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Vol. 1 No. 252

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FINALLY, SPEAKER TAMBUWAL JOINS APC }5 FG needs $5bn to sustain economy, says Okonjo-Iweala Chukwu David Abuja

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he Federal Government will need about $5 billion to

sustain the economy in view of the volatility in the global oil market, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala, has said.

Okonjo-Iweala, who led the nation’s top economic managers to a meeting yesterday in Abuja with the Senate Joint Commit-

tee on Finance and National Planning, told the senators that although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had projected that Nigeria would need

$6.3 billion to stabilise its economy, the Federal Government believed a minimum of $5 billion would be sufficient for the task.

The Senate Joint Com-

mittee had summoned the heads of the economic institutions to deliberate on the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

2015: Jonathan shifts battleground to North

lPresident, Sambo reach out to influential leaders, groups }3

Quick Read Editorial

The challenge of youth unemployment }19

L-R: French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Laurent Fabius; German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank-Walter Seinmeier and Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, during the ministers’ visit to Jega in Abuja…yesterday.

Oando raises shareholders’ value with N2.4bn dividend }43

How Boko Haram dehumanises victims, by HRW

Jonathan has failed to address Nigeria’s problems –Atiku }6

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Tunde Suleiman and Etaghene Edirin irls who escaped from Boko Haram captivity have de-

scribed the physical torture, rape and forced marriage that many endure in the secret forest camps of the terrorist group.

Some victims are also

forced to take part in attacks and carry ammunition for fighters during battle while others have been used as ‘bait’ to lure Christian men to their

deaths.

The abuse is detailed in a Human Rights Watch report released yesterday, which includes first-hand accounts from some of the

schoolgirls who escaped after April’s Chibok kidnappings.

The report, titled: “Those Terrible Weeks in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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2015: Jonathan shifts battleground to North Ayodele Ojo

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has taken the battle for his re-election to the North, which has launched a blistering campaign against his comeback bid.

The president, who is to officially declare his intention to seek a second term in office on November 11, has been mobilising human and material resources to reverse the tide which made him to lose the 2011 presidential election in the North.

A source told New Telegraph that the president and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been reaching out discreetly to prominent northern leaders, including emirs to curry support for Jonathan’s reelection.

The source said the president in conjunction with Vice-President Mohammed Sambo had been having a series of meetings with leading Northern figures and groups on the need for them to support Jonathan’s re-election bid.

The latest scramble for the North is hinged on its voting population and the permutations of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure it wins most of the 19 northern states by presenting a northern candidate for the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

There are 70,383,427 registered voters in Nigeria with the North having the highest proportion.

The votes in the NorthWest alone are almost the same with that of SouthEast and South-South put together.

In the 2011 presidential election, Jonathan won in just seven states out of the 19 northern states while his main challenger and former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who may fly the APC flag in the presidential election, won in 12 states. The bulk of the 11, 914,953 votes for Buhari, who in 2011 ran on the ticket of the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the parties that merged to form APC, came from the North.

Buhari defeated Jonathan in 12 of the 19 Northern states in the 2011 election.

Buhari won in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara while Jonathan won in seven states of Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa. Already,

Kwara has slipped away from the PDP with the defection of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki to APC. In APC’s permutation, winning majority votes in the North with a northern candidate will earn it the presidency.

But the president and his strategists have in the past few days embarked on aggressive campaigns and consultations with prominent stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, opinion moulders and veteran politicians from the North having come to a conclusion that the PDP must match APC in the North at whatever cost.

While the president has dispatched trusted foot soldiers across the country, Jonathan and Sambo have been holding meetings with influential Northerners and groups to win them over.

An aide of the president told New Telegraph that while Jonathan was hoping to sweep the 2015 presidential election in the South, the focus had been shifted to the North.

“We are at a pole position winning the election in the South irrespective of the influence of the APC. The president and his lieutenants have shifted the battle to the North.

This has informed various reconciliation meetings

and consultations,” the source said.

It was further learnt that at each of the meetings the president had with the northern stakeholders, he reeled out his achievements in every sector and in all the states, pleading for support to spend another four years before power returning to the North.

“In some instances, the president put the facts and figures before key and influential Northerners on how he has surpassed past leaders, even of northern extraction, in delivering dividends of good governance to the North and Nigeria at large. He appealed for more support.

We are convinced that he means well.

“We are going to weigh the options before us. PDP is presenting Jonathan and we are waiting for the presidential standard bearer of the APC. We will put the two side by side; compare the profiles, record in governance and what they have got to offer,” a northern leader, who pleaded anonymity, told New Telegraph.

It was further learnt that the need to de-market the APC and its likely presidential candidate in either Buhari or former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar informed the troubleshooting visit of the Chairman, PDP’s

Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, to northern states where he had reconciled several party leaders, governors and stakeholders in the past two weeks.

The newfound rapprochement between the president and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, it was learnt, was part of the strategy to win all influential Northerners to Jonathan’s side ahead of the election. Lamido had been at loggerheads with the president and had opposed his re-election bid.

Jonathan’s visit to Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, recently to inaugurate the state’s airport, it was CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Chairman, Oando Plc., Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo (left) and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wale Tinubu, at the company’s 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

FG sues NBC, Coca-Cola over breach of CPC Act Foluso Ogunmodede and Akeem Nafiu

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he Federal Government has sued the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and their chief executives before a Federal High Court in Abuja for a criminal breach of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), in a charge filed before the court, preferred a one-count charge against the NBC and its managing director and a two-count charge against Coca-Cola Nigeria limited and its chief executive.

In the charge filed by the Director, Public Prosecu-

tions of the Federation on behalf of the AGF against NBC and its managing director, Mr. Ben Langat, the government alleged that the two accused persons had committed an offence by violating the orders of the Consumer Protection Council.

Specifically, they were accused of, “deliberately failing, refusing and/or neglecting to comply with the Council’s orders duly made and served on you and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap C. 25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section.”

Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its managing director, Mr. Adeola Adetunji, were alleged to

have committed an offence by refusing to “attend the hearing of the CPC held in Abuja in relation to investigation of violation of product quality standard under the CPC Act after summons was duly issued and served on you.”

The alleged offence, the government said, violated Section 18 of the CPC Act Cap C. 25 of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section.

Besides, Coca-Cola and its chief executive, as in the case of NBC, were charged for allegedly violating the orders of the Council by deliberately refusing to comply with the order duly made and served on them, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21 of the CPC Act and punish-

able under the same section.

However, the two criminal cases have been listed before Justice E.S. Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja and no date has been fixed for the hearing of the cases.

CPC, had earlier this year, found NBC and CocaCola culpable following its findings from the administrative panel set up over a consumer complaint regarding two half-empty cans of Sprite manufactured by the NBC under the licence and authority of Coca Cola Nigeria Limited.

The Council’s DirectorGeneral, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, had at a media briefing soon after the conclusion of the investigation, stated that while NBC cooperated by providing information

to the administrative panel of investigation, Coca-Cola refused to attend and testify.

Atoki disclosed that the panel, after an extensive investigation, substantiated the allegation of product defect and a violation of the CPC Act based on which several recommendations were made and orders thereto issued to Coca-Cola and NBC. According to her, CPC, as part of the recommendations, ordered CocaCola Nigeria Limited and the NBC to subject their manufacturing processes to its inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations, while demanding necessary compensation for the consumer/complainant.

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Finally, Speaker Tambuwal defects to APC Gabriel Akinadewo

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ouse of Repr e s e n t a t ive s Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, will defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today, New Telegraph learnt last night.

Tambuwal, the sixth speaker of the lower chamber in the Fourth Republic, will be making history as the first occupant of the post to leave his party while in office.

His predecessors are

Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, Aminu Bello Masari, Patricia Etteh and Dimeji Bankole.

“After months of consultations with stakeholders, our speaker will defect from the PDP to the APC tomorrow (today). It will be done at the plenary and he is not going to resign as a member of the House or as Speaker,” a lawmaker confided in New Telegraph yesterday.

He said Tambuwal would announce it “as a point of information” to the lawmakers “and if there is any fallout,

we will deal with it since the constitution says the speaker shall be elected by the members from among themselves, not that he or she must come from the majority or minority party” When asked if the PDP leadership would not ask Tambuwal to resign as speaker, he said: “I can tell you categorically that our speaker will not resign. He has not been found wanting on any issue and the only other way to remove him is by impeachment.

Since we have 360 members, only 240 members

can impeach him and no party, not even the PDP, has up to 240 members in the House. Another point is that most of the PDP members are on the side of the speaker. So, it will be a wild goose chase for the PDP leadership to raise hell because nobody will move against the speaker in the House.”

It was learnt that Tambuwal, a lawyer, would tell his fellow lawmakers today that he made up his mind to defect to the APC after attending a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto State last week.

He was said to have told the attendees, including the state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, that he would leave the PDP due to the crisis in the Sokoto State chapter of the party, which necessitated the visit of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, to the state to pacify aggrieved members.

Wamakko, who was elected on the platform of PDP in 2007, defected with four other governors, Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

L-R: Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; Chairman, Committee on the Re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Dr. Haliru Bello; Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji and Senator Aniete Okon, at a meeting of the committee in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

(Kano) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), to the APC on November 26, 2013.

Nyako was impeached on July 15, 2014.

Another source said yesterday: “At the Sokoto meeting, it was agreed that Wamakko’s successor in 2015 must be somebody who is known nationally and internationally. He must be somebody with a political pedigree and a politician who is ready to work with persons of like minds to frustrate the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. The governorship position was also zoned to Sokoto South where Tambuwal hails from. Wamakko is from Sokoto Central and his predecessor, Attahiru Bafarawa, is from Sokoto East. Of course, everybody knew the criteria favoured Tambuwal because at the end of the meeting, he was also commended for representing the state very well at the national level since 2011 when he became the speaker.”

But another source, however, said the presidency and the PDP “will not take it easy at all with this attempt to embarrass our party by someone who rode on our back to become the speaker.”

It was learnt that a meeting was hurriedly convened in Abuja yesterday to ensure that “loyal PDP members of the House turn the table against this disloyalty against our party.”

President, Sambo reach out to influential leaders, groups How Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

learnt, was done to demonstrate that “he is not at enmity with the governor and the people of the state.”

Also, as part of the strategy, the president has met with governors and stakeholders in the NorthCentral to ensure that the zone goes his way in 2015 so as to weaken Buhari or Atiku’s base.

Senate President David Mark is the arrowhead of the president’s men working to ensure that Jonathan wins decisively in the North-Central states of Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and Plateau.

The six states are shared between PDP (four) and APC (two).

It was learnt that the president is deploying resources to ensure that the PDP wins back Nasarawa and Kwara.

According to New Telegraph’s findings, the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, is expected to lead Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) in the battle for

the North-East.

The withdrawal of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, from the Bauchi governorship race was part of the deal to ensure harmonious working relationship between Mu’azu and Yuguda, who is opposed to the minister succeeding him.

Former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, is coordinating the president’s reelection bid in the Boko Haram ravaged Borno and Yobe States. Sheriff recently switched camp from the APC to the PDP. Sambo is personally leading the battle in the North-West where Buhari has his base. The zone has the highest number of voters. Of the seven states, PDP controls four –Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kebbi while APC holds three – Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara. In the 2011 election, Buhari won overwhelmingly in the zone.

The vice-president has been holding regular meetings with trusted governors from the zone

to neutralise Buhari.

The presidency, it was learnt, has also given a charge to ministers not to see themselves only as administrators “but they must demonstrate high level of commitment to the president’s re-election.”

Former Governor of Kano State and Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Ambassador Aminu Wali, have been mandated to ensure that Jonathan records more than the required 25 per cent votes cast in Kano State, where the Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is an APC presidential aspirant.

An aide of Shekarau told New Telegraph that the former governor has been moving round Kano State to sell the Jonathan candidacy.

“The former governor is using his influence as Sardauna, a powerful traditional title, to mobilise support for Jonathan in Kano. He has teeming supporters in the state and he is mobilising support for the president. We are

sure that Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is unlikely to get the APC ticket which will make the Jonathan presidency easy in Kano,” the source said.

A former governor is also leading a team to woo Islamic leaders to the side of the president.

A source confided in New Telegraph that while the team has met several prominent and influential Islamic leaders in the 19 Northern states, some of the religious leaders have personally met with Jonathan and Sambo.

In the next few days, several groups are expected to spring up rooting for the Jonathan/Sambo reelection, source said.

The groups, according to findings, are to be coordinated by a trusted political associate of the vice-president.

“These groups are being formed in the North to show that Northerners are not opposed to the president. The groups will be in virtually all the northern states to campaign for the president,” the source said.

dehumanises victims, by HRW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Their Camp: Boko Haram Violence against Women and Girls in Northeast Nigeria,” includes evidence from 46 witnesses and victims of the group.

More than 270 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, prompting a high-profile political and social media campaign using the #BringBackOurGirls.

In a video released after the abduction, the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the girls were “slaves” and threatened to “sell them in the market”.

However, the Federal Government has raised the hope of an imminent release of the girls based on a ceasefire deal with the militant Islamist group, which had witnessed breaches in the last few weeks. More people have been kidnapped, especially in Adamawa and Borno States, since the Federal

Government announced the peace deal.

According to a report by Sky News, Human Rights Watch said in the document that new “shocking details” emerged from its interviews with the girls.

It added that the group targeted students and Christians, threatening them with whipping, beating, or death unless they convert to Islam, stop attending school, and wear the veil or hijab.

Forced marriage, forced labour, physical torture and rape are also common.

The girls were held for several days in the Sambisa forest and only released after they promised to convert to Islam and give up school.

A 19-year-old student from Borno State, described how militants ambushed her and five friends and threatened to kill them for going to school.

One of the men shouted: “Aha! These are the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

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

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajumobi; All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Major General Muhammadu Buhari; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; National Chairman, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewale, at the university’s alumni association’s annual lecture in Ibadan…at the weekend.

54% of Nigerians are illiterate, says ex-ASUU president Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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ormer President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Oladipo Fashina, yesterday declared that 54 per cent of nation’s 160 million popu-

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lation are stark illiterate while only 15 per cent have managed to attain higher education since independence, 54 years ago.

He also attributed Federal Government’s over-reliance on what he described as neo-liberal policies postulated by the West to under-development in the nation’s education sector.

While lamenting inadequate deployment of material resources at the country’s disposal, he said the crisis in the education sector began in 1986 when the Ibrahim Babangida military regime adopted the neo-liberal model for the development of the sector through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) which sought to run education on market principles.

His words: “The present crisis in education is an

offshoot of the neo-liberal misdirection which Nigerian people did not choose.

Our rulers still insist in the main that the solution to the crisis in education lies with flooding the country with private schools, universities and commercialised education to operate in acceptance with market rules.

“This explains why public expenditure on education has never gone anywhere near the UNESCO prescription that each country should expend at least 26 per cent of its national budget on education.”

While re-emphasizing that an estimated sum of $600 billion had been looted from the Nigerian treasury between independence and 1999, he said Nigeria holds the unenviable position as the second most corrupt nation in the

world.

According to him, over 136 million Nigerians live below the poverty line with approximately 79.2 per cent of the populace living below $2 per day.

He gave this grim statistics when stakeholders’ in the university education system, comprising four university-based unions, the ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAATS) and NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) including coalition of civil societies all gathered, in Abuja yesterday for a National Education Summit.

The theme of the summit is: “Towards a System of Education for Liberation in Nigeria.”

A lecturer at Harvard

University, USA, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, who chaired the event practically condemned the educational module which Nigeria still adopts, insisting that such were the reasons Nigerian universities produce graduates that are unemployable.

He said corruption and policy somersault were at the core factors also limiting the education potential of the country.

Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who was represented by Haruna Ann, a Deputy Director, Institutional Support at the Federal Ministry of Education.

He described the weeklong programme as timely and apt especially as it would serve as guide for rebuilding and freeing the system from things which have held it bound in the past.

How Boko Haram dehumanises victims, by HRW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

people we are looking for, so you are the ones with strong heads who insist on attending school when we have said ‘boko’ is ‘haram.’ We will kill you here today.”

In one operation, she was given a knife to kill one of five vigilantes captured by Boko Haram.

“I was shaking with horror and couldn’t do it.

The camp leader’s wife took the knife and killed him,” she said.

On another occasion, she was forced to accompany the men to the front line.

“I was told to hold the bullets and lie in the grass while they fought. They came to me for extra bullets as the fight continued

during the day,” the woman said.

“When security forces arrived at the scene and began to shoot at us, I fell down in fright. The insurgents dragged me along on the ground as they fled back to camp.”

HRW said it had interviewed 30 women and girls who had either fled captivity or were released

by Boko Haram.

They included 12 of the 57 who managed to escape when the militants raided the school in Chibok.

One young woman held in a camp described how combatants placed a noose around her neck and threatened her with death until she renounced her religion.

The women and girls interviewed said some Boko

Haram commanders appeared to make efforts to protect them from sexual violence.

However, HRW said it had documented eight cases of sexual violence perpetrated by fighters and most cases of rape occurred after the victims were forced to marry.

Boko Haram has carried out a campaign of bombings in Nigeria over the past five years, killing 7,000 people, according to Human Rights Watch.

More than 500 girls and woman are said to have been kidnapped by the group since 2009.

Girls who escape the group’s clutches are often ignored despite having vital intelligence about Boko Haram’s inner workings, the report added.

For example, they often have information on chain of command, ammunition, and how the fighters keep tabs on the military.

But Human Rights Watch said the government “rarely, if ever” interviewed the girls.

Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, Daniel Bekele, said the Federal Government must do more to protect and rehabilitate the girls, and also to track down those behind the abuse.

“The Nigerian government and its allies need to step up their efforts to put an end to these brutal abductions and provide for the medical, psychological, and social needs of the women and girls who have managed to escape,” he said.

AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

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NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

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Jonathan has failed to address Nigeria’s problems –Atiku Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to address the problems confronting Nigeria, saying the country is sliding into “patrimonial democracy” under the administration

of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He lamented that the Jonathan administration had failed to address the problems in the nation’s critical sectors, including power, road infrastructure, education, agriculture, security and unemployment.

He stressed that the electorate must not risk the continuity of the current system.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant declared that corruption, nepotism and official impunity under the Federal Government have undermined the nation’s development, adding that such posed dangers to the nation.

Atiku spoke through a former Minister of Aviation and Director-General of his campaign organ-

isation, Prof. Babalola Borishade, at a press conference heralding a twoday summit of the Atiku Abubakar Policy Review.

The summit, where 50 distinguished Nigerians were billed to review his campaign organisation’s Draft Policy, kicked off at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capi-

L-R: Country Representative, West African Students’ Union (WASU), Mr. Oladele Bamikole; Chairman, Momas Electricity Metres Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), Mr. Kola Balogun; Director, Media and Publicity, WASU, Ms. Glory Ovi; Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Peter Muyisa and Director, Programmes, Mr. Dominic Kaku, at the presentation of this year’s Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award to Balogun by WASU in Lagos…recently.

tal.

Atiku said the major problem of Nigeria is the persistence of a chronic deficit of honest and effective governance.

Atiku contended that the successes often bandied by the Jonathan administration were not in tandem with the reality on the ground.

His words: “A deductive observer will not fail to notice that the nation has been gravitating from the presidential system of governance stipulated in our constitution to presidentialism. This means the systematic concentration of political power in the hands of one individual or a cabal.

“As a result, effective accountability and representation through popular democratic participation is giving way to personal rule and single party dictatorships rooted on politics of Clientelism.

“Clientelism” refers to the awarding of personal favours among patrimonial cronies. These favours take the form of public sector jobs, appointments, distribution of resources through licences, contracts and tax waivers. In return, the cronies mobilise political support and loyalty for

their patrons.

“For the voters, the ballot becomes a token exchange in a highly personal relationship of dependency on hand-outs, the so-called ‘Stomach infrastructure.’ Those who stay out of this network do not only remain excluded from the decision making process but also from allocated benefits of democracy, hence the prevalence of people who surrender principles so that they can be integrated into the network.

“Corruption, nepotism and official impunity have brought our country down to the bottom three per cent in the world in terms of political stability. In essence, what we have now in Nigeria is a form of patrimonial democracy. This posing serious threats to the durability of democracy.”

Atiku, however, said the draft policy of his campaign, derived from wide consultations across various sectors, would address the nation’s woes.

On the issue of corruption, the former vice president noted that there was need to remove “the need, incentive and motivation” for graft and improve the capacity of investigating bodies.

FG needs $5bn to sustain economy, says Okonjo-Iweala CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

(MTEF), which the Senate considered two weeks ago and mandated the two committees to do further legislative work on it and report back to the chamber within 14 days.

Besides the minister, other economic managers at the meeting were Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; DirectorGeneral, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Dawha and the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Abraham Nwankwo.

Okonjo-Iweala also reiterated that contrary to insinuations that the country is broke; its economy is healthy with $4.1 billion in the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

Responding to questions from the senators, Okonjo-Iweala said: “Nigeria as a country has quite enough assets and I think anybody inside and outside will agree to that.

That is why it is very difficult when people say the country is broke; I say absolutely not because if we wanted to mobilise any of our assets to cover up, we could do that.

“Of course, it could take a little bit of time. However, that does not mean that we cannot have some cash flow fluctuations. We just have to manage it because we have an economy that is reasonably self-sufficient.

We are able to manage ourselves well and everybody is willing to do a few things we should be able to get there.

“My belief is no matter what is settled on at this point in time, what is pleasing and that brings us all together is the realisation that what we were trying to say a few years ago has happened and it is happening in front of us and all of us need to come together to find a solution.

“Whatever the decision will be, even if we agree on another (oil) benchmark, we still need measures to be in place because we have no idea whether it is going to go away.

“So, I think we need to prepare ourselves for two or three scenarios and we can share some of the scenarios that we have been thinking about that will guide our development of those contingency measures.

“I think that the Excess Crude Account was built to be able to cushion us at times like this; when

we have some kind of difficulties and I think it played that role to perfection during the crises of 2008 when oil fell to $38 to $40 dollars per barrel, even worse than what we have now. At that time, we still had saved up quite a lot of money as such we were able to draw at least for quite a few months to carry the economy.

“I am very proud that time, sitting at the World Bank; Nigeria was one of the few countries that didn’t come to the IMF and the World Bank for urgent support.

“Now, you need a certain amount there to cushion the effects of the situation in the global oil market at any one time.

Before you spend the rest, you need a certain amount and I think what happened even after the need for augmentation the amount continued to be shared; that was where the mistake was made and habit set in so that when we came and even for the few months we met the full amount there was still insistence on augmenting and sharing.

“Yes at the present time we are reasonably stable compared with other countries, but if those risks materialise, we need to have action in order to keep the

economy stable.

“If you do that, it means that during this time, when you really actually need the money you don’t have enough. We have calculated that in order to help us regain this stability, we need a minimum of about $5 billion and anything about that is good. The IMF actually calculated $6.3 billion to be maintained in that account. It helps to cushion our exchange rate.

“So, if we go and withdraw it abruptly beyond that amount, it causes a problem and you know we went down to $2 billion last year and then we built it up to $9 billion and there was insistence we must share and it came down to $2 and then we had at least built it back to $5 billion. Right now, we are at $4.1 billion.

“If we had built it to a stable cushion, then anything above that we could now use to augment and that is the reason why we have to balance out everything and I think Nigerians care so much about exchange rate. If you have abrupt changes, that will also affect the psychology of Nigerians, inflation and all that.”

The minister also spoke on the need to restructure the Federal Government’s

recurrent expenditure, saying: “Restructuring will increase revenue and the ratio will change but given what we face in this country, we have continued to make expenditures on certain economic activities that are not yielding anything to this economy.

We continue to pay salaries, we continue to pay benefits, we continue to carry expenses on things that are yielding zero.”

She, however, lamented that the nation was experiencing a rising wage bill, which she said was putting pressure on the economy.

She called for measures to be taken to restructure the recurrent expenditure, including streamlining ministries, departments and parastatals (MDAs) to free funds to service vital areas of the economy.

She further regretted that the country had continued to finance certain sectors of the economy that were not productive and beneficial to the system.

“We continue to pay salaries, benefits and other expenses that are yielding zero benefits. Decisions need to be taken but when attempts are made to get rid of some of these agencies, they would say

those establishments are underpinned by laws,” she added.

Okonjo-Iweala appealed to the National Assembly to assist the Federal Government in restructuring the system through legislation.

She, however, said the Federal Government was not unmindful of the immediate upfront cost it might bear for such a reform.

“This is because it will require the payment of some benefits to affected personnel but in the long run, it will help the economy to restructure our recurrent budget,” she stated.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the Senate might adopt the $78 per barrel benchmark recommended by the Executive in the MTEF sent to the National Assembly for approval by President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, declined to comment on whether or not the committee had resolved to approve $78 per barrel as oil benchmark.

He said: “You will know what we resolve when we present our report to the Senate.”

8

News

information

The last is yet to be heard on the bullet proof BMW cars purchased in the days of Oduah Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit filed by the incorporated trustees of the Media Right Agenda (MRA) and the Incorporated Trustees of Public and Private Development against the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

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tuesday, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

Court strikes out suit on NCAA’s BMW cars (NCAA) over its alleged refusal to furnish them with information on the procurement of the controversial BMW cars bought for the former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah.

The judge, in a ruling, yesterday declared that the information requested by the applicants was outside the contemplation of the Freedom of Information Act. Besides, Buba said that the requested information was a published material under the exception stated in Section 26(a) of

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group of Australia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and that the budgetary allocation for the referred procurement process was contained in the 2013 budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He also held that the failure of the applicants to commence the suit within the time stipulated by Section 20 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act or obtained an extension of time to commence same was fatal to their case.

“The application is hereby struck out but

67%

The percentage of urban male smokers in Cambodia.

Source: Smokingstatistic.org

not dismissed’’, the judge ruled.

The applicants through their lawyer, Mr. Ayodeji Acquah, had sought a relief to the effect that the failure and or refusal of the first respondent to disclose or make available to them the information requested in their letters dated October 21, 2013 amounted to a violation of their right to access to information established and guaranteed by Section 1(1) and Section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.

The first letters had

N56.4m

The IGR realized from road taxes in Niger State in 2011.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

requested for NACA’s annual budget and the public procurement plans while the second letter sought the procurement record for the purchase of two BMW 760 LI vehicles, evidence of advertisements to that effect, a list of bids tendered, copies of bid evaluation meetings, pro forma invoice of those documents as well as documents showing delivery of procured vehicles among others.

In their affidavit deposed to by one, John Gbadamosi, the applicant’s insisted that the informa-

43.1m

The total population of women in 2012.

Source: Un.org

tion requested never came within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act. They said: “The first respondent has no reason whatsoever to deny the applicants access to the information sought for. The information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability”.

Mark weeps as community buys form for his re-election Onwuka Nzeshi Cephas Iorhemen Abuja/ Makurdi

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L-R: Managing Director, Eyiowuawi Idofin Nigeria Limited, Mr. Yusuf Peleowo; Managing Partner, Daramola & Co, Mrs. Yemisi Daramola; Head, Institutions & Projects Sales, Mr. Yomi Odunaiya and Managing Director, Stillbon Nigeria Limited, Mr. Aashish Tripathi, during the opening of Berger Paint sales outlet at Mushin, Lagos.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Amaechi didn’t insult Jonathan, says Rivers govt Minister promises to employ Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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ivers State Government has debunked claims that Governor Rotimi Amaechi make derogatory comments against President Goodluck Jonathan at a rally organised at the weekend to mark his seven years in office.

The government said the governor only commented on the performance of the Federal Government.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who made the clarification in Port Harcourt yesterday, also said that there was no time Amaechi referred to the wife of the president, Patience, at the rally.

Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, had on Sunday while re-

acting to Amaechi’s comments, declared that a day of reckoning for the governor was coming.

But Semenitari described Abati’s comments as an unnecessary attack on the governor and the people of the state, noting that despite the fact that the state contributed two million votes at the 2011 elections, they were being treated like refugees.

She noted that Amaechi referred to the failure of the government to complete the remodelling of the Port Harcourt International Airport, which was started at the same time as Enugu, Lagos, Kano and Calabar airports that have been completed.

Semenitari said: “The first thing to say is that clearly that statement must have been written before the rally. If it wasn’t written before the rally, then I am at a loss at where Dr. Abati saw the so-

called statement against the president, his wife and the Federal Government.

“At no point during the rally was any reference made to the wife of the president because issues being discussed were not issues about persons but about governance. The issues were in no way related to her as she does not hold any officials position in government. Therefore, there is no need referring to her where governance issues are being discussed.

“He did complain the Rivers people only feel marginalised, but are poor cousins to the Federal Government. He did complain as to why Rivers people continue not to have the funds that come from their oil wells and the fact that the oil wells that belong to Rivers State were taken to Bayelsa and Abia states. He wondered if it was an offence to be cousins to rich brothers.

more doctors at National Hospital

Obinna Odoh Abuja

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he Federal Government has said that it is satisfied with the quality of modern facilities in National Hospital Abuja and others and the appreciable services offered in the same.

The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja to journalists when he paid unscheduled visit to various public hospitals in FCT. He promised to employ more health professionals to enhance service delivery at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Alhassan, who also visited the Federal Staff Hospital and Maitama General Hospital, all in the Federal Capital

Territory, expressed satisfaction with service delivery, state of the facilities, patronage, and punctuality of staff of the hospitals.

At the National Hospital, while addressing reporters, he stated that “As you can see, the hospital is in good hands.

We met all the departments working the way they should be, the doctors are on their seats, the nurses are busy, the doctors are attending to one thing or the other. I am very pleased to see what I have seen today at the National Hospital. It is rightly bearing its name. It has shown that it is truly a National Hospital”.

He noted that the visit was one of such that would come up at other institutions managed by the ministry in the future.

enate Present, Senator David Mark yesterday went emotional and burst into tears, when supporters of his aspiration to recontest next year’s senatorial race for Benue South senatorial district purchased the nomination and expression of interest form and presented to him in his country home at Otukpo.

Communities in the Benue South senatorial district of the state made up of Idoma and Igede people purchased the form for Mark to recontest.

Mark, stated that he was sobered because of the pains the people went through in gathering funds to purchase the forms for him and the enormity of the responsibility bestowed of him to lead the people again.

Mark, who said he will spill the last pint of his blood to drive his people to the promise land, promised to be fair and just in discharging his responsibilities and asked God to give him the wisdom and strength in doing things that which will bring about meaningful development in the country.

The Senate President, who accepted the call by his people to contest the election, promised to abide by the result of the primaries.

He commended the nine local government chairmen for the their show of solidarity for him, and urged those working against the collective resolve of the Idoma people to have a rethink in the interest of peace and unity.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

News

SOUTH-WEST

Ladoja’s return bid worsens crisis in Oyo PDP DEAL Ladoja will leave Accord party, return to PDP while Alao-Akala turns to war general Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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ollowing the purported presidential support for former governor of Oyo state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as the likely flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next year’s gubernatorial election, the issue has stirred controversy on whether Ladoja’s former Deputy and successor Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala should forget about the dream of emerging as the party’s choice.

While Ladoja is now a leader and governorship candidate of the Accord party in the state, AlaoAkala is bent on returning to the Agodi Government House for a second term, just as former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin is also contending for the position.

Reports from the meeting that took place in Abuja at the weekend with some governorship aspirants indicated that Senate President David Mark and Mrs Dame Jonathan with Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, were favourable to making Ladoja to come back to the PDP and be given the ticket to contest, while Alao-Akala should drop his second term ambition.

According to a po-

litical group: ‘Oyo State Rescue Team 2015’ in a release made available to New Telegraph yesterday, Alao-Akala was urged “to sacrifice his personal interest i and instead provide the much-needed leadership for the PDP in the State for the party to triumph in the next general elections against the antics of the Abuja cabal who want the party disgraced at the polls”.

“We, as a team working assiduously for the success of our party in the next elections, felt that it has come to a situation where good leaders and lovers of the party have to come together and prevail on Otunba Alao- Akala to rescue the party from the hands of the Abuja cabal so that the leaders together can present a credible candidate capable

of winning for the party.

“It is not about whether Otunba Alao- Akala can win or not. It is now about our party and our personal and collective interests. We know that he is qualified and capable but instead of contesting, he would serve the party better as a war General leading us to victory. We are of the view that if the Abuja cabal insists on imposing Senator Teslim Folarin whom everybody knows cannot win even in his ward in Ona Ara, any credible, non controversial aspirant supported

by Otunba Akala would definitely carry the day”.

However, a group loyal to Alao-Akala, “Team Akala”, has discountenanced the call saying that it was a mischief. The Coordiantor of the group, Mr

Niran Adeyoju described it as a ploy to cause confusion among the party faithful in the state.

“The malicious information being circulated by loyalists of Senator Ladoja is not true. The outcome of the two meetings held with wife of President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President did not any way indicate that Senator Ladoja should be picked as the party flagbearer of the PDP. “The basis for meeting with the wife of the President was precipitated on the attempt by the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide to force the presidency to adopt Senator Ladoja, who is already a gubernatorial candidate of the Accord party as the flagbearer of the PDP in Oyo state.”

L-R: Director, Livestock Feeds (LSF) Plc, Mr. Joe Dada; Managing Director, Mrs. Modupe Asanmo; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah; Chief Financial Officer, UAC Plc, Mr. Abdul Bello and Director, LSF, Mr. Godwin Samuel, at the inauguration of a new LFS feed mill plant in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Fayose: We’ll restore lost glory in education Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has promised to restore the lost glory of the educational sector of the state, saying his administration will make the welfare of teachers and students its priority, along physical infrastructure and teaching materials in public schools.

Speaking through his

Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the governor promised to ensure improvement in the performance of students in public schools during examinations.

“We have started on the journey to restore the lost glory of education with the meeting Mr Governor held with heads of public primary and secondary schools last weekend. The teachers know that he is a man

who lives up to his words and that he will provide adequately for them.

“We are not going to forget the students and the need for a conducive environment for teaching and learning. This administration will provide teaching aids and facilities to motivate the students.

“In Ekiti, education is the major industry and we will re-enact what we did between 2004 and 2006, when our state recorded a great leap in exams con-

ducted by West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) when we moved to fifth and sixth in the federation and number one in the South-West.

“Our state-owned tertiary institutions will be adequately funded and courses accredited by relevant bodies. We know that it is only sound education that can help in taking the son of a poor man to the top,” Adelusi added.

9

Fashola, Imoke, others to bag CERF awards

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or their demonstration of the will to emancipate Nigerian children through their valuable projects, as well as putting in place sustainable projects toward qualitative life for children and youths in the society, the first ladies of Lagos and Cross Rivers states, Mrs. Emmanuella Fashola and Mrs Liyel Imoke have been listed among recipients of the 2014 Children Emergency Relief Foundation (CERF) awards.

CERF, is a non-governmental organization (NGO), that in the last nine years, has promoted the cause children in terms ensuring their survival and protection against various anti-human conditions like famine, war, sickness, HIV/AIDS, child abuse and poverty. It has also providedless privileged children access to basic amenities like food, shelter, education, clothing among others.

In a statement by its chief executive, Mrs. Abosede Oyeleye, the awards which is scheduled for Wednesday at the Muson Centre, in Lagos, would also recognised the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Orelope Adefulure as well as the general manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.

Aside recognizing individuals, the organization would also reward corporate bodies and institutions of proven commitment and values to the upliftment of vulnerable children as well as promoting child’s survival in the society.

Anwar-Ul-Islam Old Students to honour ex-principal, others

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he Old Students Association, 1984 set of Anwar-Ul-Islam College Agege, Lagos is set to honour former principal of the school Alhaji M. L. Olaniyan, at a ceremony scheduled to hold at the college premises next Saturday.

A statement by President of ACAOSA 84 Set, Shakiru Bello, said other notable past and present teachers

and other staffers of the college will also be honoured as part of the Set’s 30th anniversary and reunion.

He said prizes will be given to current best students of different classes in the school, while some gift items will also be donated to the school. The anniversary celebration will be rounded off with a reunion party.

Women advocate more political positions in 2015 polls Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

W

omen groups across the country, have urged political parties to accord women a sizable proportion of slots on their platforms in the 2015 general elections, so as to

generally enhance women empowerment through leadership positions.

The women, in a petition to the various political parties, noted that women have contributed tremendously to the growth of political parties, policies and governance in the country.

They, however, regretted that their representations in decision-making organs of political parties and public office falls far below the universally accepted 35 percent threshold of affirmative action and inclusiveness.

In the petition ad-

dressed to leaders of the various political parties, the women leaders vowed that they would only mobilise support for political parties that field women candidates in top leadership positions and also meet the 35 percent Affirmative Action Plan.

The petition written by different women groups including grassroots Women leaders, Artisan groups, like the Hair Dressers Associations, Motorbikes Riders Association, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), National Council for

Women Societies (NCWS), among others, was signed

by Ngozi Iwere, Executive Director, Community Leaders Project, Mrs. Asata Folasade, Ekiti State President, NCWS and Oluwayemisi Cecilia Oladele, Deputy Director, Ministry of Women Affairs.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

10

Metro Anger as LASTMA kills conductor on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Elijah Samuel and Taiwo Jimoh

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n angry mob almost lynched some officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) because one of them allegedly killed a bus conductor yesterday.

