Aaaaaaaaaaa thursday, july 16, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Thursday, July 16, 2015

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Vol. 2 No. 512

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

APC links NNPC’s $1.2bn bank withdrawal to 'missing' NLNG dividends }3 Law

Corruption: Furore over whistle-blower’s role }21

Standard & Poor's: Naira's devaluation inevitable Tony Chukwunyem

rom one of the world's foremost ratings agencies, Standard & Poor's, came yesterday a damning verdict on the naira, Nigeria's legal tender: it cannot escape devaluation.

It said despite the insistence of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it was not considering such a move, the apex bank would have no choice but to devalue the naira, possibly by more than 15 per cent. It, however, said in a state-

ment that the depreciation of the currency could be gradual. The CBN has, in recent weeks, ignored calls from international investors that it should devalue the ailing naira after earlier devaluations in November and February.

It has instead responded by focusing on curbing access to the greenback on the official interbank market for importers of some goods. Only yesterday, President of the Association of Bureaux de CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Babangida: Buhari must defeat B'Haram

lPresidency: Security, terror war top agenda for Buhari’s US visit

QuickRead

Sallah: Sultan urges Muslims to look out for }3 moon

Killer of ex-Ogun magistrate gets death sentence }11

BEHOLD SUPER EAGLES' NEW COACH: L-R: President, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick; Super Eagles Head Coach, Mr. Sunday Oliseh and Secretary-General, NFF, Mr. Mohammed Sanusi, during the unveiling of Oliseh in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI.

Why I chose Yar'Adua above Odili, others, says Obasanjo }2

Anti-Saraki senators reject equality in committee sharing }5

Money laundering: Nyako, son fault EFCC

News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Babangida: Buhari must defeat Boko Haram Wale Elegbede and Anule Emmanuel

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari would defeat the deadly Boko Haram sect. He said in a special Eid-el-Fitri message titled: ‘Let us be strong and unite against insurgency’, that the routing of the terrorists would make Nigeria to truly assume its greatness in the comity of nations. Babangida's optimism came just as the presidency released the itinerary of the president's state visit to the United States. During the visit, Buhari, as part of his efforts to defeat Boko Haram, would discuss with President Barack Obama and other government officials the security situation in Nigeria and in West Africa as well as the terror war. According to Babangida, the violent activities of the sect have continued to portray Islam in a bad light. “Islam, which I was born into some 74 years ago, is a very peaceful religion that preaches brotherliness and togetherness. It is a religion that encourages love, affection and respect for our neighbours and mankind,” he stated. While bemoaning the spate of insurgent attacks in recent days, Babangida said the last four weeks had continued to raise concern and to create suspicion about the nation’s security. He called for a new approach and discreet gathering of information in confronting the insurgency. He also advocated media intelligence in the renewed fight against Boko Haram. He added that the media feedback would help to assemble information and distilling such information in a manner that would benefit the fight against terrorism. Babangida said: “Going by the news and information we get every day, I feel very strongly that the media has a greater role to play in the management of information. The type of headlines and lead stories that are promoted in favour of the insurgents could only help to motivate members of Boko Haram rather than demotivate them. I

expect, with a deep sense of patriotism, to see a greater deal of positive news promoted in support of military efforts at confronting this menace than a celebration of Boko Haram carnage, day in and day out.” Babangida, who condemned making public the transfer of some Boko Haram suspects and prisoners to Anambra State, said information management must not be toyed with because it was vital to confronting an unconventional warfare such as the Boko Haram attacks. “Each time we celebrate the dastardly acts of Boko Haram on the front pages of our newspapers and electronic platforms, it is a score for Boko Haram. We must weigh such information against our collective national interest. Do we subscribe to Boko Haram or to the Nigerian nation? Since we are of good consciences and subscribe to the Nigerian nation, military efforts and achievements in the fight against insurgency should be given primacy than what a suicide bomber has just done. “We must make it a duty to encourage and motivate our military personnel; those who have died in the course of this struggle and those who are still there on the battlefield trying to make the Nigerian society safe for all of us. The families of those who have lost their gallant fighters and breadwinners must be catered for beyond the present tokenism. This initiative will serve as incentive to others who are still in the trenches battling to keep us safe. “The President, General Muhammadu Buhari as a military officer, understands the import of these altruistic suggestions and I trust that he will take steps to apply some of them that fit into the mainstream strategies already in place. The approach has to be a holistic one, wellcoordinated with full onslaught launched by the day and night to route these insurgents to surrender. “I have implicit confidence in my mind that President Muhammadu Buhari will put the final nail on the coffin of Boko Haram so that Nigeria can truly assume her greatness in the comity of nations. “Let me join millions of Nigerians home and abroad in condoling with

the families of those who lost their beloved ones during this carnage. Let me also commend the efforts of the Federal Government in helping to address the plights of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across different locations in the country. The

renewed interest of the international communities in helping out with superior military hardware towards combating this menace is a welcome development. "Our Islamic clerics should do more in their daily sermons to prevent new converts and

recruits into this deadly group. Both religions preach the virtues of good and pious life tempered with the fear of God or Allah. We must continuously preach sermons that deliver the right messages to our people without ambiguity,” the former military

president said. Also yesterday, the presidency unfolded Buhari's agenda ahead of his four-day state visit to the US. The president, who departs Nigeria for Washington on Sunday, would meet Obama during CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, commiserating with some children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during his visit to donate relief materials at the Kuchingoro Camp in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

Why I chose Yar'Adua above Odili, others, says Obasanjo Wale Elegbede

\ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has defended his decision to make a former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, his successor in 2007. Obasanjo, in an interview with a Lagos-based private television station, Channels Television, monitored yesterday, said of all the presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yar'Adua was the best. Yar'Adua, who went on to win the presidential election, died in office on May 5, 2010. Besides the late Yar'Adua, others who vied for the PDP's presidential ticket in 2007 included former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili; former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald

Duke; former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Victor Attah; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; former Lagos State Governor, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa and the present Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha. Although some of the presidential aspirants such as Odili, Duke and Attah pulled out of the race at the dying minutes, the late Yar'Adua polled 3,024 votes to clinch the PDP's ticket. However, speaking against the backdrop of his criticisms of the late Yar'Adua's administration and that of former President Goodluck Jonathan who took over from the deceased, Obasanjo said his criticisms notwithstanding; he had no regrets in choosing the deceased president above others.

He stated that majority of those angling to succeed him in 2007 were either not prepared for the job or were corrupt. He added that his choice of the late Yar'Adua was guided by facts available to him then and he and his team took the decision with all sense of responsibility. According to him, his conscience will not allow him to give the job to a corrupt or inept person. He said: “Even if you take your son as your successor, you are not sure of what he will do when he gets there. Don’t ever kid yourself. “What do I know about any successor? What he presents. When he gets there, he presents it differently. “We did our best, but if you say our best is not good enough, I will say, when it comes to your

turn, do better.” On how he came to choose the late Yar’Adua above others, Obasanjo said: “With all the people that were available to be my successors, what we came up with was the best as at that time we could think. Is it the one that we know are corrupt that we will now go and take? No! “One of them who wanted to do the job came to me and said, 'Sir, I like your job, but I cannot do it the way you are doing it because I don’t have the stamina to do it the way you are doing it'. If he has told me that, should I then say come let me give you the job? Now, what do you expect me to do with that person? “Or the one that I know that this one, before he gets the job, he was stinkingly corrupt. Will I be able to defend myself before God and man?”

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

APC links NNPC’s $1.2bn bank withdrawal to ‘missing' NLNG dividends Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to probe the whereabouts of the dividends paid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (NLNG). APC in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the call for the probe has become more urgent against the

backdrop of newspaper report that the NNPC has withdrawn $1.2 billion from banks so it could place the money with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). New Telegraph had on Wednesday exclusively reported that NNPC has withdrawn $1.2 billion (N240 billion) from banks, triggering more dollar liquidity squeeze in the money market and causing the value of the naira to depreciate further at the parallel market. New Telegraph’s expose noted that NNPC wrote the lenders last

Tuesday, intimating them of its intention to transfer its domiciliary accounts to CBN. The report was also confirmed by a top NNPC official. The source said the decision to move the accounts to the CBN stemmed from the ongoing probe of the corporation, stressing that it was to harmonise all “their accounts.” A CBN official, who spoke on anonymity, also corroborated the NNPC official’s statement, saying the oil corporation’s directive to transfer its

funds to the Central Bank was in order given the fact that the CBN is a banker to the government and that the oil corporation is also an institution of the government. While renewing the call for NNPC probe, APC said the move by the oil corporation is a panic reaction to the expose by the party that over $4 billion are missing in past dividends paid to the NNPC by the NLNG. The party said: “Whereas NLNG’s dividends are paid to NNPC's account with JP Morgan, from where they are supposed

Sallah: Sultan urges Muslims to look out for moon

lPolice step up security around worship centres, others Emmanuel Onani and Umar Abdullahi

he Sultanate Council Sokoto has called on Muslim Ummah across the country to look out for the new Moon of Shawwal today. Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar announced this in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman, Sultanate Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu. The statement said that today, which would be equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan, 1436 AH, would remain the day to look for the new Moon of Shawwal. “Muslims are therefore requested to start looking for the new Moon of Shawwal on Thursday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” it added. If the new Moon of Shawwal is sighted on Thursday, the Eid-el-fitr would be celebrated on Friday. If the new moon is not sighted on Thursday, Muslims will fast on Friday while Sallah would be celebrated on Saturday. As part of measures to ensure a hitch-free Sallah nationwide, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of state commands, to strengthen security during the period. Arase urged the CPs to pay particular attention to worship centres, critical infrastructure as well as other vulnerable places. The statement conveying the IGP's directive, which was signed yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, a

Commissioner of Police, reads: "In a bid to ensure hitch-free Sallah, the IGP has mandated Command Commissioners of Police nationwide on improved and water-tight security

during and after Sallah celebrations. Special attention shall be paid to all places of worships, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal attack.

"The Police High Command is hopeful that the operational strategies adopted by the Force and renewed collaboration with the public will yield positive results."

to be paid into the Federation Account in accordance with the law, some unscrupulous officials of the corporation have apparently been moving such funds to local banks so they can collect huge commissions on them. “Now that the cat has been let out of the bag, they have started moving the funds from the banks to the CBN. We believe what we are seeing now is just a tip of the iceberg, hence the need for the authorities to call the NNPC officials to give accounts of the paid NLNG dividends to date. “The top officials of the NNPC and others who met on Monday and decided to withdraw the $1.2 billion from the corporation's account to the CBN must be asked a number of questions, including their motive for the decision and the whereabouts of the commissions paid on such funds,” it said. APC also insisted that

despite the attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians, the Federal Government must remain undaunted in unravelling what happened to the dividends as well as previous taxes paid by the NLNG, as part of ongoing efforts to plug all financial leakages. “It is not by accident that until the advent of the Buhari administration that has decided to enthrones transparency in governance, no one has heard anything about NLNG dividends and taxes, while the funds therefrom have not been shared as they should have been. This is not right. “A situation in which funds meant for all Nigerians are eaten up by a few will no longer be tolerated. Those who are opposed to the efforts by the Buhari administration to clear the rot left behind by the past government and restore transparency to the system are enemies of Nigeria,” the party said.

L-R: Managing Director, Accugas, Mr. Stephen Tierney; Managing Director, FBN Capital, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe; Group Executive, Institutional Banking, First Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Odunewu Bashirat and Chief Executive Officer, Seven Energy, Mr. Phillip Ihenacho, during Accugas/FBN Capital and lenders parties signing ceremony for ACCUGAS 4 in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI.

Buhari hosts members of diplomatic corps

lSeek supports to end terrorism Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met members of the diplomatic corps at the presidential villa for the first time after his inauguration on May 29 for the breaking of the fast. The president at the event urged countries with diplomatic missions in Nigeria to support in the fight against terrorism not only in the country but within the African

continent. He said the breaking of fast with members of the diplomatic corps has become customary in the presidency. Buhari told the diplomats that Nigeria was prepared to play any leadership role in Africa and beyond that would bring about development and improvement of lives of citizens. According to him, his government was already taking necessary steps to end Boko Haram which has continued to kill in-

nocent lives. Such steps, he noted, include the rejigging of the nation's security architecture through replacement of service chiefs on Monday. The president stressed that the support of countries within the African region and the Lake Chad area would help a great deal especially now that Boko Haram has joined forces with the Islamic State of Iraqi and Syria (ISIS) which has the capacity to extend their activities to other parts of

the world. While thanking their countries for the support for his elections, Buhari said his government will work towards diversifying the economy and blocking of leakages in the course of fighting corruption. Dean of diplomatic corps, Ambassador Oubi Bachir of Saharawi Republic (Western Sahara) had earlier commended the president on his election and the people of Nigeria for a peaceful democratic transition.

He said the commitment to the unity of Nigeria was a display of high sense of citizenship and nationalism. Oubi, who also thanked the president for hosting them to the breaking of fast, condemned the insurgency in the NorthEast which he said has nothing to do with Islam. He also said that members of the corps believe the efforts of the president would be a success and assured that they would all stand to support Nigeria end terrorism.

Travel Advisory

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

KLM

air maroc Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos KL587 Lagos-Amsterdam KL588

13:15hrs 20:00hrs 23:05hrs 05:50hrs

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York New York-Lagos Lagos-Johannesburg Johannesburg-Lagos Lagos-Douala Douala-Lagos Lagos-Accra

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 108 (Thurs, Sat, Mon) W3 103 W3 104 W3 380 (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat) W3 381 (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat) W3 300 W3 304 W3 301 W3 305 W3 386 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 387 (Thurs, Sat, Mon) W3 386 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 388 (Tue, Thurs, Sat) W3 387 (Thurs, Sat, Mon) W3 389 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 362 (Tue, Thurs, Sat) W3 363 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 390 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 391 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 380/390 (Daily) W3 381 (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat) W3 391 (Wed, Fri, Sun)

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:30hrs 12:25hrs 13:30hrs 23:15hrs 11:15hrs 14:45hrs 07:20hrs 07:00hrs 08:05hrs 17:45hrs 19:49hrs 01:50hrs 19:40hrs 20:30hrs 00:25hrs 03:00hrs 21:30hrs 02:00hrs 11:15hrs 13:35hrs 11:15hrs 17:00hrs

18:45hrs 04:15hrs 05:30hrs 04:00hrs 20:40hrs 04:30hrs 14:00hrs 17:30hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs 10:05hrs 19:45hrs 22:15hrs 06:25hrs 22:15hrs 00:30hrs 06:25hrs 09:00hrs 00:30hrs 05:hrs 12:50hrs 17:10hrs 11:45hrs 17:30hrs

16:40hrs

17:10hrs

W3 363 (Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 390 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 391 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 380/390 (Daily)

02:00hrs 05:hrs 11:15hrs 12:50hrs

ARIK AIR

Accra-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos Lagos-Luanda Luanda-Lagos Lagos-Abidjan Abidjan-Lagos Lagos-Cotonou Cotonou-Lagos

16:40hrs 17:10hrs Abidjan-Lagos Lagos-Cotonou

13:35hrs

17:10hrs

11:15hrs

11:45hrs

17:00hrs

21:30hrs

00:30hrs

W3 363 (Wed, Fri, Sun)

02:00hrs 05:hrs

Cotonou-Lagos W3 391 (Wed, Fri, Sun)

16:40hrs

W3 391 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) W3 380/390 (Daily) W3 381 (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat) 17:00hrs

13:35hrs

17:10hrs

11:15hrs 07:35hrs

11:45hrs 12:50hrs

14:20hrs

19:45hrs

EK 761

23:55hrs 10:30hrs

17:10hrs

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 23:45hrs 07:20hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos - Addis Ababa Addis Ababa - Lagos Abuja - Addis Ababa Addis Ababa - Abuja Enugu - Addis Ababa Addis Ababa Enugu Kano - Addis Ababa Addis Ababa - Kano

ET900 ET901 ET910 ET911 ET930

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs

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

ET931

09:20hrs 11:15hrs

ET930 ET931

14:05hrs 20:50hrs 09:20hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 5:25+1hrs 16:00hrs 20:20hrs

17:10hrs Cotonou-Lagos W3 391 (Wed, Fri, Sun)

16:40hrs

DELTA AIRLINES

UNITED AIRLINES

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

IBERIA

Lagos-Casablanca AT738 Casablanca-Lagos AT 737

06:25hrs 09:55hrs 02:15hrs 6:00hrs

Lagos-London London-Lagos

VS 652 VS 651

11:00hrs 17:00hrs 22:40hrs 4:40hrs

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday)

20.45hrs 07:00hrs 09:50hrs 20:05hrs 09.20 hrs 20:10hrs

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 955

06:30hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 22:20hrs 08:30hrs 13:30hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

KQ 533 KQ 534

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

Lagos-Kigali

AWB 201 11:15hrs (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 (Tue, Thur, Sat, 14:00hrs Sun)

16:45hrs

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ETIHAD AIRWAYS

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS RwandAir Kigali-Lagos

17:30hrs

Turkish Airlines Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

22:35hrs 06:00hrs 15:10hrs 21:20hrs

Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

HF 851 (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) 10:10hrs HF 852 (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat) 19:20hrs

10:50hrs 21.50hrs

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

Flight No. KP 032 (Tue-Fri) KP 032 ( Tue-Fri) KP 033 (Wed-Sat) KP O33 (Wed-Sat) KP O40 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP O44 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP O45 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat)

Arrival 15:55hrs 18:15hrs 10:00hrs 12:20hrs 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 18:45hrs 08:55hrs 11:25hrs 12:45hrs 14:10hrs 16:40hrs 18:50hrs 08:40hrs 11:10hrs 12:30hrs

Air Côte d'Ivoire ASKY AIRLINES

Departure 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 8:20hrs 10:35hrs 13:00hr 14:40hrs 17:00hrs 7:15hrs 9:35hrs 11:55hrs 13:10hrs 14:50hrs 17:10hrs 07:00hrs 09:20hrs 11:40hrs

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Anti-Saraki senators reject equality in committee sharing lSeek accelerated police probe into forgery scandal

Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate Unity Forum (SUF), a group of Senators opposing the emergence of Bukola Saraki as President of the Senate, yesterday threatened to reject and resist the equality principle stipulated in the 2015 Senate Standing Order for the distribution of Senate Standing Committees. Order 3(4) of the 2015 Senate Standing Order stipulates that the committees be shared equally among the six geo-political zones of the country, irrespective of party affiliation. Going by this principle, each zone is expected to get at least nine committee chairmanship seats out of the 57 Senate committees that will be set up by the Chamber in due course. The Order states: "The appointment of senators as chairmen and members of committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the six geo-political zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of Senators from a few geopolitical zones." However, in previous assemblies, distribution of chairmanship positions of the 57 committees have always been done in favour of senators of the ruling party and ranking

in status. The PDP enjoyed this privileged up to the 7th Senate. The alteration of this principle by the new provision has, however, provoked agitation from the factional group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who are opposed to Saraki's emergence as President of the Senate. Consequently, the aggrieved senators said that it would ensure that the new sharing arrangement, which gave advantage to the minority party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not stand. The SUF, in a statement by its spokesperson, Senator Kabir Marafa, lamented that the police action on the issue was becoming too slow and worrisome. Accordingly, the Forum called on well-meaning Nigerians to, as a matter of urgency, prevail on authorities concerned to commence necessary investigation that would unravel the forgery scandal. The amendments made to the 2015 Senate Standing Rule, by yet to be identified individuals, had generated crisis recently when the SUF petitioned the police over the controversial document. Based on the petition, the police subsequently quizzed the leadership of the 7th Senate, including former Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwer-

Presidency dismisses Buhari anti-Igbo sentiments

he presidency has dismissed the claim by a pirate radio station that President Muhammadu Buhari expressed anti-Igbo sentiments in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service. A statement issued by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the claim was “completely false, malicious and slanderous.” He said the voice being ascribed to President Buhari in the recording repeatedly played back by the station was definitely not the President's voice. He said the claim that the station got the recording from a BBC interview was also totally untrue. “No one should be deceived by the pirate radio station's hate propaganda against the President. “President Buhari has not had any interview with BBC Hausa Service since his assumption of office as alleged by the agents of disunity behind the pirate ra-

dio station's inflammatory and divisive broadcasts,” he added. Shehu noted that the last interview the President had with the BBC Hausa Service, lasting not more than five minutes, was on the day he was declared winner and given his certificate of return as President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “Thankfully, the BBC Hausa Service Editor, Mr. Mansor Liman has distanced the BBC from the false interview clip being ascribed by the pirate radio station to President Buhari. “President Buhari is the President of all Nigerians and will continue to treat all citizens on the basis of fairness, equality and equity,” he said. He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to ignore all propaganda designed to sow seeds of discord among them and promote a separatist agenda against national unity, solidarity and progress.”

emadu; former Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba; and former Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang. Marafa said: "The problem is that the Senate was inaugurated using a forged document. Who forged that document? We can't gloss over or sweep that criminality under the carpet. Nigeria is not a banana republic! "The standing order is an offshoot of the constitution, it spelt out clearly in order 110 (1-5) how it can be amended just like the

constitution spelt out how it can be amended in section 9 (1-4). "The insertion of order 3 (2 iv) & 3 (3e i-iv) in the 2015 edition is a deliberate act perpetrated by 5th columnist operating within the National Assembly to sabotage the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. "It was done to cause friction, disaffection and generate bad blood among senators from different zones and provoke a confusion in the Senate with the sole aim of stagnating government business to

give them time to perfect their agenda.” He lamented that the insertion of order 3 (2 iv ) was done to favour the PDP caucus in the Senate who supported Senator Saraki to become the Senate President. He said: "For 16 years of PDP leadership, the presiding officers and committee headship was skewed in favour of the zones that produced more PDP senators but suddenly they introduced equality of zones in the distribution of these offices because they lost out. This is unacceptable

to APC senators. "Let me use this medium to call on all wellmeaning Nigerians to as a matter of urgency call on all the authorities concerned to commence investigation into this illegality before it overwhelms us as a nation." Also, Marafa pointed out that there was no law that sets time frame within which the Senate would clear the service chiefs, stating that the president has powers to appoint them on acting capacity, which he did on Monday.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (left) with the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr. Alfonso Sebastian, during a courtesy visit to Dogara in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Anyaoku: Buhari can fight corruption

lMeets president over US visit Anule Emmanuel Abuja

ormer Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday held crucial talks with President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the president's visit to the United States. Anyaoku, a renowned diplomat with vast understanding of foreign policy issues, had visited Buhari at the Presidential Villa to exchange ideas on issues that would be discussed between President Barrack Obama and Buhari. Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting, Anyaoku said: "I had a positive discussion with the president; we discussed international affairs, including in particular his forthcoming visit to the United States on the invitation of President Obama.

"We also touched on some national issues because of the strong link between foreign policy and domestic issues. I put at his disposal the benefits of my long experience on governance matters with Heads of Governments of 54-member countries of the Commonwealth and also other issues related to internal affairs." Asked to disclose details of the talks, Anyaoku said it would be inappropriate for him to publicly divulge the advice he gave Buhari privately. He said: "I saw myself talking to a President who is very determined to effect a real change in the circumstances of our country and very determined too to bring to bear on his administration the generally perceived attributes of his character, which I believe many Nigerians would support." Anyaoku stressed that he had confidence in President Buhari's capacity to

fight endemic corruption. "I believe in his determination to fight corruption, he will go a long way in that regard. "Well, I believe that before he became president, he was known as somebody who has very strong passion for anti-corruption. I believe that he is determined to fight and he would go a long way in doing so. Corruption is a very endemic issue in our society and I'm quite impressed of his determination to do something about it." Meanwhile, former presidential candidate and journalist, Dele Momodu, also held talks with the president. "We spoke about anticorruption crusade and I must say today that he reassured me that not only does he know what he is doing, he is determined to make Nigeria work,” Momodu said after the meeting with the president. Asked about his recent

comments that the president was too slow, Momodu said: "You know on social media people can post anything. I actually wrote him a memo…. "I know he reads voraciously and that was one of reasons he was able to invite me because I wrote what I called a desperate memo to President Buhari. Of course people slanted it, some people said maybe we are no longer supporting him and all that. "If you like someone you must be able to tell him the truth at all times, and what I have realised in so many years of interacting with people in government is that once you get to power, people stops telling you the truth; they tell you only what they think you want to hear. And I'm happy he said we should argue with him, tell him the truth if things are going wrong and we should not be afraid of telling the truth.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Money laundering: Nyako, senator accuse EFCC of persecution Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he embattled former governor of Adamawa State, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and his son, Senator Abdulaziz, yesterday faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for choosing to persecute rather than prosecute them over allegations of financial impropriety levelled against them by the anti-graft agency. Nyako spoke against the backdrop of what he described as "baseless, wicked and unfounded allegation" by the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Jacob, while opposing his (Nyako) bail application on July 10. Speaking through one of his counsel, M.M. Bakare, in a statement yesterday, Nyako noted that from Jacob's claims, "it was obvious that the whole process was a stunt stagemanaged by the leadership of the EFCC to achieve some public relations goal and probably anchor them on a pedestal that will impress the new leadership of the country." He also noted that the most worrisome of all the allegations presented by the EFCC lawyer was the

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allegation that Nyako and his son, Abdulaziz, have a hand in the death of two witnesses of the commission. Bakare explained that contrary to EFCC's insinuation, two out of 31 witnesses on its list had died in hospitals after battling with certain known ailments. "They neither died at the same time nor slumped and died as insinuated by the EFCC. "While one died in a hospital in Abuja, the other died in a hospital in Yola shortly after he returned from a complicated medical treatment abroad. "It is therefore unfair, unjust and uncharitable to accuse Nyako and his son of the death of the two persons, who as every human being have a sure date with death. "This is totally unethical and Admiral Nyako has already decided to sue both the EFCC and their lawyer to court for defamation of character," he added. Bakare further described as blatant falsehood, EFCC's allegation that Nyako's son, Abdulaziz jumped bail and returned to Nigeria after May 29. "That is totally false and in fact malicious. The truth is that Abdulaziz was in Nigeria during the electioneering.

"He contested as a senator, went through the process of both security and party screening, campaigned for the election and was arrested by the EFCC in Gombe within the same period," he stated. Bakare further stated that Abdulaziz was brought to Abuja from Gombe, detained and was granted administrative bail with conditions to report daily which he

complied. He also pointed out that out of 37-count charge, many were contradictory, repetitive and often times spanning to December 2014, when as a matter of fact, Nyako was illegally removed from office in July 2014. Consequently, he accused the EFCC leadership of "trying to persecute rather than prosecute a few high profile personal-

Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Mr. Aminu Gwadabe, said the CBN had fixed a spread at which BDC operators could resell dollars, which the regulator sells to them at not more than 3.5 per cent to its clearing rate. But those measures just delay the inevitable, said Director of Sovereign Ratings at Standard & Poor's, Ravi Bhatia. "Another devaluation is inevitable... they will have no option but to devalue," a report yesterday by Reuters quoted Bhatia as saying at a media briefing in London. According to him, many investors are positioning for a devaluation of around 15 per cent, which sounded "reasonable", though even more might be needed. Non-deliverable forwards - derivatives used to hedge against future exchange rate moves - reflect expectations of currency weakening: six-month NDFs price the naira at N233 per dollar, some 18 per cent weaker than the Central Bank pegged rate of N196.95 on Tuesday.

losing virtually all their cases, the manner of the prosecution of the Nyako case provides such proof abundantly. "From the framing of the charges to the conduct of their lawyers in court, everything was wrong. “It was quite obvious that the goal is to prosecute Nyako, tarnish his image and give him a bad name in the eyes of the public,” Bakare stated.

Publisher, Ovation magazine, Mr. Dele Momodu (left) with President Muhammadu Buhari, during his visit in Abuja…yesterday.

S&P: Naira's devaluation inevitable CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ities in order to avert falling victims of the broom of change sweeping across all facets of the country. "When lawyers abandon the presentation of evidence and resort to dramatization and presentation of wild, malicious and false insinuations according to the statement, it means a desire to malign the accused. “If there is any proof as to why the EFCC keep

Yesterday, the naira hit another record low of N242 against the dollar on the parallel market operated by dealers in BDCs, down 0.42 per cent from Tuesday. The naira has been hitting record lows on the parallel market since the Central Bank's measures were introduced three weeks ago. Bhatia did not expect the adjustment to be done in one go. "I think at this stage, the plan is to move in increments, not to do a 'one big step' devaluation like they would in the old days," he said. The CBN has said it is in no mood to devalue the naira, given the risks to inflation from a weaker currency, and that it will not be focusing on the thinly traded parallel market when determining the exchange rate. Investors have also been nervous Nigeria might lose its place in the JP Morgan benchmark GBI-EM local currency debt index. Bhatia said this was a "real possibility", although he expected the government to adjust policy enough to maintain its membership.

"At some point they have to decide: do they want to go with their policies or do they want to stay in, and at the moment they are trying to do both, and it has worked. But there are issues there, and it is a concern," he said. Renaissance Capital, a leading investment banking firm originating from Russia that operates in high-opportunity emerging and frontier markets, a few days ago, put the shortfall in the forex market, which the CBN had not been able to meet at $4 billion. Since June 24 when the markets started reacting to the CBN’s latest policy to restrict access to foreign exchange for certain categories of importers, the naira has declined against the dollar almost on a daily basis. Yvonne Mhango of Renaissance Capital had also predicted that the naira will weaken to between N220 and N230 by the end of the year. As at April, the CBN had spent $4.7 billion in defending the naira. Last February alone, it spent at least $3.4 billion in stabilising the exchange rate.

Presidency: Security, terror war top agenda for Buhari’s US visit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

which the two leaders would exchange ideas on tackling the insurgency in the North-East that has caused the death of some 15,000 people since 2009. A statement yesterday by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari, who departs from Nigeria on Sunday for the US, would during the visit hold highlevel talks with Obama and other senior US officials on ways to foster stronger economic ties between the two countries. According to Adesina, others issues on the agenda of the visit include measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West Africa. Details of the itinerary show that Buhari would meet with Obama at the White House on Monday after which he would hold further discussions with the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin

Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of Defence, Mr. Robert Work on military and defence cooperation. The president is also expected to meet with Vice-President Joe Biden and confer with the US Attorney-General, Loretta Lynch; Secretary of Treasury, Jack Lew; Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and the US Trade representative, Michael Froman on Washington's support for his administration's war against corruption as well as fresh measures to boost Nigeria-United States trade relations. "Before leaving Washington DC, President Buhari will address the United States Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa," a statement by Adesina said. The US trip will also afford Buhari the opportunity of a reunion with members of the American War College Class of 1980 in which he was a distinguished participant. He is expected back in Abuja on July 23.

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, july 16, 2015

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national

PDP: APC conniving with DSS to influence election tribunals A

Bail-out: Rep sues Buhari

Philip Nyam Abuja

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Pe o p l e s Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged a plot by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to use the Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Lawan Daura to interfere in some election petitions pending before the tribunals. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who briefed journalists at the end of the weekly National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday, said the party has received information that the DG DSS has invited some people handling election cases in Rivers and other states to discuss matters before the tribunal. "In that regard, the NWC is aware that the DG DSS has even invited some people in relation to Rivers State and other state tribunal and trying to discuss such matters with tribunal members. "PDP wants to alert the nation and international community that this is gross interference in democratic affairs, which can lead to draconian regime where

security forces and apparatus of government will be used to decide and influence election matters," Metuh observed. He further noted the dissolution of local government councils in Plateau and Katsina States, where the APC is in control, without valid court judgement. Metuh argued that in Rivers State, where the court has dissolved local government councils il-

he Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday denied reports that it owed Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) N57 billion debts. The company said this in a statement by its General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs. Seun Olagunju. It added that the alleged debts and the referenced imputation published on it are totally false and should be disregarded. The statement read: Sequel to the story titled, “Nigeria Risks Major Power Cuts over TCN N57bn Debt” published on Thursday, July 14, 2015 in a national daily alleging that TCN was indebted to NDPHC for electricity generated and supplied to the national grid, the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, wishes to categorically state that it is not indebt-

son also disclosed that the party had noted a wide range of agitations concerning the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees (BoT), and promised that the NWC will work with party stakeholders to fill vacancies created in the BoT as a result of death, defection to other political parties and passivity of some members. Metuh added that the party's ward and local

congresses in Anambra State will hold from Tuesday next week. He, however, said the disciplinary case against his deputy, Abdullahi Jalo for "unguarded utterances in some of Nigerian newspapers," was being handled internally. Jalo was last week, invited to appear before the NWC to explain why he could not be disciplined.

L-R: Chairman, Centre for Petroleum Information (CPI) Board of Governors, Mr. Chambers Oyibo; former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Funsho Kupolokun and Vice-Chairman, CPI Board, Mr. Afolabi Oladele at petroleum policy roundtable seminar with the theme: ”Does Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Need Restructuring?” in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

TCN denies owing NDPHC N57bn Adeola Yusuf

legally put in place by the past administration in the state, the police have interfered and stopped the caretaker committees appointed by the state government. That, he said, was proof that the APC-led Federal Government was using security apparatus to its own interest and at the same time, suppressing and undermining the opposition party. The PDP spokesper-

ed to NDPHC and that the referenced imputation is totally false and should be disregarded. “For the avoidance of doubt, TCN, like the NDPHC, is a participant in the Nigerian Electricity Market, and is also owed several billions of naira by the market.” The body of the story, according to Olagunju, actually “shows that the actual parties involved in the matter are NDPHC, NERC, the Federal Ministry of Power and Market Operations, MO, which is a unit of TCN that acts as the administrator of the market.” The function of the Market Operations, according to the Market Rules, the extant laws governing the Nigerian Electricity Market (Section 29.1.2) is to administer the billing and payment process. She added, “It therefore represents the market participants, but does not assume any payment responsibilities."

member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (PDP, Ebonyi) has dragged President Mohammadu Buhari to a Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the decision of the Federal Government to offer N700 billion financial bailout to states and local governments across the country. He is seeking the nullification of the action. Enwo, who spoke to House Correspondent yesterday in Abuja declared that the President should not sacrifice constitutionalism on the alter of political expediency, in spite of the consequences of the financial predicament of the affected states. The lawmaker representing Afikpo North/ Afikpo South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State disclosed that he approached the court and prayed it to nullify the action of the Federal Government and declare the decision unconstitutional.

Hajj: Mimiko praises former PDP govs Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

Senate has no business screening C service chiefs — Ikponmwen Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

former Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Army , Brig. General Don Idada Ikponmwen, yesterday faulted the move by President Muhammadu Buhari to submit the list of the newly appointed service chiefs for screening and confirmation by the upper chamber( Senate) of the National Assembly. Ikponmwen, a lawyer and former Director, Legal Services in the Nigeria Army, said the Senate should have no business screening and confirming the service chiefs as that would amount to politicizing the Armed Forces and threatening the security of the nation. "The point has to be made that the Command and control of the Armed Forces must not be allowed to be compromised

on the altar of politics. This compromise would inevitably arise when the Command of the Armed Forces, particularly in terms of appointment, becomes an issue for the National Assembly," he said. The current attempt to subject the appointment of service chiefs to the approval by the Senate, Ikponmwen said, subtracts from the powers granted the President by the 1999 Constitution. According to him, the Constitution is unambiguous on the issue, hence it specified clearly where the President ought to consult or submit for screening or confirmation of appointments. In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, Ikpomnwen argued that those who craved for the screening of security chiefs by the legislators were wrongly equating their appointment with

those of the ministers and other top government functionaries, whom the constitution clearly specified should be screened and approved by the parliament. He said that Section 130(1) of the Nigerian Constitution shows the nature of a Presidency that cannot be treated like a mere figure head but one that is "the Head of State, The Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation." He said that the fact that the President is elected from all the constituencies of the Federation and thereby vested with grassroots support across the country which makes him greater than the mandate of all legislators put together. "Sections 133 and 134 of the Constitution explain the power exercisable by

hairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, said despite the travails of some former governors of the party, their foresight to construct airport in their states while in office is of tremendous assistance to the people of the states. Particularly, Mimiko noted that the airports constructed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and his Bauchi and Kebbi States counterpart, Isah Yuguda and Saidu Dakingari in their respective states, have alleviated the sufferings of the citizens of their states who are going on this year's hajj to Mecca. In a statement yesterday by Patrick Okon of the Forum's secretariat, the Ondo State governor said pilgrims from the three states now board flights directly to perform Hajj without the stress of travelling initially to Kano or Sokoto States to perform their religious obligations.

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Muritala Ayinla and Emmanuel Onani

he France Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer, yesterday said his country would intensify collaboration with Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram menace, saying that the sect has not only constituted a threat to Nigeria, but also to other francophone countries in the sub-region. Gauer said the French government had recently encouraged other neigbouring African countries to cooperate with Nigeria in tackling the menace of insurgency, adding that the move has led to the implementation of the multilateral joint task force, which would be established in Ndjamena, Chad, but with a Nigerian General as its head. Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the Ikeja State House, the French ambassador said France has since been providing intelligence support for Nigeria since the meeting of President Francois Hollande with the former Nigerian President and the Presidents of all the surrounding francophone countries. The envoy’s visit came even as reports yesterday said Boko Haram fighters killed about 12 people

national

France promises intelligence, military support against Boko Haram on Tuesday in Warsala, Ngamdu, a town located on the Borno/Yobe border, according to a report by Reuters. The report said the killing occurred after the insurgents raided Damasak, which is a few kilometres away from the Nigerien border. The attack, the report

l Insurgents kill 12 in Borno said, may be linked to the reported withdrawal of troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) from the town. It said the attack was reported by a military official and a leader of the Vigilante group in Maiduguri, the Borno State

he Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has faulted the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his call for the scrapping of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In a paper delivered during the seventh Prof. Wole Soyinka Birthday Lecture in Lagos, the Acting General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, said instead of ‘killing

PHOTO:TONYEGUAYE.

the NNPC,’ the governor should have called for the insulation of the corporation from undue political interference that distract the organisation. Okugbawa said the corruption issue in the NNPC, mentioned by the governor, was a problem hindering Nigeria’s growth and development in the oil and gas sector as a whole, adding, “Let the government deal with the corruption in the system, but not to throw away the baby with the bath water.” He said the NNPC was created by an Act of Parliament in 1977, and is

made up of the holding office; subsidiaries and service units and all have been subjected to undue political interference, which hinders its autonomy for effective running and competitiveness in the last six years. He said: “If you look at the NNPC today, it has been politicised with most of its decisions and operations influenced by political motives and at times, executive fiat. The corporation is so much tied to the apron of the political office holders, but not the technocrats that are at the helm of affairs.”

Guber aspirant unveils plan to revamp Ajaokuta Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (AP) in Kogi State, Dr. Habeeb Yaqeen, yesterday promised to revamp the Ajaokuta Steel Mill in the state, which he believed will help develop the state and provide em-

capital. But speaking with Governor Ambode in Lagos yesterday, Ambassador Gauer said the Boko Haram insurgents “have become a real threat, not only to Nigeria, but also to the neighbouring coun-

tries and the whole region and so, we discovered that we have to work with the whole region and that’s why in May 2014, President Hollande conveyed in Paris a meeting with the former Nigeria President and the Presidents of all the surrounding francophone countries to help them to work together and to coop-

L-R: Project Manager, Literary and Creative Writing Competition (LCWC), Mr. Agbo Emmanuel; Coordinator, Mrs. Abimbola Tunji-Ogunsanya; first position, Chrisland High School, OGC, Lagos, Juliet Emmanuel and Programme Development Manager, Mr. Reginald Owen-Ode, during the LCWC for Secondary School in Nigeria 2015 Lagos Zone grand finale, at PAN Atlantic University, Ajah Lagos….yesterday.

