Binder11234567890 monday, november 17, 2014

SATURDAY

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Monday, November 17, 2014

/newtelegraph

Vol. 1 No. 272

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

READ NEW YORK TIMEs PULLOUT INSIDE

FG cuts 2015 budget to N4.66trn

lRevises oil benchmark to $73 per barrel Abdulwahab Isa and Kenneth Tyohemba

T

he Federal Government yesterday moved

to protect the economy from the ripple effects of the volatility in the global oil prices, as it revised its projections for the 2015

budget.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told report-

ers at a press briefing in Abuja that the expenditure initially estimated at N4.8 trillion in the 2015 budget CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

NEW TELE

News

GRAPH

MONDAY, NOVE

MBER 17,

NNPC, IOCs $784.3m ’ October profi t falls

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The Energy d unab INFLATIO said that e fund ated. the Federecent borr October N RATE nnamdi s raised owin 2014 amad ral Gov in the the Septembe ........................ ernment g by Reporter i R conates D ....8.1% r 2014........

LENDING had Johnson ashbo August InterBank RATE adebayo .............8.

CONT INUE 2014........ ard Asst Produ Rate........

3% D ON PAGE ................ ction Editor Prim ........ e Lending ....11.57% 22 ....8.5% EXCHANGE Rate........

Maximum RATE (Parellel ...16.93% Lending As USD . .

Rate...25. . . . . . . . at Nov. 14) EXCHANGE .......

Pounds 83% ... .

RATE Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N176 (Official l Foreig ....... . .

As USD . n Reser N278 at .......

Nov. .... ves – $37.5 . . . . .N22 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7) 9bn as 0 at 13/11 . . /2014 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N157.39 .......

Source: . . . . . . . .N249.82 CBN . . . N195 .64

Food ins Nigeria ecurity: am vulnerabl ong 32 e countr Despite ies Nigeria’s

Kunle Aze ez

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21

42-43

What's neWs

Why Nig more air eria’ll record expert crashes, by

N150

Nigerian raise $7.6 banks, others bn capita l

Pages 21 - 44

12 pages of Business inside

Army flushes Boko Haram out of Chibok B

l 20 feared killed in Azare attack lHow prolonged neglect weakens military }5

Quick Read L-R: Ernst & Young Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Mr. Henry Egbiki; Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Adewale Tinubu and former Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, at the conferment of Entrepreneur of the Year on Tinubu in Lagos...at the weekend.

2015: 60 senators won’t return Ayodele Ojo

A

t least 60 out of the 109 serving senators may not return to the National Assembly

in 2015, investigation by New Telegraph has revealed.

The figure comprises those that are not returning because they are seek-

ing the governorship tickets of their parties, those ruled out by the power permutation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where outgoing governors

are seeking to replace the incumbents in 2015 and those who due to the zoning policy of their senatorial districts, have been zoned out of the contest.

It was gathered that 40 of the senators, belonging to the PDP, would not return, except the presidency convinced the gov-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Editorial:

Curbing rising cases of rape

}19

PDP members ask court to bar Obanikoro from gov race }6

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jonathan intervenes as oil workers’ ultimatum expires today Adeola Yusuf

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a quick resolution of the crisis in the oil and gas industry to avert the planned strike by workers.

The workers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), had issued a 14-day ultimatum after their joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on October 31, over alleged sack of members by Total Exploration and Production (TOTAL E&P).

They are expected to hold a joint emergency meeting today to take a position on the threat to shut the economy after the ultimatum has expired.

Checks showed that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, had earlier called for a consultation meeting to find out exactly what issues are being

raised and how it affects the sector and the unions.

“But no concrete issues or decisions have been taken because, at a point, the minister assumed that some of the issues raised were beyond his portfolio,” President of NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, told New Telegraph at the weekend.

“So, it means we need to go further and I hope that government will act quickly to avert any ugly situation,” he added.

A source, however, said that the Presidency has ordered that the Ministers of Petroleum Resources, and Labour and Productivity should arrest the situation before it becomes an embarrassment to the government.

Other issues raised by the two unions include fixing of the roads and the security challenges.

“You know that for oil workers to go on strike at this delicate time of electioneering means a lot to the government and we cannot afford that, not at all,” the source said.

“The ministers of petroleum resources and her

labour counterpart have been directed by the president to resolve the issues.

You will see results of that this week, hopefully on Monday,” he said.

Asked why the government should wait till the expiration of ultimatum before taking actions, the source said: “Please note that the permanent sec-

retary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had earlier met with the labour unions on this while other government functionaries have also held a consultative meeting with them.

“But these are not usually treated by labour unions until a high profile official of government has met with them.”

The two unions in the oil industry had promised to bring all their members to the streets if nothing was done to tackle security challenges in the country as well as address the poor state of the federal roads, especially in their operational bases. The NUPENG president, however, said that the ultimatum given

by the unions will expire today, and the next meeting would determine the next line of action.

“Of course, we are conveying another emergency joint council meeting, hopefully on Monday, to review the activities so far after the meeting we held with the Ministry of Petroleum.”

2015: 60 senators won’t return CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ernors to rethink their opposition to the re-election of the senators.

Already, with the outcome of the recently held ward and local government congresses, many of the PDP senators have lost out in their re-election bid.

Besides, New Telegraph learnt that 24 of the senators, from across party divide, have opted out of the 2015 senatorial race for the governorship seats in their respective states.

Also, 10 senators may lose their seats as their governors are bent on un-

seating them.

Even in the Senate leadership, only Senator David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are sure of returning to the Red Chamber. The recent truce between Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime and Ekweremadu has brightened the chances of the latter of returning to the Senate.

For example, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba will need a miracle to make it back to the Senate with the determination of associates of Cross River State Governor, Senator Li-

yel Imoke, to replace him.

Both Senate Deputy Leader Abdul Ningi and Minority Leader Ganiyu Solomon have opted out of the senatorial race for the governorship seats of Bauchi and Lagos States respectively.

Also, Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Ayoola Agboola, is facing opposition in Oyo State and may not get PDP’s ticket to recontest.

The 24 senators who will not return to the Senate because of their governorship ambitions are: Abubakar Yar’Adua

(Katsina), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Gyang Pwajok (Plateau), Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos), Helen Esuene (Akwa Ibom), Nkechi Nwaogu (Abia), Ayoade Adeseun (Oyo), Ayogu Eze (Enugu), Umar Tambuwal (Sokoto), Magnus Abe (Rivers), Chris Anyanwu (Imo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Simon Ajibola (Kwara), Paulinus Nwagu (Ebonyi) and Victor Lar (Plateau).

Others are Solomon Ewuga (Nasarawa), Isa Galaudi (Kebbi), Muhammad Magoro (Kebbi), Bashir Lado (Kano), AiCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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Army flushes Boko Haram out of Chibok Emmanuel Onani, Yekeen Nurudeen and Yuzarsif Alhassan

T

he military has recaptured Chibok, a town in Borno State from where about 300 schoolchildren were abducted in April, from Boko Haram.

Boko Haram militants had at the weekend attacked the town, forcing residents to flee.

But the Defence Headquarters in a post yesterday on its official blog by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said military had reasserted Nigeria’s sovereignty over the town.

The disclosure of the sacking of the militants from Chibok came just as New Telegraph learnt how years of neglect of the military, especially by the regime of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had crippled the operational efficiency of the armed forces.

Olukolade said effective mop-up operation was ongoing while troops had arrested some of the insurgents and were in pursuit of others.

“The terrorists, who attacked Chibok town early yesterday have been effectively flushed out of the area.

“The subsequent mop-

ping up operation is still ongoing as troops continue the pursuit of fleeing terrorists and arrest of the wounded.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored and the town is now secured,” Olukolade said.

Some residents of Chibok confirmed that calm had returned to the town following the routing of the insurgents .

In a message sent to the #BringBackOurGirls group at its daily sit-out in Abuja yesterday by one of the members of the group, who is in Chibok, Dr. Manasah Allen, he said 25 bodies had also been recovered while13 others who were injured had been taken to hospitals for treatment.

The insurgents, however, struck again in Bauchi State yesterday as a female suicide bomber blew herself up at Kasuwa Waya in Azare.

Although the police were unsure of the casualty figure as at press time, New Telegraph learnt from witnesses that about 20 people were killed in the incident, which occurred about 5.55pm.

“A suicide bomber came into the market as it was closing and blew herself up in the middle of all the merchants and their customers,” a witness said.

“I saw at least eight dead and lots of others wounded,” another witness, Alyu Habib, said.

Another eyewitness

who was at the Federal Medical Centre said the victims had been rushed to the hospital for treatment while the bodies of others were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

It was learnt that two had been arrested in connection with the incident.

However, sources yesterday told New Telegraph why the military have been finding it difficult to effectively end the insurgency that has been ravaging the North-East for the past five years.

The sources attributed the military’s poor performance to years of deliberate and systematic downgrading of the armed forces by some past leaders, especially Babangida

L-R: Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, at a marriage between Senator Lekan Mustapha’s son, Lukman and Sidikat Tinuade, in Lagos…at the weekend.

Jonathan will win in 30 states, says aide Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T

he Presidency yesterday predicted that President Goodluck Jonathan would win in not less than 30 states of the federation in the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Ahmed Rufa’I Alkali, who disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen, said a preelection survey had indicated that Jonathan had overwhelming support across the country.

Alkali said the coast was clear for the president to affirm his popularity in the 2015 presidential election, having paid his

dues in terms of delivery of good governance and dividends of democracy to all parts of Nigeria.

He expressed satisfaction over the massive support which the electorate accorded President Jonathan last week when he formally declared his intention to contest in the next presidential election.

According to Alkali, the mammoth crowd that assembled at the Eagle Square, venue of the declaration last week was a testimony to the acceptance of Jonathan across the country.

He said nobody should be surprised by the wide margin by which President Jonathan will win at the forthcoming election, because all his supporters will work hard to ensure

his victory.

Alkali said the president deserved at least 75 per cent of the total votes given the manner he has held the country together in the past three and half years in the face of all the challenges strewn on his path by the enemies of the country.

“President Jonathan in the past few months has weathered the storm.

He has made huge sacrifices. He had been exposed to terrible political oscillations while being denigrated severally by illinformed and arm-chair critics, just for standing in defence of the corporate entity of Nigeria. Yet, the president remained standing and resolute never to give up on Nigeria.

“Who can Nigerians

trust if not the president who has been able to blend the virtues of humility and calmness in leadership while also exercising uncommon boldness in tackling strange and nerve wrecking challenges that had never confronted any past regime in the country”.

“Who else will Nigerians trust if not a daring and most sincere president who has struggled hard to restore energy, bring back the past glory of agriculture, transform the aviation sector while leaving a lasting legacy in the transportation sector which is currently witnessing the re-building our rail system?” he asked.

Alkali expressed confidence that the majority

of Nigerians especially the youth and women who constitute more than 60 per cent of voters in Nigeria will not fail to cast their votes for President Jonathan come 2015.

He said with more employments for the women and the youth in the cabinet of President Jonathan and with the job creation initiatives by the Federal Government yielding several jobs for the youth, the beneficiaries will look in no other direction than that of President Jonathan.

He said that with hard work on the part of every supporter of the president in Nigeria and abroad, the president should have nothing less than 30 states during the 2015 presidential election.

and Obasanjo.

The neglect, the sources added, had left the military with obsolete equipment and hardware for a period of 20 years.

It was learnt that Babangida, who as military president between 1985 and 1993, having overthrown Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was incensed by the “audacity of courage” that prompted the Major Gideon Orkarled coup of 1990.

According to the sources, Babangida embarked on “systematic demobilisation” of the army, which affected trained combat officers, spread across the armoured and infantry divisions.

“As a way of regime protection, General Babangida restructured the army in a way that gave him up-to-date information on what was going on. During that period and subsequently, the Recce (reconnaissance) of the army, which is very fundamental to national security, was whittled down considerably.

“Apart from that, the operations of existing divisions were greatly emasculated and were starved of statutory funds. Regular training and favouritism became the norm in order to incapacitate officers that may contemplate another coup.

“The case was made worse during Abacha’s (Gen. Sani Abacha) regime; he was so paranoid that he suspected virtually every officer, except himself,” one of the sources stated.

He explained that the fight against insurgency may be proving difficult to win, partly because of many years of near neglect of “Recce”.

Reconnaissance is an important combat function of the army, which prepares the way in “proactive” national security, through extensive intelligence gathering and processing.

Another source, regretted that the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999 did not improve the fortunes of the military as Obasanjo did little or nothing to equip the armed forces, to respond to the demands of an evolving world, where the capacities of nations’ armies and the strength of their economies determine their respect or otherwise in the comity of nations.

The source claimed that “one of the reasons Nigeria chose to cede Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, via the Green Tree Agreement, was the fear that the army may be ill-equipped CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP members ask court to bar Obanikoro from gov race lAccuse aspirant of forgery, dual citizenship Foluso Ogunmodede

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hree Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Lagos State at the weekend asked an Ikeja High Court to stop the immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, from the 2015 governorship race for allegedly falsifying his age.

Besides, they asked the court to determine Obanikoro’s citizenship having “voluntarily acquired the citizenship of the United States of America without renouncing his allegiance to Nigeria, the country of his birth.”

The plaintiffs, Michael Babatunde Ogun, Suleiman Olayinka Saheed and Wasiu Adeniyi Odusan, urged the court to determine Obanikoro’s eligibility to participate in the party’s governorship primaries fixed for December 8 “having previously presented a forged

birth certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contrary to Section 182(1) (J) of the 1999 Constitution.”

They are also seeking a perpetual injunctive order, barring Obanikoro from accepting what they called ‘the PDP’s candidacy or nomination’ to contest the next year’s governorship election in Lagos State until the determination of the suit.

Sued alongside Obanikoro are the INEC and the PDP. In the suit initiated on their behalf by their lawyer, Mr. Wahab Kunle

Shittu, the trio of Ogun, Saheed and Odusan are asking the court for order of perpetual injunction restraining Obanikoro from participating in the PDP’s governorship primaries or those of any of the registered political parties in Nigeria.

In an affidavit differently deposed to by the trio of Ogun, Saheed and Odusan, they particularly asked the court to restrain both the PDP and the INEC from nominating or accepting Obanikoro’s candidacy for the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State or any subsequent elections in Nige-

ria.

Ogun, in his affidavit, said Obanikoro was not fit to vie for the 2015 gubernatorial primaries, hence he must be barred from participating in the PDP primaries in Lagos following his alleged criminal antecedents.

He said: “Obanikoro deliberately declared falsely in answer to question 9 part B of the aforementioned affidavit when asked whether he had changed his nationality in the past and if so, what the nationality was, by answering “that is not applicable” when he knew that he had in actual fact

acquired the citizenship of the United States of America as contained in his American Passport No.025317195 issued on June 16 1995.

“Also, Obanikoro deliberately falsified his date of birth and age as the 28th of July 1954 and 52 years respectively notwithstanding the fact that Obanikoro knew that his official Nigerian passport and his diplomatic passport No.F0004473 and D0002471 respectively show contrarily that his actual date of birth is the 28th of July 1960.”

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.

19o C 18oC Cloudy

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CALABAR

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MAIDUGURI

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30o C 23oC Storms

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), during the monitoring of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Abeokuta…yesterday.

2015: 60 senators won’t return CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

sha Alhassan (Taraba), Ibrahim Musa (Niger), Adamu Gumba (Bauchi), Abdul Ningi (Bauchi) and Babayo Garba (Bauchi).

Ironically, the incumbent governors are against virtually all the senators succeeding them, except in the case of Pwajok where the Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, is disposed to his former Chief of Staff (Pwajok) taking over from him despite opposition from stakeholders in the state.

For Abe, it is still uncertain whether or not he will get the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who will play a vital role in choosing who succeeds him has not decided

whether to give the governorship ticket to either Abe or Dakuku Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives.

Going by the congresses so far held in the states, many of the senators are not likely to get their party’s tickets for the governorship seats they have opted for.

Also, 10 PDP senators may not return to their seats as governors of their states were doing all they could to snatch the party’s tickets from them.

For example, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has been endorsed for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District which has put paid to Senator Aloysius Etok’s third term ambition.

Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, is

all set to unseat former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade, and stop him from continuing representing Benue North-East Senatorial District while Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of the APC, is poised to replace Senator Muhammad Maccido (PDP) to represent the Sokoto Central Senatorial District.

The situation is interesting in Niger State, where the Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, is angling to replace Senator Shem Zagbayi, who was elected in September 2014 as representative of the Niger East Senatorial District.

Also, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, may replace Senator James Manager from

Delta South while Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dankigari, is poised to take over from Senator Isa Galaudi in Kebbi North.

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, wants Senator Nkechi Nwaogu’s seat in Abia Central and his Ebonyi State counterpart, Chief Martin Elechi is jockeying to replace Senator Paulinus Nwagu as representative of Ebonyi Central District in the Senate.

With the ongoing permutations, the South-West is going to suffer heavy losses of senators in 2015.

Of the 18 senators in the zone, 12 of the lawmakers are not likely to return to the Senate. Two of them – Solomon (Lagos) and Adeseun (Oyo) have opted for the governorship seats.

•See details on Pages 1317 and 20

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

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NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Reps summon Onolememen over N19.2bn road projects Philip Nyam Abuja

T

he House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, to appear before its committee on Wednesday over alleged misapplication of N19.2 billion released for various road projects across the country.

The summon was contained in a letter signed by the chairman of the House Committee on Anti-corruption, Ethics and Values, Hon. Abiodun Faleke.

Although, the minister was informed over two weeks ago, the committee confirmed that he has neither responded nor ap-

peared to clear the air on the allegation.

The summon, New Telegraph gathered, became necessary due to various petitions alleging that the monies allocated to the ministry almost two years ago were deliberately misapplied.

Documents obtained from the committee indicates that N18.2 billion was allocated to the ministry in the first quarter of 2013.

Subsequently, another N1, 055, 447, 608 was allocated to the ministry to quickly put finishing touches to the various projects across Nigeria.

The projects allocations, as contained in a circular dated January 2, 2013 with Ref N0: FD/

FA/14/VOLXV/285, is as follows: Lagos-Shagamu Road – N4 billion; EnuguPort Harcourt Expressway – N4.5 billion; Ilorin-Mokwa-Tigina-Gwari-Kaduna Expressway – N4 billion;

Suleja-Minna Road – N2 billion; Abuja-Lokoja Road – N1.7 billion and Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Phase II-N2 billion.

The total amount released amounted to N18.2 billion.

Similarly, the sum of N1.05 billion was allocated to the ministry to enable it properly renovate and refurbish the roads.

When contacted, Faleke confirmed the invitation.

“Yes we wrote the ministry and we are still expecting the management to come and defend certain allegations levelled against the ministry,” he told New Telegraph.

How prolonged neglect weakens military CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

to muster any defence against external aggression.”

He said the former president, being a combatant officer, felt the country enjoyed robust diplomatic relations with its neighbours , hence there was no urgent need to retool the army.

He added: “Don’t forget that Obasanjo sent so many fine officers, whom he considered to have held political offices, on compulsory retirement.

“Do you know what it costs any nation to train an officer, let alone many of them that were retired?”

He also said the “Nigerian Navy was almost non-existent, in terms of budgetary attention during his (Obasanjo’s) administration.”

Shortly after assuming office, Obasanjo retired 116 officers who were believed to have held political appointments between 1985, when Babangida seized power and 1999.

Those that were affected in the mass retirement, which elicited divergent opinions from the public, included military administrators of the 36 states of the federation, ministers as well as chairmen of boards, who were officers.

Meanwhile, New Telegraph further gathered that the Nigerian Army has only about 250, 000 officers and soldiers, who are expected to respond promptly to threats to national security.

The source said: “Until President Goodluck Jonathan started empowering the army to procure lethal equipment and other sophisticated military hardware, the army was limited to weapons with

shooting range of 200 metres, as against the Boko Haram, whose fighters, paraded guns with 500 metres’ shooting capacity.”

He, however, said the Special Brigade, which the president established, “will respond appropriately to the guerrilla and unconventional nature of the Boko Haram insurgency.”

The source assured Nigerians that “the total war of no mercy that we have declared on the terrorists is yielding results already with the recovery of Mubi from the terrorists.”

In a related development, the military is set for an operation engineered to flush out Boko Haram from the dreaded Sambisa forest and Gwoza, which has been under the insurgents’ control since August.

“We have begun fullscale war to regain total control of Sambisa and Gwoza and that is all I can tell you now.

“I won’t divulge our operations and that is because we are being watched; and besides, I as an officer, I am not going to jeopardise our intentions and actions to assert our territorial integrity and keep the country a united one,” the source said.

The source frowned on what he described as “orchestrated negative reports and falsehood on the retaking of Mubi.”

According to him, “Our men regained Mubi and other seized towns, and some newspapers (not New Telegraph) said hunters and vigilantes, did it.

“How can politicians degenerate to the level of undermining and denigrating the military like this, at a trying time that all hands should be on deck to defeat this alien phenomenon?”

L-R: Exploration Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Tola Adeogba; General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Mr. Nedo Osayande and Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists award winner, Mr. Adelola Adesida, at the NAPE Awards in Lagos…recently

FG revises oil benchmark to $73 per barrel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

has been scaled down to N4.66 trillion to reflect the new reality occasioned by the continuous slide in oil prices.

Also, government has revised the projected oil benchmark, fixed at $78 per barrel, adopted for the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to $73.

A new MTEF is to be sent to the National Assembly for approval, which will form the basis for preparing the 2015 budget, to be sent to the legislature.

In addition, the government will use about half of its $4.11 billion oil savings Excess Crude Account (ECA) to meet ongoing expenditures.

“We are not trying to deplete it. But we might go to tap about half of it or slightly less than half to be able to meet expenditures that are crystallising at the moment that we need to make,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

Furthermore, the government is to curtail foreign trips by government officials while tax on luxury goods and private jets will be introduced to expand non-oil revenue base.

Okonjo-Iweala, at the press briefing, attended by Director General, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogwu; acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service

(FIRS), Alhaji Kabir Mashi and Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, said the quantity of oil production for the 2015 budget would remain unchanged at 2.27 million per barrel.

She said the government had to initiate a scenario-based approach to cope with the challenges thrown up by the fall in oil prices by upholding prudent fiscal policy.

“The oil price has been falling quite rapidly for the past weeks. This is due to global factors not under the control of Nigeria. A number of international factors are responsible for it, ranging from geo-political to economical. But even if we cannot control the prices, we can control the way the country is run.

The fall oil prices are not a problem. That is why we are calm because we feel that this country can manage the situation.

“Right from the start, we always warn that Nigeria has to be prudent. We have to save; we have to be careful with our spending because 70 per cent of our revenue is from oil. We have several scenarios from the past, and what we usually ask is: what do we do in the event of drop in oil prices? As you can see, prices are still trending down and estimate shows that this may continue to

go down,” the minister added.

She recalled that in the last three years, the executive in its discussions on the budget with the National Assembly has consistently advocated prudence and a low oil benchmark to encourage more savings.

She stressed that even though the drop in oil prices is a serious challenge, it is also an opportunity for the country to focus on greater diversification and refocus efforts towards the non-oil sectors in preparation for a future with less oil revenue.

Besides, the minister noted that the decline in oil prices has given additional impetus to the Federal Government’s focus on increasing non-oil revenues.

She stated that based on this, the revenue target for the FIRS, which has been working with Mckinsey to increase receipts, will be revised upwards for next year.

Okonjo-Iweala said with N65 billion collected so far, the country was almost meeting the initial target of N75 billion revenue target set for FIRS, while the revised target for next year had been fixed at N160 billion above the 2014 base.

She said critical infrastructure projects would not be affected because

they are key to economic growth and development as well as job creation.

In addition, the government will initiate extra taxes on luxury goods like private jet, luxury cars and expensive champagne as a way of expanding the base of non-oil revenue.

She said the implementation of the new mortgage system, including the current processing of over 66,000 applicants for mortgages, would go on as planned so that the country could reap the attendant strong benefits.

Okonjo-Iweala, however, ruled out printing more monies as being suggested in some quarters, to ease the pressure on the naira.

“Printing money without adequate revenue support will lead to serious consequences for the country. It will spur inflation as experienced by Germany in the early part of the last century and more recently, Argentina and Zimbabwe.

This prescription will victimise the poor and middle class that it is supposedly protecting,” she added.

She explained that the best way to protect the interest of the ordinary people is to control inflation as much as possible, expand the economic base, strengthen the sectors that drive growth, boost critical infrastructure and create more jobs.

8

News

PRESURE

Apparently bowing to positive pressure, Jega and his workers have a listening ear Onyekachi Eze, Chukwu David, Philip Nyiam

F

ollowing complaints of shoddy preparations and hiccups in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended

65%

monday, november 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

INEC extends voters' registration in six states the exercise by two days in six states in the third phase where the exercise is going on.

That was even as the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights demanded a one month extension of the exercise.

The states where INEC extended the exercise are Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo and Lagos. INEC did not give reasons why Adamawa State was excluded in the two-day extension.

The percentage of the world’s undernourished people is concentrated in seven countries.

Source: Unesco.org

The exercise, which began on November 12 and supposed to end today, November 17, was faced with a lot of challenges occasioned by malfunctioning of direct data capture (DDC) machines.

Some governors in the affected states have called for the cancellation of the exercise while INEC was accused of deliberately planning to disenfranchise eligible voters.

But a statement yesterday by the Chief Press

580,000

The estimated number of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in California State in 2014.

Source: Alz.org

Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, said that the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has approved the extension by two days to make up for initial challenges in the exercise and to enable as many eligible persons as possible to get registered.

"The Commission strongly admonishes against persons using the CVR to engage in multiple registration, which is a criminal offence and

535

The number of pending asylum seekers of Liberia at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

culprits liable to prosecution", the statement warned.

Also yesterday, the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, appealed to INEC to consider extending the continuous voter registration for a month.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau), made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday.

The statement read: "As the committee chair-

17

The number of confirmed cases of EVD in the past 7 days in Liberia as at October 19, 2014.

Source: Who.int

L-R: Director-General, Presidency, South Africa, Dr. Cassius Lubisi; Minister in the Presidency, Mr. Jeff Radebe and High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Lulu Mnguni, during a press briefing to announce the receipt of 74 mortal remains of South Africans in Lagos …at the weekend .

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Aganga: FG'll consolidate economic status he Federal Govern- ria an iconic building in T ment is committed the league of the Ronald to consolidating the po- Reagan Centre in Washsition of Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy through dynamic local and international investment policies and projects. That is according to the Trade and Investment Minister, Segun Aganga.

Speaking at the signing of an agreement between the Tafawa-Balewa Square Management Board (TBSMB) and The Infrastructure Bank toward the development of the 25-storey Independence Building, Lagos into a National Trade and International Business Centre, Aganga said that the country will realise its dream of becoming one of the world’s top-20 economies by year 2020.

The minister said that the project, which he described as a “game changer”, will give Nige-

ington DC. He said that the choice of the Infrastructure bank as the financial advisor for the project and the agreement signing were quick steps to ensuring its speedy completion.

Aganga described the bank as a premier development financing institution with the domain expertise and market credibility to structure and attract a renowned concessionaire to undertake the development and operation of a world-class international trade centre.

The minister said that the bank is expected to work closely with the concessionaire to ensure that the design concept optimises all the benefits accruable to the development of such an iconic development.

Atiku rules out consensus in APC presidential primaries Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

F

ormer Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has rule out the possibility of consensus for the emergence of flag-bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 general elections.

“I don’t think consensus is the talk now. May be, it is too late. The delegates will determine who will be the winner. That is why we are different from PDP. People will be given the opportunity to elect who they want to carry the party flag”, he said.

Atiku was fielding questions from journal-

ists shortly after he held closed door meeting with APC delegates to the forth-coming party at the Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi.

The former Vice President explained that the All Progressives Congress will be different from the PDP where people will not be opportune to pick flag-bearers to the various elective offices.

Afenifere warns Jega against vindictiveness Temitope Ogunbanke

P

an Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere has advised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega, to immediately withdraw the query he allegedly issued to most of the Residential Electoral Commissioners (REC) in the Southern part of Nigeria, over the botched attempt to create lopsided 30,000 new polling units.

Afenifere in a statement

issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, took a swipe at Jega over the issued query and called on the INEC boss to concentrate on plans for the elections. It also noted that Jega is becoming more dreadful to the health of the polity than the murderous Boko Haram.

“If it was true that the said query was issued on sectional focus on matter in which the INEC chairman betrayed unpardonable primordial insensitivity, we are bound to conclude

that Prof Jega is becoming more dreadful to the health of the polity than the murderous Boko Haram.

“Even without its lopsidedness in favour of Jega's region of the country, the whole idea of creating new polling units a few months to election was a product of inferior scholarship on election for a man from intellectual region hailed across the country in 2010 as a ‘man of integrity’ when he was nominated for the job in 2010.

man on human rights, I appeal to INEC to extend the voter registration for an extra one month to enable all Nigerians to be captured" She noted that INEC being a key custodian of the right of Nigerians to vote in elections should be seen to protect and promote this right.

Kalu commiserates with Nwobodo

E

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, yesterday expressed shock over the death of Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, first son of first civilian Governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo.

The younger Nwobodo, who was one-time Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Anambra died on Saturday, November 14.

Kalu in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said,"I was devastated when I heard the news of the untimely death of Dr. Nwobodo. As a father, I know how painful it is to lose not just a loved one but a first son. However, who are we to question God. My heart, love and thoughts are with the entire Chief Nwobodo family at this mournful time.

May the good Lord grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss". The former governor urged Nwobodo to take solace in the fact that the younger Nwobodo lived a good life and impacted lives positively.

Bank pensioners lament treatment Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

R

etired members of staff of of one of the first generation banks, have cried out over what they described as poor administration of their retirement benefits and their monthly pension allowance by the management of the bank.

This was as the retired personnel comprising former junior and management staff already operating under the auspices of the bank’s Pensioners Association have resolved to affiliate with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP),a union meant for retirees from the civil service.

The move, according to the aggrieved pensioners, would enable them challenge the bank's alleged ill treatment towards them.

9

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

2014 COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility activities, Moni Pulo Limited is pleased to announce the names of the beneficiaries of its 2014 Community Scholarship Scheme in her host communities. University scholars must identify themselves with their school identification card and admission letter. Secondary and primary school beneficiaries must identify themselves with letters from their school and community committees respectively.

MBO COMMUNITY

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

MBO UNIveRSITY BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Okon Okon Uyeh University of Uyo, AKS Okon Effiong Ibok University of Calabar, CRS Idorenyin Iniobong Frank Akwa Poly, Ikot Osurua, AKS Helen Etim Osung University of Uyo, AKS Kingsley Anwana Ukpong Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, AKS Edet Mkpofor Atting University of Uyo, AKS Grace Edet Ukut University of Uyo, AKS Joseph Effiong Emmanuel University of Calabar, CRS Abasifreke Nse Antai Maritime Academy Of Nigeria,Oron, AKS Kingsley Itama Ekpe Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, AKS Eddy Edet Asuquo Uyo City Polytechnic, AKS Esther Okon Isemin University Of Calabar , CRS

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

MBO SeCONDARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Joshua Ime Eyene Obong High School, Obong Ntak, AKS Victor Ita Iniekung Cardinal Ekanem Seminary, Uyo, AKS Helen Etim Iyahakwa Mary Hanney Sec.Sch., Oron,AKS Glady Effiong Abidang Mary Hanney Sec. Sch., Oron, AKS Ofonime Iniobong C.C. College, Uyo, AKS Eunice Victor John St. Dominic Sec. Sch., Oron, AKS Asuquo Okon Sunday Comm.Sec. Sch. Akai Owu Udesi,Mbo, AKS Blessing Edet Onukak Infant Jesus Sec. Sch., Oron, AKS Anthony Sunday Mathew Comm.Sec.Sch., Udesi, AKS Israel Victor Solomon Meth. Boys' High Sch., Oron, AKS Mfon Effiong Okon Comprehensive Sc. Sch. Enwang,Mbo, AKS Mercy Asuquo Udoesu Comprehensive Sc. Sch. Enwang,Mbo, AKS Rita Mathew Anwanaodung Comprehensive Sc. Sch. Enwang,Mbo, AKS Uduak Bassey Okon Comprehensive Sc. Sch. Enwang,Mbo, AKS Savior Terry Nkuda Craft Dev. Centre- Port Harcourt, Rivers State Bright Edet Essang Mary Hanney Sec. Sch., Oron,AKS Emmanuel Etim Bassey Community Sec. Sch. Ibaka, Mbo, AKS Lydia Itama Ekpe Comm.Sec. Sch.Uyenege, Mbo, AKS Eno-Abasi Francis Ekpe Mary Hanney Sec. Sch. Oron, AKS Roseline Peter Edet Comm. Sec. Sch. Ibaka, Mbo, AKS

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

MBO NURSeRY/PRIMARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Joy Robert Uyeh Infant Jesus Nurs./ Pri. School, Oron Precious Ini Edet Infant Jesus Nurs./ Pri. School, Oron Etim Ini Ekpo Infant Jesus Nurs./Pri. School, Oron Bright Usin Essang Graceland School, Uyo Treasure Sungland Atta Monef Kiddies, Uyo Abasiama Edet Bassey Patfon Unique Academy, Uyo Uduak Asuquo Ntekim Evangel Nursery/Primary Sch., Oron Grace Uloh Okon Standard Nurs./Pri. Sch., Oron Divine Asuquo Uweh Christ The King Nurs./Pri. Sch., Uyo Abigail Okon Elijah Methodist Nursery School, Oruko Edeke Usip A. Government Primary School, Udesi Favour Eddy Offong Presbytarian Nurs./Primary Sch., Uyo Rose Bassey Anwanaodung Infant Jesus Nurs./Pri.School, Oron Godsfavour William Akaiso Infant Jesus Nur/Pri School, Oron Hedges Effiong Eyo Infant Jesus Nur./ Pri School, Oron Vickson Okon Edet Infant Jesus Nur./ Pri School, Oron Roseline Sunday Ukut Monef Kiddies, Uyo Arit Peter Effiong Best life Nur./ Pri. School, Ibaka, Mbo Kingsley Bassey Ekpe Primary School,Uyenge, Mbo Dominic Okon Asuquo Best life Nur./ Pri. School, Ibaka ,Mbo Rose Peter Okon Best Life Nur./Pri.School Ibaka, Mbo Mary Edet Ekpe Infant Jesus Nur./ Pri School, Oron

effIAT COMMUNITY S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Name of Beneficiary Bassey Arit Bassey Patience Effiong Eta Atim Edet Asukwo Ikwo Okon Ibiok Nelly Etim Okon Edet Margaret Okon Edet Wisdom Asuquo Edet Janet Effiong

effIAT UNIveRSITY BeNefICIARIeS Name of Institution University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo University of Uyo Ebonyi State University Uyo City Polytechnic Fed. College of Land Resources University of Uyo University of Calabar

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

effIAT SeCONDARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Joseph Okon Nta Ibaka Comm. Sec. School Christopher Okon Nta Ibaka Comm. Sec. School Felix Kingsley Asuquo Ibaka Comm. Sec. School Ruth Efiom Inam Federal Govt. Sec. Sch, Ikot Ekpene Effiong Okon Etim Ibaka Comm. Sec. School Victor Effiong Inam Comm. Sec. Sch, Mbukpo David Okon Etim Methodist Boys High Sch. Oron John Lawrence Archibong Comm. Sec. Sch, Eyo-Abasi Sylvanus Joseph Effiong Christ Knowledge Sch. Oron Janet Asuguo Okon Frak Comm. High School Oron Grace Effiong Etim Comm. Sec. School, Enwang Effiong Effiong Ita Comm. Sec. School, Enwang Okon Etim Bassey Evangel Sec. School, Mbo Rosemary Edet Effiong Comm. Sec School, Ibaka Esther Effiong Okon Mary Hanny Sec. School Oron Deborah O. Mkpeti Edgerly Memorial Sec. Sch Favour Ernest Asuquo Comm. Science School, Ibaka Abasi-Odu Godwin Edet Comm. Science School, Ibaka Eno Bassey okon School of Accountancy, Oron Mabel Bassey Asuquo Majesty High Sch. Calabar Angela Ita Okon Comm. Tech. College, Calabar Okon Etim Okon Comm. Sec. Sch, Ikot Edem Odo

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

effIAT PRIMARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Happiness Etim Edet St. Paul's School, Ibaka Nseobong Ime Okon Godswill Academic Sch., Ibaka Susana Bassey Etim Ibaka Comm. Sec. School, Ibaka Godswill Emmanuel Etim Standard Nur. Sch., Oron Abigail Itabina Odiong St. Theresa Esuk Enwang Ekaette Ibok Edet St. Theresa Esuk Enwang Nathaniel Edet Etim St. Theresa Esuk Enwang Samuel Bassey Okon Christ Knowledge, Oron Blessing Anthony Ettia Christ Knowledge, Oron Joy Okon Ekpe Standard Nur. Sch. Oron Favour Okon Asuquo City Light Int'l School, Mbo Happiness Victor Etim Bestline Int'l School, Mbo Asuquo Etim Effiong Evangel Primary Sch. Mbo Benjamin Nyong Uko Infant Jesus, Oron Nelson Asuquo Bassey Evangel Primary Sch. Mbo Michael Effiong Edet Iquita Pri. School, Oron Promise Nse Edet St. Jude Pri. Sch., Inua Abasi Effiong Ita Bassey Government Primary Sch., Ibaka Asuquo Edet Bassey Government Primary Sch., Ibaka Happiness Effiom Okon Primary Sch. Ikot Edem Odo Juliet Okon Edet Primary Sch. Ikot Edem Odo Esther Asuquo Okon Primary Sch. Ikot Edem Odo

RUMORLUMeNI COMMUNITY

S/N 1 2 3 4 5

RUMORLUMeNI UNIveRSITY BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Onunwo Justice C. University of Abuja, Abuja Kingsley Amadi University of Abuja, Abuja Orluegele Christopher University of Nigeria Nyeche Constance Wisconsin Int'l College, Ghana Queen Amadi R/S University of Sci. & Technology

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RUMORLUMeNI SeCONDARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Divine Amadi Chivin Int'l School, Rumorlumeni Faith Amadi Chivin Int'l School, Rumorlumeni Chuibike Eme Ijinda Community Secondary School, Jessica Eberechi Amadi Istan Comp. High Sch, Rumorlumeni Sarima Precious Dickson The Noble Academy, Rumorlumeni Nyegonum Nyeche Alpha Comp. Training College Precious C. Agu Istan Comp. High Sch., Rumorlumeni

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RUMORLUMeNI PRIMARY SCHOOL BeNefICIARIeS Name of Beneficiary Name of Institution Sarimah Chinedu Chiovin Int'l. School, Rumorlumeni Osaruchi Nyeche Chiovin Int'l. School, Rumorlumeni Chibueze Nyeche Chiovin Int'l. School, Rumorlumeni Chigoziri Nyeche Chiovin Int'l. School, Rumorlumeni Gavin Amadi Catikys Int'l. School PH Glenda Amadi Catikys Int'l. School PH Treasure O. Amadi The Nobles Montessori

w w w. m o n i p u l o. co m

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

10

Metro

10 killed, others injured in fresh Nasarawa crisis Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

A

t least 10 people were feared killed yesterday following an outbreak of violence at Shabu, the headquarters of Shabu Local Council Development Area in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Also, the state Head of Service, Dominic Bako, who ran into the crisis, sustained gunshot wounds.

Bako and other victims were rushed to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, the state capital.

Several houses and shops were set ablaze, forcing hundreds of people to flee to Lafia and its environs.

One person was reportedly killed at Tudun Kauri while two others were arrested in Lafia metropolis following reprisal attacks.

The renewed crisis came barely a day after Governor Tanko Al-Makura led top echelons of his administration on a seven-kilometre ‘Peace and Unity Walk’ to demonstrate peace as part of activities marking his 62nd birthday.

Report said that trouble started following rumours of attack on Alakyo village and its environs by suspected Fulani insurgents, forcing the residents to flee to Shabu where hostilities later broke out.