The incident occurred at Cele bus stop on the ApapaOshodi Expressway.

The LASTMA official was said to have hit the conductor, identified simply as IK, in the chest with an iron rod.

IK, whose wife was said to have given birth to his fifth child a couple of days ago, fell down and died instantly.

A witness said the incident occurred about 11.30am when the bus was driving against traffic from Cele bus stop to Mile 2.

He said: “One of the LASTMA officials at Cele was trying to stop the bus. It was in an attempt to arrest the bus that the LASTMA official hit the conductor in the chest. The

conductor fell down immediately and died. When the man fell down, the driver stopped to see what had happened, but the LASTMA official took to his heels.

“After hearing what happened from the culprit, his colleagues ran into the Cele Police Post in order to escape the wrath of the protesting sympathisers.”

Infuriated by the LASTMA official’s action, protesters made bonfire in the middle of the expressway. They also used the affected bus to block the road, thereby halting vehicular movement from the troubled spot down to Mile 2.

Thereafter, the protesters surged towards the police post, saying that the LASTMA officials should be released to them.

It was at that point that reinforcement from nearby police stations such as Ijesha and Itire police stations as well as Alakara police station in Mushin arrived and began to shoot indiscriminately in or-

Scenes at the Cele bus stop on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway... yesterday

der to disperse the protesters.

“The driver was not the only one driving against traffic. It is a daily occurrence at Cele bus stop. We even learnt that they have an agreement with the LASTMA officials so that they can be driving against traffic unhindered.

“What the LASTMA offi-

cials do is to use objects like stones and iron rods to attack drivers who are not part of the agreement,” another witness said.

But before the arrival of the police reinforcement, some sympathisers and friends of the deceased took the body to the LASTMA Yard on Ogunla-

na-Ijesha Road.

The protesters attacked the LASTMA Yard and pulled down a section of the fence.

When our correspondent visited the place, it was littered with broken bottles.

The protesters also damaged some of the cars parked inside the yard, while the resi-

Motorists groan over poor condition of ACME Road Ayorinde Durojaiye

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otorists, commercial bus drivers, tricycle riders and commuters plying ACME Road at Ogba have called on the Lagos State Government to ensure immediate repairs of the road.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Many of the people who spoke with our correspondent described the road as a death-trap.

Mr Isaac Sunday, a tricycle rider, urged the government to check further deterioration of the road.

He said: “The road is damaging our tricycles. If the road damaged our tricycles, how do we feed our family members?”

Another tricycle rider, Adewale Alabi, said that the contractors repairing the road had refused to repair other parts as they claimed the contractual agreement did not contain that section of the road.

He said: “They did partial work. They only repaired one part around Victorious Army Church/Labour House axis and left the rest.”

Adewale added that the government had not responded to appeals from those plying the road.

Olabisi Adebanjo, a trader

Ajimobi flanked by the Director, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Mr Olalekan Adebayo Odugbemi MFR, FWC (left) and the Director, the State Security Services (SSS), Mr Joseph Okpo, at the lecture.

PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Development behind peace in Oyo, says Ajimobi

The failed section of ACME Road

on ACME Road, described the road as an eye-sore.

She said: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat is here. Instead of fixing this road, they are campaigning. Yet, they are the major users of this road.”

A commuter, who identified herself as Blessing Owoh, said: “The government should better act fast, because if the rain does not stop and the road is not repaired, it can cause accidents and loss of lives.”

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi has traced the peace being enjoyed in Oyo State to the unprecedented development engendered by his administration.

Ajimobi said this while delivering a lecture entitled; “Democratic Governance and National Security: the Oyo State Experience,’’ at the Execu-

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

Gunmen kill Julius Berger expatriate, abduct another

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and Honda cars.

The complainant did not tell the court specifically what the second accused did with the money.

Counsel to the accused argued that the initial complaint of the complainant was about the failure of the accused to update their stock as it was the tradition of his company and not about embezzlement or theft of any money.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the case till January 19, 2015 for continuation of hearing.

r Frank Omote, a suspected robber, will for a long time regret what could be described as the greatest mistake of his life, when he discussed robbery plans with a total stranger.

That rashness landed him in police custody.

Omote’s partner in Osun State, Jide Onifade, told him that the robbery operation he was about to embark could not be done alone.

He promised to send Omote another partner who would assist him in the operation. He suggested Omote wait at a designated place for the partner.

Unaware that Onifade did not succeed in recruiting a partner, on the appointed day Omote went to the designated venue to wait.

He told Onifade he would wait at a point, close to a hotel. The schedule was after midnight.

After waiting for a while, Omote noticed a huge man staring at him and thinking it was the expected partner, satrted a conversation with him.

He asked if he was from Onifade, the stranger replied in the affirmative. Without thinking twice, Omote started discussing how the robbery operation would be.

According to him, he used two persons - one from Togo and the other from Nigeria - to get his fake products into circulation.

Arimiwen said the products were manufactured in London (United Kingdom), Paris (France), New York (United States) and Europe.

It was discovered that the suspect had no brand of his own, but manufactures well-known products of other companies.

Nwabueze and Unigwe were also fingered in

the distribution of counterfeit Derica Tomato Paste, alleged to have been manufactured in China.

Some of the illegal products were recovered from shops said to belong to Nwabueze on Lagos Island.

The suspects were said to have refused to lead investigators to the source of their supply.

The product was therefore sampled against them for laboratory analysis.

According to Ejiofor, investigation is on-going to mop up the fake Derica Tomato Paste from circulation.

The agency, Ejiofor said, was doing everything to ensure that products brought into the country or produced in Nigeria were made from good raw materials, which would not be of harm to the health of the consumers and the nation at large.

He said: “The agency is not discouraging people from legitimate product, but we will not allow counterfeit products that would pose threat to the human life.

lice Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Abimbola Oyeyemi, yesterday confirmed the incident which occurred on Friday.

The gunmen, who reportedly laid an ambush for the expatriates, opened fire on the victims’ vehicle. In the process, one of the men was hit by bullets. He later died at the hospital.

Caleb Onwe

Two arraigned for N25m theft

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wo persons, Godwin Ajuma and Henry Ugochukwu, were yesterday arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court at Karu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for allegedly stealing N25 million belonging to their master, Mr Emmanuel Umeogu.

In the case brought before Magistrate Omolola in a First Information Report with reference number CR/46/14, Ajuma and Ugochukwu face allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach

of trust and theft contrary to sections 94b, 314 and 289 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Umeogu, who is the managing director of Mic-Maners Investment Limited, which deals in building materials and Plaster of Paris (POP) accessories, said between 2012 and 2014 his company entrusted a shop at the popular Utako Market in Abuja, with goods worth N25 million to the accused.

He alleged that the

Amosun

Sources said the driver of the vehicle attempted to make a U-turn to escape from the gunmen, but it was too late.

“The hoodlums laid an ambush for the expatriates on the way to their quarry site. They hid in the bush. And as soon as they sited their

accused sold the same goods and converted the money to their own use by given the same money to someone simply identified as Monday, now at large, to deposit in their accounts.

Umeogu told the court that in course of his investigation, he discovered that the first accused person, who appeared to be homeless at the time his company engaged him, had used the stolen money to buy different brands of cars, including Toyota Sienna

vehicle, they opened fire on them.

“One of the expatriates was hit by the bullets in the process.

His colleague was also abducted. The one that was hit by the bullets was rushed to the hospital, where he later died,” Oyeyemi said.

Woman sets dogs on NAFDAC officials to evade arrest Shola Adefuwa

S tive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) of the Directorate of State Security in Abuja yesterday.

The governor, who reeled out the massive infrastructural development so far executed by his administration as well as the urban renewal programme which had changed the face of the state, said they could not have been possible if the violence and brigandage which had pervaded the state before his coming on board had been allowed to continue.

Juliana Francis

rmed men have shot dead an official of the construction giant, Julius Berger, while they abducted another at Sagamu area.

The expatriates were on their way to the company’s quarry site at Ogbere in Ijebu East Local Government, Ogun State, when they were attacked.

The state Deputy Po-

Abuja

dents and traders in the area hurriedly locked up their shops for fear of being attacked by the mob.

The LASTMA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Bola Ajao, neither picked her calls nor responded to a text message sent to her mobile phone.

Suspect shares robbery plans with stranger, lands in trouble

ecurity agents attached to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) got more than they bargained for when they stormed a home to arrest a woman suspected to be selling fake yoghurt.

Determined to evade arrest, the suspect, Mrs Edith Ify Unigwe, unleashed her Alsatian dogs on the investigating team.

Ezeaku is being investigated for illegal manufacturing of unregistered Timbora Yoghurt in her home.

The agency recovered two 25kg bags of Nunu whole cream powdered milk, four bags of empty bottles of different sizes and two rolls of wrap-

ping nylon.

The Head, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Mr Kingsley Ejiofor, said this discovery was a pointer to the fact that the suspect actually carried out the illegal activity.

Aside from Ezeaku, three other persons, Mr Ebenezer Arimiwn and Mrs Tina Ezeaku, Mr Nnaemeka Nwabueze, were also arrested for dealing in counterfeit drugs.

According to Ejiofor, the suspects specialised in production of counterfeit products such as cosmetics and canned food.

Items recovered from them include a sack containing bottles of ‘Looking Good Cosmetic Product,’ a carton of Nice Skin Cream, one carton of unlabelled cream,

Paul Ohi, NAFDAC boss

four drums containing formulated mixture of cosmetic products, production equipment, two cartons of Perfect White Lotion, a carton of Nice Skin Maxitona Lotion, a carton of Looking Nice Whitening Lotion and a sack containing empty containers of Extra Rich Lemon Cleansing Medicated Cream.

Arimiwen, who confessed to the crime, said that he sourced his packaged materials from one Mr Chima, living in China.

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News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-EAST

Otti promises Aba Affairs Ministry Onyekachi Eze Abuja

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L-R: Coordinator, Emeka Ihedioha Campaign Organisation, Isiala Mbano L.G.A, Prof. Obioma Iheduru; Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Chris Okewulonu and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, during his visit to the area on his 2015 gubernatorial ambition…at the weekend

Okorocha: I will run for second term Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday made a volte face on his wellpublicised presidential ambition, declaring his resolve to run for a second term in office instead.

He spoke about plans to consolidate on the achievements of his administration yesterday in Owerri, the Imo state capital, while swearing in seven new commissioners recently confirmed by the House of Assembly to replace

commissioners, who resigned to pursue their political ambitions.

The governor also told those in attendance at the event that governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state came out in their numbers, because they heard he would run for the presidency, assuring the people that he would not abandon or leave Imo people at the mercy of the PDP. Indicating his interest to run for a second term in office, Okorocha said he would not quit until he was satisfied that every

‘Ndigbo have lost over N10bn to insurgency’ Tony Okafor Awka

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he Igbo have lost over N10 billion in materials as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of northern Nigeria.

Leader of Igbo Unity Forum (IUF) Worldwide, Augustine Chukwudum, disclosed this yesterday in a chat with New Telegraph in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Chukwudum said on one occasion, no fewer than seven truckloads of goods from the SouthEast were intercepted by Boko Haram insurgents and set ablaze.

He also said that in a similar manner, luxury buses belonging to Igbo transporters had been targets of attacks by these fundamentalists and several of such buses were burnt in the melee.

The IUF leader added that the loss suffered by Ndigbo in the crisis, especially human losses,

was unquantifiable, but that the rough estimate of material losses could be put at N10 billion.

He called on the Federal Government to set up a commission that would look into the losses with a view to compensate the victims appropriately.

Chukwudum regretted what he called President Goodluck Jonathan’s nonchalant attitude towards the victims of terrorism, noting that in one instance, no fewer than 13 Ndigbo were massacred in Mubi, Adamawa State, adding that up to date, the President has not deemed it proper to compensate relations of the victims.

Speaking on Federal Government’s presence in the South-East, Chukwudum described it as a disaster, submitting that cases like the Second Niger Bridge and the dredging of the River Niger, had become sweet political gimmicks to hoodwink the Igbo each election year.

family in the state is free from ignorance and poverty, telling the new appointees that he had invited them to partner with him to make the state better.

The seven new commissioners sworn in yesterday include the daughter of the late governor of the state, Sam Mbakwe, Patience Mbakwe and seven new Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

The new commissioners were also given portfolios by the governor at the end of their swearing-in.

Chief Chidi Ibe is the new Commissioner for Infor-

mation and Strategy; Mr. Obinna Mbata, Commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue.

Others are Ms. Patience Mbakwe (Industry and Non-formal Sector); Mr. Victor Ogbonna Amadi, (Commerce and Market development); Mr. Ikechukwu Njoku, (Finance): Mr. Clinton Obiyom (Public Utilities and Public safety); Mrs. Mma Nzeribe, (Primary, Secondary and Non-formal Education).

The Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen swornin were those for Owerri

North, Owerri West, Owerri Municipal, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East Local Government areas.

Addressing the new appointees, the governor said he has released N3 billion for the renovation of all the local government headquarters in the state, adding that the council secretariats were left over the years to rot.

He also informed the people that his administration would begin to renovate some old schools he said had produced great men and women in the state.

Enugu professionals reject Ekweremadu Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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he battle line drawn by Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, over who between the two would win the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Enugu West senatorial district during the party’s primary election next month, has continued to generate tension in the state.

And yesterday, a proChime group, Enugu Professionals Forum (EPF), dismissed as false and ‘utterly ridiculous,’

reports in the media, claiming that the governor’s kinsmen in Udi had endorsed Ekweremadu to retain the Enugu West senatorial seat in 2015.

Also yesterday, the PDP Ward Chairman in Udi, Ogochukwu Chime, denounced the report, saying they were baseless, while also calling those behind it as mischief makers and political desperadoes.

The reports emanated from a funeral ceremony in Udi, Chime’s home front, attended by Ekweremadu last Saturday, during which his associates in the area were said to have used the occasion to mar-

ket him and told the gathering that he deserved a return to the senate.

Chime had on different occasions also received endorsements from Awgu, an area believed to be Ekweremadu’s base since his Aninri local council area was carved out of present Awgu Local Government Council.

EPF in a release signed by its interim President, Nebechi Ugo, described the report as a syndicated fabrication, saying ‘not only did no such thing, but that the people mentioned in the story are not from Udi and therefore cannot be Chime’s kinsmen.’

governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Alex Otti, has promised to address the perennial problem of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state by carving out a ministry in charge of Aba affairs if he becomes governor next year.

Otti, the immediate past Managing Director of Director of Diamond Bank, said Aba is the commercial and industrial nerve centre of the South-East, assuring the people that he would do everything possible to return the town to its lost glory.

“We have started discussing with the International Financial Corporation (IFC). The body is working out a programme where we will set up an industrial park in partnership to help the creativity of the Igbo man. You know there is nothing that Aba does not produce, it may not be the best quality, but they say that practice makes perfection,” the aspirant said.

He said if Aba entrepreneurs are encouraged, it will overtake Dubai as a tourist destination.

The aspirant, who came in company of former Captain of the Super Eagles, Austin Okocha and foremost Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, to obtained his nomination forms, said although he had about six more years to serve in the banking sector, the need to serve his people motivated him to abandon the lucrative job.

“I left the known to the unknown. In life, if you do not venture, you do not progress, if you do not venture, you will not make progress; if you do not participate in a contest, the issue of your winning does not arise,” he added.

“This is the sacrifice that I feel I should make for over three million people in Abia State and I think time has come for technocrats to come and demonstrate what they have done in the private sector in the public sector. So, I don’t think it is misplaced,” he added.

Anambra PDP crisis: Stakeholders relocate to Abuja Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

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s the crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, some stakeholders from the state have taken their campaign for the appointment

of caretaker committee to Abuja ahead of the 2015 general elections.

An insider and a PDP chieftain in Anambra State, who confirmed the move to New Telegraph in a telephone call said: “We are all in Abuja because we are tired of the Emeakai/Oguebego unending leadership rift.

“We want a caretaker committee that would work for the party ahead of the 2015 elections. “We are all disenchanted and cannot continue this way, otherwise we will lose the state, especially this time that President Goodluck Jonathan has indicated his interest to run.

“We can’t afford to con-

tinue this way and that is why we are all in Abuja to see how we can go about it,” the source said.

It will be recalled that since the PDP lost Anambra State to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2007, Anambra State PDP leadership has been in crisis, leading to endless court actions.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

Guber race

Emmanuel unveils agenda for Akwa Ibom

2015

Lagos 2015

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17

Rivers’ll be great again, says Ayanya

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Ambode’s declaration sets Lagos aglow

Politics

Minorities’ quest for governorship seats ONYEKACHI EZE writes on the impending battle between the majority ethnic nationalities and the minorities over who produces the governorship of their states as the 2015 general election approaches

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fter 15 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country, minorities in most of the states feel it is their turn to produce the next governors of their states in the 2015 general election.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted a gentleman agreement to rotate the presidency between the North and South. This principle is partially adopted at the state level between 1999 and now with two of the three senatorial zones producing the governorship. It is, therefore, expected that the remaining zone should be given the slot in 2015 in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice. But some governorship aspirants want the contest thrown open.

In Benue State, the Idoma with seven out of 23 local government areas of the state believe that in the spirit of equity, the dominant Tiv nationality should allow them produce the next governor of the state.

The Tiv has ruled the state since 1999, and even since Benue State was created in 1976.

George Akume who was elected governor in 1999, handed over to another Tiv man, Gabriel Suswam after eight years on the saddle. Suswam who became

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Chukwu

governor in 2007 will complete his eight years in 2015.

For equity and natural justice, critics say the governorship should move to the Idoma nation, or probably, the Igede, but the Igede consists of two local government areas. It is natural that the next in population, which is Idoma should be allowed to produce the governor of Benue State in 2015.

Ebonyi State, which was carved out of old Enugu and Abia states in 1996, consists of two blocs – the Abakaliki and Afikpo. The Abakaliki zone, which has nine local government areas is the majority ethnic nationality in the state.

It has dominated governance of the state since the return of civil democracy in 1999.

The Afikpo bloc with only four local government areas is in minority. Since politics is a game of number, it is only if the governorship is ceded to them that the people can think of producing the governor of Ebonyi State. This is what Governor Martin Elechi has done with the adoption of former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, from Afikpo, as the consensus governorship candidate of the PDP. The minorities in Kogi State also want the Igala people who have dominated the governance since the state was created in 1991

Ishaku

The northern part served for 10 years; the central which is represented by Danbaba (Suntai) ran for eight years and the acting governor is from the north.

When offices are not zoned, people are disenfranchised

to allow them to produce the next governor of the state. There are many minority tribes in Kogi State but the two most prominent are the Ebira and Okun.

But unlike the two previous states, the minorities in Kogi State may have to wait till 2020 when the tenure of the present incumbent might have expired.

Kogi will not elect a new governor in 2015 since the tenure of the present governor, Captain Idris Wada expires in 2016, but he is eligible for another tenure which will expire in 2020 if re-elected.

In Imo State, the Owerri zone is angling to produce the next governor in 2015. The people of the zone hinged their argument on the fact that the Okigwe and Orlu zones have ruled the state since the return of democracy in the country in 1999.

There is, however, a counter argument. Those who oppose the demand said the Owerri zone sold their right in 2011 when they supported Orlu zone to again produce the governor after it has a spent eight years in the office.

Although the zone lacks the numerical strength, the people of the zone truncated Ikedi Ohakim’s re-election bid by support-

ing the candidacy of Rochas Okorocha who is from Orlu zone. This means that Orlu zone has ruled Imo State for 12 years and Okigwe zone four. What this means is that the race for the 2015 governorship is thrown open for interested aspirants from the three senatorial zones.

Speaking shortly after obtaining his governorship nomination forms a governorship aspirant in the state, Evangelist Chris Brown Amadi while accusing the Owerri zone of truncating Ohakim’s re-election in 2011, said zoning of the governorship has not been practised in Imo State.

The case for Adamawa State had been settled for PDP before the court judgement that brought in the former deputy governor, Bala Ngilari. The party had decided that its governorship ticket in 2015 would go to Adamawa Central senatorial zone.

At a meeting with aspirants for the botched October 11 byelection, the party leadership reached an agreement with them that whoever wins the by-election will not contest the 2015 governorship election. It was also resolved that PDP will not sell governorship nomination forms to aspirants for 2015 election.

But Ngilari’s victory at the court has altered everything.

There are rumours that he may be pressurised to dump governorship ambition for 2015 and accept senatorial slot as a compensation.

The people of Taraba South senatorial zone are agitating to be given the opportunity to produce the governor of the state in 2015.

Former Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, who is seeking to fly the PDP flag for the election, argued that for equity sake, it is the turn of Taraba South to produce the next governor of the state.

“The northern part served for 10 years; the central which is represented by Danbaba (Suntai) ran for eight years and the acting governor is from the north. When offices are not zoned, people are disenfranchised. The south has been the one giving the state the largest votes. We are appealing to the common sense of our people to allow the southern senatorial CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Politics

Last week, a mega rally was hosted in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where several groups and persons endorsed the governorship aspiration of former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Udom Emmanuel. TONY ANICHEBE reports

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Emmanuel unveils agenda for Akwa Ibom

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n what could be described as the mother of all declarations for the 2015 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Udom Emmanuel, last Tuesday at the Uyo Sports Stadium formerly declared his intention to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The event which had over 600 affiliate groups with the stadium filled to capacity, also played host the ‘who is who’ in the Akpabio administration, including serving and past commissioners, members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen as well as state, local government and ward executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among others.

The introduction of the aspirant was done by a former governor of the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanaga , whose speech was short but meaningful. He said: “I want to bring to you a man of destiny, a man with the future of Akwa Ibom State, the man with the brain capacity that will change our collective destiny, and that man is Deacon Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Right, Mr. Correct and the real deal.”

Nkanga who is the chairman of the event’s Central planning committee, described Udom as the “best product in the market for the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.” He said that having looked at profiles of those coming out to govern the state, Emmanuel stands out as the best.

The former governor of the state chided those coming out to contest for the governorship seat from Uyo Senatorial District, saying that they do not have respect for the party. He described critics of Akpabio’s administration as local champions that should not be taken serious.

While urging youths in the state to ensure the sustenance of the uncommon transformation of the state, the former commander of the presidential air fleet urged Emmanuel to do better when he is elected.

Addressing thousands of supporters amidst cheers, Emmanuel also unveiled his blueprint for the state if elected as governor.

His words: “As I stand today and declare, my declaration to serve Akwa Ibom State as the next governor come 2015 is anchored on my seven-point agen-

L-R: Mrs. Akpabio, Emmanuel, his wife, Martha; Air Commodore Nkanga (rtd), and Chief Essien Ndueso at the governorship declaration of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) at the Uyo Township Stadium, last week

da. They are, one, to build on the uncommon transformation of the present administration; to transform the economy of Akwa Ibom State for industrialisation and sustainable public private sector initiative, open up many opportunities, and improve the living standard among our people.

“I will respect and uphold the tenets of democratic governance which our great party, PDP stands for and respect the party structure, to ensure the security of lives and property of people at all times with adherence to the principles of the rule of law, thereby ensuring equity, justice and fair play.

“I will promote unity, oneness across the state with due respect to our traditional institution and the elders of our society. To continually develop, empower our women and youths with an improved welfare programme “I stand here and promise all Akwa Ibomites at home and in Diaspora an economic advancement and promote the fundamental human rights for us all.

“Going ahead, I stand here to pledge to pursue the task of rural development and integration with all vigour which will bring benefit and dividends of democratic governance to every nook and cranny of our state. I will provide basic amenities to all and sundry without any discrimination.

“I humbly present myself by the grace of God as a humble servant, dedicated to service; committed to uplifting Akwa Ibom into the committee of highly industrialised state. I’m passionate about all round development and transformation of this state.

“I’m passionate about wealth creation for our people and eco-

This... will mark the transition from a more distinguished administration to another epoch making one that will consolidate and sustain the uncommon transformation

nomic development. Above all, I’m passionate about the wellbeing of our people. I hereby present myself as that force of change that will galvanise Akwa Ibom irrespective of ethnic, tribal, religious, and political affiliation which our people will ride on to unprecedented economic destiny of development.

“I humbly present my qualifications and testimonials of my capacity and preparedness for this assignment for which I solicit your support.

“I’m a chartered accountant by training, a banker by profession. I have over 35 years’ experience in the Nigerian corporate world spanning all sectors of development of economy, and rose to the apex of each of those sectors.

“I’m a very detribalised Nigerian with friends and associates that have come in contact with me all over the world.”

The governorship hopeful added: “This is an historic moment for Akwa Ibom that will mark the transition from a more distinguished administration to another epoch making one that will consolidate and sustain the uncommon transformation of the present administration. It is time to move Akwa Ibom forward. I hereby declare to serve my people in Akwa Ibom State.”

Also speaking, a former Minister, Chief Ndueso Essien reaffirmed the commitment of Eket Senatorial District to present Emmanuel as their sole candidate.

Senator Emmanuel Essien who also spoke for the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, told the mammoth crowd that the entire delegates of their district had vowed to vote Emmanuel in the forthcoming PDP primaries.

Senator Anietie Okon, the first PDP national publicity

secretary from Uyo Senatorial District, reminded the people of Uyo, that power has rotated to Eket Senatorial District, and that any aspirant who hails from Uyo should go and wait till 2023 when power will return to Uyo Senatorial District, noting that equity and justice are essential tools for peace and progress.

Wife of the former deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Atim Okpoyo who spoke on behalf of the Oro nation and women, admonished the former SSG to lift the state when he is elected in 2015. She advised him not to betray the trust and confidence reposed on him.

“You are too brilliant to fail; your government will turn the state with distinction, but remember the women. Governor Akpabio gave us 35 per cent, I hereby ask you to do more”, she added.

Wife of the governor, Mrs. Ekaete Akpabio, started her goodwill message with a song rendition. The First Lady told the people that she supported the aspiration of Emmanuel because of his excellent sense of humility and expertise. She called on the entire women of the state to support Emmanuel’s aspiration, as she urged him to increase the women quota in his government.

Mrs. Akpabio said that those aspiring to succeed her husband should come out and tell the people what they have in stock for them, adding that they have every chance to succeed.

She, however, praised Emmanuel for his decision to offer himself to continue with the uncommon transformation of Akpabio led administration, assuring, that the womenfolk would take a common decision on whom they would support to win both the primaries and the general election.

While thanking the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for adopting her husband as the sole candidate for the Ikot Ekpene senatorial election and President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, Mrs. Akpabio challenged those aspiring to govern the state in 2015 to invite her to their declaration, saying that she is open to all aspirants in the state Earlier, the president, Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance, (ACA), Pastor Andrew Uwanta said with the over 600 affiliated groups, Emmanuel’s governorship ambition is a ‘done deal.

Uwanta said that ACA and affiliate groups will stop at nothing to win the 2015 election, and chided those he described as blackmailers and character assassinators of the present administration.

He urged Governor Akpabio to remain focused in his bid to have a successor that will continue with the uncommon transformation of the state.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

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16 Politics

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rivers’ll be great again, says Ayanya Emmanuel Masha

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frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd) at the weekend declared that greatness is coming to the state through a process of rebirth that will affect human development.

“We declared to you our people that greatness is the call of God to every man. Greatness is the cry of every man’s spirit.

The Rivers State that we come to announce to you, that God is unveiling, is the Rivers State that will give every one that opportunity to be great. Wherever you choose to live, greatness is coming,” he said.

He spoke in Port Harcourt at a rally witnessed by various groups and organisations that took turns to endorse him to run for governor of Rivers State.

Addressing his supporters, Anyanya lamented the poor standard of education in the state and promised to change the situation.

“I grew up in Diobu. I came from a school in the village in Ataba. I came here in primary 5. It is a testament to the quality of education and teachers that we had, that from the first day I stepped into the Army Children’s School, I never felt intimidated. That is why my heart goes out that we have lost a generation to ignorance, to poor education system because I know that the only reason I can stand before you today is because somebody gave me a chance in life by allowing me to go to school.

“That’s why every child in Rivers State deserves to go to school. Not just to go to school C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

district to govern,” he added.

He said the aspirants from the zone have agreed that he should be the consensus governorship candidate from Taraba South.

Ambassador Idris Waziri, former Minister of Commerce; Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, and Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwa, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Taraba state (SSG) who are also from the central senatorial zone and who came with him to pick his nomination forms from PDP national secretariat in Abuja, agreed that the aspirant emerged as the consensus candidate after the meetings held in order to re-invent Taraba.

It was disclosed that the reason why Suntai is allowed to remain in office despite his obvious incapacitation, is to ensure that the zoning principle is not altered. The acting governor, Garba Umar, has however, indicated interest to seek election in 2015.

The matter appeared to have been settled in Enugu State.

The Enugu North senatorial district, home of the people of Nsukka, though not a minority

Anyanya addressing his supporters at the rally. With him are Dr. Innocen Eku, Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, Senator Ngorji Denton-West and Ken Arughu

but to get an education that would make meaning in life,” he said.

Anyanya also promised to tackle the security challenges in the state, noting that this will come in diverse dimensions of human security that has homeland security, education security, food security, health security, economic security, infrastructure security, socio-political security and environmental security as key components.

According to him, “we know that the pre-eminent challenge today in our state is security. Every day we hear of all kinds of crimes and our people are dying needlessly. So, we will address security so that you will live in this state and when you think of how it used to be and what it will be very soon, you will say, “was it ever possible”? But it will be because of God.” The governorship hopeful further assured the people on the provision of infrastructure and development of agriculture, regretting that a state with

Never in the history of this state have people tried to divide us like this. We would put a stop to that and we will give you the kind of government everyone will feel a sense of ownership

arable land still has the people struggling to feed themselves just as he decried the traffic jams in the state capital.

“We will deliver infrastructure that will deliver you from this gridlock that appears like the Wall of Jericho. Our city is growing every day, yet you deal with hold-up like the Wall of Jericho but I’ve come to announce to you, the Wall of Jericho will fall down flat.

“We will deal with food security because when you drive in most parts of Rivers State, you see land, yet our people are struggling to look for what to eat in the midst of plenty,” he said.

The aspirant, who is an expert in security matters, harped on socio-political harmony and inclusiveness.

He also linked the challenges in environmental degradation to the health conditions of the people and offered to build a robust medicare in the state.

Charging the people to have a sense of duty regarding the forthcoming elections in the state, Anyanya decried the state of poverty in Rivers despite available resources. “People say Rivers State is rich. It is true but we know that Rivers people are poor. You know that is an aberration. Rivers State has so much resources but Rivers people are not rich as they should be. Rivers people are not wealthy as they should be. Why will you suffer in the midst of plenty? And this is the message we bring. You know, I tell people who know me, this is not about me. I am just privileged to be God’s instrument for this move and all of us together will make it happen,” he said.

In their goodwill messages, party leaders and stakeholders eulogised Anyanya’s quality and credibility as they took turn to endorse him for governor in the state.

Veteran politician and chieftain of the PDP in the state, Dr. Innocent Eku, noted that 11 of the governorship aspirants are his friends, but Anyanya is the best.

A women leader and convener of the South South/South East Initiative and the Rivers Daughters, Dr. Love Arughu, also endorsed the aspirant on behalf of the groups, clamouring for “rebirth, overhauling and a change that would stand the.

On his part, leader of the South South Elders Forum, Senator (Dr) Ngorji DentonWest said his group’s endorsement was informed by the need for equity and justice. He called on Rivers people to support the aspirant.

Other groups and associations including the Ikwerre Mandate, Niger Delta Youth Vanguard, The Pacesetters and Every woman for Good Governance also endorsed Anyanya.

Minorities’ quest for governorship seats group, is gearing to produce the next governor of the state.

The governorship seat has been zoned to the area and so far all those aspiring to lead the state from 2015 are from the zone.

But if the people of Enugu North are sure of producing next governor of Enugu State, it is not so with the Idoma and Afikpo people. Incidentally, internal squabble and political interest may stall the decision to zone the Ebonyi governorship to the people of Afikpo.

The immediate former Minister of Health, Chukwu, who is from Afikpo bloc has been adopted by stakeholders from the state as consensus governorship candidate but Senator Igwe Palinus Nwagu, a governorship aspirant from the state, said zoning or endorsement is unknown to the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act. The Idoma’s problem is the age-long rivalry between them and the Tiv. While the Idoma occupy plum positions at the federal level, the Tiv believe that their dominance at the state

level is to compensate them of the Idoma “marginalisation” on federal appointments. And since politics is a game of number, there is no way the Idoma with seven local government areas can wrest power from the Tiv with 14 local councils.

Most governorship aspirants in the state who came to obtain their nomination forms, said rotation or zoning of the governorship position of the state is not respected. Hingah Biem said he is not aware of the rotation of governorship between the three senatorial zones while Eugene Adegba, a former commissioner in the state, argued that the part of Tiv he comes from is also ‘marginalised’ in the administration of the state.

This was the same reason canvassed by some aspirants from Delta State who felt that the governorship race should be thrown open and not just for aspirants from Delta North senatorial zone.

Dr. Andrew Warri said there is “no articulated zoning system in Delta State. He argued that

those clamouring for zoning contested the governorship in the previous elections.

A former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Jerry Agada, said the only saving grace for Idoma is for the Tiv to concede power to them. But are the Tivs’ ready to do that?

In Rivers State, the upland/ riverine dichotomy in the administration of the state is taking a dangerous dimension.

The situation is also the same in Akwa Ibom State.

In Rivers State, the ambition of former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, an Ikwere man to succeed another Ikwere man, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, is heating up the polity in the state.

Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara who led other stakeholders from the state to purchase the nomination forms for Wike, avoided the question of the rationale of Wike succeeding his kinsman. Opara said their purpose is to recover the PDP mandate diverted by

Amaechi to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But Nimi Walson-Jack, an aspirant from the state, said zoning is a fundamental principle of PDP. He said zoning is a constitutional requirement and not a clamour.

There are some merits in the argument of the minorities that they should be allowed to produce the next governor of their states. Except in states where an incumbent failed to win re-election, two out of the three senatorial zones have so ruled for nearly eight years since return of democracy.

Equity, justice and fairness demand that the third senatorial zone should be given the opportunity as well.

The problem of the minorities may be lack of unity among them. In Rivers State, for instance, Wike is the only known aspirant so far from Ikwere. But not less than three aspirants from the riverine areas have picked forms. This may likely cause them victory at the primaries.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

The anticipated declaration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for the Lagos governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took place last Friday. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE writes that the former Accountant-General of the state left no one in doubt about his capacity, commitment and competence for the Lagos plum job

T

hey came in droves as early as 8a.m., defying the scotching sun that was breathing heavily on those under it at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos. Not even the long-hours of pedestrian traffic at the stadium gates for security checks could dissuade them from gaining entry into the stadium to witness the official declaration of one of their own, Akinwunmi Ambode for the Lagos governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

From branded T-shirts to uniformed Ankara, caps for men and headgear for women, the ceremony which drew leaders and members of the APC and other well-wishers together, became a carnival of sorts especially with the array of artists on the bandstand thrilling the mammoth crowd.

With hordes of supporters already singing and dancing within and outside the stadium, Ambode arrived the venue at exactly 11: 39a.m. in the company of his wife, Bolanle, in a black, Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with Epe on the plate number. Beaming with his usual smiles, the chartered accountant who wore a flowing white Agbada with a blue cap, marched round the stadium galleries to acknowledge his supporters from the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

The Man With a humble beginning, from the backwaters of Epe, a sleepy town in Lagos, Ambode, an accountant and a public finance management expert was a former Accountant-General of Lagos State. He has also held many sensitive financial positions during his 27-year career in the Lagos State Civil Service.

Ambode, who studied accounting and graduated from University of Lagos at the age of 21 in 1981, became a chartered accountant at the age of 24 and at the same period completed his masters’ degree programme in accounting, specialising in financial management.

He started his career at the Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (now LAWMA) as accountant Grade II. In 1988, he was appointed assistant treasurer, Badagry Local Government and he crisscrossed many local government councils in different roles within a 10-year period and got a first-hand experience of the direct impact of governance on the citizenry. In January 2005, he was redeployed to mainstream public service as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and by February 2006, he was given the added responsibility of Accountant-General for Lagos State, in charge of all the financial activities of the state and directly responsible for over 1400 accountants in the state’s service. After 27 years in the civil service, Ambode voluntarily retired in August 2012 and founded Brandsmiths Consulting Limited to provide public finance

Ambode (middle) and party chieftains at his declaration last week

Ambode’s declaration sets Lagos aglow and management consulting services to government at all levels, its parastatals and agencies. He is the founder of La Roche Leadership Foundation, a nonprofit organisation focused on developing the next generation of leaders.

The message In his speech titled: “Continuing the Progress, Securing the Future,” Ambode presented the template of what his aspiration represents and why he decided to vie for the governorship seat of the Centre of Excellence in 2015.