PENGASSAN faults el-Rufai’s call to scrap NNPC Sunday Ojeme

thursday, july 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

ployment. The Kogi State governorship election has been slated for November by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yaqeen, a former banker, said he has already outlined three action plans for the resuscitation of the steel mill which he hopes to employ as a mechanism

to drive the effort. Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, he said if he eventually becomes the governor, he will take necessary steps to actualise his dream of seeing that the Ajaokuta Steel Mill is brought to life. He said: “Like I told you, we need about N200 billion to revive Ajaokuta."

erate against Boko Haram. “And since then, we are working very closely with the Nigeria military forces, we are providing them with intelligence and military support, we are also supporting very strongly, your neighbours and encouraging them to cooperate, which led finally to the implementation of that multilateral joint task force which would be established in Ndjamena, but with a Nigerian General as its head, so that’s why our relations are expanding in very strong ways, but also we have to relate more economically and that’s why I try to come to Lagos often to Laos.” The envoy indicated the interest of the French government to increase her economic presence in Lagos State as the nation's commercial capital, saying that more French companies are considering establishing their presence in Lagos as well as partner the state government on infrastructural development.

Offset unremitted deductions, NLC tells Amosun Kunle Olayeni

Missing kids: Community unaware Anambra orphanage was 'baby factory' Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

ore facts emerged yesterday about the missing 21 children at Atani Community Motherless Babies’ Home in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the confirmation of the baby factory in the community by residents of the area. A community leader, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the home is owned by one of the orthodox churches. He said: “That place has been on for nearly 20 years, if you like, you can go in there and see pregnant girls and children living there, but I don’t know what they do with the children because am not living with them,” the source stated. Another resident told our correspondent that during the 2012 flood disaster, the pregnant girls and new born babies were moved to one of the churches in Onitsha, which they used as a refugee camp until the tide retreats. The then Anambra State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Princess Chinwe Nwae-

bili Clare, was also at the refugee camp where she donated some relief materials to the management of the home. She said: “We believed it is a motherless babies’ home, but what we don’t know was about those pregnant girls.” So many other people used to bring food items such as rice, beans, milk, yams, and other condiments during Christmas and Easter festivities, but I am surprised that some children are missing from the home. “We have never heard such news, this one is strange.” All efforts to speak with the management of the home proved abortive, because there was nobody to talk to as at the time of the visit while the rooms were under lock and key. When contacted on telephone, the Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Victoria Chikelu, simply told our correspondent that she was not aware. But when pressed further, she confirmed directing our reporter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Awka, Mrs. Victoria Mgbemena.

Abeokuta

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ogun State yesterday accused the state government of non-remittance of pension deductions for the past 60 months. The union, which disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta, also urged the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration not to divert the recent bailout funds approved by the Federal Government to settle other debts. Addressing a press conference shortly after the NLC held its congress yesterday, the union Chairman, Comrade Akeem Ambali, decried the unpaid contributory pension deductions and other backlog of arrears, which he said, had gone unchecked in the state for five years. According to him, workers in the state are becoming restless, agitated and losing hope of survival as a result of the non-remittance of their entitlements. Ambali said pension deductions, cooperative deductions, gratuities, check-off dues and a host of others have not been remitted to the appropriate quarters in almost one year.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NATIONAL NATIONAL

FG alleges fraud in scholarship scheme

Metre manufacturers want NERC to lSays syndicates charge N119,000 for scholarship biala, who addressed jour- come to the notice of the admissions into Federal open up Yekeen Nurudeen nalists on the development, Management of the Fed- Government Unity ColABUJA disclosed that his office has eral Ministry of Educa- leges. The Ministry does market been inundated with com- tion that some fraudulent not charge money to offer

he Electricity Meter Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN) on Wednesday advised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to open up the meter market for free competition. The Executive Secretary of EMMAN, Mr Muydeen Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that such liberalisation would check the challenges of estimated billings. He said that liberalisation would enable local manufacturers sell meters in bulk to barracks, government institutions, private estates and pther vendors accredited by NERC. He added that several EMMAN members had been forced to reduce their workforce as a result of non-patronage by electricity distribution companies in the country. The EMMAN scribe said such prepaid meters should be installed by Discos, instead of the current practice where Discos only provide metering facilities. He said that while consumers were clamouring for pre-paid meters to enable them get value for their money, majority of the Discos were yet to patronise local pre-paid meters.

he federal government yesterday raised the alarm over the activities of some syndicates who it alleged have been defrauding unsuspecting parents to pay for scholarships and admission to the Federal Government Colleges also known as Unity Schools. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac John Nwao-

plaints from parents and guardians who have fallen victims to the fraudsters. While alleging that some staff of Federal Scholarship Board might have been conniving with the syndicates, the Permanent Secretary disclosed that the victims are made to pay as much as N119,000 to benefit from the federal government scholarship scheme. “In recent time it has

persons who claim to be staff of Federal Scholarship Board are contacting Federal Scholarship applicants/scholars via telephone calls and text messages demanding payment of some amount of money into some particular bank accounts before their scholarships are processed and awarded. “Similar reports have also been received on

admission at any level. If a candidate is not selected under national merit, state equity or other criteria, there are no agents that would be paid to make the admission possible. Please be mindful of admission racketeers,” Nwaobiala said. He however added that security operatives are already investigating the matter, noting that the account

numbers and telephone numbers of the syndicates involved are already being tracked by the Police. Dr. Nwaobila who warned parents and students not to fall prey to the syndicates explained that the Federal Scholarship Board processes three categories of award namely: the Nigerian awards tenable in Nigerian tertiary institution, the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) received from countries with which Nigeria has bilateral education agreements, and the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan awards.

Adamawa to have 20 commissioners –Party chairman Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

L-R: SHE Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO (FCW), Mr. Olumuyi Olasunkanmi; President Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Operations Director (FCW), Mr. Doyin Ashiru and Internal Communication Manager, Mr. James Amusu, at the presentation of an ambulance van to FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in Lagos …on Tuesday.

damawa state Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Yamusa Shuaibu, has said that the state has resolved to have more that 20 Commissioners in its cabinet. Shuaibu made this known in an interview with Newsmen in Yola. He said the measure was to give all constituencies in the state a sense of belonging. Shuaibu who did not give the total number of nominees in the lists said 10 out of the slots were reserved for technocrats. He explained that the decision to have technocrats in the cabinet was in line with the recommendation of the state Transition Committee to the state government.

Senior civil servants demand N46, 000 minimum wage

11 die as cattle rustlers invade Niger villages

Dan Atori

gainst the backdrop of worsening hardships facing civil servants, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCEN) has demanded N46,000 as minimum wage for workers. The Secretary-General of ASCEN, Mr Basir Lawal, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that the current N18, 000 minimum wage was no longer feasible. He said the new wage being sought by workers was arrived at after the association’s meeting with the National Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (NPSJNC). “In the past one year, we presented a proposal for salary review to the Federal Government but the government said that the price of crude oil had fallen. “We argued that if the price of crude is 30 dollars per barrel and the

resources of the country are well managed, money will be enough to pay workers decent salaries. “From the memo we submitted to the NPSJNC, we computed what it will take for an average worker to survive and we arrived at N66, 000. So we took 75 per cent of that and we arrived at N46, 000 minimum wage,” Lawal said. He said that the joint negotiation council used the table for the payment of N18, 000 minimum wages to arrive at the N46, 000 being demanded. “If the government believes that the amount will create crisis, we will tell them what to do to ensure that everybody will be carried along.’’ He urged government to show understanding with workers on their demand and do the needful to make life worth living for Nigerian civil servants.

lPolice ill-equipped to handle situation – Senator MINNA

o fewer than 11 persons including three villagers have been reportedly killed following the invasion and attack on some villages in Shiroro local government area of Niger state by armed cattle rustlers.

The cow thieves were said to have attacked Kwati, Basa and Kaore villages in Lakpan area of the local government and carted away many cows over the weekend. It was gathered that some youthful local vigilantes chased the rustlers and confronted them resulting in the killing of eight of the rustlers while three of

the vigilantes also lost their lives. Head of the vigilantes in Kwati village, Ibrahim Sule said in an interview with our Correspondent on Wednesday that the youths have to confront the rustlers with bare hands because of lack of police presence in the area. According to him “the clash that followed the hot

chase, one of my men and 22 years old Bashir Guduma was killed while eight of the rustlers also died in the battle.” In a condolence visit to the people of the area, the Senator representing Niger East at the National Assembly, Senator David Umaru, decried the increasing activities of cattle rustlers in parts of the state, saying that the police is ill-equipped to handle the situation.

Tree planting identified as recipe for global warming T

he Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell, Onga, Toptea and Loya milk, Mr. Olivier Thiry, has said tree planting is a global phenomenon used to create a green environment that can protect our earth from the drastic effects of global warming. Thiry made the declaration in Lagos yesterday as the company collaborated with the La-

gos State Government to mark the Tree-Planting Day. As part of the collaboration, Promasidor provided space within its premises where a tree was planted by the State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, assisted by Thiry. Speaking at the occasion, Thiry explained that the partnership with the Lagos State Government and Lagos State

Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) was to re-affirm Promasidor’s commitment to best global environment practices. “We are very proud to host and be associated with this noble project,” he said. He added that Promasidor operates within an eco-friendly environment as its principal alternate source of power is gas generators. To run these generators, he

stated, is more expensive than diesel generators but they are confirmed to be environment-friendly owing to its less offensive emissions. His words: “In this regard too, all our extractor fans in the factory are wind-powered consuming zero electricity and our street lights are solar-powered. All these and more testify to our love and respect for the environment.”

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro MURDER

Thinking their daddy was kidnapped, children were praying for OAU lecturer’s safety, whereas he was in the throes of death

Adeolu Adeyemo and Taiwo Jimoh

OAU lecturer assassinated

unmen have shot dead a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Dr Deji Adejobi. The deceased is also the elder brother of the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The assassins invaded Adejobi’s house at the Tollgate area of Ile-Ife on Tuesday night and shot him twice in the chest. One of the children of the late lecturer, Oyin Adejobi, said: “Dad drove into the compound a few minutes after we concluded our evening prayer. That was at 10:05pm. Some people trailed him into the compound. “I later overheard a hot argument between the gateman and some people which made me to peep through the window. I saw a black car which entered our compound behind dad’s car. “From the window, I heard our gateman questioning the occupants of the car of their mission in the house. But instead of responding, they came out of the car and beat the gateman with machetes. “They also hit him with other sharp objects, ordered him to lie down and started to beat him. “The men in the black car came out before dad could alight from his car and one of them shot into the air. Two of them advanced towards dad’s car while others came inside.

The late Adejobi

Grandma started begging those that came inside. Suddenly, we heard gunshots twice outside.” According to him, the assailants left at 10:20pm and took the lecturer’s car away. He added: “I overheard dad begging them that they should not take him away. When they left, we thought they took him away and we started praying for his safety without knowing that

Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

A ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

46-year-old of mother of three, simply identified as Mrs Ajibola, on Tuesday night hung herself at Ajebamidele area of Ado-Ekiti, after she reportedly showed signs of mental illness. According to some of her neighbours, Ajibola had earlier behaved strangely, reportedly confessing to have spiritually attacked some people in the neighbourhood. Before she committed suicide, Ajibola had earlier in the day told some people that she

he had been killed. “When the police came, they saw his body in the flower.” The younger brother of the deceased, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, expressed sadness over the incident. He promised that the police would do their best to get to the root of the matter. When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Folashade Odoro, vowed that the police

would fish out the killers. Odoro described the incident as horrible and inhuman. The OAU Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, commiserated with the Adejobi family and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss. He said: “It is unfortunate that university lecturers have become the target of kidnappers, armed robbers and assassins.”

EFCC clears Ogun teachers in N326m loan scam Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given a clean bill of health to the 120 secondary school teachers from Ogun State who were quizzed over an alleged multi-million loan scam. The teachers were reported to have obtained loans from First Bank Plc since 2011 and defaulted in repayment. They, however, denied ever taking the loan. But contrary to earlier reports that the loan was N200 million, investigation shows that it was N326 million. It was reliably gathered yesterday that the last batch of the teachers, comprising 20 staff, appeared before the EFCC on Tuesday at the commission’s Lagos office. The anti-graft agency had since penultimate Monday began quizzing the teachers after it invited them through the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM). Following their clearance, the leadership of TESCOM yesterday held a meeting with the affected teachers to appraise the development. The meeting, which held at Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Nawarudeen Road, Abeokuta, lasted about two hours. It was learnt that the TESCOM Acting Chairman, Otunba Timothy Adebowale, and other senior officials of the agency were in attendance. A source, who was privy to the meeting, told our correspondent that the teachers were advised to consider their “ordeal” at the EFCC as “an act of God.”

Mother of three hangs self would hold a press briefing where she would tell the whole world some strange things that had happened. “It was when some of us arrived to listen to what she had to tell us that we discovered that she was nowhere to be found. “It was when we were searching for her that we saw her dangling body on the roof in her house,” a neighbour said. The source said the victim

had been sick and treated several times. He added: “Many times, she had threatened to take her own life. There was even a time she said she would jump into the well and we had to announce to all landlords that they should make sure that all wells are well secured and covered to avoid any mishap.” Another witness, who also craved anonymity, said the deceased was full of life when she saw her on Tuesday morn-

ing, describing her as gentle and jovial. She said: “It is unfortunate that we lost her but I think she had been sick for some time.” The bungalow house of the deceased has been deserted and locked. At Ologede Police Station, where the case was reported, a senior police officer referred our correspondent to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Alberto Adeyemi, for details.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Ex-magistrate’s killer to die by hanging Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

n Ogun State High Court sitting at Isabo in Abeokuta yesterday sentenced 26-year-old David Idah to death by hanging for the murder of a retired Senior Magistrate, Mrs Olufunmilayo Timeyin. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi sentenced the convict, who hails from Benue State and worked as a domestic servant for the late senior magistrate. Idah had on March 28, 2014 killed the 65-year-old Timeyin at her residence in Laderin Housing Estate, Abeokuta. He used a machete to slaughter his victim. Before the tragic incident,

Idah

the convict was sacked by the retired senior magistrate over alleged theft of her jewellery, mobile phones and electronics. Idah was apprehended by residents shortly after killing his boss and later handed over to the police.

The late Mrs Timeyin

He was subsequently arraigned on April 4, 2014 before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court on a one-count charge of unlawful killing. The police said the offence was contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Sec-

Assistant headmaster impersonates EFCC, police

Adamu

Juliana Francis

esperate to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj at all costs, an assistant headmaster at Madaki Primary School, Gombe State, has presented himself as one

of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He has also presented himself in another situation as a police corporal. The suspect, Mohammed Adamu, aka Mohammed

Bala, was said to have been picked up while extorting money from the Executive Secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Alhaji Usman Gurama, under the guise of securing Hajj seat to Saudi Arabia for staff of the Gombe zone of the EFCC. The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the man was apprehended on July 13. He said: “Investigations by the commission revealed that the suspect had written a letter to the executive secretary of the pilgrim’s board, requesting for money to give to staff of EFCC for the pilgrimage to Mecca. Upon his arrest by the EFCC, he confessed not being an employee of the commission.” Those Adamu said he wanted to give the money to are the EFCC head of operations, head of monitoring and investigation, OC legal and prosecution unit and head of team A-D.

Three-storey building collapses in Lagos Muritala Ayinla

three-storey building located at 29 Oloto Street, Ebute-Meta area of Lagos collapsed about 5:45am yesterday. This came barely a week after a four-storey building on 38, Commercial Avenue, Yaba area of the Lagos metropolis caved in. It was gathered that the Ebute-Meta building was part of the distressed structures marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building and Control Agency (LASBCA). The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr Michael Akindele, said no

The building

life was lost in the incident. Akindele commended the former occupants of the building for heeding govern-

ment’s advice to vacate the dilapidated house. He said: “Luckily, no life was lost in the incident as

tion 319 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2008. The case was later transferred to Abeokuta High Court 4, presided over by Akinyemi. Delivering judgment yesterday, the judge found Idah guilty of the murder of the retired senior magistrate and ordered that he be hanged to death. The convict was represented by his counsel, Felix Dalley. Idah, who also worked as guard at the late Timeyin’s residence, gained entry into the bungalow house of the deceased by scaling the fence. The convict had worked for about two months before reportedly stealing his employer’s belongings which eventually led to his sack and detention at police station. Further investigations also revealed that Adamu works with Gombe Local Government Education Authority (LEA) as assistant headmaster at Madaki Primary School, Gombe State. Recovered from Adamu’s possession are police identity card with his name and picture as corporal, a temporary appointment offer letter from Gombe Local Government Education Authority, three different copies of Hajj seat receipts and a letter written by the suspect on a plain paper to the executive secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, requesting for money for supposed staff of EFCC. Also recovered from him are a copy of a motion between Mohammed Jahun as an applicant and Engineer Abubakar and EFCC Gombe Zonal office as respondent with suit number B.A/41m/2015, Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, Gombe State Auction form, form No: 006, a copy of Hajj fare collection receipt, no 1152 for Gombe State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board for Ibrahim Haruna Yawale and five empty envelops for Polo Industries Limited. the building was said to have been abandoned by the occupants several months ago after being served quit notice by LASBCA. “Although all the relevant emergency agencies led by LASEMA and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground to manage the situation generated by the collapsed building. “The structure is an abandoned building already vacated by the occupants. No casualty was recorded at all. The building had been marked for demolition by LASBCA before it eventually collapsed this morning (yesterday). All the occupants have since vacated. The building is closed to the street where we recorded collapsed building incident two years ago.”

City Briefs Clampdown on cyclists begins next week Muritala Ayinla

ndications emerged yesterday that Lagos State Government would begin clampdown on commercial motorcyclists otherwise called Okada riders next week. Since the beginning of the enforcement of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, at least, 45,100 motorcycles have been impounded by the officials of the state Task Force on Environment and Special Offense Unit. The law was enacted by the then Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration on August 2, 2012. Worried by the sudden increase in crime and accident rate as a result of the return of motorcyclists to the hitherto prohibited routes, the government had on June 25, after a meeting with the leaders of the motorcycle unions, given Okada riders a 21-day ultimatum to vacate all restricted routes in the metropolis.

Boat accident: Speaker donates lifejackets to Lagos community Camillus Nnaji

he Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has donated 60 lifejackets and cash to the families of school children who died in a boat accident at Osolu-Irewe in Ojo Local Government Area. Obasa made the donation during a condolence visit to the Osolu of Irewe, Oba Abideen Durosimi, on the death of six school children in a boat accident in on July 2. Obasa, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Omotayo Oduntan, assured the people that the state government would not relent in providing basic amenities to its citizenry. Oba Durosimi, who spoke with our correspondent through the Odofin, Chief Ashafa Daoudu, said the lifejackets would be placed in different boxes along the jetties so that they could be used before any journey and returned on arrival.

‘Religion has not reformed Nigeria’ T

hough Nigerians are religious, religion has not positively impacted on the coun-

try. The President of the Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Kamil Bolarinwa, said this at the society’s Lailatul Qadr (Night of Majesty). The event was held at NASFAT’s Camp Ground at Asese on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Bolarinwa said the aim of the society was to bring up all members to be able to stand out spiritually. While advising faithful to complement their religion with good behaviour and conduct, Bolarinwa noticed that despite the fact that Nigerians were a religious people, religion had not reformed the country. While analysing the society’s achievements in its 20 years of existence, the president lamented the pace of development of the society’s Fountain University based in Osogbo, which he said “falls short of the brief presented to the National University Commission at the inception of the university”.

News

NATIONAL

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Monarchs want death sentence for terrorists Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

raditional Rulers, under the name, National Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NARTN) yesterday called on the National Assembly to amend the constitution to make terrorism a death sentence crime. The 180 Traditional rulers after its 99th National Conference meeting held in Abuja, stated that the present state of the nation’s constitution was not helpful to the fight against insurgence, as it only confers life imprisonment on a terrorist.

In a communiqué read by the National President, HRH Dr. Thomas A. Obiefule, the Traditional Rulers also canvassed for a proper military training of members of the National Youths Service Corps for them to assist in fighting insurgence. Reading the communiqué to journalists in Abuja, the Association’s National President said: “The Association exhaustively deliberated on a wide range of issues on the state of affairs in the country. After critical and unbiased appraisal of the realities on ground in relation to socio-economic and political developments, the Association resolved to advise the Federal Gov-

ernment and National Youth Service Corps to subject members to intensive military training to enable them complement efforts by the Police, the Army and other security agencies in fighting terrorism and all forms of insurgence. The nation’s constitution is not helping the country in fighting insurgence. “For instance, if someone uses explosives to wreak havoc,

killing so many people, he or she will only bag life imprisonment if convicted. This is most unfair and unfortunate. The National Assembly should amend the constitution to carry death penalty. Cases involving terrorism should not exceed three months for judgment to be delivered as it is the case in other countries”. The Association also commended President Muhammadu Buhari

for bailing state governments out of their financial predicament by making money available for them to settle arrears of workers’ salaries and other debts. Advising the President not to be in haste in forming cabinet, they commended the President for his peaceful take-over from his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. The monarchs said: “It is noteworthy that

since the creation of Nigeria, President Buhari is the only democratically elected Nigeria’s President that took over power without facing litigation. “We advise the President not to be in haste to form his cabinet. He should take his time, to avoid costly mistakes. Nigerians should be patient and give him a chance to do what will be in the overall benefit of the country”.

Saraki, FUNNAB don seek poverty eradication through Zakat Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

enate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has canvassed the institutionalisation of Zakat by Muslim faithful in Nigeria, saying the obligatory charity will go a long way in drastically reducing poverty rate in the country. He spoke in Abeokuta during a public lecture organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State to mark its 4th Annual Ramadan Lecture on Tuesday. Also at the event, a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), Dr Sharafadeen Abdulkareem, called for the empowerment of teeming unemployed youths through Zakat. Saraki, who was represented by his Special

Adviser on Media, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, advocated the conscious observance of Zakat, which he noted, remained one of the five pillars of Islam. He decried the nonchalance of many “qualified Muslims” to the payment of Zakat, urging them to henceforth embrace the concept in order to empower the poor and needy. “Those who are qualified to pay Zakat should pay. Our religion is not complete except we pay Zakat. Muslims must learn more about Islam and learning more will let you know what is good and what is bad,” he added. Delivering the lecture titled, “Zakat: Panacea for poverty eradication in Nigeria,” Abdulkareem expressed dismay that majority of Muslims were living in abject penury due to failure to operationalise Zakat.

Transcorp invests in international grade extraction cup

ransnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) yesterday announced that its agribusiness subsidiary, Teragro Commodities Limited, has acquired and installed extraction cup technology, instantly enabling the company to deliver superior quality juice concentrate that meet international quality standards. “The extraction cup revolutionizes our production process and ensures that concentrates we produce will pass even the most stringent international standards,” Teragro CEO, Dupe Olusola said. “This investment elevates us to the top of local concentrate producers and ensures that Teragro

is able to compete with any international concentrate producer from Spain, Brazil, the United States and more.” According to the statement, “Teragro processes orange and pineapple concentrates, mango purées and orange-peel oil for industrial markets in a 26,500mn TPA capacity plant called Teragro Benfruit Plant in Benue State.” The statement further said that in addition to helping Teragro products meet international quality standards through tests conducted in International labs in Brussels and France, the new technology increases the capacity of Benfruit Plant.

L-R: Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; Senator Kabir Gaya and Jigawa State, Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, during the Ramadan Tarawih prayers in Mecca, Saudi Arabia…on Tuesday.

Ebonyi APC, APGA demand payment of workers Uchenna Inya

ABAKALIKI

he leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State yesterday described as regrettable and unfortunate the delay in the payment of May and June salaries of workers in the State by the government. The party said the situation was worse, having received last month’s allocation and the bailout fund released to states by President Mohammadu Buhari to enable them settle outstanding salaries owed workers. In a statement signed by the state former Chairman

of the party and the newly elected Deputy National Secretary of the party, Comrade Jerry Obasi, APGA stated that it was worrisome that the Peoples Democratic Party-led government, after receiving the federal allocation and the bailout was yet to pay the salaries of workers . According to the release, “We in APGA, Ebonyi State, after elaborate review of the delay in the payment of workers salary, viewed with serious discontent the economic hardship and increase in criminal activities that the nonpayment has caused in the state. We feel so sur-

prised because, there was a bailout fund from President Mohammadu Buhari for states owing workers salaries but Ebonyi is not one of the states indebted”. “Ebonyi is not indebted because the former Governor, Chief Martin Elechi before leaving office cleared all outstanding workers salaries. I don’t know why they should continue to withhold workers salaries but for me, it is quite worrisome that the state that benefited from the bailout fund today owes workers.” Similarly, the All Progressives Congress APC ,in its reaction on the non-payment of workers, urged the

workers and their leaders to come to a compromise on how best to agitate for the payment, stating that the workers must look at the options available to them. According to the party; “If industrial action is most suitable, we would encourage them to do that since that’s the only language government understands. The party feels so pained, so agitated because it is clear that these workers don’t have any other means of livelihood unlike the Governor who receives allocation and security vote. The workers must do something so actionable to be on top of the situation”.

Sustain war against corruption, civil societies tell Buhari Wale Elegbede

he Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), has commended the renewed drive of the Federal Government against corruption, urging the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to sustain the current war against corruption to stop the plundering of public funds in the country. Addressing a press con-

ference yesterday in Lagos, the coalition’s chairman, Mr. Olarenwaju Suraju, noted that there were remarkable developments in the country’s national life in the quest of nationhood. He noted that, “this is illustrated by the recent wave of arrests and prompt arraignment for trial of some former state governors and other political figures, implicated in corruption and the plundering of public funds.

This is in tandem with the commitment repeatedly expressed by the new Buhari government of change to make the fight against corruption, one of the cardinal planks of its administration. “We commend the Federal Government for not, so far interfering with the work of EFCC and other anti– corruption agencies. For anti– corruption institutions to be credible and effective, they must be free from political

interference. They must enjoy full independence and operational autonomy, while acting within the bounds of the rule of law.” While calling on the EFCC to sustain the new drive to rid the country of corruption, he urged the government and the agency not to be distracted or blackmailed to shy away from doing what is right under the law to ensure that corruption does not kill the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015

Governorship seat

I’m confident tribunal’ll throw out Al-Makura, says Maku

14, 15

June 12

Financial crisis

Abiola-Costello: Nigerians must make sacrifices

Why we can’t clear backlog of salaries, by Ortom

Politics

Umahi: No salary cut for me Ebonyi State governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, speaks on controversy over the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Anambra State, governance and pay cut for public officials. KUNLE OLAYENI reports

We understand that some Boko Haram suspects were brought to the South-East; what is the security implication of this to your state? Not yet in our place and there will not be any in our place. I think it was in Anambra State and I was misquoted as saying that Boko Haram have been taken away from South-East. I never said so. What I said was that there was no need for the market people in Ebonyi to protest. In the first place, I was not informed of the peaceful protest they intended to carry out. And secondly is that we have taken a position as governors of SouthEast and already we have started talking with the Federal Government. I want to use this opportunity to also commend the governor of Anambra State for the very

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

So, I think that’s what God wants for this nation. He has given us quite a lot – land that is very fertile, a lot of mineral resources and people who are very talented, energetic and gifted. I think we should deploy all these to address the challenges we are facing due to oil problem.

Umahi

peaceful disposition and steps he has taken to address the matter. I think the issue remains that we don’t want Boko Haram detainees in the South-East. By the nature of our people, there is no reason to bring them to SouthEast. Your state is well noted for rice production; what is your administration doing to ensure comparative advantage in rice production over other states of the federation? We already have five gigantic rice mills in Ebonyi State. What we don’t have is money and we’ve been asking the Federal Government to give us funds. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor is giving Ebonyi State attention. He has written us since the banning of importation of rice, which is what is

I earn about N600,000 a month; so if I cut it down to 50 per cent, that’s N300,000. That is not the kind of money the society is looking for

supposed to be done. I don’t see the reason why we should import food into Nigeria. I don’t see why we should import toothpick to Nigeria, import vegetable oil; that’s quite absurd and I think they have taken decisive steps to address all those. We have quite vast land that is very good for rice production, very good for cassava, maize and we have a lot of mineral resources like limestone, salt, bauxite, zinc, lead, copper and quite a lot of them. So, what we need is assistance from Federal Government so that we can develop them. And I say that the problem of oil price going down is not totally bad for Nigeria because it has helped us to engage our wisdom and the gift of God which is in our brains and also mobilise us to work harder and think harder.

Many governors would soon be celebrating 100 days in office. So far, so good; how would your administration fare in 100 days? I don’t do 100 days. Three months, two months, one month, I hit the ground running from day one and I don’t believe in makeshift things. I also don’t believe in people cutting 50 per cent of their salaries because that is not where the issue is. I think it’s not the major issue. The major issue is to be honest to the people. It’s to deploy the resources God has given the people; don’t cheat them, don’t steal their money. What we take as political leaders, what is due to us is really very meagre. I earn about N600,000 a month; so if I cut it down to 50 per cent, that’s N300,000. That is not the kind of money the society is looking for. They are asking: whatever is due to us, give it to us and I believe in that. We have taken very major step in addressing the growth of our state, Ebonyi. We’ve taken decisive steps. Right now, we are auditing our workforce; we think our workforce is not right. We are also doing everything possible to bring investors into our mineral resources and the agricultural sector. These are what we are doing. Definitely in 100 days, you would see a lot but you would see a plan that is installed and you expect a steady growth. So, what you see in 100 days is beyond 100 days; it’s well articulated plans for the greatness of our state, Ebonyi. Do you still have a cordial relationship with your predecessor considering what transpired between the two of you before the last general elections? Hmmn, my case is, quoting my dear president: ‘I’m for everybody and I’m for nobody.’ Like the former president (Olusegun Obasanjo) has advised; all the good things he did, I must continue with them. Whatever was wrong, I must make sure I correct it. So, if that will build the relationship, so be it.

Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Maku

I’m confident tribunal’ll throw out Al-Makura, says Maku Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaram Maku, speaks on the insecurity in the North, particularly Nassarawa State. The former governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) return a damning verdict on the Tanko Al-Makura administration: “The governor has failed in all facets.” He also exhumes confidence of a favourable ruling at the Nassarawa Governorship Election Tribunal. CHEKE EMMANUEL reports

has witnessed continuous violence. Now, what is happening in Nasarawa State is high level insurgency. The same kind of insurgency you see in Borno and Yobe states is what is happening in Nasarawa State today. The initial communal crisis has since been replaced with insurgency, stretching across nine local government areas out of the 13. Those killing people today are hired mercenaries and insurgents. They are not from Nasarawa State. Everybody knows it. Even they themselves have been saying so. And we have been crying, whoever had hired them should have pity on the people of this state. There is no week that blood is not flowing in Nasarawa State. Between the election of April 11 and now, we have lost close to 100 people in Nasarawa State. Now, the situation there is getting worse with the withdrawal of these troops. I believe the president was not briefed about it. I believe he did not have the proper briefing, because if he did, he would know that after Borno and Yobe, the most violent state in the North-Central is Nasarawa State, because of the insurgency going on there.

What is your take on the increasing spate of insurgency in the country? First of all, I want to express my displeasure over what is happening in my dear Nasarawa State. For three years under Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the state

Are you saying that the withdrawal of troops has boosted crime-related issues? Since the withdrawal of troops, the robberies that are occurring between Abuja, Keffi, Akwanga and Lafia roads tell you clearly

The tribunal will end the illegitimate government of Al-Makura

that insurgents and their collaborators mount roadblocks to rob people. Since the withdrawal of the roadblocks, and soldiers from Nasarawa State, kidnap has been introduced. Operating from the knowledge I have had as a politician, as a citizen and as someone that has been in charge of security for some few months, I want to advise the Federal Government to redeploy those troops immediately to places they were taken from. At least that will stop those areas from becoming more vulnerable to attacks while we concentrate on the North-East. We have continued to cry because of Nasarawa State. Throughout the four years of Al-Makura in Nasarawa State, we have not experienced peace; everyday there is killing. There is no peace at all. We tried to advise in writing, we advised orally, we spoke, but the killings are continuing, and like I said the last time, President Muhammadu Buhari must be surprised that he lost election in Nasarawa State. I am sure the president was surprised because he went to campaign in Lafia two times. He went on his own first, they dragged him back through North-Central campaign in Lafia where he went to appeal for votes for himself and for the All Progressives Congress (APC). And considering the fact that the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) won Nasarawa State in 2011, I am sure

that the president is surprised he lost election in Nasarawa in 2015. He should not be shocked; the kind of violence associated with the Al-Makura regime, that was why on April 11, the people overwhelmingly rejected Al-Makura and voted for me under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). But in writing the result and planting himself there, the violence has continued. I offered a platform for peace, I spoke frankly about it and the people believed me because they could not wait for May 29, so that they can be free from the mercenaries and return to their homes. Now their agonies have been prolonged with Al-Makura forcing himself on the state. While we continue to go through the tedious process of the tribunal, because as you know, the constitution has been changed. It is no longer as it was in 1999 where every election related petitions would be heard before people are sworn in. They are taking advantage that you can steal election result and remain until the court finally catches up with you, and it takes a long time. So, you will be there for sometime while people are crying. So, we are calling for special attention on Nasarawa State and return of the troops. I know for sure that at the right moment, the Al-Makura regime will vacate for the elected government of APGA in Nasarawa State

Politics | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015

to come on board. By then, things would be alright. We assure the Federal Government that Nasarawa State will cooperate with the president to have absolute peace. I believe that by the time APGA recovers the stolen mandate in Nasarawa State, the president can at least sleep with his two eyes closed, because Nasarawa State will be quite, given the situation I saw that people are hungry for peace. Insecurity is a major problem in Nasarawa today because robbery has increased. What is your take on the financial state of Nassarawa? I keep crying on the level of poverty in Nasarawa State. If the president didn’t release money as bailout, workers in Nasarawa would not be paid at all. Even state workers are not been paid until this emergency intervention. People keep talking about Federal Government. Let me tell you, last four years, Nasarawa State received nothing less than N150 billion because for most of the last four years, oil price was up, Nasarawa State was given an average of N2 billion monthly. So, if you calculate that, it is about N96 billion. Then Al-Makura went and took a loan of N30 billion, which amounts to N126 billion from allocation and the loan. That is beside the SURE-P money that went to Nasarawa for the state and local government. Nobody saw anything. This is in addition to the excess crude account sharing that took place in the last four years. That money went into state coffers. If you look at the Universal Basic Education fund, when you put all these monies together, you will not have anything less than N150 billion in the last four years. Where has all these monies gone? On the roadside, you will discover that they make sure they renovate primary schools along the major roads so that anytime the president is going to Lafia he will say the state government is working. The moment you go one kilometre from the main road, schools are abandoned. When I went for campaign I saw what is happening, because of the level of deprivation. Pupils are sitting on the floor, no roof, no desk in classrooms, no window, no door. You see a school of about 1000 pupils and the classrooms are not more than three. That is why you see we are suffering. If I receive such money as a state governor, I can assure you that I know what to do. I will make sure I block all the leakages, all the loopholes to ensure that the money is deployed in my state. I cannot be governor in a state and people are killed anyhow. What am I governor for? It is to ensure the security of my state. From what I see in Nasarawa State, the major source of insecurity in the north is from the states. Wherever you have governors that are serious, you will not have insecurity in that state. I want to single out a few governors for praise. I believe that the Federal Government will never find a solution to crisis in the northern states except the governors rise up to occasion. What is your hope on your petition at the election tribunal? We are already at the tribunal, our hope is that in the next couple of months, he (Al-Makura) would be shown the door so that we can inaugurate the elected government of

citizens to make sacrifices, it is not wrong. But towards what end? What is going on? The result on ground does not show that those sacrifices being called for will result to any development. If they collected these monies and the lives of the people have not changed, instead they are dying on a daily basis, why will you add more burden on the people? When I am paying tax and there are no teachers to teach my children, your own children are in Dubai and in America, this is the problem.

Nasarawa State, to bring back peace and security. Once Nasarawa State is destabilised, Benue is destabilised, Plateau is destabilised, Kogi and even Abuja. And if we don’t do something to ensure peace in the state, the surrounding states could be affected. So, it is a major project. Now, for the monies that have been collected without result, there is hardly anything I can say now, but I will appeal to the people is to continue to pray fervently that the tribunal will end the illegitimate government of Al-Makura and return power to the elected government under APGA. We can establish the basis for proper utilisation of resources and restoration of peace in Nasarawa State. Recently, the Nasarawa State Government said workers should start paying development levy. What is your take on this? If there is proper accountability of resources, everybody will like to make a contribution. If people can see that the money voted for the state is properly used, and the government is looking for more resource, people will cooperate. But we have a state where the governor has taken N100 million every month in the name of security vote for four years, which amounts to N4.8 billion and there is no security. What we are seeing instead is insurgency, mercenaries imported into the state and people being killed on their farms, women raped, people beheaded in Nasarawa State. Even the money for flood victims that was given in 2012, the money did not reach the people. Now, the allocation for four years amounting to close to over N100 billion or over, what did the governor do with it? The N30 billion he collected as loan, what did he do with it? The money from SURE-P for local government, where did it go? Where did the UBE money go? The money from Excess Crude Account, where did our own go? When you talk they will go and show you one kilometre road in Lafia. When you put all these roads together, they are not up to 30 to 40 kilometres in the whole of Nasarawa State in the last four years. In addition to that, our villages are left abandoned; workers are not paid. So, ordinarily, people would vote for the development of the state. The people want to see a government that is accountable. That is using the money to develop the state, and the people will even volunteer if there is a government in Nasarawa State today that is transparent, where contracts do not go to only one family; younger and elder brothers. Where the rest of the state is feeling the impact of development, people will contribute. Our people are used to community development. There are places in Nasarawa State where people are developing and running their schools. The major problem we have is when you give this money to government and it goes into blind holes, then it becomes unfair. People want to see the impact of the taxes. He took a loan on our behalf, even when we cried against it, he refused. The SURE-P fund was blown away, regular allocation from federation account blown away, UBE fund blown away. Are you saying it’s wrong for government to tax her citizens? If the government is taxing

If the president didn’t release money as bailout, workers in Nasarawa would not be paid at all

Maku

Are you in anyway trying to alert the anti-graft agencies to investigate the state government? I am not a whistle-blower. If people are paid to do their work, am I the one to tell them to do it? I have never called for the probe of any government. It is not my responsibility to do that. I am saying what we want in Nasarawa State is government that is elected to be inaugurated. If I am elected, I am not elected to probe anybody. All I know is that if I am given two years, I am going to change the situation of the state. I am not calling for the probe of anybody. I am saying let them go. They should stop inflicting pains on people. With the concern you raised, it seems the citizens of Nasarawa State have not done anything to bring the government of Al-Makura to accountability. What can the citizens do? Citizens can only change a government when election is due. In 2011, people believed that the government of Aliyu Akwe Doma was slow and there were lots of sentiments against him. But one thing you can give to Doma is that throughout his four years in government, there was no violence. Violence started as soon as Al-Makura came and it is becoming like a cancer. You can see clearly. In 2001, there was violence and we brought it to an end. But now, four years under one administration, there is violence everywhere. Look at the killings after the election, where more than 70 people were killed in Kadorko/Keana axis and nothing happened. The truth of the matter is that the people of

Nasarawa State have been the most conscious in the entire North Central. In 2011, Al-Makura came with promises that he will bring peace, people voted out a sitting government that actually gave them peace for four years and brought AlMakura, hoping that peace would continue instead they are dying. This year, the people brought the government into account by voting out Al-Makura. So, what do you want the people to do? The people voted him out. There was no way government like that of Al-Makura could be re-elected by the people who are concerned about their women being raped by insurgents. That was why they overwhelmingly voted him out. But, they collaborated to rigged the election. The people are saying, we didn’t vote this man; what is he still doing in Government House? The people have risen up to the occasion. It is imposition through rigging that we are seeing now. Sending false policemen and soldiers to hijack results, to rewrite results, you can’t blame that on the people. They have changed two governments; they brought one thinking he would bring development, he brought violence. They lost both peace and development. What is your plan at restoring peace and order in Nasarawa State should the tribunal rule in your favour? First of all, I have been in Nasarawa politics since 1999. I was Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs. I was part of the process that restored peace to Nasarawa State between 2001 and 2002. In Toto, where there was a major crisis between the Bassa and Ebira people, the problem was solved under the then administration in which I served. We were able to return peace to Nasarawa State. I was on the committee that brought about reconciliation; I contributed in writing the paper for peace in Nasarawa State, which was held at a special retreat in NIPSS Kuru. Our paper was adopted as the document that has the solution to restoring peace in the North-Central then. In addition to this, I have been a journalist, been in politics, I have been trained as a peace worker for reconciliation. I have been a programme manager with USAID working across communities in the country. We went to all areas where there was communal crisis to resolve them. And giving my long experience in government in Nasarawa; commissioner for four years, deputy governor for four years, I know Nasarawa State. I know the communities and all of them want peace. The problem in Nasarawa State is ‘divide and rule’ politics. There is a small percentage of people who believe that if they set Nasarawa State on fire, they will continue to remain in power. I went round communities during the campaigns and I am in touch with virtually all communities in the state. I know what they want. They want peace, but there is no government on ground prepared to work for peace. When I become governor, in two months, I will bring Nasarawa State to sustainable peace. Most of the machineries that have been killing people will know that their sponsors are no longer in power. They would run away and those villages will have peace again.

