traded 1,823,770 2,093,600

Value Traded 9,197,573.19 9,736,333.19

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 4.87

Quantity Traded 1,001,700 1,001,700

Value Traded 4,914,896.50 4,914,896.50

229

20,193,201

54,042,126.92

4,662

344,947,238

4,139,517,177.31

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

1,580,317

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Daily Summary as of 22/09/2014 CONSUMER GOODS Printed 22/09/2014 15:15:05.005 Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Published Food by TheProducts Nigerian Totals Stock Exchange ©

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

EquityCONSUMER Activity Totals GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals

Exchange Traded Fund

Name Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED © FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Current Price 1.48

Quantity Traded 35,500 35,500Page

Value Traded 50,055.00 12 50,055.00 of 14

4,663 1

344,982,738 35,500

4,139,567,232.31 50,055.00

35,500

50,055.00

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1,924.00 18.70

Quantity Traded Page 100 20 120

Value Traded 13 192,400.00 of 14 373.40 192,773.40

ETF Board Totals

120

192,773.40

ETP Activity Totals

120

192,773.40

FEATURES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

Dry port demolition: Creating setback for Plateau's economy The recent demolition of structures at the Dry Inland Port at Heipang in Plateau State is causing ripples among indigenes and other stakeholders in the state, writes BUHARI BELLO

he administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 muted the idea for the construction of an international dry inland port in Plateau State. On May 16 of that year, the state government signed the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement to develop the facility located at Heipang near the Jos Airport, expected to boost the social and economic well-being of the North Central Region. The Federal Government was then represented by the then Minister of Transport who stood as the guarantor who admitted all the five agreements establishing the Duncan Maritime Ventures Nigeria Limited as a limited liability. The company was duly incorporated under the law having its registered office situated at No 41A Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. The project was designed to erase the difficulties faced by shippers and ensure the provision of access to port’s facilities, apart from decongesting the sea ports by increasing storage facilities and facilitating door to door delivery of cargo in parts of the country. But the recent actions by Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) which mobilised armed men of “Operation Rainbow” to demolish all the buildings so far built at the site came as a surprise to many economy experts in the North Central. The General Manager of JMDB, General Musa Gambo Wuyep (rtd), said the demolition was being challenged in court. But observers said that the action was a total violation of the provisions of the law establishing the board as the location of the site was outside its jurisdiction. The indigenes of the area also described the demolition as “highly reckless”. The people, who are mainly peasant farmers, said the action of the state government would deny them the opportunity to earn money by working as labourers at the site of the project. They

The site of the project

also accused the government of playing politics with the project. One of those working at the construction site, who is a student of Civil Engineering at the state Polytechnic, Mr Paul Choji, appealed to the state government to take a wise decision that would promote the economy of the state and the entire region. He said: “As the project has been stopped, I would be withdrawn from school because I may be unable to pay tuition fees. Duncan offers us 80 per cent opportunity by engaging many of us which is keeping our body and soul together.” Choji explained that most of the labourers and members of the host community appreciated the Federal Government because they were employed by the

One of the demolished structures

construction company. Counsel to Duncan International Inland Port, Mr. Michael Choji Idu, warned the state government against what he described as “retrogressive act”. He said the action of the state government might cause a serious setback for the project. The Acting Project Manager, Nenfort Clifford, said no fewer than 800 labourers working at the site that fateful day were obstructed by the men of the government security outfit, Operation Rainbow. The Group General Manager, Duncan Group of Companies, Dr Godfrey Bawa Shitgurum Assarkawa (MON), condemned the destruction of facilities at the Jos Inland Container depot. He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, since the inception of the Jos ICD proj-

ect, transactions have been between Duncan Maritime Ventures Limited and the Federal Government through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Transport and at no point had we any direct contact with the Plateau State Government.” Assarkawa said because of the importance attached to the project, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on March 15, 2006 approved its commencement on a BOT agreement in six locations, including Heipang. According to him, this was backed up legally with the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette No 30, Vol. 94 of May 21, 2007. To further facilitate the execution of the project, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, contacted the respective state governments for land. After negotiation, the Plateau State Government, it was learnt, handed over the Heipang site to the Federal Government vide a letter PSG/1100/ Vol. II/308 dated September 24, 2007 and signed by the Commissioner for Land, Survey and Town Planning, Nanle Dashen. As the people await the outcome of the suit, the main issue agitating the minds of the people is the loss of Federal Government’s projects to neighbouring states, owing to the inability of the host communities or the state government to provide the needed environment.

46 FEATURES

The condition under which many pupils learn in Lagos primary schools is so appalling that an epidemic may break out soon, writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Endangering pupils’ lives

eal learning, it is often said, can only take place in a conducive environment. This essential factor needed in learning, unfortunately, is not a feature of most primary schools in Lagos State. Cleanliness, which used to be the hallmark of primary education, is now absent in many schools in the state of aquatic splendour. Instead of displaying academic excellence, many primary schools in the Centre of Excellence are now showcasing filth. Many leaders of tomorrow now learn in squalor. Some of the public primary schools are in a state of poor environmental and hygienic condition. Many of the schools are disasters waiting for the right moment to happen. Worst on the list is Local Government Primary School in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area. The school, located in the heart of Agege, houses three primary schools - Bishop Oluwole, Holy Trinity and All Saints primary schools - with a combined population of over 3,000 pupils. At the premises is a hugely flooded field which collects rainwater from Agege and its environs. The situation in the school is so terrible that it looks like a war-torn community. Probably because of its closeness to the popular Iju Motor Park at Pen Cinema, the street urchins, otherwise called area boys, take over the premises as soon as the school closes. They use the school compound for all manners of anti-social behaviour, including Indian hemp smoking, raping, etc. According to a source, the school always goes on compulsory vacation whenever there is down pour. “The flood is a very big problem in this school. All the water coming from Iju, Agege and Ogba seems to be directed here. The water stays for days before drying up. In it we see dangerous reptiles such as snakes, among others. It breeds mosquitoes which cause malaria. Flies and frogs are everywhere; they even enter the classrooms during classes,” the source said. In the school, a classroom has been converted to a toilet. There are faeces everywhere in the classroom. Another classroom is occupied by miscreants who have easy access to the school immediately after school. “They do all sorts of things there. When we come here in the morning,

The flooded premises

The only functioning toilet

A block of classroms in the school

we see butts of cigarette, used condoms and broken bottles of gin. “Whenever he is confronted, the security man, who is in his late sixties, will say that he does not even have a touch light to see or any weapon to ward off the miscreants who invade the school,” another source said. Beside the Bishop Oluwole School is the State Universal Basic Education Board building. The structure is dilapidated and abandoned, while windstorms have pulled down major part of the roof. It now poses another danger to some of the about 3,000 pupils. There could be an outbreak of epidemics in the school. Every ingredient of an outbreak of epidemics is present there. Faeces littered the front of the classrooms, even where food and snacks are sold. Flies usually have a field day perching on exposed food and snacks which the pupils buy during recreation and gleefully consume. It is a sad tale that the school, with such a huge population of pupils and teachers, has only one functional toilet, which is even an eyesore. One of the teachers, who craved anonymity, called on the school management committee to come to the aid of the innocent pupils. He said: “The school committee should swing into action immediately by constructing solid drainage

There could be an outbreak of epidemics in the school. Every ingredient of an outbreak of epidemics is present there channels to remove flood from the premises. “The security situation here is very poor and those area boys have capitalised on that. There is a need for Zebra crossing in front of the gate because that is the only entrance to the school and these pupils must cross the Iju Road to enter the school. “The classrooms are not enough at all. There is no functioning borehole to provide the required quantity of water in the school. The pupils can end up drinking contaminated water from other sources.” Corroborating his views, a female teacher called for the timely intervention of the school management committee. She said: “Our toilets are in bad conditions. Only one is serving everybody here; the other ones are blocked. Hence, we need immediate action.” A female teacher at the Holy Trinity Primary School bemoaned the

A breeding ground for reptiles

poor environmental condition of the school. She said: “We have a new gate, but we don’t have drainage channels to remove rainwater in the school compound. Whenever it rains, we vacate for two or three days. “Secondly, we need new buildings; some of the ones you can see are dilapidated and abandoned. The government has come to assess the condition of the SUBEB building. But we want the government to assess other structures too and embark on speedy renovation of the structures.” The Chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Mr Oloruntoba Oke, neither picked his calls nor responded to message sent to his telephone on the state of the schools. But when contacted, Zonal Education Secretary, Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Olaleko Majiyagbe, said though the schools were under Ifako-Ijaiye in Ijaiye Local Government Area, they fell under his zone. He said: “The schools in question are under Ifako-Ijaiye, but I will take the matter to the Education Officer in charge of the area. I will also take it to the chairman of the Local Council and State Primary Education Board. The situation obviously requires immediate action.” As schools across the country are resuming on September 22, it is expected that the government would overhaul the schools before then.

NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Confusion mars resumption of schools in Enugu Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

onfusion yesterday marred the resumption of schools in Enugu State as the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) refused to heed the directive of the Federal Government that student should return for the current academic session. While some schools resumed academic activities as directed, some did not as the teachers stayed away. Also added to the con-

fusion was the absence of Ebola detection and prevention kits in many of the schools monitored by our reporter. The confusion brought by the NUT disposition, it was gathered, caused a general low attendance of pupils and students, but in some of the schools monitored, normal academic activities took place. Again, in the few schools where some Ebola kits were provided, we learnt that the authorities of the schools actu-

Group tasks Christians on 2015 elections Chris Ejim Yenagoa

socio-political group, AMovement Grassroots Corporative Nigeria (GRC-

MN), has called on Christians and other well-meaning Nigerians to join the race for elective positions in the next political dispensation. The group has also thrown its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan's second term ambition as it advised political office seekers to start from the ward level. South-South Coordinator of the group, Reverend John B. Michael, in an interview shortly after its meeting in Yenagoa at

the weekend said it was time Christians and individuals with sincerity of purpose came out to participate in elections rather than allow people with questionable character hijack the process. He also said that politicians seeking positions should come up through the grassroots and not from the top. “Gone are the days when men of God, good people sat on the fence and allowed charlatans to take over the political space, it is time for everyone, including Christians, to come out and participate in the political system," Michael said.

Obuh congratulates Jonathan for emerging PDP candidate

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Delta State, Sir Anthony Chuks Obuh, has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan, over his recent adoption by the party as the consensus presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections. He said the decision is the best thing that has happened to the nation’s advancement in entrenching and consolidating good governance and constitutional democracy. He urged Nigerians

to take advantage of the adoption of the President by voting massively for him so as to ensure the continuity of his lofty socio-economic programmes anchored on his transformation agenda, which he said has yielded inestimable economic growth and development across the country. Obuh, enumerated one of the achievements of Jonathan as the liberalisation of the power sector, which he said has improved power supply across the country.

Uneasy calm over delay in appointing VC for Bayelsa varsity Chris Ejim Yenagoa

here is an uneasy calm Tversity at the Niger Delta Uni(NDU), Ammas-

soma, over the delay in the appointment of a new vice-chancellor for the institution by the Bayelsa State government. While students of the institution are worried over the issue, members of staff, including academic and non-academic staff, are eagerly await-

ing the announcement of a substantive vicechancellor, especially after five candidates, including the acting ViceChancellor, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, had been interviewed for the job. Some of the workers and students also claimed that the delay is affecting the smooth running of the institution, asking the state government to either confirm the acting vice-chancellor or announce a new person.

ally provided them in the absence of any from the state Ministry of Health. For instance, a teacher at the St. Theresa's College, Nsukka, told our reporter on telephone that; “Our students and teachers are here in their numbers, but we did not see any Ebola kit from government, rather, we provided a thermometer and some bottles of sanitiser.” Also at Queens School, Enugu, some students told New Telegraph that some kits were provided, but that they were not sure whether it was the government or the school authorities that provided them.

3-4bn

Investigation also showed that owing to the uncertainty that surrounded the resumption date, actual teaching and learning activities were at their lowest ebb in some schools. For example, many students at Community Secondary School, Ede Oballa, Nsukka council area, were seen milling around and trooping out of the school gate. A teacher in the school said no academic work was going on and that the teachers were expecting to be briefed by the authorities. The same scenario also

The estimated number of people without access to safe and reliable tap water in their homes in the world. Source: Unesco.org

played out at Nike Gramma School, where, many of the students were seen in their numbers in the school compound and not in their classrooms. At Obiagu Primary School, Enugu, a visit to the school at noon 1.20pm showed that there was no pupil in the compound, but a teacher who said they had dismissed the students as there was no academic activity taking place. Meanwhile, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has directed the state’s Ministries of Education and Health to organise a training pro-

0.1%

The annual population growth rate of Gibraltar in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

gramme for primary and post-primary school teachers across the state on how to handle the deadly Enola Virus Disease (EVD) even as normal academic activities resumed yesterday. This was part of the governor’s decision at the end of a meeting with members of the state executive council at the Government House. Suswam said the measure would help forestall the spread of the disease in the event of its outbreak. He announced that his administration has set aside funds for the training exercise.

15m

The world record transfer fee paid for JeanPierre Papin by AC Milan in 1992. Source: Goal.com

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs.Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Community Affairs, Mr.Kunle Ige; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and member, House of Assembly, Hon. Olatunji Ibraheem, during the flag-off of the construction of 225km rural roads and official launch of Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) Phase II at Ira Open Square, Oriade Local Government… at the weekend

Nigerians in Diaspora drum support for Kwankwaso the present situation head of the All Pro- the group regretted that Nigeria currently.” The group called on the country has found A(APC) gressives Congress Nigeria has not been forprimary election is tunate to have good lead- Nigerians to support itself due to bad leaderbilled to hold next month, a group of Nigerian professionals in the United Kingdom, The Kwankwasiya Ambassadors of Nigeria (KAN Diaspora), has called on the leadership of the APC to support the presidential ambition of the incumbent Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. According to a statement signed by the Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire and its Media Director, Ladi Vera-Cruz,

ers since independence. The group therefore said Governor Kwankwaso has all it takes to bring Nigeria out of the doldrums. “The KAN Diaspora believes that of all our new generation leaders, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stands out as an avant-garde progressive leader with deep understanding of our national mood and the uncommon courage and vision to halt the national decay that is plaguing

Kwankwaso’s quest to bring change to Nigeria, adding that; “He has the pedigree, the experience, proven track record of service delivery and above all, he is a fearless advocate of change. “His agenda of sustainable and positive change in Nigeria remains the best alternative to the state of helplessness Nigerians have been subjected to by the PDP-led Federal Government.” KAN Diaspora flayed

ship. “There is no coherent national policy or strategic vision to build and maintain our basic national physical and social infrastructures. “The decay in our national educational system has reached a new low that our graduates cannot compete with graduates from other emerging or medium economies of the world. Life expectancy has plummeted due to abysmal and pathetic healthcare system."

‘Power outage responsible for Kano's economic woes’ Muhammad Kabir Kano

Managing Director Tityhe of the Kano ElectricDistribution Compa-

ny (KEDCO), Mr. Jamil Gwamna, yesterday said the incessant power outage suffered in the state in the past was responsible for the economic

woes being experienced in the state now. He said the crippled economy has nothing to do with the level of insecurity facing the state, but that the lack of sustainable power supply was behind the comatose state of the economy. Gwamna told an induction course of about 350

newly employed staff of the company that Kano was almost grounded because most companies that relied on electricity for survival had no access to it, forcing them to relocate to other states. The managing director reminded the inductees that Kano was connected to the national

grid during the colonial era with the capacity to link the three northern states of Katsina, Jigawa and Kano with a population of over 90 million. He said, however, that with time, the state power company could not even provide power for Kano municipality not to mention the other states.