While eulogising his supporters for the show of love, the Epe-born politician said: “In recognition of this support, I, Akinwunmi Ambode, in your presence and in the presence of God, formally put myself forward to run for the position of the governor of Lagos State.

“I make this decalaration with the highest sense of responsibility.

“I am putting myself forward because I believe I have the qualities required to continue the giant strides, which our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has achieved in Lagos in recent years.

“Lagos is my state and you are my people. I shall work to serve you. I shall never do less. Here and now, I dedicate myself to this task. I shall not flinch nor lose focus. I stand before you today in the spirit of the continuity of excellence that Lagos is known for. My vision and mission is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State that is driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice. “ While aligning his aspiration with the previous and current administration in the state, Ambode said: “The last 15 years have witnessed an irreversible growth and development of our great state with a foundation laid concretely by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu between 1999 and 2007. The consolidation and actualisation of that growth, of which we are all living testimonies, have been achieved by the incumbent governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) “I stand before you today in the spirit of the continuity of excellence that Lagos is known for. My vision and mission

is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State that is driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.”

Ambode, who harped on his determination to build a greater, united Lagos if elected governor, averred that everyone counts irrespective of sex, age, religion, tribe or profession, adding that his administration will not discriminate against anyone.

“Lagos is the most cosmopolitan state in Nigeria and there is no room for discrimination. Whether you are Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, Hausa, Fulani, a foreigner, whoever you are, so far you live or work in Lagos,

My vision and mission is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State that is driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice

our government will work for you and you will be adequately represented.

“We want a Lagos that will protect Abdullahi; that will address the issues of Chukwuma and uphold the well-being of Yewande. We want a Lagos that will not deny any Nigerian citizen the right of political participation and access to services. It is not about sectionalism.

This is the new Nigeria that we want to build and Lagos is the focal point from where we would build the Nigeria of our dreams.”

Calling for support, he said: “I call on all Muslims, Christians, and people of other religious persuasions to come out en masse and ensure we vote in a candidate that has the interest of Lagos and Lagosians at heart. A candidate that is passionate about Lagos. A candidate that truly understands the needs of the ordinary people. I am that candidate.”

Firing his last line, he said: “I stand before you today as the bridge between the elderly and the youth. I hold before you a beacon that summons us all to building together a more prosperous Lagos. I have the competence, experience and determination to lead Lagos State to greater economic heights and prosperity. I ask for your support and your votes that will send me to Alausa to continue my tradition of selfless service to this great state.”

The music and comedy thrill Entertainment was at its fullest at the declaration with populare Fuji star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and rappers, Olamide and M.I on hand to thrill the crowd to various tunes that kept the arena vibrating.

Also, popular comedians, Mr. Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe), Mr. Lamidi Opebe and Mr. Ojo Arowosafe (Fadeyi Oloro), Omo Banke, among others were on hand to add flavour to the occasion.

The ceremony which was held for over five hours was anchored by a former chairman of Kosofe Council, Hon. Tunde Braimoh.

The roll call Leading the pack of local government CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

18

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Olisa Metuh: A bull in an Abia shop Willie Ikpeazu

H

e came in through the out door, there was nothing to show he could handle such a grandiose sensitive job. Olisa Metuh eventually got the position, not the job.

Events are proving us all right.

The job of Publicity Secretary is not a tea party and should not be reserved for the boys. One man who was eminently qualified to do the job, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu watched as he was schemed out simply because some power mongers claimed the position was zoned to Anambra State while Imo was asked to produce the Women’s leader.

Iwuanyanwu, an alumnus of the University of Lagos, first Public Relations Officer of the Second Republic Imo House of Assembly, journalist, PR guru and seasoned politician, quietly walked away knowing that a square peg had been put in a round hole.

That is what is happening to the Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] today. The largest political group in Africa has the dumbest PR team. Metuh does not know the difference between town union meeting and a political party.

Small wonder, you find The All Progressives Congress [APC] firing from all angles. Their spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed never lies low.

Unlike Metuh, Lai is meticulous, unleashing torrents of statements to the press.

Metuh thinks he is doing PDP a favour. Publicity in politics is not about going to see the President.

The PDP man is neither proactive nor accessible.

But you find him at the wrong place most of the time. One of such misadventure was his trip to Abia to assess the regime of Governor Theodore Orji. Even the blind beggars in Ariaria market know that Abia has lost it’s sight. There is no gov-

ernment presence in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. Umuahia, the state capital is a glorified village while the Bende axis has been abandoned to the elements.

In this comatose state, you find the so called government brainwashing outsiders with tales of performance. Every day, visitors are airlifted to Umuahia and taken round to pockets of buildings, often bloated beyond imagination, all in the bid to show that Ochendo is at work.

Why the government has to import outsiders to assess it, is like voodoo. The more you look, the less you see. Bubuyaya, bubuyaya. Abracadabra. And Metu has joined the long line.

While Lai Mohammed is tackling all issues even when the Federal Government is doing well, Metu is junketing from Aba to Umuahia, lunching alfresco.

After reading This Day of October 21st 2014, I was not surprised at all that it was coming from a man like Olisa Metuh who moves around with lies and negativity.

This non- performer called Metuh telling us Abians that Chief Theodore Orji has done well is really disheartening.

Olisa Metuh, before assessing another person’s progress please try and start from yours. From the onset when you were elected into office as the PDP publicity secretary, you have been surrounded by controversies. So please tell us how come a man who is not settled in office can assess another , it does not make sense.

Some few weeks back ,you Olisah Metuh, were at loggerheads with your party national chairman.

Trouble seems to follow you wherever you go.

Saying that TA Orji’s government has done better than Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s is funny, the same TA Orji was part of that administration , for Eight years as Chief –of –Staff. Now, because he is on the

throne, the past governor did not do anything.

Olisa Metuh, building a secretariat and government house is not what Abians need, it is no sign of development, it is not part of the BASIC infrastructural development. Lauding TA Orji’s success as a governor because of building a state secretariat is absolutely baseless.

Makes one wonder how this man got elected to office with baseless and senseless judgments like these. Maybe, there is something Metuh is not telling us. Or has stomach infrastructure also travelled to Umuahia?

Let it be said that TA Orji has written his name on sand and not on marble. Real men write their names on marble and not on sand, their marks are indelible.

Abia being a point of economic growth and tourism is pathetically neglected. For the governor to neglect a town like Aba , that is the heartbeat of the state economically, shows how are arid upstairs some of these sycophants are..

The issue of saying that TA Orji’s administration built hospitals in the Three senatorial zones in Abia State is a bloody lie. Some of us do not understand the sense in taking the market to Ubani Ibeku, an area that is so lonely, far and more of an inconvenience to the poor traders who find it very difficult to access proper transportation for them and their goods.

A man with enough wisdom would have advised the governor that Aba should be his top priority to enhance and boast the Abia State economy.

Mr. Olisa Metuh could as well go back to his law practice instead of doing the right job with wrong personal credentials.

• Ikpeazu wrote in from Ohambele, Abia State.

Ebola, CAF and Nigeria Tayo Ogunbiyi

I

t is no longer news that West Africa is being plagued by the deadly Ebola virus. With several reports of Ebola infection in the West African sub-region, countries such as Mali, Gambia, Ghana and Sierra Leone are currently experiencing the most demanding outbreak since the disease was first discovered 38 years ago. The United States and a few European nations are currently trying to contain the plague which was imported into their land via West Africa.

Nigeria has had her own share of trouble with the disease , no thanks to the escapade of late AmericanLiberian, Patrick Sawyer. We were only recently certified Ebola free by the World Health Organisation, WHO. However, the scars that the nation got as a result of our battle to contain the deadly virus would take sometime to heal. While it lasted, our country had 19 cases of Ebola infection with eight records of death and 11 lucky survivors.

Africa presently faces a huge burden in the battle to contain the deadly Ebola Virus Disease. According to a recent WHO data, the number of people with Ebola is set to hit 10,000 in West Africa. The WHO data further reveals that 9,936 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three countries mostly hit in what is, undoubtedly, the world's worst Ebola epi-

demic , have contracted the disease. In total, 4,877 people have so far died as a result of the epidemic. According to the Red Cross, with the way things stand, except a miracle occurs, it might take a minimum of four months before the epidemic could be contained in Africa.

To compound the situation, Experts have raised the alarm that the rate of infections could reach 10,000 a week by early December, if something urgent is not done to quickly take control of the disease. In Liberia, in order to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, schools across the country remain closed while economic activities have come to a standstill. Similarly, the army has been deployed to enforce all measures put in place to avert the further spread of the disease. The Ebola situation in Guinea and Serria-Leone is equally not, in any way, faring better.

This, without a doubt, is a trying time for mother Africa.

Part of the current Ebola burdens in Africa, is the issue of the appropriate venue for the continent’s prime soccer competition, the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, slated for January, 2015. The competition, which was initially billed to be hosted by Morocco, is facing a race against time.

There are indications that Morocco is considering pulling out as a result of the Ebola virus epidemic. According to reports, Morocco might not play host to the championship except the continent’s soccer ruling body, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, agrees to postpone it till the Ebola situation in the continent improves.

To keen watchers of the soccer scene in the continent, Morocco’s position seems reasonable and pragmatic enough, and as

such there should not be a problem about it. But there is actually a problem. CAF, in its wisdom, does not want the championship deferred. To call the bluff of Morocco, CAF has started shopping for new countries that could host the competition. And this is where Nigeria comes in.

South Africa was approached by CAF as a possible replacement for Morocco, but the request was reportedly turned down by the rainbow nation on the account that it has twice played host to the championship in similar situations and that it doesn’t have the financial muscle to host it within such a short notification. Indeed, in 2013, when South Africa hosted the AFCON, it did so as a stand-in for Libya. Ghana, which was contacted after South Africa declined the offer, is demanding for more time to carefully study the Ebola situation in West Africa before making its position known to CAF. Now, there are widespread speculations that Nigeria is considering hosting the AFCON in January, 2015. According to unconfirmed reports, a top Federal Government, FG, official was quoted as saying that “since Nigeria has been declared Ebola free by WHO, the country could throw its hat into the ring to stage the biggest soccer tournament in the African continent”. If this truly reflects the thinking of the Nigerian government, there is need to counsel the FG not to quickly throw caution to the wind in the euphoria of the recent clean bill of health it gotten from WHO over Ebola.

It would be rather careless and inconsiderate, on the part of our decision makers, to jump at the chance of hosting the AFCON without properly putting into context the pains and anguish that the nation went

through in the course of its ninety three days’ battle to contain Ebola. Considering the porous nature of our borders and other such limitations, hosting the competition, at this point in time, could make nonsense of all the gains we have made in respect of our recent travails with Ebola.

Could we have suddenly forgotten the several complications that the Ebola invasion brought to our land while it lasted? It is too risky to embark upon such a venture, at this moment. If Morocco, a country that is yet to record any cases of the Ebola virus could turn down the opportunity to host the AFCON based on the fear of Ebola, it would be regarded as a suicide mission for our dear nation to do same. It would amount o spitting on the graves of our unfortunate compatriots who paid the supreme price, while battling the deadly virus in the country.

It has often been insinuated that top government functionaries in the country perceive hosting such championships, as AFCON, as an avenue to make money at the expense of the nation. While most nations declare profits after hosting such competitions, the reverse is often the case in Nigeria. At the moment, rather than investing on hosting the AFCON, we should pull our resources into spearheading scientific researches that could bring about the much needed cure for the Ebola virus.

This is what we owe Africa. As for CAF, it should respect the position of Morocco on postponing the competition till the continent’s Ebola situation improves. This is the time to put life above every other consideration.

• Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

19

EDITORIAL

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

The challenge of youth unemployment

T

o avert social malady and channel energy into more productive and development stimulating endeavours, there must be concerted global efforts to tackle the scourge of youth unemployment. To the extent it has become a big issue all over the world, a global coalition must be launched to decisively deal with its menace and free countries from its monstrous shackles.

The situation looks gloomy. It is estimated that one billion people would enter the job market in the next decade. The estimate for unemployed youth in the developing world remains high at 75 million.

It is also on record that 20 million young people enter the job market every year in Africa and Asia alone.

One in four young people cannot find work for more than US$1.25 a day. Yet global growth and poverty reduction over the next 15 years to 2030 will be driven by today’s youth, even with the frustration and disorientation they contend with. To keep employment rates constant, the World Bank says the global economy needs to create five million jobs each month. The truth is, this does not look feasible in the contemporary world. To effectively deal with the canker, securing good jobs for the youth has become a global priority.

As massive and ugly as the situation may be, it remains cheery that deliberate policies and programmes are now more rapidly being adopted

worldwide to address it. To actualise their desire for success, policymakers, corporate and civil society leaders recently established Solutions for Youth Unemployment, a global coalition that acts to address challenges of youth unemployment with the aim of meeting the 21st Century global challenge of youth employment through ambitious but concrete and measurable actions and with a commitment to improve youth employment outcomes by 2030. With this, the donor community, private sector and civil society are joining forces to invest in proven solutions to bring young people into productive employment.

The coalition seeks for the first time to link relevant actors from governments, corporate actors, international organisations, and civil society to learn, share knowledge, and implement programmes based on evidence about what works in addressing youth unemployment and to leverage the shared understanding through increased investments in more effective and sustainable solutions.

While the World Bank Group supports this latest global initiative because it is essential to achieving its goals to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity for the bottom 40 per cent of the population by 2030, Accenture which believes that developing innovative solutions for youth employment demands collaboration across organisations and sectors, is also committed to convening

powerful partnerships, and looks forward to working with the coalition to help young people get jobs and start successful businesses.

We commend the inspiring effort of the World Bank Group, Accenture, International Youth Foundation, Plan International, RAND Corporation and Youth Business International for pioneering work in developing the coalition in the past 18 months prior to the launch.

We also share the position by Sussane Hoffmann, Director-General, European and International Employment and Social Policies, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany that the world has to “give all young people sustainable prospects for their professional life and integrate into the world of work at an early stage.”

This position is more germane to Nigeria’s situation where youth unemployment has attained a tipping point and young people easily fall prey to negative push and pull factors presented by the powerful, privileged and connected in society, who use these hopeless youths as tools for perpetration of evil as witnessed in the Boko Haram aberration and other devious tendencies, for instance. Cultism, armed robbery, rape, child labour and so many other vices and misdemeanours are now on the ascendancy because young people on whose shoulders rest the future of the country find it extremely difficult to secure decent and sustainable employment even with their quali

fications, willingness and ability.

With the elections around the corner, shameless politicians will know how to engage and use the youth to achieve their inordinate ambitions for peanuts, only to drop them like hot iron soon after, without any plan for their sustainable employment and welfare.

Sadly, activities in the informal sector, particularly retail trade, which dominate employment creation in the country, remain largely unrecorded. This negative trend makes it impossible for the official national income accounts statistics to correctly capture the true state of the country’s economy. Typical implications of ignoring adequate information on the informal sector can readily be drawn from the upshot and revelations of the recent rebasing of the country’s GDP that did not only position Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy, but also showed the power of the Entertainment and Services sub-sectors of the economy.

We agree with Hoffmann that we can achieve the goal of more meaningfully employing young people only by a concerted effort through the coalition that provides an excellent platform to support solutions to youth unemployment through innovative programmes and tailor-made approaches to the targeted youths.

This explains our position that Nigeria needs to join this unique coalition to address rising youth unemployment in the country. The right time is now.

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

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editors, Daily n Emeka Obasi, Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Geoffrey Ekenna

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Politics

Shehu Garba

A

head of the 2015 governorship election in Niger State, the tempo of political activities and electioneering maneuvers by politicians and power players in the state is thickening by the day preparatory to the party primaries.

The clime is getting cloudier, new political camps are being formed, old ones are either being demolished or folded in a hurry while mergers are being worked out to get a unified and formidable bloc to get the ultimate power.

Long before now, two of the visible names in the race for Government House, Minna had been the incumbent Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto and current Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, with the latter making an early start and being more verbose which has however fizzled out after causing some initial scare.

Ibeto, a politician known for his simple mien and quietude, had nursed the tall ambition to succeed his boss, principal and mentor, the Chief Servant, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, having diligently and loyally served him since 2007 when he (Ibeto) was bequeathed to him as running mate from the political arrangement made by the last civilian administration in the state.

A tested politician, Ibeto had begun his foray into partisan politics at the grassroots as a protem party secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and then later became its substantive scribe in the state.

He had also served in the executive of the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) from where he defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2003, Ibeto won the slot to represent the Magama/Rijau federal constituency at the House of Representatives and was at the lower chamber till 2007 when he returned to Minna to stand for election as a gubernatorial running mate in the 2007 governorship election.

But Ibeto, who had confidently hoped to get the blessings and endorsement of his boss to go into the party primaries next month, now appears to be disillusioned. Feelers from his camp claimed the man had somehow been backstabbed; no thanks to some high level political realignment, power intrigues, group and closed class interest which have conspired to swerve off the expected endorsement, blessings and patronage of Governor Aliyu at the crucial last minute to another direction.

About a fortnight ago, the floodgates of the political landscape in the state were flung wide open by the entrance of Umar Mohammed Nasko, a new name on the turf; a kid player in a political garb whose emergence on the starting block came with a massive shocking bang, sparking off unsavoury blitz and reactions from the older political blocks.

Prior to his appointment as a member of the Niger State cabinet, Nasko the son of a retired general, was not known in public domain nor had he any political pedigree or cognate experience.

With his entrance came huge, life size campaign billboards, colourful posters and spiral jingles on radio and television airwaves in the state.

The manner of his entrance into the race for the governorship seat, the display of public wealth in his campaign made observers conclude that Umar is being positioned by the powers that be.

While Ibeto had all along been playing his political ambition and campaigns bids rather softly ostensibly not

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Who is afraid of Ibeto?

Ibeto

to infringe on the rules of the game and not to offend his boss, the sudden, dramatic and brazen entrance of Nasko into the race smacks of suspicion of behind the scenes intrigues within the

The history of succession in the state is replete with high level intrigues, horse trading, back stabbings and attempts to impose candidates by the so-called political mafias and powers that be

power circle in the state.

Within days of his entry onto the political turf, a centrally located giant edifice in the heart of Minna, the state capital, that was once used by a former military president as campaign head office was acquired as a campaign nerve centre for Nasko’s electioneering. The place has since become a beehive of political meetings.

The hype and tempo of events, the sight and sound, the glee, the opulence, and grandeur within Nasko’s campaign team in the last two weeks and especially in the state capital are to say it even mildly, quite suggestive.

This development has provoked opposing power blocks within the state.

It has polarised the ruling party in the state and political actors and players in their camps have since dusted off their quivers and archeries. With their poisoned sword blades and arrowheads, it would soon be a matter of who draws the first blood and who hits the canvass first.

For the sitting deputy governor who appears to have been hit, betrayed and slighted by the sudden shift from the expected patronage from his boss, the man must muster an indomitable cour-

age, resilience and to as well cultivate a die-hard and a can-do-spirit to remain in the race against the machinations and glaring hatred by those who are determined to undo him. But the question is; who is afraid of Ibeto?

What are his faults or wrong sides?

Are their reasons genuine or parochial? Are they well informed or is it just a matter of political class and differentials? Should individual, class or group interest be hoisted on the collective psyche of all and sundry? In politics, the concept of political godfatherism is being fought to allow democracy flourish on a level playing field. Should political kingmakers be allowed to add to the many infractions on the pathway of democracy?

Those opposed to Ibeto’s bid are those uncomfortable with his ambition to take over the reins of power largely because they would be out of favour to draw any goodwill from him and are thus scared that the man who has not been part of their political clique may not be favourably disposed to their taste and appetite.

Those that are now clustering around Nasko as their new bride and nesting around his campaign machinery are largely those who want to keep their engines continuously oiled into the next dispensation. After all, according to Machiavelli, “politics is what you get.”

The worrisome question on the lips of many a citizen in the state is whether or not, Nasko is the anointed man?

Is he the right person for the state? Or will he too fizzle out soon? Should the citizens expect another politician that will be a willing tool in the hands of a few power players and political kingmakers in the state?

In the last three civilian administrations in the state, the history of succession in the state is replete with high level intrigues, horse trading, back stabbings and attempts to impose candidates by the so-called political mafias and powers that be.

The end results have however always been that some higher powers elsewhere had always scuttled such machinations and thus saved the state from such despotic tendencies by shylock political hawks.

Would the November party primary election in the state be free and fair?

Would Ibeto be allowed to try his luck and popularity at the polls? Would another person emerge as the primary election approaches? Would the god of Niger politics and power tussle stamp his feet again? Would history repeat itself this time around? Time alone will tell.

•Garba is a political analyst

Ambode’s declaration sets Lagos aglow C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

chairmen, Conference 57, was Hon. Akeem Sulaimon (Oris); others are Hon. Obafemi Durosimi and; Hon. Bolaji Ariyoh. House of Representatives members – Alhaji Yakubu Balogun, Dr. Samuel Adejare, Hon. Toyin Suarau, Hon. Morouf Akinderu-Fatai, and Hon. James Faleke.

Other chieftains of the party present were: Pa Abiodun Sunmola; Pa Alabi Macfoy, Babatunde Ogala, Mrs. Teju Phillips, former

Agriculture Commissioner, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Hon. Paul Kalejaye, Hon. Segun Adetola, and a retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Onanuga.

Also, several traditional rulers and chiefs graced the occasion including the three wives of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

85 per cent votes from Ikorodu Division In his solidarity speech, Olusanya who is a chief-

tain of the party from the Ikorodu division assured the gathering that the six local governments from the axis will give the highest number of votes at the primaries and the general election to Ambode, adding that his best description of Ambode is as a “techno-politician”, who has garnered and linked experience in grassroots politics as a civil servant in the local government and civil service.

“On behalf of the six

Ikorodu local governments, I tell you that Ambode will have the votes of delegates.

He will get 85 per cent of the votes from Ikorodu. Ambode kicked off his career in Lagos as a waste disposal agent. He moved to the local government as a treasurer.

He moved to the civil service and through creative financial engineering, the state survived when the Federal Government moved against the local governments,” he said.

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 22, 2014

Art

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BBA Hotshots

Art House Contemporary’s auction returns

Fans welcome Lilian home

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Arts

Proper documentation, key to preservation of culture, tradition, says Akiolu

Stories by Tony Okuyeme

T

he Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu has stressed the need for documentation in the preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. He said this will go a long way in its promotion and propagation.

He added that the needful for us as Africans is to re-invent our lost values and embrace them again. Oba Rilwan Akiolu made this call during a courtesy visit to his palace by the Management team of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) on Tuesday.

“Proper documentation of old cultural values, artifacts and art works are very important in the preservation of our culture and tradition as this goes a long way in familiarizing the generations yet unborn with the history of the African continent,” he said.

The traditional ruler who assumed office in 2003, in his welcome remarks noted that the African tradition especially the Yoruba culture is a very rich and interesting. While citing examples of different cultural beliefs, he promised not to relent in his efforts in propagating it to the rest of the world.

According to him, although he was born a Muslim, he believes in the traditional customs and values, as the sustainability of what is left of the African world after the white man’s invasion can only be found in our culture. He further said that the fact that it was needful for us as Africans to move forward and see the past as gone, adding that often times, he had reasons to argue with some foreign expatriates on how they have influenced our cultural values especially among the younger genera-

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Oba Akinolu of Lagos with the DG CBAAC Anikwe

tion. “Now that most of these expatriates have left for their countries, the needful for us as Africans is to re-invent our lost values and embrace them again,” Oba Akiolu said.

In his response, the Director-General of CBAAC, Sir Ferdinand Anikwe, thanked the revered monarch for his insightful comments and observations. He said the visit was essential as the Oba’s assistance, blessings and co-operation is highly important in order to

Now that most of these expatriates have left for their countries, the needful for us as Africans is to re-invent our lost values and embrace them again

help project our cultural values to the outside world, which is one of CBAAC’s mandates. Anikwe reiterated the fact that for CBAAC to succeed excellently, the Oba and Council’s collaboration and partnership would make a significant impact, and as CBAAC is a stake-holder in the Cultural sector, an affiliation with the traditional ruler would go a long way in helping the Centre achieve laid down goals and programmes. He said even though the Centre is faced

with problem of poor funding, they are trying their best to make the use of the minimal allocation they receive from the Federal Government.

The Oba pledged his unflinching support for the Centre and promised to attend any of the Centre’s functions that he receives an invite to.

CBAAC Directors present at the visit included: Mrs. Funmi Ladele, Dr. Tony Onwumah, Dr. Mrs. Chuma-Ibe, and Mrs. Osaro Osayande.

Newman’s Street debuts on tv

N

ewman Street, a new television drama series has finally hit the screen. The innovative Tv series creatively scripted to address key health concerns in the Nigerian society with a view to galvanising support for managing them, is produced by Nollywood Concept Promotions in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Centre for Communication Programmes.

Dubbed as a new dimension

to dealing with public health issues in Nigeria, Newsman Street premiered penultimate Thursday at SilverBird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos. The premiere brought together the crème de la crème in the entertainment industry and other sectors in Nigeria. Notable actors including Tony Manjaro and Keppy Ekpeyong amongst others present at the event lauded the creative presentation of the series directed by award winning Director and Producer,

Cast and Crew of Newman’s Street

Mr. Bond Emeruwa.

Exuding the genuine acting and directing expressed in the TV series, guests were left on

the edge of their seats as they attempt to unravel the suspense CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22

Art

Tuesday, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Art House Contemporary’s auction returns Agozino Agozino

W

hat began as an experimental art auction of an enthusiastic follower of Nigerian contemporary arts few years ago is gradually gaining ground as a bumper period sale of prized works of Nigerian artists, alongside those of their neighbours in West Africa.

Remarkably, too, the secondary art market sale that many think then to be like a flash in the pan has now come to stay and has posted regular record of over threequarter sales in every edition.

On Saturday, November 1, activities marking the 13th edition of the artifacts auction sale organised by the Lagos-based firm, Art House Contemporary, will begin with a sneak preview of the collection by a select collective of connoisseurs ahead of the main hammer sale on Monday November 3, 2014.

According to a release by the auction house, the sale and “the open for public viewings that preceded it will take place at the highbrow Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi Lagos”.

On offer are 115 lots of paintings, sculptures, mixed media works, prints and photographs as well as other antiques and masterpieces by well-known and emerging artists.

This year’s sales date was announced at a press conference hosted in Lagos last Monday by the chief executive of the Art House, Mrs Kevita Chelleram, who founded the treasure house in 2007, and her son Mr. Aditya Chelleram in the company of the firm’s senior operation officer Ms. Nana Sonoiki. The firm disclosed that the 115 pieces slated for sale in this edition represents the best of Nigerian contemporary arts that would ever go under the hammer sell from the house.

“With this type of auction, Art

Totems of the Delta by Onobrakpeya

House Contemporary aims to create awareness of the scope of the Nigerian contemporary art so as to encourage international recognition towards its talented artists, and strengthen the economy of its art market,’’ states a release from the firm which describes the creators of the works as ‘the best for collectors’ Among the artists whose works will be on display for grab are veterans, frontline, emerging artists and also some of the works whose creators are deceased.

Though majority of the artists are Nigerians, there are also works of other non-Nigerian artists. But most remarkable of inclusion especially among the masters are the late Prof. Ben Enwonwu’s Elongated Female Figure, (1978) and Ututu, Morning Meeting of Chief of Old Asaba (1970). Also to be on display are Prof. Yusuf Grillo’s Hawker in Blue (1964). Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Totems of the Delta (2003) are also in the collection as well as several other old and emerging Nigerians artists. Similarly, Prof.

El Anatsui’s work would also be on display, as well as several other works by Nigerian art masters.

Elongated Female Figure by Enwonwu

The 115 pieces slated for sale in this edition represents the best of Nigerian contemporary arts

BBA Hotshots: Rousing reception for Lilian Tony Okuyeme

I

t was a refreshing reception last weekend for Lililan Afegbai who recently became one of the latest housemates to leave the Big Brother Africa Hotshots house. As is the custom, MultiChoice Nigeria threw her a homecoming party upon her return to Nigeria, like none other previously.

The party which took place at the prestigious Fuse Bar and Lounge, in Victoria Island, Lagos, saw Lilian recalled her experience with nostalgia, how Big Brother Africa Hotshots has created a platform for her to showcase her talents to the world. Speaking with the media shortly before the commencement of her homecoming party, an excited Lilian said she was in shock when she heard that she had been evicted from the Big Brother Africa reality show.

Lilian, however, ex-

Lilian

plained that the exposure and socio-cultural experience she was exposed to while in the house for two weeks has adequately fortified her with the resolve to pursue her career in acting, modeling and television production. “When IK announced that I have been evicted from the house, my fans were also in shock, but I have come to accept that my awesome experience in the BBA house forms the bedrock for my talent and career development in showbiz, not

just in Nigeria but across the continent,” she said.

But as the reality show enters its 4th week, DStv’s Public Relations Manager, Caroline Oghuma said that more intrigues and surprises in the Big Brother Africa house await the housemates.

“MultiChoice, M-Net, and the show’s partners, work hard to make each season of Big Brother Africa bigger than the last – and we’ve really upped the ante this year,” she declared.

The five ladies so far evicted from the Big Brother Hotshots house are Resa from Zambia, Mira from Mozambique, Lilian from Nigeria, Esther from Uganda and Sabina from Kenya.

Currently, 28 year old Tayo from Nigeria is still in the Big Brother Africa reality show. A 1.93mtall model with a Higher National Diploma in Maritime Studies, Tayo, no doubt, stands out in a crowd.

Hawker in Blue by Grillio

Other artists in the Art House auction this edition include, Muri Adejimi, Cyril Omamogho, Tchif, Muhammed Abba-Gana, Samuel Ajobiwe, Abiola Idowu, Sam Maduike, Julien Sinzogan (Beninese), Silas Adeoye and many others.

“Art House is particularly excited about the opportunity to bring works of these artist to collectors to grab and art public viewing,” Mrs Chelleram said, adding that the art sale will be led by noted auctioneer John Dabney.

The lots according to her can be viewed on the Art House Contemporary website and there is also a link to download the complete catalogue of the sales. The auction house said bidders can register in advance for the auction.

She said that Art House would use the occasion to re-iterate significance of its Art House Foundation setup recently to support contemporary arts in Nigeria.

According to Mrs. Chellerm, the Foundation, which is a non-profit organization, aims to encourage the creative development of contemporary arts in Nigeria through a residency based programme.

She informed that the founda-

tion will yearly provide a platform for artists to expand their practice and experiment with new form of art ideas.

“The goal of the foundation is to establish a network that supports cross-cultural exchange between Nigerian and international artists.

The Foundation embraces contemporary art as an educational model to engage communities, promote social dialogue, and advance the critical discourse of artistic pleasures.’’

She informed that some Nigerian contemporary artists that have already benefited from the Foundation include, Victoria Udondian, whose last residency was at the Colombia University in New York.

Others are residency for Uchay Joel Chima and Tayo Olayode at the Vermont Studio Centre, and Chibuike Uzoma’s residency in Vienna, Austria.

The auction will include a selection of artworks that were donated to support the Art House Foundation from Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko.

Joel Chima, Olayode, Uzoma and others.

Art House Contemporary has also expanded its scope to include Art House-The Space, which organisess exhibitions of contemporary art outside of the auction. Art House-The Space recently held an exhibition of photographer George Osodi entitled Transgression, which took place at the Renault Showroom in Victoria Island Lagos, which was attended by many people.

“Our goal to establish a regular venue for the sale of fine Nigerian and West African art. With a broader mission to encourage wider exposure of the art to a broad and global audience,’’ Mrs. Chelleram said, noting that the last edition of the auction, her firm, which only takes 10 percent from the sale “made a total sale of N85,334,000, with a total of 75 lots sold”.

Newman’s Street debuts on tv CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

and intrigues in the series. The Newman’s Street TV series is breath-taking, filled with scenes of passion, love, happiness and also addresses contemporary issues.

Starring notable Nollywood stars such as Edmond Enaibe, Fred Amata, Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong, Tony Manjaro, and others, Newman Street as shown in the premiere is rich in humour, yet educative; and brings to the fore the often neglected pervasive ignorance about malaria, the danger of selfmedication, as well as the reward for hard work. Short on locations in Lagos, the series, many stakeholders say, is “definitely a new dimension to dealing with public health issues in Nigeria”.

According to Bond Emeruwa, Newman’s Street is a sit-com produced with the Nigerian audience in mind. His words: “On ‘Newman’s Street’, you will meet Andy, a handsome barber and aspiring Afro-hip hop artist fighting the uphill battle to fame. Andy is just one of the interesting folks featured on Newman’s Street, an edgy TV drama

about young Nigerians with big dreams who strive to overcome the harsh realities of city life to achieve happiness, fame and fortune.

An interesting character, Mama Ejiro who is a seamstress aspires to get additional training that will enhance her business.

She dreams of clothing the high and mighty, finding fame and fortune for herself. In all it is about day-to-day activities full of its own dynamics,” Emeruwa said.

It is an engaging TV program and a must watch for everyone.

The story lines will uplift the spirits of its viewers and provide the appropriate information in making life decisions as they deal with everyday issues.”

Newman Street TV drama debuts on Sunday, 19th October 19, 2014, at 8.30pm on the entertainment channel (1O5) of the NTA on the StarTimes bouquet. A repeat broadcast comes up Friday at 8.00p.m.

Newman’s Street is a production of Nollywood Concept Promotions and the Center for Communication Programs Nigeria (CCPN).

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

Mom&Parenting

23

Watch it! When your boss is female

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just extra.

The extra, according to informed minds, is a little more and that is what you need to stand out from the crowd. Does this describe the female boss? Find out as OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI writes on why women bosses are the best managers.

T

he contemporary corporate world and even labour market, is being increasingly penetrated by women and finding female bosses has become quite common. Women now secure top positions in companies and at the government level, unlike the days when it was a taboo for a woman to head a man or have good number of men answerable to her. Today, there are good numbers of women CEOs, MDs, Ministers, governors and even Presidents all over the world. With this trend, educated women, who are careerconscious, often find themselves competing and or digging it out with their male counterparts in work places. This puts most men on edge, especially, the typical African-traditional orientated men.

Olayemi Nelson, 43, manager with a big private firm, is always at loggerheads with Suleiman Abba, her deputy. Her grouse with him is that the man does not want to recognise her as his boss. “Because I’m a woman, he feels I can’t direct him or boss him but he got it totally wrong,” she said. Instead of Abba to pass his reports through Nelson, who is his immediate supervisor, he by-passes her to their Managing Director, who in turn would redirect him to her. On getting to Nelson, she would insist on Abba going back to re-write the report and address it properly. The infuriated Abba felt that Nelson was unnecessarily difficult. The work relationship was cat and mouse till Abba was eventually sacked.

In another private firm, three men were sacked because they refused to acknowledge their woman boss. One of them, who was lucky to

Team Oluwatosin Omoniyil Coordinator

Grace Essen l Contributor

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Queen of England

Ellen John-Sirleaf, Liberia female President

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff

www.ipadmalaySIALABS.com

www.thenewsfly.com

gain employment in a new generation bank told New Telegraph that he couldn’t find himself bowing down to a woman of his wife’s age.

“You needed to see my former boss

Naturally, a competent woman is an assertive woman, and is often considered too bossy

www.IBTIMES.com

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Finance Minister

blogs.fr.org

bossing me around like a househelp. She was so power drunk that she failed to know her boundary,” he said. One day, (obviously more of a conspiracy) during a meeting on a Monday morning, he moved closer to her and gave her two slaps for rejecting the work he laboured to gather. “She rubbished my hard work disdainfully. Her approach to me was very bad, so I needed to remind her that she is a woman by the two slaps,” he said. The two other men stood up in support of their friend by hauling insults at her. Thanks to the management of the firm. They immediately alerted the police, who arrested and kept them in custody for two weeks with female police officers dealing with them and a female judge presiding over their case. According to an executive director of the firm, the lady in question is one of the best in the company. “She is very thorough and competent. She has eyes for details. I think that is more reason the men felt inferior to her,” he said.

Valentina Halim, founder and chief executive officer of Haven Africa, publisher of an online magazine, told New Telegraph that women are generally considered the weaker of the two sexes. As such, they are taken for granted.

And because women know that they are perceived weaker sex, they double their effort to prove that they are equal to the task. And by doing that, she is seen as being too aggressive. Naturally, a competent woman she noted, is an assertive woman, and is often considered too bossy.

Halim added that being a female boss has to do with self motivation. The woman-boss she advised, must possess strong emotional intelligence to be able to handle and cope well with male counterpart at work place. “They should try not to get too personal in handling issues in their offices,” she said.

Kemi Bibiresanmi, a lecturer told New Telegraph that there is no great boss as a female boss. She said that they ensure the smooth running of the organisation. They are more compassionate than men if the men can break the ice and they do their job the way it should be done. Bibiresanmi added that a woman has more work to do because she will wants to prove that she is capable of being in that position. “That is why men find us more meticulous and diligent in our work which could be irritating to them,” she said. She pointed out a woman could be more demanding when she’s at the peak of her career. Her advice however, is that men should put aside their ego and be their best when dealing with a female boss.