16 Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

There was no crime we committed in demanding that we have democratic government and that democratic government should be based on free and fair June 12 election. We did nothing wrong and the Nigerian government continues to ignore June 12. During the last June 12 anniversary, some activists urged President Buhari to appoint a member of the Abiola family into his cabinet as a mark of honour for the man who paid the supreme price for Nigeria’s democracy. What is your take on that? I think President Buhari has spoken well in saying that he wants to make sure that he appoints people who can do well and I think Nigerians will continue to support decisions of who makes his team. Whether or not any of them should be from the Abiola’s family, that depends on him. There are certain people in the Abiola family who are well qualified to serve at any level in Nigeria and if the president feels that he can work with anyone of them, that would be appropriate. It is not for us to tell him that he should appoint one of us into his cabinet.

Abiola-Costello

Abiola-Costello: Nigerians must make sacrifices Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, is the founder of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND). In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, she speaks on the struggle that claimed her parents and her documentary, “The Supreme Price” What lesson do you want Nigerian leaders to learn from your father, MKO Abiola, who died 17 years ago during the struggle for the actualisation of June 12 presidential mandate? We need to encourage our leaders to emulate his quality of selflessness, commitment to the betterment of Nigeria because without that, we will not be able to get Nigeria to the height of greatness that we all aspire to. I want them to learn that time is a privilege; it is not guaranteed and that everybody has deadline and end date. We don’t know when the end date is but we know everybody has end date. And everybody in politics today; everyone on the

political stage today, no matter what level they are operating, there would be a date they would be no more. It is so important now that we think of the future, that we think about how to make Nigeria great and we think about what sacrifices that are needed for us to make Nigeria great. If we think about our personal interest, houses, women we want to marry, cars we want to buy, then we are not ready to do what we need to do for Nigeria. When you look at country like United States of America, United Kingdom or even China where I lived for some years, their history, their success are all about sacrifices. And at one point, Nigerians must be willing to make sacrifices for the country so that we can be a beacon in Africa and not have our children trying to escape Nigeria to go to Europe. We should have our children from all part of Africa coming here because we would have made a great prosperous country. What message are you passing to the Nigerians with the documentary titled “The Supreme price” which detailed your parents’ struggle and participation in the June 12 saga? The documentary is called “The Supreme price” and we want to communicate to the Nigerian people that we have history; that we have democracy and our democracy did just not drop from the sky. There was a struggle for democracy that involved young people, labour, market women, activists,

Nigerians must be willing to make sacrifices for the country so that we can be a beacon in Africa

politicians and people in the military system who believed in reform. It involves so many people across Nigeria. And it is beyond religion and ethnicity. And that democracy that we have today even though it is not perfect, we fought to have it and people died to have it and we should do whatever we can do to make it work. It cannot work if it is only about the elite’s interest in position and in power. It has to be about the popular interest in eating and having a descent way in having work and farewell to poverty. It is 17 years that your father died and many activists have been calling for his immortalisation. How do you feel that nothing concrete has been done by the Federal Government to immortalise him? I am mystified by that and I think it doesn’t speak well of all the past presidents. But for President Muhammadu Buhari, I think he is just out because he just started his government few weeks before June 12, 2015 anniversary. And when he started, he started in the middle of crisis. So, if he is busy putting off the fire he may not have the time on the issue of June 12 being recognised by the Federal Government. One hopes by next year, he would have had time to think about what should be done. Certainly one thing, we need to recognise is that the June 12 struggle was the people’s struggle and it was the struggle for their rights.

Will you be ready to serve in Buhari’s administration if you are called upon? Well, I am ready to serve Nigeria. Since the June 12, 1993 annulment, I have been going round the country and that is what the documentary, ‘The Supreme Sacrifice’ is all about; showing me going all around the world to serve Nigeria. At a certain point, if government wants to recognise me, that it is all well and good. With the deaths of your parents in the struggle, what gives you strength to continue in your activism? My parents died for the country because they actually believed in Nigeria and if we are to even draw strength from what we see on a daily basis, even from many of our leaders in Nigeria today, we would have been disillusioned long ago. But just that MKO in spite of the apparent treachery in the genotype of many Nigerians, including people he closely worked with, still believed in Nigeria and really believed in the people. And I always think of MKO as one of the most brilliant human beings I know. And since such a brilliant man cannot be wrong, since he started in that direction and he is my father, I should just continue in the way that he taught me. We need to look at certain issues in our society. Right now we have eight per cent women representative in the political system. I think that percentage is too small. We need to do something to get about 30 per cent women representation. Let us also do something about the use of public fund. We shouldn’t leave government to the people at the top; we should be involved and informed. We should work together to make sure that things function well in Nigeria. I have gone all over the world; the only thing that separates the country that works and the country that doesn’t work is just vigilance of the citizenry. We should not just leave our leaders; we should also be involved. So, let us work together, form a coalition and let us start working and doing what we can. Let us do the needful for Nigeria.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State speaks on his administration, the inability of the state to clear backlog of salaries and efforts to bring investors to the state. CEPHAS IORHEMEN reports

Since coming on board as governor, how have you been carrying the people along in the task of governance? I am running an open door administration and I have talked about core values in my government. I have talked about transparency, which is about allowing people access to whatever we are doing. I also talked about truthfulness, equity, justice, integration, selflessness and all these values are meant to bring people to participate and be part of what we are doing. We don’t want to monopolise everything; we want the people to feel the impact because this is the people’s government. I know the passion and the kind of support that I received from the people. So, I am not taking anything for granted. I want our people to participate in this government and I have given my word and that is what we are doing. There are reports that in the selection process for commissioners and advisers, you were teleguided by Senator George Akume. How true is that? My style of leadership is to carry people along. It was right in this Banquet Hall that I called all the stakeholders including the leader of the party like Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator Barnabas Gemade, among others and told them how I want my government to be. I gave the people the opportunity to participate by recommending names to me and through that we did the selection. But I also had people who are technocrats that I wanted them to be part of my government not just politicians. So, I was looking forward to have a cabinet that is all-inclusive, I have given that opportunity to those who can add value to our government though they are not party men. And so the process allowed people to make contributions and to participate and that gave room for Senator George Akume to participate. I participated just like the other stakeholders did. We disagreed to agree on certain positions at local governments, but I want to assure you that we have concluded everything. In the next few days, I will have an executive council in place. So, the selection of appointees was done in the most transparent manner. I will say that it wasn’t a 100 per cent acceptable by all

Why we can’t clear backlog of salaries, by Ortom the stakeholders but to a reasonable percentage of more than 80 per cent it was accepted by the people and myself. The state government obtained a N10 billion loan as well as got over N3 billion from the federation account to pay workers’ salaries, yet only one month has been paid to workers. Why this? The N10 billion we collected was not just to pay salaries; it was also meant for the take-off of the executive and the legislature and to take care of other critical challenges that we have. Like the accreditation of courses at the School of Health Sciences at the Benue State University that our children who were the first set of the medical school are there for 12 years studying Medicine and that is a course that should ordinarily take six years and we felt that whatever happened, we must complete the accreditation process. We are also expected to use part of the money for the renovation of the governor’s lodge, guest houses and other critical things that we needed to do. I also want to say that we did not receive N3 billion from the federation account; I know that we received N1.7 billion as statutory allocation and about N500 million as Value Added Tax (VAT). And like I told you, we had overdraft and loans that were waiting to swallow this to the tune of N1.6 billion and so that is where we are. But it may interest you to know that the loan of N10 billion we got, we decided that we will pay at least two months salaries and for the month of May including pension and overheads, we have to cough out N3.7 billion that is just for May. If we are to pay for June, it means that N7.4 billion will go. And that was why we decided that we will pay that of May and that of June, we have to do an audit of the staff to ascertain the actual number of staff on the payroll of government because we believe that something is wrong somewhere because of the wage bill we are getting, to us is on the high side. As soon as we verify that the monies meant for salaries for June is ready, we are going to pay. How do you intend to resolve the crisis between Benue farmers and Fulani herdsmen? I have addressed this matter over and over but I still want to assure you that very soon this matter would be resolved. With the constant meetings we have been having with the herdsmen, the Ortom farmers and the

The N10 billion we collected was not just to pay salaries

traditional institutions, I hope the crisis will be over. One thing I have told our people is that the Fulani people must graze but they should not destroy people’s farms and criminality amongst us, both from the side of the Fulani people and farmers must be eliminated. And for kidnappers and armed robbers, I have said that they should surrender their arms within three months and we have started getting positive responses from them. For those who will surrender, we shall integrate them into the society and find a better way of supporting them to live a better life. But those who will not surrender, we are going to pursue them to their holes and ostracize them. And like I told you, my administration is giving priority to investment and no investor will come to a state that is insecure. And I keep saying, the challenge we are having especially unemployment, the only way we can surmount it is when we get investors, who will invest in the state.

Luckily, we have advantages in agriculture, solid minerals and several other sectors. So, it’s my belief that in the near future, the problem of Fulani with our farmers will become a thing of the past. The last administration of Gabriel Suswam promised bringing investors to change the face of Benue but we saw nothing. You are preaching the same gospel, how do you hope to make a difference? We think that ours will be different because we know the investors that we are targeting. Having served as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, and brought in investment into Nigeria, because in 2012 when we came in, we attracted investment into the country to the tune of over $8 billion. And in 2013, we attracted investment of over $7 billion, and the same thing in 2014. So, we know the right people to approach and we know the challenges too and part of it is the insecurity thing I am talking about. That is why we are struggling to ensure that we have security within the state so that these investors will come in. Again, having the background of a private sector operator, I think I am in a best position to provide an enabling environment, because that is all that is required. When you don’t have people who have not ventured into private sector, they may not be conversant with the challenges, but I am an operator myself and I know the challenges, and at least all the enterprises I set up here in the state are operating. It’s my belief that some of the challenges can be turned into opportunities that will provide jobs, create wealth and help to grow the state. So, I believe that this time around, we will do something different from the past administration.

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Niger Delta, same old story MajiriOghene Etemiku

ince 1999 when the baton of governance passed from military to civilian, not a day would pass without news of some kind of theft of public funds. In a front-page newspaper report of 8 July 2015, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, said that in 2014 bank frauds and forgeries rose astronomically by 182 per cent. In most cases, if it is not a minister spending so much public monies to buy bullet proof limousines, it would be that a governor has taken all the monies meant for the payment of the salaries of civil servants and dashed the lot to his girlfriends. The next we are likely to see and hear him do is a wringing of hands and a gnashing of teeth concerning an empty treasury. There are many such incidences in the Niger Delta, and with it come rampant youth unemployment, poverty and insecurity. Though institutions have been set up in the Nigeria Delta, DESOGPADEC, the EDSOGPADEC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs etcetera, poverty of development is at an all time high. Right under our noses corruption has managed to consistently rubbish the reasons for which these agencies were set up. Daily, there are a lot of campaigns being mounted against graft and corruption in these NDIs, and of recent even though the Freedom of Information Act became law after an eleven-year campaign, there are very many loopholes that institutions that want to remain shrouded exploit to retain their secrecy. But then, why should Niger Deltans, the direct beneficiaries of 13 per cent derivation fund and of the several ministries set up to alleviate their poverty still experience ‘internal marginalization’? Why is the Niger Delta still poor in spite of the huge funds Deltans are allocated? Why is the Niger Delta still as underdeveloped as it is today? Why is it that many Niger Deltans do not know much about these Niger Delta Institutions, their budgets and the projects that they have purportedly carried out with the huge funds at their disposals? Why is it difficult to hold these government institutions accountable for the funds they receive for the development of the Niger Delta? Why is it seemingly impossible for the governors

of the zone to break even in spite of DESOGPADEC, EDSOGPADEC, MNDA and all of the key institutions put in place to assist with alleviating poverty? Why is the Niger Delta still not experiencing transparency, accountability and good governance? At a Niger Delta Civic Engagement conference held recently in Port Harcourt, participants severally tried to respond to these questions. And of course, while they were at it with looking beyond the Niger Delta instead of inwards for solutions to its own problems, my attention was firmly riveted on a survey conducted by Martin Oluba, a professor of Economics and Founder, ValueFronteira Ltd. and Africa Analytics Roundtable. According to Oluba’s survey, most Nigerians who are looking for information from government rely on radio, television, newspapers and on social media. The government as well as its agencies seeking to disseminate information about its policies and programmes look to disseminate information on their programmes and policies via these same sources as well. But our interactions with a great many Nigerian on the one hand, and with officials of the NDDC, the DESOGPAGDEC, the EDSOGPAGDEC, reveal that the gap between the government and the governed is not a failure of these sources of information but failure in the public utilities that should convey these information to the Nigerian people. How many Nigerians have steady power supply so that when the NDDC or the EDSOGPADEC or the DESOGPADEC is telling them what it has done, they would be able to see the completed projects being aired? How many Nigerians actually buy and read newspapers, particularly the publications stating what each state governor collects as allocation every month? How many local people use the internet or social media, especially when they cannot even get regular power supply? To ascertain that indeed the information gap between government agencies and the local communities indeed exists, some of our people at the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, together with help from certain friends pounded the streets of Benin and Port Harcourt. Our strategy was to talk with three sets of people: men and women, the old and the not-so-old. What came off from that interrogation was a

confirmation of the fact that even though the Niger Delta Development Commission is indeed among the people, its projects are either abandoned, ongoing or not there at all. While some want the Commissions scrapped, others told our team that indeed the NDDC has added value to their communities. But as a matter of fact, nobody is very sure of these claims and prevarication is the hallmark of the claims being made by both sides – government agencies and the local communities. To defray these uncertainties, we have a selfie/movie competition on ongoing, abandoned or completed NDDC projects in the Niger Delta in the offing. We are persuaded that if it is able to take off as planned, we would be able to bridge that communication gap, and raise the level of awareness of our people so that they can begin to interrogate institutions in the Niger Delta. These Niger Delta government institutions have a list of projects that they claim that they have carried out. If we could get our people, young and old to take pictures, record abandoned, ongoing and completed projects in their phones and feed them into a database for public scrutiny, perhaps issues related to the ability or otherwise of these Niger Delta Institutions would be laid to rest once and for all. We have anticipated issues related to the mode of evaluation and the veracity of the documents and files to be uploaded, together with fears for the safety of people going to sites to take photos and selfies against the backdrop of abandoned or completed projects. These are resolvable issues and can be sorted out. But the real issue is with the reality on ground, and that is that public awareness of government plans, projects and programmes is at an all-time low. The best way I think the government can give citizens a sense of belonging is for government to work hard at three things: one, increase the capacity of the average Nigerian to create wealth. For the average Nigerian to be so empowered to create wealth, he has to have power, power and power supply. Government will function better if the means with which the people scrutinise and criticize government comes from government. • Etemiku is Communications manager with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ. majirioghene@aneej.org

Bailout grant for states Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

t is now obvious that some State Governors within the federating states of Nigeria are unable to pay workers salaries and allowances before, during, and after the presidential and other elections of 2015, till date. The governors inability to meet-up with this mandatory financial committment has been anchored on the sudden drop in the sales of crude oil and gas which have adversely affected the oil bearing countries on the International market. In effect, most states in Nigeria have virtually become corporate beggars. Oil glut as the only factor being canvassed by the governors which has resulted to the dwindling financial status of their states, from my personal perspective, is totally unacceptable when, in fact, there are other serial reasons why they are broke. It is so surprising that none of the governors is honest enough to add some other variable factors which also contributed to the near-bankruptcy of some of the states. For instance, the huge sum of money spent during the last elections especially on those who were so crazy about second tenures in office as Governors is yet to be mentioned as a major reason for the pitiable situations of the component states. It is equally true that all the governors co-sponsored their political parties and principals in contest of the various elective positions. In this respect, the presi-

dential candidates and some other lesser political gladiators were sponsored by the Governors. Let me add that the financially reckless governors also inflated contracts which they awarded to their cronies, corporate establishments in which they have substantial interests and to their bootlickers and sycophantic friends and relations. The fact that the governors plundered, pillaged and looted their state treasuries is no longer in doubt. This opinion has been corroborated and given a back-up in view of the fact that the EFCC, an anti-fraud security outfit, has recently arrested some ex-governors and some of their sons who have been alleged to have defrauded some states. The high profile life-styles of the governors, their families and friends is also a major cause for the pronounced financial imbalance of the states. From happenings within the political class, it is largely impossible to find a governor, whether as an incumbent or as a former, who has not stolen from the commonwealth funds of his state. I am also of the considered opinion that an average Nigerian, when put in a position of trust, must squeeze and finger from the common purse of the public yet, the governors are the hierachical political officers who should not have any reason to compromise themselves as custodians of public funds It must be appreciated that the governor, as a person, becomes the property the state with effect from the date of assump-

tion of duty and therefore enjoys all the financial entitlements which are attached to his office. I therefore see no reason why the governor and his immediate family should encourage themselves and embrace the philosophy of outright theft and in the process damage their reputations, if any, in the eyes of the public. The excuse of oil glut ought to be told to the marines or can best be regarded as a tale told by idiots. My candid impressions about this category of the Nigeria politician is not an indication that there are no governors of good conscience. I will like to stress that the governors who are honest to the core with public money are less than one percent while the rest are simply ordained characters for the Nigerian prisons. If such cannot prudently manage their statutory allocations from the federation account including the internally generated revenue from their states, the only option left for such failed Excellencies is to resign honourably. This will herald the emergence of other competent persons and rescue the states from their inability to pay workers salaries. In an attempt to deal with the ugly situation, Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, led a group of the All Peoples’ congress, (APC) Governors-elect to Muhammadu Buhari who then was presidentelect.The purpose was to plead with him to financially bailout their states who had the problem of paying workers salaries on assumption of duty as president of the Feder-

al Republic. He was said to be hesitant but in recent times, the president changed his mind to bail them out in the fundamental interest of the Nigerian workers. Accordingly, Mr. President has graciously approved a package of N413.7 billion to be shared amongst the three tiers of Government to enable the state Governors pay the salaries of workers. Of this amount, the Federal Government got 56.68 percent, State Governments 26.72 percent while the 774 Local Government councils got 20.60 percent. The president also okayed a three-pronged relief package including the sharing of fresh allocations, granting of soft loans and the restructuring of state’s debt-servicing payments. In addition to these packages, the Accountant-General said that the total package expected to be shared by the federating units would amount to N804.7 billion. This amount is inclusive of the N391 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA). However, the contradictions in figures between the presidency and the office of the Accountant-General of the federation may noit be relevant. What is important is the cheering news that the state and Local Government workers will soon receive their bank alerts of payment due to them for the past several monthsa. President Buhari, by this singular decision, has shown that his Government has a human face. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo.com (08023097251)

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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Appointing technocrat for oil sector

ith the identified shortfalls in the oil and gas industry over the years, it has become so obvious that the virtual appointment of people that lack necessary technical know-how to oversee the nation’s oil and gas industry is largely responsible for the abysmal performance recorded in the sector. In the views of experts, over the years, the oil and gas sector has performed below average, impacting negatively on the economy. According to available statistics, taking a ten-year reading, the sector grew at the rate of 3.3 per cent in 2004; 0.5 per cent in 2005, and then a downturn of -4.5 per cent for 2006 and 2007; -6.2 per cent for 2008 and -1.3 per cent in 2009. The years 2010 through 2014 did not fare better, either. Over these same years, comparatively, the growth rate in the non-oil sector is generally and consistently more stable than that of the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, due to the lack of proper supervision and coordination, foreign trade has continued to play a significant role in the Nigerian economy. The argument that Nigeria is the 10th largest oil producer in the world with proven oil reserve of about 36 billion barrels; and gas reserve of about 185 Trillion Cubit Feet (TCF) among others, is given promi-

nence more on paper and abject environmental degradation than in identifiable dividends. This is a far cry from what is obtainable in other nations of the world with even lesser oil deposits. The reality on ground does not in any way correspond with the nation’s over 50 years of oil exploration vis-à-vis its attendant turnover. This, no doubt, raises a lot of questions about the competence of those who have at one time or the other called the shots over the sector. Nigeria has witnessed managers of the industry become so powerful with so much over-bearing influence within a short period of appointment, whereas the related institutions are pathetically weak, practically rendered inactive and ineffective. The sector’s statutory obligations are conducted in utmost secrecy akin to what obtains in privately owned entities. This development is contrary to the letter and spirit of transparency and accountability as espoused by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act 2007 also known as The NEITI Act, which (provides for the establishment of NEITI, and is charged among other things with the responsibility for the development of a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting and disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid to the Federal Government.

From the forgoing, it is imperative that the need to secure the services of experts and technocrats who know their onions and the nitty-gritty of a highly competitive oil and gas industry is more than justifiable. This is especially so at this crucial moment when dictates from the international market is affecting negatively the Nigerian economy. Similarly, the decision by the United States to cut further purchase of Nigerian crude oil is not in any way a good omen for the country. These historic and emerging trends, coupled with the present fall in the international prices of crude oil, albeit, heartbreaking and detrimental to development constitute a blessing somewhat. Nigeria has an opportunity to take decisive steps by looking inward with a view to being pro-active, re-strategize, and proffer lasting solutions to the myriads of problems that have stunted the growth of the Nigerian oil industry since inception. The nation, at this crucial stage, needs independent-minded technocrats either as individuals or as a team who need not to be spoon-fed on how best to marry the well-laid out reforms, supported with proper enabling laws and legislations, backed with the right attitude and the willingness to serve the nation meritoriously – being a complete departure from the self-aggrandizements, a major hallmark of past administrations in the

country. In line with the proposition to reposition the sector for better performance, the following points should be considered. First, the pursuit of the local content expansion should be embraced as an important national agenda. Government can achieve over 70 percent total contribution of the oil and gas industry to the GDP in the medium term if square pegs are put in square holes. There is the need to implement the report of the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC) on new institutional structures for the sector. This has culminated in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which was passed by only the House of Representatives of the 7th National Assembly without a concurrent passage by the Senate. Hopefully, the 8th National Assembly barring the sustained sentiments and partisan politicking would do well to pass the bill with gusto and alacrity. When passed, it will repeal previous oil and gas statutes and related legislations, which certain elements both locally and internationally have exploited to deprive the nation huge earnings. The bill appropriately delineates roles among the various institutions in the industry and is comprehensively crafted to engender the much touted overall reforms of the oil and gas sector. It also aims at creating operational autonomy and transparency.

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20 Politics

THURSDAY, JUly 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Public finance challenge and need to reduce wages Chinedum Nwajiuba

he idea to reduce wages and similar earnings in the public and private sectors across board in Nigeria by 50 per cent, which I am suggesting, sounds crazy even to me. As a result of decline in earnings from crude petroleum export, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public finance is distressed. The clear manifestation of this is the inability to pay wages to those many governments pay monthly in Nigeria. However, I am wondering

the implications of reducing all wages, allowances, emoluments, pensions and similar payments by 50 per cent. My purpose here is academic. How could the economy respond to such reduction? I am interested in learning and urge better informed people to enlighten on that. Before then however, there are some dilemma requiring direction on, assuming this idea was to be tried. In the first case, how do you do that? By administrative fiat? By an act of parliament? How will the private sector be commit-

ted to such reduction? Can that be done by law or persuasion as part of patriotic, national emergency? There is a possibility that some persons may not yet appreciate the enormity of the challenges confronting Nigeria. Some may even say the economy has always been in emergency. My take is that there is very significant worsening of the situation of the economy and the wellbeing of many, and still increasing number of Nigerians. In Owerri, the capital of Imo State, where I work

and reside, I perceive a collapse of the economy. I see the gradual halting of the circular flow of income. For a state that depends significantly on the federation account, such that before now, even traders in the markets in Owerri knew when civil servants were paid by the increased demand for consumer goods, the inability of government to pay salaries and pensions is evident. In addition to the federation account receipt, internally generated revenues including taxes also count, but comparatively low.

The next source of funds inflow into the state is remittances from outside the state (in and outside Nigeria) as well as investors and visitors from outside the state. The level of remittances and investments also decline. These represent the case with current Nigeria economy for most states. My observation is that there are currently reduced transactions and exchanges. My thinking is that it has become urgent to once again expand and accelerate the flow of income. That is why I am ask-

ing if it would help if in the state of severe economic emergency we are in, all earners of wages, incomes, honoraria, pensions, allowances, name it, from the President, the chief executives, down to the least paid, accept that we reduce across board for everyone in the public and private sectors by 50 per cent. But I wonder, what will be the implication of this. I imagine the first will be that some (if not all states) will be able to pay something to those they should pay, as against the present situation of zero payments. That will help the flow of incomes. Some person will say no to this, but it is only a debate I want to learn from and I believe there are other persons who will want to engage in this discourse. Some will say start by recovering stolen public funds. That is also important, but I believe we need to address the declined available national earnings and manage emoluments sustainably. We may even decide that all such recovered funds should go exclusively to capital investments that have potential for generating multipliers and expanding the economic possibilities, especially on projects that can sustainably generate employment. My next expectation would be that prices of some goods and services may fall, but perhaps by less than 50 per cent. Which means in real terms people will be poorer, if incomes fall by 50 per cent but average prices of goods and services fall by less than 50 per cent. Is that a reasonable expectation as an outcome? The next is that this would be a sacrifice by labour, but what about capital? Would we expect that earnings by capital will also fall? Will this therefore disadvantage labour (wage earners), while capital is advantaged? How will that impact on interest rates, exchange rates, inflation, and investment? So far the decline in federation account receipts has been less than 50 per cent. Therefore will an across board reduction in wages by 50 per cent leave something more for capital expenditure? Will the above encourage consumption of locally produced goods and services and therefore create local jobs and dampen the frightening unemployment levels in Nigeria? Will this help with reducing poverty and crime? â&#x20AC;˘Prof. Nwajiuba is the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Imo state University, Owerri.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015

Interview

News

Daudu: Hold govt responsible for renewed insurgency

LAWPavilion partners IBA to boost investment in Africa

Law

Ibirogba

Shittu

Corruption: Furore over whistle-blower’s role Does a civil servant has protection under the law to expose corruption? FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE reports

ays after he was vindicated by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) for allegedly exposing monumental corruption in Yaba College of Technology, lawyers yesterday queued behind the sacked institution’s Bursar, Mr. Olu Ibirogba. They described his em-

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

ployer’s action as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void as he remains protected under the law to expose corruption in the institution. According to them, Ibirogba has the backings of Section 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution which provides that “the State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Particularly, they said Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, prescribes that: “nothing in the Criminal Code or Official Secret Act shall prejudicially affect any public officer who, without authorization, discloses to any person, an information which he reasonably believes to show a violation of any law, rule or regulations; mismanagement, gross waste of funds, fraud, and abuse of authority…” Ibirogba was suspended by

In the fight against corruption, law must not be seen as an impediment

Yaba College of Technology for challenging transactions of the institution which bordered on mismanagement of funds by the Rector. Before his suspension in 2013, Ibirogba was a guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in respect of some petitions, which the commission received from members of the public on allegations of corruption and abuse of office by the institution’s Rector. Even though a panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education had indicted the Rector, the college chose to sacrifice Ibirogba, accusing him of being behind the series of petitions before the EFCC. Yaba College of Technology in its “Committee on investigation on alleged corruption” to investigate the alleged corruption at the College, concluded on the grounds of some alleged telephone call logs, accused Ibirogba as the mastermind.

Specifically, the committee indicted Ibirogba as the ‘person who made information about corrupt practices in the college known to the owner of the telephone number who was said to be the author of the petition to the EFCC’. He was however accused of gross misconduct despite his denial. Consequently, Ibirogba was suspended for three months with a half salary for the duration of the suspension. Thereafter, he was suspended indefinitely. Dissatisfied, Ibirogba headed for court. On July 1, the NIC headed by Justice B.B Kanyip described Ibirogba’s suspension as unlawful and unreasonable. Besides, Justice Kanyip said “resolving the issue involves a balancing act on the part of the court of the competing values of the right of an employer to suspend and the societal value of not discouraging the fight against corruption.” He went on: “In the fight against corruption, law must not be seen as an impediment. If a staff is queried and suspended for being a whistleblower, it will be retrogressive for any technical provision of the law to be used to go against such a whistleblower as the defendant has done in this case. “By virtue of the provisions of Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section 38(2)(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, it is contrary to public policy for the defendant or any of its agents to punish the claimant by way of suspension from duty or otherwise subject him to any disciplinary measure for making known to third parties information about corrupt practices and mismanagement of the funds of the Federal Polytechnic, Yaba otherwise known as Yaba College of Technology.” Ibirogba was swiftly restored to his position as Bursar as the court said he was “entitled to return to his work as if he was never suspended with his right to salary, allowances and prequisites of office intact”. Also the court ordered Yaba College to pay “within 30 days of the judgment, backlog of the full salary and allowances of Ibirogba from October 2013, the cost of the action estimated at N50, 000 as well as N250, 000.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22 Law | Interview

THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daudu: Hold govt responsible for renewed insurgency What is the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill is all about? The Administration of Criminal Justice Bill (ACJ) was passed into law by the House of Representatives and Senate on April 22 and 23 2015 respectively. It was assented to by the ex-president Goodluck Jonathan on May 13, 2015. It is also worthy of mention that it was authenticated by the Clerk to the National Assembly under the Act of Authentication Act Cap A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as an authentic legislation proceeding from the National Assembly. The ACJ Act provides for the administration of criminal justice system which promotes efficient management of criminal justice institution, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of society from crimes and protection of the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria. The legislation consists of 48 parts and 495 sections. It is meant to be comprehensive in all aspects of penal procedural legislation. But whether it is exhaustive in scope and content in a matter that the constant and continuous use of the law as it stands by the end users, that is courts and critical review by stakeholders will determine. But the legislation must be put through the furnace of constant application before its merits and otherwise can become apparent. Stakeholders have opined that the legislation is controversial, what is your take on this? To a certain extent, I agree. The controversy within the legislation start at the very outset. For instance, Section 2(1) of the Act, which provides thus: ‘Without prejudice to Section 86 of this Act, the provisions of this Act shall apply to criminal trial

Daudu

He is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Co-ordinator Rule of Law Development Foundation, speaks on Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and gave a verdict that judges were to blame for snail speed justice system. TUNDE OYESINA met him. for offences established by an Act of the National Assembly and other offences punishable in the Federal Capital Territory’. Before examining the scope of this section, it is necessary to reproduce the said Section 86 of the Act, which provides thus; ‘the provisions of this part and the Part 9-30 of this Act shall apply to all criminal trials and proceedings unless express provision is made in respect of any particular court or form of trial or proceeding’.

There is so much impunity in the system with some criminal division judges

The clear poser here is as to the extent of the application of the Act. Is it limited to the trial of criminal cases in the courts of the FCT alone or does it extend to all Federal Court’s within FCT trying all criminal offences or does it extend as the schedule suggests to all federal court nationwide trying federal offences? This conundrum presents a complex issue of ascertaining the jurisdiction of courts under the Act. What is the way out of this controversy? The way out is a speedy amendment of the existing legislation to bring it up with the speed and fast moving changes in contemporary criminal justice system. If we, as a society are to secure any real benefit from this legislation that sat in the refrigerator of the National Assembly for over 14 years before its eventual passage, first that the smooth application of this somewhat complex legislation depends on all the criminal justice institutions in particular the Nigerian judiciary. So, what is the role of the judiciary in actualising the law? Certainly a corrupt and incompetent judiciary will make mincemeat of this legislation to the advantage and eternal joy of criminals whose activities are meant to be curbed by concerted implementation of the provisions of the Act. It is difficult to witness actual moment that a judge or magistrate is being compromised by those who are meant to be properly sanctioned by the Act but the proof of such com-

promise or corruption within the system is visible from the proceedings of the court, its rulings and judgements and its general disposition to issues that arise in the proceedings. How can this compromise be curbed? The supervision authorities, like the National Judicial Council must keep a close eye on the implementation of this legislation. Where the conduct of a judge is either incompetent or corrupt and must be shown the way out. Indeed, there is so much impunity in the system with some criminal division judges not living up to expectation of the society. All hands must be on deck to put a stop to these activities. What is the role of the stakeholders towards the full implementation of this law? The failure or inability of stakeholders to fully implement the legislation and domesticate it mutati mutandis in the remaining 34 states in this country that do not have such law will spell doom to our quest to have an egalitarian and indeed peaceful society. I call on the Committee of the Speakers of the States House of Assembly and the Body of States Attorney- General to as a matter of urgency come up with prototype draft legislation suitable for adoption in the remaining states that are yet to modernise their criminal justice system. How will you react to the renewed insurgence is some parts of the country? It is saddening in the extreme that in the past one week over 600 lives have been lost to the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group through the use of suicide bombers in the main and armed militants in some cases. We also note the coincidence between the removal of military check points and the rapid rise in the bombing cases nationwide. For instance, from Maiduguri, it spread to Postiskum, Bauchi, Jos, Kano and Zaria. This correlation between the removal of military checkpoints and increased bombings are not mere coincidences. These happenings now deflate government position that such military checkpoints are inconsistent with the practice of genuine democracy. Government has misread the situation. The truth is that Nigeria is in a state of war with terrorism and whatever it takes, including check points must be implemented to put the minds of the people at rest. The dismantling of military check points was precipitate and a violent assault on the psyche of Nigerian people. When the war on terrorism is fought to victory then the apparatus or paraphernalia of the war such as checkpoints can be dismantled. For now, Government needs to look carefully before it leaps.

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

This court’s verdict however elicited reactions from lawyers who applauded the judgement. For instance, an activist lawyer, Mr. Femi Aborisade, said “under the law, civil servants or more appropriately, public sector employees and staff, simply covered by the concept of ‘public officers’ have the right to expose corruption in public office without fearing victimization or persecution. Aborisade went on: “Any public officer can expose corruption in any public office, including institutions, schools, colleges, ministries, establishments, enterprises, departments, agencies, and so on, owned or financed by any arm of government without the fear of being victimized. Even if an anti-corruption public officer had been made to suffer any form of punitive measure, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) could, if approached, not only set aside any punishment the anti-corruption public officer might have suffered, the whistle blower could also be entitled to monetary damages for the deprivation, harassment and/or humiliations/he might have been made to go through. “This is the essence of the unprecedented, striking landmark anticorruption decision by the National Industrial Court (NIC) in a Judgment delivered on July 1, 2015 by Hon. Justice B. B. Kanyip, PhD, of the Lagos Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court. “In the expected fight against corruption, which perhaps was the principal reason for the overwhelming electoral victory of President Buhari, the NIC, by the Hon. Justice Kanyip’s Judgment in Ibirogba v. Yaba College of Technology, has declared it would be a reliable ally, at least from the point of view of encouraging and protecting the rights of whistle blowers. However, there is a need for legislative reform such that, among other things, the damages which a public institution has to pay to whistle blowers like Ibirogba should be borne personally, collectively and/or individually, by those who constitute the Management and/or Governing Council and who knowingly participated, aided, condoned or allowed the looting, dissipation, mismanagement and/or waste of public funds, rather than the monetary penalties being taken from public treasury. “The burning question is: would the ‘change’ governments of the APC under the leadership of the anti-corruption President Buhari (at the Federal Government level) establish the necessary conditions, including initiating required legislative reforms to partner with the courts, particularly the NIC, in the fight against corruption in public office?” To Olu Daramola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, every Nigerian including the civil servants have a duty to assist the government in the war against corruption in all facets of the country. He said: “You don’t need anyone or any law to empower you to report any crime you know is being committed. If crimes are being committed and you are in the civil service, whether it is being perpetrated by your boss or colleagues, you are under a duty to report such cases. This is because your failure to report to appropriate authorities can make you an accessory. The criminal code says it is an offence to prevent a felony. This is saying that you are liable for prosecution when you fail to speak up when

Mahmud, CJN

Aborisade

Furore over whistle-blower’s role you are aware that an offence is to be committed. So, even though you have not participated in the illegal act, the fact that you knew and you failed to prevent it makes you liable”. “The level of corruption in the civil service is alarming. These civil servants are the ones who show the politicians how to perpetrate fraud. The politicians who are supposed to be the head of the various ministries as ministers are handicapped in many respects. The civil servants who are to direct them because they are the one in service can actually put wool on the eyes of the ministers to perpetrate fraud. So, the civil servants are the ones teaching all these political heads on how to steal government funds. Hence, the fight against corruption must start from the civil service. “That is why I am so worried about what is happening in Nigeria now where the country is being run by civil servants. I just hope the damage would not have been done by the time the President appoints his ministers. We must know that civil service cannot reform itself. It needs politicians who have visions to reform it and create the civil service in the image they want. The civil servants will never work against themselves. I believe they are even enjoying the system now as it is. “Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution says the State shall abolish all forms of corruption and abuse of power. This places a duty on the government to see that corruption is prevented at all cost. So, if the Constitution imposes it as a duty on the State, then, everyone working for the government is bound to do it. I believe the problem is due to the frequent changes in government. Also, because politicians want to make money, civil servants will take advantage of them. Besides, there are so many loopholes in the nation’s budgetary system that can be exploited by corrupt individuals”.