It was gathered that an angry mob attacked passengers in transit with machetes, caus-

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

E

do State Commissioner of Police, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to politicians, thugs, cult members and supporters of various political parties to surrender all illegal arms in their possession or face the wrath of the law.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

File picture of scene of a violent attack in the North

ing panic among several commuters who were stranded during the fracas that lasted for several hours before the arrival of security agents.

A resident of Shabu, Amadu Abu, who fled to Lafia, told our correspondent that he saw some Eggon youths who were coming from Alakyo area to Shabu and started shooting sporadically.

Abu said that in the process, a pregnant woman was killed by stray bullet.

Responding to questions from journalists on his hospital bed, Bako said he went to Aridi where two of his wife’s cousins were involved in an accident.

The head of service said he was returning to attend a meeting with the governor and some elders when he ran into the crisis.

He said: “We were supposed to meet with His Excellency by 1pm because of the security situation to discuss the way forward.

When I was coming, after Keffi Wambai, I met a lot of boys in mufti with guns and cutlasses.

“It was by the grace of God that I was not killed. The bullet hit my hand. They wanted to shoot me in the head but I used my hand to block it. But they destroyed the vehicle I was travelling in.’’

Bako advised the people to

tolerate one another and live in peace as illustrated by the governor during the ‘Peace and Unity Walk’.

Meanwhile, four bodies recovered by the police during the crisis were deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital mortuary in Lafia.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ogwochukwu Theodore, confirmed the incident.

He said that policemen had been mobilised there to bring the situation under control.

The PPRO, however, declined comment on the casualty figure and arrest made so far.

Firm, NGO begin career mentorship for 25 youths Mojeed Alabi

A

bout 25 young secondary school leavers in Lagos will today begin leadership training organised by a leading enterprise software provider, SAP Nigeria, and AYECI Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focusing on youth development.

The training, billed to hold between today and Friday at the Mansard Building, Victoria Island, Lagos is, according to the organisers, designed to help high performing students from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to become future leaders in their respective careers.

The company’s Channel Development Manager, Ayokanmi Ayuba, said the initiative, tagged SAP Career Mentorship Programme, was part of the company’s strategies to engage the future while driving the present.

She said: “In order to engage the future, we must look to the younger generation and begin to drive activities that are value added to their present and future.”

Ayuba added that while SAP was spearheading the programme, the goal was to achieve critical mass that would generate significant impact.

“Our approach is to work with our local partner companies, harnessing all the resources to have the greatest impact on the next generation of professionals over time.

“Currently supporting the programme is C2G Consulting, Accenture, Hartford Green Consulting and Serve Consulting,” she said.

Edo police boss raises the alarm over arms build-up Adebanjo, who raised the alarm over massive build-up of arms and ammunition by some unscrupulous politicians, thugs, cult groups and other undesirable elements to cause mayhem ahead of 2015 general elections, said the possession of illegal arms was unauthorised.

This was as the command yesterday paraded 76 suspects arrested for various crimes including robbery, rape, defilement, kidnapping, fraud, production of adulterated spirits, car theft, manufacture and possession of illegal firearms, cultism and violent activities in parts of the state.

The commissioner said that a special squad had been set up to arrest those in possession of illegally-acquired arms and ammunition.

He said: “Unconfirmed in-

telligence at our disposal indicates massive build-up of arms and ammunition by some politicians, hired thugs, violent cult groups and other undesirable individuals to cause mayhem if they do not win the primaries.

“The possession of illegal weapons is unauthorised. Everyone in the state, irrespective of their status, must surrender to the office of the commissioner of police within a period of 14 days all illegally-acquired weapons in their possession.

“Failure to adhere to this ultimatum will spell danger for anyone arrested with such illegal weapons.

“The anti-robbery and other special squads have been directed to identify, raid, and confiscate such illegal weapons and prosecute offenders in

competent law courts.”

Adebanjo expressed the resolve of the police to protect lives and property of Edo citizens before, during and after next year’s polls.

The commissioner urged the public to provide the police with useful information that may lead to arrest of suspected hoodlums from their hideouts.

The police chief promised that reward would be given for any vital information volunteered by anybody towards the recovery of arms and ammunition in the hands of suspects.

He said: “Insecurity is a threat not only to the fastapproaching elections, but to the security and wellbeing of the citizens as well as business activities in the state. It is my duty and responsibility to

IG, Suleiman Abba

tackle it squarely with the active support and participation of other security agencies and the good people of Edo state.

“Together we must ensure peace and security in the state and that the 2015 elections are violent-free.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Rapist jailed 15 years Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

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Tom and the bag containing cannabis

‘My helper gave me cannabis to traffic’ Juliana Francis

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suspected drug trafficker, who was arrested for being in possession of a bag containing dried weeds which tested positive to cannabis concealed in foodstuff, said he did not know the bag contained illegal stuff.

The suspect, Friday Ufot Tom, 31, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed Inter-

national Airport (MMIA) during the outward screening of passengers on an Etihad flight to Dubai. The cannabis weighed 665 grams.

Tom, who services and installs electrical appliances, told investigators that he was given the drug by a man who assisted him with his travel documents.

He said: “I am a technician by profession. I suffered financial hardship and could not settle my bills.

After fruitless struggle to make ends meet, I decided to

travel to Dubai in search of employment. The man who assisted me with my travel documents gave me a bag at the airport. He told me that his friend would collect the bag from me in Dubai.

“According to his plan, the man will accommodate me and also help me to secure a good job. He told me the bag contained garri, stock fish, beans, dried bitter-leaf and dried fish.

However, while trying to check-in the bag, NDLEA officers discovered the

cannabis. I am not happy because my condition has gone from bad to worse.”

The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar, said officers at the departure hall found two parcels of dried weeds which tested positive for cannabis inside the luggage of the suspect, a passenger travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The drug weighed 665 grams and the incident is currently under investigation,” he said.

Herbalist held for killing woman John Edu

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omicide detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, are quizzing an Islamic cleric, who doubles as a herbalist, for allegedly murdering a woman at Ijaye, Agbado area.

The suspect, Isiaka Akanbi, 55, however, denied killing the woman, Raliatu Kareem, 62, of 15, Ope-Ewe Street, Ijaye, Agbado.

According to the suspect, the woman came to his place and died there.

Worried that he might be accused of killing the woman, Akanbi buried her handset, bangles, ring and wristwatch behind his house.

The case, however, became complicated after police went to Marine Bridge, where Akanbi said he abandoned the woman’s body, but could not find it.

According to the police, Akanbi, who has his healing centre at Lawani Street, Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, like the deceased, is an indigene of Ilorin, Kwara State. Akanbi and Kareem have known each other for over 28 years.

A police source said: “On October 25, Kareem went to the house of her elder sister, Risikatu Ra-

heem. Risikatu’s daughter had just delivered a baby at Olodi Apapa area. Kareem stayed till 6pm at her sister’s house at Salubi Street, Olodi Apapa before she left.

“She said she was heading to the native doctor’s place. She was murdered that same evening. Akanbi also buried her personal effects at the backyard, so that the alleged incident would not be traced to him.”

Two days after Kareem had not returned home as she promised, the family became worried and went in search of her.

When her children could not find her at her sister’s house, they went to check at Akanbi’s healing centre, where they found out the truth.

The case was reported at the Tolu Police Station and during interrogation, Akanbi denied killing the woman, stressing that she slumped and died in his place.

Akanbi added that when he realised the woman was dead, he buried her personal effects to erase any trace in his house and took the body to Marine Bridge, where he dumped it.

Kareem’s children believed that Akanbi dumped their mother’s body inside the lagoon, since they could not find it where Akanbi said he abandoned it.

Akanbi.

n Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has found a 21-year-old man, Muda Mujemu Aliu, guilty of rape and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

In her judgement, Justice Iyabo Oyelaran said the prosecutor had proved the twocount charge against Aliu beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge based the conviction on the evidence of all the prosecution witnesses including the investigating police officer, the medical experts and many others which confirmed that the accused and one Yusuf, now at large, unlawfully raped the victim (name withheld) on October 3, 2012.

Muyiwa Akinbiyi, a lawyer who appeared as a friend of the court, however, pleaded with the court for leniency for Aliu because he was a first offender.

He submitted that sending him to prison could turn him to a hardened criminal.

But Oyelaran said that although the offence of conspiracy against the accused carried 15 years’ jail term, because of the plea of the counsel, the term was mitigated.

He said: “I thereby sentence the accused person to five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, while the accused person is hereby sentenced to 15 year’ imprisonment on second count charge which carries life imprisonment. The jail term should be run concurrently.”

Senator donates cars, cash, others to constituents Tony Okafor Awka

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INSET: Kareem’s personal items

enator Andy Uba representing Anambra South Senatorial District yesterday empowered about 1,000 people from his constituency.

The empowerment included cars, tricycles (Keke NAPEP), cash and other items.

The event took place at the Ekwulobia Township Stadium in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra South Senatorial zone.

About 30 Toyota Sienna cars, while 118 refrigerators, 117 generators, 55 motorcycles, 65 tricycles, 87 grinding machines, 134 sewing machines, five hair dryers and cash worth over N10 million were given to beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries drawn from the wards and seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district included the coordinators of his campaigns in the wards and council s during his election in 2011, women cooperative organisations, youth organisations and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders.

Distributing the cash, which ranged from N250,000 to N2 million to individuals and groups, the senator said the gesture was to empower the youth in his constituency who learnt certain trades but were unable to set up businesses for themselves owing to lack of finance.

The Sienna cars, tricycles, motorcycles, generators, dryers and the rest, Uba said, were to support the unemployed economically.

TREM holds Kingdom Life World Conference Kayode Olanrewaju

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he 25th edition of the Kingdom Life World Conference 2014 of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) began yesterday at its headquarters, Anthony Oke bus stop on Gbagada Expressway, Lagos.

The eight-day conference, with the theme: “God and God Alone,” which will feature word ministration, will end on Sunday.

The highlights of the conference include “Big League Sum-

mit” billed for November 17 to 20, and the Friday Night Musical Concert tagged: “Zamar” which holds on November 21.

The conference, which has the Presiding Bishop/President of TREM, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and his wife, Bishop Peace Okonkwo as hosts, will also feature raffle draw, which offers opportunity for participants to win new cars and plots of land, among other prizes.

A statement by the church said the men of God who would minister during the conference include

Bishop Tudor Bismark, Dr Mensah Otabil, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr Felix Omobude, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Simon Okah and Dr. Abel Damina.

According to the statement, speakers at the “Big League Summit” include Bismark, Otabil, Ashimolowo, Mudi Designs and Cobhams Asuquo.

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News

monday, november 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

Shehu of Borno shuns Sheriff cold shoulder

Ex-governor misses appointment with Shehu in Maiduguri

Ahmed Miringa Miduguri

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he Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-kanemi, yesterday shunned a former Governor of Borno State,

l Former governor picks PDP membership card Ali Modu Sheriff, who paid him a traditional homage in his palace.

That was shortly after Sheriff arrived the Maiduguri International Airport on his way to picking Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card.

The Shehu, on hearing the sounds of the siren of the former Governor and his convoy, quickly brought out his vehicle and zoomed off to avoid receiving him and his entourage.

Sheriff, who was ac-

companied by the Minister for State Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, former Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, Alhaji Kashim Imam; Hon Mohammed Kumalia and other PDP leaders in Borno, drove from the airport to the palace with thousands of his supporters and PDP but did not alight from his car, as only Kashim Imam and other PDP leaders entered the palace but had to leave when some palace officials told them

that the Shehu was not in.

However, a source from the palace, who does not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the Shehu did not avoid Sheriff but has some important issue to attend to.

Sheriff who drove from the Palace to the Borno state PDP secretariat and picked his membership could not say a word as the crowd, who wanted to catch a glimpse of him at the venue could not allow him to speak.

Nigeria’s economy grows by six per cent Ayodele Aminu

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igeria's economy grew by 6.23 percent in the third quarter of 2014, up from 5.17 percent in the same period last year, lifted by its services sector, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

This indicated an increase of 1.06 percent on the same period a year previously.

The services sector, which accounted for 49.16 percent of third quarter Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), expanded by 7.61 percent in the three months to the end of September, compared with a growth rate of 9.08 percent in same period of 2013.

Third-quarter crude production fell to 2.15 million barrels per day, down from 2.26 million barrels per day, according to the statistics office.

Nigeria’s economy had grown 6.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent in 2012 and 2013 respectively and is projected by the World Bank to grow at 6.7 per cent, 5.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respective-

ly in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Meanwhile, crude oil production fell from 2.26 million barrels a day to 2.15 million, leading to the finance minister, NgoziOkonjo-Iweala calling for a lowering of the assumed benchmark oil price.

The proposition argues that the price cut should be made in the 2015 budget at $73 a barrel; $5 down from the initial proposition made in September.

"The benchmark we proposed before now was not realistic," Ngozi OkonjoIweala told journalists in

Abuja yesterday.

"We think that for now, let us bring the benchmark price down to $73 then have a series of additional measures so that at each price it falls to, we would be able to kick in appropriate measures to keep this economy going," she said.

UPN calls for Fasehun's prosecution Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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s political parties prepare for next year’s general elections, the Unity Party of Nigeria is calling on security agencies to prosecute the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun.

The call was contained in the speech of the Acting National Chairman of UPN, Dr. Abubakar Manzo, delivered at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja.

He chronicled the offences of Fasehun to include: Using the agency of the party to proposition critical organs of government for patronage by falsely claiming that he supports the policies of the Federal Government.

Fasehun, this year was suspended from office as the National Chairman of UPN. The acting national chairman in calling on the security agencies to

prosecute Fasehun, also stated he ( Fasehun ) had usurped the functions of the principal executive organ of the party and massively deployed thugs, cultists and street urchins to disrupt constitutionally sanctioned party meetings and issuance of threat of assassination and elimination against party leaders.

He said: "I am pained to assert from the depths of my heart and for the records on the basis of all empirical variables that the suspended chairman does not believe in pluralism".

Therefore, “ In the light of the forgoing and on the basis of his culpability, l hereby call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, by the relevant security agencies. You may wish to note that a well substantiated petition against Fasehun is already before the Inspector General of Police and we trust that justice shall be done."

Synagogue: Court delivers judgement over inquest today

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ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos will today deliver judgment in a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stop the on-going coroner inquest into the collapse of a six-story building on the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

At the last proceedings,

the applicant (Ogungbeje) adopted arguments in support of the suit and urged the court to grant the prayers sought.

The state government represented by Kamar Bakare, a senior official with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, equally adopted the counter-affidavit of the respondents in opposition to the suit.

In the counter-affidavit, the government explained that the inquest into the collapsed building was initiated due to public outcry on the need to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of about 116 people on the 12th of September, 2014, when the said guest house collapsed within the church’s premises.

2015: Bakare advocates transition government Temitope Ogunbanke

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he Convener, Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has expressed fear about the conduct of the 2015 general election, advocating for a transition government.

He said there was no wisdom holding an election without dealing with the fundamental problems of the country.

Bakare, who suggested a maximum of two-years for the transition government, said what should be of utmost concern to President Goodluck Jonathan and the political class is the implementation of the National

Conference recommendations.

Speaking yesterday while delivering a sermon entitled “The Nigeria of my dreams” at his 60th birthday thanksgiving service held yesterday at the Latter Rain Assembly End-Time Church in Lagos, Bakare said the situation in the country at the moment does not support holding election, except current security challenges are addressed.

“It appears we are putting the cart before the horse. With the situation in the country, I do not think our primary concern should be 2015 elections. But you cannot win with politicians."

Public Notice

This is to inform the general public of the change of ownership of land between EDNA N. OKABIE AND EkETE CHIDERA BROWN, over plot NO. 129 measuring about 1,945.065M2 in cadastral zone 07_07 located in Sabin lugbe with file NO .DT 215, New file No DT 41214 and C_of_O No. MZTP/LA/DT/95/215, granted by the HON.MIN. OF FCT. Signed:

EKETE CHIDERA BROWN

If you ask this government to please gather people around and let us have an interim arrangement, they would be shouting elongation. If we go to elections, there would be trouble. So, I think some people who are capable and have integrity and character may have to be summoned to say let us sit down and think of the way forward.

“We need a transition government and the timeframe should be two years, maximum. We need it like yesterday and believe me there would be foreign power that would help us also because we have gone outside the shore of this country also to talk to people who know the present danger we are faced it. We need it like yesterday but you cannot force your will upon people.

He, who has ear to hear, let him hear and if he doesn’t hear, a constitution that would not bend will break,” he said.

He said this is the time for Nigerians to heal the wounds of the past and forge ahead and not a time to start engaging in the blame game.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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Politics Ahead of the 2015 general election, the fate of the 109 serving senators hang in the balance as majority of them are not likely to return to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Some of the senators have opted for the governorship seats of their respective states while, in other cases, incumbent governors are bent on taking over the lawmakers’ seats.

In some instances, the performance of the lawmakers and political permutations in their states are working against their return.

New Telegraph’s correspondents report on the fate of the 109 senators

Roadblocks to senators’ re-election

Ndoma-Egba

Kaka

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

A’Ibom: Esuene, Enang, Etok out In Akwa Ibom State, the odds are against the incumbent senators.

Senator Helen Esuene representing Eket Senatorial District has opted to contest the governorship seat, but Senators Ita Enang (Uyo District) and Aloysius Etok (Ikot Ekpene) have thrown their hats in the ring in defiance of the odds against them.

In Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Governor Godswill Akpabio has punctured Senator Etok’s third term dream. Etok, whose two-term spell in the Senate was purely on the benevolence of Akpabio, now wants to be his own man by refusing to let go of the seat in 2015.

Etok is no match for Akpabio.

He may have to test his strength in another party as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the

senatorial district played a pivotal role in his ascension; Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, former Commissioner for Finance, and Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the then Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Today, politics and interest has torn those who helped Enang apart.

While Akpan had jettisoned his governorship pursuit to unseat the senator with the support of Akpabio, Enang’s declaration of support for Udom Emmanuel’s ambition to govern the state had infuriated the Umana’s camp that supported him in 2011.

Enang’s return to the Senate may become a mirage because those whose structures he enjoyed have since withdrawn them.

Gemade

Nwaogu

state is in the governor’s care.

With Esuene out of the race in Eket District, loyalists of Governor Akpabio are warming up for the senatorial seat. Among the prominent aspirants are a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akpabio and member of the State House of Assembly, Bassey Okon Etienam, and Mr. Victor Antai, a second term chairman of Mbo Local Government Council and core loyalist of Akpabio.

Uyo senatorial district is always the hot bed of politics in Akwa Ibom owing to the metropolitan nature of the district. Before the emergence of Senator Enang who succeeded Senator Effiong Bob in 2011, two major stakeholders in Uyo

Mark, Akume for fifth, third terms The senatorial election in Benue State would be keenly contested.

The picture is getting clearer by the day. With the realities on ground, Senate President David Mark and former Governor George Akume may in 2015 be re-elected for fifth and third terms, respectively.

But for Senator Barnabas Gemade, it is certain that Governor Gabriel Suswam will take his seat in the Senate. The former national chairman of the PDP, who currently represents Benue North East, will find it difficult to be re-elected. His problem lies in the fact that Governor Suswam has made it clear that he wants his seat.

With the results of the PDP congresses held in the state pointing in the direction of the governor, Gemade has technically lost out of the race except he pitches tent with another party to try his luck. Gemade has accused Suswam of hijacking the party structure in his favour, and it is very unlikely that he will make it back to the Senate in 2015.

In zone B, five PDP aspirants are in the race for Akume’s seat. The aspirants are a retired director in the federal civil service, Mr. Akende Ubula; former chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Laha Dzever; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Terseer Tsumba; former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Human Trafficking, Mr. Mike Mku, and a lecturer at the Benue State University, Dr. Daniel Nevkaa.

The former governor, who is the Senate Minority Leader, is going for a CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yar’Adua, Abaribe, Pwajok, Solomon, C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

third term. He stands a better chance of returning to the Senate in 2015 despite being in the opposition APC. In Zone C, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mike Onoja, is contesting against Senate President Mark, who is vying for the fifth term.

Mark’s return is certain as virtually every stakeholder in the state has endorsed his re-election.

Kaka, Obadara, Odunsi’s ambitions threatened The three senators representing Ogun State face an uphill task in getting re-elected in 2015.

Though no senator has ever secured a second term in the state’s political history, the ambition of the serving senators to break the jinx has further been jeopardised by the unresolved crisis in the ruling APC in the state.

Senators Gbenga Obadara, Adegbenga Kaka and Akin Odunsi, representing Ogun Central, East and West senatorial districts respectively, got elected in 2011 on the platform of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). They automatically became APC members when their party merged with other legacy parties.

The three senators had last week defected to the newly registered Social Democratic Party (SDP). Though there are divergent views about their performance, the reality of politics in the state is that performance alone does not determine re-election. Strategic game-plan and several variables are usually taken into consideration.

As the race to 2015 elections gathers momentum; several aspirants are jostling to unseat Obadara, Kaka and Odunsi.

In Ogun Central, the APC has propped up former National Auditor of the PDP, Chief Bode Mustapha; Amosun’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu; Commissioner for Sports, Prince Lanre Tejuoso, and a businessman, Ganiyu Hamzat. But it appears Mustapha has been “anointed” to replace the incumbent. In the PDP, daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola, Hon. Lola AbiolaEdewor; wife of Ijaw leader, Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Clark, and Lanre Laose are rearing to contest.

For Ogun East, the APC seems to be settling for Dapo Abiodun, a businessman from Iperu-Remo, who aspired for PDP governorship ticket in 2003. On its part, the PDP has not really put its house in order. A former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Omoba Gbenga Osinowo, is one of the senatorial aspirants. Also, posters announcing the senatorial ambition of Prince Buruji Kashamu have flooded the zone.

Before he recently returned to PDP, posters announcing the senatorial aspiration of ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel on the LP platform also flooded the zone. It is not however clear if Daniel’s purported ambition would be renewed in the PDP. For Ogun West, Prince Gbolahan Dada appears to be enjoying the support of the powers that be in the state APC to unseat Odunsi.

Solomon

Abaribe

Abe

Pwajok

In the PDP, an insurance guru, Biyi Otegbeye and a pharmacist, Lekan Orisabiyi, have declared senatorial aspirations.

Ngige, Okadigbo’s fate hang The contest for the senatorial seats in Anambra State is as unpredictable as a casino game. In fact, the incumbent occupants of the three senatorial seats in the state are unsure of returning to the Red Chamber in 2015.

In Anambra Central, the incumbent senator, Dr. Chris Ngige of the APC, will slug it out with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh. A source told New Telegraph that the state governor, Willie Obiano, had vowed to ensure Umeh’s victory to make a statement and a difference.

Others in the race include Hon. Uche Ekwunife, who recently defected from APGA to PDP. She is a member of the House of Representatives. The story in town is that she has been anointed as the next senator for Anambra Central by the wife of the president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

Others in the race are Senator Annie Okonkwo, Sylvester Okonkwo, Obiora Okonkwo and others. But the lingering crisis in the state PDP is surely going to take its tolls on most of these aspirants during the party’s primaries.

In Anambra North, the reelection of Senator Margery

The re-election of Senator Margery Okadigbo is not certain.

She may lose the position to Dubem Obaze of APGA or former Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, who is out to snatch the PDP ticket from her

Okadigbo, widow of late former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, is not certain. The political calculus of the area is not in her favour. She may lose the position to Dubem Obaze of APGA or former Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, who is out to snatch the PDP ticket from her.

Okadigbo is from the Omambala clan that had produced virtually all the senators of the district.

Based on this sentiment, which is strong amongst the people, Okadigbo may not likely return to the Red Chamber next year.

Alphnosus Igbeke is another contender to beat in the race, because insiders say Governor Obiano is strongly behind him. The only snag is that Igbeke is from Omambala bloc that produced the governor on the principle of equity.

Senator Andy Uba of the PDP represents the Anambra South.

He will have to contend with multi-millionaire, Nicholas Ukachukwu, and Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) who have picked nomination and expression of interest forms of the APGA for the poll.

Ekweremadu consolidates as Eze, Nnaji lose out In Enugu State, the fate of the three returning senators had hung in the balance in the past few months, especially with the determination of Governor Sullivan Chime to ensure that the National Assembly members do not make it back in 2015.

However, with an alleged truce reached between Chime and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the two main dramatis personae in the factional war, the senator representing Enugu West senatorial zone has the coast cleared for his return next year.

For the other two senators, Ayogu Eze who represents Enugu North and Gil Nnaji of Enugu East of the state, there is no certainty that their desire to make it again to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly would be realised during next year’s general election.

Eze picked a governorship form and it is being rumoured that he may have also picked a senatorial form. In the case of Ekweremadu, feelers from both camps suggest that a truce has been brokered, a situation where the governor would shelve his own senatorial ambition to pave the way for the deputy senate president.

Nnaji has an uphill task at the moment even if the PDP gives him an automatic ticket from Abuja. The senator is contending against former governor of the state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, and the immediate past Chief of Staff to Chime, Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo In Enugu North, Eze is angling for the governorship. A former Deputy Speaker of the Enugu House of Assembly and immediate past commissioner for Transport, Mr. Chukwuka Utazi, is primed for his position.

Tinubu, Ashafa stay In Lagos, Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) are likely returning to the Senate while Senator Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) has opted for the governorship seat. As at today, there are no strong candidates in the PDP to challenge Tinubu and Ashafa in 2015. The battle for Lagos West may pit Governor Babatunde Fashola against his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulore.

Although the governor has not indicated interest in the seat, the leadership of the party is conceding the seat to him. Former Minister of State for Defence, Ademola Seriki, has also shown interest in Solomon’s seat.

Wamakko in, Tambuwal, Maccido out In Sokoto State, Senators Ahmad Muhammad Maccido (Sokoto Central – PDP) and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto EastAPC) have indicated interest to return to the Senate while Senator Umar Dahiru Tambuwal (APC) representing Sokoto South has declared interest to contest the gubernatorial position. Tambuwal is serving a third term in the Senate.

Maccido will find it difficult to retain his seat for the Sokoto Central in which Governor Aliyu Wamakko (APC) is poised to take over. Senator Maccido is the only senator that refused to follow Wamakko to APC. The contest is between the Sultanate and the state governor. Maccido hails

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

15

20 senators opt for guber race from the Sultanate family and the Sokoto Central senatorial ticket is normally allocated to the family members. With the influence of Wamakko in Sokoto politics, Maccido will have to forgo his return bid in 2015.

Gobir will have to do more to return in Sokoto East. His senatorial district is home to PDP heavyweights like former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada and former Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman among others. The PDP may field either a retired customs officer, Yusuf Goronyo, or a business mogul Dahiru Achida against Gobir.

In Sokoto South, former federal permanent secretary, Abubakar Danbaba Danbuwa (APC) is tipped to replace Senator Tambuwal. He will have to face any of the PDP aspirants in former commissioner, Federal Character Commision, Abdullahi Kiriyo Yabo, Ambassador Chika Dogon Daji and Mahe Dange.

Uncertainty over Ndoma-Egba, Ayade Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (Cross River Central) has been fighting hard against torrents which have continued to give him sleepless nights over his reelection in 2015. The last ward congress (now cancelled), showed that he is not in the good books of power brokers in the state. The state chapter of the party has in the last one week, alleged that the panel set up by the national leadership to oversee the ward congress had been compromised.

In effect, the state leadership is demanding that the list submitted to the national headquarters, which favours Ndoma-Egba should be discountenanced. If this happens and there is no direct intervention by the presidency, Ndoma-Egba is likely to lose his seat to Hon. Owan Enoh, Chairman, Committee on Appropriation in the House of Representatives.

Of the three senators in Cross River, only Prince Bassey Otu (Cross River South) is sure to return to the Senate. He has a cult followership and this was evident during the last ward congress where even the deputy governor could not influence anything. But he is up against Chief Gershom Bassey, who has shelved his governorship ambition, because of the zoning policy of the party which favours Cross River North.

The indecision of Senator Ben Ayade (Cross River North) has put his re-election in danger.

He is said to have bought both the governorship and senatorial forms. The immediate past Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie and member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Rose Oko, are after Ayade’s seat.

Sekibo to return as Abe pursues guber race The presidential election will ultimately rob off on the National Assembly election in Rivers State as both polls hold the same day.

In 2011, all the three senators

election battle that was strictly between Ohakim and Araraume, which left the incumbent senator entirely out of the political calculation, it would not be off the mark to rule the return bid of Nwagwu, as mission impossible.

Anyanwu has represented Imo East for eight years and her decision to pursue a governorship ambition in 2015 has opened the flood gate for aspirants to test their popularity.

Anyanwu

Esuene

difficult to win re-election.

Senator Magnus Abe (APC), Rivers South East Senatorial District, is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). He is the only senator from the state that does not want to return. Abe wants to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Senator Thompson Sekibo (PDP), Rivers East Senatorial District, is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence. He has declared his readiness to return to the Senate. Sekibo is certain of victory.

that vied for senatorial seats won on PDP platform. But today, while two of them have defected to the APC, the remaining senator stayed put in the PDP. President Jonathan will definitely ensure that he delivers the state for the PDP. By implication, only one PDP senator may make it back to the Senate.

Senator Wilson Ake (APC), Rivers West Senatorial District, has been in the National Assembly since 1999, first as member House of Representatives and elected to the Senate in 2003. He is going to get the APC ticket, but may find it

Senators with guber ambitions STATE

SENATORS

CHANCES

Katsina

Abubakar Yar’Adua

Not favoured

Abia

Enyinya Abaribe

Not favoured

Plateau

Gyang Pwajok

Favoured

Lagos

Ganiyu Solomon

Not favoured

Akwa Ibom

Helen Esuene

Not favoured

Abia

Nkechi Nwaogu

Not favoured

Oyo

Ayoade Adeseun

Not favoured

Enugu

Ayogu Eze

Not favoured

Sokoto

Umar Tambuwal

Not favoured

Rivers

Magnus Abe

Uncertain

Imo

Chris Anyanwu

Not favoured

Delta

Ifeanyi Okowa

Not favoured

Kwara

Simon Ajibola

Not favoured

Ebonyi

Paulinus Nwagu

Not favoured

Plateau

Victor Lar

Not favoured

Nassarawa

Solomon Ewuga

Not favoured

Kebbi

Isa Galaudi

Uncertain

Kebbi

Muhammad Magoro

Uncertain

Kano

Bashir Lado

Not favoured

Taraba

Aisha AlHassan

Not favoured

Niger

Ibrahim Musa

Not favoured

Bauchi

Adamu Gumba

Not favoured

Bauchi

Abdul Ningi

Not favoured

Bauchi

Babayo Garba

Not favoured

Anyanwu opts for guber race as Nwagwu loses out Of the three PDP senators two are bidding to return to the hallowed chambers in 2015, while one is taking a shot at the governorship of the state.

While Senator Hope Uzodinma representing Imo West (Orlu zone) and Senator Matthew Nwagwu representing Imo North (Okigwe zone) have indicated interests in running for re-election in 2015, Senator Chris Anyanwu representing Imo East (Owerri zone) is gunning for the governorship seat.

In Imo West, though Uzodinma is viewed as being popular, he would have to fight for his party’s ticket and subsequently fight every inch of the way to secure his people’s mandate to return to the Senate in 2015.

The biggest threat to Uzodinma’s return to the Senate is his working at cross-purposes with former Governor Achike Udenwa whose influence and political grip on the zone is enormous.

Uzodinma’s major fear in the main election would be how to defuse the expected gathering of influential Orlu stakeholders against his ambition, in the event that he wangles his way through the party’s primaries by throwing his weight around.

In Imo North, where Senator Nwagwu is seeking re-election, the hurdles before him are mounting by the day.

Nwagwu represents the same area where Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and Chief Ikedi Ohakim hold sway. With the recent delegate

Makarfi, Saleh, Usman in a make or break contest The presidential election will ultimately determine the success of the senatorial hopefuls in Kaduna State. There are two PDP senators and one APC. If Major General Muhammadu Buhari picks the APC presidential ticket, it will seriously affect the National Assembly election. But Vice-President Namadi Sambo will give the necessary cover for the PDP. In 2011, Senator Sani Saleh defeated his PDP opponent and won Kaduna Central senatorial district on the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) platform.

However, given the parameters on ground, it is doubtful whether, in a free and fair primary, Saleh will get the party’s nomination as Comrade Shehu Sani is set to clinch the ticket.

In Kaduna South, Senator Nenadi Usman is also in the same boat with Saleh, although they belong to different parties. With Governor Muktar Yero’s support, she may win the primaries but defeating the APC candidate, whoever emerges, will be an uphill task.

For Ahmed Makarfi, former governor and two-time senator, the primary election is a no contest because there is no serious challenger in the race. Right now, Alhaji Nuhu Sani Ibrahim, his former Chief of Staff, is the only serious aspirant in contention but his aspiration is seen as an ego trip.

However, defeating the APC in the northern senatorial zone may prove the hardest nut to crack in his political career.

Doubts over Oyo senators The return of the three senators – Ayoade Adeseun (Oyo Central), Chief Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South) and Hosea Agboola (Oyo North) is uncertain.

Adeseun, who was elected on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), recently returned to the PDP. Lanlehin has defected from the APC to the Accord Party (AP) having parted ways with Ajimobi.

While Adeseun has joined the PDP governorship race, Lanlehin and Agboola are planning to return to the Senate.

Chief Bisi Ilaka of AP and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu of the APC are angling for the Oyo Central senatorial district position which Adeseun holds.

Lanlehin will contend with APC’s Femi Olaore for Oyo South.

The PDP has not decided on a strong candidate.

For Oyo North, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala is being CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

16 Politics

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Akpabio, Suswam, Uduaghan, Aliyu, five others take over senators’ seats

LP platform but defected to APC. Barring any hiccups, he would clinch the party’s ticket but the value of the ticket is another matter altogether as he has political heavyweights in the district including the Chief of Staff to the President, Brig.-Gen. Jones Arogbofa; former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), Director General of National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, former Speaker and Federal Commissioner, Victor Olabimtan and Dr. Bode Olajumoke to contend with in the district. Already, Olajumoke has been nominated for the PDP’s slot.

If the PDP bigwigs work together, they would easily overrun the serving senator.

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

positioned to unseat Agboola, if he fails in his governorship bid.

Abaribe, Chukwumereije, Nwaogu out Only Senator Uche Chikwumereije (Abia North) wants to return to the Senate in 2015. The others, Senators Nkechi Nwaogu (Abia Central) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) want to test their might and strength in the gubernatorial race.

Chukwumereije has been in the Senate since 2003 and he wants to return for the fourth term. But the odds are against him; he was among senators that raised the alarm over the recently conducted ward congresses in the state because they felt short-changed.

The conduct of the congress is a foretaste of 2015. He is evidently not in the line up for 2015. Even his kinsmen are opposed to his return. They cited absence of infrastructure, empowerment and age as reasons he should not return.

Former House of Representatives member for Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, is favoured to replace Chukwumereije.

Governor Theodore Orji is the undisputable PDP candidate for Abia Central. He will replace Nwaogu who wants to become the first female governor of the state.

Also Abaribe’s governorship ambition left the coast clear for Chris Nkwonta from Ukwa to become the next Abia South senator.

If the parley between the PDP and senators work out, Abaribe may return to the Senate.

Manager, Okowa out; Uduaghan in The three senators in Delta State are unlikely to return in 2015. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is planning to unseat Senator James Manager for the Delta South seat. With the state party structure in Uduaghan’s hand, Manager may have to forgo his return to the Senate in 2015.

In Delta Central, Senator Emmanuel Agwuariavwodo may make it back to the Senate.

The governorship ambition of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has thrown the contest open in Delta North. The immediate past state chairman of the PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and the wife of the former national chairman of the party, Mrs. Mariam Nneamaka Ali, are battling for the seat.

Tarabu dropped in Jigawa Going by the arrangement in the Jigawa State chapter of the PDP, one of the three senators – AbdulAziz Tarabu (Jigawa North East) has been dropped from the race, while Danladi Sankara (Jigawa North West) and Abdulmummini Zareko (Jigawa North Central) have been endorsed to return.

At a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by Governor Sule Lamido, it was agreed that Tarabu be dropped. No reason was given for this decision. The Speaker

Akpabio

Uduaghan

Suswam

Aliyu

Governors AFTER Senators’ seats SENATORIAL DISTRICTS

GOVERNORS

OCCUPANTS

Ikot Ekpene

Aloysius Etok

Godswill Akpabio

Benue North-East

Barnabas Gemade

Gabriel Suswam

Delta South

James Manager

Emmanuel Uduaghan

Kebbi North

Isa Galaudi

Saidu Dangikari

Niger East

Shem Zagbayi

Babangida Aliyu

Abia Central

Nkechi Nwaogu

Theodore Orji

Plateau North

Gyang Pwajok

Jonah Jang

Sokoto Central

Muhammad Maccido Aliyu Wamakko

Ebonyi Central

Paulinus Nwagu

Martin Elechi

Niger East

Shem Zagbayi

Babangida Aliyu

of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Ahmad Sarawa has been penciled to replace him. He will, however, contend with former deputy governor, Ubale Shitu of the APC. A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sabo Nakudu, who recently defected to the APC will contend with Zareko for the North Central seat. Again Sankari may find it difficult to retain Jigawa North West as he faces Hon. Nasiru Dantiye of the APC. Boroffice, Kunlere marking time Barring any last minute ma-

neuvering, two out of the three senators representing Ondo State in the Red Chamber may not return for second term in office due to party intrigues and the disposition of the electorate to their ambitions.

The senators in the state include Prof. Ajayi Borofice (Ondo North), Prince Boluwaji Kunlere (Ondo South) and Dr. Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo Central). Among the trio, Akinyelure and Boroffice are likely to get their parties’ tickets but only Akinyelure stands the likely chance to return to the National Assembly without major hitches.

Kunlere was elected on the platform of Labour Party (LP) having defeated former governor of the state and PDP candidate, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu in 2011.

He however left for the PDP before Governor Olusegun Mimiko rejoined the party.

In the sharing of elective offices between the old and new PDP, his slot has been ceded to Pastor Yele Omojuwa.

Akinyelure was elected on the platform of LP in 2011 and remained in the party until the governor defected into the PDP. The governor has re-nominated him for another term in office. He stands a good chance of returning to the Senate.

Boroffice, was elected on

Hurricane Fayose to consume Ojudu, Adeniyi, Adetumbi Currently, the three senators representing Ekiti State in the upper chamber are from the APC. They are Tony Adeniyi (Ekiti South), Olubunmi Adetumbi (Ekiti North) and Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central).

Though the trio convincingly won elections into the Senate in 2011, recent political happenings in the state, especially the aftermath of the June 21 governorship election that the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, lost to the PDP candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, may not guarantee them a return to the National Assembly.

Even before the June poll, there have been disagreements among party leaders over whether Adeniyi (South) and Adetumbi (North) would go back to the Senate. Adeniyi had a running battle with a commissioner under Fayemi, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye. Afuye was in the House of Assembly from 2007 to 2011 and served throughout Fayemi’s tenure. Both are seeking the APC ticket.

Adetumbi is having a serious contest for the APC ticket coming from Olusegun Oshinkolu and Chief Ranti Adebisi.

Adebisi, the immediate past chairman of the Ekiti Local Government Service Commission, is reputed to be the favoured candidate of Fayemi.

For Ojudu, he may not have any serious challenger in the APC, the determination by Fayose to compensate the people of Ado-Ekiti with the senatorial district after they lost the deputy governorship slot, is his major obstacle.

Going by the nature of elections in the country, the PDP, which is likely to have former Deputy Governor Abiodun Olujimi as the candidate in Ekiti South, former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Duro Faseyi in the North and either former Senator Bode Ola or former Rep. Fatima Raji-Rasak in the Central, may sweep the poll.

Alhassan opts for guber race As at the last count, 15 aspirants have picked senatorial forms in Taraba State from both

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

APC (4) and PDP (11).