Reason, she noted is that women boss are more vicious than men boss, “they are quick to get a man out a job faster than men,” she said.

Tony Awe, of Marina Media.com said the best boss to work with is the woman boss. He said it’s just quiet unfortunate that this is Africa where it is a man’s world. But it is a different ball game in the office. The man, he said, should recognise that the woman being his boss has something the man does not have. As such, he should accord the woman boss her respect.

As a man, he explained that working with a woman boss, you should have self- confidence, believing that the only difference is just the sexes.

When working with a woman, he advised men to be up and doing, submit their work in time and then, they will have the best of her as a boss. Although, women-bosses, he pointed out, can be very difficult to work with, they are the easiest to manage. According to him, show them affection, pay complement to them, show them recognition and accord them respect, “you must look for ways of bringing them out of their cocoon, probably by giving them gifts, more by according them respect,” he said.

24

Mom&Parenting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tips on getting ahead when your Queen Bee boss wants to keep you down

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Cost of keeping a girl from school

I Joyce Banda, Malawi 's first female President

www.theguardian.com

F

irst, you will need to accept that you are not going to change your female boss - not the way she thinks, feels, or operates.

Rather than trying to persuade her of your own worthiness, instead you need to focus on ways that you can demonstrate it, document it, and become your own advocate. Volunteer for hard tasks, committees, or anything else that can earn you visibility beyond your boss.

If you suspect your boss takes credit for your work, you will need to start your own brag campaign. The key is to not make it personal. Do not accuse your boss of stealing your thunder, but to use "clean" campaign politics to win a promotion.

For example, if you work on a special, or high-profile project document all that you

Itunu Hotonu, Nigerias first female rear admiral

do and thank your boss in a formal email (feel free to copy her own boss or other team players) for letting you work in the project. Be specific. If your new idea saved the company money, state that you were grateful for the chance to contribute (list your ideas and contributions) in such a meaningful way because you are so devoted to the corporate goals of your employer.

If you genuinely believe you will never be promotable because of your boss (male or female) look for a lateral move to another department or better boss. I am a firm believer in never burning your bridges and never throwing someone under the bus so you can gain an advantage.

Ask for a transfer for professional - not personal reasons.

To say your boss is impossible to work with only makes you look bad, to say you have

www.abiyamo.com

valuable skills that you are unable to fully use in your current position, or that you want to do more for your employer, makes you look like a go-getter.

Remember, your boss, even a bad boss, is likely to have the support of upper management and human resources.

She may be a terror to work for, but a delight to work with as a peer. Her complaints and grouchy, short greetings directed at her subordinates could be all smiles and congeniality in other corners of the office world.

The question you need to ask yourself is simple: what can I do to increase my chances of getting ahead? It should never be, "how can I get back at my boss?" If you ponder the last question more than a few passing fantasy moments, you are no better than the Queen Bee herself.

Why do women in power undermine other women?

T

he most widely accepted theories include women must struggle to rise up the corporate ladder, often paying more than their fair share of dues, and therefore, expect other women to suffer just as much as they did.

Another popular explanation is that women who rise in power are eager to keep it and, by example

of men and the unwritten rules of being in charge, are required to exercise (abuse) authority. What better way to show men you are their equal than to show that you don't favour women?

Despite an available plethora of opinions as to why powerful women undermine other women, the bottom line is that it really does

Oteh Arunma, DG, Security & Exchange Commission

not matter what broad statistics report when you are the one being bullied or undervalued.

Women are human and human motives are always unique to each individual and rather than waste time trying to understand your boss, focus on solutions on how to work around her if you cannot work with her.

Mobolaji Johnson, Minister of Communication & Technology

wwwlogbaby.com

nvesting in the girl-child is critical for economic growth and the achievement of our Millennium Development Goals as a nation which includes the eradication of poverty. When we talk about issues that affect the girl-child, there are usually divergent views about whose role it is to educate, protect and empower her. Couple with issues of religion, culture and family background coming into play, it becomes a bit complicated. However, quality investment into the girl-child requires the active participation, support and engagement of all, the government, the parents, legal guardians, families and care providers, as well as boys and men and the wider community they live in.

Why is it necessary that we invest in the girl-child? Because today’s girls are tomorrow’s wives, mothers, caregivers, entrepreneurs and leaders. Because women are key to ending the cycle of poverty in Nigeria, in Africa and in the world as well.

Is there a better way to invest in the girl-child than through education, quality education?

Education is the key to almost everything in the world, and if that is the case, then the idea of stopping a child from attending school because of her gender, is totally absurd.

It is sad to find that in developing countries such as ours, we still have girls who are kept away from formal education and invariably from the possibilities of having a future of their dreams, due to complex social, political, cultural, religious and economical factors - everything from marriage practices to disease to poverty to child labour all contributing to this catastrophe.

In Sub Saharan Africa, it is estimated that some 16 million girls are not in school, and I wonder why we have such a staggering number in the 21st century when people travel to space!

We hear of free education at least at the primary school level in many states in Nigeria, but you wonder why we still have quite a number of girls out of school? That shows that we only tend to tackle seriously what seems to be (to us) the most obvious reasons for not being in school – economic factors, but other factors have proven equally strong with insecurity at the forefront. With over a hundred girls still missing after being taken away from their school dormitory over 190 days ago in Chibok, Borno state, and most recently over forty girls abducted in Adamawa state, it takes a lot of courage for parents particularly in North East Nigeria to send their daughters to school.

The painful experiences and

trauma of victims who are fortunate to have escaped or are still in the custody of the terrorists, have a demoralising effect on other girls. But outside acts of terrorism in the North Eastern Nigeria, cases of kidnap, violence, rape and sexual harassments have continued to unfold in schools from different parts of the country, which is also part of the security threats the girl-child is faced with in school.

When girls are denied education, or are forced to drop from school for whatever reasons, it robs a country of (at least) 50 per cent of its brain power. And any society or nation that fails to fully educate its female members cannot sustain itself for any length of time, and is not likely to be at par with other nations.

When women and girls are educated, the world moves forward for everyone; families are improved, poverty falls by the wayside and communities become prosperous. By educating girls who are soon-to-be women, everyone has a better chance to be educated, because educated people teach their children how important it is to go to school.

When girls attend school, they delay marriage and having children by several years and that gives them more choices since girls not in school, typically marry early (often as young as 13) and start having children.

When girls are educated, they grow up to have healthier children in a healthy environment and they are better equipped to for the challenges of life. When girls are educated, they are more likely to earn a decent income to support their families, on the average; a woman will spend 90 per cent of her income on her family.

It just makes sense that we strive to keep our girls in school despite the security challenges.

The girl-child desires that when she is in school, she is secured. She needs to know that when she walks to school every day, she is safe. She needs to know that after she works hard and comes out of school in flying colours, she will be given a chance to be whatever she wants to be, and not forced to marry someone old enough to be her father. She needs to know that she is accepted in the society she calls her own, not in any way that suggests she is lesser than another child of her age who happens to be a male.

The insecurity challenge in the country, poses a threat to lives and properties, but it poses a far more serious threat in keeping the girl-child from getting education, because the negative effect of this cannot be quantified and may be irreparable.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

25

Some‘farms’are registered as orphanages

Baby farming thrives in worship centres

‘Poverty,onecausativefactorinthisbusiness’

Cities and rural communities are combed to identify pregnant teenagers and lure them into the ‘poultries’

Popular Pentecostal church in Abuja engaged in buying babies to prove that ‘God is here’

Collapse of social values, dysfunctional family position and pursuit of material things also contribute

26

27

28

Investigation

Breeding babies for sale (1) Babies are supposed to be precious gifts from God. Today, however, they appear to have the misfortune of being sold by unscrupulous Nigerians. What are the reasons behind this illicit trade? Why and how are these evil merchants flourishing in the country? What happens to those perpetrating this despicable act? Are there laws to protect these infants from being prematurely exchanged for pecuniary gains? These and more form the fulcrum of this report by ISIOMA MADIKE

I

feoma Chukwu, a 19-year-old, claimed to be an indigene of Isu Achala in Awka North Council Area of Anambra State. She was once delivered of a bouncing baby boy at a private hospital in Nteje area of the state.

Ordinarily, this should have been heralded with a joyous celebration for the family, which is carried through to the christening of the child. But, this was not to the case in this instance because, according to Chukwu, “I was impregnated by a bus conductor, who abandoned me to bear my cross alone.”

In this twist of fate, Chukwu said she had difficulty paying the hospital bill of N12, 000, though she had managed to deposit N7, 000 before delivery.

This complexity, Chukwu claimed forced her to resort to begging in the hospital neighbourhood from where she hoped to raise enough money to settle the balance of N5, 000 to the management of the hospital.

But luck, it seemed, did not smile on her and she decided to take a step she considered a way out. The same thinking, however, turned out to be her undoing. The devil in her persuaded her to “dispose” of the baby to willing buyers as she planned to use part of the money to settle the hospital bill and the balance to continue with her trade.

If Chukwu had an inkling of what awaited her, perhaps, she would have had a change of heart. By the time she realised her folly, it was already late, as nemesis caught up with her.

Pathetic as the Chukwu case may be, it does not stop the men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who posed as undercover agents at Awka South Local Council premises to pick her during bargaining with pseudo-buyers of her baby.

The then commandant of NSCDC, Chigozie Ejiofor, said Chukwu, who claimed to be the mother of the three-

ISIOMA MADIKE

Editor, InVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Teenagers rescued from one of the baby farms in the South-East

week-old boy was negotiating to sell the child for N35, 000, but unknown to her, intelligence officers were watching the developments. “Information came to my office about the matter and I mobilised my men, who put eagle eyes on her,” Ejiofor said.

He added: “Miss Chukwu was trying to sell a three-week-old baby and she fell into my boys’ trap, who promptly arrested her.” The real buyer, according to NSCDC boss, escaped before “our men could reach him.”

Chukwu, upon interrogation, admitted looking for a buyer, who could pay N35, 000 for the baby, which in her words “would help me offset the balance while I would use the rest to support my trading business.” That was on July 13, 2006.

Today, many states are littered with the likes of Chukwu, especially in the South-

'Harvested' babies in a human farm

PHOTO: MASQUERADE234.BLOGSPOT.COM

East, South-South and parts of SouthWest with a couple of such incidents also found in the northern region of Nigeria.

Each year, dubious operators of some

PHOTO: DESERTHERALD.WORLDPRESS.COM

orphanage and hospitals swap tens of hundreds of Nigerian kids from teenage C ONTIN U E D ON PA G E 2 6

26

Investigation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Some ‘farms’ are registered as orphanages

Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Beatrice Jedy-Agba

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

girls for money. The practice takes varying forms though. One of such ways is where desperate teenagers with unplanned pregnancies, fearing ostracism by society, get lured to a clinic and are forced to turn over their babies.

Young women lease out their wombs to produce babies for sale Another category of young women, battered by debilitating poverty, lease out their wombs and volunteer themselves, as regularly as is biologically possible, to produce babies for sale.

According to Ben Ezinma, a columnist, “in the past what we knew was animal husbandry (farming), which included poultry, goat and sheep rearing; fish farming, beekeeping and snail farming. The rearing or farming in these lower animals was strictly for food and economic gains by the farmers.”

This practice, Ezinma noted is as old as Nigeria itself and the proceeds from these farms are used to protect and provide for the man and his family. But, not anymore!

At present, there is infiltration in the farming business. Sadly, human beings are now farmed, and it is spreading like a wild fire. The babies are the victims of the new farming and the “farmers” now rear them like goats, sheep, snail and fish for sale.

The baby farmers are at various locations in Nigeria under different guise. The shameless individuals, who rear and sale babies maintain various camps, hostels and brothels where they gather young productive girls mostly between 14 and 21 years to “lay eggs” for them to sell. They, according to findings, also keep

young active boys whose primary job is to constantly put these girls in the family way.

The boys have little or no fear for the dreaded Human Immuno Virus (HIV) as well as the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Those, who do the job are most times paid cash, and in some other instances receive their payment from the sexual pleasure they derive.

There are also girls, according to investigations, whose specific task it is to comb the cities and rural communities to identify the pregnant young girls and lure them into the “poultries.” These girls not only lose their babies in criminal circumstances, they are made to hang around the farm until they are impregnated again.

Some of these “farms” are registered as motherless babies’ homes and orphanages with the relevant government bureau. Yet, the registering authorities, in the opinion of many, have continually failed to provide the desired supervision and regulation of the activities of these fake homes.

Recently, the media has been overwhelmed with stories about sales of newborn babies, particularly in the South-East, South-South and South-Western states. The babies are sold outright, according to reports, to childless couples, singles parents and ritualists.

Just like in the conventional animal farm, the farm owners are not interested in knowing the purpose of the purchase because the concern is to make a good business.

Some of the innocent babies are sold at a cost ranging from N150, 000 to N400, 000 depending on the health and stability of the baby, sex as well

NSCDC boss, Dr. Ade Abolurin

Ezike

as desperation of the buyer.

On September 22, the Abia State Police Command busted another of such factories located at Ihie Umudem Isuochi in Umunneochi council of the state and arrested two nurses and four pregnant inmates. One of the women had a two-year-old baby.

The Police said they were rescued during a raid of a hospital allegedly used as baby factory.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna, said while parading the suspects in the state capital, Umuahia that the Medical Director of the private hospital where the nefarious act was being perpetrated, fled during the raid.

Ogbonna said the fleeing doctor and the nurses were using the hospital as shelter for young women with unwanted pregnancy only to buy off the babies upon delivery and in turns sell them to willing buyers. He gave the name of one of the inmates with a little baby as Sopuruchi from Eneka in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, explaining that efforts were on to reunite them with their family members.

Also, on Friday, March 22, Ogun State police raided a home near Lagos where eight pregnant girls were staying with plans to sell each of their newborns for nearly $2, 000. “Follow-

ing intelligence report, we discovered and stormed on Friday a baby farm in Akute district of Ogun state,” a police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said.

Oyeyemi added that his men found in the home the suspected operator and eight pregnant girls, most of them under the age of 20. “The girls confessed that each newborn child will be sold for N300, 000 ($1,800),” Oyeyemi said, adding that the suspects will be charged to court at the end of the current investigations.

In like manner, the Rivers State Police Command paraded three pregnant women and a 36-year-old man suspected to be involved in producing babies for sale. The “baby farm” suspects, who were arrested at Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, on July 5, were identified as Odinchinma Nwala (25), Glory Anyanwu (22), Goodness Nwankwo (19), and Stanley Okechukwu (male, 36).

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igwuruta Police Station, Bello Muhammed, said they were able to apprehend the suspects after being alerted by well-meaning Nigerians.

Muhammed, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), explained that it got signals that someone was operating a baby farm in Umuehe in Igwuruta, C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 7

They maintain various camps, hostels where they gather young productive girls to 'lay eggs'

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

27 Investigation

Baby farming thrives in worship centres

A woman looks at her new born baby at Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos

Arrested baby farm syndicate in Ilu Tuntun in Ondo State

PHOTO: CKNIGERIA.COM

PHOTO: EN.STARAFRICA.COM

Rescued teenagers with their patrons in another baby farm C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 6

Ikwerre Local Government Area.

“We sent a patrol team that went and confirmed the information.

When the police traced and arrested Okechukwu, who took the team to where he kept the girls, it was discovered that the suspects had been involved in the business for a long time.

“The girls were brought from different local government areas, and further investigation revealed that after delivering, he will settle (pay) the girls N100,000 per baby girl and N150,000 for a baby boy before selling the babies,” the DPO said.

The police boss said he was following the directive of the state Commissioner of Police to enlighten the communities within his jurisdiction on the need for landlords to be mindful of the people they habour in their houses and their occupations. He explained that investigation was ongoing to get to the root of the matter, adding that child trafficking remains an offence in the country.

Farm owners are not interested in knowing the purpose of the purchase However, Okechukwu has denied operating a baby farm. He said that he was only rendering assistance to the young pregnant women. Also, one of the expectant mothers, who identified herself as Anyanwu, said she was eight months pregnant, even as she denied that they were being

PHOTO: INFORMATIONNG.COM

kept for a baby producing business.

“He (Okechukwu) saw me in this condition and decided to assist me by offering me and my unborn baby accommodation. But, I know the person that impregnated me,” Anyanwu said.

As the police in Rivers State track farmers suspected to be producing babies for sale, their counterparts in Bayelsa State arrested a commercial sex worker, who gave birth to a baby girl and sold the child for N20, 000 at the Ovom suburb of Yenagoa.

According to a police source, the child, a day old, was sold to a family in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It was learnt that the commercial sex worker operates around the popular red light zone of Ovom along the D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha area, in the state capital.

Spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Alex Akhigbe, when contacted, confirmed the incident, saying investigation into the incident traced the family involved in the unholy sale to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Akhigbe said: “Though the details of the investigation are sketchy, the special unit of the police is on its way to effect the recovery of the baby and arrest the family that bought the child.”

Incidentally, human farms where babies are harvested for sale, appears to be thieving in some Houses of God also. Not too long ago, some high

Ezuma's Homeless Babies Home, Owerri

God Gift Clinic and Maternity with the alleged owner

Some women would pretend to be pregnant through the help of the injection to boast their hormones

ranking members of a popular Pentecostal Church in Kubwa, Abuja, engaged in buying babies just to prove to members that they can still give birth to children.

It was reliably gathered that the deaconesses, four in number, would pretend to be pregnant through the help of injection to boost their hormones. They would, after nine months, meet their agent in PortHarcourt where they buy any baby of their choice and present it to their husbands as the child they gave birth to.

A source said the leader of the syndicate had in 2010, claimed to have given birth to a baby girl after 51 years of age without a child. Her case

PHOTO: NIGERIANEYE.COM

PHOTO: VANGUARDNGR.COM

was even used as a reference point in the Church branches worldwide by the President of the church as a testimony that "God is Here".

The said deaconess, it was also gathered, told whoever that cared to listen that God had already shown her in a dream the sex of her next child that she would give birth to, “unknown to people that it is a lie.”

“They have a set of girls in Port Harcourt that they pay money to depending on what you want. A female child is N800, 000, Male, N950, 000, and twin babies go for N1.5million. It can be higher if the twins are not the same sex,” the source further said.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8

28

Investigation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Poverty, one causative factor in this business –NAPTIP C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

Their nefarious activities became known following an attempt to incorporate another deaconess, who had been searching for the “fruit of the womb” into their clique. According to investigations, the woman they told refused to cooperate with them because she was not given the Port Harcourt agent’s number.

“She was asked to take a flight to Port Harcourt where the agent would meet her. They insisted that they will not give her the phone number of the agent. All she needed to do was to take a flight to Port Harcourt and somebody would wait for her at the airport, which she was not comfortable with,” an impeccable source reveled.

The Senior Pastor of the church had called a member of the group to inquire about her welfare, but unfortunately she thought the woman, who refused to cooperate, had told the Pastor what had happened between them. As a result, the gang leader engaged the pastor in a quarrel on the phone.

“What is the big deal about it? After all, I told Deaconess (name withheld) and she was in support of it that there was nothing wrong with it,” the woman fumed.

Abuse of traditional fostering system and weak adoption of child rights acts The altercation, however, prompted the Senior Pastor to get to the bottom of the issue. “Why are you still carrying my name to the Pastor? Why don’t you carry your cross on your own?” the uncooperative deaconess fired back at the gang leader.

However, a member of the gang, who did not want his name in print, said the leadership of the church tried to manage the situation so as not to pollute the heart of members. Unfortunately though, other members of the church now know that “a lot of things are going on in the house of God. “If it where poverty for instance, how come when they make the first money, they still go ahead to do the second one?

Somebody makes N500, 000, which is enough to start a moderate business, you are still into it. It goes to show that it is not just poverty; it is corruption of the conscience,” a member of the church said.

Other members of the church, nonetheless, take solace in the fact that the increasing cases of young girls selling babies are one of the signs of the end time.

Also in Onoli Awgu in Enugu State, a 33-year-old man identified as Solomon Madu, was arrested by the police for allegedly attempting to sell his six-monthold son, Munachim, for N1 million. Madu cited hardship as the reason for his devilish action.

According to information, the suspect took his son into hiding, under the guise that they had been kidnapped after concluding arrangements to sell the child. The suspect’s wife, it was gathered, reported to the Awgu police station that her husband and son had been kidnapped after she waited a long time to see them to no avail.

The state police command’s PRO, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said Madu had been arrested and investigations commenced on the matter.

He said Madu, who is now helping the operatives in their investigations confessed that the baby boy was taken to Umunze orumba North in Anambra State for sale.

Madu also maintained that he was not actually abducted but had to feign kidnap to enable him convince the wife so as to have the opportunity to sell the baby boy.

“He had finalised arrangement with one Roseline Adaorah of Umuoche vil-

Baby farm victim being reunited with home state

PHOTO: ROYALTIMES.NET

The suspect took his son into hiding under the guise that they had been kidnapped after concluding arrangements to sell the child

Teenager with sister who allegedly sold her with pregnacy for N1m

lage in Orumba North local government, Anambra State, through a link person identified as Chima Okah. They were to receive the sum of N500, 000 as against the N1 million price-tag placed on the baby, before the bubble bust,” said Amaraizu.

These revelations rattled the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), which is hugely worried and disturbed that such magnitude of crimes are committed by citizens not protected by laws from being investigated and charged.

“It is an indictment on the Police and National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP), and we join all men and women of good conscience to condemn this notorious action of the law enforcement agencies. It is absolutely condemnable and we condemn these attitudes of our people,” said Ibuchukwu Ezike, CLO Executive Director.

But, NATIP Head, Communication and Media, Arinze Orakwue, has exonerated his organisation. According to him, “the issue of baby sales is not our responsibility; it has come up as a result of sharp practices in our adoption procedure and rules. Adoption, as a fact, is a matter on the con-current list, which both the state and the federal government can deal with.

“NAPTIP as a responsible agency intervenes just to disrupt the commission of crime in the process. We have drawn

PHOTO: NIGERIANEYE.COM

the attention of the Ministry of Women Affairs under whose responsibility this matter resides to tackle arising concerns.

Bottom line, however, is that it is a corruption of the legal adoption process and the police has overriding coverage on that matter.”

Orakwue pointed out that the war on baby sales requires multi sectorial response and action. “No one organisation can tackle the scourge alone. There are cross cutting issues bothering on the causes, the predisposing factors for example. One causative factor is poverty and NAPTIP is not a poverty alleviating agency.

“There are issues of collapse of social infrastructures like schools. NAPTIP is not involved here either. Other issues of collapse of social values, dysfunctional family position, and pursuit of material things, abuse of traditional fostering system and most importantly, weak adoption of child rights acts by states. In all these, you needed the whole of society response as the way forward,” he said.

His position has, somewhat, found support in the South-East zonal coordinator of NAPTIP, Mrs. Nkiruka Michael.

She reiterated that her organisation does not have jurisdiction over issues of illegal maternity homes or sale of babies, adding that it is only the Police that are competent to handle the matter.

“We are not handling sale of babies for now. Some of these girls are not exploited, but are sent there by their parents.

And some are looking for cover from the society not to know the sins they have committed. When they now give birth they negotiate; if they want to sell, they sell. So, we are not dealing with children less than 18 years. Their cases fall under police act for sale of babies,” said Michael.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State, Mrs. Edak Iwuchukwu, said that the Cross River State government has resolved to create a child friendly environment to stem this ugly tide. She stressed that the crusade to make the state fit for a child as being championed by the wife of the state governor, Obioma Imoke’s Non-GovernmentalOrganisation, A State Fit for A Child (ASFAC), will continue to be sustained.

She calls on stakeholders to give a thought to the rights and privileges of vulnerable children rather than resort to selling them out to evil people for material gains. “We are can only plead to Cross Riverians and other Nigerians not to take undue advantage of vulnerable teenage girls,” she added.

Meanwhile, a source at the office of the Inspector General of Police, Sulieman Abba, told this reporter that “culprit in any baby farm saga will go to court after intensive and thorough investigations.

“You cannot allow this kind of act to go on in the society and we need information and intelligence to be able to expose more of such culprits in our culture. So, as soon as police concludes any of such investigation, the case will go to where it belongs; the court of law and justice will take its course,” the source said.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

Property

Energy

29

Aviation

Nigeria, others mull emergency meeting

‘How bureaucracies upset real estate investment’

With so much promise, can Air Peace survive?

31

35

38

Business What's news

Affordable housing: FG seeks pact with Singapore In order to find lasting solutions to the challenges of housing and urban development in Nigeria, the Federal Government has initiated a the draft cooperation agreement between the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and Ministry of National Development, Federal Republic of Singapore. The deal is billed to be signed soon.

p.30

Lekki Port to add $200bn to economy, create 163,000 jobs The Lekki Port would contribute over $200 billion to government’s treasury and create about 163,000 new jobs, its Chief Finance Officer, Mr Sandeep Parasramka, has said.

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao Industry & Agric Editor Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

INVESTMENT

The Nigerian ICT industry presents significant untapped opportunities Kunle Azeez

T

he Nigerian Information and Communication Technology hardware and services industry is estimated at $39.7 billion in 2014 and is forecast to grow to $144 billion by 2020.

Quoting forecasts released by global ICT research bodies, Chief Operating Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr Phillip Obioha, stated this in an exclusive chat with New Telegraph at the justconcluded 2014 Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai.

He said that as the country marches towards all its targets in its vision 20:2020, the value of the nation’s ICT industry is also expected to grow significantly.

“With Nigeria’s ICT industry currently being valued at about $32 billion, various studies have also shown that in the next six years, hardware and services industry in Nigeria will grow to about $144 billion.

“So, Nigeria’s positioning in the growth story of the global ICT industry is improving and strategic; significant investment opportunities exist in the Nigerian ICT sector; strategic investments with true partnerships and collaborations are key to achieving the true potential of the industry,” he said.

In a study, an ICT-focused research firm, Pyramid Research, has identified Nigeria as a preferred investment destination for both local and foreign investors many years to come.

The research firm cited the good regulatory environ-

Kunle Azeez Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo Asst Production Editor

ment provided by the regulator, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), as a driver for the predicted investment inflows into the country’s ICT industry.

New Telegraph gathered that Nigeria’s ICT sector re-

corded $18 billion local and Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) into the country as at 2010 and the figure furthered increased to $25 billion in 2012.

Listing the drivers of the ICT industry growth, Obioha

said that they include undersea fibre optic network, favourable demographics comprising of increasingly growing affluent and youth population; booming telecom CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

L-R: Head, SME Business/Product Development, Enterprise Bank Limited, Mr Obioma Emenike; Head, SME Business/Product Development, Mr Obioma Emenike; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Ahmed Kuru and Executive Director, Abuja & North banks, Mr Audu Kazir, at the launch of Enterprise Graduate Empowerment Scheme.

2015 elections: $28bn oil, power investments on hold •As investors observe political direction Adeola Yusuf

I

nvestors in Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar energy industry have put investments on hold pending the conclusion of the 2015 general elections.

New Telegraph’s investigations revealed that decisions on the planned $18 billion investments in power sector and $10 billion additional investment in the oil and gas “are tactically delayed” by these investors to, first of all,

“critically observe the direction, which political pendulum is likely to swing.”

Some of the foreign investors and their local partners, further checks revealed, CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin

Nigeria’s ICT industry may hit $144bn by 2020

INFLATION RATE September 2014.....................8.3% August 2014............................8.5% July 2014.................................8.3%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................11.57% Prime Lending Rate...........16.93% Maximum Lending Rate...25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Oct 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N275 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N205

l Foreign Reserves – $39.06bn as at 23/10/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Oct 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.76 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N250.69 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198.30

30

Business | News

ALLIANCE

The deal will find innovative solutions to Nigeria’s housing challenges Dayo Ayeyemi

I

n order to find lasting solutions to the challenges of housing and urban development in Nigeria, the Federal Government has initiated a the draft cooperation agreement between the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and Ministry of National Development, Federal Republic of Singapore. The deal is billed to be signed soon.

Already, the draft agreement, which has been vetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, has received the clearance of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice for the signature of the housing minister, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Affordable housing: FG seeks pact with Singapore The agreement, according to Eyakenyi, “is aimed at fostering closer cooperation for building institutional capacities and addressing the developmental challenges of sustainable land administration and management, and affordable housing and urban development in Nigeria.”

Once signed, the minister said that the cooperation agreement would also help in finding innovative solutions to common challenges between the two countries; and undertaking key activities as may be mutually agreed upon for reinvigorating the housing and urban development sector, drawing from the lessons of the Singaporean model in sustainable housing delivery and urban development.

The minister said: “The document will also work in collaboration for the promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the housing and urban development sector in Nigeria.”

The proposed areas of cooperation include policy development and strategy execution; institutional exchanges

and linkages; property development, including public housing home ownership scheme, rental scheme, cooperative scheme and estate renewal.

Other areas of cooperation are new construction methods through application of technology; housing maintenance and services; housing

finance; new building material exploration; data gathering, processing and management and capacity building.

Also included are urban planning and new towns development; infrastructural development; twining of cities; and investment promotion and facilitation.

The minister said

that $300 million IDA credit is being provided by the World Bank for the establishment of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Cooperation to create more mortgages in the housing sector.

Besides, she stated that $700,000 was proposed by DFID for technical assistance to develop the sector’s capacity.

ICT industry may hit $144bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

industry, globalisation, privatisation of the Nigerian Power industry, as well as the cashless initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said that opportunities abound in the Nigerian ICT industry that can be tapped into by the country.

“The opportunities are available in the sector in the areas of enterprise communication and resource systems, managed IT services, outsourced IT

services, cloud computing and Business Processing Outsourcing, among others,” he said.

Obioha stated that the Nigerian IT industry presents significant untapped opportunities, which CWG is well positioned to capitalise using its experienced and highly skilled management team, position as an established industry leader with a strong track record, strong partnerships and affiliations and the company’s deep relationships with key customers.

$28bn oil, power investments on hold CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

picked particular interest in the presidential election and on who may occupy the coveted seat of the president of Africa’s biggest economy on May 29, 2015.

Nigeria’s presidential election is going to be a two-horse race between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Those of us who planned investments have opportunity to sit back and hold FID on investments to critically examine the direction and dimension that the election may take. I can tell you that we are doing this,” a prospective investor in the one of the Independent Power Plants (IPP) who craved anonymity told New Telegraph.

“Even those who have investments in-country here already are seriously following the buildup to the PDP and APC presidential primaries as well as the main election.

“Generally, many of us have commissioned teams of political and economic consultants to do this for fear of policy somersault. What we want is for investments’ policies to be sanctified.

No investor wants policy somersault.”

Meanwhile, some of the world’s biggest banks say the collapse in oil is just about over, further losses would force Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer, to choose between raising interest rates, eroding foreign-exchange reserves or, ultimately, devaluing the currency, according to Exotix Ltd, a London-based investment bank.

L-R: Co-Founder & Executive Director, Falcon Corporation Limited, Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Former Vice Chancellor Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Wale Omole (OFR); Head, Human Resources & Shared Services, Falcon Corporation Limited, Igie Odozi and Founder/ Executive Director, CSR-in-Action, Ms Bekeme Masade, at the 3rd Sustainability in the Extractive Industries Conference organised by CSR-in-Action recently in Lagos.

Lekki Port to add $200bn to economy, create 163,000 jobs INTACT

The Lekki Port project is on course Bayo Akomolafe

T

he Lekki Port would contribute over $200 billion to government’s treasury and create about 163,000 new jobs, its Chief Finance Officer, Mr Sandeep Parasramka, has said.

Parasramka disclosed this in Lagos while shedding light on the company’s drive to ensure that Lekki port becomes operational by 2018.

He also said that the port would have significant macroeconomic impact estimated at $361 billion over the entire concession period.

The Lekki Port has a 25year concession period under a build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.

The Chief Finance Officer said that the port project got a boost from one of its key investors, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which put it on a firm footing to become operational by 2018.

He was reacting to a maritime economist and Executive Director of ABN Consults, Mr Harrison Agada’s explanation on why it would be difficult for banks to fund the construction of the seaport project.

Agada had alleged that investors’ pessimism over the project was borne out of concerns for its viability.

However, the Chief Finance Officer debunked Agada’s claim, saying that large infrastructure projects such as Lekki Deep Seaport takes time to achieve financial closure.

Parasramka noted that the project was very much on course and is progressing well.

The deep seaport is a $1.5 billion Public Private Partnership (PPP) project between the Federal Government, the Lagos State government and the Tolaram Group. A Shareholder’s Agreement to this effect was signed in December 2012 among all three parties.

Parasramka, while shedding light on major developments, particularly as it concerns the company’s drive to ensure that Lekki port becomes operational by 2018, said: “Apart from getting the

concession from NPA to build Lekki Port, Tolaram has put together leading global consultants such as Standard Chartered Bank, the Louis Berger Group Inc., Delta Marine Consultants and BMT Asia Pacific.

Others are TBA Netherlands, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pte Ltd and GMaps, Following, which the EPC contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (one of the foremost builders of ports with a track record of delivering projects on time), has been appointed to build the port. The container terminal has also been subconcessioned to International Container Terminal Services, Inc, Philippines, a leader in the container terminal operations with a footprint across the globe.

He said: “I can confidently tell you that African Development Bank recently obtained Board Approval for $150 million funding for the project while European Investment Bank, which is very much eager about investing in the project, has also gotten Principal Board Approval, which would see them support the project with funds also.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

31

PIB: Before the curtain is drawn p.33

MELDOWN

The meltdown in the oil market is not over yet Adeola Yusuf

T

he meltdown in Nigeria’s oil market is not over yet, as the star bond investor, Jeffrey Gundlach, has predicted that oil would crash to $70 a barrel.

This came as Nigeria confirmed that it had scheduled a meeting on November 27 with other oil producing nations to help salvage oil prices.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, is scheduled to lead the Nigerian delegation to the meeting slated for Vienna, Austria, where other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will also meet.

“I think it’s going to $70 and if it does, it’s bye, bye fracking. Goodbye all of the great job creation from fracking because fracking becomes too expensive if you can buy oil at $70 a barrel,” Gundlach said at ETF.com’s inside Fixed Income Conference.

In recent days, several members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates — have cut prices to European and Asian buyers, as competition for global market share has grown fierce.

With the price of the global benchmark, Brent crude oil, falling 1.5 per cent to $88.89 a barrel, many analysts said Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s dominant member, might be rethinking its strategy.

Gundlach said: “That’s because the Arab country’s budget can withstand lower oil prices than some other oilproducing countries, includ-

Adeola Yusuf

T

he penalty for gas flaring in Nigeria is N10 ($3.50) on 1,000 cubic feet of gas flared, a document from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) gleaned by New Telegraph has revealed.

This correctional measure is, however, seen by environmentalists as inadequate to end air pollution and environmental degradation caused by gas flaring in the Niger Delta.

The penalty has recently been increased from less than N5 to N10 per thousand cubic feet.

The penalty for gas flaring is ($3.50) N10 per thousand cubic feet for any erring oil company in Nigeria, the document stated, declaring that the increment in penalty fee is part of measures to drastically reduce gas flaring in Nigeria.

FG considers gas cylinders’ importation ban p.32

Energy Nigeria, others mull emergency meeting

• Expert predicts $70 pb new price for oil

Oil rig

ing arch rival, Iran. Saudi Arabia raised eyebrows recently by ramping up production in the face of plummeting prices.

“They don’t care if they run a short-term deficit because they love turning the screws on the people that mean them harm in the Middle East,” said Gundlach, hinting at Iran.

Another leg down in oil

prices would also be bad news for Russia, which relies heavily on oil revenue to balance its budget. Last week, Moody’s cited plunging oil prices in its decision to downgrade Russia’s credit rating two notches to just above “junk” status.

New Telegraph learnt that the meeting will be attended by 10 other ministers of energy

from OPEC.” Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, which depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget, has been having reduction in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.

The fall has been causing a split among OPEC leaders about what action should be

Gas flaring: IOCs pay N10 penalty on 1,000cbf of gas flared But an environmentalist, Mr Nimmo Bassey, said that this penalty has not deterred the oil companies from perpetrating what he called “environmental crime.”

Nigeria, Bassey said, loses not less than two billion dollars (approximately N320 billion) to gas flaring yearly despite the fine.

The loss of such huge revenue to the activities of oil companies, he added, constituted an economic crime.

Such health hazards pose environmental challenges to the people and can lead to terminal diseases, Bassey further said.

He stressed: “Nigeria

wastes gas worth about two billion dollars every year; that is criminal.

“This gas that is being flared in the oil fields equally impacts human health as it causes acid rain, cancer, breathing difficulties, skin and other diseases such as bronchitis, asthma and acid rain.

“Communities have experienced a drop in agricultural yields when you get nearer to gas flaring fields.

“You have to be as far away as at least one kilometre to expect to have fair yields from your crop because some of this gas is being flared in communities.’’

Bassey, a delegate at the recently-concluded National Conference, had earlier said that his committee had made far-reaching recommendations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s environment from danger.