Wahab Shittu said “to be able to underpin the corruption level in the public service, we must analyse the level of decay in the society. In the society generally, there is a breakdown and this has also affected all other sectors, including the public service. The breakdown is encapsulated by the crash in the institutional values, systems, societal traditions, ethical and moral values and in personal behaviours. If you look at the public service, there are certain core values that are in general associated with it. These are elements of trusts, diligence, public spiritedness and selflessness. All of these core values that the public service sector used to represent have generally collapsed. At the root of this collapse is corruption. “Closely tied to that is the reluctance of public officials to follow rules and the tendency to want to sidetrack established procedures and allow leakages in the system so that they can benefit. This is seen as impunity and also an aspect of corruption in the public service. “So, in essence, the public service represents an institution that has collapsed because individuals who manned the service have lost their moral standings and the ethical values. These values have been replaced by the urge to get rich quick. The civil servants understand the country’s budgetary procedures and how to sidetrack it. There is a great deal of pretence, concealment and doublestandards in the public service. It is possible for you to see a public official having as much as 60 houses and you will not see it in him. Some of them might even begin to come to the office in slippers. You cannot know that he has amassed so much wealth. “Conspiracy and complicity have also made it difficult for public officials to expose the dirty ones amongst themselves. You know, there is no way a leader can steal without the connivance of those in the system. Over the years, we have

seen this fundamental factor of conspiracy and deliberate subversion of the system in order to perpetrate corrupt practices. So, the public service is the engine room of corruption. If we must remove corruption, the public service must be sanitised and ensure that all the leakages are blocked. We must also ensure that corrupt practices are not only visited with punishment but also with stiffer consequences”. Destiny Obun Takon said “corruption to us as people and a nation have become enshrined in our beings. It is in our national spirits. You will also want to ask how much are these civil servants collecting as salaries at the end of the month? A public servant who has four children and earns the national minimum wage of N18,000 or N19,000, even if it is N30,000, for a family of six, father, mother and four children, could they possibly live on N30,000 per month? So, you have a situation whereby before your file gets off from the table of the civil servant, you have to ‘see him’. Hence, the seeming justification for the civil servant to engage in corrupt practices is because he earns a little. “However, if he is well paid and he is still engages in corrupt practices, then we have justification on our side to want to blame the civil servant. But I believe that despite the meagre salary being earned by civil servant, corruption should not be an option. “Corruption is illegal, immoral and not laudable. A civil servant like every other Nigerians can expose corruption. Anti-corruption agencies should also afford public servants an avenue to send in anonymous complaints. This will enable the public servants to fill free to act as whistleblowers”. Olu Awolowo said “the culture of discipline, dedication and integrity are no longer in the civil service. Even the process of recruiting the civil servants is questionable.”

Law | News

Foluso Ogunmodede

oremost legal technologies company, LAWPavilion has partnered International Bar Association (IBA) on a conference entitled ‘Investing in Africa Conference’. The conference, according to it would provide ‘opportunities for businesses and the lawyers who counsel them in New York, USA’. Also, the conference would focus primarily on areas of investment in Africa, current businesses/industries enjoying patronage of foreign direct investment (FDI), the challenges that investors encounter when trying to invest in a new clime in Africa as well as the risks and benefits of investing in Africa. Top on the agenda include: • Africa’s investment trends and how they affect commercial enter-

THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

LAWPavilion partners IBA to boost investment in Africa prises and their lawyers • Recent deals in sectors of rapid growth, including agribusiness, finance, IT, media and entertainment and consumer products/retail • Recent deals in nature sectors, including oil and gas, mining, telecommunications and power-related infrastructure • Who is funding Africa’s growth? – funding sources, including private equity, capital markets, foreign and African banks, and multilateral institutions (e.g., African Development Bank, International Finance Corporation) • Risk mitigation • How law firms can aug-

ment their presence in Africa At the conferences, Nigeria was well represented with nearly all panels having at the very least one Nigerian legal practitioner to elucidate on their experiences or know how. However, the conference offered participants a unique opportunity to network and meet with legal practitioners from other countries who represent clients with interests or prospects in Africa. Of course, a lot of attention was paid to Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa. The smooth electoral transition was commended and expectations are high that

with the advent of the new Government, there are enhanced prospects of foreign direct investments flowing in Nigeria. Furthermore, there was a special session on how law firms could augment their presence in Africa. The session revealed a shocking fact that about 80% of the legal services consumed by businesses operating in Africa is carried out by Law Firms in New York, London and other sophisticated locations. Only 20% of the demand is supplied by African law firms. It is apparent that lawyers and Law firms operating in Africa need to quickly amplify the level and sophistication of their

practice by leveraging on technology and advanced knowledge. A vast awareness of the regulatory framework within local economies is also a great gain for the African legal practitioner. One of the products showcased at the just concluded Conference was the LawPavilion Solicitors Toolkit (STK). STK, a first of its kind product from the stables of Grace Info Tech Limited, owners of the LawPavilion brand, is software targeted significantly at legal practitioners who work in commercial/corporate circles. The conference explored and identified challenges associated with tapping into Africa’s

L-R: Ope Olugasa, Titilola Ayotunde-Rotifa, Stuart Kerr of Day Jones LLP, Omolade Yusuf and Femi Sangoniran.

Appeal Court introduces new rules to fast track justice system Tunde Oyesina

he Court of Appeal has introduced a new practice direction to ensure speedy disposal of appeals with a view to fast tracking justice system. This is contained in a statement issued by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa while announcing the commencement of the court’s annual vacation. According to her, the court had on Monday, July 13 commenced its annual vacation and will resume on September 11. Justice Bulkachuwa said the new practice direction placed emphasis on speedy hearing and disposal of appeals that border on debt recovery, corruption, human trafficking,

kidnapping and money laundering, describing the 2015 as the busiest for the court because it was an election year. She said that in order to avoid delay and ensure that elections were not over-burden, more than one panels were established for states with more petitions. As part of her commitment to further de-congest the court, Justice Bulkachuwa reiterated her commitment to the Court of Appeal Mediation Programme. She explained that in line with Order 16 of the Court of Appeal Rules, the programme would encourage litigants to settle out of court and whatever the outcome of the mediation will be the final decision of the court.

legal dust

Human rights community divided over coroner’s verdict on SCOAN Mojeed Alabi

human rights group, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), has cautioned other rights groups and civil societies against their condemnation of the verdict of the coroner inquest which indicted the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN). In a statement issued by the group and signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Isiak Buna, HURMA faulted the position of some civil societies which it claimed had rushed to condemn the judgement

growth, including availability of information and tools to unlock Africa’s regulatory doors, and also have a firm grasp of the risks associated with investing and operating in sub-Saharan Africa. The STK is a Central Bank of Commercial Law and Practice comprising of Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Laws of States, Regulations, Guidelines and Policies from MDAs, Decided Cases of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Tax Appeal Tribunal, High Courts of Lagos State and the FCT Abuja. The solution also contains forms and agreements, in templates which are editable whilst keeping the original boilerplate. According to the Managing Director of Grace Info Tech Limited, Mr Ope Olugasa, the company’s decision to be ‘Headline Sponsor’ of the IBA Investing in Africa Conference is predicated on the fact that Nigerian lawyers and the Nigerian legal community should not be absent at a forum where the profitability of Africa is going to be discussed. Olugasa said: “It is high time we joined the conversation and let our voices be heard. Investments must not be only for the benefit of the investor, local communities are entitled to enjoy the benefit of such investments. The best way to do that is to have legal practitioners who understand the intricacies and mind-sets of investors to be able to correctly advise them whilst ensuring maximum benefits to our country.”

Synagogue: HURMA condemns CSO’s rejection of coroner verdict l Says church has right of appeal in its totality, saying taking a one-sided position would not portray them as defender of the people. Buna, however, stated that as a keen participant in the whole process, there were indications that certain relevant information presented by relevant witnesses were not considered by the coroner before giving its verdict. He, therefore, suggested the need for a wholesome and total review of the entire process to avoid handing down injustice as justice. The statement reads in part: “We wish to express an open displeasure to the present widespread condemnation in totality by some members

of the Nigerian Civil Society organizations over the verdict passed by the coroner court on the collapsed building of the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) located in Lagos State. “Although the CSOs may criticize the verdict from the context of law which HURMA also have reservation for, the SCOAN is capable and free from the point of law to appeal the judgement if not satisfied because it is observed that certain members of the civil society since the day the judgement was delivered are falling victims of one-sided judgement which the court is being accused of.”

Law | News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015

Foluso Ogunmodede

awyers, experts and other major stakeholders were unanimous that the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will address some of the sterile business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the global community concludes the crafting of the goals, targets and indicators of a successor framework for the MDGs. The SDGs will be adopted in September by world leaders during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS), which will hold in New York in the United States of America. SDGs comprising 17 goals and 169 targets, is an improvement on the MDGs which seek to foster inclusive development whilst addressing the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable development. This was the focus of the National Conference on Sustainable Development with the theme: ‘Governance beyond 2015: Setting an agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in an Era of Change’ jointly organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs (OSSAP-MDGs), the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Apparently pushing for the post-2015 strategic SDGs; a part of the crucial outcomes of a specialist-training seminar about the Post-2015 Development Agenda organised by the Denmark-based Copenhagen Consensus Center which took place in Abuja a month ago, were unanimously aplauded. The Copenhagen Consensus Center, through its local representative, Ms Amuta Okwute and a partner, Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, organised the seminar in Abuja for journalists to learn about the Post2015 Development Agenda. However, the Center in collaboration with some top economists highlighted phenomenal, good, fair and poor targets and selected the 19 targets expected to produce the greatest benefits. The purpose of the seminar was to give journalists the tools and information that would empower them to gain quality media coverage of the post-2015 process, and it focused on distinguishing the really great targets from the poor ones on a country by country basis. The Center has been running

Odinkalu

Odinkalu, others: SDGs’ll address MDGs’ lapses the Post-2015 Consensus Project to assess the targets and identify which ones will have the greatest impact for each $1 spent. The project involved 60 teams of leading economists, Nobel Laureates, NGOs, UN Agencies and international think-tanks to provide a comprehensive review of the targets. The Post-2015 Consensus country specific seminar on the post2015 development agenda held in Nigeria was the sixth seminar in a series of 10 seminars to be held around the world. Speaking at a two-day talkshop, the Director/Secretary of Programme, OSSAP-MDGs, Mr. Ochakpa Ogenyi, said the incoming global agenda will positively impact the lives of the poor in the country as it will guide development planning and execution for the next decade and a half. He said: “In line with Nigeria’s commitment to improve the lives of the poor and in view of the fact

SDGs will bring the desired succour to the agonising poor populace

that Nigeria will join the global community to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda in September this year, the office is already reviewing best practices that have emerged from the implementation of the MDGs Agenda, evaluating their suitability for adoption, institutionalisation and consolidation into the Post-2015 Development Agenda,” he added. To Ogenyi “there are a number of lessons we have learnt from the implementation of the MDGs Agenda. To start with, Internationally Agreed Development Goals (IADGs) such as the MDGs often galvanise development planning and execution locally. In this regards, Nigeria has recorded appreciable progress in the implementation of the MDGs particularly in the areas of universal primary enrolment, gender parity in education, and reduction in the spread of HIV/AIDs, maternal and child death, as well as the prevalence of hunger.

“We found that there are divergences in MDGs progress across states, local governments and geopolitical zones. As well, the introduction of multi-level incentivebased interventions, such as the Conditional Grants Scheme and Conditional Cash Transfers has proved to be key drivers of success in Nigeria. However, the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria, and indeed the whole of Africa, remains an unfinished business that needs to be rolled over to the Post-2015 Development Agenda” he stated. At the national conference, the Executive Director of OSIWA, Abdul Tejan-Cole, said “Nigeria has made very impressive progress with the MDGs but the story of the MDGs is an unfinished business because we still have issues like HIV, illiteracy, hunger, sanitation and more. We are going to transit these development issues to the next agenda. On his part, while delivering his keynote address, the chairman of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, expressed optimism that with a committed implementation of the global agenda, the SDGs will bring the desired succour to the agonising poor populace.

Lagos NBA chair tasks colleagues on technology

Mouka

Akeem Nafiu

he Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Alex Muoka has urged

his colleagues to embrace modern day technology in the discharge of their duties. He made the plea while delivering a keynote address at the maiden edition of the E-Legal Conference, organized by thelearnedfriend.com in Lagos. Muoka, while speaking at the conference which has as its theme, “Tomorrow’s Legal”, disclosed that the impact of information and communication technology on the legal profession could not be over-emphasised, saying “the benefit of the conference is unquantifiable when juxtaposed with the cost of acquiring modern day technology”. He said: “Well let’s agree first that the whole world is moving

in a particular direction, digital, and we lawyers cannot afford to be left behind, the idea about these conferences is to begin to prepare our minds as lawyers. I don’t expect that it will be an overnight change, no. It is not going to happen but, if we understand that someday we must operate in a completely online environment then the sooner we begin to pull down the roadblocks the better. We may not achieve a paperless office now, we do appreciate that more of our work has to be done in an online mobile environment and then begin to set up the tools. “Again, if something is bound to happen, it is going to happen, we should not only

count the cost as it has been noted here as most of the solutions are scalable. “It is not as if you have to start with the most expensive solution, some of the solutions that have been suggested here can be tailored to the size or scope of your practice. If you’ve a small firm there’s a solution for you and if you’ve a large firm there’s a solution you can adopt too”. Asked if the conservative nature of lawyers would not affect the technological trend in the legal profession, Muoka said “when lawyers are conservative I have to smile because you could argue that lawyers are conservative by the nature of how we dress, by the nature of being

economical with our words, we are conservative by the nature of how we comport ourselves publicly because of the kind of work we do, we are not conservative when we talk of change and moving with it. I’m sure you will agree with me that most of the lawyers you know are up to date when it comes to technology. He went on: “All the lawyers I know use smart phones, virtually every law office now have embraced the computer system, modern system in terms of having a web presence, in terms of working online, quite a number of law firms have Facebook pages, most lawyers even senior lawyers have personal Facebook page.”

26 Law | FIle

THURSDAY, juLY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Legal implication of foreign trade in Nigeria’s economy Bayo Akilami

ith the identified shortfalls in the oil and gas industry over the ye a r s,

Buhari

it has become so obvious that the virtual appointment of people that lack necessary technical know-how to oversee the nation’s oil and gas industry is largely responsible for the abysmal performance recorded in the sector. In the views of experts, over the years, the oil and gas sector has performed below average, impacting negatively on

the economy. According to available statistics, taking a ten-year reading, the sector grew at the rate of 3.3 per cent in 2004; 0.5 per cent in 2005, and then a downturn of -4.5 per cent for 2006 and 2007; -6.2 per cent for 2008 and -1.3 per cent in 2009. The years 2010 through to 2014 did not fare better, either. Over these same years, comparatively, the growth rate in the non-oil

sector is generally and consistently more stable than that of the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, due to the lack of proper supervision and coordination, foreign trade has continued to play a significant role in the Nigerian economy. The argument that Nigeria is the 10th largest oil producer in the world with proven oil reserve of about 36 billion barrels;

and gas reserve of about 185 Trillion Cubit Feet (TCF) among others, is given prominence more on paper and abject environmental degradation than in identifiable dividends. This is a far cry from what is obtainable in other nations of the world with even lesser oil deposits. The reality on ground does not in any way correspond with the nation’s over 50 years of oil exploration vis-à-vis its attendant turnover. This, no doubt, raises a lot of questions about the competence of those who have at one time or the other called the shots over the sector. Nigeria has witnessed managers of the industry become so powerful with so much over-bearing influence within a short period of appointment, whereas the related institutions are pathetically weak, practically rendered inactive and ineffective. The sector’s statutory obligations are conducted in utmost secrecy akin to what obtains in privately owned entities. This development is contrary to the letter and spirit of transparency and accountability as espoused by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act 2007 also known as The NEITI Act, which (provides for the establishment of NEITI, and is charged (among other things) with the responsibility for the development of a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting and disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid to the Federal Government. From the forgoing, it is imperative that the need to secure the services of experts and technocrats who know their onions and the nitty-gritty of a highly competitive oil and gas industry is more than justifiable. This is especially so at this crucial moment when dictates from the international market is affecting (negatively) the Nigerian economy. Similarly, the decision by the United States to cut further purchase of Nigerian crude oil is not in any way a good omen for the country. These historic and emerging trends, coupled with the present fall in the international prices of crude oil (albeit heartbreaking and detrimental to development) constitute a blessing somewhat. Nigeria has an opportunity to take decisive steps by looking inward with a view to being pro-active, re-strategize, and proffer lasting solutions to the myriads of problems that have stunted the growth of the Nigerian oil industry since inception.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

27 Healthy Living

High level stress may trigger bipolar reoccurrence

Health Signs your

Health Interview

Nature Power

‘Snail fever’ risk factor to bladder cancer

Aloe Vera: The wonder plant

child has cerebral palsy Appolonia Adeyemi

ne of the challenges facing parents who have children living with cerebral palsy (CP) in this country is inability to know the sign of CP in their kids. Against this background many of the estimated 700,000 Nigerians living with CP miss out on needed early diagnosis which is key to intervention that would pave way for quality living. Basically, experts have blamed this attitude mainly on poor awareness about CP, stigmatisation of affected persons and their relations and poverty which prevents many from seeking care. Cerebral palsy is a broad term used to describe a group of chronic ‘palsies’ - disorders that impair control of movement due to damage to the developing brain. Apart from those that have the condition, about 14 million persons are directly connected to a child or adult living with the conditions. Mrs. Alaba Gbadebo, mother of a 19 year-old adolescent male living with CP, highlights symptoms to look out for in an infant, which are indications that the child could have CP. Inability to suckle breastmilk She said, in managing a child with CP the first thing to observe is that the child may not be able to suckle well, neither from the breast nor the feeding-bottle. If you put him to breast, he will try to suckle but will start chocking. “Those were the first signs I observed in my son, Olaoluwa, said Gbadebo who is a co-founder of Benola, a non-government organ-

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

isation (NGO) working on CP. According to her, in the course of delivery, Olaoluwa had the umbilical cord tied round his neck and that is how he was brought out. “When he was delivered, he did not cry for a long time and during that time there was lack of oxygen supply to the brain, which is the most common cause of cerebral palsy. The health condition of Olaoluwa which developed his CP right from birth, motivated mrs Gbadebo and her husband, AVM Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) to establish Benola, a lead advocate for the rights of those living with limitations. Relating her experience at a business launch Benola organised for health editors in Lagos recently, Gbadebo said, “My mother and I were very scared about Olaoluwa who on attempts to suckle started chocking. We had to start patting him (Olaoluwa) several times and turning him over. Sometimes his eyes would turn blue because he had not fully developed and he did not know how to suckle conveniently.” Most children with CP are delivered prematurely and so was Olaolu who was subsequently put in the incubator for a month, she added. Even while he was in the incubator, the co-founder of Benola recalled that her son had seizures, which is another sign to watch out for in children with CP. Floppy/stiffness According to the co-founder of Benola, “three to four months afterwards, you may notice that the child prefers to use one hand more than the other. The child may be floppy; the child could be stiff.” However, she added,“There are different types of cerebral palsy. A child may have any.” Similarly, a child may have the whole lot. “That is what Olaolu has.” Furthermore, she said some children with CP will be stiff; some will be floppy. Difficulty controlling head movement Even at six months, the child continues to have hard time controlling the head when picked up.

A child with cerebral palsy needs care, support

Olaoluwa

The child may be floppy; the child could be stiff

Cannot reach out to collect things Also, you also notice that as time goes on the child does not want to reach out to collect things from you when it is time to do so. Unable to sit/crawl/stand without support The child at 12 months is not able to sit by himself, unable to crawl and is unable to stand without support. There are lots of signs, she said, adding, If you are not a new mother, you will notice a lot. “If you are a new mother, your mother could be with you and may

PHOTO: israelelwyn.org.il

Mrs Gbadebo

help to observe some of these things. Your family members will help to point out things that are abnormal in the baby. On what to do if parents or guardians notice any of the above signs in their kids, she advised that the child should be taken first to a paediatrician. Watch out for milestones It is also important to watch out for milestones in the development of the child including, CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Health News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Healthy Living

Ebola: Nigeria not ready for laboratory upgrade, says Tomori Appolonia Adeyemi

Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

gainst the backdrop of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) resurgence in Liberia, the nation’s foremost research institute, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has called on the Federal Government to upgrade its Bio-safety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory facilities to Bio-safety level 4 (BSL4). The renewed call for the laboratory upgrade came as renowned Virologist and President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. Oyewale Tomori said Nigeria is not ready for the BSL4 facility. While Ujah spoke in Lagos last Wednesday, at a one-day symposium on National Health Act: Achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage in Nigeria organised by NIMR to mark his Fifth Year Anniversary as the director general of the institute, Tomori who expressed his view in a telephone interview with the NT Health, said Nigeria for now should forget about building a BSL4 laboratory. Defending his position, Ujah said the BSL4 lab which is the highest laboratory facility globally, would position the country to adequately prepare in case of any new EVD outbreak in the country. On his part, Tomori said the level of our infrastructures, (poor power supply, air supply facility, water system and more importantly our attitude to work and poor maintenance back up, would make the maintenance of BSL4 laboratory impossible. Responding to where Nigeria is presently concerning the nation’s preparedness to effectively address and contain EVD, Ujah said although, NIMR missed opportunity during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria to get necessary approval for the laboratory upgrade, “we believe that upgrading our facility to Bio-Safety level 4 can handle many other laboratory issues including Ebola itself. “Unfortunately our proposal has not been considered yet by the authority but we believe that if we had upgraded our facility, prepared further, apart from the capacity building of our researchers we would have been up and doing.” While defending his position that Nigeria should limit its operations to the capability of the BSF-3 lab facility, Tomori said maintaining the BSL3 lab continues to be a problem, which we can still manage. “Imagine a BSL4 facility which requires changing clothing before entering, wearing a full body, air-supplied, positive pressure suit, showering upon exiting, and decontaminating all materials before exiting.” According to Tomori who claimed to have worked in a BSL4 lab in the past, the life of the laboratory staff working in such a facility depends on the dedication, commitment, integrity of all the workers outside the lab, and monitoring the water supply, air supply, water supply etc. “His/her is in the hands of people who will never cut corners, with people’s life,’ Tomori added. He reasoned that until Nigeria improves those basic and essential facilities - guarantee uninterrupted and regular supply of electricity, unadulterated air supply, have competent engineering back up for all the sophisticated gadgets in a BSL4 facility, “I say working in such a facility in

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

High level stress may trigger bipolar reoccurrence Tomori

Ujah

the present day Nigeria, with our poor quality, unreliable, unreliable defective, unpredictable, and erratic power and communication system, is nothing short of committing suicide and the BSL4 facility will become mortuaries for the laboratory workers!” “It is like dreaming of getting a Nigerian into space as an astronaut, whose space ship is supported by a communication system that depends on our current providers or powered by the current power distributing agencies. “ I say let us improve the quality of these basic facilities and infrastructural and engineering backups. Until then, let us work with our BSL2 and BSL3 facilities. “Remember regardless of the biosafety level , Every microbiology laboratory, regardless of biosafety level, must follow standard microbiological practices which include not eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics in the lab, washing hands after working with infectious materials and before leaving the lab and routinely decontaminating work surfaces.” BSL-4 builds upon the containment requirements of BSL-3 and is the highest level of biological safety. Tomori said there are a small number of BSL-4 labs in the United States and around the world. The microbes in a BSL-4 lab are dangerous and exotic, posing a high risk of aerosol-transmitted infections. Infections caused by these microbes are frequently fatal and without treatment or vaccines. Two examples of microbes worked with in a BSL-4 laboratory include Ebola and Marburg viruses. BSL4 is either in a separate building or in an isolated and restricted zone of the building. The laboratory has dedicated supply and exhaust air, as well as vacuum lines and decontamination systems.

ipolar, a mental disorder is defined as excitement of psychotic proportions manifested by mental and physical disorganisation of behaviours and elevation of mood. It also involved variations in mood from elation and or irritability to depression and this disorder can cause major disruptions in family, social and occupational life. Some affected persons exhibit disregard for danger and engage in high risk behaviors such as promiscuous sexual A woman showing sign of stress PHOTO:www.naijabridal.com activity, increased speeding, violence, substance abuse and driving while intoxicated. can be irritability, impulsivity Mostly seen in persons beand irritability. Some other tween 18 and 24 years of age symptoms to look out for are and sometimes, into mid 40s, inflated self esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, the condition affects both men and women equally. pressured speech or more Lifetime prevalence in the talkative than usual. Flight of general population is one perideas or racing thoughts, discent and if only one parent is tractibility, and increased goal affected there is a 27 percent directed activity, excessive inchance of affecting a child; if volvement in risky pleasurable both parents are affected 50 to activities like unrestrained 75 percent chance of affecting shopping sprees, sexual indeoffspring, and 13 percent chance scritions and foolish business investments. among siblings. Mode of inheritance is unclear. Some other psychiatry disHowever, there are different orders are personality disorforms of mental disorder-bipolar. ders, obsessive compulsive disSome can be mild, mixing with order and major depression. signs of depression, while some Psychotic events during pregnancy can be worrisome can be very severe requiring hosSigns of pitalisation. but can worsen during postparbehavioural tum period. Women who have PRESENTATIONS of symptoms during issues are worsening In children, hyperactivity is postpartum period may have an the most common behavioural increased risk of recurrence. impaired manifestation, with some exhibsocial TREATMENT iting irritability and temper and in a milder form can be attentionphase hospitalisafunctioning tionIn isacute deficit/hyperactivity disorder required due to high (ADHD), conduct disorder and of self harm or suicide, like multiple risk schizophrenia while in adoleswith goals being to get adcents, symptoms are similar to equate sleep and reduce psydivorces those of adults. chotic features with mood staThe normal risk taking behavbilising medications and there ior in some adolescents must be are so many first line and secdistinguished from the reckless ond line that are very effective nature of psychotic symptoms. in managing the acute phase, Signs of behavioural issues but the key to avoid these are impaired social functionacute phases reoccurrences is ing like multiple divorces, leto have adequate maintenance gal or financial problems, reby being complaint with treatcurrent job loss and recurrent ment. Bipolar/psychotic bemajor depression, attempted haviors are never completely suicide, and drug abuse. cured but persons can be sympSome of the symptoms are tom free for years and years maintaining several days with if compliance with medicareduced sleep without feeling tion/treatment is followed and tired, frequent mood swings avoiding circumstances that (mood liability) or periods of might trigger a reoccurrence intense goal orientation and like high level of stress helps a racing thoughts interfering lot. But word of caution—some with sleep onset. of the most effective medicaSleep disruptions trigger tions used to treat bipolar like lithum has very narrow range psychotic behaviour, seasonal changes, jetlag on time zone of effectiveness and major side changes, associated symptoms effects.

Health Features 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

‘Snail fever,’ risk factor to bladder cancer Abia Nzelu

uly is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. The bladder is a balloonshaped organ in the lower abdomen (belly) that stores urine. Bladder cancer is the second most common urogenital cancer after prostate cancer. Globally, there were about 430,000 new cases of bladder cancer and about 165,000 deaths from bladder cancer in 2012. In Nigeria, there are about 1000 new cases of bladder cancer and over 600 deaths annually. This implies that Bladder cancer kills two Nigerians every day. This number excludes so many victims who die of the ailment undiagnosed, due to poor diagnostic facilities especially in rural areas where it is prevalent. A recent well-known casualty was Hon Samuel Ajayi Adesina, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly who died in February, 2014, at the age of 56. Unlike the western world where tobacco smoking is the main contributor to bladder cancer, the major risk factor in Nigeria is infection with a parasitic flatworm called Schistosoma hematobium. This infection is known as schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) or “snail fever”. The infection usually occurs in childhood. Prevalence and intensity of infection increase with age, peaking in the five to 14 years age group. If untreated it could result in bladder cancer in adulthood with a peak age incidence in the late 40s and 50s. The majority of bladder cancer cases occur in farmers and fishermen living in regions along the river. This relationship between schistosomiasis and bladder cancer explains why schistosomiasis is one of the targeted diseases of the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria, the flagship focal cause of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECPNigeria). The first phase of the Big War is aimed at “Taking holistic health care to the Grassroots” by raising funds to acquire and deploy 37 Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC), one for each state and Abuja. Schistosomiasis ranks second

only to malaria as the most common parasitic disease. However, it is the most deadly Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) – the socalled forgotten diseases of forgotten people - killing an estimated 280,000 people globally, each year. About 700 million people are at risk of schistosomiasis in 78 countries, with almost 240 million people infected worldwide. The infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation, with 90 percent of the burden occurring in Africa. Sadly, Nigeria is thought to have the greatest number of people infected with schistosomiasis in the world, with approximately 20 million sufferers-mostly children. Delta, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa states have the highest incidence. For communities already burdened by poverty and ravaged by scourges such as malaria and tuberculosis, schistosomiasis is especially devastating, weakening the body’s resistance to other infections and preventing children from reaching their full potential. Schistosomiasis is transmitted by contact with contaminated fresh water (lakes and ponds, rivers, dams) inhabited by snails carrying the Schistosoma parasite. Swimming, bathing, fishing and domestic chores such as laundry can put people at risk of contracting the disease. Hygiene and play habits make children especially vulnerable to infection. Larvae emerge from the snails and swim in the water until they come into contact with and penetrate human skin. Once inside the body, the larvae develop into worms which live together in the blood vessels for years. Female worms release thousands of eggs which are passed out of the body in the urine and feces. If people urinate or defecate in bodies of freshwater, the eggs migrate to snails where they eventually hatch and begin the cycle again. Some Schistosoma eggs, however, remain trapped in the body and migrate to specific organs where they can inflict major damage. Urinary schistosomiasis causes scarring of the bladder and kidneys, and can lead to bladder cancer. For the avoidance of doubt, it

Schistosoma commonly known as blood flukes, are parasitic flatworms responsible for a highly significant group of infections in humans termed schistosomiasis PHOTO en.wikipedia.org

Some Schistosoma eggs, however, remain trapped in the body and migrate to specific organs where they can inflict major damage

Learn cerebral palsy signs CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 27

alone, interacts, reaches out for things, among others. “If the baby is missing any, the parents must to be up and running,” Gbadebo added. Considering that most people whose children face this burden may not afford services of paediatricians, she urged them go to doctors in private hospitals. Sometimes even parents who get to such private health facilities with affected children may still not find immediate solution. The doctors may not discover and may not be be able to say that the child has CP because they are not paediatricians and they may

not have the skills to determine that the child has CP. According to her, even paediatricians will have to refer the child to paediatric neurologists who will scan the brain of the child before they can determine that the child has brain damage. “Thatpartof thedamagedbrain isslowinperformingitsfunctions,” Gbadebo said, adding, “that of Olaoluwa was damaged at birth.” “Thatpartof thedamagedbrain is not performing its role. That is why a child with CP has problem with movement and posture.” However, to help children with this condition reach their full potential, it is important to get help for them as early as possible. Hence, parents should

learn the signs and act early. Early Intervention is vital in the management of CP because the brain, not being concrete in its development up to about the age of eight years, has the ability to re¬organise and reroute many signal paths which may have been affected by the initial damage. Therefore, the earlier it has help in doing this the more successful it will be because research has shown that the earlier treatment begins, the better the chances affected children will have in overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways of accomplishing tasks which challenge them.

is important to stress that neither snail farming nor snail consumption puts a person or community at the risk of schistosomiasis or bladder cancer. Symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis include: initial itching and rash at infection site (“swimmer’s itch”), frequent, painful or bloody urine and Lymph node enlargement. Ironically, the incidence of schistosomiasis is so high in some communities in Nigeria that youths regard the bloody urine passed at some stage of the disease as a sign of attainment of maturity, a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. Therefore, they do not seek medical advice or treatment. Symptoms of bladder cancer are similar to that of schistosomiasis. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine; which can happen suddenly and may come and go. The major control effort in Nigeria has been through the Carter Centre, an American-based organization, which has been working

in Delta, Nasarawa, Edo, and Plateau state since 1999. The current coverage of the schistosomiasis control programme in Nigeria is less than six percent in spite of the fact that the drug has been donated free of charge by Merck. In Nigeria, the Mobile Cancer Centre (MCC) being championed by the CECP would be an excellent means of taking health education, screening as well as the Praziquantel therapy to the grassroots. The cost of one MCC is $600,000 only (about N120, 000,000 at the current exchange rate) and its operational cost for one year (including cost of personnel, supplies and maintenance), is $685,000. To actualise its vision, the CECP is involved in a fund-raising campaign, known as the #GivingTide. A highpoint of the #GivingTid. “By moving forward together we have the potential to show Cancer: It is not beyond us.” Dr. Nzelu is the executive secretary, CECP-Nigeria

‘Displaced women, children need better healthcare’ Esther Albert

he displacements of women and children in various parts of the country from the Boko Haram insurgency, has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of affected people, according to research study by the Notagain Group. To this end, , the Coordinator, Accountability for Maternal Newborn and Child Health in Nigeria (AMHIN), Dr. Aminu Magashi has called on the Federal Government to provide the needed health care for the displaced while rebuilding the health infrastructures in the destroyed communities. ‘’Federal and state governments where IDPs exist should establish mobile clinics that visit the centers regularly, provide free drugs to women and children as well as ensure good water system,’’ he said. This is contained in a statement issued by Development Communications (DEVCOMS) to mark the 2015 World Population

Day, which is commemorated on July 11. The theme of this year’s World Population Day is Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies. Accordin to the research carried out by the Notagain Group, which focuses on ending maternal deaths, the result of communal clashes, natural disaster, conflicts, violence and insurgency by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria have led to pathetic situations in many homes. The health implication of this situation has been massive especially as people find themselves in places without health facilities. On the effect of insecurity on the health of mothers, Magashi, said, “Reports have shown that some of the women are pregnant while some are breastfeeding. “Coupled with the poor habitat and inadequate medical services, these women are vulnerable to complications of pregnancy such as bleeding, infections and preterm delivery due to emotional trauma.”

Health News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

MDCN certifies MedEnhanz as online CPD provider Appolonia Adeyemi

A health worker preparing blood for transfusion

PHOTO: www.dailymail.co.uk

Tyonex boss backs blood donation drive Chijioke Iremeka

gainst the backdrop of blood shortage and insufficient blood banks in the country, especially in Lagos State, the Managing Director of Tyonex Healthcare Limited, Emmanuel Tyohemba Agba has appealed to Nigerians to see free and regular blood donation as a social and civic responsibility. Agba, who made this appeal while delivering a good will message to the 2015 World Blood Donor Day in Lagos, said there is a growing need for blood from a broad range of patients and accident victims. He noted that more awareness and participa-

tion in blood donation by Nigerians are needed to forestall loss of lives due to paucity of drugs in the country’s blood bank. He said, “Blood donation is a very important civic duty and we should see it as such. People die every day in our hospitals due to loss of blood and shortage of blood in blood banks. This is needless loss of lives, and we can help just by donating blood and playing our part as citizens. It is a good cause and we should all identify ourselves with it.” Sponsored by Tyonex Healthcare Limited with the theme: “Thank You for Saving My Life,” the 2015 Blood Donor Day, held at the Lagos State

University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, the event was hosted by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee. Pharm Agba, said the healthcare company would continue to support worthy causes as part of its corporate social responsibility. The Chairman of NMA, Lagos Branch, Dr. Tope Ojo noted that there was a more robust management of blood donation by the Lagos State Government, saying it was safe to donate blood, while donors could also derive benefits such as free medical checks and the satisfaction of saving a life with each donation.

Some of those, who need blood are people with sickle cell disease, cancers, anaemia, burn victims, road accident victims that are bleeding, surgical patients and malaria patients with low blood level. Some speakers stressed that those who are ill, pregnant, diagnosed as having HIV or hepatitis B, C or syphilis are not allowed to donate blood. At the event, several people volunteered to give blood. All were tested to determine their fitness and qualification to donate. The World Health Organisation (WHO) earmarks the World Blood Donor Day (June 14) as a day to raise consciousness and promote blood donation across the world.

he Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has endorsed and issued licence to MedEnhanz Resources Limited as an online continuing professional development (CPD) provider in the country. MedEnhanz is an online medical information company based in Nigeria, providing a web-based medical information and clinical reference tool for Nigerian medical professionals. Over the years, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and profitability witnessed by the financial and telecommunication sectors in Nigeria have eluded education and health sectors particularly medical care delivery. This development has, however, been attributed largely to inability to embrace digital revolution that has become the cornerstone of every human activity and existence. Also, since the MDCN mandated participation in CPD activities in January 2011, many physicians have had challenges acquiring up to 20 CPD units required for renewal of their practicing license. Efforts to bridge the gap motivated MDCN under the leadership of the Registrar, Dr. Abdulmimni Ibrahim to accredit and issue license to MedEnhanz Resources Limited as an online CPD provider. Registrar of MDCN, Dr. Abdulmimni Ibrahim said that efforts to bridge

the gap motivated the medical council leadership to accredit and issue licence to MedEnhanz. Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Medical Officer at MedEnhanz, Dr. Dokun Dairo, said the purpose of the programmme is to ensure doctors regularly update their knowledge while also creating a path for lifelong learning in the constantly changing field of medicine. MDCN mandated MedEnhanz to conduct a pilot study on delivering online CPD for medical practitioners in Nigeria with the aim of providing insights on technical feasibility and effectiveness, as well as serving as a reference point for MDCN to develop guidelines specific to deployment of online CPD in Nigeria. The study, Dairo explained, started toward the end of April 2014 and lasted for a period of one month using the MedEnhanz’s Learning Management System. “It was an exciting process that added another flavour to efforts geared toward raising the quality of care at every level of the medical service system through the professional development initiative.” He said the pilot study confirmed that online delivery of CPD activities for medical practitioners in Nigeria is technically feasible as it has also demonstrated that webbased CPD is effective in knowledge gain and performance of practicing physicians in our setting.

Aloe Vera: The wonder plant (2)

ome time ago I called one of my doctor friends, an “orthodox” doctor and told him that I would like to discuss cancer with him. He said there was not much to discuss about cancer except, that it is incurable, and so I should not bother to talk of curing cancer with herbs. Must our Nigerian “orthodox” doctors continue to fold their hands and expect their counterparts in Europe and America to do the thinking for them? In using Aloe Vera for the treatment of cancer, one fact to keep in mind is that the older the plant, the more active it is. For the treatment of cancer the plant must be at least five years old. The formula is as follows: Materials: A Three leaves of Aloe Vera B. One bottle of honey C ½ bottle of dry gin Recipe Cut the leaves into pieces. Mix B &C together and use to grind A.

Nature Power Anselm Adodo

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo Dosage:three tablespoonful twice daily for two months. CONSTIPATION Constipation is a very dangerous ailment. It is a window for all other diseases. Constipation means an inability of the body to expel waste materials from the system. In constipation, metabolism is very slow, leading to decay of waste materials in the system. Aloe Vera offers hope for those who suffer constipation. To treat constipation, cut the root of Aloe Vera plant into pieces. Soak one handful of the root in ½ beer bottle of dry gin for one week. Then add water to fill the bottle. That will give you a full bottle. Dosage is one shot every night.

This preparation is not to be taken by pregnant women. INTESTINAL ULCER Aloe Vera is one of the most effective remedies for ulcer that we know of. Since we have so much Aloe Vera plant among us, I feel sad to see so many people still suffering from ulcer. I remember a religious sister who came to me two years ago. She was suffering from a very stubborn peptic ulcer. She had gone to almost every hospital in Nigeria without finding a permanent solution to her problem. She was eventually told that her problem was psychological and psychosomatic. She went to consult a number of psychologists, yet the problem persisted. When she came to me I prepared

Aloe Vera plant

Aloe Vera offers hope for those who suffer constipation

PHOTO: homeremediesforlife.com

an Aloe Vera mixture for her as it is prepared for cancer above, the dosage being two tablespoonfuls thrice daily. By the third day most of the symptoms had disappeared. She continued the medication for a month. Since then she has never experienced any of the symptoms. I hope more people will get to know about this wonder plant and avail of the wonderful blessings of nature. CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Industry

ICT

200 Chinese firms to invest in Nigeria’s mining, others

Between telco-led and bank-led mobile money

Business What's news

PTAD eyes July 21 for para-military retirees’ verification The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has finalised plans to conduct final verification exercise for retired men and officers of three para-military organisations.