Of the three serving senators, only Hajiya Aisha Jummai Alhassan representing the Northern Senatorial District is not returning to the Senate. She is trying her luck for the APC governorship ticket.

Senators Umar Abubakar Tutare (Taraba Central) and Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) want to return to the Senate.

Bashir Abba Marafa is challenging Senator Turare for Taraba Central in the PDP, while former Governor Jolly Nyame is seeking to replace Alhassan in the Northern District.

Bwacha may have a smooth run in Southern Taraba.

Sheriff battles Zannah in Borno For the three senators, their return to the Senate is being threatened by the political heavyweights in the state.

In Borno Central, serving Senator Ahmed Zannah of the APC will have to contend with former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of the PDP. Zannah defeated Sheriff as an incumbent governor for the senatorial seat in 2011. Zannah’s alleged non-performance and stinginess may work against him. But the greatest threat to his re-election may be in Sheriff.

In Borno North, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Maiduguri, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, Hajiya Fati Kakinna, of the APC and Hon. Isa Lawan Kanagar and Kyari Kime of the PDP are in the race.

The incumbent Senator Maina Maaji is no longer in the race.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of APC may find his way back to the Senate although he is contending with Hon. Joshua Ishaku Shara, Mr. Niclous Mshelizza, Ambassador Dauda Danladi and Mr. Mala Gadzama of the PDP. For Sheriff, he will need to prove his political relevance in the state while Governor Kashim Shettima will try to checkmate his influence.

Ex-govs return to Senate In Kwara State, former Governors Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) and Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) will be returning to the Senate while Senator Simon Ajibola (Kwara South) has opted out of the race to pursue his governorship dream.

Saraki is the leader of the APC in Kwara State, and no one dares shows interest in his seat although in the PDP, Hajia Bilkis Gambari has indicated interest.

Senator Ajibola of the PDP is the most ranking federal lawmaker in the state having won election into the Senate since 2003. He refused to follow Saraki into the APC. But Ajibola will not be coming back as he is pursuing his governorship ambition with keen interest.

From the APC, Chief of Staff to Saraki and former member of the House of Representatives, Makanjuola Ajadi, has shown interest to take Ajibola’s seat just like Aanu Ibiwoye and AbdulRahuf Shittu.

From the PDP, the aspirants include former Managing Director of the defunct City Express Bank, Mrs Funke Adeoti, and Chief Lola Ashiru, who contested against Ajibola in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

In Kwara North, Lafiagi still wants to return. A confidant and prominent elder of the Saraki structure, there is no one from the

Tinubu

Nwagu

Etok

Chukwumereije

APC that has indicated interest to challenge him for the post. But from the PDP, Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya, Alhaji Muhammaed Duba and Alhaji M.T Mammah have obtained forms.

Elechi, Egwu to replace Nwagu, Nwankwo In Ebonyi State, it is almost certain that two of the three senators are not returning to the Senate in 2015. This is so because Governor Martin Elechi and his predecessor, Dr. Sam Egwu are sure of taking the two seats.

In Ebonyi Central, Governor Elechi is replacing Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu who is contesting the governorship ticket of the PDP. With his position, Elechi may have his way.

Egwu is poised to snatch the Ebonyi North seat from Senator Chris Nwankwo. Goody Ogbaga, a former Minister of Power and Steel, is also contesting for the seat. It is uncertain if Nwankwo will return in 2015.

Senator Sunny Ogbuorji may be lucky to return despite the challenge from Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, a former deputy governor of the state.

Dariye battles for survival as Lar, Pwajok opt for guber race In Plateau State, only Senator Joshua Dariye representing the Central Zone is struggling to return to the Senate. Senators Victor Lar (Plateau South) and Gyang Pwajok (Plateau North) have opted for the governorship position in 2015.

Former Governor Dariye may find it difficult to return to the Senate. He just defected from LP to PDP last month after Governor Jonah Jang blocked several attempts for

of trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, is against his third term ambition. The Chairman of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Chief Clifford Ordia, is likely going to get the PDP ticket ahead of him.

Oshiomhole’s men, Messrs.

Theophilus Okoh and Chief Francis Inegbeneki are also after Ugbesia’s seat.

Senator Domingo Obende (APC) is likely to return to the Senate to represent Edo North, Oshiomhole’s political stronghold. His return bid is causing stirs in the APC with the ambition of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Secretary to the Edo State (SSG). Obende will still make it back in 2015, especially because of his performance. He has sponsored 14 bills including that against same sex marriage. He has the backing of Oshiomhole.

Governor Babangida Aliyu will be joining other governors to displace a serving senator, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, who was recently elected to complete the tenure of late Awaisu Kuta, for the Niger East

him to return to the party under which he was elected as governor for eight years.

New Telegraph reliably learnt that Governor Jang is positioning his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Alexander Molwus, who was Dariye’s Chief of Staff, and Hon. Emmanuel Goar, a member of the House of Representatives to edge out the former governor. But Dariye is not an easy prey.

He won his senatorial election on the platform of LP in 2011 and will ultimately pull surprises.

Former Minister of Science and Technology and Jang’s deputy between 2007 and 2011, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has picked nomination form for Lar’s seat.

Jang and Pwajok are swapping positions. While the governor is replacing the senator for the Plateau North senatorial seat, Pwajok is primed for Jang’s seat.

Ugbesia out in Edo Senator Ehigie Uzamere (Edo South) is serving his second term in the National Assembly. He won the PDP ticket in 2007 and later pitched tent with Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s ruling APC and was offered the party’s ticket in 2011.

The senator recently made a U-turn to the PDP where he is believed to be itching for a third term.

Uzamere’s penchant for dumping political platforms that brought him to power is his greatest undoing. The senator’s ambition is likely to face a tough time from the Chief of Staff to Oshiomhole and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patrick Obagiagbon (APC) and Matthew Urhoghide of the PDP. The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie is also in the race.

In Edo Central, Senator Odion Ugbesia may not return to the Senate. Chairman of the PDP’s Board

Adamu, Adokwe hopeful as Ewuga opts out In Nasarawa, one of the three senators has opted for the governorship race. Senator Solomon Ewuga (Nasarawa North) wants to realise his long time ambition of governing the state having contested in the 2003 and 2007 polls.

Senators Suleiman Adokwe (Nasarawa South) and Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) are seeking re-election. Adokwe is sure of getting the PDP ticket despite opposition from Arch. Salihu Egyegbola of the same party.

For Nasarawa North, Prof. Onje Gye-wado, a former deputy governor of the state between 2003 and 2007, may get the PDP ticket for Ewuga’s slot. He will contend with Senator Musa Nagogo of the APC. Former governor of the state, Adamu, is sure of the APC ticket.

But he will face a fierce battle from former General Officer Commanding (GCO) 1 Division, Kaduna, General Ahmed Abokie (rtd) for the APC ticket.

Abokie is popular and may unseat Adamu. Whoever emerges in APC will face Senator Abubakar Sodangi (PDP) who represented the district between 1999 and 2011. Hon. Ishaq Kana representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona in the House of Representatives, and Kana’s predecessor, Ahmed Wadada, are also contesting for the PDP ticket.

Gombe senators walk tight rope All three senatorial zones seem to be in hot contention in Gombe State. But one that seems to attract a lot of concern and attention is the Gombe Central senatorial zone which has the immediate past governor of the state, Danjuma Goje as the serving senator.

Goje, who has pitched his tent with the APC, will face a member of the lower chamber representing Akko Federal Constituency, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Police Affairs.

Senator Joshua Lidani (Gombe South), a onetime deputy governor of the state from 1999 to 2003, is battling 10 other aspirants to retain his seat on the PDP platform. Major General Sylvester Audu (rtd), Mrs. Egla Kassim, two former House of Representatives members, Cleobas Kere and Adamu Gora Kalba are angling for his seat.

For Gombe North senatorial zone, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. UsCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

18

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Oshiomhole: Six years after

Ernest Omoarelojie

O

n November 12, 2008, Adams Eric Aliyu Oshiomhole, was sworn as executive governor, Edo state. It was a special moment for the state and its people for several reasons. Remarkably, it was the culmination of the resilience of the people, who voted and stood by him when anti democratic forces tried to rob him of the mandate they gave willingly to him, and the judiciary that resisted machinations of the powers-that-be to give a verdict in favour of a popular choice.

The nation became better for it as the judiciary stood resolute on the side of the people. In addition, it was a turning point for the entire state as it marked the beginning of what is now popularly referred to as the ‘new narrative’.

While making the solemn pledge to turn the state around like never before, he underscored his desire to be a people’s governor by seeking their consent to be referred to as “Comrade Governor.”

Uniquely, his pledge was an unambiguous desire to give the state a fresh breath in terms of people-oriented, physically verifiable development projects that will stand the test of time. The pledge became necessary because the supposedly democratic administrations before him ruined and wrecked the state economy without any attempt to upgrade basic public infrastructure on the pretext that the state had no money.

A few years into his administration, Oshiomhole eroded the no-money myth by proving to be a man of his words. Decades after the historic performance left

by Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who, as military administrator of old Bendel, left a telling record of infrastructural development, Oshiomhole recreated that long gone era as structures, after hope-rising structures began to fill available spaces in all the nooks and crannies of the state. It was not a surprise that the people decided to give a unanimous second term endorsement in all 18 local government areas despite subterranean subterfuge by those put to shame by his performance.

Importantly, Oshiomhole was not given an unassailable second term approval by the people on flimsy grounds. Between his inauguration and the end of

his first term, they witnessed an unprecedented, self evident and widespread development projects spread across every sector, including economy, education, works, health, environment/public utilities, etc, in every senatorial zone, every local government area and every town. With him, the people became convinced that the state had truly become a very positive new narrative.

Before the coming of his administration, Edo state economy was in ruins. Though oil revenue was high, the greater part of whatever accrued from it found its way into the pockets of those elected by the people. It didn’t matter to them that the people they represented suffered. For instance, roads and public schools became so wrecked that an urgent surgical revival was needed to avert total collapse. Midway into the administration, roads in the city centre, including Akpakpava, Five Junction, Mission, Airport, Sapele roads, etc, became self-evident proofs that the administration meant business. Further from the capital, there are too many to be mentioned here. In addition, the administration embarked on a deliberate renovation and reconstruction of public schools, public health institutions and streets, designed and completed with covered drains, walkways, street lights, etc, also in all the 18 local government areas. The health sector witnessed the same level of turn around.

Remarkably, the administration kept the momentum despite dwindling returns from federation allocations and internally generated revenue.

With the accruing monthly allocations from the federation on the decline, from N3.8 billion to N2.8 billion, the administration took to the internally generated revenue option which moved up from its lessthan-N300-million revenue before the advent of the administration to its present status of between N1.4 to N1.5 billion. Yet, Benin City, the state capital is about the cleanest compared to some of its neighbours with over N10 billion monthly federation account allocation.

In the education sector, the new narrative is known as the red roof revolution. Public schools in the state only compared with poultry farms before the advent of the Oshiomhole administration. At best, most of them had no roofs, making teaching and learning near

impossible tasks during rainy seasons.

All that has changed as the administration went on a deliberate education rebirth policy that resulted in the rehabilitation of old and construction of new school buildings, complete with red roofs and every other facility necessary for conducive environment for learning. The new structures are found in all the 192 wards of the state. Education is not only free for both primary and secondary schools, the administration also made transportation free for all uniformed children both in private or public schools riding on the Comrade buses.

Definitely, Edo state ranks as one of the states with the best network of roads. However, they were hardly motorable until the current administration took effect. Since then, things changed for the better as roads from the capital down to the local governments have become a beauty to behold in terms of their look and functionality. Among others, Akpakpava, Five Junction, Mission, Airport, Sapele roads, are proofs of the changes the administration brought to bear on roads reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Oshiomhole has taken upon himself some ambitiously near impossible tasks and turnen them around.

The Azura/Edo independent Power Project and Edo Water Storm project are obvious examples. The former is a $100 million project and the first Nigerian power project to benefit from the World Bank’s risk guarantee status, covered by the global bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee structure for developing needs of emerging global markets. It is very credible evidence that the state is a viable centre for global investment hob.

The latter is a vast labyrinth of huge drainage system under construction to serve as a permanent solution of the endemic drainage challenge in the state capital. It is designed to empty the water deluge from all over the city to either the Ogba or Ikpoba River.

For all his efforts, the Benin crown prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, described Oshiomhole’s performance in the following words. “I don’t know of any governor that has developed Edo state in terms of infrastructure as Oshiomhole.”

• Omoarelojie writes from Benin City, Edo State.

Nigerian Football house of commotion Tayo Ogunbiyi

A

s we do in almost all sectors in the Nigeria, football administrators in the country are already making a mess of the beautiful game. Since the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, returned from the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted by Brazil, things have never been the same with the management of football in the country. For reasons best known to them, administrators are currently engaged in a fierce leadership tussle that has thrown football management in the country into avoidable confusion. With various individuals and groups laying claims and counter claims to the leadership of the nation’s soccer governing body, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, football management in the country, like never before, is in a mess.

Recently, FIFA suspended the NFF, from participating in all FIFA related events over what it terms “government interference”. Aside this, at least twice, in the last few weeks, our country has had the embarrassment of being threatened by FIFA over possible sanction because its soccer house is not in order. It will be recalled that the country was threatened with a FIFA ban in 2010 just after the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa. The threat on that occasion was, as usual, not unconnected with politick-

ing among soccer administrators who were plotting to win election into the NFF board that same year.

It is rather shameful that, Nigeria, the most populous Black Country on planet earth; a nation with so much potential for greatness could suddenly turn itself into a laughing stock, across the world, over an affair that is considered routine in other climes. As it is the practice in the larger society, our soccer administrators, as result of selfish personal considerations, do not mind putting the footballing concern of millions of Nigerians at risk. At the center of the whole brouhaha is, of course, greed, the vice that has become a stumbling block for national development in the country.

Our lackadaisical style of doing things is already throwing a spanner in the wheel of football development in the country. In saner climes, football is run as a private money spinning venture. In South Africa, for instance, the body that manages football , the South African Football Association, SAFA, operates as an independent profit making body and regularly renders its financial status to the public.

The reverse is the case with our NFF. It was recently revealed that the NFF receives the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million naira as monthly subvention from the federal government. In-spite of this, the NFF regularly complains of being cash strapped. Each time any of the national teams has an engagement, the NFF goes cap in hand to source for funds from state governments, corporate organisations and individuals. National teams’ coaches are often owed salaries and allowances for months.

It was recently reported that members of the nation’s national female soccer team, the Super Falcons, which recently became African champions for the seventh time, played without receiving their bonuses throughout the African Women Championship held in Namibia. Recently, one listened, rather painfully, to the country’s Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, praising the girls for exhibiting such high level of patriotism by agreeing to play without their allowances. The puzzle that, however, remains unsolved is why our country, in-spite of her enormous resources would send young girls out to represent us without making proper arrangement for their remuneration? One wonders how many times government officials have travelled outside the country, on official assignments, without their allowances and other expenses being adequately provided for?

That the state of football in the country is in a mess is further reinforced by recent confirmed reports that former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, who had been relieved of his job by his employer, the NFF, after a spate of poor results, was ordered to be reinstated by the presidency. If this is true, such would amount to unnecessary meddlesome in the affairs of the NFF by the presidency. And this is actually something that FIFA frowns on. The whole Keshi affair, is messy and an embarrassment to the county’s image. Now that Keshi has returned to his job courtesy the presidency, what would be the relationship between him and the NFF? Now that it is clear that with the support of the presidency, decisions made by the NFF could be overruled, would the NFF have any hold on Keshi again?

If the presidency, as it is being contemplated, is truly interested in preserving Keshi’s job, why did it not make its intention known to the NFF before the hammer fell on Keshi?

It is always very painful to watch our leaders complicate and bundle simple and straightforward issues. The way things are, the rot in our football system is such that we might not be able to make much progress until it is ruthlessly tackled. It is sad that football, which has become a veritable source of empowerment for youths across the world, is being dealt a deadly blow by administrators who lack the requisite professional competence to manage it. Today, Nigerian footballers no longer rank among the best in the world while our rating as a footballing nation continues to drop abysmally. Rather than put up strategies that could help halt the dwindling fortune of our football, our leaders have continued their macabre naked dance.

The way forward is for government to handsoff the funding of football in the country. Those who fight dirty over football leadership do so mainly because it offers them free access to public fund. Without the allure of government funds, creative and genuine lovers of the beautiful game, who command the respect of the private sector, could come on board to move our football forward. As long as government continues to fund and meddle in football matters, come 2018, after the expiration of the tenure of the current NFF board, the whole ugly circle of shame ,confusion and absurdity would continue, if not at a more disheartening height.

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

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

19

EDITORIAL

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Curbing rising cases of rape

n simplest form of the layman’s understanding, rape is: ‘sexual intercourse without valid consent.’ The World Health Organisation (WHO) described it in 2002 as “physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration – even if slight – of the vulva or anus, using a penis, other body parts or an object.”

Rape in Nigeria seems to have become a hydra-headed monster, defying solution. Government at all levels seem lethargic on actions to curtail the rise.

Rape leaves a victim psychologically traumatised, with long-term effect and higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. In 2012, in Ibadan, President, Zonta Club II, Dr. Omolara Smith, said that cases of rape had gone up from 12.5 to 84 per cent in Nigeria. Since she made that observation, rape has not only increased, but rape stories and cases have become permanent features in most national dailies, hospitals and police stations.

These days, we read about rape cases every day in Nigeria. Perhaps the worst case scenario in Nigeria today, is the kidnap and rape of over 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State in April, 2014.

Let us also not forget horrifying cases of fathers, who are supposed to be protectors of their daugh-

ters, becoming the predators.

Speaking on rape recently on his website, former Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said: “Statistics from four states of the federation - Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Kano - shows that the following numbers of rape/indecent assault cases were reported in 2012.

Ogun, eight, Oyo (131), Lagos (129), and Kano (57). The total is 325.

“In 2013, the states recorded the following reports of the same cases; Ogun - 20, Oyo - 365, Lagos 132 and Kano - 80. The total is 597.

A cursory look at these statistics shows a clear increase in number of rape cases in most parts of the country. This is worrisome.”

According to Wikipedia, “Statistics on rape and other sexual assaults are commonly available in advanced countries, and are becoming more common throughout the world. A study of students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan found that in their lifetimes, 1.7 per cent (2.5 per cent of males and 1.1 per cent of females) had raped and 2.7 per cent (5.3 per cent of males and 0.9 per cent of females) had attempted rape.

“Out of a sample of 295 female students from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki in Southeast Nigeria, 36.7 per cent had experienced sexual harassment/victimisation at least once on campus. Of this, 32.4 per cent had been raped (10.8 per cent of the sample).

“A study comparing the sexual practices of 12 - 19 year-old students with and without mild/moderate intellectual disabilities from schools across Oyo State, Nigeria found that 68.3 per cent of the sexually experienced intellectually disabled females reported a history of rape victimisation compared to 2.9 per cent of the sexually experienced non-disabled females.”

Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, founder and Executive Director of Media Concern Initiative for Women & Children, an organisation that works on the sexual violence prevention and crisis response, said the rise in rape could be traced to population explosion.

According to her, victims of sexual abuses grow up to become abusers themselves.

She noted that cases of teenagers abusing youngers kids were now prevalent than adults raping kids.

The rise is further traced to exposure to pornographies on social media and websites.

The low cost of pornographic movies in several shops in the country is also another worrisome connection.

Rape cases in Nigeria will continue to snowball as long as the justice system and Nigerians continue to be lacklustre in speaking up and convicting perpetrators.

A convicted rapist is supposed to bag life imprisonment with or without canning under the Crimi-

nal Code, whereas in Penal Code, it is punishable with imprisonment for life or for any less term and shall also be liable to fine. The question, however, is: how many perpetrators had been arrested, charged and convicted?

Most times, family members of victims and perpetrators prefer to ‘settle out of court,’ exchanging money, rather than see that justice is done. The case closes. The perpetrator goes home, to continue in his old ways, since he knows he can ‘buy justice.’

Response to rape should not be left to the government and security agencies alone to tackle. It should be a collective response, involving all sectors.

Government should put a mechanism in place whereby family members cannot be allowed to settle or collect money in issues concerning rape.

Government can play its role by providing jobs for its teeming unemployed citizens. It is only poverty that allows a person to sacrifice his sexually traumatised child for money.

Victims must begin to speak out and demand for justice. The victims carry deep scars for the rest of their lives. They can be helped once they speak out. Parents need to learn how to interact with their kids and keep communication open. They should also educate their kids about rape and sex.

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

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editors, Daily n Emeka Obasi, Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi News Editor n Geoffrey Ekenna

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

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Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Politics

Mark

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ekweremadu

Akume

Opposition mounts against senators C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

man Bayero Nafada, is calling the shots from the APC. Nafada will contest against Senator Saidu Alkali of the PDP, if he is able to survive Abdulkdir Hamma Saleh and Dahiru Buba Biri, the immediate past Commissioner for Agriculture for the PDP ticket.

Uncertainty for Osun senators Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), Sola Adeyeye (Osun Central) and Hussein Mudashiru (Osun West) are working round the clock to ensure their re-election, but the greatest opposition to their ambition is within their party – APC. In Osun West, Senator Mudashiru may not return to the Senate with the decision of former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke to contest the seat.

Adeleke lost his re-election to the Senate in 2011 to Mudashiru.

But with a perceived understanding, Governor Rauf Aregbesola seems to prefer Adeleke for the job. Also former Chief of Staff to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Elder Peter Babalola; former Commissioner for Justice, Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji have also shown interest in the seat.

Former Minister of Youth Development, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi is contesting the Osun West seat on the PDP platform.

In Osun Central, Prof. Adeyeye will have to battle forces within his APC like former Commissioner for Health, Chief Lai Oyeduntan, and Alhaji Ibrahim Saka Ominiwe.

The PDP may present Hon. Kunle Alao; Chief Ayo Babatunde and Dr. Daisi Aina, Chairman, Governing Board of the National Root Crops Research Institute.

Osun East promises to be a battleground as Aregbesola and PDP governorship candidate in the August 9 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, will test their might in this senatorial district which both of them come from.

Already, former Chairman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Remi Olowu and Ex-Customs boss, Francis Fadahunsi of the PDP will challenge Senator Omoworare for Osun East.

As it is, two of the senators may not return in Osun. For Mudashiru, it is certain that he will not make it back to the Senate in 2015.

Zamfara senators in comfortable position The three serving senators in Zamfara State have already picked their nomination forms. The chances are that the incumbent senators may return to the Senate in 2015. They are sure of getting their parties’ tickets and may eventually win the senatorial poll.

For Zamfara West, two PDP aspirants – Sani Ahmed Takori and Sani Anka who are former members of the House of Representatives are after Senator Rufa’i Ahned Sani of the APC. In Zamfara North, the contest is between the incumbent senator, Sahabi Ya’u of the PDP, and Tijjani Yahaya Kaura of the APC. In Zamfara Central, the battle for the senatorial seat is between Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa of the APC and PDP’s Malami Aliyu Yandoto, who is likely to emerge as candidate.

Buhari’s influence looms large Katsina is the home state of former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Through his influence and as presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in the 2011 election, the three senatorial seats were won by the CPC. Of the three serving senators, two of them – Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) and Hadi Sirika (Katsina North) – want to return to the Senate in 2015 while Senator Abubakar Sadiq Yar’adua (Katsina Central) has opted for the governorship seat.

Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, is replacing Yar’Adua for the Katsina Central. Masari will face Lamis Shehu Dikko of the PDP. Two other aspirants from APC, Senator Mohammed Tukur Liman and former member of the House of Representatives, Shehu Inuwa Imam, are contesting the ticket with Senator Ibrahim for the Katsina South seat.

In Katsina North, Senator Sirika will find it difficult to get re-elected.

His constituents are complaining that he is always out of reach. He may be replaced by the immediate past interim caretaker commit-

tee chairman of APC in the state, Arch. Musa Dangiwa. In the PDP, the Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Ya’u Umar GwajoGwajo will fly the PDP ticket.

Going by the permutations in the state, two of the APC senators are not coming back; one has opted for the governorship while odds are against Sirika’s re-election.

Mark’s return is certain as virtually every stakeholder in the state has endorsed his reelection

Kebbi senators out; Dakingari, Aliero in In Kebbi, Governor Saidu Dakingari and his predecessor, Adamu Aliero, are in the senatorial race.

The governor is contesting for the Kebbi North while Aliero is contesting Kebbi Central. The state’s deputy governor, Ibrahim Aliyu, is also contesting for the Kebbi South seat.

Two of the serving senators, Isa Galaudi (Kebbi North) and Major General Muhammad Magoro (Kebbi South) have purchased nomination forms to contest the gubernatorial seat on the PDP platform.

The only senator who has shown interest to return to the Senate in 2015, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, will have to contend with Aliero for the Kebbi Central seat. Bagudu replaced Aliero after he was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and went ahead to defeat the former governor in 2011 when he contested on the CPC ticket. Aliero has returned to the PDP and he is sure of getting the ticket.

Senators opt for governorship in Bauchi In Bauchi, the three senators, Adamu Ibrahim Gumba (Bauchi South), Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and Babayo Garba (Bauchi North), are contesting the governorship seat on PDP platform. They are angling to take over from Governor Isa Yuguda.

Gaya, Lado out of contention in Kano The initial interest of Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) in the governorship seat may have affected his chances of returning to the Senate as Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has thrown his weight behind another aspirant.

Senator Bashir Lado (Kano Central) has opted for the governorship seat on the PDP platform. Even since 1999, no senator has represented Kano Central for two terms.

It is only, Senator Bello Gwarzo (Kano North) that might return to the Senate in 2015. The Senate Whip seems to be the only candidate in the

PDP. There are no strong aspirants against him in the APC. Adeyemi, Abatemi for another term The three senators in Kogi State may find it difficult returning in 2015. Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) wants a third term and he has since submitted his nomination form. But, as usual, there is opposition against his re-election.

He will definitely emerge as PDP candidate and may end up winning the 2015 election.

In Kogi East, Senator Attai Ali got his mandate to the Senate through a court judgement. Ali may not likely return to the Senate. Already, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Hajiya Halima Alfa is after the ticket.

Senator Nurudeen Usman Abatemi (Kogi Central), a first term lawmaker, is going to face a challenge from the APC aspirants, Senators Salihu Ohize and Mohammed Ohiere.

Bayelsa, Yobe and Adamawa In Bayelsa, President Jonathan will ensure the return of Senators Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East), Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central), and Heinekeen Lokpobiri (Bayelsa West) even against Governor Seriake Dickson’s wishes.

In Yobe, the three APC senators Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Alkali Jafere and Ahmed Lawan are returning to the Senate.

In Adamawa, Senators Ahmed Barata and Bello Tukur of the PDP are returning while Senator Bindawa Jibrilla of the APC is unsure of his return.

Aliyu to displace newly elected senator In Niger State, two of the senators are not returning. Only Senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure (Niger South) is returning to the Senate.

Governor Babangida Aliyu will be joining other governors to displace a serving senator, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, who was recently elected to complete the tenure of late Awaisu Kuta, for the Niger East.

Zagbayi might have reached an agreement with the governor to hold the senatorial seat for him to complete his tenure.

Senator Ibrahim Musa (Niger North) of the APC has opted for the governorship contest.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

News

Money Line

Stock Watch

21

Interview

NNPC, IOCs’ October profit falls by $784.3m

Oil: Fitch sees low debt aiding Nigeria, Angola

Custodian and Allied: Strategic expansion excites investors

Land titling crucial to Nigeria’s real estate growth –Diop

22

35

37

42-43

Business Nigeria’s telecoms end Q3 What's news

Why Nigeria’ll record more air crashes, by expert

Except the Federal Government provides a sustainable maintenance framework including domesticated maintenance hangar, Nigeria would record more air crashes, Dr Titus Kehinde Olaniyi, an engineer at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has said.

p.22

with 134.5m lines INVESTMENT Nigeria needs over 60,000 base stations to provide satisfactory services

…Teledensity rises to 96%

ing telecoms market in the world.

From December last year when the mobile subscription stood at 127.6 million, the

figure increased to 127.9 million in January, 129 million in February while, by the end of first quarter ending March, the figure declined to 127 million.

In April, the figure increased to 129.3 million; 131.1 million in May and in June, the figure rose to 132.7 million telephone lines.

Also in July, active mobile CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Kunle Azeez

Food insecurity: Nigeria among 32 vulnerable countries Despite Nigeria’s perceived growth and aggressive commitment to agriculture sector, the threat of conflict and social unrest due to food insecurity remains a major threat to the country, according to a report.

p.22

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

N

igeria’s telecoms sector has recorded 134.5 million telephone lines by the third quarter of the year, even as teledensity hit 96.08 per cent, according to latest industry data released by the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The data obtained from the NCC at the weekend revealed that telecoms networks in the country recorded additional 1.3 million lines in September alone, having grown from 133.2 million to 134.5 million at the end of September.

The figure represents the total active telephone lines on the networks of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators as well the fixed line operators.

Teledensity is calculated based on the active telephone numbers in relation to the population in the country.

A breakdown of the latest data showed that of the 134.5 million telephone subscriptions, GSM companies had 131.9 million, CDMA segment 2.4 million, while total fixed lines connected are 190,719.

Since December 2013 and end of September this year, combined active subscriber base has grown significantly, driving telephone penetration and thus sustaining Nigeria’s status as one of fastest-grow-

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank and Guest Speaker at the Founder’s Day and Prize Giving ceremony of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Mr Philip Ikeazor, Chairman, Board of Governors, Dowen College Dr. O. Olumide Phillips, and Dr. (Mrs) Toyin Phillips during the event.

Nigerian banks, others raise $7.6bn capital Kunle Azeez

B

anks in Nigeria and seven other countries in the sub-Sahara Africa have raised $7.6 billion from the international capital markets, within the first nine months

of this year.

The Institute of International Finance (IIF) disclosed this last Friday at 3rd IIF Africa Financial Summit, hosted by Access Bank Plc in Lagos.

The Institute said that the huge funds raised in the con-

tinent, indicating that there is strong foreign investor appetite for African sovereign debt, which has continued unabated.

The recent borrowing by the Federal Government had CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE October 2014............................8.1% September 2014.....................8.3% August 2014............................8.5%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................11.57% Prime Lending Rate...........16.93% Maximum Lending Rate...25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Nov. 14)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N176 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N278 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N220

l Foreign Reserves – $37.59bn as at 13/11/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Nov. 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N157.39 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N249.82 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N195.64

22

Business | News

CAPITAL FLIGHT

Having Maintainance Repair Overhaul in the country will save airline huge revenue

Wole Shadare

E

xcept the Federal Government provides a sustainable maintenance framework including domesticated maintenance hangar, Nigeria would record more air crashes, Dr Titus Kehinde Olaniyi, an engineer at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has said.

Besides, the expert, who spoke at the meeting of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, noted that airlines’ negligence of industry best practice in aircraft operations and maintenances has contributed to several aircraft crashes and folding up of the airlines.

However, Olaniyi noted that managerial incompetence led to fund misappropriations, manpower mismanagement and high indebtedness of most of the airlines.

The expert observed that the lack of sustainable aircraft maintenance

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Why Nigeria’ll record more air crashes, by expert Aviation to grow by 5% hangars has negatively impacted on Nigerian airlines and their ability to operate sustainably in an inherently complex and dynamic global air transport industry.

Olaniyi, who spoke on ‘Sustainable aircraft maintenance hangar: the imperative for the Nigerian aviation industry,’ explained that the systematic failure of the airline industry could be traced to unsustainable aircraft maintenance policies resulting from ageing aircraft, lack of appropriate maintenance personnel, non-availability of aircraft hangars where proper checks or maintenance can be carried out.

He explained that inconsistent regulatory policies, deteriorating infrastructure with obsolete facilities, negligence and managerial incompetence contributed to the failure of most of the local airlines.

The expert also noted that undefined govern-

ment support had jeopardised actions by some airlines to build their hangars.

Olaniyi said that the provision for maintenance facility of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) was currently inadequate for the nation’s needs, tracing the demise of Okada airline to the exorbitant cost of tasks that could

have been avoided.

The aviation engineer explained that having Maintainance Repair Overhaul (MRO) in the country will save airline huge revenue spent abroad on aircraft maintenance and reduce capital flight Olaniyi, however, said that air transport in Nigeria is expected to grow by five per cent in the next 20 years, with increase in demands that will enable

airlines contribute some $0.4 billion and 61,000 jobs for the emerging Nigerian economy.

He noted that the air transport industry generates and supports 6.7 million jobs in Africa and contributes $67.8 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Olaniyi noted that the air transport in the country has been growing since mid-1980’s and 1990’s with deregulation

and emergence of domestic airlines in GDP. He, however, regretted that despite the growth, the number of airlines in the country depreciated to the extent that most of the early starters no longer exist, adding that out of the 30 airlines operating in the 1990’s, only about seven scheduled flights in 2010.

The engineer stated that the demand for transport is a function of certain variables or characteristics, adding that some of the distinguishing characteristics of public transport under local conditions can be in respect of speed, CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Nigerian banks, others raise $7.6bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

given access to Nigerian lenders to raise funds from the international market.

Nigerian banks’ dollar-denominated debts, which have risen at fastest pace this year have, however, heightened concerns about imminent currency risk in the system.

Five banks - Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Diamond Bank, First Bank and Ecobank Nigeria have so far raised a total of $1.75 billion from the international debt market this year.

Also, four Nigerian banks had earlier taken advantage of the opportunity in the market by issuing Eurobonds valued at a total of $1.45 billion between January 2011 and July 2013. The lenders were First Bank, which issued $300 million Eurobond in July 2013, Fidelity Bank Plc’s $300 million Eurobond sold in May 2013, Access Bank Plc’s $350 million Eurobond issued in July 2012 and Guaranty Trust Bank’s $500 million Eurobond which was issued in May 2011.

According to FBN Capital, the investment-

MD / CE NDIC Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim (standing) discussing a point with Chairman of House Committee on Banking & Currency of the

banking unit of FBN Federal House of Representatives, Jones Onyereri (left) and Deputy Chairman of the committee, Haruna Manu during the House Holdings Plc, Nigerian Committee’s oversight visit to NDIC’s Lagos office. banks may raise as much as $2.5 billion this year compared with the $2 bilSETBACK lion raised in 2013.

Weak oil prices slow This development has triggered off heated down firms’ businesses, debate among industry investments watchers over the allure ers, which all contributed to be geared in our industry of the offshore corporate the 2.3 million barrels per reforms to encourage more debt market.

Adeola Yusuf day production in October, petroleum investments if we While some financial were about $784.3 million. have to attain the objectives market analysts warned he profits of the NigeriMeanwhile, Total Explo- of increasing reserves. that if interest rates on an National Petroleum ration and Production in Ni“We must invest if we such offshore debts rise, Corporation (NNPC) geria has disclosed that the have to drill deeper and banks might find themand international oil compa- sudden dramatic slide in the search wider.” selves in financial trap, nies operating in Nigeria’s price of oil is affecting the According to the Total which could have dire oil and gas industry has company.

Nigeria’s Upstream boss, consequence on the sysManaging Director of the where funding is reducing tem, others allayed such slumped by $784.3 million in fears, insisting that there October, New Telegraph in- company, Elizabeth Proust, and the investment environment is uncertain, “the tenis no looming danger. vestigations have revealed. said this on the sideline of But a report by CenChecks showed that the oil the just concluded annual dency of most investors is to tral Bank of Nigeria price’s fall, which crashed to International Conference protect and maintain what (CBN) revealed that $82 per barrel, the lowest in and exhibition organised they have. It is true in most businesses.” four years in the month un- by Nigerian Association of banks generally showed Besides, she noted: “The der review, hit the 2.3 million Petroleum Explorationists modest resilience to exbarrels per day cumulative (NAPE) in Lagos. first negative impact of an change rate risk as the inproduction for the month.

She said: “Clearly, we need uncertain investing and dustry’s capital adequacy While the average oil price to explore more to bring proj- funding situation is unforratio (CAR) deteriorated in the month of September ects on line. A demonstration tunately again what most marginally, after a 50 per cent exchange rate stood at $94 per barrel, the of the boldness of Total is the of you in this conference are commodity’s price averaged recently launched $16 billion interested in -exploration. appreciation shock was $83 in October.

Egina development at a time “But the simple truth is induced, with a 15 per Further checks indicat- of great uncertainty in the that for Nigeria’s oil and cent hedging cover, as at December 2013. ed that about $25.3 million world petroleum industry. gas reserves to grow and for “As we have seen recently companies to invest in exprofits shortfall per day was A Eurobond is an inrecorded from $11 profits with the sudden dramatic ploration and development ternational bond that is disparity between prices in slide in the price of oil, we of assets, there must be a denominated in a currenSeptember and October. also operate in an uncertain clear, fair and stable fiscal cy not native to the counIn total, the loss that was commercial and investment and regulatory regime that try where it is issued. It is allows long-term planning suffered by the NNPC, IOCs environment. normally a bearer bond, payable to the bearer. and Independent oil produc“All efforts must therefore and investing.”

NNPC, IOCs’ October profit falls by $784.3m

T

INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

In collaboration with

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 Copyright © 2014 The New York Times

Sanctity of Truth

Where Failure Is Normal

Bending Nature’s Forces

By CLAIRE MARTIN

Five years ago, Cassandra Phillipps founded FailCon, a one-day conference in San Francisco celebrating failure. Discouraged by a growing chorus of start-up founders promoting their triumphs throughout Silicon Valley, and nervous about her own prospects as an entrepreneur, she craved the stories of people who had flopped.

The conference was a success.

And every October for the next four years, up to 500 tech start-up newbies have gathered with industry veterans who lead discussions with titles like “How to Conduct Yourself When It All Goes Off the Rails.”

But this year, the FailCon event in San Francisco was canceled, and Ms. Phillipps says part of the reason is that failure chatter is now so pervasive in Silicon Valley that a conference seems superfluous. “It’s in the lexicon that you’re going to fail,” she said.

According to research by Shikhar Ghosh, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, 30 percent to 40 percent of venture-backed start-ups spend most or all of their investors’ money, and 70 percent to 80 percent do not deliver their projected return on investment.

Now failure is emerging as a badge of honor, as entrepreneurs publicly trumpet how they have faced adversity head-on.

The gusto for failure is lagging beyond Silicon Valley, and that has presented Ms. Phillipps with another opportunity. Four years ago, she began licensing the FailCon event for a $1,500 fee to producers in other countries, including Brazil, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. And in Toronto, a company called Fail

Con­­tin­­ued on Page 27

JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Cassandra Phillipps said failing is expected in Silicon Valley.

JASPER JUINEN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES; TOP, ILVY NJIOKIKTJIEN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

A Netherlands playground covered with olivine, top, a mineral that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

New Interest in Manipulations to Slow Global Warming

By HENRY FOUNTAIN

UTRECHT, the Netherlands — The solution to global warming, Olaf Schuiling says, lies beneath our feet.

For Dr. Schuiling, a retired geochemist, climate salvation would come in the form of olivine, a green-tinted mineral found in abundance around the world. When exposed to the elements, it slowly takes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Olivine has been doing this naturally for billions of years, but Dr. Schuiling wants to speed up the process by spreading it on fields and beaches and using it for dikes, pathways, even sandboxes. Sprinkle enough of the crushed rock around, he says, and it will eventually remove enough carbon dioxide to slow the rise in global temperatures.

“Let the earth help us to save the earth,” said Dr. Schuiling, 82, from his office at the University of Utrecht.

Such ideas for countering climate change — known as geoengineering solutions — were once considered the stuff of fantasies. But the effects of climate

change may become so severe that geoengineering solutions could attract serious consideration.

Dr. Schuiling’s idea is one of several intended to reduce levels of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, so the atmosphere will trap less heat. Other approaches, potentially faster and more doable but riskier, would create the equivalent of a sunshade around the planet by scattering reflective droplets in the stratosphere or spraying seawater to create more clouds over the oceans. Less sunlight reaching the earth’s surface would mean less heat to be trapped, resulting in a quick lowering of temperatures.