The conference, he said, adopted most of the recommendations of the environment committee, which included outlawing gas flaring.

“I believe that the recommendations made by the environment committee all have far-reaching implications.

“For example, the fact that gas flaring should be outlawed and criminalised. It has been outlawed since 1984, but there

taken, if any, to halt the slide.

“The minister will meet with others on November 27 in Vienna, Austria,” a source at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources told New Telegraph, adding, “this meeting will be preceded by another with experts in global crude economics on how Nigeria can best manage the situation.” has been an opening for oil companies to continue to flare and pay fines.

“We recommended a situation where there will not be an option of fine on gas flaring, but brand the activity as criminal.

“We cannot kill our people on the altar of cash; we need to have an environment where people will survive,” he said.

Bassey also said that the conference adopted the committee’s recommendation to strengthen the Act establishing the Nigerian Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

He observed that the NESREA Act did not empower it to oversee and regulate the petroleum sector, a situation that had led to the pollution of the environment by the petroleum industry.

32

Business | Energy

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG considers gas cylinders’ importation ban LOCAL PRODUCTION

NCDMB, others to collaborate on local manufacture of gas cylinders Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he federal government may invoke Section 53 of the Nigerian Content Act, which prohibits the importation of welded steel products as plans to ban importation of gas cylinder heightened at the weekend.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which gave this hint at the weekend, has also begun working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Oando Group, Sahara Energy and other key players in the gas industry to promote local manufacture of gas cylinders.

A statement by the Public affairs officer of the board, Obinna Ezeobi noted that the stakeholders in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) downstream sector, who rose from a meeting called by the NCDMB at its headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that 2.5 million cyl-

•NCDMB to invoke section 53 of Content Act inders were estimated to be in the country and if 10 per cent of the 26 million families in Nigeria were to use gas, with each owning two cylinders, the demand for gas cylinders will grow to five million.

They, therefore, set up a committee that will develop a strategy that will drive the manufacturing of cylinders, deepen utilization of gas and address challenges that might hinder the plans.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr.

Ernest Nwapa said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was promoting manufacturing in all sectors of the economy, particularly in the oil and gas industry because of the potentialities of creating thousands of jobs, retaining spend in-country and developing technology.

He described gas cylinder manufacturing as a quick win, noting that local service companies now fabricate complex structures for the oil and gas industry and several companies were investing millions of dollars in setting up facilities and acquiring assets even before securing contracts.

According to him, “once key persons in

Stakeholders pick holes in PIB

S

takeholders in Nigeria’s oil industry have picked holes in the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has been in and out of legislative chambers without passage.

But stakeholders who spoke at the 4th Sustainability In Extractive Industry (SITEI), said that the bill has lost its initial status as the panacea to many challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum, Austin Avuru, said that the foot-dragging on the bill passage is not good for business in Nigeria.

The vital document, he said, has been reduced to debate on fiscal terms between government and the international oil companies (IOCs).

‘Critical issues of industry review are not addressed by this PIB, the bill has been reduced to issues of fiscal terms,” he said.

His view was corroborated by Meka Niyi Olowola, who wondered why the bill has not been passed.

“The PIB has been at the National Assembly. They have been telling us that the bill would be passed in six weeks. I do not know what they see in that ‘six weeks,’ they will always say that we should expect the bill in six weeks.

“Up till now, the six weeks have not lapsed,” he said.

leadership on the government and industry side agree on the framework, it will work. Today, investors have put down their funds on assets that depend on long-term contracts. Gas cylinders are tied directly to a huge

market; the opportunities are there, even across the Gulf of Guinea.”

Nwapa confirmed that once local manufacturing of gas cylinders begin, the government would ban the importation of gas cylinders and

insist that LPG producers like NLNG and Exxon Mobil deliver gas only to facilities that comply with extant policies.

He clarified that the push for local manufacturing of gas cylinder would be integrated into President Jonathan’s Gas Revolution agenda and complement gov-

ernment’s drive to get all Nigerians to adopt gas as the preferred fuel for cooking.

Nwapa suggested that NCDMB could use a part of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) to support companies that are committed to go into gas cylinder manufacturing.

Power installation

NETWORK

Dangote, Elumelu and other key executives have confirmed participation

T

he highest body of petroleum geologists in Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has said that the 40 billion barrels reserves target set by the Federal Governments is facing major challenges.

The association, which said this at a press conference to herald its 32nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, maintained that it had rallied 1,500 global oil and gas experts and stakeholders to solve the meltdown facing the industry.

President of NAPE, Adedoja Ojelabi, who led the President-elect, Chief Chikwendu Edoziem and Publicity Secretary, Irewolede Ayodele to the press briefing, said that the country’s

40bn barrels reserves target faces challenge, says NAPE •Assembles 1,500 stakeholders for confab oil industry is presently been ravaged by myriad of challenges.

She said: “The Nigerian oil and gas industry landscape has in the last five years or so witnessed some of the most sweeping changes since the discovery of crude oil in the country over five decades ago.

These changes in the exploration for oil and gas “are even more profound.”

For the first time in several years, she said, the nation’s reserve is showing a sign of decline as exploration drilling has hit the lowest level ever experienced in the nation’s history.

“Expectedly, reports of new discoveries are few and far between and where reported, the reserves are getting smaller.”

According to Ad-

edoja, ironically, “the operating landscape is experiencing an unprecedented rate of pluralisation as the industry witnessed the largest number of divestment and acquisition (D&A) activities that bring new players as operators to the risky business of oil and gas exploration and production.”

She, however, stated that NAPE as a body, will continue to support government’s efforts aimed at salvaging the nation’s industry.

The nation’s 40 billion barrels reserves target, she said, is possible if explorationists drill deeper and deploy technology.

“These and many more could be made possible if there is a boost in investments for exploration,” she said.

“It is against this backdrop of the forego-

ing that NAPE will, at its 32nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition, be exploring emerging and revolutionary technologies for hydrocarbon exploration, the commercialisation and exploration strategies for Dee-water plays, as well as portfolio growth and diversification of hydrocarbon potentials in Inland basins.

“The conference theme: The Future of hydrocarbon exploration: Drilling deeper, searching wider,” will also deliberate on ways to drive an Executable Gas Flkare-out agenda for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as well as examine the effectiveness in the existing policies to drive growth in the oil and gas industry so as to come up with initiatives for the development of road maps and new policy initiatives.”

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

33

PIB: Before the curtain is drawn might jeopardise this.

Nigeria’s oil output has followed a volatile course in recent months, with a series of disruptions to vital pipelines and crude oil theft accounting for losses estimated at 100,000b/d in the first quarter of 2013 from its onshore operations alone.

Uncertainty over when the PIB will be passed and the form it will take will continue to push back investment decisions, and some projects could be cancelled until the financial terms have been clarified.

Oil companies say higher taxes and an increase in royalties as proposed in the bill, will create one of the world’s harshest fiscal regimes and make exploration “uneconomical.”

Members of the seventh National Assembly may have abandoned the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for electioneering - a move that may make the bill to be a stillbirth again, reports ENERGY EDITOR, ADEOLA YUSUF

T

he seventh National Assembly will not pass the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), a member of the National Assembly, who craved anonymity, had declared in a chat with New Telegraph.

His reason? As at the last count, 80 per cent of his colleagues had signified interests to seek elective positions and four months to the days of the elections, the legislators are, expectedly, neck-deep into politicking while other legislative duties have began to suffer.

“With this,” he said in a voice laced with high level of certainty, “curtains have finally been drawn on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), even though it had gone through advanced stages at the National Assembly.”

The legislators, with less than one year to the expiration of their tenure, are now fully involved in their re-election bids, culminating in more political activities.

A source at the House of Representatives had also told this newspaper that the bill will not be passed by the seventh National Assembly. Although he acknowledged that the PIB has reached an advanced stage at the National Assembly, the source maintained that the tempo on deliberation on the bill has been doused seriously. “Except a miracle happens at this time, it will not see the light of the day until after the 2015 elections,” he declared.

He said: “The legislators are politicians and what pre-occupy their minds now is the re-election bids and the security situation in the country,” he said.

Revenue loss The imminent delay in passage means that the loss to the bill will exceed $125 billion by 2016 when serious deliberations are likely to be re-opened on the bill. Federal Government’s loss to the non-passage of the PIB from February 2009 to February 2014 had already hit $125 billion.

The estimated $125 billion loss was occasioned by the inability of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, to attain her annual crude production capacity of about 3.6 million barrels per day due to investment draught in her multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry since five years ago.

Dwindling investments Experts have, after assessing the growth prospects of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, raised the alarm over the declining investment in exploration and production since 2009, when PIB became controversial.

Meanwhile, the proposed legislation aimed at overhauling the country’s oil and gas industry, which has been in the works for 15 years, is now in its fifth year of deliberations by lawmakers.

Analysts suggest that a watered-down version of the bill may be implemented

Mrs Alison-Madueke

in 2015, and that while not perfect, it may put in place some guidelines that would guarantee a stable operational environment for operators and remove funding constraints.

“The Petroleum Industry Bill is not likely to happen this year, but may be split up in more manageable bits or resuscitated after 2015,” Thomas Horn Hansen, senior analyst at Control Risks, said. While it can hardly be disputed that Nigeria’s energy sector is ripe for a radical review, its failure to improve the investment climate will continue to stifle oil and gas industry’s growth.

Expert’s view Immediate past President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), George Osahon, said that Nigeria’s target of 40 billion barrels oil reserves would remain ‘a tall dream’ if the foot-dragging on the PIB passage continues.

“That we are yet to have the bill has implications on exploration activities in the country and, like I said earlier, it is in the interest of all of us that the bill is passed,” he told newsmen in a recent interview. At the Chatham House forum on the controversial PIB, experts from the private sector, operators in the oil and gas industry, management and financial consultants also warned that government’s business was facing a turbulence, which may wreck havoc on the economy of the country that depends largely on oil proceeds to service over 85 per cent of its budget.

The upstream sector was responsible for the loss of the $125 billion from 2008 to date as it failed to attain her annual crude oil production quota even when resources and investment to achieve it are available. Apart from the fact that the National Assembly is foot-dragging on the bill, watchers of the industry say that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may not want a balkanised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) now

because of the benefits it derives from the corporation.

The support of the corporation in terms of logistics, industry analysts say, is very crucial to the success of the current government in power. International oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have said that the delay in the passage of the PIB has completely slowed down their N17.2 trillion ($109 billion) proposed investments in the oil industry.

Opposition to passage The bill, subjected to stakeholders’ debates for about 12 years, is still being discussed at the National Assembly.

Oil majors, under the aegis of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had said that the planned projects were no longer economical due to the fiscal terms of the bill.

Members of the OPTS are Shell, Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Agip. “$109 billion in planned investments is not progressing as new projects are no longer economical,” Mark Ward, who is the OPTS chairman, had said.

Ward, who also doubles as the chairman/managing director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, said that the operators had planned to invest $33 billion in the next five years but warned that the fiscal terms of the PIB, if not reviewed,

Except a miracle happens at this time, the PIB will not see the light of the day until after the 2015 elections

Govt’s position on fiscal terms The government, according to the new bill, also jacked up its stake in the Deep Offshore blocks from the current level of 61 per cent to 73 per cent. It was learnt that prevailing realities in the global oil and gas industry necessitated this.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said that based on prevailing realities in the global oil industry, it was only natural to review the terms of the PSC to reflect current trend.

“I like to state once again that the proposed increase of government’s stake to about 73 per cent is not only competitive, but considerate when we look at the scale of other entities around the world like Norway, Indonesia and even Angola with even higher government take,” the minister explained.

“The novel 1993 PSC agreement was based on $20 per barrel price of crude oil real time, but records indicate that since the start of production in the PSC fields, crude prices have been on the upward swing, hence the consensus for a review of the terms.”

She also stated that the new PIB provides for a refreshing fiscal regime, which has strong incentives for enhanced exploration of new frontiers, especially in the Inland Sedimentary Basins as well as providing strong support base for the complete activation of the Gas Master Plan.

Under the new arrangement, fiscal regime is anchored on royalties and taxes, which are now predicated on production as opposed to terrain and investment as was previously done. Royalty by production as outlined in the bill is designed to capture the output of company, as opposed to its location, while creating a fair balance between small and big operators in the same terrain, thus giving operators the opportunity to make fair returns during field decline.

It also proposes lower rates on condensate from large fields, as well as ultra-deep water fields.

The Minister said: “We have created a mechanism to formally recognise host communities as important stakeholders by assigning oil and gas infrastructure security to the communities.’’

This, she said, would minimise environmental degradation due to vandalism and crude oil theft.

Conclusion The leadership of the seventh National Assembly should know that it would be blamed for the non-passage of the PIB if eventually the Bill does not scale through before 2015. The legislators have the privilege to write their names in gold and the time to do so is now.

34

Business | Energy

REGULATION

FG asks electricity customers to report erring DISCOs to NERC Stories by Adeola Yusuf

M

inister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has reiterated the Federal Government’s disdain for crazy billing, which Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) serve their customers.

Nebo, who said this on the side-line of the World Stage Power Conference in Lagos, called on customers to report any erring company who engage in such through estimat-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Power minister renews fight against ‘crazy billing’ ed billing to the Nigerian Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC).

The minister, who was represented by his aide on Investment and Finance, Olajuwon Olaleye, maintained that “investments have been made by DISCOs to ensure that all their customers are well metered.

“Many of them have engaged in distribution of prepaid meters to their customers, but in any case that there is inappropriate metering and crazy billing, customers should raise a complain to them, if this persists, they should

report to NERC.” He added that the Federal Ministry of Power would continue in its role to attract and facilitate strategic and innovative investments in the sector that will further enhance power generation, distribution and transmission capacity to meet current and future demands.

This, he said, would involve ensuring a robust and diverse energy mix.

On sustaining a robust energy mix, the Federal Ministry of Power, Nebo said, has put in place structure and mechanisms to develop its coal reserves as a means to increase generation capacity.

The minister noted: “Already, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, exploration licenses have been granted and soon coal power plants

will be developed across the country where the opportunity exist in a clean, responsible and strategic way.

“It is expected that the transmission network will require a minimum investment of $1 billion a year over the next few years to meet current demands and position itself towards global competiveness.

“As the transmission

network is still under government control, albeit under management contract by MHI, it is evident that these monies cannot be provided by government alone.

Several options are being considered to ensure private sector participation and investment in transmission with the option of recouping investments through wheeling changes.”

Cross River shuts PPMC’s office over N262m tax evasion

T

he Cross River State government said it has sealed the premises of the Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) over alleged tax indebtedness to the state amounting to N262 million.

This followed a warrant issued by the Revenue Court sitting in Calabar authorising the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to recover the money.

Head of Audit and Investigation, Cross River State’s IRS, Mr Ayi Bassey, disclosed these in a statement.

He said that the PPMC has erred in its tax liabil-

ity of N262 million being deductions from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax and development levy from 2007 to 2012.

The state Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had earlier announced that its enforcement team sealed the premises of the PPMC. Bassey, who said that the IRS did not act in isolation, added that an order to that effect has been issued by court.

“The action was taken following a warrant issued by the Revenue Court sitting in Calabar authorising the IRS to recover the money,” he told newsmen.

Firm empowers Chevron staff with financial intelligence

K

lass and Korporate Consultants International has just concluded a oneday financial workshop in Lagos for the staff of Chevron Nigeria to empower them to be able to efficiently balance their assets and liabilities.

The purpose of the workshop, according to a statement from the organisers, quoting Mr Abayomi Adeyeri, a guest Speaker and Regional Head Public Sector, South-South and South-East at Ecobank Nigeria Limited, was to activate staff potential in order to expand their overall total income.

“Your money should work for you rather than you work for your money.

The participants should be able to make sound financial decisions at the end of the class, convert debts to savings, savings

to investments and in the long run, retire strong, early and wealthy,” he told the gathering.

The main reason why most big earners find themselves broke later in life is because of lack of financial planning, said Omoefe Siakpere, the Chief Executive Officer of Klass and Korporate Consultants International. “Planning for the future,” she explained, “entails an extensive process of the various elements of a financial plan that should be integrated into our overall lifestyle, which outlives our physical existence to include our estate.”

She identified personal income management as one of the fundamental elements for a secured future and rejected insinuations that Chevron staff are too rich to get broke.

Power installation

LPG: Nigeria records 417,924mt local production shortfall REVENUE

N69 billion accrued from LPG sales in one year

N

igeria needs 417, 924 million metric tonnes of gas to meet local demand, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said.

The corporation, which made this known in its Annual Statistical Bulletin, also revealed that a total of 1.191 million MT, MMT of Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), was produced in 2013.

It added that the country earned about N68.957 billion from lifting Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), for both export and domestic consumption in the year under review.

The country lifted 417,924 metric tonnes, MT LPG in 2013, despite LPG production

of 409,712 MT internally by local manufacturers.

The NNPC accounted for 60 per cent of LPG production and 64 per cent of LPG lifting for export and local consumption, while Chevron accounted for 40 per cent and 36 per cent of LPG production and lifting respectively in 2013.Further breakdown showed that Nigeria’s highest LPG lifting was recorded in November, with 59,669 MT; followed by September 59,035 MT and March 58,608 MT. Other LPG liftings are: January 29,833 MT; February 29,871 MT; April 29,894 MT; May 29,580 MT; June 36,962 MT; July 54,649 MT; while it was 29,824 MT in August.

There were no LPG lifting in October and December 2013, according to the NNPC Report.

In LPG production, May, March, and June 2013 recorded the highest output of 39,498 MT; 39,104 MT and 35,597 MT respectively.

Others are: January 34,802 MT; February 28776 MT; April 34,652 MT; July 32,526 MT; August 32,473 MT; September 31,562 MT; while in October, November, and December 33,780 MT, 32,254 MT and 34,689 MT were produced respectively.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers (NALPGAM using the Mont Belvieu LPG price, has put current price of LPG at N3.3 million for 20 metric tonnes, translating to about N165,000/ MT. Belvieu LPG price is the international pricing model used by the Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, to sell gas to the domestic market.

The Bulletin in a breakdown of LPG production and lifting in 2013 indicated that Chevron and NNPC produced 163,885 MT and 245,827MT respectively, while both companies lifted 150,046 MT and 267,878 MT respectively.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

My priority is jobs creation, says Olomola p.37

35

Property&Environment

Nigeria leads Africa in clean energy p.37

One of the UPDC estates in Abuja

‘How bureaucracies upset real estate investment’ DOING BUSINESS Pundits want the processes and procedures streamlined, clearly stated and publicised Dayo Ayeyemi

D

espite rising demand for commercial space and housing for middle-income and young professionals in Nigeria, experts in the build environment sector have continued to work out modalities to reduce bureaucracies weighing down on the growth of real estate market in the country.

According to them, rigorous processes of obtaining building approval, development permit, title document and mortgage, among others, have slowed down the growth of the real estate sector.

Expressing disgust over these issues at a forum, Real Estate Unite, in Lagos, the experts, which comprised of investors, financiers, developers, policy makers and lawyers, highlighted the practical problems of red-tapism (bureaucracies) in the industry and identified its negative effects on businesses. The event was organised by Ruth Obih’s 3invest Limited.

The experts listed multiple payment regimes, multiple title approval procedures and lack of clarity in title, corruption, staff lackadaisical attitude to work, inadequate knowledge and consent of mortgages as problems of red-

Ogunniran

tapism.

To get out of the woods, the experts suggested brilliant solutions to promote growth in the real estate sector by cutting down on bureaucracies.

PPP model Top among their solutions was the proposition for the adoption of a public-private partnership model to support land administration in the country.

They also advocated a division of registries to speed up approval processes; adoption of technology to streamline approval processes and inauguration of a Commissioner of Mortgages office to administer mortgages more effectively.

Managing Director of UPDC, Mr Hakeem Ogunniran, who spoke on: “Legal and Institutional Constraints in Real Estate Development,” expounded on the trend of limited cooperation between players within the industry and charged stakeholders to move from a situation of harmful competition to a state of winning collaborations.

Ogunniran stated that real estate sector has been over-burdened by law and regulation, explaining myriad of legal constraints inhibiting investment in the sector.

According to him, land titling has remained the greatest problem faced by players in the sector, adding that the current legal framework did not guarantee title to land at any time in the transaction chain. He explained that in the

Other thorny legal problems besetting the sector include title recertification, double registration of documents, stamp duties assessment for corporate organisations and judicial process

Obih

absence of an indefeasible title to land, developers, financiers, buyers and investors are exposed to high risks.

Ogunniran blamed the situation on the provisions of the Land Use Act relating to the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), adding that holders of the certificate might later discover that the title document in their possession “is nothing but a piece of paper.”

He expressed worry over the consent provision of the Land Use Act, saying that laudable as the provisions might be for town planning purposes, various state governments in the unmitigated drive for revenue, have laid ambush for applicants for consent to collect numerous fees ranging from consent, stamping, registration, taxes and levies among others.

Impediments He also bemoaned the ambiguous permit and approval processes coupled with the ever-changing rules, adding that multiple regulatory bodies involved have made the processes difficult for investors.

He said: “Other thorny legal problems besetting the sector include title recertification, double registration of documents, stamp duties assessment for corporate organisations and judicial process.”

Ogunniran stressed the need to create a regime that will give people the comfort of title of land.

Managing Director of Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Sonnie Ayere, while explaining in details the role that

Ayere

NMRC would play for those looking to tap into long-term financing, listed land registration and titling; housing construction costs; foreclosure and access to long-term finance as key factors stifling the growth of residential development in real estate.

On long-term financing, he said: “The biggest problem that mortgage banks have in Nigeria is that they do not have access to long term money. We [NMRC] are here to create a warehouse finance structure for mortgage banks and provide the refinancing you need. ” His presentation further showed that mortgage loans as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria was only 0.37 per cent as recorded at end of 2011.

Comparable mortgage loans to GDP ratio elsewhere in the world include Botswana (2 per cent), China (13 per cent), India (6 per cent) and South Africa (31 per cent).

All these countries also fare better when compared economically with Nigeria.

Factors essential to creating an enabling environment for the growth of housing in Nigeria, he said, included mortgage law, foreclosure law, title, underwriting standards, technology; and passthrough securities.

Leveraging on technology Managing Director of Grenadine Homes, Mrs Noimot Olatunji, urged that processes and procedures should be streamlined, CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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Business | Property & Environment

URBANISATION Experts move to fashion out best ways to promote sustainable cities

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Town planners converge on Lagos over city challenges

Dayo Ayeyemi

S

ettlement experts across Nigeria are already congregating in Lagos to deliberate how cities in developing economy can be engines of growth in the face of rapid urbanisation and population growth.

The occasion is the 45th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), themed: “Management of Cities in Developing Economy: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”

The last time such opportunity came to Lagos was 23 years ago. The town planning experts would be focusing on the daunting challenges of urbanisation and over population confronting major cities in Nigeria with the resolve to fashion out best ways to promote liveable, lively, economic viable and sustainable cities.

Speaking about the importance of the conference’s theme, outgoing Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos Chapter, who doubles as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Ayo Adediran, said the confab, was important to town planners as it centred on the management of human settlements in the contemporary world.

He pointed out that there were issues involved in the cities that town planners coming to the conference really need to fix in terms of urbanisation and pressure on available infrastructure.

According to him, there are

Dr. Femi Olomola is the 1st Vice President of NITP. He would be sworn in as president of the institute at this year’s conference/ AGM. He spoke with Dayo Ayeyemi on his agenda for members and the practice of town planning in Nigeria.

What will be your agenda as the incoming president of NITP? On top of my agenda as the national president when elected will be job creation. Not that I will create offices, but there will be a lot of job creations in the area of consultancy. If you are familiar with our profession, most of our consultancies have to be with big projects. Somebody wants to build a new town or a new university and you prepare the master plan; somebody wants to build a new private polytechnic and you prepare the campus master plan; somebody

INTP President, Steve Onu

Central area of Lagos Island

also challenges on the issues of funding, participation of the people, and techniques and principles being used for cities management.

He said: “What we are saying is that despite all these, we have great opportunities in cities because that is where you have the skilled people.

“We have spectrum of professionals and skilled labours in cities that provide a lot of opportunities. So when you look at the theme, it is so relevant that we can say beyond now, how do we make cities liveable? How do we make cities sustainable? How do we

make cities maintain its role as engine of development? How are planners going to be relevant in the planning of cities?”

On the level of preparation, he said: “When you talk of preparation, we are ready as the majority of our members in Lagos have registered and we are set to mobilise to the venue. We are set for those who are coming; I mean both foreigners and members within the country.”

Chairman of the fund raising sub-committee, Mr Moses Ogunleye, disclosed that over 1,000 town planners are converging on Lagos apart from non-members who have shown

interest to participate.

Key speakers expected at the forum include: Mayor of AccraGhana, Dr. Alfred Vanderpuije; Editor-in-Chief, the Global Urbanist, London, Dr. Kerwin Datu; Associate Planning Director, NAH Partnership Bath, UK, Mike Fox; the first military Governor of Lagos State, Chief Mobolaji Johnson; Managing Director, SURBANA Pts, Singapore, Tay Heng Hock Louis; Associate Professor of Urban Plalnning, Osun State University, Dr. Samson Akinola and Dr. Tayibat Soyinka of University of Lagos, among others.

Lagos State Commissioner

Adediran

for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde, is the chief host while Governor Babatunde Fashola is the distinguished guest of honor. President Goodluck Jonathan is the special guest of honour.

My priority is jobs creation, says Olomola have a large chunk of land, say 50 hectares, you do the planning of the entire estate and get approval for it; and layout building plans and the rest.

These jobs are not something that is easy to get by the upcoming ones, so what I am looking at is that some pockets of small jobs be created which somebody with National Diploma and Higher National Diploma or graduates of university should be able to do and get to his superior or senior colleagues to sign or endorse for him.

What type of jobs are you talking about?

I am looking at production of Land Use Report by registered town planners all over the country. And of what use will the report be? I will see it as being extremely useful to all the banks in Nigeria and the Central Bank (CBN) in granting of approval of application for opening of new accounts.

There are cases where fraudulent (419) people open an account in the bank today, one month or one year after, there is a problem which the CBN

discover that most of the addresses are fake.

Amosun

will be having with that address in the account and may want to trace the address to the particular applicant. You get there and

What will the land use report do in such scenario?

Under this land use report, assuming this is the site’s location of the person that wants to open an account, a town planner will now conduct a study of about 100 metres of development from right, left, front and back of the site.

By this, the town planner will be able to tell you the name of the street, house number, planning policy in the area, history of the location; and at the end of the day, the report may be of 15 pages supported with diagrams and sketches which will make anybody confidently walk to that location.

What I am saying is that at the end of the day, that report will be an integral part of what to be submitted in opening of a corporate account.

So, at the end of the day, there is no way the 419-man will be

able to lie because I do that report to show either you are resident there or not.

What difference will it make?

If there is a fraud, CBN or any other bank can just go to that file and see the report and look at the building. The bank can now say that the building, which you gave, the address at that time is owned by Mr X, its use is this and other tenants are these. In my own opinion, that will be a contribution to the efforts of CBN in controlling 419 operations.

And if you ask me that how many applications are being submitted nationally for corporate account? It runs into millions. That kind of report will be there. I don’t know the amount of fee to be collected, but I know that a town planner who is preparing the report will, at least, get something.

The big projects are limited.

So I call this kind of income bread and butter because it is not something you charge millions of naira.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

37

Lagos, NCF seek actions to save coastal areas CLIMATE CHANGE Small island states are more prone to the damaging effects of a warming planet Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

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articipants including environmentalists, policy makers, government officials and nongovernmental organisations have called for actions aimed at sensitising the populace on the dangers of climate change.

They also insisted on the

need to safeguarding coastal areas and the people that inhabit them from the effect of climate change.

These were the messages during the 2014 Walk for Nature in Lagos organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with Lagos State government and sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, 7Up Bottling Company Plc, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Chemical and Allied Product Plc and SAPETRO Nigeria Limited.

Participants at the forum also cautioned the populace on what they can do as individuals

to reduce their exposure to its effects as part of the strategy to mitigate the damaging consequences of climate change.

Highpoints of the event themed: “Small Island Developing State,” was the 45 minutes early morning walk along Marina.

NCF President, Izoma Philip Asiodu, said that small island states are more prone to the damaging effects of a warming planet than those located in the hinterland.

“The impacts of a rising sea level means loss of lives and properties for many people living on small islands,” he said.

According to him, the importance of Lagos as a coastal city and as the economic nerve centre of the most populous country in Africa has made it imperative to pay attention to any potential threat to the economy of the state.

He pointed out that the walk was aimed at raising the level of awareness of Lagosians to what may be done to alleviate their inevitable exposure.

He said: “The fact is that the whole planet is under stress, not only from climate change, but from rapid population growth, and increased consumption demands due to rising standards

of living add to the stress. Development plans must therefore be made as eco-friendly as possible to ensure sustainability.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Environment, Dr Taofeek Folami, said that the theme of the event was of great importance to the state because of its peculiarity as a coastal state.

He said: “Lagos shares remarkable similarities with some of the renowned Small Island Developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago, Toga, Samoa and Suriname. These communities and cities face myriad of environmental challenges including flooding, waste management, pollution, degradation of forests and coastal habitats as well as loss of aquatic biodiversity.

“Today provides us another unique opportunity to celebrate our environment and draw people’s attention towards developing the capacity of our coastal cities to respond efficiently to the environmental challenges posed by its littoral nature.”

He further said that climates around the world bring about changes in the economy, adding that people and nations must form a global partnership to care for the earth.

Nigeria leads Africa in clean energy L-R: Chairman, Scientific Committee of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Prince Adegoke Ademiluyi; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Environment, Dr Taofeek Folami, and NCF President, Izoma Philip Asiodu, during the 2014 Walk for Nature, held in Lagos.

Bureaucracies upset real estate CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 5

clearly stated and publicized by the government.

Chief Executive Officer, Ogun State Property Investment Corporation, Mr BabaJide Odusolu, suggested leveraging on technology to systemize and reduce red-tapism. This was corroborated by Partner, Aelex, Fubara Anga, who brought to light that in a World Bank ranking, Nigeria ranks 182 of 185 based on the property registration indices. He further highlighted the initiatives that worked effectively in other African countries.

The nation’s real estate market has continued to grow with

the sector now valued at N6.4 trillion ($41.2 billion).

According to a recent report

by Agusto & Co., the Lagos subsegment of the market accounts for at least 40 per cent of the Nigerian market.

Growth, the report revealed, continues to be driven largely by new to market residential and commercial properties in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Growth rate The report forecasts that the market to grow by an estimated average of 10 per cent in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Nigeria has been ranked 147 out of 189 nations in the World Bank’s Doing Business report re-

leased recently. The report sheds light on how easy or difficult it is for a local entrepreneur to open and run a small to medium-size business when complying with relevant regulations. It measures and tracks changes in regulations affecting 11 areas in the life cycle of a business: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency and employing workers.

Nigeria is still one of the most difficult and expensive places to register property in the world.

My priority is jobs creation, says Olomola CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 6

Anyone who get this kind of job can at lease eat for one, two, three weeks. As of now, we don’t have that kind of income in our profession. We have been having big projects that are difficult to come by.

What other purposes can the land use report be referred to?

Also, I can see the report

being equally useful in the procurement of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O). If you want to get a C of O on your piece of land, in many cases, you always submit the survey plan and that is all. When you have that kind of report, it conceptualises the site in the neighborhood; so when you are looking for the site, you can locate it easily without missing your way.

There are cases I am aware long time ago in Lagos State, where C of O is issued on a tarred road. I know what I am saying and this is simply because survey plans were submitted without such land use reports that can conceptualise the whole area and make the sites easy to identify. If that is accepted, we will have to visit the Executive Secretary of each state for it to be adopted.

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he first Africa Clean Energy Summit (ACES 2014) will hold in Abuja, Nigeria, under the headship of President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, in conjunction with strategic development partners and major stakeholders.

This is coming on the heels of the current debate at the international level on the need to shift focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Chief Operating Director (COD), Africa Clean Energy Summit, Mr Olawale Akinwumi, said that the event would include a world-class meeting, an international exhibition, technical conferences, business fora and other activities billed to hold on the side-line of the event.

The summit which is expected to give birth to the Africa Climate Solution Centre (ACSC), a hub that will serve as a clearing house for clean and renewable products, investors, financial institution and exhibitors for the African market, will take place between November 17 and 20, 2014, in Abuja with the opening ceremony billed to take place at the Presidential Villa.

“The hub will operate as a 24/7 permanent climate friendly energy solution initiative for exhibition and sales of renewable energy products and services.

The initiative highlights both new and planned developments, helping to source technology, secure financing and enter into business partnerships with de-

velopment partners,” he said.

Akinwumi disclosed that other activities that would take place alongside the clean energy summit include the incorporation of the Goodluck Jonathan Institute of Clean Technology (GJICT).

He added that Special Representative of the UN SecretaryGeneral and Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), and UN Energy Chair, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, has graciously accepted to be a keynote speaker at the ACES 2014.

Akinwumi, who is also the Chairman, the Environment Communications Limited, said that the summit would stress the relevance of the declaration of the Chairman, Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, Mohammed Ashry, that “with the world’s energy dynamics becoming increasingly complex, there is a need for greater global integration and collaboration to address how the world will power its future generations.

The future of renewable energy looks very different today than it did a decade ago. The recent unanimous declaration by the UN General Assembly designating 2014-2024 as the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All underscores the importance of energy to sustainable development and the need for increased use of renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency, and the sustainable use of traditional energy resources.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

38 What makes a terrible, amazing airport p.39

Aviation

Air Cargo: Five-year forecast shows improved outlook p.40

Air Peace’s B737-500 air plane. INSET: Chairman, Air Peace, Allen Onyema

Although the outlook for the sector is very discouraging, Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE writes that despite the tough operational challenges, Nigerian airline operators are braving the odds to remain in business

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espite the tough operating environment, not a few are expressing worry by the decision of businessmen and moneybags on their investments in airline business, asking if they really know what they are venturing into.

Their fear is not misplaced, considering the number of airlines that had come and gone.

Many of them are in a state of helplessness, but they exude so much confidence that with good policy framework, the sector could bring great opportunity for the players and other service providers.

This optimism that the industry has all it takes to survive and be prosperous is the driving force for huge investment in the airline business.

This confidence has ensured the continued operations of Arik Air despite many hurdles the carrier had scaled. The same for Aero and new entrants like Azman, Discovery. These airlines are about five months old, but are reeling under some difficulties.

Ditto for others, who may cease operations sooner than expected.

Tough hurdles Virtually all the carriers are

With so much promise, can Air Peace survive? in serious financial dire straits, with many of them waiting for the ‘hang man’s noose.”

Experts put the life span of airlines to between 10 and 15 years. Many came with so much promise but went extinct less than six years after they started operations. Save for Aero Contractors, which have withstood difficult period spanning over 50 years, virtually all Nigerian airlines are on life support.

Intervention funds given to the carriers by the Federal Government amounting to over N200 billion may have gone down the drain.

“Although, most of the operators have acquired relatively new aircraft, the operators are bothered over Federal Government’s lackadaisical approach to providing the needed funding for Nigeria’s ailing aviation sector.

Many African airlines and airports, for years, have been crippled with issues such as blatant mismanagement, corruption, inefficient staff, poor aircraft, poor maintenance of facilities, poor security and limited infrastructure.

These issues have led to a great need and demand for re-structuring and re-organisation within the African airline industry.

The passenger growth increase margin highlights the huge client base within Nigeria’s airline industry, for which demands and services need improvement.

Many African airlines and airports, for years, have been crippled with issues such as blatant mismanagement, corruption, inefficient staff, poor aircraft, poor maintenance of facilities, poor security and limited infrastructure

Financial institutions’ lack of support Notable banks and lenders who had lent financial support to the airline operators are similarly in quandary over the unimpressive returns on their investments, particularly as the industry witnessed many troubles occasioned by high cost of fuel, high aviation charges and astronomical navigational charges, among other sundry charges.

The entrance of Air Peace last week has further raised the question. At the launch of the carrier’s services, chairman of the airline, Allen Onyema, spoke eloquently of the airline’s plan to bring quality services and offer one of the best airline operations in Nigeria.

For a start, the airline had acquired four B737-500 SP and three Dornier 328 aircraft with five routes to service.

At a well-attended launch, which brought together prominent citizens from all over the country, Onyema said that he has come to add value to the industry and work hand in hand with other airlines to provide seamless operation.

According to Onyema, what will make the new airline unique is its ability to do things differently from others.

He stated that the carrier would embrace partnership which is a global trend adopted

by airlines across the world to become more formidable and confront the harsh economic situation.

Onyema denied insinuations making the round on the ownership of Air Peace, affirming that the airline is 100 per cent owned by him, with credit facility accessed from Nigerian commercial banks, which provided the funds for the acquisition of aircraft and running capital for the airline.

He said that rather than pulling down one another, Nigerian carriers should forge a common front to be stronger so that they could grow the domestic market to attract more people to travel by air.