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Nigeria to get N4.8bn from outsourcing investment Nigeria is poised to attract a new investment worth $20 million (about N4.8billion) into its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) or call centre market in the next two years.

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L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Pariminder Vir; Chairman/CEO Ebonylife T.V, Mrs Mosunmola Abudu; Chief Executive Officer, Bestman Games Ltd, Mrs Mimi Akinkugbe; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu; former Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh; Actress/Entrepreneur, Mrs Omotola Jolade Ekehide and Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, during the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme Booth Camp at Convenient University, Otta, Ogun State.

CPC begins fresh probe on DStv next month CONSUMERISM

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Government moves to ensure increased customer protection and quicker customer complaints resolution

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Kunle Azeez

new plan by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to institute a fresh investigation into the alleged complaints by Nigerians on the operations of DStv in Nigeria will start in August, New Telegraph has learnt.

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Head, CPC, Lagos, Mr. Tam Tamunokobia, confirmed the development to our correspondent in a telephone interview. He said that the Council was currently gathering documents to begin an investigation into the activities of DStv bothering on decoder swap with customers and sundry alleged irregularities in its operations. Tamunokobia said: “We are opening a fresh investigation totally different from what the court has delivered judgment on in favour of DStv, especially regarding the tariff hike by the pay-TV company.” He explained that the head office of CPC in Abuja was handling the new probe of the company billed to commence ‘very soon.’

The court had recently given a ruling in favour of DStv regarding the issue of alleged increase in subscription fee for its services. DStv is the subsidiary of Multichoice Nigeria, a South Africa-based Multichoice Africa, which has emerged as a dominant player in the Nigerian satellite television market. In the past few years, DStv had faced one legal battle after another from aggrieved subscribers, who were dissatisfied

N1.5 billion Amount invested by Multichoice in local content devt in the last 10 years

with the programming services and unreasonable subscription hikes across their various bouquets. The CPC, in a notice of its plan to commence fresh investigation signed by its DirectorGeneral, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, and served on MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, said that consumers, who alleged wide-range abuse of their rights, had inundated it with a barrage of complaints. The CPC also stated that despite its earlier interventions in form of meetings, telephone and written correspondences with the company to resolve the issues and develop quality standards to safeguard the interest of consumers, complaints had CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE June 2015.................................8.5% May 2015.................................9% April 2015................................8.7%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at July 10)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N240 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N339 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N257

l Foreign Reserves – $29.719bn as at 8/07/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at July 10)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200.00 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N315.27 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225.60

Business | News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PTAD eyes July 21 for para-military retirees’ verification INCREASE The 33 per cent pension increment approved by the Federal Government has necessitated further screening

government. The source said that the planned verification exercise, which entails gathering data and relevant information of the affected pensioners, would determine the cost. He said: “I can’t give a

figure now because verification is still on-going. What is certain is that the 33 per cent increase is captured in 2015 budget and as soon as budget releases are approved, it would be paid.” The source also emphasised the commit-

ment of PTAD management to stick to prompt payment of the arrears as soon as budgetary release is effected. Last month, PTAD conducted a supplementary verification exercise for all unverified police pensioners who retired

on or before June 2007. The exercise was conducted between May 25 and June 1, 2015, in Abuja for pensioners who did not participate in an earlier nationwide verification exercise concluded in March 2015. It came on the heels of post-verification analysis, which revealed that 3,326 police pensioners on PTAD’s payroll did not turn up to be captured.

The development prompted the removal of the names of the unverified police pensioners from PTAD’s payroll and payment of their pensions suspended as from May, pending the outcome of the supplementary exercise. The 33 per cent increase was approved by the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It was, however, not captured in the 2014 budget due to cash flow challenges.

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has finalised plans to conduct final verification exercise for retired men and officers of three para-military organisations. The exericise, which follows the implementation of the 33 per cent pension increment and captured in the 2015 budget, will involve the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Ngerian Prisons. A source at PTAD informed New Telegraph that the verification exercise to be conducted at designated locations across the country had been slated for July 21. He, however, declined to give a specific figure on how much the 33 per cent increase would cost

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’ Allah; Director of Academic Planning of the university, Dr. Abdulrauf Ambali; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Sulaiman Jamiu and Regional Director, South-west of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adelaja Adeleye, during the handover ceremony of a bus donated by the bank to the school in Ilorin.

CPC to probe DStv CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

been pouring in unabated against the company. “These complaints in effect allege that the DStv service does not conform with international best practice and is specifically designed to exploit Nigerian consumers who have suffered loss by not being able to fully enjoy or receive the benefit or actualise the full purpose for which they purchased or subscribed to the service. “The complaints include poor quality of service such as incessant disruption of service without compensation, while subscription is current; wrongful abrupt disconnection of service during subsisting subscriptions; monthly subscriptions lasting less than 30 days and poor redress mechanism and customer service,” CPC added. Others, according to CPC, are advertisements on customer care lines at the expense of consumers; poor implemen-

tation of decoder swap policy and effecting price increase for subscriptions despite payment before due date of increase.” The council said that its investigation would involve receiving relevant evidence and documents from complainants, MultiChoice, satellite broadcast experts and witnesses, as well as relevant sector regulators. MultiChoice Nigeria is expected to prepare a written response on the allegations contained in the notice of investigation, as well as provide other relevant documents and information that may be necessary. Meanwhile, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, had stated that the company continues to be a responsibile corporate citizen in Nigeria and in other countries of operations, having invested over N1.5 billion in the development and acquisition of contents in the last 10 years.

JOB CREATION The investment is expected to boost job creation in Nigeria Kunle Azeez

igeria is poised to attract a new investment worth $20 million (about N4.8 billion) into its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) or call centre market in the next two years. Indian outsourcing firm, ISON, would make the fresh investment as it unveiled its investment plan for the country over the 24 months. “Nigeria has a huge potential for growth and development, especially with the availability of strong, vibrant and talented workforce,” Global Chief Executive Officer of ISON BPO, Mr. Pravin Kumar, said. “The company has committed to setting up four stateof-the-art facilities in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin and Kano. It plans to employ about 4,000 staff in these call centres with an additional investment of $20 million this year. ISON BPO has excellent call centre facilities around the world, including one

Nigeria to get N4.8bn from outsourcing investment in Ibadan and plans to recreate the same standards everywhere in Nigeria.” ISON, a company that offers systems integration, managed services, BPO and strategic outsourcing solutions using end-to-end IT services, reinforced its presence in Nigeria with the announcement of three additional ISON BPO call centres as well as other service offerings – ISON Technologies and ISON Investments. Founder and Chairman, ISON Group, which is registered in Africa with presence in 25 Sub-saharan African countries, Mr. Ramesh Awtaney, said that his company provides call centre outsourcing services with over 7,000 employees across 12 countries, in which 4,500 employees are in 10 countries in Sub-saharan Africa. With ISON BPO having operations in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, Awtaney said that this year; the company plans to add nine centres with an additional 5,000 employees in this region. He further said that since its establishment in Nigeria, ISON

has employed 1,300 people, of which 99 per cent are Nigerians, adding that its key clients in Nigeria include Airtel and AIICO Insurance. He said: “ISON Technologies is equally a Pan African Outsourcing player, providing end-to-end IT services and solutions across Africa, Dubai and the Middle East. ISON Innovation and Investments (I3) focus on driving consumer Internet businesses in Africa. “Through this initiative, we embark on a new journey to help entrepreneurs from the Internet fraternity. Collectively, ISON Group has on ground presence in 25 African countries as well as the Middle East and ASEAN regions. “The ISON Group offers BPO services through ISON BPO. The robust BPO services infrastructure is built on global delivery framework to deliver voice, non-voice and other knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) services through local presence and on-shore/remote support, leading to superior customer experience, highly satisfied customers and growth in business.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

MAN partners IT firms on technology deployment p.34 PROJECT China is committed to encouraging its citizens to invest in Nigeria

Dele Alao

ver 200 Chinese companies have expressed interests in the country’s mining, agriculture, confectionary and pharmaceutical sectors. Checks showed that Nigeria’s bilateral trade with China rose to about $23.5 billion in June 2015 from a mere $3.4 billion that it was back in 2009.

Industry

200 Chinese firms to invest in Nigeria’s mining, others Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese delegation and a consortium of Nigerian businessmen, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan-Baba, in Abuja, said that the Council was willing to facilitate the Chinese companies’ business activities in Nigeria. She said: “We will also en-

sure that your investment is safe in Nigeria. We are willing to give you one-stop-shop services and other incentives that will ease your investment in the country. We expect you to come with the profile of your companies and what you have to offer to us. We will be ready to open up our markets to you, that is why the NIPC is involved in this so that we can see what kind of investors you are.

L-R: Sales Executive, Air Cote D’Ivoire, Mrs. Folake Ogunbileje; Head of Commercial, Mrs. Aicha Ouidi Baba Moussa and Sales Executive, Mrs. Fadeke Jegede, at the Airline’s Business Strategy meeting with Travel Agents in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Nigeria will develop faster with thriving SME – P&G Deborah Olayode

consumer goods manufacturing company, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria, has said that Nigeria could achieve a faster economic development under a viable and thriving Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) regime. Director of Global Government Relations for P&G, Temitope Iluyemi, said this in Lagos at the companysponsored SME Development Academy. The academy is a forum designed to train promising entrepreneurs, especially those from the disadvantaged backgrounds, in order to equip them to better contribute to the overall growth and development of the country. “The country can only develop better and survive economically under a thriving SME culture and we are delighted that we are able

to provide the necessary skill-set for these promising entrepreneurs at such a significant time,” she said. She urged the entrepreneurs to hold on to their dreams as they have a key role to play in the overall development of the country. She also encouraged them to put into practise, the basic business management training and literacy skills that they were exposed to during the forum. Iluyemi, who confirmed P&G’s commitment to the development of SME in the country, said that was a company of leaders that has over the last five years empowered more than 300 SMEs with sustained training and development programmes. The programme, which was held at NECA House, Central Business District, Ikeja, Lagos, was in partnership with the Federal Government’s Growing Girls and Women in Nige-

ria (GWiN) and The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) programmes. The first edition of the Academy was held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on May 19, 2015. It had 150 youths and entrepreneurs in attendance. In the Lagos edition, 150 upcoming businessmen and women were in attendance and they were taken through basic business management training and literacy skills needed to ensure success in the management of their businesses. Also commenting on the programme, Director of Policy and Partnerships, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Dr. Chii Akporji, said: “One of the most interesting components that the initiative will offer is the actual ‘behind the scenes’ knowledge that our expert leaders are able to share with the entrepreneurs.”

“We are moving away from the oil sector and hoping that these investors can fit into these areas mentioned because some of these areas are the priority of government, especially the agricultural sector. The agriculture sector as you know is the one that provides the most jobs,” she added. The investments, according to the leader of the Nigerian consortium coordinating the Chinese firms, Gen. Chiemeka Egbemena, are mainly companies involved in petroleum, iron and steel, agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as free trade zone. He said that the Chinese government was committed to encouraging and supporting Chinese companies’ investment in Nigeria, just as it continued to support the country’s efforts at attracting foreign investment. “The major significance is that we are falling in line with the new policy of government to look elsewhere for the growth of our economy and that is the desire of those companies that are coming to invest in the area where the world seems to be moving. “About 200 Chinese companies are coming to do business in Nigeria. We are most interested in mining and agricultural and allied industry. These areas are our priority. Mutual benefits have been enjoyed by the two countries in agriculture, economics, infrastructure, communication, cultural exchange and education over the years of cooperation, Egbemena said. Also, the President of Abuja

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCI), Mr. Joe Wenegieme, said that the Chinese investors would come into the country any moment from now to explore potential investment opportunities with a five-day trade fair. “We have sent letters out to different state governments, local people and private organisations to come and meet with the investors so they can have the opportunity of discussing with them,” he said. Meanwhile, an international relations expert, Charles Kolawole, has given reasons why China is massively investing in Africa. In a presentation at the University of Ilorin’s Post-Graduate Departmental Seminar held recently, Kolawole, who noted that the role of China goes beyond trade and investment to offering alternative socio political models for development, said that the Chino-African relationship has blossomed through trade with about $120 billion dollars’ worth of trade flowing between Africa and China in 2014 alone and also generating $17 billion trade deficit with Africa. “On the one hand, whereas China seeks resources to power its growing and expansive industrial base, it is also looking to establish a market for its products and services, while Africa is endeavouring to generate income to finance its poverty alleviation efforts, promote domestic consumption and support industrialisation to underpin economic development.

NASENI to create wealth with technology

he Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) Programme of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), will create more wealth for the country. According to the Chief Information Officer (Media and Protocol), NASENI, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, the AMT programme for wealth generation could deliver increased industrial productivity, reduce importation of goods, equipment, raw materials and services that translate to increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ayeoyenikan added that AMT could help reduce capital flight by generating value added employment, boosting performance of entrepreneurs and members of Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN). He affirmed NASENI’s read-

iness to provide facilities at its headquarters and its institutes for training in the various aspects of AMT. “The main objective of AMT programmes is to provide local training for the development of skills to address the shortage of qualified and competent technologists, technicians and engineers. We will focus, especially on design and manufacture of process equipment,” he said. Ayeoyenikan added that NASENI would provide high quality post-graduate training that would contribute to the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) in the manufacturing sector. He said: “For Nigeria to be ranked among the 20 richest countries by 2020, there is no alternative to the adoption and application of AMT for economic growth.”

Business | Industry

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

MAN partners IT firms on technology deployment EFFICIENCY The deployment of the cloud technology will engender increased efficiency Kunle Azeez

major partnership has been sealed by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) with two major Information Technology companies to showcase solutions

that will drive productivity, meet operating objectives and enhance business continuity in manufacturing companies. The two IT companies are Signal Alliance and Microsoft. On the partnership, Director, Sales Signal Alliance, Mr. Chukwunonso Emeh, said: “Technology is the key to diversification, productivity increase, efficiency and transformation in the Nigeria manufacturing sector. With our partners, Microsoft, we want to empower your industry to prosper.” Emeh added that generally, most manufacturers were not known for going out of their

ways to invest in advanced IT. He said that this realisation had prompted the development of cutting-edge cloud computing technology tailormade for them. Emeh said that the cloud technologies reduce capital expenditures and IT labour costs. According to an official of Microsoft, Mr. Ola Williams, the attraction of using cloud computing services is obvious. “Cloud computing technology transfers the responsibility for running on-premises hardware and software out to the Internet, where cloud computing providers handle the

stresses that would otherwise burden IT departments, such as software upgrades and hardware maintenance,” he said. Williams explained that besides cost savings, cloud computing benefits include quicker deployment and ease of use. Another key advantage is operational flexibility. “Cloud computing technology lets IT managers click a few menu selections to free up computing power from the cloud whenever manufacturing operations need additional resources or to accommodate new software modules,” Emeh said. Also, Head, Resource Centre

at MAN, Doris Onwugamba, said that the outcome of the engagement has been very positive and their members are excited. She was confident that Signal Alliance and Microsoft, will provide MAN members the needed technology solutions to transform their business and operate more efficiently. She noted that there was need to further automate their operations by deploying technologies that would make them more efficient and flexible, especially when dealing with their customers in a manner that would ensure speed, convenience and mobile access.

Buhari charges entrepreneurs on integrity

resident Muhammadu Buhari has called on entrepreneurs in the country to avoid cutting corners in order to be successful. The president, who was represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), Boot Camp 2015, held recently at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, said that while the payment of taxes was a matter of self-interest and not just a civic duty, selfdiscipline, the ability to serve and to invest, as well as bearing losses, are critical. The president identified the pivotal role of exemplary character in entrepreneurship, which, he said, could in turn become the platform for the growth of business and development of a nation’s economy. He noted that the ground for entrepreneurial success was character, adding that discipline alone was not sufficient. He said: “Enterprises

and societies thrive on the values of moral integrity, self-discipline, hard work and innovation, respect for rule of law and the prompt payment of taxes. These are the critical components for successful economies and countries anywhere. “The core of success in business is integrity, honesty and trust in the conduct of business. Credit worthiness is important in business, because when trust fails, every other thing fails. “The payment of taxes and other obligations, is it moral or civic? For the purpose of development of the economy, for building infrastructure and other services, they are all important in business.” He expressed optimism that Africa now stands at the face of greatness after many years of being regarded as “the dark continent,” recording highest figures in poverty, poor healthcare, illiteracy and poor human development.

NACCIMA to Diaspora Nigerians: Return home to invest

ational Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to come home and invest in the country. National Vice-President, NACCIMA, Mr. Asiwaju Alabi, made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the inauguration of YEBAOT Automobile Limited. The company was established by Mr. Yomi Olatinwo, an indigene Oyo State, based in the United States of America. He said that Olatinwo, who just returned from US to invest in Ibadan, had contributed to the growth of the economy of Nigeria and reduced its rate of unemployment. Alabi said that his call became necessary because many rich Nigerians in foreign countries had refused

to come home to invest. He reminded Nigerians in foreign countries that the country needed them, especially now that the price of oil, which the country depended on for most of its revenue, had been on a downward trend. Alabi said: “The country needs to diversify its economy, to do that, we need foreign investors to boost the economy of the country, thereby creating jobs and reducing unemployment. Government alone cannot do it, those that have the resources to set up business should assist government by setting up a business.” On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of YEBAOT Automobile Limited, Olatinwo, expressed the determination of his company to contribute to the economic growth and development of the country.

L-R: Technical Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Abatcha Abagana; Group Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi; Head, Borno State liaison office in Lagos, Mrs. Rachel Dunama-Balami; President, Oasis Association, Air Vice-Marshal Olufemi Soewu and Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Vitafoam, Mr. Olatunji Anjorin, at the presentation of relief materials to victims of Boko Haram in Borno State through the liaison office in Lagos.

LEAP Africa advocates entrepreneurial training A non-Gover nmental Organisation, LEAP Africa, has urged school leavers to embrace afterschool entrepreneurial and leadership training to be selfreliant after graduation. In a statement, LEAP Africa Programme Officer, Mrs. Chinenye Etoniru, gave the advice at the end of the entrepreneurial and leadership training by the NGO, tagged ‘School to Work Employability Programme.’ Etoniru said that the programme, co-sponsored by Citi Foundation, was a yearly event targeted at reducing the

rate of unemployment among youths, especially graduates. “The programme is an opportunity for youths to learn entrepreneurial, leadership, conflict resolution and other helpful skills, like personal branding, before or in the process of searching for their desired career,” she said. Etoniru, who noted that there was high rate of graduate unemployment in the country, not because there were no jobs, but because some young people were not qualified, said: “It is not enough to graduate from school alone, but to be armed with the nec-

essary skills that would make one get and retain a job.’’ A participant, Miss Damilola Dada, said that the courses taught had equipped her with basic skills to help her with getting a job and retaining it. She said that she hopes to further her education, and also establish a business. Dada added that should she not get a job, the entrepreneurial skills would help her to establishe her business. Similarly, Mr. Benjamin George, a graduate of accounting, said that the week-long programme had assisted in his career.

Ogun re-states commitment to industrial growth

he Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to the promotion and development of industrial activities in the state. Director, Industrial Promotion in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Mojisola Dosunmu, said this in her office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Dosunmu noted that the state government has provided the industrial extension services and training for micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), adding that necessary infrastructure had been put in place at the three Technical Incubation Centres across the state. She noted that adequate information on basic raw mate-

rials available within the state was being exhibited at the state Raw Materials Display Centre, Parastatal Building, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. “All these efforts have begun to yield great results as the state can boast of 68 companies facilitated by this administration in the last four years,” the director said.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

ICT

China backs NigComSat’s Assimilation Centre plan p.36

Between telco-led and bank-led mobile money Three years after introducing a bank-led mobile money model into the country, the call for a telco-led approach has again been re-awakened as an alternative for accelerating financial inclusion. KUNLE AZEEZ reports

There is now a better awareness of the services. We can say for certain that the country is benefiting from it, although the rate of adoption is still slow,” he said.

hough the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2012 adopted and introduced a bank-led model of mobile money services in the country with the licensing of 23 mobile money operators, the possibility of telco-led model of mobile money bridging financial inclusion gap has again been raised. Those who support the latter believe that reviewing the current bank-led model and adopting telco-led approach to mobile money in Nigeria would make a difference as telcos are able to leverage their expansive network coverage and their growing subscriber base of over 146 million to create a boom in mobile money sector. The Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who raised this bias recently, called for a review of the current mobile money model, saying that a telco-led model will help expand retail banking, thereby driving financial inclusion in the unbanked segment. Ogunsanya said that for the mobile money market to reach its full potential, it is important that restrictions on telcos’ activities in mobile money should be lifted. He said that agency/agent banking as well as mobile money can help deepen penetration in retail banking in the country, suggesting that the mobile money sector is rather slow at this time because they are led by banks. “The overwhelming majority of the adult population is unbanked; however, mobile penetration is approximately 78 per cent. The market opportunity for mobile money is therefore vast,” he stressed. Why bank-led model? Bank-led mobile money is one, which permits banks to lead the provision of mobile money services while telco-led put telecoms operators in the country at the driver’s seat and not just only providing technical or support services to the bank. While telco-led model has been successful in Kenya through Mpesa initiative, which allows Kenyans to exchange financial values from one person to another, thereby deepening financial inclusion, Nigeria, under the former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, chose to go the way of bank-led mobile payment.

Mobile money illustration

The apex bank said that it adopted the bank-led approach to ensure that banks, which have their core competencies in the financial services sector lead the way. Gradual traction Though, mobile money industry in Nigeria is valued at over N1 trillion worth of transactions annually if well harnessed, the country is still believed to be scratching the mobile money surface. But the apex bank noted that Nigeria had recorded a total transaction of N700 billion (about $3.5 billion), through the mobile money banking system since 2012 by the 23 licensed mobile money operators, with monthly transactions valued at about N30 million. Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, who spoke in Abuja, noted that there were about 80,000 mobile money agents spread across the federation.

Restrictions on telcos’ activities in mobile money should be lifted

However, acknowledging that mobile money potential has not been fully tapped, Fatokun said that the apex bank was considering a review of the framework for the operators. “For effective licensing of mobile money transaction, the CBN was also reviewing the regulatory frameworks and guidelines for mobile money services in the country. The main objective of the review, he said, was to provide enabling environment for the adoption of mobile payment services.” Meanwhile, the President, Medallion Communications Limited, Mr. Ike Nnamani, has said that despite the steady traction, much still needed to be done. “Positive results have been achieved, but the sector is still growing. There are new classes of services being introduced every day, and the general public is becoming more comfortable with the mobile money operators.

Opposition to telco-led Asked if Nigeria should review the currently bank-led mobile money for a telco-led model, Nnammani’s response was apt: “Not really.” Explaining the reason for its objection to telco-led mobile money, he said: “The Nigerian market is different from the Kenyan market, so, the theory of one-cap-fitting-all will not work. The banking industry in Nigeria is well-developed, so it was in the right position to lead the mobile money initiative. “The banks are working with the telcos in implementation, so there is no guarantee that the success achieved so far would have been surpassed if the mobile money system in Nigeria was telco-led. “The challenges that have prevented more success from being experienced in the sector will still be there even if it was telco-led. The goal at this point for the industry should be to work out the reasons for the slow progress of the sector and what can be done to make it better.” Going forward While the CBN has not shown any body language as to suggest imminent swap of bank-led mobile money model with a telco-led system, Nnammani called for a concerted effort geared towards supporting existing licensees for optimal performance. “Some of the challenges include low awareness of the importance of mobile money and how it works, fear on security of transaction, lack of availability of wide spread agent network and lack of network implementation funds,” he said. Also, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of EPayment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mrs. Regha Onajite, said that increased awareness and industry-wide collaboration are needed to improve mobile money operators’ performance in the country.

NCS advocates technology use T he Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has called on the Federal Government to deploy Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for solving national problems and drive development. NCS also suggested how the current administration can achieve this through the appointment of Information Technology experts into key paratstatals that are ICT-related to drive policy initiatives that would see ICT being used for solving

problems while engendering national development. Addressing a press conference to announce the forthcoming 12th annual international conference scheduled to hold later this month in Akure, Ondo State, NCS President, Prof. David Adewumi, said that Nigerian governments, both at the federal and state levels, should comply with the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) in making key IT-related appointments.

According to him, all boards of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), especially those that are IT-based, should ensure that they make use of indigenous companies in implementing their IT projects rather than seeking companies to handle such projects outside Nigeria. Adewumi said: “The usage of IT in governance and security needs to be improved through more widespread adoption of IT professionalism in the private and public

sectors. NCS and its members can play a major role in improving the state of security nationwide, combating terrorism, enhancing public service delivery and accountability and boosting job creation.” Commenting on the level of IT adoption in the country, Adewumi lamented that previous administrations had paid little attention to the CPN Act, which states that companies and individuals dully registered are those that should be used in IT project designs and executions.

Business | ICT

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

China backs NigComSat’s Assimilation Centre plan COLLABORATION The centre is expected to boost commercial activities of the country’s satellite resources manager Clem Khena-Ogbena

he Chinese Government has expressed its willingness to assist the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) by facilitating

the establishment of the Satellite’s Assimilation Centre in order to boost its commercial profile. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiao Jie, made this known during his official visit to NigComSat in Abuja, where he also noted that the Astranaut Launch by Nigeria, through the use of the Chinese Space, was still on-going. The Chinese envoy said that in view of the facts he had so far received about NigComSat from his official visit, as well as the routine facility tour he carried out con-

FG sets up c’ttee on ITU Telecoms World 2015 he Federal Government make Lives Better and Faster. T has constituted a local orNigeria’s participation will ganising committee that will build on the reality that regulaplan the country’s participation in the forthcoming International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World 2015. The ITU event will hold in Budapest, Hungary, between October 12 and 15, this year. It will focus on strategies to explore Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to engender innovation and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth. The ITU Secretary General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, is the Chief Host. The local organising committee is made up of officials of the Ministry of Communication Technology, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Nigerian Postal Service and Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), among others. Chairman, Media and Publicity sub-committee and Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, said in a statement that Nigeria desires to make a big statement in this year’s participation when a large number of SMEs will be on ground to dwell around the theme of this year’s event: Innovation To

tory robustness has led to a spiral growth in voice telephony and look beyond that by coming out with innovative products to improve the lives of the citizens. ITU, on its part, has listed five key reasons why countries, individuals and corporate organisations should participate in the Hungary event. Besides exceptional knowledge sharing and opportunities, ITU Telecom World 2015 will focus on accelerating innovation and growth of SMEs and innovative networking opportunities. Of particular interest is the role SMEs play in driving national economies. One of the key concerns of the Hungarian government is to provide a balanced and predictable business environment where SMEs can easily find support or exploit business opportunities. This is what the country wants to share with participants in Budapest. Ojobo explained that Nigeria will share in the Hungary’s vision, adding that the Nigerian SME ecosystem will be guided by the experience they share through the event.

IT retailer links growth to customers’ loyalty mobile phone retail outlet, momentum for crucial commuA Micro Station Limited, nication products and unique mobile phone gadgets for its has attributed the success of the brand in Nigeria to customers’ loyalty. To this end, the firm has rolled out a unique customer loyalty scheme for its existing and potential customers. Tagged: ‘Great Value, Happy Customer’, the loyalty scheme is aimed at sustaining the buying behaviour of customers as well as acquiring new customers, who will associate with the Micro Station brand. Speaking at the unveiling of the programme and formal commissioning of a new outlet in Ikeja, Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Micro Station, Mr. NesterCoutroupis, said that the firm was strategically focused and positioned to drive up the

customers. He explained that at Micro Station, customers are very key to their success story, “and this has driven our zeal to always try to find ways to celebrate them for their undiluted patronage and unflinching support in the area of business patronage.” According to him, moving up in the business chart of the informal sector has been daunting and challenging, “but with doggedness and the zeal to succeed, we have focused pragmatically on our customers feedback and responses in righting our wrongs and this has turned out to be the magic wand that has brought Micro Station success in the mobile phones retail sector.”

cerning the agency’s Ground Station in Abuja, he would help strengthen the mutual relationship between the two countries. He added that Nigeria remained a very strategic business partner of China in the African continent. The ambassador, in a statement by the Head of External Relations, NigComSat, Asmau Galadanchi, noted that NigComSat was the first to be launched by China, followed by the Federal Republic of Pakistan, with other countries trailing. Xiao Jie also expressed delight, saying that he was deeply touched by the complaint of NigComSat regarding the non-patronage of its services

by the Chinese Embassy and other Chinese organisations in Nigeria. However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, NigComSat, Ms. Abimbola Alale, said that the agency would benefit much from the partnership between Nigeria and China, especially in the areas that affect satellite business, which, according to her, would also lead to exchange of ideas and ideals between the two countries. She further said that the relationship between the two nations would leverage on the plethora of business and full commercialisation opportunities already existing. The General Manager, Satellite Application and Develop-

ment of the agency, Abdulrahim Adajah, had complained that the non-patronage of NigComSat services by the Chinese Embassy and other Chinese organisations in Nigeria was not helpful to Nigeria’s economy and also a serious concern to the agency in particular. The statement further stated that Mr. Tamunoibuomi F. Okujagu, the Senior Special Assistant to the NigComSat boss, noted that China’s allied institutions in the country, had, in the same vein, demonstrated lack-lustre business attitude towards the satellite. Okujagu, however, stressed the need for more enhanced trade and cultural ties between Nigeria and China.

L-R: Group Chief Information Officer, Standard Bank Plc, Mr. Klaas Kruger; Chief Information Officer, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Ruby Onwudiwe; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere and Executive Director, Business Support, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Wole Adeniyi, during a visit of the bank’s team to CWG’s corporate head office in Lagos

‘CWG installs 35% of ATMs in Nigeria’ Kunle Azeez

bout 30 per cent of the Automated Teller Machines’ (ATMs) transaction in Nigeria pass through Computer Warehouse Group’s Wincor-Nixdorf ATMs while about 35 per cent of ATMs installed in Nigeria are supplied and supported by CWG, the Chief Executive Officer of CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, has said. Okere disclosed this while providing information on the operations of his company to the Information Officer of Standard Bank, PBB Rest of Africa, Mr. Klaas Kruger and his team, who visited the IT company’s headquarters in Lagos recently. The visit was aimed at strategic discussion on technology solutions that CWG Plc offers and the value it can add to the bank’s operation. In his presentation, Okere used the key ring concept to explain CWG’s solutions offering, saying that the concept denotes the company’s ability to handhold an insti-

tution’s entire Information Technology needs end-toend to assure the customer of a single responsibility partner across the IT solution stack and thereby significantly minimising risk. According to Okere, CWG Plc has world-class IT facilities and capabilities as well as strong relationships with global technology brands and esteemed clientele spanning over two decades. He added that the company was poised to replicate the unique value Pan-African wide to meet the growing requirements of her global customers, who want a consistent service level across their African operations. “These three factors - facility, capability and relationship - have given us an edge in providing IT services and support in various industries in our countries of operation, especially telecom, oil & gas and banking. “About 50 per cent of mobile calls in Nigeria are routed through enterprise servers and storage managed and supported by us while 40 per

cent of Telecoms Information Systems Managed Services are also provided by CWG. “Same applies to the banking industry, about 30 per cent of Automated Teller Machines’ (ATMs) transaction pass through CWG’s Wincor-Nixdorf ATMs while about 35 per cent of ATMs installed base in Nigeria are supplied and supported by CWG,” Okere said. Similarly, the Chief Technology Officer of CWG Plc, Mr. James Agada, stated that 60 per cent of banking transactions in Nigeria happen on the company’s Finacle Core Banking system, installed in 10 of the 21 Nigerian banks. He also said that about 20 per cent of bank branch transactions on data links were carried out through CWG’s Network Infrastructure. “CWG Plc and her partner, Infosys, have also extended the Finacle Core Banking System to other African countries where we have physical presence, with CWG’s certified technical staff handling both the implementation and support,” he noted.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, JULY 16, 2015

Photo | News

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, planting a tree during 2015 ‘Tree Planting’ campaign with the theme: “Tree: The lungs of the earth” at Ikotun, Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: Managing Director, Skin Beauty Limited, Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi; Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Adebola Shabi; Director, Public Relations, LASEPA, Olori Adetokunbo Eko; Executive Chairman, Skin Beauty Limited, Mr. Ade Ogunlesi; Prsident, Ecologistics Integrated Services Limited, Dr. Paul Abolo and others, at the 2015 Tree Planting Day entitled: “Tree: Lungs of the Earth” at Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Onimode Bandele; Founder/Managing Partner, Deluxe Childbirth Services, Iphie Chuks-Adizue; Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development, Julie Koenen and Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund, Ratidzai Ndhlovu, during the donation of birth kits to displaced pregnant women in Borno State.

NEMA officials with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during their visit to distribute clothing materials to IDPs for Eid-El-Fitri celebration at the Federal Training Centre, Dalori, in Maiduguri. PHOTO: NAN

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel with others, during a ground breaking ceremony for Mimshac Merkavim Transportation Technologies, an Automobile Assembling Plant in Itu LGA.

L-R: Winners, Prof. Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Essay Competition, Master Onmoya Prince Dan (2nd place); Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; other winners, Onwuha Nnemeka (1st place) and Anuigbo Stephen (3rd place), at the presentation of prizes to winners of the 6th edition of International Cultural Exchange Essay Competition in commemoration of Soyinka’s 81st birthday in Abeokuta.

L-R: Head, Department of Crop Protection, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebayo Omoloye; Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics), Prof. Gbemisola Oke; Principal Investigator, Yam Seed Production in BioReactors, Dr. Morufat Balogun and representative of the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Rasheed Awodoyin, at yam seed production in Bio-Reactors at the University of Ibadan. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Member, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Youth Participatory Platform, Fatima Aliyu-Gebi; Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Hadiza Sani-Kangiwa and UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Ratidzai Ndhlovu, at a public lecture in commemoration of the World Population Day in Abuja.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Mom&Parenting

Tele-parenting, the new vogue

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

n these days of technological advancement and economic tussle, it is imperative for couple or parents to keep body and soul going and maintain the strength of the family. This may require both husband and wife observing the long hours of the day working to eke a living. While doing this, the children and some other house chores are either left at the mercy of house helps, nanny or grandmas. There is actually nothing wrong in nannies, grandmas or house helps keeping watch over the children whom the parents are working so hard to cater for. But as the old saying goes in Africa, no true eyes like that of the real mother that can actually take good care of one’s children. Thanks to phone technology, it has become so handy mostly for working parents who use it to monitor their children and their activities. Ayo and Seun Ajibade are both working parents. Ayo works with a new generation bank and Seun works with one of the top oil companies. Both husband and wife leave home by 5am and return by 7 and 9pm daily. This has been the routine ever since they got married and produced three children, all in primary school. Ordinarily, the belief would be that their children might be wayward because they have little time for them. The kids are always at the mercy of different house helps. Alas! No. Their children are well behaved and always chorus to one another, visitors and even their aunty what mommy said, or daddy warned them against. “Daddy said, once it is 8pm, we should go to bed, mommy said we should never play outside the gate,” and so. They are really conscious of their parents;

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

it is as if the parents are with them. Seun told New Telegraph that since she had to work to augment her husband’s income and sustain the family’s expenses, she devised a way of joggling between her responsibility towards her children and her work. According to her, all it takes is load her phone. She befriends her children’s teachers in the school; calls them often on the phone to monitor her children, their performance, moral and cordial relationship with other kids. By weekend, she sorts out whatever needs to be sorted out. During the week, right from the closing hours of school, she begins to call her children, chat with them, ask them about their irritability in school, what subject they found difficult. When they get home, she said she would ask the type of food prepared for them, if they loved it, after that, she calls them some minutes later to know if there is any homework and if they have done it. “I make sure their father also checks on them through the phone. I bet it our kids are doing well, they are morally and intelligently sound. God is also on our side,” she said. Rosemary Udo is an air hostess while her husband is a banker. Automatically, they are both not always at home with their four children. But they claimed they were able to cope well through phone parenting. They monitor through phone, chat via Skype and even Whatassp. “We know when they are down, when they are upset or something is wrong with them. Honestly, I can vow that we bond even more than those who see on daily basis,” she claimed. In fact, this couple got a bit advanced with technology by installing CCTV camera almost everywhere in their house! For Modupe Adeyemo, a single mother of two and a writer, to work is to pray. She said she gets home daily 9.30pm, by which time, her children would have fallen asleep. “I am not trying to whip up sentiment but as much as I have to be with them, guard and shape them up during their formative stages of life, I also have to work to cater for us all. So, I’m left with the option of phone parenting,” she said. Adeyemo explained that while she is at work or on a long journey, she calls too frequently even to the irritation of her children and their nanny. She said she would call to find out how they are doing, what type of food they are eating, which compound are they going to play ball and what time will they promise to return to the house, “ I know

Mom putting a call through photo:consciouskidsclub.com Hand texting while driving

Receiving their parent’s call

We must keep in mind that the present economic situation leaves us with less choices

PHOTO: WWW.SPEECHBUDDY.COM

it sounds ridiculous but that is my safest way of being involved with them in spirit. If I wasn’t there physically by the design of circumstance, I determine within me that I would not lose them to the world. Already, children of nowadays are smart and strong-willed, so it takes extra grace, determination and strong involvement to shape them to what you want. So, I take the most advantage of the phone. Thanks to technology advancement. At times, we go Skyping just to see their surrounding and to create the impression that mommy may not be around but she hovers around. That way, I believe that I have done my best possible, God will perfect it for me,” she said. Winnifred Ajeyigbe, a woman activist and mother of two, corroborated Adeyemo that prayer is work in action. It is now left for parents to know how to strike the balance being successful working parents and a worker. “It is a difficult thing to do, I must confess but it is achievable with determination, focus and the cooperation of your spouse and children,” she said. Grace Essen, a columnist and mother of three, said that it difficult situation that one cannot really give a definite

www.healthyplace.com

answer. “It is also not a question of good or bad. It is just an experience that has emanated from our new way of life where both parents leave the children at home maybe with a domestic staff or maybe with no one at all, and then call their children on phone to monitor them,” she said. Essen added that it is not possible for parents to be physically present with their kids all the time as they may want to, but technology has afforded them the means to still close the gap at least to an extent, and just have to embrace it and make the most of it, of course applying caution where necessary. “We must keep in mind that the present economic situation leaves us with less choices, think of a single mom who must work to support herself and her children and maybe extended family too, she really has no choice but to parent any way she can, which might mean parenting over the phone. But a woman who has husband might opt to stay home with kids or look for a more flexible job, knowing that even if it comes with less pay or no pay at all she has a husband who would meet the needs of the family. Parents must find ways to make up for the time they spend away from home,” she explained. According to Theresa Oloyede, an educationist, phone parenting isn’t really a bad idea but may also not be the best as kids aren’t too happy about it. Physical bonding and presence is more like it. Oloyede explained that, as the world advances, children advance and become smarter. She said that they may tell their parents what they perceive their parents wish to hear or know but may actually be smarter than that. “I am actually talking about giving more thought to all the missed opportunities for communicating in physical with a child, for simply being with them. Those lost moments of being together are what you will miss the most once your children are grown. We should be more worried about disconnectedness and developing minds.

40 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lessons girls learn, but forget as moms

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Is social media stressing you out?