No one can say for sure whether geoengineering of any kind would work. And many of the approaches are seen as highly impractical. Dr. Schuiling’s approach, for example, would take decades to have even a small impact, and the processes of mining, grinding and transporting the billions of tons of olivine needed would produce enormous carbon emissions of their own.

Many people view the idea of geoengi-

neering as a last-gasp approach to climate change that would distract the world from the goal of eliminating the emissions that are causing the problem in the first place.

The climate is a vastly complex system, so manipulating temperatures may also have consequences, like changes in rainfall, that could be catastrophic or benefit one region at the expense of another. Critics also worry that geoengineering could be used unilaterally by one nation, creating another source of geopolitical worries.

But experts argue that the circumstances are becoming dire.

“There may come to be a choice between geoengineering and suffering,” said Andy Parker of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, Germany.

In 1991, a volcanic eruption in the Philippines spewed the largest cloud of sulfur dioxide gas ever measured into the high atmosphere. The gas formed droplets of sulfuric acid, which reflected the sun’s

Con­­tin­­ued on Page 26

INTELLIGENCE

WORLD TRENDS

MONEY & BUSINESS

ARTS & DESIGN

In America, looking ahead to 2016. PAGE 24

African terror group disintegrates. PAGE 25

African opportunities draw investors. PAGE 31

Big parts for actors in video games. PAGE 34

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

O P I N I O N & C O M M E N TA RY

EDITORI A LS OF THE TI ME S

Bold On Immigration President Obama is apparently ready to go big, as he promised, to fix immigration on his own — to use his law-enforcement discretion to spare perhaps five million unauthorized immigrants from deportation. Aides speaking anonymously have told The Times that Mr. Obama is considering some options for executive action that would give parents of children who are citizens or legal residents, as well as people who were brought here illegally as children, temporary legal status and permission to work.

Details are lacking, and praise for presidential action will have to wait until it becomes clear whether the often-too-cautious Mr. Obama goes through with it, and how comprehensive his order is — whether it includes those who have been living here five years, for example, or 10 years and what other hurdles applicants may have to meet to qualify.

Our view on executive action is: the sooner the better, and the bigger the better, because so many have been waiting so long for the unjust immigration system to be repaired, while vast resources have been wasted on deporting needed workers and breaking up families instead of pursuing violent criminals and other security threats.

In one sense, the value of presidential action can be measured by the ferocity of the Republican opposition it has provoked.

“Congress has opposed it. The American people have opposed it. And the president persists unilaterally,” said Senator Jeff Sessions. He called it “a threat to the constitutional order.”

Mr. Sessions and his Republican colleagues have it backward.

For all the protestations of presidential tyranny, Congress has more power than Mr. Obama to make meaningful immigration changes. His adversaries won’t admit it, but they could banish talk of executive action by dusting off a bill that has passed the Senate and contains all they have been demanding, starting with a surge of border enforcement.

The president cannot rewrite immigration law. But he does control the enforcement apparatus; no Republicans have complained about his using executive authority to deport more people more quickly than all his predecessors. Using his discretion to focus on deporting violent criminals, terrorists and other threats is not lawlessness. It is his job.

INTELLIGENCE/ROBERT KUTTNER

Clinton’s Road Ahead While American Democrats took a beating in the recent midterm elections, that may work in their favor in the presidential race in 2016. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is overwhelmingly favored to win the party’s nomination, is most likely to treat the Republicans, who now have majorities in both houses of Congress, as an incumbent party. She will blame them for continuing weaknesses on both the economy and foreign policy.

Where President Barack Obama tried and failed to make progress by meeting Republicans halfway, Mrs. Clinton is a tougher politician and will present herself as a more resolute leader. She is also likely to benefit from a unified party, while the Republicans are badly divided between the populist, deeply conservative Tea Party bloc and a more mainstream bigbusiness faction. There are no major Democratic challengers to Mrs. Clinton, but at least five serious Republicans are likely to seek their party’s nomination, portending a long and draining primary season.

Yet Democrats and Mrs. Clinton may face deeper voter unRobert Kuttner is co-editor of The American Prospect and a senior fellow at the policy group Demos. Send comments to intelligence@nytimes.com.

Cleveland, Ohio This is a great time to be a maker, an innovator, a starter-upper. Thanks to the Internet, you can raise capital, sell goods or services and discover collaborators and customers globally more easily than ever. This is a great time to make things. But it is also a great time to break things, thanks to the Internet. If you want to break something or someone, or break into somewhere that is encrypted, and collaborate with other bad guys, you can recruit and operate today with less money, greater ease and greater reach than ever before. That’s why the balance of power between makers and breakers will shape our world every bit as much as the one among America, Russia and China.

Consider what Robert Hannigan, the director of GCHQ, Britain’s national security agency, wrote recently in The Financial Times: The Islamic State, or ISIS, was “the first terrorist group whose members have grown up on the Internet.” The

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ease. This is paradoxical, since polls suggest that voters agree more with Democrats than Republicans on most issues.

Voters support Democrats to use government for the general good — when they support government at all. Today, however, large majorities view government as corrupt and unreliable.

It’s an open question whether Mrs. Clinton could win back that lost trust.

Though she served as Mr. Obama’s secretary of state, she has already distanced herself from the relatively unpopular president. In a widely quoted interview in The Atlantic magazine in August, she criticized his failure to give more help to Syrian rebels as a direct cause of the rise of the jihadists known as the Islamic State.

President Obama’s achievements include an economy that is on the mend; a new health plan for the uninsured; and the withdrawal of United States ground troops from Iraq, just as he promised. Yet his popularity is near record lows and many blame him for the Democrats’ poor election performance.

For some analysts, the election was a rejection of the president’s personality and leadership style, which many voters consider aloof. The election was also a classic case of a deep pattern of American poli-

tics: In the sixth year of a presidency, fickle voters tend to be weary of the incumbent. This pattern caused large congressional losses for such popular two-term presidents as Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower and even Franklin D. Roosevelt — all of whom had won their own re-elections easily but whose party took big defeats just two years later.

Yet Mrs. Clinton has her own vulnerabilities. For many Americans she is a figure from

American voters’ messages for 2016 remain unclear. a now-distant era, the 1990s.

She will be 69 years old in 2016.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is a brilliant strategist but also known to create political problems with some of his comments. Some voters will wonder whether they would be electing a co-president.

The Clintons have blended charitable, financial and political interests in the far-flung conglomerate known as the Clinton Foundation, which has enabled the couple to trade favors with

THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

Makers and Breakers simple fact is, he said, “messaging and social media services such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp … have become the command-and-control networks of choice for terrorists.”

ISIS has used them to recruit, coordinate and inspire thousands of Islamists from around the world to join its fight to break Iraq and Syria.

Hannigan called for a “new deal” between intelligence agencies and the social networks so the companies don’t encrypt their data services in ways that make breakers like ISIS more powerful.

This will be an important debate, because this same free, open command and control system is enabling the makers to collaborate like never before, too. Here in Cleveland, Ohio, I met two Israeli “makers” whose company relies heavily on Ukrainian software engineers.

Their 11-year-old, 550-person company with employees in 20 countries, TOA Technologies, is a provider of cloud-based software that helps firms coordinate and manage mobile employees.

Yuval Brisker, 55, was trained in Israel as an architect and first went to New York in the late-

1980s. He later met Irad Carmi, now 51, an Israeli-trained flautist, who came to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Over the years, both discovered a love for, and taught themselves, programming. An Israeli friend of Brisker’s started a company in the 1990s dot-com boom, MaxBill, and eventually employed them both, but it went bust after 2001.

“We were both dot-com refugees,” said Brisker. “But one day Irad calls me up and says, ‘My father-in-law just came back from the doctor and asked: “Why is it that I have to wait for the doctor in his office when he knows he’s going to be late and running behind? There must be a technological solution.”

In 2003, they started a company to solve that problem.

But they had no money, and Carmi was working in Vienna.

Carmi second-mortgaged his Cleveland home; Brisker took out loans. They communicated globally via the Internet. They wrote their business plan on free software without ever seeing each other. Carmi discovered Alexey Turchyn, a Ukrainian programmer, who managed the creation of their first constantly updated cloud-based enterprise

wealthy donors. These activities could present a target for both the press and the opposition and suggest a candidate too cozy with big business, especially for a Democrat. This image evokes some of the same liabilities Mr. Obama has suffered.

His bailout of the big banks may have helped save the economy from a second Great Depression, but it also suggested a government too cozy with Wall Street. His health plan will help millions get insurance, but it is complicated and frustrating to navigate, reinforcing the Republican story of government incompetence.

In states where Republicans govern, they have succeeded in erecting barriers to voting that hit minorities and the poor, including requirements of photo identification. Even where there were no obstacles, groups that tend to support Democrats voted in record low numbers this year, apparently out of general disaffection. It remains to be seen whether Mrs. Clinton, who relies on the same set of Wall Street advisers as the president, can win these voters back.

So she could be more vulnerable than many assume. She was also the presumed Democratic nominee in 2008, but was defeated by a novice, and an African-American no less. It is a long way to November 2016.

software. Eventually, they set up in Cleveland. Why not? As they say: “On the Internet, no one knows you’re a dog” — or in Cleveland or Mosul.

It still matters, though, being seen as an “American company,” said Brisker: “People know you represent that kind of entrepreneurialism and freedom of thought and creative expression and bold energy, and they want to be a part of it. They know it can transport them out of the malaise of their local world and enable them to build a new world in its place.”

Malaise? Why do some people respond to malaise with constructive, creative energies and use the Internet to scale them, and others respond with destructive creative energies and use the Internet to scale those?

I don’t know. But more and more people will be superempowered by the Internet to make things and break things — and social networking companies and intelligence agencies working together or apart won’t save us.

When every individual gets this superempowered to make or break things, every family and community matters — the values they impart and the aspirations they inspire. How we nurture our own in America and in other countries to produce more makers than breakers is now one of the great political — and geopolitical — challenges of this era.

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WORLD TRENDS

An Ebola Mystery: Why Some Recover

By SHERI FINK

SUAKOKO, Liberia — After he lost his parents to Ebola, Junior Samuel, 8, slumped inside a treatment center here. Within a day, he began bleeding from his gums, an ominous sign.

Ten days later, 9-year-old Rancy Willie, who had just lost his mother, arrived. He, too, would soon begin bleeding.

The boys became roommates at the center, run by the American charity International Medical Corps. They received essentially the same care. But one boy died hours before the other one went home, having recovered.

And the fate of a third boy, 5-yearold Williams Beyan, remained unclear.

Over and over, doctors have been confounded by the divergent paths of patients whose cases appeared similar at first. “No matter how long we were there, we didn’t know how to predict it,” said Dr. Steve Whiteley, a California physician who volunteered.

They say they have been especially baffled by what Dr. Whiteley called the “light bulb” phenomenon — a patient who appeared to get better, then suddenly died. In the absence of much lab testing and research, the disease seems heartbreakingly random.

The World Health Organization said those under 15 made up 13 percent of cases in the epidemic’s first nine months, though they accounted for about 43 per-

cent of the population. They may be less exposed to major risk factors, such as caring for sick relatives.

Junior, who weighed 19 kilograms, seemed very ill at admission. Like the two boys with whom he would share the ward, his viral load was fairly high, a bad sign. He was given an intravenous line and oral liquids with electrolytes to combat dehydration.

Over days, his trajectory was noted. October 3: admitted with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and pain in his abdomen, chest and head. October 4: bleeding from gums. The only other child in the ward was “scared to death to be in the room with him,” Audrey Rangel, an American nurse, said during rounds. October 5: diarrhea and vomiting. October 7: stable and “jumping around like crazy pants.” October 10: fever of 39 degrees Celsius.

Rancy Willie arrived three days later, weighing only 16 kilograms. He was severely dehydrated. As the nurses held each forearm aloft, Rancy’s hand drooped like a flag.

“You’re so brave,” Ms. Rangel said. A colleague inserted the needle but missed his vein. The team decided to wait for morning, when a nurse experienced in pediatrics would be on duty.

Ms. Rangel helped him sit up to drink a rehydration solution. His sips were so small, though, that

George Beyan was cleared of Ebola, but stayed behind at a center to help care for his 5-yearold son, Williams.

DANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

The same symptoms and treatment, but different outcomes. he barely swallowed anything.

Moments later, he vomited.

“O.K., better?” Ms. Rangel asked. Then another wave overtook him.

Rancy was moved into Junior’s room on the ward for confirmed cases. Two nights later, Rancy fell, and began bleeding profusely. It took an hour and a half for a nurse to come because staff members were busy admitting patients.

Junior no longer had a fever and had begun sitting outside during the day and eating again, his face brightening into a smile

whenever he was greeted. Each day, he looked better.

On the night of October 17, his fifth at the center, Rancy moaned and moaned. He was cleaned and given a painkiller and a sedative to help him sleep. He was bleeding from his eyes, nose and mouth. His sister and a cousin had been admitted, but they were too sick to offer comfort.

Rancy, whose stepfather said he loved dancing and soccer and wanted to be a civil engineer, died before sunrise.

That morning, after more than two weeks at the center, Junior was discharged to live with his aunt and uncle, Ebola no longer detectable in his blood. He smiled broadly and said he had not been afraid until people around him began to die.

Williams was still a patient when Junior left. His father, George Beyan, had been discharged the same day Williams

tested positive for Ebola, and aid workers encouraged him to help care for his son. Mr. Beyan sat Williams up, encouraged him to eat and drink, asked staff members for extra juice, and even walked him outside. The father held him close overnight, wrapped in the same blanket.

Mr. Beyan would tell anyone who asked that his son was doing better, little by little. “Small, small,” he would say in Liberian English.

The doctors wanted to believe it, too, even as Williams ran high fevers and had continuing diarrhea.

After all, Junior’s survival had surprised them, and so had Mr. Beyan’s.

Williams began crying one evening, after having had a fever that day. He had just been outside watching a movie. Then he was gone.

“My little boy,” Mr. Beyan sobbed, inconsolable.

As Shabab Fall Apart, Fighters Flee

By ISMA’IL KUSHKUSH and JEFFREY GETTLEMAN

BAIDOA, Somalia — Bashir was a true believer, a foot soldier who recently quit after seeing too many innocents slaughtered.

Ahmed deserted the Shabab because he wanted a real family, not just a bunch of heavily armed, sociopathic militants who called themselves a “family,” he said.

And young Nurta was a slender assassin, with a bright purple scarf and wide, seemingly innocent eyes.

“There is no life with them,” she said.

Even before its leader was cut down in an American airstrike in September, the Shabab militant group in Somalia, once one of Al Qaeda’s most powerful franchises, began unraveling. In the past few months, the group has been shedding territory and fighters.

Dozens of defectors have been staying in a drab, one-story, heavily guarded concrete-block building in Baidoa, in central Somalia.

The picture they paint is one of the Shabab in decline. Just a few years ago, the Shabab held much of southern Somalia. Shabab fighters chopped off heads, starved children, snatched up adolescent brides and stoned to death those girls who refused.

Until the advent of the Islamic State, or ISIS, in Iraq and Syria, the Shabab controlled more territory than any Qaeda subgroup, bringing in millions of dollars by running ports and imposing taxes, which bankrolled terrorist attacks across the region.

But African Union peacekeepers have dislodged Shabab from all major towns in southern Somalia. The Somali population has turned against the group.

In killing the Shabab’s leader,

An Al Qaeda group loses its way after its leader is killed.

Ahmed Abdi Godane, with little collateral damage, the United States showed that it had finally cracked the group’s code.

Since Mr. Godane’s replacement is a little-known fighter, Shabab defectors said the group’s allure is virtually gone.

Western intelligence officials estimate there are just a few thousand hardened Shabab fighters left.

Afyare A. Elmi, a Somali professor at Qatar University, pre-

dicts Shabab will continue to shed territory but “will keep up its guerrilla attacks and explosions.” Four Shabab gunmen massacred dozens of civilians in a mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, last year.

At the “transition facility” in Baidoa, elders are pushing computer skills, carpentry and welding. The easiest way to deradicalize former jihadists, the theory goes, is to give them jobs.

Bashir, 24, said that when he first joined the Shabab, he believed in their ideas. But when Mr. Godane took over the Shabab, around 2008, Bashir was no longer sure what he believed in.

Mr. Godane “allowed for the killing of innocent people. And I think he worked for elements from other countries, not for Somalia.”

“I am happy to hear he is dead,” Bashir said.

So is Nurta, the young female assassin. Her involvement with the Shabab was never a matter of choice. She was kidnapped, she said, by foreign fighters, white men, who snatched her from her school when she was 16. She was the perfect terrorist: a young woman whom few might suspect of being a killer.

“I was trained to shoot targets in public areas, how to jump over

DANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

A rehabilitation center for Shabab defectors in Baidoa, Somalia, where many of the former fighters fear reprisals. buildings and target watchtowers,” she said.

Nurta said she soon became an expert in the tools of death: AK47s, sniper rifles, bombs, pistols of various makes.

She said she was dispatched to the Kenyan coast in 2011 to help kidnap two foreigners, crimes that deeply hurt the country’s tourism industry and helped lead Kenya to later send troops into Somalia.

But at one point, Nurta grew sick of seeing her colleagues’ cavalier disregard for human life. Even when the Shabab’s own fighters were wounded, she said,

“they didn’t care and left them to die.”

After defecting, Nurta went underground. But the Shabab were determined to find her. She knew too much.

Earlier this year, while she was in the market in Baidoa, she saw a Shabab assassin whom she knew. Their eyes locked. She tried to run as he pulled the pin on his grenade. The explosion knocked her down. Shrapnel sliced into her face. She survived, but shortly after that, the Shabab murdered her brother.

“I ask God to forgive me,” she said.

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WORLD TRENDS

Bending Forces of Nature to Help Cool the Earth Con­­tin­­ued from Page 23 rays back into space. For three years, average worldwide temperatures fell by about half a degree Celsius.

One geoengineering approach would mimic this action by spraying sulfuric acid droplets into the stratosphere.

Using planes might be one way to do this; giant tethered balloons might be another.

The dimming would not be noticeable, but computer simulations have shown that it would have a near-immediate effect on temperatures; how much would depend on the quantity and size of the droplets. Droplets do not last, so spraying would have to be continuous, and the quantities would have to be increased, in part to offset continuing carbon emissions. The process also would do nothing to remove carbon dioxide that has been absorbed by seawater and poses a threat to the oceanic food chain.

David Keith, a researcher at Harvard University, has suggested that if this kind of geoengineering, called solar radiation management, or S.R.M., is undertaken, it should be done slowly and carefully, so it could be halted if damaging weather patterns or other problems arose.

And some critics of geoengineering are skeptical that any impact would be balanced. People in underdeveloped countries are affected by climate change that has largely been caused by the actions of industrialized countries. So why should they trust that scattering droplets in the sky would help them?

“No one likes to be the rat in someone else’s laboratory,” said Pablo Suarez of the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Climate Center.

Turning Down the Heat

Maasland that sells olivine sand for home or commercial use; it will soon receive a shipload from a mine in Spain.

The company also sells THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT “green sand certificates” Some sunlight is reflected by the atmosphere, but that pay for spreading the much is absorbed by the surface and emitted as SOLAR sand along highways. thermal energy, which is trapped by carbon dioxide RADIATION Dr. Schuiling’s dogand other greenhouse gases. gedness has also spurred research. At the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in Yerseke, Francesc Montserrat, an CARBON DIOXIDE ecologist, is investigating E ER the idea of spreading olivPH OS M ine on the seabed. In BelT A gium, researchers at the University of Antwerp Surface of the earth is heated. are studying the effects of olivine on crops like barley and wheat.

POSSIBLE WAYS TO REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT: Many in the geoengineering community see REMOVING CO2 MANAGING SUNLIGHT a need for more research.

More thermal energy can More solar radiation is Computer simulations go escape to space. reflected to space. only so far, they say.

Very little money is set SOLAR aside worldwide for geoRADIATION engineering research.

But even the suggestion of conducting field experiments can cause an EARTH uproar.

“People like lines in Another is to make the atmosphere One approach is to remove some the sand to be drawn, more reflective, by adding particles or carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and there’s a very obvialtering clouds, so less heat is trapped. so it would trap less thermal energy. ous one which says, fine, THE NEW YORK TIMES if you want to do stuff on a desktop or a lab bench, Ideas to remove carbon dioxide that’s O.K.,” said Matthew WatDr. Schuiling has been talking from the air provoke less alarm. for years about his idea in the son of the University of Bristol in While they have issues of their Netherlands. As a result, the Britain. “But as soon as you start own — olivine, for example, concountry has become an olivine going out into the real world, then hotbed. If you know where to that’s different.” tains small amounts of metals look, you can see the crushed Dr. Watson knows all about that could contaminate the enrock on paths, in gardens and in those lines in the sand: He led a vironment — as a geoengineerplay areas. project, financed by the British ing method they would work far Eddy Wijnker, a former sound government, that included a relmore slowly and indirectly, afengineer, created greenSand, fecting the climate over decades atively benign test of one techa company in the small town of by altering the atmosphere. nology. In 2011, the researchers SUN

Some scientists and policy makers say that the world may someday have to consider geoengineering — intentionally manipulating nature — to combat climate change.

Altering climate patterns could have unforeseen effects. planned to tether a balloon about a kilometer in the sky and try to pump a small amount of plain water up to it through a hose.

The proposal prompted protests in Britain, was delayed for half a year and then was canceled.

In the United States, Dr. Keith and his colleagues have proposed a balloon experiment that would test the effect of sulfate droplets on atmospheric ozone — a potential trouble spot for solar engineering. Dr. Keith receives some private money from Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, for his geoengineering research, but says that for this experiment, which could cost $10 million or more, most of the funds would have to come from the government, for reasons of accountability and transparency.

But the prospects of government support for any kind of geoengineering test seem slim right now in the United States, where many politicians deny that climate change is even occurring.

“The conventional wisdom is that the right doesn’t want to talk about this because it acknowledges the problem,” said Rafe Pomerance, a former environmental official in the American State Department. “And the left is worried about the impact on emissions.”

Getting the topic out in the open, then, would be a good thing, Mr. Pomerance said. “It’s going to take a little more time,” he added. “But it’s coming.”

Don’t Think. Just Eat and Get Dressed.

Why are impulse-buy items like candy bars and chewing gum so hard to resist at the grocery store check-out line? Because of a phenomenon known as decision LENS fatigue. Now that you have made your way around all of the various aisles and chosen among the hundreds, if not thousands, of products, your brain is more likely to give in to temptation.

And while that can have a relatively low impact in this example — just a few extra calories, say, and a small amount of money — elsewhere the effect can be more profound.

President Obama has said he limits his clothing and food options because he doesn’t want such minor matters to use up even the smallest amount of energy. “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits,” he once told a For comments, write to nytweekly@nytimes.com.

To give big decisions their due, forget the small stuff. magazine. “I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.”

It is the same reason you will see Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook chief executive and co-founder, dressed in identical gray T-shirts each day.

“I want to clear my life so I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community,” he said this month during a discussion with about 200 Facebook users at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California.

“Even making small decisions around what you wear or what you eat for breakfast or things like that, they kind of make you tired and consume your energy,” Mr. Zuckerberg said. “I feel like I am not doing my job if I spend

any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life. So that way I can dedicate all of my energy towards just building the best products and services and helping us reach our goal.”

The phenomenon also applies when it comes to moral issues, according to research published in the journal Psychological Science, which found that people are more likely to cheat, lie and commit fraud as the day wears on.

One experiment found that subjects cheated 25 percent more often in the afternoon, a result that was echoed in other studies. Researchers said that the part of the brain in charge of “executive control” becomes tired, a fatigue resulting from even “a task as simple as memorizing numbers.”

“To the extent that you’re cognitively tired,” Isaac H. Smith, an assistant professor at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and one of the article’s authors, told The Times, “you’re more likely to give in to the devil on your

MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS

Impulse buying at the grocery store might not have a big impact on your life, but elsewhere it might be wise to avoid decision fatigue and focus on what is important. shoulder.”

These factors should all be kept in mind when facing daunting tasks like the one Steven Kurutz explored in The Times recently: mattress shopping. “Is there any home purchase more confusing and fraught with anxiety than buying a mattress?” he asked.

The “Kafkaesque maze” of mattress options is enough to wear down any brain, with similar-sounding brands like Sim-

mons, Sealy and Serta; with the brands’ offerings varying from store to store; and with a seemingly endless variety of coils and foams.

Walking into a store and facing what the Simmons vice president Brett Swygman described as “a sea of white rectangles,” you’d want to be sure you had a good night’s sleep first. Though for that you’d probably need a good mattress.

TESS FELDER

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WORLD TRENDS

Where Start-Up Failure Is Viewed as Acceptable Con­­tin­­ued from Page 23

CRISTIAN MOVILA FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Marcel-Lehel Lazar tormented celebrities using computer skills he had picked up the web.

Hacker Trips Erasing His Tracks

By ANDREW HIGGINS

ARAD, Romania — He reveled in tormenting members of the Bush family, Colin L. Powell and a host of other prominent Americans, and also in outfoxing the F.B.I. and the Secret Service. Early this year, however, the elusive online outlaw known as Guccifer lost his cocky composure and began to panic.

He smashed his hard drive and cellphone with an ax.

That spasm of precautionary destruction, at his home in Romania’s rural Transylvania region, did not help him much — especially as he left pieces of what would later become evidence scattered in the mud.

Two weeks later, on January 22, a global hunt for the celebrated and mysterious hacker who first revealed self-portraits painted by George W. Bush and plundered a trove of personal emails from politicians, military officers and celebrities finally ended in an early morning raid of his home.

“I was expecting them, but the shock was still very big for me,” the hacker, now serving a seven-year sentence, said.

He spoke in an interview, his first, at the Arad Penitentiary here. “It is hard to be a hacker, but even harder to erase your tracks.”

In many ways, however, his two-year rampage through the email accounts of rich and powerful Americans showed how easy it can be to go rogue on the Internet and, even when armed with only rudimentary skills, to stay one step ahead of the law, at least for a while.

The hacker who signed off as Guccifer — a nom de guerre coined, he said, to combine “the style of Gucci and the light of Lucifer” — turned out to be Marcel-Lehel Lazar, a jobless 43-year-old former taxi driver.

He had no expertise in computers, no fancy equipment, only a clunky NEC desktop and a Samsung cellphone, and no special skills beyond what he had picked up on the web.

Viorel Badea, the Romanian prosecutor who directed the case, expressed dismay that Mr. Lazar had gotten so far with so little. “He was not really a hacker but just a smart guy who was very patient and persistent,”

Mr. Badea said.

Instead of using computer worms and other hacking tools, the prosecutor said, Mr. Lazar trawled the web for information about his targets, then simply guessed the answers to security questions. “He is just a poor Romanian guy who wanted to be famous,” Mr. Badea said.

It took six months of trial and error for Mr. Lazar to guess the answers and gain access to the emails of Corina Cretu, a 47-year-old Romanian politician who sent pictures of herself in a bikini and a flirtatious message to Mr. Powell, the former secretary of state. Mr. Powell, who has denied having an affair with Ms. Cretu, had urged her to delete all their messages after he discovered that his own email account had been hacked.

Mr. Lazar, who is half-Hungarian, acknowledged that he relied mostly on educated guesswork. He said he had no

A rampage that shows the ease of going rogue online. training in computers, though he did work, briefly, in a computer factory. “I got fired after two weeks,” he said.

He did have a previous conviction, for hacking into the email accounts of Romanian starlets and other celebrities under the name Micul Fum, or Little Smoke.

Late last year, Mr. Lazar started boasting of his exploits to The Smoking Gun, an American website that on January 6 posted a defiant email message in broken English from the still unidentified Guccifer: “NO I am not concerned, i think i switch the proxies go to play some backgammon on yahoo watch tv, play with my family and daughter.”

A day later, however, Mr. Lazar got a shock when George Maior, the head of Romania’s domestic intelligence agency, announced that the authorities would soon catch America’s most wanted hacker, a vow that

suggested they knew he was in Romania. Mr. Lazar, in his prison interview, said he was also badly shaken by Mr. Maior’s description of him as “Little Guccifer,” which to him indicated that investigators had linked Guccifer with Little Smoke, the pseudonym he used before his 2011 arrest.

Thrown into a panic, he decided it was time to destroy evidence of his hacking and took an ax to his computer and cellphone in his yard in the village of Sambateni, about 18 kilometers east of Arad.

“I knew they were coming for me,” he recalled.

In reality, the authorities still had little idea who Guccifer was.

Mr. Maior said he was not aware that Guccifer was the same person as Little Smoke, and had merely called him “little” to “minimize his aura of un-catchability.” The authorities, Mr. Maior said, did not even know at the time that Guccifer was Romanian.

But they had suspected he might be since September, when Guccifer hijacked a personal email account used by Mr. Maior, the security chief, and then used it to send Romanian-language messages to Mr. Maior’s official email account at the Romanian Intelligence Service.

Mr. Maior promptly ordered an investigation. Aided by American investigators, who had been hunting for Guccifer for months, the Romanians quickly homed in on Mr. Lazar.

“He made many mistakes,” Mr. Badea said.

Mr. Lazar said he could have covered his tracks better if he’d had more money — for a more powerful computer, for instance.

“Of course, I could have stolen money from them,” he said, distancing himself from others who have made Romania a global leader in Internet fraud.

“I didn’t. Not a single dollar.”

With no access to a computer in jail, he now pours out phobias and conspiracy theories in notebooks filled with his small, neat handwriting.

“O.K., I broke the law, but seven years in a maximum-security prison?” he said. “I am not a murderer or a thief.”

Forward consults with companies looking to learn from failures.

“Nobody wants to fail,” said Ashley Good, founder of Fail Forward. “It’s awful. You will never hear me say to celebrate failure.”

But, she added, “failing intelligently is an increasingly important skill.”

In a blog post titled “Today My Start-Up Failed,” the New Yorkbased entrepreneur Chris Poole did not hold back when describing the demise of his company DrawQuest, a drawing-game app. “No soft landing, no happy ending — we simply failed,” Mr. Poole wrote in February.

His tone was confessional.

“Few in business will know the pain of what it means to fail as a venture-backed C.E.O.,” he wrote. Mr. Poole explained that even though the DrawQuest app had been downloaded 1.4 million times, the business could not survive. “It may seem surprising that a seemingly successful product could fail,” he wrote. “But it happens all the time.”

Jordan Nemrow, whose app Zillionears.com allowed musicians to sell their music directly to consumers through short-

It may hurt when a venture fails, but it won’t kill a career.

debut in October 2015.

Entrepreneurs still need to learn about failure because Silicon Valley tech incubators typically don’t advise start-ups about how to prepare for it, said Dr. Michael A. Freeman of the University of California, San Francisco. Failure, he said, has been “significantly destigmatized” on a cultural level in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, even though on an individual level it can still be painful to endure.

“We are getting a billion dollars a month of new investor money coming into the region,” said Dr. Freeman, a co-founder of a nonprofit and a start-up. “If you fail,” he said, “some investors believe that you’ve got the guts to take it to the mat. That you’re not personally going to be so damaged by adversity as to lose your persistence in business. That you’ll fight.”

For Trey Griffith, running a failing tech start-up felt like “pounding your head against the wall and trying a bunch of things, but nothing’s working,” he said.

Mr. Griffith presided over a start-up called Endorse.me, which set out to help companies recruit college students by using teacher recommendations. When he was trying to keep J. T. TROLLMAN his business going Suneel Gupta, then a vice president he wrote a blog post pleading for advice at Groupon, at FailCon 2012 talking from readers. about some of the company’s missteps.

As a result, he met his current boss.

Mr. Griffith is now vice presterm sales known as flash sales, posted that Zillionears.com imident for technology at Teleploded because “people really border, a company that makes didn’t LIKE anything about our software for human resources product.” He added, “No one that departments to use in organizing used the service thought it was visas for overseas employees. He that cool.” said that when interviewing job After the post went viral, somecandidates for positions at Telething odd happened. “We got like border, he doesn’t dismiss those 100,000 hits in a weekend on that with failures on their résumés. blog, which actually resulted in He wrote about his failings like 10,000 views of our app,” Mr. about the same time Mr. Nemrow Nemrow said. “Before that we of Zillionears.com wrote about had 100 views total.” his. Mr. Nemrow offered support.

But unfortunately for him, by The two stayed in touch and now the time the company received they have something else in comthat attention it had already mon: success. failed.

“I thought it would be really In some ways, FailCon’s sucimportant to see start-ups that succeed,” Mr. Nemrow said of his cess created a quandary for Ms. decision to work at Shop It to Me, Phillipps. Conferences sold out, a website. “I wanted to see the ineach drawing 400 to 500 people who paid $100 to $350 each. And side workings of them.”

FailCon attracted big-name Recently, Mr. Griffith recruited sponsors, including Amazon Web Mr. Nemrow to work with him at Services and Microsoft. She said Teleborder as a software engithe conference was financially neer. profitable, but that the area’s em“It’s, like, the least sexy busibrace of failure had outgrown the ness,” Mr. Nemrow said of his format. She is aiming to rework new company. “But right now, FailCon. She may turn to smaller, there are so many sexy businessmore interactive workshops and es that are failing. It’s going to be an invitation-only application much different. It’ll be an interprocess. FailCon 2.0 is to make its esting change.”

28

Sanctity of Truth

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

WORLD TRENDS

Pulling Hungary Toward Moscow

By RICK LYMAN and ALISON SMALE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TOMAS MUNITA FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Myanmar Tells Muslims: Get Out

By JANE PERLEZ

SITTWE, Myanmar — The Myanmar government has given the estimated one million Rohingya people in this coastal region of the country a dispiriting choice: Prove your family has lived here for more than 60 years and qualify for second-class citizenship, or be placed in camps and face deportation.

The policy, along with new decrees and legislation, has made life for the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority, ever more desperate, spurring the biggest flow of Rohingya refugees since a major exodus two years ago.

In the last month, 14,500 Rohingya have sailed from the beaches of Rakhine State to Thailand, with the goal of reaching Malaysia, according to the Arakan Project, a group that monitors Rohingya refugees.

In a public appeal to the government, President Obama asked President Thein Sein of Myanmar to revise the anti-Rohingya policies, specifically the resettlement plan. Myanmar must “support the civil and political rights of the Rohingya population,” Mr. Obama said.

The Rohingya have faced discrimination for decades. They have been denied citizenship, and evicted from their homes, had their land confiscated, and been attacked by the military. After one such attack in 1978, some 200,000 fled to Bangladesh.

The latest flare-up began with an outbreak of sectarian rioting in 2012, in which hundreds of Rohingya were killed and dozens of their villages burned to the ground by radical Buddhists.

Since then, close to 100,000 have fled Myanmar, and over 100,000 have been confined to squalid camps, forbidden to leave.

The Rakhine Action Plan represents a final humiliation, said Mohamed Saeed, a community organizer in a camp near Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State.

Many Rohingya came to Myanmar in the 19th century when the British ruled all of what is now India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. But the government’s de-

Thousands of Rohingya have fled Myanmar on boats. Since 2012 the country has placed more than 100,000 Rohingya in camps like the one in Rakhine State, top.

ONLINE: CONFINED TO CAMPS

A slide show offers a look into the world of the Rohingya: nytimes. com Search Rohingya bleak

mand for proof of residence since 1948 is too onerous for many, who either do not have the paperwork or fall short of the six-decade requirement, human rights advocates say.

Those who can prove residence qualify for naturalized citizenship, which has fewer rights than full citizenship and can be revoked. Moreover, they would be classified as “Bengali,” suggesting they are immigrants from Bangladesh and opening the way for possible deportation.

Human Rights Watch described the plan as “nothing less than a blueprint for permanent segregation and statelessness.”

This year, in line with the government’s position that they are foreigners, the Rohingya were prevented from participating in the national census.

The policies come on top of the dire situation in Rohingya camps and villages. In the camps near Sittwe, where 140,000 Rohingya live, health services are virtually nonexistent.

Most Rohingya who want to leave the camps or the villages

in northern Rakhine pay brokers $200 just to board a boat. Once in Thailand, the refugees must pay smugglers an additional $2,000 for the second leg to Malaysia.

Some, like Nor Rankis, 25, who said she wanted to join her husband and brother in Malaysia, do not pay anything, an almost certain sign she will be sold into servitude by traffickers in Thailand. “I don’t want to live here,” she said. “I cannot survive.”

A spokesman for Rakhine State insisted the Rohingya did not belong in Myanmar and defended the resettlement plan as necessary because the higher Muslim birthrate threatened the Buddhist majority.

“There are no Rohingya under the law,” said the spokesman, U Win Myaing, assistant director of the Ministry of Information.

“They are illegal immigrants.”

Some government officials have described the Rakhine Action Plan as a draft proposal, but the government has already begun to carry out the plan in at least one camp, Myebon, nearly 100 kilometers south of Sittwe.

After a few nights of waiting for a smuggler, Nor Rankis waded into the inky Bay of Bengal to a small wooden boat, jammed with a score of others.

“I’m depending on God,” she said. “That’s why I dare to go.”

BUDAPEST — A quarter-century ago, as Hungary helped ignite the events that would lead to the collapse of communism, the ferment produced a new political star.

Viktor Orban was 26 then and a longhaired law graduate.

In June 1989, five months before the Berlin Wall came down, he lit up a commemoration of the failed 1956 revolt against Moscow with a bold call for free elections and a demand that 80,000 Soviet troops go home.

Now Hungary is a member of NATO and the European Union and Mr. Orban is in his third term as prime minister. But what was once a journey that might have embodied the triumph of democratic capitalism has evolved into a complex tale of a country and a leader who have come to question Western values, foment nationalism and look at Russia as a model.

After leading his right-wing party to a series of election victories, Mr. Orban is centralizing power, raising a crop of crony oligarchs, cracking down on dissent, expanding ties with Moscow and generally drawing uneasy comparisons from Western leaders and internal opponents to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

“He is the only Putinist governing in the European Union,” said Joschka Fischer, the former German foreign minister.

Some other Eastern European countries, especially Poland, have remained oriented toward the West and still harbor deep suspicions of Russia.

But Hungary is one of several countries in the former Soviet sphere that are now torn between the Western ways that appeared ascendant immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union and the resilient clout of today’s Russia. Money, culture and energy resources still bind most regional countries to Russia as tightly as to Europe. Mr. Putin’s combative nationalism is more popular here than what many see as Western democratic sclerosis.

In a speech this summer, Mr. Orban declared liberal democracy to be in decline and praised authoritarian “illiberal democracies” in Turkey, China, Singapore and Russia.

He traced his views to what he portrayed as the failures of Western governments to anticipate and deal adequately with the financial crisis. He called that period the fourth great shock of the past century — the others being World War I, World War II and the end of the Cold War — and the impetus for what he called today’s key struggle: “a race to invent a state that is most capable of making a nation successful.”

Hungary, Mr. Orban said, will build a “new Hungarian state” that will be “competitive in the great global race for decades to come.”

Achieving that vision will re-

quire tougher stances toward outside forces, including nongovernmental organizations, the European Union and foreign lenders and investors, he said.

Until 2008, Mr. Orban was a critic of Mr. Putin. But the two have grown friendly, with Russia investing heavily in Hungary.

The grand center of Budapest, with its floodlit palaces flickering in the Danube, its sophisticated cafes, crowded theaters and the tourist-choked streets, betrays little sense of authoritarian unease. Yet behind the designer boutiques, young and struggling artists worry about when their state financing might be cut off if they fail to hit the proper note, and government watchdog groups suffer attacks in the state-controlled media while waiting anxiously for the arrival of investigators.

In the west of Hungary, German auto plants and other foreign investments create the semblance of a Western European lifestyle. But the feeling is quite different in the rural east, where destitute families toil in one of Mr. Orban’s public works

AKOS STILLER FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, has been centralizing power. projects or languish in hopes the economy will improve.

Even his harshest critics concede that Mr. Orban has gone to nowhere near the lengths of Mr. Putin in silencing opponents.