48 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Hoodlums invade Ekiti court, chase judge, lawyers away Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he case filed by a group, the E-11 against Ekiti State GovernorElect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, challenging his eligibility to contest the June 21 governorship poll, suffered a setback yesterday as some hoodlums invaded the court forcing lawyers and the presiding judge, Justice Segun Ogunyemi, to scamper for safety. The Ekiti State government, however, condemned the attack. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Tayo Ekundayo the government said it viewed the invasion of the hoodlums believed to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “an unwarranted desecration of the temple of justice”. It also blamed the escalation of the crises on the nonchalant attitude displayed by policemen at the court premises. The government said it amounted to a barbaric act of epic proportion for a

group of people to gang up to invade a court in a bid to avert hearing in a case brought for determination before a judge. “This attempt to subvert the rule of law and throw the Ekiti into an state of confusion and violence is most condemnable." The hoodlums, mostly okada riders and concerned voters descended on the court room while the court adjourned for an hour to write a ruling on an application filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDA) on the abridgement of time to respond to an application filed by the applicants. The judge had abridged the time PDP would respond to an application from 30 to three days. Ogunyemi narrowly escaped being lynched by the youths over what they called his desperation for expeditious hearing of the case before Fayose would be inaugurated on October 16, 2014. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman

of Ado West Local Government Development Authority, Mr. Sunday Ibitoye and one of the plaintiffs, Mr. Adeniyi Ajakaye were beaten and chased out of the court premises, thereby leading to abrupt termination of the hearing of the case. Sensing danger, policemen who tried to put the irate youths at bay went to the inner chambers of the court where Ogunyemi was preparing for the afternoon session and ferried him through the backdoor to prevent him from being molested by the livid youths. The rampaging youths, who called the trial judge all sorts of unprintable names, claimed that Ogunyemi must have allegedly taken sides for exhibiting what they called desperation for expeditious trial of the case. Before things fell apart, Ogunyemi had ruled that his court had jurisdiction to hear the matter. The defendants had challenged the jurisdiction of the court on the prem-

ise that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) being a defendant in the matter, it ought to be heard by a Federal High Court. Also, the judge had given an indication that he would take all applications and rule on them and also start the hearing of the substantive suit immediately. The trial, which began peacefully in the morning by the presiding judge, later turned violent after the judge had dismissed the application brought by Fayose challenging the jurisdictional powers of the court to hear the case. The trial judge also struck out the application brought by the defendants which sought the reversal of the earlier ruling delivered by Ogunyemi. The application granted the plaintiffs’ request for the abridgement of days by which the defendants must reply to issues raised in the substantive suit. Reacting to the development, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Olu-

wawole, who urged Justice Ogunyemi to steer clear of the case, condemned Justice Ogunyemi over what he called alleged “conniv-

ance with the APC-led government to pervert justice in the case instituted by E-11 group, who are antiFayose.”

Independence of judiciary not achievable, says Fashola Akeem Nafiu agos Governor, Mr. L(SAN), Babatunde Fashola yesterday said the much touted autonomy for the judiciary is not feasible. He argued that no government would yield to such request especially when the internally generated revenue (IGR) tied to judicial autonomy was not constantly paid in advance to government’s coffers. Fashola, who spoke in Lagos through the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said it was his desire to allow the independence of the judiciary to thrive, insisting that ‘it is not achievable in reality”. It was at special service held at the Lagos

Central Mosque to usher in the 2014/2015 legal year. According to him, though the state government was never at any time opposed to the independence of the judiciary, the idea was not achievable in reality as other vital aspects of governance would suffer. Fashola said: "The idea of judicial autonomy is a welcomed development to the system but in reality, it is not achievable due to the fact that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not paid to the government in advance. "Besides, complete implementation of court judgment on the matter will cause another legal firework because other sectors will perceive it as preferential treatment and it will not augur well".

Ngige tasks APC members on grassroots mobilisation Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

governor of Ftorormer Anambra State SenaChris Ngige has

L-R: Winner of 2014 International Fashion Week, Ibitein Thompson; Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari and Deputy Governor, Mr Tele Ikuru, at the 2014 Rivers International Fashion Week Awards in Port Harcourt …at the weekend

speedway

From death traps and pot holes, motorists may soon enjoy smooth ride on Trunk A roads and bridges Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

inister of Works, Mike Onolememen has announced that 184 road projects across the country are currently ongoing, including those inherited from previous administrations. Onolememen who made this known at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja said the Federal Government’s on-going rehabilitation, construction, expansion and maintenance of major arterial highways across the country will bring a new lease of life to citizens and road users.

Onolememen: 184 road projects ongoing nationwide “From about 4,500km of fair roads in 2011, today more than 25,000km of the 35,000km of federal roads are now in good and motorable condition, with some of the road alignments comparing favourably with roads in the developed parts of the World, not to mention the emergency intervention in some critical highways infrastructure such as the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway that provides access to Tin Can Island and Apapa port in Lagos state”, he stated. He said that the objectives of the Transformation Agenda in the road sector have been largely achieved in the past three years of the Jonathan presidency. According to him,

the advent of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in January 2012, following the partial removal of subsidy on the prices of petroleum products, has ensured additional funding of selected projects in the road sector resulting in enhanced service delivery. “This contributed to the remarkable progress witnessed in 2013 on the dualization of five (5) key arterial roads across the six geopolitical zones of our country. These are the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Highway, Kano-Maiduguri Highway, and the reconstruction of OnitshaEnugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Benin-OreShagamu Expressway

and Lagos-ShagamuIbadan Expressway. “Not only that, proceeds from SURE-P are also being applied in the construction of the new Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue linking Nasarawa and Benue States, and the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha/Asaba linking Anambra and Delta States, just as the highway corridors, when fully completed, will not only galvanise and ramp up productive economic activities in the country to greater heights, will also strengthen our sociopolitical integration in a manner that will encourage peaceful co-existence among citizens of our country”, Onolememen assured.

charged members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State to intensity its grass-roots mobilization ahead of the 2015 National and State Assembly elections. While re-assuring them that the battle is between the APC and the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, he promised a level playing ground for all aspirants. Ngige who spoke through the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Emeka Ibe stated emphatically that APC will

leave no stone unturned in making sure that its' candidates are people who have been tested, trusted and of impeccable character. Addressing party supporters at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Nkpor Uno in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State during the inauguration of members of local government Executives and word Chairmen of the party, Ngige made it clear that APC is taking appropriate steps to take over the leadership of the country to save the country from insecurity, mass unemployment, and hardship, advising them to call the Igbo to order so, as to join the winning party before it is too late.

Adeniran Ogunsanya College workers begin warning strike Shadrack Yusuf orkers at the Lagos W State-owned Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Edu-

cation, AOCOED, Ijanikin, under the aegis of the Senior Staff Union of College of Education (SSUCOEN) and the institution's chapter of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, have commenced a three-day warning industrial action over what they described as neglect by Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration.

The workers, who addressed a media briefing yesterday on the campus, accused the government of non-remittance of its pension and tax fund, failure to promote workers already due for promotion, non-payment of cooperative and third party cheque, proposed move to disharmonize members in AOCOED International School and AOCOED Staff School, non-implementation of 65 years retirement age, among several other allegations.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Legion tasks President on Osun sun State Council of Oyesterday the Nigerian Legion called on Pres-

ident Goodluck Jonathan to give attention to all their outstanding arrears and entitlements which are yet to be offset by the concerned authorities. The Council which spoke through its National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki in a statement in Osogbo, frowned at the lukewarm attitude of the government to-

Nigerians in Benin Republic endorse Jonathan

Children displaced by Boko Haram, learning under a tree at an IDP Camp in Maiduguri …yesterday

Ebola kills 2,793 in West Africa —WHO …virus contained in Senegal, Nigeria

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has killed 2,793 in West Africa, noting that the outbreak had been contained in Senegal and Nigeria. The UN health agency, which also published the results of the latest meeting of its Ebola emergency committee, said a total of 5,762 people had been infected in five West African countries as of September 18. Guinea, where the outbreak began at the start of the year, and neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone by far account for most of the cases and continue to see ballooning numbers. Liberia has been hardhit, with 3,022 cases and 1,578 deaths alone. At the same time “the outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria are pretty much

contained,” WHO said in a statement released yesterday. Senegal has not reported any new cases of the deadly virus since it registered its first and only case on August 29 – a Guinean student who has since recovered. And Nigeria, where 21 people have been infected, eight of whom have died, has not reported any new cases since September 8, WHO pointed out. The incubation period for Ebola is 21 days, and double that time must pass without any new cases arising before a country can be deemed transmission-free. Meanwhile, WHO said that a meeting of its Ebola emergency committee last week had determined that the outbreak remained a “public health emergency of international concern.”