A mother and her with children at the park

s the mom of a daughter, I often think about the big life lessons I want to teach her. In doing so, however, I’ve discovered that a lot of the important ones I learned as a young girl didn’t necessarily make their way to womanhood. They got lost along the way, and now, as a mother, I’m having to relearn them alongside my child. Here, some of the hallmark lessons I hope and pray she’ll remember her whole life long. 1. Trust your instincts. From a young age, your gut will steer you in a very clear direction. Listen to it. It’s your intuition, and nine times out of 10, it’s right on. As you get older, though, you might push back against your better judgment — often because someone is trying to sway you, pressure you into a different way of thinking. It’s important you don’t back down from what you believe in. 2. Take risks . . . but understand the consequences. Don’t be afraid to take a leap. Just be prepared for what happens if you fall. 3. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You might not notice it now, but at some point in your life, you’ll begin to think that there’s just certain things you can’t do, only boys are good at that, only rich kids can have those, only popular girls go there, and it’ll quickly become the standard way of thinking if you let it. Don’t ever base your actions on the approval of others. You alone call the shots on what you can do. 4. Love freely. Hearts that don’t break don’t love. A flower will wither, a beloved pet will get sick, and someday “The One” might not stay. Keep loving just the same. 5. Love your body. It’s the only one you’ve got. Treat it with respect, feed it healthfully, and it’ll grow just as it should. If it’s not what you wanted, if someone else’s body seems better, get over it. 6. Learning from mistakes is better than being smart. Natural talent is incredible, it really is. But it’s not necessary. Dedication and hard work will get you further in life, and the times you slip up will provide you with more opportunities to develop than when you simply get it right. 7. You can only do your best. Yes, nothing is worth doing if you don’t do your best. But also accept that there will be times when your best won’t be good enough. You might try your hardest and still not succeed. Accept defeat, but don’t let it keep you from trying again.

photo: thefertilechickonline.com

8. The world will change you if you let it. It’s no secret that the world is a difficult place. War, starvation, violence, and hatred can harden the softest, most innocent of souls. Consider these trying times as defining moments, in which you are being tested. Will you let a persistent bully make you angry and afraid, or will you rise above and remember that the world can be a beautiful place, too? 9. Admit when you’re wrong. It can be frustrating to swallow your pride, but the simple words, “I’m sorry” when expressed genuinely can work wonders on a damaged friendship. 10. Crying doesn’t make you weak. Denying your emotions is the worst thing you can do, second only to holding on to pain for too long. If you need to cry, do it. Let it out, and then let it go. 11. Time can heal most wounds. For those terrible things, when a good cry doesn’t suffice, know that time and with it, perspective can work wonders. You must have patience and an ability to compartmentalize to get through each day. Just remember that some heartache will always stay with you, so you’ll have to learn how to live with it. 12. Don’t take others too personally . . . or yourself too seriously. Try not to let criticisms tear you apart just as you shouldn’t let compliments go to your head. Don’t expect everyone to treat you the way you deserve to be treated. And as important as you are, don’t assume that the world revolves around you. Your mother’s world might, but she’s the exception. Written by Kate Schweitzer of popsugar of circle of moms

Single parent with son PHOTO: WWW.BLACKHEALTHMATTERS.COM

ave you ever stopped to ponder on how many hours a day you spend perusing your Facebook News Feed and how many times you refresh the page, and become green with envy as you watch your friends’ amazing worlds in photos? How often do you check your phone for Twitter and Instagram updates from your hundred-or-so ‘friends’ talking about their perfect lives with the amazing people who rock their worlds? Do you feel a bit hesitant to log into your Pinterest account for fear of having a heart failure at the sight of fabulous outfits, creative DIY projects, and dreamlike desserts whose awesomeness you know you would never be able to recreate no matter how hard you tried? Maybe you have never heard of something called “Pinterest stress”, well you just did, and according to a recent survey, “Pinterest stress” is very real and present in almost half of motherkind. TODAYMoms carried out a survey on 7,000 mothers, 42 percent of them were said to experience Pinterest-related stress, dreading that they can’t compete with other posters’ skills and imagination. The report says most of them have stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, endlessly clicking through photo after photo of fantastic-looking desserts, beautifully decorated cake or even apartments. They put themselves under intense pressure to be perfect moms at the top of their game as well as Martha Stewart clones - and unfortunately, this is difficult to achieve. Imagine trying out a project similar or exactly the one you saw on Pinterest which looks totally awesome and after you tried it following every step carefully, yours end up looking like something coming from a kindergarten compared to what you had seen, and you beat yourself up to no end. It’s not only Pinterest that causes stress in moms (or anyone, for that matter). Another survey led by a US based affordable call provider Rebtel, revealed that almost 20 percent of 1,632 American adults surveyed said that out of all the social networks, Facebook has the most negative effect on their mood, and another 20 percent confirmed that the site caused them the most anxiety. It’s all too easy to feel inadequate, unfulfilled and somewhat left behind when you check out the photos of your friends’ picturesque vacations and possessions you just can’t afford, or when you read their alwayshappy, always-lucky status updates.This social media-related stress is believed to be affecting women in a different way than it is men. Women are the most

active social media users and online shoppers and since they are constantly connected, are prone to much more anxiety. Stress caused by basic social media use can be handled easily as long as we are willing to change our way of thinking. One woman, Jenna Andersen decided to make light of imitations of Pinterest projects that turn out awful in real life by creating a funny blog - PinterestFail which encourages Pinteresters to have a healthy laugh at their mistakes. After she had not-so-good experience trying out Pinterest projects, she thought that might have happened to others as well. She says, “Something in me recognized the futility of comparing my life to what is essentially a neverending magazine.” Maybe looking at Social media as a neverending magazine might just help a great deal. Photos we often see on magazine are made picture-perfect for the purpose. We often forget that they usually last for just a moment, after photos are taken the set is usually taken down and another is made for the next photo. They are not real. I remember watching Martha Stewart movie, and there was a scene where ‘Martha’ had to yell at her staff until she had the perfect turkey before shooting for her TV show. Our lives are not based on ‘perfections’ and ‘retakes’. We all can remain fans of social media sites, and use them for useful purposes, maybe just to connect with ‘friends’ and family but we must not feel inclined to believe that the wonderful photos we see all the time represent anyone’s reality. Many might find it difficult to just dismiss what they see on social media as being unreal. Someone might also wonder why these sites are such a big deal, well maybe because it isn’t for you. Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and how can I leave out Whatsapp and BBM (oh yes BBM is still very much around), can be sources of frustration and envy as well as inspiration and fun. We can do ourselves a huge favour and stop seeing online life as a competition; surprisingly some find it a source of relaxation and fun, others just get in on the joke. We need more sites that show a more honest side to the insanity of some of what the Internet is telling us we’re capable of. But while we look forward to that, I would suggest that if the social media stress seems to be getting out of control, right now there’s really only one tried and true remedy: Log off for a little while, moms. Just log off. Grace Essen is the author of ‘Successful Working Mom’, president and founder of Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Tony Chukwunyem

Oil slump hinders Nigerian investment banks’ growth –Report

he slump in oil prices is affecting the ability of companies in the oil and gas sector to repay debts and could slow down the growth

of investment banks in the country, according to a report by Euromoney. The report stated prior to the sharp drop in oil prices in June last year, leading local banks such

Threat

Oil firms can’t repay debts

as Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Diamond Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank, all issued Eurobonds in to shore up capital and support companies that have excelled as a result of the

country’s oil industry. It, however, noted that some of these corporates are finding it difficult repaying their debts. The report explained that, “In Nigeria, oil is

UN: Poor infrastructure hurting Nigeria’s financial sector

Sunday Ojeme

new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the growth of Nigeria’s lucrative financial service sector is being truncated by absence of the requisite infrastructure. According to Voce of America (VOA), the United Nations agency’s Economic Development in Africa Report 2015 observed that although the continent is driven by the services sector, its potential is, however, being undermined by poor infrastructure and regulatory shortcomings. It identified the booming services sectors to include mobile telephone communications in Kenya; lucrative financial services in Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco and growth in the tourism

just to mention a few that we recognise as belonging to infrastructure services. These are very important economically because in actual fact it is very difficult to be competitive as a trader in manufacturing or in agriculture unless you have the infrastructure services functioning,” he said. Reiter says Africa lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to upgrading infrastructure services. This, he warns, is having a negative impact on the ability of governments to meet the social needs of their people. He says many social services, such as the improvement of water and sanitation, are critical for achieving sustainable development goals.

trade in the Seychelles and Mauritius. The report said Africa’s services sector was attracting an increasing number of investors, adding that services now accounted for 30 percent of the economy in Africa. It also emphasised that the industry had propelled growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) in 30 out of 54 countries between 2009 and 2012. While services are on the rise, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General, Joakim Reiter, says development of this sector is too little and too scattered. He says lack of well-functioning effective infrastructure is a major problem. “For example, energy, water, telecoms, distribution, logistics, transport -

“The rise of services in Africa seems to be more by default than by design. So, to give you a very concrete example, out of the countries that we looked at, very few countries had fundamentally incorporated the growth of services in the promotional services into their national development plans. It is mentioned, but it is not integrated into the plan,” he said. The report says effective regulation of infrastructure is essential to boost Africa’s services sector and attract foreign investment. One area of concern is road freight, which it says is more expensive and of lower quality in Africa than in any other region of the world.

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

N19,142,526.05m N18,579,219.49m 9.2 13 10.77 US$57.76 US$29,955,854,769

Mar, 2015 Mar, 2015 June, 2015 4/6/2015 Mar 2015 7/7/2015 13/7/2015

Source:CBN

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.00 23-JUL-2030

TTM

FGN Bonds

Price 1.09 1.78 3.96 4.58 6.54 8.66 15.02

Bid Yield

98.12 100.09 102.12 100.61 104.18 94.84 68.00

NIBOR

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

Rate (%) 14.4167 15.1816 16.5787 17.4174

14.95 15.00 15.26 15.34 15.35 15.28 15.57 Change (%) 1.00▲ 0.77▲ 0.44▲ 0.71▲

Change (%) 0.12▲ 0.03▲ 0.01▲ 0.03▲ 0.06▲ 0.06▲ 0.00 ↔

Price 98.27 100.24 102.42 100.91 104.48 95.14 68.30

Tenor (Months)

Offer Yield 14.80 14.90 15.16 15.25 15.28 15.22 15.49

NITTY

1 2 3 6 9 12

Treasury Bills

Rate (%) 12.0787 12.6707 13.7151 14.1215 14.7382 15.1251

Spot($/N)

Offer 198.43

Change (%) 0.20 ▲

NIFEX

Spot($/N)

Bid 198.9500

CBN Clearing Rates of July 15, 2015 Spot($/N)

195.95

Change (%) 0.85▲ 0.18▲ 0.01▲ 0.02▲ -0.02▼ 0.23▲

Money Market

Maturity Date Discount Bid Yield Change (%) Discount Offer Yield Change (%) Rate (%) 13.07 13.52 -0.23▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 14.42 15-Oct-15 13.32 13.79 -0.23▼ 13.44 14.41 -0.14▼ Overnight (O/N) 14.92 14-Jan-16 13.69 14.70 -0.14▼ 12.49 14.04 0.12▲ 02-Jun-16 12.74 14.36 0.12▲ Bid 198.33

Change (%) 0.12▲ 0.03▲ 0.01▲ 0.03▲ 0.06▲ 0.06▲ 0.00 ↔

196.95

0.00 ↔

Offer 199.0500

Change (%) 2.42▲ 2.42▲

Change (%) 0.00 ↔

largely subsidised by the government so companies that distribute oil to the pump usually invoice the government for the difference. However, as government revenue has decreased because of the fall in global oil prices, the government – which has never particularly been good at paying its oil bills – has found it increasingly difficult to pay oil distributers. “As a result, delays in government payments have had a knock-on effect as oil and gas companies in Nigeria have found it increasingly difficult to fulfil debt obligations. Restructuring debt and increasing provisions has become a priority for some Nigerian banks, which lack the ability to leverage off of the balance sheet of larger international players.” According to the report, as a result of this development, investment

banking in Nigeria is slowing. “Year to date, there has been only one Eurobond out of Nigeria, a $750 million issue by the African Finance Corporation, and one IPO by Transcorp Hotels, which listed $23 million worth of shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in January. M&A volumes have also been lower than expected this year with 21 deals done so far,” the report revealed. It pointed out that while the “country’s lightning speed development in investment banking, especially in terms of ground gained by local players, won’t rumble to a complete halt but will probably remain subdued in the coming months. While larger regional and global players have been picking up the work, local players may find it a lot more difficult to operate in this climate.”

Access Bank’s retail banking business to make profit this year –Wigwe

ccess Bank expects its retail banking business to turn to profit this year, contributing up to 10 percent to profit before tax next year and 20 percent by 2018/19, Chief Executive, Herbert Wigwe said yesterday. Wigwe said most of its 350 branches would become profitable this year after it regained market share following the acquisition of rival lender Intercontinental Bank three years ago. “Before the end of 2018/19 we would see what would be a 20 percent contribution from retail,” Wigwe told Reuters in an interview in Lagos, referring to profit before tax. However, he said the lender was cautious about creating risk assets this year and was targeting 10 percent loan growth due to domestic market conditions and high interest rates. It grew loans 20 percent last year. Two years ago, the top tier lender said it aimed to grow its customer base to between 15 million and 20 million across its African markets by 2018, from around six million, as it shifted its focus to retail banking. The bank, which jumped to fourth posi-

tion out of 21 Nigerian lenders from ninth in 2007, said it expected to sign on two million customers and another two million through its cards product, Wigwe said. Access Bank shares, which fell 24.2 percent last year, ended flat at 5 naira on Tuesday. Wigwe said the bank successfully concluded a rights issue despite low sentiment in the stock market and foreign investors’ apathy due to worries over the naira currency amidst lower oil prices which slashed government revenues. He declined to give further details pending the approval of the offer by regulators. Access Bank launched a cash call last November to raise 68 billion naira from existing shareholders. Nigerian lenders have been shoring up their balance sheets in preparation for the adoption of stricter international capital requirements, which would otherwise see capital ratios for most of them drop by between 100 and 400 basis points. Rival lender Stanbic IBTC said on Tuesday it aimed to carry out a N20.4 billion rights issue this year and seek shareholders’ vote to distribute a scrip dividend to boost its capital base.

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

15-Jul-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

581.39 480.13 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 233.73 605.31 599.99 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 324.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,846.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,381.37

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

1.09 1.78 2.03 2.13 2.87 3.96 4.27 4.58 6.54 8.66 13.37 13.85 14.35 15.02 19.01

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

14.95 15.00 15.05 15.07 15.17 15.26 15.37 15.34 15.35 15.28 15.77 15.84 15.90 15.57 15.44

14.80 14.90 14.96 14.98 15.10 15.16 15.25 15.25 15.28 15.22 15.72 15.77 15.82 15.49 15.38

98.12 100.09 91.15 89.88 89.86 102.12 74.43 100.61 104.18 94.84 95.69 81.38 58.59 68.00 79.95

98.27 100.24 91.30 90.03 90.01 102.42 74.73 100.91 104.48 95.14 95.99 81.68 58.89 68.30 80.25

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.10 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.97 1.40 1.76 1.98

2.94 1.00 2.66 3.13

17.49 15.91 17.69 18.18

99.79 100.06 102.10 97.70

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.52

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

298.49

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.13

4.44

17.43

99.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.21

3.23

16.92

99.14

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

2.60

30-Jun-16

0.71

4.46

19.09

96.77

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

3.96

30-Jun-16

0.72

3.48

18.11

98.30

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.76

1.00

16.03

91.00

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

21.24

30-Jun-17

1.25

1.00

15.78

97.80

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.46

1.79

16.90

94.33

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.84

1.00

16.04

96.90

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.86

1.00

16.04

96.86

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

12.40

09-Dec-18

2.04

1.00

16.06

97.42

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

9.21

12-Dec-18

2.04

4.78

19.84

90.87

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.03

1.00

16.05

99.07

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 24.74

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

2.46 4.36 2.53

2.02 1.00 1.00

17.13 16.38 16.12

96.87 94.24 97.31

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.46

10-Oct-20

3.07

1.82

17.01

94.93

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.37

1.00

16.42

89.80

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.46

1.00

16.42

95.00

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.30

31-Dec-20

3.31

1.00

16.23

95.89

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.31

06-Jan-21

3.33

1.00

16.23

97.05

99.65

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

440.27 414.62

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.09

1.00

13.69

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.38

09-Dec-15

0.40

1.00

15.43

98.68

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.22

06-Jan-16

0.48

2.63

17.27

98.49

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.21

1.00

15.73

97.04

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.28

1.34

16.14

97.82

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.21

1.00

16.08

94.40

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.44

1.88

16.84

102.12

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.49

1.00

16.00

99.95

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.65

1.00

16.02

102.59 99.91

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.65

1.00

16.02

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.21

3.00

18.21

90.01

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.76

2.29

17.32

97.69

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.84

6.11

21.15

95.67

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.46

2.16

17.27

97.50

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.33

2.76

18.18

90.19

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.35

1.80

17.21

88.76

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.46

1.00

16.41

100.12

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

16.29

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.21

1.00

16.33

99.75

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.21

1.00

16.33

85.53

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

177.87

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

167.13

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.58

1.00

16.13

87.88

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

3.80

1.00

16.30

86.35

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.73

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

6.15

5.93

102.76

103.84

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.20

4.85

99.79

100.75

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.45

6.29

99.56

100.54

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,510.53

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.92

101.25

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.52

99.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

11.44

10.20

89.30

92.06

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.75

7.25

94.96

96.36

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.80

95.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.15

9.65

95.60

97.16

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

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

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

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

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

9.38 10.60 9.97

9.38 10.31 9.97

94.88 94.40 90.50

94.88 95.62 90.50

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.66

9.97

90.88

93.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,465.10

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 8 15 22 29 43 50 57 71

FIXINGS Maturity 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15

Bid Discount (%) 9.43 11.09 12.60 12.14 11.51 12.51 12.38 12.73

Offer Discount (%) 9.18 10.84 12.35 11.89 11.26 12.26 12.13 12.48

Bid Yield (%) 9.44 11.14 12.69 12.25 11.66 12.72 12.62 13.05

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.4167 15.1816 16.5787 17.4174

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

14.42

O/N Tenor Call 1M

14.92

REPO

Rate (%) 14.00 15.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

198.33 199.30 199.70 200.73 202.60 205.04

198.43 199.86 200.30 201.36 203.44 206.18

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.10 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.97 1.40 1.76 1.98

2.94 1.00 2.66 3.13

17.49 15.91 17.69 18.18

99.79 100.06 102.10 97.70

Agency Bonds 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.52

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

298.49

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015 Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.13

4.44

17.43

99.30

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.21

3.23

16.92

99.14

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

2.60

30-Jun-16

0.71

4.46

19.09

96.77

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

3.96

30-Jun-16

0.72

3.48

18.11

98.30

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

SELL PRESSURE Sustained sell ‡ /Agusto ‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR pressure depletes Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† equities by N138 Bb-/Agusto ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR billion BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA EDO *DELTA

Stock market sustains descent 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.76

1.00

16.03

91.00

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

21.24

30-Jun-17

1.25

1.00

15.78

97.80

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.46

1.79

16.90

94.33

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.84

1.00

16.04

96.90

04-Oct-11 II 4-OCT-2018 stretched to 14.00 theNIGER eleventh Consequently, the All09-Dec-11 *EKITI 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 consecutive trading day , Share Index fell by 402.39 12-Dec-13 *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 14-Feb-12 *ONDO ONDO 14-FEB-2019 basis points or 1.28 resulting in15.50 year-to-date per 02-Oct-12 *GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 cent to close at 30,970.51 loss of about15.50 9.94GOMBE per cent. Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 At the close of 12-DEC-2019 busi- basis points as against 12-Dec-12 BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *OSUN 14.75 OSUN BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75, OSUN 10-OCT-202031,372.90 recorded10-Oct-13 Stories by Chris Ugwu the ness yesterday theII NSE 27-Nov-13 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 previous day , while the ASI lost 1.28 per cent as 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 31-Dec-13 regiseq- the local bourse of ‡ /Agusto he Nigerian *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 market capitalisation 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 uity market yestered 40 declining stocks equities depreciated by TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE terday plunged as against only 11 gainers. N138 billion or 1.28 per TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION further following Shares of consumer cent from N10.714 trilCorporatesell-off Bonds massive that had goods manufacturers lion the previous day to 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 BBB+/Agusto *UPDC persisted on the local were worst hit as the NSE N10.576 trillion. 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS bourse in recent times. Consumer Goods Index Meanwhile, a turnover 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 of 423.2 million shares Equities’ market losses dropped by 1.70 per cent. A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO

14.00 9.00 worth14.50 N7.4 billion in 12.40 3,961deals was recorded 14.00 9.21 in the 15.50 day’s trading.27.00 15.50 15.09 Just14.50 as in the previ80.00 ous day , the banking sub14.75 24.74 10.46 sector14.75 of the financial 13.50 87.50 services 15.00 sector was 5.00the 4.30 most 14.50 active (measured 15.00 by turnover volume);4.31 with 303.8 million shares440.27 worth 414.62 N4.6 billion exchanged by investors in 1,301 deals. 10.00 2.50 Volume in the banking 12.00 9.38 sub-sector was largely 14.00 0.22 driven13.00 by activities 15.00 in

NIGER

04-Oct-18 1.86 the09-Dec-18 shares of Zenith Bank 2.04 Plc12-Dec-18 and Access Bank Plc. 2.04 14-Feb-19 2.03 Also, other financial ser02-Oct-19 2.46 vices sub-sector, boosted by 22-Nov-19 4.36 activities of 12-Dec-19 in the shares 2.53 10-Oct-20 3.07 FBNH Plc, followed with 27-Nov-20 5.37 a turnover of 29.4 31-Dec-20 5.46million 31-Dec-20 3.31 N203.2 shares valued at 06-Jan-21 3.33 million in 622 deals. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that Forte Oil Nigeria Plc topped 0.09 the17-Aug-15 day’s gainers’ table 09-Dec-15 0.40 with 9.37 per cent to close 06-Jan-16 0.48 at N196.87 29-Sep-16 per share, 1.21 while

1.00

16.04 96.86 FCMB Plc followed with 8.70 1.00 16.06 97.42 per cent to close at N3.00 4.78 19.84 90.87 per 1.00share. Diamond 16.05 99.07 Plc Bank 2.02 17.13 added 4.21 per cent 96.87 to close 1.00 16.38 94.24 1.00at N3.96 per 16.12 share. 97.31 1.82 17.01 On the flip side,94.93 Oando 1.00 16.42 89.80 Plc led the losers’ with a 1.00 16.42 95.00 1.00drop of 16.23 95.89 8.82 per cent to 1.00 close at 16.23 N12.10 per97.05 share, while Transcorp Plc shed 8.77 per cent each to close at N2.08 per share. CWG 1.00 13.69 99.65 Plc plunged by 4.99 per 1.00 15.43 98.68 cent to close at N3.43 2.63 17.27 98.49 per 1.00share. 15.73 97.04

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.28

1.34

16.14

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.21

1.00

16.08

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

Nigerian Breweries reports 10% drop in H1 profit

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER igerian Breweries Plc has UBA posted a 10.02 per cent *LA CASERAdeBBB-/DataPro†; *CHELLARAMS clineBB/GCR in profit after tax for Nil *DANA the half year ended June 30 2015. A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO According to a notice from the BBB/GCR FCMB Nigerian Stock Exchange A/GCR UBA (NSE), A/GCR STANBICposiIBTC the statement of financial A/GCR STANBIC IBTC tion as at the period under review TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE showed profit after tax dropped TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION by 10.02 per cent to N21.477 bilSupranational Bond lion during the six-month period IFC toAAA/S&P June 30, as against N23.871 bilAaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB lion in 2014. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Similarly, pre-tax profit shed TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 8.53 per cent to N30.989 billion in 2015 from N33.882 billion in 2014. Rating/Agency Issuer However, gross earnings FGN Eurobonds firmed up to N151.673 billion in BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 2015 as against N141.495 billion A+/Agusto; A/GCR

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

#{r}

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 recorded a year earlier, indicat14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 ing a growth of 7.19 per cent. 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS 17-FEB-2019 Financial analystsIIat the FBN 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Capital, said the sales growth 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 was an improvement 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 over the 16.45 UBA Iperformance 30-DEC-2021 flattish y/y deliv182D T.bills+1.20 STANBICin IA 30-SEP-2024 ered by the company Q1 2015. 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 “We believe that the sales growth reflects a favourable price-volume mix, due to price increases of less than 5 per cent 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 implemented towards the end of 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Q1 2015. Further down the P&L, the combination of a -644bp contraction in gross margin to 45.6 per cent, a 10Description per cent y/y increase in opex and a 13 per cent y/y increase in net interest 6.75 JAN 28, 2021by -14 expense led to PBT falling

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

afargeHolcim, the company TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

completion of the merger beformed by the recent merg- tween Lafarge and Holcim and Corporate Eurobonds er between Holcim and La- the listing of the new Lafarge19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I farge, yesterday confirmed plans Holcim shares 7.50 in MAY Zurich and 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC Paris, the new group will now toB/Fitch; deliver cost savings of 1.4 bil6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC lion Euros within work toward creating the 6.00 NOV 08, 2018highB+/Fitch; B+/S&P($1.5 billion) GTBANK PLC 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC three years at the official launch est performing company in the 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC ofB/Fitch; their new combined building building materials industry,” 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P BANK PLC materials company. FIRST LafargeHolcim Chief Executive 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II “Following the successful Eric Olsen said in a conference 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD B-/S&P

call in Zurich, Switzerland. Lafarge and Holcim had previously mentioned the savings 19-May-11 7.50 target ahead of the merger. 25-Jul-12 7.25 Olsen declined to give specific 09-May-13 6.88 forecasts ahead of half-year re08-Nov-13 6.00 22-Apr-14 6.25said the sults due on July 29, but 8.75 cement21-May-14 maker had not seen a dra07-Aug-13 8.25 matic change in global cement 24-Jun-14 9.25 demand in recent months. 23-Jul-14 8.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

8.75

30-Nov-17

1.44

1.88

16.84

09-Apr-18

1.49

1.00

16.00

99.95

09-Sep-18

1.65

1.00

16.02

102.59

09-Sep-18

1.65

1.00

16.02

102.12

99.91

30-Sep-18

3.21

3.00

18.21

90.01

18-Oct-18

1.76

2.29

17.32

97.69

17-Feb-19

1.84

6.11

21.15

95.67

2.46 17.27 ransnational Cor- 2.16in pre-tax profit 97.50 for the 5.33 2.76 18.18 90.19 poration of Nigeria financial year ended De20-Nov-21 6.35 1.80 17.21 88.76 (Transcorp) 2014. 30-Dec-21 6.46Plc has 1.00cember 16.41 100.12 30-Sep-24 37.79 per 9.21 16.33 recorded cent de- 1.00 The statement of99.75 finan30-Sep-24 9.21 16.33 cline in profit after tax for 1.00cial position as at 85.53 the pethe half year ended June riod under review, showed 30, 2015. profit before tax declined The company in a fil- to N7.731 billion in 2014 2.58 1.00 16.13 ing11-Feb-18 with the Nigerian as against N9.032 87.88 billion 01-Feb-21 3.80 1.00 16.30 86.35 Stock Exchange (NSE) recorded a year earlier, said its group profit after indicating a drop of 14 tax stood at N4.284 billion per cent. during the period group’s Maturity Date Bid Yield under (%) Offer Yield (%)However, Bid Price theOffer Price review as against N6.887 revenue more than douPrices Yields the period to billion reported in 2014. ble & during 28-Jan-21 6.15 5.93N41.338102.76 103.84 Transcorp’s first-half billion in contrast pre-tax profit also fell by to N18.825 during the com12-Jul-18 5.20 4.85 99.79 100.75 35.6 per cent to N5.163 bil- parable period of 2013. lion12-Jul-23 from N8.0156.45 billion a 6.29 Also, 99.56 Transcorp100.54 yesteryear ago. day announced that its Revenue of the con- agribusiness subsidiary glomerate, which has Teragro Commodities interests in hotel, power Limited had acquired 19-May-16 101.25 101.25 extraction generation, oil 5.92 and gas, 5.92and installed 25-Jul-17 7.52 7.52 99.50 99.50 also dropped to11.44 N20.253 10.20cup technology , instantly 02-May-18 89.30 92.06 billion in the period enabling the company 08-Nov-18 7.75 7.25 94.96 96.36 95.00superior 95.00 to 22-Apr-19 end-June 307.80against 7.80to deliver qual21-May-19 10.15 97.16 N21.212 billion last year. 9.65ity juice95.60 concentrate that 07-Aug-20 9.38 9.38 94.88 94.88 Transcorp had remeet international qual24-Jun-21 10.60 10.31 94.40 95.62 ported a 14 per cent slide 9.97ity standards. 23-Jul-21 9.97 90.50 90.50 01-Apr-19

14-Nov-20

1,500.00 1,510.53

500.00 350.00 300.00 400.00 500.00 200.00 300.00 400.00 450.00 250.00

14-Aug-21

10.66

9.97

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

94.40

Transcorp’s H1 net earnings fall by 38%

09-Sep-11 16.00 0.70 per cent y/y,” they said. 30-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 They noted that the15.75 decline on 2.10 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 the PAT line widened18.00 to -18 per 0.36 01-Apr-14 16.00 cent y/y due to a 3 per cent y/y 4.50 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 increase in tax charges (the tax 26.00 20-Nov-14 14.25 rate increased by 332bps 30-Dec-14 16.45 y/y). 30.50 30-Sep-14 16.29 “Sequentially , sales, PBT and 0.10 30-Sep-14 13.25 PAT grew by 17 per cent q/q, 15 15.44 177.87 per cent q/q and 13 per cent q/q 167.13 respectively. The q/q trends are reflective of seasonally stronger 11-Feb-13 10.20 sales in the Q2 quarter relative 12.00 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 to Q1. Compared with our fore24.95 casts, while sales beat by 7 per 21.73 cent, PBT and PAT missed by 10 Outstanding Value per cent and cent(%) respecIssue Date 12 perCoupon ($mm) tively mainly due to the negative surprise in gross margin,” the 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 analysts noted.

LafargeHolcim to deliver cost-savings of $1.5bn

97.82

90.88

93.75

15-Jul-15

3,465.10

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ FIXINGS Money Market (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information isOffer accurate; however, theBid Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Discount (%) Yield (%) (%) NIBOR the accuracy, 8timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for9.43 a particular purpose of9.18 any of the Information, 23-Jul-15 9.44neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. 15 22 29 FGN Bonds 43 50 57 Rating/Agency 71 78 92 106 120 134 141 148 155 162 176 NA 183 190 197 204 211 218 225 232 246 253 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 260

VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 267

30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 Issuer 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 26-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 10-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 24-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 NA 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16 24-Mar-16 31-Mar-16

11.09 12.60 12.14 11.51 12.51 12.38 Description 12.73 13.24 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 13.32 13.41 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 13.50 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.82 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.47 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.40 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.85 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.35 13.19 ^15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.69 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.25 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.71 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.65 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.82 13.80 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.85 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.80 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.82 13.75 13.79

10.84 12.35 11.89 11.26 12.26 12.13 Issue Date 12.48 12.99 16-Aug-13 13.07 13.16 27-Apr-12 13.25 27-Jul-07 13.57 31-Aug-07 12.22 30-May-08 13.15 29-Jun-12 12.60 23-Oct-09 13.10 12.94 13-Feb-15 13.44 27-Jan-12 13.00 14-Mar-14 13.46 28-Nov-08 13.40 22-May-09 13.57 13.55 20-Nov-09 13.60 23-Jul-10 13.55 18-Jul-14 13.57 13.50 13.54

11.14 12.69 12.25 11.66 12.72 12.62 Coupon (%) 13.05 13.63 13.05 13.79 13.95 15.10 14.13 9.85 14.56 9.35 13.10 10.70 14.16 16.00 13.59 7.00 14.19 14.09 15.54 14.70 16.39 14.23 14.20 14.80 15.00 14.78 12.49 15.02 15.04 8.50 15.14 10.00 15.13 12.1493 15.24 15.19 15.29

Bonds

7-Apr-16

13.55

13.30

15.04

281

21-Apr-16

13.44

13.19

14.99

295

5-May-16

13.07

323 Rating/Agency

2-Jun-16 Issuer

12.74

Description

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.4167 15.1816 16.5787 17.4174

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

14.42

O/N

14.92

REPO

Maturity Date

NITTY

581.39

Tenor 480.13 1M 20.00 2M 100.00 3M 300.00 6M 351.30 9M 233.90 12M

OBB

16-Aug-16

Rate (%) 27-Apr-17 12.0787 27-Jul-17 12.6707 31-Aug-17 13.7151 30-May-18 14.1215 29-Jun-19 14.7382 23-Oct-19 15.1251

233.73 13-Feb-20 605.31 27-Jan-22 NIFEX 599.99 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 22-May-29 BID($/N) 150.00 198.9500 OFFER ($/N) 199.0500 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 324.50 18-Jul-34

Tenor Call TTM (Yrs) 1M 3M 1.09 6M

Bid15.00 Yield (%)

Rate (%) 14.00 16.00

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer 2MYield 3M (%) 6M 14.80 1Y

14.95 17.00 1.78 15.00 14.90 2.03 15.05 14.96 NOTE: 2.13 15.07 14.98 :Benchmarks 2.87 15.17 15.10 * :Amortising Bond 3.96 Bond 15.26 15.16 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.27 Management Corporation 15.37 15.25 FGN: Federal Nigeria 4.58Government of 15.34 15.25 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 6.54 Mortgage Bank 15.35 15.28 IFC: International Finance Corporation 8.66 15.28 15.22 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 13.37 Aviation Handling 15.77 Company 15.72 NAHCO: Nigerian 13.85 15.84 15.77 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 14.35 15.90 Company 15.82 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.02 15.57 15.49 19.01 15.44 15.38

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

198.33 198.43 199.30 199.86 Price 200.30 199.70 200.73 201.36 202.60 203.44 Bid Price Offer Price 205.04 206.18 212.63 214.66 98.12 98.27 229.79 233.36

100.09 100.24 91.15 91.30 89.88 90.03 NA :Not Applicable 89.86 90.01 ^ : Market Prices 102.12 # : Floating Rate Bond 102.42 74.43 coupon bonds 74.73 ***: Deferred 100.61 100.91 ‡ : Bond rating under review 104.18 104.48 †: Bond rating expired 94.84 95.14 N/A :Not Available 95.69 {r} :Issuer in receivership95.99 81.38 81.68 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 58.59 58.89 UBA: United Bank for Africa 68.00 68.30 79.95 80.25

4,846.82 4,381.37

12.82

14.62

12.49

14.36 Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.10 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.97 1.40 1.76 1.98

2.94 1.00 2.66 3.13

17.49 15.91 17.69 18.18

99.79 100.06 102.10 97.70

Agency Bonds bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration *for the Amortising 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 FMBN Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 #

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.52 FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 298.49

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

Modified Duration Buckets

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† Bb-/Agusto ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

<3 3<5 >5

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 835.96 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 1,429.29 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 661.70 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 2,926.96 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

828.10 1,433.72

31-Aug-10 26.06 30-Sep-10 45.12 30-Jun-11 28.83 30-Jun-09 100.00 19-Apr-10

Weighting by Mkt Value

12.50 13.00 14.00

28.56 48.83

Bucket Weighting

8.50 2.16 2.60

0.26 0.45

Implied Yield

31-Aug-15 13.49 30-Sep-15 44.52 30-Jun-16 42.00 30-Jun-16 100.00 19-Apr-17

0.13 15.15 0.21 15.32 0.71 15.52 0.72 15.38 1.76

Implied Portfolio Price

4.44 127.9999 3.23 123.6707 4.46 90.4495 3.48 115.2223 1.00

INDEX

YTD Return (%)

17.43 1,164.50 16.92 1,072.15 19.09 1,090.46 18.11 1,097.22 16.03

99.30 5.1138 99.14 5.8839 96.77 8.2864 98.30 3.9835 91.00

57.00

30-Jun-10

13.75

21.24

30-Jun-17

1.25

1.00

15.78

97.80

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.46

1.79

16.90

94.33

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.84

1.00

16.04

96.90

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.86

1.00

16.04

96.86

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

12.40

09-Dec-18

2.04

1.00

16.06

97.42

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

9.21

12-Dec-18

2.04

4.78

19.84

90.87

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.03

1.00

16.05

99.07

3,177.88

3.96

0.29

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

22.61 15.50 100.00 10.00

Market

916.07

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

1.00

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015

Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at July 15, 2015 Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 21 25 46

Current Price 26.01 31.19

Quantity Traded 322,236 218,763 540,999

Value Traded 8,456,330.60 6,822,953.58 15,279,284.18

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 2.05

Quantity Traded 619,789 619,789

Value Traded 1,256,911.45 1,256,911.45

1,160,788

16,536,195.63

Quantity Traded 201,018 100 19,593,371 7,566,433 27,360,922

Value Traded 255,292.86 376.00 41,190,582.01 309,226,470.24 350,672,721.11

27,360,922

350,672,721.11

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals

69 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 4 1 225 191 421

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.27 3.95 2.08 41.00

421

Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

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

Page

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.67

Quantity Traded 74,286 74,286

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 47.97

Quantity Traded 2,080 2,080

Value Traded 94,806.40 94,806.40

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 10.20

Quantity Traded 46,615 46,615

Value Traded 467,735.55 467,735.55

122,981

612,313.57

Current Price 5.58 140.00 18.99 128.60

Quantity Traded 560,000 476,237 2,905,821 2,926,034 6,868,092

Value Traded 2,999,162.35 66,668,947.24 52,677,368.31 388,933,659.00 511,279,136.90

Current Price 181.00

Quantity Traded 32,548 32,548

Value Traded 5,858,946.90 5,858,946.90

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

25 Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 11 28 11 114 164

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals 7UP

19 19

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS

DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Household Durables Daily Summary as of NIG 15/07/2015 VITAFOAM PLC. Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

No. of Deals 39 53 69 17 36 214

Current Price 3.07 5.92 29.20 2.78 6.73

Page Quantity Traded 653,466 1,265,894 228,643 321,580 934,084 3,403,667

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 10 39 49

Current Price 35.05 840.00

Quantity Traded 2,615 9,726 12,341

Value Traded 87,128.50 8,172,155.35 8,259,283.85

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 5.60

Quantity Traded 408,520 408,520

Value Traded 2,286,263.15 2,286,263.15

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 30 4 (Equities) 34

Current Price 28.00 39.90

Quantity Traded 331,994 8,507 340,501

Value Traded 9,328,188.26 322,500.37 9,650,688.63

11,065,669

560,547,276.19

Daily Summary

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

503

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services

AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC.