No one has been tossed in prison for criticizing the government. There has been no overt censorship. Recent mass protests against a proposed Internet tax were allowed to proceed and ended up forcing a retreat

by Mr. Orban.

But some say that the government uses its financing to control the arts and the news media.

And even some conservative supporters are slightly wary of the extent to which Mr. Orban has packed the courts and the chief prosecutor’s office with loyalists, and altered the Constitution so his party dominates.

“He ran as someone who would bring the two sides together in Hungarian politics,” said Balint Ablonczy, domestic political editor of the pro-government journal Heti Valasz.

“But when he got in he said, no, it is the time of the right, the time for revenge on the left.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

29

WORLD TRENDS

Police Chief Strikes Fear Into Taliban

By DECLAN WALSH

K ANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Lieutenant General Abdul Raziq’s boyish looks and hesitant smile belie his reputation as a man of both courage and cruelty: the tough guy who kept the Taliban out of Kandahar.

“I don’t think people fear me,” said the police chief of Kandahar Province, speaking at his tightly guarded home as three giggling children swarmed him. “At least I don’t want them to fear me.”

Yet “fear” is a word associated with General Raziq, 37, who has, by most reckonings, become the most powerful man in southern Afghanistan and one of the richest. Since taking control of security in Kandahar three years ago, he has imposed an uneasy peace on this onetime Taliban citadel Zia ur-Rehman contributed reporting from Pakistan.

— insurgent attacks have fallen by two-thirds, according to estimates.

But those gains have been sullied by accounts of human rights abuses by his security forces.

Now, as American troops depart Kandahar, the dilemma of how to handle General Raziq has been inherited by Afghanistan’s new president, Ashraf Ghani.

“The president’s advisers have told him that it’s time to rein in Raziq,” said Graeme Smith, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit research group. “But that could be difficult, practically speaking, because the president also needs Raziq to keep the peace.”

General Raziq rose to prominence after 2001 as the police chief of Spinbaldak, a border town south of Kandahar, and built a reputation as a ruthless anti-Taliban operator. He also

exerted a tight grip on the lucrative cross-border trade in an area rife with drug smuggling, Afghan elders and Western officials say, giving him personal wealth of at least tens of millions of dollars.

And he pursued vendettas against tribal rivals. In March 2006, 16 people were killed near Spinbaldak and their bodies dumped in the desert.

But powerful allies sheltered him from scrutiny. In 2007, President Hamid Karzai blocked Western efforts to have General Raziq fired over human rights concerns.

“Raziq is the god, the prophet, the governor and the president here in Kandahar,” said Gul Agha Shirzai, a former governor and Raziq ally. “He’s the king.”

But General Raziq also faces accusations that his harsh tactics are helping to stoke the insurgency. A United Nations human

By ELLEN BARRY

ARNAU BACH FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Human Towers Stand for Statehood

By RAPHAEL MINDER

DECLAN WALSH/THE NEW YORK TIMES

rights report published last year stated that 81 people had disappeared in the custody of the Kandahar police in a year.

Rights groups have collected evidence of secret prisons where detainees have been electrocuted, beaten with cables or subjected to execution. Health workers in Kandahar have reported receiving the bodies of former police detainees with smashed faces and drill marks in their skulls.

To General Raziq, such accusations are an irksome diversion from his focus on Pakistan, an enemy he accuses of feeding the

insurgency from bases across the border in Baluchistan Province.

The Taliban and some Pakistani officials blame the police chief for the killings of pro-Taliban clerics in Baluchistan last year.

To the Taliban, General Raziq is a prized target. A scarlet rash on his right hand is the mark of a Taliban suicide attack that nearly killed him two years ago. In July, during the Islamic festival Eid al-Fitr, bombers struck at his home.

“I don’t care how many times they try to kill me,” he said. “I will never compromise.”

A City’s Multitudes Of Dead Unknowns

The human structures called castells have become a metaphor for Catalans’ statebuilding ambitions.

Getting to the top of a tower in Valls, Spain.

VALLS, Spain — It took the child about a minute to scramble up the wobbly human tower, more than three stories tall.

He paused for a few seconds, to steady himself, before raising his hand to thunderous applause from the crowds packed into this town’s main square.

The spectacle was part of a festival in October in Valls, the birthplace of the castells, as the human towers are called in Catalan, a tradition established here in 1801 and developed out of a folkloric dance.

Since then, the castells have become only taller — risking collapse as they employ as many as 600 people who interweave arms and bodies, sometimes in nine or 10 tiers of participants. Recently, they have taken on new significance as Catalonia presses to break away from Spain.

During the festival, the walls and balconies of the main square were covered with Catalan flags and banners urging residents to vote for secession. In a straw poll on November 9, Catalans overwhelmingly supported secession, with 80.7 percent of the

Lieutenant General Abdul Raziq has checked in insurgents Afghanistan.

ONLINE: CASTELL BUILDING

See a video and a slide show of Catalonia’s climbing contests: nytimes.com Search Vilafranca

votes cast in favor of independence.

In June, as part of a day of secessionist demonstrations, castells were erected by Catalans in cities in Europe, including Berlin, Rome, Brussels and Paris.

Some politicians have seized on the castell as a metaphor for their state-building ambitions.

“Great structures can be built if people are united in pursuit of a clear goal,” said Jordi Agràs Estalella, a regional culture official.

The castells are fiercely competitive affairs and the largest tournament takes place every two years in Tarragona, inside a bullfighting ring.

To build a castell, the biggest and strongest participants clutch each other to form the pinya, or base, on top of which others climb to raise the actual tower. As the tower rises, the participants shrink in size until only one child climbs to the apex of the tower

and raises a hand.

Some members of the Colla Vella, the oldest team in Valls, said they joined as children because their family took part since the 19th century. One change has been the inclusion of female participants, particularly among the youngest climbers.

The official slogan of the castells is “força, equilibri, valor i seny” — strength, balance, courage and common sense.

Castells were recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco in 2010, at the same time as flamenco, the dance of southern Spain.

While there have been few fatalities, injuries sometimes occur. Now the children who climb to the top wear helmets.

After watching the competition from the balcony of his town hall, Albert Batet, the mayor of Valls, said he was also hopeful about Catalonia’s progress toward statehood, drawing a comparison between the values required to create a nation and a human tower.

“Both are proof that we can build great things if we come together,” Mr. Batet said.

NEW DELHI — The most lost of the lost people of Delhi end up here, in a cold metal-sided room at the Sabzi Mandi mortuary. They are lying on every available surface, including the blood-smeared floor, some with body parts flung out in the position of their death, protruding from the white plastic bags that are used to store them.

In a corner, the bodies are crowded together on the floor.

“You’ll find them one on top of the other,” said the mortuary’s chief doctor, L. C. Gupta.

“Where are we supposed to put them?”

The mortuary attendants say it is so difficult to procure supplies as basic as disinfectant from the government that workers bring soap from home so that they can wash their hands after handling the bodies, many of which are infected with tuberculosis.

On average, the police in this city register the discovery of more than 3,000 unidentifiable bodies a year — unidentifiable not because they are unrecognizable, but because they carry no documents and there is no one who knows them.

In Delhi, one regularly encounters the unknown dead: By law, photographs of their corpses must be published in newspapers and posted in police stations, under the Dickensian heading “Hue and Cry Notice.” Protocol requires the mortuary to hold each body for 72 hours so that relatives have a chance to spot the announcements and claim the dead, but Dr. Gupta said they rarely do.

“Nobody reads them,” he said. Police officers are also expected to investigate. Asked about this, Dr. Gupta gave a small, dry smile. “They may or may not try,” he said.

This is no city for the poor.

Drive around New Delhi at night, and great numbers of men, women and children can be seen curled up on the sidewalks sleeping, or trying to sleep.

Most of the unclaimed dead appear to be men from distant villages, sent to the city in their teens or 20s to earn money as rickshaw drivers or casual laborers, and broken down by harsh conditions. Harsh Mander, an activist who led a 2010 analysis of unidentified bodies in Delhi, found that the average age of men who died alone here was around 42.

Police records offer the vaguest of explanations. Most often, the cause of death is given as “natural,” but others are

Unclaimed bodies in New Delhi pile up in the mortuary. marked as “illness/weakness,” “due to hunger or thirst,” “due to extreme cold or heat,” “accident,” “tuberculosis,” “suicide,” or, peculiarly, “beggar type.”

The police usually find the bodies around the railway tracks or on the side of the road.

Often the bodies are entirely naked.

Once, Mr. Yamin managed to discover the identity of a man whose corpse he had found. He took it all the way to the man’s native village, where his uncles still lived. They gave him a twoline response: “He sold off his home and his belongings many years ago, as a young boy, and his parents are no more. You can do what you deem fit with his body.”

30

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

MONEY & BUSINESS

Mexico’s Oil Industry Starts to Look Deeper

By ELISABETH MALKIN

ALEXANDER F. YUAN/ASSOCIATED PRESS; BELOW, WETA/20TH CENTURY FOX

The Chinese popularity of ‘‘Trans­formers,’’ partly set in Beijing, has made it the world’s top hit. Fans lined up during the movie’s Beijing premiere.

Hollywood Frets Over Global Shifts

By MICHAEL CIEPLY

SANTA MONICA, California — Twice in the last few months, there was a faint knock on the door of American supremacy in the global film market.

In early September, a Chinese-language fantasy, “The Monkey King,” climbed to number 21 at the worldwide box office, with $186.1 million in sales.

A few weeks later, a Chinese comedy, “Breakup Buddies,” shot to number 22, with $143.1 million in ticket sales.

As competitive threats go, that isn’t much. But it is enough to make Hollywood fret.

United States companies and their partners backed the top 20 performers at the world box office every year for the last five.

A rare standout was “Intouchables” in 2012, from France, ranked 16th, with $432.6 million in global sales, just behind Universal Pictures’ British-created “Les Misérables,” with $442 million.

The year’s best performer is Paramount Pictures’ “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” with about $1.1 billion in world sales, much of that in China. In all, markets outside the United States accounted for roughly $25 billion of $35.9 billion in sales last year, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

Still, Jonathan Wolf of the American Film Market, an annual production and distribution convention, has been watching “a global shift away from U.S. product over the last 25 years.”

Government subsidies for local film have changed tastes in some regions of the world, as has a new generation of television-trained international filmmakers, Mr. Wolf said.

Mr. Wolf has a sharp eye on China, where the annual box-office take is second only to that in the United States. Ticket sales there have been growing rapidly and are likely to exceed $5 billion this year.

American companies have

Films With Universal Appeal ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Sony Pictures Entertainment $202.9 million domestic $506.1 million foreign 71.4% FOREIGN ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’

Paramount $245.4 million domestic $835.5 million foreign 77.3% FOREIGN ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’

DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox $176.3 million domestic $438.4 million foreign 71.3% FOREIGN

‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’

20th Century Fox $207.9 million domestic $791.3 million foreign 70.3% FOREIGN looked to China for growth through collaborative ventures.

But Chinese viewers, with a nudge from government policies to keep domestic films on screen, have shown an increasing tilt toward purely Chinese movies.

According to Rentrak’s box-office tracking service, American studio titles accounted for 39 percent of Chinese ticket sales in 2013, down from 44 percent a year earlier.

Speaking in October, Rob Cain, a producer and consultant with considerable experience in China, said the American share was back to almost 44 percent.

Of nine films to take in more than $100 million at the Chinese box office at that point, five were Chinese films. An expected strong performance by

Paramount’s “Interstellar” will probably keep the American share relatively high through the year’s end, Mr. Cain said.

China, aside from a deeply rooted, action-oriented Hong Kong movie culture, has yet to become a powerful exporter of film. To date, it has been more like India, a prolific producer whose wares are mostly viewed within its borders, and among a vibrant diaspora around the world. But powerful Chinese companies like Dalian Wanda, Fosun International and Le Vision Pictures are looking for global inroads.

American films face a particularly serious challenge in Russia, which ranked seventh among national markets last year and is rapidly growing: As new political tensions rise, some Russian officials and others have discussed quotas or even a ban on American films.

A spokeswoman for the Motion Picture Association of America, a policy group for the major studios, declined to discuss the Russian situation because the potential for changes there remains uncertain.

For major producers like QED International or Red Granite Pictures, the loss of Russian sales would be a blow because they have increasingly relied on foreign buyers for the funds to make some major American films.

“The studios seem to be in a de-risking strategy,” said Riza Aziz, co-owner of Red Granite.

He spoke of increasing reluctance by American studios to use their own capital, relying instead on money raised by others, often through foreign sales.

Rena Ronson, who handles film finance and other issues for Hollywood’s United Talent Agency, said the world market remains vibrant but increasingly demands that almost everything — genre, star, story, distribution plan — be perfectly aligned.

Ms. Ronson said, “You have to tick all the boxes.”

LA MURALLA IV, Gulf of Mexico — The computer screens in the control room on this giant floating platform monitor pressure levels in a narrow shaft cut through bedrock to a reservoir of natural gas five kilometers below.

For six months, an international team hired by a contractor for Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned oil monopoly, has been drilling an exploratory well here. Now, the work is nearly done.

An operation like this would attract little attention in the northern part of the gulf, where dozens of deepwater platforms are part of the mosaic fueling America’s energy boom. On the Mexican side, though, the search is just beginning.

Pemex is counting on a future in deepwater production. But after eight years of exploratory drilling, it is still years away from producing the first barrel of oil in deep waters. Before it can, Pemex must shed its past as a lumbering state monopoly and remake itself as a streamlined company ready to compete on a world stage.

“The real large fields, the material opportunities for Pemex, lie in deep water,” Emilio Lozoya Austin, the company’s chief executive, said. “This is where our biggest learning curve lies.”

Mr. Lozoya’s ambitious plans are part of a sweeping overhaul of Mexico’s energy sector intended to increase flagging oil and gas production. By ending Pemex’s monopoly, the government hopes to attract serious outside investment for the first time since Mexico kicked out foreign oil companies in 1938.

Within a year, Mexico’s regulator, the National Hydrocarbons Commission, will hold the country’s first open auctions for oil and gas fields, including deepwater regions in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Pemex will not have any special privileges at all,” said Juan Carlos Zepeda, the president of the hydrocarbons commission.

The change will not be easy for Pemex, long run as an arm of the government. The company’s task has been to pump oil and provide cash for the Mexican government, a job made possible by generous discoveries in the shallow

waters of the southern gulf in the 1970s. The result was that Pemex suffered losses and never invested for the future. Closed off from the global industry, it fell behind the energy giants.

Since the peak in 2004, Mexican crude oil production has fallen by about a million barrels a day to an expected 2.35 million barrels a day this year. And Pemex has neither the financial capital nor the expertise to produce oil and gas from its complex deepwater reserves.

Mr. Lozoya’s priority for deep water next year is to attract partners to begin production at two fields. He said major corporations like Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell are “clear candidates.”

But Pemex’s reputation for corruption is one of investors’ main concerns, said Deborah Byers, a managing partner at EY consulting in Houston, Texas.

Mexican prosecutors are investigating one of Pemex’s largest contractors, the politically

A lumbering state monopoly is forced to remake itself. connected marine services company Oceanografía, over accusations of a $400 million bank fraud scheme involving fake Pemex invoices.

To tighten control over Pemex’s $40 billion contract operations, Mr. Lozoya has centralized them in one department. He predicts this move will save the company $1 billion this year.

And Pemex has trouble managing its sprawling industrial properties — from refineries to the franchises that operate its gasoline stations — that bleed money and attention from the company’s exploration and production division. The company has lost $1.15 billion this year to criminals’ tapping into its pipelines.

Mr. Lozoya argues that Pemex has taken the most important step in a turnaround. “We have stopped talking about barrels,” he said. “We only talk about U.S. dollars and pesos now. It’s not about volumes. It’s about value.”

ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Mexico is years away from extracting oil from deep water. A giant floating platform of Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico.

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

31

MONEY & BUSINESS

Investors Lining Up to Purchase African Bonds

By DANNY HAKIM

Five men in business suits gathered before Maria Kiwanuka in a semicircle. They were international bankers and they had a pitch to make.

Ms. Kiwanuka, the finance minister of Uganda, sat on a riser, her bright pink and gold dress a sharp contrast to the men’s suits.

Bankers are jockeying for the next sovereign debt deal in Africa, a continent that foreign investors have long been wary of for its economic woes, rampant poverty and political instability.

Now those concerns are easing, and one sub-Saharan nation after another is jumping into the debt market.

The Ebola outbreak, which is ravaging West Africa, could cost $33 billion, the World Bank estimated, prompting worries about the continent’s growth prospects.

But the sovereign debt market is booming, with sub-Saharan African countries raising nearly $7 billion so far this year, more than in all of 2013, according to Dealogic, a market research firm.

The yields on many of the new bonds in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria have dipped even as the Ebola crisis has intensified. That means that the market’s outlook for those countries has improved.

The pitch to Ms. Kiwanuka took place at the London office of Standard Bank, based in Johannesburg, during an African investment conference the lender hosted this summer. A few days before, the bank was one of three to manage Kenya’s $2 billion debut in the sovereign debt market.

Now, it wanted to do the same for Uganda.

“I don’t see the sovereign bond as the end of the story,” Ms. Kiwanuka said. “It’s just a tool to get things sorted.”

Uganda could use the money for power plants, rail lines, roads or similar projects. Countries around the continent are generally using proceeds from the bond sales to improve infrastructure, restructure debt and finance deficits.

Rwanda, for instance, is finishing a convention center and build-

BEN CURTIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS; BELOW, TONY KARUMBA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE—GETTY IMAGES

Kigali, Rwanda, is building a civic center, above, and hydropower plant.

Kenya is investing in rail projects.

Right, near Nairobi. ing a new hydropower plant. Senegal is fixing roads and the electric grid. Kenya is expanding its ports and railway system, as well as paying off a higher-cost loan.

African nations have been borrowing in a variety of ways over the years, issuing bonds on their domestic market and taking out loans directly from foreign banks. But they have also been known in the West for their inability to repay debts because of wars, political upheaval and economic tumult.

Sovereign bonds, which are typically denominated in dollars, can be a far cheaper way to raise money than local lending rates, though they are more expensive than direct aid or low-rate loans from government aid groups, which often come with oversight requirements. Before 2006, only South Africa had issued a sovereign bond. Now more than a dozen sub-Saharan countries have tested the market.

“It shows the opening up of Africa to private capital,” said

Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “From the point of view of the young man sitting at a hedge fund in London, it’s a new frontier,” he said.

There are risks. Countries can lose any cost advantage if their own currency weakens. And investors can go cold on regions.

The appeal to investors is clear.

The yields on sub-Saharan debt can be more than three times as high as those on United States Treasury securities.

But investors also face risks.

Many sub-Saharan countries have a history of fragile institutions and corruption, and some countries have defaulted on other forms of debt. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, restructured its debt four times from 1986 to 2000 but defaulted on the agreements nonetheless, according to its debt management office.

“My belief is always that you’re a successful participant in the international capital markets not when you’ve issued your first

bond, but when you’ve repaid it,” said Moritz Kraemer at Standard & Poor’s.

Many institutions and people, including the International Monetary Fund and Joseph Stiglitz, a winner of the Nobel Prize in economic science, have urged caution.

Mark Roland Thomas, an economist at the World Bank, said the trend “does say something genuine and true about the progress Africa has made in the last couple of decades.”

But he added: “Does it create more challenges and does it mean that macroeconomic management has become more complicated? Does it mean that relatively small economies are now more exposed to international economic conditions? Yes, and our clients are aware of that.”

Uganda, though, is remaining on the sidelines, at least for now.

“Our debt service is still below 10 percent of our total budget,” Ms. Kiwanuka said. “We don’t want it to spiral.”

An E-Book Mingles Love and Product Placement

By ALEXANDRA ALTER

The heroine of “Find Me I’m Yours,” a new novel by Hillary Carlip, is a young woman named Mags who is searching for love in Los Angeles. But it also has another protagonist: Sweet’N Low. The artificia l sweetener appears several times in the 356-page story, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. In one scene, Mags gets teased for putting Sweet’N Low in her coffee.

“Hellooo, isn’t it bad for you?” the friend asks. Mags replies that she has researched the claims online and found studies showing that the product is safe: “They fed lab rats twenty-five hundred packets of Sweet’N Low a day ... And still the F.D.A. or E.P.A., or whatevs agency, couldn’t connect the dots from any kind of cancer in humans to

Romantic comedy mixed with other sweet stuff. my party in a packet.”

The scene was brought to you by the Cumberland Packing Corporation, the company that makes Sweet’N Low. It invested about $1.3 million in “Find Me I’m Yours.”

The book is not like most. It’s an e-book, a series of websites and web shows, and a vehicle for sponsored content. And if it succeeds, it could usher in a new business model for publishers, one that blurs the lines between art and commerce.

RosettaBooks publishes “Find Me I’m Yours” through the major digital retail channels. But it is also marketing the $6.99 e-book with cards that readers can use to download it. Since publishers can print different batches, a company could buy 10,000 cards to give away, with brand-specific sponsored content. And because the cards are marked with individual download codes, they offer access to information on how readers engage with the book.

“Find Me I’m Yours,” a romantic comedy, centers on Mags, a quirky, struggling artist in Los Angeles who discovers her boyfriend cheated on her. When she finds a videotaped message from a handsome stranger, she is convinced they are soul mates and sets out to find him.

To flesh out the fictional world,

Ms. Carlip built 33 websites that connect to the story line. As readers progress through the story, they can click on Bridalville, the website where Mags works, and read articles, or visit Freak4mypet.com, a site where Mags’s ex-boyfriend posts photos of her dogs (and where readers can post their own pets). The sites are intended to host sponsored content.

“Find Me I’m Yours” has taken three years and $400,000 to develop. It is the first project to come out of Storyverse Studios, an entertainment company Ms. Carlip co-founded with Maxine Lapiduss, a TV producer and writer.

Steven Eisenstadt, the chief executive of Cumberland Packing, said he saw “Find Me I’m Yours” as a way to reach younger female consumers and to combat “latent

J. EMILIO FLORES FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Hillary Carlip, left, and Maxine Lapiduss founded Storyverse Studios together. myths” about the health risks associated with artificial sweeteners.

“It seemed like a more modern version of product placement on TV,” he said. “They’re cleverly and carefully having a product written into the story, but doing it in a way that didn’t tarnish the integrity of the piece.”

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

32

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Complexity Explained, Through Absurdity

By KENNETH CHANG

SANDY HUFFAKER/GETTY IMAGES

Risking Space on a Budget

By JAD MOUAWAD

Space travel has long been the preserve of governments and science fiction fans, but recent commercial ventures, often backed by billionaire entrepreneurs, have been seeking to get into the race.

Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, set up Blue Origin to lower the cost of space technology; Elon Musk founded SpaceX with the aim of going to Mars one day; and Richard Branson started the space tourism company Virgin Galactic. But two recent accidents involving commercial rockets have underscored the high risks and soaring costs involved in any spaceflight.

On October 31, a Virgin Galactic space plane exploded during a test flight over the Mojave Desert in California, killing one pilot and injuring another. Days earlier, an Orbital Sciences rocket carrying a supply vessel to the International Space Station blew up seconds after it was launched from a Virginia island.

“The engineering and physics of space tend to be unforgiving, no matter who is doing this,” said Scott Pace, a former assistant administrator at NASA, the American space agency.

The common thread between these new space initiatives is that they all are looking for ways to sharply cut the cost of spaceflight. Without that, analysts say, there is no realistic prospect of making spaceflights both routine and affordable in the future. After pioneering space exploration and landing on the moon, NASA has had to adapt to tighter budgets and redefine its mission. Today, one of its main goals is to encourage and fund the development of commercial space entities.

Orbital Sciences is operating under a $1.9 billion contract from NASA to deliver cargo to the space station. Its Antares rocket exploded on the third of eight resupply missions.

SpaceX was recently awarded $2.4 billion by NASA to build a transportation system for astronauts within the next three Kenneth Chang contributed reporting.

JOEL KOWSKY/NASA, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

In October, an Orbital Sciences rocket exploded and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, top, crashed. years. SpaceX was also the recipient of an earlier $1.4 billion contract to deliver cargo to the space station. Boeing also won a NASA contract for $4.6 billion to build a spacecraft capable of flying astronauts to the space station.

SpaceX and Orbital Sciences have sought to reduce costs in different ways. Orbital’s rockets use a pair of refurbished engines built in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s. The engines were intended for Soviet rockets destined for the moon, but were never used and lay in storage for decades. The engines were refurbished by an American company and incorporated into the Antares rocket by Orbital.

SpaceX, by contrast, builds its engines for its Falcon 9 rocket and aims to reduce costs, in the long term, by reusing the rocket. The company has succeeded in firing a test rocket called Grasshopper, having it hover at around 730 meters and then returning it to its point of launch.

But its efforts to land Falcon 9 rockets have so far been unsuccessful, though the company says it is getting closer.

In August, a bigger test rocket trying a high-altitude test was destroyed shortly after takeoff.

No one was injured.

NASA is “looking for cheaper access to space,” said Marco A. Caceres, a space analyst at the Teal Group, a consulting firm in Virginia. The trouble, he said, is that reliability and price are often tied together. “It may be unreasonable to expect to pay under a certain amount to get a reliable vehicle,” he said.

Virgin Galactic is an exception to the model of government-funded launchers. The company has been working on an experimental vessel to take paying passengers to the edge of space and back.

The craft, called SpaceShipTwo, was designed to be launched from a plane, then rocket up to its apogee at about 100 kilometers, an altitude considered the boundary of outer space.

At the top of the ascent, two tail booms would rotate upward into a position intended to create more drag and stability, and allow the plane to descend gently back into the atmosphere.

Accident investigators said that the plane had shifted early into this configuration for reasons that are unclear.

In a statement after the crash, Virgin Galactic responded to criticism that the design of SpaceShipTwo was flawed and that the test flights were reckless. “At Virgin Galactic, we are dedicated to opening the space frontier, while keeping safety as our ‘North Star,’ ” the company said.

Mr. Caceres said the new space entrepreneurs were good at creating excitement about their ventures. Before the latest accident, about 700 people had reserved seats on Virgin Galactic, with tickets costing $250,000 each.

“You are talking about a brand new era of space,” Mr. Caceres said. “You have personalities like Richard Branson and Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who are not engineers. These are different kinds of people and they can generate a lot of excitement and capital investors who are willing to give you a lot of money.”

However, he added, “the downside is that if you have problems, you have all this attention focused on you.”

While giving a physics talk for high school students five years ago at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Randall Munroe could tell that his audience was, in his words, “not totally with me.”

He was trying to explain potential energy and power — not complex concepts, but abstruse.

So, in the middle of his threehour presentation, Mr. Munroe, who is best known as the creator of the web comic xkcd, switched gears to “Star Wars.”

“I thought about the scene in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ when Yoda lifts the X-wing out of the swamp,” he said. “It occurred to me as I was lecturing.”

Instead of abstract definitions (an object lifted upward gains potential energy because it will accelerate if dropped; power is the rate of change in energy), Mr. Munroe asked a question: How much Force power can Yoda output?

“And so I did a rough version of the calculation on the fly in the classroom, looking up the craft dimensions and measuring things in the scene on the projector in front of them,” Mr. Munroe said. “They all perked up.”

For most people, physics is not interesting in itself. “The tools are only fun when the thing you’re using them on is interesting,” he said.

The students started asking other questions. “What about the end of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ when Sauron’s eye explodes?

How much energy is that?”

The experience inspired Mr. Munroe to start soliciting similar questions from his xkcd readers.

Mr. Munroe has now collected that work, including a version of his Yoda calculations and new material, into a book, “What If?” which has been on the nonfiction best-seller list since it was published in September.

As its cover asserts, the book is full of “serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions.”

“It exercises your imagination, and his dry wit is charming,” said William Sanford Nye, better known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” “He does, for lack of a better term, absurd scenarios, but they’re very instructive.”

What would happen if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? (“The answer turns out to be ‘a lot of things,’ ” Mr. Munroe writes, “and they all happen very quickly, and it doesn’t end well for the batter [or the pitcher].”) If every person aimed a laser pointer at

the moon at the same time, would it change color? (“Not if we used regular laser pointers.”) How long could a nuclear submarine last in orbit? (“The submarine would be fine, but the crew would be in trouble.”)

The explanations are accompanied by the same stick-figure drawings and nerdy wit that made xkcd popular. (What does xkcd mean? The comic’s website explains, “It’s just a word with no phonetic pronunciation.”)

While a physics major at Christopher Newport University in Virginia, Mr. Munroe started working as an independent contractor on a robotics project at the nearby NASA Langley Research Center, and he continued after graduating. During that time, he started scanning his doodles and posting them on the web.

By mutual decision, the NASA contract ended in 2006. Mr. Munroe became a full-time cartoonist and moved to the Boston area, because, he said, he wanted a bigger city with geekier things to do.

In 2012, he added the “What If?” feature to the website.

Now, he said, he receives thousands of questions a week. Many

Outlandish physics from the creator of a web comic. are obviously students looking for help with homework. Others can be answered simply: No. “One of them was ‘Is there any commercial scuba diving equipment that would allow you to survive under molten lava?’ ” Mr. Munroe said. “No, there’s not. There’s nothing complicated about the answer to that. It’s exactly what you think.”

As a child, Mr. Munroe also asked questions. In the book’s introduction, he recounts wondering if there were more hard things or soft things in the world.

The young Mr. Munroe, 5 years old, concluded the world contained about three billion soft things and five billion hard things.

“They say there are no stupid questions,” Mr. Munroe, now 30, writes. “That’s obviously wrong; I think my question about hard and soft things, for example, is pretty stupid.

“But it turns out that trying to thoroughly answer a stupid question can take you to some pretty interesting places.”

RANDALL MUNROE/HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

33

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

When Older People Fall: A Life Upended by a Slip

By KATIE HAFNER

SAN FRANCISCO — Joan Rees, 79, had hardly been ill a day in her life. Her biggest problem was arthritis, mostly in her knees, but at home in San Francisco she walked every day and she traveled frequently.

But at dusk last November in Istanbul, she missed a step and tripped. When she couldn’t stand up, she knew something was terribly wrong.

In that trivial act of misplacing her foot and falling, she had fractured her pelvis in multiple places. “It was a complete shock,” she said, “that I did something so destructive to my body.”

Her life would change with cruel, unanticipated swiftness.

Geriatricians say some older people possess an exaggerated sense of what they can still do, even as hazards lie in wait: staircases, throw rugs, slick bathtubs, tree roots, their own pets.

And medications like hypertension drugs and antidepressants, which can cause dizziness, are increasingly the cause of falls.

Twenty-five percent of older people who fracture a hip in America die within a year. Eighty percent are left with severe mobility problems. Those who die or become severely disabled after a hip fracture are usually people who were frail or sick before their fall, said Dr. Mary Tinetti of the Yale School of Medicine.

Mrs. Rees was a textbook case

KATHERINE STREETER

of a serious injury waiting to happen. Her risks included previous falls, impaired balance and the arthritis in her knees.

On a trip to London to visit her daughter Barbara Rees in 2008, she fell on the sidewalk just outside her daughter’s apartment.

She fell twice after that, but each time, she picked herself up.

Barbara Rees, who has since moved to San Francisco, realiz-

es that perhaps she should have paid closer attention to her mother’s balance. Yet none of Mrs. Rees’s children thought about suggesting to their mother that she take preventive measures — enroll in a balance class, for instance, or avoid dehydration, which can cause dizziness.

Balance is a complicated equation involving vision, muscle strength, proprioception (the

In Stilettos, Sweating To a Swivel

For In-Flight Germs, Look To Surfaces and Seatmates

By MARTHA C. WHITE

By DANIEL KRIEGER

For those averse to working out in gyms, there are still enjoyable ways to exercise. That’s what three dozen women were after when they attended a recent fitness class at Ripley-Grier Studios in Midtown Manhattan.

The class, called Brukwine, is an invitation to women to move with abandon. It offers a spin on the sultry moves that accompany Jamaican-style dancehall music.

Brukwine is all about moving the hips — something that the creators, Tamara Marrow, 35, and Autavia Bailey, 34, know all about. They have performed with the dancehall star Sean Paul, pop stars like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, and others.

They started Brukwine in 2012 as “a workout, first and foremost,” Ms. Marrow said.

In a long, dimly lit room, participants faced mirrors in rows. Some were wearing Brukwine-emblazoned short shorts, tops, leggings or hats.

A trained assistant known as a Brukwine Gyal guided them through stretches. Then, after many of the women put on pumps, platforms and stilettos (sneakers are also fine), a second Brukwine Gyal led hip-iso-

body’s ability to know where it is in space) and attention. As people age, those elements deteriorate.

“Falls are a very difficult thing, because it’s such a scary idea,” said Dr. Judy A. Stevens, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. “People don’t want to hear about it and people affected don’t want to talk about it.”

Word of Mrs. Rees’s accident in

Istanbul spread rapidly among her friends back in San Francisco. The reaction was one of sympathy, followed by a collective shiver. Desa Belyea, a friend of Mrs. Rees’s who is in her 80s, said she feared falling more than she feared getting sick. “It becomes your worst nightmare,” said Cathy Fiorello, another friend who is also an octogenarian.

Mrs. Rees, a retired schoolteacher and former owner of a bed-and-breakfast in New Jersey, moved to San Francisco in 2006. Her husband had died 13 years earlier and she wanted to be closer to her children, three of whom lived in California.

After her fall in Istanbul, Mrs. Rees’s process from wheelchair to walker to cane took months.

For the first time in her life, Mrs. Rees felt truly old. She grew cranky, even bitter. “She was very, very hard on herself, which made her hard on others,” her daughter Joanna Rees said.

Nearly a year has passed since her injury, and now Mrs. Rees considers herself nearly fully recovered. Her sunny outlook on life has returned, and she is back to taking lengthy walks.

Yet as her children see it, Mrs. Rees’s tumble in Istanbul was a defining event in her life, the moment when the roles of parent and child began to reverse. Said her daughter Joanna, “This is Mom 3.0, in terms of how things will go from here.”

CASSANDRA GIRALDO FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Tamara Marrow, center wearing a cap, leading a Brukwine workout class, based on circular hip movements. lation practice to “Every Gyal a Mine,” by Demarco. Like belly dancing, Brukwine involves hip movements that call for lots of muscle independence.

Ms. Bailey stepped to the front in golden stilettos. She drew cheers as she began demonstrating the routine of the day.

Ms. Bailey counted slowly as the class followed along with rhythmic hip gyrations called “wines,” which she said were “the basis of our whole workout.” The wines are performed with a circular flow punctuated by a complementary move called a “tick,” a jerk of the hips.

“Get that hip in it,” she told the class. Then Ms. Marrow, in neon pink stilettos, walked the class through the next piece in the routine at an easygoing pace.

It included more steps, a neck and body roll and a “drop,” in which everyone squatted down

and sprang back up.

At the end of the 60-minute class, the room steamy and bodies glistening, the group went through it once more, followed by loud cheers, laughter and excited chatter.

Kadian Abrahams, a 25-yearold Jamaican lingerie designer who lives in Midtown, recalled how worn out she had been after her first class a week earlier.

“I was sore in places I didn’t know I could get sore,” she said, smiling. But that didn’t stop her from putting on her platform boots and returning for more, as much for the intensity of the fullbody workout as for the friendly atmosphere.

Devin Edwards, 33, an administrative assistant, said she had been to almost every class for more than a year and was in much better shape as a result.

“Gyms are boring — this is not,” Ms. Edwards said.

In the battle against in-flight germs, Arlene Sheff, a consultant for Boeing, wears a personal air purifier around her neck. Over the years, she has burned out several of the devices.

With flu season upon us, not to mention the reports of Ebola’s spread, passengers might find themselves wondering if they are effectively floating in a petri dish at 12,000 meters.

The answer, medical experts say, is for the most part no, though there are some common-sense measures travelers can take. The biggest risk is not in the air passengers breathe, but in the surfaces they touch.

Garth Ehrlich of Drexel University in Philadelphia said a little hand sanitizer could go a long way. “Surfaces can get contaminated,” he said. “It generally tends to be surfaces that are touched by people with their hands,” like tray tables and buttons on the armrests.

In experiments using real aircraft seat components, researchers at Auburn University in Alabama found that MRSA and E. coli bacteria can live for days on these surfaces.

The bacteria were more easily transferred from nonporous surfaces like plastic tray tables and metal toilet flush buttons, but lived longer on porous surfaces like seats.

Although people often suspect that the recirculated air they breathe in the cabin spreads germs, Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst at the Teal Group Corporation, said that’s not the case. “It’s nothing to do with the aircraft or the way the air is treated.”

Air in a plane’s cabin is a mixture of compressed air drawn in from outside and filtered, or recirculated, air. “It all goes through HEPA filters, which are really good at getting particles,” Mr. Aboulafia said. “The objective is to filter out all particulate matter,” he added, since germs can be transmitted by hitching a ride on airborne particles.

Airlines say they have cleaning protocols in place to prevent the spread of pathogens. Experts say a seatmate with a cold or other illness is a bigger risk than the armrest or tray table.

For some travelers, the germ-avoidance ritual begins even before boarding the aircraft.

“I save shower caps from hotel rooms so my feet aren’t touching anybody else’s germs that have been on the ground,” said Kay Leibowitz, who owns a stationery store and flies a few times a year. “I wipe off the seats, the headrest, the armrest, the seatbelt, the tray tables — anything that anybody else could have touched.”

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THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

ARTS & DESIGN

Now Performing in a Video Game

By CHRIS SUELLENTROP

Francis Underwood, the devious politician at the center of the Washington drama “House of Cards,” regularly unwinds by playing video games in the dark.

But that’s just acting. “I cannot say that any more bluntly,” said Kevin Spacey, who portrays Underwood. “I have never played a game in my life.”

But he has performed in one.

The new Call of Duty, developed

by Sledgehammer Games, and published by Activision, stars Mr. Spacey as Jonathan Irons, the villainous chief executive of a private military contractor that amasses a force so large and powerful that the United Nations grants it a seat on the Security Council.

Acting in video games is experiencing one of the biggest shifts in the medium’s short history, and Mr. Spacey’s performance in Call of Duty — a multibillion-dollar first-person shooter series — provides some of the clearest evidence for how it’s changing.

For years, voice acting and physical acting — the movements of a character’s body — were performed separately in video games, sometimes by different people. An actor’s voice would be recorded in a booth, similar to how an animated movie would capture voice work, and then the character’s physical ac-

tions would be recorded on a set using motion capture.

“That process is outdated and gone,” said Michael Condrey, the chief operating and development officer for Sledgehammer Games. “Your voice and body move together in a very natural way.” When you separate and then reassemble those elements, he said, the character that you see on screen can be pretty creepy looking.

Performance capture, a technology that allows software to

Kevin Spacey takes a lead role in a new acting medium. record voice and body work at the same time, is the new buzzword in video game acting. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare offers one of its most sophisticated examples yet. The lead actors in the game, including Mr. Spacey, worked for 10 days on the same soundstage in Los Angeles where James Cameron is shooting his “Avatar” sequels.

Performance capture is an emerging blend of the physical and the digital in acting, very

much like what enabled Andy Serkis to play, say, Gollum in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” movies. Except in this case, Kevin Spacey was animated to look just like Kevin Spacey, rather than a monster or a magical creature.

“It’s really odd,” Mr. Spacey said of the process, which involves acting in an ensemble while surrounded by scores of tiny cameras.

“No makeup, no hair, nothing,” he said. “They put dots on your face. Then you get into a kind of jumpsuit, which is exceedingly unattractive. A bunch of rubber-dot things all over that. They make you go into a room, and you have to do all kinds of physical things.” Mr. Spacey stood up and performed a full squat. “They’re making sure your body is going to be actually captured. So you have to do all these things, and get your legs moving, incredibly stupid things that you wouldn’t do in a yoga class.”

Then they place helmets on the actors and ask them to do facial gestures for a couple of hours, capturing the extremes of each person’s face down to the pores.