The committee had reiterated its opposition to general bans on international travel or trade, although people infected with Ebola or who had had contact with Ebola patients should not be permitted to travel, WHO said. Blocking flights to or from affected areas and other travel restrictions only serve to “isolate affected countries, resulting in detrimental economic consequences, and hinder relief and response efforts risking further international spread,” it warned. The emergency committee also stressed that in cases where measures like quarantines are deemed necessary, countries must ensure that “they are proportionate and evidence-based, and that accurate information, essential services and com-

modities, including food and water are provided to the affected populations.” It also insisted that “adequate security measures” should be put in place to ensure the safety and protection of healthcare workers, who face high infection rates and sometimes violence from frustrated and frightened populations. Last week, eight members of an Ebola education team said to include local health officials and journalists, were found dead after they were attacked by angry locals in southern Guinea. The emergency committee urged the affected countries to ramp up their response to the outbreak and called on all countries to strengthen their preparedness through simulations and personnel training.

PDP accuses Aregbesola of financial recklessness

Don angry over $9.3m seizure

Adeolu Adeyemo

Sola Adeyemo

Osogbo

sun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday accused the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his party, All Progressive Congress (APC) of financial recklessness and called on the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate his frivolity. The PDP in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo, also raised the fresh alarm that Aregbesola’s administration has withdrawn a sum of N1.6 billion from the treasury to settle 600 witnesses and eight Senior Advocates of Nigeria to defend his purported victory before the Election Petition Tribunal. "Apart from settling fees of the counsels the

APC hired to defend it before the tribunal, the party also intend to pay its 600 hundred witnesses with another N600 million". The statement reads: "We have uncovered plans to withdraw the sum of N1.6 billion from the state treasury by Ogbeni Aregbesola through back door to pay his counsels and over 600 'arrangee' witnesses. "Ordinarily, we would have just adopted "sit don look" approach, but as a major stakeholder in the affairs of the state, we decided to expose this deal to prepare the civil servants for the hard times awaiting them because their salaries that has been irregular, may henceforth cease. "We also implore Mr. Aregbesola to pay his witnesses this time around. Memories of protest by Action Congress, AC, witnesses that helped him during the trial of his petition in 2007 are still fresh in order to avoid the backlash."

Ibadan

n Ibadan-based eduASaka cationist, Dr. Ibrahim Ominiwe, has ex-

pressed dismay at the revelation of the controversial $9.3 million found on a Nigerian aircraft in South Africa, warning that President Goodluck Jonathan should not sweep it under the carpet. Ominiwe, President of

wards offsetting their demands and appealed to the president to intervene on time on the matter. He said: "I want to inform Mr. President that most of the affected legions don't have any other resources of getting money after they have left the service except for them to get this yet to be paid bag lock arrears and lay their hand on something else, but situation has turned to another thing for them".

Educational Legacy College, Ibadan, Oyo State told New Telegraph that Nigeria as a state needed total overhauling to cleanse her from the plethora of vices beleaguering her among the comity of nations in the world. According to him, until this was done with God's intervention, things might continue to fall apart for the 'giant of Africa'.

Camillus Nnaji bout 2.5million out of Aresiding the 7 Million Nigerians in Benin Repub-

lic have expressed support to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s second. The Nigerians under the aegis of Goodluck Foundation (GDF) who spoke through their Coordinator, Dickson Kalu in Lagos yesterday stated that the President has done very well during his first term amidst numerous challenges confronting him. “It is obvious that some

opposition are working seriously against the good works of President Jonathan, and by extension they are working against the unity of Nigeria. This is not what we have to play politics about. We also know that propagandists and opportunists cannot praise the good performance of a political opponent, they will only criticize, but to tell the real truth, over 2.5million Nigerians in Benin Republic have filled their forms in support of Jonathan’s re-election which shows we are satisfied with his performance”, Kalu said.

August salary: NMA appeals to Fashola Muritala Ayinla agos State chapter of the Lciation Nigerian Medical Asso(NMA) yesterday

appealed to the state Assembly to intervene over the refusal of the state government to pay the August salary of residents doctors. The doctors' union wondered why the state government would refuse to pay their entitlement as laid down by law. The NMA in a letter

which was signed by its chairman and secretary, Babafemi Thomas and Tope Ojo and read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, called on the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola to pay the doctors salary in the interest of peaceful co-existence. He stated that various bodies in the state had embarked on strikes in the past and their salaries were paid.

PCC settles conflicts in Nasarawa `Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

Public Complaints Tinhe Commission, (PCC) Nasarawa state says

it has resolved 950 out of 1050 cases received from both public and private sectors. The cases, it said were those brought from January last year till date,

while 100 of the cases are still pending. Federal commissioner in the state, Alhaji Usman Dubagari who disclosed this to journalists in an interview in his office in Lafia hinted that the chunk of the complaints came from the public service and financial institutions in the state.

CVR: INEC bows to pressure, extends time 2015: ‘Don’t vote for Jonathan’ Onyekachi Eze

ABUJA

he Independent NaTmission tional Electoral Com(INEC) has at last bowed to pressure and extended the second phase of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by seven days. The exercise, which begins on Monday, 22 will end on Sunday 28 September 2014, from 8.00 to 4.00 p.m each day.

The 12 states involved are Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, FCT, Jigawa, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Sokoto and Yobe. The commission had earlier refused to extend the exercise despite complaints by many eligible voters that they were prevented to register due to heavy downpour when the exercise began on August 20.

Muda Oyeniran s we approach the 2015 general election, a prominent Islamic scholar, Barrister Abdullahi Adam Alilory has urged Nigerians to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan do not return to office by voting against him. According to him, the President has failed in all the indices of performance assessment. He said one could hardly

single out a sector in the country where Jonathan has excelled in his current term of office. Al-ilory who was a guest lecturer at this year’s annual youth week luncheon of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria in Lagos at the weekend also described the endorsement of Jonathan as the People’s Democratic Party flag bearer at the party’s convention recently in Abuja as undemocratic.

50 WORLD | NEWS

undreds of protesters assembled in New York City's financial district yesterday, with some planning to risk arrest during an unsanctioned blockade on Wall Street to call attention to what organizers say is capitalism's contribution to climate change. The Flood Wall Street demonstration comes on the heels of Sunday's international day of action that brought some 310,000 people to the streets of New York City in the largest single protest ever held over climate change. Kai Sanburn, a 60-year-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Climate protesters to risk arrest during Wall Street sit-in old nurse and mother of two from Los Angeles, was among a crowd of nearly 1,000 people who had gathered at a waterfront park ahead of the planned sit-in. She said she had traveled to New York for Sunday's march, but wanted to do more. "Marching is wonderful but to really change things, we really need to change things," Sanburn said. "The action here against Wall

Street is really expressive of the feeling that corporations and capitalism no longer serve people they serve profit." Organizers said later yesterday the group plans to march to the steps of the New York Stock Exchange for a sitin and blockade, where some 200 people have said they will risk arrest by the New York City Police Department during the civil disobedience ac-

tion, according to Leah HuntHendrix, a spokeswoman for the protesters. The group has roots in the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in a downtown Manhattan park in 2011 to protest what it called unfair banking practices that serve the wealthiest one percent, leaving behind 99 percent of the world's population. Flood Wall Street organizers said they hope yesterday's

action will draw a link between economic policies and the environment, accusing top financial institutions of "exploiting frontline communities, workers and natural resources" for financial gain. The event is part of Climate Week, which seeks to draw attention to carbon emissions and their link to global warming, and comes ahead of a Sept. 23 United Nations Climate Summit.

Three million people forced out of Syria

ome 130,000 Syrian refugees fleeing the advance of Islamic State militants have crossed the border into Turkey in the past four days, Turkey's deputy prime minister said yesterday, warning that the number could rise further as the militants continue their onslaught. Numan Kurtulmus warned that the number could rise to "a refugee wave that can be expressed by hundreds of thousands."

Islamic State tells followers to attack U.S., French citizens

Fleeing Syrians

South Africa says toll in Nigeria church collapse rises to 115

he death toll from the collapse of a church guesthouse in Lagos has risen to 115, South African government minister Jeff Radebe said yesterday, urging the heavily criticized Nigerian government to investigate the "tragedy". The September 12. disaster in the church compound of popular preacher T.B. Joshua, which Radebe says killed 84 South Africans from visiting church groups, has opened up a diplomatic rift between the two African economic heavyweights. South Africans are angry at what they see as the Nigerian government dragging its feet on launching an investigation into the collapse, which occurred when three storeys were being added to the two-storey building, and for not reacting more quickly to help those trapped under the rubble. Nigerian emergency services said the total death toll was 86 and have refused to comment on nationalities of those who died.