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals Current Price 255 4.80 31 3.96 39 20.34 78 1.60 270 25.56 69 2.09 27 2.05 161 4.33 30 8.47 40 2.33 26 0.95 275 17.80 1,301

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price AIICO 25 0.96 CONTINSURE 13 1.00 CORNERST 1 0.50 Daily Summary (Equities)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

2,018,639.09 7,499,162.97 6,446,604.55 899,486.20 6,349,063.95 23,212,956.76

Micro-Finance Banks

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol EQUITYASUR GNI GUINEAINS LASACO LAWUNION LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS REGALINS STDINSURE UNIC UNIVINSURE WAPIC Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK Symbol ABBEYBDS UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1 1 3 11 3 36 3 1 1 1 1 3 107

Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.85 0.50 0.66 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

No. of Deals 1 13 14

Current Price 5.42 1.05

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.25 5.78

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,215,600 1,216,600

Value Traded 5,420.00 1,218,335.00 1,223,755.00

Quantity Traded 500 1,000

Value Traded 595.00 5,500.00 12

Value Traded 6,095.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 30 19 356 85 2 62 68 622

Current Price 2.73 4.00 7.60 3.00 0.50 23.55 1.33

Quantity Traded 207,900 215,822 14,161,354 8,784,388 14,507 2,721,471 3,345,660 29,451,102

Value Traded 563,514.97 861,605.50 108,264,357.09 25,045,476.79 7,253.50 64,124,205.93 4,392,507.37 203,258,921.15

348,292,484

4,880,392,394.49

Quantity Traded 104,100 3,550 45,522 10,150 287,587 229 451,138

Value Traded 75,993.00 12,070.00 1,892,122.64 15,428.00 365,713.49 1,376.29 2,362,703.42

451,138

2,362,703.42

Current Price 0.76 3.48 43.50 1.60 1.27 6.32

Page

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,000 8,000

Value Traded 4,000.00 4,000.00

58,000

175,500.00

Current Price 21.05 9.86 41.00 11.50 168.00 4.85

Quantity Traded 175,313 332,712 132,922 18,966 123,233 88,000

Value Traded 3,691,832.33 3,280,540.32 4,924,747.67 208,438.38 20,833,174.24 405,680.00

Value Traded 1,132,989,248.15 1,166,333,661.09

6 Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM 17 BERGER 13 CAP 24 CCNN 8 Daily Summary (Equities) DANGCEM 49 PORTPAINT 3

Symbol WAPCO

No. of Deals 23 137

Current Price 100.00

Quantity Traded 11,330,302 12,201,448

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 32,900 32,900 Page

140

Value Traded 47,527.00 47,527.00 12 7 of

12,234,348

1,166,381,188.09

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 421,920 421,920

Value Traded 210,960.00 210,960.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 407 407

Current Price 12.10

Quantity Traded 8,293,820 8,293,820

Value Traded 102,144,115.59 102,144,115.59

No. of Deals 1 7 10 160 23 4 (Equities)

Current Price 0.50 40.85 2.30 196.87 154.35 49.66

Quantity Traded 9,370,650 6,166 163,858 1,919,158 56,498 80

Value Traded 4,685,325.00 239,302.46 375,744.18 361,457,333.55 8,472,130.22 3,774.40

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS Daily Summary

Page

Symbol TOTAL

No. of Deals 12 217

Current Price 159.60

Quantity Traded 59,797 11,576,207

Value Traded 9,516,188.00 384,749,797.81

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 319.00

Quantity Traded 80,135 80,135

Value Traded 25,607,486.52 25,607,486.52

20,372,082

512,712,359.92

645 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.71

Quantity Traded 75,374 75,374

Value Traded 53,515.54 53,515.54

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 4 1 5

Current Price 4.75 1.22

Quantity Traded 32,137 50,000 82,137

Value Traded 145,259.24 61,000.00 206,259.24

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 30,000 30,000

Value Traded 15,200.00 15,200.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 12

Current Price 3.83

Quantity Traded 197,165

Value Traded 755,572.95

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page

Symbol

No. of Deals 12

Current Price

Quantity Traded 197,165

Value Traded 755,572.95

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

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 7 5 12

Current Price 0.91 1.14

Quantity Traded 43,000 200,000 243,000

Value Traded 40,850.00 218,000.00 258,850.00

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 1,267,222 1,267,222

Value Traded 658,955.44 658,955.44

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 6 11 17

Current Price 2.08 4.97

Quantity Traded 10,000 117,324 127,324

Value Traded 20,355.00 583,453.36 603,808.36

2,022,222

2,552,161.53

3,959

423,140,634

7,492,944,813.95

SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Quantity Traded 1,500

No. of Deals 11 2 17 1 14 1 46

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC

Food Products Totals

Current Price

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN

Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 Employment Solutions Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products

No. of Deals 2

2,046

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

Symbol

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

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

Value Traded 500.00 250,000.00 100.00 12 4 of 185,000.00 1,785.50 105,137.00 3,242,144.28 200.00 2,385,690.00 20,500.00 500.00 2,000.00 66.50 250,000.00 2,139.00 13,496,532.64

Value Traded 171,500.00 171,500.00

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 5,968,420.36 1,082,300.00 50.00

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM Daily Summary as of 15/07/2015 PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC.

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Quantity Traded 1,000 500,000 200 Page 370,000 3,571 210,268 1,137,667 400 3,737,250 41,000 1,000 4,000 133 500,000 4,278 13,819,943

Page

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. Published byLASACO The Nigerian Stock Exchange ASSURANCE PLC. © LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Current Price 3.43

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Quantity Traded Value Traded Page 3 of 12 30,641,698 147,729,828.79 1,120,144 4,285,104.51 583,411 11,964,895.75 6,840,083 11,039,339.73 7,701,388 199,666,723.24 2,770,766 5,805,769.62 2,099,020 4,240,432.78 12,255,111 52,967,069.85 66,248 549,321.06 4,261,100 10,052,857.22 721,328 686,265.60 234,743,042 4,213,419,482.55 303,803,339 4,662,407,090.70 Quantity Traded 6,227,576 1,081,500 100

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Daily Summary as ofMaterials 15/07/2015 Building Printed 15/07/2015 14:32:34.034 ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

12 2Value Traded of

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Published byACCESS The Nigerian Stock BANK PLC.Exchange © DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Value Traded 49,771.62 49,771.62

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol CWG

SERVICES Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers JULI PLC. Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers Totals

Current Price 1.43

Quantity Traded 10,000Page 10,000

1 Symbol JULI

No. of Deals 1 1

SERVICES Totals

Current Price 1.75

Value Traded

10 15,000.00 of 12 15,000.00

10,000

15,000.00

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 835.00 835.00

500

835.00

ASeM Board Totals

10,500

15,835.00

Equity Activity Totals

3,961

423,151,134

7,492,960,648.95

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF

VETIVA 30 ETF Daily Summary as ofGRIFFIN 15/07/2015 Exchange14:32:34.034 Traded Fund Totals Printed 15/07/2015

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 10.20 14.10

Quantity Traded 24 15 39

Page

Daily Summary (ETP)

Value Traded 244.80 211.50 456.30

ETF Board Totals

456.30

ETP Activity Totals

456.30

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Features

Making mobility easier for PLWDs Inability to move around easily has always been a barrier for those living with disabilities to showcase their abilities, reports FLORA ONWUDIWE

bility, it is often said, is located in disability. But those living with disabilities need conducive environment to display their abilities. One of the ways to create such environment, especially in a country like Nigeria, is to give special consideration to the People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in the transportation system to enable them to move around while pursuing their daily activities. This probably informed a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA). At the forum tagged: “Towards an Inclusive Lagos,” participants urged those concerned to make provision of seats for PLWDs in every means of transportation system such as land, air and rail. The LASODA General Manager, Dr Babatunde Awelenje, said the Lagos Special People’s Law enacted to address this and other issues, provided that in every means of transportation system, at least one out of 10 seats should permanently be reserved for people with disabilities. He said mobility aides such as crutches, wheel chairs, cane guides should not be subjected to charges at all, provided such disability aides were not carried in a commercial quantity. However, while commending the Lagos State Government for creating parking spaces for people with disabilities, Awelenje urged individuals and organisations to do the same. He said: “Lagos State Government has demonstrated the political will to change the tide and pave way for inclusion of PLWDs through the construction of parking lots within the old and new Lagos State Secretariat Complex, both at Ikeja in Lagos.” In the new dispensation, he reasoned that parking spaces owned by government, private organisations and individuals should reserve one out of 20 for persons with disabilities. The GM also explained that there

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

A physically-challenged person boarding a kneeling bus

Awelenje

should be special consideration for PLWDs when they are standing in a queue to access services. Citing the example of a person with visual impairment or person on a wheelchair queuing for a bus service, according to him, such person should be given special consideration. Awelenje, therefore, called on all persons living with disabilities in the state to register with LASODA and be issued with certificates of disability. The certificate, according to him, is a blue badge to enable them to access services at the reserved parking lot for PLWDs. This identification card, he added, would recognise them as persons living with disabilities and consequently exempt them from all manners of queue while accessing transportation services. According to him, there are plans to remove the barriers affecting disability with respect to transportation. To this end, he disclosed that kneeling buses used in developed countries to facilitate movement for PLWDs will be made available in Nigeria. If this system of transport is available in South Africa to aid the movement of PLWDs, Nigeria should not

Chairman, LASODA Board, Mrs. Tolu Animashaun

be an exception, he reasoned. Awelenje added that later in the year or early next year, “some friendly disability kneeling buses would be on the road in areas such as Ikorodu and Mile 12 in Lagos State”. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Youth, Sports and Social Welfare, Dr J. A. Oshinyimika, who was represented by Mr Olabode Ajao, a social worker in the Ministry of Youth Sports and Social Welfare, said the government had soft spot for PLWDs. “That is why this inclusive transport system is part of the project the government is implementing to ensure quality living for affected persons,” he added. The Chairman of the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Lagos State chapter, Mr Ope Akinola, said the state government was working on installing audio traffic light for the visually-impaired persons. He said: “The visually-impaired person does not know when traffic light changes colour to enable him to cross the road to the other side. It is a major barrier when you (a visuallyimpaired person) need to cross the road.” While highlighting the provision of the Lagos State Special Peoples Law which states that every public transport service should operate in a way that would guaranty usage

and allow accessibility of PLWDs, Akinola called on the three tiers of government to make this transportation system available, affordable and acceptable to every user with disability. He said: “The law applies to every means of transportation. That is what we are promoting. The two seats behind the driver of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) should have a sign or symbol indicating that they are reserved for PLWDs. Two out of the 42 seats in the BRT only are meant for those with disabilities. “The operators of the BRT should create more seats for them in all the BRT buses. When passengers occupy all the seats, some people will be left standing. It is risky with the able- bodied; hence, standing in the bus poses more risk to PLWDs.” Akinola also explained that other means of transportation that do not have provisions for PLWDs would be difficult for the affected persons. Consequently, to ensure that this part of the law is implemented, the chairman called for the introduction of vehicles that are designed to accommodate PLWDs. Recalling his ordeal as a visuallyimpaired person, he said, “I had been on a queue where I did not know when it got to my turn to move, the person behind me went before me to access services first and so were others and I was standing on the spot, until somebody from behind said why are you leaving this man behind? Why don’t you tell him to move?” The Public Relations Officer of LASODA, Mr Dare Dairo, said the modest figure by the United Nations (UN) was that 10 per cent in every population, especially in developing countries, was constituted by PLWDs. He said: “Now, 10 per cent of 170 million Nigerians, who can be gainfully employed, need to move around.” A person living with disability, Mrs Victoria Nwafor, who hails from Anambra State, said it was not easy for her to move around freely. She said: “I live in Ikeja. You know what it means moving with a taxi in Lagos. It is very expensive. I go to anywhere I want in taxis. “I don’t like going to my destination in public transport because of it is embarrassing. So, most times I take a taxi but if I am travelling I go by bus. When I am entering the bus it is not easy. People around will assist me to board the bus.” In a brief documentary presentation at the forum, a woman living with disability on a wheelchair wheeled herself out through a kneeling bus into the train and was able to locate her position inside the train. As soon as she got to her destination, she also wheeled herself towards a path specially meant for both pedestrians and PLWDs. Among various groups that were represented at the forum, which held at Ikeja, were the Lagos State chapter of the Joint National Association of persons with disabilities (JONAPWD), an umbrella body of organisations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) and the Nigerian Association of the Blind.

46 News Lions Club offers free treatment to 1,200 Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he Ado-Ekiti Central Lions Club, has said that over 1,200 people have benefitted from its annual Health Free Post initiative inaugurated two years ago. President, of the club, Paul Taiwo Odebunmi, revealed this yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, during a chat with newsmen on the initiative, adding the club had also granted free health care to over 460 people in the current year. The president noted that the club was meeting special needs of the youth as a priority, as well as creating awareness on various health challenges like blindness, hypertension and diabetes, AID/ HIV and other life threatening diseases. He listed some other projects embarked upon by the club to include health talk, various eye surgeries, donation of incubators to the Ekiti State Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, yearly donations to the Motherless Babies Home at Iyin-Ekiti, among others.

Fayose applauds Olonishakin’s appointment Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has commended President Muhammadu Burahi, for the appointment the newly-appointed of the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, describing the appointment as well deserved. The governor also lauded President Buhari, for finding a Nigerian of Ekiti extraction worthy of appointment to the exalted position for the first time in the history of Nigeria. In a release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Governor Fayose, said the honour done Ekiti with the appointment was not misplaced, expressing confident that Major-General Olonishakin, would exhibit the courage, intelligence, honesty and hard-work in Ekiti people to discharge of his duties creditably. “At this crucial time of the Nigerian nation, I have no doubt that Major General Olonishakin, will justify his appointment by making our country safe again."

thursday, july 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

south south--south west Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Academic Staff Union of Universities, ( ASUU) yesterday condemned the gruesome murder of the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal Universities of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) Prof. Albert Ilemobade by his domestic staff, urging that authorities justice must be done in the issue. The FUTA branch of ASUU called on the security agents investigating the death of

ASUU restates call for justice for ex-VC Ilemobade the late VC to explore all areas of investigation on the murder to bring the those culpable to justice, saying there was more proof to the killing than the two suspects arrested for the heinous crime. Speaking during at a press conference, Chairman of ASUU, FUTA chapter, Dr Bola Oniya, described the murder

of the former VC by his domestic staff as shocking, noting that the two staff who plotted and executed the killing cannot kill their employer just to steal his car. Oniya who also condemned the incessant attack and killing of the nation's members of the acedemic across the country, noting that unnecessary attention

had been focused on the member of the union and called on the state on the state Commissioner of Police to unravel other factors that may be responsible for the killing of the former VC of FUTA. Meanwhile the final burial plan for the late FUTA VC who was murdered by his staff on June 21 has commenced

with the lying in state at his residence along Gani Fawehinmi street, off Ademulegun road in Ondo and Christian Wake keep on the July, 29 at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Center in Ondo. The funeral service and interment will hold at All Saints' Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo area in Ondo on the 30th July.

L-R: Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot; Principal Consultant, lonadek, Dr. Ibilola Amao; Oluwashogo Oyeniyi; Coordinator, YCT UNEVOC Centre, Dr. Doherty Funmilayo and Mai Atafo at the maiden edition of the UN Youth Skills Day in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

OPC won’t protest pipeline contract NLC directs Osun workers to call off strike cancellation, says Adams

he leader of the Yoruba social-political group, Chief Gani Adams, said yesterday that his faction of the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) will not participate in the protest against the withdrawal of the contract for the protection of NNPC pipelines. Adams, the National Coordinator of the pressure group, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos, said that protest would not solve the problem of the

contract withdrawal. ``We had a meeting over the withdrawal of contract to protect the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines. ``Dr Fredrick Fasheun, myself and some other persons were at the meeting. I want to state categorically that protest against withdrawal of the contract was not part of our discussion. ``It is a contract between us and the NNPC. The issue should not be misunderstood for some-

thing else. ``I don’t want to bring ethnicity into this matter. I don’t want people to see us in bad light. ``We read the story on this protest in the newspapers like any other person. We are not part of the protest,’’ Adams said. It can be recalled that the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan, had in March, awarded a multibillion Naira contract to the OPC to secure NNPC pipelines in the SouthWest zone of the country.

Adeolu Adeyemo

Osogbo

sun State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday directed the state workers to resume work. The resumption was announced through a statement made available to newsmen by the NLC Chairman, Comrade Jacob Adekomi and Comrade Bayo Adejumo, Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), in Osogbo. The statement read:

Appeal Court cedes land ownership to Ondo monarch Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Customary Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has ceded the entire land in the coastal Arogbo community in Eseodo local government area of the state to the tra-

ditional ruler of the town, the Agadagba. The Court presided over by the President of the Court; Justice Folasade Agunda-Taiwo, upheld the custom and tradition of the town that gave the custody of the land in the Ijaw speaking area of the state to Agadagba, who is the traditional ruler of the

riverine communities. The Customary Court in Arogbo, had given judgment ceding parts of the land in Arogbo town to Amapere community, in a suit filed on their behalf by Okirika Ebi-Ibaposi, Apostle Igbogilo, Joshua Israel and Ebiepiri Epebi who are the plaintiffs in the suit against Thomp-

son Idiarhi. The plaintiffs through their counsel, E.E Ojubulu, had laid claim to the Customary Right of Occupancy over a parcel of land lying, situate and being at Agadagba-Obon Arogbo road in the town and sought the order of the court to remove the structure of Idiahri on the land.

"After due consultations between the government and the leadership of the Joint Labour Movement in the state, we hereby resolved as follows: "That government has assured the leadership of the workers of its conscious commitment to payment of full salaries"; "That the entire members of the labour movement in the state are hereby assured that the leadership of our movement is on top of the situation and we will continously stand for the defence and protection of the interest, welfare and rights of all members at all tomes without disappointment;" The statement also said: "That all workers are hereby directed to resume duties and continue working at their various duty positions; That the leadership of the labour movement hereby reiterates that nobody should disturb any workers from carrying out their constitutional assignments."

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Umahi seeks Buhari’s support for road projects Anule Emmanuel Abuja

bonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, said yesterday that he has commenced discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari, over support of the Federal Government on funding of roads projects in the state. The governor who met with the President at the Presidential villa where he raised

concerns over the poor state of roads and other infrastructure in the state, said the situation has also affected easy access to some mineral deposits. Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Umahi, said most of the roads were Federal Government owned and therefore needed approval and the consent of the Presidency before they can be developed by the state.

He said, “We also have large salt deposit . A lot of investors, when they heard of the patronage that the President intends to give to local production of these items they besieged Ebonyi state, they want to invest in these areas. According to him, “We have issues, the roads leading to these sites are Federal Roads, they are very difficult to access. The governor said he was in the villa to get the

President’s assurance that when the state handles the construction of such roads, the federal government would be willing to refund it. He explained that Ebonyi State, has a lot of farmlands that supports agricultural production including rice and cassava and is still the largest producers of cassava in Nigeria. He also noted that the state would follow due process to obtain the loans. “There is due

process and proceeding but I had a wonderful discussion with the President and he is very much interested. Meanwhile, the governor has debunked insinuations that he plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He explained that his

CBN decries high rate of financial exclusion Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

L-R: Enugu State Sector Commander, Frsc, Mr. David Mendie; Crown Mayor of Nike clan, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu and Chairman, Enugu State Council, Mr. Louis Dilibe, during a visit by the sector commander to the Igwe at Ibeagwa Nike…yesterday.

Imo restates commitment to Assa gas plant Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo State Government has assured the Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited and Borkir International Company Limited (a subsidiary of the Dangote Group) of its cooperation and commitment to the completion of the Assa -Ohaji gas plant project in the state. Gover nor, Rochas Okorocha, stated this

when the two companies led by Mr. Walter Weilenger, Project Manager Shell and Mr. Ahmed Yakassai of Dangote group, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri, following the two companies inspection of the project. The governor, who described gas as an important resource to the nation’s development said his administration will partner with the two companies to ensure that the project was

completed on schedule. Okorocha observed that the project when completed has the potential of attracting development to the area, as well as creating employment opportunities for the teeming youths in the state, adding that his administration places a lot of emphasis on job creation. The governor while assuring that the government would provide adequate security for the project, also appealed to the host com-

munities to give maximum cooperation to the two companies to ensure that the gas plant project kicks off. He also urged the two companies to engage the youths in the project. In his remarks, Weilenger , Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited Project Manager for the plant, commended the state governor for the warm reception, assuring that the project will bring a lot of benefits to the people of the state.

support for the administration of President Buhari, should not be misunderstood to mean any plan for defection. The governor noted that without fighting corruption there was no way the country can grow.

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday decried the high rate of financial exclusion in Ebonyi State, which it said has denied the people access to various opportunities in the financial system. Assistant Director, Development Finance Department of the CBN, Osita Nwanisiobi, who made this known in Abakaliki, during a two day fair in the area, called on the people to embrace financial services so as to partake of the benefits created by the apex bank in the financial system. He remarked that the rate of financial exclusion among the people was high, noting that though various efforts by the bank have helped in creating awareness over the years. Nwanisiobi noted that

Ebonyi State, ranked highest among the South-East states in terms of financial inclusion awareness with 56 per cent, followed by Anambra, with 48 per cent, Abia with 18 per cent, Enugu 21 per cent and Imo 23 per cent. He used the opportunity to enlighten the public on ways to access its various interventions, programmes and schemes, noting that the bank has for instance, has interventions for Small, Micro and Medium Scale enterprises through its development fund of N220billion, which can be accessed by people within the low income category. He also noted that bank also offers interventions in the agricultural sector which includes the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, Commercial Agric Credit Scheme, among others.

Ugwuanyi constitutes 11-man committee on LG audit

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has constituted an 11-member stakeholders committee on staff audit and biometrics data capturing in the 17 local government areas of the state. Members of the committee include; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi, as chairman and Permanent Secretary (Parastatals), Office of the Secretary to Government is Secretary of the committee, set up for purpose of

ascertaining the real staff strengths of the local councils and to track down possible ghost workers in the local government. It is also expected to make inquisition into the factors that make it impossible for some of the councils to pay staff salaries. Other members are, Hon Iloabuchi Aniagu, Hon. Chuka Ene, Secretary to the State Government, Elder GOC Ajah and Emeka Nwatu of Local Government Service Commission.

Ebonyi threatens to sanction landlords over poor sanitation 80% SMEs to have access to funding by 2020 –CBN Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Government, has threatened to sanction any landlords in the state for failure to comply with government directives to them to create a healthy environment. The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ogodo-Ali Nome, made the government position known yesterday in Abakaliki, stating that government decision was to ensure healthy and safe environment for residents of the

state. He said that the next Wednesday deadline to the landlords after two weeks for compliance still stands. The commissioner further noted that the first phase of waste clearance in the state, has been concluded just as he noted that the second phase has also commenced, adding that no waste dump will be allowed to last for 24 hours in and around the state. He revealed that there were waste dumps in the state which have not been cleared for seven years and the ministry has deployed

trucks to ensure the waste were cleared. According to him, the activities of the ministry will not be limited to only urban areas but will be extended to metropolis . “I believe no refuse dumps will last more than 24 hours in the capital city. We have cleared the first phase in Abakaliki. “There are some refuse dumps which have lasted for more than seven years and the second phase has started. We are using thirteen trucks in the capital city.”

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday declared that 80 per cent of the Nigerian populace and 8 out of every 10 Nigerians would have access to funding of their businesses by year 2020, in fulfillment of the apex bank objective on the financial inclusion policy. The bank made the revelation during one the sessions at the ongoing CBN Fair in Owerri .

Explaining that access to funds will come in diverse forms including insurance, pensions, loans and credits, Hajia Halima Lawal of the Development Finance Department of the CBN, stressed that financial inclusion will progressively increase with financial literacy. Also speaking, Mr. Damola Atanda, of the Consumer Protection Department of the CBN, stated that qualitative service was a right to every bank customer and not a privilege, adding that it

was erroneous to assume that the bank has the final word in any dispute with customers. Buttressing the commitment of the CBN to protecting stakeholders, the Director Corporate Communication Department, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the CBN initiated the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum; the Bank Verification Number (BVN) as well as the mandatory second level authorization for card presented for payments, among others.

News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Delta collapses N69.8bn debts into FG bonds Dominic Adewole ASABA

L-R; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale; Country Director Nigeria, Concern Universal, Tim Kellow and Sustainable Development Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Osita Abana, after a media briefing to showcase the Guinness Nigeria/Concern Universal Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene (SWISH) Project in Cross River State.

Rivers lawmakers move against kidnappers Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

embers of the Rivers State House of Assembly has pledged to make kidnapping unprofitable for those who see it as a legitimate venture by giving the executive arm of government the necessary support to stop the menace. The lawmakers said there was need to look into the “Rivers State Kidnapping Prohibition

Amendment Bill 2015,” which the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike sent to them. At plenary yesterday, the lawmakers condemned kidnapping, describing it as an inhuman act that should be fought on head-on. The House Leader, Martins Amaewhule, said government should be in a position to confiscate both movable and immovable assets of kidnappers in order to make them ineffective, noting that he was kidnapped in

Court declares 31 suspects, seven sureties wanted Dominic Adewole ASABA

n Agbor Magistrate Court in Delta State yesterday ordered the police to arrest the 31 suspects charged to court and released on bail over their involvement in the mayhem that characterised the March 28 presidential election in the state. In the Warrant of Arrest signed and dated July 14, 2015, made available to New Telegraph yesterday, the Chief Magistrate ordered that “the suspects should be brought before him at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Agbor, without delay.” The suspects include, one Monday Egwase, Tochukwu Believe Enock, Ibrahim Bashorun, Taiwo Olabanji, Taiwo Bolaji, Cletus Sunday, Okoh Israel, Adebola Folorunsho,

Olawale Olayinka, Dauda Jamilu and Igharo Sunday. Others are Shonibare Bola, Segun Onyeka, Kareem Okanlawon, Raymond Olugbami, Apama Ogubike, Raskat Mohammed, Gabriel Ede, Idowu Balogun, Akeem Ade, Chinedu Orji and George Etuki. Also wanted are Peter Okugwu, Adeleke Taiwo, Abdulrasheed Kassim, Obinna Nnamdi Ogbonna, Towolan Tunde, Godday Dike Chuks, Emeka Agu, Tasfek Matthew and Segun Jeff. The 31 suspects were allegedly smuggled into the state by a former House of Representatives’ member, Hon. Doris Uboh, to perpetrate fraud and foment trouble during the presidential contest between former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari.

2008 and held in captivity for five days under inhuman condition. Amaewhule urged his colleagues to do “anything we need to do to discourage kidnapping, we have to do it,” he said. In his contribution, the House Whip, Evans Bipi, who represents Ogu/Bolo Constituency, said kidnappers were gaining the upper hand, also lamenting that “the kidnappers are no respecter of persons or profession.” Also speaking, Jones

Ogbonda said: “That desperate times require desperate measures and this is one law the Rivers State government needs to safeguard the lives of Rivers people and residents alike.” He described “kidnapping is an offence against humanity,” because it has serious traumatic effect on the victims and their families. The House, which was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani, deferred the debate till the next sitting.

he Delta State House of Assembly yesterday approved Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s request to restructure the state’s outstanding loans of N69.8 billion in commercial banks into Federal Government bonds. The governor had in a letter, signed by his Deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, addressed to the lawmakers and read by the Speaker, Hon. Monday Igbuya, at an emergency sitting of the House, sought the approval of the House on the matter. Governor Okowa in the letter, said the inability of many states to meet up with their salary obligations due to the continuous decline of revenue from federal allocations, worsened by the huge debt service, was burdened by the bank loans. He said in the letter that since the Federal Government has a repayment period of 15 to 20 years or 180 to 240 months as against the maximum of three to

four-year tenure of commercial banks loan facilities, it would be proper to key into such bond facility. “Arising from the above, the Debt Management Office (DMO), on 30th June 2015, requested the state government to apply to the Federal Ministry of Finance for a restructuring of its outstanding commercial bank loans into the Federal Government Nigeria (FGN) bonds,” the letter read. According to Okowa, the request for the approval was endorsed by the State Executive Council on July 13, 2015 before it was forwarded to the House for further approval. Because the governor listed the benefits of the bond to include longer repayment period for the loan, reduction of the monthly debt service burden as well as savings in the amount required for debt service due to lower interest rates when compared to the interest rates on commercial bank loans, the request was speedily granted.

Buhari lauded for appointing Monguno NSA Gabriel Choba Ughelli

he people of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government of Delta State yesterday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), as the National Security Adviser (NSA). Speaking through a group known as Egbema Positive Change, Presi-

dent of the group, Prince Ebimene Fetimi, on behalf of the people said President Buhari made the right choice. Fetimi expressed confidence in Monguno’s ability and reliability to deliver effectively and contribute greatly to the success of Buhari’s administration. He called on Nigerians to be hopeful and have trust in Buhari’s determination, commitment and willingness to transform Nigeria into better country.

Delta NULGE suspends six-month strike Dominic Adewole ASABA

he Delta State wing of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday suspended their sixmonth-old strike action. The union embarked on strike because the state government could not pay their salaries and arrears since January this year.

President of the union, who doubles as the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade David Ofonyeno in Asaba said the union decided to call off the strike because Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has intervened by making three months salaries available. Ofonyeno, flanked by state executives of the union, however, warned of another impending strike

in the next four months if the state government fails to take over the payment of primary school teachers in the state. According to him, the bail-out by the governor was a short-term solution that does not prevent the union’s ongoing agitation for better welfare package for workers. He said: “We have decided to suspend the strike because of the intervention of the state

government, especially the commitment of Governor Okowa - being that the monies available can conveniently pay three months’ salaries. “But if the state government fails to take over the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries in the next four months, we may be forced to embark on a fresh strike action. This is just a short-term solution to the crisis,” Ofonyeno.

Mobil, NEMA urged to intervene in A’Ibom erosion menace Tony Anichebe Uyo

he lawmaker representing Esit Eket/ Ibeno in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Usoroh Akpanusoh, yesterday appealed to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, the National Emergency Management

Agency (NEMA) and the state government as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to proffer solution to the gully erosion in Ekpene Obo, Ikpa and Uquo in Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state. He said if adequate measures are not taken, there will be no road to the council secretariat

soon. Akpanusoh, who briefed newsmen shortly after his first constituency briefing in Esit Eket, said the natural disaster in the area has wantonly metamorphosed into loss of lives and property. He, however, commended Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for inspecting Esit-Eket/Ibeno

road as well as mandating the contractor to resume work at the site, adding that members of his constituency were elated over the kind gesture. He specifically appealed to Mobil to increase its counterpart funding, noting that the route is the only visible access road to their terminal.

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, july 16, 2015

News 49

south north - south

Pandemonium as two bombs explode in Adamawa Ibrahim Abdul Yola

here was pandemonium in Yola, the Adamawa State capital yesterday, following the explosion of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were said to have been handed to two minors by yet to be identified persons. The incident, which occurred opposite the Federal Road Safety Corps’ office along the Yola-Numan Road in the morning, caused some crises as residents and travelers were seen scampering for safety. “The bomb exploded just close to a filling station, we all started running, though no life was lost, but one of the boys that were carrying the IEDs was injured on the leg,” said an eyewitness who simply identified himself as Bello. The boys, aged between nine and the 11,

were apprehended by people in the neighbourhood, including the state command of the FRSC. Reports said the boys, unknowingly approached a nearby scraps dealer to sell the improvised device to him, but that the man declined to buy it. “In fact, we escaped death by the whisker, because few minutes after they left my shop, the device exploded in their

hands, injuring one of them. “They wanted me to buy it, but I refused and it seems they too didn't know what they were carrying,” said the scraps dealer, who refused to mention his name. Another food seller near the scene of the incident said: “They are little boys and I saw them when they took the explosives to one baba that buys

scraps and the baba said he is not going to buy because it was small, they left. “I was sitting here when those boys left the baba’s shop, but just as they got to the road, there was an explosion and one of them was injured and everybody started running,” she said. Meanwhile, the boys had been apprehended and handed over to offi-

cials of the FRSC before the arrival of the antibomb squad of the Adamawa State police command. Though efforts to get the state police spokesman, Othman Abubakar, proved abortive as he was said to have travelled, but confirming the incident later, the Adamawa State Road Safety Corps Commander, Mr. Luka Umar Aiki said: “When I heard

16 soldiers from Makurdi battalion die fighting Boko Haram Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

Cleric lauds Al-Makura’s policy Cheke Emmanuel

Head of Human Resources, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Mrs. Rebecca Mshelia (second left), presenting the company’s donation of relief materials to orphans and widows at Damare Camp in Yola…yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

El-Rufai retires 20 perm secs

LAFIA

he Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Reverend Ishaya Audu, has lauded the open-door policy of the Tanko AlMakura administration in the state, commending him for carrying along all segments of the society. Ishaya, who led a delegation to the Government House, Lafia during a courtesy visit, said that the emergence of AlMakura for a second term is the will of God, thereby urging all and sundry to rally round his administration. The bishop said the governor has proved that he is the leader of all, irrespective of tribe or religion and commended him for ‘his availability to all for all.’ He challenged the governor to continue in the same spirit in embracing all and sundry for the overall development of the state. The bishop expressed the support of the church to the administration, urging the governor to spread development across the state. The cleric, however, called on the governor to extend the payment of WAEC and NECO fees to students in Catholic schools, insisting that they are also indigenes of the state.

the loud bang, I rushed out, but was told it was a tyre burst, but the sound I heard was not that of a tyre, so I asked people in charge of intelligence to find out. “It was when he came back that he confirmed my fears that two little boys have been apprehended and that they had been handed over to the police." “I was later told by the anti-bomb unit that it was a grenade IEDs,” he said.

Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Kaduna State government yesterday said it has retired 20 permanent secretaries and appointed 13 new ones as part of its resolve to cut the cost of governance. A statement issued by the Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan yesterday, said the decision followed the earlier streamlining of minis-

tries from 19 to 13. The entire exercise, he pointed out, is part of efforts to free up resources that will be used to provide quality education, good healthcare and better roads for the people of Kaduna State. The retired permanent secretaries are Alhaji Isa Ismail of the former Ministry of Information, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed of the Deputy Governor’s Office and Mr. Ben Maitamaki, of the defunct Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.

Outgoing FRSC commander calls for more commands Musa Pam Jos

he out-going Sector Commander, of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State, Mr. Sunday Maku, has called for the establishment of more unit commands in the state. Maku made the appeal in Jos at a send-forth organised for him by officers and men of the command. He said opening more unit commands would go

a long way to ensure effective and adequate coverage of various highways that fell within the command’s jurisdiction. According to the sector commander, with more unit commands, the impact and presence of FRSC personnel would be felt much more in the state. “This sector has about five units commands located in Pankshin, Zaria Road, Lantang, Hawan Kibo and Jos Bye-pass, and I facilitated their creation as sector commander in Plateau."

Families appeal to army chief over detained brother Ibrahim Abdul Yola

purred by the alleged arbitrary arrest and continued detention of their elder brother, the families of the late Alhaji Ibrahim Askira, have appealed to the new Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) to intervene in the continuous incarceration of their brother, Abdullahi Ibrahim, by the military in Biu Barracks, Borno State. While narrating their ordeal to newsmen in Yola, the younger sister of detained Abdullahi, Aisha Ibrahim, recalled that her senior brother who was a messenger with Askira/Uba Local Government was arrested about three months ago in Biu, where he went to seek refuge after Boko Haram invaded Askira. Alleging arbitrary arrest, Aisha said Abdullahi was picked up in Biu on the allegation that he was a Boko Haram member, after an incident that occurred while he was taking refuge in Biu, after their town was ransacked by insurgents and

she wondered how a fleeing victim will associate himself with people that attacked his house and people. She said: “The attack came after we all fled to neighbouring areas as refugees, he was in Biu when it occurred, please for God sake, how will this innocent person later be whisked away?, asked Aisha. She lamented that all efforts by the family to get his employer, the Askira/ Uba Local Government Council to intervene in securing his release did not yield any result. “I have met with the council chairman and secretary, but their response on the matter was not encouraging at all. “All our family wanted is justice and fairness. The military should investigate the matter and tell us the true position of things. “Whoever claimed that he is a Boko Haram member should provide concrete evidence. “We were later told that it was a set up by one community leader that has misunderstanding with him,” Aisha said.

he Commandant of 72 Military Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi, Benue State, Colonel Timothy Lagbaja, yesterday said no fewer than sixteen soldiers deployed from the command to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East of the country between November last year and now, have died in battle. Besides, Lagbaja said the battalion has lost four officers and eight soldiers to the clashes between Fulani herdsmen and Benue farmers between 2012 and now. The commander, who disclosed this in his office during an interactive session with members of the correspondents’ chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), also said many officers sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been flown abroad for treatment. He described those who died as gallant officers, who died in active service while serving their fatherland, adding that the command has deployed over 500 of its men through the military Joint Task Force known as ‘Operation Zenda’ constituted by the state government to help curtail the clashes between the two ethnic groups. Lagbaja lauded the soldiers for fighting insurgency in the state, saying their efforts have yielded fruitful results. He said areas where people were living in fear before now, like in Gbajimba, headquarters of Guma Local Government, as well as Agatu, have continued to enjoy relative peace as the crisis has reduced to the barest minimum in the area.

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obama defends Iran deal as only option to avert arms race

resident Barack Obama vigorously defended the nuclear deal with Iran yesterday, casting the historic accord as the only possibility to avert a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and reduce the chances of war. A day after the US, Iran and world powers announced the deal, Obama said the US faces a “fundamental choice” about whether to embrace the

opportunity to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully. His remarks in a White House news conference appeared aimed squarely at Congress, where lawmakers are discussing legislation to try to stop the deal’s implementation. “I expect the debate to be robust, and that’s how it should be,” Obama said, imploring lawmakers who are skeptical of the deal to “remember the

alternative.” Under the deal announced Tuesday, Iran’s nuclear program will be scaled back and closely monitored as the US and world powers seek to cut off Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon. In exchange, Iran will see biting economic sanctions eventually lifted, freeing up billions of dollars in oil revenue and frozen assets. Obama, taking ques-

tions from reporters in the East Room, said that in the absence of a deal, the international economic sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table will unravel, and the world community will be unable to put the sanctions regime together. “Without a deal, we risk even more war in the Middle East, and other countries in the Middle East would feel com-

pelled to develop their own nuclear weapons,” Obama said, adding that such a chain of events would risk a nuclear arms race “in the most dangerous region in the world. As Obama defended the deal, his allies were mounting a concerted push to sell the agreement to skeptics, while the deal’s critics warned of dire consequences.

Russian firm dismisses South Africa’s nuclear fears

ussia’s state energy corporation Rosatom yesterday denied that it had already secretly won a massive nuclear power contract in South Africa, and sought to allay fears of corruption over the deal. Critics of the government’s controversial plan to build eight nuclear reactors worth up to $100 billion (91 billion euros) should “stop worrying”, Victor Polikarpov, Rosatom’s regional vice president, told AFP. Five

Iranian women waving the national flag during celebration in northern Tehran after Iran’s nuclear negotiating team struck a deal with world powers in Vienna.

Uganda president fails to broker truce in Burundi crisis

gandan President Yoweri Museveni left crisis talks between Burundi’s rival political factions yesterday without a deal, but last-ditch efforts following months of violence continued ahead of polls next week. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term in an election next Tuesday, despite a constitutional two-term limit, has sparked months of turmoil and an attempted coup in mid-May. “The ruling party in Burundi and the opposition parties and the civil society have agreed to negociate expeditiously,

intensively in order to reach an agreement,” Museveni told reporters as he left. Previous United Nationsmediated efforts all collapsed. Ugandan Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga took over mediation efforts started by Museveni a day earlier, the latest bid to push stalled talks between Nkurunziza’s ruling CNDD-FDD party and opposition groups. Museveni, who was appointed mediator last week by the five-nation East African Community (EAC), had earlier urged Burundians “to forget their past sectarian political differences.” Around 100 people have been killed in more than

two months of protests, with over 158,000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, according to the UN. Gunfire and grenade explosions were heard overnight Tuesday in the capital, as has been common in recent weeks. With the presidential election now taking place on Tuesday, there are only a few days to succeed. But Burundi presidential communication advisor Willy Nyamitwe said there had been “positive” talks, while key opposition leader Agathon Rwasa said talks would continue. “There will be no taboo subjects, everything must be put on the table,” Rwasa said.