At last, it’s finally time to deliver lines. “And then you’re in a completely empty studio,” Mr. Spacey said. “It’s as dull — it’s like being in a cardboard box.”

Not all actors excel under

these conditions. Well before performance capture began to take off in recent years (Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe underwent a similar if less sophisACTIVISION ticated process for Kevin Spacey in his performancelast year’s Beyond: capture gear during a recording of his Two Souls), the peculiar requirements of for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. game acting led to a decline in demand for Hollywood talent in favor of more in August during a master class anonymous specialists. on the craft. Ms. Hale, described “When you pay $100,000 for an

by The New Yorker magazine on-camera celebrity, and then as “a kind of Meryl Streep of the you put them in the voice booth, form,” is one of the best-known sometimes you get the worst pervideo game actors. Game actors, Ms. Hale said, rarely see scripts formance imaginable,” said Lev in advance, so learning to do cold Chapelsky, the general managreadings is essential. er of Blindlight, a company that When game animation was helps game studios land wellmore cartoonish, she said, the known actors. medium demanded a “very preOr sometimes the A-list names aren’t interested. Jack Black, sentational” kind of acting. Now, who has appeared in two video with more realistic visuals that games (2009’s Brutal Legend allow for smaller gestures and and 2005’s Peter Jackson’s King nonverbal cues like a stare or Kong: The Official Game of the a grimace, the style of acting is Movie), wanted too much money closer to what you see on film and for Halo 3, Mr. Chapelsky said. television.

Robin Williams, who was known The secretive nature of the into play games, said he wouldn’t dustry meant that Activision hid appear on the other side of the Mr. Spacey’s role from his colscreen for any price. leagues until the day he appeared There are important techon the set, to the shock of the othniques to learn that distinguish er actors. “I was like, ‘Why are video game acting from film or you all looking at me like I fell out stage acting, Jennifer Hale said of a tree?’ ” Mr. Spacey said.

CENTER, KEN PERENYI; OTHERS, JAMES EDWARD BUTTERSWORTH/THE MARINERS’ MUSEUM

In Newport News, Virginia, the Mariners’ Museum show of James E. Buttersworth paintings includes a forgery. So do the paintings above.

To Draw Visitors, Museum Issues a Challenge to Find a Fake

By WILLIAM GRIMES

The 19th-century artist James E. Buttersworth, although a titan in the field of marine art, cannot be described as famous. Prized for his exquisitely detailed portraits of racing yachts and clipper ships, he remains unknown to the general public and therefore has limited drawing power.

To overcome this obstacle, the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia, hit on a novel solution for its new exhibition of his work: Toss in a forgery and challenge museum visitors to sniff it out from among the 34 genuine Buttersworth works.

About that ringer: Museums and forgeries are natural enemies. “The museum couldn’t be seen spending money on this and putting it in the collection,” said Lyles Forbes, the museum’s chief curator and the organizer of “B Is for Buttersworth, F Is for Forgery: Solve a Maritime Mystery,” which opened in October.

When it came down to it, he added, he was not even sure how to acquire a forgery. Help arrived from a man who has agreed to identify himself only as “a friend of the museum.” (Because his name appears as a lender on the wall text of the forged painting, providing it here might give away the secret to visitors.)

The friend took on the assignment of securing a forged Buttersworth, which proved to be relatively easy, since, when it comes to bogus Buttersworths, nearly all roads lead to one man: Ken Perenyi.

For years, Mr. Perenyi studied and imitated the work of Buttersworth, turning a tidy profit by selling his paintings to unsuspecting dealers and collectors.

He is not shy about this. He has chronicled his buccaneering days of turning out bogus Buttersworths and Martin Johnson Heades, his mainstays, in “Caveat Emptor: The Secret Life of an

Drawing attention to an artist, with the work of a forger.

American Art Forger,” published two years ago. Mr. Perenyi now plies his trade legally.

The friend of the museum acquired, through an intermediary, a genuine fake Buttersworth, from Mr. Perenyi’s stock on hand, for about 5 percent to 10 percent of the price that the painting might fetch if it were authentic.

Mr. Perenyi said that his prices range from $5,000 to $150,000.

The museum has made a point of not mentioning Mr. Perenyi, who said he did not know until a reporter approached him that his work was in its show. “We did not want to lend any legitimacy to the

forger or be seen as promoting him in any way,” Mr. Forbes said.

On entering the exhibition, visitors approach a digital image of “Magic and Gracie off Castle Garden,” an 1871 Buttersworth that shows two yachts, sails taut in the wind, racing in New York Harbor.

On a nearby television screen, “hot spots,” activated with the touch of a finger, explain the fine points: the signature, size, background features, sky and weather, seas and sea gulls, composition and meticulous detailing of the ships.

Visitors, prompted by clues in the wall texts, then try to identify the forgery. Those in the know are asked not to give away the secret.

Mr. Forbes invited Colette Loll of the consulting firm Art Fraud Insights to write wall texts. “He seems to have no remorse for diluting the body of work of an artist he professes to admire with

all the forgeries he has inserted into the market,” she said of Mr. Perenyi.

Mr. Perenyi is more than happy to explain the techniques required to fake a Buttersworth: the favored New York settings; the play of light on clouds and water, reflecting the influence of the Luminist painters; and the attention to detail. “Hardest of all is the unique way he painted water,” he said. “He did not follow the tried and true technique that British artists developed for waves and water. He rolls or twists his brush in his fingers as he pulls it along, to get ribbons of highlights.”

Close study and constant practice, Mr. Perenyi said, have made him the equal of his master.

“If he could come back to life, he would shake my hand,” he said. “After all, I devoted 30 years to understanding him. He would say, ‘I would be proud to put my name on it myself.’ ”

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

WEEK CURRENCY Slumping crude prices pushed the naira to a record low

Kunle Azeez

A

frica’s biggest oil producers have debt levels low enough to withstand slumping crude prices, while Ghana faces risks without an aid pack-

Oil: Fitch sees low debt aiding Nigeria, Angola

age and Zambia from an unexpected election, Fitch Ratings Ltd. said.

Nigeria and Angola are able to post budget deficits for the next year or two because of their low debt, enabling them to maintain spending with lower oil prices,

said Carmen Altenkirch, director of the sovereign group at the agency. That space may narrow after a few years, she said.

“Nigeria and Angola have the fiscal space to run deficits in the region of 4-5 percent of GDP for a few years without un-

dermining fiscal stability,” she told Bloomberg News in an interview in Cape Town. “However, if oil prices remain lower for longer, fiscal policy may need to be tightened to avoid downward pressure on the rating.”

Slumping crude pric-

60,000 Nigerians prequalified for mortgages, says NMRC Dayo Ayeyemi

M

ore than 60,000 Nigerians have been prequalified by various Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) for mortgages to own their homes, New Telegraph has learnt.

Managing Director, NMRC, Mr. Sonnie Ayere, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph.

He said that the 60, 000 people having been prequalified by lenders, would be granted mortgages to kick start the housing market in the first quarter of next year.

He explained that the 10, 000 mortgage scheme launched by the Federal

Government last August was oversubscribed by applicants.

Instead of picking just 10, 000 applicants originally planned, he said that the over 60,000 applications received, were spread among the licensed mortgage banks and had already been prequalified for mortgage.

He said: “The first 10,000 mortgages have gone. It was oversubscribed because we had over 60,000 applicants.

We decided to divide the 60,000 mortgages across the mortgage lenders, which are the primary mortgage banks. We called them and told them to help them get mortgages and people have al-

ready been prequalified.

We are rolling out the 60, 000 mortgages to the market to kick start it.”

He said the NMRC is targeting both civil servants and workers in the private sector for the mortgage, adding that the initiative would provided them the opportunity to become home owners.

Shedding more light on the scheme while addressing journalists recently, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that due to the over subscription, a decision was taken to give all applicants to the lending members of NMRC to share on a pro-rata basis.

She said 63 per cent of

the applicants were male, while 37 per cent were female, adding that 89 per cent applied in their own names, while only 11 per cent were joint applicants as couples.

Those in the 31-40 years age bracket submitted the highest number of applications, suggesting interest among the actively working group of Nigerians. Lending members of NMRC are expected to have the refinancing window of up to 20 year It will be recalled that the initial offer of 10, 000-mortgage application was over subscribed by 66,402 Nigerians, who showed interest in the home ownership programme of the NMRC.

Economic Indicators N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

N Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

“They came off a stronger base and had a more diversified economy.”

The cedi, Africa’s worst-performing currency against the dollar this year with a 26 percent depreciation, pared the loss since President John Dramani Mahama said in August the government was opening talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). That may include about $800 million in aid by January, Finance Minister Seth Terkper said Oct. 20. The currency weakened 0.5 percent to 3.2261 per dollar by 1:50 p.m. in Accra.

“You might see some pressure on the cedi toward the end of the year depending on investors’ view of how likely and when an IMF programme will come through,” Altenkirch said.

Ghana “probably has enough dollars to tide them over through the first quarter,” she said.

After March, reserves, which were bolstered by a syndicated loan signed in September for cocoa purchases and a Eurobond sale the same month may be depleted, she said.

Interbank rate rises to 10.8% as CBN supports naira

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

es pushed the naira to a record low last week, prompting pledges from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials that they’ll continue using foreign-exchange reserves to bolster the currency.

Angola cut its estimate Nov. 12 for 2015 oil output to 1.83 million barrels a day from 2 million. Fitch rates Nigeria and Angola BB-, three steps below investment grade.

“Creditworthiness would benefit from running fiscal surpluses,” Altenkirch said. “Fiscal surpluses during the good years will give these countries scope to run deficits due to lower oil prices.”

Ghana and Zambia could be rated at similar levels to Nigeria, Angola and Gabon, which also pumps oil, if their economies were more stable, she said. Ghana and Zambia are both rated B

by Fitch, two steps lower than the crude producers.

Ghana, the world’s second-biggest cocoa grower, and Zambia, the second-largest copper producer in Africa, “should have done a lot better” than they’ve performed, Altenkirch said.

35

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

igeria’s overnight interbank lending rate jumped 287 basis points to 10.87 percent last Friday as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mopped up liquidity via treasury bill sales to ward off pressure on the naira, dealers said.

The currency has come under pressure over the past two months from falling global oil prices, dampening appetite for assets in Africa’s biggest economy and chief oil exporter.

Though the central bank has been intervening this year to prop up its value, the naira has lost 7.2 percent since Jan. 2.

The bank according to Reuters News, sold more than N200 billion ($1.17bilion) of open market bills through last week, curbing liquidity in the market, to drive up interbank rates.

The cash balance that lenders held at the apex bank opened at around N190 billion ($1.13 billion) in credit last Friday, down from about N500 billion penultimate Friday.

“The central bank is desperately trying to stem the naira weakness and is doing everything it can ... including mopping up cash from the system,” one dealer said.

Overnight rates fell to 8 percent penultimate week after the banking watchdog limited the volume of idle cash lenders can deposit with it, increasing market liquidity.

The Open Buy Back (OBB) climbed to 10.75 percent last Friday, compared with 8 percent penultimate week, 1.25 percentage point below the CBN’s 12 percent benchmark rate. Overnight placements traded higher at 11 percent against 8 percent two week’s ago.

Dealers expect the overnight interbank rate to increase further early this week as lenders pay for bond purchases of around N59 billion, but it could moderate towards the end of the week as the government revenue distribution for October hits the market.

36

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | News

INDEX

Nigeria ranked fourth most at risk in the climate change vulnerability index

Sunday Ojeme

D

espite Nigeria’s perceived growth and aggressive commitment to agriculture sector, the threat of conflict and social unrest due to food insecurity remains a major threat to the country, according to a report.

The report from the seventh annual Climate Change and Environmental Risk Atlas (CCERA) released by global risk analytics company, Maplecroft, revealed that climate change and food insecurity were amplifying the risks of conflict and civil unrest in 32 countries, including the emerging markets of Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India and the Philippines.

The Atlas, which provides comparable risk data for 198 countries across 26 separate issues, identified Bangladesh as the country most at risk, followed by Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Nigeria, Chad, Haiti, Ethiopia, Philippines, Central African Republic and Eritrea.

According to Maplecroft, the conflation and worsening of these risks in a country have the potential to destabilise regional security, hurt national economies and impact the operations and supply chains of business. Subsequent outcomes also include increased poverty and migration and reduced levels of education, which in turn can lead to disenfranchisement and drive support for radical groups.

The report said: “Nige-

Food insecurity: Nigeria among 32 vulnerable countries ria, ranked fourth most at risk in the Climate Change Vulnerability Index, is cited as a prime example of a country where this has occurred.

Widespread drought and food insecurity helped create the socio-economic conditions that led to the emergence of Boko Haram and the violent insurgency in the North East of the country.”

Recently, the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adeshina, allayed such fears when he said that the country was now producing more food than ever before, stressing that government was taking measures to ramp up food supply.

He said: “In the last two years, we have produced 15 million metric tonnes of food, which is compared to 20 million metric tons of food that we say we are going to produce by 2015.

“This year, for example, rice, in terms of actual production, we have become self-sufficient in paddy production and we produced 2.9 million metric tonnes additional rice last year, and in 2012, it was 1.4 million metric tonnes additional rice. If you look at what we are going to do this year, we are expecting to be able to do an additional three million metric tonnes of rice and in terms of maize; we are hoping to do 3.5 million metric tonnes of additional maize.

“This year we are going to ramp up food supply quite a lot, taking advantage of the good rainfall that we have had. I do not anticipate any food shortage and we would not have any

Why Nigeria’ll record more air crashes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

passenger income, safety, comfort and reliability or service frequency.

Nigeria had in 2012 recorded the worst air disaster on June 3, 2012, when a Dana MD 83 aircraft crashed in IjuIshaga, a Lagos suburb, killing all 153 people on board and ten more on the ground.

The crash of Flight 992 was and is currently the deadliest aviation disaster involving a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, as well as the second-deadliest involving an MD80. It is also the seconddeadliest air disaster on Nigerian soil, behind the

Kano air disaster of 1973.

A year after that, precisely on October 3, 2013, Associated Airlines light aircraft crashed in Lagos. About 15 persons were killed.

Also, the aircraft conveying the remains of a former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu and others, including the crew, relatives, friends, government officials, came down shortly after take- off.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), in his preliminary report, attributed the crash to pilot’s error and serviceability of the Enbraer aircraft.

shortfall for next year.

“I think the food production that we are ramping up is more than enough to compensate for any shortfall that we might have.”

Nigeria currently spends about three per cent or less of its entire budget on agriculture, which contributes about 42 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while much smaller countries do far more than this.

The Maplcroft report

also said that the growth economies of Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Pakistan and Mozambique also featured in the ‘extreme risk’ category.

One of the unifying characteristics of these economies identified by the CCERA is that they depend heavily on agriculture, with 65 per cent of their combined working population employed in the sector, while 28 per cent of their overall economic output relies on agricul-

tural revenues.

Maplecroft states changing weather patterns are already impacting food production, poverty, migration and social stability – factors that significantly increase the risk of conflicts and instability in fragile and emerging states alike.

The United Nations estimate declines of up to 50 per cent for staples such as rice, wheat and maize in some locations over the next 35 years

due to the impacts of climate change.

Food insecurity and food price volatility have also been identified as triggers to the Arab spring – particularly in Egypt and the current Syrian conflict.

With one in four people still undernourished in sub-Saharan Africa, climate change impacts make it even more difficult for governments across the region to improve food security and help reduce tensions.

L-R: Senior Vice-President, Business Development, Moody’s Investord Service, Mr Michael Korwin; Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Timothy Oguntayo; Associate Managing Director/Head, Relationship Management, Moody’s Investors Service, Mr David Aldrich; Vice President, sub-Saharan African, Moody’s, Mr Akintunde Majekodunmi and Senior Vice President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s, Mr. Constantinos Kypreos, at the Moody’s team visit to the bank in Lagos.

Nigeria’s telecoms end Q3 with 134.5m lines CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

subscriptions declined slightly to 132.1 but increased again to 133. 2 million while the figure reached 134.5 million by the end of September, according to the Commission’s latest official industry data.

New Telegraph learnt that over the years, telecoms operators have been expanding their networks to deliver quality of service to the over 134.5 million subscribers, though service delivery still faces major challenges in the country.

With over 130, 000 telecoms base stations so far built by telecoms operators in the country, experts say Nigeria will need over 60, 000 base stations to be able to provide satisfactory services to the entire landmass in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, had stated that the country’s mobile sector growth has remained phenomenal while, however, stressing that much still needed to be done to extend telephone services to under-served and unserved

areas.

The minister said that the government is promoting rural access to telephony through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) established to accelerate access to telecoms services in the rural communities.

She said: “Pursuant to Chapter VII, Part IV of the Communications Act of 2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria established the USPF to facilitate the rapid achievement of national policy goals for universal access to telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).”

As such, the Fund, the minister said, seeks to promote the following objectives in rural and under-served areas of Nigeria; contribute to national economic and social development through enhancing the universal accessibility and availability of telecommunications and ICT infrastructures and services; facilitate the provision of access to ICT services within a reasonable distance to all per-

sons in Nigeria and facilitate provision of infrastructural development to rural and under-served areas in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Other mandates of the Funds, according to the minister, are to promote technological innovation in ICT services delivery; promote competition in ICT services delivery; ensure effective utilisation of funds to leverage investments in rural communications as well as supporting the establishment efficient, self-sustaining, market-oriented businesses, which will continue to expand access to ICT on their own initiative, requiring the minimum amounts of shortand long-term Fund support possible.

“Under the Fund, we are also using the ICT to promote greater social equity and inclusion for all the people of Nigeria and we hope that as more people take up telephony services, operators and the government alike, through USPF to extend access services to under-served areas,” she said.

Business | Stock Watch

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

37

Custodian and Allied: Strategic expansion excites investors Share price movement of Custodian and Allied Plc

PROSPECT

Successful merger drives investors’ appetite

2013 Dec 31

2014

Chris Ugwu

T

he insurance industry is generally seen as the backbone of any country’s risk management system, since it ensures financial security, serves as an important component in the financial intermediation chain, and offers a ready source of long-term capital for infrastructural projects.

Besides, insurance also promotes the growth of small and large firms, as it provides stability by allowing large and small businesses operate with a lesser risk of volatility or failure. Furthermore, insurance is also very important to the financial system. By collecting relatively small premium from the insured in the economy, insurers are able to pull together a large pool of funds that could be invested for short and long-term periods. Such long-term funding of the economy is very critical for economic growth as well as the deepening and broadening of the domestic financial system.

However in Nigeria, there are wide ranges of challenges facing the insurance industry. Chiefly among them is low penetration, due to wrong perception as most people undertake insurance policies out of compulsion rather than as a necessity, resulting in a situation where most players operate in abyss.

This situation has impacted negatively on the fundamentals of insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and presently, the shares prices of these companies unlike other sub-sectors of the economy, rather than appreciating in value have remained relatively stagnant even as a larger percentage of the companies have remained at the nominal prices of 50 kobo at which they were quoted on the market.

When companies approach the equities market for listing of their shares, the nominal value quoted is usually 50 kobo as against the actual price they are being sold to the investing public.

Very few of these stocks have marginally risen above nominal value even as at close of business last Friday.

Since the crash of the nation’s capital market in 2008, negative perception has trailed the subsector, which was compounded by inability of about 85 per cent of the companies in the industry to pay dividend to shareholders for many years.

However, while it was accepted generally that the overall economic and business climate was mixed for insurance companies, Custodian and Allied Insurance has fairly maintained an upward trend in share prices and financials.

Successful merger Stockbrokers attributed investors’ sustained confidence in the stock despite recent lull in the stock market, to the favorable underwriting income from the insurance of the company after a successful merger consummated between Custodian and Allied Insur-

N2.08

Oshin

ance Plc and Crusader Nigeria Plc. In June 2013, following regulatory and legal approvals, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader Nigeria Plc had merged to form Custodian and Allied Plc. Custodian and Allied Plc came into existence in June last year as a result of the successful merger, following regulatory and legal approvals, of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader (Nigeria) Plc. Despite the recent depression in the market following massive profit taking that saw the market lose considerable chunk of investors’ wealth, the share price, which closed at N2.08 per share in December 31, 2013 stood at N3.90 when the closing bell rang last Friday, translating to an increase of N1.82 or 46.6 per cent year to date.

Corporate profile Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc (CAI), is a general insurance business. The principal activities of the company are to develop, package and deliver insurance products within the areas of Personal cover, Business cover and Special Risk. Personal cover provides insurance services such as Vehicle, Homeowners, Accident and Boat owner/Yacht insurances. Business cover offers insurance services such as Business Interruption, Burglary/ Housebreaking, Electronic Equipment Insurance, Employee Dishonesty (Fidelity Guarantee), Marine Hull, Marine Cargo, and Plant All Risks insurances.

Special Risk provides insurance services such as Oil/Gas, Directors & Officers Liability, Credit Card Protection, Aviation and Debit Card Protection insurances. The Company’s subsidiary is CAI Trustees Limited.

Custodian and Allied Plc is listed in the Other Financial Services Sector of the Daily Official List of the Exchange.

Financials Custodian and Allied Plc had begun the year 2014 on impressive ground with a 90.7 per cent growth in pre-tax

The board of directors has recommended the payment of an interim dividend of 6 kobo on every 50 kobo ordinary share profit during the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

According to a statement from the company, profit before tax for the first quarter of 2014 stood at N1.1 billion, representing a 90.7 per cent increase on the N587 million it declared in the corresponding period of 2013.

The rise in profit was a reflection of the insurance investment holding company’s expertise.

The company’s gross written premium during the period under review was N5.9 billion, as against the N4.1 billion written in the same period of 2013, representing a growth of 41.8 per cent.

The firm’s asset base increased to N47.6 billion in the first quarter of 2014 from N45.6 billion as of December 31, 2013. This indicated a 4.2 per cent growth in asset base within a threemonth period.

Trend in profitability continued in the second quarter, as the underwritten firm announced an unaudited profit before tax of N2.751 billion and profit after tax of N2.276 billion for the halfyear period ended 30 June 2014.

The result represents an increase of over 100 per cent over the N1.137 billion profit after tax recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.

Similarly, shareholders’ funds grew by 9.34 per cent to N20.88 billion from N19.09 billion as at June 30, 2013, while total assets stood at N48.2 billion compared with N45.6 billion reported as at

Jan 31

N2.24

Feb 28

N2.20

Mar 31

N2.01

Apr 30

N2.35

May 30

N3.25

Jun 30

N3.70

Jul 31

N3.96

Aug 29

N3.97

Sept 30

N3.82

Oct 24

N3.80

June 30, 2013.

The company’s Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Ademola Ajuwon, in a statement made available to the media, said that the results have been transmitted to the Exchange. He observed that the improved result was achieved on the back of favorable underwriting income from the insurance subsidiaries and remarkable efficiency gains group wide.

According to Wole Oshin, a Director in the company, the performance presents in concrete terms, the result of company’s unwavering customer focus, comprehensive systems, processes and operations integration; coupled with unrelenting commitment to its corporate ideal of exceeding customers and other stakeholders’ expectations at all times.

“We will continue to ensure that our products and services are customerdriven; even as we strive to position our subsidiaries to become Africa’s insurers of choice,” he said.

Following the performance, the board of directors has recommended the payment of an interim dividend of 6 kobo on every 50 kobo ordinary share of the company to shareholders on record as at the close of business on 8th August, 2014.

Analysts’ perception Despite having faced several challenges recently, the insurance sector is set to experience positive times, according to analysts at Meristem Securities Limited.

In an investment guide released recently, the investment management and financial advisory services firm said the outlook for full-year 2013 results for insurance firms were positive.

It said: “Given the various reforms and initiatives introduced by the National Insurance Commission and investments by foreign players, which we believe, would have impacted strongly on growth, our outlook for top insurance companies yet to release results is positive.

However, the analysts said they expect investors’ patronage for the stocks to improve given NAICOM’s enforcement of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) standards, companies’ innovative reforms to attain profitability and leverage on micro-insurance to improve awareness.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

38

Ebola scare halts insurer’s expansion plan p.39

OPTIMISM Insurance has the potential to contribute to the nation’s economic growth

F

ollowing the poor perception of insurance business in the country, the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has advised the industry operators to overhaul their activities by stepping up

Insurance

86m Nigerians lack insurance cover, says CIIN p.39

Oshiomhole to underwriters: Get rid of quacks discipline, raising public confidence as well as getting rid of quacks in their midst.

Oshiomhole, who spoke in Benin City, the Edo State capital, during the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Educational seminar, maintained that the industry could only attain better performance

and contribute appropriately to the economy if the operators exhibited some measure of discipline.

The Governor, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Finance, John Enegbedion, called on the underwriters to tackle challenges that had been hindering growth

and development of the industry by living up to their responsibilities, especially in prompt claims settlement.

He said that there were a lot of benefits to be derive when the operators build public confidence, adding that insurance practice should be properly done as it remained the best way to mitigate

risks which is common to everybody.

While assuring that the state government will continue to partner insurers in mitigating the risks that ought to be suffered by the people, he called on the operators to tackle the issue of quacks and fake insurance which have caused much public distrust on their operations.

Meanwhile, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) also tasked the operators to device new ways of distributing insurance products to more Nigerians who are yet to be covered.

The Deputy Director, Authorisation and Policy, NAICOM, Mr. Leonard Madueke Akah, observed that the industry was yet to contribute positively

to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to poor penetration.

Aka, who stood in for the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, pointed out that despite the high population growth in the country, the insurance industry was still behind some smaller Africa countries, a development he attributed to non-attractive product design.

He also urged them to device better methods of distribution of products in order to meet everybody’s need instead of recycling conventional insurance covers meant specifically for high income earners.

He further advised them to design products around micro-insurance and Takaful so as to penetrate the grassroots.

NAICOM seeks collaboration with ICPC to fight fraud

T

The MD/CE of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim(1st left) receiving visitors book of the Kano Children’s Home from the Head, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar during the MD’s visit to the orphanage as part of the corporation’s 25th anniversary

Consolidated Hallmark records N4.15bn premium income

C

onsolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc has recorded a gross premium income of over N4 billion in its 2013 transactions.

The result shows a moderate eight per cent growth from N3.83 billion achieved in the 2012 financial year to over N4.15 billion in 2013.

The company also made a significant provision for impairment for outstanding premium to enable a clean break from the era of debtors’ overhang, thus paving the way for future profitability.

Disclosing these during the company’s 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Vice-Chairman, Tony Aletor, said the company made a provision of over N547 million as impairment charges for the period, stressing that having cleaned the books, future results would be better.

He said the underwriting firm also recorded an impres-

sive cash flow position during the period having improved on the over N1.87 billion recorded during the preceding period with a jump to over N2.27 billion in its cash and cash equivalents.

On his part, the Managing Director of the company, Eddie Efekoha, said that one of the major strategies that had sustained the company’s business was the avowed commitment to prompt and adequate claims settlement.

Efekoha said that in spite of the quite challenging operating environment in 2013, CHI’s expenses on claims rose from over N846 million in 2012 to more than N965 million.

He added that by close of business on December 31, 2013, the company ensured that all fully documented claims for the year were settled.

He also revealed that the finance company subsidiary,

Grand Treasurers Limited (GTL), remained upbeat in their contributions to the bottom line of the Group, saying that the company grew its loan book by 125 per cent while keeping its loan loss ratio at five per cent.

He said CHI Support Services Limited, the NCC licensed vehicle tracking outfit of the company, had continued to play a complementary role to ensure the company meets the emerging needs of auto insurance customers who desired added benefits.

Some shareholders, who spoke at the event commended the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for the implementation of the “no premium, no cover” policy.

They also called on the regulator to put measures in place to ensure that the huge outstanding premium due to insurance companies for previous cover be recovered.

he Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, has appealed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for collaboration in the fight against fraudulent transactions in the industry.

Daniel, who made the call during a workshop in Nasarawa state, said the partnership had become necessary in furtherance of the intense effort by the government to build a better and transparent nation.

He said the workshop was to increase the level of awareness of the ICPC and its officers on the insurance regulatory environment and to foster better understanding of the insurance business model as well as emerging issues in the industry.

The commissioner observed that while ICPC had been working with other regulatory bodies in the monitoring of activities within the different financial services sectors, very little had been witnessed in the insurance sector.

Daniel said, “Suffice it to say that NAICOM is saddled with the responsibility of regulating and supervising the

insurance industry. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to ensure the protection of policyholders’ interests and rights. Insurance is built on the principle of Utmost Good Faith, thus, every insurance practitioner is expected to uphold this principle both in words and deeds.

“However, NAICOM lacks the requisite powers of enforcement especially in terms of arrest and prosecution of corrupt or fraudulent operators. While we are aware that the ICPC had over the years been working with other regulatory bodies in the monitoring of activities within the different financial services sectors, very little has been witnessed in the insurance sector.”

According to him, NAICOM is committed to equipping ICPC officers with the requisite knowledge of insurance regulations and practices which are unique to the industry and differentiate it from other financial services.

He added that a good understanding of the insurance regulatory environment and practices would enable ICPC execute efficient and effective investigation and prosecution of matters.

Business |Insurance

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

39

86m Nigerians lack insurance cover, says CIIN CONSOLIDATION Nigerian insurance market is turning its fortunes around to rank among the 20 largest in the world Sunday Ojeme

E

ven in the face of serial risks springing up in the country on a daily basis, available records have revealed that only about 1.3 million adults representing 1.5 per cent of the entire

Nigerian adult population maintain some category of formal insurance cover..

The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Bola Temowo, while disclosing this, said about 86.6 million Nigerians had no form of insurance.

He, however, envisaged that the current record of Nigeria’s insuring population would receive a boost and improve the industry’s profile in global ranking.

He said: “The Nigerian government envisions an insurance industry which can turn

its fortunes around to rank among the 20 largest markets in the world by the year 2020 from the current ranking of being the 60th in the world reckoning.

Temowo, who spoke at the CIIN Educational Seminar held in Benin City, said the seminar theme, “Maximising Channels of Distribution for Insurance Penetration,” called for the improvement of the industry’s marketing machinery and the need for an industry action plan for actualising the Financial Inclusion Strategy (FIS) in the delivery of insurance products and

services to the critical mass, comprising the low income earners.

He said, the seminar focused on the maximisation of existing and emerging channels of distribution as key to achieving deeper insurance penetration.

He said: “The significance of insurance in the life of our nation cannot be over emphasised.

These trying times are fraught with several risk factors for both individuals and corporate bodies.

As risk managers, it behoves us to increase the tempo of our campaigns for insurance awareness in order to get more Ni-

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Eddie Efekoha; Vice-Chairman, Tony Aletor; and representative of Foundation Chambers (Company Secretaries), Adedoyin Adeloye, during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Uyo.

A.M. Best revises outlook for Mansard

A

.M. Best has revised Mansard Insurance Plc’s outlook to positive from stable and affirmed it the financial strength rating of B (Fair).

It also confirmed issuer credit rating of “bb+” to Mansard Insurance.

The positive outlook, according to a statement from Mansard, reflects the firm’s “consistently excellent underwriting performance, as demonstrated by the five-year average combined ratio of 86.5 per cent.” The rating fim noted: Technical results have been maintained despite the company’s rapid growth in recent years and increasingly competitive conditions in its domestic market. For the first nine months of 2014, Mansard reported a technical profit of approximately N900 million ($5.3 million) compared with N500 million ($3.0 million) for the same period in 2013, underpinned by a rise in premium income and an improvement in the combined ratio.

A.M. Best expects Mansard’s underwriting earnings to re-

main strong, supported by its solid competitive position as a top five composite insurer in Nigeria, its wide and expanding distribution network, including bancassurance agreements with several domestic high profile financial institutions, and its effective risk management practices.”

The ratings also reflect Mansard’s solid risk-adjusted capitalisation, which has been sustained by retained earnings and the de-risking of its investment portfolio.

In past years, A.M. notedMansard’s risk-adjusted capitalisation has been constrained by investments in unlisted equities and property. However, the company has made a concerted effort to reduce its exposure to both asset classes. “Based on unaudited accounts for the third quarter of 2014, Mansard reduced its exposure to unlisted equities and property investments to 27 per cent of its total investments, compared with 36 per cent at year-end 2013. Proceeds have been reinvested in

cash, short-term deposits and fixed-income securities.

“Positive rating actions could occur if Mansard maintains its strong earnings profile as it expands, whilst sustaining solid risk-adjusted capitalisation.

These drivers will be monitored by A.M. Best over the next 24 to 36 months,” A.M. said.

A decline in Mansard’s technical performance and risk-adjusted capitalisation or a material rise in its investment risk appetite could result in negative rating actions. Additionally, any impact on Mansard’s rating fundamentals due to deterioration in the political or socio-economic conditions in Nigeria could also negatively affect its ratings.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process.

gerians to embrace insurance with minimal compulsion.

“The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria has continued to explore all platforms for the propagation of Insurance education and promotion of general financial literacy. Our training and retraining programmes are being intensified, while creating new channels for capturing the younger generation and ensuring that they embrace Insurance consciously as a course of study.

“It is in this direction that our Institute sponsored the production of the insurance textbook for secondary schools and has commenced the donation of copies of the book to over 2000 public secondary schools in the country through the state ministries of education.

He said the institute also acknowledged the dearth of insurance teachers in schools and embarked on a Trainthe –Trainers project in order to equip the teachers with the minimal skills for teaching the subject, adding that this served as a reinforcement of the inclusion of insurance as a course of study in secondary schools by the Federal Government.

“Let me state that the campaign for Insurance awareness has become

the collective concern of the entire Insurance Industry. The Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), the body comprising all arms of the Industry, has also taken positive steps towards sensitising government agencies on the pivotal role of Insurance in Nationhood.

“The Council of our institute has also adopted measures geared at involving all stakeholders in the campaign.

We have recently been appealing to insurance institutions to adopt a secondary or tertiary institution close to them and support such institutions with their employees as volunteer teachers who would take time off their official schedules to teach insurance courses in the schools,” he added.

He also appealed to the Edo State Government to see the insurance industry as a worthy partner in progress, saying that adequate insurance coverage of government assets on a yearly basis could not be overemphasised.

He said, “Let me also state that the No- Premium- No Cover regulatory requirement places a burden of responsibility on the parties to the contract of insurance to ensure that all insurances are in force through prompt payment of premium.

Ebola scare halts insurer’s expansion plan

S

IC Insurance, Ghana’s biggest insurer, shelved plans to open units in Sierra Leone and Liberia as the nations battle to contain Ebola Virus Disease.

The company’s Managing Director, Doris Awo Nkani, said the Accrabased company, which was studying the financial viability of expanding, aimed to open general insurance businesses in the West African countries.

They would have offered motor, accident, marine, aviation and fire insurance among other products, she said.

“Because of the Ebola situation, the board this year decided to put the plans on hold,” Nkani said. “I don’t think the plans will be revived anytime soon.”

SIC joins companies curbing investment in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the countries hardest hit by the disease that’s killed about 5,000 people since Decem-

ber. Airlines have halted flights and governments have slashed economic growth forecasts.

Dangote Cement Plc, Nigeria’s biggest company and Africa’s largest producer of the building material, had also delayed a planned expansion into Sierra Leone, Chief Executive Officer Devakumar Edwin said.

Heineken NV’s unit in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, sent staff home as it halted growth plans.

SIC’s net income rose 11 per cent to 2.5 million cedis ($769,000) in the six months through June 30. Net premiums for the company that is 40 per cent owned by the Ghanaian government advanced to 48.1 million cedis from 46.2 million cedis a year ago.

The company’s shares were unchanged at 40 pesewas in Accra. They’ve advanced 2.6 per cent in 2014, compared with the Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index’s four per cent increase.

40 Photo News

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Sales Services Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Uyo Commercial Territory, Emmanuel Egwoh; Sales Manager, NBC, Calabar Territory, David Eneji; popular Nigerian R&B artiste, May D; Assistant Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Kristine Okoye and Commercial Manager, NBC, Uyo Commercial Territory, Segun Adesina, during the Coke Studio campus concert at the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar

L-R: First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Director, Federal Medical Centre, Otuoke, Dr Ebitimi Etebu and Chairman, Lawrence Iroka, during the presentation of the keys of two ambulances by the First Lady on behalf of Women for Change and Development Initiative in Otuoke, Bayelsa State…at the weekend

L-R: Member, Presidential Job Board, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga and Vice President, Namadi Sambo, at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential job Board, in Abuja.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

L-R: Corps Marshal/Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi; Deputy Corps Marshal, Ademola Lawal and Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, at Lawal’s decoration in Abuja.

L-R: Member, Trade Promotions Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Paul Igbinoba; Deputy President, Mrs. Nike Akande; Executive Director, Stakeholder Relation and Corporate Communication, Dangote Group, Mr. Mansur Ahmed and Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Mr. Tony Chiejina, at the special day of Dangote Group at the on-going Trade Fair in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Head of Public Relations and Events, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Asiwaju; Public Relations Officer, Africa Independent Television, Christabel Okah; Unit Head, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye and Chief Executive Officer, Trans negotiation, Mr. Yemi Akinbode, at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations 2014 Masters Class in Abuja

L-R: Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Alero Ladipo; Senior Manager, Legal and Regulatory, Mr. Gbolahan Thomas and Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu, at the donation of Internet access connectivity facilities to Wesley College of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan…at the weekend

L-R: General Manager, C & I Leasing Plc, Wisdom Nwagwu; Director, Maritime Safety, NIMASA, Vincent Udoye; Director, C &I Leasing Plc, Ngozi Uche; Group Managing Director, Emeka Ndu and Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, at the unveiling of the vessel ‘Barak Defender’ by the company in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

(%)

Agency Bonds

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

FMBN ***LCRM

24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

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

0.52 1.26 2.07 2.43 2.64

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

13.99 14.40 15.22 14.36 14.38

93.12 103.41 100.29 97.59 94.70

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

315.38

Sub-National Bonds MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

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

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

Business | Financial Market News

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

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 16.23 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.50 5.00 4.78 4.79

41

31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 10-Oct-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.79 0.63 0.92 0.92 2.43 1.47 3.13 2.30 3.89 2.30 2.30 2.68 2.94 5.02 2.91 3.46 6.04 6.13 3.61 3.64

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

15.95 14.65 16.04 15.07 18.95 13.54 15.17 15.11 14.37 14.31 18.09 14.38 14.38 14.35 16.12 14.37 14.28 15.22 14.81 15.32

97.46 99.66 98.48 100.85 83.17 100.54 97.13 98.11 98.88 100.48 92.56 100.31 102.69 100.53 97.00 101.02 96.89 99.11 99.29 99.28

Ecobank to raise $500m for its Nigerian unit Lender, PHED sign pact

FUND RAISING

The bank has also arranged a $150m loan from a group of seven lenders

will be finalised,” Jibril to Ecobank Nigeria’s oil Aku, chief executive of- production and exploraficer of Ecobank Nigeria tion clients.

Ltd., the lender’s largest South Africa’s Nedsubsidiary, said in an in- bank Group Ltd. became terview in London last ETI’s largest shareholdTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Friday. “We’ll be looking er last October when Stories by Kunle Azeez TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION at $500 million-plus. That it bought a 20 percent Corporate Bonds he Nigerian unit would take us toward an stake for $493 million.

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Aa/Agusto GTB Bank of pan-African 18 percent capital-ade- Qatar National 18-Dec-09 µ 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10 NGC Nil lender Ecobank quacy ratio.”

SAQ, the second-biggest 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC 12.00 FLOURMILLShas 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto Transnational 09-Dec-10 Ecobank Nigeria owner, holds 17 percent. *FLOURMILLS 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMSalso arranged Incorporation (ETI) a $150 mil- “All options are on the 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO plans to raise at least lion loan from a group of table” as to how the par14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH $500 to seven lenders, including ent company, which has 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCRmillion of equity 30-Sep-10 UBA 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 increase funding, as Plc., stock traded in Nigeria, BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C &the I LEASINGStandard Chartered # MPR+7.00 Nil *DANA country sets stricter capwhich was the DANA lead9-APR-2018 co- Ghana and Ivory 09-Apr-11 Coast, MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR 09-Sep-11 *TOWER# will decide to raise the ital adequacy requireordinator.