The refugees have been flooding into Turkey since Thursday, escaping an Islamic State offensive that has pushed the conflict nearly within sight of the Turkish border. The conflict in Syria had already pushed more than a million people over the border in the past 3Â˝ years. "This is not a natural disaster... What we are faced with is a man-made disaster," said Kurtulmus, adding that Turkey was taking measures to prepare.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan visited the site on Saturday, offering his condolences to Joshua, who has been the focus of South Africans' anger after he described the victims as "martyrs of faith" on his Facebook page. Joshua and his supporters say the collapse was an "attack" somehow linked to a mysterious aircraft they say flew over the building before it fell down. Analysts say Nigeria's megachurch leaders are so influential that few politicians dare upset them, especially just before a national election, which Nigeria is due to hold in five months. Radebe spent much of his news conference congratulating the work of South African emergency workers for the "biggest evacuation by the air force since the dawn of democracy". He did not mention the efforts of Nigerian emergency services or the church, but said Nigeria was carrying out an investigation, although Jonathan has not announced any probe. "We are

keenly awaiting as a South African government the investigation that is being conducted by the Nigerian government so that we get to the bottom of the cause of this national disaster," Radebe said. South Africa's media has been scathing of Joshua and the Nigerian government, especially after the Nigerian emergency services said the church had failed to cooperate and had blocked rescuers' access to the site. "Blood on their hands" was the front page headline of South Africa's Sunday Times. Many Nigerians have also been critical. "I very much hope that the South African government keeps up the pressure on the Nigerian authorities. What happened must not be allowed to be treated in a typical Nigerian fashion," popular Nigerian columnist Tolu Ogunlesi wrote yesterday. "Had it only been Nigerian lives lost in the collapsed building, the fuss would have been less. We would have moved on quicker. Because life in this country isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worth very much."

slamic State urged its followers yesterday to attack citizens of the United States, France and other countries which have joined a coalition to destroy the militant group. Islamic State spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani also taunted U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western "crusaders" in a statement carried by the SITE monitoring website, saying their forces faced inevitable defeat at the militants' hands. The United States is building an international coalition to combat the radical Sunni Muslim group, which has seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and proclaimed a caliphate in the heart of the Middle East. U.S. and French warplanes have struck Islamic State targets in Iraq, Sunday. The United States said other countries had indicated a willingness to join it if it goes ahead with air strikes against the group in Syria too. Adnani said the military intervention by the U.S.-led coalition would be the "final campaign of the crusaders", according to the transcript published by SITE. "It will be broken and defeated, just as all your previ-

ous campaigns were broken and defeated," he said in the statement, which urged followers to attack U.S., French, Canadian, Australian and other nationals. Obama has authorised airstrikes in Syria aimed at denying Islamic State fighters safe havens there. Washington has also committed $500 million to arm and train Syrian rebels and has sent 1,600 U.S. troops back into Iraq to fight the group.. In his statement, Adnani mocked Western leaders over their deepening military engagement in the region and said Obama was repeating the mistakes of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "If you fight it (Islamic State), it becomes stronger and tougher. If you leave it alone, it grows and expands. If Obama has promised you with defeating the Islamic State, then Bush has also lied before him," Adnani said, according to the transcript. Addressing Obama directly, Adnani added: "O mule of the Jews, you claimed today that America would not be drawn into a war on the ground. No, it will be drawn and dragged. It will come down to the ground and it will be led to its death, grave and destruction."

Toriola, Oshonaike deserve national awards-Quadri Ajibade Olusesan

A Toriola

frican table tennis champion, Aruna Quadri, has lambasted the reward system in Nigeria, saying that it is unfortunate that foremost ping-pongers, Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike are yet to be given national awards.

Federal Government, last week, announced that a number of Nigerians will be awarded national honours with several sports personalities appearing on the list. And Quadri said in an exclusive interview with our correspondent that it was demoralising for young table tennis players that despite what Toriola, partic-

SPORT

ularly, has done for the country he has been consistently overlooked for the honours. Toriola was African number one table tennis player for more than a decade. He has attended the Olympic Games six times, and has two gold and three bronze medals in the CommonCONTINUED ON PAGE 52

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Oshonaike

Did you know? That all Diego Costa’s Chelsea’s goals have been scored in the penalty area. His average distance is 10.3 yards.

tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

AFCON poor run:

Blame players, not Keshi – Sofoluwe

Mourinho blasts Chelsea players }p.53

lSays current players are of low quality

Ifeanyi Ibeh

Gabon must fall –Amuneke }p.55

Mikel

SPORTS CREW ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS EMMANUEL TOBI, Assistant Editor, SPORTS iFEANYI IBEH,

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Ajibade olusesan, SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

charles ogundiya, SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Sofoluwe

he Super Eagles’ poor start to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers should be blamed not on the team’s coach or the Nigeria Football Federation but squarely on the players, says former Nigeria international, Yisa Sofoluwe, who insists the current national team players are of low quality. Nigeria’s chances of featuring at next year’s AFCON in Morocco are currently slim after picking up only a point from maximum six in two matches. While some have blamed the leadership crisis in the NFF and Stephen Keshi for the team’s poor form, Sofoluwe believes the current Super Eagles are the only ones to blame for the predicament. “No one should blame NFF or Keshi for what is happening. Only the players should be blamed,” said Sofoluwe, who played alongside Keshi at both the 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He added; “When you have good players in your team, you won’t have problems on the pitch because regardless of what happens, they can readily adapt and make things happen. And that is one of the problems we have in our national team right now.

“Everyone keeps screaming Keshi’s name and calling him all sorts of terrible names but Keshi cannot get on the pitch and play. “When we played back then it wasn’t the coach who played for us; we did the playing and whatever was necessary because we knew what we needed to do on the pitch. “As a good player you must know what you have to do and when to do it. That’s why they are called professional players; only part-time players or amateurs need to be told what to do all the time. “If the players are good and know what to do on the pitch, the coach won’t have much work other than knowing when to make substitutions and to confer with his assistants on how to counter certain threats from the opposition. “So you need good players; players who can make things happen in the blink of an eye. But unfortunately, we don’t have players like that; not even one. All we have are low quality players who are not determined and cannot take matters into their own hands.” Asked if the Super Eagles could still qualify for the 2015 AFCON, Sofoluwe replied in the affirmative. “They can still qualify for Morocco 2015 but only if they are ready to work hard for their country. It’s easy for anyone to know when they are willing to play; when they are ready to die on the pitch. So if they are willing to play and give their all on the pitch, they will make it to Morocco,” he said.

Man United collapse hard to take, admits Rooney

} P 53

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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Countdown to September 30 NFF elections

Final candidates emerge Thursday

Ajibade Olusesan

resh list of candidates for the Nigeria Football Federation election will emerge on Thursday, the new Electoral Committee has announced. The chairman of the committee, Samson Ebomhe, who unveiled a roadmap for the election during their inauguration in Abuja on Monday, said that sale of forms, nominations and return of the forms would be from Monday, September 22 to Wednesday, September 24. He said that screening and final list of candidates would emerge on Thursday, September 25, while protests/appeals are to be heard on Friday, September 26. “I also want to let it be known that all those who have previously been cleared for the elections

Musa Amadu, NFF Scribe

need no fresh clearance. All they need to do is indicate their willingness to be involved in the elections. However, there is opportunity now for those who were previously not involved to become involved,” he said. The NFF elections have been dogged by crisis with the exercise suffering several postponements. But Ebomhe said that they were ready to do a thorough job and deliver a credible and

transparent poll. Ebomhe was reacting to a charge from NFF board member Seleiman Yahaya-Kwande who told members of the Electoral committee and the Appeals Committee to spare no effort in delivering a credible election. Yahaya-Kwande had told them during the inauguration ceremony that: “The over–riding importance of free and fair, and very credible elections cannot be

over–emphasised. The General Assembly has put this onerous responsibility on your shoulders because they believe you are persons of integrity, and the NFF also has faith in your ability to deliver.” The new NFF Electoral Committee is composed of Samson Ebomhe; M. T. Ahmed, Adamu Sani Osmond, Sadiq Yusuf Zaria, Onyeaghala Obioma, Adeola Adelanwa, Sani Dahiru Yakassai, Sarah Jumoke Adebisi and Awwal Abdullahi. The secretary is Barr. Musa Amadu, NFF’s General Secretary. Also, the new NFF Electoral Appeals Committee is composed thus: Barr. Okey Ajunwa, Dotun Coker and, Mallam Sani Mohammed. Substitute members are Victor Nwangwu and Bala Garba. The secretary is Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF’s Director of Competitions.