Greece to vote on bail-out after explosive IMF

reece yesterday geared up for a parliamentary vote on tough reforms demanded by eurozone creditors in exchange for a huge new bailout, just hours after a bombshell IMF report criticised the deal. The outcome of the vote, expected to take place late yesterday, was in doubt after the International Monetary Fund issued a stark warning that Greece’s creditors will have to go “far beyond” existing estimates for debt relief to stabilise the country’s finances. The deal has split the ruling radical

Syriza party as it includes changes to labour laws, pensions, VAT and other taxes that were rejected by voters in a July 5 referendum. The hard-pressed government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras suffered its first resignations on Tuesday, with a junior finance minister and a senior economy ministry official walking out in protest. “I’m not going to vote for this amendment and this means I cannot stay in the government,” said junior finance minister Nadia Valavani. The parliament in Athens must approve the deal before the 18 other eurozone

leaders start negotiations over what Greece is to get in return: a three-year bailout worth up to 86 billion euros ($95 billion), its third rescue programme in five years. Under the plan, eurozone governments will contribute between 40 and 50 billion euros, the IMF will contribute another chunk and the rest will come from selling off state assets and from financial markets, a European official said Tsipras has admitted he “cannot say with certainty” that it will be enough to prevent a socalled “Grexit” until the final bailout agreement is signed.

nations,Russia, France, China, the United States and South Korea are competing for the contract, but there is widespread speculation that President Jacob Zuma’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sealed the deal for Rosatom. “This is not true, these are insinuations and rumours,” Polikarpov said in an interview on the sidelines of a regional energy conference in Cape Town.

Israel: We reserve right to self-defence

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel isn’t bound by the nuclear deal with Iran brokered by the United States and would continue to oppose it. Addressing parliament yesterday, Netanyahu said “we will reserve our right to defend ourselves against all of our enemies.” He added, “We have strength, and it is great and mighty.” Meanwhile, a senior leader from Yemen’s Shiite rebels sent a cable to Iran praising the deal as a “historic” achievement. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the second in command of the rebels known as Houthis, said in a statement yesterday that the deal will contribute in resolving the conflict between Iran and the United States “in a peaceful manner and in harmony that

will lead to mutual respect between the people and which will reinforce peace and stability in the region.” Al-Houthi urged other countries in the region to adopt dialogue “instead of chaos and troubles which benefit the Zionist enemy.” The Iran allied rebel group in Yemen has made a forceful bid for power in Yemen, forcing the country’s internationally-backed president to flee to neighboring Saudi Arabia. Yemen’s exiled government, accuse Iran of arming the rebels. Vice President Joe Biden has wrapped up a meeting with House Democrats to brief them on the Iran deal. Emerging from the session that lasted more than an hour, Biden was asked if he changed any minds among skeptical Democrats.

EU lawmakers back blanket collection of airline passenger data

irlines will have to transfer passenger data such as seat numbers and payment information to law enforcement authorities for flights into and out of the European Union, under rules passed yesterday by EU lawmakers. EU governments are anxious to prevent Europeans going to fight with Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, fearing they could carry out attacks in Europe when they return. They have long pushed for the sharing of airline passenger data. But members of the European Parliament have resisted for two years, on the grounds that would infringe people’s

privacy. The Islamist attacks on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January pushed the issue up on the agenda, and on Wednesday members of the Civil Liberties Committee in the European Parliament voted for an amended version of the so-called “Passenger Name Record” proposal. It will now be fine-tuned in negotiations with member states before becoming law. “The emerging threat posed by so-called ‘foreign fighters’ has made this system even more essential,” said British Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope, who is spearheading the proposal.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

News

International Sport

Track & Field

Sport News

Akpom scores hat trick for Arsenal

Dad urges Mayweather to retire rather than take ‘easy’ fights

Youth athletes rue Cali 2015 miss

Oladipo to dump Nigeria for USA

Sport Adekunle Salami and Adeolu Johnson

ew Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, officially started work on Wednesday as he outlined to all the national team players his vision for the team. Oliseh stated clearly that only players from top teams from around the world and the Nigerian Premier League would be invited to the Eagles “We will not invite any player who is not playing in the top division in the recognised leagues of the world, including Nigeria. The only exception would be those playing for any of the age-grade national teams that we find exceptional and deserving of an opportunity to try and win shirts in the senior team. “One thing I will say, dear compatriots, is that I am not a Messiah. I have come to do my very best, give 150%, to take Nigerian football to the next level, with the support of my assistants, the NFF and relevant stakeholders. I am optimistic that we will lift the Nigeria game to a new height.” The former Eagles captain also stated that he was in the country for work and not to fight anyone or group. “I come to serve my country, not to wage a war.” There were several questions and insinuations at Wednesday’s colourful offi-

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Sport Editor

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Did you know? That Boris Becker became the first unseeded player to win Wimbledon in 1985 when he was only 17 years old. He also became the youngest player to win the title, as well as the first German.

Oliseh talks tough • Bans players in lower divisions from Eagles Says: I’ve come to serve, not to wage war

L-R: First Assistant coach, Jean Francois Losciuto; second Assistant Salisu Yusuf; Head coach Sunday Oliseh and goalkeeper’s trainer, Alloy Agwu after the unveiling at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday.

cial presentation ceremony on Oliseh’s perceived stubbornness and temperament but the former captain swiftly differentiated between being principled and being stubborn. “I have come to serve, and the NFF has promised to give me all the support I need to succeed. They are the employers and I am the employee. That distinction has to be appreciated at all times.” The romance between the NFF and Oliseh started on a good note as the football body gave the former Nigerian international a three-month salary advance yesterday (Wednesday). NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said the salary was paid in advance in order to motivate and take care of Oliseh’s immediate needs. His next payment will be in October. The former Julius Berger defensive midfielder arrived the National Stadium Abuja, the venue of the ceremony at 11.45am with his elder broth-

er Churchill Oliseh and assistants Jean Francois Losciuto, Salisu Yusuf and goalkeeper’s trainer, Alloy Agwu. Pinnick said the NFF was particularly glad to sign Oliseh and would give him all he required to succeed.

“We will follow everything in the contract religiously to guide him smoothly. Nigerians love football hence we shall give him all he requires,” Pinnick explained. Also speaking at the ceremony, the second Vice-Presi-

dent and Chairman of League Management Company, Shehu Dikko, said Oliseh’s mandate was a Nations Cup semifinal placing but was quick to add that the federation was not putting him under any pressure.

NFF pardons Enyeama, Onazi Adeolu Johnson Abuja

he Nigeria Football Federation has waved an olive branch to Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama and Ogenyi Onazi following pleas by some sports loving Nigerians. NFF Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Christopher Green, told the New Telegraph that the NFF has pardoned the two players for the offences committed before and during the tie against Chad in Kaduna.

“We have waved the $5,000 fine placed on Onazi and has warned him to be of good conduct in future,” he said For Enyeama, Green who was initially reluctant to say yes or no finally said the case has been closed and the Lille of France safe pair of hands can return to the national team and turn a new leaf. Enyeama did not attend the NFF Disciplinary Committee’s summons to explain his comments on the choice of Kaduna as venue for the country’s Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup quali-

fier against Chad on June 13. The goalie had on the eve of the game expressed his dissatisfaction with the choice of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as venue for the game, citing security challenges in the northern part of the country. But the NFF did not take kindly to his comments. The body set up a committee to question the Super Eagles’ captain on the comments with a view to ensuring that no other player challenged the NFF’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Sport

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yakmut, Popoola and the Congo challenge

uring the summer of 1991, the All Africa Games took place in Cairo, Egypt, under the watch of Hosni Mubarak – the Air Marshal – who became the country’s President after the assassination of his predecessor, Anwar Saddat, during a military parade on the grounds close to the Ramses Palace. Mubarak now behind locked doors just like the man who succeeded him in a people backed campaign – Mohammed Morsi –accused of anti-state agenda by the same government that has now thrown up General Asisi – the military chief into the Presidential Palac boasted then that the continent will witness one of the biggest games ever. That was the period of the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union and Nigeria’s military President, Ibrahim Babangida, was the Chairman of the continental organisation. The Supreme Council for Sports in Africa then had Nigerian former international and top administrator, Awoture Eleyae, as head of its Yaounde, Cameroun-based secretariat and with co-operation of the African National Olympic Associations had a space for a two-minute address by the chair of the OAU. Babangida had the speech

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) ready but his state-of-the-artconvoy was halted in the sprawling car lot of the Cairo International Stadium which meant he had to walk about 10 minutes before the “state box” entrance. As that was on the security scenario changed as Mubarak and his spouse approached the stadium directly in their fortified and bullet-proof Mercedes SClass. The Nigerian leader not only got some “rough handling” at the gate completely decked in his native Babanriga produced for the Nigerian delegation that had Africa’s Pillar of Sports, Chief M.K.O.Abiola, as leader, Alhaji Raheem Adejumo (NOC President) and Yohannah Yerima Kure, a retired general as Sports Minister. But was refused the opportunity of saying the “few words”. While Babangida kept his calm, Abiola was furious to the extent that after the opening ceremony of the Games he addressed a world press conference threatening to withdraw the Nigerian delegation if an

apology failed to come from the Egyptian government. The next day, the entire Nigerian delegation remained in their camps and various hotels until words arrived that Abiola had been invited to the Palace by Mubarak. Over tea, the apology was beamed live on Egyptian television and spread all over the world. Abiola withdrew the threat and the Nigerian teams proceeded to the various venues for their events. Another scenario played out as current SecretaryGeneral of the NOC, Tunde Popoola, was the Nigerian team’s games captain and he had been in a meeting with various games captains on the “rejection” of the kits for the Nigerian team and after consultation with Kure Adejumo brought Abiola into the fray. Abiola asked for each of the kits especially that for tabletennis, hockey, volleyball and boxing. It was such a “monumental disaster” according to him to have such kits.

The business mogul and publisher of the Concord Group of Newspapers promptly picked the telephone in his Marriot Hotel Suite and dispatched a network from Cairo to London and finally Erima kit Company in Stuttgart, Germany. Within forty-eight hours customized kits with prompt sizes of each sport arrived in a chartered flight for the athletes and Abiola picked the bills. What transformed was a participation that remained the best for the Nigerian contingent outside the shores since the country hosted the 1973 games in Lagos and later the 2003 edition in Abuja. The table-tennis team swept the medals at the Zamalek venueabout an hour’s drive from Cairo-and the boxing venue at the highly fortified military resort. Babangida returned later to Cairo for the celebration of Nigeria’s independence day and when we shook hands on the grounds of the Nigerian Embassy close to the Gabalaya area of the Confederation of African Football he merely retorted “You small man must be really brave with that report against the Egyptian state.” I replied with a smile. Job done. Popoola returned with the team with heads raised as the country ended the games second to the hosts on medals table. Those days are gone now

and the All Africa Games is merely struggling for survival and with the summer’s event in the Congo, the mantle for success is on the table of former volleyball international who has been zonal boss in Jos for the NSC, aide to Sports Ministers and now top administrator in Nigerian sports as Director General and Popoola. The fact that the National Sports Festival is yet to take place in Calabar makes their job tougher but the fact remains that as former athletes who have gone through the pains and successes on the pitch, they have to translate into ACTION with this Congo challenge. Wishing you God’s speed – Yakmut and Popoola! WEEP NOT FOR KESHI I do not want to break bones over the fact that Stephen Keshi had been shown the exit door by the Nigeria Football Federation. I am of the opinion that there are two sets of coaches- those sacked and those waiting to be sacked. I am also of the opinion that Keshi ought to have left after the World Cup in Brazil but opted to play “politics”. Now that he had been consumed, the beneficiary is Sunday Oliseh, the “lad’ whose stunner against Spain’s (Andoni) Zubizeretta at the France ’98 World Cup remains a hit. Goodbye and welcome to the former internationals.

Enyimba thrash Sunshine Stars in Aba Charles Ogundiya

E Akpom (left) and Iwobi

Akpom scores hat-trick for Arsenal Tosin Obisesan

igerian youngster Chuba Akpom scored a hat-trick as Arsenal began their pre-season programme with a 4-0 win over a Singapore XI in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore on Wednesday. Akpom’s compatriot, Alex Iwobi, who started the match, also had an impressive outing, showing flashes of brilliance. The 19-year-old Akpom gave Arsène Wenger’s side a firsthalf lead and then rolled in a penalty before completing his treble with a powerful header. Jack Wilshere also scored from the spot as the tourists blew away some rustiness with an encouraging display at Singapore’s national stadium. They file out on Saturday to face Everton in

the final after the Merseysiders beat Stoke City on penalties in Wednesday’s opening game. There were plenty of positives for Wenger to take from his team’s first workout of the summer – including the contribution of teenager Iwobi. A more stern examination awaits this weekend as Arsenal build up their fitness and form ahead of the new campaign. Wenger rested 10 of his 27-man squad for the first game of Arsenal’s Singapore trip, opting for those who had the most pre-season training under their belts. That meant a start for firsttime tourist Iwobi, while Wilshere lined up in the No 10 role behind centre forward Akpom. Per Mertesacker captained the side with Mikel Arteta among those given a watching brief.

nyimba of Aba on Wednesday showed champions stuff after defeating top of the table Sunshine Stars 3-1 in Aba in one of the Week 18 Nigeria Professional Football League games. The former league champions from the kickoff made their intentions clear but failed to make their dominance count until the 36th minute of the game when Stephen Eze put the ball beyond Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal for Sunshine for an own goal. Nzube Anaezemba made it two for the Peoples Elephant in the 45th minutes to go into the break 2-0 up. Sunshine Stars players were yet to settle into the

game after the break when Ezekiel Bassey made it three in the 48 minute to complete the rout. Tunde Adeniji’s penalty in the 92 minutes of the game was just a consolation for the Akure Gunners. Kwara United returned to winning ways as they recorded a 2-1 away win over IfeanyiUbah while defending champions Kano Pillars’ fortunes failed to improve as they played a 1-1 draw at home to Wikki Tourists. In some of the other matches played on Wednesday, Sharks’ resurgence under Festus Allen continued with another victory against Abia Warriors. Sharks defeated Abia Warriors 2-0 to make it a back to back victory after defeating Kwara United 1-0 at the weekend.

Heartland’s hope for an away victory against El-Kanemi Warriors was thwarted after Daudah Eboh scored the equaliser for the home team with the last kick of the game to end the encounter 1-1 as Rangers played out a 0-0 draw away to Bayelsa United.

NPL RESULTS Enyimba 3-1 Sunshine Dolphins 1-0 Shooting Bayelsa Utd 0-0 Rangers IfeanyiUbah 1-2 Kwara Utd Lobi 1-0 Akwa United El-Kanemi 1-1 Heartland Kano Pillars 1-1 Wikki Giwa 2-1 NasarawaUtd Sharks 2-0 Abia Warriors

N1m cash prize: Boxing legends laud GOtv Ifeanyi Ibeh

oxing legends, Obisia Nwakpa and Jeremiah Okorodudu, have commended digital terrestrial pay-tv provider, GOtv, for offering a prize of N1million to the overall best boxer at the 3rd edition of the GOtv Boxing Night holding on July 26 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. The Olympians called on the 12 boxers billed to fight at the event to put in their best as a show of appreciation for

the kind gesture of GOtv. “If you put in your best, it will further encourage GOtv and other prospective sponsors to support the sport,” said Okorodudu, who also expressed regret that a sponsor like GOtv was not available during his days as a boxer. Nwakpa, a former World Boxing Council Light Welterweight title challenger, was also full of praise for GOtv, saying the gesture will accelerate the revival of boxing in the country. Like Okorodudu, he called on boxers partici-

pating at the GOtv Boxing Night to repay the sponsors faith in the sport with committed performances. GOtv Boxing Night, which has the pay-tv company as the headline sponsor, is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited. The competition debuted in November 2014 as a way of reviving the sport in the country. The second edition held in March.

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

Dad urges Mayweather to retire Van Persie: I expected Old Trafford exit R rather than take ‘easy’ fights

loyd Mayweather Sr has urged his son to retire rather than take ‘easy’ fights amid reports he will face Andre Berto on September 12. The unbeaten welterweight king (48-0-KO26) was last in action in May when outpointing Manny Pacquiao in a record-breaking Las Vegas bout – but his next opponent is yet to be officially confirmed. Mayweather Jr hinted last month that Karim Mayfield and Berto were the men in the running to secure the lucrative September bout but, with both having been defeated twice in their last four fights, the news was met with criticism from boxing fans. As the likes of world champions Kell Brook and Keith Thurman, as well as Amir

Khan, continue to express interest in facing Mayweather Jr, his father has warned against facing lesser opponents. In an interview reported on Mlive.com, Mayweather Sr said: “Floyd told me he just wants to get a couple of easy

fights. My honest opinion, if he feels that way, he should get on out of the game.” He added: “Anybody’s body, 20 years, anybody’s body gets tired – and it’s been every day of 20 years, and longer, for my son.”

Mayweather Snr (left) in training with his son

Rivaldo, son score in same game

razil legend Rivaldo and 20-year-old son Rivaldinho were both on the scoresheet as Mogi Mirim beat Macae 3-1 in the country’s second tier on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Nigeria). The 43-year-old elected to come out of retirement last month, with Mogi Mirim - a club where he is also presi-

dent - battling against relegation. And that decision has, thus far, paid off. Rivaldo made his return in a 2-1 win over Nautico a week ago and his 17th-minute penalty was sandwiched between two goals from his son against Macae. Those victories form part of a three-match unbeaten run that has seen the club

close to within two points of safety, although all of their relegation rivals have a game in hand. Rivaldo, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, originally retired in March 2015 after a glittering career in which he represented the likes of Barcelona, Milan and Olympiacos.

obin van Persie has admitted that he could see his exit from Manchester United coming after being unveiled as a Fenerbahce player. The 31-year-old Dutch striker, who confirmed that he spoke with other clubs before deciding on a move to Turkey, finalised his £4.8million move from Old Trafford after admitting that he knew the writing had been on the wall for his United future. However, he insisted he holds no grudge against his former club. “It was a situation where I could see it coming, if I’m really honest,” he said of his Old Trafford exit. “I could get used to the idea for quite a bit. It was not a situation where it was just happening from day to day so I could get used to the situation – that is football. “From my side, there are no hard feelings with how it went.

It’s part of football, it’s part of life. I had a good moment with the players the day before I came to Istanbul so that was special. Then you see that everyone really appreciated my time there - that was important for me.”

Van Persie

US Open gets improved price money

he US Open men’s and women’s singles champions will receive a record $3.3 million in prize money this year, a 10 per cent boost from last year. The richest prizes in the sport will be part of a record $42.3 million total purse, which jumps 10.5 per cent from 2014. Runner-ups will take home $1.6 million each with every player who makes the New York main draws of 128 assured at least $39,500. Wimbledon champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams each won the equivalent

of $2.9 million last weekend while this year’s Australian Open winners each made $2.5 million and the French Open champions each took $2 million. In all, US Open prize money has increased by 67 per cent over the past three years. “We continue our commitment to ensure that the US Open offers one of the most lucrative purses in all of sports,” US Tennis Association president Katrina Adams said. “As we have stated, total player compensation at the US Open will reach $50 million by 2017.”

Khedira eyes Euro success at Juve

G Rivaldo (right) and son, Rivaldinho

Real remain most valuable sports team

eal Madrid are the world’s most valuable sports team for the third straight year, according to business magazine Forbes. The Spanish football club are valued at £2.08bn, with American football side Dallas Cowboys and baseball’s New York Yankees (£2.04bn) in joint second. Real’s La Liga rivals Barcelona (£2.02bn) are fourth. Premier League club Manchester United (£1.98bn) drop from third to fifth. The other places in the

top 10 are taken by American sports teams: NBA pair Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, NFL sides New England Patriots and Washington Redskins and MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers. Of the other Premier League sides, Manchester City (£890m) are 29th overall, two places ahead of Chelsea (£877m), with Arsenal 36th having been valued at £839m. According to Forbes, the average current value of a team on the list is £1.12bn, which is the highest ever, and a 31% increase from last year.

ermany’s World Cup winner Sami Khedira is targeting Champions League success with Juventus after signing on a free transfer from Real Madrid. The 28-year-old midfielder signed a four-year contract for the Turin giants and was unveiled to the media on Wednesday. “I spent five wonderful years with Real Madrid and I had already made up my mind a while back that I needed a new challenge,” Khedira said on the club’s official website. “Juve are at the same level as Real Madrid. “It was a simple decision to take.” Khedira joins a side that won its fourth straight league title last season as well as the Coppa Italia - to clinch the domestic double for the first time since 1995. Moreover, Juve, under first-year coach Massimiliano Allegri, reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2003 after beating Real in the last four of the competition. The Bianconeri lost 3-1 to Barcelona in last month’s final.

Khedira

Froome

Tour de France

Froome to undergo testing

hris Froome plans to undergo independent physiological testing after the Tour de France in an effort to prove he is not doping. Froome emphatically won stage 10 on Tuesday to extend his overall advantage over nearest rival Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) from 12 seconds to almost three minutes. The 30-year-old Team Sky leader’s fifth Tour stage win of his career was followed by an inquisition, however, with the cycling public sceptical after years of drug cheats winning the Tour. It is understood that Froome plans to allow independent doctors to examine him between the Tour’s finish and the year’s third grand tour, the Vuelta a Espana, which begins on August 22, to determine what makes him such an exceptional athlete.

Froome said: “What haven’t I done? I’ve tried to be as much as a spokesman as I can for clean cycling. “I’ve spoken to the CIRC [Cycling Independent Reform Commission], I’ve made suggestions to the governing body to implement things like night-time testing. I’ve pointed out when I’ve felt there hasn’t been enough testing, in places like Tenerife. What else is a clean rider supposed to do? “It doesn’t make me angry. It would be a different story if I had something to hide. I know I’m a clean rider. I know I’ve worked extremely hard to be in this position. I’m really proud of that. “I do understand where the questions are coming from, the history of the sport and the people before me who have won the Tour. I am sympathetic, but at the same time there needs to be a certain level of respect also.”

54 News

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Youth athletes rue Cali 2015 miss

TRACK & FIELD WITH CHARLES OGUNDIYA

Brume admitted fears before winning Golden League

eigning Commonwealth Games Women’s Long Jump champion, Ese Brume, has admitted that she was unsure at some point about her chance of winning the last leg of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria organised Golden League in Akure. The African champion failed to live up to expectation during the first leg of the Golden League in Oba, Anambra State, at the beginning of June, finishing second after jumping 6.06m behind winner, veteran Chinazom Amadi, who won with a leap of 6.16m, Brume was conspicuously missing during the second leg in Abuja. She however bounced back with a 6.61m leap to become the second Placed Jumper in Nigeria this year behind Blessing Okagbare who jumped 6.66m in Lausanne Diamond League recently. Speaking to New Telegraph after her jump, Brume said she nearly missed the meet in Akure due to the injury to her arm and knee during training two days to

the Akure event. “I had a terrible wound to my knee and arm during training and it was so serious that I thought I am going to miss the Golden League,” Brume said. “Even while coming here, I was still scared that it will not be easy for me, but I am happy that I won against all odds and with a good leap. “I am gradually getting back to my best because I have been training hard to be fit for my events.”

outh athletes have lamented the inability of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria to secure visas for the team as they missed out of the World Youth Athletics Championship currently going on in Cali, Columbia. Team Nigeria failed to make the trip to Columbia after the athletes were denied transit visa by the Brazilian embassy in Lagos with the IAAF deleting the country’s name from the meet meant for under-17 athletes. The Championship started on Wednesday in the south western Colombian City and will end on July 19. Speaking with New Telegraph, one of the athlete said she couldn’t inform her parents of the latest development. “I can’t tell them at home what really happened because my mum has been trying to stop me from getting involved in athletics for sometime now,” the young girl said. “We went through a lot before we made it to Mauritius for the African Championship few months ago, now we are out of the World

Action in the women’s 100m hurdles

Championship, it is painful.” Another athlete said all the hardwork had been wasted, claiming that they were ready to compete with the best in the world but now the opportunity was gone. One of the officials of the AFN who spoke on condition of anonymity said the federation should be blamed for not doing the right thing on time. He said: “The federation should

have followed the right channel instead of waiting till the last minute before applying for visas. “The standard is a minimum of three weeks to apply for Brazilian visa and they (AFN) only submitted application last week, just few days to the competition. “This is not Nigeria where anything goes, we are talking about an organised society where everyone follows the rule.”

Erayokan laments jackpot miss

uartermiler, Orukpe Erayokan, said it was painful missing out of sharing from the Athletic Federation of Nigeria Golden League N1.5m jackpot money. Erayokan failed to win the three legs of the 400m men’s

Brume

event after losing the final leg in Akure at the weekend to 18year-old Samson Nathaniel. “So painful because I was the only one out of the four of us that were in the running for the jackpot that failed on the final day,” he said. “Despite the disappointment, I

have to move ahead and prepare for the Grand Prix and the All Nigeria trials later this month.” He however used the opportunity to congratulate Nathaniel who won the race, saying the youngster has the potential to be great and win laurels for Nigeria.

FIBA Africa U-16 Champs

Young Tigresses roar to top spot Ifeanyi Ibeh

igeria has emerged top of Group A at the end of the first round of the ongoing 2015 FIBA Africa U-16 Women’s Championship ahead of hosts Madagascar. The coach Adeka Daudu-led team played its final group stage game on Tuesday against Morocco, defeating the North Afri-

cans 42-26 to book a date in the quarterfinals with the fourth-placed team from Group B which is likely to be Tunisia. The quarterfinal tie will come up on Friday. Rita James scored 11 of Nigeria’s points. Nigeria’s participation at the championship in Antananarivo was rocked by an age scandal that saw three of the country’s players suspended by the conti-

nent’s basketball body, FIBA Africa, prior to the start of the tournament. Regardless of the reduced roster, the Nigerians, who are making their debut appearance at the championship, are unbeaten, winning all their preliminary round games against three-time runners-up Egypt (54-52) on Saturday before handing out a 60-53 defeat to Madagascar on Sunday.

Refs for Olympic qualifiers arrive Thursday Adeolu Johnson Abuja

s the day for the double qualifiers for Nigeria national teams, the Super Falcons and the U-23 team, draw near, the match officials have confirmed their arrival for Thursday (today). The Samson Siasia boys will be taking on Congo in Port Harcourt while Falcons will confront Equatorial Guinea in Abuja, both in the Olympic qualifiers. The officials for the U-23, Congo match who are all from Kenya will be led by the centre referee, Anthony Ogwayo. The

assistants are Gilbert Chherviyot, AR1 and Joshua Achila, AR2, while the reserve referee is Juma Otieno. The commissioner, Alim Konete, is from Cameroon. The match officials for the Falcons, Equatorial Guinea match are all from Mali. The referees are, Coulibaly Lnakove, centre Referee, Darbele Djereba and Coulibaly Maria, theAR1 and AR2 respectively. The reserve referee for the match is Sacho Fatore. While Halimatu Hamidu, the match Commissioner, will be coming from Niger. The referee assessor for the match, Jah Areet Nje, will be coming from Gambia.

L-R Ayokunle Idowu, Content Manager, StarTimes, Israel Bolaji, Public Relations Manager, Adedeji Oloyede, consultant, Habeeb Somoye, Marketing Manager, at the press conference to announce StarTimes ‘Win a Trip to Germany” promo in Lagos on Tuesday.

Platoon 6 wins Cowbell NYSC volleyball competition

latoon 6 has emerged winner of the Lagos NYSC Batch A, Stream 2 Female Volleyball Championship, sponsored by Promasidor Nigeria, makers of Cowbell, Top Tea and Onga. The match played on Thursday, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, saw the Champions defeating their counterparts from Platoon 5, two sets to

one, after a fascinating encounter that lasted about 90 minutes. Udeh Doreen Chiamaka of Platoon 6 also emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the match. “Stand up, stand up for the champions…” was the song that rented the air from the ecstatic NYSC Corps members and supporters as Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe, the Lagos State NYSC Director handed the trophy to the captain

of Platoon 6 team. The Director praised the efforts of Promasidor Nigeria towards the success of the tournament. Mr. Uduak Isang, Regional Sales Manager, Promasidor Nigeria, who had earlier presented medals to the silver-winning Platoon 5 team, commended the two teams for the determination and their spirit of sportsmanship displayed in the finals.

Features 55

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

Oladipo to dump Nigeria for USA • Receives Olympic team invitation Ifeanyi Ibeh

he world’s foremost basketball playing nation, the United States of America, look set to finally snatch Victor Oladipo from under Nigeria’s nose following reports that the NBA star will be among the players to be called up to the US national team’s training camp next month ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. Oladipo, who has Nigerian parents but was born in the United States of America, was first called up to the US national team’s camp in July 2014 after having a breakthrough campaign

with the Orlando Magic in his debut NBA season and finishing second in the NBA Rookie of the Year polls behind Michael Carter-Williams. In 2013, the 23-year-old trained with the Nigerian national team and is one of several US-born players the Nigeria Basketball Federation has expressed an interest in calling up ahead of next year’s Olympic Games. But that does not look likely to happen with Oladipo’s imminent call-up to the US national team, following a report by ESPN.com which quoted unnamed sources as stating that Oladipo will be one of

seven new players to be called up by the USA Basketball (USAB) to a training camp in Las Vegas. According to the ESPN. com, USAB has extended invitations to Oladipo and his Orlando teammate, Tobias Harris; Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Memphis’ Mike Conley, and Golden State’s Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes, as well as Utah’s Trey Burke to its August 11 to 13 camp on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In January 2014 USAB announced a 28-player pool to cover the ensuing three summers – 2014 to 2016. The roster ultimately expanded to 34 players,

thanks to a string of injuries and withdrawals before the inaugural 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. The complete list of invitees for the forthcoming camp from the original 34 and the seven newcomers, according to ESPN.com is still being finalised, but the site quotes sources as saying that several players who represented the United States at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, as well as the 2010 FIBA World Championship, will also be given the chance to join the training camp so USAB officials can take stock of who wants to compete for a 2016 Olympic berth.

Oladipo

Akpeyi seals 2-year Chippa United deal Zenith Women Basketball Finals tips off Sunday

igerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has signed a two-year deal with South African Premier League side, Chippa United. Akpeyi’s intermediary Mohammed Lawal confirmed that his client has long signed for Chippa United and the deal is subject to the issuing of a workpermit, which he is still waiting for from Nigeria. “Daniel has signed for Chippa. They actually initially spotted him when Bafana Bafana played against Nigeria in a friendly match in Mbombela.

“It is a two-year contract and he is now just waiting for his papers before joining up with his teammates,” Lawal tells KickOff.com. The 28-year-old is a 2005 Under-20 World Cup silver medallist who has been on the books of Warri Wolves back in Nigeria and is second choice to Vincent Enyeama in the Super Eagles. With Akpeyi still to arrive, Chippa have only had two goalkeepers Veli Mothwa and Tshepo Motsoeneng at training during pre-season, but neither are poised to be first choice in the new season.

Ifeanyi Ibeh

ction in the final phase of the 2015 Zenith Bank Women Basketball League will tip-off on Sunday, July 19, at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos with the top eight teams at the end of the first and second phases of the league, led by the unbeaten First Bank and Dolphins, taking part. The eight teams have been

drawn into two groups and Lagos-based First Bank, who are on a 16-game unbeaten run, will compete out of Group A alongside former champions, First Deep Water, also of Lagos; Sunshine Angels of Akure and Plateau Rocks of Jos. Dolphins, also based in Lagos, will contend with Customs, Inspector General of Police Queens and Delta Force in Group B. League Director, Agboola

Pinheiro, while commenting on the final phase, said participating teams will start arriving on Saturday ahead of the commencement of the league. He also advised the participating teams to show the spirit of sportsmanship by adhering to the rules and regulations guiding the league. According to the former national team star, league sponsor, Zenith Bank, has done everything to ensure the success of the championship.

Olympics: Globacom backs U-23, Falcons

ational telecoms operator, Globacom, has tasked the national U-23 team and the Super Falcons to ensure that they make the nation proud in their different football engagements this weekend. The U-23 hosts Congo at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday in the first leg qualifying match for Africa U-23 Championship for the Rio 2016 Olympics,

while the Super Falcons will play their Equatorial Guinea counterparts on Saturday at National Stadium, Abuja, in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the same Olympics in Rio, Brazil. “The Samson-Siasia led U-23 national team is doing the right thing by emphasising intensive and rigorous preparation ahead of their match against Congo. We are confident that they will excel

against the Congolese,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday. “The drafting of some of the outstanding Flying Eagles players like Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Mohammed to the team by Coach Siasia will stand Nigeria in good stead to beat Congo comprehensively to wrap up the qualification for the U-23 team ahead of the second leg,” the statement added.

Kano boosts football, basketball teams Emmanuel Tobi

Akpeyi

NFF pardons Enyeama, Onazi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

right to decide where the national team games would be played. Onazi on his part has formally apologised to the NFF for his on-field action that led to a straight red card on June 13. In a letter dated 30th June 30, 2015 and addressed to the NFF General Secretary, the SS Lazio of Italy playmaker wrote: “Sequel to your letter REF: NFF/OGS/ Admin/Vol.V/009, I here-

by tender an unreserved apology with respect to my conduct which led to my dismissal in the game against Chad in Kaduna. “I accept the fact that my act was tantamount to an unacceptable one on the field of play. However, I want to inform you that my action on the pitch was not premeditated and was only a reaction to a violent attack on me by the Chadian player, who hit me from behind while I was standing outside the penalty box.”

layers and officials of the state owned Kano Pillars FC and Pillars Basketball team have been assured of financial support in their quest to retain their top spots in their respective leagues. Mohammed Garba, Kano State Sports Commissioner while addressing players of the basketball team after their match against Mark Mentors in Abuja, promised both teams that the state government had put in place modalities for the team to achieve success in their respective competitions. The two clubs, who are the defending champions

in the Nigeria Premier League and the DStv/Nigeria Basketball League, are currently campaigning to defend their titles. “I will like to inform you that our governor is solidly behind you in your campaigns and will do what will make you progress in the competitions, and if you don’t know he is a keen lover of sports. You can be assured that when you win laurels for the state and yourselves, the government always rewards excellent performance,” Garba said. Garba, who charged the players to be disciplined on and off the pitch added that the new administration in the state under the able

Hon Garba addressing Kano Pillars basketball team

leadership of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was

committed to improving sports in the state.

On Marble

If a person has no conscience, it’s called being a sociopath. If a corporation has no conscience, it’s called capitalism.

World Record 1934 World Cup (Italy):

Sanctity of Truth

The first and only qualifying match played by a host country was by Italy (hosts) 4, Greece 0 on March 25, 1934.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Quentin R. Bufogle

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

N150

Managing the ACN cog in APC

n 1983 Presidential election, the Great Zik of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, then Presidential candidate of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) was asked by journalists to assess his colleagues in the race; Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Mallam Aminu Kano of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP0; Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of the defunct Greater Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) and Chief Tunji Braithwaite of the defunct Nigeria Advance Party (NAP).  Zik took time to describe all of them in witty words to the amusement of the journalists. But when he got to Mallam Aminu Kano, he cleared his throat and stated that among all of them, Aminu Kano was the man who has the poor and the downtrodden in his heart most, but that the problem was that should he be elected as President and he became confronted by the challenge of bureaucracy of government, he may find himself jumping into the street with placards to protest against government, forgetting that he was the President.” The import of that observation from the great Zik is that Aminu Kano of the takalawa fame had gotten well known as a defender of the poor and may not be able to fit into any other role. When the five political groups, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the break away group from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then known as the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) decided to merge and form the current ruling party All Progressive Congress (APC), they came with varying characteristics unique to them. None of them came with real national character but they all enjoyed somewhat unique territorial, religious or tribal character. The ACN, which was dominant in the South West, carried the political character of the region, which is more associated with opposition and regional politics than national. The CPC, with its base in the north also lacked national status, ditto the ANPP. The APGA, which has its politics domiciled in the South East was also local in nature and its character can be observed in the way it joined the merger with a fraction of the main.  The PDP that could have boasted of being the only true national outfit in the fold also failed the test because it took only a fraction of its main into the group. All the groups apparently hid their individual characteristics until victory came their way and with their emerging clashes the APC aircraft with President Muhammadu Buhari as chief pilot is having difficulty taxiing off the tarmac. In fact, the leadership crisis of June 9th in National Assembly that threw the APC off guard only provided an avenue to bring to the fore what has

Political Musings IKE ABONYI

igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 08024024029 (sms only)

Tinubu

Atiku

been raging since December 2014 when the party held its national convention/ Presidential primaries. The ACN that has haughtily arrogated to itself the status of senior partner in the project has refused to see reason in allowing the election of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively stand. Not even the rational argument of the other group in accommodating all the geo political zones in the power sharing has made sense to them. The South West that already has Deputy Speaker is still insisting on producing the House Leader to the disadvantage of other zones. The same scenario it is in the Senate where they did not want to properly accommodate the two zones of South South and South East. Apparently because they did not have their way, the ACN group in the project appears to have obliquely returned to their old way of playing opposition role to the Government even to the one they are not just part of but also occupy number two in the hierarchy. That was the message most political observers got when South-West states’ chairmen of the APC openly decried the pattern of appointments by President Buhari, complaining that all of them had ethnic slant. They noted that aside President Muhammedu Buhari’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, who is from the South West region, every other appointment so far made by Buhari have been from the core North and all of them Northern Muslims. The party chairmen vowed not to recognize the emergence of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara until the crisis in the

National Assembly is resolved by the party. In a joint statement, the chairmen vowed to resist any attempt by some elements in the party to humiliate their leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The statement was signed by Chief Henry Ajomale (Lagos), Prince Gboyega Famoodun (Osun), Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji (Ogun), Chief Akin Oke of Oyo State, Chief Olajide Awe (Ekiti) and Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, (Ondo). According to them, if this move is not halted, the reaction of the region could have dire consequences. They warned that they would soon break their silence over the ill-treatment of Tinubu by some elements in the APC. The chairmen urged “those trying either to intimidate or embarrass Tinubu to retrace their steps as the South-West’s response will shock everyone to the foundation.” Tinubu had rejected the emergence of Saraki, insisting that the Senate President should apologise to him for the coup. If the South West APC thought they could browbeat President Buhari into changing his slant, they must have been disappointed looking at the list of Monday’s shake up of security chiefs with six top security chiefs, south West got one, south south one the rest from the north. About 15 key appointments so far none has mistakenly come from the South East. The Secretary to the Government of the federation said to have been slated for the region ran into a hitch that may lead to eventual denial. Not surprising because some APC leaders are arguing that federal character is not justice able. This is despite the President not belonging to anyone and not being for anyone. While no one, not even Governor Rochas Okorocha, the sole Admin-

istrator of South East APC can complain, the story can’t be the same as indicators are strong that unless ACN get through their way, Buhari may be in for a strong opposition from within. This picture appears certain as it does not seem feasible that the Sarakis and Dogaras backed by the Abubakar Atikus would ever have amicable situation in the party with the Tinubus and the Bisi Akandes. Moreover, Buhari’s body language is nowhere malleable to either. That would send them back to a role they are more suited for, opposition politics and that returns this discourse back to Zik’s Aminu Kano scenario that if you take away a player from his familiar wing where he enjoys some mastery, he may find a way of returning to his familiar terrain. Former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George may not have been too off the track when he said gleefully over elections at the National Assembly on June 9th that Lagos political strong man Bola Tinubu had learnt some lessons that that being a master in South West politics automatically makes him a master in national politics. Hear the former naval officer in his own words, “You know I predicted weeks ago that the APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows. The most beautiful thing about what has happened is that Bola Tinubu’s political influence in Nigeria is coming to a sunset and it is about five minutes to midnight for him. If he cannot see this now, then it will be foolish of him. He brought in the APC national chairman and the vicepresident and he thinks Nigeria belongs to him. So, he thought what he did in Lagos was what he could replicate at the national level and they have shown him that he cannot continue to be the lord of the manor.” May these machinations not knock the APC change vehicle conveying the long list of promises that Nigerians are still anxiously awaiting. God bless Nigeria.

HIGH CHIEF

BUHARI WILL PERFORM, SAYS OSHIOMHOLE -News

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