According to MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR 09-Sep-11 *TOWER# ments banks. UBA Bloomberg, the $500 million, said Aku. 14.00 UBAone-year II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto;for A/GCR 22-Sep-11 15.75 LAcan CASERA “Next BBB+/GCR week, we’re be18-OCT-2018 exThe Central 18-Oct-13 Bank Bbb+/Agusto; *LA CASERA facility, which # MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS BBB-/DataPro†; 17-Feb-12 *CHELLARAMStended of Nigeria (CBN) has meeting in BB+/GCR Johannesburg to three years, will II 17-FEB-2019 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil 01-Apr-14 deemed eight banks, inwhere the capital*DANA plan be used to16.00 provide loans 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

cluding Ecobank Nigeria, as systemically important and given them until March next year to meet a minimum capital-adequacy ratio of 16 percent.

471.68 Ecobank was 1.3 per457.16 cent lower at N17 at 1:43 p.m. in Lagos. The stock 13.50 13.17 has advanced 4.9 percent 17.00 2.00 this year.

10.00 3.61 12.00 13.62 Meanwhile, Ecobank14.00 Nigeria Plc0.60and 13.00 15.00 Port-Harcourt Electric14.25 5.53 ity Distribution (PHED) 13.00 20.00 have 18.00 signed a special 0.73 16.00 6.30 agreement whereby 2.90 their18.00 customers can 16.00 0.80 secure finance for 14.00 35.00the acquisition of prepaid 15.75 2.40 17.00under the 0.41 meters Cred16.00 4.50 ited Advanced Payment

T

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

NAHCO

14-Nov-13

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

STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.00

2.76

16.04

97.01

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.13

88.40

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.13

95.33

Why we endorsed Sterling Bank’s capital increase, by shareholders A/GCR

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

Okumo reports 56% pre-tax profit growth 144.16

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

O

komu 141.65

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Supranational Bond

AAA/S&P

IFC

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

H

level of VALUE confiTOTAL igh OUTSTANDING the board TOTAL dence MARKETin CAPITALISATION

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

to raise additional capi- ny Nwosu, said that the tal to boost operations shareholders supported and management and deliver sustainable the idea of raising fresh of Sterling Bank Plc and Issuer returns on investments. funds to enable it compete Description Rating/Agency Issue Date the need to fully strengthSpecifically, the share- favorably among its peers FGN Eurobonds en the lenders’ opera- holders approved a private in the industry, stressing 6.75 JAN 28, that 2021 this would enhance 07-Oct-11 tions asB+/S&P well as increase placement of N20 billion BB-/Fitch; its capital adequacy FGN through the issuance of the capacity of the bank BB-/Fitch; 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P are the main rearatio, 7.47 billion shares to Sil- to do more businesses and BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, increase 2023 12-Jul-13 sons why shareholders verlake Investments Limits profit margin, BB-/S&P endorsed the request of ited, a strategic investor leading to enhanced diviTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE its directors raise ad- based in Mauritius. They dend payment.

TOTAL MARKETto CAPITALISATION ditional capital. also approved the Bank’s He said: “With an enCorporate Eurobonds Besides, they also point- plan to raise additional hanced capital, Sterling 11.50 FEB 01,Bank 2016 B/Fitch; AFREN PLC I capital up to $200 million ed outB-/S&P that the judicious will be able01-Feb-11 to go 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 19-May-11 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P of the GTBANK into big ticket transacapplication exist-PLC I through any or a combi7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANKnation PLC ing capital by the directors of equity, global tions dominated 25-Jul-12 by big 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 09-May-13 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC banks because of their influenced their decision. depository receipts, pub6.00 NOV 08, 2018 08-Nov-13 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC level of capitalisation.

The lender’s sharelic offering or rights issue.

10.25 APR 08, 2019 08-Apr-12 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II time has come for holders at their extra-or6.25 APR 22, The 2019 22-Apr-14 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Speaking with news8.75 May 21, Sterling 2019 21-May-14 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC dinary general meeting men after the meeting, Bank to join the 8.25 AUG 07,league 2020 07-Aug-13 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC (EGM) held in Lagos last the National Coordinator, of big banks and 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 09-Dec-13 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III Tuesday, endorsed the Independent Shareholdhave an increased share 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 24-Jun-14 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II request of the directors ers Association, Sir. Sun- of the market.” 23-Jul-14 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

nance for pre-paid meter acquisition from PHED. At an agreement signfor Metering Implemen- ing ceremony in Porttation (CAPMI) scheme. Harcourt, Rivers State, CAPMI is a special Executive Director, programme initiated by South-South and Souththe Nigerian Electricity East, Ecobank, Mr. Regulatory Commission, Kingsley Umadia, stated (NERC), that allows will- that CAPMI Credit was ing electricity customers designed to help bring to make payment to dis- solution to the huge me18-Dec-14 0.09 14.60 99.83 tering gap that was curtribution companies for 5.21 31-Dec-14 0.13 8.71 18.37 99.68 pre-paid meters.

Such rently being experienced 17-Aug-15 0.51 4.88 16.23 97.44 09-Dec-15 is refunded 0.59 12.39 100.04 payment back 1.00 in the power sector.

14.07 that electric100.56 to 06-Jan-16 the customer0.67through 2.63 He said 29-Sep-16 1.88 1.00 14.04 98.29 deductions from the ity had been known to 25-Oct-16 1.95 1.34 14.47 99.62 monthly electricity bills. be a driver of economic 30-Sep-17 2.88 1.00 14.38 96.80 A statement 30-Nov-17 1.69 from 1.88 prosperity, 14.70 adding 106.03that 09-Apr-18said the 1.90 16.55 decided 99.36 PHED scheme 3.48 Ecobank to 09-Sep-18 2.07 5.20 18.42 99.66 partner with PHED to introduced by Ecobank 09-Sep-18 2.07 5.06 18.28 101.84 under the name the97.89 devel22-Sep-18 3.86CAPMI 1.35 help actualise 14.72 of the sector Credit, willing 2.29 opment15.55 18-Oct-18 avails2.18 100.50 for 17-Feb-19 19.40 96.14 customers the 2.26 opportu- 6.11 the country’s economic 01-Apr-19 101.15 nity of securing3.13microfi- 2.16 growth.15.54

Coupon (%)

6.75 5.13 6.38

11.50 7.50 7.25 6.88 6.00 10.25 6.25 8.75 8.25 6.63 9.25 8.00

14-Aug-14

8.75

Oil Palm Pl c has recorded a 56 per cent growth in pre-tax profit 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.24 during the third quarter ended 12.95 01-Feb-21 4.46 September 30, 2014.

24.95 The 22.44 company in a filing with Nigerian Stock Exchange Outstanding Value (NSE) posted aMaturity profit tax(%) Datebefore Bid Yield ($mm) of N2.077 billion for the period under review as against N1.612 500.00 during 28-Jan-21 billion the comparable 5.30 period of 2013.

500.00 12-Jul-18 4.43 The company’s revenue stood 12-Jul-23as against 5.62 at 500.00 N6.899 billion N6.787 recorded in 2013, repre1,500.00 senting 1,574.84a growth of 1.6 per cent.

Okomu’s performance indicators for the year ended De450.00 01-Feb-16 cember 31, 2013 decreased8.53 as the500.00 company’s19-May-16 profit after 4.88 tax 350.00 25-Jul-17 6.83 dipped to N425.09 million com300.00 02-May-18 9.42 pared with N8.95 billion posted 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.29 in 2012.

300.00 08-Apr-19 9.67 The result, which was con500.00 22-Apr-19 6.57 200.00in the company’s 21-May-19 9.34 tained audited 300.00released by 07-Aug-20 8.12 result the Exchange, 360.00 09-Dec-20 indicates a decrease of 95.25 8.11 per 400.00 24-Jun-21 9.35 cent in net profit over the figure 450.00 23-Jul-21 8.36 250.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

14-Aug-21

in 2012.

The profit before tax also declined by 38.17 per cent to 1.00 14.37 89.43 N2.69 billion from N4.3590.44 billion 1.00 14.37 achieved in the corresponding period of 2012, while gross profit stood at N4.99 billion in contrast to the billion achieved Offer YieldN6.31 (%) Bid Price Offer Price in 2012, a decrease of 20.92 per cent.

Pricescompany’s & Yields The turnover stood billion as 108.38 against 5.15at N8.86107.56 N10.15 billion achieved in 2012, 4.20 102.30 103.10 representing a decrease of 12.71 105.10 106.01 per 5.49 cent.

The company attributed the drop to a tough operating environment for agri-processing companies.

8.53 company 103.30 had however, 103.30 The 4.88 recorded 17.5103.75 per cent 103.75 growth 6.83 101.00for the101.00 in pretax profit second 8.92 92.59 94.01 quarter ended June 2014.

5.87 99.00 100.46 In9.67filing with the Exchange, 102.00 102.00 the company’s profits grew 6.57 98.78 98.78from 9.10 billion 97.87 N1.427 during the98.74 compa8.12 99.75 bilrable period of99.75 2013 to N1.730 93.00 lion8.11 in 2014, indicating a 93.00 growth 9.17 99.75 100.63 of 17.5 per cent.

8.36 97.25 97.25

8.44

8.24

4,760.00 4,728.60

100.58

101.62

14-Nov-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

DTM 13 20 FGN27Bonds 41 48 55Rating/Agency 62 69 76 83 90 97 104 111 118 NA 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 265 293

Maturity 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15Issuer 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 NA 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Bid Discount (%) 8.60 10.50 9.00 10.10 10.30 Description 11.40 9.85 4.009.50 23-APR-2015 10.05 13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.10 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.15 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 10.70 30-MAY-2018 11.20 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.70 7.0010.65 23-OCT-2019 10.60 16.39 27-JAN-2022 11.30 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.70 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.80 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.95 8.5010.75 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 11.30 12.1493 10.5018-JUL-2034

Offer Discount (%) 8.35 10.25 8.75 9.85 10.05 Issue Date 11.15 9.60 9.2523-Apr-10 9.80 16-Aug-13 10.85 27-Apr-12 9.9027-Jul-07 10.15 31-Aug-07 10.45 30-May-08 10.95 29-Jun-12 10.45 23-Oct-09 10.40 10.35 27-Jan-12 11.05 14-Mar-14 10.45 28-Nov-08 10.55 22-May-09 10.70 20-Nov-09 10.50 23-Jul-10 11.05 18-Jul-14 10.25

Bid Yield (%) NIBOR 8.63 10.56 Tenor Rate (%) 9.06 O/N 10.9167 10.22 1M 12.2954 10.44 3M 13.2929 Outstanding Value Coupon (%) Maturity 11.60 6M 14.2995 Date (N'bn) 10.02 535.00 23-Apr-15 9.67 4.00 10.2613.05 563.89 NITTY 16-Aug-16 11.3915.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 10.41 9.85 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 10.70 1M 9.3267 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 11.04 2M 10.3254 30-May-18 11.5910.70 3M300.00 10.4193 29-Jun-19 11.0816.00 6M351.30 11.1048 23-Oct-19 11.08 7.00 9M233.90 11.6271 11.0516.39 12M 12.6849 600.00 27-Jan-22 11.8314.20 371.68 14-Mar-24 11.2015.00 75.00 28-Nov-28 11.34 12.49 150.00 NIFEX 22-May-29 11.53 8.50 200.00 Current Price ($/N) 20-Nov-29 11.33 591.57 23-Jul-30 12.3110.00 BID($/N) 172.2125 12.1493 OFFER ($/N)130.00 18-Jul-34 11.47 172.3125

Bonds

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET *for the Amortising bonds, the CAPITALISATION average life is calculated and not the duration Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

FMBN Modified Duration***LCRM Buckets

<3 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Sub-National Bonds

Issue Date

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 Value(Bn)LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,033.72 1,016.68

Coupon (%)

FMDQ FGN BOND 24-May-10 0.00 03-Apr-12 17.25 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 Weighting by Weighting

by Mkt 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Vol Value 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 33.21 33.45

3<5

1,069.79

951.30

31.08

34.61

Market

987.06 3,090.57

1,093.25 3,061.23

35.71 100.00

31.94 100.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION >5 A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds

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

Rate (%)

OBB

10.79

O/N

10.96

REPO

TTM Tenor(Yrs) Call 1M0.44 3M1.75 6M2.45

Bid Yield Rate (%) (%) 10.50 11.16 12.61 13.42 12.98 14.31 13.27

Tenor Spot 7D 14DYield Offer 1M (%) 2M 10.79 3M 6M 12.89 1Y 13.20

2.70 13.38 13.31 2.80 13.38 13.31 3.54 13.37 13.26 :Benchmarks 4.62 13.30 13.22 * :Amortising Bond 4.94 13.35 13.25 µ :Convertible Bond AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 7.20Management Corporation 13.21 13.15 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.33 13.18 13.12 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 14.04 12.90 12.86 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.52 12.87 12.82 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.02 12.84 12.78 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 15.69 13.01 12.95 O/N: Overnight 19.67 13.02 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 12.98 NOTE:

Bid ($/N) 171.10 169.19 169.46 Bid Price 170.09 171.28 96.99 172.48 176.27 100.05 183.94 103.70

Offer ($/N)

Price

171.20 169.43 169.78 Offer Price 170.71 172.41 97.14 174.13 179.74 100.20 192.08 103.85

92.17 92.32 90.82 90.97 92.64 92.94 NA :Not Applicable 109.05 109.35 # :Floating Rate Bond 77.55 coupon bonds 77.85 ***: Deferred 114.45 114.75 †: Bond105.35 rating expired 105.65 N/A :Not Available 113.44 113.74 97.51 97.81 71.41 71.71 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 80.05 Bank for Africa 80.35 UBA: United 93.80 94.10

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

4,563.69

#

Rating/Agency

Tenor

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

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

12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

INDEX

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

24.56 3.00 112.22 Bucket Weighting 116.70 66.49 0.33

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 % Exposure_ 20-Apr-17 Mod_Duration 06-Jul-17 14.53

0.52 1.26 2.07 Implied2.43 Yield 2.64 13.14

0.31

30.16

13.23

1.00

55.31 100.00

13.07 13.13

322.97

315.38 0.36 8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00

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

0.79 0.63 0.92 0.92 2.43 1.47 3.13 2.30 3.89

#

Risk Premium (%) 2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price 1.00 118.1821

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

13.99 14.40 15.22 INDEX 14.36 14.38 1,122.49

93.12 103.41 YTD100.29 Return 97.59 (%) 94.70 12.2489

131.6023

1,114.36

11.4358

101.3385 116.3372

1,184.82 1,110.92

18.4825 11.0919

4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

15.95 14.65 16.04 15.07 18.95 13.54 15.17 15.11 14.37

97.46 99.66 98.48 100.85 83.17 100.54 97.13 98.11 98.88

42

Business | Interview

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Land titling crucial to Nigeria’s real estate growth –Diop Oumar Diop, an engineer and finance expert, is the Resident Regional Representative of Shelter Afrique, a pan-African institution that supports development of the housing and real estate sector in Africa. Diop, who was one of the speakers during the 3Invest’s Real Estate Unite 2014 in Lagos, spoke with Property Editor, Dayo Ayeyemi, on various issues affecting real estate development in Nigeria. He also gave details of the institution’s activities, achievements and challenges in Nigeria.

Diop

What is the function of Shelter Afrique?

Shelter Afrique basically finances real estate developments in her member countries. Presently, Shelter Afrique is doing business in 44 countries in Africa. Our mandate is to support the private sector to build more houses in Africa. Our shareholders comprise of African Development Bank (AfDB) which is the major shareholder. We also have the African Reinsurance company as a shareholder and the other shareholders are African governments.

What are the achievements of the organisation in Nigeria as regards real estate developments?

We have a lot of achievements in Nigeria where we have been providing funding for many private developers on the supply side. We have also extended a number of lined credits to the Primary Mortgage Banks like Aso Savings and Loan, Abbey Building and a few others. A company like the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) is also a partner of Shelter Afrique.

Currently, our board has approved a facility of $3 million for NMRC and that was approved during our board in Abidjan this year and that’s really what we are out to do by impacting and leveraging on what the NMRC wants to do for Nigeria What is the volume of your investments

One should be able to perfect its mortgage within one month or maximum two months.

in Nigeria?

I need to check my records, but we have in the region of $200 million which has been put in place to support real estate market in Nigeria. Right now, we are mostly funding the real estate market in US dollars, but we have planned to float a bond in the market sometimes in the second quarter of 2015 and we believe that with the local currency in hand, we are really going to impact on Nigeria’s real estate market as we have always wanted to do.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian government in terms of housing development?

We believe that the Federal Government means a lot to help the real estate sector in Nigeria, but we believe also that there is something to do more in terms of a conducive environment.

Specifically, institution like Shelter Afrique will like to be in environment to get things done in three or four weeks.

That will be a great achievement for the Federal government. Right now, we can do a lot in Nigeria, but we need more conducive environment to be able to bring more funding to real estate sector.

What do you mean by conducive environment and in what areas do you want government to come in?

We want government to come in

mostly in the areas of land titling and mortgage perfection. One should be able to perfect its mortgage within one month or maximum two months.

This will go a long way to help Shelter Afrique contribute much to the real estate development in Nigeria. This is because for the time being, the big interest of Shelter Afrique in Nigeria is in the area of mortgage perfection because we are considering mortgage (legal mortgage) as a primary security on the funding we are providing in Nigeria. We are no longer getting bank guarantee or any other collateral.

We are happy to consider a charge on the land (mortgage on the land), but right now, what we have noticed if we approved the fund action and be able to dispose the fund for development of the project, it is almost difficult to dispose the project quickly. It can take six to 12 months to dispose the facility.

That is the kind of situation we are facing now in the market.

Are you saying you do not longer consider bank guarantee?

Exactly. In the past we used to request for bank guarantee for funding we are providing in the market, but we have noticed that requesting for bank guarantee from our partners being the primary mortgage institutions, developers or private public partnerships (PPP) projects, we are just after

Business | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

43

BIODATA Education:

Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering, Polytechnic of Senegal, Alexandra University; Master Degree, Engineering and Finance Specialties: Structured Finance, Project Finance, Mortgage Finance, Equity Finance, Real Estate Finance, Advisory Services, Projects & Portfolio Management, Construction & Civil Engineering.

Experience: Has over 16 years’ work experience in Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Real Estate Financing and Infrastructure Development Industry.

Former position: West African Regional representative, Shelter Afrique;

Senior Investment Officer – 2013

Head, Regional Office, Shelter Afrique, Abidjan- 2012;

Investment Officer - 2010;

Partner, Senior Consultant, SIGMAN - 2008

the fund action and of course, at the end of the day the cost will be passed to the final buyers of the project or off-takers. Shelter Afrique targets affordable housing and our strategy is now to make it possible to bring the cost of any housing down, and we can do it through the project investment infrastructure fund. But we have also brought down the cost of the funding by going for charge on the land instead of bank guarantee. This will reduce the cost of funding and ultimately the cost of housing and, at the end of the day, plays on the mortgage for affordable housing.

What kind of checks are on ground to ensure that funds provided by Shelter Afrique to developers are judiciously used?

We do that during our origination process. We have put in place a very stringent mechanism to ensure that the money we are providing is going directly to affordable housing units. It is not peculiar to Nigeria, but all our member-countries. Shelter Afrique has independent budget managers and project managers who are our officials that are monitoring the project implementation. Before we disburse any fund for projects, we need to be sure that the money will be channelled into the project. We also have lawyers in Nigeria and other countries that are monitoring on behalf of Shelter Afrique. This year, we have opened a regional office in Abuja with the team of engineers, quantity surveyors and finance officers with the mandate to follow up on projects we are financing.

There is very close monitoring on all the projects we are funding in Nigeria to ensure that we are financing the right projects within affordable housing schemes.

How do you intend to disburse the $200 million you said was just launched in the market facility?

Right now we have $200 million equivalent ready for the market and the approach to disburse the fund will be on three possible ways. The number one is on the construction stage - I mean construction finance. We are now identifying credible developers with strong technical know-how.

Can we know the names of these developers?

We are still in the pipeline and I will disclose their names later when we are done with the process. But right

Diop

now, we have identified the pipeline of very strong developers with strong technical and part of the fund would be given to the developers to ensure we have inner housing build on the supply side. Now, on the demand side, we have also identified the pipeline of primary mortgage banks and we are going to extend facility to these primary mortgage banks for on-lending to important off-takers. The third channel we are going to use is private-public partnership (PPP) with state government and credible developers again. These are the ways Shelter Afrique is contributing to mass housing development. We know that we need to involve the state government in order to be sure that the number of housing units they want to build into the market conform to Shelter Afrique’s requirements.

What happens in the area of alternative materials for housing project?

We are strongly supporting alternative building materials. In order to give you evidence of that, in the last annual general meeting we did in Abidjan in June, we focused on alternative building technologies. The theme of the AGM was “Alternative Building.”

We believe that if you want to produce mass housing development, we are not going to do it with our traditional ways of building (brick and mortal) because brick and mortar has its own limit. It is important now that we start using new technologies in the construction industry so that we can meet the housing demand.

What kind of new technologies are you talking about?

We are not specifying because all of these technologies have their own advantages. For Shelter Afrique, any kind of new technologies you want to use should be acceptable by the offtakers because we know there are lots

of new technologies around most of them that are not accessible by the nation. We are going to take into account the acceptability of your technology by the people.

It is important now that we start using new technologies in the construction industry so that we can meet the housing demand

Is it possible for Nigeria to do one million housing units per year?

Basically, 100,000 housing units mandate is possible. If you want to go above that, it is better we have conducive environment that can make that happen. Without that, it will be difficult to achieve one million housing units. It is only mass housing development that will help Nigeria to achieve the target.

More about the organisation?

Shelter Afrique has also made a pledge and commitment to the Federal Government to support 10,000 units housing programme under the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC). The parties have agreed and signed the principles of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), setting out the terms of the partnership, which includes advisory services and financing for the scheme. This is one of the roles of Shelter Afrique in making sure that African countries are sharing best practices in housing.

Shelter Afrique will continue to support primary mortgage institutions; Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in order to improve its capacity to do more mortgage financing and provide affordable housing.

Shelter Afrique is a regional housing finance institution established by African governments and the African Development Bank, dedicated to investment in housing and urban developing in African countries. The current share-holding comprises 43 African countries, the African Development Bank and the African Re-Insurance Corporation.

Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014

Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031

44

Business | Capital Market

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031

Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at November 14, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 15 20 35

Current Price 29.72 27.00

Quantity Traded 35,926 116,253 152,179

Value Traded 1,015,725.04 3,136,503.00 4,152,228.04

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 2.35

Quantity Traded 423,681 423,681

Value Traded 978,702.62 978,702.62

575,860

5,130,930.66

Quantity Traded 108,440 500 36,297,834 573,566 36,980,340

Value Traded 141,065.20 1,880.00 146,027,169.16 26,359,478.14 172,529,592.50

36,980,340

172,529,592.50

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

56 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 7 1 509 56 (Equities) 573

CONGLOMERATES Activity Summary onTotals Board EQTY

Current Price 1.31 3.95 4.12 46.00

573

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

ICT Computer Based Systems Computer Based Systems Totals

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 0.81

Quantity Traded Page 127,981 127,981

1Value Traded of 11 103,966.43 103,966.43

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 67.20

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 6,384.00 6,384.00

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 10.93

Quantity Traded 128,901 128,901

Value Traded 1,445,001.00 1,445,001.00

256,982

1,555,351.43

Current Price 8.32 160.00 29.00 162.17

Quantity Traded 25,185,800 467,914 64,850 1,703,504 27,422,068

Value Traded 202,011,836.00 75,098,821.05 1,850,981.00 275,211,144.90 554,172,782.95

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

Quantity Traded 9,648 9,648

Value Traded 1,496,313.04 1,496,313.04

38

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 GUINNESS NIG PLC Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Activity Summary on BoardTotals EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Food Products Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 Products Personal/Household

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

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 14 62 20 176 272

7UP

12 12

148.83

Quantity Traded Page 14,425 10,249,568 1,854,519 168,465 200 2,505,632 14,792,809

Value Traded 2 of 11 89,867.75 65,462,538.18 94,168,319.14 578,989.04 100.00 20,746,813.33 181,046,627.44

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 44 54 98

Current Price 46.63 900.22

Quantity Traded 132,487 333,267 465,754

Value Traded 5,965,034.66 300,018,391.74 305,983,426.40

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 8 3 11

Current Price 4.02 1.00

Quantity Traded 112,920 29,000 141,920

Value Traded 455,050.08 30,450.00 485,500.08

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 122 140 262

Current Price 22.00 35.70

Quantity Traded 2,244,195 3,887,997 6,132,192

Value Traded 49,234,718.81 138,494,583.44 187,729,302.25

48,964,391

1,230,913,952.16

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

No. of Deals 148 68 57 44 381 71 32 299 36 4 16 398 1,554

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals AIICO

19

Current Price 7.68 6.10 17.20 1.78 23.12 2.57 2.30 4.33 8.07 0.50 0.99 20.80

Page Quantity Traded 34,143,632 3,052,350 5,114,863 3,988,967 20,586,267 2,684,055 2,994,825 19,708,902 681,695 17,589 734,075 54,061,098 147,768,318

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 1,533,225

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Daily Summary as ofCarriers, 14/11/2014 Mortgage Brokers and Services Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. 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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals Current Price 4 0.50 4

Quantity Traded 1,203,850 1,203,850

Value Traded 601,925.00 601,925.00

2,676,850

1,338,425.00

Quantity Traded 129,512 81,814 41,941 154,871 5,133,299 80,000 3,000 1,000,000 53,360

Value Traded 3,203,236.40 652,845.72 1,523,893.70 1,714,426.91 972,759,560.90 69,600.00 1,500.00 1,568,918.84 264,132.00

16 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ASHAKACEM 18 25.38 BERGER 14 7.98 CAP 10 36.60 CCNN 16 11.03 DANGCEM 167 205.90 DNMEYER 1 0.87 FIRSTALUM 1 0.50 Daily Summary (Equities) PAINTCOM 8 1.60 PORTPAINT 2 4.95

Symbol WAPCO

No. of Deals Current Price 167 80.00 404

Quantity Traded Page 7,075,274 13,753,071

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals Current Price 17 1.34 17

Quantity Traded 323,007 323,007

Value Traded 443,807.65 443,807.65

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

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals Current Price 1 1.59 2 22.05 3

Quantity Traded 130 30,900 31,030

Value Traded 206.70 712,854.00 713,060.70

14,107,108

1,548,488,798.48

OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC.on Board EQTY Activity Summary Published byAND The Nigerian Stock Exchange © OIL GAS

3 of 11 Value Traded 262,399,873.35 18,569,813.08 87,316,845.02 6,972,944.05 483,810,362.39 6,736,207.04 7,090,424.17 89,070,461.97 5,497,798.80 8,794.50 726,844.49 1,115,811,402.64 2,084,011,771.50 Value Traded 1,230,209.59

Symbol CONTINSURE CORNERST HMARKINS INTENEGINS LASACO MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS SOVRENINS UNIC WAPIC

No. of Deals 39 8 1 2 3 5 6 27 1 1 1 37 150

Current Price 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 3.00 0.51 0.76 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.61

Quantity Traded 6,091,798 665,946 12,453,300 200 Page 20,112,666 3,105 150,000 8,754,808 25,000 600,000 500 1,504,354 51,894,902

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.90

Quantity Traded 143,000 143,000

Value Traded 128,770.00 128,770.00

No. of Deals 3 2 1 6 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.45 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,200 450,000 50,000 501,200

Value Traded 1,800.00 225,000.00 25,000.00 251,800.00

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL UNHOMES

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 55 20 837 94 1 44 57 1,108

Current Price 3.00 3.80 9.36 3.40 0.53 28.00 1.80

2,825 Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC

Value Traded 185,000.00 185,000.00

424

Value Traded 5,875,374.06 332,973.00 6,226,650.00 100.00 4 of 11 10,056,333.00 9,234.50 76,500.00 6,658,665.08 12,500.00 300,000.00 250.00 921,085.94 31,699,875.17

No. of Deals Current Price 4 0.50 4

Quantity Traded 300,000 300,000

Value Traded 150,000.00 150,000.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals Current Price 210 21.93 210

Quantity Traded 19,751,393 19,751,393

Value Traded 432,536,408.94 432,536,408.94

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 490 85,175

Value Traded 22,917.30 273,731.75

CONOIL ETERNA

2 4

49.23 3.21

Page

No. of Deals 13 29 15 13 5 75

Current Price 3.40 51.00 1.55 0.92 2.48

75 Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 11

Current Price 0.50

Page

5

of

No. of Deals 62 21 6 95

Current Price 199.98 165.00 159.00

Quantity Traded 156,600 26,679 1,607 270,551

Value Traded 30,557,868.96 4,187,818.29 262,814.41 35,305,150.71

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

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 48 48

Current Price 436.02

Quantity Traded 1,649,462 1,649,462

Value Traded 719,202,450.10 719,202,450.10

21,971,406

1,187,194,009.75

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

357 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 0.69

Quantity Traded 309,888 309,888

Value Traded 213,672.72 213,672.72

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.20

Quantity Traded 35,500 35,500

Value Traded 142,000.00 142,000.00

Employment Solutions

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,793,815 5,793,815

Value Traded 2,896,907.50 2,896,907.50

Symbol

No. of Deals 55

Current Price 3.67

Quantity Traded 8,199,833

Value Traded 28,824,650.70

Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 C & I LEASING PLC. Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031

Employment Solutions Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC

IKEJAHOTEL Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

2,928,357,064.15

Quantity Traded 487,000 571,705 255,600 106,967 434,465 1,855,737

Value Traded 1,637,130.00 29,129,352.02 403,833.00 97,119.09 1,077,473.20 32,344,907.31

1,855,737

32,344,907.31

Quantity Traded 1,103,000

Value Traded 551,500.00 6

of

9

of

Symbol TOURIST

No. of Deals 3 58

Current Price 3.51

Quantity Traded 2,200 8,202,033

Value Traded 7,348.00 28,831,998.70

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 30,000 30,000

Value Traded 15,000.00 15,000.00

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

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 4 20 24

Current Price 1.08 1.36

Quantity Traded 10,145 310,987 321,132

Value Traded 10,689.60 432,115.60 442,805.20

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.62

Quantity Traded 118,372 118,372

Value Traded 73,605.64 73,605.64

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 7 39 46

Current Price 1.66 4.72

Quantity Traded 71,500 703,065 774,565

Value Traded 117,490.00 3,320,866.01 3,438,356.01

No. of Deals Current Price 8 3.97 8

Quantity Traded 51,300 51,300

Road as Transportation Daily Summary of 14/11/2014Totals Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 Specialty

SERVICES Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

310,068,410

Page

SERVICES Hotels/Lodging TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) AIRSERVICE NAHCO

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

11

of

Symbol FO MOBIL TOTAL

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

Value Traded 4,566,808.14 6,237,611.30 607,567,034.97 125,018,720.08 24,268.17 65,770,272.36 3,080,132.46 812,264,847.48

8

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

SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Specialty Totals

Quantity Traded 1,526,168 1,578,078 64,774,851 37,741,992 45,789 2,348,197 1,745,915 109,760,990

Value Traded 7 of 11 565,573,815.66 1,547,331,930.13

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Quantity Traded 370,000 370,000

Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 Integrated Oil and Gas Services Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES PublishedFINANCIAL

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals Current Price 1 0.50 1

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange LASACO ASSURANCE PLC.© MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol OMATEK

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price 6.55 6.19 52.50 3.45 0.50 8.28

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

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Daily Summary as of 14/11/2014 CAP PLC Printed 14/11/2014 15:11:31.031 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES PublishedFINANCIAL

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 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 NIG.PLC. Daily Summary as ofBANK 14/11/2014 UNITY15:11:31.031 BANK PLC Printed 14/11/2014 WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Value Traded 551,500.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials LAFARGE PLC. Published by The NigerianAFRICA Stock Exchange © Building Materials Totals

No. of Deals 6 105 119 21 1 37 289

944

Quantity Traded 1,103,000

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals Current Price 11

ICT Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Symbol

Symbol CAVERTON

SERVICES Totals

Page

10

of

Value Traded 197,429.64 197,429.64

177

15,641,605

36,254,275.41

EQTY Board Totals

5,485

453,098,689

7,144,107,306.85

Equity Activity Totals

5,485

453,098,689

7,144,107,306.85

11

11

11

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals Current Price 29 10.06 1 1,912.00 2 15.60 32

Quantity Traded 466,000 10 1,500 467,510

Value Traded 5,023,950.00 19,120.00 23,480.00 5,066,550.00

ETF Board Totals

32

467,510

5,066,550.00

ETP Activity Totals

32

467,510

5,066,550.00

11

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

11

of

11

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

News 45

SOUTH-WEST

Fayose: Ekiti speaker can’t be governor POLITICS APC will not let Fayose rest. The man is having sleepless nights Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

E

kiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has told the Speaker of

the House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, to wake up to the reality of using his position to upstage him out office in his effort to actualize his ambition to become the acting governor of the state.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Lere Olayinka, the governor noted that Omirin ought to have woken up to the political realities in the state.

He was reacting to Omirin’s recent statement in which the speaker revealed some damning evidence against Fayose, in Abuja, at the hearing of the election petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the electoral victory of the governor.

He also advised Omirin, to behave as a responsible citizen as a mark of honour for his exalted office, urging him stop act-

ing as the Speaker of the APC, whose directive he is acting upon to undermine the people of state.

Olayinka, said it was irresponsible for the speaker to have alluded that the governor was a perjurer and certificate forger.

The governor’s aide said it was known to everyone in the state that the speaker was assured of taking over from Fayemi, as acting governor with plans by his party leaders

to ensure that Fayose’s inauguration was halted by a court order they sought without success.

“It is known to everyone in Ekiti that the speaker even made preparations in readiness for his assumption of office as acting governor on October 16.

“Obviously, from the tone of the press statement issued by the speaker, which was published in some newspapers, the

speaker is still day-dreaming about his ambition to be acting governor.

“For him to have claimed that Governor Fayose, was a perjurer and certificate forger, and that damning reports of alleged fraud were established at the hearings of the election petitions tribunal, Dr. Omirin has further exposed the content of his inner mind as regards his desperate ambition to be acting governor,” Olayinka said.

LP loses 900 members to PDP Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

N

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Lead Capital, Mr. Abimbola Olashore; Group Managing Director/CEO, Chams Plc, Sir. Demola Aladekomo and Vice-Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Prof. Sola Fajana, during the 2nd Oladele Olashore Memorial Lecture at the university in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State…at the weekend

o fewer than 1,000 members of the Labour Party (LP), including its Assistant Secretary in Osun State, Alhaji Tunde Sanusi, decamped to the Peoples Democratic party (PDP),at the weekend.

One of the prominent party chieftains that also decamped with them was the Egbedore local government LP Chairman, Comrade Titus Babatunde Fabusuyi.

The decampees, who dumped their former party said they decided to join the PDP, as it is the only party that has provision for the less privileged, promised to contribute their quota to its development.

While receiving them into the PDP a PDP chieftain, Chief Lai Ogunrinade and other notable stalwarts of the party, described their coming into the PDP, as a long expected one.

Amosun to present certificates Falaye faults Assembly over LG caretaker nominees to 5000 homeowners According to Faleye, nominees, noted that dur- due process. This should Adesina Wahab Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

O

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, is set to present another batch of Certificates of Occupancy under the state’s homeowners’ charter programme.

Over 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy are ready for issuance and would be presented by Amosun on November 24 at the Arcade Ground, OkeMosan, Abeokuta.

Special Adviser and Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Abeokuta yesterday.

The homeowners’ charter, which was launched by the state government in December 2013, allows property

owners to regularize the legal status and documentation of residential property built without approval on private land or built illegally on government owned lands.

According to Oshinowo, the programme provides discounts of up to 78 percent on the usual costs.

The director-general stated that with investments in technology, the Bureau now had the capacity to issue up to 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy per week.

He added that for ease of administration, C-of-O relating to homeowners’ charter would be issued in further batches of 500 until all qualifying properties had been processed.

Oshinowo, enjoined those who had applied under the scheme to cooperate with the property inspection progress which was continuing state-wide.

ADO-EKITI

E

kiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Chief Idowu Faleye, has faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) -dominated House of Assembly’s refusal to screen the Caretaker Chairmen nominees sent by the state Governor, Ayo Fayose.

the action by the lawmakers only smacked of hypocrisy.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday, the PDP boss said the APC legislators’ double standards must be checked in the interest of the state.

Faleye, who was reacting to the refusal of the lawmakers to screen Council Caretaker Chairmen and Commissioner

ing the four-year tenure of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Caretaker Chairmen ran the affairs of the Councils in the state.

“These caretaker chairmen were never screened by the legislators, it was Fayemi who was unilaterally appointing them. If Governor Ayo Fayose decided to send any list to the Assembly, he is only trying to follow

not be thwarted because of political differences.

“In most of the time that the caretaker committee were constituted

by Fayemi, most members of the Assembly who were expected to be part of the process that would lead to the nominations of members of the committees only became aware of it by the time the inauguration,” Falaye said.

Ogun: UPN senatorial aspirant tasks Nigerian youths Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

F

ormer Senior Special Assistant on Environment to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo, yesterday called on Nigerian youths to use their numerical strength to effect the desired change in the country.

He spoke while receiving the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Abeokuta.

Odunowo, who is a Senatorial aspirant on the platform UPN, in Ogun State, advised

youths in the country to actively participate in political process.

According to him, any tangible change in the country could not be achieved if the youths continued to sit on the fence.

He noted that though politics had been turned into business and exclusive preserve of the rich the associations must

re-orientate the youths more about the imperative of political participation.

He said, “I will like to charge you to take action towards achieving your objective of inclusion in government. This is because you cannot gain political power by standing aloof; you must join and participate in the system.

News

46

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-EAST

APC chides Enugu over N11bn loan Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T

he Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress( APC), yesterday flayed the decision of the state government to secretly embark on obtaining N11 billion loan purportedly approved for the Governor Sullivan Chime-led administration by the Enugu State House of

18%

Assembly recently.

The opposition party, in a statement made available to newsmen, accused Chime of deviating from due process by seeking to procure a loan in less than a transparent manner at the twilight of his administration.

New Telegraph, learnt that the Enugu State Assembly which had been on recess and was billed to resume on December 4, hurriedly reconvened

The percentage of the population of men in Australia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

last Thursday, went into an executive session where they approved the said loan. The media was barred from covering the sitting which held at the hallowed chambers of the state parliament.

Information emanating from the Enugu State Government indicates that the loan facility obtained from one of the mega banks, was to enable Governor Chime’s administration

3.8m

The total population of Republic of Congo (rep. 0.054% of world’s population) in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

complete several ongoing projects. A document from the State House of Assembly records read in parts: “This honorable House do resolve to authorize the state government to obtain loans of one billion naira and ten billion naira respectively from UBA Plc to re-finance facility from GTB and fund infrastructural projects in the state.”

But the opposition party in the state has cried foul, alleging that

11.31%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Belize in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

the loan was not only obtained at a high interest rate but was a ploy by the PDP administration in the state to boost its war chest ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Publicity Secretary, APC Enugu State Chapter, Mrs Kate Ofor, has described the explanations given by the state legislature as “unimaginable falsehood” and wondered why the approval for the LAN

98.4%

The percentage of the urban population of Guadeloupe in 2012.

Source: Un.org

ad to be done behind closed doors if it was for the common good of the citizens of Enugu State.

“May we ask, if the loan is for public good, why the secrecy in the sitting of the House and hurried approval of the loan? Is the ongoing project the white elephant state secretariat?

What are the title of the projects upon which the previous loans were obtained?,” Ofor asked.