Onyema further stated that there are not enough airlines in Nigeria to cater for the over 170 million people, out of which a paltry two per cent travel by air.

He disclosed that Air Peace would continue to invest in indigenous professionals including pilots and aircraft engineers, who if well motivated could outshine their counterparts from other parts of the world.

Cautious optimism While some expressed optimism that the new carrier would help to ginger healthy rivalry and provide quality service to travellers, others said that they CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

AIR RAGE

WITH

Business | Aviation 39

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

Wole Shadare

What makes a terrible, amazing airport

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Nahco’s warehouse at MMIA, Lagos

Nahco aviance partners NEPC, others on export promotion COOPERATION Lagos has been supporting and will continue to support the promotion of export Wole Shadare

A

joint committee made up of representatives of the Lagos State government, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), nahco aviance and Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services is to be set up to work out ways to improve export in the country. Other members of the committee are vegetable farmers and export merchants.

Each party is to be represented by two members.

This was the resolution of a workshop hosted by nahco aviance for stakeholders in the agro – allied export business.

At the workshop titled: “Stakeholders’ workshop on addressing challenges in export of horticulture products from Nigeria,” held in Lagos, the Executive Director of NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, said that the body had to be part of the workshop in collaboration with other bodies such as nahco aviance, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) and Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative because of the visit made to nahco aviance and NAQS by the officials of the council.

According to the NEPC boss who was represented by the Acting Director of Market Development, Mr Mathew Iranloye, the visit to nahco aviance was to acquaint the Council with the workings of the two organisations with a view to assessing how their operations could help facili-

tate the body’s efforts at galvanizing Nigerian exporters of foods towards servicing the growing demands of European Union and the United States of America markets for fresh and processed food items from Africa.

Also speaking in his capacity as the Acting Director of Market Development of NEPC, Iranloye reiterated the need for exporters to adhere strictly to global standards especially on packaging and labelling of their products.

Nahco’s Business Manager, Lagos Region, Mr Yahaya Hassan, who represented nahco at the workshop, said that the company has put different facilities in place such as freezers and cold rooms, among others, to help facilitate the exportation of goods.

He also stated that the nahco aviance’s Free Trade Zone, which will soon commence operations, will be an impetus to exportation of goods in the country.

Mr Kayode Ashafa who represented the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, stated that the state government has been supporting and will continue to support the

promotion of export. He said that the state government was ready to partner with stakeholders to encourage exportation of agricultural products.

He advised exporters to always follow standards in their businesses. He also thanked nahco aviance, NEPC, NAQS and Customs for arranging the workshop.

The Zonal Controller of NAQS, Mrs V.O Atunbi encouraged exporters to make sure that their commodities meet international standards before exportation.

In his contribution, the Director - General, Nigerian Association of Chamber Of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. John Isemede also advised exporters to imbibe the culture of proper labelling, packaging, grading and pricing.

He also told the Federal Government to set up a national carrier to help facilitate the exportation of goods.

Other people who addressed the workshop are Mrs Evelyn Obidike, Acting Zonal Controller, NEPC Lagos and the representative of Custom Area Controller, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Mrs Dyuran.

Can Air Peace survive?

CO NT INU E D F RO M PAGE 38

are watching with keen interest to see whether the airline has something new to offer.

Event in the next few weeks will determine whether the new airline will provide the missing link in air travel that travellers yearn for.

The airline will do well if it can be on schedule; avoid delays or cancellations of flights except where safety is the issue.

Travel consultant, Ade Fadimu, told New Telegraph

that competition is very good, adding that it is good for the industry and it’s good for the players.

According to him, “competition has driven Air Peace to go and look for some of the best aircraft they introduced into the market. You have to be where the market is and not below the market. Competition ultimately benefits the industry and the consumers. They must have studied the market well to ensure that they are the reference point in years to come”.

hat makes an airport great? Efficiency! Are Nigerian airports best at getting you through check-in and security smoothly? The answer is no.

For all the perks like art galleries and sleeping pods that airports add to their terminals, the deciding factor for many travellers is still whether or not they can get through check-in and security smoothly.

With the privilege of travelling to many world class airports across the globe, the likes of Changi, London Heathrow Terminal 5, Chicago O’Hare, Dubai, or Tambo, Frankfurt, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Schipol among other airports, these are benchmark for what an international airport should be: an airport you actually want to spend time in.

Could these be the ultimate 21st century airports for the consumers in transit‘transumers’?

The thought crosses my mind every time I pass through many of Nigeria’s airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – more a chaotic factory churning out passengers than an airport to be cherished, with none of the ‘fun’ diversions that many great airports offer to break up the monotony of waiting for flights.

Many of the country’s airports are stuck in their ways and lacking in creativity.

Airports – love them or hate them – represent the start of a journey; a time that brings out all sorts of emotions, from trepidation, to excitement. This behaviour is something airports should look at as a foundation for improving our experience.

To think that Nigeria’s leaders travel abroad and see the quality and capacity of other international airports all over the world and still come back home regularly without a whimper regarding the state of our own airports is one that should stupefy any reasonable and right-thinking Nigerian.

Airports are not just engines of economic growth, they are also the image of the communities they represent.

While passenger traffic reflects the level of economic development, demographics, business activity and tourism, cargo volumes are indicative of the strength of the economy just as land development on or near airport sites, mainly for industrial uses but also for tourism and creation, generates ad-

ditional economic activity.

It goes without saying, therefore, that if airport quality, including capacity, is severely constrained, passengers could become easily frustrated and avoid that airport, if they can. Those who cannot may be compelled to use it, but go with a very negative impression of not just the airport, but the country it represents.

Any regular user of Nigeria’s international airport at Lagos can easily attest to this fact. The long-term cumulative effect of this is to stifle economic growth, however imperceptibly.

Notwithstanding how shabbily they were done, the abandoned remodelling at both local and international airports across Nigeria are testaments of the efforts of present government to bring new life to the ailing infrastructure at the airports in Nigeria.

Even at that, it came as no surprise that no Nigerian aerodrome was listed among the best in Africa in the 2013 by Skytrax World Best Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal EXPO, Geneva, Switzerland.

It was no surprise. Any regular international air traveller would easily admit that our best is simply not good enough.

As Africa’s largest economy, that our best airport is simply not good enough in the comity of nations in Africa (not the world) should disconcert the patriotic sensibility of any right-thinking Nigerian.

On the world stage, Simon Rogers of the UK Guardian newspaper once posted a data blog about the world’s top 100 airports from the Airports Council International.

We are told that about 3.2 billion passengers went through the world’s top 100 airports in 2011, 998 million of them in Europe and another 989 million in North America. The world’s biggest airports have seen big increases in passengers: Heathrow was up 5.1 per cent, Atlanta (the world’s biggest) was up 3.3 per cent and Beijing was up 4.5 per cent.

According to Ibibia Lucky Worika, a member of International Bar Association (IBA) and the Climate and Energy Expert Group of the Commission on Environmental Law (IUCN), “you can be forgiven for expecting that in Africa, considering Nigeria’s rivalry with South Africa, at least one of Nigeria’s airports would appear in the ranking and mapping.

Alas, none did!

40

Business | Aviation

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Delta Air Lines sees high revenue by year-end PROFITABILITY The international network provides the largest opportunity for additional margin improvement

margin expansion and nearly $1 billion of free cash flow, Delta’s results are consistent with high-quality S&P 500 industrials,” Anderson stated.

Delta’s President, Ed Bastian, captures the Delta performance succinctly, “For the December quarter, the overall

revenue environment remains solid, with unit revenues expected to increase by 0-2 per cent, and we are on track to produce another quarter of good top line growth, margin expansion and free cash flow.”

“Looking further ahead, our international network provides

the largest opportunity for additional margin improvement, as we accelerate our Pacific network restructuring, recalibrate our transatlantic capacity levels, and reap the benefits of our investment in our Latin network.”

These results conclude to a staggering $823 million profit so

far. Delta Air Lines have been generating a $910 million free cash flow in this September quarter, surpassing its 2013 record.

This translated into an adjustment of net debt to $7.4 billion and a return in dividends and share repurchases of $325 million to its shareholders.

Stories by Wole Shadare

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ne of world’s biggest airlines, Delta Air Lines, has forecast high pre-tax revenue in excess of $4 billion by the end of year 2014 with the announcement of $1.6 billion pre-tax income for September.

Delta’s September 2014 income is an increase of $431 million over the September 2013 quarter on a similar basis. The net income for the September 2014 quarter was $1 billion, or $1.20 per diluted share with operating margin at 15.8 per cent.

According to Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer, “while we have more work ahead of us to achieve our long-term financial goals, we expect a record fourth quarter of 2014 with an operating margin of 10-12 per cent.

“For the full year (2014), we expect a pre-tax profit in excess of $4 billion. We have the right foundation in place for an even stronger 2015, proven strategies for Delta, and 80,000 Delta employees who are the very best in the industry. With another record profit, solid

Delta’s fully flat bed

Dana Air rewards guests with iPhones T hree loyal passengers of Dana Air have won iPhone 5s as part of initiatives by the airline to consistently reward its guests. The emergence of the winners is as a sequel to the recent introduction of the flydana mobile app that offers the convenience of searching, booking and paying for preferred flights while using mobile devices on the go.

The lucky winners were picked during a reward event monitored by the Con-

sumer Protection Unit of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and anchored

by Dana Ambassador, Mr Bright Okpocha (a.k.a Basket Mouth).

Speaking at the event, the Head, Corporate Communications of Dana Air, Mr Samuel Ogbogoro, stated that Dana Air has always stimulated the market with innovative products aimed at providing seamless solutions to the travelling public and that the airline is passionate about rewarding

Dana’s MD-83 aircraft on the tarmac of an airport

guests for patronage while ensuring quality customer experience both on ground and aboard their flights.

“Each of our guests is a blackberry and android stores.

The FlyDana App is an enhanced and innovative distribution channel that allows passengers to view flight information and availability in real-time whilst giving them the option to book and pay for flights from the comfort of their homes or on the move.

Air Cargo: Five-year forecast shows improved outlook T

he International Air Transport Association (IATA), the clearinghouse for global airlines, says airline industry forecast 2014-2018 shows that international freight volumes are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1 per cent over the next five years.

It added that emerging economies, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, will be the fastest-growing markets.

“Air cargo remains as vital to the global economic system as ever. This year, more than $6.8 trillion worth of goods, equivalent to 35 per cent of total world trade by value, will be transported around the world by air. So it is welcome to see a forecast for a return to growth for the air cargo sector after several years in the doldrums.

An average of over four per cent growth for the next five years would be a marked improvement on the performance of recent years. Since 2011, for example, growth in freight tonnes has averaged just 0.63 per cent per year,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler.

He noted that nevertheless, despite the positive picture, the overall risks to the

economic outlook, and therefore to airfreight, remains towards the downside, adding that trade protectionism is a constant danger.

According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), between November 2013 and May 2014 alone, G20 governments enacted 112 new traderestrictive measures. Geopolitical concerns, volatility of oil prices, and competition from rail and sea could also affect this forecast. The air cargo industry certainly cannot afford to be complacent,” said Tyler.

IATA noted that to enhance air cargo competitiveness, the industry is aiming to cut average transit times by up to 48 hours by 2020, noting that to achieve this, airfreight is modernizing its processes, improving quality and reliability, and widening the range of services offered.

A key component of modernized processes is the eFreight project, which will render air cargo shipments paperless. As a first step, the industry is adopting the e-Air Waybill (e-AWB).

In September 2014 global eAWB penetration reached 19.4 per cent, meaning the 2014 industry target of 22 per cent is within reach.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

41

FBN Capital forecasts more monetary tightening WEAK NAIRA

CBN has been supporting the naira Godson Ikoro

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igerian banks are to expect further tightening of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) starting next month for private –sector deposits, FBN Capital has predicted.

A report from the company made available to New Telegraph attributed the anticipated tightening to the loss of patience with the banks by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Although the CBN Governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele has pledged that there would be no rate cuts before the elections in February, FBN Capital said the tightening through the CRR is likely, hinting that it has penciled in a token rate cut of 50bps next year after the elections, as a forward statement of intent.

The apex bank has also supported the naira by keeping its benchmark interest rate at a

record-high 12 percent since October 2011 and increasing the cash-reserve requirement for public companies’ bank deposits. Extending the measures risks hurting consumption and growth.

“The first choice for the central bank would be to tighten further and use up some of the reserves to keep the currency level,” while devaluation would be “a last resort,” said Ronak Gadhia, an analyst at Exotix in London FBN Capital however, said the tightening is in line with trends in the developed economies, which it argued has diverged.

The experts cited the tapering by the US Federal Reserve, which is scheduled for completion this month, and its forecasts point to a first hike in the Fed funds rate in Q2 2015, adding that in contrast, policy will remain accommodative in the Euro zone and Japan for at least two years, sustaining the carry trade.

As a result of the tightening, FBN Capital expects another attempt at fuel subsidy removal after the elections, which would push headline inflation briefly into dou-

ble digits; stating that successful or not, there would be fiscal gains.

Given that monetary policy rests upon the attainment of exchangerate stability and FBN Capital feels that the CBN will be able to hold

the line, subject to a small adjustment to the corridor mid-point in 2015.

However, it sees naira stability, a tight monetary stance and relative fiscal discipline through the polls to end-2015,

F

irst City Monument Bank Plc, the lender that bought bailed-out FinBank Plc three years ago, suspended a planned Eurobond sale, citing an unfavorable market, and opted instead to borrow funds from a group of banks.

FCMB had considered raising $300 million in a bond sale.

The bank according to Bloomberg news, suspended the plan and has borrowed the amount from international lenders at an average interest rate of 4 percent, “below the Eurobond’s rate,” it said in an emailed statement yesterday.

The bank intends to increase lending by about 20 percent to N540 billion ($3.3 billion) this year, joining local rivals in raising debt so that it can expand credit to consumers and fund infrastructure in Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer Ladi Balogun said June 23. FCMB acquired FinBank in 2011, one of eight lenders

As at N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

present cycle is flattish/ slightly higher.

Citing the FGN bond curve has flattened, it suggests exposure at the shorter end, advising investors to always be alert to potential external shocks.

FCMB suspends Eurobond sale

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

stressing that the risks lie in tightening in the US and, notably, further contraction of oil revenues.

Following the foregoing, FBN Capital argues that the direction for market rates in the

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

rescued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during a debt crisis in 2009.

The newly arranged loans, which have terms of two to eight years, “will provide lending to telecommunications, power and infrastructure projects,” the bank said yesterday. The lenders include International Finance Corp., Citigroup Inc, Overseas Private Investment Corp. and the European Investment

Bank, it said.

FCMB’s first-half profit rose to N9.58 billion from N9.28 billion a year earlier, it said in a July 25 filing to the Nigerian stock exchange (NSE). Net interest income rose 20 percent to N32.36 billion. The lender is targeting a return on equity of 15 percent this year and 20 percent in 2016, compared with 13 percent in 2013, according to Balogun.

Naira falls 0.15% despite oil firm dollar sales

T

he naira weakened marginally by 0.15 percent against the dollar on the interbank market yesterday, on a renewed surge in dollar demand despite about $112 million in sales by an oil company.

A unit of French oil major Total according to Reuters, sold about $112 million to some lenders yesterday, but was insufficient to support the naira.

The local currency fell to N165 to the dollar compared with N164.74 it closed last Friday, due to increased dollar demand from importers and corporations stocking up for year-end sales.

The naira had recovered from a 7-month low last week, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took steps to it prop up.

The local currency has come under pressure in the last five weeks owing to concerns over falling global oil prices, which led to offshore investors cutting back their positions in the local debt market and repatriating their funds.

“We are expecting more oil companies to sell dollars in the market this week and a direct intervention by the central bank, which could keep the currency within range in the short term,” one dealer said.

FirstBank Sustainability Centre partners LBS

F

irstBank Sustainability Centre is sponsoring the International Sustainability conference scheduled for October 30, 2014 at the Honeywell Auditorium, Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.

A statement from the bank said that the confab themed “Leading a Sustainable Business” is designed to stimulate sustainability principles as key components of business development and continuity.

The meeting will expound practical insights on minimising business risks, reducing cost, increasing revenues and enhancing brand reputation for businesses.

Participants’ profiles include CEOs and top executives of corporations, institutional investors, academia, directors/heads of foundations, government agencies and NGOs operating in the

social space as well as business regulators and top executives responsible for CSR and Sustainability functions.

According to the statement, the GMD/CEO of FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya would participate in a C-Suite Panel discussion themed “Embedding Sustainability Practices: Perspectives from Forward Looking Companies”.

Other global leaders who would participate at the conference include Professor David Grayson of Cranfield University, Mr. Paul Gurney, Director, Sustainability Services, Accenture Africa, and many more global thought leaders who would be sharing insights on many prominent and enduring businesses that have embraced the practice of sustainability and how local businesses can take the lead in promoting sustainable businesses.

Business | Financial Market News

42

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

27-Oct-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 563.89 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 371.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 130.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,640.58

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.49 1.80 2.50 2.75 2.84 3.59 4.67 4.99 7.25 9.38 14.09 14.57 15.07 15.74 19.72

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

10.88 12.45 12.54 12.62 12.63 12.68 12.69 12.75 12.64 12.62 12.71 12.72 12.73 12.68 12.74

10.55 12.35 12.47 12.56 12.56 12.57 12.61 12.65 12.58 12.57 12.67 12.67 12.67 12.62 12.69

96.80 100.90 105.35 93.68 92.33 94.41 111.35 79.26 117.40 108.50 114.81 98.47 71.94 81.90 95.75

96.95 101.05 105.50 93.83 92.48 94.71 111.65 79.56 117.70 108.80 115.11 98.77 72.24 82.20 96.05

#

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.01 0.57 1.31 2.12 2.48 2.69

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.92 13.60 14.19 14.56 13.61 13.62

99.87 92.70 103.69 100.74 98.48 95.74

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,301.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,294.61

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.84

4.44

15.77

97.46

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.68

3.23

14.34

99.57

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.97

4.46

15.95

98.59

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.97

3.48

14.98

101.02

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.48

5.59

18.20

84.20

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.52

1.00

13.17

101.11

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.18

1.79

14.44

98.85

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.35

1.80

14.39

99.37

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.94

1.00

13.70

100.86

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.35

1.00

13.59

101.97

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.35

4.78

17.37

93.81

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.73

1.00

13.62

101.95

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.99

1.00

13.64

104.41

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.07

1.00

13.74

102.67

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.96

2.74

15.38

98.63

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.51

1.00

13.67

102.87

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.09

1.00

13.71

99.14

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.18

1.94

14.64

101.36

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.66

1.44

14.12

101.16

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.69

1.95

14.63

101.14

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

471.18 464.19

Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto Nil

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.14

5.21

16.25

99.51

µ

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.18

8.71

19.79

99.34

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.56

4.88

15.83

97.41

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.64

1.00

12.05

100.43

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.72

2.63

13.79

100.84

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.92

1.00

13.49

99.17

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.00

1.34

13.88

100.62

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.93

1.00

13.63

98.48

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.74

1.88

14.22

106.98

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.95

3.48

15.99

100.14

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.12

5.20

17.76

100.68

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.12

5.06

17.62

101.81

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.90

1.35

14.05

99.82

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.23

2.29

14.87

101.63

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.31

6.11

18.70

97.29

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.18

2.16

14.81

102.93

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.05

2.76

15.47

99.14

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

N/A

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.93

1.00

13.64

86.94

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.93

1.00

13.64

97.91

11-Feb-18

3.29

1.00

13.66

91.03

Bid Price

Offer Price

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

143.49

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.00 10.92

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

5.23

5.07

108.01

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

108.88

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.34

4.09

102.66

103.53

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.55

5.43

105.59

106.47

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,581.33

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.64

8.64

103.30

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.11

4.11

105.04

105.04 101.72

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.55

6.55

101.72

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.81

8.55

94.25

95.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.35

5.89

98.76

100.38

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.68

9.68

102.00

102.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.51

6.51

99.00

99.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.26

8.87

98.14

99.53

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.67

7.67

101.63

101.63

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

7.50

7.50

95.75

95.75

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

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

9.32

9.12

99.75

100.75

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

7.98

7.98

99.00

99.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.42

8.22

100.56

101.60

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,766.61

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

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15

Bid Discount (%) 10.60 10.65 10.25 10.65 10.55 10.75 10.80 10.75

Offer Discount (%) 10.35 10.40 10.00 10.40 10.30 10.50 10.55 10.50

Bid Yield (%) 10.63 10.70 10.32 10.75 10.67 10.89 10.99 10.96

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.7100 12.5670 13.2579 14.2501

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

O/N

10.71

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.50 12.13

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

164.90 165.21 165.40 166.03 167.22 168.34

165.00 165.37 165.71 166.63 168.29 169.96

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,294.61

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.84

4.44

15.77

97.46

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.68

3.23

14.34

99.57

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.97

4.46

15.95

98.59

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.97

3.48

14.98

101.02

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.48

5.59

18.20

84.20

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.52

1.00

13.17

101.11

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.18

1.79

14.44

98.85

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.35

1.80

14.39

99.37

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014 A+/Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA

Business | Financial Market News

43

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.94

1.00

13.70

100.86

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.35

1.00

13.59

101.97

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.35

4.78

17.37

93.81

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.73

1.00

13.62

101.95

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.99

1.00

13.64

104.41

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.07

1.00

13.74

102.67

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.96

2.74

15.38

98.63

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.51

1.00

13.67

102.87

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.09

1.00

13.71

99.14

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.31

6.11

18.70

97.29

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.18

2.16

14.81

102.93

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.05

2.76

15.47

99.14

30-Sep-14

N/A

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.93

1.00

13.64

86.94

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.93

1.00

13.64

97.91

VAT exemption on capital market fees begins –NSE Exchange is pleased to transactions have com31-Dec-13 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 exmenced, the Nigerian 31-Dec-13 A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 learn that the VAT 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWAStock Exchange 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 Federal Government (NSE) emption is now effective on all commissions apsaid yesterday.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE moves to reduce the plicable to capital market TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION This is in line with the cost of transactions transactions. These are measures announced by Corporate Bonds commissions: earned on the Coordinating Minisfor investors 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 18-Dec-09 Aa/Agusto GTB µ traded values of shares, ter of the Economy and 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10 NGC Nil 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 and payable to the SeHonourable Minister 17-Aug-10 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC 12.00(CME) FLOURMILLSDr. 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS of Finance curities and Exchange 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Commission (SEC), The 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO on December 3, 2012, to Nigerian Stock Exchange Stories by Chris Ugwu 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH resuscitate13.00 theUBA Nigerian (NSE) and the Central Se30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA Capital Market. alue Added Tax curities Clearing System 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 (CSCS).

09-Apr-11 BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCRexemp(VAT) In a statement made *DANA# MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 “The exemption 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR New Teletion of all *TOWER com-## available to is TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER missions appligraph, theMPR+5.25 capital mareffective for a period of 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA cable to capital market ket regulator said: “The five years according to 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13

RESSURECTION A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

V

KOGI

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

Oando raises shareholders’ value with N2.4bn dividend

S

rose 103 per cent from TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Oando Plc at the N6.156 billion to N12.452 37th Annual Gen- billion, while profit after Supranational Bond tax grew by10.20 110 cent eral Meeting (AGM) IFCper 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFCapproved the company’s to hit N8.9 billion, comTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE N2.4 billion dividend.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATIONpared with N4.271 billion.

The Board of Oando Chairman of the comrecommended 30 kobo pany , Oba Michael GbadeDescription Rating/Agency Issuer dividend for the 2013 fi- bo while highlighting on FGN Eurobonds nancial year and an in- the impact of Oando’s terim 70 kobo dividend $1.5 billion acquisition6.75 ofJAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P for the six months ended ConocoPhillips Nigeria, BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 June 30, 2014, which which has transformed BB-/S&P amounted to N2.4 billion the company into NigeBB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P at N1 per share. ria’s largest indigenous TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The shareholders, who oil and gas producer, aslauded company for sured shareholders of TOTALthe MARKET CAPITALISATION the dividend payout, said further improvements Corporate Eurobonds they were appreciative of in the company’s perfor11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B-/S&P theB/Fitch; efforts, which the AFREN com-PLC Imance.

7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I pany put in place to drive He noted that the ACCESS BANK PLC acquisition is set to 7.25 in-JUL 25, 2017 theB+/S&P company for increased 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC return on investment. crease daily oil produc6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC Oando reported a tion exponentially 10.25 byAPR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II 600 per cent equivalent gross profit of N50.5 bil6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC to PLC 45,000 boe/d, annual lion forB/S&P H1 2014, showing 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; DIAMOND BANK anB-/Fitch; increase centBANK revenue of over US$600 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B/S&P of 68 perFIRST PLC 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 from N30.233 billion inPLC IIImillion, and annual free B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II flows of 9.25/6M theB-/Fitch; corresponding year, cash $150 USD mil8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P LTD 2013.

Profit beforeFIRST taxBANK lion.

S

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

terling Bank Plc has 144.16 margin rose from 9.24 per recorded 41 per cent 143.49 cent in third quarter 2013 to growth in pre-tax profit 11.6 per cent in September for the third quarter 2014, underlying 11-Feb-13 10.20 ended 12.00 11-Feb-18 the improv3.29 ing profitability of the bank.

September, 30 2014.

12.00 Interim report and ac- 10.92 Commenting on the recounts of the lender for the sults, managing director, Outstanding ValueAdeola, said the perYemi third quarter showed that Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) while gross earnings grew ($mm) formance of the bank was by 12.1 per cent, net interest driven by increasing brand income rose by 32.86.75 per cent. 500.00 acceptability as shown in its 07-Oct-11 28-Jan-21 5.23 This further grew into 41.3 growing revenues and reduc12-Jul-13 5.13 cent in 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.34 per cent and 39.2 per tion in impairment charges.

According to him, as part pre and post tax profits re12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.55 spectively. of the initiatives to support The bank’s gross earn- 1,500.00 its retail banking proposition, ings stood at N73.01 billion 1,581.33 the lender has re- aligned its as against N65.12 billion re- business by market segments corded in comparable period for a more focused market 01-Feb-11 11.50 8.64 of 2013.

Net interest income 450.00 reach while01-Feb-16 it has continued 7.50 4.11 rose19-May-11 from N24.22 billion in 500.00 to increase19-May-16 its transaction 25-Jul-17 6.55 third25-Jul-12 quarter 20137.25to N32.1 350.00 channels and it is on track to 09-May-13 6.88 02-May-18 8.81 deliver additional 21 branchbillion in third quarter 2014. 300.00 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.35 es and 500 08-Apr-19 Automated Teller Profit before tax firmed up 300.00 08-Apr-12 10.25 9.68 Machines (ATMs) by the end to N8.50 billion in 2014 as 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.51 of the year. against N6.02 billion in 2013.

21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 9.26 After taxes, net profit rose 300.00 “We plan to conclude 07-Aug-13 8.25 07-Aug-20 7.67 from09-Dec-13 N5.07 billion6.63to N7.06 360.00 the ongoing private place09-Dec-20 7.50 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 billion. ment before the end of9.32the 23-Jul-14 8.00 profit 450.00 year. This 23-Jul-21 will put us 7.98 in a The bank’s pre-tax 14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.42

strong competitive position to achieve our growth plans in coming quarters. In the meantime, we remain focused 1.00 13.66 91.03 on efficiency and are optimistic that the full year returns will be in line with our earlier Management guidance,” AdeOffer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ola assured.

Prices & Yieldsthat the 41 per He noted cent growth in profit108.88 before 5.07 108.01 tax despite pressures on earn4.09 arising 102.66 103.53 ings from monetary policy changes was driven by 5.43 105.59 106.47 improvements in revenues and a 30 per cent reduction in impairment charges.

According to him, interest income increased by 15 8.64 103.30 103.30 per cent, while interest ex4.11 105.04 105.04 pense declined by three per 6.55 101.72 cent, resulting in a 101.72 32 per 8.55 94.25 95.00 cent growth in net interest 5.89 98.76 100.38 income.

The bank recorded 9.68 102.00 102.00 a 20 per cent growth in total 6.51 99.00 99.00 assets to N847 billion and 8.87 98.14 99.53 a 19 per 7.67cent growth 101.63 in deposits 101.63 to N679 with a 100 basis 7.50 billion95.75 95.75 9.12 99.75 points reduction in 100.75 cost of 7.98 funds to 4.9 99.00 per cent. 99.00 8.22

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

transformation agenda. 1.94 vestments in the Nige31-Dec-20 6.18 14.64 101.36 According to3.66 Onyema, 1.44 rian Capital Market.

31-Dec-20 14.12 101.16 06-Jan-21 3.69 14.63 101.14that investments should not 1.95 Onyema noted be categorised as con- the stamp duty waiver, sumer goods purchases, which was also anbut as a platform to pro- nounced in 2012 by the is yet99.51 to be mote a long-term sav- 5.21 Minister, 18-Dec-14 0.14 16.25 ings culture that 31-Dec-14 0.18 could 8.71 implemented.

19.79 99.34 be17-Aug-15 channeled 0.56 towards 4.88 He expressed confi15.83 97.41 09-Dec-15 0.64 12.05 100.43 economic growth and 1.00 dence that the Federal 06-Jan-16 0.72 2.63 13.79 100.84 Government will expedevelopment.

29-Sep-16 1.92 1.00 13.49 99.17 He added that the dite the implementation 25-Oct-16 2.00 1.34 13.88 100.62 elimination of2.93VAT on 1.00 process13.63 in the interest 30-Sep-17 98.48 stock market transacof investors in the Ni30-Nov-17 1.74 1.88 14.22 106.98 09-Apr-18 1.95 3.48 gerian 15.99 100.14 tion fees will ultimately Capital Market, 09-Sep-18the cost2.12 100.68 reduce of trans- 5.20 which 17.76 is an important 09-Sep-18 2.12 5.06 actions for investors, engine 17.62 of growth101.81 for the 22-Sep-18 3.90 1.35 14.05 99.82 and will encourage inNigerian economy .

2.29 14.87 101.63 18-Oct-18 2.23

Sterling Bank reports 41% pre-tax profit growth

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE hareholders of

B-/S&P

the Federal Government 15.00 5.00 gazette 14.50on the issue.”

4.78 15.00 4.79 NSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr.471.18 Oscar Onyema, applauded 464.19the Federal Government for implementing the13.17 elimi13.50 nation stock 17.00of VAT on2.00 market 10.00transaction 3.61fees.

He12.00 stated that 13.62 this is 14.00 0.60 one of the measures an13.00 15.00 nounced by the Finance 14.25 5.53 Minster in December 13.00 20.00 2012,18.00 adding that0.73it is 16.00 6.30that a demonstration 18.00 2.90 is a the capital market 16.00 0.80 key component of the 14.00 35.00 Federal Government’s 15.75 2.40

100.56

101.60

27-Oct-14

4,766.61

The FMDQ Bills 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 Money Market **Treasury FIXINGS Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) the FMDQ DTM OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement Maturity Bid Discounton (%)www.fmdqotc.com.

Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) FGN

10 17 Bonds 24 31 38 Rating/Agency 45 59 66 73 80 87 94 101 108 115 NA 122 129 136 150 164 178 192 283 311

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 Issuer 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 NA 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 9-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 7-May-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15

10.60 10.65 10.25 10.65 10.55 Description 10.75 10.80 4.00 23-APR-2015 10.75 10.70 13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.75 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.75 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.15 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.85 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.30 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.00 16.39 27-JAN-2022 10.90 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.90 15.00 28-NOV-2028 11.00 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.85 10.30 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.40 10.00 23-JUL-2030 10.65 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 10.55

10.35 10.40 10.00 10.40 10.30 Issue Date 10.50 10.55 23-Apr-10 10.50 10.45 16-Aug-13 10.50 27-Apr-12 9.50 27-Jul-07 10.45 31-Aug-07 9.90 30-May-08 10.60 29-Jun-12 10.05 23-Oct-09 10.75 27-Jan-12 10.65 14-Mar-14 10.65 28-Nov-08 10.75 22-May-09 10.60 10.05 20-Nov-09 10.15 23-Jul-10 10.40 18-Jul-14 10.30

10.63 10.70 10.32 10.75 10.67 Coupon 10.89 (%) 10.99 4.00 10.96 10.93 13.05 11.01 15.10 9.98 9.85 11.00 9.35 10.44 10.70 11.21 16.00 10.65 7.00 11.42 16.39 11.34 14.20 11.36 15.00 11.52 12.49 11.41 10.84 8.50 11.00 10.00 11.61 12.1493 11.59

*from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION #

Issuer

Description

AMCON

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Porfolio Market Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 1,016.68 0.00/16.50 LCRM1,045.98 III 06-JUL-2017

Issue Date

Agency Bonds

NA

FMBN Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM

<3

3<5

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Value Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

535.00 23-Apr-15 563.89 16-Aug-16 NITTY 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 10.7568 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 11.0890 300.00 30-May-18 3M 11.0950 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 11.1808 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 11.5208 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 11.5720 371.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N)130.00 164.5375 18-Jul-34

OFFER ($/N)

4,675.13

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX978.35 0.00

10.50

O/N

10.71

REPO TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield Tenor Rate (%) (%) Call 0.49 1M 3M 1.80 6M 2.50

10.50 10.88 12.13 13.14 12.45 14.02 12.54

Tenor Spot 7D 14DYield Offer 1M (%) 2M 10.55 3M 6M 12.35 1Y 12.47

2.75 12.62 12.56 2.84 12.63 12.56 3.59 12.68 12.57 :Benchmarks 4.67 12.69 12.61 * :Amortising Bond 4.99 12.75 12.65 µ :Convertible Bond 7.25 Management Corporation 12.64 12.58 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.38Government of 12.62 12.57 FGN: Federal Nigeria 14.09 Mortgage Bank 12.71 12.67 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.57 Finance Corporation 12.72 12.67 IFC: International LCRM: Local Management 15.07Contractors Receivables 12.73 12.67 NAHCO: Nigerian 15.74 Aviation Handling 12.68 Company 12.62 O/N: Overnight 19.72 12.74 12.69 NOTE:

UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

164.90 Price 165.00 165.21 165.37 165.40 165.71 Bid Price Offer Price 166.03 166.63 167.22 168.29 96.80 96.95 168.34 169.96 172.06 175.48 100.90 101.05 179.52 187.50 105.35 105.50

93.68 93.83 92.33 92.48 94.41 94.71 NA :Not Applicable 111.35 111.65 # :Floating Rate Bond 79.26 79.56 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 117.40 117.70 †: Bond108.50 rating expired 108.80 114.81 115.11 N/A :Not Available 98.47 98.77 71.94 72.24 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 81.90 82.20 UBA: United 95.75 Bank for Africa 96.05

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 % Exposure_ Mod_Duration 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-1714.65

0.01 0.57 1.31 Implied Yield 2.12 2.48 12.50 2.69

0.36

55.21

12.67

103.0339

1,204.65

20.4647

100.00

12.64

117.6729

1,123.67

12.3673

951.30

1,093.25

31.08

35.71

34.74

32.10

Market

3,153.80

3,061.23

100.00

100.00

1,301.320.31

1,294.611.00

30.14

12.66

133.4596

11.92 13.60 14.19 INDEX 14.56 13.61 1,126.87 13.62

Indicative Price

24.56 3.00 Bucket Weighting 112.22 116.70 66.49 0.33

1,095.57

1.00 2.63 2.27 Implied Portfolio Price 2.00 1.00 118.6429 1.00

Valuation Yield (%)

0.00 17.25by Mkt Weighting Value 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.5033.17

1,012.24

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

164.6375

OBB

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12by Weighting Outstanding 09-Dec-11Vol 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-1233.21

>5

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Rate (%) 10.7100 12.5670 13.2579 Maturity 14.2501Date

4,640.58

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

Rating/Agency

NIBOR

Bonds

1,130.08

99.87 92.70 YTD103.69 Return (%) 100.74 98.48 12.6866 95.74

13.0085

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.84

4.44

15.77

97.46

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.68

3.23

14.34

99.57

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.97

4.46

15.95

98.59

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.97

3.48

14.98

101.02

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.48

5.59

18.20

84.20

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.52

1.00

13.17

101.11

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.18

1.79

14.44

98.85

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.35

1.80

14.39

99.37

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.94

1.00

13.70

100.86

Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014

Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018

44

Business | Capital Market

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018

Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at October 27, 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

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 30 17 48

Current Price 0.50 31.35 30.45

Quantity Traded 134,676 488,225 782,897 1,405,798

Value Traded 67,338.00 15,352,070.90 23,839,670.05 39,259,078.95

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 47 47

Current Price 3.00

Quantity Traded 1,359,388 1,359,388

Value Traded 3,907,487.29 3,907,487.29

2,765,186

43,166,566.24

Quantity Traded 16,387 41,178,328 2,320,484 43,515,199

Value Traded 24,488.24 203,760,916.48 123,610,982.46 327,396,387.18

43,515,199

327,396,387.18

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 CONGLOMERATES Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 Diversified Industries