Polls not life and death matter – Ka’Oje

Ifeanyi Ibeh

igeria’s former Sports Minister, Bala Ka’Oje, has called on all the candidates vying for positions in the forthcoming elections into the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation to ‘bury the hatchet’ and ensure that the polls are free of rancour, as ‘it is not a matter of life and death.’ “I know that if we carry

out the elections according to the rules, we will get a president who will come to stay without any (issues) from FIFA or within Nigeria,” said Ka’Oje, on Monday, in a radio programme monitored in Lagos. “It is important at this point in time that such an election is held successfully to make sure that we get a new president to continue to steer the affairs of our football in Nigeria.” With the threat of a FIFA

ban looming, especially if another leadership crisis arises between now and the end of the upcoming polls, Ka’Oje added: “As far as I am concerned those people clamouring for court action are not patriotic Nigerians because they know these issues will only continue to draw us backwards in terms of football development in Nigeria. “The advice I will give is for everyone to bury the hatchet and let there be a level playing

Toriola, Oshonaike deserve national awards -Quadri CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1

wealth Games. He won seven African championship gold medals, 12 gold medals at the All Africa Games. “Toriola is a hero. He is a great role model for us all and he should have been rewarded by government for all his efforts. He is one of the best sports ambassadors for this country,” Quadri said. “I heard that government wants to give national awards to people but his name was not on the list which makes table tennis players feel so bad and unhappy. The man deserves more than national award. “I think we have this problem because the right people are not in positions of power; I am talking about people who have the welfare of the athletes at heart, who can tell government the truth.”

ITF Circuit: Nigerian teens jostle for quarterfinal berths Mali’s Amadu Diarra, Ifeanyi Ibeh

oseph Ubon, Elizabeth Garos-Pam and 18 other Nigerian players will on Tuesday compete against their counterparts from 20 other countries for slots in the quarterfinal of the on-going ITF West & Central African Circuit in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Majority of the Nigerian players were drawn bye in the first round due to their impressive outing in the Togo version of the tournament last week. And Ubon, who won both phases of the boys’ singles event in Togo, will take on

field for all of them to contest. But the arena must be free of hoodlums. Only those who are eligible to vote should be allowed into the arena because if they leave it open thugs will come in and destabilise the place,” said Ka’Oje who also called on current Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, to ensure adequate security measures are put in place at the venue of the NFF polls, scheduled for September 30 in Warri.

Hughes, Crouch hail ‘excellent’ Moses EmmanuelTobi

Moses

toke City boss, Mark Hughes, has praised Super Eagles winger, Victor Moses, for his recent performances describing him as an excellent player. Hughes observed that Moses, who played an important role in Peter Crouch’s and Mame Diouf’s goals against QPR, is a quality addition to the Potters having brought pace on the wings. “I have to say he’s been excel-

lent in every game he’s played for me. He’s given us that pace we probably lacked last year and that’s the reason we are able to pick up more points on the road than we did last year,” Hughes told Stokesentinel. Hughes noted that although the Nigerian hasn’t got a lot of playing time in the last two years but it’s obvious it wasn’t through his lack of ability. “He’s had two years where he hasn’t played a great deal of football, but that’s not through lack of ability,” he added.

Meanwhile, Crouch has hailed Moses who provide the assist for his second goal of the season and first league goal since March as the Potters drew 2-2 at Queens Park Rangers. Crouch said: “I’m pleased with my goal. Victor did really well on the left and as long as you can keep up with him you know you’re always in with a chance of getting the ball! Moses joined Stoke City on loan from Chelsea FC after spending last season on loan with Liverpool.

while Garos-Pam, who was a silver medallist in Togo, will confront the winner of the first round tie between Ghana’s Franciscan Nyarko and Bissola Lassissi of Benin. While Ubon and GarosPam look good to proceed to the quarterfinals, other Nigerian players, such as Emmanuel Audu, who is up against Turkey’s Catagay Azserker, will have to step up their game if they are to progress to the last eight. There will also be no hiding place for Ahmed Alamu as he takes on Thailand’s Palaphoon Kavaputukted.

Sport Trending

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Onazi Ogenyi Eddy I say a big thank you to God, my family, my team and my fans as I sign an extension to my contract. #ForzaLazio!!! @OnaziOgenyi John Ogu i thought it was in…It will someday @ogujohnugo Courtney Dike Shout out to my team for coming back for the win tonight! @CourtneyDike Wayne Rooney Inspired by young footballer Milan Patel battling cancer. Keep fighting mate! @WayneRooney Ryan Bertrand Football. football. football. In the words of frank lampard senior in a previous conversation of ours “it’s a funny old game” @ryanbertrand3 William Oluremi John Great atmosphere at our last match. Excited to start playing and helping the team. @WillJohn10 Andy Murray congrats to Gala Leon Garcia for becoming first female Spanish Davis cup captain today... hopefully first of many! @andy_murray Juan Mata García One Hour Behind: ‘We have to stand up and keep going’ @juanmata8

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Sanctity of Truth

Mourinho blasts Chelsea players

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

ose Mourinho pinpointed a failure to take chances as the main reason Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Sunday. Chelsea took the lead against 10-man City - who had full-back Pablo Zabaleta sent off in the 66th min-

ute - as Mourinho’s decision to bring on Andre Schurrle for Ramires paid dividends. Germany forward Schurrle netted just five minutes after Zabaleta’s dismissal to nudge the visitors ahead, and their advantage came agonisingly close to being extended as Diego

Capital One Cup fixtures Arsenal v Southampton Cardiff City v Bournemouth Derby County v Reading Leyton Orient v Sheffield Utd Liverpool v Middlesbrough MKDons v Bradford City Shrewsbury v Norwich City Sunderland v Stoke City Swansea v Everton Fulham v Doncaster v La Liga

Real Madrid v Elche Celta Vigo v Deportivo Bundesliga Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle vying with Man City’s Eliaquim Mangala

Costa hit the post. Chelsea’s profligacy was then punished by their own all-time top scorer, as Frank Lampard - who left Stamford Bridge after 13 years in the close-season - scored five minutes from time to earn a point for City.

“Because we hit the post,” Mourinho replied when asked why Chelsea failed to maintain their 100 per cent record. “We had a 1-0 lead and when you don’t kill matches, you are in danger especially when you play against very good teams.”

Bayern v Paderborn Frankfurt v Mainz 05 Hoffenheim v Freiburg Bremen v Schalke 04

Ancelotti to drop Benzema for Hernandez

Barca sweat on Man United collapse hard to take, admits Rooney C Neymar fitness

Neymar

uis Enrique is sweating on the fitness of Neymar before bidding to keep his flawless record as Barcelona coach against Malaga. Brazil star Neymar was withdrawn in the 51st minute of Barca’s 5-0 demolition of Levante on Sunday, with Enrique confirming after the game that he had sustained a left ankle injury. The 22-year-old, who opened the scoring at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, has been in superb form after missing Barca’s opening Liga game of the campaign against Elche with a sprain to the same ankle. And Enrique now faces an anxious wait to discover whether the former Santos man - who missed training on Monday - will be fit for Wednesday’s trip to La Rosaleda. “Neymar has twisted his ankle but we don’t know just yet how bad it will be. The doctors will scan it and see how it all looks,” he said after the Levante game. “When a player has something like that it’s always scary at the beginning and he asked to be substituted.”

ayne Rooney lamented Manchester United’s lack of composure after a second-half collapse led to a humiliating 5-3 defeat to Leicester City. United started well and twice led by two goals at the King Power Stadium, but defensive errors resulted in a second Premier League defeat of the season for Louis van Gaal’s men. And Rooney - who

was seen berating his team-mates on several occasions in the match - admitted United’s performance was unacceptable. “It’s really disappointing,” he told reporters. “Going 3-1 up especially and then losing the game, it’s hard to take. We should have done better as a team, seen the game out and won it from the position we were in. [There were] some mistakes and we

didn’t do well enough as a team to stop their goals. “It’s a game where we played some great stuff, scored some great goals and conceded some sloppy goals. We have to do better; we know that as a team we have to do better. It’s not nice when you concede goals when you know we can prevent them. Everyone individually as a player knows that.”