UPP is alternative to APGA, says Chair Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

I

L-R: Member, Organising Committee, 4th Capital Market Committee Retreat, Mr. Henry Rowlands; Chairperson, Mrs. Toyin Sanni and Vice-Chairman, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, at a press briefing on the forthcoming retreat in Lagos …at the weekend.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Students threaten to sue FUTO Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

T

he 2014/2015 admission exercise of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), is being trailed by crisis as the school authority has raised questions on the credibility of the results published on the website of the school.

Following the development, over 120 candidates that sat for the Post-UME test for 2014/2015 academic session of the University are said to be at the verge of losing their admissions for reasons they insist border solely on the ‘inefficiency of the University’s admission process’ .

Several of the students who wrote the FUTO PostUME examination told New Telegraph that they received text messages from the University congratu-

lating and notifying them of the their results and as directed, they went ahead to print their results from the University website.

According to the frustrated students, the University authority also forwarded their results to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), upon which JAMB issued them admission letters.

They said on confirmation of their result, the University also told them to proceed to pay their acceptance fee of N40,000.

One of the affected students said: “It was after payment of the acceptance fee that the University invited us for screening the end of which they told us that we have double results and as such our admissions have been cancelled.”

But the University Admission Officer, Prof.

Israel Ndukwe, said that

prior to the coming of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cyril Asiabaka, admission racketeering had been a major issue in FUTO and for the ongoing admission exercise, candidates were notified from the beginning that at any point they are discovered to have double results, they would be deemed to have cheated.

“This year we decided to upload every result including that of candidates that got zero, unclassified results and even double results so they all get to know why they failed at any point they were screened out.

They may have printed out their results from our website but you must know that the said test was written by about 12,299 candidates and if we screen them one after the other, we cannot conclude admissions in one year.

mo state Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief John Egbuchulam, has described the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), as a failed project noting that the party has not lived to the expectations of the people since it was established.

Speaking during the presentation of its governorship candidate in Owerri, the Imo state capital, Egbuchulam said, “APGA which was founded by our National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, was originally designed to be the vehicle for the emancipation of the Igbo nation but unfortunately the dream has been defeated by elements who sold out the party to merchant politicians. Today UPP has taken up that responsibility in Igbo land and the difference is rather very obvious.”

Enugu: Ekweremadu, others shun PDP meeting Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

I

ndications emerged at the weekend that the on-going political crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), took a turn for the worse, as the deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and some of his allies shunned the

party’s zonal meetings held on Saturday at the three zonal headquarters of the party in the state.

The faction of the party led by Ekweremadu, was said to be shocked over the party’s national leadership reversal of the state ward congresses results following last week’s declaration at a Federal High Court, Abuja, that there was not ward congress election in Enugu State

on November 1.

Also at the weekend, a group known as the Greater Awgu Peoples Protection Solidarity(GAPPS), drumming support for Ekweremadu, addressed newsmen, insisting that he must return to the senate so that the people of Greater Awgu, would have a sense of belonging in the West senatorial zone as well as in the political scheme of things in Enugu State.

Wogu debunks claim of withdrawal from guber race Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

F

or Minister of Labour and Productivity and a governorship aspirant in Abia State, Chief Emeka Wogu, has denied claims that he has withdrawn from the race, stating that he is still is in the contest to emerge the next governor of the state

after the 2015 elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Aba, Wogu said, “I have not quit the race’’, he identified three legal processes that he would employ to swing victory to his direction, which he listed to include popular election, consensus and compromise. He declared “I know I will be elected the party’s candidate

come December 11, 2014.”

Wogu, also said he was not aware of the endorsement of any candidate by the incumbent governor as purportedly being circulated that a fellow aspirant Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, is the candidate of Governor Theodore Orji, stating that any such endorsement does not automatically translate to electoral victory.

NEW TELEGRAPH monday, november 17, 2014

News 47

south — south

EPZ: Itsekiri youths hand Jonathan ultimatum ethnicity The cat-and-mouse game between two neighbours is still on going Joe Obende Warri

I

tsekiri youths yesterday handed President Goodluck Jonathan a seven-day ultimatum to either perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in their domain in Delta State or give a fresh date for the ceremony.

The President had shelved his coming for the ground-breaking ceremony last week, following threats of violence by youths of Gbaramatu Kingdom, an Ijaw en-

clave, over the planned take-off of the project until certain grey areas were cleared.

The Ijaw, whose relationship with neighbouring Itsekiri people had been characterised by an age-long strife, had raised issues over the naming of the project and the community’s participation in it, which they claimed occupies a huge portion of their land.

Jonathan’s seeming choice to bend to the wishes of the Ijaw people has steered up anger and disaffection against him among the Itsekiri, who had alleged that the Nigerian leader was taking sides with his Ijaw kinsmen.

Expressing the anger of the entire Itsekiri nation during a protest march to the palace of the Olu of Warri, over the weekend, President of the Itsekiri National Youths

Council (IYCN), Esimaje Awani, said his people no longer felt safe under the leadership of Jonathan as Nigeria’s president.

He said Itsekiri people would cry out to the world, especially to the developed economies, for protection, adding that his people would not hesitate to withdraw their support for the President as they no longer felt secured under him.

16

“We are no longer safe under your government, we will cry to the United States and tell them that you are pursuing an Ijaw agenda or we give the President a seven-day ultimatum to either issue a new date or come and perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the EPZ, so that work on the project will start in earnest."

“It is a project that can

The life expectancy of men at age 60 years in Congo in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

eradicate poverty in Delta State and Nigeria. We should not play politics with it, it is an opportunity. EPZ is what the developed countries used to drive their economy. We called on the president to call all the stakeholders to resolve this issue on time to avoid crisis.

“For no just cause in June, the President planned to perform the ground-breaking cere-

21,040

The total area (in sq. km) of El Salvador.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

mony and he called it off.

He has done it again, just because of one individual called Tompolo, who said he is not comfortable with the arrangement.

He came with this Gbaramatu agenda, which geographically does not exist in Ogidigben, the community they said has a stake in Ogidigben axis is about 14 kilometres away from Ogidigben,” he said.

78

The life expectancy of women at birth of Cape Verde in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

APC blasts anti-Amaechi campaigners Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, of sponsoring campaigns against Governor Chibuike Amaechi, through faceless groups.

APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who made the allegation in a statement, said the groups were hell bent on bringing the governor’s office into disrepute because they cannot face the ‘rigours of intellectual political debate.’

Ikanya, who described

a group - the Association of Concerned Indigenes of River State as faceless, said Amaechi does not regret a comment he made in 2011 that ‘those who carry brooms are night soil men and juju priests,’ because they had to leave the PDP due to the party’s direction under President Jonathan.

He said the propaganda against Amaechi will make him and the APC more popular in the state.

“The mess by the PDP administration has manifested in monumental corruption, suffocating insecurity and strangulating economic hardship is such that every Nigerian patriot needs to carry a broom to flush out the PDP,” he added.

Family court to tackle child witchcraft cases

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ustice Theresa Obot of the Akwa Ibom State High Court said at the weekend that the state government has set up a family court to tackle the increasing cases of child witchcraft in the state.

Obot told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the court was created after a commission of enquiry set up to investigate allegations of child witchcraft concluded its assignment.

According to her, the court is set up to prosecute cases and allegations of child witchcraft in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Commission of

Enquiry was set up in November 2010, following the rampant stigmatisation of children for alleged witchcraft. According to her, priority attention is being given to cases of child witchcraft in the state.

“We in the judiciary lay so much emphasis on the child witchcraft stigmatisation and the courts now make it a point of duty to address those issues.

“So, when such cases come in, we try not to limit ourselves to only the punishment of alleged child witch, but also to provide counselling.

“Because in a family court, when a child and the parents have problems, we offer reconciliation,” Obot said.

L-R: Group Managing Director, SO and U Group, Mr. Udeme Ufort; wife of the President League of Akwa Ibom Professionals, Mrs. Dorothy Geroge and her husband, Mr. Nkanta Geroge at a business lecture/award ceremony in Abuja

Erediauwa, NMA wade into Rivers community seeks Uselu hospital crisis president's intervention Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the palace of the Oba of Benin have waded into the crisis rocking the management and staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Edo State capital.

New Telegraph gathered yesterday that members of the NMA have set up a national reconciliatory committee to look into the crisis for an amicable resolution.

It was further learnt that the immediate past National President of the NMA and Vice-President, Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has been nominated by the national leadership of the body to head the National Reconciliatory Committee to settle the crisis.

The psychiatric hospi-

tal is locked in internal stalemate that led to the arraignment of a senior consultant, a senior pharmacist and two others at a magistrate court in Benin, over alleged felony.

Meanwhile, reports said Benin palace chiefs at the weekend summoned the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Sunday Olotu, to appear before the palace with a view to looking into the impasse.

This followed a protest to the palace by some aggrieved groups, who expressed dissatisfaction over the manner the hospital’s management is run.

A source close to the palace said: “Although I don’t have all the details, but I can confirm that he has been summoned to be in the palace by Wednesday, because some people came to report him.”

Enabulele, who confirmed his nomination said: “I have sent letters to them to interact with them today."

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

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he people of Rumuekpe community in Emuoha Local Government have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to restore what they lost from 2004 to 2009, when crisis hit the community.

It will be recalled that fighting erupted in eight villages in Rumuekpe, where three oil companies - Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Elf and Agip - operate after a leadership tussle went bloody.

More than 90 percent of the houses destroyed during the crisis still remain in ruins.

The people of the community lamented that since 2009 when fighting stopped, they have been abandoned and only managed to survive.

Chief Alex Wakama of Mgbuhie village, Ru-

muekpe, who made the appeal, when the Director General of the National Task Force of Nigeria (NATFORCE), Dr. Emmanuel Osita, visited the community, stressed the need for Rumuekpe to be looked into by Mr. President and Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“All hope is not lost for Rumuekpe. The greatest need of Rumuekpe is rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation. Our boys need to be meaningfully engaged,” he said.

Wakama said he had written Governor Rotimi Ameachi on the need to; at least, erect a six-classroom block in the community to show government’s presence.

“It will be a shame if Amaechi leaves office without giving us a sixclassroom block,” he said, adding that Rumuekpe also lacks a clinic, market and electricity.

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monday, november 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

north

Niger bye-election: Tribunal to deliver judgement before Christmas Dan Atori MINNA

C

hairman of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Minna, Justice Ibrahim Maikata, has promised to ensure that the tribunal delivers judgement before Christmas in the petition filed

by David Umaru, of the All ProgressivesCongress (APC).

Umaru had challenged the declaration of Dr. Nuhu Zagbai of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Niger East senatorial bye-election conducted in August and September this year by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

2,285

The number of refugees in Morocco at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Maikata stated this at the end of the pre-trial conference on the petition, he said he would be ready to sit on Saturdays to ensure accelerated hearing on the petition and fixed Thursday, November 20, 2014 for the petitioners to open their case.

The chairman gave the petitioners seven days to prepare and

2.5%

The annual rate of increase in population of Eastern Africa in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

present their case and call witnesses before the tribunal while each of the three respondents has four days to respond making a total of 12 days.

He also allocated 10 to 15 minutes for examination and cross-examination of witnesses and appealed to all parties to avoid unnecessary application that could delay the speedy determina-

53,000

The number of no smokers that dies as a result of passive smoking yearly.

Source: Smokingstatistics.org

tion of the petition.

Counsel to the petitioners, Chris Osuagwu, at the end of the pre-trial conference, formulated four issues for the determination of the tribunal, relying on 73 witnesses and praying the tribunal to nullify the declaration of the PDP candidate, Zagbayi, as the winner of the byeelection.

7

The number of Ebola virus cases that occurred in Uganda in 2012.

Source: Who.int

Turaki may join APC Muhammad Kabir Kano

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ormer Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Saminu Ibrahim Turaki, was at the weekend said to be making frantic efforts to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opposition All Progressives Party (APC) following reports of series of meetings between him and the opposition leaders.

Our correspondent authoritatively gathered that Turaki, who was accused of embezzling state funds to the tune of N40.6 billion by the government of Sule Lamido, was reported to have held series of meetings in Kaduna and his home town, Kazaure, with the opposition leaders, perfecting his strategies to defect to the APC.

Plateau PDP crisis escalates Buhari Bello Jos

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Wife of Gombe State FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs. Anjelin Omiyale (left), presenting some relief assistance to an accident victim to mark the Africa Road Safety Day and World Day of the remembrance of road traffic crash victims at the Specialist Hospital, Gombe…at the weekend

Kano Emirate flays INEC

Vatsa condemns postponement of PVC distribution

Muhammad Kabir

Dan Atori

Kano

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he Kano Emirate Council has berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following alleged attempt to shortchange Kano people in the ongoing Permanent Voters’ Cards registration exercise.

INEC was able to capture less than 30 percent of eligible voters in the state.

The council’s spokesman, Alhaji Wada Waziri, told newsmen that it is evidently clear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not ready to carry out just and transparent job of making sure that all eligible voters dully obtain their PVCs. However, INEC reacted sharply through the Resident Electoral Commission, Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, who challenged the emirate council to come up with accurate statistics supporting their claims

that less than 30 percent of voters were so far captured in the exercise, insisting that failure to do that will make their allegation baseless and unfounded.

But Alhaji Wada Waziri, who is the district head of Makoda, said INEC has woefully failed in its responsibilities in the ongoing Voters’ Cards registration, and the action is therefore unacceptable to the emirate council, promising that they will fight to ensure that the people of Kano are not shortchanged.

MINNA

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State has condemned in strong terms the postponement of the dates for the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) in Niger State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party said the situation became more worrisome with the discovery that the particulars of voters in seven wards of

Shiroro, Gbako and some other local governments are missing and they may not get their PVCs. The APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jonathan Vatsa and made available to New Telegraph, said no fewer than one million names of voters registered were missing from the list of those to get their PVCs. “The truth is that the areas excluded from the PVCs’ collection had been the stronghold of APC in previous elections.

Jang: Let’s not surrender to corruption Musa Pam Jos

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lateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, yesterday charged Nigerians not to succumb to corruption, saying “though we know its vices are everywhere around us, we must thrive

to overcome it.”

Jang, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Shedrack Best, gave the charge in Jos at the presentation of a book titled; ‘Fighting Corruption - The Way Out,’ written by Revd Ste-

phen Vongdip, an erudite writer and cleric with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN).

Presenting the book, the National President of COCIN, Revd Dachollom Datiri, who was represented by the Church Secretary, Revd Samuel Banwat

“The inference now falls in perspective on why in the last Niger East by-elections, some of our supporters couldn't cast their votes, because their names were missing from the voters’ register.

“What worries us in the APC is that INEC said that there should be Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise. The pertinent question is what becomes of those who have earlier registered, but their names could not be traced on the INEC register?" said: Fighting corruption is swimming against the tide; as people who fight corruption these days get little or no support.

He, however, saluted the courage of the Vongdip, who he said has taken the bull by the horn to write such a book to subtly fight the menace, adding that it was the best approach to it.

he lingering crisis in the Plateau State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assumed a new dimension with the national headquarters of the party caught in the web.

The refusal of the state wing of the party to accept defectors from other parties into the PDP has now pitched the state leadership against the national leaders in Abuja.

Those who could not be accepted in the state PDP included the former governor, Joshua Dariye, former deputy governor, Pauline Tallen, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun and John Alkali, who is contesting the governorship seat.

‘El-Rufai is from Kaduna’ Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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ormer Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Public Affairs, Dr. Uba Sani, yesterday clarified the state of origin of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

He said el-Rufai is a bonafide indigene of Kaduna State having come from Kwarbai Ward in Zaria.

Sani, who addressed a press conference yesterday, said the insinuation that el-Rufai is from Katsina State is being spread by mischief makers.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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WORLD | News

Price cut: Dangote denies monopolistic tendencies

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he Federal Government, stakeholders in the cement sector as well as shareholders have hailed the Dangote Cement over huge investments in cement as well as the recent slash in the price of the commodity, describing it as unprecedented.

That is even as the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Devakumar Edwin, dismissed as baseless and reckless, the accusation in some quarters that the price reduction was intended to chase some manufacturers out of the market so that Dangote Cement can enjoy mo-

nopoly.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, who led others at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja said the decision of the Dangote Cement Plc to bring down the price of cement was a patriotic one in line with the aspiration of Nigerians and the Federal Government.

According to him, the Federal Government has attracted new private sector investments in cement sector to the tune of $7billion within three years and that government was happy with that.

He said: “Our main focus for the cement sector is to improve the standard

of cement and to bring the price down more. Cement manufacturers must do it themselves just as Dangote Cement has done because we do not do price regulation.”

Aganga said in 2011, the installed capacity in the cement sector was 16.5milliom metric tons per annum but today, it is 39.5mmt per annum.

When we came in, there were about $9billion investment in the cement sector, but today it is more than $15billion. In 2011, the direct and indirect jobs from the cement sector were less than 6000.

Today, the sector provides about 2.2million direct and indirect jobs.”

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

G20 commits to higher growth, fight climate change

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eaders from the G20 group of nations agreed yesterday to boost flagging global growth, tackle climate change and crack down on tax avoidance but ties between the West and Russia plummeted to a new low over the crisis in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin left the G20 summit in Brisbane early as U S President Barack Obama accused Russia of invading Ukraine and Britain warned of a possible “frozen conflict” in Europe.

Several Western na-

tions warned Russia of further sanctions if it did not withdraw troops and weapons from Ukraine. “I think President Putin can see he is at a crossroads,” said British Prime Minister David Cameron. “If he continues to destabilize Ukraine, there will be further sanctions, further measures. “There is a cost to sanctions, but there would be a far greater cost in allowing a frozen conflict on the continent of Europe to be created and maintained.” Obama said Russia’s isolation was unavoidable. “We would prefer a Russia that is fully integrated with the

global economy,” he told a news conference.

“But we are also very firm on the need to uphold core international principles.You don’t invade other countries or finance proxies and support them in ways that break up a country that has mechanisms for democratic elections.”

Before leaving the G20 Summit, Putin said a solution to the Ukraine crisis was possible, but did not elaborate. “Today the situation (in Ukraine) in my view has good chances for resolution, no matter how strange it may sound,” Putin said.

Fani-Kayode knows fate today Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Rita OfiliAjumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos will today rule on a no case submission filed by a former Aviation Minister, Femi FaniKayode, over a 40-count charge of alleged money laundering slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). At the last hearing of the case, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN),

drew the attention of the court to an application for a no case submission filed on behalf of the accused person. He added that he had also filed a reply on points of law, in response to the issues raised by the prosecution in their processes. Adopting his submission, Adedipe urged the court to discharge the accused of all 40 counts, saying no case has been made out against him by the prosecution to warrant him to enter a defence. “By way of em-

phasis, I wish to make one or two points before I take my seat. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against him before this court, and by so doing, he has joined issues with the prosecution, leaving them to prove their case beyond doubt. “The prosecution called six witnesses, and of all these witnesses, none of them came forward to give any evidence that they had any financial transaction with the accused.

Saraki, Clinton, others for clean cookstoves summit in New York Temitope Ogunbanke

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hair man, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial district, Senator Bukola Saraki will join former United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; United Kingdom UnderSecretary of State, Lynne Featherstone and other world leaders for this year Clean Cookstove Alliance Leadership Council summit in New York.

According to a state-

ment issued by Saraki’s Special Adviser, Media and Advocacy, Bamikole Omishore, other speakers expected at the summit scheduled for November 20 and 21are; Norwegian Foreign Minister, Børge Brende; Ghanaian Foreign Minister, Hanna Tetteh and US Administrator for the Agency of International Development, Rajiv Shah.

Saraki, who will be giving an assessment of the use and effect of clean cook stoves in Nigeria at the summit will again

be advocating fervently for a safe cooking environment in Nigeria and other developing countries to minimize health challenges that originate from poor cooking facilities and environment.

Ahead of the summit, Saraki had visited some beneficiaries of the clean cook stoves across Kwara Central in order to assess the utility of the modernized cooking facility, the economic and environmental margin between the clean cook stoves and traditional cooking methods.

Task force boss alerts public on sales of fake forms Wole Shadare

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he National Coordinator of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) federal task force, Alhaji Abdulrazak Rafiu Otto yesterday in Lagos raised the alarm over the ongoing sale of fake

employment forms to innocent unemployed youth across the country in the name of the government agency.

Raising the alarm, the National Coordinator lamented how some fraudulent people have started selling the fake forms to unknown job seekers, promising them employment in the establishment.

The states where the fake forms are presently being sold include: Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Edo and Delta.

Contrary to the position of those behind the sale of the fake forms that recruitment will henceforth hold across the country, Otto explained that the commencement of activities of the establishment will initially be limited to Lagos.

Leaders meet at the first plenary session at the G20 Summit in Brisbane.

Islamic State beheads US hostage, Kassig

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slamic State militants said in a video yesterday they had beheaded U S hostage Peter Kassig and war ned the United States they would kill other U S citizens “on your streets”. The announcement of Kassig’s death, in what would be the fifth such killing of a Western captive by the group, formed part of a 15-minute video posted online in which Islamic State showed the beheadings of at least 14 men it said were pilots and officers loyal to Syr-

ian President Bashar alAssad.

In Washington, President Barack Obama’s National Security Council (NSC) said the U S government was working to confirm the authenticity of the claim.

“If confirmed, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American aid worker and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” NSC spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement. Other Western leaders and of-

ficials also condemned the killing.

The video did not show Kassig’s beheading but showed a masked man standing with a decapitated head covered in blood lying at his feet.

Speaking in English in a British accent, the man says: “This is Peter Edward Kassig, a U S citizen.” Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage, which appeared on a jihadist website and on Twitter feeds used by Islamic State.

Zimbabwe’s vice-president linked to assassination plot

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imbabwe’s vice president, once seen as a possible successor to President Robert Mugabe, has been linked to an alleged plot to assassinate the 90-year-old leader, a state-run newspaper reported yesterday.

An ally of Vice President Joice Mujuru who was recently ousted from his post as ruling party spokesman said the allegations that he conspired against Mugabe are false. Rugare Gumbo, the ousted

spokesman, was identified in The Sunday Mail as a plotter against Mugabe, who has been in power since independence in 1980.

The Sunday Mail cited a voice recording and reported comments as evidence of the alleged plot but it did not attribute the information to security officials or other sources. Political factions are maneuvering for influence ahead of the annual ruling party congress next month. Mujuru has

come under repeated verbal attacks from the president’s wife, Grace.

Grace Mugabe has assumed an increasingly political role, angering some party insiders who believe she does not have leadership credentials in a country struggling with high unemployment and other social problems.

Gumbo said Robert Mugabe lambasted him during a meeting of senior leaders of the ruling ZANU-PF party Thursday night.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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Sports News

Sports News

Pinnick hails Eagles’ fighting spirit

2014 Governor’s Cup Tennis begins in Lagos

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Did you know?

Sport

That Michael Laudrup was a part of the Barcelona team when they won against Real Madrid 5 - 0. He was also a part of the Real Madrid team when they won 5 - 0 against Barcelona as well

Mauritian referees for Nigeria, S’Africa match l Bafana Bafana arrive today

T Rajindraparsad

he Confederation of African Football has picked Rajindraparsad Seechurn of Mauritius as Referee for Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in Uyo. Seechurn will be assisted by countrymen, Balkrishna Bootun as

Assistant Referee 1, Vivian Vally as Assistant Referee 2 and Parmendra Nunkoo as Reserve Referee.

To underscore the importance of the match, CAF also appointed Cameroonian Abel Mbengue as Security Officer, to assist the Match Commissioner, Laryea Louis from Ghana.

Meanwhile, the delegation of the

Bafana Bafana to Wednesday’s match will arrive in Uyo on Monday evening.

Although the South Africa Football Association does not have the permit to land their chartered aircraft at the Ibom International Airport, the Nigeria Football Federation is working to ensure permit is granted for their plane to land before it departs Johannesburg at 1pm on Monday.

The delegation is made up of 26 players and 15 officials.

2015 AFCON

Not yet hurray for Eagles –Chukwu Ajibade Olusesan

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ormer Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has said the Nigerian team cannot afford to be complacent after the impressive 2-0 victory recorded in Pointe Noire on Saturday against Congo.

Chukwu said it was important for the Eagles to remain focused because the ticket was not a done deal yet until a win was achieved over the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.

He charged the team to finish off their next opponents to confirm their position as the defending champions of the competition.

Eagles revived their Nations Cup hopes with the victory in

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Deputy Editor, Sports

Emmanuel Tobi

Pointe Noire and need another win against the Bafana Bafana to book their place in the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

South Africa had picked a ticket to the championship with a 2-1 victory over Sudan on Saturday and would come into the game with nothing to fight for.

But Chukwu said that might be the reason the match would be difficult for the Nigerian team.

“They have done very well by winning in Congo but the job is not complete yet. It is true that South Africa have nothing to play for but that does not mean it is going to be an easy match. They have their pride and they also believe that Nigeria is their rival and they will want to prove a point. Our players must forget about the victory in Congo and focus on the next match because the battle is not

over yet. We have to put in 100 percent effort to win the game,” he said.

Chukwu however hailed the efforts of the Super Eagles in Congo, saying that Nigerians must always believe in their team.

“They have done us proud by going there to win. I have always believed that if our players are focused and determined we can go anywhere and get results.

They showed that they are African champions but like I said they must not get carried away because we still have to beat South Africa,” he said.

Emenike in action against Bafana Bafana

We won’t lose to Eagles, says Mashaba Adekunle Salami

Assistant Editor, Sports

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Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Chukwu

Mashaba

he Chief Coach of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, on Sunday said that the team would not lose to the Super Eagles in the last qualifying group match scheduled to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday.

Mashaba said South Africa were not ready to spoil their unbeaten run in the qualifying series by losing the encounter

against Nigeria.

South Africa defeated Sudan 3-0 away and also whipped Congo 2-0 away from home in the ongoing AFCON qualifiers.

The coach during an interview with a national radio station said he had a good team that could hold the Eagles anywhere.

He said; “We have 100 per cent record away so far and we intend to keep it. We can win in Nigeria. We are not going to lose that match because we

have a young set of boys eager to achieve results.

“Nigeria should not assume that the match is won. We are coming for a win. I have confidence in my boys to stand firm.”

Mashaba is however tipping Eagles to qualify for the Nations Cup holding in Equatorial Guinea next year.

“Nigeria’s best result will be a draw but I expect Sudan to beat Congo and Nigeria will still qualify,” he added.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pinnick hails Eagles’ fighting spirit

lInjured Egwuekwe, Akpan get special treatment

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resident of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick has praised the “extra –ordinary fighting spirit, rare dedication and total commitment” of the Super Eagles in Saturday’s Cup of Nations qualifying triumph in Pointe Noire.

“I cannot commend you enough for making Nigeria

proud, through your fighting spirit and the patriotic fervour with which you approached the game. It was a difficult environment in its entirety but you were not deterred, and that must be our guiding philosophy from now on,” Pinnick said as he appreciated the players inside the chartered Discovery Airline aircraft on the way back home.

“Apart from being denied accesss to our team’s only training session, our delegation was not given any match tickets, contrary to the regulations, and our accompanying media were denied accreditation to the match.

“But we are all happy that we could sing after the match.

You have simply turned the

Onazi:‘NoPremierLeagueregrets’ Emmanuel Tobi

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azio and Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has expressed confidence that he may move to the English Premier League in the nearest future despite links with Liverpool and Tottenham in the summer transfer window.

“Am I disappointed that I didn’t move to the Premier League? No. God has his time and maybe this is not the time but I’m enjoying myself at Lazio.

I just signed a new con-

tract and everything is going on fine so I’m just looking forward to the future.”

Despite putting pen to paper on this extension, Onazi has struggled for playing time in Serie A this season.

“Remember I got injured at the World Cup and when I returned to my club I had to recuperate properly before I started playing.

And you know the coach already had his team so he’s not just going to alter it just like that.

“It is going to be a gradual process because he

campaign around for the better and we look forward to finishing the qualifying series on a high note in Uyo on Wednesday,” the NFF boss added.

The NFF supremo also ordered immediate and special treatment for Azubuike Egwuekwe and Hope Akpan, who were injured during the game. As the team was landing in Uyo, Akpan was conveyed in a special ambulance to the Government House clinic for another x-ray, while the team’s Doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, was told to ensure Egwuekwe got all the necessary treatment to be fit for Wednesday’s decider.

Super Eagles celebrating

2014 Governor’s Cup Tennis begins in Lagos Ajibade Olusesan

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Onazi

will ease me in and I’ve played in our last set of matches before I came here.

So that’s the way it is.

“The coach has his formation and if it was working while you were out, you just have to be patient and know that it will be a gradual process before you return.”

Akpabio congratulates Eagles The Nigeria, South Africa match holds that the Eagles displayed guts and determination to at the newly inaugurated Akwa Ibom Inget the desired result in the ternational Stadium in Uyo. The match starts 5pm. encounter.

“We prayed for the victory because anything short of that could have made the match against South Africa on Wednesday irrelevant,” he said.

Umanah said the govAkpabio Charles Ogundiya ernor was so elated and Adekunle Salami promised to host the Eanyimba striker Mfon Udoh he Governor of Akwa gles after they complete has improved his all-time Ibom State, Godswill the qualification task Nigeria league goals record to Akpabio, has congratu- against the Bafana Bafana 23 goals after he scored a brace lated the Super Eagles for on Wednesday. against champions Kano Pil“Governor Akpabio extheir impressive 2-0 victory lars in Aba on Sunday. over Congo at the weekend. pects a resounding victory The all-time record before Nigeria defeated Congo on Wednesday after which this season was 20 goals goals in Pointe Noire to be back there will be an “uncomset by Jude Aneke three seaon track for a place in the mon” reception for the sons ago.

Africa Nations Cup Finals members of the national Shooting Stars Sports Club scheduled to hold between team at the government of Ibadan and Wikki Tourist January 17 and February 8 house in Uyo,” he added. who drowned in the Premier Umanah stressed that in Equatorial Guinea.

Akpabio, speaking the people of Uyo are through the state commis- ready and eager to watch sioner for information, the Super Eagles play on Aniekan Umanah, said Wednesday. igeria’s biggest corporate sponsor of football, Globacom, has congratulated the Super Eagles for the team’s rchid Hotels & Events CenIncumbent Secretary Gen- spirited away victory over the tre in Asaba, Delta State eral Tunde Popoola and former Red Devils of Congo in Pointe will come alive on Wednesday scribe Olabanji Oladapo will –Noire on Saturday.

“The match was tough and Thursday, November 19 - 20 go head to head for the heart when it hosts the Nigeria Olym- of the secretariat. Athletic and the home fans were hospic Committee Annual General Federation of Nigeria Presi- tile. We commend the Super Meeting and the Elections into dent, Evangelist Solomon Eagles for their hard work, the Executive Committee.

Ogba, is sure of becoming first concentration and never-sayTwo heavyweights, incum- Vice President as he would be die spirit which earned them bent President Engineer Sani elected unopposed. So also is the away victory,” Globacom Ndanusa and IOC member Habu the position of second Vice stated in a press statement isGumel are set to re- ignite their President which is sure to be sued after the match.

According to Globacom, rivalry at the polls. The two en- filled by Mr Babatunde Fatayi “The Super Eagles gave a gineers battled for the soul of the Williams.

Olympic body but it was NdaBasketball Federation Presi- good account of themselves nusa that laughed last and has dent, Tijani Umar and Olayinka and the attacking football guided the NOC to new heights Badare will fight for the third from the team paid off with two second half goals from in the last four years.

Vice President’s slot.

he 2014 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Invitational will today serve off at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Secretary General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Gloria Ukwemkpu, said the main draws of both the Men’s and Women’s Singles will start today with invited players across Africa including Nigeria already in Lagos for the competition.

The NTF scribe disclosed that the draws for the tournament were done yesterday, while hostilities begin 9 a.m at the Centre

Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club today.

Vice chairman of the LOC, Afolabi Salami, said the players especially those from other African countries would enjoy LOC sponsored hospitality, which includes accommodation and breakfast at the Eko Hotel and Suites, while Nigerian players would be paid N10, 000 daily subsidy in lieu of accommodation for the period they remain in the championship.

Although no ATP points are expected at the end of the competition, the dollars prize money is something the players would be looking forward to winning.

Mfon Udoh increases tally to 23 goals lShooting Stars, Wikki secure NPL promotion

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League relegation waters in 2013 have made an instant come back to the apex league, while Kwara United who also couldn’t survive relegation battle in 2013 will have to wait for a final decision from the Nigeria National League after their final day match in Kaduna against Ranchers Bees was abandoned at 2-2.

It was celebration galore in Ibadan when 3SC pip promotion hopefuls Akwa Starlet by a lone goal at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex to se-

Glo, Discovery Airline boss commend Eagles

NOC elections: Ndanusa, Gumel clash in Asaba

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Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel which sealed the team’s victory.”

Similarly, Discovery Airline chairman, Babatunde Babalola, congratulated the Super Eagles for the 2-0 victory over Congo while urging the team to seal qualification for Equatorial Guinea 2015 AFCON with a convincing win over South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday.

The Discovery Airline boss says the company is happy to be the airline that flew the Super Eagles to victory over Congo in the AFCON qualifiers and went further to say the airline will continue to play a role in the teams, successes.

cure promotion back to the NPFL. The Oluyole Warriors finished the season with 50 points, good enough to see them through.

Gabros International of Nnewi who were in fourth place on the log before the final day fixture finished on a high, defeating Ekiti United on the road to secure the second promotion ticket in Group B. Wikki Tourist of Bauchi have secured a place in the elite division having picked one of the two promotion tickets in Group A.

AFCON qualifiers results Congo 0 – 2 Nigeria South Africa 2 – 1 Sudan Malawi 2 – 0 Mali Uganda 1 – 0 Ghana Cameroon 1 – 0 D.R. Congo Lesotho 0 – 1 Burkina Faso Mozambique 0 – 1 Zambia Angola 0 – 0 Gabon Togo 1 – 4 Guinea Egypt 0 – 1 Senegal

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

If you want more than what most have, then you must do far more than what it is they do.

– Stephen Richards

World Record

Alexander Fleming: Discovered penicillin and paved the way for antibiotics (1928)

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

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Blood of Yobe kids, shame of a nation

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orty nine innocent little boys were butchered by Boko Haram in their schools on 10th November 2014 as they resumed class in Yobe state. The question must be asked: is there any limit to the depravity of these monsters and those that secretly support and encourage them?

I may not know much but one thing that I know is this: the spilling of innocent blood has terrible consequences for both the land on which it is spilt and for those that spill it. I am talking about long-term generational consequences.

This is the more so when that blood is the blood of children. Our girls are kidnapped from their schools, abducted, raped, married off and sold into slavery and we call ourselves blessed.

Our little boys are bombed to smithereens in their schools, their young lives are snuffed out, there is no sense of outrage and no-one is brought to book yet we call ourselves blessed.

Our level of sensitivity has been seared to a point that we don’t care anymore and we are no longer moved when we hear about the horrors being inflicted on our people, yet we call ourselves blessed.

When will we appreciate the fact that there is something fundamentally wrong with us? I had every reason to feel so sad on the day that the news from Yobe came but my initial sadness was quickly overwhelmed by a deep and burning rage.

I was (and still am) enraged by this latest act of pure evil and I condemn it in the strongest terms. When I told Nigerians three years ago that Boko Haram and their secret sponsors and friends had to be crushed like vermin, even if it meant wiping out whole communities that secretly supported them, virtually everyone said that I was wrong.

Many within and outside government counselled that we ought to adopt a ‘’softly softly’’ approach towards them and disregarded my counsel. They even subjected me to insults and ridicule for taking such a strong stand and such a hardline at the time.

Yet unlike them I saw the evil behind Boko Haram long before it fully manifested and I recognised it for what it was right from the start.

Few others did.

The saddest aspect of it all is that even now, most Nigerians still can’t see or feel that evil despite the daily bombings, killings, abductions and kidnappings.

The truth is that until Boko Haram takes over the entire North and knocks on the gates of the South, Nigerians will continue to act as if the whole thing is no big deal and that whatever atrocities that Boko Haram commit really do not matter. That is how short-sighted, insensitive, depraved and ignorant we have become.

We are a people that have no conscience and we no longer care when our citizens are treated like filth or

Crossfire FEMI FANI-KAYODE

ffk2011@aol.com

Survivors of Yobe school attack receiving treatment at the hospital

slaughtered like flies. There is no other country and no other people in the world that suffer from our particular type of affliction. We are suffering from a strange disease.

Nigeria is not blessed, she is cursed and she is in dire need of deliverance.

If we were not cursed, how can we act as if all is well and how can we be normal after 49 of our school children were bombed to death in one fell swoop.

This single outrageous and horrendous act is enough to traumatise most nations and most people for the next ten years, but not us. Most of us are indifferent: we shut it out and act as if it never happened.

We are a strange land of strange men and women. We are a land where

Our level of sensitivity has been seared to a point that we don’t care anymore and we are no longer moved when we hear about the horrors being inflicted on our people, yet we call ourselves blessed

the nepthalim hold sway. We are a land that enjoys to watch others suffer injustice, persecution and wickedness and where the youth would rather rant on facebook and twitter than risk their lives by marching on the streets and demanding change.

We are a land that despises the learned and that celebrate ignorance.

We are a land that hates the truth and that worships mammon. We are a land where courageous and righteous men suffer hardship, humiliation, injustice and persecution whilst evil men are reverred and exalted.

We are a land that claims to love God but that does everything that is contrary to His counsel and His will.

We are land where brother eats sister and where sister eats brother. We are a land where parents trade off the future, the destiny and the glory of their own children for a pittance and where men sell their souls to the devil for fame, power and wealth.

We are a land where children are killed and maimed, where women are dehumanised and turned into desperate harlots by virtue of the circumstances in which they are forced to live and where evil is nurtured, encouraged and glorified.

We are a land that continues to dance, to make merry and to rejoice even as it’s weakest and most vulnerable citizens are butchered and even when it’s very own children are slaughtered like christmas turkeys and sallah rams. I see all this and I say shame on us all: from the highest to the lowest we have all failed. From the pauper to the prince and from the

servant to the king we are all guilty.

Our hope and salvation lie in one thing and one thing alone: the love of the Lord God of Hosts, the mercy of the Ancient of Days and the grace of the Living God. I have little doubt and abundant evidence to prove that He still loves us despite the evil that is inherent in us.

If we repent and call on His name He shall deliver us from our fanciful and destructive delusions, our manifest and inexplicable greed, our insatiable love of money, our obsessive lust for power, our glorification of all that is ungodly and evil and our shameless self-hate and He shall make us whole again. His love for us is never ending: it remains faithful and true and it is as constant as the northern star.

As a matter of fact, it is by the power of that love alone that we have not fallen over the brink and totally destroyed ourselves by now.

It is by His grace and mercy that we have not suffered or experienced a Rwanda-type genocide in our shores or walked on the road to Kigali by now.

A couple of weeks back a courageous Canadian soldier was killed by an insane terrorist who stormed the Canadian Parliament and who held their political leaders hostage until he himself was killed. The whole world rose up and condemned this callous act and rightly came to a standstill.

Most importantly the Canadian government and people honoured the dead and paid him tribute after tribute. It was very moving and highly appropiate. That soldier deserved no less. Everyone in Canada, and indeed throughout the civilised world, was talking about it and people were very sad.

That is how normal people and normal countries are meant to react to such things and that is how sane and civilised people are expected to behave. Yet in Nigeria, it is not so. In this country, hundreds of our people are slaughtered in 100 different ways and abducted every week and there is no sense of panic or alarm.

There are no tears, there is no urgency, there is no passion, there is no anger, there are no demonstrations or demands for those that commit this evil to be brought to justice, there is no support for our security agents and military, there is no sense of national outrage and most important of all, there is no genuine empathy or sympathy for the victims and casualties of terror even though most of them are women and children. It is just business as usual and our nation is flying on auto pilot. Let us hope and pray that we don’t eventually go into free-fall and crash.

May the souls of the 49 young boys that were murdered in cold blood by a Boko Haram suicide bomber in their school on 10th November 2014 rest in perfect peace. May God forgive us for our sheer insensitivity, wickedness, selfishness and callousness and may His love never depart from the shores of our nation.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.