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

95 Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 3 246 71 (Equities) 320

CONGLOMERATES Totals

320

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

Current Price 1.45 4.89 54.00

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.91

Quantity Traded Page 110,100 110,100

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 67.20

Quantity Traded 12,524 12,524

Value Traded 759,899.60 759,899.60

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 14.00

Quantity Traded 160,692 160,692

Value Traded 2,154,169.30 2,154,169.30

283,316

3,014,823.42

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Published byBeverages--Non-Alcoholic The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

45 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 140,771 140,771

Value Traded 70,385.50 70,385.50

Symbol No. of Deals CHAMPION 2 GUINNESS 53 INTBREW 18 Daily Summary (Equities) 102 NB PREMBREW 2 177

Current Price 14.94 176.50 31.60 167.00 3.98

Quantity Traded 4,830 878,356 185,121 1,931,793 1,000 3,001,100

Value Traded 68,586.00 155,016,133.43 5,737,331.62 325,128,860.71 3,790.00 485,954,701.76

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 179.55

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 9 35 48 39 29 160

Current Price 6.55 7.51 61.40 3.85 8.67

Quantity Traded 20,990 761,182 212,116 1,668,017 391,392 3,053,697

Value Traded 130,767.70 5,731,445.97 12,349,709.99 6,478,593.09 3,416,704.54 28,107,221.29

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 38 75 113

Current Price 49.89 981.00

Quantity Traded 100,444 378,280 478,724

Value Traded 4,761,546.60 370,844,755.97 375,606,302.57

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 25 5 30

Current Price 4.40 1.29

Quantity Traded 3,288,351 140,000 3,428,351

Value Traded 14,429,870.50 180,600.00 14,610,470.50

No. of Deals

Current Price 27.80 40.00

Quantity Traded 1,207,935 249,171 1,457,106

Value Traded 33,158,458.34 9,496,878.10 42,655,336.44

VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Totals Activity SummaryProducts on Board EQTY

Symbol Daily PZ UNILEVER

Summary (Equities) 73 46 119

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

3

631

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Symbol ACCESS BANK PLC. ACCESS DIAMOND BANK PLC DIAMONDBNK ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED ETI FIDELITY BANK PLC FIDELITYBK GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. GUARANTY SKYE BANK PLC SKYEBANK STERLING BANK PLC. STERLNBANK UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UBA Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UBN Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 UNITY BANK PLC UNITYBNK WEMA BANK PLC. WEMABANK ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC ZENITHBANK Daily Summary (Equities) Banking Totals

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Activity Summary onSystems Board EQTY ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

of

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC Published by BERGER The Nigerian StockPLC Exchange © PAINTS CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Daily Summary as of PLC. 27/10/2014 DN MEYER Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

12

11,709,563

Quantity Traded

No. of Deals 28 5 1 1 1 5 1 5 1 8 6 10 1 9 1 1 1 2 1 1 (Equities) 58 147

Current Price 0.80 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.98 0.54 0.76 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.66

Quantity Traded 1,521,001 1,012,500 25,000 11,000 14,254,935 34,327 1,000 48,500 30 3,012,222 1,040,537 353,500 31,944 1,467,877 500 1,000 500 151,000 20,000 10,000,000 1,756,365 34,743,738

Value Traded 1,217,611.01 961,875.00 12,500.00 5,500.00 7,127,467.50 17,372.04 500.00 Page 24,250.00 15.00 8,976,159.34 561,909.98 271,410.00 15,972.00 739,298.58 250.00 500.00 250.00 75,500.00 10,000.00 5,000,000.00 1,167,744.85 26,186,085.30

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 0.98

Page Quantity Traded 382,741 382,741

5Value Traded of 12

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS INFINITY

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 1.30 0.50 1.45

Quantity Traded 5,000 2,000 30 7,030

Value Traded 6,500.00 1,000.00 45.60 7,545.60

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB NESF ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 52 31 436 64 1 7 30 90 711

Current Price 3.10 3.82 12.34 4.06 552.20 0.53 30.50 1.90

Quantity Traded 817,895 1,797,577 12,474,193 2,821,861 200 799,654 10,514,013 4,271,961 33,497,354

Value Traded 2,546,491.23 7,088,691.21 153,623,284.97 11,284,935.14 104,918.00 423,812.14 320,821,906.43 8,385,162.32 504,279,201.44

168,690,127

1,772,932,337.01

Quantity Traded 850

Value Traded 3,009.00

FINANCIAL SERVICES

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,440 Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 3.72

Page

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Quantity Traded 252,570 583,601 11,741 1,389,587 223,000 20 2,460,519

Value Traded 489,513.29 1,926,027.60 614,469.75 2,596,255.69 238,660.00 49.80 5,864,976.13

2,461,369

5,867,985.13

Daily Summary (Equities)

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

73

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.55

Quantity Traded 117,000 117,000

Value Traded 64,550.00 64,550.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 237,000 237,000

Value Traded 118,500.00 118,500.00

354,000

183,050.00

4 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 38 20 28 36 40 3 1 6 88 260

Current Price 32.08 8.00 41.00 14.49 215.00 1.00 1.60 5.01 115.00

7 7

1.67

Daily Summary (Equities) No. of Deals Current Price

Symbol CUTIX

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

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 2

Symbol MULTIVERSE

Hotels/Lodging

SERVICES

of

Current Price 0.50

12

Value Traded 58,920.00 58,920.00

2,876,662

184,621,451.31

Quantity Traded 100,000 100,000

Value Traded 50,000.00 50,000.00

100,000

50,000.00

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,549,312 2,549,312

Value Traded 1,274,656.00 1,274,656.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 214 214

Current Price 23.52

Quantity Traded 2,122,239 2,122,239

Value Traded 50,100,917.22 50,100,917.22

Symbol CONOIL

No. of Deals 14 24 99 37

Current Price 49.23 3.78 218.70 161.50

Quantity Traded 18,500 424,650 351,127 465,460

Value Traded 865,830.20 1,574,902.50 76,489,263.35 75,997,635.46

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 16 190

Current Price 166.00

Quantity Traded 547,443 1,807,180

Value Traded 92,312,123.00 247,239,754.51

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 545.30

Quantity Traded 471,113 471,113

Value Traded 256,906,092.52 256,906,092.52

6,949,844

555,521,420.25

Daily Summary (Equities) ETERNA FO MOBIL

Page

447 Current Price 0.88

Quantity Traded 640,525 640,525

Value Traded 560,044.25 560,044.25

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 6 3 9

Current Price 4.15 1.29

Quantity Traded 34,350 5,200 39,550

Value Traded 142,399.50 6,396.00 148,795.50

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Value Traded 1,500.00 1,500.00

No. of Deals 14

Current Price 3.11

Quantity Traded 644,412

Value Traded 2,004,201.32

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 14

Current Price

Quantity Traded 644,412

Value Traded Page 2,004,201.32

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,550 6,550

Value Traded 3,275.00 3,275.00

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

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 9 7 16

Current Price 1.50 4.14

Quantity Traded 152,037 8,650 160,687

Value Traded 219,505.50 33,504.00 253,009.50

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.66

Quantity Traded 197,776 197,776

Value Traded 131,358.16 131,358.16

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 8 25 33

Current Price 1.83 4.86

Quantity Traded 21,000 205,606 226,606

Value Traded 37,476.00 1,005,706.81 1,043,182.81

Symbol

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 4.21

Quantity Traded 67,290 67,290

Value Traded 290,140.00 290,140.00

Transport-Related Services Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

CAVERTON Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Totals

109

1,986,396

4,435,506.54

EQTY Board Totals

4,434

241,691,662

3,871,091,962.99

Equity Activity Totals

4,434

241,691,662

3,871,091,962.99

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

11

of

12

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1,961.00 17.42

Quantity Traded 8 755 763

Value Traded 15,688.00 13,249.60 28,937.60

ETF Board Totals

3

763

28,937.60

ETP Activity Totals

3

763

28,937.60

12

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

of

No. of Deals 10 10

Symbol

Hotels/Lodging Totals

9

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Daily Summary (Equities)

IKEJA HOTEL PLCEQTY Activity Summary on Board Hotels/Lodging Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

8

Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018

of

Current Price 20.00

No. of Deals 1 1

12

Value Traded 722,158.10 722,158.10

1

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014

4

Quantity Traded 432,430 432,430

Value Traded 15,871,581.35 72,011,075.41 of 5,261,914.03 3,598,852.44 48,149,785.08 108,100.00 31.00 200,088.00 108,638,945.90 183,840,373.21

269

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors 973,902,435.91 CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. Value Traded Activity Summary Board EQTY MOBIL OIL NIG on PLC. 124,974,293.81 AND GAS Stock Exchange © Published OIL

by The Nigerian 40,146,569.31 210,821,805.28 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors 16,400,552.23 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 331,695,391.04 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals 12

Quantity Traded 492,556 251,190Page 128,096 255,972 225,148 108,000 20 38,800 941,450 2,441,232

Page

PublishedINDUSTRIAL

by The NigerianGOODS Stock Exchange ©

17,768,454.62 Exploration and Production 17,308,984.72 SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD 43,043,274.13 Exploration and Production Totals 7,575,734.25 1,428,740.50 OIL AND GAS Totals 2,005,050.89 SERVICES 428,912,011.71 1,242,080,862.49 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Value Traded Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

378,642.18 378,642.18

6

No. of Deals Current Price 15 2.04 13 3.32 11 54.00 21 1.87 11 1.07 1 2.49 72

Integrated Oil and Gas Services Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 OANDO PLC Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Current Price

Published by The Nigerian Stock Micro-Finance BanksExchange ©

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

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

No. of Deals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 3,009.00

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Quantity Traded 14,680,845 6,698,669 11,399,716 8,418,259 12,184,170 6,584,284 7,415,818 7,672,107 850,313 2,857,481 2,134,473 19,163,129 100,059,264

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS Daily Summary as of 27/10/2014 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS Printed 27/10/2014 15:44:18.018 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE Daily Summary WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Quantity Traded 850

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Current Price 8.51 5.99 18.50 1.95 27.25 2.66 2.34 5.55 8.83 0.50 0.94 22.75

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 1

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 147 119 122 80 332 100 62 169 50 13 33 341 1,568

Activity Summary on Board EQTY and Services Insurance Carriers, Brokers

Symbol

ICT Totals

2 of 12 Value Traded 26,898,017.85 26,898,017.85

Page

Published byCONSUMER The Nigerian Stock Exchange © GOODS

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers Healthcare Providers Totals

1Value Traded of 12 100,754.52 100,754.52

Page Quantity Traded 149,814 149,814

Daily Summary asDurables of 27/10/2014 Household Printed 27/10/2014 VITAFOAM15:44:18.018 NIG PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page

12

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12

10

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12

12

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

45

Features New haven for oil thieves Although Nigeria loses billions of naira annually to oil theft, some jobless youths have taken oil pipeline vandalism as occupation, writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

M

ajidun community in Ikorodu Local Gover nment Area of Lagos State is fast becoming a safe haven for illegal oil bunkering activities and oil thieves.

Other communities like Arepo, Ogolonto and Makoko in the same local government area are also known for illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

Oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism have become a national stigma particularly in the creeks of the Niger-Delta where oil thieves have undertaken the crime as a full-time occupation.

Between 100,000 barrels and 250,000 barrels are daily lost to oil thieves otherwise called “bunkerers,” according to GuageForum.

According to International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) output has been hit by unrest in Libya, sanctions on Iran and oil theft in Nigeria.

Royal Dutch Shell said in March that Nigeria was losing over $1 billion monthly to the activities of oil thieves. The oil major said the monthly $1 billion figure was estimated and added that the country might be losing more.

In a recent raid by officers and men of the Nigerian Navy on Majidun, notorious for illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Apapa, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade, said that the Federal Government had lost a lot of revenue to illegal oil bunkering in Ikorodu, Lagos.

At Majidun, during the military operation, there were several jerrycans loaded with fuel still inside the water yet to be loaded into hired trucks. Some empty jerrycans tied to wooden boats were floating while others were covered with leafs.

Alade said that huge damage had been done to various strategic installations in the country which, according to him, require substantial amount of money to repair.

He said: “These illegal activities have not only led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the Federal

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

A Naval officer guarding some of the seized kegs of stolen fuel

Government, pipeline vandalism particularly has led to the pollution of the maritime environment which has also led to serious fire disasters resulting in loss of several lives and properties.”

In carrying out their operations, he said the perpetrators used selfpropelled barges, wooden boats and flat bottom boats to ferry the petroleum products to their various destinations.

He added that they were usually armed to attack anyone who attempted to interfere with their operation.

Alade said the operation was initiated by the Nigerian Navy and supported by the Nigerian Army which had recorded successes as some arrests had been made.

In the operation codenamed: “Operation Scatter,” over 2,000 jerrycans of refined petroleum loaded at the Naval Base, Apapa, were handed over to the Area Manager, Monsimi Depot, Eluyefa Remi, by the NNS Beecroft, Commodore Daniel Ikoli.

Alade, who said that they were acting on the directive of the Naval Headquarters, disclosed that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, had ordered zero tolerance to illegal marine activities.

He assured the populace that those arrested would be handed over to the appropriate authorities and would be prosecuted.

Alade, however, appealed to the residents of Majidun to bear with them.

He said: “Whatever we are doing is in the people’s interest. Not only that, it is actually in the interest of the economic survival of Nigeria. So

they should bear with us.

“We are not brutalising anyone.

The only problem I can see here is the issue of traffic, that comes about because of our deployment and once it is over, the road will be free. We are going to be here so long as the operation lasts.”

Some of the youths of Majidun, were not happy with the operation because many of them benefited directly or indirectly from the illegal activities.

They are involved in the bunkering or providing hideouts for fuel laden jerrycans. Sometimes, they ferry the stolen crude for vandals

These illegal activities have not only led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the Federal Government, pipeline vandalism particularly has led to the pollution of the maritime environment which has also led to serious fire disasters resulting in loss of several lives and properties

while others also benefit from the sales.

“The presence of Navy in our area has ‘put us out of business.’ They are hindering us from moving freely and going to work. Many check-points have slowed down movement of vehicles thereby causing gridlock,” a young man, who craved anonymity, said.

Another resident, who identified herself simply as Munyioluwa, said: “About 3am yesterday, some naval officers came to our area armed with guns. They proceeded to the water bank and arrested ‘bunkerers’.

“They went ahead to stop every other movement. At 4am, my husband wanted to go to work; they did not allow him to go.”

Another resident, Towoshe Gbola, said the activities of ‘bunkerers’ in the area had been on for over two years.

He said: “The action of the Navy was surprise intervention. The police and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) tried to wad them off in the past, but they came back.

“I do my business here but we cannot open our shops because the officers are monitoring us.”

Another person, who did not want his name to be mentioned, said the naval personnel had arrested many ‘bunkerers’ and some of them were Majidun youths.

“The operation is very serious.

They have arrested the ‘bunkerers’ who were taken unawares.

Some of them are youths from this area,” he said.

46

FEATURES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abule-Egba residents and the challenge of failed road Although they live on the fringe of Lagos metropolis, the residents of AbuleEgba daily face the challenge on commuting between their homes and their places of work or businesses, writes TEMITOPE SOBOWALE

O

ne of the ingredients of social and economic prosperity is the road infrastructure. Without goad road, real economic growth will suffer.

But bad road has been the lot of the residents of many areas in Abule Egba on the outskirts of Lagos metropolis.

Worse hit are Adepegba and Agbe roads. Whenever it rains, movement in and out of the area have always been nightmarish. Some car owners have to park their vehicles at home, any day they are lucky to be home when it rains. If caught outside, getting home becomes a Herculean task.

At such times, the residents are at the mercy of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called “okada” riders, who usually take advantage of the rain to double their fares.

But the okada riders also said they found it difficult to operate in the area, particularly during the rain.

“I wash my car twice or thrice a week at the carwash. Also, the money I spend to repair the car, because of the deplorable state of the Agbe Road, is become unbearable. I could have

A bad section of Agbe Road

spent that money on something more worthwhile,” said a resident who gave his name as Tope Akinjolu.

Some other residents blame the state of the road on the contractor, who they accused of abandoning the road.

One of the chairmen of the landlords’ associations, who craved anonymity, said that the people in the area had tried their best to ensure early completion of the road.

The chairman added that the poor state of roads in the area had given armed robbers the opportunity to operate with impunity.

He said: “If the road is good, police will be able to go after the robbers. But

as it is now, it will be hard for them catch the robbers.”

Another resident, who gave his name simply as Mr Segun, said that he had not for once enjoyed driving on a good road in the area for the whole of 15 years he had been living at Abule Egba.

He said: “My car is always having one fault or the other due to the bad road since I moved here with my family. Adepegba Road is terrible.”

Also, a commercial motorcyclist, Musa Usman, told our correspondent he could not count how many times he had been to the mechanic in the last one month.

He said: “I am tired of going to the mechanic owing to the bad road. I am appealing to the state government to come to our aid and help us out.”

The residents also implored the counsellor and lawmaker representing the area as well as the chairman of IjaiyeOjokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to come to the aid.

Our correspondent could not reach the LCDA Chairman, Mr Benjamin Olabinjo, although she went to the council secretariat four times.

During one of the visits, the LCDA Information Officer, Mr Victor Fanika, said that he was not authorised to speak with journalists on such issue.

Enugu-Port Harcourt Road: Motorists’ nightmare Driving on the EnuguPort Harcourt Road has become an unpleasant experience, writes ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

I

t has become a nightmarish experience driving on most roads in the South-East and South-South, especially on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway.

Many motorists have sad tales to tell of their experience while plying the ‘pit-of-hell’.

Apart from Okigwe and Umuahia, Umuahia and Isiala Ngwa South, and Aba/Imo River Bridge at the boundary with Abia and Rivers State where the highway has failed, it is dreadful travelling on the road, particularly at Umuebulu Junction near Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State.

The Federal Government had in 2012 said it had awarded contract for the modernisation of the road.

On October 8, a truck carrying tomatoes and pepper fell on

the road.

The bumper of a Volkswagen Passat wagon with registration number LND 568 CD was damaged by potholes at a failed section at the Umuebulu Junction.

These are infinitesimal tales of woes by motorists compared to the number of vehicles that are damaged on the failed sections of the highway daily, which is a

A crashed truck on the road

very important road in the area.

The road used to boost the economy of the area as individuals and organisations used it to convey their goods and services from one place to the other.

One bystander, who craved anonymity, said the condition of the road was unimaginable.

He said: “It is appalling that this road remains like this con-

sidering the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan is from the region where the road is situated.”

Many wondered if the people of South-South and South-East would vote for the President in 2015 owing to his failure to fulfil a promise made in 2011 that he would rebuild the road if voted into power.

Another vehicle which fell at Umuebulu Junction

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 28, 2014

News 47

south - south

C/River PDP crisis deepens as Ndoma-Egba stays away flawed

It is a hard road to travel in Calabar, different reasons against selection process Clement James Calabar

S

enate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, has described the process adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State to select a governorship candidate as constitutionally flawed and has therefore, distanced himself from it.

The leadership of the party reportedly pruned

the number of governorship aspirants to five.

They are the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Mike Aniah; former Executive Secretary, National Planning Commission, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, former Commissioner for Works, Legor Idagbor; former Minister of Environment, John Odey and the senator representing the northern senatorial district, Senator Ben Ayade.

Speaking to journalists in Calabar yesterday, Ndoma-Egba said he has petitioned the leadership of the party and was confident that the right thing would be done.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has been taken to court

over the use of caucuses to screen governorship aspirants in the party.

In suit number, FHC/ CA/CS/91/2014 instituted at the Federal High Court, Calabar division yesterday, the plaintiffs, Mr. Epass Mgbado and Egbe Abeng Emmanuel Egbe ,want the court to decide whether the use of caucuses for the screening of aspirants is known to the constitution of the party.

Joined in the suit are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state Chairman, Ntufam John Okon, as first and second

defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration and an order of court setting aside the appointment by the John Okon-led leadership of “certain persons as leaders/chairmen of the 1st defendant’s local government area caucuses as published on pages 1 and 2 of Nigerian Chronicle, 20-26 August, 2014 and House of Assembly caucuses and barring them from presiding over any meeting with a view to selecting and/or electing any consensus candidate.

Another order sought

for by the plaintiffs was for the court to direct “the defendants to elect candidates for gubernatorial, senatorial, House of Representative and state assembly positions strictly through the various congresses as stipulated under sections 25 (2) (c), 25 (5) (a), 25 (6) (a) and (b) and 25 (7) (a) and (b) of the 1st Defendant’s Constitution, 2012 (as amended) and by no other means.”

Also, the plaintiffs are seeking “An order setting aside the sales by the 2nd Defendant and his State Executive Committee

of the ‘Administrative/ Data Form, PDP/CRS/ GE/2015’ same being unknown to the 1st defendants constitution and guidelines.”

Similarly, they want the court to restrain “the 2nd defendant by itself, their agents, privies, staff, cohorts and other representatives in action from partaking or participating in whatever manner in the coming general elections in Cross River State, having become bias against certain aspirants, including my humble self and the 2nd plaintiff.”

APC, PDP in war of words over Delta council polls Dominic Adewole, ASABA

D

elta State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday engaged in war of words over last weekend’s council polls.

The altercation was on account of the alleged ‘brigandage’ that trailed the just conducted council polls.

Just as the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Isaac Adaka Adagbo, was raising the allegation at the party’s headquarters in Asaba yesterday, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was swearing in the 23 victorious PDP chairmen at the Cenotaph, in the capital city.

While the publicity secretary berated the Delta State Independent

Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for abdicating its responsibilities during the exercise, the ruling party urged the opposition to, for once, accept defeat in good faith.

PDP Secretary, Chief Solomon Ogba, also a commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), lambasted the APC for sponsoring a campaign of calumny against the election.

Ogba said the landslide victory recorded by his party was the outcome of ‘hard work, vigorous campaign and good governance.’

But Adagbo said his party won in Isoko South, Isoko North, Ethiope East and three others even when the exercise was allegedly militarised, hence the contentious delay in announcing the results of those councils by DSIEC.

‘Ogboru is the choice of the Delta people’ Gabriel Choba Ughelli

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head of the 2015 general elections, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Delta State, Dr. J. K. H. Tagar, yesterday said the party’s gubernatorial hopeful, Chief Great Ogboru, is the choice of the people.

Tagar, who spoke when the elders and leadership of the party in Ughelli North Local Government organised a luncheon in honour of Chief Godwin Asaboro, said Ogboru has all it takes to wrest power from the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

He said: “Deltans will smile when Ogboru comes on board. A good thing sells itself without being advertised.”

He called on all party faithful to shun “money politics” and work relentlessly towards Ogboru’s emergence in the 2015 general elections, reiterating that “we cannot afford to let this golden opportunity slip away.”

He expressed optimism that Ogboru, if elected, would make job creation a paramount feature of his administration saying; those that worked for the party will not be forgotten.

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (left), congratulating one of the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo aka Malik, shortly after his swearing-in in Asaba…yesterday

Edo North leaders bicker Bayelsa APC rejects over imposition of candidate imposition of candidates Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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spirants jostling for Edo North senatorial seat are spoiling for war with the party leadership over alleged plot to impose a candidate on the people ahead of the February, 2015 National Assembly election in the state.

New Telegraph investigation revealed yesterday that the leadership of the PDP in the north senatorial district is disposed to the aspiration of Pascal Ugbome, as its flag bearer.

Ugbome has been the PDP director of socials and was said to be set to emerge as the party’s candidate.

The attempt to favour Ugbome is presently stirring rivalry between his supporters and loyalists of another contender to the position, Chief Richard Lamai, son of a popular politician and first republic senator.

Lamai was said to be the preferred choice of the party’s leadership in

Abuja for the senatorial ticket.

Findings showed that his supporters are threatening fire and brimstone with a vow to resist any move to foist any candidate on the people contrary to what is generally acceptable to them.

Another contender to the senatorial seat from the area, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, is said to be miffed by secret moves to manipulate the process in favour of a particular aspirant by the party leadership.

A concerned leader of the party, who is also a close political ally of Lamai, who did not want his name in print, said the move, if implemented by the PDP leadership, would be the end of the opposition in the district.

The source said the plot would also spark off an age-long political rivalry existing between the families of the state PDP Chairman, Dan Orbih and that of late Senator Ekpemoriri Lamai.

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State yesterday conducted its local and state delegates’ elections, declaring that the party will not allow imposition of candidates ahead of the 2015 elections.

The local and state congress elections, which was held at the state secretariat of the party and conducted in affirmative voice votes, was witnessed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the national officers of the party.

The motion to adopt the list of delegates was moved by the Organising Secretary of the Party, Tonye Okio and was seconded by the Women Leader from Nembe Local Government, Mrs. Victoria Eket James.

Addressing party faithful at the end of the election, party Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimi-

nigha, said though the state and National Assembly elections are fast approaching, the party will not allow for selfish selection of candidates as being done by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Oruniminigha, the APC will engage in proper and consultative democracy in which candidates will be examined and allowed to emerge from open and transparent processes.

“APC is the platform you have been yearning for.

You can see what is happening in other parties like the PDP, they are engaged in selfish and selective picking of candidates.

“The Bayelsa State government will leave Government House in 2016, because they lack ideas.

They lack innovation, of course, they are too strong for this democratic dispensation, and they are not democrats. The people need a democratic government that will set down with you and ask you what you want.”

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News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NORTH

PDP governorship aspirant abducted Cheke Emmanuel Lafia

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uspected abductors last Saturday abducted a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship aspirant, Mr. Chris Mamman, at the Aren Eggon’s Palace, Nasarawa Eggon, headquarters of Nasarawa Eggon Lo-

cal Government Area of Nasarawa state.

Mamman, who was said to have attended a meeting with other governorship aspirants from Eggon extractions at the paramount ruler, a meeting which was expected to result in the emergence of consensus candidate when the abductors stormed the place to whisk him away.

Director General of the Mamman’s Campaign Organisation, Mr. Nawani Aboki Ezekiel, revealed this to Journalists yesterday at the campaign office in Lafia, the state capital stating, “The abductors, who were waiting for Chris Mamman had unleashed a violently attacked everybody present at the venue of the meeting before taking

him away. All attempts to stop them proved impossible. He was however rescued and brought back home from his abductors at about 9:00pm.”

He disclosed that some supporters allegedly belonging to the camps of other governorship aspirants at the scene of the attack rescued him from the hands of his abductors, but his

car was burnt down.

“The last time we spoke with him was at about 8: 00 pm last Sunday, shortly after that conversation his lines were switched off. As we speak now, we don’t know where he is,” the Director General complained.

Aboki alleged that key suspects in the incident are his fellow gubernatorial aspirants, whom he

was expected to meet with at the Aren Eggon’s palace for a settlement in of the area political imbrolio.

When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer of the Nasarawa state command, ASP Ismaila Numan, confirmed the attack and said full investigation was ongoing. He however said he was not aware of the kidnap of the politician.

Kwankwaso inaugurates campaign office in Dutse Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

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Plateau State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longjan (left), displaying his nomination form for the governorship election in Jos …yesterday

Kaduna varsity medical Youths endorse Jang for Senate group under the matured representation. in the state comes May students protest aegis of Coalition According to him “ we 29, 2015. The pronounceA Young Redemption have decided to congre- ment which has been non-accreditation of course ofII Appointees (CYA), in gate on account of two made severally was to the Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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edical Students of Kaduna State University (KASU), yesterday took to the streets to protest the non-accreditation of their course by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC), several years after the course has been running in the school.

The protesting students who blocked the main entrance of the institution, carried placards with various inscriptions like: “We are tired, accredit our faculty,” “Fix Barau Dikko for our clinical”, “This protest is the tip of the iceberg” among many other messages.

One of the protesting students who spoke on condition of anonymity said the faculty of Medicine started since 2008/09 academic session but none of the students has gone beyond 300 levels.

The student said, “We were told that Barau Dikko Hospital would be upgraded to a Teaching Hospital so that we can

utilise it for our clinical, but up till date the level of work in the hospital is not encouraging.’’

A student who called himself Thompson, said he is aggrieved by the attitude of the state government for not upgrading Barau Dikko Hospital. ‘’Apart from the students who need the hospital for their clinical, the public also needs it for healthcare delivery’’, he noted.

Hassan Abu who was among the leading figures of the protest, pleaded with the state government to save the students who have been left stranded for too long.

He said he pointed out that the fact that some Medical students have been transferred to Uganda to complete their studies has heightened tension among the remaining students. Efforts to reach the school management to comment on this issue was frustrated by some private security personnel at the school gate who denied journalists from entering the school premises.

the administration of governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau State, has endorsed the governor’s bid to contest the 2015 Plateau North Senatorial seat Spokesman of the group and Plateau State Liaison Fooficer, Kaduna State, Barr. Radzie D Jugo, stated this yesterday during a media briefing in Jos, saying the decision to support governor Jang to the Senate is to give Plateau people and Nigerians quality and

recent pronouncements made by our father, Da, Jonah David Jang, the governor of Plateau State.

His first pronouncement concerns his decision to vie for the exalted seat of Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District.

“The second pronouncement which is an issue very dear to the heart of the governor and the people of Plateau State and is a question of who takes over the mantle of leadership

extent that, he the governor, has a desire and prayer for Plateau State to have a younger, committed and competent person as a successor who is worthy of the calling to serve the people.

“We hereby wish to say that on behalf of all well meaning young progressives and custodians of the future, we say to Baba “Run Baba run” for the Senate and we promise to run beside you, to support and learn from you as we have always done,” Jugo added.

I was sacked for joining APC, says LG chair Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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he suspended chairman of Gombi Local Government of Adamawa, Alhaji Umar Rufai, has described his suspension from office as victimisation by the PDP led state government over his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Rufai, told newsmen in Yola, while reacting to his suspension that his council was suspended by the

state government because of his recent defection to APC with eight councillors.

He said the step taken by government to suspend his council over alleged gross misappropriation was a mere cover up.

“This is surprising coming from the state Governor, Mr Bala Ngilari who we all know refused to move with his former boss, Murtala Nyako to APC but was allowed to continue to hold his position as Deputy Governor to now sack

us for defecting to APC. “Our people say we should move to APC and that is what we did and we are ready to go to jail and can not be intimidated by anybody”, Rufai said.

Rufai said that he had contacted his lawyers for the next line of action.

Adamawa state government had on Monday announced the suspension of Gombi Local Government council over alleged “ gross misappropriation of public funds”.

ano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has commissioned his presidential campaign office in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital towards actualising his presidential ambition under the ticket of the All Progressive Change, (APC), as he said the mammoth event was an indication and acknowledgment of acceptance of his candidature by the public.

Speaking through his representative, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Kano state, Barrister Maliki Kuliya said from the moment the office was commission its political activities had already commenced in honest.

Also speaking on the development, the Kano state commissioner of Infrastructure and Electricity, Alhaji Garba Umar Durbunde, said it has become necessary to have an office in Dutse in order to facilitate the campaign strategies of Dr Kwankwaso’s 2015 Presidential ambition.

According to him, the office in Dutse was the last to be commissioned in the country, because already Kwankwaso campaign offices have been all over the nation with representatives who will be directing affairs through the offices.

He said the presidential aspirant was absent at the commissioning because of preparations for his formal declaration in Abuja today stating, that he would have been in Dutse himself to declare the campaign office and appreciate the large gathering.

He noted that from the moment the office was commissioned yesterday political activities had commenced in earnest.

News 49

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, OCTOBER 28, 2014

Ex-APGA scribe tackles governors on LGs’ autonomy Tony Okafor Awka

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ormer Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Okoli Akirika, yesterday berated the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) over their continued opposition to the autonomy of local governments in the country.

The National Assembly had recently proposed autonomy for local governments, but 24 hours after that proposition, the two factions of the NGF quickly made up their differences and united against local government autonomy.

Addressing newsmen on the matter, Akirika described the governors’ action as not only unconstitutional but undemocratic. While throwing his weight behind the proposed autonomy for local governments, the former state secretary of APGA and commissioner for lands and urban development said it was wrong for the governors to adduce that local government autonomy ran counter to the system of federalism.

Fashola: Why I appointed aide on Ebola, others Muritala Ayinla

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etermined to stop the recurrence of the Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD) in Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday formally presented his Chief Scientific Adviser on Scientific Matters, Dr. Adekemi Sekoni, to the State Executive Council (SEC).

The governor said the appointment was borne out of the lessons learnt while combating the EVD, adding that the move would enable the

state government know the right step to take in case of any future outbreak of the disease or any other.

Sekoni, who is expected to resume duties immediately, is expected to provide advice on science, engineering and technologically-based issues, especially those pertaining to public health, among others.

Justifying the appointment while presenting the new aide to other members of the council, Governor Fashola said the appointment of

Special Adviser on Scientific Matters became necessary in the face of current realities and challenges in the health sector.

He said though the EVD was successfully contained in the country, he expressed optimism that the appointment would enable his administration make optimal use of scientific knowledge in dealing with future health challenges.

He said: “Public health issues are the biggest issues today, so what

should we do assuming that we get re-infected?

These and many more questions we must find credible answers to and develop well thought out plans ahead of any eventualitu.”

Sekoni said the fact that Nigeria was able to effectively manage the Ebola Virus Disease and the declaration of the country as Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation, does not mean that Nigerian governments should relax and believe that it cannot happen again.

Emulate Obi, bishop tells Obiano Tony Okafor Awka

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he Anglican Bishop of Niger West, Rt. Rev. Anthony Omaezi Nkwoka, has advised Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to follow the footsteps of his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, for him to succeed, while commending him for starting well.

Speaking during the first session of the 2nd Synod of the diocese at the Cathedral Church of St. Gabriel, the bishop said the church would not be tired of commending the former governor for the wonderful partnership his government had with the church.

He said: “We thank the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi, not for what he did for Niger West in particular, but his legacies in education, health and sound economy for the state.”

‘Stop stigmatisation over Ebola’ Anule Emmanuel

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged members of the international community to stop discriminatory tendencies against Nigerians over the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The President stated this yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received the foreign ministers of Germany and France, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said he expects and hopes that Nigerians will no longer suffer discriminatory checks and stigmatisation abroad now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has certified that the country is Ebola-free.

L-R: Chief Human Resources Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Abigail Isokpan; Brand Director, Lagos Photo Foundation, Wunika Mukan; Director, Lagos Photo Foundation, Azu Nwabogu and Head, Events & Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani, at the Etisalat-sponsored LagosPhoto VIP Preview Session, in Lagos…at the weekend.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

APC will beat PDP in 2015, says Tofa Buhari Bello Jos

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Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, has expressed optimism that the ruling PDP will be defeated by the opposition party because Nigerians want change.

“If the ruling PDP that

control the Police, Soldiers and INEC will allow for free and fair election in the country, definitely, PDP will not win because Nigerians are tired of this government and they want a change “Change is important always but for almost 15 years, people are being ruled by one party and that in itself is some of reasons why people are asking for change come 2015“

Recruitment: Army raises the alarm over activities of fraudsters Emmanuel Onani

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he Army, yesterday, raised the alarm over the activities of fraudsters, whom it claimed, are purportedly using some social media platforms to offer assistance for those that applied for the ongoing 72nd recruitment intake.

It claimed that the “fraudsters” are masquerading as service and retired personnel.

Just last week, the Nigerian Navy raised a similar alarm regarding its own recruitment exercise.

In a statement signed

by Colonel T. O Antigha,

the Army said the authentic sources of information on the ongoing recruitment exercise, can be obtained from newspaper advertisements, posters as well as its Administration Department.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Army wishes to draw the attention of members of the public to the activities of fraudsters masquerading as service and retired personnel in social media platforms such as Facebook and offering to help applicants secure recruitment into the Nigerian Army in the ongoing 72nd Recruitment intake.”

Ondo PDP members deny moves to leave party

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embers of the old Peoples Democratic Party in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State have dissociated themselves from a purported threat by members to quit the party following the dissolution of the state’s executive.

The Ebenezer Alabi-led state executive was dissolved at the weekend by the party’s National Working Committee. Alabi, is from Akure North LG. The former executive members had claimed

that members of the old PDP in the state would quit the party within 24 hours should the state executive be dissolved to accommodate the new order following the movement of Labour party members in the state, led

by Dr Olusegun Mimiko to the PDP. Dissociating themselves from the publication, members of the party from Akure North, led by the chairmen of four wards visited the governor, pledging their loyalty.

PUBLIC NOTICE GODS WORD HOLINESS & SOUL WINNING CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Chibuike Okaforuba — General Overseer 2. Mr. Cyprian Onjiugo — The Assistant General Overseer 3. Mrs. Ifeoma Okaforuba — General Secretary 4. Mr. Okorie Chinedu Gideon — Treasurer 5. Mr. Paul Okafor Nkemjekwe — Financial Secretary 6. Mr. Daniel Okeke — Auditor AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To establish Missionary/Bible/Seminary schools that will produce able and God fearing people for the future of our country and world at large 3. To teach believers on how to demonstrate God’s righteousness 4. To provide assistance for the needy in the society.