Rooney

Arsenal welcome Southampton in League Cup A

Ozil

rsenal get their League Cup campaign underway on Tuesday night when they welcome in-form Southampton to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners head into the match on the back of Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Aston Villa in the Premier League - a result that saw them end a winless run of three games. Arsene Wenger’s side reached

the fourth round of last season’s competition before suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to London rivals Chelsea. Meanwhile, Southampton travel to the capital full of confidence thanks to an impressive run of four straight wins in all competitions. Three of those victories have come in the Premier League, moving the Saints up to second place in the table.

Lampard’s goal kills Ugandan footballer A

Lampard

Ugandan footballer collapsed and subsequently died following Frank Lampard’s equaliser for Manchester City against Chelsea on Sunday, according to reports in Africa. Fahad Musana, a player with the army team Simba FC, is be-

lieved to have suffered heart failure while watching the game at a video hall in Bombo Town. “He even trained with us in the morning of the fateful incident and completed the session well.” Fred Kajoba, his coach at Simba FC said. A teammate Gerald

Bagoole added: “We trained with him on Sunday morning, had lunch together. When the Premier League matches commenced, he went to watch from near his residence. He has been a passionate fan of Chelsea and would do anything for the club, apart from gambling.”

arlo Ancelotti has hinted that Karim Benzema is set to be dropped for Real Madrid’s Tuesday clash with Elche, with Javier Hernandez expected to take his place up front. The French striker has scored just twice in 637 competitive minutes this season, while Manchester United loanee has now scored the same number of goals in just 50 minutes since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu following his double off the bench in Saturday’s 8-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna. And Ancelotti has hinted the Mexico international could be rewarded for his excellent display with a start on Tuesday. “If tomorrow (Tuesday) Karim does not play, he will understand,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday. “Against Deportivo he played very well. “We will change something tomorrow (Tuesday),” he added evasively when asked if Hernandez would start ahead of Benzema on Tuesday. “For me it was important that Chicharito scored. He struck twice and has confidence now. We felt comfortable with him in our team. I do not look to who scores and who doesn’t score, I look how effective my overall attack is.”

Ancelotti

SPORT

Gervinho: Côte d’Ivoire still Africa’s best Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ivory Coast’s Gervinho (left) shielding the ball from Nigeria’s Brown Ideye at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa

Gervinho, judging by your recent performances, Côte d’Ivoire’s early exit from the 2014 World Cup does not appear to have damaged your confidence. Well, it did take me a while to accept the fact we had been eliminated. We were intent on qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament, but unfortunately we conceded that last-minute penalty to Greece and lost 2-1 – a result that prevented us from moving on. We tried to put our feelings of disappointment behind us by going on holiday with our families, but it wasn’t easy. Things are better now. I’m focused on achieving new objectives for my club and my country. There’s the qualifying campaign for the Cup of Nations, and my second season with Roma, where I feel comfortable and would like to play for the foreseeable future. You’ve made it clear that Roma coach Rudi Garcia, a man you know well, has played a key role in helping you settle. How important has he been to the success that Roma and you have enjoyed? He’s loved by the Roma supporters, as well as by everyone in and around the club. He’s been able to get his ideas across well

Scorer of two of the four goals that Les Elephants netted at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Gervais Yao Kouassi –Gervinho in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, shares his thoughts on Brazil 2014, Roma’s chances of glory this season and the prospects for Côte d’Ivoire following Didier Drogba’s international retirement.

and apply his style of play, which is based on holding onto the ball as much as possible. All the players immediately bought into his plans, and the results followed. Personally speaking, I first met him in 2007, when I was at Le Mans. I also played under him at Lille in 2009, and then we came together again at Roma last season. To sum up, we know each other very well; I understand what makes him tick, and vice versa. Roma were very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Urby Emanuelson, Juan Iturbe, Ashley Cole and Kostas Manolas. Is the league title the principal target this season? We certainly did some good business in the transfer market. Now there’s competition for places practically all over the park, which is good news, as we’re involved in numerous competitions this year. And, looking back, it was perhaps a lack of depth that cost us the title last season. Now, anything is possible. Italian clubs have not shone as brightly in European competitions over the past few years. Is the quality in Serie A very different from the

English Premier League, for example? Every national championship has its own characteristics and its own tempo. Having played in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, I don’t feel like the level of Italian football has dropped all that much. In fact, Serie A remains a very attractive prospect, as some big-name players decided to come and play here during the summer. Although some clubs have struggled in Europe, we’re going to work hard at projecting another image of Italian football. The draw for the UEFA Champions League was not all that kind to Roma, pitting you against Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. Are you feeling positive about it? Of course we have some big teams in our group, but it’s not like Roma are completely unknown either. We’ve got just as much chance as the other three sides. Although it’s been four years since we’ve taken part in the Champions League, we h ave players in our squad who are very familiar with it. We’ll have the benefit of their experience. We’re very hopeful.

in the final seconds knocked us out. It came down to little mistakes. We were all responsible for them, and they cost us dearly. I must admit that I took our exit rather badly. The World Cup was very important to me and to the whole country. We were left with a lot of regrets. Do you think that Côte d’Ivoire have fallen off their perch? Despite the failure in Brazil, the quality of our players is not in doubt. For me, the best team in Africa is still Côte d’Ivoire. What was your reaction to the news that Herve Renard had been handed the reins of the national team? It’s the Ivoirian FA’s decision, but every new arrival is very welcome. It’s always quite rewarding getting to know a new coach.

Gervinho

After Didier Drogba’s retirement, is there the same sense of optimism at national team level? Didier was our captain – he made a great contribution to the national team and will leave a huge void. As far as I’m concerned, I’m proud and happy to have played alongside him. But he’s left now, and we need to move on. We have some important challenges coming up, including the Cup of Nations qualifiers and the tournament itself in January. That’s what we have to focus on. When you reflect on Côte d’Ivoire’s World Cup campaign, what do you think went wrong? We were expected to get out of our group, and we were expected to beat Greece in our last match. In the end, there wasn’t much in it - a penalty

After you enjoyed a particularly successful 2013/14 season, you’ve continued to impress this term. Are you currently playing the best football of your life? I did have a good season with Roma, and we qualified for the Champions League, which was our main goal. And I gave all I had during the World Cup. Right now, I’m just trying to maintain that form. And what is your prime objective for this season? First, winning the Cup of Nations. And second, winning the Serie A title. That’s in chronological order, not in order of personal preference!

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Gabon must fall –Amuneke VincentEboigbe

G Golden Eaglets celebrating after winning a match

2014 Arugbo Gold Cup: Iberu to defend title Dec. 26

ational boxing champion, Kazeem Iberu, will on Boxing Day, December 26, defend his title against top contender, Mufu Young Lion, as part of events at this year’s annual Arugbo Gold Cup Boxing Extravaganza, taking place at the Ijamido Town Hall, in Ota, Ogun State. The boxing event, which is part of the 2014 Ado- Odo Ota Local Government Sports Project, will feature a total of 20 bouts, split evenly between the amateur and professional ranks, including an international nontitle middleweight contest between Ogun State’s Tyson Oloye and a yet to be named opponent from Benin Republic.