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

Signed: BARRISTER EUNICE OKOYE 08034075440

ALGON: Court restrains Okafor group Tunde Oyesina Abuja

Federal High Court A sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the

Nwabueze Okafor-led executive of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to stop parading themselves as leaders of the association.

The court re-emphasised its earlier order of October 15, 2014, where it ordered all parties in the suit to maintain status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“In view of the judgment of this court in FHC/ABJ/CS/33/2014 attached as Exhibit A1 and the judgment of the FCT High Court in suit no: FCT/HC/CV/1379/13; the parties should maintain status quo”, the trial judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati held.

change of name

Obe

I, former Miss. Aye Joana Abdullahi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Aye Joana Obe. All former documents remain valid.

General Public please note.

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WORLD | News

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resident Dilma Rousseff's narrow re-election victory met with cold reality yesterday as Brazil's financial markets tumbled on doubts that can restore confidence in the economy and maintain political support in a sharply divided nation.

Rousseff overcame dissatisfaction with a sluggish economy and poor public services to clinch a second term Sunday by a slim margin, dashing the hopes of investors and nearly half the electorate who bet on her pro-business challenger.

After a bitter, unpredictable campaign, Rousseff now faces the challenge of making good on a promise to expand social benefits for the poor while balancing a strained federal budget.

Most investors are skeptical that Rousseff can pull off a swift recovery after four years of ineffective industrial policies. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index <.BVSP> fell around 5 percent in early trading, while Brazil's real currency slumped 3 percent to a nearly six-year low.

Rousseff and aides consistently shrug off market pessimism as little more than tantrums by speculators. As her camp celebrated victory late Sunday, longtime foreign policy advisor Marco Aurelio Garcia told reporters that investors should relax and "take tranquilizers." Investors are awaiting the name of a replacement for the beleaguered Guido Mantega, her outgoing finance minister. They hope for a more market-friendly minister who can help restore fiscal discipline, bring transparency to the federal budget and better

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rousseff 's win rattles Brazil markets, focus shifts to economy

Brazil's President and Workers Party-presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff celebrates during news conference after disclosure of the election results

engage with business leaders.

Some believe that Rousseff will be forced by economic realities to soften some of her interventionist policies.

Announcements of new cabinet members are un-

likely in coming days, presidential aides said, as Rousseff rests after a demanding campaign that went down to a photo finish. Speaking to a relieved crowd of supporters Sunday night, Rousseff

Germany, France, Nigeria partner against Ebola

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he German and French ministers have commended Nigeria on the security situation in the country. The visiting ministers,Mr. Laurent Fabius and Dr. FrankWalter Steinmeier, respectively while discussing issues of common interest to the three countries- German, French and Nigeria, commended the on-going negotiations with Boko Haram and Nigeria’s efforts to get the Chibok girls released, also to put an end to the insurgency. They committed themselves to supporting the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

They also lauded the successful containment of the Ebola Virus disease, EVD, in

Nigeria which has been globally acknowledged, including the World Health Organisation, WHO. “In this regard, we decided to undertake joint action including the creation of a German-French-Nigeria Partnership against Ebola,” they pledged.

Responding to the commendation, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Nigeria Foreign Affairs minister assured his guests that Nigeria would always abide by its international obligations to the promotion and protection of human rights. “On the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria, I affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to conduct free, fair and credible election,” he said. The visiting

Ministers however, pledged continued support for Nigeria’s conduct of the elections.

On international peace and security, the three Ministers discussed the situation in Mali and commended the efforts of France and Nigeria to restore peace and security in that country. They also condemned acts of terrorism along the Sahara and Sahel region and other parts of the world.

“I expressed deep appreciation for the first joint visit to Sub-Sahara Africa by the two Foreign Ministers, which is unprecedented. I look forward to deeper engagements with my German and French counterparts on issues of common interests,” Amb. Wali said.

Suicide bomber kills 27 militiamen in Iraq

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suicide bomber killed at least 27 Shi'ite militiamen on the outskirts of the Iraqi town of Jurf al-Sakhar yesterday after security forces pushed Islamic State militants out of the area over the weekend, army and police sources said.

The attacker, driving a Humvee vehicle packed with explosives and likely stolen from defeated government troops, also wounded 60 Shi'ite militiamen, who had helped government forces, retake the town just south of the capital.

Holding Jurf al-Sakhar is

critical for Iraqi security forces who finally managed to drive out the Sunni insurgents after months of fighting. It could allow Iraqi forces to prevent the Sunni insurgents from edging closer to the capital Baghdad, sever connections to their strongholds in western Anbar province, and stop them infiltrating the mainly Shi'ite Muslim south. The group has threatened to march on Baghdad, home to special forces and thousands of Shi'ite militias expected to put up fierce resistance if the capital comes under threat.

Gains against Islamic State, an al Qaeda offshoot made up of Arab and foreign fighters, are often fragile even with the support of U.S. airstrikes on militant targets in Iraq and neighboring Syria.

As Iraqi government soldiers and militias savored their victory and were taking photographs of Islamic State corpses on Sunday, mortar rounds fired by Islamic State fighters who had fled to orchards to the west rained down on Jurf al-Sakhar.

struggled to raise her voice as she acknowledged the call for change expressed by many voters in remarks that some observers hoped were a sign of a shift to the center. "I know that I am being sent back to

the presidency to make the big changes that Brazilian society demands," she said after winning the runoff with 51.6 percent support. "I want to be a much better president than I have been until now."

China considers ending death penalty for nine crimes

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hina may scrap the death penalty for nine out of 55 crimes, including counterfeiting and smuggling nuclear materials, state media said yesterday. China executes more people every year than the rest of the world combined, according to Dui Hua, a U.S.based rights group that focuses on legal justice. The proposal to end the death penalty for the nine crimes was submitted to the standing committee of the National People's Congress, which is holding its bi-monthly session this week in Beijing, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The crimes include illegal fund raising, counterfeiting, smuggling counterfeit currency, organizing prostitution, forcing others to engage in prostitution, and smuggling weapons, ammunition and nuclear materials. They also include two military-related crimes obstructing others from performing military duties and fabricating rumors to confuse the public during war time. China currently has 55 crimes that are punishable by death, including murder, burglary, rape and drug-related offenses. Some

economic crimes, such as embezzlement and taking bribes, are also punishable by death, although Chinese courts rarely hand out capital punishment for them.

Beijing is taking steps to reduce the number of people executed as well as the number of crimes subject to the death penalty. A 2007 decision that all death sentences must be reviewed by the Supreme Court has drastically reduced the number of executions.

Although it remains a state secret how many people China executes each year, Dui Hua estimates that about 2,400 people were executed last year, one-tenth the number in 1983. China has been gradually reducing the number of crimes punishable by death. In 2011, it dropped the death penalty for 13 crimes such as smuggling precious metals, teaching others criminal methods, and illegally excavating ancient tombs.

The crime of fundraising fraud came into the spotlight in 2012 when a businesswoman was sentenced to death for raising money illegally.

Amid public outcry, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court decision.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

International Football

Sports News

Basketball Flakes

Ghana FA turns down Keshi

Suarez: Call me a ‘biter’ or a diver, but not a racist

Oladipo out for a month

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54

Sport

Did you know?

That Derby County has recorded the most consecutive league games without a win: 38 (Premier League/Championship, September 22, 2007 to September 13, 2008)

Minister of Sports, Mr Tammy Danagogo (middle); flanked by NFF President Amaju Pinnick (left), Vice-President Seyi Akinwunmi and the victorious Super Falcons on their arrival in Lagos, yesterday. Inset: Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie with their awards.

Giwa shut out of NFF Ajibade Olusesan and Comfort Chukwu

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ttempt by football proprietor, Chris Giwa, to begin operation from the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday was thwarted by the staff of the soccer house, New Telegraph can report.

The proprietor of Giwa Football Club arrived the Glass House with the intention to carry out ad-

Ifeanyi Ibeh

The Sport Team

ministrative functions but he was forced to leave after just 10 minutes when he could not gain entrance to the office of the president and the conference room.

Our correspondent reliably lear nt that some members of staff of the federation had gone into hiding with the keys to the president’s office and the conference room, in a bid to forestall attempts

by Giwa and his group to perform any function.

Our sources informed that the staffers took the decision to also save the country from being banned by the world governing body, FIFA. The recent peace in the Nigerian football was punctured last week when the Federal High Court, Jos, sacked the Amaju Pinnick-led board for the violation of its earlier order that the election that brought in the board should not be held.

FIFA has again

threatened to ban Nigeria if the court order is not vacated and the suit withdrawn from the court.

“Giwa was not allowed into the office of the president,” the source began.

“Some staffers had anticipated that he may come to ‘take over’ the secretariat and they went into hiding with the keys to the conference room and the NFF president’s office.

So, when Giwa came and saw the situation on the ground that he was not even wanted there, he turned back after just 10 minutes.

“The members of staff did this so as to avoid FIFA ban, because if Giwa was allowed in, he will just take pictures that will be published and this will send a wrong signal to FIFA that he had really taken over. And this may spoil our effort to avoid the ban.”

Meanwhile, the embattled club owner told journalists before leaving the secretariat that he was open to reconciliation so long he will be allowed to function as the president of the federation.

“Where there is misunderstanding there is reconciliation, the only way we can move forward is to reconcile and move our football forward, that has been my promise since I resumed office-to carry everybody along.

“I don’t want to make comments on any issue because I know very well that the matter is before the Court of Arbitration for Sports. One thing I can say is that there is no cause for alarm by the Grace of God and I believe that things are working out well, I am not expecting anything that will tamper with football in Nigeria,” he said.

Danagogo urges sponsors to invest in Falcons

Giwa

Adekunle Salami l Deputy Editor, Sports Emmanuel Tobi l Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh l Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan l Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Sports Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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inister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, has urged corporate sponsors to invest in the Super Falcons because they have great potential to win major trophies for the country.

The Super Falcons arrived Lagos early Monday morning aboard South African Airlines to a warm reception from Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, Vice President, Seyi Akin-

51

l As Team gets grand reception in Lagos wunmi, some staff of the federation and National Sports Commission staff.

Praising the team for winning the trophy for a record seventh time, Danagogo said, “We must as a government do everything possible to appreciate the crop of footballers we have in the Super Falcons.”

“Against all odds these girls proved to all Nigerians and indeed all Africa that they still remain the undisputed champions of

Africa. That is why I want all of us to support and encourage them and also to ask corporate Nigeria to begin to look into how to support women football in the country.”

The players, who are lodged at the Eko Hotel and Suites will on Tuesday arrive Abuja where they will be hosted by the National Sports Commission before meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday morning.

Oshoala (right)

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SPORT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ghana FA turns down Keshi

lFormer Eagles coach eyes Black Stars job Emmanuel Tobi

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he Ghana Football Association has ruled out Stephen Keshi from coaching the Black Stars after the former Nigeria Super Eagles coach indicated interest on Monday.

“Unfortunately, we are not considering any other names and so Stephen Keshi – who we respect a lot – will not be able to make it,” Fred Crenstil, GFA Vice President said.

He added that, “We opened a window for applications and it’s been closed for sometime now. We’ve even shortlisted and interviewed three coaches and we are in the last

stages of sending a report to the FA Executive Committee.”

The three shortlisted include Swiss coach Michel Pont, Spanish gaffer Juan Ignacio Martinez and former Chelsea man Avram Grant.

Keshi while speaking on a Ghanaian radio station programme on Monday, said he could help Ghana win the African Nations Cup if given the opportunity to lead Black Stars.

“I would love to coach Ghana.

Having the opportunity will be great,” he told Happy FM. “I have not spoken officially to anyone but I would love to lead this team,” Keshi said, going further to say that his record spoke for itself.

Eagles to train in Warri for Congo match Ajibade Olusesan

Emenike (left)

NSA seals broadcast deal with Supersports

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he organisers of Nigerian Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited, have sealed a partnership deal with Supersports -leading sports TV Channels for the production and live broadcast of the third edition of the award billed for Muson Centre, Lagos on November 13.

According to Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, “We are indeed very proud to announce that all arrangements have been concluded with one of our strategic partners Supersports to handle the production and live broadcast of the event for two hours” Idowu said.

Supersports’ General Manager, Mr. Felix Awogu, noted

that the company will continue to add value and support development of sports in Nigeria through strategic partnership and alliance with relevant bodies such as Nigerian Sports Award.

Meanwhile, the organisers of Nigerian Sports Award have hailed the Super Falcons for their triumphant display after clinching their seventh African Women Championship in Namibia defeating Cameroon by 2-0.

Idowu stated that Nigeria Sports Award is particularly proud of the two nominees Asisat Oshoala and Oparanozie Desire who are both nominated for the footballer of the year award.

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he Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the Super Eagles will train in Warri ahead of an AFCON qualifier against Congo in Point-noire next month.

Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu revealed this during a meeting with the Super Eagles technical crew and support staff in Abuja on Monday.

Nigeria is billed to confront the Red Devils of Congo on November 15 in Point-Noire in a must-win game that will be played on an artificial turf.

“The pitch in Warri where the Super Eagles will train is an artificial pitch and should pro-

vide the required feel and match conditions as the pitch where the game will be played in Congo,”Amadu revealed.

“This is a very crucial game and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

“After the game in Congo, the team will then proceed to Uyo to prepare for the last qualifier against South Africa.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is working round the clock to ensuring that all the team needs to make a success of the November assignments are provided so that the Super Eagles are able to defend their title in Morocco.”

“For us, the real challenge is to go to Congo and get the desired result that will put our qualification aspirations back on track,”Amadu added.

‘GTBank renames Heritage Cup, Kicks off Season 4

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uaranty Trust Bank plc in partnership with LAFGECA (Lagos State First Generation Colleges Association) has announced the renaming of its prestigious “GTBank Heritage Cup” competition to ‘‘GTBank Masters Cup’’ competition.

Football lovers and sports enthusiasts can look forward to the competition as the 2014/15 season (Season 4) kicks off on Tuesday October 28, following the draws of the 26 participating schools last

Tuesday October 22 at Kings College, Lagos.

Debuting this season are Federal Government College, Ijaniki, Federal Science of Art Technical College, Yaba and Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Iponri.

The two opening matches which will be played simultaneously at 10am on Tuesday October 28 will see Kings College Lagos take on Methodist Boys High School, Yaba at the St. Gregory’s College Ikoyi football pitch while Baptist

Academy Obanikoro will take on St. Gregory’s College Ikoyi at the football pitch of CMS Grammar School Bariga.

The Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje reiterated the Bank’s support towards the development of grassroots football in Africa and encouraged the players to practice hard and continue to play by the rules as they prepare to showcase their skills and talents to the world.

Okocha to replace Pinnick as Delta FA chairman Charles Ogundiya

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here are strong indications that former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, will be named as the chairman of Delta State football, New Telegraph can exclusively reveal.

The mercurial midfielder, according to our source, has been selected to replace the

current chairman, Amaju Pinnick, who emerged as the new president of Nigeria Football Federation.

During his playing days, Okocha won the African Cup of Nations as a player with the Super Eagles in 1994 and also the 1996 Olympics football gold medal.

Currently a member of the

state Football Association, the former Bolton midfielder is being considered because of his wealth of knowledge in football.

“They have concluded arrangement to name ‘Jay Jay’ the new FA chairman of the state, we are just waiting for the announcement,” the source who craved anonymity said.

“Of course if I get the chance to coach the team, the target will be the Africa Cup of Nations. The country has not won the title in a long time and I know Ghanaians are desirous of winning the cup.”

“But like I said, we have to look at getting the job first. I want to coach the team if the opportunity is there.”

Keshi

Nkwocha tips Oparanozie, Oshoala to rule the world Emmanuel Tobi

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our-time African women footballer of the year, Perpetua Nkwocha, has tipped Super Falcons striking duo of Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala to rule world football if well nurtured.

The 38-year old who was part of Nigeria’s team that recently won the 7th African Women’s Championship in Namibia, hailed the ingenuity of both players who emerged as the shinning lights of the championship.

With five goals, Oparanozie received the ‘Scorpion Zinc’ Top Scorer award for scoring the most goals at the two-week championship while Oshoala went away with the ‘TN Mobile’ Best Player award for the Most Valuable Player “Oparanozie is like Diego Costa at Chelsea, she is always in good position to finish up and hardly miss chances while Asisat is a talent to behold. I told her ‘you have to show the whole world you went to the Under 20 and you did it, now you have to come to the senior team and do it’ - and she made me proud.

“Both of them need to continue together and they will be a handful for strikers at the world stage,” she added.

With five African Championship medals, Nkwocha revealed her determination to retire after the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

CAF mourns slain Bafana Bafana captain

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resident Issa Hayatou of African soccer’s governing body, CAF on Monday expressed shock and dismay at the shooting to death of Orlando Pirates and South Africa national team goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.

The 27-year-old, who was shot in the back, died soon afterwards. He was with six friends, none of whom was injured.

The South African Football Association has reported that Meyiwa was shot and killed in

what is reported to be a robbery in Vosloorus in the East Rand, Johannesburg, on Sunday.

In a letter to SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, quoted by CAF’s official website, Hayatou said words alone could not express the sadness caused by Meyiwa’s demise.

“It is with shock and dismay that CAF has learnt about the passing away of South Africa and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.”

Rufai clean the beach for Copa Lagos ormer Super Eagles captain, ties and sporting legends including

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Peter Rufai, was one of the top celebrities that featured in the ‘Clean the Beach’ initiative which is part of the build-up to the Copa Lagos Beach tournament last Saturday.

According to Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Sports, organisers of the international beach soccer tournament, Samson Adamu, the ‘Clean The Beach’ programme is designed to draw the attention of the public to the maintenance of a clean beaches and pleasant waterfronts.

The exercise attracted celebri-

OC Ukeje, Kemi Adetiba, Bez, Temi Dollface, Osas Ighodaro, Bolanle Olakanni, Ono Bello amongst others.

Officials of lead sponsor 1960BET and long-standing sponsors First City Monument Bank, Pepsi, Cool FM, Eko Atlantic and venue sponsors Eko Energy Estate under Orlean Invest joined other beach soccer enthusiasts and members of Lagos State Waste Management Authority in gathering waterfront garbage and waste material from the Eko Atlantic City waterfront.

International Sports 53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

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arcelona attacker Luis Suarez says he is happy to be labelled a “biter or a diver” but insists he is not a racist, despite being banned for eight games in 2011 for abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra while at Liverpool.

The Uruguay star’s career has been littered with episodes of indiscipline, with his suspension three years ago proceeded by a 10-game punishment for biting Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013 and a fourmonth ban from football after chewing on the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. However, although Suarez has now acknowledged he was wrong to physically

Prosecutors to appeal Pistorius’ verdict

Pistorius

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outh African prosecutors have announced that they are to appeal against the conviction and sentencing of six-time Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius.

Last week Pistorius was handed a five-year sentence for the culpable homicide (manslaughter) of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp who he shot on February 14, 2013.

In a statement, published by Eyewitness News, the National Prosecuting Authority are reported to have said that the appeal on conviction is based on the question of law.

“Today we announce that the decision to appeal both the conviction and sentence has been taken,” read the NPA statement.

attack both players in his new autobiography, he maintains his innocence over the incident involving himself and Evra.

“Call me a biter or a diver, but I’m not a racist. I was banned for eight games and, much worse, got labelled a racist for life.

It’s a serious accusation,” the Guardian reveals in an extract from the attacker’s new book.

“It hurts because of how it affects me, it hurts because my wife had to suffer too through the hearing, watching me getting accused of being someone she knows I’m not, and it hurts because in the future the stain will still be there when my children grow up.

It’s a slur on my name that no one can take away.”

Suarez: Call me a ‘biter’ or a diver, but not a racist

Defending champions top Obudu stars’ list

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Suarez (right)

Pacquiao eyes Mayweather fight next year

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ilipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao said he hoped to finally step in the ring with arch-rival Floyd Mayweather next year as he denied he was taking his upcoming opponent Chris Algieri lightly.

Pacquiao, mobbed by his supporters during a promotional trip to Hong Kong, said “I’m crossing my fingers”

that the hotly anticipated Mayweather fight could happen in 2015.

“Hopefully that fight will happen by next year,” he told AFP in an interview.

“I’m crossing my fingers that that fight will happen but right now my mind is already set to focus on my next fight with Algieri. I think the time to talk about that issue is after the fight.”

Pacquiao

Blatter mourns Meyiwa

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he Fifa President has ex- South Africa goalkeeper pressed his “deepest sorrow Senzo Meyiwa. and anguish” at the death of In a letter to Dr Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association, Joseph S. Blatter conveyed the condolences of the global football family following the tragic shooting of the Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates No 1.

He wrote: “On behalf of the international football community I would like to express my deepest sorrow and anguish at the senseless killing of South Africa and OrMeyiwa lando Pirates goalkeeper

Senzo Meyiwa Sunday night. My heart goes out to his friends and family for the terrible loss of his young life.

“Senzo will be sadly missed by his teammates and fans of both Orlando Pirates and the South African national team, which he recently captained with great success in their latest qualifying matches.

Please express my most heartfelt sympathy to all of Senzo’s loved ones and let them know that our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

Iniesta out for three weeks Van Persie happy with United progress

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C Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday night continues to exact a heavy toll on the Catalan club with news filtering in Monday that midfielder Andres Iniesta will be out of action for three to four weeks.

The Spain international limped out of the game in the 27th minute of the second half holding his calf and tests have confirmed a muscle injury, reports Xinhua.

The injury means he will miss Barca’s next

two games in the Spanish Primera Liga, which are at home to Celta Vigo and away to Almeria, as well as the Champions League tie away to Ajax Amsterdam.

Iniesta will also have to sit out the next two Spain international matches -- a European Championship qualifying game against Belarus and a friendly match against reigning World Champions, Germany -- although Barca hope to have him fit for the league game against second placed Sevilla which will be played November 22.

Van Persie

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obin van Persie believes Manchester United are heading in the right direction after salvaging a draw against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Netherlands international scored in stoppage time at Old Trafford on Sunday to rescue a

point from his side’s clash with the Premier League leaders.

Van Persie’s late goal extended United’s unbeaten run in the league to four matches and ensures they will head into this weekend’s Manchester derby on a positive note.

Ahead of this season’s first meeting with fierce rivals City, Van Persie feels the point proves Louis van Gaal’s side can compete with the league’s best sides.

“We all know that this club wants to go for the highest - first place,” he told the club’s official website. “[Sunday] showed everyone that we can compete with the best in England - I think soon with the best in Europe too. It’s just a process and we are now in the middle of that process.”

thiopia’s Yalew Ganet and Kenya’s Rono Philemon top the list of star athletes that have been confirmed for the 10th edition of the annual Obudu international mountain race and the 6th African mountain running championships holding next weekend at the Obudu ranch resort in Obudu, Cross River state.

Ganet and Philemon won the respective women and men’s individual titles at the ninth edition of the race last year and both will be hoping to once again outrun their adversaries and create a bit of history for themselves.

While Ganet who made history last year as the first woman to win the women’s title twice is aiming to extend the record as the first to win it thrice, Philemon will be hoping to become the third man since 2005 to win the men’s title at least two times after the Ethiopian duo of Habtamu Fikadu (2007 and 2009) and Abebe Dinkesa (2008, 2010 and 2012).

Meanwhile the Local Organising Committee for the race has revealed an unchanged $50,000 top prize money for winners of the men and women’s individual titles.

Capital One Cup

Mourinho to unleash trio on Shrewsbury

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helsea manager Jose Mourinho is set to ring the changes in the Capital One Cup this week against Shrewsbury with the trio of Petr Cech, Nathan Ake and Mohamed Salah set to start, according to the Daily Star.

The Blues have had a lightning start to the season and sit top of the Premier League unbeaten after nine games and head into this match against the League Two side on the back of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

They were without Loic Remy and Diego Costa against Man United at Old Trafford due to both suffering injuries and neither will play against Shrewsbury.

Remy, 27, hurt his groin last week in the Champions League against Maribor and Costa has missed the Blues’ last three matches with a hamstring injury and having suffered from illness midway through last week that saw him spend a night in hospital.

Capital One Cup fixtures Bournemouth v West Brom 8:45pm MK Dons v Sheffield Utd

8:45pm

Shrewsbury v Chelsea

8:45pm

Fulham v Derby County

9pm

Liverpool v Swansea City

9pm

PB SPORT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NFF CRISIS

What does Giwa want?

A Vincent Eboigbe

gain Nigerian football lays prostrate, held in a vice-like grip by forces that don’t want it to grow. Yet these same forces will, at every turn, claim to love football and that their action is for the good of the game in the country.

Only last Thursday, the Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State sacked the Amaju Pinnick-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation, an action that is capable of sending football into a long dark tunnel.

FIFA has been quick to react to this latest twist by given a deadline of Monday (yesterday) for the matter to be removed from the court failing which it will descend on Nigeria. Indeed the ban would have been instant but for the intervention of CAF President, Issa Hayatou, who pleaded that the country should be given until Monday.

FIFA is understandably furious and the Zurich people cannot be blamed. Nigeria has become something of a recalcitrant child that has consistently showed a marked incapacity to adhere to simple rules.

With the election of Pinnick on September 30 in Warri, Nigerians had heaved a collective sigh of relief that the crisis that had bedeviled the game in the country since after the World Cup was finally over, but Chris Giwa has

somehow contrived to “throw a spanner in the works” as he continues to insist on the mandate he claims was given to him at the election of August 26 in Abuja. It was on the strength of that he approached the court in Jos. Who is this Chris Giwa anyway? What does he want? Who are his backers? Is it possible that an average Nigerian could possibly hold the game to ransom for this long?

Clearly, the proprietor of Giwa FC of Jos has some powerful backers otherwise he won’t have the audacity to continue to insist on holding down the game in the country.

It is pertinent to note that the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, under whose watch crisis in football has assumed a never-before-seen dimension, was present at the August 26 election that Giwa continues to hold as sacrosanct. Danagogo has given the impression of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds to the detriment of the game.

For instance, the minister was at the NFF meeting with the corporate world on Friday in Lagos in company with Pinnick and other stakeholders, yet some hours later, Pinnick was stopped by men of the Department of State Security from travelling for the final of the African Women Championship in Namibia.

The immediate question that begs for answers is who ordered that action? Can the minister claim not to be aware

Giwa

of it?

It is trite to say that football is about the only thing that galvanises and rallies Nigerians, yet some highly placed people still contrive to trifle with it so brazenly.

This charade should stop forthwith. Undoubtedly this is the time for the highest levels of authority in the country to call these people to order before imputations are made to their silence.

Ajibade Olusesan

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he current crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation may consume the Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, New Telegraph has learnt.

Our correspondent has learnt that the Presidency is grossly unhappy with the way the minister has handled the crisis that has

Oladipo out for a month

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rlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo will miss the opening month of the 2014/2015 NBA season after undergoing surgery on Saturday, two days after suffering a facial fracture in practice.

The injury occurred when Oladipo took an inadvertent elbow underneath his right eye during a practice drill and is a huge blow for the player of Nigerian descent who missed all of his

Ifeanyi Ibeh

W

ith FIFA’s hammer set to fall on Nigeria there are some who feel the threat from the football governing body has never been real and only the figment of the imagination of some individuals keen on remaining at the helm of affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation.

These individuals often refer to the numerous letters written to the NFF by FIFA threatening to place the country under suspension since the very first time the NFF’s erstwhile boss, Aminu Maigari, was unceremoniously forced out of office shortly after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup in July.

The last of these letters arrived on September 9, a day after Maigari was reinstated in office, with FIFA, in the letter signed by its Secretary General Jerome Valcke, calling on the then Executive Committee to decide on the roadmap leading to the elections which should be open to all per-

NFF crisis: Sports Minister may lose job

Basketball Flakes

Oladipo

FIFA threat: Real or fluke?

side’s preseason games due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Oladipo has however vowed to return with a bang.

“I will be back before you know it and better than ever,” said the 6 feet 3 inches tall Oladipo via his Twitter account.

Oladipo was taken second overall by the Magic in 2013 and made the NBA All-Rookie first team last season. He also finished as runner-up in the Rookie of the Year polls behind Michael carter-Williams.

Meanwhile, the club’s General Manager, Rob Hennigan, announced on Monday that the team has exercised their thirdyear team option on the contract of the 22-yearold, who is now under contract with the Magic through the 2015/2016 season.

engulfed Nigerian football since after the 2014 World Cup. Our sources revealed that the Federal Government is miffed by the incessant embarrassment the imbroglio has caused the country and has warned the minister that his job is on the line if he does not find a lasting solution to the crisis.

“The Presidency is embarrassed by the whole saga. When

sons.”

One of those who felt this letter, along with others earlier written to the NFF, did not originate from FIFA was one time second vice president of the NFF, Victor Baribote, who wondered why FIFA would write to demand for Maigari’s reinstatement, noting, among other issues, that the letters were “written in Nigerian English and not in the FIFA standard international English.”

But another former board member of the NFF, and a member of CAF’s media committee, Aisha Falode, has no doubts the letters, and the accompanying threat, are real and expressed astonishment that some people felt that they had been forged.

“Before now FIFA had written countless letters to the country demanding the proper thing to be done. How anyone would insinuate that these letters were forged is very funny, frustrating and annoying,” Falode told New Telegraph.

we thought the matter had been put to rest, it is unfortunate that it reared its ugly head again. The minister has not played his role very well; he has not done enough to douse the tension rather his actions have further complicated matters and the presidency is aware of this. There are strong indications that Danagogo may lose his job soon because he has been vehemently warned to keep a parastatal under his watch intact,” the source said.

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

James keen to turn Cavs into contenders

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fter an emotional NBA return to the Cleveland Cavaliers following four seasons in Miami, LeBron James will play for the Cavaliers for the first time in more than four years on Thursday when they entertain Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.

James, who won two titles in four trips to the finals after leaving Cleveland for the Heat in 2010, has however made it clear that he is determined to give the Cavs a shot at winning the NBA title.

“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself,” James says. “I don’t want to talk

about it too much. We’ve got a long way to go.”

He added: “I will be the leader of the team. I can lead by example. I can lead by voice. I can lead by command. I can lead by just my presence and that’s the most important thing for me.

“What I’m more excited about than anything is leading these guys every single day in practice, every single game, every single shoot-around, every single film session, and hopefully it can trickle down to everyone else and make us a better team.”

Ujiri seeks to make Raptors global brand

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s the 2014/2015 NBA season tips off on Tuesday night, President and General Manager of the Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri, has set his sights on making the Raptors a global brand and surpassing last season’s achievements which saw the only Canadian team in the NBA rebounding from a slow start to win the Atlantic Division and making it to the playoffs.

Ujiri, who in an interview with the Toronto Sun, disclosed that one of his priorities was making the Raptors a team basketball fans across the world could easily recognise, said: “We don’t want to be one of those guys that cry about being outside

(of the NBA’s popular spots) or being in the cold. We don’t care one bit. We want to be our own team and we have a unique opportunity in Canada.

“We want to build it to where it’s plenty of pride to be the only team that’s outside of the U.S. “I think that responsibility is on me.

We have to win, we have to build a brand and that’s what we’re going to try to do and build our brand all over the world.”

The Nigerian-born Ujiri added: “This is not hockey where there are six (Canadian) teams. This is one basketball team in one country.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

55

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

– Josh Billings

World Record

The Tower of Hercules is an ancient Roman lighthouse near A Coruña, Galicia, in north-western Spain. The structure is almost 1,900 years old and still in use today.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

Nyesom Wike and Rivers 2015: Acting wisely GUEST COLUMNIST Kanayo Esinulo

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t is safer to begin this piece by stating one fact: No one that I contacted in Rivers State, particularly in Port Harcourt, questioned the eligibility of the former Honourable Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, to nurse or pursue an ambition to govern Rivers State from May 29, 2015. His ambition to occupy Brick House Port Harcourt, the seat of power in Rivers State, next year is legitimate. He is eminently qualified to contest for his party’s ticket.

Why not! After all, he demonstrated commitment to the party, along with others, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was under siege, as its leader in the state began an open warfare against perceived enemies in the state and at the Presidency. Wike who, as the highest ranking politician from the state in President Jonathan’s cabinet, rose to the challenge, along with other silent but effective Rivers leaders who stood firm with him, to checkmate what they considered “the excesses of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his agenda to ambush President Jonathan’s second term prospects” – an agenda that was particularly unpopular with the people of Rivers State.

Wike, it must be remembered, was Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff and he knew, some say, how to handle and tackle Amaechi’s rebellion against the party and the presidency. But as the battle to subdue this rebellion raged in Port Harcourt, Wike the arrowhead of the campaign, began surreptitiously to develop a political agenda to succeed Amaechi. Accordingly, every action taken either in the courts to retrieve PDP structures from those that seized them, or at political rallies, were cleverly cornered by Wike’s newly formed Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI). This new body claimed credits for the ‘successful battle to retake the leadership of the party from a group too loyal to Amaechi’. Today, aspirants to the number one office in the state, suspect that there would be no level playing field at PDP primaries because of ‘Wike’s total colonization of party structures in the state’. This may explain why Wike recently boasted that he can “win any of the aspirants even in their own wards”.

To his credit, Wike worked hard to fully secure the support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Unfortunately, as specific evidence of Wike’s ambition became clearer, an erup-tion of protest voices became common place in the state, certainly not against his style of bold leadership and sacrifices in the raging political battle, but more out of fear of the catastrophic consequences his succession to his fellow Ikwerre brother, Amaechi, portends for a fragile, currently-healing and economically strategic state like Rivers State. Those who have had the patience to consult the books, or re-visit the postcivil war history of Rivers State have discovered two critical matters that Wike and his team should carefully reexamine and promptly consider, if they really love Rivers state. One is the agelong understanding that exists be¬tween

Amaechi

the two areas of the state. Some Riv¬ers State intellectuals I met at the university town of Choba euphemistically refer to this understanding as ‘Upland/riverine sharing formula’. This arrangement was championed and secured by the ‘Uplanders’ in the 70s to ensure equitable access to critical political offices in the old Rivers State.

The second snag is simply that since May 1999, the state has been governed by three persons : Dr. Peter Odili, Celestine Omehia and Chibuike Amaechi, in relay, and they are all from the same upland geo-ethnic portion of the state. The argument now is that Wike’s ascendancy as the next governor of Rivers State would add one more from the same upland geo-political area, a case of 24 unbroken years of political monopoly by section.

This is now considered to be unfair and unjust to the riverine people who have not produced a governor for the state

Wike, it must be remembered, was Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff and he knew, some say, how to handle and tackle Amaechi’s rebellion against the party and the presidency

Wike

since May 1999.

The big question is: what should Honourable Nyesom Wike do now? Should he brave the odds and swim against the tide of public opinion? Or should he pursue a win-win model to preserve his relevance by respecting the existing charter of equity, and throw his weight behind a riverine candidate?

These are the million dollar questions that moved the ball squarely into Wike’s court. And many people are eagerly watching to see his ability to manage this very complex situation. I sampled many opinions in the state, and two clear tendencies emerged. The first school submits that the President who wears four related caps at the same time – the president of the country, leader of the ruling party, a son of Niger Delta/ former indigene Rivers State and finally, a son-in-law of the state, must not abandon the political future of the State without having a say or making a strategic input. The second group, which is more widely representative of the state, reject Wike’s bid to govern the state, but accepts that he should remain relevant in the politics of the state. They favour a formula that gets him into alliance with a time-tested technocrat who would not be politically contentious and can help heal the wounds, reduce the Amaechi-Wike tension and focus on the critical areas of development. This, in my view, was what took place in Lagos State in 2007 when Bola Tinubu chose a non-contentious technocrat, Babatunde Fashola, to drive the state’s development process, while he (Tinubu) held and closely managed the political terrain. Lagosians, Fashola,and Tinubu, all came out winners with a booming economy boasting of an internally generated revenue well in excess of N25billion per month.

This appears, in my view, the best and smartest option for Wike. Luckily, among the aspirants angling for PDP ticket from the Riverine area are such tested technocrats as Rtd General Obene, Engr Beks Dagogo-Jack, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd), Mr Georgewill, etc. Wike has fought a good fight, so to speak; but wisdom tells us that there is time to fight, and time to apply wisdom.

In the battle to preserve and protect the party, Wike must admit that he was not in the field alone, and that the credibility of the campaign was built on the support of other stakeholders to halt the Amaechi agenda. The time has now come for Honourable Minister Wike to once more rise to the political challenges of his party.

The reality, painful to him I believe, is that there is a ground-swell of citizen sentiment against an Ikwerre suc¬ceeding an Ikwerre in a state that is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, and one where a sharing formula, long agreed and ratified by the founding fathers has operated for thirty seven years now. He should put his governorship ambition on hold, and once again smartly cease the opportunity of the moment to put his impressive political weight behind a reliable and dependable riverine aspirant, a technocrat, who he believes, can deliver the mandate as well as can cooperate with him. Happily, age sweetly is on his side.

That would define him as a foresighted political player, a loyal party man and a man who respects the true wishes of Rivers people.

Like our lawyers would say, and Wike is one of them: May it please your honourable to so consider.

• Esinulo wrote via kanayoesinulo@yahoo.com

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