Aside boxing, the Arugbo Cup will also feature a football tournament, which gets underway on November 9, at the Joju Sports Stadium, in Sango-Ota, and will be declared open by the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun. According to a statement from the tournament organisers, Mundial Sports International, a total of 32 teams, drawn from Ogun, Lagos, Oyo and Edo states, will take part in the championship. The football tournament ends on December 28, at the Joju Sports Stadium. Dignitaries expected at both the boxing and football events include the Ogun State Sports Commissioner, Lanre Tejuosho, his Lagos

counterpart, Enitan Oshodi, and the Olota of Ota, Oba Alani Oyede.

olden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has stated that there is no other option but outright win in the reverse fixture against Gabon in the final round of the qualifiers for the CAF U-17 championship in 2015. The national U-17 side lost the first leg 2-1 on September 14, in Libreville, and Amuneke is optimistic of overturning that result when the Gabonese visit this weekend. “The important thing is that we have another chance to play them (Gabon) and it is now incumbent on us to win and qualify for the championship. Thankfully we are playing at home so we have it in our hands to turn things around,” said Amuneke, who was assistant to Manu Garba when the Eaglets won the world championship last year in United Arab Emirates. Using the excuse of the Ebola Virus Dis-

Oparanozie relishes brace,hails teammates Emmanuel Tobi

uper Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, has expressed delight after scoring two goals to help French club, En Avent De Guingamp secure a 2-1 away win against Saint-Étienne on Sunday. Oparanozie who dumped Ataehir Belediyespor of Turkey, said the goals have helped to restore her confidence. “I’m happy to help my team secure our first win because we lost our first two matches against Lyon and PSG. It was just unfortunate that we had

two top teams as our first fixtures but this win is an inspiration for me and my teammates,” she enthused. “I want to appreciate my teammates who helped me settle down easily here in France despite joining the team late. I hope to score more goals for our fans,” she added. Saint-Étienne began the match on a brighter note with Maeva Clemaron putting them ahead in the 12th minute at the Stade Léon Nautin but Guingamp attack led by Oparanozie came out fired up

Akpabio Cup: Delta, Akwa Ibom set for final T

he Akpabio U-18 National Championship comes to a close on Tuesday with the representatives of Delta and Akwa Ibom states slugging it out in the final. The tournament, taking place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, had in attendance teams from 32 Nigerian states, as well as teams from Norway, Tanzania and the United States of America. But after two weeks of action the match to decide who goes home with the championship trophy comes up on Tuesday with the Delta state side vowing to win the trophy for their sports-loving governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; a threat that has been dismissed by their opponents, who also want to win the trophy for

Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, and will be banking on home support to do so. However, irrespective of the fact that the host team will be competing in the fi-

ease, Gabon refused to issue entry visas to the Nigerian team and even when they travelled to Togo via Benin Republic to connect a flight to Libreville, Gabonese authorities insisted that the team disembarked. CAF finally had to intervene and the game originally scheduled for Saturday, September 13 was shifted to the following day. But Amuneke refused to dwell on the tricks employed by Gabon to frustrate the Nigerian team, saying that it is unfortunate that some countries on the continent still resort to mischievous antics to get results. “It is unfortunate that Gabon came up with all sorts of tricks and we all know what happens in Africa, what some teams do to win matches,” said Amuneke. “When we got to Gabon we were very tired, but that is gone now, we cannot dwell on that. We are footballers and coaches; ours is to focus on the job and not bother ourselves about politics and games outside the field.”

nal, organisers of the event have vowed to ensure fairness in Tuesday’s final as a way of maintaining the competition’s integrity. Chairman of the tournament’s local organising

committee, Uko Akpabio, commended participating teams for the high level of discipline exhibited and called on residents of Uyo to come out and watch the final.

L-R: Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Ogun State, Hon. Segun Odubela, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr. Reuben Mbaka and the Lead Evangelist of the Church, Mr Chris Ogbonaya at the unveiling of International Church of Christ 2014 Football Competition mascot and jerseys in Lagos.

Oparanozie (right)

in the closing stages of the first half and deservedly equalised when she scored from the edge of the box. The former Wolfsburg of Germany striker then sealed victory for her side in the 55th minutes firing home from close-range.

Blatter mourns former Falcons coach, Effiom

resident of world football–governing body, FIFA, Sepp Blatter, has expressed his deepest sympathy to NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, over the death of former Super Falcons’Head Coach, Ntiero Effiom. In a letter addressed personally to Alhaji Maigari, Blatter noted that the late Effiom was “an outstanding coach and will be remembered for his various accomplishments and the contributions he made to the women’s game in Nigeria. “Allow me on behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football,

to extend my deepest condolences to the football community of Nigeria, and most importantly to his family, friends and loved ones. “We hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.”

Blatter

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Jega and the conundrum of new polling units

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, has landed himself in hot water. Coming off the remarkable successes of the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, Jega misjudged the mood in the country and proposed the creation of 30,027 additional polling units, with a lopsided distribution of 21,615 in the North and a mere 8,412 in the South of the country. Of course, many Nigerians of Southern extraction are rightly enraged as they suspect that, in proposing the new polling units, Jega is acting out a Northern script to rig the 2015 general elections. One of the more coherent objectors to Jega’s new polling units is the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA). In a number of public publications, the group is demanding Jega’s resignation for “obvious inclination to ethnic chauvinism and protectionism.” The SNPA also say they are opposed to the process of creating the new polling units “as it lacks any fundamental basis.” Considering that Jega hitherto enjoyed widespread respect and significant goodwill, the call for his resignation by a group whose chieftains include former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and SouthSouth Leader Chief Edwin Clark deserves careful scrutiny. This is more so as Jega, if rather belatedly, has defended himself, saying: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has not yet created the additional polling units. It has simply approved the framework and guidelines to facilitate the creation of these additional polling units by the Resident Electoral Commissioners and the state officers of INEC.” Be that as it may, the SNPA is still insisting on Jega’s resignation. According to the group, Jega’s explanations are “Characteristic of an unrepentant, arrogant, insensitive and impervious dictator.” The SNPA further argues that: “Contrary to the averment of Prof. Jega that no polling unit has been created and allocated, it is reported (Nigerian Pilot of Wednesday, September 10, 2014, pp.16) that the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Zamfara State, a state whose registered voters has been grossly depleted by half as a result of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) [emphasis by SNPA] has already inaugurated a Committee to distribute Jega’s additional 1,163 polling units for the state.” What is most striking in this issue is that Jega himself has conceded that, following the use of AFIS, the total number of registered voters in the country has actually reduced. In his words: “At the

Guest Columnist Kayode Ojo

Jega

One of the more coherent objectors to Jega’s new polling units is the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA). In a number of public publications, the group is demanding Jega’s resignation for “obvious inclination to ethnic chauvinism and protectionism.” end of the general registration of voters in 2011, the Commission announced that the data of 73. 5 million eligible voters had been captured – warts and all; that is, including the records of multiple (Emphasis: not “ghost”) registrants. At the conclusion of data de-duplication with the Automated Fingerprint Identification Software (AFIS), by which cases of multiple registrations were eliminated, the figure came down to 70,383,427 registered

voters.” In view of Jega’s own submission, it is only logical to question the need for additional polling units when the total number of registered voters in the country is now actually lower than it was before AFIS. This is where the whole matter takes a befuddling and somewhat sinister turn. The post-AFIS reduction of registered voters is at the heart of the common-sensical and ethical conundrum which Jega faces in his irrational yearning to create new polling units. At this juncture, any discerning mind begins to wonder if in reality Jega is not guilty of the “ethnic chauvinism and protectionism” he has been accused of. For, on the face of it, Jega’s desire to increase polling units in the country — and disproportionately favour the North by an alarming margin while doing so — flies in the face of sound reasoning and shows a shocking disconnection with reality when the INEC chairman himself reports a lower number of registered voters after the AFIS clean-up. Furthermore, it is pertinent to once more recall that Jega recently received kudos from the majority of Nigerians for holding credible gubernatorial elec-

tions in Ekiti and Osun states. In both instances, no single complaint was reported about overcrowding at the polling units, one of the spurious reasons Jega has tardily advanced for proposing additional polling units. Considering his stature and position, Jega would have fared better if he had simply owned up to his error rather than offer such an untenable explanation for his gaffe. The question now is: what needs to be done? With only a few months to go before the electioneering season of 2015 is well under way, it is simply not realistic or prudent to go shopping for a new INEC chairman now. For that reason, the best cause of action is for Jega to apologise to the Nigerian people for his misguided attempt to compromise the 2015 elections before a single vote has been cast. More importantly, he should jettison the idea of new polling units while the status quo ante must be retained. As a professor who taught many students for many years prior to his appointment, Jega is no doubt aware that a teacher may teach his students remarkably well throughout his career, but what almost always comes to define the teacher — and what many students reminisce about at school reunions — is the single, spectacular error the teacher may have made in class. Jega has had a worthwhile tenure thus far at INEC. He should not mar his legacy with a colossal blunder that not only smacks of regional bigotry but may very well derail the 2015 general elections as well as throw the country into chaos. • Mr. Ojo, a public affairs commentator, lives in Ketu, Lagos.

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